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As far as the happiness and contentment of human life are concerned, both, the existing religions of today (based on scriptures,
prayers, myth and beliefs) and the scientists (of the modern science) appear to be opposed and contradictory to each other.
Yet, the actual situation is something else; Both, science and religion, want to make human life prosperous and happy. The
way of science is a materialistic reality that aims towards providing worldly comforts throughout the life. On the other hand,
religions are mental impressions of acquiring peace and happiness by means of meditation, mantra, prayer, yoga etc. that aim
at the present life as well as the life beyond death.
They both, however, fail to understand the real meaning of happiness. They must first solve the question "Who is
there to provide the happiness with"?
A Quest for True Happiness
On the other hand, we have sages like Samartha Ramdas who has said; "The more we yearn for happiness, faster we draw
in to the web of sorrow". We have discussed in first three chapters how the mind mechanism works and how each human being
is drawn in to web of thoughts and memories. We keep on doing aimless things in life and try to accumulate wealth. If what
we think we are (or "I") is just an illusion, who are we trying to satisfy? The brain and basic mind are natural
and they do not need wealth or materialistic means to be happy. They will be happy when they are one with Nature. That happiness
will be true happiness. The barrier to this natural activity is our illusory mind. Nature is ever flowing. When we hang on
to the memories of the past, we are stopping ourselves and creating a barrier for the brain to flow with the nature. Nature
is changing every moment. Every new moment is a new life. The true happiness would be to live each moment in full awareness
and flow as the Nature flows.
The mind will always keep the "thinker" occupied with the thoughts and memories of the past and apprehensions
of the future. It races from one conclusion to another and in the process keep the basic mind and brain away from the truth.
Both, the present religions and science, have to first understand this concept. There have been, however, sages and scientists
who, instead of searching the happiness through thoughts and logic, have found the true happiness by witnessing the Thoughtlessness
State and Pragnya (Thoughtless, Sensitive Gray Matter)
In Search of Pragnya (Gray Matter)
Pragnya, a Sanskrit word, means "ability of the brain to naturally experience the life". We shall learn about
Gray Matter in later chapters. Here, we have to just remember the given definition. Pragnya, or Gray Matter, is in fact the
highest state of the brain. It is even beyond the basic mind. Although basic mind is natural; it is slightly genetically influenced
whereas Pragnya is the most natural state which is one with the flow of the Nature. We can define the structure of brain in
the present form as follows;
Psychic Mind: "I", which is illusory.
Basic Mind: Natural but genetically influenced.
Large Brain : Natural, stores information (memory).
Small Brain : Natural, controls vital functions
Gray Matter : Pragnya: thoughtless, sensitive state of brain.
We all live in the first state, the psychic mind, and accept that as reality. The natural parts of the brain, which are
very powerful and limitless, are thus ignored. The words and thoughts describing values of life can never actually provide
the practical experiences. They can only point towards the experiences in life. Therefore, the expressions like "Happiness
of Life" do not mean happiness in real terms but just an illusion of happiness created out of false words.
Although, the memories are the basis of formation of the body, they cannot provide the truth. The truth is out of the
reach of the words and thoughts on which the memories are founded. The memories can only project the word "happiness"
and make it appear as real to us but cannot provide the "practical experience" of it. We all, however, perceive
the happiness in thoughts and then try to achieve it by the thinking process or satisfying the "I". We remain ignorant
of the fact that the memories can only render us with "information" of an event and not actually the elements of
it. We can remember whatever has happened but that remembrance cannot bring forth the experience and essence of that event.
More importantly, even that memory is not complete. There is always a gap between two memories. This starts right from
the childhood when a child is taught new words and exposed to new experiences. For instance, when a particular incident gets
repeated after a gap of few days, weeks or months, the gap between earlier memory and second experience (which will again
become a memory) remains in the mind. As the time passes by and the recall process starts, the memory gets confused about
the gap. Since it does not know what was there, it tries to fill it up with an illusory presence of "someone". As
a result, we perceive that as if someone was there to have that experience. The same illusory perception turns in to "I".
This phenomenon is further explained in later chapters.
Therefore, a memory is only a resultant or an aftereffect of an incident. After an event has died down, the only thing
that remains is the memory of that event. Whatever we learn from the memories is nothing new or unique but dead and old-time;
and that too in fragments.
A dream called happiness
As mentioned, the memory of happiness is just a remembrance of it. For instance, you can photograph a beautiful place
but cannot feel or experience the beauty of it just by seeing the photograph. That is how the word "happiness" is
not actual happiness but just a photograph of the previous memory. Since the happiness dwells in the memories, the definition
of happiness keeps on changing in one's life. What appears to be enjoyable in the childhood becomes unbearable in the old
age. Something that give you sorrow may provide happiness to other. Means, for an ignorant person, happiness becomes a mental
activity rather than practical.
