I recently wrote: Power-cut and a sudden darkness I got up and lighted a candle What’s wrong with darkness in mind Why I find it so difficult to handle? Can you tell me why?
From India, Pune
8From India, Pune
it is not the darkness from which we are fearing. we are fearing from the unknown. when there is light we can see and we can judge where we are and what we are doing and what is coming to us and we can make the judgement or decision. but when there is darkness and nothing is visible than we are in the unknown state. we do not know what is coming to us. we donot know who is watching us and we do not know who is standing in front of us and than we become what the real we are. if we are ordinary person that we start fearing and start making negative imagination in our mind and we start feel the fear. if we are saints or any thing in higher state than there is no unknown only trust so there is no fear.
i think this is the answer to you question.
veryniceguy (who share good things)
From India, New Delhi
i think this is the answer to you question.
veryniceguy (who share good things)
From India, New Delhi
Dear very nice guy, you are much better than perhaps what you think! Excellent reply, indeed worth sharing with all. So in nutshell waht you are telling is that one needs to burn the candle of faith and trust to make the darkness go away. Bravo! Keep it up. You will go a long way, god bless!
From India, Pune
From India, Pune
Assuming that each one of us has a good side and an evil side, the Darkness of mind can be twofold: One - Evil side (dark side) of us, and Two - Darkness of ignorance. I am further assuming that you are referring to the darkness of ignorance and not the evil side.
There is a phrase in Sanskrit - Agnyanaandhakaram - meaning the Darkness of Ignorance. In Bhagavat Gita, this darkness is termed as darker than the darkest substance in the universe.
The darkness of mind (that of ignorance), is the hardest kind of darkness to remove. Why? The only light that can distance this darkness is the Light of Knowledge. Light of Knowledge, again, is twofold. One, the knowledge itself, and second is the wisdom coming from the deeper understanding of such knowledge. "When intelligence matures, and lodges securely in mind, it becomes wisdom" (C. Rajagopalacharya).
Why is it so difficult to bring the Light of Knowledge into the mind? What is the knowledge we are talking about?
To bring the light of knowledge takes work - a lot of work. Knowledge, here, is the knowledge of the physical self (I, me, etc., and Jeevatma in spiritual terms), and the knowledge of Self (the Supreme Soul or Paramatma in spiritual terms). To bring in the true knowledge of self (me, I), it takes knowing about ourselves, questioning ourselves, knowing the good side and bad side of ourselves, admitting to ourselves our strengths, and more importantly, our weaknesses and shortcomings. Beyond that, it also entails making a conscious effort to expand our strengths and good side, and marginalizing our weaknesses and bad side.
While most of us admit that everyone has good and bad in them, as a natural human tendency, we tend to first see only the bad side in others and only the good side in ourselves. Seeing (and admitting to ourselves) the bad side in us and making concrete effort to change the bad side in us takes real (moral) character and tremendous inner strength. Once we posses that strength and gain the knowledge of ourselves, we get half way across in bringing the light of knowledge. If you are not spiritual at all, then you are all the way there. If you are spiritual, then the remaining half is to gain the knowledge and understanding of the Supreme Self.
Again, not gaining the knowledge of the Supreme Self is not the end of the world (and does not mean you are any less of a human being). If you just attempt to gain that part of the knowledge, you are better than most of us. As is said in the Bhagavat Gita (and adapted to the current world population numbers), "Among millions of people, somewhere in some corner, one person attempts to know the Supreme Self. Among those who attempt to know the Supreme Self, only a hand full is distained to learn the truth about the Supreme Self and gain complete knowledge". Therefore, the fact that you even attempted to know puts you in a different plane (making you one in a million). Even if you gain a tiny little bit of such knowledge, you are better off than most of us. If you gained full knowledge, then there would be a shrine built for you and you would be named Buddha (or someone similar).
Hope that explains why it is difficult to handle the darkness of mind. Simple answer is, it is not easy to bring the light of knowledge that distances/removes the darkness of mind.
