The Prophetic Character

I love the month of Rabi ul-Awwal, and look forward to hosting and attending Milad celebrations, marking the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad. Milads are effective in increasing one’s love for the Prophet whom the Quran exalts, calling him the exemplar for humanity and mercy for all the words.

The twelfth of Rabi ul-Awwal, the third month of the Hijrah, Islamic calerdar, is both the day Prophet Muhammad came into this world and left for the Hereafter. On the same date he arrives in Madina, the hijrah, migration happened from Mecca marking the beginning fo the Hijrah calendar. This month invites reflection on the prophetic personality.

Rabi-ul- Awwal, literally meaning ‘the first spring’ symbolizes birth and renewal. A time when the Lord splits open the earth to reveal His bounty within, without which His servants could not subsist. More importantly, it is the season of beautiful moderate weather, free of bitter cold or stifling heat. It reminds of the prophetic call to moderation and his repeated warnings of extremism, ‘Moderation. Moderation! For only with moderation will you succeed.’

Prophet Muhammad inspired with the words, ‘I have come to perfect noble character.’ Ayesha, his wife once commented, ‘His character was the Quran.’ Prophet Muhammad said the bankrupt ones are those who despite good deeds of prayer and worship, abuse one another treat neighbors badly and lack good character.

The prophet’s character was based on moderation in spirit, generosity, justice, dignity, moral excellence, humility, bravery and firmness in the face of death, good fellowship, sympathy for others detachment of the world and constant fear of the Lord. He chose poverty over wealth, sleeping on the floor with a bed made of stuffed palm fibres.

The most forgiving of people, the Prophet never sought revenge despite 13 assassination attempts on his life. He told his followers not to respond to persecution with aggression assuring that Allah rewards those who exercise patience. He remained sympathetic to those who had left Islam due to persecution from their families and no sanctions were issued against them. Ubaydullah Ibn Jehsh, who migrated to Abyssinia with the first batch of Muslim immigrants, converted to Christianity. He abandoned his wife Um Habiba, the daughter of Abu Sufiyan whom the Prophet later married. None of the Muslims took any action against him and he died upholding the Christian faith. When the prophet settled in Madina, he made it clear that he wanted relations with the new society to be egalitarian.

When the Prophet entered Mecca, he encountered his staunchest enemies. These people who had inflicted so much suffering on him and his followers expressed their desire to be treated nobly. The Muslim army readied for revenge, but the prophet did not allow it saying, “Today I shall say to you what prophet Joseph said to his brother, ‘You may leave. No reproach this day shall be on you. May God forgive you, He is the Most Compassionate’. Laying great emphasis on the heart Muhammad spoke of it as a repository of knowledge, sensitive to the needs of the body. He said that wrongdoing irritates the heart for it perceives wrong action and is designed to be in a state of calm.

The Gateway of Bliss

Meditation is the highest spiritual technique that needs to be practiced diligently and devotedly by qualified practitioners. The essential prerequisite is a calm mind. A mind burdened with desires and attachments is unable to take off into subtler realms of concentration and meditation. Entitled: “The Yoga of Meditation, chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita elucidates meditation as the final gateway to self-realization.

Krishna begins with the definition of a sannyasi a renounced person. Renunciation is not giving up enjoyments, abandoning one’s duties and escaping to a safe sanctuary. It is this misunderstanding that has turned away genuine seekers and prevented them from accessing the benefits of renunciation. Krishna describes  a sannyasi as one who does what one ought to do, fulfills one’s duties and responsibilities fully, without depending on the fruit of action.

A Sannyasi is not one without a higher ideal, nor is he an inactive person. Krishna describes the three stages of spiritual evolution, from an active yogi to a meditative sannyasi and, finally to the exalted state of a janani, the enlightened one.

A sannyasi has offloaded the bulk of his desires and is in contemplation of the higher. He is fit for meditation and embarks on the path of deep reflection and focus on reality. A janani has reached the exalted state of enlightenment. Krishna describes the three stages in terms of mental states rather than external appearances.

Step by step, Krishna takes us through the preparatory disciplines as well as disqualifications for meditation. One must have a balanced contact with the world – neither too much nor too little. Every activity must be carefully supervised by the intellect so that no desire interrupts the subtle practice of meditation.

Krishna then gives the test of enlightenment. A realized soul is one who feels one with everyone. He sees his self as the self in all beings. In the end he worships God not in a temple, church or mosque, but in every living being. Therefore, he lives in Atman whatever his lifestyle. It is pointless to declare love for God when you cannot connect with His images everywhere.

