What is Law of Karma Part I

http://download.dadabhagwan.org/books/English/PDF/karma.pdf

There are certain presumptions for understanding the Law of Karma and how it works.  Two most important of these are, believing in Law of Reincarnation and Secondly, believing that We are a Soul(carrying impressions from our past lifetimes) experiencing human life.  If you don't believe in reincarnation and journey of the soul, then this is not meant for you.

Even if you believe in these, there is lot of confusion about how law of karma works.  Many people think that our current actions create our karma.  Whereas, the book Science of Karma published by Dada Bhagwan Foundation clearly explains the secret behind Law of Karma which is so precise, perfect and absolutely fair and Just.  Courts of this world may acquit a person as non guilty, but if someone has wronged somebody even in thought, then Law of Karma will definitely bring such a guilty person to justice either in this lifetime itself or in the next Lifetime (when people may wonder why such a good person is suffering).

The Book explains in detail that the World is being operated by Scientific Circumstantial Evidences.  Yes, nothing is happening in a hap hazard way.  There is a Law of Cause and Effect, a Rule, behind each and every happening in our life and all around us.  Nothing is by chance.  Things are happening automatically in a precise and exact manner as it should.  There is no partiality, no preference.  Pure Justice.  The principle is same, what we give out, we get back.  We reap what we sow.  Majority of human beings discount the fact that thinking intensely about something is as good as actually doing it.  It creates a definite karma.  Karma is very subtle.  It is not just action, but actual thought and intention behind that action, that is karma.  

what we are undergoing in this lifetime is result of action we did in past lifetime.   We gave exam in last lifetime, in this lifetime we are seeing and undergoing the result of that exam.   And while facing this result, what we are thinking and opining deep within is the new Cause we are setting in motion for which we will  get result in this lifetime (effect of effect) or in next lifetime.   So if someone hits me, it is the result of past enmity this soul had with me  in a previous lifetime - fruition of manner in which that soul had wanted to hurt me and couldn't do for some reason.  Now when we met in this lifetime, perfect circumstantial evidences were created that fulfilled the pent up wish of this Soul. Now what we both are thinking about this hit will set a new karma, the fruit of which we will get in this lifetime(effect of effect) or the next.  My subtle thought would instantly create a new karma if I  wanted to hit back that person which I will, either in this lifetime itself or in the next.  

This is the principle of Cause(action) and Effect(Result).  Action is not what we do with our hands.  Action is what we think, how we judge, our belief behind any outward action.  This cause is our inner intention (bhav) behind any action.  Action is visible but intention behind that action is not.  It is this intention behind our each visible action that binds karma which brings out result in next life time.  What we see is result ( of past karma, i.e.,   the intention)  what we think while undergoing the result is New Karma(new cause set in motion).   And this is definitely in our hands.  

If all is predestined then we need not do anything? -- It definitely doesn't imply that if all is result of past intentions, then we should take in all in the name of  justice.  No way.  Simply because we do not remember our past intentions.  Do we?  Therefore,  we need to take all necessary steps to do a job, take all required precautions to accomplish that job without causing any hurt /loss to anyone - with pure intention.  If despite all this, things go wrong, then know deep within that its result of our past karma.  Do your best till the last moment and yet if you fail, apply the keys of this spiritual knowledge to pacify your heart that it was not meant to be.  This way it doesn't hurt.  Book gives a simple example.  You cannot cross a traffic light with your eyes closed.  Look around carefully, if all is safe then cross.  Now if something happens, then its your destiny as ordained by you in a previous lifetime.

What is Intention?  It is the thought/belief/opinion/judgement that goes behind our each action.  Intention is so very subtle, intangible.  None can see our intention.  Only we know it.  and sometimes even we are not aware of it.  Because we act fast, without even thinking.  For example when we see a beggar and give some money, we think we are helping the beggar.  But actually we are helping ourselves.  We give because it makes us feel good/ happy. We feel less guilty that we have so much.........Think deeply.   

