Getting Along With People

It is easy to get along with those with whom we feel comfortable and somehow connected. It is natural that we may not feel the same level of comfort and connection with some others. Is there some way that spiritual seekers can learn to get along with everyone, connection or no connection, comfort or no comfort? In a spiritual community this question becomes especially important both for collective harmony and individual peace of mind.

Here are a few points that deserve reflection and, if they make sense to us, then remembering these things may help:

Maya and God

About five years ago--in May 2006, to be more precise--I got an email from a student who wrote: “Everything is Māyā.” Given below is an extract from my response to this student:

Life Above the Clouds

In June 2006 my flight from Houston was delayed because of rain and stormy conditions in Boston. We finally took off three hours behind schedule. The plane was flying above the clouds: it was a beautiful sight. The world above was full of light, quiet, tranquility. The sky was crystal clear. I could see the moon and a lone star. As Boston neared and the plane began to descend, the passage through the clouds was understandably bumpy. Once we landed, we encountered a world which was dark, rainy, windy, and crowded. The tranquillity that was so palpable when we were above the clouds was lost in a moment. Once we got involved in the world with our feet firmly planted on the earth, the life above the clouds was forgotten.

Absorbed into What's Out There

When we go to a movie, we get absorbed in the story and, assuming that the movie is well-made, we often forget that we are just watching the movie. The transition from being “observers” to being “participators” is unconscious and quick. When that happens, we get absorbed fully and unreservedly into whatever is happening on the screen.

Seldom, though, the movies are able to hold our attention without break from beginning to end. We generally shuttle back and forth between being observers (when we can lean back on our seats and know that we are watching a movie) and being participators (when we forget where we are and who we are).

The Art of Merging

We often read, Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.3.13 for instance, of merging one thing into another. In meditation practices, it is sometimes recommended that the form of the guru must be merged into that of the Iṣṭa.

How does merging occur? What exactly needs to be done?

Is Middle Path the Best Path?

Today is Buddha Purnima: the day on which Buddha was born at Lumbini about 2500 years ago, the day on which he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Gaya, and the day he passed away when he was 80. We celebrated this thrice-blessed day with a special Satsang last Sunday at the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society (above). While reflecting on his life and teachings, an interesting question came up regarding the Middle Path.

What Is God?

St. Paul’s Cathedral in downtown Boston organized an education program during the season of Lent, in March and April this year. Over lunch on five successive Thursdays (Mar 17 through Apr 14) they invited guests to present their thoughts, insights and experiences on the topic, “What is God?” It was a joy for me to visit the beautiful cathedral on April 7 and share my thoughts with a group of earnest people. Given below is a summary of what I shared. Rev. Jep Streit, the Dean at the Cathedral, taped my informal talk and it is up on their website. Now the summary: