That Thou ‘Art’
“That” of the Upanishadic teaching “That Thou Art” was explained by Swami Chinmayananda as the Supreme Reality from which all names and forms have emerged. and “Thou” by Maharishi Ramana as non-personal and all-inclusive awareness. The “art” of the teaching flows smoothly from the main advice of Swami Sivananda which can be reduced to twenty points. And this advice anyone can follow.
Life of Swami Shivananda
Born in 1887 in Pattamadai, Tamil Nadu, South India, Swami Sivananda whose name was then Kuppuswami, was a brilliant boy at studying as well as gymnastics. He was naturally inclined toward spiritual and religious practices. His parents were very devoted to Lord Siva and Kuppuswami eagerly joined them twice daily for worship (Puja) and Kirtan (Mantra chanting). His natural selfless spirit led him to a career in the medical field. The young Dr. Kuppuswami went to Malaysia where he was given the responsibility of running a hospital.
One day Dr. Kuppuswami had the opportunity to cure a wandering Sannyasin (renunciate or Monk) who then gave the doctor instruction on Yoga and Vedanta. From that day on his life changed, and gradually Dr. Kuppuswami became more introspective and could not stop pondering the great questions of life. Filled with a tremendous desire for spiritual growth and enlightenment, Kuppuswami went to North India in search of his Guru. After spending time in Banaras, he travelled north to the Himalayas.
In the holy town of Rishikesh, Kuppuswami discovered his Guru who gave him Sannyas. After taking these vows, Swami Sivananda Saraswati, as he would be known henceforth, got absorbed in extremely intense daily Sadhana and Tapas for the next 10 years. Now Swami Sivananda became one of the most prolific Yoga teachers who has ever existed. Although he rarely left the little town of Rishikesh Swami Sivananda’s teachings spread quickly throughout our entire planet.
His Teachings:
1. Brahmmuhurata. Get up at 4 a.m. daily. This is Brahmamuhurta which is extremely favourable for Sadhana. Do all your morning spiritual Sadhana during this period from 4 a.m. to 6:30 or 7 a.m. Such Sadhana gives quick and maximum progress.
2. Asana. Sit on Padmasana (lotus pose), Siddhasana (adept’s pose) or Sukhasana (any pose you like) for your Japa and meditation for half an hour, facing east or north. Increase the period gradually to three hours. Practice Sirshasana (headstand) and Sarvangasana (shoulderstand) for maintenance of health and Brahmacharya. Take light physical exercises as walking, etc., regularly. Do twenty rounds of easy, comfortable Pranayama (breathing exercises). Do not strain yourself while doing Pranayama.
3. Japa. You can repeat any Mantra (sacred syllable), such as pure Om or Om Namo Narayanaya, Sri Ram, Sita Ram, Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram, Om Namah Sivaya, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, Om Saravanabhavaya Namah, Hari Om, or Gayatri (a sacred Vedic Mantra), according to your taste or inclination, from 108 times to 21,600 times daily.
4. Dietic Discipline. Take Sattvic food. Observe moderation in diet (Mitahara). Do not overload the stomach. Give up those things which the mind likes best for a fortnight once or twice in a year. Eat simple food. Milk and fruits help concentration. Take food as medicine to keep the life going. Eating for enjoyment is a sin. Give up salt and sugar for a week or a fortnight. You must be able to live on rice, dhal and bread without any pickle. Do not ask for extra salt for dhal, and sugar for tea, coffee and milk. Non-vegetarians should try their best to gradually give up flesh-eating. They will be immensely benefited.
5. Meditation. Have a separate meditation room under lock and key. If this is not possible then a corner of the room should be set apart with a small cloth screen or curtain drawn across. Keep the room spotlessly clean.
6. Svadhyaya. Study systematically the Gita, Ramayana, Bhagavatam, Vishnu-Sahasranama, Upanishads, Yoga Vasishta, and other religious books from half an hour to one hour daily, and have Suddha Vichara (pure thoughts).
7. Elevate the Mind. Learn by heart some prayer - Slokas (prayer verses), Stotras (hymns) and repeat them as soon as you sit in the Asana before starting Japa or meditation. This will elevate the mind quickly.
8. Brahmacharya. Preserve the vital force (Veerya (seminal energy)) very, very carefully. Veerya is God in motion or manifestation (Vibhuti). Veerya is all power. Veerya is all money. Veerya is the essence of life, thought and intelligence. This instruction is not for bachelors only. Householders also must follow it as far as possible. They must be extremely moderate in their marital connections with their spouse. This is very important.
9. Charity. Do charity work regularly, every month, or even daily according to your means. Never fail in this item. If necessary forego some personal wants but keep up this charity regularly.
10. Satsang. Give up bad company, smoking, meat and alcoholic liquors entirely. Have constant Satsang (association with holy people). Do not develop any evil habits. Deliberately exert to develop positive virtuous qualities.
11. Fast. Fast on Ekadasi (11th day of the Hindu lunar fortnight) or live on milk and fruits only.
12. Japa Mala. Have a Mala (rosary) around your neck or in your pocket or under your pillow at night. This will remind you of God. Twirl the beads during your leisure. You should repeat the Name at all times, whatever task you may be engaged in.
13. Observe Mouna. Observe Mouna (vow of silence) for a couple of hours daily. Do not make gestures and inarticulate noises during the period of silence.