This intention is in our hands, our free will.  This intention creates our destiny.  'Why' we do something.  Our strong beliefs.  The label we give to certain actions .........  All our actions are aimed at helping ourselves only.  Even when we are doing service to others, we do it because it makes us feel good.  Isn't????  If we just do the charity and stay indifferent then its Okay (you will not create a new karma).  New karma is created the moment we mentally take credit for this service.   understand that what we are spending today is due to our strong intention to give set in motion in last lifetime.  Have you heard of those stories where family complained that the father gave away so much in charity without any reason.  Well what he did in this lifetime is call he made in his previous lifetime but couldn't do so for some reason.  He is doing it now.  

For example two persons may be giving 100 dollars in charity One, with the intention of getting praise while other person may be giving the same amount but intention is just to help quietly and move on.  For same actions our intentions could be  different.  Result would definitely be different.

I understand Law of Cause and Effect in this way.  That there is something like a A Universal Super Computer that is automatically recording each and every intention (cause which will bring effect in future lifetime) we set in motion through our deep imbedded intentions behind every action we are being made to do today (effect of causes set in motion in previous lifetime).  It notes down my intense opinions and view points about everything this I encounter.  In other words, the way I am judging others. ( No wonder we are told not to judge others lest we be judged. ). Then in next lifetime it places a person with related persons, in one place, experiencing their judgements about each other until one understands how wrong they were.........

In their previous lifetime both thought how wonderful it is to use one's position to make easy money.  So in this lifetime, both will get chance to make easy money.   One person may take bribe and feel good about it while the other is taking(as a result of his past intention) but internally repenting about not being able to correct himself.  Effect/result of different new intention is different.  This is where our free will comes in.  The one feeling good would be getting bribe again but we all know what is the result of such an action when caught.  While the person repenting will not  find himself in such a tricky situation again.  Nature will keep him away from this kind of life because he has set a new karma of positive life.

Natural Laws are perfect and Just.  Whatever happens is Justice.  Since we do not remember our past, we often feel injustice.  But it is not so, Because law of cause n effect takes note of each and every subtle conversation going within us.  None is controlling these Natural laws. Its working, just the way Law of gravitation is working.   If we understand this Law, we can use it to our own advantage. Here, its been referred to as  Scientific Circumstantial Evidences.  At appropriate time, all evidences come together and an event happens.  Humans take credit for it which is a total blunder.  We are mere one instrument in grand scheme of things.  but we can make an important change.  We have power to change our future.  We are also part of this nature, made up of energy.  We have advantage of intellectual faculty which other species like anima ls do not have.  They understand love, are smart but their intelligence level is not as high as human.   Our thoughts are so very powerful.  If only we could correct ourselves, the moment we linger longer on a negative thought.  But are we so mindful all the time.  

A human can think and check and control his thoughts and intention.  But off late we see many humans stopping to use their intellect and sense of discrimination and going on sense less killing and other crimes.  Their behaviour goes down to animal level.  They could escape from  courts of this world but natural laws ensure that they pay for their wrong doing.  Payment is heavier if crime was done willfully and without remorse.  Little less if it was not   done willfully and happened accidently.  But payment is heavy for sure..   As per this book these are sticky karma you cannot escape even if you are in different body garment now.  This is a very deep science and cannot be explained properly in few lines.  In all the above discussions my view is simple...no argument...no disputation with views of others here.....I AM OK, YOU ARE OK.

https://download.dadabhagwan.org/books/English/PDF/karma.pdf

Vandana Ritik Mulchandani
Noida

Significance of Chanting God's Name

SHIRDI SAI BABA imparted his teachings in various ways.  Each of his actions had a hidden meaning and a deep message for masses.  On the surface, his intention behind allowing of URS on Rama Navami day and later permitting celebrations of Ram’s Birth on the day was obviously intended to bring about unity of Hindus and Muslims, promoting feeling of brotherhood, mutual cooperation, harmony besides celebrations, festivity, enjoyment and fervour in small village of Shirdi during British ruled Indian era.

