Vairagya and Mumukshutva - dispassion and intense yearning for liberation

Mumukshutva is the intense yearning for liberation transcending the wheel of births and deaths of conditional impermanent and selfless worldly life existence of inevitable physical/mental/emotional restlessness and suffering powered by ignorance and egoism.

It's the objective or goal of all forms of yoga practice and meditation. Many years of performing yoga practice and meditation without Vairagya and Mumukshutva, but enjoying and indulging in the momentary goodness of yoga and meditation practice and the pleasant fruit of 'good karma' deriving from 'good actions', is like gathering and keeping accumulated pure and clean food in a 'bottomless' and contaminated container.

Vairagya (dispassion) and Mumukshutva are the two sides of a coin. They co-exist together as one. It's the 'under current' that pulls/leads the mind towards liberation.

Ignorance and egoism and worldly passionate desire/love/attachment/clinging is the 'under current' that generates/powers the whirlpool of Samsara, where the mind attaching onto/'loving and enjoying' the wheel of births and deaths of countless worldly transitions of names and forms that is subject to impermanence and selflessness, where the mind gets lost in the boundless desires of craving and aversion, seeking love, pleasure, goodness, righteousness, kindness, comfort, satisfaction, meaningfulness, sense of purpose, conditional freedom and limited good condition in the modification of the mind perception of an impermanent and selfless worldly life existence of names and forms, of worldly physical/mental/emotional/sensual activities/interactions/enjoyments/relationships/community support while unwittingly 'indulging in' the momentary physical/mental/emotional/sensual satisfaction and pleasure deriving from the gratification of the passionate desires, ignorantly mistaking egoistic passionate love/attachment/sympathy/empathy/clinging/charity/sacrifice as compassion.

Worldly people, including many yoga practitioners and yoga teachers who think they love yoga very much that they find yoga is something very meaningful and see themselves practicing yoga and teaching yoga to other people as the meaning/purpose of their life existence, would mistake Vairagya and Mumukshutva as a form of 'negative thinking/behavior', or 'depression', or 'madness'. That shows how great is the power of ignorance.

"Neither charity, nor sacrifice, nor fame, nor fasting, nor begetting a good son, nor control of breath, nor victory over the enemy, nor the society of friends, nor Siddhis like Anima can stand in comparison with realisation of the Self.

You may cross the sea by walking or float in the air or support on hands the great mountain Maha Meru or drink poison like milk or eat fire like fried grains or fly in the sky or stand on fire or break iron or get wealth by the power of magic ointment. Yet can all these give you liberation?

You can become a king or Indra or a Sannyasin. You can stun others by Mantra-sakti or aim accurately or know the past, present and the future.

You can reduce anger by destroying lust or eradicating greed. Yet can all these help you in the attainment of liberation?

You might have conquered pride, delusion and envy. You might have dwelt in Brahma-loka or Vaikuntha-loka or Kailasa. Yet can all these stand in comparison with liberation? He is fit for liberation who regards all these as nothing.

You took bath in the Ganga, you did all the sixteen kinds of charity. You did crores of Japa. What is the use of all these things if you do not attain Self-realisation?

Can you acquire eternal bliss and supreme peace from the attainment of vast erudition or from possession of immense wealth or from the enjoyment of beautiful young ladies? No. The supreme undying bliss can be obtained only by realisation of the Self.

Who is wife? Who is son? Who are you? Wherefrom did you come? How wonderful is this Samsara? How are you related to one another? Think deeply on these matters.

Who are you? Who am I? Wherefrom have we come? Who is mother? Who is father? Think deeply on all these. Leave off this world which is a dream and seek the eternal.

Vairagya is the rein by which the uncontrollable mind is restrained. Ripe Vairagya is intense attachment to Atman bliss and strong dispassion for anything other than Atman.

If one considers even the position and happiness of Brahma as the dung of a cow, then only he has developed a real lasting Vairagya. Temporary fleeting dispassion is not Vairagya. It will not help the aspirant in the attainment of Self-realisation.

It is common to have dispassion for some particular objects by some cause or other. But by having dispassion for all objects at all times, one will get knowledge of the Self. You may get Atma-Jnana soon by the grace of the Guru, by devotion to him, and by practice of what he instructs."

- Swami Sivananda

Practitioner / Adhikari vs follower / disciple / worshiper / admirer / supporter

Those who truly want to practice yoga to free the mind from ignorance to know thyself, they need to know how to free the mind from the egoistic tendency of unwittingly becoming a passionate follower/disciple/worshiper/admirer/supporter.

Be a dispassionate 'practitioner' or 'Adhikari' of the teachings of yoga, inquiring the truth of everything, including whatever the teachers/gurus/scriptures teach, attaining self-realization via self-effort and self-inquiry, and not to be a passionate 'follower', 'disciple', 'worshiper', 'admirer', or 'supporter' towards the teacher/guru/yogi/saint/sage, or the scriptures/teachings of yoga, or the stories of many great minds/teachers/gurus/yogis/saints/sages.

By following, or becoming a disciple of, or worshiping, or admiring, or supporting the teacher/guru/yogi/saint/sage, or the scriptures/teachings of yoga, or the stories of many great minds/teachers/gurus/yogis/saints/sages, and awaiting/requesting/expecting 'answers', or 'blessings', or 'miracles', or 'transcendental experiences' from the teacher/guru/yogi/saint/sage or from 'God', doesn't free the mind from ignorance and the by-products of ignorance. There's attachment that gives rise to the sense of separateness/duality between 'I' and 'the teacher', or 'the guru', or 'the teachings', or 'the practice', or 'the experience', or 'the fruit of practice'.

