We started the class with chanting Vedic shanti mantra "Om Sahana Vavatu" and then the entire Guru Stotram. Then, we took turns reading the Kindle Life book – chapters 2, 3 and 4.
We summarized the earlier session on chapter 1 and understood the meaning and difference between the terms “Freedom”, “License” and “Licentiousness”.
Freedom is the ability or power to act or speak. However, there is a major difference between freedom without any restrictions and freedom with the foundation of rules and regulations.
License is the permission/freedom to act as long as you follow the rules. E.g. the license to drive a vehicle as long as you follow the traffic rules. Similarly, following the rules/discipline will allow us to appreciate/enjoy life - just like we can enjoy the freedom to drive (safely) once we meet the requirements to get a driving license. Such a freedom will be truly meaningful.
Licentiousness or unrestrained freedom might sound good, but such callousness actually leads to misery and failure.
2. ART OF RIGHT CONTACT
This chapter builds further on true freedom. Any set of rules such as the constitution and our scriptures help us develop the right contact with the world – therefore meaningful freedom.
We use electricity in our everyday life, but we must respect it and follow the rules of electricity so we can establish the “right contact”. Otherwise, the same power can wreak havoc.
Any obstacles in our path are crucial like the sandpaper to polish our personality. Life situations or objects are not hurdles or problems by themselves – it is the different perspectives to a situation or object that makes them appear as positive or negative. E.g. the rasgulla (indian sweet) may give one person immense joy, but might be unpleasant to another. The object (rasgulla) is the same for both people, but their reaction is what differs.
The path to achieve peace and happiness within oneself is by developing thankfulness towards Brahman and overcoming the desire for material objects.
3. MAN’S HERITAGE
In this modern world, we are running after material desires/pleasures that we feel will make us happy. However, these material objects are an obstacle to real happiness. When we achieve them, the so-called joy is short-lived. We realize it doesn’t give us sustained happiness/peace.
A person who can restrain himself from such worldly objects reach the calmness/peace is like the lighthouse in the ocean of samsara. We can look up to such people when steering our life in the right direction. In our journey to happiness and calm, the religious texts act like a mariner's compass for guidance.
Once a person reaches the independence from the worldly objects, she/he is neither too happy when a garland is offered or perturbed if a crow sits on the head. That doesn’t mean the person is emotionless – they have sentiments, but aren’t sentimental. The difference is:
Having emotions/sympathy for a person in trouble, but holding one’s composure and maybe help them
Versus bursting out in tears seeing the other person, but that doesn’t serve any purpose.
To live our convictions to the fullest, it helps if we can introspect and take the right steps. If we need a Guru, the Lord will make sure we have one at the right time.
4. THE JOY OF LIVING
This chapter progresses on the concept of craving for worldly sense objects:
“…striking contradiction between a millionaire sitting and mourning in his palatial apartments and an ill-clad peasant, roaring in ecstatic joy…”
This reiterates that the worldly objects are not the medium providing the joy. The paradox proves the truth of life – acquiring a lot of wealth (or other material pleasures) doesn’t give a person happiness.
Meaningful and long-lasting happiness comes from when we attain calmness within oneself. Such a person can be a guide to others seeking the path to happiness.
Through today’s conversation, we also realized that it will help to introduce this idea of happiness to our children. Instead of keeping our focus on achieving success/acquiring money, true happiness is being able to steer away from material objects. The session also touched upon the CHYKs who realized the path to independence from worldly desires and wanted to join the Chinmaya Mission as Brahmachari/Brahmacharinis (sevaks) and their samskaras (positive impressions/traits).
We summarized the earlier session on chapter 1 and understood the meaning and difference between the terms “Freedom”, “License” and “Licentiousness”.
Freedom is the ability or power to act or speak. However, there is a major difference between freedom without any restrictions and freedom with the foundation of rules and regulations.
License is the permission/freedom to act as long as you follow the rules. E.g. the license to drive a vehicle as long as you follow the traffic rules. Similarly, following the rules/discipline will allow us to appreciate/enjoy life - just like we can enjoy the freedom to drive (safely) once we meet the requirements to get a driving license. Such a freedom will be truly meaningful.
Licentiousness or unrestrained freedom might sound good, but such callousness actually leads to misery and failure.
2. ART OF RIGHT CONTACT
This chapter builds further on true freedom. Any set of rules such as the constitution and our scriptures help us develop the right contact with the world – therefore meaningful freedom.
We use electricity in our everyday life, but we must respect it and follow the rules of electricity so we can establish the “right contact”. Otherwise, the same power can wreak havoc.
Any obstacles in our path are crucial like the sandpaper to polish our personality. Life situations or objects are not hurdles or problems by themselves – it is the different perspectives to a situation or object that makes them appear as positive or negative. E.g. the rasgulla (indian sweet) may give one person immense joy, but might be unpleasant to another. The object (rasgulla) is the same for both people, but their reaction is what differs.
The path to achieve peace and happiness within oneself is by developing thankfulness towards Brahman and overcoming the desire for material objects.
3. MAN’S HERITAGE
In this modern world, we are running after material desires/pleasures that we feel will make us happy. However, these material objects are an obstacle to real happiness. When we achieve them, the so-called joy is short-lived. We realize it doesn’t give us sustained happiness/peace.
A person who can restrain himself from such worldly objects reach the calmness/peace is like the lighthouse in the ocean of samsara. We can look up to such people when steering our life in the right direction. In our journey to happiness and calm, the religious texts act like a mariner's compass for guidance.
Once a person reaches the independence from the worldly objects, she/he is neither too happy when a garland is offered or perturbed if a crow sits on the head. That doesn’t mean the person is emotionless – they have sentiments, but aren’t sentimental. The difference is:
Having emotions/sympathy for a person in trouble, but holding one’s composure and maybe help them
Versus bursting out in tears seeing the other person, but that doesn’t serve any purpose.
To live our convictions to the fullest, it helps if we can introspect and take the right steps. If we need a Guru, the Lord will make sure we have one at the right time.
4. THE JOY OF LIVING
This chapter progresses on the concept of craving for worldly sense objects:
“…striking contradiction between a millionaire sitting and mourning in his palatial apartments and an ill-clad peasant, roaring in ecstatic joy…”
This reiterates that the worldly objects are not the medium providing the joy. The paradox proves the truth of life – acquiring a lot of wealth (or other material pleasures) doesn’t give a person happiness.
Meaningful and long-lasting happiness comes from when we attain calmness within oneself. Such a person can be a guide to others seeking the path to happiness.
Through today’s conversation, we also realized that it will help to introduce this idea of happiness to our children. Instead of keeping our focus on achieving success/acquiring money, true happiness is being able to steer away from material objects. The session also touched upon the CHYKs who realized the path to independence from worldly desires and wanted to join the Chinmaya Mission as Brahmachari/Brahmacharinis (sevaks) and their samskaras (positive impressions/traits).
Contributed by JS
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