Teacher Training Manual: Lesson 13 - Principles

RAJA YOGA ADVANCED COURSE Lesson 15: PURITY AND MARYADAS

This lesson is best given after the souls have been listening to murlis after a period of 6 weeks. Souls should have deeper experience of meditation and love of the murli before they can truly appreciate purity and the maryadas.

OBJECTIVES: At the end of two sessions or three hours, the participants will be able to: · Recognize the importance of purity, · Define purity, · Identify the levels of purity, and · Discuss the ways on how to practice the different levels of purity.

PROCEDURE: Meditation Experience "I, the soul see my thoughts flashing before me in variety ... some may be pure and powerful, others impure and weak ... others may merely be wasteful or useless thoughts ... I see my thoughts standing before me ... I see those thoughts ... I judge those thoughts ... I relate them to the eternal relationship between I, the soul and the Supreme Soul ... Those thoughts which harmonize with this relationship I treasure as being jewels which add to my realization.. . I nurture these pure thoughts ... the intellect grasps only the highest thoughts of knowledge and the feelings of deep love for God ... I find these pure thoughts carry me beyond the limits of active thought to the realm of pure experience ... I the pure soul have such a clear link with God ... this is the highest experience of bliss ... My pure thoughts have created not a tree but the very seed itself - the awareness of soul."

· Trigger Activity: Ask for initial feelings about purity. Explore initial questions they have about purity. Write them down on the board.

· Definition of Purity: After the importance of Purity has been drawn out , clarified and explained, the different aspects and a broad definition of Purity can be presented. Given enough time, some suggested answers or analogies can first be taken from the students prior to giving the prepared definition. · Purity is the soul's original and eternal form and nature of being clean and free of vices or negativity. Among the soul's seven original qualities, it ranks first being known as "the mother of peace and happiness." Other than peace and happiness/bliss, it is also generally accepted as the mother of all the other original and eternal qualities (love, power, knowledge, mercy from which the thirty six virtues emerge ( a diagram can be shown to elaborate this).

· The importance of purity in Brahmin life is such that purity has been called "the elevated decoration and greatness of Brahmin life; the breath of Brahmin life which is the basis of the reward for 21 births (Golden Age/ heaven). Meaning to say, depending on how much one has cleansed the soul and imbibed or practiced this virtue, one's time of entry in the cycle and one's status in Golden Age or heaven is determined.

Without becoming pure, there cannot be the inculcation of knowledge. Knowledge needs a golden vessel. At the present Confluence Age, the basis of all attainments is purity. It is the personality of purity that is the uniqueness and attraction of Brahmin life. It is also the basis of service.

· Consequences of Impurity: "Impurity of any variety gives an experience of sorrow or peacelessness. If at any time there is a wave of sorrow or peacelessness, its seed is impurity. Whether it is due to one of the main vices (anger, greed, lust, ego, attachment) or due to the subtle forms of the vices." Ask real life examples from students or give your examples.

Hence, we can see that purity acts as a canopy of protection that saves one from the innumerable suffering and obstacles of Maya or the vices. Thus, to safeguard one's peace and happiness as well as the many attainments received at this auspicious time of Confluence, the practice of purity in its different levels is important to insure continuing experience of benefit for the soul.

· Levels of Purity: a. Physical or External

· Food - The preparation of and taking in of pure or satwic food is necessary in sustaining a spiritual lifestyle. By pure food we mean one that is strictly plant-based or vegetarian; i.e., no meat, no seafood, no eggs. A plant-based diet is not only a healthier diet for the body but also for the mind. (A brief explanation of how the negative energy of violence, anger, fear etc. connected to the slaughter of animals for food have a subtle negative effect and influence on the mind and intellect). It can also be mentioned that for a serious practitioner of meditation, onion and garlic are likewise not taken because they have a very stimulating/ agitating effect on the senses.

Note: Explain that this subject of taking pure food will be taken in depth later. Simply underline the importance of eating and preparing pure food - it helps purify the mind and the body.

· Clothes we wear - one of the things that help sustain the level or degree of purity of the soul is soul consciousness. Body consciousness easily attracts the vices, which include lust and ego - the direct opposite of the soul's original quality of purity. Simple clothes that do not pull the mind and the senses to body consciousness and to impure visions and impure thoughts are the safeguards of purity.

· Physical Cleanliness - "Cleanliness is next to Godliness." Maintaining physical cleanliness contribute in creating a pure and good atmosphere. Such atmosphere helps in creating yoga vibrations.

· Caution - However, being pulled or impressed by a virtue, speciality or personality is the seed of lust. We are bowing to that one and have stepped down from our own throne of self-respect It leaves the soul in a vulnerable position where it is easily influenced by whatever the other says or does; the soul loses its power of discrimination and judgement. Because the awareness of ten gives a "good experience" ... the soul does not realize that it is a form of lust.

b. Subtle or Internal

Purity is not just observing celibacy on the physical level. To be constantly celibate means to be free from impurity by not allowing your attitude to cause mischief. You are first defeated in your attitude, then your vision and then your behavior.

