Evolution of Soul

Reality of God comprises three perfections - Parasiva (Absolute, Transcendent Reality), Satchidananda (Immanent Love) and Paramesvara (Primal Soul) - and man's soul is already perfect in its undifferentiated identity with Parasiva and Satchidananda, although this identity is concealed from us by our fascination with the world of form. Parasiva and Satchidananda are not aspects of the evolving soul, but its very nucleus - which does not change or evolve.

The evolution of the soul lies in the maturing of its intrinsic Godliness over the course of many lifetimes and beyond, so that it finally becomes indistinguishable from God Siva's third perfection, the Primal Soul. The primary goal of Gurudeva’s monistic Saivism is attaining the life-transforming realization of one's identity - in perfect nondifferentiation - with Parasiva. “We are That. We don’t become That.” This is termed Self Realization (enlightenment), and may grant moksha, permanent liberation from the cycles of birth and death. A secondary goal is the realization of Satchidananda, a unitive experience within superconsciousness in which perfect Truth, knowledge and bliss are known.

Therefore, the path of monistic Saivism leads the seeker to the realization of all three perfections of the Reality of God: Satchidananda first, then Parasiva, with the final goal of Paramesvara obtained long after moksha.

The Mind's Three Phases

There are many souls living on earth who are young, who are living in their instinctive minds - exhibiting anger, jealousy, depression and all the qualities associated with it. Just a few days ago i saw a man kicking another man on the road due to a minor accident. The instinctive qualities seem to be widely spread among people -- and the notion of more aggressive the better seems to be prevalent.

Then we come across another section of people who are in the intellectual mind. The intellectual mind is complex and vast. Every day is a learning and there is so much to learn that it usually takes a lifetime or more in just accumulating intellectual knowledge itself. Many souls today live this way -- learning and teaching what they have discovered or learnt. An example which i came across recently is Respected Sir Don Knuth -- who has written the famous volumes of the book "The art of computer programming". If you read his article here at Wikipedia, you will notice how he had given up checking his email to completely focus on finishing his book which will be useful for students/professionals even 50-100 years from now. So many people live life this way by spending almost the entire lifetime.

Then come the few rare souls who have developed the intuitive mind, geniuses who discover new insights from the depths of their own superconscious mind. Here are the explanations of the three phases of the mind from my beloved guru.

The Minds three Phases

The totality of the mind is vast and complicated. However, it is helpful to look at the entirety of the mind in three basic phases: the instinctive, the intellectual and the intuitive. The instinctive mind is easy to become aware of and experience. It includes the impulses of our physical body, our cravings, our desires, our digestive system, and our emotional mechanism that works through the physical body. The systems of elimination and blood circulation and the regulation of the heartbeat are all within the instinctive mind. This phase of mind functions automatically, or instinctively. It is as much alive in the animal kingdom as among humans.

Man alone develops the intellectual mind and is responsible for its composition as he lives along through life. This phase is a mixture of man's instinctive desires and cravings coupled with the knowledge he has gained from others and from his own intuitive discoveries. Within man's intellect, he organizes a vast amount of knowledge that begins to accumulate from a very early age. Ninety percent of this knowledge deals with the externality of the world and mind itself. The intellect can consume most of man's time through an incarnation, and usually does, lifetime after lifetime.

The intuitive, or superconscious, phase is even more complex, more organized, more refined than the instinctive or intellectual phases. It is mystically known as the mind of light, for when one is in this state of mind, he may see light within his head, and sometimes throughout the entirety of his physical body, if his inner sight is developed enough. Otherwise, he just begins to feel good all over, as actinic energy permeates his nervous system. When intuitive flashes come, he knows the next thing to be done in a creative activity. This is the superconscious area of the mind. When man is extremely perceptive, tremendously creative and knowledge seems to come to him from the inside of himself spontaneously, he is a superconscious being.

