Desire, attachment, detachment and renunciation

This is my idea about renunciation. He cannot come back to society, and he cannot accept that he has been made a fool.

I think you have never heard me suggesting renunciation and all these things. Even the five promises are more than enough.

Disciple: But this somehow relates to the issue of non-violence. Because I think if you renounce something that you desire, this is a natural violence to the mind. If your mind is developed so that it does not have this desire, then this is the renunciation.

Shailendra: I would say that you need to understand your desires in totality. Only then you’ll be able to go beyond them. If you don’t understand something, it will keep nagging you — no matter how much you decided to renounce, you will always remember it.

DESIRE & AMBITION

I keep hearing that: I desire for this, I desire for that…and many people are also complaining that most of their desires remain unfulfilled. Because I’m Yoga Guru, fifth Guru in Kriya Yoga so I keep hearing that: I desire to experience Samadhi, I desire to be in Samadhi – but most of them failed.

My observation is: that’s ok to have desire to experience Samadhi, but until unless that desire will become your ambition – you will never go far to fulfill that. We must have very clear vision for ambition what we want to achieve; merely desiring something is nothing. You must cultivate enough force and enterprise inside you – so you can achieve that and it will be done only when your desire will become your ambition. Then only you will work hard, concentrating effort will bring you concentrated results.

I think most of this people, living in this world, taking birth in this world – it takes something to actually decide, what they want from life. We’re just in the effect of the society, effect of the family and effect of the different situation: it shaping our desires of what we should do and what we should not do. Not many people have any specific clear vision of their purpose of life, what they want to achieve.

how they can see the light – living in all stereotypes of the family and others?

About Hope, Mind, and Experiences

Guruji: "The feeling of hopelessness has two very different meanings. One is, a person had some setbacks and he lost hope. This is called getting hopeless on the way of pursuing something. The other one is, the person didn't carry any hope in his endeavor right from the beginning. This is beginning hopelessly, but there was faith that propelled him to move forward. The latter can take a person to great heights, because whatever will happen with him will be unexpected and thus will bring more joy in his life!

"An old Hindi poem describes this feeling of hopelessness most beautifully! It goes like this:

????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??

???? ????? ????? ????? ?? ??? ?? ??????? ???? ??

(Why worry if the earth breaks, there is unending sky for my flight

Don't know why but to meet you I have very little hope but a lot of faith)"

"So that means faith is more important than hope."

Guruji: "Undoubtedly! Hope is only our imagination. Though I agree that hope helps a person ride through the gravest of the situations, but ultimately it also causes a lot of pain. A person should have faith in himself, and should not let hope control his life. We should all have a general plan of our lives in our mind."

"Is that what the sloka in Gita ‘Karmanye vadhikaraste ma faleshu kadachana’ refers to?"

Guruji: "I think it is described somewhere in the second or third chapter in Gita, about hopelessness. Read it in detail, it's simply amazing."

"Yes it's written here, chapter 3, sloka 30:

???????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?? ?

(With a spiritual resolve of mind, offering all karmas unto me, with hopelessness and detachment (nirmam), without being infuriated, go fight the war).”

Guruji: "Nirmam means a state of mind when the feeling of I, me, myself, or mine is not there. It doesn't mean being cruel. Try to break down the word and then read its meaning. Mam means 'mine', and so nirmam means something that’s 'not mine'. This word has no correlation with cruelty, but in general Hindi it is used for cruelty and barbarism. But the truth is, to be cruel is one thing, and to be nirmam is another. I feel that by just dissecting the words in a language carefully, we can understand a lot of things on our own."

UPADESH NONATTACHMENT

As we where discussing, many many people, as mister Mazumdar said - that attachment is not good, for a spiritual growth and for so many things, and this and this, and that and that.

My observation is - that attachment gives You a strength, and it maybe the basis of your progress finally!

And I’ve given an example of the kite flying , if it will remain attracted with a cord - it will go very high and very high and very high , the moment it is not attached with a cord - kite finally comes down to the ground !

Whomsoever , what ever it maybe - a person, or object you are attracted to - that attachment will become the root cause for caring . If you’re caring for someone, that means you are attracted with someone. And without caring I don’t think humanity will survive anywhere.

So I will say - remain attached ! Those wise ancient people when they were saying it - they simply meant grow up, more mature.

Don’t remain attached with your toys , there are bigger things and larger things waiting for you in light.

So I take this Upadesh of non attachment in this life. You also think on that!

Thank You!

SIN AND VIRTUOUS

You can do something virtuous, which is considered as the holiest of holy!

When you have learn everything about sins, how many types of sins are there, what is sin what is saint, what can be sin - than what is left , will be virtuous!

And you will be very wise!

ALWAYS BE A STUDENT

If you are going to teach anything to anyone,

And you supposed to be a teacher, or representing some lineage, whatever art you’re going to teach …

My suggestion is - you must always remain a student , keep learning ,

Only then you will be able to teach something very good !

