5 Steps to Awareness

Published at: http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Steps-to-Awareness&id=5176951

Modern people tend to neglect the spiritual life. Most of us think that money can buy everything. However, there is one thing that is not being sold at any market shops. Pure happiness, this is an inner feeling that comes from within.

In Saadhana Panchakam, Adi Sankaracharya(788-820 CE), a great master from India wrote 5 basic principles to achieve happiness. Shankara presented a summary on how to perform sadhana. The word sadhana means practice. The goal is the highest joy that comes from our awareness which is one with the Absolute Reality.

Those steps are self knowledge, good company, awareness, discipline, and action.

Self knowledge is the realization of our true self. Merely, we are not this body, mind, and soul. There is something within us that beyond those three layers of consciousness. In India, people named It as the Self, the Atman or Purusha. This Self-Realization comes through a deep meditation.

Good company is a community which supports our spiritual growth. The members consist of loving and caring person. Commonly, they have a Perfect Master (Sat-Guru) as the center point of devotion. Everyday they serve His Lotus feet to cut down their arrogance and selfishness.

Awareness is the realization of unity and oneness. Thus, we are all interconnected and governed by the same law of nature. Discipline is a strict attitude in tune with the nature.

Last but not least, action as the ultimate step. Talking about food will no make us full. The most important thing is putting the food in our mouth, than chewing it. Therefore, let us take the first step to awareness today.

5 Steps to Awareness by Anand Krishna, reviewed by Nugroho Angkasa

First Published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama Indonesia (2006)

Number of Pages: 162

A Magnificent Monkey From Indonesia

Published at: http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Magnificent-Monkey-From-Indonesia&id=5177069

“Nalikane Alengka diobong,” (Once upon the time, Alengka was burned). This song is very popular in Java, especially in the sub-urban area. Hanuman is a figure from Ramayana epic. He was Rama’s ambassador. He must take back Sinta who was kidnapped by Rahwana. His appearance is almost similar like Sun Go Kong.

Hanuman’s mother is Anjana, a beautiful goddess from heaven. The father is wind god, named Bayu. Therefore, in the east he was called Bayu’s son. When he was still a baby, Hanuman has ever swollen the sun. For, its shape is like his favorite candy. Adult Hanuman is very powerful. He is able to fly crossing the ocean to save his Master’s wife. Alone this mighty monkey burned Alengka.

At page 26-27 Anand mentions a unique diagram. Showing 4 ways in finding the center in ourselves. First is Kama or strong will. Second is Artha, not only related with wealth but also with human’s life value. Third is Dharma or Rightfulness. Last but not least is Moksha or ultimate freedom.

Unfortunately, people tend to combine Kama with Artha, which are in a line. Therefore, we only have a strong will to collect money. Similar with the combination of Dharma and Moksha, we do something good only to get reward and to avoid punishment. What is our different with a donkey who just want to eat carrot and avoid stick?

The ideal meeting is in diagonal line. Meaning that we have Kama or strong will to gain Moksha or ultimate freedom, not after the death but during our life right here right now. Then, we collect wealth to be shared with the oppressed people. It’s our Dharma. In tune with John Lennon’s imagination, “Imagine all the people, sharing all the world…”

Hanuman is more than a monkey. Reading the Hanuman Factor will color our life with the same spirit.

The Hanuman Factor by Anand Krishna, reviewed by Nugroho Angkasa

First Published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama Indonesia (January 2010)

Number of Pages: 206