Practically practicing the teachings of yoga in NOW, this very existence of the mind functioning perceiving a life existence of names and forms of cause and effect/impermanence/selflessness, of disciplining the mind, quieting the mind, purifying the mind, freeing the mind from egoistic worldly/spiritual attachment, identification, desires of craving and aversion, judgment, comparison and expectation, refraining the mind from going out through the sense organs chasing after the objects of the senses, renouncing worldly egoistic passions/desires/objects/activities/social interactions and connections, silencing the modification of the mind, and upon the annihilation of the veil of ignorance, egoism, impurities and restlessness completely, and knowing thyself - Selflessness/egolessness/'I'lessness, or YOGA of oneness, non-separateness, namelessness, formlessness, attributelessness, birthlessness, deathlessness, beginninglessness, endlessness, there's no separateness of 'practitioner/action of practice/fruit of the practice' or between 'I' and what is not 'I' or 'the perceiver and the perceived' to be found in the selfless, nameless, formless, attributeless, birthless, deathless, beginningless, endless universal consciousness (Atman).

This is nothing to do with the worldly attachment/passionate love and 'heroic' ambition/aspiration of the egoistic thinking minds desire to be 'saving the world' by making/changing/influencing the world to be 'a better place than what it is', but just do one's best focusing on freeing one's mind from ignorance to attain self-realization, is the greatest and most efficient way to contribute to 'a world free from ignorance and the by-products of ignorance', selflessly, desirelessly and intentionlessly, being free from disturbs, disappointment, dissatisfaction, hurts, offensiveness, anger, hatred, aggressiveness or violence to fight against what the mind dislikes and disagrees with, that the mind thinks and believes as 'bad', 'wrong', 'hurtful', 'negative', 'unjust', 'disappointing' or 'meaningless'.

Real teacher or guru doesn't attract/recruit/accumulate 'followers', 'disciples', 'worshipers', 'admirers', or 'supporters'. They are just being what they are, just like the sun, the air, the water, the earth and the space. They don't even have any intention/aspiration/desire to be 'teaching'/'sharing'/'helping'/'uplifting' anyone, not to say to be 'saving the world' to make/change/influence the world to be 'a place different from what it is'.

"He is extremely humble. He appears to be quite an ordinary man. He never advertises that he is a Sat-Guru or a knower of Brahman. He never says, "I am an illumined sage. I am an Avatara. I will give Mukti for many persons. I possess many Siddhis." He is perfectly desireless. He has no craving for money or name and fame. He has no desire to establish cult or Ashram. He simply works for solidarity of the world and elevates people. He says, "I have neither followers nor disciples, neither possession nor Mutts of my own." He has no attachment to any person or any object. He never tries to establish cult or Ashram. He is absolutely free from 'I-ness' or 'mine-ness'. He never allows those around him to tell people that he got Siddhis, that he is a great Mahatma. He does not like to come in the lime-light of publicity. He always hides himself. If he becomes famous in a place, he leaves the place at once. If a man says, "I am a Mahatma, I am a realised soul, I am a Sat-Guru," if his disciples advertise that their teacher is a Sat-Guru with many Siddhis, that he has exhibited many Siddhis, know that this man is an empty vessel that makes much noise. The Sruti emphatically declares "He who says 'I know Brahman' does not know Brahman, he who says 'I do not know Brahman' knows Brahman." This world abounds with psuedo-Gurus. Beware of such persons. They exploit the innocent and credulous and throw them in the dark abyss. They will mislead people. It is like a blind man leading the blind. Siddhis keep a man far from God and God-realisation. Do not be carried away by the Siddhis of a man." - Swami Sivananda

"Jnana is the greatest purifier. There is no salvation without knowledge. Knowledge of Atman destroys ignorance, pain, sorrow and stops the wheel of births and deaths.

Attain this knowledge through Satsanga, service of the Guru, study of Vedantic books, hearing of Srutis, reflection and constant meditation.

Sorrow is for one who has the notion of self in the body, not for the sage who identifies himself with the all-blissful Atman." - Swami Sivananda

"Neither charity, nor sacrifice, nor fame, nor fasting, nor begetting a good son, nor control of breath, nor victory over the enemy, nor the society of friends, nor Siddhis like Anima can stand in comparison with realisation of the Self.

You may cross the sea by walking or float in the air or support on hands the great mountain Maha Meru or drink poison like milk or eat fire like fried grains or fly in the sky or stand on fire or break iron or get wealth by the power of magic ointment. Yet can all these give you liberation?

You can become a king or Indra or a Sannyasin. You can stun others by Mantra-sakti or aim accurately or know the past, present and the future.

You can reduce anger by destroying lust or eradicating greed. Yet can all these help you in the attainment of liberation?

You might have conquered pride, delusion and envy. You might have dwelt in Brahma-loka or Vaikuntha-loka or Kailasa. Yet can all these stand in comparison with liberation? He is fit for liberation who regards all these as nothing.

You took bath in the Ganga, you did all the sixteen kinds of charity. You did crores of Japa. What is the use of all these things if you do not attain Self-realisation?

Can you acquire eternal bliss and supreme peace from the attainment of vast erudition or from possession of immense wealth or from the enjoyment of beautiful young ladies? No. The supreme undying bliss can be obtained only by realisation of the Self.

Who is wife? Who is son? Who are you? Wherefrom did you come? How wonderful is this Samsara? How are you related to one another? Think deeply on these matters.

Who are you? Who am I? Wherefrom have we come? Who is mother? Who is father? Think deeply on all these. Leave off this world which is a dream and seek the eternal.

Vairagya is the rein by which the uncontrollable mind is restrained. Ripe Vairagya is intense attachment to Atman bliss and strong dispassion for anything other than Atman.

