Search:

11 words found.

		Word	Meaning
1		Mahavira	Popularly, Jain religion is associated with this enlightened Master. HE lived way back 2500 years ago in Bharat (India). He deeply experimented with all realms of spirituality and out of compassion taught the TRUTH to people at large. Actually, according to Jainism, Mahavira was the twentyfourth fully realized Master (Teerthankar) of Jaina religion, took birth for human salvation. Jain religion has about 5000 years of recorded evidence of active existence. Mahavira's original name was 'Vardhamana'. "Mahavira' is the honorific name conferred to him respectfully by his disciples and followers. 'Mahavira' means, 'Greatly Courageous'. He was called courageous, not because he won many bloody battles and over powered people with his brutal force. HE emerged victorious in his epic quest, which he relentlessly undertook. The quest was on his sense of ego and mind structure. Once again 'courageous', because he lived vulnerably with utmost spontaneity. Mahavira lived a long span of life and tirelessly taught people the essence of 'Right-Living' (Samyag-Charitra), 'Right-Perception' (Samyag-Darshan) and finally 'Right-Knowledge' (Samyag-Gnyan).
2		Mai Atman Hoon	This is an expression in Hindi language indicating that after hearing and reading Vedantic texts (Second-hand knowledge), one simply claims that 'I am Atman!' The popular and as well the ignorant perception is 'One is one's form'. The Upanishads declare that, one's essential state is ego-free 'Atman'. Qualitatively, this state is same as 'Brahman' (The Absolute). This declaration is surely the fact. But, one has to be consumed by this enormous realization and not just utter it as a mere cliché. Master Gurdjieff clarified that, it is wrong to assume that in birth itself all human beings are born with a 'Soul'. No, they are not! SOUL is something a human being acquires, if only he/she evolves to the full potentials. Thus, SOUL is the higher possibility towards which one has to diligently work. Most people are born asleep, live in sleep and also finally die asleep!
3		Maitri	Only in whom 'Karuna' (Empathy), has sprung, can be a true friend. 'Maitri' means 'Unfailing friendliness'. A true friend of this exalted order, unconditionally only gives. This is not our mundane, 'Give-and-Take' policy. Friendship based on this policy is what is being taught as a success strategy in "Self-development" coaching sessions. Human relationships based on such demeaning strategy have no spiritual quality. This is the reason, as we are now, our entire human relationship are avenues of mutual-gratification. Such relationships only exhaust the human spirit. To feel the 'Fullness' in our living, one should learn the healing way of 'Maitri'.
4		Mantra	A Collection of terse syllables having profound religious import, chanted as an inspiring aphorism, is termed as 'Mantra'. The etymological connection to the word 'Mantra' is 'MAN'. This root-word 'MAN' means,' Mind', 'Consciousness', and 'Perceiving-Modality'. The suffix part of 'Tra' is derived from 'Trayete', which means, 'Protecting', 'Balancing', 'Centering'. These chantings operate favorably on the Sadhak, at two levels. The first level is- At the very physical level, the quality of sound produced within the Sadhak, who is chanting the Mantra, unfolds a healing and a soothing condition. This induces a palpable experience of deep rest and profound depth of quietude in the Sadhak. Along with this, the inner energy level of the Sadhak also gets toned-up to an optimal level. Of course, one has to learn the correct method of chanting by way of proper phonetics and appropriate meter connected to each Mantra. Only this can produce, while chanting, the perfect quality of effects, as intended by the knowledge-system. This knowledge has reached our present times through an unbroken tradition. The science of harmonics and resonance is operating, in the formation and chanting of Mantras. While chanting the Mantras, one has to place one's attention to follow without any resistance, the path of harmonics and resonance of the sound of Mantra. This is the sure way to derive 'Protecting and Balancing' effect in one's 'Perceiving-Modality' and 'Consciousness'. The second of the abovementioned two levels of effects is verbal meaning of Mantras. The imagery connected to the verbal meaning, can help the Sadhak in meditation to visualize and 'enter' into those visuals. This is fully possible, only when the Sadhak deeply contemplates and reflects upon the awe-inspiring connotations these Mantras reveal. Thus the Mantras, if handled correctly, can wholistically elevate and alter the level of consciousness.
