Total Thoughts (February 7, 2010) - Tattva Bodha The Four-Fold Qualifications (cont'd)

Total Thoughts:

 

Tattva Bodha, The Four-Fold Qualifications (pages 14-19)

• We can discriminate between change and the changeless - we should pay attention and become aware of the change that surrounds us. It is then that we can begin to tap into that which is changeless. Once we can discriminate between the two, we can begin to understand the significance of detachment
  
• We should reflect upon detachment vs. dispassion - detachment can be a way to cope with the ever changing world and this can lead to the path of freedom. Dispassion is connected to the process and can be perceived as a step towards detachment
• We can evaluate moments of clarity in our lives - we should strive towards being realized, as a realized person is always in a constant moment of clarity (understanding this is something that we often long for)
• It is fruitful to pursue the path of knowledge - It is once we pursue the path of knowledge that we can become infinite. If we pursue the path of love, we become zero
  
• We should assimilate our knowledge -It is only reality when we experience the knowledge we have gained. The more we reflect, the more evident the result will be manifested in our actions
  
• Breaking down barriers is powerful - Once this occurs, we can become infinite and one with all. This can be enabled through the qualification
  

"The good life is inspired by love and guided by knowledge." -  Bertrand Russell

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Total Thoughts (January 31, 2010) - Tattva Bodha Four Fold Qualifications

Total Thoughts:

Tattva Bodha, Four Fold Qualifications (pages 11 - 15)

• Realization can neither be proved nor disproved - only a Realized Being can know another Realized Being so until we are Realized we should simply have faith
• Through relative freedom from sorrow we achieve Absolute freedom from sorrow - if we are more peaceful every day, the day will come when we are Complete and know no sorrow
• We should strive to make our introspection more tangible (i.e. in writing) for only then will we act accordingly - to think without following with action is the same as aspiring to appease one's hunger by simply looking at food
• Each and everyday we should set time aside to answer the universal and fundamental questions of living (i.e. What is Life?  Who am I?  etc.) - such reflection is a blessing available to humans alone on account of the faculty of the intellect
• If we were to die in the next day or next week what would we do during this time - death can happen at any moment

' In the dream one can experience one's own death.  Physical death in the waking state is on par with it.  The Spirit, is not one with the body but only its witness, is not affected by death.  The Spirit is unoriginated and deathless. ' --- Shrimad Bhagavatam Part 12, Chapter 5, Verse 4

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Total Thoughts (January 24, 2010) - Tattva-Bodhah Invocation

Total Thoughts:

Tattva-Bodhah Invocation (pages 8-13)

• We should recognize our stream of consciousness and critical thinking - we should practice being aware of our thoughts and understand how we are often attached or derive emotion from them. This will help us begin to discriminate the Real and Unreal.
• The underlying philosophy is profound in pop culture - We only need to look as far as "A Peaceful Warrior", "The Matrix" or "Star Wars" to see that the underlying philosophy of self-knowledge has extended into media as it reinforces the knowledge that makes the message more potent to society as a whole
  
• Each moment is significant - if we can be more aware and 'magnify' each moment, it will allow us to make better judgments. Also, if we continue to practice/train to do the right thing, when the 'moment' arrives, we will already know how to act the right way
  
• We grow as we exchange knowledge - The discussions help us gain self-knowledge and also encourage us to look forward to new learning each week to achieve a better understanding of ourselves and our journey
  

"It is neither good nor bad, but thinking makes it so" -  William Shakespeare

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Total Thoughts (January 17, 2010) - Tattva-Bodhah Introduction (Cont'd)

Total Thoughts:

 

Tattva-Bodhah Introduction (pages 5-7)

 

• Meditations are only fruitful when you have the knowledge - We should continue to attend the discussions as it aids in pushing us forward and bringing us knowledge
  
• It is important to practice self-reflection- This serves as a good starting point to understand the point of human life
  
• The journey and knowledge takes time - We should not worry if we do not immediately understand the knowledge, instead we should continue to learn the basics and later on our mind will be ready to help us understand the truth
  
• The Guru and scriptures are part of the journey - These two can help liberate us and teach us something new
  
• There are 4 stages of happiness- 1) pleasure (physical) 2) happiness (mind) 3) joy (intellect) 4) bliss (self - highest) Opportunities should be taken, if it means we can be one level higher
  
• Things can be abstract and not physical - When reflecting on the object to be known, the knower of the object and the means of knowing it, we can think about them in the spiritual manner and understand that they can extend beyond the physical
  

"There is no happiness like truth, no misery like untruth" -  Gandhi

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Total Thoughts (January 10, 2010) - Tattva-Bodhah Introduction

Total Thoughts:

 

Tattva-Bodhah Introduction (pages 1-5)

 

• We should reflect on a regular basis - only then will our way of thinking change. We can try to be silent and think and this will help lead us to a more peaceful life
  
• We can view happiness from an evolutionary standpoint - instinctively we chase material objects however we should be aware that we can be concerned beyond something that is material and strive towards self-actualization
• Objects only provide temporary pleasure - we should think about how we can be just as happy without them and reflect on how each individual object only brings us happiness in the short term. We should also avoid chasing negative objects and appreciate/re-discover what we already have 
• When we have desires, we are not happy - we should understand the cause of our desires and why we seek them. Then, we can understand that trying to fill the desires only breeds more desires and hinders our journey towards self realization
• We should release expectations of others, situations and objects - Once we are able to do this, it will be easier to achieve happiness as we won't be looking without, but within
  
• Our true nature is happiness - the knowledge is already within us. Often we turn to objects so that we can measure happiness, however we should  realize that we only need to turn to our state of mind to find happiness. It is then, we can see that happiness creates happiness
• It takes practice - if we derive value from the discussions, we would do it more. Similarly, if we can assess joy from silence, we would do it more
  

"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be" -  Abraham Lincoln

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