Sivananda on dreams

Hari Aum.

Most of us have experienced dreaming at night. The underlying reason for dreams is not well-understood in modern science. There are various theories for the existence of dreams, ranging from the brain processing information to manifestation of hidden desires. There remains uncertainty in the scientific world, however, as to the precise cause and purpose of dreams.

The yogic opinion on dreams is complex and interesting. Yogis believe there are four states of consciousness. They say that three states are experienced by everybody, namely the waking state, the dream state, and the deep sleep state. The fourth state is the state of superconscious awareness (self-realisation) that is believed to be the destiny of all beings (though in practice, only a few strive for and attain this at any point in time).

Yogis believe that there are various types of dreams. Some dreams are indeed the result of the mind processing experiences of the waking state. Other dreams are said to be the expression of impressions or 'samskaras' from previous births. Some dreams are granted as the fruits of karma- one can work out the results of past karma in dreams.

Some dreams are said to be signs or guidance to us - these are prophetic dreams, they may be signs of positive or negative experiences that we will experience in the waking state in the future.

My guru, Sivananda, has written a detailed book explaining the yogic view on dreams- see link below for this. At the end of the book, he describes a number of dream symbols and their meanings- this is quite interesting.

http://www.dlshq.org/download/dream.htm

The ultimate yogic viewpoint is that the waking state and the dream state, both of which feel very permanent when we exprience them, are both transient. Yogis regard the waking state as a prolonged 'dream' in the sense that this state, like the dream state, is ultimately a fleeting non-permanent unreal experience. The yogi engages in spiritual sadhana in order to transcend the three lower states of consciousness, and attain the highest fourth state, the superconscious self-realised state where permanent peace, wisdom and bliss are experienced.

Sivananda says, in his books on dreams, that dreaming of God is a fortunate experience which indicates future success and elevation. I have been through a very stressful time recently due to various difficulties at work and at home. Frankly I felt in need of some encouragement from God.

Two nights ago, on MahaShivaratri night (Feb 13), I had an interesting dream. I dreamt of Lord Shiva. In the dream, I was in a Shiva temple with my parents and, in front of us, was a beautiful Shiva linga made of black stone. Shiva's three eyes were on the statue and two of them were open (they were a green colour), and He talked to us. He gave my parents some advice and then said something to  me in a language I do not understand in the waking state (though it made sense to me in the dream!)- in the morning, I felt this was either Sanskrit or Tamil, and I am able to speak neither! Anyway I woke up feeling happy that I had dreamt of Shiva.

Due to work pressures, I had not done any elaborate worship for Shiva during the day or night for this Shivaratri. I simply did the usual ashtakshara japa, including before sleeping, and reminded myself that Shiva and Narayana are One- therefore when I worship Narayana, I am worshipping Shiva too. I was therefore quite surprised to have a dream about Shiva as I think of God mostly as Krishna or Narayana.

 Anyway, I hope that, in accordance with my Guru's words, this dream indicates some positive developments in spiritual life, and hopefully in my worldly life too. It is not everyday that I dream of God, so this experience was interesting. I have never before had a dream where God directly talked to me. In terms of other spiritual dreams, some years ago, I dreamt of a Goddess temple with a young girl who was sitting and watching me closely- when I woke, I felt this girl represented the Goddess. Another time, many years ago, I dreamt I saw Krishna in a dream- He was going somewhere, and looked at me but did not speak. I have also dreamt of my Guru Sivananda and his disciple Chidananda. That's about it in terms of spiritual dreams. I also find that, when I sit to meditate in the morning, I get flashbacks of my dreams from the previous night- as if, memories of these are just below the surface of my conscious mind and they naturally arise when I quiet my conscious mind a little during mantra japa. Anyway, whether or not dreams indicate anything important, I guess one should spend more time thinking of God and less time analysing one's dreams, and so I will conclude here!

Hope we wake up from all dreams, both in the waking and dream state, and attain the eternal true state of bliss, beyond the pleasure and pain of dreams. 

 Hari Aum Tat Sat

P.S. I was listening to 'Shivashtakam', one of my favourite songs on Youtube today (see link below - it's a nice rendition). In this, the name 'Aparna kalatram' comes up as one of Shiva's names- this means 'consort of Aparna'.

Since 'Aparna' (a name of Goddess Parvati) is my first name, given to me at birth by my parents, I've always felt a connection with Lord Shiva. This name represents Goddess Parvati when She was doing intense tapas (spiritual practice) to attain Shiva as Her husband. ('Vishnupriya' is my spiritual name given at my mantra initiation).

Anyway, as I listened to this song, I thought that 'Aparna kalatram' i.e. Shiva has every right to appear in the dream of Aparna. ;) As my Guru says, Shiva and Narayana are one. Let Him give darshan in any form He pleases, I would be very happy if I could become deserving enough to see the forms of both Hara and Hari, though I worship Him as Hari/Narayana.

Shivashtakam sung beautifully by Pandit Jasraj:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej6kihJCNTs

Karma sannyasa

Hari Aum.

Sometime in late 2012, I discovered a book called 'Karma sannyasa', written by a disciple in the lineage of Swami Sivananda, known as Swami Satyasangananda (she is a disciple of Swami Satyananda who was a direct disciple of Sivananda).

