LIVING WITH MINDFULNESS

 LIVING with MINDFULNESS

The new age phobia is FOMO - Fear of Missing Out.  In life everyone has the desire to fit in, live up to peer pressure and meet the expectations of society. Hence they feel the compulsion to follow the ongoing trends. People are willing to even live beyond their means to fulfil their desires, unmindful of the repercussions. 

No doubt desire is necessary for survival but it is also like the ever burning fire that is difficult to extinguish. It overpowers the senses and when unfulfilled leads to anxiety, restlessness, envy, resentment and many such vices. The quality of life is diminished and one fails to find peace and happiness in life.

When people are blindly driven by desires, they lose control of their thought processes. Their mind becomes troubled and lacks clarity of thinking. The need to fulfil their desires overpowers logical reasoning and hence they are unable to make the right decisions in any given situation. Constant comparison with others makes them feel dissatisfied and unhappy, which in turn adversely affects their relationships with others, creating disharmony in life.

Life lesson

Each one of us is unique and so is our journey on this planet. The need to belong comes naturally to every human being. However, it is important to understand that what is right for one person may not necessarily be right for another. Hence anything that is wrong must be firmly condemned, even if the majority are in favour of it.

 In a world that is full of distractions, one can easily get carried away; therefore it is important to pause, think and ask yourself - Is this right for me? What is it that I genuinely need at this moment?   It is wise to de-clutter the mind and focus on what is really needed at the moment to lead a happy and meaningful life.  So make sure that you are always in control of your desires and conscious of your thoughts and actions. This is the right path to true contentment and happiness in life.

 In the Bhagwad Gita, Shri Krishna shares the secret to wise and mindful living in the following shloka-

Bg. 2.58

यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः ।

इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥ ५८ ॥

yadā saṁharate cāyaṁ

kūrmo ’ṅgānīva sarvaśaḥ

indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyas

tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā

Translation

One who is able to withdraw his senses from sense objects, as the tortoise draws its limbs within the shell, is established firmly established in Divine wisdom.

Written by Saraswathi M V

Mentor credits: Prof. Shalini Pujari

YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW

 

“You reap what you sow” – After this moral lesson was taught to her in the value education class, Rhea returned home from school, her mind confused, full of questions that demanded answers. Curious and eager to know more about the meaning of the proverb, she went to her mother and asked, “Mamma, today the topic discussed in the value education class was, ‘you reap what you sow’. The teacher told us that what we give comes back to us; so does that mean should we should always do good?” 

“Yes Rhea,” her mother replied. “Your teacher is right. We all have to bear the consequences of whatever we do, so it is important to do good and be good.”

This moral saying had a huge impact on Rhea and from then onwards she ensured that she was always conscious about the consequences of her actions. As a child she obeyed her teachers and parents and was good to her friends and family. As time passed, she started perceiving the world as black and white and gradually developed fear of committing bad karma which made her not only overcautious but also very anxious. She became increasingly judgemental and feared associating with people whom she considered to be bad. As a result, she started avoiding people with negative behaviour patterns and strived to be good to all. 

However, as she grew up she began to realise that every person she met had some imperfection or other. Every person she had personally found to be good had behaved badly with others while people she had presumed to be bad had surprised her with their innate kindness. This made her ponder over the moral principle she had learnt at school. Everyone has shades of grey in them, she mused and so is it possible to be good all the time? This question haunted her.

Eventually she learnt to see people as they are and understood that a person’s behaviour is to a large extent influenced by circumstances. Consequently, it is unjust to be judgemental and label someone as bad. She also realised that being good often meant living up to the expectations of others. When one does not live up to the expectation of others, one immediately ceases to be good for them. Thus it is unrealistic to expect to be in the good books of anyone all the time. 

One day when Rhea was filled with anxious thoughts about the right way to deal with people without entangling herself in what she considered to be ‘bad karma’, Rhea found her mother reading the Bhagwad Gita. She asked her, “Ma!  I am finding it very difficult to please everyone by being good all the time. Although I have tried my best, many people are angry or disappointed with me. Will I have to pay a price for the bad karma I have accumulated unintentionally?”  Her tone was anxious and her mother noticing it, tried to calm her by reading aloud out a verse from the Bhagwad Gita:

Bg. 2.47

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।

मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥ ४७ ॥

karmaṇy evādhikāras te

mā phaleṣu kadācana

mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr

mā te saṅgo ’stv akarmaṇi

Translation

You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.