This is small experience of Shailendra Sharma in this lifetime !

ATTACHMENT AND DESIRE

I would like to know your perspective, attachment and desire.

Guruji: Okay. So what do you want me to say? The real practical wisdom or hypothetical philosophy?

Both.

Guruji: I will give you real practical.

Desire and attachment.

No one can be without attachment. It is a hypothetical situation. And you should also support your desires intelligently. Because your strong desire will become your ambition. And you should also work up enough strength to fulfill your ambition.

If you will not remain attached to your ambition, you will do nothing to achieve it. It’s up to you how you use these two things, intelligently and wisely.

Find your purpose. Only when you will find your ambition. Purpose will become very clear for you. And even the path of your life will become very clear for you — what you have to achieve.

And then you will begin to actually experience, for the first time, the concentration. Your whole life will be concentrated to fulfill that particular ambition.

And only after achieving that ambition, you will finally feel satisfaction. Till then, it will remain a struggle, a journey, an adventure, and so on.

So remain attached to your strongest desire. It will transform into ambition, and it will give you great drive to go forward and achieve it.

That is what I think. Thank you.

it’s really have sense to follow something which is really important for me?

Guruji: of course. And it help pass the time also. We all have very limited time but we find it very difficult how to pass that.

sometimes I need to work more to make money

Guruji: if you need money and you need money to survive in society – why not work over?

how to recognize – what are good and what are useless?

Guruji: use your brain.

sometimes it’s very hard because I’ve interpret the Gita that you should stop all the desires?

Guruji: no.

isn’t it true that yogi or spiritual person must leave everything and live like a beggar?

Guruji: only after attaining immortality – then different type of discipline is given so their ego will remain under control. Until then you need to create the atmosphere where you can practice your yoga without any disturbance.

FLY A KITE

how we can escape the attachments in our life?

Guruji: see, you’re my disciple: if I have no attachment in your progress – then everything will be simply nothing. Some type of attachment is extremely important. I can give you the best example of attachment: have you ever fly a kite? As long as somebody is holding the cord- the kite will go higher and higher. The moment when attachment is broken or cut off – kite will fall down. Go higher, learn something: some form of refine attachment is very necessary.

If you love someone – you agree to all that happiness what he or she is trying to do. Love doesn’t mean that you must possess that person. If you find true love – the feeling of possession will not be there: genuine friendship. Very deep, intense, emancipated friendship – is love, that is the basis of it. No possession. Only ghosts possess some people.

GURUJI ABOUT NON-ATTACHMENT

As we were discussing – many people thinking that attachment is not good for spiritual growth and for so many things; my observation is: the attachment gives you strength and it may be the basis of your progress finally.

I’ve give an example of a kite flying: if it will remain attached with the cord – it will go very and very high; the moment it is not attached with the cord – it finally comes down to the ground. Whomsoever, whatever it may be – a person or an object you’re attached to: that attachment becomes a root cause for carrying.

If you’re carrying of someone – that means you’re attached with that someone. And without carrying I don’t think humanity will survive anyway.

I will say: remain attached!

Those wise ancient people who were saying it – they simply meant grow up, more mature. Don’t remain attached with your toys: there are bigger things and larger things waiting for you in life. I take this upadesh of non-attachment in this light. You also think on that!

People are peddling this non-attachment for centuries: but nobody is brave enough to differ from it. That is my experience which I just share. If I will not remain attached with my own friends and disciples – then what I’m doing? It means I’m not carrying of them at all.

And if they not remain attached with me – what they are doing? No care, no love, nothing. I will quote one web series: what is heaven? And I will agree with this: the girl is saying – heaven is where your loved. I think scriptwriter did the best. My suggestion is: you must read all the big books, but also you must read comics and see web series and movies: they will give you great wisdom.

I’m the very simple man: my observation is – what is the basis of communication? Good community is the basis of communication. If there is good community – you will have good communication. So we keep refining our community where we live – and we will always have good communication. If community is good – it is high chance that you will have good company also. Nobody leave society: I’ve been roaming India for many years; every so-called people who are non-attached and ready to leave society: they leave this convention society and create their own society. No man can be idle.

There are few exceptions I’ve come across; no one can go and live like Robinson Crusoe. Some sadhus – they do: they are real tyagi, I will say, non-attached. But they are attached to their self-progress and tapas: so technical attachment is there.

could we say that for the yogi – with the time – only the attachment which helps him to attain, will remain?

Guruji: in fact, your perspective will be very different. You will remain attached also – and at the same time you will remain beyond that. And attachment is not that affect that people are keep telling.

so that attachments, which are acting like obstacles – will they go away?

Guruji: it is just like when you were a child you were so much attached with your toys and some other things: they were just pointing towards becoming more mature.