14. Discipline of Speech. Speak truth at all cost. Speak a little. Speak sweetly. Always utter encouraging words. Never condemn, criticize or discourage. Do not raise your voice and shout at little children or subordinates.
15. Be Content. Reduce your wants. If you have four shirts, reduce the number to three or two. Lead a happy, contented life. Avoid unnecessary worry. Be mentally detached. Have plain living and high thinking. Think of those who do not possess even one-tenth of what you have. Share with others.
16. Practice Love. Never hurt anybody. Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah (Non-injury is the highest virtue). Control anger by love, Kshama (forgiveness) and Daya (compassion). Serve the sick and the poor with love and affection. This is service of God.
17. Be Self Reliant. Do not depend on help. Self-reliance is the highest virtue.
18. Self-Analyze. Think of the mistakes you have committed during the course of the day, just before retiring to bed (self-analysis). Keep a daily spiritual diary and self-correction register as Benjamin Franklin did. Maintain a daily routine and resolve-form. Do not brood over past mistakes.
19. Do Your Duty. Remember that death is awaiting you at every moment. Never fail to fulfill your duties. Have pure conduct (Sadachara).
20. Remember God. Think of God as soon as you wake up and just before you go to sleep, and at all other times whether engaged in any work or not. Repeat His Name always. Surrender yourself completely to God (Saranagati).
This is the essence of all spiritual Sadhana. It will lead you to liberation. All these spiritual canons must be rigidly observed. You must not give any leniency to the mind.
A connection with the divine
Similar is the advice by W. Jane Robinson in her book Divine Declarations. She says, ”In moments of happiness, in moments of grief; in times of darkness, in times of light; in feelings of abandonment, in feelings of belonging; in a present of soaring heart, in a future of hopelessness; in the sense of self-worth, in the sense of worthlessness, we all experience a pervasive longing for a deeper connection—a connection with the divine.”
Robinson emphasizes the need for understanding our divinity and power. We should make a divine declaration to the effect that, “I am a divine being, a spark of the divine source. I am worthy. I am loving and loved. I live in a supportive world, supported by God, the divine source. My inheritance is abundance in love, health, joy, peace and all my heart desires for a wonderful life.”
One should consider oneself worthy and regardless of past circumstances, of great value. Robinson points out, “I see the little child in me and I nurture that child with love, respect, and emotional support. I forgive myself for past mistakes and forgive others who may have hurt me intentionally or unintentionally. This should be made into one’s divine declaration.”
Robinson stresses on maintaining a healthy mind, body and spirit. For this she advocates working “to resolve any situations in my life that are emotionally intolerable. I will take steps in my life to know who I really am and explore my options to live up to my dreams and potential.”
She talks of love, gratitude and forgiveness because “I now know that when I forgive someone, I free myself from the bondage of pain. I release myself from this pain.”
She wants one to open oneself to the flow of the universe and share because “sharing is the outflow, creating space for new expansive energy into my cycle. It is the cycle of universal abundance. I receive, give and receive again,” so as to create a cycle of blessings in life and in the lives of others.
She tells us to stand tall, live authentically, set boundaries and enjoy living in one’s divine power. Here one needs to nourish one’s life through the practice of “positive thinking, meditating, praying, communing with nature, attentive focus, and living in my truth…I allow divine energy to flow into my life and allow it to flow outwards as I share with others.” Robinson adds, “I now choose to awaken to my divinity lovability and I declare my divine connection to God, the Source and All That Is—my life depends on it.”
Contrary Verses
When life could be so much improved by implementing advice of Gurus like Swami Sivananda, it is a pity that a section of society is subjected to teachings which are quite contrary in terms of flesh-eating, violence and promiscuity. What follows is a selection of such verses from the Quran.
And We shaded you with clouds and sent down on you Al-Manna and the quails, (saying): “Eat of the good lawful things We have provided for you,” (but they rebelled). And they did not wrong Us but they wronged themselves.
And whoever seeks a religion other than Islâm, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers. 86. How shall Allâh guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and after they bore witness that the Messenger is true and after clear proofs had come unto them? And Allâh guides not the people who are Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers). 87. They are those whose recompense is that on them (rests) the Curse of Allâh, of the angels, and of all mankind. 88. They will abide therein (Hell). Neither will their torment be lightened, nor will it be delayed or postponed (for a while).
151. We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve, because they joined others in worship with Allâh, for which He had sent no authority; their abode will be the Fire and how evil is the abode of the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrongdoers).
Surah 4, Verse3. And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one or (the captives and the slaves) that your right hands possess.
Last Words
Such verses definitely contribute towards spreading terror. No amount of measures taken after 26-27/11 have been able to stop the bomb blasts at Guhawati. Major and bold steps need to be taken to prevent people from getting conditioned by such verses. On the other hand teachings of Gurus like Swami Sivananda should be taught in all schools. It is much better to be a warrior in the mould suggested by Swami Sivananda:
Be thou a spiritual warrior of Truth. Put on the armour of discrimination. Wear the shield of dispassion. Hold the flag of Dharma. Sing the song of Soham or Sivoham. March boldly with the band of Pranava-Om Om Om. Blow the conch of courage. Kill the enemies like doubt, ignorance, passion and egoism and enter the illimitable kingdom of blissful Brahman. Possess the imperishable wealth of Atma. Taste the divine immortal essence. Drink the nectar of Immortality.