LIFE LESSON

We all have obligations towards our family, friends and society. It is important to do our best in the interest of others but not advisable to become attached to the consequences of our actions. People make themselves miserable when they do not get credit for their contribution which causes anxiety.  Work that is done with attachment to results, whether positive or negative, is cause for bondage. So whatever you do, do it – UNCONDITIONALLY. 

Written by : Saraswsthi M V

Mentor credits: Prof Mrs Shalini Pujari

FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS ( coping with the loss of a loved one)

FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS

( coping with the loss of a loved one)

"A heart overwhelmed with grief

Mourning over the loss of a loved one

Lamenting day and night

Wishing things could be undone

How can one find solace?

How can one endure the pain?

Knowing well that life without the beloved 

Will never be the same again!"

Life is the journey of a soul on a brief solo trip to this material world. We are here because we desire to experience, enjoy and learn from this world and above all understand that the most important aim of life is self realisation. 

To help us survive on this wonderful planet, God has bestowed on all of us a family to nurture and prepare us for this amazing but unpredictable journey. It is the bonding of our family relationships that gives sustenance and strength by providing us with security, confidence, love and affection.  Gradually this filial love grows into attachment and soon we cannot imagine life without our loved ones.

The greatest fear of mankind is death, especially the fear of losing someone near and dear to us. The irreplaceable loss of a loved one leaves a huge void in one’s life, a vacuum that can never be filled. A part of us is gone forever and we can never be the same again.  Our world turns upside down and the future seems bleak and insecure. How does one overcome the grief and lamentation? 

 At the battlefield of Kurukshetra Bhagwan Shri  Krishna says the following words to a grief stricken Arjuna: 

Bg. 2.13

देहिनोऽस्मिन्यथा देहे कौमारं यौवनं जरा ।

तथा देहान्तरप्राप्तिर्धीरस्तत्र न मुह्यति ॥ १३ ॥

dehino ’smin yathā dehe

kaumāraṁ yauvanaṁ jarā

tathā dehāntara-prāptir

dhīras tatra na muhyati

Translation

As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change.

The individual soul is the fragment of the supreme soul. The body is perishable but the soul is eternal. One who has perfect knowledge of the constitution of the individual soul, the Supersoul, and nature – both material and spiritual – is called a dhīra, or a most sober person. 

Bhagwan Shri Krishna further explains about the nature of the individual soul:

Bg. 2.20

न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचि-

न्नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः ।

अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो

न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे ॥ २० ॥

na jāyate mriyate vā kadācin

nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ

ajo nityaḥ śāśvato ’yaṁ purāṇo

na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre

Translation

For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.

LIFE LESSON

Life is a journey from birth to death.  Every second, every breath, every step we take is taking us to our inevitable destination. We should realise that we are the insignificant fragments that belong to the super soul and our purpose of life is to find and know Him for He is our true permanent companion for not just this life but forever. 

An individual soul suffers due to being forgetful of it’s TRUE identity and nature. The end of a life should be understood as the beginning of a new journey. Only then can one overcome the grief. 

“With A heart full of love

And a mind full of sweet memories

Wish them well, as they begin their new journey

Let go! Set them free.....”

 Written by- Sarawathi M V

Mentor : Prof. Mrs Shalini Pujari

 

The Guiding Light

 

THE GUIDING LIGHT

The uncertainties of life often leave us feeling bewildered. During such times, we lose clarity of mind and find it difficult to do what is right in the given situation. Considering ourselves to be the masters of our destiny we take our own decisions and seldom rely on people. It is only in a state of either moral dilemma or indecisiveness, that we seek advice from our near and dear ones. 