If one considers even the position and happiness of Brahma as the dung of a cow, then only he has developed a real lasting Vairagya. Temporary fleeting dispassion is not Vairagya. It will not help the aspirant in the attainment of Self-realisation.

It is common to have dispassion for some particular objects by some cause or other. But by having dispassion for all objects at all times, one will get knowledge of the Self. You may get Atma-Jnana soon by the grace of the Guru, by devotion to him, and by practice of what he instructs." - Swami Sivananda

"Life is short and fleeting like that drop of water on the lotus leaf. This mundane life is filled with egoism, delusion and diseases. When will you be free from all these? The deer falls a prey to the sense of sound; the elephant to that of touch; the moth to that of form; the fish to that of taste; and the bee to that of smell. But man falls a prey to all these five senses. Therefore how difficult it is for man to free itself from the clutches of these five senses and obtain liberation? When wells and ponds are full in rainy season, the water is muddy and not fit for drinking. In summer the water gets decreased and is sweet. So also when the mind is filled with Vasanas, it is clouded with Tamoguna. When it is free from sensual desires by the practice of dispassion it is filled with pure Sattva." - Swami Sivananda

The basic humanity of thoughtfulness and self-initiative to look after things

The prerequisite for someone to be fit to learn and practice yoga even before the four means of Viveka, Vairagya, Mumukshutva and Shat-sampat to qualify someone as a Sadhaka, is about some basic humanity of thoughtfulness and self-initiative to look after things, whether the things belong to oneself, or don't belong to oneself, and maintaining tidiness and cleanliness of the surrounding environment out of free-will and self-initiative, whether it's a personal space or a public space, even when nobody is obliged to perform such thoughtful selfless actions, or even when one has to pay some fees to be staying at a particular accommodation, to be at a particular place, for a particular reason.

Those who aren't aware of this very basic of humanity, especially money minded people who believe in "I'll get 2 cents back for every 1 cent that I've paid," they are unfit to learn and practice yoga, even if they have a strong and flexible physical body to perform many of the yoga asana poses nicely in perfect alignment, or they have attended many 'yoga courses' and attained many 'Internationally recognized yoga certifications'.

Allow everyone to show appreciation and thankfulness, or not

The untrained egoistic mind will expect other people to show appreciation and thankfulness towards the actions that it has done for others, or kindness that it has shown to others. The ego feels unhappy and demotivated when it doesn't receive the reaction that it expects to be receiving after it thinks it has done something for others, or has shown kindness to others. The ego constantly seeking attention, acknowledgment, recognition, approval, support, agreement, liking, appreciation, and gratefulness from others. The ego attaches to its actions and the result of its actions. These are the characteristics of egoism.

Yoga practice is to free the mind from egoism (the idea of 'I' exists as an individual being with certain qualities of names and forms who identifies as the performer of action and the receiver of the fruit of action) and ignorance (not knowing the truth of 'I'.)

The one who practices yoga performs actions and shows kindness without attachment, identification or expectation. One allows the result of the actions to be what it is. One allows everyone to show appreciation and thankfulness for one's actions that have been done for others and kindness that have been shown to others, or not.

All the physical and mental health benefits coming from the regular yoga asana and pranayama practice are just some side-effects of the practice and it doesn't guarantee that the practitioner will be free from egoism and ignorance, if the yoga practitioner doesn't know what is self-inquiry and non-attachment, even after many years of regular yoga asana and pranayama practice.

Vichara (self-inquiry) and Vairagya (dispassion or non-attachment or renunciation) is the yoga practice that will bring liberation. - As taught by Swami Sivananda

Param Vairagya - Absolute Dispassion - Neither attachment nor non-attachment

When all the duality of

Good and bad

Right and wrong

Positive and negative

Happiness and suffering

Light and darkness

Gain and loss

Praise and condemn

Success and failure

Appropriateness and inappropriateness

Norm and abnormal

Sane and insane

Birth and death

Are not different from one another

All fear and worry vanished

There's neither craving nor aversion

There's no attachment towards either side

Detachment doesn't exist

There's neither attachment nor non-attachment

Yoga Sadhana - Poems on mind-conquest by Swami Sivananda

Shave the mind - Swami Sivananda

This is real shaving for saints, Sadhus and Swamis.

This makes the man perfectly clean and clear.

This constitutes real Tyaga or Sannyasa,
Shave the mind with the crop-razor, discrimination;
Shave the mind with safety razor, of Vichara;
Shave the mind with the Gillette blade of meditation.

Use the strap of dispassion for sharpening the razor,
Use the oil of Satsang for sharpening it in the whetstone.

Shaving the Vasanas is only partial face shaving.

Shaving Raga-Dvesha is also partial shaving.

Shaving the egoism entirely is full shaving.

Dattatreya and Mansoor shaved their minds well.

Ramdas and Kabir shaved only their minds.

Shaving the head is indeed nothing, nothing.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Mental Pose - Swami Sivananda

Mental pose is more important than the physical pose;
It is more difficult than the practice of Asanas.

Keep the mind also steady and fixed it on the Lakshya.

Keep it in a balanced state.

Let is not sink down or jump with emotion.

Be always serene, tranquil and calm.

Fill it with joy, cheerfulness and zeal.

Curb the thoughts, desires and cravings.

Annihilate likes and dislikes and building castles in the air.

When the mind is more steady and poised,
The physical pose also will be perfect and steady.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Slay the mind - Swami Sivananda

How can I rely on this world!

It has no real existence,
The body is like froth or a bubble.

Everything is perishable;
Kings, poets, scientists,
Have been reduced to dust.

This world is but a long dream.

Days and nights are passing away;
The senses and mind are deceiving.

I have detected the dacoit.

That dacoit is the mind;
It cannot deceive me now.

