WYSIWYG

What You See Is What You Get. This is a journal blog, an explore-blog, a bit of this and that blog. Sharing where the mood takes me. Perhaps it will take you too.

Menosophical [men-oh-soffy-cul]; the condition of waxing introspective - an occasional series on the more deep and meaningful.

Officially, the 15th Vedanta course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya is over.  Due to an extension of time, though, there is one more text to be covered, beginning today.  It is small.  Like the cherry on top of the icing.  By Sunday I should be reporting to you that it too will  be done.  Then, one-by-one, folk will depart.  Already there is a significant change in the energy as the group prepares itself for the pulling apart.  Nothing needs be said.  We just look into each others eyes and the knowing of the inevitability of it is written there.  Also the love and appreciation of the incredibly privileged and amazing experience that has been 24 months of non-stop spiritual absorption.  It will be a bit drawn out.  Some are going on a temple tour of Maharashtra state and will return briefly to the ashram before taking total leave. Others are tied to leaving almost immediately.  Then will begin the real work.

Yesterday morning we had the final words from our Acharya, Swami Advayananda, on the Brahma Sutras and took his special blessings for our ongoing study and learning, as well as application.

Application.  All philosophies - all - can only be as worthwhile as their usefulness to daily living.  Regardless of how high-flown the teaching may get, for the average student and devotee what matters is how to get the best from life without compromising the good values that the majority of the cultures of the world recognise.  This includes those who profess atheism.

Atheism is not simply stating "I don't go to church, synagogue, temple or mosque because I don't believe in God".  That is laziness.  There is a philosophy which must inform the arguments and still provide a structure for living a good and appropriate life, without the concept of deity.  Yes, even this has an ancient and deep-thinking past!

Thinking.  Focused, clear and penetrating thought is required if we are to take full responsibility for our place in the Human Race.  It is not simply the domain of the advantaged academic or the priest of any particular faith system.

That kind of thinking can be exhausting! It does require time in each day which is separate from activity and all distraction.  In 21st century life it is all too often thought that there is no time for thinking!  Subsequently, it is from this that such modern phrases as "stop and smell the roses" or "stop the world I want to get off!" have come.  People know they want something more deep and meaningful from life but have become unplugged from the source of it.  Their inner selves.

The 61 graduates of Sandeepany, regardless of whether taking the robes or simply exiting the gates, will not be able to live without now expressing Advaita Vedanta in one form or other.  For myself, it will be to live it to the fullest that I am able, thus becoming an example.

Even before arriving I was doing that to the level I could with what I knew then - and folk even at that time would ask what it was I had which they did not, for they perceived serenity.  Not that one has always felt (or behaved) that serenity.  Enough was there to shine however.  I have no measure of what, if any, change there is in me in this regard.  Going back into society is not only going to be challenging from the purely personal level, but also to discover the effects and responses there will be to the somewhat confusing image; a wobbly grey-haired short and dumpy female, white skin, indeterminate accent (though probably more Aussie than anything), sari (or salwar kameez) and wearing marks on her forehead.  However her eye is clear and her approach direct.  A firmness of resolve to carry the torch of unity in diversity, no matter how many times it gets knocked from her hand...

...and Love.  Love with the capital 'ell'.

YAM xx



7 comments:

  1. Lovely post and we look forward to sharing your next stages with you. Lady Vicki and Hilary xxooxx

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  2. I really enjoyed this, Yam, especially the part about every part of the world having the same core values.
    Luv, K

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  3. Awwwwww. Love with a capital ell back. I can get excited tonight. Still much to do for work. But I have accomplished lots in the two months. Now just polishing.

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  4. Hari Om, Yam! Congratulations on your graduation. Where do you go now? Indigo x

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  5. Hari OM
    Thank you all for the support and wishes. Surely warms the cockles! xx

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  6. Beautiful and profound, Yam. This has been life-changing for you and now you will spread this change to others by the way you live the rest of your life.

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  7. Hari OM
    Warmest thanks Perpetua-ji - coming from you, that mean much! xx

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