In this context, it is wise to recall the famous proverb in Hindi, “ सबकी सुनो अपनी करो” – Take advice from everyone but  listen to your inner voice. People give advice based on their experiences and perspective of life. Their opinions may be correct for them but not right for us. Hence it is best that we listen to our own conscience. However, the complexities of life are such that they hinder our ability to think clearly. The question then arises, what should one do in such a situation? The perfect solution is Prayer and unwavering Faith in the Divine.

 LIFE LESSON 

When life seems out of control and we are unable to decide what is best for us, then we must surrender completely to divine cosmic power. GOD-The supreme spiritual master knows what is right for us and will provide clarity of thought, so that we do what is needed and get what we deserve at the right time. 

At the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna could not understand the reason for his mental confusion, although he knew that his duty to fight was awaiting him. He offers himself to the Supreme Spiritual Master- Bhagwan Shri Krishna as a disciple and requests him to give a definite solution. 

 

Bg. 2.7

कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः

पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेताः ।

यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्‍चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे

शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् ॥ ७ ॥

kārpaṇya-doṣopahata-svabhāvaḥ

pṛcchāmi tvāṁ dharma-sammūḍha-cetāḥ

yac chreyaḥ syān niścitaṁ brūhi tan me

śiṣyas te ’haṁ śādhi māṁ tvāṁ prapannam

Translation

Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of miserly weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell me for certain what is best for me. Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me.

Written by _ Saraswathi M V

Mentor credits: Mrs Shalini Pujari 

Ref: The Bhagwad Gita

Overcoming Failures

 

OVERCOMING FAILURES

A magnificent tree at the park succumbed to the wrath of Nature – heavy rains! Despite having strong roots , it could not sustain its boughs. The severed branches had to be chopped off and what survived was the huge trunk of the tree standing tall despite - the destruction. Walkers, joggers and other passers by looked at the tree with compassion. They felt sorry for the state it had been. “How beautiful! it was and look at its state  now! “ they exclaimed. 

A few days had passed by and soon new life began to grow on the tree . Tiny branches emerged on the trunk. It was heartening to see new life, a new beginning! Everybody watched in astonishment, as they had assumed that the tree would just remain an artefact in the Park. They also admired the new beauty and applauded nature for its ability to re-bounce from destruction. 

LIFE LESSON

Many times in life, no matter how strong we are and how sincerely we adopt the values we have been raised with: we all go through dark moments. Moments which will crush us, break us, those which question our existence and beliefs. One may feel helpless, may not find solutions to emerge from the situation, receive backlash or judgment that the mess we are in is our responsibility or a consequence of our actions. But one forgets that the difficulties in life occur to help us evolve as individuals, to strengthen our belief in ourselves, to redirect us to the right path. Tough times also show us the true nature of people around us. Who wishes well and who is happy to see us in hell -True faces unmasked!

Adversities are part of life and humankind needs to rise and shine like the phoenix, come what may! Learning to survive amidst difficulties and difficult people is the biggest challenge of life- tolerance and patience being the key! The purpose of life is to live it well and not be bogged down by circumstances. Tough times do not last but tough people do! The simplest way to remain calm amidst crisis is being thankful for all that life has given us- the Good as well as the Bad. Every experience is meant to mould us into the person we are meant to be.

Bhagwan Shri Krishna says  the following to Arjuna :-

Bg. 2.14

मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः ।

आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत ॥ १४ ॥

mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya

śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ

āgamāpāyino ’nityās

tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata

Translation

O son of Kuntī, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.

_Written by Saraswathi M V

Krishnakshara (celebrating the eternal bond)

Kshara sat beside Krishna admiring the magnificent manifestation of the supreme personality of Godhead. Her eyes sparkled in awe of the breath-taking view of the entire cosmos. “Its magical!” she exclaimed. Krishna was quiet, unperturbed by the magnificence. “Don’t you feel like being amidst all the splendour, you have created? You stay aloof, far away from the magical lands.” she said. Krishna smiled at her innocent query and said “ I am a part of it and yet I’m not. I’m always there but I don’t have to be there all the time.” Kshara didn't understand, “I am very eager to go and explore the magical lands, especially the special place called Earth. Life there I’ve heard is pretty exciting and a great learning experience too” she said. “As you wish!” said Krishna, “but remember it will be a long journey, you will have to live according to the laws of the material nature. There will be happiness and pain, loss and gain, love and hatred, it’s a world of dualities my dear. You have to bear them all with equanimity.” he explained. “ Why do I need to worry when You are there” said Kshara. “ I will seek guidance from you when needed". She added. 

