"Shuddh Dharma"

THE QUESTION: WHAT IS DHARMA

धर्मं वो है, जो या तो इंसान को बेबस बनाता है, या फिर आतंकवादी।

(dharma is that, which either makes you either a helpless person or a terrorist.)

These words uttered by the lead protagonist from the movie “OMG:Oh My God” very precisely explain the predicament of dharma in the modern day world. Humans consider themselves weak and pray to God for all kinds of wish fulfillment. They recite their holy scriptures, but very few actually understand them.

Those who understand knww that dharma does not make you weak. It makes you free, independent and stronger. While reciting the Bhagvad Gita, Lord Krishna tells that one should be a sthitpragya, the one who maintains equanimity in the times of happiness as well as in the times of sorrow. Swami Vivekananda interprets Mahabharata as an internal war of the good and the evil within us, and asks us “to arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached.”[1] Moreover, Lord Krishna goes on to say that one should work for the sake of work. Work, but do not get attached with the fruits. That seems impossible to follow. In fact, it is because of the seeming impracticality of these principles, that dharma and day-to-day life are kept segregated.

In some form or the other, most of the organized religions of the world have similar advice to offer. Yet we say, it is difficult to follow.

How can I maintain equanimity when there is sadness all around, when I am bankrupt, or when someone close to me has died. How can I work without expecting fruits? It is because that I will get a hefty raise and a decent salary that I work. I understand that money is not everything. Yet I work for money all the time. How can I not be angry when the other is hostile towards me? How can I forgive someone who has harmed me? How can I let go?

Isn't that strange that we talk about these principles, but rarely follow them. We probably think that there is no value in following those principles.

But then, why did all the great thinkers and philosophers give such importance to them? Is there a real value in practicing what is preached in dharma?

“Yes, there is...”, says Indian Billionaire, Subhas Chandra, the man who brought the Zee TV and the Essel Group into existence. But, he is not directly talking about any particular philosophy. He is referring to an ancient meditation technique, which emphasizes on the importance of morality that is described in most of the world religions. The technique is known as Vipassana, and he attributes his success in business to this meditation technique. [2]

WHY I WENT FOR VIPASSANA MEDITATION?

The examples of various successful businessmen is just one of the many reasons, why I went for a 10 day retreat. Instead of going back home and staying with my parents, I chose to stay in an Ashram where I was not allowed to speak for 9 days, out of 10.

Vipassana is a simple exercise for training the mind, simple to explain, not necessarily simple to follow. But, it has had far reaching consequences. When I learnt this meditation six years ago, my anger disappeared almost completely. And, it disappeared effortlessly. When I went to the meditation center or when I left the place, I never consciously thought that I will meditate so that I can control my anger. No, I never thought of that. I simply followed the instructions, as a result of which I became calmer. Moreover, it improved my concentration, lessened my stress and made me happier.

People say that in modern world, stress is a part of day-to-day life. When you go to a Vipassana retreat, you realize that even today, happiness is a choice. Stress is the creation of our own untrained minds (very much like untamed horses).

Apart from this, many people have got rid of their diseases related to mind, diseases like migraine or insomnia. In fact, the current teacher of Vipassana, S.N.Goenka was himself an industrialist of Burma in 1950s. He suffered from a migraine which medical science of those days could not cure. He was a rich man and went to various countries for his cure, but none could help him. He was administered morphine injections, so that, he could stay calm at the times of attack. It was in such a state that someone mentioned to him about Vipassana. He learnt the meditation technique and got cured. Later, he made it his mission to spread this wonderful technique to the country of its origin, India.

WHAT IS VIPASSANA?

Vipassana is to observe the truth, as it is, in its purest form. It is taught as a 10 day course and offered for free in many countries across the globe.

As a meditator, you have to stay in the ashram for 10 days avoiding any contact with the external world. You have to observe noble silence, that is not just the silence of speech, but the silence of mind. You can talk to your teacher about any doubts related to meditation technique, or with the organizers about any facility or food, but you cannot talk to anyone else. You are not allowed any books, newspapers, phones or internet. You have to live an introverted life for 10 days. Additionally, you have to follow vows that include: no killing, no lying, no stealing, no sexual activity, no intoxicants.

During the course, you have to clean your room (if you wish to), and you have to wash your own food utensils. For many, all these rules might not sound that tough. But, there is an additional rule: you cannot pray to God, or perform ritual or rite of your particular organized religion. If you can do that and follow all the above mentioned vows, you are ready to learn Vipassana.