Instinctive is a word that some may understand and others take offense at. Don't. It only means "natural or innate," naming the drives and impulses that order the animal world and the physical and lower astral aspects of humans. For example, self-preservation, procreation, hunger and thirst, as well as the emotions of greed, hatred, anger, fear, lust and jealousy, are all instinctive forces. They are very real in animals and humans alike. When the mind functions instinctively, it is controlled by the habit impressions made in the subconscious during its journey through the experiences of life. Instinctive also means that the driving force comes from the sexual nature. The nature is turned in that direction subconsciously, even though the conscious mind may not be cognizant of the fact. It also means that in the event of an emergency, the animal nature would take over completely, being jarred loose from lack of what I term "mind-control," or from what might be called self-control.

Unleashing Willpower at any time

I learnt many things from my guru yesterday, want to write it down in my own words. Understanding His words in a true sense and actually realizing it took a lot of time. But it eventually sank in me. Thank you gurudeva for enlightening me time and again, and rescuing me in times when i had got the feeling of almost giving up.

Energy, awareness and willpower are one and the same.

• When we are subconsciously conscious that we are a super-conscious being, and
  

• the subconscious mind has accepted the new programming that energy, willpower and awareness are one and the same thing,

• when the subconscious mind has accepted the fact that the mind was all finished long ago in all its phases of manifestation, from the refined to the gross

-- then AND ONLY THEN the subconscious begins working as a pure channel, so to speak, for super consciousness. Awareness can then flow in a very positive, in a very direct, way.

From these sayings i realized that if i need my subconscious to understand this, then all that i have to do is - meditate on the fact --- especially on those areas of the mind where i tend to identify myself with --- that they are just a region in the mind and mind was all over long back in all stages of manifestation and that novelty is its nature. This when done repeatedly for a long time will finally make the subconscious believe in the way my guru has mentioned. This is the key to keep the awareness - a powerful will at all times.

Humble salutations at my gurus feet for cutting my gross mind with this knowledge.

Second Learning:

People who have really worked hard and attained lot of success in life by their own willpower are the ones who are at a stage where they are ready to exit the "Anava Marga" - or the path of the ego. These are the souls who know how to use will for getting what they want. After attaining immeasurable success and wealth and fulfillment for whatever they had desired such as money, power etc, the desire for material things slowly wanes. Their desire for wealth, fame or money wanes in a natural way. If a person is still desiring all this then he has just started on the anava Marga for he hasn't seen fulfillment yet. A person below the Anava Marga is confused in life, doesn't have a well defined goal yet, will never manifest a strong desire for attaining anything worthwhile in this lifetime.

So its important for people who are below the path of Anava to manifest a well defined desire, a goal and strive to achieve it. The desire should and will go only after fulfillment and that's when we exit he Marga and go to the higher paths of selfless bhakti, kriya and yoga. If a person suppresses his desires for things outwardly- because that's what the society thought "desire less", but buried in his subconscious -- is the desire for things, fame/money -- then he/she is nowhere progressing. Manifest a well defined noble desire -- exhibit willpower and achieve it. This is the way to succeed in life. Such a person prospers both materially and spiritually. Those are the kind of people who can execute big projects and drive them to completion by pure willpower. Such people are the ones who can become extremely successful in meditation.

Quotes from Confucius

courtesy : http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Confucius/

Confucius' quotes have often filled me with energy and motivation, when i'm feeling low on will. His quotes are simple yet they have opened my eyes when i see the mistakes i did in my life. I have put some of them which are really important to me in my life.

* I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

* It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.

* Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart.

* Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.

* Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.

* When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

* Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.

* Have no friends not equal to yourself.

* He with whom neither slander that gradually soaks into the mind, nor statements that startle like a wound in the flesh, are successful may be called intelligent indeed.

The Scorpio Ego

My Big Stupid Ego

I came to know many things about myself (my ego) which i was not consciously knowing. Both the negatives and positives. I did this by learning my zodiac and studying how much i match up. Most things i must say are true. This article has answered many questions that i had about myself. I feel a good study of my own ego is important for me to progress spiritually as it makes me aware of my strengths and shortcomings.

Accepting ones short comings by becoming conscious of it - is actually one of the practices recommended by the great rishi's and seers of the past.