Celebrating Hindu God Lord Rama's Birthday each year reminds us of Ram and what Ram stands for.  For Hindus Ram stands for ideal human conduct, as son, brother, Prince, Disciple, husband, King etc. Ram signifies victory of good over evil in worldly terms.  Ram stands for love, duty, courage, compassion, nobility, valor, humility, respect, peace, stability, sacrifice, devotion and so on.

Significance of Ram naam -  Looking deeply we realise that Celebrating this festival each year brings up the efficacy of Ram Naam Jaap.  Saibaba had advised many of his devotees to do Smaran(remembrance).  Chanting of God’s name is said to be very important and there are so many stories about how chanting God’s name saves a devotee during tough times.  All Sai devotees can recall how Saibaba presented Vishnu Sahastranama to Shama to bring about significance of God’s name.  And Ram is special to all Hindus.  

When we celebrate Ram Navami, we remember Lord Ram, his life and times.  We read and sing his leelas( life stories), chant his name with devotion.  This brings peace of mind, gives mental strength to overcome difficult life situations.

What is bigger – Lord Ram  or his name ‘Ram”?  Saibaba perhaps wanted us to understand this.  Saint Tulsidas  in his epic The Ramayana has explained that while both(Ram and his Name) appear as One but both have mutual relationship of obedient servant and master.  Only through high level of spiritual maturity can we comprehend which is bigger.  Though both name and person named as Ram have attributes of Supreme Power yet Lord Ram follows his name.  Take his Name and he appears.   With closed eyes we cannot recognise what is kept on our palm without knowing its name.  However, without seeing its form, if we remember name of something, the same can be visualized with love in our heart.   Between Nirgun (unseen) and Sagun(seen), the Name is a beautiful Sakshi(witness).  Seekers who want to understand the secret and sacred truth of Universe, do so by chanting lord’s name and attain Self Realisation.

When devotees are undergoing turbulent times, name chanting removes their miseries and brings about inner peace.  Many Seekers chant name without any desire, material or otherwise, and want to continue chanting.  Saint Tulsidas says that Brahman(consciousness) has two forms – Sagun and Nirgun i.e., manifest and unmanifest.  Both cannot be defined or measured.  Both were, are and will be. Both are magnificent.  But Name is bigger than both, and controls both.  Nirgun is like a tiny speck  of fire hidden deep in wood while sagun is manifest fire itself which we can see with naked eyes.  In principle, both are same, yet difficult to understand.  However, with Name, both are easy to understand.  

Lord Rama took human body, suffered himself, to free earth from ‘Rakshas’, the demons.  However his true devotees can easily cross worldly ocean by taking his name only.  Saint Tulsidas says Lord Rama freed Ahiliya but his name has reformed negative thoughts of millions around the world.  Lord Rama himself killed one ‘Tadkha’ for protecting Saint Vishwamitra but his name alone has destroyed sins of millions just as Sun destroys darkness of night.  Rama himself destroyed Shiva’s Bow at Sita Swaymvar but his name itself removes all fears of the world.   His name has purified hearts and souls of innumerable human beings and paved way for their ultimate merger with Supreme while Ram himself gave deliverance to only a few like kevat, Shabri and Jatayu etc.

On a special occasion like Ram Navami, when a devotee earnestly sings Ram Naam, with or without understanding true power of Lords name, still the Lord accepts him in his court.  Saibaba wanted us to understand that taking God’s name can free us from all kinds of worldly pain, worries and fear.  If we make it a habit of Remembering and Meditating on Lords name, it will free us from detachment and bring us eternal happiness.  What better day to do it then to do it on Ram Navami day.   He chose this day to remind us of importance of remembering God’s name with Love.

Devotee Dhruv attained an eternal position in cosmos by merely chanting Lord’s name.  Hanuman ji lovingly controls Shri Ram by earnestly chanting his pure name.   