In Krishna’s world every soul was entitled to ‘free will’. It was his way of expressing love for them. Their happiness was his priority, so he let them be, as they wished to be. Kshara, driven by desire began her journey into the magical lands. “Be careful my dear!” warned beloved Krishna “ As Maya takes charge from here. Never forget my name, that’s the only way to connect with each other again.” Kshara promised to keep her word and delved into the magical world.

She wished to be among the flowers as a butterfly, then as a bird soaring in the sky. Krishna fulfilled her every wish. After taking different forms and different births, she finally got the privilege to live the human life, it was her most awaited designation. It felt great to be a human, proud to have many abilities, a beautiful form and a  strong mind with the power of imagination. There was so much to explore one lifetime did not seem enough. She  wished for many such lifetimes to fulfill her dreams and all that she desired for. Her needs and wants knew no bounds. She craved for knowledge, power, wealth,  beauty, perfect spouse, a happy family, prosperity, success and an heir to inherit her legacy. The list never seemed to end. Alas! Blinded by ignorance, she forgot her eternal friend. Whenever there was pain, loss or suffering she would blame Krishna considering him to be the reason for her miseries. Krishna watched from above unperturbed by the condition of his love, for it was the path she had chosen. 

Thus Kshara was entangled in the cycle of birth and death. There was no escape, it was due to her desires that she was entrapped. Happiness seemed momentary and sorrows endless. Her will power began to crumble, her spirit crushed by the troubles. She cried, totally agonised, each time she was approached by death. It was her 'deeds' good and bad and her 'unfulfilled desires' that determined the next life, her next step. Soon, she lost belief in her beloved, when certain people claimed that the Supreme did not exist, she believed in whatever they said. 

There came a day when she was so overcome by grief, she questioned the purpose of existence,  and asked one and all about the meaning of life. Everything seemed worthless, even the beautiful world she once aspired to live in. She was now detached from all the material wealth, relationships, goals and the need to excel. Nothing in this world is permanent, what is there today is gone tomorrow.  As this realisation, dawned upon her, she learnt to move beyond ‘me and mine’ the cause of human sorrow. 

The clutches of Maya were so strong that she felt anxious, aimless, could not reach out to her beloved and re- establish their severed bond. But Krishna was kind enough, he knew what had to be done. He sent few noble souls to show her the way back home. A devotee is what the world called them. They dedicated their life to pure devotion. They spent their precious time to enlighten the fallen souls, to free them from the clutches of material nature and help them rise above the miseries of the world. 

They taught her to dwell upon the holy name, spoke of his glories and his all pervasiveness. “He resides in your heart and also in every particle of this universe” they said. They told her how important it is to follow the Sanatana dharma, to connect with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They called this Krishna Consciousness. Under the Guidance of A Bonafide spiritual master, Kshara learnt to include Krishna in everything, making him an integral part of her being. Shravanam, kirtanam, vishnu. smaranam, archanam, vandanam, pada-sevanam, dasyam, sakhyam, atma-nivedanam- the Nava Bhakti or theNine types of devotional service, she heard were practised by all devotees to attain the Supreme. She practised along with them, thus began her penance. Chanting his holy name was the simplest form of purification. She chanted as many times, as many number of days and nights she spent in this material world, as many number of births that she had acquired, as many number of  breaths she had taken in her many lifetimes, as many number of needs and wants she had wished to fulfill in her all life , as many number of desires and thoughts that had crossed her mind. 