Why am i so curious and interested in learning about Mysteries of creation, philosophy and human existence ?

Scorpio was born knowing the secrets of life and death, and with the ability to conquer both if he chooses. But astrology constantly advises him that "he must know that he knows." The ancient mysteries fascinate his brilliant mind. Out of his powerful empathy with human nature grows the outstanding detective, the composer of great musical works, literature of depth and permanence, or the actor who projects with unusual dramatic intensity. Some­times he lives alone, near the sea, as strong and as silent as the tides. Sometimes he faces the public, wearing a mask of calm reserve and control, to hide his intense desire to win. He can be a politician or a television star, an under­taker or a bartender, but he'll manage to top all his com­petitors. And hell do it so effortlessly it will seem like an act of fate rather than his own powerful will.

Scorpio is deeply interested in religion, intensely curious about all phases of life and death, passionately concerned with sex and violently drawn by a desire to reform. Yet he's also heroic, dedicated to ties of family and love, and gently protective of children and weaker souls. He can be a saint or a sinner. He can experiment with the darkest mysteries this side of Hades, or he can scathingly revile sin and decadence. Whether he emotes from a pulpit, at a business meeting, or from a stage, his hypnotic appeal pierces through his audience, literally transfixing or trans­figuring them. It's really rather frightening. Even if the Scorpio has temporarily allowed bitterness, drink or melan­choly to drag him into the Bowery, you can bet your old copy of Dante's Inferno that the other bums will clear a path when they see him coming.

Scorpios can bewilder you with his twin Scorpio traits of passion and reason. He's master of both: intellect and emotions rule him equally. Scorpio is more than intelligent. If he's a highly evolved specimen, he's also deeply philosophical, concerned with mysteries of existence, and he'll come close to knowing the answers.

His Sun position gives him several paths to follow. He can imitate the nocturnal scorpion, who will sting others and even gong himself to death for the pure pleasure of stinging - or he can imitate the glorious, soaring path of his symbolic eagle, who rises above earthly limitations, and uses his strength wisely and justly.

Great generals like MacArthur, presidents like Theodore Roosevelt and scientists like Madame Curie and Jonas Salk are eagles. More United States presidents have been born under this sign than any other.

No matter what my dad, mom, aunt, relatives say or advise or think about me, i always do and execute what i think is right based on my own observation of life. i do respect their opinions, but end of the day thats what they are - "opinions". And everyone has one. Why am i so ?

Every Scorpio is a law unto himself, and completely un­concerned with what others think of him. He would like to be respected as a good, solid citizen, but if it interferes with any of his intense ideas or goals, then he couldn't care less, and those who gossip can just go to the place Pluto rules. None of his important decisions are hampered by the opinions of his friends, relatives, neighbors or enemies. I'm sorry to say, not even by you. Don't run away yet. Such beautiful self-containment and sureness of purpose can create a mighty attractive, free spirit who's not always fussing about what people think. Are honesty and courage and integrity such bad bargains? They may have lost a little of their sparkle in today's marketplace, but rub off the dust they've collected, and you can still get them appraised as genuine.

Next, listen to him speak. The tone can be velvety soft, husky or sharply cutting, the speech slow and measured or clipped and staccato, but what he says will never be self-effacing. Scorpio has total ego. He knows what he is and he knows what he is not, and nothing anyone else thinks will change this knowledge. Insults roll right off his back, and compliments don't move him a fraction of an inch. He needs no one to tell him his vices or his virtues. At best, he'll calmly agree with your appraisal; at worst, he'll suspect your motives.

I have the habit of facing difficulties instead of running away from them. I have been like that since childhood. It sometimes feels better to avoid but i dont. Why i like to face my difficulties head on rather than avoiding them ?

When experiences becomes intense after a meditation and sensitivity levels increase, difficulties seem to get magnified. Many people i know give up meditation in order to avoid the miserable feelings. But somehow i never did. I always felt these experiences even though making me feel miserable and affecting me, are actually important for my own spiritual evolution. I liked this excerpt below which points out that trait.

