Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 India’s 76th Republic Day Celebrations at the Ashram India’s 76th Republic Day was honoured with patriotism and pride at the Ashram in the uplifting presence of Pujya Gurudevshri. Youth from Shrimad Rajchandra Vidyapeeth showcased a dedication to celebrate the occasion, followed by the unfurling of the tricolor flag. A video depicted the significance of the Republic Day and its history.
Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 SRLC NutriBuddy Bar Distribution SRLC distributed 960 NutriBuddy Bars to help those facing food insecurity across the City 440 bars were distributed by SRLC volunteers at Charing Cross in partnership with Jalaram Homeless Soup Kitchen, reaching over 200 individuals in need. 40 bars were provided to People In Need Today (PINT) to support rough sleepers across central London. 480 bars were supplied to Slough Outreach to serve alongside meals for the homeless over the coming weeks. Packed with protein, fibre, and essential vitamins, these bars were warmly received during a cold January. Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 Announcements 18-01-2025 Pujya Gurudevshri’s Presence at the Ashram (Mon, 20 – Tue, 28 Jan, 2025): Pujya Gurudevshri will bless the Ashram with His physical presence from Mon, 20 – Tue, 28 Jan, 2025. From Tue, 21 – Fri, 24 Jan, there will be paravartana of Pujya Gurudevshri’s pravachan held in Mumbai on Sat, 18 Jan, 2025. The first shibir in 2025 of Shri Natak Samaysaar will be held at the Ashram from Sat, 25 – Sun, 26 Jan, 2025. This will be the first shibir of Punya Paap Ekatva Dwar. Please click here for the detailed schedule and to register. Forthcoming Pravachan: The next pravachan at Yogi Sabhagruh will be held on Sat, 8 Feb, 2025 at 7:30 pm. Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 Sails of Hope – Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025 The Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM), held annually since 2004, is Asia’s largest and most prestigious marathon. It attracts participants from across the globe, ranging from professional athletes to amateur runners; all united by their passion for running and supporting meaningful causes. The event features multiple race categories, including the Full Marathon (42 km), Half Marathon (21 km), Dream Run (5.9 km), Senior Citizens’ Run, and Champions with Disability. Beyond the physical challenge, the marathon serves as a platform for social change, enabling NGOs and charities to raise significant funds for their initiatives. Over the years, it has grown into a celebration of endurance, community spirit, and philanthropy. The event has raised over ₹400 crore for various charities since its inception, making it one of India’s most significant fundraising platforms. Continuing its streak, Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care participated in this prestigious event, held on January 19, backed by several volunteers and supporters. This year’s participation was marked by several compassionate objectives such as raising funds for the upcoming Shrimad Rajchandra Animal Hospital in Dharampur and supporting the ‘Education Farm’ initiative. The Education Farm at Dharampur will comprise of a science college, school of nursing, allied health sciences institution, teacher training and skill development centre, hostels, and a sports complex with facilities for activities such as cricket, archery etc. Under the inspiring theme ‘Sails of Hope,’ Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care highlighted its transformative work across healthcare, education, and animal welfare. Sails of Hope With volunteers dressed in costumes depicting sailboats, anchors, sailor outfits and carrying related props, the theme beautifully captured Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care’s goals. Life, much like the ocean, is a mix of calm waters, unforeseen storms, and endless possibilities. Challenges arise without warning, leaving individuals vulnerable and adrift. Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care serves as a steady force, much like the sails of a ship, guiding individuals and communities through their struggles and helping them navigate towards brighter horizons. Through its multifaceted initiatives, it provides essential support to the underserved – offering healthcare, education, and animal rescue services to those in need. This year, over 2,000 supporters, including 43 corporate teams, rallied behind the benevolent causes. The collective effort was not just a display of athletic endurance but also a demonstration of shared humanity and compassion. A High-energy Motivational Zone Adding to the excitement of the TMM was the Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care Motivational Zone at the iconic Marine Drive. Vibrant music and energetic dance performances by the Youth Groups and children from Shrimad Rajchandra Divinetouch created an uplifting atmosphere that spurred participants to keep moving. The zone served as a hub of positivity and camaraderie, embodying the spirit of cooperative action for a greater cause. Transforming Lives Holistically The participation in TMM 2025 was more than a fundraising effort; it was a celebration of the organisation’s philosophy of love and care. Through its initiatives, it has become a beacon of hope for lakhs – offering hope, dignity, and the tools needed to overcome life’s challenges. Each step taken by the marathon’s participants symbolises a stride toward a better future, where healthcare, education etc. are accessible to all. With the unwavering support of its volunteers, donors, fundraisers and well-wishers, Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care continues to demonstrate the transformative power of collective compassion. Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 Param Krupalu Dev: As a Shatavdhani Param Krupalu Dev’s Divine Life is a mine of exemplary qualities. Digging deeper and deeper into His life, we unearth the hidden jewels. Let us view His life from various perspectives throughout the year, marvel at His unmatched virtues and draw inspiration to walk on His footsteps. Param Krupalu Dev’s life gives us numerous instances which reflect His impeccable virtues. From a very young age, He showed extraordinary mnemonic powers, poetic ability and oratory skills. Let us marvel at His ability to perform avdhans and His dispassion for material achievements. Avdhan – His Exceptional Skill From a very young age, Param Krupalu Dev displayed an inquisitiveness to learn new things. Such was His enthusiasm to learn new things that whenever He used to see something good, He immediately imbibed it and within no time surpassed it. An ideal example of this is His ability to perform avdhans. An avdhan is the ability to concurrently be attentive to a number of activities and objects. Once Param Krupalu Dev, at the age of 16, was invited to witness a demonstration of eight avdhans by Shastri Shankarlal Maheshwar Bhatt in Morbi. As per the available information, during those times, only 2 people in the whole of India were able to exhibit such skill! Due to His astounding ability to grasp things, as soon as Param Krupalu Dev witnessed this demonstration, He immediately imbibed the skill to perform avdhans. The very next day He demonstrated eight avdhans in front of a few friends. The following day, He performed 12 avdhans in front of 2000 people. Subsequently in Jamnagar, He performed 12 and 16 avdhans in front of the scholars there and left them spellbound. He was honoured with the title ‘Hind na Heera (The Jewel of India)’. After another demonstration of 16 avdhan at Vadhvan, Param Krupalu Dev performed 52 avdhans at Botad without any prior preparations! The avdhans included activities like: Playing the game of chaupat (a kind of checkerboard) with three other players. Playing cards with three people. Playing chess. Keeping count of the sound of a small gong. Computing mentally arithmetical sums involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Keeping count of the movement of beads on a thread. Composing verses on sixteen diverse topics selected on the spot, and in the specific meter chosen by various members of the audience. Recalling four hundred words spoken at random in sixteen languages, including Greek, English, Sanskrit, Arabic, Latin, Urdu, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali and rearranging them in the proper order of subject, object etc. And He did not stop over here. What was to follow was an awe-inspiring demonstration of incredible ability! A Stunning Display of Shatavdhan On Saturday, January 22, 1887, people witnessed an extraordinary display of exemplary excellence. Param Krupalu Dev, at the age of merely nineteen years effortlessly performed the herculean task of shatavdhan- ability to flawlessly focus on one hundred different activities and objects at the same time. This public demonstration of His special skills was held at Framji Cowasji Institute in Mumbai and was attended by renowned people from various fields. The audience was wonderstruck and in appreciation of this astonishing ability, Param Krupalu Dev was conferred the epithet ‘Sakshat Saraswati’ (Goddess of Learning Incarnate). Accolades followed in numerous newspapers including, The Times of India, The Mumbai Samachar etc. and people everywhere showered Him with effusive praises. Dispassion – His True Greatness While the world may stop at marvelling at His extraordinary powers, as devotees of Param Krupalu Dev and spiritual seekers we should definitely take a glimpse into His inner state through these incidences! If we think what it would take to perform these avdhans, it would be evident to us that it primarily needs a quiet and still mind, along with other skills. A mind that is free of emotions like fear, anxiety, greed, etc! Just as only a still lake can reflect the things around it perfectly, the retention ability of Param Krupalu Dev bears witness to the fact that His mind was completely calm and still. And to reach to that level of mental quietude one needs to be dispassionate within. Only in a state of supreme contentment within can a mind be so calm! While youngsters in their late teens are usually brimming with ambitions to achieve big in the material world, Param Krupalu Dev was revelling in a state of pristine satisfaction within. He sought nothing from the world outside. He knew that no amount of name, fame or wealth could give true peace and bliss. He was convinced that the temporal achievements of the world do not give lasting happiness and the real bliss lies within. Thus, He was not attracted to any achievements outside, but dedicated His life to advance in His inner journey. This was evident in the events that followed the feat of Shatavdhan. Impressed by Param Krupalu Dev’s mental prowess of retaining and reproducing a hundred things at a time, Sir Charles Sergeant, the then Chief Justice of the Mumbai High Court, invited Him to Europe to showcase His extraordinary skill, but Param Krupalu Dev politely declined the offer. He was aware that demonstration of such power and popularity earned through it could hinder His spiritual journey. Therefore, at the young age of twenty, He decided not to perform such feats in the future. As His disciples, let us resolve to keep our higher purpose in life always as the priority and never to compromise on it for achieving the temporary worldly laurels. Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 Oct 2024 Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care Raises Rs. 10 Crore, Marking 13th Consecutive Year as Highest Fundraising NGO https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e-qj9zqVSZdrLRY5Zk7cTuD_LlpUQ0f-/view?usp=drive_link Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 Oct 2024 Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 Cuppa & Catch-Up Session The first session of 2025 was filled with joy and laughter as attendees started the year with Chair Laughter Yoga, setting the perfect tone for a fun and energetic gathering. The laughter continued with lighthearted games like Musical Statues, followed by a lively mini dance session led by one of our very own attendees! Following the movement and laughs, everyone enjoyed a delicious vegetarian Jain lunch, leaving with big smiles, recharged energy, and a fantastic start to the year! Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 What is True Knowledge? Hoodwinked by our minds we know the world and ourselves only through our thoughts. Opening a new dimension Pujya Gurudevshri explains that we can truly know our Self only when we become free from the conditioning of the thoughts. There are two directions for seeking truth – one, of thinking and the other, of experiencing. The path of thinking is cyclic. There is movement but no destination is reached. You get trapped in reading, memorising, discussing, arguing, assuming and opining. To live in intellectual ideas and fanciful thoughts about the Self is like a blind person contemplating on light, but light is a matter of seeing, not thinking. Opinion is different from truth. Opinion is an idea while truth is an experience. Thought leads to opinion and experience to truth. Thoughts Hinder the Experience The path of thoughts is a borrowed one. You may collect others’ thoughts and present them in a unique style but there is no originality in the thoughts. Only experience can be original, because it is born out of one’s inner wisdom. You can realise the truth only in the space of consciousness free from thoughts. Thoughts are helpful in the field of science but mere thinking cannot give the touch of experience of the supreme truth, the inner core. The smoke of thoughts veils the truth and makes seeing the reality of the Self difficult. The human consciousness, when in association with the world, creates thoughts-reactions and gets lost in them. But it is important to know that if you are free to bind yourself, then you are free to sever the bondages too. Awareness and Silence An aspirant of Self-realisation tries to remove the thoughts of non-self through two means: awareness and silence. In the fulfilment of these is the attainment of the truth. Awareness and silence supplement each other. Practice of awareness brings silence and practice of silence enhances awareness. In their absoluteness, the consciousness undergoes an unimaginable revolution like vision to the blind transforms his whole life. With this, the aspirant gets established in the Self and experiences indescribable tranquillity. He realises his Self as truth-consciousness-bliss. The death dies and the immortal is experienced. The darkness dissolves and a true life begins. Life becomes blissful. Though born with the right and capacity to make his life happy, man suffers. Instead of soaring the height of divinity, he gets lost in the valley of animalism. This is because he has not realised his true nature. He claims to know everything but he doesn’t know his Self. Such knowing is not true knowledge. What is the value and use of knowledge that illumines the world but not his own being? Know the Self The first step of knowledge should be in the direction of the Self, for that is the ultimate goal of knowledge too. As much as a seeker knows his Self, that much he becomes free from sorrows. That by which the essence is understood, the mind is silenced, and the soul is purified is knowledge; not scriptural information which too creates waves in the mind. Knowledge attained through diving in the Self alone is transformative. Superficial informative knowledge changes the language and creates an illusion of transformation but that is deception. Seeing Mulla walking through the bazaar holding a pillow tightly behind the head, someone asked why he did so. Mulla said, because he had a heart attack, the doctor had advised him not to take his head off the pillow. This is the story of those who take information from scriptures but neither experience it, nor cultivate their own discrimination. With borrowed information, they consider what they have understood as right. But how can someone’s experience become another’s living truth? From the spiritual perspective, more scriptural knowledge is not true knowledge. Only when the Self is realised can you say that you have attained knowledge. Forgetful of the Self, one’s attention wanders outside. Only when the focus turns within, the Self is realised. Mind Creates Bondage Realisation means experiential knowledge. With this knowledge, the mind that creates relationship with the outside, comes to a halt. As long as the mind creates relationships, bondage prevails. When an ignorant sees an object, say a car, the mind creates a relationship between him and the car. The car may be gone but the mind follows, ‘May I also have a car like this’ and so on. For the Enlightened One, such relationship does not arise and so the car passes by without creating any bondage. Every moment, mind is creating ties with things and beings. Therefore, an ignorant is also referred to as ‘multi-minded’. He is tied with the car, tied with the house, tied with the wealth, in this way, bondages keep arising like waves in the ocean. Due to this, he keeps running outside and doesn’t return home. Silencing the mind means there is no relation created with what is known, no wave arises, no sense of I-ness, no my-ness, no doership, no enjoyership, no past, no future, no memory, no plans. Just being in the present. Where the mind is silent, there is purity, Self-knowledge. Wisdom Dawns from Within Wisdom cannot be gained from the educational institutions. That