Tantric Advaita
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Tantric Advaita |
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The Shanta Rasa is the Rasa of preference for saints, yogis, and sadhus. However, some basic Calmness is available to all if consciously nurtured.
Although everybody experiences some relaxation sometimes, real Shanta or Peace exists only in samadhi, a state of super-consciousness that is the final stage of any yoga. For true Peace, body, mind, ego, and intellect must become perfectly still.
For a long time, Shanta was not even regarded as a Rasa by the Indian tradition because it is without emotion, ni-rasa.
Everybody longs for real peace of mind, some calmness, though only a few saints really attain it. Today, many people regard saints as people who are simply doing nothing. What they do not understand is how difficult and rewarding doing nothing really is. Even if saints are not involved in any social service, their peace radiates towards the local community and often well beyond.
Mastering Peace
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Inner Peace (Shanta) |
This is supported by following one's dharma, the code of conduct that best suits one's place in society and one's path to liberation. Following one's dharma first of all means to pay one's debts. The Indian tradition categorizes these debts into three kinds: debts to ancestors (mostly paid by raising children), debts to the universe (through selfless service), and debts to the teacher (through teaching).
Another aspect of following dharma is to fulfill those desires that bring one to a higher state of being. It may be necessary even to fulfill some rather selfish desires in order to feel satisfied. As long as they do not become addictions, this is a very natural process of spiritual evolution in which desires are exhausted through fulfillment.
Shanta Rasa Chart
Basic Rasa : Peace
Sub-Rasas : Calmness, Rest, Exhaustion
Dominant Element : Air
Dominant Dosha : Vata
Dominant Guna : Sattva
Dominant Kosha : Chitta (Anandamayi Kosha)
Friendly Rasas : Sadness
Enemy Rasas : Anger, Love, Joy, Fear, Courage
Neutral Rasas : Disgust, Wonder
Rasa produced : Sadness as Compassion
Key for mastering : Meditate and pay your debts while reducing needs to a minimum (see also Rasa Sadhana & The Yoga of Nine Emotions)
Siddhi : Anima (atomicity)
Deity : Vishnu
Leela is the ancient vedic name for the theater of life. Life in all its forms is an illusion behind which we can find the ultimate truth of pure Being. Yet life is also a divine theater, a spiritual game played by us, the actors. Yoga allows us to hold on to the bliss of truth while playing the game. And also this yoga is a game, which we can only take seriously if we do not take ourselves and this game too seriously. That is the meaning of Leela Yoga, nothing more, nothing less. So, Leela Yoga is a vision on yoga and also a name for a simple organisation that allows me to bring this vision into practice... more about Leela Yoga & Peter Marchand
International Leela Yoga Facebook Group
Belgium : www.leela-yoga.be
New book : www.tantricadvaita.org
Harish Johari students sangha : www.sanatansociety.org
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in sweet memory of Harish Johari |
As the destination is the same for all, it is easy to make the error of assuming that the path must be just as universal.
The attachment that happens in the pursuit of happiness is the main source of unhappiness.
Don't think of going somewhere, because this somewhere will come along with you wherever you go, as you are already there.
Yoga requires unity between enjoyment and suffering, between bhoga and yoga, even between attachment and detachment.
How can anyone be "good" without a choice between good and bad?
While the mind creates the illusion of the universe through the senses, the intellect creates the illusion of understanding it.
When our day has been entirely ego-centered, then our meditation will probably have similar poor quality.
When the focus on the self is held strongly enough, the flow of kundalini energy happens on its own, naturally.
Tiptoe inside, don't make a sound, don't scare away that which cannot be found.
Enlightenment is nothing more or less than the final level of the game of life.