Our pure thoughts purify the five elements. They become a light for the world. Service expands through this. Many weak souls will also take from our power of purity. Hence, we pay attention to our thoughts, vision, ode, dreams and relationships in such a way that Baba can work through us. After all, the definition of perfect purity given by Baba is "None but One"

· Thoughts - our thoughts are said to be the "food of the mind." Whatever it is that we read (magazines, newspapers, books etc.) listen to (radio, gossips, etc.), and watch (TV, movies, theatre etc.) have a great influence and bearing on what we think, say and do. Oftentimes, they become the raw ingredients that constitute the main diet of our whole thinking process.

Therefore, make sure that the contents of what you read, watch and listen to only carry positive inputs and do not pull the mind and the senses towards body consciousness and towards being influenced by any of the five vices.

A general guideline when caught in a situation where the eyes and ears are exposed to something impure and negative is to "see but don't see, hear but don't hear." That is, do not focus the attention on these negative inputs and simply watch / listen as a detached observer. Give more examples.

• Words - The words we speak are audible expression of our thoughts, which as we mentioned earlier are greatly influenced by what we read, watch and listen to. Depending on the content and the manner by which we speak them, the words we say can have a great impact and influence on others. As such, positive words that uplift and bring happiness to others and even those which maybe direct and firm yet are said in a gentle, objective and or sweet manner help sustain the consciousness and experience of purity. On the other hand, negative words (insults, curses, gossip, green jokes, etc.) that cause hurt and give sorrow as well as encourage dirty thoughts, physical desires and attraction towards others are considered impure.

· Interactions and Relationships - There are "many attitudes that interfere with our being able to maintain pure feelings and respect for ourselves and others. We label others and ourselves with the degrading titles of black or fat, or white or skinny. We fulfill our inner emptiness with feelings of attraction or repulsion, hatred or infatuation, compulsion or dislike... As the consciousness becomes less and less pure, others become just the means to fulfill our own desires, and we become totally self-centered. By contrast, in the state of self-respect (the awareness of being a soul having all attainments) there is a growing and natural regard for others, and the innate purity of the self is revealed.

When one is constantly in this state and awareness of self-respect, closeness to others is based on virtues. Co-operation, encouragement, good wishes and elevated vision are signs of purity in a relationship.

Yuktis in attaining the levels of purity:

· What to do when Impure Thoughts Enter the Mind? Suppose you remember a past, impure thought. Bring this thought before your mind and ask "Why did I remember this person, or this brother or sister?" 1. Bring this picture before you. Ask the questions: · Do I have any desire? · Do I want something from this physical body, do I have any attraction from this physical body? • Is there any part of this body that I like or love? This body is made up of the five elements, it is a bundle of bones, blood and leather. How can I love it? No, I definitely love the soul. It is my brother. All souls belong to one home. They are children of the one Father. 2. But when thoughts do arise out of body consciousness, clarify for yourself that this is not your thought, and that you have not done this action, but that it was done in the past. 3. "Now, I am a pure child of a pure Father. So I have to see and create the same consciousness in me and in others, and to see other persons as souls. They, too, are pure souls like shining stars." Create this consciousness.

4. Sustain the mind with pure and powerful thoughts from the murli and classes of the seniors. By acknowledging and not suppressing impure thoughts you will easily clear negative thoughts within a short period of time. Your concentration power will increase. You will be able to clear, complete and burn impure or waste thoughts, and easily become an embodiment of original thought. · Methods of Uplifting the Consciousness Away from the Senses 1. By attention on yoga, we uplift our energy. This is converted into subtle energy. This energy helps our mind. When we think of Baba our mind and intellect is pulled upward and then the sexual energy reaches the pineal gland and is converted into subtle energy. The gross energy can be converted into mental energy. 2. Through the practice of churning, the soul utilizes the power of the thoughts. Through this, the gross energy is converted into subtle energy. 3. Hard physical and mental work. This hard work becomes the easy way to maintain purity. In the hard work, energy will be utilized and we will not be disturbed. Hence, do the work so lightly as if you are dancing. 4. Renounce the attachment to one's appearance. Dress according to your role, not in order to impress or attract. Baba says this old body is impure - why do you want to decorate it? Give it the decoration of simplicity. One should have such decoration that one looks like an angel. The way you look, listen and speak - all should be so pure that people are attracted by that purity. 5. In taking food, we eat in the consciousness of feeding the body not for the sense stimulation of enjoying the taste.