Exoteric form of each world religion preaches use of chanting Lord's name over Rosary beads

Ram, Krishna, Jesus, Prophet Mohd, Guru Nanak Dev may or may not be present today in their physical form but their name SAVES because the name has power.  These Gods listen when we call out to them. This is the only way for our better future/ deliverance/ Salvation.  Sanatan Dharma, Hindu philosophy is all about what Shirdi Saibaba sums up in one line 'Anubhav karo Satya pehchano   (Experience and realise the ultimate TRUTH)

Vandana Ritik Mulchandani

Noida

What are the benefits of living in a high rise apartment

Birds Eye View Of Meghdutam Park next to home

Having lived on ground floor for 25 years in South Delhi amidst greenery all around me, coming to live on 10th floor in Suburbs wasn't easy for me.    However one of my Terrace balcony facing huge 32 acres Meghdutam Park has showed me life from bird's eye view and what a delight it has been.  

Walking in park has its own advantages but living on a high rise facing a huge park is definitely a boon.   

For me its a place to enjoy Sunrise in morning and moon rise in evening. Amazing sight to enjoy with a cup of tea in hand and watch skyline with birds flying high and low during daytime and shimmering lights and stars at night.  Latest edition is view of two separate Metro train routes that I see passing on both ends of parks.   

I take my time to to be ME, sitting in my terrace, by simply enjoying and grasping magnificence of vast nature of the Huge expanse of green in park. 

Sometimes I count innumerable flower colors besides different shades of green leaves sprawling all over. 

Sometimes I close my eyes and count number of sounds coming from park - yoga laughter and clappings, kids playing, birds chirping, koyal cooing, soft wind blowing. 

Inside home, life is very very closed and limited in family only. Looking at park, beautiful eye soothing colors of nature, my thinking expands. 

I realise there are so many lives in this park. Each plant, flower, bird, Bee, butterfly, tiny insects and ants - all are breathing life and we humans are also just one amongst them - the nature's creation. 

If we consider us as separate, we become closed and limited. But If we consider us as a part of ALL THAT IS, we are infinite and powerful.  

Vandana Ritik Mulchandani 

Noida 

How illness helps us

 When I got sick recently, after many years, I wanted to be normal again.  Doing all same stuff I was doing. All the daily chores which used to tire me out.  God why can't I work like mad again.  Suddenly feeling tired and exhausted, after lots of work, looked much better than sitting and shivering in bed.  Can I again do all that stuff that I hated doing.

The immobile me wanted to be mobile as soon as possible. And that reminds me about my Mobile phone.  Who wanted to look at it. All those games and serials and social networking were not helping at all.  Nothing gave me comfort.  How can they.  They are my own self created miseries.  Extra workload. That can easily be done away with.  What a relief you get when you don't have to bother about any call for four days.  That's called freedom when you are free for only yourself and unavailable to the rest.

And food was most irritating part.  Suddenly I had developed strong aversion for all kind of sugar, salt, spice.  Biscuits tasted too sweet. Lays tasted too salty.  Awww all nauseated me.  All I wanted was simple plain water.  Simple basic food. No flavours.  I thought I was back to my original nature as a human being. My illness had reconnected me to my original true nature.  Technology has brought about varous savoury dishes but nothing beats simple home made food with minimum ingredients possible.   I could taste actual flavour of my food from whatever I could eat.

All types of food smell was nauseating but when husband got fresh tube roses and placed it in a vase on table, that was the sweetest smell.  I felt so refreshed and healing.  No wonder they used to bring flowers for sick in old days.  Now a days, its all together different story. People give and receive bouquets but who cares.  I wonder if bride and groom or their families even notice those bouquets they receive on the wedding day.  Now this is going off track.

Four days of confinement in home, in my bed with my and only my thoughts, in between those medicines induced sleep spells and in company of my severe body pain and burning head, I was only with myself.   I think I was enjoying my own company so much since now I could get a complete overview  of what all I had been doing. So much.  So much of everything.  So much eating, so much socialising, so much texting, so much Mobile and so much unnecessary work.  It was a good time to review and revise my prorities.   I was busy in doing things that were serving no purpose.  Wasting my time in stupid technical gadgets and social calls.    I had to cut it down drastically.  Shed that extra potato load and feel lighter.  And I had been thinking I wasn't doing anything worth while all these years.  Now I realise how wrong I had been.  We normally and casually judge ourselves in such negative manner.  Because all solutions are in us, provided we ask ourselves instead of running to phone and start seeking advice outside.  Check with the counsellor within. It has all solutions.

