by Gurani Anjali
The pain that is to come must be avoided through reasoning and understanding; the difference between wants and needs will become clear. There are very few people who respect this warning: heyam duhkham anagatam the pain that is to come must be avoided. For the pain does come, and this warning is genuine. But for the majority of the masses, this warning has no meaning in their lives. This warning falls on the deaf, dumb, and the spiritually blinded, for whom past samskaras (latent tendencies), memories of pain and pleasure and thoughts of anger, greed, lust, hatred and fear arise to the surface everyday, keeping one in the grips of the past.
The Koran, Vedas, the Bible, Gitas, Upanisads, and many other great books speak to us of the four padas truth, cleanliness, compassion, and charity. We honor and respect the lives that brought us this message. Therefore, we look for these qualities in each other, and when we fail to fulfill our anticipation of each other, we are disappointed, let down.
There is so much unrest in the world. Will there ever be peace? External peace looks pretty dim, while internal peace is a real possibility. Finding truth, cleanliness, compassion, and charity in another might be quite difficult. But, through the practice of niyama, yama, pranayama, dharana, dhyana one can find these qualities in oneself and spread them around like the fragrance of the flowers. Mankind is opposed to true freedom, which demands ridding oneself of negative attachments. Illusions are hard to overcome as long as ignorance prevails. Therefore, man’s efforts are doomed to failure where world peace is concerned.
There was a time when man looked up and gave praises and thanks to whomever and whatever gave him comfort from pain. But ignorance severed this perfect relationship. This severing has entered into every situation, circumstance, and relationship of life. But Yoga, through the grace of Patanjali, will pave the way to return. Peace can be and great lives of the past are truly saviors because they showed us a way of life. Yoga sadhana (practice) will bring satisfaction and liberate human beings from their rebellious behavior. Let us respect the sutras, for they were preserved for us and generations to come.
When a person believes through understanding that they are truly ignorant and riddled with the klesas and are in need of knowledge, then the sutras will be appreciated. They will observe, maintain, and sustain the Yoga path and have peace within. Through practice and ardent devotion, one will realize the highest nature of man. Self realization will be experienced, which eliminates all doubt and aversion. The seer resides in its own beauty. Freedom is no more a thought, but a living reality. Therefore, being justified through understanding and embodiment, we have peace, santosha. Many personal problems are eliminated. The great contentment fills their life. Problems of everyday living plus political, scientific, and medical troubles may remain as minor irritations. They are insignificant, and only scratch the surface of our existence. Om tat sat, tat tvam asi, soham, are familiar phrases to the seeker after truth who embodies the reality. Therein one is kept in perfect peace. The Yoga Sutras are filled with essential glimpses into the realm of ultimate consciousness for the true seeker. As long as there is opposition, there will be calamity. There is no need for false hope, for in this life if we can accept the truth with a humble and surrendered heart, we will overcome the limitations of life. Real peace is found in adhering to the Yoga philosophy and in the living of it. Now, if you have not already embraced the path, I advise you to do so. Don’t waste anymore time.
Om shanti,
Gurani Anjali