As you know, a tantra is often divided into four parts:
1. jñāna-pada, the philosophical transmission,
2. Yoga-pada, the section of esoteric practices like meditation and mantra repetition
3. Kriyā-pada, the manual for pūjā or ritualistic worship
4. Cārya-pada, the section on how to live your life in the world as a practitioner!
Having discussed the first three parts quite extensively it’s now time to turn the next question: “how do we move about in this world as a genuine spiritual aspirant?”
How do we set up boundaries against those who might do us harm in a skillful and yogic way? How are we to make a living? Etc.
What I intend to do tonight is read to you from some sections of the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna where the Master offers some very profound cārya-pada-esque instructions for how to be in the world as an aspirant, especially as householders with families and jobs without losing your spiritual momentum and depth of practice!
Here's what we derived:
The Master would say: bhakti shār: Bhakti, devotion, is the essence. The purpose of life is to cultivate love for the Divine. As such, for creating this kind of spiritual intoxication, the following is suggested:
Cārya-Pada (Code of Spiritual Conduct)/ The Ten Commandments of Ramakrishna:
1.Revere everyone, especially all women as the living embodiment of the Divine Mother.
2. Pray to God fervently and constantly with a yearning heart for faith, devotion, knowledge and renunciation.
3. Go into solitude often and think of God.
4. Do you duties but keep your mind on God (through repeating the mantra, chanting/singing God's glories etc. and above all by remembering that the person you are serving is none othert than God, i.e Karma Yoga in the Vivekananda sense.)
5. Love everyone intensely even as you renounce them fully knowing they belong not you but to God. (i.e live in the world like the maidservant in the rich man's house)
6. Practice discrimination. Ask: "did I get from this experience what I wanted? Did this really fulfill me?“ i.e "Education through Experience". The more you think of worldly things, the more you will be attached to them. Shake off impermanent objects from your mind by practicing discrimination.
7. Regularly spend time In holy company (sadhu sangha)
8. When dealing with the "tiger God" (worldly people), "bow from a distance". That is to say, have love and respect for them but do not have further dealings with them. Avoid their company as far as possible.
9. Remember the Mahut God: be practical in worldly dealings.
10. Don't be like the snake: you can hiss to set boundaries and protect yourself without injuring others.
Lectures happen live on zoom every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and Friday at 6pm PST. There's Q&A right after the lectures.
It is free and open to the public. All are welcome!
Use this link and I will see you there:
https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815
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