SCIENTIFIC METHODOLOGIES FOR INNER DEVELOPMENT Scientific temper (Thomson) to describe impersonal facts of experience in verifiable terms as exactly as possible, as simply as possible and as completely as possible.
INNER DEVELOPMENT REMOVAL OF IGNORANCE MANIFESTATION OF DORMANT POTENTIALS PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL INTELLECTUAL SUPER-SENSIBLE Field of Action Love, Kindness Charity Reasoning DIVINITY SERVICE PURE LOVE DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN REAL & NON REAL SELF- REALISATION
INTER-RELATEDNESS OF ALL THESE ASPECTS EVER- NO-MOTIVES LASTING EXPERIENCE RIGHT ACTIONS JUST HAPPINESS OF REALITY 100 HAPPEN 100 100 75 50 25 Altruistic Motives for Active 75 50 25 75 Nature of 50 Happiness 25 Level of Understanding of Nature 100 % 75% 50% 25% PURE MIND 0 LOVE COMPASSION EQUANIMITY 0 75 25 Defile- -ments 50 25 Dependence on 50 External 75 World 0 SELFISH 0 SHORT- LIVED PLEASURES 0 Ignorance of Nature of Reality 0% Inner Development 100 MINDFULL OF IMPURITIES (ANGER, PRIDE, GREED,.) 100
PLEASURE EPHEMERAL PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL INTELLECTUAL SPIRITUAL / INNER BLISS EVER- LASTING
Using Physical Potential The Path of Selfless Service dez.;sof/kdkjlrs YOU, NOT ME ALTRUISTIC (Instead of Selfish) MOTIVES OF ACTION Increase in loving, kindness, compassion PURITY OF MIND DETACHMENT FROM THE RESULTS OF SUCH ACTION GIVING UP ENJOYERSHIP OF FRUITS OF ACTIONS EQUANIMITY IN FACE OF BITTER- SWEET FRUIT OF ACTION CULMI NATION especially suited for energetic personalities INCREASE IN EFFICIENCY attenuation in identification with B-M-I NEUTRALISATION OF LIKES & DISLIKES
CULMI NATION WORK IS DONE IN A PERFECT SENSE OF DETACHMENT, NO FEEELING OF DOER-SHIP TYPICAL EXAMPLE : STORY OF SAGE & SAVANT CAUTION : SERVICE DOERSHIP PRIDE detachment vis à vis apathy EXCITEMENT ABOUT SERVICE FEVERISH ACTIVITY BLOATED CONCEPT OF DUTY EGO REMEMBER : HIGHEST DUTY: BE HAPPY! BE PEACEFUL. BE CHEERFUL!
Refining Emotions the path of devotion PURIFICATION OF HUMAN-EMOTIONS DEVOTION TO AN IDEAL DIVINE BEING, PROPHET, GURU <IDOL> from Selfish Selfless from Individual Universal from Personal Impersonal especially suited for emotional temperament anthropomorphisation of noble qualities Single-pointed devotion reduces Worldliness (attraction of sensory pleasures) Surrender Humility (attenuation of ego) Thy will be done Accepting every situation cheerfully as a gift ¼izlkncqf}½ Universalisation of Love story of M.Luthe PURIFICATION OF MIND
CULMINATION TYPICAL EXAMPLE : ONLY GOD EXISTS FAITH VS REASON :I do not feel obliged to believe that that same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forego their use. Galileo CAUTION : No fanatical attachment to a personal God Materialistic devotion Coupling it knowledge & Detachment no blind faith (c.f. Bhagwatam story)
Intellectual Pot the path of knowledge & reasoning Discriminating between Real (Eternal) & not real (Impermanent) ¼ fur;fur; foosd fopkjk ½ WHO AM I? especially suited for Intellectuals / rational logical bent of mind Vedantic perspective THE SPIRIT Pure Consciousness Awareness THE SELF Vital force Morphogenetic field Atman-RIT INHERENT TENDENCIES PREDISPOSITIONS okluk, / laldkj
Organs of Perception Body Physical Mind Intellectual Intellect personality Organs of Action Emotional personality personality Gross Subtle Spiritual personality Subject object distinction I exists Changeful nature of B/M/I If I was also changing something other than I would be regd to recognise it But consistency of I-ness Sense Objects Actions Emotions Thoughts of World Thoughts of Transcendant Reality THE SELF IS THE SAME IN ALL NON DUAL BECAUSE OF ITS NATURE AS PURE CONSCIOUSNESS c.f. electricity could manifest as light, heat, cold e.m field different manifestation in different equipment
Arguments in support of Existence of I different from B-M-I Changeless base necessary to observe change Subject-object distinction I exists even when conscious Link that connects it to B-M-I is suspended Deep sleep absence of pain in anaesthesia Nature of I? Chariot analogy different from matter & energy Divine Energy <Spirituality> Awareness Knowledge cks/k
HOW TO EXPERIENCE INNER-SELF? Move inwards move away from sense objects, actions, emotions, thoughts ----- (during meditation) <i.e. worldliness> & Remembering & practising this truth one can slowly rise above worldliness, resulting in removal of ignorance. CHARIOT ANALOGY OF UPANISADS (PLATO) road/sc Sense object Horses Senses Reins mind Charioteer inte Owner Self Chariot body
The Buddha s Perspective There is suffering.. cause.misinterpretation of the true nature of existence --- impermanent, unsatisfactoriness, without-self. Giving rise to trishna Something must be done to correct this distorted perception of reality reorganization of psyche to give up trishna Cultivate mindful observation of bodily & mental processes to develop thorough and continual awareness ( undistorted by our usual desires, fears, views etc.)of their true nature => leads to disenchantment =>natural cessation of trishna No metaphysical speculation. The parable of the poisoned arrow
The path of Meditation What is meditation? mind control & purification Insight Meditation (Mindfulness) Absorption or tranquility or Concentration Absorption / Concentration of Mind Various objects of concentration Tactile Visual Sound Words thoughts (Contemplation) Their Characteristics & Benefits of such practice
Their Characteristics & Benefits of such practice need for ethical base Increased power of concentration Reduction in digressive thoughts Ability to avoid unwholesome deeds Purification of conscious mind Tranquility Insight Meditation insight experiential knowledge into true nature of existence Impermanence, suffering, Leads to purification of mind Egolessness
Why does the mind become impure? apparent cause real cause mechanics of subconscious mind <ancient insights & modern science> The Right Mindfulness or (Comprehensive) Importance of bare attention <non-reactive> The Essence of Mental Purification through Mindfulness Practice of Loving Kindness Why? How? www.dhamma.org
CAUTION Need for clarity of objectives Persistence & perseverance c.f. taming a wild beast Enticement on the way visions, powers etc. Taking due care of body Hasten Slowly!! (work at optimum pace)
Benefits of Practice Self control Look before you leap Reduction in rash & aggressive behaviour& intolerance proper self appraisal humility, forgiveness EQUANIMITY IN THE FACE OF VICISSITUDES OF LIFE Reduction in escapist tendencies (smoking, drinking, drugs)
MANIFESTATION OF HIGHER NEEDS attenuation in acquisitiveness & Greed increase in love, compassion, truthfulness CREATIVITY CONCENTRATION SCIENTIFIC TEMPER INSIGHT INTO LIFE