This book describes the concept of karma sannyasa. According to Swami Satyasangananda, karma sannyasa is renunciation of the sense of doership or ego, while remaining engaged in various actions. The book mentions how, in the Gita, Krishna tells Arjuna that the best path of yoga is to perform actions (not abandon them) while renouncing the sense of doership/ego.

Initiation into karma sannyasa is for householders who wish to progress spiritually while remaining in the world and performing various duties. Here, family and society are not abandoned- one continues to serve them while treating this as a sadhana. In addition, one may do other spiritual practices such as japa, puja and so on.

During his lifetime, Swami Satyananda gave karma sannyasa initiation to householders advising them to live in the spirit of renouncing the ego. He told them they could wear the orange robe of a sannyasi when desired (e.g. when doing sadhana- this was not mandatory) and live by the noble ideals that the dress symbolised. His disciples continue to give karma sannyasa initiation to those who are interested.

I was very interested in the concept of karma sannyasa after reading this book and desired to be initiated into this. An initiation creates a mark in the mind that something of significance has occurred, a pledge has been made, a commitment has been declared- therefore initiations have some value.

I therefore emailed Swami Satyasangananda  requesting initiation. She told me she would be willing to initiate me and advised me to attend their Ashram in Munger, Bihar on certain days when initiations are given. I was very glad that she agreed but, due to my medical training at the time, explained that I would have to wait to take annual leave to make the trip.

Then quite unexpectedly my father unfortunately had a heart attack a month later, and I flew to India in a great hurry to be with him and to spend some weeks taking care of him. After he had recovered and was feeling better, I asked him if I may make a quick trip for a couple of days to the Bihar Ashram to take karma sannyasa initiation (as there was now a rare opportunity). He became very upset and said that he would not agree for this under any circumstances. He was worried about my safety and did not feel such initiations were necessary. He therefore forbade me from going anywhere and said that I would cause him great pain and stress if I went to Bihar for this purpose against his wishes.

I was now in a dilemma. I did not want to cause any stress to my father (whose health was already quite delicate) but was desperately keen to obtain the karma sannyasa initiation. So I wrote an email to Swami Satyasangananda explaining my situation. I asked if there was any chance of meeting her in Delhi or in Europe on her travels at a later date to get this initiation. She then sent me an email in reply which greatly surprised and delighted me.

She wrote back on February 1, 2013 stating that this date would be the date of my karma sannyasa initiation. As an exceptional situation (due to my difficult circumstances in getting leave to attend the Ashram), she said she was giving me initiation via this email. She gave me a new spiritual name, 'Dayamurti', and told me that I could visit the Ashram later to collect the dhotis, mala and other accessories. Finally she said she was passing on the blessings of her Guru Swami Satyananda, disciple of Sivananda, for good health, peace and prosperity.
I wrote back to her expressing my heartfelt gratitude and joy, as well as my resolve to try my best to live upto the inspiring ideals of karma sannyasa and the noble spiritual name she had given me ('Dayamurti' means embodiment of compassion).

I dyed a set of clothes orange and already have my tulasi mala so have not yet made it to the Bihar Ashram for these- however  I would very much like to visit one day.

I was reflecting that it is now five years since I received the karma sannyasa initiation and was mulling over what this initiation means to me today. I am reading this book once again to remind myself of the principles of a life of karma sannyasa.

I live on this planet Earth along with 7.6 billion other human beings. Of these, some have an interest in spiritual life. Of this group, some wear orange, live in a public Ashram and some turn the mala reciting the name of God. While others live in their homes, sometimes wear orange and again may turn the mala reciting the name of God.

It is hard to live in the world- whether as a wandering monk, in a public ashram or in one's home-ashram (grihasthashram). It is hard because wherever we go, the mind comes with us. And the mind moves here and there restlessly and constantly has to be turned Godwards.

I go through ups and downs in life. At home, at work, the challenges never stop coming. One senior Swami at the Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh (with whom my husband and I have a Skype satsang every week since the past couple of months)  tells me that God sends challenges to strengthen us, to make us perfect. It is not easy though.

Recently when I was going through a particularly difficult time, the Swami reminded me 'Give priority to God in your life, remember His name. Narayana is with us'. I take heart from these words.

I remind myself of the great saying in the Upanisads:
 "Harer namaiva namaiva namaiva mama jivanam, kalau nasthyeva nasthyeva nasthyeva gatir anyatha".
This means: The name of God alone is my life, in this current age, there is no other refuge (way to salvation).

Whether one wears orange or not, whether one wanders as a monk or not, whether one lives in a large public ashram or a small home-ashram or somewhere else, it really does not matter. The only thing that matters, in accordance with the advice of the sages, is that the environment should be conducive to reciting the names of God and serving God in others.

This is the essence of karma sannyasa - to serve humanity/living beings as a manifestation of God while practicing the recitation of the name of God.

When I look at the many flaws within and sometimes despair, wondering how I can ever attain God, I remind myself that the name of God is much more powerful than any flaw in my mind. I remind myself of the words of my Guru Sivananda in his book ' Japa yoga' where he describes the great power of japa. That it transforms rajas and tamas into sattva, it eradicates impurities and make the mind pure and fit to experience God.

And so, at a steady pace of 11 malas (one hour) of seated japa a day, while attempting to practice karma sannyasa and trying to remember God as often as possible, I continue my sadhana in the hope that one day, surely the spiritual goal will be attained.

Hari Aum Tat Sat