Perform an experiment – a simple 2-minute experiment. Take a blank sheet of paper and a pen. At the center of the page, put a dot. What is it? A dot nothing else right? Now draw a big circle with the dot as the center of the circle. Now what is the dot? It is center of the circle, right? Everything on the page is around it “now”.
The dot was nothing when there was no circular periphery. The dot was meaningless in itself. The periphery gave it a very powerful definition. It became the center of the existence e.g. the periphery. Now for a moment if you remove the dot (the center of the periphery), the periphery losses its definition. The periphery would not remain a circle without the dot “center”. This is interdependent co-arising in one sense for the center and the circle.
Visualize the page you took is the universe and the dot represents you. We think that “I am” the center of the universe. This is the case with many of us – if not all. We are self centered. Everything is around me and everything should happen as per my desire. But there are more dots on the page with each one having its periphery, these periphery intersect which causes conflict. How to avoid the conflicts? I see there are three possible ways to avoid it –
When I was searching for an image for this blog I found this image
1. reduce the periphery such that only you remain in that periphery
2. increase the periphery such that everything falls under it without intersection
3. Make your periphery someone (only one) else with “full devotion”
In Indian philosophical context first two could be path of meditation and third is path of devotion (Bhakti). Do you know any other? Please share.
Image source – http://www.astronomyforum.net/blogs/astroval/106-where-center-universe.html
A different perspective on dot – http://phataktejas.wordpress.com/2012/02/15/dot-hain-to-hot-hain/
14 Comments
Tarun · June 2, 2013 at 10:32 am
Pravin, Nicely penned down, though I expected more to follow after the three ways of avoiding conflict. Would also like you to explain a bit more about the 3rd way. I tried to apply Set theory to the above context and fits in well, but still could not explain the 3rd way.
KRD Pravin · June 2, 2013 at 4:06 pm
Thank you so much Tarun.
I am not an authority on any of the above ways. In my opinion 3rd way is Bhakti marg, read Meera bai you can learn about the Bhakti marg from her life. In Maharashtra there have been many saints, Sant Tukaram (recently a Marathi movie was released in same name on life of the Saint), Saint Gora Kumhar etc.
Again a warning, I am not an authority and what I am saying is from my understanding. When a person is in love (not lust), and the person transcends a certain level (though level is not right word) he/she is in Bhakti marg. In that case lust or desire for staying together, sex etc vanishes. He/she start seeing the loved one in everyone. That could be a kind of Bhakti marg.
KRD Pravin · June 2, 2013 at 4:07 pm
I think reading Osho on Meera, other such saints who were Bhakti Margi would help get more insights.
Perhaps Osho’s very controversial book – From Sex to Super-consciousness can give you some different perspective.
Rummuser · June 2, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Balderdash. In the Indian philosophical system conflicts cannot be avoided because there is no free will. If conflicts could be avoided, Mahabharatha would not exist nor the Bhagwat Geetha. Bhagwan clearly says that the Kurukshetra war was preordained by him. He tried to avert the war and asked for just five villages for the Pandavas and Duriyodana said not even five pin point will be ceded by him.
If conflict has to take place, it will, no matter what we mere mortals do about it.
KRD Pravin · June 2, 2013 at 4:01 pm
Ok, I respect your opinion on inability to avoid conflicts. You also shared a good example of Mahabharat. One by one
1. The Buddha avoided the conflict example – did not speak on existence of God
2. If you look at Mahabharat itself, Krishna avoided a war and was named Ranchhod (One who ran out of a battle field). He moved from Mathura to Dwarka. But he purposefully did not avoid the war of Mahabharat. If we look back – everyone from Gandhari (who eventually cursed Krishna of death) to Dhritrastra and Bhishma and Vidur knew that if this war can be averted by anyone in this world it would one and only – Krishna.
Though, if I state that I am not an authority on Indian philosophy and mythology – it wont be an understatement. But point 2 is my knowledge or say understanding about Mahabharat.
Now if a conflict has to be avoided it can be avoided by “free will” (from your second comment). But our ego wants to take decision which is contrary to avoiding conflict. Tell me if you also believe in the almighty do you think for him/her it would be difficult to avoid any conflict?
When I am talking about the above methods (paths) I mean to state that – one’s becoming enlightened. I believe that an enlightened one is merged with the almighty and in that sense of the world he/she can avoid conflict.
Too much of talk for me a small guy next door to a Tambram… 🙂
Rummuser · June 2, 2013 at 2:01 pm
Coming to the next issue. In the Vedantic system there are Karma Yoga, Bhakti Marga and Gyana Yoga. In the last, knowledge, or rather removal of ignorance, agyana is sought. It was Vivekananda who brought the fourth Raja Yogaj or what now gurus and charlatans propogate, Dyana yoga into popularity by emphasising on meditation. Patanjali’s ashtanga yoga is the basis for all other schools and you should study that if you really want to go deep into it. At the end, all of these are karma yoga because everything else calls for ACTION.
KRD Pravin · June 3, 2013 at 1:18 pm
As per my knowledge and understanding Meditation is not “Doing”, meditation is “happening”.
I used to play and I never knew I was in kind of some trance read here – https://sites.google.com/site/krdpravin/Home/sports-i specially para 3 of the page.
In fact Bhakti marg to be seems – “doing” something.
Dyana I think is first talked about by the Buddha. We may argue till cows come home and go back grazing… but I dont want any conflict here
Patanjali too has suggested “doing” something. This may be called as Bhakti to the means suggested by a sage – Patanjali. Here too you need devotion.
Full circle – meditation to me is “happening” and other paths (as you suggested above) could be Bhakti “Doing”
Rummuser · June 4, 2013 at 3:27 pm
Brilliant. Ab pahunchgaya.
KRD Pravin · June 4, 2013 at 4:07 pm
What is “Ab pahunchgaya”? You know I take your words seriously and think about them (even if those are jokes!) please help me understand. Is that in Hindi? per kya pahunchgaya? aur kahan?
Rummuser · June 4, 2013 at 6:18 pm
Ii is Hindi and all that it means is that you have reached. In other words, you have reached enlightenment, satori, turiya or whatever you want to call it.
KRD Pravin · June 4, 2013 at 8:13 pm
😀 uncleji you said means I must have. It is from a Tambram at the end of the day. 🙂
Do you think it is that easy? I am just a guy next door…. not enlightened one
Only problem is – I am not big / respected / (capable) / Paisa-wala enough to be a guy next YOUR door.
Rummuser · June 4, 2013 at 8:55 pm
Keep trying. One day your son will be able to buy the house next door to my son’s where I live.
upreeti · June 7, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Dear Pravin,
Thanks again for your thoughts!!!!!!
The other path is The Path of Knowledge- Gyan Yog. the Dhyan yog, Gyan and Bhakti Yog are the three path described in scriptures.
KRD Pravin · June 7, 2013 at 6:20 pm
Thank you for your inputs… please check comments above also 🙂 I think you would find them also interesting.