Tagged: actions
The pursue of inner-change
“Change yourself” for you can be “better”…A saint, an angel… 🙂
In religious “spirituality” we learned that there are “good” actions and “bad” actions.
A “black or white” vision of the world appeared. There is a clear “line” separating “good from bad.” A person needs only to do “good actions” to be “good.” Change your “bad actions into good.”
In the discovery that actions by itself cannot be conveniently categorized in “good or bad” without looking at the intention behind them, some guru discovered that a thought is the driven factor of that intention. “New age” Spirituality came up with the mantra: “ Change your thoughts to change your Life.”
A change of thought is a change of “reality” as long as you “believe it.”
“I am bad…” excuse that thought… “I am good.”
“I cannot do it..” What??? “You can!”
“What an ugly day!” I mean… “What a beautiful day!”
That inner lying kept its momentum until the realization that changing thoughts is not “good” unless our feelings are also changed.
If I feel worthless, the thought will be “I am worthless” then, to think: “I am worthy” is a straight lie.
Do we see the pattern of pretending to change ourselves?
We went from “help thy neighbor” (“good” action)
Even though we may despise our neighbor (“bad” intention) therefore, change your thought.
Think: “I love my neighbor” many times and believe it.
However, we cannot pretend to change what we feel.
The new bestseller guru said:
Change your feelings, then!!!
At that point “Spirituality” transformed into a way to sell methods to change our feelings, to be “in tune with reality.”
Raymond was calmly observing Nature. A bee appeared. A thought came: “Get out, don’t sting me.” The feeling was fear.
Why did fear appear in Raymond?
Because there is an “I” to protect.
The key of understanding feelings is to understand the “I.”
As the “I” is understood experientially, change will happen. To understand it, observe it. Don’t read about it. Observe it.
Life is change and we are Life. If we flow in Life, change is guaranteed, for that is Life.
The “I” cannot change itself, for all it has is a preconceived notion (taught by moral standards set by societies) of what to “become.” It is an ideal, a thought.
The “I” cannot change itself for it is already separated from Life, from “what is.”
The “I” cannot change itself because it has beliefs which are delineating and supporting its very existence.
Observation of our feelings without any particular aim or objective, will allow us to be aware of how any external changes brought about by our environment and circumstances will influence the way we feel.
It is in that awareness of “what is” without a rejection or an intention to “change it” to make it “better,” to “fix it,” how our acknowledgement will present the position for consciousness to change.
It is not by “doing” something how “self transformation” or “change“ happens, but by letting it happen.
“Do not complain” – That can change your Life :-)
A friend of mine sent the above. It is part of her forwarding of “spiritual wisdom” to her friends.
At first sight, everything seems great with that statement.
At a deeper look, it is basically saying the following:
“ Repress your complains. As a reward, see how your life will change in the future.”
Ananda is not sharing “spirituality for the masses” here. In that sort of “spirituality” we suppress “bad” words and support the “good” words.
Ananda is basically inviting you to experience for yourself what is going on inside you. That could be called with different labels, even “spirituality.”
Let us say that Carlos is an avid bike rider. Carlos wakes up early in the morning to ride his bicycle when it is still dark outside. As Carlos was getting momentum in his riding, then a truck pulls from a driveway nearby and blocks Carlos’ “high.” He had to stop his cadence.
An internal voice, a “thought” came up: “ You…son of a gun.”
Carlos merely observed that voice.
Was Carlos complaining?
How could that be stopped for “24 hours”?
If Carlos on the other hand, stopped after the “thought” as the Truck driver said: “sorry…” and Carlos replied back: “No problem.”
Did Carlos complain?
Most “spiritual teachings” are only interested in the action. The paper wrapping.
“Carlos is an angel. He shook the hand of the man who blocked his path instead of complaining to him.”
Only Carlos knew about that inner voice, the thought which was repressed to look “good,” angelic, “spiritual.”
Do we see how inner dishonesty appears?
I act in one way. I think in another way…. I feel in a totally different way.
Religious “Spirituality” is not concerned with thoughts nor feelings. It is only concerned with actions.
Think anything you want. Feel anything you want, just act in a established way.
Is the solution of this dissonance to repress more or to allow total expression of what we feel and think?
NO. That is duality.
Just observe.
Again, this is not for the masses. This is not for a state of consciousness caught up in “good and bad” or in salvation for the “afterlife.”
