Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Even if it were possible to avoid performing any actions at all it would not be right to abandon appropriate actions that you should do to fulfill your role in life and your duty to society. Avoiding those duties because they might be difficult or because you are afraid you might not get the results you want is not true renunciation. That kind of nonattachment does not do you any good.carry out all your responsibilities solely because they should be done while forsaking the outcome.perform all your actions with the intent to benefit everyone,do your best and let go of any desire you have to get the results you want. By doing so you will be free from fear and doubt with a calm understanding that you can remain unaffected by either pleasant or unpleasant activities.

Friday, January 20, 2012

While the argument can be made that every action is at least partially tainted by deep-rooted desire and attachment, we cannot stop all our actions. Some go to the extreme of trying to limit their actions to performing religious rituals, philanthropy and self-discipline, but even these essentially pure activities can have elements of selfish desire and the expectation that their results will lead to a favorable outcome. The only sure way to do anything and still avoid any possible negative consequences is to do them without regard for whatever results ensues.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Ch. 18: Union with God through Freedom and Renunciation

Renunciation and non-attachment are at the heart of the message of the Bhagavad Gita and constitute the secret to becoming free from all of life’s difficulties. Basically, renunciation refers to giving up any selfishly motivated actions. Non-attachment means letting go of your desire to have your actions yield the results you want them to achieve. By combining the two, you will be completely free from the disappointments, frustrations anxiety and fears that life brings to most people.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

In the Hindu religion, all spiritual practices are started by uttering the word “AUM” (OM). Those who are sincere about seeking absolute freedom will also concentrate on the meaning of the word “TAT” (pure existence) when performing various religious rites or austerities so that no thought of personal gain enters their minds. The absolute reality behind all creation is known as “SAT” and it designates pure goodness. That word is uttered to remind the devotee that all his or her actions have their basis in the ultimate supreme divine and should be done to serve God. AUM-TAT-SAT is considered to be the designation for everything that is. Any actions undertaken without this in mind are considered worthless because they are ASAT (untrue).

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Anything you want to do can be done with a combination of motives that reflect the influence of the three qualities of nature. Actions can be performed purely for the sake of doing the right thing, or for selfish motives, or for inappropriate reasons. When you do something simply because it needs to be done, with no strings attached, and it is done under the right circumstances involving the right people it is a pure action. If you do something reluctantly or with the thought of gaining merit or getting something in return, it is an action that is motivated by the selfish desires of your ego and mind. Doing anything rudely or contemptuously at an improper time or place to the wrong person is performing an action from a state of ignorance or dullness. Strive to perform all your actions willingly for the benefit of everyone around you, without thought of reward or honor and you will not generate any negative karma going forward.

Monday, January 16, 2012

There are many kinds of austerities one can practice to further his or her spiritual development, but the intention behind their practice largely determines the benefit. For example, worshiping God, serving your spiritual teachers, honoring those who have been born-again into a spirtiual life and respecting the wisdom of sages are all worthy spiritual disciplines if they are done with real enthusiasm and sincerity.  Other disciplines like always being truthful, speaking pleasantly and kindly with words that do not aggitate others, or studying the scriptures can be done purely because they are the right things to do or for selfish reasons like wanting to gain honor or respect for your wisdom or because you want to be admired for being able to put on a show of piety. The results of that kind of self-discipline are not reliable. Even otherwise good and beneficial mental disciplines like developing calmness and contentment through meditation, observing silence or other kinds of self-control can be done just to be obstinant in order to defy someone else and create difficulty in their lives. Some people practice austerities to the point that they become self-torture and mistakenly believe that it is somehow spiritually beneficial. That kind of practice is based on delusion and ignorance.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Similarly, the way we worship is a function of the influence of the three qualities of nature on our thinking. Any manner of worship that is done without desire for personal rewards, but is performed with single-minded devotion instead is in the true spirit of the scriptures. That is pure and harmoneous worship. Our mental tendencies, however, might make us inclined to worship for the sake of getting some personal merit or avoiding some kind of punishment for our sins. That kind of worship is motivated by the restless quality of dynamic energy. Worship that is offered without any active belief or with disregard for the tradition behind the ritual is just going through the motions and is not based on the truth. It is motivated by ignorance, laziness and affords no spiritual benefits.