THE WAY WE PERCEIVE LIFE.

A weary traveller lost in the jungle one night slips and falls into an unused, dry well. During the fall he clutches to the root of the nearby banyan tree and is hanging midway. The whole night he spends in this precarious state. In the morning he begins the attempt to climb back to safety. He looks up and is terrified to find a tiger standing at the mouth f the well, looking hungrily at him.
So he decides to climb down and wait for the tiger to leave but sees a huge python at the base just coming out of hibernation and looking for something to swallow. And as his fate should have it the root of the tree which he was holding starts to snap.
In this situation he was not in a position to think clearly of what he should do. Just then a thick substance falls on to his nose and drips to his mouth. Unwittingly he licks at it and is surprised to find it very tasty and to know what that was he lifts his head. He notices a bear on the branch of the banyan tree. The bear is trying to drink the honey that was in the hive on the branch of the tree.
Now this man who thought he was in a horrible situation a moment ago is waiting for more drops of honey to fall on his nose so that he can lick and relish it. Life is almost like this situation: there are problems everywhere but it is wisdom to notice the small memorable incidences and enjoy those. Each one has a different way of perceiving life and relating to it.
And this depends 

BODY, MIND AND SOUL DHARMAS.

Our life is classified into three vital areas to fulfil the purpose which is Self-realisation. Sages collectively called these three vital areas as dharmic or principled obligations. What we must fulfil through the physical body in society is called bhoutika dhrama or worldly obligations. That which is to be fulfilled through the mind and intellect is called mano dharma or mental obligation. Thw third one that enables us to activate and empower our soul is atma dharma or Self-realisation. The following four steps could help us progress on this path.
We value our body for its beauty, youth, health or usefulness, without realising that it is a walking miracle. From birth to death, it carries out innumerable life-sustaining activities. Our hearts beat 86,400 times and our lungs breathe 21,600 times everyday. All this is possible due to the inexhaustible power, the soul which is making life throb. When we are aware that we constantly carry this sacred energy, we will never misuse it to perform actions which are harmful, demonic, criminal or destructive in nature. Also, we become aware that our body is exposed to limitations of time and space governing our lives. So we understand every moment that is available to us.
Then we follow a strict regimen of niyama with a definite value of time for food, sleep and regular routine of sadhana. Our body will be healthy and we will be fit and in control.
Secondly, process the mind. Examine every thought and emotion scrupulously to check whether it falls within the framework of righteousness with great objectivity and vitality. Chanting Aum which is the bija mantra or seed syllable of the soul energies the mind and transforms it into an impartial witness. This also churns the mind and draws out all thoughts and emotions hidden in its sub-conscious layers. This is symbolically depicted in churning the Kshirasagara or Ocean of milk to obtain the nectar of immortality. Here, the mind is the Kshirasagara and the churner is Aum, the sacred syllable from which the whole universe emerged. Our dharma or good thoughts represent gods and adharma or bad thoughts represent demons. As we begin churning the mind, cleansing of the mind begins and negativity within us is thrown out. Divinity is retained.
Thirdly, eliminate negativity. As we continue our sadhana by chanting Aum with total faith and belief, Shiva as Guru removes all negativity as soon as it rises up from within us. All negative thoughts, tendencies and feelings we have accumulated over many lifetimes rise to the surface. This negative energy constricting the mind is eliminated through guru's grace and our intellect, concentration and memory become razor sharp. We make quick, accurate decisions and complete our tasks at lightning speed. Every day expands to give us ample time for further sadhana and we become more and more absorbed in its vibrations.
The fourth step is to create wealth. At this point you will begin to create nidhi or treasure. As we get immersed in sadhana, we transcend our senses and our mind blossoms. Our hearts expand to embrace all beings. We generate only selfless, dharmic desires which benefit the world and are instantaneously fulfilled by Cosmic Will. We develop selflessness which is one of the important characteristics of Self-realisation and our atma dharma is thereby fulfilled.
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