DESIRE OF KNOWLEDGE IS INFINITE!

what is trihatha?

Guruji: the right word is triyahat – and people are discussing it for thousands of years. When the woman is adamant on something – I must have it – that is called triyahat. If the woman wants something – she will move three worlds to get it. If a men can develop it for yoga achievements – I think half the battle is already done. It’s the very good simile. The battle of Troy was because of triyahat. They have enough power to change a history and create a new one.

ATTACHMENT TO PROVE.

Well, attachment is good in my opinion!

And, when someone is telling you, and, I am sure

that everybody heard that You are not good person , You can do nothing in your life …

Remain attached with him positively, and just to prove that person wrong, do progress in life, and show to everybody that he was wrong!

Think on that!

bhoga – is no way to moksha. But you said that yogis are the great bhogis?

Guruji: of course! Ordinary bhogi are using only 2% of his consciousness doing these things – so what he is enjoying? And yogi is enjoying 100% of his consciousness. That is the greatest enjoyment, you can be supreme bhogi. The word bhoga has very many meanings. When we’re offering some Prasad to some gods – it is also called bhoga. And when you’re suffering with the fruits of your own karma – that is also bhoga. Karma is the basis of bhoga. No karma – no bhoga. When you’re using 100% of your mind – no one can enjoy like you anything.

what’s Your opinion about attachment?

Guruji: I think attachment is good, it makes you progress. You have something to live for? I’m not teaching you to become a monk. Monastery – what does it reminds you? Monsters. You remember the story about Buddhist monastery where tigers were lived? Recently they discovered that most of the tigers are blind and they also selling their organs. I mean – let the dead remain buried.

why do You think attachment is good?

Guruji: it will give you some purpose in life. If you’re not attached to your friend – you’re simply not a friend. Maybe it’s just business association.

attachments also could be good and could be destructible?

Guruji: every attachment will teach you something about your own nature. Maybe it’s a part of self-realization. Every emotion is a part of it. Attachment will bring to the surface all those emotions also. It’s a long study; self-realization like we’re reading – “ I’m not the physical body, I’m a spirit” – anyone can say that. But scientists tell us, that this physical body is extremely complex thing. Even to know about it – they have not discovered everything. Body is very important and physical attachments are also important.

isn’t it right – to act without attachment?

Guruji: it is the most confusing statement I’ve been reading for many-many years. Acting without attachment – then you will never act. If you will not attached to person – you will not lift a finger for him or her. You’re always help for certain results. It’s not a bad things – to think about the results. You need always keep your mind open; something you win and something you lose.

how to maintain the balance?

Guruji: if you will be absolutely non-attached – you will not remain alive also. Minimum attachment with our existence – that is keeping us alive. I see no harm in taking care of your love ones or your friends; or even taking revenge on your enemies. It give some purpose to life.

but attachment can be different?

Guruji: it depends on the person’s personality: fanatic person will have fanatic attachment. Balanced person will have balanced attachment.

maybe it’s good to have fanatic attachment to self-realization?

Guruji: fanatics are not attached to the self-realization. Their attachment will create the bog of problems for others. If this attachment is one side – it will definitely bring a lot of problem. That means – if you need to be attached or even attached to someone – you also need to respect the others’ opinion also. That respect should also accompanied attachment – then it is good.

so this balance are from both sides?

Guruji: then it’s the best thing could happen to you.

DESIRES AND LIFE

Can You see by the appearance of the person – that he could achieve Samadhi?

Guruji: Very easily, yes.

Possibility or probability?

Guruji: There is always a probability thing. I will give you one story: one wise man was sitting beside the road. And one traveler came and he asked him: how much time will it take for me to reach that village? He remained silent; the traveler became angry and began to move. Then he shouted: it will take you about 1 hour to reach that village. The traveler came back and asked: why didn’t you say it at first? He said: I needed to observe how much speed – at the speed you walk. So I can tell you.

What do we need to accelerate our speed?

Guruji: Your desire to achieve.

It depends only on that?

Guruji: Only on motivation.

Where is the root of that motivation?

Guruji: Inside your own mind.

Could we manipulate it somehow?

Guruji: A ll your desires are rooted in your life force. No life – no desire. After you begin to study your own desires, you’ll begin to be aware of your life force, which is actually carrying them. It’s a complimentary thing. Life brings you desires – and desires based on your life force. So if you have more life force – you have enough capacity to fulfill your desires. You cannot separate desires from life. If you have desires – you know you’re alive.

ATTRACTION OR ADDICTION

About pleasures, which are the obstacles for attaining samadhi: what is the difference between attraction and addiction?

Guruji: Addiction to anything is when you become habitual and you cannot break the habit; and attraction is awakening out of curiosity; then it becomes deeper and you’re more closer with that person or anything.

