Saturday 23 July 2022

Judge yourself, not others, according to 9 spiritual traditions

Ere thou canst settle in Jñâna Mârga and call it thine, thy Soul has to become as the ripe mango fruit: as soft and sweet as its bright golden pulp for others’ woes, as hard as that fruit’s stone for thine own throes and sorrows, O Conqueror of Weal and Woe. (Blavatsky, The Voice of the Silence, 3, 261)
 Perhaps one of Carl Jung's more useful contributions to psychology was his elaboration of the notion of projection, something that the ancients seemed to be aware of, as the following quotes would suggest, and so modern psychology brings new insight into an age-old problem and supports the validity of ancient ethics:
Buddhism
One should pay no heed to the faults of others, what they have done and not done. Rather should one consider the things that one has oneself done and not done. (Dhammapada, 4, 50)
Reveal your own shortcomings,/but do not seek out others' errors./ Conceal your own good qualities,/but proclaim those of others.  (Atisa, Bodhisattva's Jewel Garland 3, (Jinpa 25))
If you lapse and find yourself noticing another’s shortcomings, think ,’This is my own deluded perception; no such flaw exists in them. All sentient beings are endowed with the essence that shares the Buddha’s own nature.’ Reflect in this manner and judge this perception to be your own flaw. (Se Chilbu Chokyi Gyaltsen, "A Commentary on the 'Seven-Point Mind Training'", 6.3 (Jinpa 97))
Hinduism
Non-calumny: When one sees somebody drowning, he does not bother whether that person is a brahmin or an untouchable, but thinks that saving him is his first duty. Such a person, instead of bothering about the failings of another, tries to overcome that by his own good qualities and does not taunt him about them. Not taunting people for their failings by comparing them with perfect persons is the indication of non-calumny and there is no doubt that this is one of the resting stages in the path to liberation. (Dnyaneshwari; 16:68-212, transl. M.R. Yardi) 
Taoism
People through finding something beautiful
Think something else unbeautiful,
Through finding one man fit
Judge another unfit. (
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, 2)
He who knows others is learned; he who knows himself is wise. (Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, 33)
Confucianism
Zigong was criticizing other people. The Master said: "Zigong must have already reached perfection, which affords him a leisure I do not possess." (Confucius, Analects, 14,29)
Judaism
Do not taunt your neighbour with the blemish you yourself have. (Babylonian Talmud. pp. Baba Metsiya 59b, Kiddushin 70a)
If one judges his fellow favorably positively, he will be judged favorably by the Omnipresent. (Talmud, Shabbat 127b)
Christianity
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.  (Matthew 7:1–5)
Stoicism
Let philosophy scrape off your own faults, rather than be a way to rail against the faults of others. (Seneca, Moral Letters, 103.4a-b)
Sufism
Lord, teach me not to judge anyone if I have not walked a day or two in their sandals. Lord, teach me to withhold my tongue in criticizing someone if I have not walked a day’s journey with him. (Yunus Emre, Yunus Emre Hazretleri Sohbet ve Nasihat, Mehmet Fayzi [Conversations with and Advices of Hazrat Yunus Emre], p.19)
Let not the pious judge the meek
Each for his own deeds will speak.
Whether I’m good or bad, you judge yourself;
You reap what you sow, find what you seek.
(Hafiz Shirazi, Ghazal 80, Shahriar Shahriari)
Sikhism
O Nanak, if someone judges himself, only then is he known as a real judge (Gurbani, SGGS 148).
ਨਾਨਕ ਪਰਖੇ ਆਪ ਕਉ ਤਾ ਪਾਰਖੁ ਜਾਣੁ : Nanak parkhe aap kayu ta paarakh jaan
Let each person examine his own mind, O brother (Gurbani, SGGS 1128).
ਇਸੁ ਮਨ ਕਉ ਕੋਈ ਖੋਜਹੁ ਭਾਈ Is mann kayu koee khojo bhaaee
Theosophy
It (theosophy) has to find objective expression in an all-embracing code of life thoroughly impregnated with its spirit -- the spirit of mutual tolerance, charity and love. Its followers have to set the example of a firmly outlined and as firmly applied morality before they get the right to point out, even in a spirit of kindness, the absence of a like ethic Unity and singleness of purpose in other associations and individuals.
As said before -- no Theosophist should blame a brother whether within or outside of the association, throw slur upon his actions or denounce him {….} lest he should himself lose the right of being considered a theosophist. Ever turn away your gaze from the imperfections of your neighbour and centre rather your attention upon your own shortcomings in order to correct them and become wiser . . . Show not the disparity between claim and action in another man but -- whether he be brother or neighbour -- rather help him in his arduous walk in life . . .
Do not indulge in unbrotherly comparisons between the task accomplished by yourself and the work left undone by your neighbour or brother, in the field of Theosophy, as none is held to weed out a larger plot of ground than his strength and capacity will permit him . . . Do not be too severe on the merits or demerits of one who seeks admission among your ranks, as the truth about the actual state of the inner man can only be known to, and dealt with justly by KARMA alone. Even the simple presence amidst you of a well-intentioned and sympathising individual may help you magnetically . . . You are the Free-workers on the Domain of Truth, and as such, must leave no obstructions on the paths leading to it.
(Some Words on Daily Life, The Original Programme of the Theosophical Society, Ostende, October 3, 1886, Blavatsky, Collected Writings 7, 173-7)

