Kathopanishad - Day 50 Talk in English by Swami Aparajitananda, Chinmaya Mission Chicago-Yamunotri.

Hari Om !!
Kathopanishad - Day 50 Talk in English by Swami Aparajitananda, Chinmaya Mission Chicago-Yamunotri.
Swamiji, after once again describing how to conduct Self-enquiry and discern what is real, takes up the next mantra.
Mantra 9: The previous mantra, no. 8, states that the Supreme Self has no attributes. This mantra addresses the concern of the sadhaka: how can a thing without attributes be known? To know THAT which is attributeless, the essential quality an intellect should possess is a right understanding born out of the study of the scriptures. After studying the scriptures, the intellect should engage in mananam (reflection) and nididhyasan (meditation). Such a pure intellect can know THAT.
Swamiji provides insights on:
1. What exactly to do during mananam and nididhyasan.
2. The importance of having a disciplined mind.
3. Why both a disciplined mind and pure intellect are essential for meditation.
4. The word abhiklṛpto is explained by Swamiji to help us understand what happens when the enquiry is made to know the ‘I’.
5. What happens when the mind and intellect abide in the Self.
Mantra 10: This mantra answers what happens to the mind and intellect that abide in the Self. Swamiji explains each subtle aspect of samadhi for us to understand the state of our senses, mind, and intellect in samadhi. After listening to this description, the sadhaka will definitely agree with Swamiji’s statement that a well-nourished mind will never indulge in the world and will be readily available for higher goals in life.
While explaining the state of the intellect in samadhi, Swamiji tells us that one cannot experience a steady intellect unless it has abided in the Self. Another important concept is ‘Silence’ and the ‘noise of ego’. He also provides insight into various types of silence. Actually, ego is nothing but noise. The silence born out of the dissolution of ego is the highest silence one can experience.
Mantra 11: This mantra explains the purpose of all yoga. The concept of duḥkha-sanyoga-viyogaṁ sa yoga as explained by Ādi Śaṅkarācārya in his commentary on this mantra is beautifully unfolded by Swamiji in his talk.
Swamiji gives straightforward warnings and tips for spiritual growth:
- An alert, careful, and vigilant mind is a prerequisite to experiencing yoga.
- Indulgence in the sense organs and abidance in the Self are not possible simultaneously.
- Yoga grows and decays depending on the sincerity of the sadhaka - the law of growth and decay applies to everything in life, including spiritual growth.
- Eternal vigilance is the price for success in spirituality.
- When there is alertness, vigilance, and carefulness, there is growth and vice versa.
- No risk, no gain - is the strict law of the universe.
- The higher we evolve, the greater the pain for the smallest error made against the cosmic laws. Greater the pain, the greater the alertness to avoid the pain. Through these painful experiences, alertness becomes the very nature.
Mantra 12: Shruti Mata’s loving advice for sceptics and atheists will be discussed in the next talk.

[@tanujagm8185]

hari om swamiji

[@JeevanJMenon]

After long wait

[@gaddikerimuthuprakash4676]

Hari om

[@anitabhalla3372]

This divine nectar brings us closer to self !
Ignore Self
Pay the price !!!
When the mind truly seeks for the pleasures of bliss.
Outer world appears turbulent n confused , so dismiss.
Get connected_
To the real that is present in all three states.
Sense organs n desires are the cause ,so eliminate.
Climb the ladder_
From sense organs to supreme self via disciplined mind n strong intellect.
Through mananam,nididhyasana n study of scriptures one should reflect.
Then deep silence is observed when mind n senses do not transact.
With doubtless unambigous intellect the illusory ego dissolves infact.
Price for the bliss in sadhana is constant eternal vigilence.
Pain follows if one is careless n associates with indulgence.
This silence is the silence of bliss n contentment.
Be alert ! Don't get entangled in joy n pain and lament.
Regards n pranams Swamiji
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