Day by day her faith in him strengthened and the clutches of Maya weakened. She now included him in all her thoughts, the all pervasive  Krishna’s presence awakened in her heart. The once severed bond was revived again. As she meditated upon him in happiness and pain. She accepted everything that came her way, as a blessing for the betterment of self. She spoke of his pastimes, sang hymns in his praise and to the entire world preached about his greatness and opulence. Then came a day when the time had come for Kshara to re-unite with her loved one. While she meditated upon him in pure consciousness, discarding her material body she rose in the form of a spiritual spark and merged into the effulgence of the Akshara; the Supreme Personality of Godhead for eternity in  the highest spiritual realm.

tesam satata-yuktanam

bhajatam priti-purvakam

dadami buddhi-yogam tam

yena mam upayanti te

TRANSLATION

To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me 

Bhagwad Gita 10.10

The Like Fractions

Perception plays an important role in determining the course of our life. There is so much we can learn from life, only if we observe, imbibe and alter our perspective. Living in harmony and adapting to the environment are essential for growth and important to lead a balanced life.One can achieve this only when they learn to see the good in every situation and also the good in others. Every individual is unique and special. A creation of God can never be faulty. If we train our mind to look for the spark of goodness in others, appreciate and acknowledge them the world will definitely be a happier place to live in. 

 The mad race or rat race for success; competition, comparison and the need to excel has strained human relationships. Individuals are dejected at the smallest failures. Many lack coping skills, a support system, in family or friends.

Strengethening relationships is the need of the hour, as they have become fragile and reduced to be just a matter of benefit. Everyone has a list of people whom they dislike and avoid for various reasons. Avoiding people on reasons of incompatibility is preferred for mental wellbeing but not always an optimal solution.

 Every individual has something good in them which is unfortunately camouflaged by their unfavourable behaviour towards us. The vices we see in a person are a result of the circumstances and not necessarily their true nature.

 Empathy can mend  strained relationships. If we understand the other person and respect them for what they do and how they choose to be, life will be a lot easier.

Emotional distress is rising due to interpersonal conflicts and differences of opinion. It has become difficult to convey feelings to one another. The Ego does not permit individuals to share their trauma and insecurities for the fear of being judged. Confronting the troubled mind is essential and communicating with difficult people can certainly change the equation. Sensible conversations help in resolving sensitive issues. 

While it’s a blessing to have someone who is willing to listen to you without judging, lending an ear to those in distress can be very helpful. Sharing perspectives can bridge the gap between distant minds and hearts. Relationships thrive when there is Mutual respect.

 In this vast ocean called life, God has given each one of us a special place. If we humbly accept it, there will be no insecurity in the human mind. However different we may be, we all are equal in the eyes of God. We are a part of him, the like fractions of the Supreme Soul.The day we understand  and accept this truth the world will be a joyous place to live in.

The following shloka from Bhagwad Gita beautifully explains the importance of Equanimity of Vision...

Bg. 18.20

सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते ।

अविभक्तं विभक्तेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि सात्त्विकम् ॥ २० ॥

sarva-bhūteṣu yenaikaṁ

bhāvam avyayam īkṣate

avibhaktaṁ vibhakteṣu

taj jñānaṁ viddhi sāttvikam

Translation

That knowledge by which one undivided spiritual nature is seen in all living entities, though they are divided into innumerable forms, you should understand to be in the mode of goodness.

Always be Yourself

 

 Always be Yourself

The family is the basic social unit of society which ideally demonstrates that inter dependence is the key for survival and progress in life. Care and compassion are the fundamentals on which humanity thrives, with family being the foreground. It is the primary duty of every family member to think about the welfare of their loved ones, apart from their own. 

People tend to worship those they think are perfect. This creates a personal need to live up to the expectations of others.  In the process many people lose sight of what they want from life. They spend an entire lifetime focusing on how others want them to be rather than what they truly wish to be. Ultimately this leads to frustration, regret and loss of happiness as they are unable to reach their full capacity for personal growth and self actualization.

 In life everything comes with its own set of limitations. When expectations cross the line, they become a baggage. The need for space is side-lined and relationships suffocate and may even suffer a breakdown. 

Mutual respect and the need to give space to one another can save many a relationship. Understanding what is good for your loved one rather than what you want them to be can be truly liberating.

Realising what is right for you and your loved ones can make life more meaningful and peaceful. Loving your family is important but loving yourself is not selfishness. Self care is essential to enable you to care for others. Hence it is important to be yourself and also help others to discover their true potential. Rising above unrealistic expectations is the first step towards Liberation.

