This body and this mind which we see are only one part of the whole, only one spot of the infinite being.This whole universe is only one speck of the infinite being; and all our joys and our sorrows, our happiness's and our expectations, are only within this small universe; all our progressions and digression are within its small compass...You see at once that it is an impossible and childish desire to make the whole of infinite existence conform to the limited and conditioned existence which we know. Vivekananda 3418-3421
Why can't it be the way you want? It isn't supposed to be. Life is supposed to be the way it is and the world is our perfect teacher . Michael Singer
I love it when pieces of my learning serendipitously come together to reinforce what I am rationalizing in my mind as a somewhat Jhana yogi. Was reading Vivekananda last night and was getting blown away by the teachings and then I open up Michael Singer today to listen to Thursday's podcast that echoes what I just learned from the book and I cannot help but think...wow! This learning is meant to be. I and the world was really meant to hear this. So cool!
Both were speaking to the idea of what Karma yoga is, though Singer was focusing on the word dharma. Dharma in hinduism is considered to be the cosmic law governing right action and social order. In Buddhism it is simply, "the truth". I see, though, how dharma and karma are intertwined...our intention for Life is intertwined with the actions we take and the effects of those actions. Vivekananda tells us that karma yoga is the knowledge of the secret of work. the secret of "why we do what we do".
Why do we do what we do? Both Vivekananda and Singer say in very clear ways that we do what we do to get free.
Now, technically according to Yogic teachings there are two ways to get free. There is Neti, Neti ("not this, not this" ) and Iti ( "this") . Vivekananda explains that Neti is basically Jnana yoga, which is about renouncing what is and using the conceptual mind to rationalize one's way to freedom, Iti, on the other hand, is Karma yoga, which is all about accepting what is and using the world and everything it gives us as a way to free ourselves from these chains that keep us stuck in bondage. Both agree that Karma Yoga is the way to go, over Jnana Yoga. I might not give up my Jhana entirely...I am still using my intellectual mind to learn...but I definitely embrace the Karma yoga aspect more. I am, instead of comepnsating for my blockages and bondages, attempting to free myself of them through the process of purification. We can use our karma to purify, by choosing actions that are not based on desire and fear.
use of all the bondages themselves to break those very bondages. Vivekananda, Loc 3444
the great spiritual paths are not teaching renunciation, they are teaching purification. Singer
Both also address the need to give up our selfish perspective or at least be willing to expand beyond it. Our narrowed perspective of the world, of the universe etc are mind made and are keeping us from freedom. Anything that is mind made cannot be free so we need to get beyond mind to the reality of what is.
It stands to reason then that there is only one way to attain to that freedom which is the goal of the noblest aspirations of mankind, and that is by giving up this little life, giving up this little universe, giving up this earth, giving up heaven, giving up the mind, giving up everything that is limited and conditioned...if we give up our attachment to this little universe of the senses or of the mind, we shall be free immediately." Vivekananda, Loc 3438
"I and mine" are of the mind and are in the way. Our fears and desires are of the mind and in the way. This "me" with all its fears and desires is of the mind and in the way. Even our idea of the "universe" is of the mind and in the way.
"Each wave in the Chitta that says, "I and mine" immediately puts a chain around us and makes us slaves, the more slavery grows, the more misery increases. Vivekananda, Loc 3473
Singer tells us that as long as we have mental needs, we will continue to take from the world instead of serve it , which is the opposite of a karma yoga focus. Our selfishness will keep us in bondage. He reminds us that for freedom we need to stop working hard to get what we erroneously think we want and continue to work hard to get what we need. We need to, instead, attempt to let go and give up the part that wants. This will free us. He tells us we can prove it to ourselves by letting things go... and with each part of "me" we let go of, we will feel the rush of holy waters coming thru (Singer) and the peace that passes all understanding (Vivekananda) .
Though it may look like Life is making it difficult for us, it isn't! It is in fact supporting us and helping us get to our goal of Self realization and yoga. It is offering us experiences that will help to scrape the remaining "me" off so we can be who we really are.
"All this that you see, the pains and the miseries, are but the necessary conditions of this world; poverty and wealth and happiness are but momentary; they do not belong to our real nature at all. Our nature is far beyond misery and happiness, beyond every object of the senses, beyond the imagination; and yet we must go on working all the time. Loc, 3470
When we stop resisting and struggling against what Life gives us in the service of "me", and start using what Life gives us, working with it to scrape the me away, we will be free. The process of getting there is karma yoga.
Karma yoga makes us admit that this world is a world of five minutes, that it is something we have to pass through; and that freedom is not here. It is only to be found beyond. Vivekananda, Loc. 3461
All is well.
Michael A. Singer/ Temple of the Universe ( October 20, 2023)The Deep Teachings of Right Action. https://tou.org/talks/
Vivekananda(1989-1999?) The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. Kindle Edition. 1.2.7 Chapter 7: Freedom
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