The illusion of "I" that is created in our brain by words and thoughts is as much part of this remembrance.
Since a person starts believing that he or she is this illusory "I", the happiness also becomes a part of it. "I"
or the mind is founded merely on words and it needs words, thoughts and memories to sustain itself. And, the "happiness"
of "I" is just a word floating in our brains since ages.
The thirst for happiness is there. Only, we do not know what it is and in ignorance, try to satisfy it through materialistic
means. This is basically the reason why both orthodox religions and scientists are trying to make mankind "happy".
The reason - they are not happy themselves. After hundreds of years of social and scientific revolutions, nobody seems to
be happy. Both, the religions of today and science have failed to understand that the illusory presence of "I" in
the brain has created an illusion of "happiness". Fundamentally, Nature is ever changing and flowing. Human beings,
does not matter how ignorant, are very much part of it. Therefore, the life changes every moment (the human body ages) and
so the things attached with it. This is what we perceive as "sorrow". We feel that we have lost something and the
mind fills up with regrets, desires and guilt. The religions have tried to console us by giving false peace in mantras penance,
yoga, concentration, scriptures etc. and science has devised materialistic comforts. The mind or "I" has been lusting
for happiness for many ages. In every new body, it carries forwards the same desires and the illusion continues. We may, now,
conclude that the happiness what we perceive in ignorance is "memory-bound thoughts".
If we have to search for an eternal happiness, we will have to find it through thoughtlessness and Pragnya (TSGM) that
dawns in that process. That day, we all will be truly and eternally happy.
Now, it does not mean that we should not think at all. Think, but only about those things which you can get by thinking.
One thing is clear that happiness cannot be found by thinking. Since all the thoughts are outward, there cannot be happiness
in the worldly things. Secondly, we have to closely watch and see whether we are running the thoughts or the thoughts are
running us. Do we really "think" or the thoughts emerge on their own? We will surely find that our thinking mechanism
is, though intense, aimless and unproductive. When we say that we should only think bout what is necessary, we are talking
about valid and clear thinking.
The inner happiness, on the other hand, is beyond the words. Thoughts cannot touch it. Beginning of this eternal happiness
is through Pragnya (TSGM). As we have described in earlier chapters, mind can do only what it has learned. However smart the
mind is, it cannot speak the language it has not learned. Mind, on its own, cannot learn to drive a car. Therefore, its limitations
are bound with what it has been fed with. Has it learned happiness? Can it know and experience it? The answer is no. Mind
has never actually seen the true happiness. It has only learned the word "happiness". That is the reason it has
never been happy. True happiness dwells only in Pragnya (TSGM) which can be achieved through thoughtlessness. There are very
few people in the world who have become Pragnya. When there is no thought, you just be there. You become what you are - a
natural brain. Swami Samartha Ramdas says, "Who is really happy in this world? Oh! mind, think about it and search!".
True Identity
Humans spend all their strength in leading a pointless life that is based on thoughts and memories. Because of this, the
natural Pragnya (TSGM) is obscured by the thoughts. As mentioned earlier, other creatures in nature, do not think and lead
a happy and natural life in Pragnya. Since they do not have words, they do not even imagine things like happiness and sorrow.
From the moment human brain started learning the words, the mesmerism of word-bound thoughts has been catching it up. With
the help of words and thoughts, it became easy for it to differentiate between the things, classify, divide, and lead a practical
life and conduct trade. The mind, consequently, superseded the natural abilities of the brain and the possibilities to experience
the eternal happiness grew dim.
The present education system has no glimpse of Pragnya and therefore it has been constantly producing intellectuals, thinkers
and philosophers who are all, in turn, slaves of thoughts. The human life, as a result, has been deprived of the eternal happiness
and is only wandering in an imaginary world. If we dare to change the present education system and emphasize on Pragnya, we
can make the human life completely happy. There does not seem to be any other way.
Naturally, the human brain is gifted with Pragnya (Gray Matter). Understanding the outer world (without the aid of thoughts)
and sustaining the body are its natural functions. The brain utilizes the intrinsic and coherent function of all five senses
to observe an event in a thoughtless and neutral state. We can further understand it by the following example.
On a cool and calm moon night if we stare constantly at the sky, suddenly we are filled with an unknown pleasure and become
one with it. This is the natural state of brain. The brain has not relied on thoughts or impulses to have this experience.
In another instance, if we look in the mirror and concentrate on the face, a moment will come when it will disappear. In this
case, the event of seeing the face is mind's activity where "I" finds an identity. On the other hand, when the natural
brain, with Pragnya (TSGM), activates, the face disappears. The brain in itself is truth and it does not require the face
to identify itself. The moment when face disappears is the moment of Pragnya (TSGM). With more awareness, we can prolong it
to minutes, hours and even days.
