Process of Divine Apology

अज्ञान दशा में बहुत सी लोहे की बेडि़याँ पड़ जाती हैं! मन क्या कहता है कि मुझे समाधान करावो। ‘व्यवस्थित’ है, ऐसा कह दें तो मन को समाधान हो जाता है। और सामनेवाले के लिए खराब विचार आया इसलिए मन को शुद्ध करो, सामनेवाले से क्षमा माँग लो।  (Aptasutra # 1595)

In the ignorant (absence of self-realization) state, many ‘shackles of iron’ are bound. The mind asks for closure.  If you tell the mind ‘it is vyavasthit [scientific circumstantial  evidence]’, the mind will be pacified. And if you have a negative thought about someone, cleanse the mind by asking the other person for forgiveness. (Aptasutra # 1595)

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We definitely bind karma when we are cause of hurt to someone.   Knowing this, I don't want to be cause of hurt to anyone. 

Therefore, in morning itself before I start my day, I set intention of not hurting or causing hurt or participate in any hurtful gossip towards any being, living or dead, in any way. Earlier I used to apologize to Supreme Power but off late, in my mind, in presence of Supreme Light, I apologise soul to soul to the person, to whom I might have caused hurt in any way, i.e., either through my Speech, action or even thoughts. I also seek strength so as not to repeat the mistake again. 

PS: I don't seek pardon face to face simply because I feel that the person might become offensive and also may be I am still conscious about maintaining my self respect. However, I have noticed positive change in attitude of people I have mentally apologised to....even my 'enemies' have come and hugged me on their own after I have sent them mental apologies.

As per Dada Bhagwan Foundation, we bind karma in state of ignorance, as a mistake.  This happens because we think of ourselves as our 'name' and 'body'.  We forget that we are pure soul, separate from body.  We are only knowers and seers.  We are not running the show of the world.  All our body functions are taking place on their own.  Similarly air, water, sun, earth and space are also not in our control.  Mistakenly we think we are "our name and our role only and nothing else'.   In this state when we cause hurt to someone whether knowingly or unknowingly, it binds karma.  However, if we recall that we are pure soul and then recognise/accept our mistake, repent for it and promise never to repeat it again, it sets us free from this bondage.

Pratikraman (Divine apology) - The Dada Bhagwan Foundation teaches 3 steps process for seeking soul to soul Divine Apology, from the person who has been offended, in presence of Supreme Divine Self (Dada Bhagwan) wherein one does"

Alochana : Heartfelt inner confession of one's mistakes
                 I Confess my mistakes (recall the mistakes you committed with this person);

Pratikraman: Process of apology coupled with remorse for any wrong doing
                 I apologise and ask for forgiveness for these mistakes;  

Pratyakhyam: Sincere Pledge to never repeat the mistakes
                 I firmly resolve never to repeat these mistakes.  Dearest Dada Bhagwan (the pure Self within), grant me the absolute energy not to repeat these mistakes.

Wise have told us to stay in the state of 'awareness'.  Just 'witness' and 'know' what Vandana (substitute it with your name) is doing.  Because 'I' am the 'witness', the 'Knower' wearing the body garment named as Vandana. 

Swami Bhoomanada Tirtha says that  When I sleep the world sleeps for me ( in actual,  world is always there even when I am sleeping) but the 'I' in me that recognises the world has chosen to shut it off during sleep.  After some time, the 'I' in me decides to wake up and again see the world.  We are mistaken when we think that we wake up with the sound of alarm in the morning.  No. No. No.  There is some divine supreme presence within us that chose to wake up at the sound of alarm.  Therefore this 'I' is very powerful.  It sees changes in its body garment from infant to old age.  Caught up in the external worldly drama around, the 'I' forgets its true state (of being pure, powerful, divine SELF).  It mistakenly thinks of itself as Vandana (the body name) whereas it is INFINITE.

