Living As Citizens Of The Universe
Neil Armstrong's image of Planet N Earth from the moon is a reminder of how paltry our terrestrial conflicts can seem when viewed from outer space. The image speaks to us because we are aware, on some level, that we are not just residents of the earth, but citizens of the universe. Universality is an existential truth, not an idea. Individuality, on the other hand, is an idea, a construct. The yogic system speaks of chitta vritti nirodha. That means that if the modifications of your mind cease and you still remain alert, you experience a profound state of oneness with existence. The human body is undeniably the most sophisticated gadget on this planet. What makes it unique is that the very source of life has infused itself into this wonderful machine. Consequently, every human being retains a subconscious awareness that there is more to life than the mere gift of the physical. There are two basic instincts within us: The self-preservation instinct and the urge to become boundless. These seemingly contrary longings-to preserve and to expand-are intended to work in collaboration. One force helps you root yourself well on this planet; another takes you beyond. Self-preservation needs to be limited to the physical body. But if you are deeply identified with the physical, these longings become a source of conflict. Robert Frost hit on a moment of deep truth when he wrote, 'Something there is that doesn't love a wall.'The human longingto transcend physical limitations is entirely natural. The journey from the boundary based individual body to the boundless source of creation is the very basis of the spiritual process. But because you are ruled by your self-preservation instinct, unicorns cious you keepbuilding walls. Today's walls of self-protection become tomor- row's walls of self-imprisonment. In their search for the boundless, however, human beings have mis takenly turned outward. The assumption is that the answers are to be found in external expansion and conquest. And yet, as films like Star Wars depict, even when our sphere of activity turns intergalactic, the same transactions and conflicts endure. Mere physical expansion will not enable us to access our universal nature. If we truly wantto make a journey from the individual to the cosmic, there is only one way: to turn inward. How do we turn inward? Definitely not through physical means. The sense organs-those wonderful instruments of human survival-are of no use whenturning inward. They give us a distorted impression of reality because they perceive everything only in comparison with something else. Psycho logical means are not adequate either. Acquiring a new set of beliefs orsophies can help polish your igncso it may even shine! But it will bno closer to your universal naturYoga empowers you to journtowards the experience of existeborderless unity-not as an intetheory but as a living experience Borderless unity as a living expecan deliver you to an altogetherdimension that allows you accesvery source of creation. Turning inward to reclaim yonature does not mean acquisitionrealisation. This is why the yogicdoes not talk about God or the UnSoul. It talks only about attendingself-created walls of resistance. These walls crumble, your humanoverflow. When humanity overflodivinity has no choice but to folloDismantling these walls is all youdo in order to regain your authenoriginal nature as a cosmic being.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Sadhguru Jaggi Vasude kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Sadhguru Jaggi Vasude Speaking Tree,Times of India
Living As Citizens Of The Universe
Neil Armstrong's image of Planet N Earth from the moon is a reminder of how paltry our terrestrial conflicts can seem when viewed from outer space. The image speaks to us because we are aware, on some level, that we are not just residents of the earth, but citizens of the universe. Universality is an existential truth, not an idea. Individuality, on the other hand, is an idea, a construct. The yogic system speaks of chitta vritti nirodha. That means that if the modifications of your mind cease and you still remain alert, you experience a profound state of oneness with existence. The human body is undeniably the most sophisticated gadget on this planet. What makes it unique is that the very source of life has infused itself into this wonderful machine. Consequently, every human being retains a subconscious awareness that there is more to life than the mere gift of the physical. There are two basic instincts within us: The self-preservation instinct and the urge to become boundless. These seemingly contrary longings-to preserve and to expand-are intended to work in collaboration. One force helps you root yourself well on this planet; another takes you beyond. Self-preservation needs to be limited to the physical body. But if you are deeply identified with the physical, these longings become a source of conflict. Robert Frost hit on a moment of deep truth when he wrote, 'Something there is that doesn't love a wall.'The human longingto transcend physical limitations is entirely natural. The journey from the boundary based individual body to the boundless source of creation is the very basis of the spiritual process. But because you are ruled by your self-preservation instinct, unicorns cious you keepbuilding walls. Today's walls of self-protection become tomor- row's walls of self-imprisonment. In their search for the boundless, however, human beings have mis takenly turned outward. The assumption is that the answers are to be found in external expansion and conquest. And yet, as films like Star Wars depict, even when our sphere of activity turns intergalactic, the same transactions and conflicts endure. Mere physical expansion will not enable us to access our universal nature. If we truly wantto make a journey from the individual to the cosmic, there is only one way: to turn inward. How do we turn inward? Definitely not through physical means. The sense organs-those wonderful instruments of human survival-are of no use whenturning inward. They give us a distorted impression of reality because they perceive everything only in comparison with something else. Psycho logical means are not adequate either. Acquiring a new set of beliefs orsophies can help polish your igncso it may even shine! But it will bno closer to your universal naturYoga empowers you to journtowards the experience of existeborderless unity-not as an intetheory but as a living experience Borderless unity as a living expecan deliver you to an altogetherdimension that allows you accesvery source of creation. Turning inward to reclaim yonature does not mean acquisitionrealisation. This is why the yogicdoes not talk about God or the UnSoul. It talks only about attendingself-created walls of resistance. These walls crumble, your humanoverflow. When humanity overflodivinity has no choice but to folloDismantling these walls is all youdo in order to regain your authenoriginal nature as a cosmic being.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Sadhguru Jaggi Vasude kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Sadhguru Jaggi Vasude Speaking Tree,Times of India