Viveka & Vairagya (Anapanasati) –37– Laws Of Karma, Dharma

Welcome to "Unconditional Love – Viveka and Vairagya: Yoga of Liberation, an Anapanasati audio-guided 39 meditations."

This meditation focuses on Anapanasati, the mindfulness of breathing, guiding you to cultivate deep awareness and inner calm. Through observing your breath, you prepare for deeper meditative states, fostering clarity and understanding of self and reality. Embrace the journey to tranquility, realizing the essence of Vairagya—acting without attachment to outcomes.

Transcript

Namaste dear soul,

Welcome to the mindful breathing meditation.

Find a quiet place,

Assume a comfortable posture.

You can sit on any surface,

Preferably semi-hard or hard,

Such as a chair,

Or you can sit in a half lotus or lotus position.

Allow yourself at this moment to set aside all worries and thoughts and immerse yourself in the world of your inner calmness.

Close your eyes.

Let's begin the journey into the realm of mindful breathing.

Throughout the practice,

Try to sit with a straight spine and remain as still as possible.

Pay attention to your breath.

Direct all your attention to your nostrils and try to perceive your breath,

How it enters,

How it exits.

Here comes the inhalation,

Let us give ourselves an account,

Inhaling,

Inhaling,

Inhaling.

Here comes the exhalation,

Let us give ourselves an account,

Exhaling,

Exhaling,

Exhaling.

In this way,

The mind becomes more focused and the knowledge gained in these sessions is absorbed with deeper understanding and remembered for a much longer period.

Allow your breath the opportunity to be your teacher,

Your guide to inner peace and tranquility.

Dhyana-panasati,

The mindfulness of breathing we regularly practice,

Lays the groundwork for attaining Dhyana meditation,

A profound technique rooted in Hindu and Buddhist traditions.

Dhyana,

Derived from the Sanskrit word for meditative absorption,

Emphasizes deep focus and awareness aiming for heightened clarity and inner peace.

The heart of Dhyana lies in training the mind to concentrate intensely on a single point,

Like an object,

Thought,

Or the breath.

Anapanasati specifically trains attention on the natural flow of breath entering and leaving the body.

By cultivating mindfulness and concentration through Anapanasati,

Practitioners prepare the mind for the deeper states of absorption characteristic of Dhyana.

Anapanasati strengthens focus by directing attention to the breath,

Calming mental fluctuations and fostering sustained attention.

This heightened awareness of the present moment and inner stillness built through Anapanasati serve as the stepping stones to enter Dhyana meditation.

Dhyana meditation,

In turn,

Guides practitioners to observe thoughts without judgment or attachment,

Fostering equanimity and acceptance.

By integrating both practices,

Individuals embark on a journey of profound self-discovery and spiritual awakening.

Ultimately,

This journey leads to liberation from the limitations of ego and a deeper understanding of self and reality.

As the foundation,

Anapanasati facilitates the development of mindfulness and concentration,

Becoming the key that unlocks the transformative insights and inner peace offered by Dhyana meditation.

Feel the air entering through your nostrils and filling your chest,

And then slowly leaving your body.

Let your breath be natural,

Unchanged.

Just observe its flow.

Swami Vivekananda,

A key figure in the introduction of Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world,

Once said,

The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong.

Vivekananda's perspective implies that the external world and its challenges are not the ultimate sources of sorrow or joy,

But are opportunities for inner growth and strengthening of the spirit.

He suggests that true fulfillment comes from overcoming external challenges through inner development and self-mastery.

Today I want to discuss the fine line between detachment and apathy,

Illustrated by the scenario of someone losing their job.

You might be acquainted with such circumstances.

Consider the example of a dedicated teacher who has been unexpectedly laid off due to budget cuts.

This teacher has always been passionate about educating students,

Not for the accolades or the paycheck,

But for the love of imparting knowledge and fostering growth in others.

Despite the shock and potential financial strain of losing the job,

The teacher remains composed and accepts the situation with grace.