A typical schedule for the nine day is as follows:

4:00 am		Morning wake-up bell
4:30-6:30 am		Meditate in the hall or in your room
6:30-8:00 am		Breakfast break
8:00-9:00 am		Group meditation in the hall
9:00-11:00 am		Meditate in the hall or in your room according to the teacher's instructions
11:00-12:00 noon		Lunch break
12noon-1:00 pm		Rest and interviews with the teacher
1:00-2:30 pm		Meditate in the hall or in your room
2:30-3:30 pm		Group meditation in the hall
3:30-5:00 pm		Meditate in the hall or in your own room according to the teacher's instructions
5:00-6:00 pm		Tea break
6:00-7:00 pm		Group meditation in the hall
7:00-8:15 pm		Teacher's Discourse in the hall
8:15-9:00 pm		Group meditation in the hall
9:00-9:30 pm		Question time in the hall
9:30 pm		Retire to your own room--Lights out

THE TECHNIQUE

Vipassana retreat is not an entertainment, nor an escapist method of relaxation. It demands 10 days of hard work and patience. The hard work is not just mental, but also physical, because you have to sit in cross-legged position for almost 11 hours.
(This is not compulsory. People who cannot sit on floor or cross-legged because of some knee problem etc. are provided chairs to sit on. The compulsory thing is that when you sit your head and back should be straight.)

For the first 3 days, you learn aanapana, wherein you are required to focus your attention on your breath. Breath comes in, breath goes out. Just that. Plethora of thoughts will clutter your mind every now and then and your attention will get diverted. They tell you - Understand that it is your mind which has not been trained. It does not know how to focus. So, stay equanimous and accept that reality, “my mind has diverted away” and then again focus your attention on your breath.

The instructions gradually change. And, by the third day, your mind calms down and is sensitive enough to feel the subtle sensations near your nostrils. In the afternoon of the third day, Vipassana is taught. You are asked to move your attention throughout your body. Now you can feel many sensations throughout your body, which you were not able to feel with the untrained mind. When you start observing these sensations, you are introduced to a truth:

All the sensations are impermanent. They arise and they fade away.

And you are further told:

Do not develop any craving or aversion towards those sensations. Just observe them objectively, and strengthen your ability to stay equanimous.

As you continue observing the sensations, you start believing in the stated truth, not because someone told you, but because you can feel it by your own experience. For example, you feel itching sensation, do not take that hand of yours and use it to scratch that part of your body. Instead, just observe. Just observe. This is a sensation. It is temporary. It will fade away.

And, now that you have experienced that truth, you start observing that for the first time, you are doing a practical of dharma. You are being a 'stithapragya'. Whether the sensation is good or bad, you are neither generating any craving, nor generating any aversion. Yes, this is the practical of the dharma, which we have always read and believed in theory.

In the evening discourse, you are explained in detail. “Nature has its own rules. If you generate compassion, you feel happy. If you generate hate, you feel miserable. And, once you develop this faculty of observing your sensations, you understand this law of nature.” And, these laws are exactly what Buddha had recited in Pali language some 2500 years ago. You follow his word as it is.

On the tenth day, you learn Mangal Maitri, that helps generate compassion.

CONCLUSION

As already stated, Vipassana meditation was discovered by the Buddha. But, it is important to remember that Buddha was just a man. And, when you practice this meditation, you are not being converted from one organized religion to another. It is just that the teachings of Buddha are for everyone. 

True Dhamma is universal. And, anyone who follows the path is bound to become happier. Siddharth Gautam did not have the monopoly of becoming a Buddha. Anyone and everyone willing to work hard can become a Buddha.

Yes, this appears mystical and otherworldly. But, to my rational and pragmatic mind, the practice of this meditation helps me improve my focus and live my life in a better manner. It is a highly developed science of mind, that cannot be explained through experiments and words. It has to be felt. You have to perform the experiment on your own mind and body and you have to yourself learn the truth about the mind matter phenomenon.

Everyone should try a 10 day course to feel the positive impact of this mediation. It will transform your views about happiness and dhamma forever. Yes, it might be difficult to find that kind of time. But, when you are determined, you can do anything. When people like Subhash Chandra, who have business empires to run, can cut themselves off from the world for 10 days to meditate, then for others like us, not being able to find that kind of time are merely excuses that show our disinterest or laziness.

May you get to experience the true Dhamma !

And, May You Stay Happy !

For more inspiration, you can watch:

(a) Vipassana in Business http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4Msp1XAJu8

(b) Vipassana Course for Business Executives: http://www.executive.dhamma.org/en/index.htm

(c) Vipassana in Tihar Jail: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8tZX3dGSM8

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[1] The “goal” refers to controlling our own mind (The Science of Breathing – Swami Vivekananda )

[2] Forbes Article where Subhash Chandra talks about the meditation:  http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2012/0326/billionaires-12-asia-pacific-subhash-chandra-zee-tv-vipassana-transcendental.html

Change is the law, growth is optional: choose wisely.

( I Dare: Kiran Bedi - A Review)

This is not much of a book review, for some books do not require a review. A biography is worth reading only if the person it describes has done something substantial to positively transform the world. And, Kiran Bedi has always been (and continues to be) one among such change agents.

