O intellectuals! Understand the place where you currently dwell and the path you must take. For example, imagine you are living in Erode (a city in Tamil Nadu, India) and wish to attend our spiritual gathering. When you ask for directions, you must first know your current location; only then can I guide you to the gathering place. Similarly, you must first understand your spiritual state—whether you are in a state of devotion (Bhakti), action (Karma), or wisdom (Gyana).
Until now, you may have approached a Guru to address physical or mental problems. Out of compassion, the Guru has helped. Now, to eradicate the karma of past lives, the Guru will show you the path of Gyana (wisdom). However, to walk this path, you must prepare yourself with the right tools.
For example, if you want to travel by train, you must first go to the railway station, purchase a ticket, reach the appropriate platform, board the correct compartment, and find your designated seat. Only then will you have a comfortable journey.
Preparing for the Path of Gyana
Preparation is essential for gaining wisdom. To succeed, you must make yourself ready for the journey. Consider this: If you approach the principal of a school and say, “I want to succeed in the competition,” it will not be enough. Without hard work and preparation, success is unattainable. Similarly, to reach divinity, prepare yourself first, and then seek guidance from those who have already attained the divine state.
Until now, you may have sought the Guru's help for physical health or material concerns. But now, like the principal teaching beyond basic alphabets, the Guru urges you to seek education that leads to true fulfillment—self-realization and freedom from the cycle of life and death.
There are two kinds of knowledge:
Para Gyana (Supreme Knowledge): Stable and permanent knowledge.
Apara Gyana (Ordinary Knowledge): Temporary and unstable knowledge.
You, as seekers of wisdom, must learn to distinguish between the permanent and the temporary.
Qualities Needed for Self-Realization
Detachment from the Effects of Past Actions (Karma):Accept neither the good nor bad effects of past karma. Perform your duties selflessly, without expectations. Live a genuine life, not one meant to impress others. The power of meditation will end the cycle of life and death, allowing you to experience Gyana.
True wisdom is what we learn and then give up.
It is what we learn and acquire.
It is the clarity we attain through that learning.
Judge yourself rather than letting others judge you. This is self-education and self-improvement.Ask yourself: Are you willing to let go of the effects of past karma?
Understanding the Difference Between the Permanent and the Temporary:What is permanent? That which does not change.
Example: Electricity is constant (permanent), but the devices it powers are changeable (temporary).
The soil remains constant (permanent), but buildings on it may change (temporary).
Recognize what is permanent to understand your true self. Physical bodies, material possessions, and relationships are all temporary. Direct your mind towards the permanent.Ask yourself: Can you distinguish between the permanent and the temporary?
Discipline (Outward and Inward):
Outward Discipline (Thamam): This involves controlling the five sense organs—mouth, eyes, nose, ears, and mind—and making optimal decisions.
Inward Discipline (Samam): The mind, thoughts, knowledge, and ego are restless by nature. They need to be regulated and focused on what truly matters.
Freedom from Desires (Uparathi):Desires and attachments lead to sorrow. Necessities of life, however, do not bring the same suffering, as they are not deeply tied to the mind.Treat the path of Gyana as a necessity, not a mere desire. Desire alone will not help you attain the supreme. Work diligently and believe unconditionally in the divine.
Perseverance (Thathicha):Face unexpected challenges with courage. Do not blame others for your suffering; recognize that you are responsible for it. Reflect on what steps you must take to escape suffering and reach eternity.
Peace:True peace arises from contentment. Without satisfaction, peace is impossible. Fulfillment is achieved by attaining life’s necessities and striving for the ultimate goal—self-realization.Ask yourself: Have you ever truly felt content in life? Seek the supreme state where nothing else remains to be attained. That is complete satisfaction and inner peace.
Respect and Sincerity (Shredha):Sincerity comes from performing tasks with complete concentration and unconditional trust. Meditation done with focus and belief leads to success. Work done without sincerity and respect yields no results.Perform meditation and duties with sincerity, and success is certain.
Salvation and Fulfillment
To live fully is to attain fulfillment. Know what is necessary in life and arrange your actions to achieve it. The ultimate goal is to reach the supreme state of self-realization.
Ask yourself: Are you striving for the supreme state in your life?
As seekers of wisdom, avoid judging others. Instead, reflect on and correct your own mistakes. Repeating a mistake after realization lowers your stature, but avoiding it elevates you.
The Path Forward
To attain the supreme, follow these steps with determination. Realize the essence of life and move towards the ultimate state of divinity. The Guru will guide you, but the journey is yours to undertake.
Santhosam! Santhosam! Santhosam!
Translated by Geetha Paramesh
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