Pujyashree Call to the Participants of a Meditation Intensive

The advancement on the spiritual path unveils one mystery after another. You all are blessed ones to have come onto this most wonderful path. The intelligent ones that can duly appreciate its significance do assimilate it at the slightest indication. You must be feeling delighted to have got to relish this ambrosial nectar; and at the same time may be regretting the fact that in spite of having the treasure divine hidden right within your own Self, you had this far been leading the life of a pauper.

When your mind does not covet for big or small achievements, promotions or business profits, it is suggestive of your spiritual progress. Is there any duty in your life other than spiritual progress? All other pursuits, irrespective of however intently carried out, are merely body-centered. For how long will this physical body survive? May be it is to last for 80 years, 90 years or at the most 100 years. There is a limit after all. Can you ever predict just when the jaws of death will engulf you? So, do not waste your time! Cut off the noose of samsara (transmigratory existence), and be free. You will not expend much time in breaking the iron fetters because you detest them. But to break the golden fetters will certainly be a difficult task on account of your affinity towards them. He, who loves it, apprehends gold in it, but the detached one perceives it to be a mere chain of bondage. A bird that has enjoyed the uninhibited freedom of the infinite sky, finds even the golden cage to be distressing and agonizing. So be thoughtful and discriminative! Enhance your faculty of reasoning and cross the ocean of samsara without ensnaring yourself in its bondages. When the spiritual advancement reaches its peak, it leaves the aspirant simply wonderstruck. None of the worldly pleasures was unknown to King Janaka. But when he reached the acme of Supreme Knowledge, he exclaimed in great ecstasy. “Wonderful! Gurudeva, supremely wonderful!! I was totally oblivious of what opulence I had….!”

The intoxication of Self Knowledge can’t be suppressed. Somehow or the other it does spring forth, illuminating the whole life of the aspirant. Then one realizes one’s stupidity, “How I had my brain stuffed with all sorts of foolish notions. The Supreme Truth, for which I had been wandering outside, was verily lying hidden within my own Self. I myself was Truth, Consciousness and Bliss Absolute, yet I had been unaware of it.”

No wonder that after the attainment of Self-realization, all sorts of assumed beliefs accumulated over numerous births are shattered to pieces. The home of the heart had been engulfed in darkness as also infested with cobwebs. Now it is illuminated and also cleansed. The entire edifice stands sanctified. The Infinite hidden in the finite (body) has eventually manifested Itself. How wonderful! The brilliance increased by replacing a 100 W bulb with a 1000 W bulb may not take one by surprise. But if the Sun descends down from the sky inside the house, it certainly creates amazement. One with a salary of Rs. 6000/- may not be surprised to get a job paying Rs. 12000/- a month. But if he receives showers of pearls and diamonds through the dilapidated roof of his cottage, it certainly leaves him wonder struck. Self-realization is the wonder of all such wonders. It is the highest wonder.

The Self-realization ones do not get charmed by any worldly temptation. A Self-realized One does not get swayed by the most coveted material possessions, the celestial damsels or even by the sovereignty of paradise. For he is absolutely contented. In order to transcend the three gunas of Nature, a gracious push from a saint who has himself transcended these gunas is but entirely mandatory. One is required to cultivate detachment and renunciation in order to prepare the background necessary for imbibing that gracious force. This is but an indispensable pre-requisite for liberation.

Udarakarshana

In this asana, the abdomen (udar) is contracted (akarshana) forcefully along with the intestines; therefore, the asana is called Udarakarshana.

Method: Sit down on the floor in the squatting position, keeping a distance of one foot between the feet. Keep both hands on the respective knees. While pressing the right knee to the ground with the right hand, turn your neck and the trunk towards left as far as possible and look backwards. Both hands should remain on the knees. Then come back to the previous position. Similarly, pressing the left knee to the ground with the left hand, turn your neck and trunk towards right as far as possible and look backwards. This asana can be repeated 5 to 10 times.

Benefits:
1. This asana is highly useful and beneficial in alleviating all kinds of abdominal disorders.
2. Those suffering from constipation should do this asana regularly everyday. It relieves one of constipation.
3. Dyspepsia is cured and the food is properly digested.
4. It alleviates pain in the legs and strengthens the toes. For that reason, this asana is highly useful for the pedestrians.
5. This keeps the joints below the waist free from all troubles.