This chapter is the English translation of Gujarati Book Title - Sadhak and Sathi Author - Shri Atmanandji (Dr. Soneji) CHAPTER 14 ADVERSE FEELINGS: (VIBHAVA-BHAVO) THE IMPURE EMOTIONAL STATES The qualities inherent in the original and basic constitution of soul (Atma) are natural and pure (Svabhava-Bhava). When the soul (Atma) misses these natural qualities and experiences some other ones, then impure and emotional states arise. Examples of the natural and basic qualities of soul are forgiveness, humbleness, and contentment. The reverse of these, including anger, pride, and jealousy are impure emotional states of soul. The aim of an aspirant should be to wash out these impure emotional states from the soul and to reveal its pure qualities. It would therefore be beneficial to narrate and analyze in brief the different impure states or feelings that the soul is likely to experience. TYPES OF IMPURE EMOTIONAL STATES: The belief of self in the non-self is the first and major impure state responsible for infinite perpetuation of the mundane existence of births and rebirths. Other impure states cannot be eliminated from one's life, unless the Atma gives up the delusive belief of ownership of the body and other human features as one's true self. This delusive belief is known by different names, such as ignorance, illusion, falsehood, sense of extroversion and so on. Other impure feelings are those of anger, different forms of pride, illusory behavior, greed, various types of passions, jealousy, sorrow, fear, disgust, false allegations, violence, theft, hunting, gambling, and so on. ORDER OF THE ANNIHILATION OF IMPURE EMOTIONAL STATES: The science and methodology of getting rid off these feelings is subtle indeed. This whole activity is known as advancement on the path of liberation. The implementation of this path can be presented in three grades as follows: 1. In the initial stage, the enlightened preceptor preaches the aspirant somewhat like this, "Well brother, get over your varied defects so long as you are hale and hearty. As you proceed to self-improvement, the biggest defect to encounter is wantonness. Let it be annihilated by association with the wise, which will induce virtues in you." Thus, by a combination of humility, obedience and similar other virtues you will be worthy of properly perceiving the spiritual sermons of the preceptor or the mystic teachings learnt through the study of authentic scriptures. For awakening your soul and getting a proper grasp of the absolute Reality, you have to acquire true knowledge of the basic elements (Tattvas) of the universe such as Soul and Matter (Jiva and Ajiva), and practice deep contemplation on their nature. It is said, "Controlled activities of senses and simplicity, recognition of the instructions of saints and good thoughts, compassion and gentleness - these qualities form the prime basis for the realization of the Soul (Atman)." "Let one ponder over the knowledge acquired. Let us serve the enlightened preceptors - this is the resolve of the learned." 2. Thus it can easily be understood that by a continuous studying of the true nature of the Self, the spiritual aspirant firmly believes that only his true self is his own, and none others. He does not accept body, anger, lust, and so on as constituting the original nature of Soul. These impure emotional states arise due to a lack of awareness of the Soul in a state of Karmic bondage. Such an aspirant has realized that these feelings of anger and so on are the defiled states of the soul and hence are impure and sorrowful. As they are the cause of further bondage, he has resolved to remove them all. 3. Such a wise aspirant knows one thing for certain, that these impure states of anger and so on arise or get inflated only if he entangles his mind in worldly affairs losing sight of his mission. Now, if the aspirant develops indifference and conceives these impure states as worthy of renunciation, he will naturally minimize all those different activities which give rise to or excite these adverse feelings so that, in due course, the force of these impurities will lessen. In addition to reducing these activities, he enriches his will-power by practicing and participating in activities such as the company of the wise, scriptural studies, devotion to God, observance of silence (Mauna), seclusion, pondering over reality, and others. Just as the aspirant progresses in his spiritual life (Sadhana) of reflection and meditation by enhancing his vows, he will progress towards spiritual enlightens. One fine fortunate day, during meditation, he attains to that divine and enlightening experience called self-realization, which pervades all aspects of his life, and produces a total change in his personality. Now, at this stage, he is transformed from an aspirant into a saint, and is firmly established in the path of attaining to supreme Godhood - a state of pure knowledge and infinite bliss, through attainment of the state of Sthita-Prajna and Nirvikalpa Samadhi. He thus conquers all invisible peaks of spiritual development and becomes a perfect soul. We have thus, analyzed from the spiritual point of view the progress and order in which impure states of the individual soul can be purified. In modern days, we can concede that the development of the spiritual path is more difficult. This is because the remembrance of the previous births is limited, association with enlightened souls is difficult to obtain and a common person is surrounded by antagonistic and evil events in life. Also an aspirant fails to loosen his attachment to the flimsy and worldly pleasures of mundane life. In other words, the strength of determination has to be further reinforced constantly to overcome the varied sensual temptations and their effects on day-to-day life. For this, again, great tolerance, patience, courage and sincere following of the right path are necessary. In the modern atomic age, the battle of the Sadhaka against adverse feelings and experiences is long drawn, tough, full of calamities and spread over both the imminent and transcendental forms of Sadhana. Still, however, with firm determination and by frequent or constant association with the wise, victory is easy, simple and natural; because the attainment is aimed at one's own pure state, which is the rightful, inborn and eventual destination of every wise person LIVING EXAMPLES OF VICTORY OVER ADVERSE FEELINGS: (1) This is an incident of the time of Bhagavan Mahavira. There was once a discussion among monks (Shramans). The topic of discussion was as follows: "Who drowns deepest in the ocean of life: a person of lust, anger, greed, delusion, or pride?" The monks discussed their different views, but there was no agreement. All jointly approached Bhagavan Mahavira and sought a reply. There was a counter question from Bhagavan Mahavira, "If we throw in the water a fine, dry boat, will it sink?" Monks replied, "No Sir! It will not." Bhagavan: "Now, if there is a hole in the boat?" Monks: "Surely Sir, it will sink then." Bhagavan: "At what place should the hole be, so that the boat will sink?" Monks: "Holy Sir, it will sink with a hole anywhere in it." Bhagavan: "Similar is the reality of Atman, O Shramanas! Anywhere in the Atma - be it lust, anger, greed, delusion or pride, these lead to bondage of Karma and the Atma bound by Karma is sure to be drowned in the ocean of life. Therefore, let the Sadhaka ever try to be free from these adverse feelings, that are blemishes. Let him thus propitiate God by true faith, true knowledge, and true conduct and progress on the path of liberation." (2) There was a sudden shout in the peaceful atmosphere of the Gurukula (religion college). Someone shouted, "A scorpion has bitten Guruji (religion teacher)!" All students ran to find out as to what had happened and how. Some students were rubbing gently to Guruji, one student captured the scorpion under a stick. Guruji told all pupils, "I am fine. Go back and get back to your work again." However, one student tied the scorpion with a string and hung it on the wall. The scorpion was released after three hours following a pressing appeal from Guruji. Still, the anger of that student towards the scorpion had not disappeared. After a few months, on the festival day known as Guru-Poornima, there were preparations for a festival. At that time, Guruji declared, "This year, I shall seek an individual gift from every student." All students were delighted at this declaration. They were willing to give anything that will please Guruji. At the end of the festival, it was the time for Guruji to demand some gift from the students (Guru-Dakhsina). However, Guruji demanded a type of the gift which was totally unexpected. Gauruji asked every student to remove the major faults from his life, for example greed, anger, a critical outlook and so on. Ultimately, there came the turn of a student who had punished the scorpion. Guruji told him, "You have to take a vow not to get angry. This will be the gift (Guru-Dakhshina) from you to me." This noble Guruji was Shree Nrusinh Acharya, a scholar and yogi who specializes in the field of meditation. He lived near Baroda, Gujurat in the middle of the present century. (3) Queen Catharine of Italy was known for her angry and capricious temperament. Once it so happened that she was passing through a military camp. she heard some commotion among the soldiers. She got down from her carriage and proceeded towards the soldiers with few body-guards. In a trench, soldiers were talking about the difficulties that they faced and particularly they were blaming Queen Catherine. The body-guards and the Queen heard all this. The Queen got angry at first, but in no time, she got over her anger and told the body-guards, "What the soldiers state is correct. I have gone on committing violence and hatred for a long time. I shall try to get over all my blemishes that my soldiers and people are critical of. I declare that I shall do my best to provide all happiness and benefits for my soldiers and people." Thus she declared the change in her temperament and summoned the soldiers. The soldiers approached trembling with fright. The Queen consoled and reassured them. She passed on instructions to the commanders to do everything for their comfort and happiness. A feeling of joy and admiration spread over all her subjects.