5		Mauna	SILENCE, is 'Mauna'. The thought-spindle rattles to-and-fro across incessantly, in the weaving loom of human mind. The noise decibel of this rattle is indeed incredible. The Consciousness, which is supporting the biological existence surely registers the undue stress produced by such continuous mentation. Through ageing, the natural sensitivities of the human mind are progressively and as well swiftly lost. But, during our lifetime it never ever occurs to us to pay our attention to this ongoing malady. Though we react adversely to the outer shrill noises, we are not caring to notice in us, the thought-mill that is clanking all the while. In fact, as we are presently, we are the thought-mill! We seek external silence, not realizing the least that we dare not cut off power supply to our thought-mill. If by some factor, the mill comes to a grinding halt, as most of us are so much steeped into its rhythm, we will go insane unable to face the SILENCE. Like an infant gets used to the rocking of the cradle to sleep, we are used to the maddening rhythm of mentation. All the 99.9% contents of our meandering mentation are absolutely irrelevant for factual existence. Some of us who have attempted meditation to quieten the inner chattering, surely realize as to how strong the addiction of mentation is. In fact, more than the meditation techniques bringing inner quietness, it is only our direct realization of the utter futility of addiction to the habit of mentation, can usher SILENCE ('Mauna'). To let go the passing thoughts, without irresistibly latching on to it, is the essence of all spiritual endeavor. This inner poise, drastically changes the compulsive nature of mentation. The resulting SILENCE, is not opposite of SOUND! Let this is not be, just a fashion-statement. One should slip into this state and SEE!
6		Maya	The crux of the philosophy of 'Advaita' is 'Maya'. The word 'Maya' carries such a shocking range of meaning, even in the day-to-day usage. 'Maya' = Deceit, Fraud, Trickery, Phantom, Illusion, magic, Enchantment, False, Unreality etc. While endeavoring to comprehend the nature of the whole creation, in which we human beings are also an integral aspect, the Seers realized that the ever-changing Creation is UNREAL! But, contrary to this fact, all human beings are overcome by a power of hallucination ('Maya'), thus very deeply and strongly feel that everything including themselves are concrete certainties! In the word 'Maya', the part 'Ma' stands for 'To measure', 'Mark off', 'Compare with', 'See', 'Limits'. The part 'Ya' stands for 'To go', 'Proceed', 'Attempt'. The human mind attempts 'to measure' the WORLD that it experiences. But, what it tries to measure is turning out to be immeasurable because THAT is an 'illusion'! The ever-changing features of created reality do not lend themselves to any conclusive measurement and assessment! The crowning irony is that the mind of human beings along with their physical bodies is part of the all-embracing illusion. Thus the situation is, the illusion is attempting vainly to measure illusion! Till the human grasp is bound by and limited to names and forms, 'Illusion will only beget Illusion!' This way 'Maya' is endless. But, if the fundamental realization dawns, gaining profound insight into this core-issue, then the spell of the illusion ends. This way 'Maya' can be ended! The fear and anguish of dreaming can only end by waking up. The spell of 'Maya' can only end by realizing the fundamental TRUTH of one's self-identity. As individuals we are only illusions ('Maya' and 'Mithya'). As an integral aspect of the unknowable essence, all phenomenal manifestations are relevant ('Satya'). If the relative-relevance of plurality ('Yathartha') present in our daily world is deeply understood, then we are free from their baffling contradictions. Then it is possible to live, without superimposing on them undue importance. Such a person has enough of free inner-space to contemplate and comprehend the subtlety of the Absolute non-dual substratum ('Paramartha'). Thus, even though one has to deal with 'Maya' in one's daily life, our attention and awareness can remain free without having to be caught and lost in it.
7		Meditation	'Meditation' is for one's consciousness, as 'Medication' is for one's physical body! But, as in medication, in meditation also proper curative inputs should be ingested. Inappropriate medication, instead of curing the disease only creates what is called 'medicine-induced diseases'! These diseases are as much dangerous, if not more, than the old ailments. In like manner, inappropriate meditation will only induce newer maladies in our already unbalanced mind (Consciousness/Psyche). Instead of healing our fractured egoistic self-conscious mind, newer complexities will crop up and increase the neurosis. The individualized human consciousness should get unified with the Universal Consciousness, through the integrating portals of AWARENESS. The stress in human life is due to our stubborn sense of isolation, which one's egoistic mind constantly feels. Such a mind imagines ever so many irrational dangers. Meditation is the inner balancing poise, which should facilitate cure from the above pointed Dis-ease. In medication, one should know when to stop the medicines, so as to allow our body's natural healing capacity to take charge of the healing process. In like manner, one should be sensitive to discern as to when to let go all our efforts, including meditation. Only this can naturally allow our rigid self- consciousness to loosen up and BE vulnerably open. Human will and volition are a hindrance in meditation, after the preliminary stage. Meditation usually commences from a secondary knowledge inputs, but it should soon become sustainable by 'Direct-Knowledge'. This is called in Sanskrit language as 'Gnyan' (Insights). Meditation is called as 'Dhyan' in Sanskrit, which is the original root-word for 'ZEN'. Thus 'Dhyan' (Meditation) should contain 'Gnyan' (Insights/Direct-Knowledge). After the starting stage, the will has no role to play in this realm. Only humility and a sense of surrender can thaw our ego-frost. Even in this, no deliberate put on effort can work. The brutal force of human will and the sly deceptions contained in our pretensions have to stay out. 'Meditation' is neither a noun (Thing), nor it is a verb (Method). Though it is very difficult to teach, a diligent human being can quickly learn and turn meditative!