Arjuna, like us, is afraid of leaving the safe confines of his present existence to discover the unknown realm of the infinite. He asks Krishna what the fate is of those who commit themselves to a spiritual life but die before realization. Krishna gives a fitting reply to reveal one of the most insightful laws of life. He says, “One who is righteous will never come to grief – either now or in the future.” Your efforts will not go in vain. You will carry forward the credits to your future life.

A spirituality evolved person who falls short of realization will either be born in the home of the happy and wealthy or in a family of wise yogis. There, endowed with the wisdom acquired in previous lives, he will strive even more to attain enlightenment. Thus the diligent seeker effortlessly reaches Brahman. The key words are vairagya, dispassion and adhyasa, practice. One must be convinced of the futility of worldly passions and pursue the necessary spiritual practice consistently.

Live the Quantum Mind

The mindset we have has not helped us. It has led us to a mediocre reality. It has led us to accepting a reality that is full of suffering and pain.

We need something that is fulfilling, something that we can enjoy. Bliss will be the character of that existence. When can humanity as a whole get that reality? Is it impossible? No, it’s not impossible. It is the very nature of our existence to be in bliss, to be in symmetry.

In quantum physics, they call it ‘super symmetry’. There is super symmetry – at the particle level. Super symmetry is when everything is in perfect condition, but then we are far from that kind of reality. But we cannot access this reality if the mind is functioning in the same way as it is now. It has to function from a different level. \and what is that level, where there is no knowledge, no ignorance.

All that we need to do is not gain anything more than what we have. As a matter of fact, it is a matter of losing what we have. Losing our ego, which is your ‘I’ consciousness, is the culprit.

Then there is Maya which is again in the mind functioning at a very gross level. Maya is only seeing material reality. You look at a banana but the banana is not the ultimate reality. The banana is composed of particles. Do we see any particles in the banana? We don’t. We only see the banana whether it is a green banana, a ripe banana, small banana or long banana. So, the bottom line we don’t see the ultimate constituent of the banana fruit which are a bunch of particles, but we only see a gross reality of the banana fruit.

Our consciousness has been trapped to process only gross realities. The quantum mind gives the ability to process quantum realities. We have to process quantum realities because it is the most powerful reality. It has infinite freedom, energy and intelligence. We should all embrace that quantum reality.

In the 15^th century in south India arunagirinathar lived a very licentious life; he developed a dreadful disease and he didn’t want to live anymore. He climbed up the temple tower and then jumped off. Then the story goes that Muruga, son of shiva, took a form of the old man and then held him while he was falling down from the tower.

He put him down and then said to him. “Be still without words.” And his mind stopped there were no words there was no mind. As soon as the mind stopped what happened was he was in a quantum reality of nothingness. And in that nothingness, he experienced a feeling of “fullness”

Everyone is going through only the gross molecular intelligence. We have no access to this quantum mind. As soon as Muruga told Arunagirinathar “be still without words” he lost his ignorance and lost his knowledge, too. Both are two extremes. When these two extremes of knowledge and ignorance were lost, he was able to understand everything without any reference point. At the time what happened was he developed omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence.

Nothing was impossible at that time when he found that he was in that quantum mind. Is it possible for everyone to attain this quantum mind? Yes it is.

Journey of Self-discovery

Even as children, we dream. We try to realize our dreams all throughout our lives. However, when our dreams remain unfulfilled, we tend to sink into dejection and get disillusioned.

Of the several attributes that define humankind, there is I dare say just one which meets with more general approbation. That is we’re born with an innate feeling which tells us that we are a shade better than that intolerant neighbor and that incompetent colleague. This uncanny awareness constitutes one of the first characteristic of our being. Indeed, the most ordinary thing about each individual is the fact that he thinks himself a little bit out of the ordinary. In thinking, so we acknowledge only a portion of the truth, the other half of which we unwittingly choose to dismiss – the fact that every individual, without expectation is born different and is therefore, unique.

It is true that the first step in the direction of unraveling our potential is to understand, in view of our circumstances, the role that we can best play. Discovering our uniqueness must be the starting point. Explaining the situation of one who is bereft of this knowledge, Prophet Muhammad said: “The condition of an unwise man is that of an animal who is not aware of why his master has tried it or untied it.”

To me, the urgent, unaddressed question is: Why do most people, if they are born unique and consequently talented in some sense of the word, not achieve the success to which they are entitled?

