Part 1: Take one a day and be in Bliss.🔗

T a k e one a da y and be in Bl i s s .

B LI S S B Y T E S V O L. 2 Edition 5

THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM

Bliss Bytes Vol.2 (Edition 5)

THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM

Encapsulations from discourses of THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM.

Take one a day and be in Bliss.

CONTENTS

1. Life is the True Miracle

Once, I clapped my hand and produced an idol. The people in the room thought it was a miracle.

I explained to the group that it was not a miracle, but merely a sleight of hand. I had merely teleported the idol by moving it from my room to my hand.

Does a cell phone seem like a miracle to us? No, it is just a tool. Teleportation is another tool, just like our cell phones. Sound waves move between cell phones enabling us to talk to each other. When I teleported the object from the room, I simply converted the idol into energy, teleported it, and reconverted the energy back into matter. That's all.

When we don't know the cause and effect relationship, we call these actions miracles. Some people equate gaining these 'miraculous' powers to being in an elevated spiritual state. Nothing can be further from the truth than this. If we understand this, we will begin to appreciate the real miracles of our universe.

These 'powers' are merely distractions on the spiritual path. They are no measure of the spiritual state one is in. Every spiritual aspirant should have a single lofty goal - to experience the collective consciousness and merge into it.

A small parable narrated by Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, an enlightened master from Dakshineshwar, West Bengal, Bharat, explains the foolishness of chasing these so-called miracles.

Two brothers selected different paths in their lives. The younger brother decided to become a monk and the elder brother entered into business. After 15 years, the younger brother returned home. The elder brother had by now became a rich businessman in the area. He received his younger brother well.

As they began to discuss their achievements, the elder brother said, 'I have acquired material riches and gains. How have you fared?'

Without a word, the younger brother stood up and walked to the riverbank. He walked across the water and reached the other side of the river. The elder brother rode the ferry and joined him on the opposite bank.

Bursting with pride, the younger brother said, 'This is my achievement!'

The elder brother said, 'Did you spend all the time learning this? I achieved the same result by spending two rupees. What a waste of your life, time and effort!'

This is what happens to us when we get caught in the world of so-called miracles. We miss the real miracle that is Life itself.

Appreciate that life itself is a miracle. The gift of life is the best thing that has happened to us - the most significant miracle.

2. Trust Brings Bliss

Desires or hopes cause us much heartache. We spend so much of our time and energy chasing them that these desires control our life. Not only that, religion and society control us through our desires by the use of guilt.

Desires, if they are unselfish, deep, and pure, have the potential to become fulfilled. True desires rise from the core of our being and benefit the world and society at large. They have an underlying degree of common good for others. Such desires have the support of the universe which will bring in the energy needed to fulfill them.

Most of our desires however, are selfish and self-centered, arising from greed or jealousy. When such desires remain unfulfilled, we become angry or depressed. On the other hand, if our desires are realized, the happiness wears off quickly, so we continue to chase more desires, hoping to find fulfillment again.

Our list of desires is endless. The truth is many items on the list are borrowed from our family, friends and neighbors. In other words, we want something because we see someone else with it. When our borrowed desires are realized, we experience guilt because we don't really need them. Desires which are born out of jealousy, guilt, greed, lust, or envy, take a heavy personal toll. Even when these desires are realized, they leave us feeling unfulfilled. They sap our energy and leave us swamped with guilt.

This guilt is an effective tool in the hands of religion and society. They are quick to penalize us by naming these guilt feelings as something deeper: sin. According to the church, sin is a divinely punishable offence. Our search for an antidote to our guilt takes a large amount of energy, leaving us tired.

The truth is that guilt and desires are labels of our mind, just like the labels people give us throughout our life: doctor, wife, husband, son, daughter-in-law, or friend. Society and religion wants us to believe that we cannot survive without these types of identities.

Over centuries, society and religion have put a system in place which survives only when it has followers; it does not need leaders. The rules are rigid and strict obedience is extracted. The rules gradually erode our self-confidence until no spirit remains. We merely cling to the system out of fear of hell.

In order to change this dependence on society, try this small experiment. For today, do not worry about what others are thinking about you. The truth is that they are in turn worrying about themselves and what others are thinking about them! So just for today, do not worry about them. Do not try to imitate anyone. Just be what you are without any fear of anybody or anything. Just have faith in Existence and your connection with it and Be.

You will see: This will connect you to your inner Being. Learn to trust it and become sensitive to higher life. This trust will eventually bring joy and eternal bliss: nithyananda!

3. Enlightened Education

All around us, there are many examples of how an enlightened master works. Now that we have these examples, we should use this opportunity to correct some mistakes.

