No chakshu-lajya, saksi-bhava, and an inner sukhahasya

Comment on How to cultivate the state of witness consciousness (Saksi-bhava) by Sandeep from Comments for Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo & The Mother by Sandeep. Ashok: Would love hear more about your background in practice, too.

There is not much to say. I prefer to be discreet about my background because it keeps the ego in check. It is easy to get carried away talking about the ups and downs of one’s trivial life. In a way, the blog is an exercise in “Surrender” whereby I transmit the inspiration I receive with as little distortion as possible.

Re: reincarnation vs rebirth... In The Life Divine, Sri Aurobindo strives to achieve this internal consistency.  He takes each argument (for and against) to its logical end and aspires to justify it. Of course, the problem is that the system is under-determined because all the available phenomenal evidence is insufficient to prove the existence of anything occult or Divine. 

Comment on Sattwic ego, Rajasic ego and Tamasic ego by ipi from Comments for Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo & The Mother

What the sadhak has to seek is the full opening to the Divine, the psychic change of his consciousness, the spiritual change. Of that change of consciousness, selflessness, desirelessness, humility, bhakti, surrender, calm, equality, peace, quiet sincerity are necessary constituents.

Until he has the psychic and spiritual change, to think of being supramental is an absurdity and an arrogant absurdity. All these egoistic ideas, if indulged, can only aggrandise the ego, spoil the sadhana and lead to serious spiritual dangers. They should be rejected altogether. (Sri Aurobindo. Letters on Yoga, SABCL vol 23, p 503)

09 E-Library - Sri Aurobindo Ashram November 7, 1934 Correspondence with Nirodbaran  I am trying to be silent within, but the mood of jocularity persists. Is this not, however, a sign of cheerfulness? 

Sri Aurobindo Not always — moreover the cheerfulness is vital. I do not say that it should not be there, but there is a deeper cheerfulness, an inner sukhahasya which is the spiritual condition of cheerfulness. [10-11. Record Of Yoga by Sri Aurobindo Shanti Chatusthaya Samata, Shanti, Sukha, Hasya (Atmaprasada)]

Strong people do not abuse, stronger people do not even respond to abuse. Full marks to Javeed and Naseer on that score. Decency is fine, but sarcasm - even wounding ones - too have a place in debates. Only the words have to be parliamentary, nothing more - you cannot use derogatory words that demean your opponent, you have every right to attack his ideas or his attitudes. No false gentlemanliness, please. No chakshu-lajya. Self-restraint is required - so that the discussion doesn't degenerate into mud-slinging. But ideas and narratives need to be challenged. 

We have to challenge the Muslim Narrative that all is fine, even great, with Islam and everything wrong is America's fault. We have to challenge the Hindu Narrative that the ultimate discovery has happened here and that all is great about India. And that mindset that finds nothing great or learnable in other cultures and religions. 

We have to challenge the Secularist's Narrative that both Hindu and Muslim narratives are equally pernicious. No Sir. The Islamic Narrative  today is  far more dangerous  than any other. Not a cinch of a doubt about that. Go to any Islamic country and you will feel the narrow mental footpath in which entire societies are herded. If such obseravtion makes me ungentlemanly, indecent or communal, so be it. I have to side with the truth as I see it, not protect my image of a secularist as most secularists do.

Vishwa’s posts are 'airy-fairy' as someone pointed out - there is a compulsive need in his posts to appear polite or accommodating at the cost of reality. That is Indian Secularism, a pitiable mindset that adds to the conflagration of today's time. Secularists are good people - the kind of good people whose actions do more harm than good. It nauseating to read such people. It is nothing but hypocrisy and double-speak of a very high order. Regards, Dilip [sbicitizen] RE: History and Narratives

For your information, I studied History at a College in Mumbai that was the first in India to be granted Autonomy by the UGC - counted as amongst the best in liberal Arts in India. The methods of teaching were rigorous, not airy fairy. And we were taught - rather trained - to eliminate biases, (not 'appear' balanced or reasonable - as you compulsively do), when looking at facts. Facts are sometimes harsh and you have to see them as they are. And then went for a Masters too in the same subject. I have not 'read books on History' as you would suggest. That is your privilege, not mine. Mine was the endeavor of a serious student. Regards, Dilip [sbicitizen] RE: History and Narratives

FREE: 5 easy ways to a happy, stress-free life from churumuri K. JAVEED NAYEEM writes:

If only we remind ourselves that the whole purpose and happiness of this life lies not at the end of the journey but all along the road, we will all find a completely new meaning and purpose in living. This calls for a new and completely different way of looking at life from an altogether new perspective, perhaps with our feet up and our heads down! (K. Javeed Nayeem is a practising physician, who writes a weekly column for Star of Mysore, where this piece originally appeared)

Rahul may next jump from stage to show his anger: Akhilesh Feb 17, 2012
THE TIMES OF INDIA "Rahul seems angry. Earlier, he used to get angry by folding his hands. Yesterday, he got angry and tore up a piece of paper. Who knows, next he may jump off the stage in anger?" said the SP state president while addressing reporters after a rally at Tiloi, Amethi. Akhilesh Yadav gives Rahul Gandhi a 'tear'ful Economic Times