Thanks,
-Som G
From United States, Woodinville
There is a phrase in Sanskrit - Agnyanaandhakaram - meaning the Darkness of Ignorance. In Bhagavat Gita, this darkness is termed as darker than the darkest substance in the universe.
The darkness of mind (that of ignorance), is the hardest kind of darkness to remove. Why? The only light that can distance this darkness is the Light of Knowledge. Light of Knowledge, again, is twofold. One, the knowledge itself, and second is the wisdom coming from the deeper understanding of such knowledge. "When intelligence matures, and lodges securely in mind, it becomes wisdom" (C. Rajagopalacharya).
Why is it so difficult to bring the Light of Knowledge into the mind? What is the knowledge we are talking about?
To bring the light of knowledge takes work - a lot of work. Knowledge, here, is the knowledge of the physical self (I, me, etc., and Jeevatma in spiritual terms), and the knowledge of Self (the Supreme Soul or Paramatma in spiritual terms). To bring in the true knowledge of self (me, I), it takes knowing about ourselves, questioning ourselves, knowing the good side and bad side of ourselves, admitting to ourselves our strengths, and more importantly, our weaknesses and shortcomings. Beyond that, it also entails making a conscious effort to expand our strengths and good side, and marginalizing our weaknesses and bad side.
While most of us admit that everyone has good and bad in them, as a natural human tendency, we tend to first see only the bad side in others and only the good side in ourselves. Seeing (and admitting to ourselves) the bad side in us and making concrete effort to change the bad side in us takes real (moral) character and tremendous inner strength. Once we posses that strength and gain the knowledge of ourselves, we get half way across in bringing the light of knowledge. If you are not spiritual at all, then you are all the way there. If you are spiritual, then the remaining half is to gain the knowledge and understanding of the Supreme Self.
Again, not gaining the knowledge of the Supreme Self is not the end of the world (and does not mean you are any less of a human being). If you just attempt to gain that part of the knowledge, you are better than most of us. As is said in the Bhagavat Gita (and adapted to the current world population numbers), "Among millions of people, somewhere in some corner, one person attempts to know the Supreme Self. Among those who attempt to know the Supreme Self, only a hand full is distained to learn the truth about the Supreme Self and gain complete knowledge". Therefore, the fact that you even attempted to know puts you in a different plane (making you one in a million). Even if you gain a tiny little bit of such knowledge, you are better off than most of us. If you gained full knowledge, then there would be a shrine built for you and you would be named Buddha (or someone similar).
Hope that explains why it is difficult to handle the darkness of mind. Simple answer is, it is not easy to bring the light of knowledge that distances/removes the darkness of mind.
Thanks,
-Som G
From United States, Woodinville
After thought:
A dialog between a devotee and Sai Baba of Shirdi (from the movie "Shirdi Ke Sai Baba") comes to my mind.
Devotee: Baba! Is there a God?
Sai Baba: Yes
Devotee: Then why is God not visible?
Sai Baba: Is there butter in Milk?
Devotee: Yes
Sai Baba: Why don't you see it? Or when do you see it?
Devotee: When you churn the cream
Sai Baba: God will become visible when you churn the soul.
That, in the spiritual realm, is what it takes to know the Supreme Self. And churning the soul ain't easy!
-SG
From United States, Woodinville
A dialog between a devotee and Sai Baba of Shirdi (from the movie "Shirdi Ke Sai Baba") comes to my mind.
Devotee: Baba! Is there a God?
Sai Baba: Yes
Devotee: Then why is God not visible?
Sai Baba: Is there butter in Milk?
Devotee: Yes
Sai Baba: Why don't you see it? Or when do you see it?
Devotee: When you churn the cream
Sai Baba: God will become visible when you churn the soul.
That, in the spiritual realm, is what it takes to know the Supreme Self. And churning the soul ain't easy!