When we seek divine apology, we see this soul state in ourselves as well as in the other beings.  Like Shirdi Saibaba advised 'Remove this wall of division between You and ME. We are one and the same'.  In ignorance we think we are separate and end up hurting each other.  However, when light of the true Knowledge falls on us, the veil of ignorance is lifted and the so called 'enemy' appears 'flawless'.  There are many things happening behind the scenes which we need to understand.  And this understanding comes from within.  When we stop, become still and focus on that presence which animates our body.  When we centre on it for sometime, all confusion ends and we get answers and solutions to all our problems.  All is crystal clear.

This clarity requires grace of supreme Self.  This grace will not come to us, if we hold grudges and resentment against fellow beings (because this means we consider others as separate from us).  The process of 'Pratikraman'(divine apology) as described above makes it possible.  We need to seek apologies for hurting someone and also for hurt caused to us by others.  Easiest part is that we need not go and apologise to the person directly.  We may perform this 'service to self' in our own inner 'temple'.

Vandana Ritik Mulchandani
Noida

Who is running show of the world?

I get it. I recently read many books by Dada Bhagwan Foundation, a spiritual group in India (that doesnot promote any particular religion)  says that no individual God is running this world. Every worldly phase is a natural happening governed by Vyavasthit (Scientific Circumstantial Evidences) which requires many elements to come together for an event to take place.  There is no God overhead as the Do-er of it.

A human being is also one of the element. For example, it is wrong to say ‘I’ made tea. Tea could be made when all elements like water, tea leaves, milk, sugar, fire etc were present. I became an instrument to make it. Left only to me,  I cannot make tea on, say, ... a road side because all evidences are not present. He calls these evidences scientific because even if one evidence is missing event will not take place. Thats why he says when an accident takes place, it requires many many evidences to be present at that particular place and time otherwise there will be no accident. I found this quite acceptable.

Now if we combine this with Laws of Karma, it explains so many things.  Like how a particular person swapped the seat and did not go on that ill fated Malaysian Airline that was shot down recently or why the one he swapped the seat with went on that flight.  Evidences were coming together to make this thing happen in a precise manner.  That doesnot mean that this law will let the offenders of crash go scot free.  Even if they escape justice on earth in this lifetime, the scientic circumstances will bring them to justice in one of the next lifetimes.  That time they will not know the reason and would probably crib as to why this happened to innocent.  The karmic repayment is not exact like eye for an eye.  But the feelings and emotions of suffering that is caused due to accidents will be felt by them.

World often confuses Karma.  When it sees someone being slapped, killed, promoted, demoted, successful, sent to prison, it says this is karma, whereas this is not karma.  This is result of karma.  Karma was already formed earlier and this is result of that.  Karma is formed internally through our bhav(intentions),  our inner communication with ourselves.  Universe records it all and through scientific circumstantial evidences arranges for the result and sends it back to us at appropriate time.  It doesnot necessarily come from same person but the result is the same that we caused to someone else earlier, whether knowingly or unknowingly. When it is said that we are creating our reality and that we are responsible for whatever is happening in our life it means that a man is responsible for his bhaav (innert intention) behind any action of body, mind and speech. This is what human freewill is. While tasting the fruit of past karma(intentions), how a man reacts(creates new or no karma) determines his future.  You reap what you sow.

Our hand gets burned, whether we put our hand in fire knowingly or unknowingly.  A willful act involves strict and precise return whereas unintentional action brings returns too in such a manner that person calls it exceptional.  When we hold anger, greed, resentment, pride, hatred, attachment inside for some person, place or a thing, it definitely attracts returns.  Intense feelings create ‘sticky karma’ for which there is no escape in form of close negative lifetime relationships etc.  When we get such returns in next lifetime we are left wondering why things are happening that way since we did not do anything wrong.  None remembers the deeds of the past.

When we hold strong resentment for someone, it follows us into lifetimes till we learn to love that person.  Act of forgiveness is a sure ticket to freedom from negative bondage. This is the reason why saints and wise have advised us to stay calm in all situations, maintain equanimity and forgive all.

Vandana Ritik Mulchandani

Noida