First step to Soaham Sadhana

The soaham sadhana provides as answer to the natural quest of the jiva - "what am I?", as - "I am Para Brahm. I am thee, I exist in everything…." The in-depth understanding and insightful analysis of this fact by the risis had given rise to the philosophies of 'Brahm Darsana', etc and hence to the gamut of the ancient scriptures of Nepalese Philosophy and Culture.

Without self- recognition, a human being does not really understand the origin and purpose of his life, its dignity and duties. Like a child gets attracted towards every toy and every new scene and remains engrossed in unnecessary activities, a grow-up person also, throughout his life, remains involved in the aspirations and actions which are triggered by the agile mind and the passions of the other sense organs. Life of a human largely remains confined to his body, physical comforts and the affections of people associated (as relatives and friends) with it. His thoughts and emotions also emanate from and move around within the domains of - these limited aspects of life and the knowledge of the world within the peripheries of his gross perceptions and illusive imaginations in general.

If one pays little attention to what happens to a dead body one would definitely feel that there is some thing else - the prana without which, the body cannot survive even for a tiny part of a second. The biodegradation of the body begins soon after death. The same 'body' which was so dear to the people around when it was recognized as 'so and so person', becomes 'untouchable' moments after death. Unless processed chemically, buried or cremated, this body starts stinking and deteriorates fact. If left open, it would be eaten away in a short while by the germs within it or by the vultures, jackals, kites etc from the outside….

What is that which exists as the prana, the source of consciousness, which keeps the body alive and gives it the identity of a person? Few of us really pay serious attention to this question. Most of the time we remain occupied in the activities associated with the worldly pleasures, cravings and worries and the fulfillment of the emotional, mental and sensual desires generated by materialistic attachments and ego. Those inclined towards religion and spirituality although know that they are souls and not just the physical body…., their knowledge often remains a bookish one or as an abstract concept or theory unless it is co tempted thoroughly, inscribed in the deeper domains of faith and realized in practice….

The religious and spiritual scriptures always preach that - "know your-self", Do what  is your real duty towards the soul" ……. etc. Without adept understanding of the answers and their implementation in conduct, one can not recognize the path of his own welfare and the true goal of his life. For a practical implementation of the teachings of the sastras, one has to bear in mind and thoroughly comprehend that the soul and the body are two different entities of a living being. The relation between the two is that of - a rider and a vehicle, or a craftsman and his tools. The body is only a medium for the expression and activities of the soul.

 The requirements of the body and the soul are quite different. The body needs comforts, luxuries…, and respectful attention of others. Its pleasures tend towards the self-obsessive activities. But the soul is neither affected by any material or worldly possessions and com forts, nor by scarcity and hardship…. It is the body and the mind attached with the desires and passions that experience the pleasures or pains.