This teacher understands that their true calling to educate transcends the confines of a single classroom or institution.

With this understanding,

The teacher sees the layoff not as a personal failure or catastrophe,

But as an opportunity to explore new avenues for teaching,

Perhaps through volunteering,

Tutoring,

Or writing educational materials.

The teacher's commitment to the vocation of teaching remains unwavering,

Regardless of the external situation.

This is an embodiment of vairagya.

The teacher's inner purpose is aligned with a higher sense of duty that is not dependent on a specific role or title.

The teacher's identity and sense of self-worth are not shaken by the loss of the job,

Because they are rooted in the act of teaching itself,

Not in the job's external trappings.

By maintaining an inner equilibrium and continuing to pursue the essence of their passion for teaching,

The teacher demonstrates detachment from the outcomes of their actions.

They continue to contribute positively to the world,

Adapting to change with resilience and an open heart,

Embodying the stability and authenticity that vairagya represents.

Thus,

When we carry out our responsibilities without fixating on their results,

That is vairagya.

On the other hand,

If we merely show up to our job without genuine comprehension and also exhibit apathy towards what transpires,

That is not vairagya,

That is nullity.

Such an individual defies the natural order,

The principles of karma,

The principles of dharma,

And will face the consequences.

In the Bhagavad Gita,

Krishna advises Arjuna,

Your words reflect wisdom,

But your actions show apprehension.

You must execute your duty.

This conveys that we must take action,

Fulfilling our obligations,

But not fixate on the outcomes.

The aim of a person's life is to carry out their duty to the fullest,

Yet without fixation on the results.

This doesn't equate to apathy towards our responsibilities.

For instance,

Caring for your partner doesn't guarantee they won't leave you.

You must perform your duties,

Aiming for excellence,

But not fixate on the results of your efforts.

Merely showing up to work or withdrawing to a monastery is dodging reality,

Not addressing the issue.

In the end,

Work must be done.

Eventually action must be taken,

Because nothing else suffices.

Even those who rely on social support eventually contemplate some form of activity,

Including illicit trade.

For example,

If you care about your partner,

It does not mean that they will necessarily leave you.

You must fulfill your duties,

Striving for perfection,

But not becoming attached to the outcomes of your actions.

Simply going to work or secluding oneself in a monastery is an escape from reality,

Not a solution to the problem.

Ultimately,

One will still have to work.

Sooner or later,

Something will have to be done,

Because it doesn't work like that.

Remember,

Indifference is not truly a state of being.

It is an emotional state of stupor,

Which will ultimately change and take on a negative aspect.

Vairagya,

On the other hand,

Is a state of stability,

Where we remain true to ourselves in any situation.

Vairagya is a state where a person remains unchanged,

The same in any situation,

Whether favorable or unfavorable,

Because as soon as he remains without food,

The indifference will completely disappear.

As Nisargadatta Maharaj said,

True understanding comes through the realization of oneself as an infinite and immortal spirit,

Dwelling in all beings.

Bear in mind,

Apathy is not a genuine state of existence.

It's a temporary emotional numbness,

Which will inevitably shift and develop a negative quality.

Vairagya,

In contrast,

Is a state of equilibrium,

Where we stay authentic to ourselves regardless of the circumstances.

Vairagya is a condition in which a person remains consistent,

The same in any situation,

Whether it's advantageous or not,

Because the moment they are without sustenance,

The apathy will vanish entirely.

Now let us return to our breath.

Allow each inhalation and exhalation to fill you with presence and tranquility.

In each inhalation and exhalation,

We can gain deep awareness of our inner world and the wisdom of accepting life's challenges.

Continue to observe your breath until the end of the audio session.

Only in this way will you develop true tranquility and inner peace.

Let's turn to the thoughts that come and go,

Like clouds in the sky.

Allow them to pass without getting caught up in them.

Don't judge them,

Don't attach meaning to them,

Just observe how they come and go.