Katha upanishhad verse I.2.23

[Gummuluru Murthy]

On Thu, 3 Apr 1997, Vidyasankar Sundaresan wrote:

> On Fri, 4 Apr 1997, Cameron Reilly wrote:
> >
> > I have known many people who berate themselves for not studying hard
> > enough, not seeking intently enough. Perhaps they should 'give in', accept
> > that if it is their destiny to realize the Self it will happen, if not, it
> > won't, after all, there is no volition so who is to do anything about it?
> >
> > In accepting their non-volition, they will possibly bring themselves closer
> > to the realization of the fact that the seeker IS the sought.
>
>
> The acceptance of non-volition should not lead to lethargy. We are back to

But, isn't lethargy a property of the mind only ? Even the buddhi
(the intellect) is not touched by it, let alone the Atman, the Lord of the
chariot.

I define lethargy as the disinclination of the mind to apply to the task
at hand. Body has nothing to do with it and it simply follows. For even
the most "lethargic" person has an active mind. If the buddhi is pure,
the concept of lethargy vainshes.

Thus, I submit that the argument that acceptance of non-volition would
lead to lethargy does not hold.

>
> S. Vidyasankar
>
Regards
Gummuluru Murthy
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Sarvaagamaanaa maachaarah prathamam parikalpathe !
                                          Sage Vyasa in Maha Bharatha

For all (incoming) knowledge, discipline is the most fundamental.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

>From  Tue Apr  8 23:51:22 1997
Message-Id: <TUE.8.APR.1997.235122.0530.>
Date: Tue, 8 Apr 1997 23:51:22 +0530
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To: "Advaita (non-duality) with reverence" <ADVAITA-L at TAMU.EDU>
From: Bhuvesh <andromed at DEL2.VSNL.NET.IN>
Subject: Re: Spiritual Evolution and Samsara
Comments: To: "Advaita (non-duality) with reverence" <ADVAITA-L at TAMU.EDU>
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Neeta Pasrija wrote:
>
> Namaste:
>
> Something must be in the stars.  Lately I have been having the same feelings
> that Shri Nageshwar and Shri Prasad have shared with us.  I am very concerned
> about getting lost in samsara and maya and getting waylaid on my path to
> spiritual evolution.  I don't think attaining Brahman is possible for me in
> this lifetime.
>
> I was blessed by Grace a few years ago and turned towards light.  Now I am
> extremely worried, because I am at a crossroad of my life.  I have learnt not
> to get attached to material things but I still don't think I am at a point
> where I can give up the world and go to the Himalayas, so what choice do I
 have
> but to get married and live a worldly life.  Also, how else do I pay my
> ancestral debt?    By the way, are the 3 debts applicable to both men and
 women
> or applicable to men only?
>
> My all consuming fear these days is: as soon as I get married and have
 children
> I will get lost in samsara and maya.  Any help on how to avoid that would be
> greatly appreciated.
>
> I have been reading the postings on Katha Upnishad verse 1.2.23 and on
 Volition
> and Grace.  These also concern me:  if my spiritual evolution is pre-destined
> then I am not responsible for my karma or is my understanding faulty here?
 All
> I want to do is karma that will take me one step closer to Brahman if not in
> this lifetime in another one.
>
> Thank you.
dear neeta,

your worries are completely understandable.firstly don't be worried. if
your thoughts have taken you sincerely towards god then that is more
than one can hope for in any one life time.the fact that you are at a
crossroads in your life implies only that god has reserved some deeds
for you as yet so as to completely burn out your karma. trust in him, it
may seem hopeless at the moment but if god was to prove his presence to
you then this whole lifetime would be fruitless wouldn't it? i mean
imagine a whodunnit when you know who's done it! as far as your
ancestral and other debts are concerned i think that firstly god would
not be so cheap as to distinguish between man and women considering that
he made both of them; secondly if some of your debts have yet to be paid
out, he will make you pay them out. as the old poem says "ours not to
question why, ours but to do and die". given that realisation cannot
come from volition, the limit of one's volition is to desire
realisation. as the americans say "in god we trust; the rest strictly
cash!"

when your time for the himalayas comes, no power on earth would be able
to stop you; it means god is now ready for you to graduate.

i can't resist americanisms : may the force be with you!

love