8		Moksha	A very general meaning for this loaded word is given in English as, 'Liberation'. This is a compound Sanskrit word made up of two part words. 'Moha'= Desire, 'Kshaya'= 'Finished' 'Terminated', 'End', 'No more'. Thus the full-fledged meaning of 'Moksha' is 'No more desires', 'Ending of ALL desires'. Only when one's desires are completely finished from their very roots, there can be 'Peace and Fulfillment'. No one can reach a life of unending satisfaction, by attempting to fulfill their each and every desire. It is only by transcending the very sprouting of desires in oneself, a genuine sense of FULLNESS dawns in one's existence. The limitation for this to happen is our sense of ego. Only deeper understanding of the futility of egoistic mental mode can dislodge the ego from its arrogating position. Then only the higher possibility of 'Moksha' open. The Sanskrit word 'Mukti' (meaning 'Freedom from bondage) also refer to this 'Issue of Existence'.
9		Mudita	Appreciative joy.
10		Mukti	The meaning for this Sanskrit word, given in English language is `To be free from all bondages'. Normally, it is understood only in a limited scope that the visible gross social possessions and forms of relationships are bondages. This burden should be renounced to become free. Actually, the intrinsic bondage is the subtle psychological-tug, which underlies all human thoughts and actions. It is fairly easy to discard external possessions and relationships. But it is indeed quite arduous even to sense the presence of this 'tug' within oneself, leave alone going beyond its ambit. This calls for an earnest resolve, which takes one's attention to the very root of any issue. Such a resolve in Sanskrit language is named as 'Vairagya'. Only such a resolve, can uproot our egoistic self-identification (The' TUG')!
11		Muni	A sage is referred in Sanskrit as 'Muni'. The root of this word is 'Mauna', meaning SILENCE of speech. Mere silence at speech level is not indicated by the word 'Mauna'. Usually such a silence is always enforced and hence not genuine. The Masters of the ancient India knew thoroughly well, the structure and the genesis of speech. They had traced its origin from the very nascent stage. In a lighter vein it is said that, "The speech is a great-grandson of subtle thought-forms rolling in human consciousness!" The ancient wisdom had even identified and named these preceding stages of speech, which is finally voiced by us. 'Para', 'Pashyanti, 'Madhyama' and ultimately 'Vaikhari', in their order from subtlest to the grossest form. These four Sanskrit words are somewhat equivalent to psychological terms such as: Collective Consciousness, Individual Unconsciousness, Individual Sub-consciousness and Individual Consciousness. Such are the deep-roots of our voiced speech! Hence, there is very little spiritual sense if there is silence only at the 'Vaikhari' (Gross vocal speech) level. The word 'Muni' indicates the one who has found SILENCE in him/her at the very originating point of mentation. That is the reason, 'Munis' were also called 'Swamis', the Master of one's self! 'Muni' is aware and awake within, through-and-through. Hence, 'Muni's Mauna' is natural and alive. This is the reason; their very silence is palpably eloquent. It affects most positively, whoever comes in their PRESENCE! Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi in the recent times lived as one such 'Muni'. The power of his silence is felt even today, in the old-hall of Ramana Ashram, at Tiruvannamalai, in Tamilnadu, India. In the rich spiritual heritage of India, Lord Dakshinamurti, a personification of God Siva, is the world-teacher, who sitting underneath the banyan tree teaches the supreme truth through SILENCE. He is pictured as a youth (meaning the ultimate wisdom is ever young), dispelling the doubts of aged disciples (signifying that realization is way beyond the dim-witted tedious efforts undertaken over a long period of time), without the aid of words (meaning that the Ultimate TRUTH is beyond the reach of words). Lord Dakshinamurti is depicted as merely showing a gesture with his right hand, which stands for the ultimate TRUTH. This gesture ('Chinmudra') indicates the following spiritual significance. HE shows the first three fingers (little-finger, ring-finger and middle-finger) of his right hand closely kept with each other and the index finger bent to touch the thumb-finger. This means: The first three fingers are the three qualities (Satva, Rajas, Tamas), present in each human being which has to be transcended by the 'Atman' (Soul) represented by the index-finger and move away to meet the Supreme Brahman, represented by the thumb-finger. Due to the admixture of three qualities, presently the 'Atman' is living as 'Ahamkar' (Ego). The 'Atman' has to move away from this entangled condition. Thus, the quintessence of the entire spiritual endeavor is taught in such an eloquent yet simple silence! Such is the mysterious power of SILENCE ('Mauna').

© Copyright 2001-2023 by Swami Jinendra. ® All Rights Reserved.