which comes from outside is called information. Therefore, the Enlightened Ones have shown the path of inner journey for Self-realisation. Many try to become wise by reading, memorising and talking about the Self. But this parroted knowledge does not last long. Borrowed intelligence bears no real fruits. For that, you must light the fire of knowledge within. Collected information is not capable of removing ignorance. It can fortify memory but cannot silence the mind. Until then, nothing significant has happened. On the contrary, this informative knowledge which one speaks, and in unawareness, considers his own, creates ego. The Enlightened Ones have experience of the Self. When that experience flows out in the form of words, to Him, it is knowledge but for the listeners it is mere information. The problem arises when you listen to someone’s experience and consider it as your knowledge. Just as milestones are beneficial only if you move forward in that direction. But it will be your loss if you take that as your goal. The words of the Wise in the scriptures are mere indicators. Having received these indicators, if you feel grateful for finding the right direction, become inspired to move towards the truth, and increase the thirst for experiential knowledge; only then you have truly utilised the information. But if you consider it as your knowledge, you will be at loss, and attain no realisation. The Test of Knowledge If you say you know a lot and if that knowledge cannot make you free from attachments, then that knowledge is just another delusion; borrowed and stale information. Do not value such information. The test of knowledge is not how much you can remember, but how much have you become free from attachments. The sense of my-ness towards anything or being is attachment. To live in a house is one thing and to consider it as ‘my’ is another. To consider other as ‘mine’ is ignorance and to know other as ‘other’ is wisdom. Attachment causes bondage. More the attachment, greater is the darkness, stronger is the bondage. As these clouds of my-ness scatter, the light of the Self begins to manifest. You start realising who you truly are. In the inner space completely free from clouding thoughts, dawns the sun of Self-realisation. Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 Announcements 18-01-2025 Pujya Gurudevshri’s Presence at the Ashram (Mon, 20 – Tue, 28 Jan, 2025): Pujya Gurudevshri will bless the Ashram with His physical presence from Mon, 20 – Tue, 28 Jan, 2025. From Tue, 21 – Fri, 24 Jan, there will be paravartana of Pujya Gurudevshri’s pravachan held in Mumbai on Sat, 18 Jan, 2025. The first shibir in 2025 of Shri Natak Samaysaar will be held at the Ashram from Sat, 25 – Sun, 26 Jan, 2025. This will be the first shibir of Punya Paap Ekatva Dwar. Please click here for the detailed schedule and to register. Forthcoming Pravachan: The next pravachan at Yogi Sabhagruh will be held on Sat, 8 Feb, 2025 at 7:30 pm.
Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 Sails of Hope – Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025 The Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM), held annually since 2004, is Asia’s largest and most prestigious marathon. It attracts participants from across the globe, ranging from professional athletes to amateur runners; all united by their passion for running and supporting meaningful causes. The event features multiple race categories, including the Full Marathon (42 km), Half Marathon (21 km), Dream Run (5.9 km), Senior Citizens’ Run, and Champions with Disability. Beyond the physical challenge, the marathon serves as a platform for social change, enabling NGOs and charities to raise significant funds for their initiatives. Over the years, it has grown into a celebration of endurance, community spirit, and philanthropy. The event has raised over ₹400 crore for various charities since its inception, making it one of India’s most significant fundraising platforms. Continuing its streak, Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care participated in this prestigious event, held on January 19, backed by several volunteers and supporters. This year’s participation was marked by several compassionate objectives such as raising funds for the upcoming Shrimad Rajchandra Animal Hospital in Dharampur and supporting the ‘Education Farm’ initiative. The Education Farm at Dharampur will comprise of a science college, school of nursing, allied health sciences institution, teacher training and skill development centre, hostels, and a sports complex with facilities for activities such as cricket, archery etc. Under the inspiring theme ‘Sails of Hope,’ Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care highlighted its transformative work across healthcare, education, and animal welfare. Sails of Hope With volunteers dressed in costumes depicting sailboats, anchors, sailor outfits and carrying related props, the theme beautifully captured Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care’s goals. Life, much like the ocean, is a mix of calm waters, unforeseen storms, and endless possibilities. Challenges arise without warning, leaving individuals vulnerable and adrift. Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care serves as a steady force, much like the sails of a ship, guiding individuals and communities through their struggles and helping them navigate towards brighter horizons. Through its multifaceted initiatives, it provides essential support to the underserved – offering healthcare, education, and animal rescue services to those in need. This year, over 2,000 supporters, including 43 corporate teams, rallied behind the benevolent causes. The collective effort was not just a display of athletic endurance but also a demonstration of shared humanity and compassion. A High-energy Motivational Zone Adding to the excitement of the TMM was the Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care Motivational Zone at the iconic Marine Drive. Vibrant music and energetic dance performances by the Youth Groups and children from Shrimad Rajchandra Divinetouch created an uplifting atmosphere that spurred participants to keep moving. The zone served as a hub of positivity and camaraderie, embodying the spirit of cooperative action for a greater cause. Transforming Lives Holistically The participation in TMM 2025 was more than a fundraising effort; it was a celebration of the organisation’s philosophy of love and care. Through its initiatives, it has become a beacon of hope for lakhs – offering hope, dignity, and the tools needed to overcome life’s challenges. Each step taken by the marathon’s participants symbolises a stride toward a better future, where healthcare, education etc. are accessible to all. With the unwavering support of its volunteers, donors, fundraisers and well-wishers, Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care continues to demonstrate the transformative power of collective compassion.
Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 Param Krupalu Dev: As a Shatavdhani Param Krupalu Dev’s Divine Life is a mine of exemplary qualities. Digging deeper and deeper into His life, we unearth the hidden jewels. Let us view His life from various perspectives throughout the year, marvel at His unmatched virtues and draw inspiration to walk on His footsteps. Param Krupalu Dev’s life gives us numerous instances which reflect His impeccable virtues. From a very young age, He showed extraordinary mnemonic powers, poetic ability and oratory skills. Let us marvel at His ability to perform avdhans and His dispassion for material achievements. Avdhan – His Exceptional Skill From a very young age, Param Krupalu Dev displayed an inquisitiveness to learn new things. Such was His enthusiasm to learn new things that whenever He used to see something good, He immediately imbibed it and within no time surpassed it. An ideal example of this is His ability to perform avdhans. An avdhan is the ability to concurrently be attentive to a number of activities and objects. Once Param Krupalu Dev, at the age of 16, was invited to witness a demonstration of eight avdhans by Shastri Shankarlal Maheshwar Bhatt in Morbi. As per the available information, during those times, only 2 people in the whole of India were able to exhibit such skill! Due to His astounding ability to grasp things, as soon as Param Krupalu Dev witnessed this demonstration, He immediately imbibed the skill to perform avdhans. The very next day He demonstrated eight avdhans in front of a few friends. The following day, He performed 12 avdhans in front of 2000 people. Subsequently in Jamnagar, He performed 12 and 16 avdhans in front of the scholars there and left them spellbound. He was honoured with the title ‘Hind na Heera (The Jewel of India)’. After another demonstration of 16 avdhan at Vadhvan, Param Krupalu Dev performed 52 avdhans at Botad without any prior preparations! The avdhans included activities like: Playing the game of chaupat (a kind of checkerboard) with three other players. Playing cards with three people. Playing chess. Keeping count of the sound of a small gong. Computing mentally arithmetical sums involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Keeping count of the movement of beads on a thread. Composing verses on sixteen diverse topics selected on the spot, and in the specific meter chosen by various members of the audience. Recalling four hundred words spoken at random in sixteen languages, including Greek, English, Sanskrit, Arabic, Latin, Urdu, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali and rearranging them in the proper order of subject, object etc. And He did not stop over here. What was to follow was an awe-inspiring demonstration of incredible ability! A Stunning Display of Shatavdhan On Saturday, January 22, 1887, people witnessed an extraordinary display of exemplary excellence. Param Krupalu Dev, at the age of merely nineteen years effortlessly performed the herculean task of shatavdhan- ability to flawlessly focus on one hundred different activities and objects at the same time. This public demonstration of His special skills was held at Framji Cowasji Institute in Mumbai and was attended by renowned people from various fields. The audience was wonderstruck and in appreciation of this astonishing ability, Param Krupalu Dev was conferred the epithet ‘Sakshat Saraswati’ (Goddess of Learning Incarnate). Accolades followed in numerous newspapers including, The Times of India, The Mumbai Samachar etc. and people everywhere showered Him with effusive praises. Dispassion – His True Greatness While the world may stop at marvelling at His extraordinary powers, as devotees of Param Krupalu Dev and spiritual seekers we should definitely take a glimpse into His inner state through these incidences! If we think what it would take to perform these avdhans, it would be evident to us that it primarily needs a quiet and still mind, along with other skills. A mind that is free of emotions like fear, anxiety, greed, etc! Just as only a still lake can reflect the things around it perfectly, the retention ability of Param Krupalu Dev bears witness to the fact that His mind was completely calm and still. And to reach to that level of mental quietude one needs to be dispassionate within. Only in a state of supreme contentment within can a mind be so calm! While youngsters in their late teens are usually brimming with ambitions to achieve big in the material world, Param Krupalu Dev was revelling in a state of pristine satisfaction within. He sought nothing from the world outside. He knew that no amount of name, fame or wealth could give true peace and bliss. He was convinced that the temporal achievements of the world do not give lasting happiness and the real bliss lies within. Thus, He was not attracted to any achievements outside, but dedicated His life to advance in His inner journey. This was evident in the events that followed the feat of Shatavdhan. Impressed by Param Krupalu Dev’s mental prowess of retaining and reproducing a hundred things at a time, Sir Charles Sergeant, the then Chief Justice of the Mumbai High Court, invited Him to Europe to showcase His extraordinary skill, but Param Krupalu Dev politely declined the offer. He was aware that demonstration of such power and popularity earned through it could hinder His spiritual journey. Therefore, at the young age of twenty, He decided not to perform such feats in the future. As His disciples, let us resolve to keep our higher purpose in life always as the priority and never to compromise on it for achieving the temporary worldly laurels. Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 Oct 2024 Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care Raises Rs. 10 Crore, Marking 13th Consecutive Year as Highest Fundraising NGO https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e-qj9zqVSZdrLRY5Zk7cTuD_LlpUQ0f-/view?usp=drive_link Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 Oct 2024 Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 Cuppa & Catch-Up Session The first session of 2025 was filled with joy and laughter as attendees started the year with Chair Laughter Yoga, setting the perfect tone for a fun and energetic gathering. The laughter continued with lighthearted games like Musical Statues, followed by a lively mini dance session led by one of our very own attendees! Following the movement and laughs, everyone enjoyed a delicious vegetarian Jain lunch, leaving with big smiles, recharged energy, and a fantastic start to the year! Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 What is True Knowledge? Hoodwinked by our minds we know the world and ourselves only through our thoughts. Opening a new dimension Pujya Gurudevshri explains that we can truly know our Self only when we become free from the conditioning of the thoughts. There are two directions for seeking truth – one, of thinking and the other, of experiencing. The path of thinking is cyclic. There is movement but no destination is reached. You get trapped in reading, memorising, discussing, arguing, assuming and opining. To live in intellectual ideas and fanciful thoughts about the Self is like a blind person contemplating on light, but light is a matter of seeing, not thinking. Opinion is different from truth. Opinion is an idea while truth is an experience. Thought leads to opinion and experience to truth. Thoughts Hinder the Experience The path of thoughts is a borrowed one. You may collect others’ thoughts and present them in a unique style but there is no originality in the thoughts. Only experience can be original, because it is born out of one’s inner wisdom. You can realise the truth only in the space of consciousness free from thoughts. Thoughts are helpful in the field of science but mere thinking cannot give the touch of experience of the supreme truth, the inner core. The smoke of thoughts veils the truth and makes seeing the reality of the Self difficult. The human consciousness, when in association with the world, creates thoughts-reactions and gets lost in them. But it is important to know that if you are free to bind yourself, then you are free to sever the bondages too. Awareness and Silence An aspirant of Self-realisation tries to remove the thoughts of non-self through two means: awareness and silence. In the fulfilment of these is the attainment of the truth. Awareness and silence supplement each other. Practice of awareness brings silence and practice of silence enhances awareness. In their absoluteness, the consciousness undergoes an unimaginable revolution like vision to the blind transforms his whole life. With this, the aspirant gets established in the Self and experiences indescribable tranquillity. He realises his Self as truth-consciousness-bliss. The death dies and the immortal is experienced. The darkness dissolves and a true life begins. Life becomes blissful. Though born with the right and capacity to make his life happy, man suffers. Instead of soaring the height of divinity, he gets lost in the valley of animalism. This is because he has not realised his true nature. He claims to know everything but he doesn’t know his Self. Such knowing is not true knowledge. What is the value and use of knowledge that illumines the world but not his own being? Know the Self The first step of knowledge should be in the direction of the Self, for that is the ultimate goal of knowledge too. As much as a seeker knows his Self, that much he becomes free from sorrows. That by which the essence is understood, the mind is silenced, and the soul is purified is knowledge; not scriptural information which too creates waves in the mind. Knowledge attained through diving in the Self alone is transformative. Superficial informative knowledge changes the language and creates an illusion of transformation but that is deception. Seeing Mulla walking through the bazaar holding a pillow tightly behind the head, someone asked why he did so. Mulla said, because he had a heart attack, the doctor had advised him not to take his head off the pillow. This is the story of those who take information from scriptures but neither experience it, nor cultivate their own discrimination. With borrowed information, they consider what they have understood as right. But how can someone’s experience become another’s living truth? From the spiritual perspective, more scriptural knowledge is not true knowledge. Only when the Self is realised can you say that you have attained knowledge. Forgetful of the Self, one’s attention wanders outside. Only when the focus turns within, the Self is realised. Mind Creates