When we observe, we do not identify with thoughts as being “mine.” It does not matter whose they are. We just observe how thoughts appear and what was the trigger behind it. We could discover how our feelings brought a thought. We could discover how the thought appeared with annoyance, with a sense of dissatisfaction as our expectation may have been shattered, then we could observe that which is not congruent with “what is.”
We could discover “that one” without calling him “bad or good.”
It is in that exercise of awareness how we could notice our feelings in a moment and how related those are with our thoughts and our actions.
“Do not complain.”
Is a repressive statement for someone whose unobserved personality is used to complaining. The thoughts and feelings will be of a complainer, although from the outside, the actions… he will be an angel… 🙂
“Observe.”
Is Life. Being aware. Conscious. Awake.
Do we want to make the above as a “spiritual teaching” for all?
Our own awareness cannot be put into words. Our capacity for observation cannot be put into words.
Some may say, “I tried your method, but I didn’t work for me.”
Did you expect for “observation” to work for “you” and to change what “you” wanted to change?
Yes?
Then you better try: “Do not complain.”
Easy to understand. Easy to follow. Easy fake.
Karma: The inaccuracy of simplicity – part 1
“Truly, one becomes good through good action, and evil through evil action.”
—Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, 3.2.13
“Karma” is not fully understood.
Karma means “action” and from that word, we could establish a system to define what is “good and bad.”
If we do “good actions,” we will receive “good things.”
If we do “bad actions,” we will receive “bad things.” Or in religious words, If we do “good,” God will reward us. If we do “bad,” God will punish us.
Simple enough?
Here comes the controversy…
Are lies “bad”? 🙂
Yes?
What about “white lies”? Not bad…huh?
Is to lie an “action”?
No.
Then, if to lie is not action, why is it “bad karma”?
Framed in “bad actions,” “good actions” and “neutral actions” we forget about the underlying force behind any action or thought.
That is our intention.
It is so evident that the intention of a lie is what makes that lie “good” or “bad.”
“The law of Karma” as it is mostly explained, brings by necessity the labeling of some actions as “good or bad.”
That is inaccurate.
“The law says, we must stop on a red light while driving. If we don’t do that, we will be punished by paying a steep fine.”
In that “black or white” statement, there is plenty of “life in between” that could happen: The red light may not work properly, there is an emergency in the road, someone’s life is in danger, etc. There will be plenty of scenarios but our intention is the driving factor for experiencing the return of our activities.
In life, there are those individuals who will stop on a red light no matter what happens around them. Their belief is to be “righteous” by following words to the dot.
The irony is that we do not follow life and its changes, but words and their “static reality”…
An action performed by itself does not determine how life will give a return. Please experiment with this. Don’t merely accept it.
As expressed many times already, life is not interested in complying with our petty “black or white” morality.
Intentions hide behind actions.
Someone may say “ to rape someone is bad. Rape is a bad action.”
Rape is a sexual act by force. Notice the intention of the action: Force, abuse, domination, selfishness.
Q:Is the sexual act in itself “good or bad”? 🙂
A: Depends on your belief.
Life is not about beliefs, it is about intentions.
A sexual act is neutral until the intention of the “doer” arrives.
It is the intention what gives the quality of that action and thus the return.
To be continued….
What is there beyond duality?….Non-existence? what EXISTS then?
A question from a reader.
What exists is your perception.
Duality is a perception which rejects by conveniently separating experiences in life. Let me give the classical example:
There is a glass of water. The water fills up the middle of the glass.
Is the glass half full or half empty?
The example above in the traditional consciousness, is full of duality. You are made to choose between two apparently opposite states (fullness and emptiness.)
In life “at the office” this is the type of indoctrination that we go through and we apply the same to everything in our perception of life.
If you perceive the glass “half full,” you get the label of being a “positive thinker.” Otherwise, you are “negative.”
Do you see how duality is still there? (Positive vs. negative.)
Moreover, a workshop in “positive thinking” will be created so our rejection to the other half (negative thinking) is granted. When there is rejection of one side of duality, paradoxically, we will experience that rejected side as well, for our perception of duality is just a perception and life itself is… oneness.
Be aware of your thoughts. Don’t label them or judge them. Be in tune with your feelings and be part of the Totality.
That is why, when someone talks about the law of karma under the perception of duality, by labeling actions as “good” and “bad” that is a very infantile way of looking at things. Actions are neither “good or bad” by themselves. That is why, in the oneness of life our intentions are important, our feelings… for that drives the action. We cannot pretend to “act good” when our feelings are not like that. That is why, to act in accordance with the need of the time, to be in tune with the Universe and Nature is in itself what may need to be done without further labeling.
