Kathopanishad

Everything in this world is temporary. ‘Bad’ times pass and ‘good’ times pass. The only thing that is constant is you. The real, eternal you; brahman. We are absolutely pure and perfect as we are, however, this innate, perfect divinity is wrapped in a mind complex that has varied characteristics, thus we have diverse experiences based on the qualities of our mind. Difficult times reveal what kind of mind we currently have as our reactions to these difficulties are very revealing. Everything that has to happen to us has to happen. It is orchestrated for our own good by brahman in order to improve, mature and realise our true divinity. Therefore we should greet all events of our life, pleasant or unpleasant with equanimity. Throughout the course of this series, it should have revealed to you what the current state of your mind is. If you observe that your mind still needs some maturing and development, then the series ‘Master The Mind’ can guide you on the requisite techniques to help you begin this process. Whatever happens in our lives and whatever we pursue from here, we must continually abide in this thought – this idea; that we and everyone and everything around us is divine. If you'd like to get the links and show notes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP60

Only the one who has lost the fear of death can be considered truly spiritual, for they have realised what they really are, which is neither the body nor the mind. Such a person may continue to live in the world and perform various actions, yet they do not act out of their own will, driven by fear or desires. Instead, they act purely as per the will of the divine. Because of this clear understanding and the lack of personal involvement in the actions they perform, they have no attachment or emotional investment in the outcomes of these actions. Nor do they have any attachment or emotional investment in things or people. They just act as per the master plan of God. Like dry leaves on a breeze, they appear to move and yet it is not by their own will. Because of this absence of doership, they accrue no karmic debts from their actions and remain totally free. If you'd like to get the links and show notes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP59

Particular forms of God appeal to different people, just like some people are fans of particular films or film actors. Having a name and form to focus on in pursuit of the truth is fine and often even necessary, but it should not be mistaken for the truth itself. It is merely a mechanism by which we can focus the mind on God. In the end, only sanathana dharma contains the raw, unfiltered truth, whereas religions, though they ultimately teach the same knowledge, decorate the truth in all kinds of rituals and stories which are subject to misunderstanding. Whichever religion, deity or persona one worships or follows, eventually, all names and forms must be discarded in order to realise one’s own divinity. If you'd like to get the links and show notes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP58

Once we understand what needs to be known, we must then approach a guru with great humility in order to learn that very thing. The guru is important because without their guidance it is very difficult to learn that ultimate truth on our own. A guru knows both the ultimate knowledge that we are trying to learn and also knows us better than we know ourselves and therefore knows what we need and when. Furthermore, once we have found our guru, we should ask the right questions and not get distracted and waste time. The guru can teach us what to do, but he cannot do it for us. In the end, we must put in our own efforts and practice the things that have been taught to us. After having put in all these efforts and practiced what the guru has taught, we must then have patience, as from this point onwards it is up to God when it will choose to reveal itself to us. If you'd like to get the links and show notes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP57

The mind is comprised of four major elements and by a combination of these elements, we make decisions and navigate the world. In order to always make good decisions, it is necessary to verify our thinking with either a direct guru or against some universal standards set by the exemplary behavior of noble people. The next level is always thinking selflessly and sacrificing one’s desires or preferences for the good of the many. Beyond this is one more level still, where one does not even think, selflessly or otherwise; one just is. This is the state known as the śāntā ātman; where our mind and will are no longer separate from that of the divine. If you'd like to get the links and show notes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP56

Just as juice cannot be seen in the fruit, fragrance cannot be seen in the flower or butter cannot be seen in milk, so too, brahman may not immediately be seen in the world around us. However, by certain processes, we can extract the juice from the fruit, the butter from the milk, or the fragrance from the flower, and in the same way God can be extracted from the world. All spiritual practices are nothing but variations of this process of extracting or perceiving the latent divinity in everything. We should also not allow the mind to indulge in excuses as to why we are unable to pursue our spirituality or follow our dharma. We should not permit ourselves to think we are too weak or otherwise ill-equipped to deal with our internal demons. The Upanishads declare that we are all powerful and anything we could ever need is within us. This is our true nature. If you'd like to get the links and show notes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP55