Attraction concerns people and addiction concerns habits?

Guruji: Some person can become the addiction.

What if you’re feeling devotion or bhakti to the teacher or Guru – is it also like an obstacle?

Guruji: That is more like thanksgiving: that is feeling of thanks to the person, who made you wiser and better. It’s not an obstacle. If you’re totally engaged in your materialistic and worldly life – in that path the devotion to Guru is the real obstacle.

What do You think – the immortals can have an attraction to some persons?

Guruji: Could be. Eternal attraction.

With full awareness they make this choice?

Guruji: They can like everyone whatever they want: they are beyond every rule. After they reached a certain level.

First he will realize that he is limited in physicality; then after a lot of development has taken place – then he can go beyond physicality. Also he will realize that the body is the instrument for the mind – to experience certain things.

Such a kind of person has his indriyas like a friend just to entertain himself?

Guruji: Maybe: that is his or her choice.

I usually used to think that we use our indriyas to entertain ourselves?

Guruji: No, we need more development of the consciousness: then it will become real entertainment. Now we’re just becoming aware of the great potential which is inside us. Slight awareness is beginning. You must read my commentaries on Shiva Sutras – very short and very precise.

DESIRES AND LIFE

Q:

could You see by appearance of the person – could he achieve Samadhi?

Guruji:

very easily, yes.

Q:

possibility or probability?

Guruji:

there is always probability thing.

I will give you one story:

one wise man was sitting beside the road. And one traveler came and he asked him: how much time it will take for me to reach that village? He remain silent; the traveler became angry and began to move. Then he shouted: it will take you about 1 hour to reach that village. Traveler came back and asked: why didn’t you say it first? He said: I must observing how much speed – in how much speed you’re walking. So I can tell it to you.

Q:

what we need to accelerate our speed?

Guruji:

your desire to achieve.

Q:

it depends only on that?

Guruji:

only on motivation.

Q:

where is the root of that motivation?

Guruji:

(What sweet destruction time has wrought / you are no longer you, me no longer me

Don’t know where to go from here / we’ve started but there’s no path forward

You got lost, I also got lost / taking couple of steps on the same path

What sweet destruction time has wrought..)

“It was a film by Guru Datt, all of its songs were great – “Kagaz Ke Phool”. You must listen to all its songs; you’ll develop vairagya (detachment) and will get lost in time as well (laughs). [Guru Datt] was a dreamer too. This song describes a yogi’s state of mind exactly.”

I’ve done some very extreme experiments with some people. One Indian man came to me a few years ago when I already lived near smashan. He said: “I am addicted to sex. But I want to become a brahmacharya. How many times a day do you recommend me to have sex?” I said «Okay! Follow my instructions». I made him promise that he will follow my instructions exactly. And then I gave him a suggestion “four times a day”. In a week he came and said: “Please! I can’t do it any more!” I said: “You were addicted to it! Now, have it! Go on!” He cried: “No, no, no! No more! No more! No more!” I really believe that he became a bramacharya after that. But I should say he is gone, so may God rest him in peace. He became too bored with sex. And if you want to embrace a beautiful girl, think that in some moments it is okay, but imagine if for ten hours you’ll be asked to embrace that girl continuously. How will you feel? Only with the help of mafioso putting a gun to your head you can do that.

The satisfaction causes the feeling of weariness, an extreme boredom.

the source of desires and the source of thoughts is the same?

Guruji: original desires are genuine; but as you’re live in family and you’re live in society – most of your desires are just the reaction. Most of the desires are the reactions of seeing something, or comparing yourself with someone or facing some situation. If you will no react – no desire will come.

Original desires are very simple – live well, have love, maybe family, good house – that’s it.

when original desires become boring?

Guruji: original desires will always remain intact, they will never bore you out. But the reactionary desires will bore you very soon. It is not a sin to have desires: it will give you some motives to live and to do and achieve something. Desire, see and achieve that.

but it’s never ending?

Guruji: if anything has an end – then it’s boring. Endless thing is much more mysterious, adventure is there – you go on and on. You can always sit down by the road side and watch people going by. It will help you pass the time anyway.

but then we achieve nothing, just observing?

Guruji: achieve no thing is the most important achievement. Why worry about things – let’s look beyond things. From that moment the consciousness of the Void will begin. Material things is Brahma himself – so look beyond.

That spell of time which we could capture or could experience, we call it memory. One expects too much from life; and consumes his entire life in the hope of some or other gain from the life. And lo, he would have perhaps gained all that in the hope of which he was consuming all his life only if he were to treat life as life.

No one knows in how many relationships a person plants his own affections and then desires in return for his planted affections, the real attachment. The poor fellow does not realize that only planted affection can accrue in return for his show of affection. Lo, he could understand that only when attachment for all springs up in the heart does one meet the really attached ones. Attached is one who has attachment.