I have slain the mind
With the sword of discrimination.

I have bound out the Atmic Pearl;
I enjoy the bliss of eternal;
Sivoham, Sivoham, Sivoham.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

The mind-river - Swami Sivananda

Mind-river flows steadily
In two directions.

It runs along the plane of discrimination;
Now the desires are thinned out;
The aspirant attains desirelessness.

He reaches the goal of Moksha.
He attains immortality and freedom.

It also runs along the plane of objects;
Now desires are intensified;
The mind falls into the abyss of ignorance
And perishes.

O man! allow the mind-river
To run towards the ocean of eternal bliss,
Through the practice of dispassion, discrimination and meditation.

And be happy forever.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Sadhana for mind control - Swami Sivananda

If you give up reading newspapers,
If you abandon playing cards,
If you reduce your time spent
In playing tennis, football and billiards,
You will have ample time to do Sadhana.

Mind is very treacherous;
If you think, when the alarm rings at 4 a.m.,
I will get up after 10 minutes,
You will never get up.
You will sleep till 8 a.m.

If you begin to take a few raisins
When you fast on Ekadasi,
The determination will slacken;
You will try to take some plantains, milk,
Then, two laddus, half a seer of milk, etc.

Therefore be firm in your determination.

Come what may, stick to your resolve.

Be adamant; do not give a long rope to the mind;
Cut all temptations in one stroke.

The practice of non-attachment and letting go - 不执着与放下的修行

Before our body experience changes or perished, we already came to realization that this body is empty in nature, and let it go. 

Before life experience changes or perished, we already came to realization that this life is empty in nature, and let it go. 

Before all the objects, names and forms experience changes or perished, we already came to realization that all these objects, names and forms are empty in nature, and let them go. 

Before feelings and love relationships experience changes or perished, we already came to realization that feelings and love relationships are empty in nature, and let them go. 

Before all our relationships with all other beings and objects in this worldly existence experience changes or perished, we already came to realization that all these relationships are empty in nature, and let them go. 

This way, we are not attached to any impermanent lives, feelings, relationships and objects, be free from fear and worries, and able to be humble, cherish every moment and appreciate all lives, feelings, relationships and objects that come in contact with us now, but without attachment or unwillingness of letting go. Being able to deal with all impermanent changes in life freely in peace. There's no unhappiness and suffering. 

Before life comes to an end, we already see life has ended, and every moment in life in the present moment now, is merely a new chance for us to live life meaningfully... There is no regrets or mourns about the past nor projections into the future, but fully make good use of this present moment now, from moment to moment... 

在我们的身体还没变坏或消失之前，就已经看透身体根本就是空的，把身体看破与放下了。


在所有的生命还没变坏或消失之前，就已经看透生命根本就是空的，把所有的生命都看破与放下了。 


在所有的事物，名称与形像还没变坏或消失之前，就已经看透事物，名称与形像根本就是空的，把所有的事物，名称与形像都看破与放下了。 


在所有的感情世界还没变坏或消失之前，就已经看透感情根本就是空的，把所有的感情都看破与放下了。 


在与其它所有众生与事物的关系还没变坏或消失之前，就已经看透所有的关系根本就是空的，把与其它所有众生与事物的关系都看破与放下了。 


就这样，得以在人生里面完全没有执着任何无常的生命，感情，关系与事物，无担忧恐惧，也得以懂得虚心的去珍惜现在的每一刻，和享受现在我们所接触到的生命，感情，关系与事物，但是却完全没有黏着或不舍得。如此，做人处事就能够拿得起，放得下，无有担忧惧怕，不被成果困绑，轻松自在。轻松平静和自由自在的去面对人生变化无常。完全没有悲哀痛苦。 


在生命还没消失之前，就已经把生命看成已经结束了。然而，现在的每一刻，只不过是我们全新的机会去把生命活得更加充实有义意。完全没有后悔抱怨过去，没有期望幻想未来，但却得以珍惜善用现在的每一刻。。。

Mind conquest - 10 important methods from Swami Sivananda

Mind is a bundle of desires, thoughts, imaginations, likes and dislikes. Annihilation of the mind is Mano-Nasa. Manolaya is temporary absorption of the mind. This cannot give Moksha. The mind can come back again and wander in sensual objects. Manonasa alone can give release or Moksha.

1. BY VICHARA - Self-inquiry (enquiry of "Who am I?")

This is the best and most effective method. This will annihilate the mind. This is the Vedantic method. Realize the unreality of the mind through philosophical thinking.

2. BY ERADICATION OF EGO

Eradicate the feeling of egoism. Ego is the seed of the tree of mind. "I" thought is the source of all thoughts. All thoughts are centred on the little "I". Find out what the little "I" is. This little "I" will dwindle into airy nothing. It will be absorbed in the infinite "I" or Para Brahman, the source of the little "I" or Ahamkara (egoism).

The sun of Self-realization is fully seen when the cloud of ego disappears.

3. BY VAIRAGYA - Dispassion

Distaste for objects of sense-pleasures by finding out the defects in the sensual life. Objects are perishable. Sensual pleasure is momentary and illusory.

4. BY ABHYASA - Practice of ceaseless meditation

Concentrate the mind by fixing it on Brahman. Make it steady. Abhyasa is ceaseless meditation. This leads to Samadhi.

5. BY NON-ATTACHMENT

Asanga or non-attachment is a sword to destroy the mind. Take the mind away from objects. Detach attach. Detach it from the objects and attach it to the Lord. Do this again and again. The essence of the seed of the sprout of world-experience, which is desire, can be destroyed by the fire of non-attachment.