One grave mistake society has made is in the creation of our modern education system. There is no continuity of tradition in modern education. Ancient masters, on the other hand, followed the lineage, and maintained spiritual tradition.

It might come as a surprise for many of us to know that our society has changed a great deal. We actually have little or no freedom now. Our lives are bound by rigid rules as dictated by our society and there are expectations of proper behavior heaped on young children.

In the gurukul system that was designed by the enlightened masters, children were free. They lived as one with nature and could relate with flowers, forests, trees, animals, and earth. Until the age of seven, children simply lived as a part of nature, with no idea that they were individuals. They were not even aware that they had a body. They simply lived as a part of nature.

The reasons for this are profound and deep. The enlightened masters were laying down in childhood the very first spiritual lesson: connecting to the ether energy. This is fundamental to any spiritual practice.

Today, we have moved away from this ether energy of which we are an intimate part. From the all pervading energy that we are, we have moved to rigid gender based rules. We dress up even infants in distinct male or female clothing. We expect girls to behave in a different way from boys and we have different norms of acceptable behavior for both. The enlightened masters knew that expression of gender was transient. They moved as one with the Existential energy and also taught their disciples the same thing.

Another natural fact, a true fact of nature, which will shock people today: nobody is totally male or female. When we are born, every one of us has characteristics of both genders within us. A man is only 51% male! He is 49% female. Similarly a woman is only 51% female, and 49% male. Inherently, every individual joyfully expresses both characterstics with the more prominent percentage expressing more, and they become beautiful beings.

But the rigid rules of our society do not tolerate the expression of the opposite gender within ourselves. In fact, society conditions us to suppress the opposite gender characteristics. Our social norms rigidly classify us into one gender from the moment of birth. This gives rise to suppression of the opposite gender within us. This suppression takes the form of lust for the opposite gender outside of us. This is how attraction for the opposite sex starts.

In the gurukul system, every child in the country belonged to the master, the Guru. Such was the beautiful system they designed. It was flexible for the group and yet easily individualized, and so the individual flourished. The master, who had an enlightened insight into the core of human nature, was at the helm of affairs.

4. Vacuum is Energy

We think that a vacuum is emptiness but it is not.

According to Science, a vacuum is the absence of matter, which, in turn, is the manifestation of energy. However, a vacuum is also energy. Scientists are now working with this idea and after decades of experiments and observations, they realize that a total vacuum cannot be created. There is no such state as a total vacuum.

Even in space, where we think a vacuum exists, ether is present. Scientists now understand that ether is a form of energy. As it can be measured and handled, it is also matter!

Science is evolving at a fast pace. But it has to go a long way to catch up with spirituality. There is an opportunity for science to present spiritual truths through understanding that a vacuum is not the total absence of matter but is in fact the absence of only certain parts of matter. All of creation is made of five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether. A vacuum is the absence of four of these elements: earth, water, fire, and air.

Science has merely changed its opinions based on observation. Scientists have not made any new discoveries, but are merely coming up with concepts to measure and work on ether.

Many thousands of years ago, the sages of the Eastern world developed the concept of Vaastu Shaastra(a practical application of elemental energies similar to the Chinese concept of Feng Shui. This science is meant to utilize and channel the power of ether and to apply it in daily life. The entire science of Vaastu Shaastra is based on ether energy, the subtlest and the most powerful of the five elemental energies. The power of Vaastu Shaastra, the underlying science behind building homes, is all based on ether. Scientists are only now beginning to work on this power and working with other ways to use ether.

Ether is the connecting substance in the universe; it is bliss energy. When we experience a feeling of oneness or have the experience of the collective consciousness, we enter into the ultimate experience of our lives. We live in bliss. Our true nature is revealed.

In the depths of our consciousness, there is no ego. Everything we see, everything we experience, is unique and beyond the dimensions of our body. We realize that everything is one and, at the cosmic level, we are all the same. We are not different entities. Only when we experience collective consciousness, we realize and experience the meaning of the word 'bliss,' the eternal bliss, nithyananda. The universe is filled with bliss energy. Enjoy!

5. You are One with God

Our minds are all one and the same. We are not individual separate entities, as we think. Our minds are interlinked and directly affect each other and this is what is meant by collective consciousness.

How can we understand this more deeply? Let us start with a familiar occurrence. We all catch a cold from someone from time to time. We suffer physically for a few days and eventually get over it. In the same way, sometimes we catch thoughts or borrow attitudes from other people. But unlike with a cold, we suffer mentally, forever. Not once, but forever.

Our own thoughts affect those people directly touched by them and also extend out further and affect every living thing on our planet.

