Saturday, September 23, 2006


Artist: Johnny Cash Lyrics
Song: A Satisfied Mind Lyrics

How many times have
You heard someone say
If I had his money
I could do things my way

But little they know
That it's so hard to find
One rich man in ten
With a satisfied mind

Once I was waitin'
In fortune and fame
Everything that I dreamed for
To get a start in life's game

Then suddenly it happened
I lost every dime
But I'm richer by far
With a satisfied mind

Money can't buy back
Your youth when you're old
Or a friend when you're lonely
Or a love that's grown cold

The wealthiest person
Is a pauper at times
Compared to the man
With a satisfied mind

When my life has ended
And my time has run out
My friends and my loved ones
I'll leave there's no doubt

But one thing's for certain
When it comes my time
I'll leave this old world
With a satisfied mind

How many times have
You heard someone say
If I had his money
I could do things my way

But little they know
That it's so hard to find
One rich man in ten
With a satisfied mind



It's often seen that people no matter how hard they try aren't satisfied with their results. It's a constant battle that we're fighting and sometimes it seems to be in vain. This can develop into a chronic discontent, which in turn becomes apathy of a lot of the positive things in life. That in turn lets corrupt politicians and other negative forces take control of your life. Like how the voter turn out in the U.S. is around 50%.

Back to the original point at hand, this effort we put into everyday that doesn't materialize itself in large sums of money is really a practice of delusion. We see that in the tabloids, that even the rich and famou who live lives of luxury are still embroidled in trouble and controversy.

We need to recognize that wealth is from the english meaning of 'well being' and
not just large sums of money. I still hear the echoes of Jesus's saying , "What worth is there if a man gains the world and loses his soul?" Money is useless and like a poison to the user who doesn't have a good purpose with it.

Sri Nityananda of Ganeshpuri afectionally known as Bade Baba was a great avadhoot, who had no limitations about who he was and was constantly oupouring his love and light even today. Sometimes when he would get on a train and the ticketmaster would ask him for his ticket, Bade Baba would say he had none and if the ticketmaster refused to let him pass, the train's engine would break down. Other times when asked for a ticket Bade Baba would throw countless rupees from his loin cloth. The money came from his siddhis of alchemy, because he was completely one with God. It shows that the true satisfaction in life is the realisation of the Self, after that petty things like money, food, and shelter are all taken care of because you are in harmony of the universe. Here's a story:

In 1925, Nityananda settled briefly in the Kanhangad area and began construction of the Sunrise - Sunset caves. This project entailed building a road up to the area and clearing the surrounding jungle. The sudden activity in the area was noticed and some of the local officials asked him with what authority he was taking these actions. He told them that someday there would be government offices at the site and that he was clearing the area for them. This answer seemed to satisfy them and they left him alone. Subsequently, in later years this came true. After the preliminary clearing and road work was over, Nityananda began carving the caves from the rock hills of the area. Forty caves in all were dug with six entrances, three facing East and three facing West so that there was always light within the caves no matter what time of day it was. Many of the locals were hired to assist with the digging of the caves and the manner in which they were paid was most unusual. Nityananda would sometimes direct the foreman to a certain tree where he would find just the right amount of money lying on the ground at the foot of the tree. At other times the workers would line up and walk past Nityananda and as each man went by, Nityananda would open and close his empty fist and down would drop the exact daily wages for each man. (c/o http://www.cosmicharmony.com/Av/Nityanan/Nityanan.htm)


With this, I wish people wouldn't get so depressed at debts or poverty. Some of the great sadhus live their whole lives in poverty but they are repaying their debts of karma as we all are. Why worry at such things. Your life is not limited to your body so free yourself from fear of death and pain of the body. Do your best in as many ways as possible and then you won't have any regrets in your consciounce. Live the joys of life without being attached to them and be free in all levels of consciousness. Like Meher Baba would say, "Don't Worry Be happy!"

Thursday, September 21, 2006


HAPPINESS

All beings desire happiness always, happiness without a tinge of sorrow. At the same time everybody loves himself best. The cause for love is only happiness. So, that happiness must lie in one. Further that happiness is daily experienced by everyone in sleep, when there is no mind. To attain that natural happiness one must know oneself. For that, Self-Enquiry, 'Who am I?' is the chief means. 1


That's what it's about for me. Trying to see that happiness that is always here, but the thought that I am not realized is what prevents it. There's many philosophies quite complex, that explain it in various ways. I've gone through some of them, and still I feel restless. Gradually, the peace of mind has settled in my consciounce but I still have doubts left unresolved. The issue here is that with any extra effort it has the chance to create more of a salvation or bandage both at the same time. That is the problem with visanas, the mental latent tendencies. The solutions for these are the grace of the guru and the primary method of Sri Ramana Maharshi, Self Inquiry, Atma Vichara. He explains that the method takes away the latent tendencies as well when the practice is done. Like a candle burning at both ends. In a way I think he's right and I love him for his grace in such a simple teaching and how he demonstrated it so emphatically in his life of simplicity.

SatGurunath Maharaj Ki Jay