Five Enemies Within Us

From a satsang by Gautam Baiji ~

The saints say there are five enemies hiding within us.

kaam (lust)
krodha (rage)
lobh (greed)
moh (attachment)
ahankar (conceit/pride)*

You can escape "outside enemies," but how can you escape "inside enemies?"

Your soul is craving the divine power. Your mind is wandering with the worldly things, the materialism.

So how can we avoid distractions and connect with the divine power? How can we connect the body, mind and soul?

Here's a hint: you cannot see your face in boiling water. You can only see your reflection in calm water.

The water should be steady.

And clean.

Clean and calm water, and we can see clearly.

If the mind is not there, we cannot get the peace we want.

Our thoughts will become our actions, so we have to watch our thoughts. Everything is depending on our thinking.

So how can we make our thinking better?

Our saints say, "Good thinking comes from the company of great saints and satsang..."


*These five major weaknesses of the human personality - at variance with its spiritual essence - are also known as the Five Thieves because they steal a person's common sense 

What We Leave at the Door

Gautam Baiji likes to say that when we enter the ashram, we need to "forget labels." 

Labels, meaning anything we attach to ourselves that gives shape to our identity that separates us from our True Self, our Divine Self.

Before God, we are not our profession, for instance, our any title or label we might attach to ourselves. 

There are other kinds of labels we should leave behind as well:

I remember reading years ago that when "We Are the World" was recorded with many great American musicians, the only requirement to participate was that they "must leave their egos at the door." 

Less distractions that way.

So there are things we can leave at the door - besides our shoes - that will enable the ashram to have the greatest effect. After all, that's why we came! 

Spoken Words Are Free - Should We Take Them For Granted, or Value Them?

Satsang by Gautam Baiji

"As humans, it's our responsibility to help other people.

But you might say, "I don't have enough money to give to too many things."

You don't need that - you have your voice.

If you have a nice voice, you can sing and other people will feel good. 

You can also say good words to give peace to others. 

Some words are like medicine, and some words give warmth.

Saints say, "Remember the Holy Name." But Swami Vivekananda was asked why he always said that. 
In reply, he said a bad word.
Some people got mad. "How can you say this word? You are a saint!" 
He said, "Sorry." Immediately they calmed down. 
"I said one bad word and your temper quickly flares high, then I said 'sorry' and you are quickly calming down."

This is the power of words.

Our saints say, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

So what is that word? Words can bring happiness, and words can bring sorrow and pain.

But we don't give them much value because they are free. Free things are not much valued by us. We don't see the value behind the gift.

Maybe we can try to do that."

The Art of Remembering

Satsang by Mahesh Shastri 

"No one escapes life and death. It’s important to understand this cycle. 

The mind gets involved in the material world. You play in the material world with the conscious mind. 

But everybody sleeps at night. They’re connected with God there unconsciously. 

And because they are connected, they are very peaceful when they get up. 

But if they know how to meditate with the conscious mind, then, during the daytime in the material world, it will help them connect with their deeper self.

If they know this.

If they don’t do this, they will have more difficulty at the end of their life.

Lord Krishna maintained that one could be a cruel person in life, but if they remember Him at the end of their life, if they remember the Holy Spirit, they will be forgiven. All will be forgiven.

Providing… they remember.

How to remember? 

That's what we teach at the ashram. The art of remembering. Of connecting."

"It's Like a Temple of Peace" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Kantu: "I started coming seven or eight years ago and was always drawn there by the baijis. Talking to them gives you peace. I go for the meditation, the yoga - it's like a temple of peace, which you feel as soon as you get there. It's like you're in a completely different place with a good vibration. Since retiring, I've only wanted to do public service, so I started teaching pranayama, yogic breathing exercises and om-meditation at the ashram, which gives me great satisfaction."  

"I Feel Like I'm in the Care of Family" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Graciela: "This is a place where I feel really peaceful. I never see bad energies. I love the sisters (baijis) and I feel like I'm in the care of family. Also I come to yoga, and I like to have tea with them afterward and chat for a while. When you feel the peace you feel here, when you exercise doing yoga, your spiritual life gets expanded. Since I started coming here, I feel much better in the world."

"I Have Known Such Peace Since Finding This Ashram" - Reasons People Come to DAYC

 

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Paula: "I have known such peace since finding this ashram. I'm just really happy to be here. It really helps me to be calm in my life. I'm dealing with something very stressful, and it's really helped me to see that I can't control the situation."

How to Live with Virtue: Rammurti Baiji and The Eighteen "Ities"

Rammurti Baiji spoke these words in English:

"Serenity. Regularity. Absence of Vanity. Sincerity. Simplicity. Veracity. Equanimity. Fixity. Non-Irritability. Adaptability. Humility. Tenacity. Integrity. Nobility. Magnanimity. Charity. Generosity. Purity. Immortality."

This is from Sri Swami Sivananda:

"For everyone's success in life and especially for an aspirant's success in spiritual life, it is essential that he should develop certain cardinal virtues. Virtue is strength, power and the key to peace. A virtuous man is ever happy, peaceful and prosperous. People ask me for the specific mention of the virtues that one should develop. The Song of Eighteen "Ities" enumerates the virtues that one should cultivate.

Take up any one virtue and develop it to a very high degree of perfection; eradicate in toto its opposite evil quality even in its most subtle form. Meditate on these virtues, on their benefits and the methods of cultivating them. Here is the Song of Eighteen "Ities":

1. SERENITY

Be tranquil within. Let that inner peace and joy radiate through a serene countenance. A serene countenance is peaceful, smiling and serious and does not betray any violent emotions. It is like the surface of a still lake.

2. REGULARITY

Be regular in your daily habits, and in your work and spiritual practices. Get up at a particular time. Be clock-like in your daily activities. You will be free from worry, fear, anxiety, haphazard and shabby work. You will do the right thing at the right moment.

3. ABSENCE OF VANITY

Do not boast of your birth, position, qualifications and spiritual attainments. Praise others. See good in all. Treat even the lowliest creatures as your equal and with respect.

4. SINCERITY

Let your words agree with the thoughts; let your actions agree with your words. Let there be harmony among your thoughts, words and actions.

5. SIMPLICITY

Be artless. Be simple in your speech. Do not twist words and topics. Be plain; avoid diplomacy, cunningness and crookedness. Be simple in your dress. Be simple in your food.

6. VERACITY

Be truthful. Stick to your promises. Do not exaggerate. Do not twist facts. Think twice before you speak. Speak truthfully. Speak sweetly. Be precise in what you say.

7. EQUANIMITY

Be calm. Bear insult patiently. Bear injury, suffering, failures and disrespect calmly. Do not be elated by praise, pleasure, success and honor. Look upon both with equal vision. Behave alike towards friends and foes. Never let anything disturb your inner peace.

8. FIXITY

Remember that you cannot achieve anything if you are fickle-minded. Choose your goal or ideal and remember it always. Never let it go out of mind even for a moment.

9. NON-IRRITABILITY

Irritability is the precursor of violent outbursts of anger. Watch carefully for the disturbance in the mental equilibrium. Watch for the ripples of anger that might rise in the lake of the mind. Quell them then and there. Do not allow them to assume greater proportions. Then you will attain peace.

10. ADAPTABILITY

Understand well the nature of people with whom you come into contact. Adjust your mode of approach to them. Adjust yourself in such a way as to be pleasing to them. Joyfully bear with the eccentricities of others. Always react in a harmonious manner. Serve all and love all. Have the feeling that the Lord dwells in the hearts of all as the Self of all.

11. HUMILITY

Respect everybody. Bow with folded hands before all. Do not talk in a loud voice before elders and venerable persons. Look at the toes while you walk. See the Lord in all and feel that you are His servant and so the servant of all. Consider none as inferior to you.

12. TENACITY

This is the natural friend of fixity. Once you have fixed your aim and chosen your path, stick to it. Do not waver. Be steadfast. Never compromise on your fundamental principles. Have the attitude: "I may give up my life but I will not swerve from the path; I will not break my vows."

13. INTEGRITY

Develop an integral personality. Tie all the loose ends of your character. Become a man of high moral principles. Lead a life of righteousness. Let righteousness waft its sweet fragrance from you. Everyone will trust you, obey you, respect you and revere you.

