For the realization of Divinity (Paramatma tattva) the best spiritual discipline is – to be silent. In other words, to not think of anything whatsoever. This is the highest spiritual discipline, without the aid of mind-intellect instrument (Karan Nirpeksh). It is by thinking that we attach ourselves to the worldly relations. Because by thinking, one gives significance to the perishable, ever-changing things in this world. As the meaning of “chintan” is giving significance to the perishable and ever-changing. To give significance to the perishable and destructible, to feel a need for those things, to take its support is the main obstacle in realizing the Supreme Truth. The attainment of the eternal and imperishable, cannot be through the perishable, rather it is through renouncing it. How can the sentient be attained through the insentient ? How can the real be attained through the unreal ? How can the unchanging be attained through the changing ? How can that Divinity (tattva) which is totally free of any modifications and changes, be attained by the ephemeral (fleeting) ? On severing relationship with that perishable, insentient, unreal, ever changing, and ephemeral, the Divinity (tattva) is attained on its own !
Spiritual Discipline without the Aid of Mind-Intellect (Chup Sadhan)
Therefore, from the very beginning, an aspirant should not give significance to the perishable, and wanting to take its support. It has come in the scriptures – ‒‘देवो भूत्वा देवं यजेत्’ ‘Being the Devata, worship the Devata’ Therefore becoming free of activity and thoughts, one should realize that Divinity (tattva) that is unthinkable and devoid of any action.
It has come in the Gita ‒
आत्मसंस्थ मनः कृत्वा न किञ्चिदपि चिन्तयेत् ।
(६ । २५)
Aatmasanstham manah krutvaa na kinchitdapi chintyet || (Gita 6/25 )
“With the mind centered on God, one should not think of anything” (Gita 6/25)
It means that there is only one (Paramatma tattva) in all places, time, actions, things, individuals, circumstances, incidents etc. It is Divinity “IS-ness” in the form of Existence pervading everywhere as-it-is. There can be scarcity of space and time, but that Divinity (Paramatma tattva) is always existent.
In this manner, an aspirant must first decide that there is “Paramatma Tattva” (Divinity, God). Then leave this resolve as well, and become silent, in other words, think of nothing whatsoever. Neither think about the world, nor of the self nor of Paramatma (God). If you think of anything at all, then the world will come in. Because by thinking about anything, the mind (instrument) will remain with you. When mind (instrument) remains with you, then one cannot renounce the world; because the mind (instrument) is also of the world only. Therefore ‘न किञ्चिदपि चिन्तयेत्’(to not think of anything at all) ‒ in this, one severs relationship with the instrument, i.e. mind etc. “karan”; because, when the mind etc will not remain with you, then true meditation will take place. Even on thinking the most subtlest of thoughts, the condition (vrutti) remains. The condition, the natural tendency do not go away. But when the feeling is one of not thinking of anything whatsoever, the natural tendencies, become silent (still) on their own. Therefore any aspirant must totally become indifferent towards the thought process. (chintan).
to be continued…….
‒ From the book in Hindi ‘Saadhan aur Saadhya’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji
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Thank you for such insightful messages. God’s grace is showering in abundance. ram ram