Friday 15 July 2022

Patanjali's Yoga Sutras Summary: Book 3: On Powers (Vibhuti Pada)

 

Book 3: On Powers Vibhuti Pada

 

1- The three inner limbs of Ashtanga Yoga (1-8)

6- Concentration (dhāraṇā) is the mind's (cittasya) fixation (bandhaḥ) on one point (deśa)

7- Meditation (dhyāna): In Dhāraṇā, the continuous flow of similar mental modifications is Meditation (dhyānam) 

8- Contemplation (samādhi) is that state in which only the object of concentration (artha) shines forth (nirbhāsam), and the self (svarūpa) is absent (śūnyam).

The triad of  Dhāraṇā, Dhyāna and Samādhi on a single object (ekatra) is Saṁyama, through the conquest (jayāt) of that, the Light (ālokaḥ) of Wisdom (prajñā) dawns.

2- The nature of one-pointedness (9-15) (see 2, 18-27)

The subjugation (abhibhava) of the latent impressions (saṁskārayoḥ) of the ordinary state of consciousness (vyutthāna) and the appearance of the latencies of the arrested state of mind (nirodha) is the mutation (pariṇāmaḥ) of that very arrested state of mind (nirodha).  Through the latent impressions (saṁskārāt) of that arrested state of mind (tasya), a continuous undisturbed state of mental tranquility (praśānta-vāhitā) is brought about and kept. Diminution of attention to all objects (sarva-arthatā) and the emergence/development (udayau) of one-pointedness --ekāgratā-- is the mutation (pariṇāmaḥ) of Samādhi --perfect contemplation or absorption of mind (cittasya). During Samādhi, the past modification (pratyayau) being the same as the present (uditau) one, occur the mutation (pariṇāmaḥ) of the one-pointed state (ekāgratā) of the mind (cittasya).

By means of this, the three mutations of a -essential attribute (dharma), b- temporal character (lakṣana) and c- state as old and new (avasthā) in the gross elements (bhūta) and Indriyas, powers of perception and action, are explained in detail. The characterized object (dharmī) is that which continues to exist (anupātī) through the following three characteristics (dharma): a- appeased --i.e. past-- (śānta), b- risen --i.e. present-- (udita) and c-indefinable --i.e. future-- (avyapadeśya). Difference (anyatvam) in the succession (krama) is the cause (hetuḥ) of the mutative (pariṇāmaḥ) difference (anyatve).

3- The practice of samyama upon various contents of consciousness and the powers resulting from it (16-48)

1- Knowledge of the past and future (16), 2- Knowledge of the meaning of sounds produced by all beings (17), 3- Knowledge of previous births and of future births (18), 4- Knowledge of others' minds (19-20) 5-disappearance of the body from view (21), 6- Foreknowledge of birth, harm, or death (22), 7- Loving- kindness in all (23), 8- Extraordinary strength (24), 9-Knowledge at a distance (25), 10- Knowledge of the outer universe (26), 11- Knowledge of the stars (27), 12–Knowledge of cosmic motion (28), 13- Knowledge of the composition and coordination of bodily energies (29), 14- Liberation from hunger and thirst (30), 15- Exceptional stability, balance, or health (31), 16- Vision of higher beings (32) 17- knowledge of everything that is knowable (33), 18- knowing of the mind (34), 19- knowledge of the true self (35), 20- Knowledge of inner senses (36-37), 21- Influencing others (38), 22- movement without obstacle in water, mud, thorns, etc. and exit from the body at will at the time of death (39), 23- Effulgence (40), 24- Clairaudience (41), 25- Levitation (42),  26- Freedom from bodily awareness and temporal attachments (43), 27- Mastery over the elements (44), 28- Perfection of the body (45-46), 29-Mastery of the senses (47), 30- quickness as of mind, un-instrumental-perception and mastery over the Pradhana (48)

4- The higher form of “dispassion” and last possible obstacles (49-55)

Through Saṁyama on moment (kṣaṇa) and its sequence, krama, a knowledge (jñānam) which arises from that discernment or discrimination (viveka) is acquired. Through that knowledge, there is clear perception of the difference (pratipattiḥ) between two things looking alike (tulyayoḥ) since difference (anyatā) is indiscernible (anavacchedāt) by means of a- class or species (jāti), b- temporal character (lakṣaṇa) and c- position (deśaiḥ).

