Each one of us desires and works hard to lead a happy and blissful life. Happiness is quintessentially to be learned and earned the right way with own efforts without dependence on external world of objects and people.
At later stage in life, however, the very desire shifts for something substantial, the essence of humanity, the seeking of Spirituality. Interestingly most of the modern day people wish salvation and bliss without letting go all they have got. On the contrary, world of attachments and Spirituality are diametrically opposite to each other. The perfect roadmap, clear purpose and right tools help navigate through the thin dividing line. Since it is like travelling through an unknown path less travelled, tons of commitment and practice become essential.
One is to learn multiple practices and methods available besides unlearning many things existing. The journey involves enhancing self-awareness, seeking self-realized truth and striving hard to enhance fundamental human virtues like morality, ethics, compassion and empathy. Both Yoga and Meditation need be mastered for continuing right practicing over years and years.
This book addresses the hurdles involved and provides a practical path in a hand holding manner. It provides a new perspective on Spirituality sans traditional philosophies and explanations. It is a travelogue for every curious and genuine seeker who refuses to settle for a life filled with ignorance about self, others and this visual world.
Ashok Tyagi (1960) gave up an immensely successful corporate career at the prime age of 51 to pursue superior aims of human life guided by Ancient Indian systems. His hands on understanding of religio-cultural nuances soon inspired him to pursue Spirituality in right earnest and on full time basis. His renunciation of blind-faith in traditions makes him a modern day thinker deep rooted in Universal values. He dedicates this shining insight, a result of over decade long endeavor, to the matured householders who have reached to the pinnacle of success in terms of current social norms and are dedicated to invest prime energy for something enduring and abiding.
Mr. Tyagi, a modern hermit, pursues Spiritual practices and intellectual vocation living in Surabaya, Indonesia with his wife Esha.
Preface
Introduction
Part I
Happiness: The Most Plausible Human Desire
Background
Happiness: The Default Setting for Every Human
Happiness can’t be Bought or Acquired; Happiness as a Roadblock to Creativity; Understanding Real Happiness; Levels of Happiness; Transient vs Enduring Happiness; Happiness and Misconceptions
Peace and Tranquility: Foundation for Happiness
Understanding Internal Peace; Impact of Peace on Thoughts; Plight of Modern Day Karma Yogis
Ashta Aishwarya
Personal Achievements; Obtaining Right Wisdom and Knowledge /35; Wellbeing of Spouse, Children, and Immediate Family; Sound Physical and Mental Health; Money and Material Wealth; Company of Real Friends; Security, Safety, and Freedom; Pursuing Passions; Important Takeaways
Decoding Critical Quotients and their Link to Happiness
Physical Intelligence (PQ); Intellectual Quotient (IQ); Emotional Intelligence (EQ); Spiritual Intelligence (SQ); Conclusion
Emotions — Unique Interrelation of Body and Mind
Emotions Explained; Working of Emotions; Emotions and Medical Solutions; Comments on Major Emotions
Contemporary Tools for a Fulfilled Life
Contemporary Tools; Training the Mind before Regulating its Working; Restrain Selfish Motives; Access Your Compassion and Gentleness; Holding on Morality and Ethics with Rock solid Firmness; Investing Energy in Relationships, Duties and Purpose; Simplifying Life by Shunning Complications
Ancient Indian Tools for a Fulfilled Life
Ancient Indian System being more than Hindu, Buddhist or Jain Systems; Ancient Social Structures Designed for Fulfillment; Life Divided in Four Stages – Ashram Vyavastha; Society Divided in Four Classes – Varna Vyavastha; Life Dedicated for Four Aims – Purushartha
Human Happiness and Role Play by Religions
