(Further from the previous blog)
CHAPTER 7: HONORING OUR INHERENT UNDERSTANDING
Be cautious, as one should not dwell on or contemplate the flaws of the body. Focusing on imperfections creates obstacles along the path and only reinforces attachment. Therefore, seekers should carefully observe the body’s transition through its initial, interim, and final states to understand its true nature. It’s important to avoid thinking about the body or its shortcomings. When a seeker, with the help of viveka (conscience or inner voice), perceives the true nature of the body, notions of beauty and truthfulness regarding the body fade away.When this occurs, desires—including sexual urges—will be destroyed. Instead, a desire to connect with God, who embodies infinite and eternal beauty, will arise.
Seekers should reflect on why they have notions of beauty, permanence, and attachment regarding the body. What are the reasons behind these feelings? Upon analysis, one may realize that the absence of contemplation is, in fact, the reason. We are inherently eternal and blissful. Due to our inherently eternal nature, we tend to experience a sense of permanence and bliss in material objects if we start identifying ourselves with them through the ego. This notion will persist until the seeker examines it through viveka and honors their own understanding.
In reality, we can only form relationships or a sense of oneness with those who belong to the same breed. It is not possible to truly connect or foster a relationship with those who are of a different breed. However, out of ignorance, we often mistakenly identify with and create bonds based on our physical bodies, which does not belong to our breed. This identification with the body is sole error and is the root cause of all misfortune.
- (Rest in the next blog) From the book “The Grace of a Great Sage”
(Page No. 13-14)