Meditations on Transcendence

  Are We Born Into Abhava or the Pursuit of Poornata ? By Raamrasa At birth, we step into a world laden with abhava (lack), an intrinsic condition that defines our human journey. These lackings create lakshya (goals), setting the stage for virodha (conflict). Yet, the abhava of material desires cannot be fulfilled in the fleeting world of samsara . Instead, the call is to turn inward, toward poornata (completeness). As the Bhagavad Gita (2.55) teaches: “When one gives up all desires born of the mind, and finds satisfaction in the Self, then that person is called sthita-prajna (steadfast in wisdom).” This inward quest reveals that true santosha (contentment) is not achieved by satisfying external ichha (desires) but by aligning with the infinite brahman . The Mahabharata emphasizes this through Bhishma’s wisdom: "The one who sees atma in all beings and all beings in atma transcends all dualities." Here lies the essence of poornata —to see beyond the loka (world)...

  What Role Does the Trunk Play in Spiritual and Moral Growth? By Raamrasa The trunk serves as a profound metaphor for our spiritual and moral journey. Just as a tree trunk supports the branches, leaves, and fruits, our mental trunk— manas-kosha —must store and sustain the essence of our thoughts, values, and actions. In its repository, we must place the sacred descriptions and activities of Sri Hari and Vishnu , enabling our lives to align with the eternal dharma of service ( seva ) and responsibility ( kartavya ). As the Bhagavad Gita (3.35) declares, "Better is one’s own dharma, though imperfectly performed, than the dharma of another well performed." The trunk of dharma is unique for each individual but universally grounded in duty and devotion. To thrive in dharma , one must nurture the tree of life with the jnana-trunk . Knowledge ( jnana ) is not mere accumulation but an active cultivation of insight that enables the higher fruits of prema (divine love) and libera...