Daily Excelsior
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Those who live within the periphery of the senses and the mind, encounter thousands of problems. These problems no government can solve. A government is capable of solving the problem of food, shelter and clothing, but it cannot resolve the problems created by the senses and the mind. Nobody can. Only a man's own intense meditation can resolve these. There is' no other way. That is why we are discussing samadhi today The problem which cannot be resolved at the social or governmental level can be resolved on the individual level through samadhi.
The problem means - the influxes, and samadhi means - restraint. The problem means - infatuation, and samadhi means - the experiencing of consciousness. One thing is certain. Had there been no infatuation, a man could not live in this world. Every individual is caught in illusion; that is how he is able to live at all. Our body is provided with all kinds of defense mechanisms. As long as the body can endure suffering, it keeps awake, but when suffering increases and it can endure it no longer, it falls unconscious. In the case of some terrible diseases extreme dejection and suffering, a man immediately goes into unconsciousness. This is nature's own provision that since a man cannot endure too much suffering while keeping awake, let him fall unconscious. Either extreme pain itself pushes a man into unconsciousness or the doctor makes him unconscious through external devices.
Unconsciousness is non-meditation - this is our problem. The experiencing of awareness is samadhi.
Sleeping is a problem; keeping awake is samadhi. That we go to sleep is our biggest problem. Our waking up is samadhi. The experiencing of consciousness is samadhi; to be awakened is samadhi, practicing restraint is samadhi.
There is an inexhaustible reservoir of energy within us. A good deal of this energy lies covered, hampered. Some of it exists potentially and a little is being actually put to use. If we become alive to this treasure, then the potentially existing energy and that which lies covered and hampered, could be brought up to the ground of utility.
Energy can be awakened through the exercise of self-control. Our mind puts up a great many demands, which we go on fulfilling, with the result that our energy gradually lapses. The secret of re-awakening it is: Non-acceptance of the demands put up by the mind.
The rejection of the mind's demands means the development of will-power. This in itself constitutes control. Nothing is difficult for a man of strong determination.
Auspicious and inauspicious factors do bring about a change in the arising of karman, but the mind's determination is the greatest factor of them all. The change wrought by will-power is not possible through other factors. Those who are steadfast in their determination are able to accomplish great work. Gautam asked:
"Illustrious one! What does a living being acquire through control?"
Lord Mahavira replied:" Through control, the soul neutralizes the influxes."
With the practice of self-control, the influx of foreign matter stops of itself. With the perfection of restraint, the consciousness of penance begins. A new movement starts. Hitherto, regular supplies from outside provided a good deal of energy. With the stoppage of outer provisions, a great commotion is caused inside. The process of penance is a spiritual practice whose consummation is the dissociation of karman.
The dissociation of karman is no sadhana; restraint in itself is no sadhana. Both these are accomplishments. The consummation of self-control is restraint; and that of penance is the dissociation of karman.
When the outer influx ceases, and that which is within, begins to move outwards - it is difficult to contain it - the condition of motivelessness is achieved. After the achievement of motivelessness, one attains perfection. Then the spectator stance, the state of being the knower-and-seer only, is stabilized. The pilgrimage started for the achievement of the spectator stance is culminated. This is the end of our pursuit. Herein, our true nature stands manifested. Our true nature is - perfect, enlightened and free.