The answer to the question as to why many fail to actualize God-given gifts might, if looked at from different perspectives, have varying answers. To me, it is simply this: We have to pay a price to acquire anything at all in life. Nothing comes for free. Similarly the unique individual can be brought out into the light only after paying the due price.

“Ek kaam ko karne ke liya dusre kaam chhodne padte hain” – to do one task, you might hav eto abandon some others – said a wise Sufi. Therefore, to bring to the surface that extra ordinaries, to reveal the measure of your mind, you must work towards achieving it with complete dedication and undivided attention, consigning all else to the back burner. It must be conceded, moreover, that this is not an easy path to tread. Embarking on such a journey calls for practicing an iron restraint over our whims and fancies, recognizing the need to control unruly emotions and avoiding every distraction.

Problems that multiply our fears and shake our resolve will show up at every corner. It is in such situations that we must hold on. To overcome such unpleasant occurrences one ought to rise above life’s frivolities. The seeker will falter commit mistakes, and sometimes even get derailed; it will require colossal courage to get up again and march ahead with renewed zeal and determination.

Life is an opportunity. It gives us the freedom to act as we would want to. If we fail to avail of this because of our own neglect, we shall have no justification for complaining later. The journey of Self-discovery can be rewarding nd exciting if only we focus more on positive as well as extraordinary aspects.

From Dust to Dust

The following biblical adequately captures the essence of why we need to focus on repentance and forgiveness which signify the inner meaning Ash Wednesday that was observed this week, marketing the beginning of the period of Lent: “Remember, O man, you are dust and unto dust you shall return” (Genesis 3.19). Ash Wednesday falls on the first day of Lent, on a Wednesday, after Quinquagesima Sunday or Hall Sunday followed by Blues Monday and Shrove Tuesday. The Lenten season is a 40 day period of abstinence and fasting which culminates in the feast of Easter on April 23.

Masses or services of worship are held for Christians in churches. During this prayerful service the faithful approach the altar to receive the application of ashes. The officiating priest applies the ashes in the shape of a cross on the forehead or on the tonsured head of the clergy, while reciting the litany “for dust you are and to dust you shall return”. The applying of the ashes reminds the believers of their inherent mortality and transgressions and that repentance is essential to become one with God.

The cross symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is through Him salvation is possible for faithful. The ashes are obtained Sunday of the preceding year. This is so because Palm Sunday is celebrated to rejoice Jesus’s arrival into Jerusalem, and later on realizing that he came only to die for our sins. In the blessing of the ashes, four ancient prayers are invoked. The penitents allow the ashes to remain till evening before washing it off. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of repentance, penance and a spiritual flowering of the spirit with the aid of absolution and confession.

The earliest mention of Ash Wednesday can be traced to the Gregorian Sacramentary. On this day, Christian believers repent for their sins b fasting, praying and asking for God’s forgiveness. The purpose of observing Ash Wednesday is to remember Jesus Christ, who died for the dins of the whole world and was crucified on the cross and repent for all the sins that they have committed. The believers also confess their sins this day to priest. The whole rationale is to mourn, repent, fast and pray, and find one’s way to the Lord to attain forgiveness through which one gets eternal life.

Today, the practice of wearing sackcloth and applying ashes on the whole body as a sign of repentance is disappearing from the Christian customs. For Jesus himself cautioned people saying, “Moreover, hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to people to be fasting…. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that you do not appear to people to be fasting, but to your heavenly Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Mathew 6:16-18)

Jesus was telling people to be more bona fide in their deeds. Thus, the essential constituent of Lent is true repentance with genuine prayerfulness.

Dharma of Right Conduct

Dharma is the principle of righteousness. It is the unifier and sustainer of social life. The code of righteousness is meant to help us regulate our lives in this world – just as we need a constitution, written or otherwise, that helps us make the framework for the governance of a country or an institution.

Since the Constitution of a country is conceived and framed by human intellect. It could become out of context over the passage of time and therefore, amendments may become necessary from time to time. On the other hand the rules of righteousness are evolved by the supreme – they are valuable and relevant in any context and hence they are eternal. \there is no room for corruption in its implementation. All are equal before it. Righteousness brings as its consequence happiness both in this world and in the next. If we protect it, it will protect us.