· Methods to Ensure Purity in Relationships: 1. Practicing celibacy in this last birth of yours in Iron Age. Sex-lust is the number one enemy of the soul. It is a vice, which leads to other vices such as anger and attachment. In relationships we have brotherly drishti (Bhai-bhai) vision or vision with the understanding that we are all "soul brothers" with one parent - God. We are one family and can have a brotherly/sisterly vision. 2. Seeing the greatness in each soul. 3. Being easy and making others easy, this brings love and forgiveness in our relationships. 4. Giving loving cooperation and encouragement. 5. Giving unconditional love. 6. Being free of expectations in our relationships so they become pure and sweet. 7. Maintaining an attitude of detachment to create constant and relaxed relationships. Such mutual sharing creates a problem-free environment. 8. Recognizing that we have all come here to become pure, and I am cooperating with each one in this great task. · Methods to Make Our Dreams Pure: 1. Have at least 15 minutes yoga before going to sleep at night. 2. Aim to wash off the effect of the day to get rid of any tension or disturbance in the mind. One way to do this is to practice surrendering everything to Baba before sleeping at night. 3. When you are lying on your bed, think Baba is giving me rays of might. The rays creating a protection above me, like a curtain. Maya can not enter through this curtain of rays of might. This consciousness will protect you. 4. Sleep in the lap of Baba and experience that there is protection all around. · Connection between the Maryadas and Purity The soul who has the desire to change into a Brahmin has to follow the lines of conduct By following the maryadas the soul is having that incognito link with Baba. 1. If the soul is honest in study, he will get the power of purity. If you keep on thinking about spiritual knowledge you will find that you have no time for impure thoughts. When the mind is pure, the soul wants to listen to the murli and concentration is good.

2. Those who have the deep love for becoming pure have love for Baba's teachings. 3. At amrit vela, Baba says "Come, come children, I'll make you pure." Baba is the Purifier. If throughout the day we have pure thoughts, tomorrow's amrit vela will be good. If tomorrow morning amrit vela is good, then throughout the day we get the power of purity and we can have pure thoughts. (Refer to the written maryadas found in the Center.)

Points of Application: Selecting Points of Awareness and Inculcation for the Day Consider the following points that make purity possible: · Baba made us realize that you are a soul and your nature is purity. Lust may be the desire of your body but it is not the desire of the soul. The soul is always searching for purity and peace. · Baba made us realize that we were pure in the beginning. In India if you want to have a vision of a deity then you must maintain celibacy for 12 years. The faces of the deities prove that they must have been born by the power of purity, because their bodies reflect divinity. We ourselves were the deities. · Baba says .1 am the Ocean of Purity, you are my children, so you must be pure.

In addition, you may chum these points on the nature of purity in which you will be able to dive deep into the Ocean of Purity and be with the Purifier, Baba. Deep introspective churning pulls you into the experience of purity within the self. · I am an incarnation of purity. · Purity is my original religion of truth. I follow it at any price. · Purity is a gift from God. · I give souls the vibrations of purity. · I choose the path of purity spontaneously. I am becoming perfect so I experience only positive feelings. · Purity is the divine key to open the fortune of life. · Purity is the natural beauty of the world. · Baba has brought the light of purity and has enlightened my life birth after birth. · Coming to Baba's homes purity becomes merged in my life. I want this forever. · Only God's drishti attracts me. · Harmony and peace reflect the pure nature of my relationship with the five elements. · Principles of purity are the dignity of the world. · Baba comes as a guest to share the treasure of purity. Keep this vision or image of purity on oneself: · Let the tilak of the awareness of brotherhood, that is, of soul consciousness, constantly be sparkling. · Let there be the smile of the attainment of God and of all attainments. · Let there be on your fare the splendour of happiness of having found the Mother and Father and the elevated family. · In your words, let there always be the words of greatness and of making others great. · On your head, there is the sign of purity, which is the crown of light. Keeping a Chart Check that day by day there is progress. In this journey we should think in terms of our progress. You may use any of these points in your daily chart. 1. Is there any upheaval of wasteful thoughts in my mind? 2. Is there any sanskar of impurity that emerges in my thoughts? 3. How often do I practice this: "See no evil, hear no evil, think no evil."? 4. Do I have any type of confusion of how, what or why in the mind? 5. Has there been humility and contentment in my actions? 6. Is there truth and sweetness in my words? 7. Do I use my time, words, actions, breath, and thoughts according to Baba's directions? 8. Do I still get influenced by the dictates of my own mind and others? 9. Is there any relationship that pulls me away from remembering Baba? 10. How much have I been honest; that is, are my thoughts, words and actions congruent? Reference materials: · Creative Raja Yoga Workbook · The Specialities of Brahma Baba; · Avyakt BapDada 1987-88. · Avyakt Signals sent by Madhuban · BK Surya's Class on Purity · Meditations & Jewels of Knowledge · Yoga Experimentation: Practical Guidelines