Bondage Realisation means experiential knowledge. With this knowledge, the mind that creates relationship with the outside, comes to a halt. As long as the mind creates relationships, bondage prevails. When an ignorant sees an object, say a car, the mind creates a relationship between him and the car. The car may be gone but the mind follows, ‘May I also have a car like this’ and so on. For the Enlightened One, such relationship does not arise and so the car passes by without creating any bondage. Every moment, mind is creating ties with things and beings. Therefore, an ignorant is also referred to as ‘multi-minded’. He is tied with the car, tied with the house, tied with the wealth, in this way, bondages keep arising like waves in the ocean. Due to this, he keeps running outside and doesn’t return home. Silencing the mind means there is no relation created with what is known, no wave arises, no sense of I-ness, no my-ness, no doership, no enjoyership, no past, no future, no memory, no plans. Just being in the present. Where the mind is silent, there is purity, Self-knowledge. Wisdom Dawns from Within Wisdom cannot be gained from the educational institutions. That which comes from outside is called information. Therefore, the Enlightened Ones have shown the path of inner journey for Self-realisation. Many try to become wise by reading, memorising and talking about the Self. But this parroted knowledge does not last long. Borrowed intelligence bears no real fruits. For that, you must light the fire of knowledge within. Collected information is not capable of removing ignorance. It can fortify memory but cannot silence the mind. Until then, nothing significant has happened. On the contrary, this informative knowledge which one speaks, and in unawareness, considers his own, creates ego. The Enlightened Ones have experience of the Self. When that experience flows out in the form of words, to Him, it is knowledge but for the listeners it is mere information. The problem arises when you listen to someone’s experience and consider it as your knowledge. Just as milestones are beneficial only if you move forward in that direction. But it will be your loss if you take that as your goal. The words of the Wise in the scriptures are mere indicators. Having received these indicators, if you feel grateful for finding the right direction, become inspired to move towards the truth, and increase the thirst for experiential knowledge; only then you have truly utilised the information. But if you consider it as your knowledge, you will be at loss, and attain no realisation. The Test of Knowledge If you say you know a lot and if that knowledge cannot make you free from attachments, then that knowledge is just another delusion; borrowed and stale information. Do not value such information. The test of knowledge is not how much you can remember, but how much have you become free from attachments. The sense of my-ness towards anything or being is attachment. To live in a house is one thing and to consider it as ‘my’ is another. To consider other as ‘mine’ is ignorance and to know other as ‘other’ is wisdom. Attachment causes bondage. More the attachment, greater is the darkness, stronger is the bondage. As these clouds of my-ness scatter, the light of the Self begins to manifest. You start realising who you truly are. In the inner space completely free from clouding thoughts, dawns the sun of Self-realisation. Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care Raises Rs. 10 Crore, Marking 13th Consecutive Year as Highest Fundraising NGO https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e-qj9zqVSZdrLRY5Zk7cTuD_LlpUQ0f-/view?usp=drive_link
Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 Cuppa & Catch-Up Session The first session of 2025 was filled with joy and laughter as attendees started the year with Chair Laughter Yoga, setting the perfect tone for a fun and energetic gathering. The laughter continued with lighthearted games like Musical Statues, followed by a lively mini dance session led by one of our very own attendees! Following the movement and laughs, everyone enjoyed a delicious vegetarian Jain lunch, leaving with big smiles, recharged energy, and a fantastic start to the year!
Home Archives for 2025 Page 21 What is True Knowledge? Hoodwinked by our minds we know the world and ourselves only through our thoughts. Opening a new dimension Pujya Gurudevshri explains that we can truly know our Self only when we become free from the conditioning of the thoughts. There are two directions for seeking truth – one, of thinking and the other, of experiencing. The path of thinking is cyclic. There is movement but no destination is reached. You get trapped in reading, memorising, discussing, arguing, assuming and opining. To live in intellectual ideas and fanciful thoughts about the Self is like a blind person contemplating on light, but light is a matter of seeing, not thinking. Opinion is different from truth. Opinion is an idea while truth is an experience. Thought leads to opinion and experience to truth. Thoughts Hinder the Experience The path of thoughts is a borrowed one. You may collect others’ thoughts and present them in a unique style but there is no originality in the thoughts. Only experience can be original, because it is born out of one’s inner wisdom. You can realise the truth only in the space of consciousness free from thoughts. Thoughts are helpful in the field of science but mere thinking cannot give the touch of experience of the supreme truth, the inner core. The smoke of thoughts veils the truth and makes seeing the reality of the Self difficult. The human consciousness, when in association with the world, creates thoughts-reactions and gets lost in them. But it is important to know that if you are free to bind yourself, then you are free to sever the bondages too. Awareness and Silence An aspirant