That which elevates is righteousness. It leads us to the path of perfection and glory and helps us to have direct communion with the supreme. Righteousness is at the heart of ethics. Striving intently to uphold it is the purushartha or the concept of pursuits of life. And these are dharma or righteous conduct, artha or acquisition of wealth by honest means, kama or desire for physical and mental well being and moksha or liberation of the embodied soul from the vast ocean of acquisitive life.

Scriptures say that dharma and moksha are like the riverbed to artha and Kama, and so should never be breached. At the end of the Mahabharata war, Bhisma lying on a bed of arrows tells Yudhhisthira that whatever creates conflict is nor-righteousness and whatever puts an end to conflict and brings about unity and harmony is righteousness. Anything that helps to unite all generates love and universal brotherhood is righteous. Anything that creates disagreement, divide and disharmony is nor-righteous. Any righteous act brings good karma.

“Dharmo rakshati rakshita”. An ancient during the Mahabharata war illustrates this. During the war in the thick of combat Arjuna sees the blurred vision, like a figure exuding a flame like radiance, in the opposite camp. At the end of the day an intrigued Arjuna asks Vyasa: “What was that blur of light, a figure, I think, I could see in the opposite camp”? Vyasa asks: “Son did you notice the figure holding a trident”? Arjuna says “yes, I could see a trident than Maha Rudradeva: He is helping you since the war which you Pandavas are fighting is dharmic” Arjuna asks “If shiva wants to assist me in the war, why is He in the Kaurava camp? What is He doing there?”

Vyasa tells Arjuna that Maha Rudradeva does not tolerate adharma. He is there to deter those who have supported adharma. He is known for destruction; by His mere presence in their camp He is sucking all the vigor of the warriors on that side. Hence Kaurava warriors who were known for their strength now seem weak, sapped of energy. Vyasa tells Arjuna that whatever is done in righteousness, the support to that act comes from all sides. Vyasa says in the Mahabharata: “Do not forsake your code of righteousness out of desire, being overwhelmed by fear or greed or even when threatened with death – as righteousness is eternal whereas being happy or unhappy is momentary. The embodied soul is eternal and the gross body is perishable.”

Color Everything with Love

The purpose of meditation is to look inward, to reach a state of inner spiritual bliss. We are conscious of our soul’s connectedness with God and all life. We are strengthened by the fearlessness that comes with identifying with soul. We live in the knowledge that we are immortal. By looking inward, we go to the source of wisdom from which all outer knowledge is derived. Through meditation we can go beyond the door of death to meet the bliss and beauty that await us beyond. We no longer live in fear of death.

Saints who have seen past this world say that death is not something to fear, but something to embrace. Kabir said, “The death of which other people are afraid is a source of happiness for me. It is only with death that I attain everlasting bliss.” St. Teresa of Avila has said of death. “I do not die. I enter into life.”

For enlightened beings, life as we know it on earth is sleep. Death and entry into the kingdom of God is walking up. St Paul said, “Oh death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

Behind many fears is the fear of loss, pain and death. Having experienced our immortality, our fears begin to dissolve. The soul, in its state of oneness with the Lord, fears nothing. It only fears ignorance of that oneness. In reality, sin is merely ignorance of truth. Sin means being unaware of God and the laws of truth and love that govern all the universes. It is a simple formula. Virtue is what brings us closer to God, sin or evil takes us away from God.

If we walk on the path of righteousness, observing the laws of non-violence, truthfulness, chastity, humility and selfless service and spending time in our spiritual practices of meditation, then we have nothing to fear in this world or in the beyond.

When we see the same Light that is within our soul in all other souls, we experience connectedness with all forms of life. With such a bond of unity, we realize that all beings are members of our family and life becomes one joyous reunion with everyone we meet.

The joy of family gatherings extends to the whole of humanity. Love permeates all our dealings because we are among our universal family and friends. By journeying within, we can reach this state and consider all creation our family and all places our home.

Unending bliss is ours when we look inward. Sufi saint Shamas -i- Tabreze offers a glimpse into this state of bliss: “Please do not ask me about my inner state of being. My senses, intellect and soul are intoxicated, and they have achieved a permanent bliss of intoxication. The roots of these trees are drinking the secret wine of love. Have patience, because one day you too will wake up into this state of intoxication. In my mind there is a festival of intoxication. Feel the effect of the wine of Divine Love, so that even the walls and door are intoxicated.”

When we are in love with an earthly beloved, the whole world takes on the color of love. We see things as rosy and blissful. Similarly, when in a state of bliss from within, it colors the whole world in bliss. We then see ecstasy wherever we look.