The reason why I read this book is this video. It suddenly struck me that how different her life would have been compared to the young women of twenty-first century. And, when I read the book, I was amazed, and realized that this TED Talk was just a teaser of the amazing story of her life and career. It is a book filled with anecdotes that will make you loath our ruling class and the corrupt practices that have become the shackles of our governance. But, it will also give you strength, belief and hope that things can be changed and it is not really difficult. There are good people all around who require a leader with integrity to guide them.

Hence, begins the story of such a leader, Kiran bedi, who was brought up in the 1960s. She was extremely fortunate to have parents, who allowed her to study and participate in sports. She often attributes a lot of her abilities to tennis. In Chapter 32, she says “For greater all round development, both reading and sports play a strengthening role in making a child excel in life.” She firmly believes that any individual has to take charge of his/her life, for “...people who do not take charge of their lives are lathicharged by time.”

The book also depicts a more vivid picture of how she got the Prime Minister’s car tolled away and got an epithet, “Crane Bedi”. She never felt that VIPs were more important than public, and often took actions that would outrage the ruling class and her seniors. For her, the decisions were governed only by what was right.

During her career, she came up with many innovative models and solutions like Beat Officer and Community Policing (the model which also finds mention in Porus Munshi’s Book titled “Making BreakthroughInnovations Happen”). She transformed Tihar Jail and its correctional facilities. By providing vocational training and education, and organizing Vipassana meditation camps, she transformed the lives of the prisoners. As a result, she was awarded the Ramon-Magsaysay Award.  She also started and continues to contribute to her NGOs, Navjyoti and Indian Vision Foundation.

She was once responsible for ensuring that 1600 promotions were granted in a single day to those who had been (unfortunately) waiting for around six years. 

I can recount various interesting lines and anecdotes from the book. But, I would not tell them here, for saying a lot would take away the delight of reading the book. Read it yourself and get inspired by it. And, recommend it to those who want to transform their lives.

An Amazing Journey, An Unsatisfying Conclusion

(The Oath of The Vayuputras – Review)

I feel disappointed when I write the review of the third book of The Shiva Trilogy, The Oath of The Vayuputras. I have been a huge fan of the series since I read the first two books. Both the previous books had some awesome action intermingled with philosophy and wisdom.  

The third book which released almost a month ago follows the same pattern, continuing the coherency of a single story. The book begins where it left off in The Secret of The Nagas, when we discover that Brahaspati was not dead and Shiva realizes that probably all the wars that he had fought so far were futile. However, Brahaspati unfolds, to the puzzled Shiva, that not everything has been in vain; and that the evil has been discovered. To find a way for the mitigation of the evil, Brahspati had to hide himself far south in the land of Nagas, Panchvati.  With Brahaspati’s assistance, Shiva goes on to seek help from the Vasudevas. As the events unfold, we get acquainted with the master creator of all the evil machinations, Lord Bhrigu. And, from thereon it is an amazing story of seemingly constant battles employing shrewd tactics, interspersed with questions about identity, morality and ideology.

The story is exciting and keeps you hooked.  None of the characters are sidelined and all have an important part to play. More secrets are revealed, as we get to know the motivation behind actions of various characters. We get to know the antecedents of Shiva, and the purpose of the institution of the Vayuputras. The build up of the story is amazing and you expect a really interesting climax, especially after an anguished Sati’s fierce battle with the Egyptian assassins in the chapter on ‘the final kill’.

Unfortunately, that is exactly where things start falling apart. Shiva is angry and orders the use of ‘daivi-astra’. He wants all the evil-supporters of Devagiri to die, and asks the innocent citizens to come out in safety. But, the Meluhan pride prevents most of the Meluhans to forsake their land. We feel bad that Shiva would kill innocent people. At that moment, there is a feeling that Shiva will be reminded of his uncle’s words, “Shiva, your anger is your enemy, Control it. Control it.”  That does not happen.

Later, an appalling event takes place, when Lord Bhrigu has a sudden change of heart. For all the evil deeds he committed, one expects Bhrigu to have a strong agenda. However, he resigns to his fate saying that his view is wrong and he deserves the impending fate. Anyone knows that if someone has held a belief for a long time, then it cannot be changed within a day. One can appreciate Amish’s attempt to show that no one is actually evil; it is the belief in a wrong idea that results in evil. But, in case of Bhrigu, that sudden change makes the story lose its realism, which had been a plus point in the series so far.

Ultimately, Shiva fails to honour his promise. He ends up using the mass-murdering weapon. The end of the story seems to be a grand (but not required) justification of the third-eye of the mythical Lord Shiva. There are hints of revenge being justified as well.

I strongly feel that had Amish taken more time to write the last part, he could have created a truly magical series.  After a breathtaking journey through ancient India, the destination seems somewhat unsatisfying.