This connection does not end at the mental level. A greater connection exists at the deeper levels of consciousness. These energy layers of our body are : Physical, Pranic, Mental, Subtle, Causal, Cosmic, and Nirvanic.

At the physical level, we all seem to be different entities, with many different characteristics. We, God and the master are physically removed from each other at this level. There is enormous distance at the physical level.

Love and suffering affect us at the physical level. We do not want to suffer but we cannot escape from it and so we suffer from physical pain, mental anguish or spiritual bondage. We suffer because we are not aware that we are a part of the collective consciousness. We think that we have an individual identity, a separate ego. When we reach the deeper energy levels, we do not have an individual entity and we do not suffer. We are a part of the collective consciousness.

Dive a little deeper, from the Physical to the Pranic level. The distance between us, God and master is somewhat reduced. Travel farther down into the Subtle level and the distance gets further reduced. The distance between God, master, and us constantly shrinks as we enter into deeper energy layers.

Our journey ends at the Nirvanic level. Here there is no distance between God, master, and us. We are all One. In a sense, we reach the centre of the universal energy. It was this experience that led ancient sages to declare that everything we need is within us.

It is very difficult for the intellect to believe or accept this; our minds will resist the very idea, but this is the Truth. We are God and are deeply connected to are everything. We become aware of it as we ascend the energy layers.

6. Some Questions have No Answers

People often judge us by the questions we ask. Knowing this, we try to think of witty and wise questions in order to impress people.

In spiritual life, questions have no importance. I tell my disciples that answers I give to questions posed by new-comers are like candy, brain candy! It keeps them happy. Once I find that the seeker is serious, I stop answering his questions. And when this happens, the questions also drop for the intelligent one. A mature mind does not need brain candy.

When a child asks a question, it reflects the child's curiosity. However, when an adult asks questions, it reflects either lack of wisdom or the need to flaunt one's own knowledge. Some of our questions, actually have no answers but we keep debating on them just to show that we are very intelligent.

Take this example: if I ask you, 'Who are you?,' you will tell me about your status or relationships. You know to answer it only through relationships and status. You do not answer the question directly because you do not know the direct answer.

Try this exercise: sit alone in a room, close the door, and start asking the question, 'Who am I?' If you are well read in philosophy, you will think you are Atman, Brahman, or your body. You might instinctively think of yourself as your body. If you are of intellectual make up, you think you are Atman. But have you truly experienced who you are, either as a body or as Atman? No!

We play with identities, as well as hide in them. The more identities we have, the easier it will be to switch back and forth and hide behind them. Our spiritual pursuits also serve to establish an identity. A spiritual identity is as much a trap as a material identity.

We obey our boss, but when we interact with our subordinates, we put on another identity, another mask. None of these is true. We simply continue to play with pseudo identities. That's all.

Our life is a journey between birth and death. We have no idea why we were born. We have no idea when we will die. Our life is a bridge between these two unknown points. This is because we are playing with several pseudo identities. We have never asked ourselves the question, 'Who am I?' or 'What am I doing here?'

Whenever someone asked Ramana Maharishi, a realized master, a question, he would ask, 'Who is asking this question?' The questioning would then cease.

Go on and ask yourself the question. The answer will surprise, shock, or shake you. These are baby steps in a spiritual journey.

7. How to be Enlightened by 21!

Ancient spiritual masters of the East developed a wonderful system for holistic education called the gurukul system. In the Sanskrit language, it means, 'living with the master'.

The spiritual masters came from a long lineage or school unlike the modern residential school or any such thing we know today.

The original structure and system of gurukul is now non-existent. The gurukul system was based on the spiritual love of the ancient sage or master who accepted every child who wished to become educated. The child thrived under the love, protection, and guidance of the master. For the duration of the studies, the parents had no rights over him.

Such an ideal school was supported by people who were aware of the deeper spiritual characteristics of life. Many of their practices seem strange to us today. For example, until the age of seven, children wore no clothes. Children had no idea that they were individual bodies. They were allowed to relate with nature and directly interact with the ether energy. A child was not aware of his body. Children believed that they were a part of nature.

Until the age of seven, a child did not begin formal education. The master radiated unbelievable love and patience. We can neither comprehend its depth nor understand its breadth.

While in the gurukul, the masters did not allow children to be segregated into male and female. In this way, children grew up without suppressing the opposite gender that was alive in them. In the gurukul system, the students were encouraged to keep their gender open because every human, even today, is born with some percentage of female and male traits.