-SG
From United States, Woodinville
Dear Som G, This is just fantastic. What beautiful way to make one aware of the need to look with in! One in a million takes the first step. Well, I am deeply touched with the effort and the wisdom sprinkled. God bless!
Would like to interact more. You may like ot visit my blog RAMESH SOOD
Thanks again for your intervention. It will help lot of youngsters who are just starting, to undrerstand life is not what it appears.
From India, Pune
Would like to interact more. You may like ot visit my blog RAMESH SOOD
Thanks again for your intervention. It will help lot of youngsters who are just starting, to undrerstand life is not what it appears.
From India, Pune
Thank you Ramesh, for pointing me to your blog. Your note on Soul's Journey Back Home is very interesting. You may want to check the following webpage (click on the link Self Perfection) written on July 9 2008, on similar lines.
General Topics <link updated to site home> ( Search On Cite | Search On Google )
Sharing thoughts and views, similar or diverse, expand one's own mind. So, please continue sharing your thoughts.
Regards,
-Som G
From United States, Woodinville
General Topics <link updated to site home> ( Search On Cite | Search On Google )
Sharing thoughts and views, similar or diverse, expand one's own mind. So, please continue sharing your thoughts.
Regards,
-Som G
From United States, Woodinville
Dear Mr.Ramesh,
I second Mr.Som's thoughts!!
There is complete darkness when we meditate..but we enter into that phase with a firm faith that there is silver light at the end of tunnel. We ,humans, lack this kind of faith. A child might be afraid of darkness because he is unable to see mother and fears separation.Similary a person might be afraid of darkness because of negative experience like accident etc when it was dark,so he gets conditioned to believe that something painful will again re appear during darkness. It's also true that mostly people grow up hearing stories about ghost,demons,satan who appear when it's completely dark. This way one learns getting afraid of dark. Also, phobia of darkness is very common amongst children. So in a nutshell,there could be many social,psycho social reasons for it. I believe it's our own imagination which makes a human cripppling because of this fear.It's all in our minds and we have created it to a major extent.
It's fear of unknown, as we are not able to see anything and we lack the belief that this phase is temporary too.it's our inability to be optimistic about light after darkness.We keep searching for the light or source of light (happiness and enlightenment) seldom realizing that it's within us only. One has to thrive to be enlightened in knowing self, Sansar(maya) and Supreme Divine power in real sense. The confidence which one gains,the peace which one feels by knowing one in true self ..is the strength against which no fear can stand!
“To be a star, you must shine your own light, follow your own path, and don't worry about the darkness, for that is when the stars shine brightest”
From India, Vadodara
I second Mr.Som's thoughts!!
There is complete darkness when we meditate..but we enter into that phase with a firm faith that there is silver light at the end of tunnel. We ,humans, lack this kind of faith. A child might be afraid of darkness because he is unable to see mother and fears separation.Similary a person might be afraid of darkness because of negative experience like accident etc when it was dark,so he gets conditioned to believe that something painful will again re appear during darkness. It's also true that mostly people grow up hearing stories about ghost,demons,satan who appear when it's completely dark. This way one learns getting afraid of dark. Also, phobia of darkness is very common amongst children. So in a nutshell,there could be many social,psycho social reasons for it. I believe it's our own imagination which makes a human cripppling because of this fear.It's all in our minds and we have created it to a major extent.
It's fear of unknown, as we are not able to see anything and we lack the belief that this phase is temporary too.it's our inability to be optimistic about light after darkness.We keep searching for the light or source of light (happiness and enlightenment) seldom realizing that it's within us only. One has to thrive to be enlightened in knowing self, Sansar(maya) and Supreme Divine power in real sense. The confidence which one gains,the peace which one feels by knowing one in true self ..is the strength against which no fear can stand!
“To be a star, you must shine your own light, follow your own path, and don't worry about the darkness, for that is when the stars shine brightest”
From India, Vadodara
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