“Doing as others told me, I was blind.

Coming when others called me, I was lost.

Then I left everyone, myself as well,

Then I found everyone, myself as well!”

-RUMI

Essence Of Dharma

 

The Human Mind is constantly engaged in the battle between Right and Wrong. One is either trying hard to be Right or judging others for being not so Right. What we need the most is to accept people the way they are and focus on the well being of one and all. What is right for One may not be right for the Other. It’s a matter of perspective and the circumstances that influence peoples behaviour. 

 

Everything in the world belongs to God, everything is a part of him. He who has truly realised God, cannot hate anyone. God gives innumerable chances for people to correct their mistakes but never rejects them. The law of Karma makes people face the consequences of their actions, helping them to work towards betterment of Self, aiding spiritual growth. His unconditional love makes room for the weakest, the cruelest  and the most imperfect. This is Dharma.

 

Dharma is acceptance, empathy, unconditional love, working towards the well being of others. When we stop loving, we embrace Adharma. We judge, condemn, and reject people. Invalidate them in hatred. We stop being generous, become mean minded, petty, clingy, stingy and possessive. We are often clueless and confused, in search of wisdom and direction. We forget the path to the Supreme Being. We entrap ourselves in rigid, narrow mind-sets. 

 

In the pursuit of wealth and power, we fail to empower others. In our lack of wisdom, we lose the golden opportunity to enjoy life, make life enjoyable for others and find joy in giving not just taking.

 

Life is difficult and people are imperfect. In the struggle for survival, to cope up with the vagaries of this world, everyone makes mistakes. True love is the ability to love people, despite their mistakes.

 

Dharma is about the human ability to share and care, about giving, not just taking. It is about realising  the spiritual reality through material reality. It is about questioning the notions of property and identifying the root cause of greed , envy, rage and hate.

 

 It is about realising that in every human being is a frightened beast, seeking survival and significance and knowing that humans can outgrow this beast only through EMPATHY . This process of outgrowing the beast is the process of discovering GOD. 

 

The Bhagwad Gita provides us a true understanding of life, that which prevents false interpretations of circumstances and false expectations from the world. An enlightened heart loses its craving for power and embraces love. Life becomes blissful if we participate in it rather than trying to seek control over it. The ultimate Goal being Spiritual Reality.

ATMA and AHAM

Atma the soul is indestructible. Atma defies all laws of nature- it has no form, it cannot be measured, it cannot be experienced using any of the five senses. It is a self assured entity that does not seek acknowledgement or evidence. One has to believe in it. There is no other way to access it. Atma is the essence and objective reality of all forms of life.

Brahma (the creator) has no faith. He refuses to look beyond the flesh. He ignores Atma, and so catalysed the creation of Aham, the Ego. The ego is a product of imagination. It is how a human being sees himself or herself. It makes humans demand special status in nature and culture.

Brahma is every human being. He is described as emerging from a lotus, a metaphor for a child emerging out of the mothers womb. This is also a metaphor for the gradual unfolding of the imagination.

Every human being is subject to his own imagination of his self and the world around him, thus imagines himself to be special. Every human being is thus Brahma, creator of his own Brahmanda(subjective reality).

Prakriti(Nature) is the objective reality and Brahmanda ( A man’s imagination of himself and the world around him) is the subjective reality. 

Atma witnesses Prakriti whereas Aham constructs Brahmanda.

Human self image is expanded beyond the body and includes possessions. His world is spilt into three parts Me ( mind and body) , Mine ( property, knowledge,family and nature) Not Mine (things that exist in the world over which he has no authority).

The concept of Me and Mine is humankind’s greatest delusion through which humanity seeks to generate meaning and Identity. Tranquility is lost when human yearns for that which does not belong to him, leading to anxiety and restlessness.

Realisation of the true nature of existence helps in destroying the Aham( ego). To attain this one must look inward,work towards a better understanding of Atma the Soul. When human becomes aware of his mortality, he does not seek materialistic gratification. His fears cease to exist and he learns to live in harmony with Nature.


References: Devdutt Patnaik- 7 secrets of Shiva