Honestly I am thankful as I recuperate my illness left me more wiser.   It connected myself to REAL me. So much so that it made me start writing once again.  I think I really needed this shake up.  What a relief it is to be able to do restart your life after this forced rest with fresh positive outlook.

Vandana Ritik Mulchandani

Noida

Why do we have so much negativity around us

Duality is at the core of everything around us.  There are two completely opposite ends and life survives in between.  I understand that world can function only when there is pair of opposites balancing each other.  Like day n night, hot n cold etc.   All is illusion and yet so true.  Is there no darkness?  It is said there is only light and if an object is placed in its path, then there is shadow on its opposite side.  That darkness is nothing but absence of light.  and if there is all light there is no darkness.   All is crystal clear.  However don't we need dark lines and shadows to define an object.   Aren't light and dark both necessity of life?  Both are required for understanding each other and experiencing life. 

News focuses on  what is going wrong and it blows out of proportion in our mind.  It shows us all darkness and negativity around us.  However, we are alive because negativity and positivity are in balance.  But too much media tries to project the chaos.  Which is not truth at all.  Most of the time world is in order...in things that we don't even notice.  For example, there is so much of honesty...we go to shop, we pay and get the balance  as well as the goods.  We go on vacations.  All is booked and we get comfort in return as per agreed terms.  Most of the times things are working in order.  We get services so easily. People are generally nice and helpful.   Facilities, treatments, essential services.  We are placed at appropriate places depending upon our karmic accounts, our place in spiritual evolution.  

World is not cruel.  Many many noble souls,  like Monks and spiritual groups etc , pray to God to keep everyone safe. We don't want anyone to suffer.  World was at war centuries ago too.  This yin and yang always co exists because this is the root of human survival.  

We build a strong house today, it is going to wear and tear subsequently.  Cells in our body,  die and are recreated every day.   This is life...new then old, fresh today stale tomorrow, healthy today unhealthy later.  This up down pendulum like swing in our lives continues.

I live in developing country and have seen so much since childhood.  Because on one side there is this stinkingly rich class and on other side people are with nothing.  Both are in pain of different kind.  People in developed countries have different blessings. But Really??

We have come here to experience life in its different vibrations and frequencies, varied nature, variety, 'spice', which I sometimes agree with and sometimes don't. Pain and pleasure exist everywhere. Nothing is permanent.  All is changing.  We have to learn from this diversity. If it becomes all positive or all negative, world will come to an end.

We cannot have sun up all the time like we cannot have long long nights.  We will not survive then.  This polarity of opposites is at root of our existence.

Vandana Ritik Mulchandani

Noida

Understanding Shirdi SaiBaba Philosophy

Symbolism of Sai

Sai is Mother full of unconditional Love

Sai is Father all capable and Giver

Sai is Beloved Friend always present when needed

Sai is Doctor setting us free from unimaginable afflictions

Sai is Bestower of Wealth filling our lives with immense prosperity

Sai is Samarth Sadguru fulfilling our quest for self knowledge

Sai is all pervasive omnipresent internal wirepuller solving all our confusions

Sai is formless who appears before his devotees in the very form they think of him.

Sai is lifeforce giving life and sustaining this entire Universe

But who is this SAI????

Shirdi Saibaba who was in human body garment till Oct 15, 1918, would often tell his devotees that what you see in Shirdi is a body of 3 ½ cubic feet comprising of five elements that will ultimately merge with the same.  HE advised his devotees to look within and recognize the real SAI, the one seated in heart of each living organism, vibrating, life giving force within each one of us.

Close your eyes, barring your body and name, what is left is that feeling of being alive.  This is I AM.  This is SAI.

