Dr Subrahmanyam ji talk on this text for the YB Seminar
A short summary
The talk starts with understanding the meaning of stress, and how easily we get into the mode of stress .
We can plan prior for any situation that we will face, but there is an element that is not under our control that may change the situation. When such a change happens and the situation turns out to be an unexpected one, that is when stress is triggered. By being in such a state of distress, we create distress around us as well.
For example, we may book tickets well in advance, plan out our journey and be on time to the station in order to board the train, but due to unforeseen circumstances if the train is delayed, how do we respond to such an unexpected change? many at times, we see ourselves reacting to this unexpected change. We may vent out our disappointment to our close relatives, friends or even some passer by. In these instances, we are indeed stressed! Beware, this state of stress is also infectious.
Change is a reality that we encounter every moment in life. We are constantly in flux travelling from place to place, time to time, role to role, activity to activity. The way we handle such changes decide whether we are stressed or we are relaxed. For example, I play the role of an engineer at work . If there was some tension in the work, I show that stress to my wife which is totally irrelevant. Here, I am unable to change the role from engineer to husband without spill over. This creates stress in us as well as to people around us.
Every moment in our lives , we are awaiting something unplanned. Are we aware of this ?
If we face situations being aware of the dynamicity in life, we can choose to act in the situation. When we are not aware, we react, hence the stress. When we act in life, then we are in touch with our true nature and hence we act out of joy. This is Leela where we do for enjoyment. When we react in life with no awareness, our action seeks joy and this becomes karma. Karma yoga is to be doing and not owning.
Let our motto be "Act and not react to anything" and let us think of the word planning as "Preparing to recieve untoward and unexpected circumstances".
When we react-we become sick
When we act- we become a yogi:)
According to our ancient texts, solution to this stress has always been turning inwards and realising ones own self. Be it Nara(Arjuna) seeking clarity from Srikrishna , or Narottama(SriRama) seeking truth from Sage Vasishta, or Narendra (Swami Vivekananda ) seeking the truth from Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
Yoga Vasishta gives seven steps to self realisation-Sapthabhoomika . These steps are the solution that this ancient text offers to our modern day stress.
1) Subha Icha – Desire for the auspicious or the auspicious inclination. This can be cultivated easily by us because we have a rich tradition or samskaras. The shodasha samskaras is a tool designed for oneself to tune his/her mind to subham. It is also essential that we understand the science behind the samskara and follow them through.
2)Vichaara or enquiry: Vichara is where we give food for thought, use our intellect to seek and understand answers.
3)Vairaghya or dispassion: Vairaghya comes in after realising the meaninglessness in all that we are attached to. When we satiate our desires, vairaghya results. For example, A man may develop vairaghya in his relationship with women after satiating his desires or attachments by living lives with many wives. This is Vairagya through satiety.
4) Swapna or dream state : This is a state where we live life as a witness. A beautiful example stated was, when we are sitting inside in the train, when the eyes go alongwith objects outside, then we are attached to those. When the objects are going on one after the other and our gaze is fixed, then we are like a witness, like in a dream state.
5) Sushupti : To reach this state, the vairaghya is well ripened that there is stoic resignation from wordly affairs. Ramana maharishi is one such an example who lives his life in Sushupti. We do not react to anything even if it concerns our physical body.
6) Yoganidra: Wakeful sleep or Jivanmukta is this state where one is fully awake, aware and is in deep sense of rest simultaneously.
7) Brahmananda : This is where one is in touch with his own consciousness and the universal consciousness.
When we realise the ultimate truth that we are ANANDA, we live life out of joy and life becomes a lila.