6. BY VASANAKSHAYA - renunciation of desires

Vasana is desire. Renunciation of desires leads to Vasanakshaya. This will lead to annihilation of the mind (Manonasa). Desire for objects of pleasures is bondage; giving it up is emancipation. Desire is the most essential nature of the mind. Mind and egoism are synonymous.

7. BY PRANAYAMA

Vibration of Prana causes movement of the mind. It gives life to the mind. Pranayama or control of Prana will stop the activities of the mind. But it cannot destroy the mind to its roots like Vichara.

8. BY CONTROL OF THOUGHTS

Avoid imagination or day-dreaming. The mind will be annihilated. Extinction of thoughts alone is Moksha. The mind is destroyed when there is no imagination. The experience of the world illusion is due to your imagination. It vanishes away when imagination is completely stopped.

9. BY EQUANIMITY AND BALANCE

Mental renunciation of possessions is another method. The absolute experience can be realized if you learn to be in a state of thought-suspending Samadhi.

Attainment of equanimity is another method. Be balanced in pain and pleasure, heat and cold, etc.

10. BY DEVOTION AND SERVICE

Japa, Kirtan, prayer, devotion, service of Guru and study are also means to annihilate the mind.

He alone experiences everlasting peace and Eternal Bliss who has transcended the mind and rests in his Own Satchidananda Atman.

- Conquest of mind, Swami Sivananda

The fourfold of Sadhana - viveka, vairagya, mumukshutva, shat-sampad

In the great teaching of both yoga and Buddhism, dispassion or non-attachment or detachment is the very important practice for us to advance in yoga and meditation to know the truth of selflessness and impermanence in all kinds of names and forms, or to attain self-realization towards what is 'I'.

The fourfold of Sadhana - The qualities of a Sadhaka (people who are in search for the truth and self-realization)

1.) Viveka (right discrimination) - to know what is real and unreal.

Anything that is selfless and impermanent, constantly changing selflessly under the influence of cause and effect, that doesn't have a permanent self existence to be in control of the changes, are not real. Unreal doesn't mean non-existence. The ignorant minds might misinterpret and misuse "everything is unreal" to be performing any actions irresponsibly regardless of whether it hurts all and everything, thinking that there are no consequences of actions at all, just like in dreams.

2.) Vairagya (dispassion or non-attachment) - letting go what is unreal of what is impermanent and selfless (not 'I'), great contentment being free from dissatisfaction and greed, no egoistic desire, no craving, no aversion.

3.) Mumukshutva (intense yearning for liberation) - the one and only desire that will lead towards true freedom, being free from ignorance and egoism and the suffering deriving from ignorance and egoism.

4.) Shat-sampad (the six virtues) -

a.) Sama - tranquility of the mind
b.) Dama - self-restraint or control of the senses
c.) Uparati - cessation from worldly activities
d.) Titiksha - forbearance or power of endurance
e.) Sraddha - faith in God*, Scripture** and Self***
f.) Samadhana - concentration or one-pointedness of mind

*The truth of selflessness and impermanence is beyond the belief or disbelief in God existence. Upon self-realization towards selflessness, upon the annihilation of ignorance and egoism, upon transcending the selfless modification of the mind, there's no difference between the belief or disbelief in God existence. The truth of selflessness and impermanence or the nature law of cause and effect doesn't change into something else regardless of whether the mind believes or disbelieves in God existence. It makes no difference. Just as suffering is present under the presence of ignorance and egoism, and suffering is absent upon the absence of ignorance and egoism. 'Faith in God' is for those who believe in God existence as they need that to deal with impermanent changes that are not necessarily the way that they desire, as well as to be grateful and thankful for all kind of supports for living and the presence of goodness in life. Meanwhile, for those who disbelieve in God existence is about respecting the law of nature, of selfless impermanent changes governed by cause and effect.

 

**Faith in the Scripture doesn't mean that one should be blind-believing, blind-following, blind-practicing, blind-agreeing or blind-propagating all the teachings from the Scripture. None should be blind-believing, blind-following, blind-practicing, blind-agreeing/disagreeing or blind-propagating towards anything, but under an opened mind, without blind-believing, blind-following, blind-practicing, blind-agreeing/disagreeing or blind-propagating, one should perform all kinds of discipline to purify and quiet the modification of the restless impure mind which will enable the mind to perform self-investigation or self-inquiry towards the truth of everything, including the teachings from the Scripture, or any kind of teachings from anywhere and anyone, to attain direct realization towards the truth of all kind of teachings.

***The Self is not about a super extraordinary powerful individual being/soul/mystical existence of highest purity or quality. It's referring to the nature of selflessness, namelessness, formlessness, attributelessness, and hence, it's beyond purity and impurity, beyond high or low quality, beyond existence and non-existence. It's the selfless, nameless, formless, attributeless nature in all and everything that is unaffected by the selfless impermanent modification of the mind perceiving all kind of selfless impermanent changes of forming, decaying and disintegrating in all kind of selfless names and forms, of ceaseless selfless thoughts/sensations/feelings (births and deaths of countless states of the mind) arising, changing and passing away under the law of cause and effect.

For those who are in search for liberation or emancipation or self-realization, and is disgusted with the fleeting names and forms that are subject to impermanence and is tired of the bondage of ignorance and impurities, cause and effect, birth and death, then the practice of dispassion or non-attachment is a must.

Without dispassion or non-attachment, liberation is impossible.

A "Buddhist" without the practice of dispassion or non-attachment is not really a Buddhist even though he or she is going to the temple everyday and performs a lot of rituals and offerings.

