Kannadasan – A Realized Master (Part 8)
We concluded the previous episode with the question,
"What is it that drives us?" To quote the lyrics by the poet Gnani...”Kelvi
Piranthathu Andru.. Nalla Badhil Kidaithhathu Indru!” (Film: *Pachai Vilakku*):
“The question arose back then; a good answer was found
today!
We will sure get answers to the questions on mind soon
from Kannadasan himself. Let us look at the following line-2:
“Desire was born back then; everything came true today.”
The poet who wrote 'Ninaippathellam Nadanthuvittal' (‘if
whatever we imagine happens?’) but, in this song says, “whatever we desire will
come true”. In her book, “What you want wants you”, author Suzanne
Eder declares: “In a vibrational universe, the quality of your thoughts governs
the quality of your lived experience.” Her conviction is that our deepest, most
authentic desires are not mistakes or distractions. They are signals from a
deeper intelligence, inviting us toward our highest expression.
This
resonates well with some Indian spiritual teachings, but differs in an
important way. Bhagavad Gita warns against attachment to desires and the
agitation they produce: "From attachment comes desire; from desire arises
anger." At first glance, this seems
opposite to Suzanne's teaching. However, the Gita does not condemn all
aspirations. It encourages acting according to one's svadharma (inner calling
or nature) while surrendering attachment to results. While the former urges you
to honor your deepest desire, the Gospel Gita says, “Fulfill your true nature,
but don't cling to outcomes.” The resonance is that both distinguish
superficial cravings from something deeper and more authentic.
Kannadasan also underscores to limit our desire in another song, “Vaazhndhu parka vendum, arivil manithanaaka vendrum” (Film: Shanthi) “One must live life to the fullest and evolve into a truly enlightened human being”:
Yet, one must know where to draw the line!”
In the same lyrics, Kannadasan also says to kill the mind
that produces destructive thoughts:
You must pinch it out and cast it aside!”
In his “Talks with Ramana Maharishi” the sage says, “It is
in the mind that birth and death, pleasure and pain, in short, the world and
ego, exist. If the mind is destroyed, all these are destroyed too. Note that it
should be annihilated, not just made latent. For the mind latent in sleep. It
does not know anything. Still, on waking up, you are as you were before. There
is no end of grief. But if the mind is destroyed the grief will have no
background and will disappear along with the mind. How to destroy the mind?
Seek the mind. On being sought, it will disappear. The mind is only a bundle of
thoughts. The thoughts arise because there is a thinker. The thinker is the
ego. The ego, if sought, will vanish automatically.”
Let us now look at what Western thinkers say on the positive uses of the thought process. Paulo Coelho's famous book, “The Alchemist” there is a popular statement: "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." and "When you really want something, it's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe." Coelho is not suggesting that every wish is magically granted. Rather, the book's philosophy is that when a person wholeheartedly commits to their authentic purpose, opportunities, people, and circumstances often seem to align in unexpected ways.
There is another recent metaphor "menu of the Universe" under the “Law of Attraction” which is magical. The phrases are: "Place your order with the Universe." "The Universe is like a catalog/menu from which you choose." "Ask, and the Universe delivers."
This style of teaching is associated with authors such as Esther Hicks, Rhonda
Byrne of the popular book- “The Secret” and our own Indian/American author, Deepak
Chopra. There is also another interesting book from Shakti Gawain, “Creative
Visualization: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in
Your Life”. Finally, the Sufi Rumi’s well-known statement is: "What you
seek is seeking you."
Kaviyarasar also shows that if kept open, the mind takes you sky-high, like they say in the West, “Sky is the Limit”, in film: Santhi Nilayam (“Bhoomiyil iruppadhum vaanathil parappadhum, avaravar ennangaley”):
Wherever one may be
The realm of one's thoughts is vast
The heights one reaches and the brand-new worlds one discovers lie within one's own heart.”
Having seen the positive power of
our minds, we should see the other side of it too. In the following song, the
same 'King of Poets' also touches upon the confusion of the human mind. Film:
Kungumam. Song: “Chinnan chiriya vanna paravai, ennathai solluthamma..”
Voices its thoughts—
Lost in sweet melody,
It sings what is in its heart.”
Comparing the wavering mind to the
little fluttering sparrow, Kannadasan points to the ‘desire-making’ repetitive thoughts
with which humans struggle. “Movement of the mind makes misery”, said Buddha
and his followers focus at the bottom of their nose, watching their breath, to
bring control over the galloping horse.
The heart that changes every day
Is beyond understanding—
Nothing makes sense at all.”
Science points to the fact that the
entire cosmos is in a state of flux and everything is changing constantly. “The
world just isn’t “there” independent of our observing it; what is “there”
depends in part on what we choose to see – reality is partially created by the
observer”, says Heinz R. Pagels in his book, “The Cosmic Code: Quantum Physics
as the Language of Nature.”
As a reflection of world, our mind also keeps blabbering thoughts every minute. Come to think of it, surprisingly, what we call mind is only a fleeting flow of thoughts that make up our personality when we invest our emotions in our thoughts. “Why are you validating every thought of yours?” asked Nisarga Datta Maharaj. We give reality to our ever-changing thoughts whereas it so easy to change our thought-pattern willingly, remaining flexible like a child. After all, don’t we change our thinking over time? We liked something some time back and today we dislike it and like the entire opposite of it.
Amidst that trance, it sings, swaying like a swing,
Voicing its thoughts.”
We take ownership for what we do
outside, viz., “I did, I said”, etc. But can we take ownership for what is
happening inside our bodies? Like blood flow, kidney/liver/heart functions?
Never. Thoughts are appearing on their own from 'inside' the bio-robot called
brain. There is NO particular physical organ called mind, hanging inside
somewhere. Only billion neurons are firing inside our skull. Then why do own
every thought saying, 'I think'? And we freeze our fleeting personality on such
transient bubbles. "Life
is like a water bubble"—this is a common philosophical proverb that has
been used by people for centuries. Our thoughts, too, are like the bursting
bubbles! Why build castles over them?
In a heart filled with desire, There are two paths.
Kavignar metaphorically points to
the door which has two paths. When desire appears in the mind, we are at
crossroads to decide as to which way to go, a typical dilemma of humans.
Captivated by that allure, it sings, swaying like a swing;
A tiny, colorful bird.”
Our reality is what we perceive in
our minds. From our life experience we have realized the truth that the world
will appear exactly the way, we see it. It depends on the food level in the stomach,
the rest taken by the body and the temperament. In their book, “The Invisible
Gorilla: How Our Intuitions Deceive Us”, authors Christopher Chabris &
Daniel Simons prove that “everyday illusions influence our thoughts, decisions,
and actions, and they have large effects on our lives.”
From film songs also you can learn
(life) lessons which were imparted by Spirituality and Life Sciences, but in an
easy and enjoyable manner.
Let us also continue the lesson
from the lyrics!
-J Jeyes
(www.jeyes.in)
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