The common good.
A Human being will not be able to experience that while trapped in the duality of individuality vs. the collective.
That is why, it was mentioned that we need to go beyond that perception of duality.
Basically, there is no need to take sides, to be in favor of something or against. That is duality. Our society may pursue this duality, but a “life walker” should be able to be there without being there…out of duality. 🙂
In the example of the half empty and half full glass of water, someone’s perception could be to observe a glass with water and air. It is neither empty nor full.
That mind will not take sides by labeling empty as “bad” and full as “good.” That is the origin of rejection.
It simply, “is what it is” without any further labeling or judgment.
When we truly understand that we are dealing with perceptions in life and what matters is not what our senses are able to perceive but rather how do we feel about our perception, then our consciousness may start changing.
Do I reject? Do I separate? Do I take sides?
I am caught in duality, if so.
To perceive something and enjoy that perception while it lasts, is to maintain that joy like a little child; who is joyfully riding in a train in Disneyland’s “Magic kingdom:” The scenes will change continuously and the child will just smile throughout the ride… enjoying the experience while it lasts. 🙂
Truth and moral standards
When I read that quote, a sense of elation invaded me.
Great insight!
That quote is not coming from thinking, that is by conditioning.
For mainstream, there is “good and bad.” For mainstream, morality is about choosing “good” over “bad.”
Let me pretty up that word “morality,” so it has a “good” reception in our mind: To be “ethical.” 🙂
I don’t know who the author of that quote is or what he does. It doesn’t matter.
Nevertheless, let me add another spin on that “insight.”
There cannot be “the only truth” as we are dealing with perceptions. That is why, there is no “good or evil.” That is known as duality. Duality is another perception.
However, there is cause and effect. Every action will bring its own effect which will be experienced by the originator of that action.
Isn’t “cause and effect” another perception? 🙂
Yes and No. 🙂
Test it for yourself. Anything we “do” has a consequence. Anything “we” think may not…( A thought came to me, rather than “I” thought a thought… “I thought I saw a pussy cat”… 🙂 )
That is “karma 101” explained by religious groups and philosophies.
That is how for some religions there are “good actions” and “bad actions.”
Nevertheless, actions are neutral without intentions.
The consequences will happen based on our intention.
If my intention has an ulterior motive, if my intention is to separate, to segregate, to bring antagonism, to “rob” from the Totality, the consequences will be suffering for the “doer.”
Some individuals do not realize that their intention behind the action drives the consequence. That is why, we need to check our feelings. If I feel angry, my intentions will come out with that anger which means separation.
In “Religion 101” we were stuck with actions only as “good or bad.”
“Sex is bad.” “Marriage is good.” “Divorce is bad.”
The above is very easy to label and to promote for followers to follow.
It is very difficult to check the intentions, for the only person that could know is the one acting.
“But, I gave her a box with chocolates… I wanted to be “good” with her… and she turned them down.”
The perception of the intention could be heard by some accurately and misunderstood by others.
That is how it is easier to stick with actions as “good and bad.” It is safe, simple but not complete.
When the great Tao is forgotten,
Kindness and morality arise.
When wisdom and intelligence are born,
The great pretense begins.” ( Tao te Ching – Ch 18)
Another good insight! If we think about it, if we try to rationalize it, we will not understand.
Insight comes from knowing, from being able to recognize something without thought. It is intuitive.
Question by reader: How much God will help me?
Dear brother How much is my effort and how much assistance does my god father bestows upon me apart from imparting knowledge in my spiritual journey to become perfect. As you know to become perfect I have to make full effort to remove impurities. When I become pure with my own effort then what is gods role? Become pure and then become yogi.??
Dear reader,
Thank you for your question. It all depends on your belief system and how much of that belief system do you understand. Nevertheless, the outcome will be another belief. 🙂
Let me clarify.
In most monotheistic religions, there is the belief of a God that “helps” others. However, at the same time there is the belief in the “law of karma,” that is there is a consequence for every action.
Let me ask you: Can God go against the law of karma to “help you”? Or is the law of karma not sufficient to go against the will of God to “help you”?
Please reflect on the following: Why God is going to “help you” when there is the law of karma?