14. NOBILITY

Shun mean-mindedness as dung and poison. Never look into the defects of others. Always appreciate the good qualities of everyone. Be dignified in bearing. Never stoop to ignoble thoughts, words and actions.

15. MAGNANIMITY

Take a broad view of things. Ignore the faults of others: Be great and noble-minded in whatever you do. Avoid silly talk and childish prattle. Let not the mind dwell on little things and insignificant things.

16. CHARITY

Give, give and give. This is the secret of abundance. Radiate thoughts of goodness and love. Forgive the faults of others. Bless the man who injures you. Share what you have with others. Disseminate spiritual knowledge to one and all. Use the material wealth, knowledge and spiritual wisdom that you possess as a divine trust.

17. GENEROSITY

In whatever you give be liberal. Have a large heart. Do not be miserly. Take delight in the joy of others, in making them happy. Generosity is a sister-virtue of charity. It is the fulfilment of charity, magnanimity and nobility.

18. PURITY

Be pure at heart. Eradicate lust, anger and greed. Be pure in your thoughts. Think of God always. Think of the well-being of all. Be pure in your words; never utter harsh, unkind words. Be pure in body. Keep it clean and healthy. Let the dress and surroundings be clean. Observe the rules of physical, moral and spiritual hygiene.

These eighteen "Ities" will pave the way for you to march into the kingdom of God. They will open for you the gates of immortality. You will achieve great success in this life itself. A man who possesses these qualities in a very large measure is a saint indeed, who will be respected, adored and worshiped by one and all."

To these, Baiji adds Immortality. 

The Kingdom's Secret - a Satsang

Dr. Ashok Modh, the Vice President of Divine Art of Yoga Center, gave the following satsang:

Once there was a king who ruled over a peaceful kingdom. There was no war ever, and the peasants were always very happy, even if they were poor. The whole kingdom was very peaceful and content.

One day a king from a nearby kingdom heard rumors about this happy kingdom and yearned to know their secret. So he sent his Minister to find out. 

When the Minister arrived, he did indeed discover that the town was quite happy. Then he happened to meet one of the king's daughters, and they fell for each other very quickly. When he asked her the secret to the town's happiness, she told him it was because of Neel Mahadev, a cave that possessed a powerful force for peace and happiness. He insisted he be able to see it. 

So she went to her father and asked him to meet the Minister because they wanted to get married. When they met, the Minister agreed to marry her, but on one condition, "I must see the secret in the cave. I must see the Neel Mahadev."

The king reluctantly agreed, but with a condition of his own. "You will be blindfolded to keep its location secret."

So he blindfolded him and led him through the forest until they came to the cave. 

When the Minister entered and removed his blindfold, he saw utter happiness among the townspeople there. They were singing, dancing and having a good time with each other.

The Minister turned to the princess and said, "I will deliver the message of this place to my king, and then come back and marry you."

So when the Minister returned to his kingdom, he told the king all about the wonders of the Neel Mahadev in the cave. The king was astonished and wanted to know more. "How can we find this place if you were blindfolded?"

The Minister said, "I didn't know if I would ever be able to go back or not, so what I did is put seeds in my pocket, which I cut a hole in. As we walked, the seeds would drop out and become planted in the soil. When you go, you just follow those plants and you will get to the cave." 

So this king gathered his forces and descended on the kingdom, conquering the whole town. Then they followed the plants... and found the cave completely empty. There was nothing there except the king.

Everyone is amazed. What happened here? Why is there nothing to be found? 

The king finally says, "Neel Mahadev is nothing but a state of mind. It's the peacefulness of the town that created Neel Mahadev. And when the peace went away, the Neel Mahadev went away."

It is the same with any organization, in any town or community: if we want Neel Mahadev, we need to develop peace, we need to develop harmony, and we need to help everyone work together. Then we can bring Neel Mahadev to help conquer the evil within us.

At the Divine Art of Yoga Center, we can allow the baijis to guide us as our spiritual leaders and help us find our bliss. 

The Greatest Gift God Has Given Us - Baiji's Satsang

Mahatma Gautum Baiji did her satsang this Sunday almost entirely in English. Here it is, paraphrased:

Yoga actually comes from yuj, to unite with our self.