It's quite an experience to see the Scorpio man operate under adversity's black clouds. While others are mumbling and crumbling and grumbling, he is at his forceful, cou­rageous best. He seldom wallows in envy or self-pity, and he doesn't happen to think that life owes him a single farthing. You can just imagine how much time that saves. Instead of pouting in hurt anger when real troubles hit, he meets them head on. Conquer them? But of course.

That's what he was born to do.

I have had this experience in the recent past. I can be extremely possessive and jealous, which naturally i want to avoid. Why am i so possessive about people i deeply love and respect ?

Scorpio is intensely loyal to friends. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Some of them do this literally, for friends, rela­tives or loved ones-in battle or in a civilian crisis. The Scorpio soldier leaps instantly, instinctively, to brave the bullets and drag his buddy to safety. The Scorpio fireman gives his life to rescue the child in the burning building. Sometimes it seems Pluto people unconsciously seek vio­lence deliberately, as a challenge to their strength.

He's fiercely possessive of what he believes to be his, whether its his love or just success, but his ambition is never obvious. He quietly waits for the chance to move ahead all the while he serves, knowing he is qualified for the position above him. He takes control slowly, but very surely. Scorpio can do just about anything he wants to do. If he really wants it, it's most definitely no longer a dream. The dark, magical and mysterious power of Pluto turns desire into reality with cool, careful, fixed intent.

I remember when i liked a project in college, i was working with so much passion during nights on it that i did'nt know it was morning. Same applied when during my vacation at school i was playing a video game which i really loved. And my parents would often blame me and call me crazy for getting so deep into it. Why can i get so passionate about things i love ?

If you're in love with a Scorpio male and the word passion frightens you, put on your track shoes and run as if King Kong were pursuing you. He is.

I'm not speaking of romantic passion alone, though that may be at the head of the list. I also refer to pas­sionate intensity about politics, work, philosophy, friendship, religion, food, relatives, children, clothing, life, death and any other categories you can think up. A Scorpio man is not exactly what your psyche needs if you're repelled by emotional excess. Don't look back. Just run.

I have myself seen many of my Scorpio friends who have this trait which seems to be very common. Many people have even pointed this out in me. Its the eyes.

Look at the eyes. They can be green, blue, brown or black, but they'll be piercing with hypnotic intensity. Most people feel nervous and ill at ease under Scorpio's steady gaze. You'll have to break the spell and look away first. He'll out stare you every time. It's a foolproof identifica­tion of the Pluto personality. Scorpio eyes bore deeply into you, mercilessly, as if they're penetrating your very soul They are.

I get angry very rarely. And i don't like it. Though i have managed to control my anger and revenge, i know when i'm angry and really want to seek revenge, i can really destroy the whole infrastructure of a person. Why is this revenge and destructive nature a part of my ego?

Scorpio never forgets a gift or a kindness, and it's richly rewarded. Conversely, he also remembers an injury or an injustice, but there are different ways of reacting. The eagle will crush the enemy so the enemy learns never to hurt him again, win the fight, and leave the defeated to go his own way. The deadly nocturnal scorpion will first sting, then plan destruction, then sting again. He's not content with merely evening the score. He must totally destroy the enemy, or at least top him.

The typical scorpion stinger will lie awake nights figuring how to get even. If a neighbor deliberately scrapes his fender, he'll scrape two fenders on the neighbor's car the next day, and maybe drive over his carefully pruned hedges for good measure.

These scorpions are seldom content with forcing the shoe on the other foot to teach enemies how it feels. They glue the sandal on with cement. However, with the gray lizards, Pluto revenge takes the form of bitterness held inside for years, which inevitably causes deep melancholy or actual, lingering physical illness. Seething Scorpio ­resentment, turned inward and never expressed, poisons with deadly certainty. Turned outward, it can create guilt, be­cause the stinger scorpion is ashamed to harm the defense-less, when all is said and done. Therefore, it should be turned neither way-inward nor outward. It should be conquered by looking up and forgetting, like the eagle- never by looking back in anger and retaliation.