Now that we have put things into perspective, let me ask you: Why believers of different religions believe that God is going to help “them” believers exclusively? 🙂 Probably because of a belief. 🙂
Now, let me share my experience.
In my experience “Divine help” has been there. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to “survive” up to a certain level of awareness. However, more than “making effort” (effort for what?) it was about sincerity and honesty with myself.
Spirituality is about finding your own self, so you can forget about it.. 🙂
Spirituality for avyakt7 has never been another mundane thing where you compete with others or push yourself to the limit or try to demonstrate others about your capabilities, so they can see that “I am making effort.” That is a mundane take on spirituality. There is no “goal” that avyakt7 has to “achieve.” That is just plain ego. Please see that your quest for “perfection,” that struggle will not allow you to relax and to let things happen at their own time. Spirituality is a matter of consciousness. To wake up early, to “do” certain things which you may call “effort” are just means to help you gain greater consciousness, but greater consciousness is not something to “achieve,” it is something that happens once your honest, sincere desire to know yourself as a means to help others is put in practice over sometime…then the law of karma kicks in, that is, you receive Godly help. 🙂 “Magic” happens at that point.
As you know, “knowledge” is that help that you want to receive from God. However, that “knowledge” is not something that you “study.” It is something that you apply in yourself so greater understanding occurs and then your consciousness will start changing.
Theoretical knowledge is of no help.
Please review the meaning of “perfect” in Spirituality. According to BapDada in your religion, perfection means completeness.
You are already complete, but you may not be aware of that; that is why greater consciousness is needed.
Dear reader, please learn to live with unconditional sincerity. Practice virtuous living and extend that with all beings, eradicate all duality from your mind, celebrate the equality of things and then, your every moment will be in truth; that is God will be with you in your perfection!
Best wishes!
Question: Dear Brother, Should we try to understand GOD or trying to understand ourself is sufficient? Action is equal to equal and opposite reaction. If this is true then deities must also be getting the reaction for their actions. Drama is based on karmic philosophy then how is it that Shiva gives such great knowledge to all the souls yet does not recieve / accept any fruit of it. What exactly does BABA means by Karma, Akarma & Vikarma? THANK YOU.
Thank you for your great question!
Your questions require answers with a higher notch of depth… Here we go… 🙂
Dear soul,
We probably need to realize that the only thing that we have the responsibility to understand is the self. God in relationship with us becomes an incentive, a source of inspiration and knowledge. Those things which God provides are meant for self realization, not to discuss if God is this or that.
I enjoy when I see the reaction of people when I say something like “God is omnipresent but also a soul…” 🙂
That will be the “highest manmat” for some, equivalent of receiving hell forever… 🙂
Caught up in words…
Please be mindful that those words are plain definitions. If we define God we cut off the experience that we may get. Many think that because we see BapDada then we “know God.” For some bhakti individuals God is equivalent to seeing Dadi Gulzar, for others, equivalent of Brahma Baba and yet for others, they just visualize a point of light in the subtle body of Brahma Baba who in turn is “loaning” Dadi Gulzar’s body. Describing that, they call that description “God.”
None of that gives the experience of self realization. As the murli mentions, “very few will know God as He is.” Please remember that. More concepts we use to try to define Him, the further from the truth we will be, because words are in the realm of duality and God is beyond that.
On your question: “Action is equal to equal and opposite reaction. If this is true then deities must also be getting the reaction for their actions.”
Sure. But it is “neutral” for there is no duality and… there is entropy so the quality of those activities will diminish until it gets to the point where it loses neutrality and then we have “good and bad actions.”
On your last questions about “karma,” “akarma” and “vikarma.” According to the sanskrit dictionary, we have “karma” as “action,” meaning “doing something,” then we have “akarma,” meaning- without performing actions (detached observer) and then we have- “vikarma,” as “sinful” actions. (I would suggest to use the word “dual action” rather than “sinful” for the “bad” connotation that this word brings.)
Karma can be neutral when there is a return without duality- Golden age.
Karma could be “sinful” when there is duality. The deep significance of that is once we understand duality, that an apparent “good action” has its counterpart of “bad” and viceversa. For example: I think I have done a “good action” by paying for the school tuition of a child. Now, because of that, this child experiences being beat up at school by “bullies.” As you can see, there is nothing “pure” good.
Akarma is the “doing” of actions of ego-less beings. Doing without doing. This is what BapDada calls: “doing for the sake of it.”
Best wishes!
Exploring the Depth of Living 