So when we do that - when we practice yoga and unite with our selves - we tend to naturally experience questions like "Why are we living?"

Why are we living?

To achieve something.

Obtaining material things? No, we know there is more. So what do we really want to achieve?

Peace.

When we're missing peace, the mind is upset. Without peace, everything else - especially the material things - are useless.

And nobody is selling peace...

Cell phones can do many amazing things. They can make calls, give directions, bring you news, etc. But they won't do any of those things if you don't charge it.

But when you get home at night and are ready to charge it, do you merely set it on top of the charger without plugging it in? No - you must connect it.

In the same way, we cannot find peace outside of ourselves. We must connect to it.

If I say, "God is in my heart..." Is my heart in a temple? Is my heart in a church?

God is in my heart, which is inside of me. (The word yoga itself refers to linking with God.)

So we might then ask ourselves, what is God?

God is energy. Think of electricity. It's not a bulb, but it can light up a room. It's not the air conditioner, but it can cool the room, or heat the room through a heating unit.

Once we realize God is within our heart all the time, we will understand that we need nothing else. This is peace.

But we need the eye to see it.

If you have a mound of sugar and sand mixed together, an ant will always know where the sugar is - such is his ability to focus.

A magnifying glass can burn paper because of its ability to focus on it.

Once we realize that God is within our heart all the time, we will need nothing else.

Without it, we are wasting our life...

The ability to be still and go inside to experience this - to meditate - is the greatest gift God has given us.

In the Bagavad-Gita, it is the technique that Krishna gave to Arjuna.

And yet if someone says "Let's go to a movie," we're ready, but if someone says "Let's meditate for fifteen minutes," we're suddenly too tired. Or busy.

We can have a healthy body, but a sick mind from no meditation and too many worldly distractions helps no one.

If you have a boat in the water, you are fine. But if too much water gets in the boat, you will sink. The same with too much of the world...

With meditation, we can get whatever we want. And what do we want most?

Peace.

 

A River of Coolness, a River of Peace

The baiji told this story:

Once there was a man who was peacefully going about his simple life. One day several men approached him and began mocking him. Their leader took particular joy in making fun of this simple man.

How did the man react to the taunts? He listened to them, and he kept listening. Most people would be deeply wounded by these words that were meant to cause great pain. Some might be moved to commit violence, but this man appeared unaffected.

After a time, the simple man spoke. "I'm sorry, but I have somewhere I have to go right now. If you like, I can return afterward and you can continue saying these things to me."

The leader looked at him harshly, then left in disgust.

The man watched him for a moment, then turned to go on his errand.

One of the others ran up and stopped him, saying, "Why did you not react to his nasty words? He was trying to hurt you, but you seemed to not even care!"

The man looked at him plainly. "You could say his words were like fire, right? And when fire meets water, what happens? It's extinguished."

"What do you mean?"

"There is a river in my heart. A river of coolness. A river of peace."

And at that moment, the men were instantly transformed. Not because the man tried to force them to change, but because of who he was, because of who he was being.

Now, they had the knowledge.

Without the knowledge, Baiji said, we react without thinking, too quickly to respond from our heart.

This knowledge must be taken to heart, so we can come from there in all our interactions. This will help provide the life of peace and bliss we are looking for.

A Good Reminder - The Four Agreements

As readers of this blog have heard, yoga and meditation make many spiritual principles easier to live moment to moment. It just comes with the territory.

I enjoy being a part of an ashram that does not adhere to one belief - a good idea can come from anywhere - and ultimately we are all after the same things (I don't need to tell you, smart reader, what those things are).

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is one of those wonderful books that distills how to live a good life to a few practical principles.

They can help us detect where there's friction in our life that needs attention. They may prompt questions, like:

• Am I not doing my best, and if not, why?
• Have I lied about something, or am I lying on a consistent basis?
• Does someone consistently irritate me? Am I taking it personally because their behavior is something I don't like inside myself?
• Am I constantly assuming negative things? What do I get out of engaging in gossip or drama instead of just loving people without judgement?

And while you're working on these, treat yourself to some yoga and watch all four get a LOT easier.

Peace and love!

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