Exploring Real Purpose of Life
Modern-day Dilemma and Aim of Human Life; Seeing through the Immediate; Overcoming Fear of Death; True Realization of Real Purpose of Life
Part II
Developing Understanding of Spirituality
Spirituality, General Understanding
When is Someone Ready for the Spiritual Quest?; Laying the Foundation for Spiritual Seeking; When to Initiate Spiritual Seeking
Spirituality v/s Common Concepts in Life
Spirituality vis-à-vis Religions; Spirituality vis-à-vis Morality and Ethics; Spirituality vis-à-vis Materialism; Spirituality vis-à-vis Sex; Spirituality vis-à-vis Career or Occupation; Spirituality vis-à-vis Family Life; Spirituality vis-à-vis Physical Health; Spirituality vis-à-vis Pains and Pleasures; Spirituality vis-à-vis Sciences; Spirituality vis-à-vis Self-improvement; Spirituality vis-à-vis Popular Yoga; Conclusions from Comparisons
Interpreting Signs of Spiritual Awakening
The Need for Seeking being the Real Call of the Day
Part III
Spiritual Evolution and Practice
Stages of Pre-Spiritual Evolution
Pre Contemplation; Serious Contemplation; Initiating Preparations; Action Initiation; Operational Stage; Initial Success
Spirituality vis-à-vis Traditional Concepts
Religions and Spirituality; Buddhist Spirituality; Christian Spirituality; Islamic Spirituality; Hinduism and Spirituality; Quintessential Spirituality being the Essence of Hinduism; Devotion and Spirituality
Samkhya: The Philosophical Connect ofSpirituality
Yoga: The Science of Practising SpiritualityY
The Raja Yoga; Yoga and Spirituality
Meditation: The Art of Practising Spirituality
Meditation and Its Modern Uses; Meditation: What it is Not;
Preparing the Mind for Proper Meditation; Techniques for Practising Meditation; Practical Tips for Effective Meditation
Part IV
Understanding Self before Self Realisation
Understanding Self: The Foundation for Spirituality
Definitions of Self; Classifying Self; Physical and Mental Self (Ego); Observing or Witnessing Self; Role of Human Mind as Only Instrument; Barriers to Self-awareness; Practising Self-Awareness; Steps Suggested for Sharpening Self-awareness; Practical Tips for Enhancing Self-awareness; Emotions and Rational Minds – Part of Awareness
Finding Real Truth Using Self-awareness
Clear Truth Necessitating Clear Eye and Willing Mind; How to Move Away from Ready-made Truth; Relative Truth or Absolute Truth; Difference between Guided and Self-explored Truth; Role of Scriptures in Seeking Truth; Finding Truth – Fighting Your Fire, Alone; Practical Tools for Seeking Truth
Tools for Spiritual Practice
“Dama” – Self Restraint; “Dana” – Self Sacrifice; “Daya” – Compassion for All; “Aacharan” – Cementing Ethical and Moral Behaviour; “Samvedna” – Empathy
Practising Practical Spirituality
Spending Time in Solitude; Focus on Breath; Daily Sadhana; Practising Yoga, Pranayam and other Absorbing Activities; Reading… but with Patience, Attention and Gratitude ; Aligning with Interest Groups; Stepping out of the Comfort Zones; Practising Renunciation, the Art of Willful Sacrifice; Invigorating ‘Sankalpa’, Determined Willpower; Purifying Ethical and Moral Self; Getting Habitual of Sinking all Known Systems/Methods; Ending Duality of ‘Observer’ and ‘Observed’; Stopping Passing Judgement on Every Issue; Going Beyond Others Tell, Write or Speak; Accepting Realities of Life; Suspending Mourning the Past or Restlessness for Future; Discontinuing Comparisons with All Others; Listening More and Speaking Less; Relying Only on Self-Experienced Truth
Spiritual Realization
Stages of Spiritual Realization; Majority of Populace Happily Ignorant; Stages of Spiritual Realisation
The Theoritical Aspects of Self-Realization
Soul’s Surrender, the Key for Traditional Self-realization; Traditions of Self-realization; “Nirvana”, the Buddhist Self-realization; “Moksha”, the Vedic Self-realization
Understanding Real and Practical Self-realization
Fallacy in Traditional Approach to Self-realization; True Realization being Similar to Death
Annexure: Questions and Answers
Bibliography
Index