Summary:

Lesson 93 defines what is surrender, purpose of prayer, conscious/unconscious mind, and coping methods during hard times.

REVISION FROM LAST SESSION:

• Destiny/Karma revision:
  • Destiny (prārabdha). Happens NOW.
  • Karma means action. And implies puruṣārtha (self-effort/freewill).
  • Both are entwined. One is never without the other.
    • EG: Al Gore was asked what are global warming projections in next 100 years. He said it depends what we do as collective.
• Definition of Surrender, when Draupadī surrendered to the Lord:
  • What is surrender? Two types.
    • 1) Worldly surrender: (surrendering to something external)
      • EG: Going to a doctor.
      • Psychology:
        • I admit my incompetency to resolve “THIS”.
        • I temporarily suspend my individuality (know-how), so that I may give myself a chance to be helped
      • Then one takes refuge to an external object.
      • SUMMARY: Any kind of mastery comes from temporarily suspending my know-how, while using discrimination to think-twice BEFORE I receive. EG: Brain tumor options.
        • Hence surrender is not passive. But active.
    • 2) Surrendering to a Power not-perceptible:
      • EG: How do we fall asleep? By surrendering the waker. Something greater then the waker, surrenders the waker.
        • If one trace of waker is busy surrendering, then won’t receive sleep.
      • This surrender is a mixture of (1) intention and (2) faith in something other then my thinking self.
      • Reception of #2 is referred to as “Grace” (prasādaḥ, anugrahaḥ).
• Topic of Prayer:
  • Prayer is the highest expression of free will. Why?
    • It requires rational thinking and understanding.
      • Understanding of what?
        • That intelligence (Īśvara) is impartial / non-biased.
          • Meaning, we can’t 100% guarantee results, thus we convert our helplessness into asking for help from the one Intelligence which sustains the world.
      • What happens if understanding is partial?
        • We will get angry at Īśvara if our prayers are unanswered.
          • EG: Suppose your favorite vase is falling and you pray it doesn’t fall. Won’t work. Īśvara won’t suspend gravity just for you.
          • Therefore while you can’t change law of gravity, you can understand law of gravity, thus work with it.
      • What else happens if understanding if partial?
        • One pretends they’re indifferent to life. Fact is, no one is indifferent to life, because you’re never separate from life whose nature is interconnectedness.
• Conscious/Unconscious thoughts determine our actions:
  • Conscious thoughts:
    • Deliberate. Actions are in my sphere of alertness.

• • Unconscious thoughts:
    • When situation comes, it triggers a past conclusion (refined through time).
      • Conclusion recreates an internal picture of the external situation.
        • When convinced by “THIS” picture (hence no reason to be suspicious) that’s called unconscious reaction.
    • Result of this?
      • Causes projection ONTO the world that suits the internal picture and not the external situation.
      • Initiates a NARRATIVE, which psychologists attempt to re-shape.
        • Result of psychological treatment?
          • Responses changes. However there is a time lag once change has taken place.

• Why should we ask Īśvara for help?
  • Word “ask” is a mixture of implicit/subtle and explicit/gross actions.
    • Gross: Asking for a home loan, directions, music lessons, Googling for X.
    • Subtler: Listening, reading, inquiring, kīrtanam, chanting Lord’s name.
  • “Why ask Īśvara?” actually has no answer as that’s up to each person to decide.
    • Our intention is to see that asking has a valid role.
  • Maintains one’s humility.
    • EG: Vedic culture is one of rituals/devotion, whether jñāni/ajñāni.
• We receive when we’re ready to receive.
  • If not ready, we’ll compromise OR accept partially. Then complain about the received, blaming the other.
    • EG: Suppose you admire someone’s talent. But secretly jealous.
      • You approach them to ask for some advice.
        • While listening, there is non-acceptance (dislike) is in background.
        • Result? (1) won’t capture everything (2)
  • What makes one NOT ready to receive? Conflict of values. Haven’t prioritized values.

REVISION FINISHED – THIS WEEKS SESSION:

• STORY CONTINUES: Pāṇḍavas lost their Indraprastha kingdom and were required to retreat to forest for 12 years. And 13^th year in incognito (if found, another 12 years).
  • QUESTION 1 :
    • How do you think Pāṇḍavas felt being exiled? They felt regret, anger, injustice.
  • QUESTION 2:
    • How did the Pāṇḍavas cope with their emotion?
      • Distracted themselves in the forest by keeping busy.

• • QUESTION 3:
    • What are some other copying mechanism people use today to distract themselves from NEG or unresolved emotions?
      • Food.
      • Addiction. (Drinking, drugs)
      • Yoga (modern).
  • COMMENTARY:
    • Most people are in Pāṇḍavas position. We're coping.
    • Difference between Duryodhana / Pāṇḍavas coping method?
      • Duryodhana was acting out his anger.
      • Pāṇḍavas were NOT acting out the anger. But channeling it into productive means.

• • • • Therefore, coping mechanism is not negative. It's serve a useful function.
        • EG 1: During childhood.
        • EG 2: Trauma is temporarily veiled with a coping mechanism to move forward in life.
• STORY CONTINUES: One day after 13^th year, Duryodhana found them. Late by one day. But claimed within time limit. Hence refused to relinquish Indraprastha.
  • In attempt to end conflict, Krishna decided to play role of negotiator. He gave choices to Duryodhana…
    • Return Pāṇḍavas their share.
    • Give up one district.
    • One village.
    • Five houses.
    • One house with 5 rooms.
  • Duryodhana responded that Pāṇḍavas have to fight for inch of land.
  • War was declared!

Keywords: draupadi, purushartha, purusartha, prarabdha, prasada, anugraha, pandavas

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Recorded 15 Sept, 2020