A "yogi" without the practice of dispassion or non-attachment is not really a yogi even though he or she is doing a lot of asana, pranayama, and meditation practice. It's because he or she will be attaching onto the actions and the fruit of actions of the asana, pranayama and meditation practice, attaching onto and craving for the effects/benefits that come from the different yoga practices, being influenced by the egoistic likes and dislikes, desire of craving and aversion, want and don't want, having expectation, judgment, comparison and competition, being determined/affected by the impermanent states of the mind and conditions of the physical body...

For anyone who is not interested in self-realization, and is satisfied and happy with the life condition now of having a limited and conditioned body and mind, then the practice of dispassion or non-attachment or detachment is not an important practice for them. Just live life, eat, drink, sleep, work, play, laugh and cry, indulging in the desire of craving and aversion until this life ends... There's nothing wrong with that... It is everyone's freedom to do what they want to do with their own lives. Enjoy and be happy.

Om shanti.

About Sensual Pleasure And Worldly Enjoyment

First, there is nothing wrong with sensual pleasure and worldly enjoyment. It is the attachment towards these things; the forever unsatisfied greedy desires and cravings; and the dishonest way of attaining these enjoyment are the problems makers for us.

Secondly, if we really are in search for salvation or to attain self-realization, we do need to have self-control in all these enjoyment and not let them controlling us. We can enjoy all these things but without the attachment towards all these enjoyment. But not many people can do this in reality because the temptation for sensual pleasure and worldly enjoyment is so great in this world. Some times we thought we can stay detached and enjoy everything, but in fact we are being lured into strong attachment towards all these enjoyment and suffer in the end.

If a person has very strong and determined detachment towards everything, then there is no problems at all for him or her to be in the world and live a worldly life as everyone does. But deep in his or her heart is unaffected, uninfluenced and undisturbed by all the sensual pleasure and worldly enjoyment. He or she is not being controlled by the cravings and aversions; and is free from suffering.

If a person has not yet established in firm detachment, then he or she needs to be away from sensual pleasure and worldly enjoyment to avoid being affected, influenced or disturbed by all these things. Or else, he or she will be neglecting his or her responsibility towards himself or herself for self-realization; by getting lost in the indulgence in sensual pleasure and worldly enjoyment.

Most important is that we are not attaching to our likes and dislikes; cravings and aversions; and know how to let go.

For many people who are not interested in self-realization, they will see the sensual pleasure and worldly enjoyment as something meaningful and a need in life. They will be forever chasing after all these things and see all these enjoyment as a status of their successful achievements in life. There is nothing wrong about this as long as nobody is being hurt or harmed in this pursue of temporary happiness of worldly enjoyments. Be happy.

But for the people who are in search for self-realization, they will see all these sensual pleasure and worldly enjoyment are very temporary; unsatisfied; empty and meaningless. And thus, they show disgust with sensual pleasure and worldly enjoyment. They will aim for the higher purpose of life; or the attainment of true and lasting happiness of self-realization. Be happy too.

Some people are beyond both worldly life of enjoyment and spiritual life of detachment. That’s very rare and great achievement, Om shanti.

If we are not firm in our resolution for the pursue in attaining self-realization, then some times we might feel unhappy or disatisfy with ourselves and our spiritual practice of detachment, self-control and self-discipline. We might feel lack of motivation to continue our practice and our faith will be shattered. We will be defeated by the temptation of the worldly enjoyment and by our greed for lustful desires. We will forget our initial goal and just want to have some temporary excitement of sensual pleasure to fill up the emptiness in our heart.

If we decided to give up spiritual practice of observances and restraints; and do not want to have self-control anymore, be happy. Do not let our self-worth and happiness being determined by what we do and don’t do. If we can live a worldly enjoyment life and being happy, why not? The aim of yoga and Buddhism is to be happy in life, transcending both happiness and suffering; and transcending all the names and forms. But if our actions in pursuing worldly enjoyment will bring disharmony and unhappiness to ourselves and to other living beings, then there is no meanings at all in having all these enjoyment but at the same time we are creating lots of bad karma and suffering for ourselves. If we are capable of getting lots of goodness and prosperity in life honestly and we are generous in sharing these worldly attainments in life with others who are less fortunate, then that is very nice. Dharma or wisdom never defines that being rich and prosperous in life is something bad or not good. It is a reflection of a person’s past good karma. If this person is generous in sharing with others, then this good karma will bring this person more goodness and prosperity in life.

We all are like those stubborn rats in our home. They will continue to walk into the traps that people set up for them because they want to eat the bait in the rat’s trap. Hunger and thirst is the basic craving for all living beings. How many of us are busy in life trying to make lots of money just to satisfy our cravings for the enjoyment of eating and drinking? I guess there must be many. Some times we feel that there is nothing else more meaningful than eating and drinking because at least we can really put it into our body and they have become part of our body. What we eat and drink is forming what we are. Everything else don’t belong to us at all except the food and drinks that we consumed and enjoyed; and are feeding our body and can give us the energy to enjoy all other things in life. Or else, if we can’t even enjoy our food and drinks, life will be so empty and meaningless.

And so, if at this stage (feeling meaningless about life), we can develop strong disgust about life and want to search for long lasting and meaningful happiness, and it will become a powerful ignition for us to focus in the spiritual quest for self-realization. But not let this meaningless and emptiness that we felt about life bring us down and lost in depression and negative thinking. Be positive and direct our attention in life towards self-realization then.

May we all be happy no matters we are in the path of pursuing self-realization or at the edge of the path, doubting and unsure about what is the meaning of life.

About Tapas - Austerity

Tapas (austerity) is all the persevered practice that help the mind to achieve mind purification, one-pointedness in concentration and meditation towards attaining self-realization or enlightenment. It doesn’t mean extreme hardship or disciplinary in the path of yoga or selflessness. But it is having the correct understanding about what is self-control over the thoughts, actions and speech; how to restrain or withdraw the senses from going out chasing after the objects of the senses, how to purify the intellect and eliminate the ego; how to perform self-inquiry towards the truth of everything, and to have self-reliance, self-discipline and strong determination in the path towards self-realization.