People have given different names to this life force energy.  However, it is this awareness, this consciousness of our own existence is called by various names Krishna, Christ, Guru Nanak, Durga and so on.  All are different names representing One and Only One Truth.  Like Sai said SABKA MALIK EK (Everyone has One Master).

This consciousness, the awareness of existence, the feeling of being alive, is common to all living beings.  Hence Saibaba advised us not to differentiate – ‘Destroy this wall of Teli(separation) between you and me’.  All living forms are one with Sai.  Sai is in All and All are in Sai. We may know each other by different names.  Ornaments are of different shapes but they are all made of one metal - Gold

Devotees who had difficulty understanding this were advised to meditate on the physical form of Saibaba as they saw him until one would close eyes and start experiencing the formless Sai (presence of divinity within).  Sai pervades through each and every animate and inanimate object and binds entire Universe, visible as well as invisible.

Knowing all as One form of Supreme Divine, Shirdi Saibaba advised us all to drop hatred and treat each other equally as extensions of Self.  Be kind, loving and compassionate towards each other because you, me and others are all One (Self).  Thus we should not revile our own brethren, not harm any living being.  Respect and Love all life forms as extensions of Sai.  There is no difference between Sai and Me.

Our overwiseness, ego, feeling of I-ness and taking up of Do-ership binds Karma and creates rinanubandhs (pastilfe karmic debts) thus obstructing our path towards self realization and ultimately keeps us far away from Truth – God.  Saibaba advised us to get rid of shackles of this MAYA.  Go beyond the visible phenomenon and look at the neomenon.

Saibaba asked us to work out our duties as per station of life we are posted and think of our own welfare first i.e., observing, understanding and experiencing our own true State.

Saibaba promised that he is always with his true devotees and follows them everywhere.

Vandana Ritik Mulchandani

Noida

Finding God Within  Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha Volume 13  Number 19 11 May 2017

You say: “I am a devotee!” Now, the very reference ‘I’ – can you tell me whom it refers to? (Devotees: It refers to myself; ‘ātmā’.(soul)) That ātmā is God! If this is true, is there any distance between God who is remembered and ‘I’ who remembers Him? Also, tell me, who is the real God? The remembered entity is God, or the remembering ‘I’ is God? My dear children, this is called the path of jñāna(knowledge). In the path of jñāna, there is no additional need to remember God at all! Years back I had made some ‘classic propositions’ to God. Listen to me with attention. I gave two challenges to God. One is: “Banish me from your territory, if you can!”.  And the second is: “Exit from my heart, if you will!” And till today, ‘poor God’ has not been able to meet any of the two challenges! Are you able to appreciate the power of Self-realization that enables me to ‘challenge Him’ like this? I am saying this because I know that He cannot do it! For, if He is able to do it, then he ceases to be God. That is the strength of my Knowledge. Generally, none will think of God like this! This statement cannot be, or will not be, made by all; but I am making it! You have to be a Knower of Truth to say like this! When you are enlightened, when you find God so dear, you can even play with God like this. (Swamiji laughs heartily …) There is one more thing I want you to hear from me. I tell God: “My dear God, I cannot always remember you. Do I have to? It is you who has put me into the world; I never wanted to come to this world! Now that I have to live in the world, I have to deal with other things of the world. Whatever actions and interactions I have to undergo, let me do them very well. So, I cannot always remember you. Nor do I propose to remember you always. “Either I will remember you directly, or, I will remember you indirectly through the world, your own product. What difference does it make? It makes no difference to me. If it makes any difference to ‘you’, it is ‘your’ headache, not mine!” My dear children, are you understanding these statements well? And is the understanding giving you some sort of comfort and consolation? So, tell me; what is preventing you from saying like this? (Swamiji pauses, awaiting response from devotees. But there is no reply.) When you communicate with God with this kind of intimacy, will not your whole personality undergo devotional transformation? Nothing will trouble you. Not only that. You will become invincible! (Excerpt from the monthly magazine Vicharasethu published by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha. Subscriptions to Vicharasethu are available at Rs 100 for 12 issues and Rs 1000 for 12 Years.)