Heartfulness - The Real Deal - Part 2

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

You may be aware of the Shadripus - the six enemies. (Shad- six; ripu - enemy)

Kama - Passion

Krodha - Anger

Mada - Ego / Ahamkaar

Moha - Desire

Lobha - Greed

Maatsarya - Competition, especially the destructive type

When these emotions go to excesses, we kind of "lose it", so to say. We lose direction, we lose judgement, we make blunders and end up in misery. And what is worse, we create misery for many around us. 

If we go back further behind these six enemies, their mother is our ego. This is usually depicted by the small "i". We deliberately use the small i, to signify that this is an illusion, it is unreal and detrimental to our being. We should not confuse this "ego", with the regular English meaning of the word. Ego, here refers to, the sense of individuality and sense of a separate "me", not necessarily "conceit", or "self-importance" or "aggrandized self-worth". This ego, causes the identification of the "doer". i did this. i did that. i am rich. i am tall. This sense of "i", individuality, when left unchecked, becomes the seriously detrimental conceit and self-importance. 

Then, there is the capital "I", which is used to represent the Higher Self or the Param Atman. More about this some other time. 

In this context, I plan re-tell the story of the two birds from Mandukya Upanishad, in one of my subsequent blogs. 

So when our small ego vanishes and we realize that, inside of us is the unchanging and original capital "I", then we are said to be enlightened. This is, of course, theoretical knowledge. Any Indian child, with any amount of proper upbringing will know about all this. As they say in India, "bacha bacha jaanta hai!" - (every child knows this). 

But, hardly anyone we know in our day today lives, has the first hand experience of this enlightenment. Those who had it, will never talk about it, have no need to talk about it. The others who speak about it do not have it. So, the real saints are always hidden under heaps and heaps of "gyaanis". 

i am also a "gyaani"; i am sure, so are you. So, why all this prelude?

Weeks after i started the Heartfulness practice, i observed that many of the above mentioned "shadripus" had become slightly moderated than before. The first and foremost change that hit me was, i was not getting angry like earlier. When i did get angry, i was able to become quickly aware about it and was able to do something about dispelling it before it caused any damage.

By deduction, i may say that the shadripus were coming under a little control, at least the vague impression of being under control. Suddenly, today,  i am filled with hope that with practice and help from my Master, i would be able to get rid of these shadripus to the right extent and therefore the ego behind them. 


Please do not take away the impression that I am laying claim to any traits of sainthood or that I have made any great achievements. All I am saying, is that, these days,  I tend to screw up much less than before. And, since it seemed impossible earlier, but suddenly became viable now, I attribute it entirely to Heartfulness Practices. In fact, I am sure, it is due to Heartfulness Practices. 

They say, that in Patanjali's Ashtaanga Yoga Sutras the first among the eight steps is Yama. Of the 5 sub-components that Yama has, Ahimsa is the first. In other words, in the sense of sequence of steps in Ashtaanga Yoga, the first and foremost thing that we come across is Ahimsa. And it goes on to say how, Ahimsa at the level of not just action, but also at the level of word and further at the level of thought is True Ahimsa. 

The lay person will, of course, find this, an absolutely insurmountable task to accomplish. How can I, as a man of the world, have True Ahimsa as a character trait when everything around me is utter chaos. The pre-requisite to have Ahimsa as a basic character trait, seems to be "being enlightened" itself. If I am already enlightened to begin with, why do I need Ashtaanga Yoga? 

When we confront this cyclic argument and arrangement, we throw in the towel and "leave things to evolution to take it's course". We expect that achieving "The Merger with God" is theoretical for most of us commoners.  We conclude that only those born into that destiny, will achieve it. There is no motivation to go down that road. There is no hope or possibility of success if we did make an attempt.  So we seek comfort in religious rituals and life goes on. 

But, in my experience, for the first time, I see that by following the Heartfulness Practices, there is at least a suggestion of possibility that Yama and Niyama can be achieved not necessarily as first steps but as consequences. 

When I was told long back, that Heartfulness starts at the stage of "Pratyaahara", I was highly critical of it. I found it impossible that you can start the journey from mid-way. But, today, when I have already got into daily practice and have my own daily experiences, I see that it is very much a reality. You can start at Pratyaahara and the other characteristic traits can be built with time and effort. 

Heartfulness brings together the last steps together in a unique way to help the Abhyasi. I I do not consider myself competent to talk further on this subject here. 

But, I am full of hope, that God Realization is possible. For you, for me and for anyone who cares to seek, Truly Seek. 


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