It is about non-attachment towards all the worldly objects, affairs, relationships, experiences, sensual enjoyments and material enjoyments. It is non-attachment towards all the dualities; names and forms; comfort and discomfort; likes and dislikes; agreements and disagreements, to be free from the desire of craving and aversion. And to develop strong willpower to control the anger, hatred, jealousy, greed, lust and arrogance. It is to be the master of the chariot of the mind, the senses, the intellect and the ego; and not being the slave of these defilement.

It is all the practices that can help the mind to be quiet/still to remove the veil of ignorance, to allow insight/wisdom to arise to know the truth of the impermanent and selfless existence of names and forms, and the non-existing 'I'.

Observing the basic Yama and Niyama (observance and restraint – things that we should do and shouldn’t do that help to purify the intellect, quiet the modification of the mind, and eliminate the ego and egoism) is Tapas.

Living a simple (nothing to do with the trend of minimalism) and self-reliant way of life is Tapas. Withstand/Forbear all the impermanent uncomfortable/unpleasant sensations, feelings and thoughts that arise in the body and in the mind.

Control over the senses of the sight, the sound, the smell, the taste, the touch/sensation, and the thinking, by letting go desire of craving and aversion towards the objects of names and forms. Without craving towards the objects that the mind likes and enjoys; and without aversion towards the objects that the mind doesn’t like and doesn't enjoy, is Tapas. It is not attaching onto the perception of painful suffering and pleasurable enjoyment, or unhappiness and happiness. It is transcending both suffering and pleasurable enjoyment, or unhappiness and happiness. It is the middle path. Enlightenment is not attained through the experience of painful suffering or pleasurable enjoyment. It is realizing the truth of everything is neither painful suffering nor pleasurable enjoyment. Both mind perception of painful suffering and pleasurable enjoyment are also transitory, or impermanent.

Cheerfulness, patience, courage, willpower, determination, perseverance, acceptance, adaptation, adjustment, forgiveness, loving kindness, self-independence, self-discipline, positive thinking, correct understanding, tranquility, detachment and non-attachment are the fuel for us to walk the path towards self-realization; and to perform all the practices like Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. All these practices are Tapas.

Performing selfless service (karma yoga) of all kinds of actions either for oneself or for others, without attachment, identification or expectation towards the action and the fruit of action is Tapas.

Devote the impermanent and selfless existence of this present moment to realize 'God' for those who believe in god existence, or Atman, or the universal birthless/deathless/nameless/formless/infinite consciousness for those who disbelieve in god existence, and seeing God/Atman/the universal birthless/deathless/nameless/formless/infinite consciousness in everyone and everything, where the nature of all names and forms, including this one, is not separated/distinct from God/Atman/the universal birthless/deathless/nameless/formless/infinite consciousness, is Tapas.

For householders, being indifferent towards family or not family, friends or not friends, disseminate wisdom and compassion towards all and everyone unconditionally, while performing necessary actions to look after the well-being of the family or the surrounding environment, as well as looking after one's physical body and one's thinking mind, without attachment, identification, desire of craving and aversion, judgment and expectation, is Tapas.

It is not about starving ourselves till death, or torturing our physical body till injured. It is appreciating this impermanent and selfless life existence, the body, the mind and the senses for being here to experiment so many impermanent and selfless names and forms without attachment/identification/desire/judgment/expectation; and to realize what is selflessness; unconditional love and peace; compassion and wisdom; and realize the true nature of everything, the selfless Self – the infinite selfless universal consciousness, which is attributeless, nameless and formless, without negativity and positivity, without good and evil, without birth and death, without beginning and ending; unlimited and unconditioned by time, space and causation.

From the state of impure intellect/understanding, and working ourselves towards the state of purified intellect/understanding; and all the actions that we do or don’t do along the path towards self-realization are Tapas (austerity). And it is all about mind purification, discipline, self-control, non-attachment, non-identification, non-craving, non-aversion, non-judgment, non-expectation, dispassion, renunciation, and silence. All these qualities/practices allow insight/wisdom to arise within the mind, to see the truth of things as it is.

The dawn of wisdom is the end of ignorance and suffering. It is the liberation or freedom that is unconditional beyond names and forms, beyond the limited conditional selfless impermanent physical body and modification of the mind - attributeless, nameless, formless, changeless, timeless, beginningless, endless.

May we all (the selfless modification of the mind, of the impure egoistic perceptive cognitive intellectual thinking faculty powered by energy, where grasping/attachment arise unwittingly/ceaselessly attaching towards the perception of impermanent qualities of names and forms, empowering the false/illusive individual identity of 'I', or what the thinking mind thinks is 'I', out of ignorance) observe Tapas, and be free from all limited impermanent selfless conditions.

 

There is no I. It's just impermanent selfless names and forms arising, changing and passing away governed by the nature's law of cause and effect (regardless of living beings and non-living objects, subject and object or the perceiver and the perceived).

About Detachment

The real detachment is about non-attachment towards what the mind perceives through the senses, and letting go attachment and identification towards the worldly passionate egoistic social, cultural, tribal, spiritual, religious, political, national or commercial thinking, belief, values and practice.

The thinking mind stops identifying with the body, the modifications of the mind, the ego and the intellect.

Whatever feelings, sensations and thoughts arise in the body and mind, there's no attachment and identification towards them, without association with them and without expectation towards them.

Whatever we see, hear, smell, taste, touch, feel and think, we treat all the same and remain equanimous.

