tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143245321051269233.post7117429677314793083..comments2021-01-15T11:48:41.464-05:00Comments on everyday gita: are you an addict?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06092608110198167323noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143245321051269233.post-46093832609150948942013-04-17T19:34:38.304-04:002013-04-17T19:34:38.304-04:00Hi Thara! My understanding of the word vaasana, s...Hi Thara! My understanding of the word vaasana, simply put, is our tendency towards doing something. The inherent tendency we all have is to seek pleasure. As was mentioned in previous verses, it is impossible to negate this tendency since we (the soul) are full of pleasure (ananda or joy) to begin with. However, due to our ignorance and current identification with the body, that we are presently inhabiting, our vaasanas drive us to seek temporary pleasure (i.e. through our senses) which often leads to frustration. "We" as souls are eternal beings and therefore it only makes sense that we seek pleasure all the time! <br /><br />The Gita gives us the knowledge and means to obtain that eternal pleasure. We still utilize our senses and we may even perform the same activity, but there is a consciousness shift. As opposed to doing things for "my pleasure", we perform the same activities "as service" in the consciousness of gratitude for the pleasure of the Divine. In fact, authorized Bhakti texts inform us that such loving service to the Supreme is the "dharma" or inherent occupation of the individual soul. This results in freedom from both good and bad karma. Since we are part and parcel of the Supreme, by giving Him pleasure, we naturally experience pleasure. It's a win-win situation for all. :) Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06092608110198167323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143245321051269233.post-79639630083730317892013-04-17T09:36:08.328-04:002013-04-17T09:36:08.328-04:00Hi Josie. I love how you put that. It really is ...Hi Josie. I love how you put that. It really is about non-attachment. Sometimes we hear the word detached, but in order to be detached, one has to be attached! Non-attachment indicates that we may be aware of something but we don't associate it with a positive or negative label. We remain equipoised to it. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06092608110198167323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143245321051269233.post-8460092998653929922013-04-16T22:17:50.023-04:002013-04-16T22:17:50.023-04:00I guess this is where we talk about exhausting our...I guess this is where we talk about exhausting our 'vaasanas', correct? Put in a very simple way, I tell myself that we must aim to reduce our desires...so in your parlance, reduce 'addiction'. While it is a tall order to give up everything all at once, it is a worthy goal to exhaust them slowly. As a personal goal, I tell myself that I should strive to let go slowly. Do you think this is on the lines of what this verse says?Tharahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09010844575232133418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143245321051269233.post-90575809384188092302013-04-16T16:47:43.014-04:002013-04-16T16:47:43.014-04:00Yes, as human we're all probably addicted to s...Yes, as human we're all probably addicted to something of the senses. This reminds me the practice of non-attachment, which is learning to be aware that we're not our body or mind, the identification of "self" as the body or mind. Through the purification of the senses as you said, it's how we learn to unveil that eternal soul who is naturally blissful in us, I believe. :) Josiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03003954301226358863noreply@blogger.com