of Self-realisation tries to remove the thoughts of non-self through two means: awareness and silence. In the fulfilment of these is the attainment of the truth. Awareness and silence supplement each other. Practice of awareness brings silence and practice of silence enhances awareness. In their absoluteness, the consciousness undergoes an unimaginable revolution like vision to the blind transforms his whole life. With this, the aspirant gets established in the Self and experiences indescribable tranquillity. He realises his Self as truth-consciousness-bliss. The death dies and the immortal is experienced. The darkness dissolves and a true life begins. Life becomes blissful. Though born with the right and capacity to make his life happy, man suffers. Instead of soaring the height of divinity, he gets lost in the valley of animalism. This is because he has not realised his true nature. He claims to know everything but he doesn’t know his Self. Such knowing is not true knowledge. What is the value and use of knowledge that illumines the world but not his own being? Know the Self The first step of knowledge should be in the direction of the Self, for that is the ultimate goal of knowledge too. As much as a seeker knows his Self, that much he becomes free from sorrows. That by which the essence is understood, the mind is silenced, and the soul is purified is knowledge; not scriptural information which too creates waves in the mind. Knowledge attained through diving in the Self alone is transformative. Superficial informative knowledge changes the language and creates an illusion of transformation but that is deception. Seeing Mulla walking through the bazaar holding a pillow tightly behind the head, someone asked why he did so. Mulla said, because he had a heart attack, the doctor had advised him not to take his head off the pillow. This is the story of those who take information from scriptures but neither experience it, nor cultivate their own discrimination. With borrowed information, they consider what they have understood as right. But how can someone’s experience become another’s living truth? From the spiritual perspective, more scriptural knowledge is not true knowledge. Only when the Self is realised can you say that you have attained knowledge. Forgetful of the Self, one’s attention wanders outside. Only when the focus turns within, the Self is realised. Mind Creates Bondage Realisation means experiential knowledge. With this knowledge, the mind that creates relationship with the outside, comes to a halt. As long as the mind creates relationships, bondage prevails. When an ignorant sees an object, say a car, the mind creates a relationship between him and the car. The car may be gone but the mind follows, ‘May I also have a car like this’ and so on. For the Enlightened One, such relationship does not arise and so the car passes by without creating any bondage. Every moment, mind is creating ties with things and beings. Therefore, an ignorant is also referred to as ‘multi-minded’. He is tied with the car, tied with the house, tied with the wealth, in this way, bondages keep arising like waves in the ocean. Due to this, he keeps running outside and doesn’t return home. Silencing the mind means there is no relation created with what is known, no wave arises, no sense of I-ness, no my-ness, no doership, no enjoyership, no past, no future, no memory, no plans. Just being in the present. Where the mind is silent, there is purity, Self-knowledge. Wisdom Dawns from Within Wisdom cannot be gained from the educational institutions. That which comes from outside is called information. Therefore, the Enlightened Ones have shown the path of inner journey for Self-realisation. Many try to become wise by reading, memorising and talking about the Self. But this parroted knowledge does not last long. Borrowed intelligence bears no real fruits. For that, you must light the fire of knowledge within. Collected information is not capable of removing ignorance. It can fortify memory but cannot silence the mind. Until then, nothing significant has happened. On the contrary, this informative knowledge which one speaks, and in unawareness, considers his own, creates ego. The Enlightened Ones have experience of the Self. When that experience flows out in the form of words, to Him, it is knowledge but for the listeners it is mere information. The problem arises when you listen to someone’s experience and consider it as your knowledge. Just as milestones are beneficial only if you move forward in that direction. But it will be your loss if you take that as your goal. The words of the Wise in the scriptures are mere indicators. Having received these indicators, if you feel grateful for finding the right direction, become inspired to move towards the truth, and increase the thirst for experiential knowledge; only then you have truly utilised the information. But if you consider it as your knowledge, you will be at loss, and attain no realisation. The Test of Knowledge If you say you know a lot and if that knowledge cannot make you free from attachments, then that knowledge is just another delusion; borrowed and stale information. Do not value such information. The test of knowledge is not how much you can remember, but how much have you become free from attachments. The sense of my-ness towards anything or being is attachment. To live in a house is one thing and to consider it as ‘my’ is another. To consider other as ‘mine’ is ignorance and to know other as ‘other’ is wisdom. Attachment causes bondage. More the attachment, greater is the darkness, stronger is the bondage. As these clouds of my-ness scatter, the light of the Self begins to manifest. You start realising who you truly are. In the inner space completely free from clouding thoughts, dawns the sun of Self-realisation. Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
