nn 1,2

1.6.2 yama&niyama, 1.4.8 spir. in practice

To day I will discuss Yama and Niyama. I wish to discuss the difference between spiritual discrimination and intellectual pursuit. You know, when a sadhaka reaches a certain stage in sadhana there comes to the mind a certain wisdom or understanding of a difference between those forces which propel a human being towards Divinity and those forces which degenerate the consciousness of a living being. So this capacity, this ability to discriminate between these two opposing forces, this capacity is known as vivek in Sanskrit or discrimination in English. It comes from the Supra-psychic stratum of the mind. It exists in this stratum, this knowledge of truth. So real discrimination, true discrimination is a very subtle ability which is awakened not by intellectual extravaganza but by sincere and piercing sadhana which leads the meditator to a deeper knowledge. When this knowledge is awakened, this spiritual knowledge, when Buddhi becomes pointed and pierces the veil of illusion, truth can be grasped and vivek understood. Now one might think that a very sharp intellect is needed for this, but I say the way of intellect is a crooked road. It is the longest path to vivek. Real discrimination does not come from the mere study of books. A person may think they are very knowledgeable, and indeed they may be of worldly matters, but this does not mean they possess this spiritual discrimination. They may be very sharp witted, very clever, knowing the ins and outs of this and that, but this does not mean they possess true discrimination. Such learning, such exercise of the intellect, means nothing in the face of true knowledge. The knowledge acquired through worldly experience is one sort, the knowledge acquired through inner research is of another. So these two bodies of knowledge cannot be compared, they are altogether different.

But there is one commonality between them, it is that both require engagement of the intellect, but in one the intellect pursues the colors of this world and in the other the intellect searches the inner realms, piercing the layers of the mind to reach a state of pinnacled intellect in which the mind becomes clear and calm, devoid of all blemishes. In this state alone vivek or discrimination is clearly established. Such a pinnacled intellect devoid of the mars of samskaric forces may see beyond the veil of illusionary experience into the very core of the Comic Mind. Such a pinnacled intellect becomes the witness of the fascinating qualities and characteristics of the infinite Brahma. Such a pinnacled intellect will grasp the subtle sweetness of the infinite and such a mind will know the difference between what is real and what is illusion.

So if you want this intellectual development, this knowledge, you do not engage in idle and useless talk, you do not use your mind for endless debate but put aside all the arrogance of the intellect and surrender yourself humbly before your Lord. Arrogance of knowledge, of culture, vanity of good deeds, all of these are impediments to the development of discrimination. Humility, kind acts, self-surrender and love, these will enhance the capacity for discrimination. If a person has a fine intellect, a brilliant mind, let it be offered to the Supreme Entity, let that brilliance be a gift to your Lord, do not waste it, bring it to Him, surrender it before your Lord, so that He may open your heart because knowledge of the Mind devoid of love is nothing short of delusion.

Knowledge of the mind imbued with love, this knowledge will benefit all. So use your intellect not to bring darkness and intellectual argumentation to you but to pierce the veil of self-deceit and become aware of His qualities, then you will have knowledge which cannot be lost, which is eternal. Know that eternal self and you will know all. Use your discrimination to distinguish between what is of Him and what pulls you away from Him. Love others as your own, practice harmlessness with deep and undying love. Keep body and mind pure and clean, wash the dust from your body and the dirt from your mind. Make yourself pure of heart. Do kind acts, do not covet what belongs to another and enjoy every act, every thought as the well spring of His love. Attribute all to Him, keep nothing for yourself. Own what you need, but know to whom it belongs. And remember Him in every action, remember Him throughout your life and give yourself to the infinite Brahma.

Ohm Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.