It is said that brahman will only reveal itself to the one who believes in it despite not being able to perceive it with the senses or even imagine it in the mind. In a manner of expression, brahman is pleased with the one who believes in it. One may ask then, why brahman made creation with so many things that apparently distract us from itself. The antidote to this toxin of distraction is to see brahman in everything, including the things we may have considered distracting. Not only does this neutralise the distraction, it transforms it into a reminder of brahman, having the exact opposite effect. By focusing on brahman exclusively and cultivating love for God, all other desires will leave on their own. As soon as all these desires leave us, then and there brahman reveals itself. If you'd like to get the links and show notes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP54

One of the most basic and yet most important goals on our spiritual path, is to control the indriyas. Not giving in to their every whim and fulfilling every desire that may arise will form the requisite foundation for the rest of our spiritual growth. If this foundation is not laid correctly, then all other yogic practice is vulnerable and can be undone in an instant with the arrival of a particularly potent desire. Once we have realised the truth, it is our duty to help others discover it also and free them from the suffering of ignorance. However, when our spirituality is not fully developed and we haven’t yet transformed ourselves, it is better to avoid the company of those who are not also on this path, as they will influence us and drag us away from our goal. Once our spirituality has matured and our understanding is rooted in experience, then we can safely mingle with general society without fear of being swayed. If you'd like to get the links and show notes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP53

In this episode of Kathopanishad, we are emphatically urged to seek the truth right now as one never knows how long is left of their life. Learning this supreme truth is practically impossible on any other plane of existence, so we are warned not to wait for later or our next birth, but to make use of this one whilst we have it. The future is uncertain and the past is already gone. The present moment is all that exists, so we should make the most of this precious opportunity and free ourselves from all illusion and suffering whilst we have this human body to do it with. If you'd like to get the links and show notes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP52

The root of our bondage to this world of suffering is our desires. We must sever these bonds with the blade of detachment. The moment desires are removed, the whole illusionary world (maya) disappears. Furthermore, if we carefully and stringently examine the nature of this world around us, we will realise the source of all this illusion is actually brahman alone. The whole perceivable and imperceivable existence conducts itself in perfect accordance with the will of this divine, ultimate consciousness. After realising all this, a return to ignorant suffering is not possible. If you'd like to get the links and show notes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP51

Just as electricity can manifest as light when conducted into a light bulb, as sound via speakers or as wind in the form of a fan, so too this one, singular ātman is manifesting as everything. The only one who can achieve the permanent, impervious happiness is the one who sees this oneness in the varied creation and realises that the happiness or peace they seek lies within them and cannot be procured from anything external. If you'd like to get the links and show notes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP50

The ātman is the screen on which everything is playing. Our experiences of happiness, sorrow, anger, frustration, excitement and dejection play on this screen through the function of our mind. Sadguru reminds us to be very careful about what we see, taste, hear, smell, touch, say or even think about. All these constitute that which leads eventually to our karma (action). Even though the senses are functioning because of brahman alone, still we will not be able to understand brahman through them. A subtler, sharper, more discriminating mind will immediately know that if the movie is playing, there has to be a screen behind it. Therefore, Sadguru tells us to see brahman in every experience of life, but at the same time, understand that it is not brahman in its purest entirety. That can only be understood when all these experiences stop completely. If you'd like to get the links and show notes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP49

The human birth is the most valuable of all possible incarnations as it is only through a human birth that one can realise their own divinity and free themselves from the cycle of suffering. However, a human birth is by no means guaranteed, and incarnating as lower lifeforms is always possible. Therefore, no matter one’s position in life and the responsibilities associated with that role, knowledge of the Self should be one’s supreme goal and only true priority. Being so privileged as to know about and listen to this parāvidyā, one must put it into practice lest this most precious opportunity go to waste. If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP48