If, for one day, we can remain thoughtless and aware, "I" will dissolve and there will be a possibility to come
in to Pragnya (TSGM) and natural state of brain. There are two easy methods to stop the process of thoughts for some time.
One is to just hold the breath. When breathing stops, the thoughts stop too. This will, however, help only a minute or two
at one time. Holding the breath too long may damage the brain. The other one is to just freeze the whole body in one state
and half open the mouth as you do when you are stunned. The sudden stunner stops the thoughts for a while. These are, however,
just initial means and one has to go beyond them. Only the Pragnya, a total thoughtless, sensitive state of brain can provide
true happiness and that is eternal. On the other hand, what we consider happiness in daily life is nothing but lessening of
sorrow. We do not realize that when the same superficial happiness becomes more, we become sad. Interesting isn't it? If sweets
give you happiness, try eating them in excess. Caught in the web of thoughts and the illusion of mind, we are ignorant about
the eternal happiness.
It would be a difficult decision to take but people must understand the truth and seek the true happiness. In this process,
they will have to detach themselves from everything that is related with the thoughts (social, financial, moral obligations
etc.) and observe the period of silence as mentioned in the first part. Pragnya (Gray Matter) only can provide eternal happiness.
Again, it does not mean that we completely stop thinking. We should think only about matters, which are necessary for
practical life. The idea is to stop the process of pointless, mechanical thinking and develop the tendency of thoughtlessness.
Once we stop come out of the mechanical process of thoughts, there is a possibility of rediscovering Pragnya.
Powers of the brain
If Pragnya, or the ability of the brain to naturally experience the life, is developed, we can experience the life without
the superficial aids of thoughts, imagination, prayers, devotion etc. All these activities were supposed to be providing the
mankind with happiness and bliss. If we were able to use the natural abilities of the brain and find eternal happiness, we
would not require any other thing. All of these forms (Prayers etc.) were created in hope of finding the truth. However, since
they all originated from the thinking process, they are futile. Sri Krishna has also emphasized the necessity of "Pragnya"
in Bhagwad Gita. Paatanjali has also said "Yoga Chittavritti Nirodha Tada Drishtae Swaroopae Avasthanam". Translated,
it means that one should be present in the natural state of brain. Pragnya or the brain?atural state has a mysterious power
to eliminate all the adversities in life. This power can dissolve elements like fears, insecurity, and sorrows and make the
life natural. It is difficult to say how this happens. We all see that the other creatures in the Nature have nothing but
they are always happy. And we fail to understand why. It is like one of that natural phenomenon of heart beating relentlessly
all the life or a fetus' growth in the womb.
Since the mind races from one conclusion to another and the thoughts keep on changing, we face the events in our lives
in an uncertain and ambiguous manner. Most of our actions are impulsive. The natural brain, however, lives in the Present
and is aware of each activity. Awareness is not merely knowing about something but being in an event at that moment of time.
The brain, therefore, sees every happening on the same level and is one with it. Likewise, if there is a problem, it will
merge in to that moment and that problem will not remain a problem any more. Whatever happens, then, is part of Nature. It
can take a blow like soft cotton. When we hit the water with a stick, it ripples but instantly become still. Similarly, the
brain can cushion any impact and yet remain in the natural state. There are many such abilities of the natural brain and if
we want to live in an eternal happiness, we have to discover the truth.
From the times immemorial, whoever has found this truth has been respected as a saint, sage, angle, reincarnation, liberated
person etc.
The brain is proficient (with Pragnya) right from the birth. With it comes the mute and genetic consciousness. Thoughts
catch on to the consciousness. Thoughts create an illusory thinker and the thinker keeps on creating new thoughts under influence
of so-called will power and logic. Thoughts turn in to desires, desires in to action, action in to behavior and behavior in
to habits. Finally, the whole personality gets caught in this vicious cycle. The natural ability fades away and the person
starts living in the mind.
The natural brain, with its abilities and powers, is there. It only needs to be reached and reminded. Once you go beyond
your mind, or the moment when the brain comes in to self-realization, the illusion fades away on its own. Earlier, the mind
was in control of the whole existence and now the brain becomes the owner. The mind may still remain there in form of memories
etc. but the brain will now use it as an instrument.
Its natural abilities easily comes forth and the person starts living in an eternal happiness. This is what we can call
true liberation. The life flows with the flow of Nature and merges with the eternity. It becomes one with the universe and
lives in a permanent state of happiness, bliss and truth. It becomes the God itself, for the whole Nature is God, and lives
in the real world.
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