Knowledge (jñānam) which arises from discernment (viveka) is "Tāraka" or intuitive knowledge. It is comprehensive of all (sarva) things appearing (viṣayam) at all times (sarvathā) and has no sequence (akramam). When there is equality (sāmye) of purity (śuddhi) between Buddhisattva, sattvic Buddhi, and Puruṣa, "the state of complete Emancipation" (kaivalyam) dawns. When invited by celestial beings (sthāni), that invitation should not be accepted nor should it cause conceit, since it involves the possibility of undesirable results.

To one established in discriminative knowledge (khyāti-mātrasya) of the difference (anyatā) between Buddhisattva, sattvic Buddhi full of discriminative knowledge and Puruṣa, comes supremacy (adhiṣṭhātṛtvam) over all beings (bhāva) and omniscience (sarvajñātṛtvam). By renunciation (vairāgyāt) even of that Vivekakhyāti or discriminative knowledge, when there is destruction (kṣaye) of the seeds (vīja) of evil (doṣa), Kaivalya or complete Emancipation is experienced.

 

Samyama on

Power

 

1

Saṁyama on the three mutations, essential attribute, temporal character and state as old and new

Knowledge of past and future

 

3.16

2

Through the reciprocal imposition of word, meaning and idea

knowledge of the meaning hidden in the sounds emitted by all beings

17

3

the realization of latent impressions (saṁskāra)

Knowledge of previous births

18

4

on the notions (pratyayasya)

Knowledge of others' minds

19-20

5

On the suppression of the property of perceptibility pertaining to the body when the Yogī has gone beyond the range of the eyes

invisibility

21

6

on that Karma, fast in fructifying and slow in fructifying,  or through the signs of approaching death

knowledge of time of death

22

7

on friendship (maitryā) and so on

different kinds of strengths

23

8

on various strengths (baleṣu)

the strength (bala) of an elephant (hasti), etc.

24

9

By applying the light of the supersensory perception

knowledge of subtle things, objects which are obstructed from view or remote

25

10

on the Sun, i.e. the solar entrance in the body (sūrye)

knowledge (jñānam) of the worlds (bhuvana)

26

11

on the moon --i.e. the lunar entrance in the body-- (candre)

knowledge (jñānam) of the arrangements (vyūha) of stars (tārā)

27

12

on the pole star (dhruve)

knowledge (jñānam) of the movement of the stars

28

13

on the navel-cakra --i.e. "Maṇipūra"-- (nābhi-cakre)

knowledge of the structure and disposition of the body

29

14

on the cavity of the throat

cessation of hunger and thirst

30

15

on the bronchial tube (kūrmanāḍyām)

calmness and firmness (sthairyam)

31

16

on the coronal (mūrdha) light (jyotiṣi)

perception or vision of the Siddhas, a kind of demigods

32

17

through Prātibha, knowledge which comes to a Yogī before the attainment of discriminative knowledge

Knowledge of everything (sarvam)

33

18

on the heart (hṛdaye)

knowledge (saṁvid) of mind (citta)

34

19

on this Puruṣa --i.e. one's own Self

knowledge (jñānam) of Puruṣa (puruṣa)

35

20

From that Saṁyama on Puruṣa, Prātibha a kind of intuitive knowledge

supernatural power of hearing, touch, seeing, tasting and smelling

36-37

21

Through the weakening of the cause of bondage and complete knowledge/understanding of the roaming of mind

mental penetration into the body of another

38

22

By conquering (jayāt) Udāna --i.e. one of the five main vital energies

movement without obstacle in water, mud, thorns, etc. and exit from the body at will at the time of death

39

23

By conquering Samāna, one of the five main vital energies

effulgence (jvalanam)

40

24

on the relationship between the ordinary power of hearing, Śrotendriya, and  the space, ākāśa

divine Power of Hearing (śrotram)

41

25

on the relationship between the physical body and space, ākāśa and by identification with the light cotton

movement through the space, the Yogī can fly

42

26

A unimagined (akalpitā) conception (vṛttiḥ) outside (vahis), known as the great (mahā) discarnate (videhā)

from Mahāvidehā  removal of the veil over the Light, over Buddhisattva

43

27

on the grossness, essential nature, subtlety, inherent quality (anvaya) and objectiveness of the Bhūtas or Elements

victory over those Bhūtas or Elements

44

28

From that, manifestation of Aṇimā, the supernormal power of minimization

bodily perfection and non-obstruction of that body

45-46

29

on receptivity, essential nature, I-sense, inherence and objectiveness of the Indriyas

victory over the Indriyas

47

30

From the previous come

quickness as of mind, un-instrumental-perception and mastery over the Pradhana

48