The most important measure of our spiritual progress is how much we are able to reduce our identification with and attachment to the body. This can be achieved by regular contemplation on our true nature. In this episode, Sadguru teaches us to acknowledge that we are not alive because our body is functioning, rather, our body functions because we are alive. The organs exist to facilitate the prāṇa (life force) within us, but the life force is not created by these organs. Essentially, the body is there because the ātman needs a means of expressing itself. Just as a house does not exist by its own will, but rather by the will of its owner, so too this body exists by the will of the paramātman. Therefore, we should never fear for our body as it isn’t born by our will. Nor does it live, grow or die by our will. It exists or doesn’t exist according to the will of brahman alone. If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP47

brahman is all expansive and all pervading. In, above, below, beside, in front, behind, all around and within all. Being the very source of the pañcaprāṇa, brahman ordains and governs all functions of the body, mind and senses. It is because brahman is, that we are. Hence, no harm can befall one who constantly meditates on (and lives in accordance with) one’s True nature of ananda and abhaya. In this episode, Sadguru describes the importance of the pañcaprāṇa for the seeker of liberation – it is the very life force that is present all around us in every motion, every form of energy and in every living being. This is the reason to practise brahmacarya (a self-controlled, austere life devoted to brahman) here and now, while we are blessed with this body and this understanding. For what remains of this embodied soul once brahman decides to leave? If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP46

Symbolically, everything that we consume through our senses is offered into a yajña (ritual) that continually goes on within us. The priest conducting the yajña represents our mind and the yajña puruṣa is verily brahman Himself. However, the ariṣaḍvargas (inner demons) are bent on disrupting the positivity and sanctity of the yajña. Just like the three demons who continuously trouble us in the form of the tāpatrayas. In this episode, Sadguru teaches us the essence of the Ramayana. Sage Visvamitra, who represents our buddhi, will need to seek the help of Rama and Lakshmana (viveka and vairāgya) to fight our inner enemies. Vanquishing Ravana symbolises the end of this yuddha (battle), wherein the ten indriyās are conquered: the seeker has given up body consciousness (deha bhāva) and attained divine consciousness (ātma bhāva). The one who persists through the battle, not stopping and not giving up until the goal is achieved eventually goes beyond duality, attains ānanda and comes to be known as a jīvanmukta (one who is liberated while still alive). If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP45

God is sometimes referred to as puruṣa. Why? puru means place and ṣa: means the one residing in. Since brahman is everywhere, It is referred to as puruṣa. However, although brahman is everywhere – in every place, It is also beyond any constraints of time. Yet, brahman is present, right now, within the centre of our hearts. In addition, brahman transcends any form of causation, because everything else is experienced only because of It’s light. The one who realises this seemingly contradictory truth does not have to worry or fear. The narayana suktam beautifully describes how the puruṣa resides in the subtle koṣas of our bodies. In this episode, Sadguru clearly explains the deeper meaning behind this verse of the suktam, in relation to the teachings of the Kathopanishad. If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP44

The ultimate indicator of spiritual progress is that, whatever happens, our lives should be lived effortlessly. Bad or good, we take all that life offers us in our stride and remain unaffected by it all. In this episode, Sadguru reminds us of the process of effortless living by merging our individual consciousness (jñānātman‌) into collective consciousness (mahatātman) and further still, into cosmic consciousness (śāntātman). When the mind becomes merged in infinity, the mind’s capacity becomes infinite. Its intelligence, power and capabilities multiply in infinite ways. No harm can fall on such a person. For one whose consciousness has merged from jñānātman‌ to mahatātman to śāntātman, has progressed from an individual mind to no-mind. All suffering, worries and fears disappear for one whose mind has merged with the highest. If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP43

Everything exists in brahman. In whichever way one looks at life – it is brahman and brahman alone. One who comes to know this truth never comes to any worry nor needs to bother with the idea of preservation. In this episode, Sadguru teaches us quite clearly that, in sickness, in health, in richness, in poverty, in victory, in failure, in praise, in blame… in all cases and in every experience, one should see only the hand of brahman. A life that has not been used to realise this Truth, is a dead life. If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP42

Fears arise from our desires and attachments. Either the fear of not getting what we want or the fear of losing it once we have it. To combat these attachments and the resulting fear, we should acknowledge and remember that everything belongs to brahman alone. It is not ours to acquire or cling to in the first place. Furthermore, one can cure one’s attachments by acknowledging this simple truth; that everything in this world is temporary and therefore cannot give rise to anything permanent. Like Nachiketa, one who observes this truth is then no longer tempted and distracted by the things of the world and instead turns their attention inwards, towards the only real permanence there is; the self If you'd like to get the links and shownotes for this episode, visit: https://www.saiprakashana.org/KU-EP41