Detaching from praise and censure, success and failure, gain and loss, heat and cold, likes and dislikes, good and bad, positive and negative, elation and depression, happiness and unhappiness, enjoyment and suffering, birth and death.

Detaching from duality and the impermanent qualities of names and forms, is the real detachment.

May we all attain true freedom by practice detachment. Free from ignorance, egoism, impurities of anger, hatred, jealousy, greed, lust, pride, arrogance, self-esteem, offensiveness, defensiveness, hostility, animosity, fear, worry, desire of cravings and aversions, ambitions and aspirations.

About Vairagya - Dispassion

Vairagya – dispassion is a very important quality that a yoga practitioner need to have along side with Viveka – right discrimination of the real and the unreal, if we really want to walk the path of Yoga.

We are living in the world and we are human beings. Very naturally and there is nothing wrong about us having passion about many things in life.

Many people think that dispassion means we cannot enjoy life at all. But it is not true.

When we know what is real and unreal, we will naturally not chasing after the fleeting material enjoyments or the sensual pleasures. We will appreciate a simple life with very minimum needs and wants.

We actually enjoy life very much meaningfully but without the craving for love and affection from family and friends or from anyone. Without the need of any material enjoyments or sensual pleasures to give us happiness. Without the need of social status, or success, or agreement from others, or positive feedback from others to give us self-confidence and sense of self-worth.

We enjoy all the things that we have in life at the present moment, but without the clinging towards all these things. When we don’t have them anymore, we will not feel unhappy or refuse to let go.

We also don’t need to pay too much attention onto all the things accept for the basic maintainance of living and the basic needs for us to move on in the path towards self-realization.

We don’t need much actually in this world. We don’t need fancy clothing, exotic food and drinks, sensory enjoyments, extreme fitness and good physics, too many hobbies and activities or get involve in lustful sexual activities or indulge in drugs and alcohols abuse.

We don’t need branded things, luxuries comforts, big cars and big houses, a lot of money to buy the things that we “want” and “like”, “beautiful” appearance, titles, worldly success, accumulation of wealth and things or longing for love relationships or friendships to be meaningful in life or feel good about ourselves.

We will learn to let go our attachment, cravings and clinging towards things, passionate love and affections in life bit by bit until one day we can let go of them easily.

We don’t feel lonely being with oneself because we found peace and contentment already with the Self. And all are not separate from the Self. How can we still feel lonely when we are not separated with everyone and everything? We don’t have to own a single thing, or having a relationship or friendship to feel love and belonging, because we are the love itself and we don’t need to ask for love and attention from anybody. We are receiving unlimited love from everything and are sharing this love with all. There is not even a separation of “love” and “me”. There is no “receiving” and “giving”. There is no “needs” and “wants” of love and affections.

It doesn’t mean that we are cold hearted beings without love and feelings. We are love. It’s just that we don’t need to crave for love or crave for receiving love from the outside to make us feel loved. It is because we are content and at peace with our true Self. This doesn't mean that we don't want to have any friends or relationships, but it is not a necessity anymore. Everything and every living beings has become our friends. Our happiness doesn't depend on love and affection from friendships and relationships, but we are sharing the love and happiness with all the beings whether we know them or not, whether they know us or not, whether they do good or not, whether they like us or not. And everyone and everything has become "us" because we don't see any difference between us and all the things and beings out there anymore.

All our unhappiness and suffering are deriving from our own greed, unsatisfied cravings, strong attachments and clinging. It is our strong attachment towards the likes and dislikes about what we see, hear, smell, taste, touch and think, that is causing us cravings and aversions. We feel frustrated and irritated when we don’t get the things that we like, or are having the things that we don’t like, or we are losing the things that we like and can't get rid of the things that we dislike.

We can enjoy lots of things but without the attachment towards likes and dislikes. But how many people can really do so when even a yoga practitioner who suppose to practice detachment and dispassion will also unconsciously gets attached to his or her likes and dislikes, and having cravings and aversions in the spiritual path itself and not to say there are so many diversities and distractions in worldly life.

The real Yoga is only one. Although there are many paths in Yoga to suit every individual with different personality but definitely not about changing the original practices especially the Asana practice into something totally not the same idea and same perspective anymore. And nowadays many people who wants to learn “Yoga” but not want to follow the traditions of Yoga, they wants something different and something special or new invention of names and forms to satisfy the ego and the mind. And the dis-satisfactory tendency of the ego and the mind will continue to look for something new and different, it is never satisfy or it gets bored easily.

People don’t want the traditions of Yoga because they don’t like to know about dispassion and detachment. They don’t like self-control and self-discipline. They don’t believe in simplicity. They have no idea of what is non-identification with the body and the mind. They don’t like the idea of ego-less. They don’t want to give up the cravings and clinging towards worldly enjoyments and sensual pleasures. They want short cuts to get momentary good feelings or excitement. There want “happiness” but not intend to give up the source of unhappiness. There is nothing wrong about that. Everyone are free to do what they like to do as long as they are responsible for the consequences of their actions. If people want to do modernized “Yoga”, or luxury “Yoga”, or sensual “Yoga”, or Bhoga “Yoga”, or easy “Yoga”, or fitness “Yoga”, or branded “Yoga”, or many different types of “Yoga Asana classes”, or not want to do chanting and prayers, let them be. As long as they are not harming anybody.

 

It’s just like there are many people like to do different types of activities, or eating different types of cuisines, or enjoying different types of pleasures, or enjoying varieties of movies or musics, or looking for success and achievements in life, and there is nothing wrong about that. Be happy. It is better than to do lots of harmful activities and hurting other beings.

But for people who are looking for true happiness and self-realization, we will still stick to the traditions of Yoga.

May we all be free and at peace.