One of the first lessons they learnt was chanting the Gayatri mantra, a deep meditation technique. They practiced this technique from age seven to fourteen. When this meditation was taught before children imbibed the idea of identifiying themselves as either male or female, it was utterly powerful and life changing. If they had imbibed the idea of gender by chance, then they could use this meditation technique to dilute the gender identification at that age itself.

Through the chanting of the Gayatri mantra, they connected to Divinity. Students would have had the experience of collective consciousness before they were 14! Then the masters taught them other techniques to reach deeper and deeper, until they were enlightened by the age of 21!

Practice a meditation technique that connects you to your core, your latent divinity. When you do that regularly you are in the gurukul.

Bliss Bytes - Vol 2

8. Relax without Resisting

We have a great deal of difficulty relaxing and letting go. We are continuously resisting whatever nature offers.

Man, as a rule, is a fool; when it is hot, he asks for cool, and when it is cool, he begs for 'hot'; always asking for what is not! What does this mean? When the weather is cool, we want it to be warm. When it becomes warm, we search for an air-conditioner! We resist everything. Resistance has become second nature to us.

We resist because of our thinking. In our mind, we think that we are different from nature and therefore we are always looking for special treatment that is different from our natural ambience.

For most part of the year, it is freezing cold in the Himalayas. Even so, sages and enlightened masters make their home there, almost nude, in the cold. They are able to live in the snow without being perturbed by it.

I have lived like that and this body has been undisturbed. This body had no problems. It is because I never thought that I was different from my surroundings and never felt any separation between my body and nature.

We begin to resist anything only when we think that we are different from it. If we think that we are different from nature, our surroundings, we start resisting it. This applies to everything around us including people, situations and what not.

We can practice a very simple exercise to first recognize our resistance and increase our awareness. At this moment, if you are feeling cold, simply relax. Identify the areas that feel cold or hot. You can learn to simply witness that area of your body. Do not resist the atmosphere, do not resist the air, do not resist the temperature, do not resist nature. Do not resist the Existence around you.

Just say, 'I will not resist nature. I am not going to resist the temperature. I am not going to resist Existence. Let me relax.'

Let us be conscious and decisive. Let us be aware. Then we will feel the body relax and the idea of cold will gradually disappear from that area. We will become utterly comfortable with a relaxed state of mind.

Our mind plays this trick on us all the time, if we remain unaware. Our minds are not individual, separate entities of the universe. They are all one and the same. Our minds are interlinked and directly affect each other. Let us flood our minds with awareness and become blissful!

9. The Core

The Truth is at the core of everything in this universe. It is at the core of every rock, tree, bird, and every human being. Yet, it is not easy to live day to day in the Truth.

In our daily life, we encounter situations where we wonder if we should be totally truthful. We calculate the consequences of being a little less truthful in order to avoid hurting someone. We dilute our emotions, we change words so that we don't hurt anyone. When we do this, we are compromising the Truth.

It is hard for us to live continuously in the Truth, speaking the truth, and being connected to the inner core, the core that is nothing but the Truth. It is also hard for others to be truthful with us. Also, it is difficult for us to bear when somebody is truthful in speaking about us.

Truth hurts. Mixing a few lies to soften the truth does not make it truth. Truth has no component of lies in it. It cannot have. The moment it is diluted, you can't call it truth anymore.

We lie so easily because we are used to thinking of ways to cover our tracks. We use lies to conveniently forget the stark Truth. Sometimes we use lies as a crutch to prop up the Truth! How can it work? It will fail. Every time we use a lie, it will multiply our problems because a lie can never sustain the truth. Simply, even the smallest lie will have its consequences. When I say 'lies', I mean any words that we use to deter from delivering the truth in terms of expressing emotions, facts, narrations, anything.

Speaking the truth is dangerous. In societal terms, it is the most dangerous thing we can do. It causes discomfort to people around us and there is a good chance that people might get hurt, feel bad, or even become depressed. It is hard for us and for others around us to hear the truth.

But we should continue to speak the truth despite all this and we should continue to live in the truth. As our experience grows, we become more open and able to handle hurt, guilt, opposition of our friends and family etc. Gradually these feelings will disappear and when this happens, we will experience real liberation while we live.

The truth is there. Everything in this universe is united by this truth. The all-pervasive God or collective consciousness is the eternal Truth and this Truth cannot, does not, and will not change. It is not possible to work around this Truth. It is also not possible to escape the hurt or anger that surfaces when handling it.

The ultimate Truth is doesn't change. It is our mind, body, and way of life that keeps changing. Living in the Truth is being in the enlightened state - the highest peak we can climb in our spiritual search.

In order to be able to bear the harshest truth, live in the truth. Invite truth to be your friend, family, and master. That is the sure road to enlightenment, permanent bliss, nithyananda.