Prema Jyothi – December 2024
Newsletter of the Sacred Earth Community
"The humble sages, by virtue of true knowledge, see with equal vision a learned and gentle Brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater (outcaste)." Bhagavad Gita 5.18:
In life we tend to classify things, experiences, objects, etc. as good or bad, useful or not useful. What happens when we judge experiences in this manner is that we create difference and distinction. In other words, we create a duality in our minds. Such dual conceptualisation leads to separating ourselves from the whole – a diminishment if you like.
From where does this separation arise? Ahamkara, a Sanskrit word, is made up of two concepts. Aham means I. In the context of ahamkara, it means I the individual. Kara means doer (kri means doing and is the root of the word karma), cause or maker. Therefore, ahamkara positions itself as the doer who moulds a life to his or her desires. This leads to a greater inflation of our importance. Ahamkara is often translated as ego – the separate self. The dominance of ahamkara leads us to consider ourselves (the separate self) as the centre of our experience. All we encounter is viewed from the point of view of the separate self. Consequently, we are subject to the vicissitudes of life – the ups and downs, the ‘good’ experiences along with ‘bad’ experiences. How can we deliver ourselves from this cycle of pleasure and pain, for that is what we will be subject to if we are ahamkara dominant?
If we believe that we are different, then we will see everything as different. Seeing everything with equal vision requires that there is a gradual sense of less separation, for we recognise our own connection to the whole. We start to realise that we are the whole. Our vision responds accordingly, and all appears as containing the One.
This newsletter explores the characteristics and pathways to developing equal vision.
- Satyavan
What does it mean to have Equal Vision?
In Yoga and Vedanta, we have the concept of samadarshana. Sama means the same or equal. Darshana means to have sight of, particularly applied to meeting holy people or divine manifestations (such as idols in a temple). When applied to the people we meet or have contact with, samadarshana means to look beyond the appearance or the belief system that the other holds. This does not mean that we do not see differences in form and nature, but we look beyond those to the divine consciousness underlying creation.
There are those who believe they have importance in this world. Kings, politicians, people in positions of power or wealth. Often, they are termed very important people – VIPs. They have special privileges apportioned to them that are not apportioned to others.
Alexander the Great
The story of Alexander the Great is a cautionary tale. Alexander had conquered much of the middle east through his military and administrative prowess. However, his ambition was not satisfied. He ventured further east into what is now Pakistan. Being somewhat wise, Alexander had known of the Indian yogis and desired to hear of their wisdom. There was one sage of great repute called Dandamis, who lived an ascetic life in the forest. Alexander sent his soldiers to bring Dandamis to him, so that he could learn from his wisdom. However, Dandamis refused to leave the forest. On hearing of this refusal, Alexander went himself to see the yogi. One of Alexander’s soldiers yelled at the ascetic. “This man has conquered the world! What have you accomplished?” The yogi looked up calmly and replied, “I have conquered the desire to conquer the world”. Upon hearing these words Alexander laughed, for he admired the wisdom of the yogi.
Dandamis
In that age, Alexander was the VIP of VIPs. In his eyes and in the eyes of Alexander’s soldiers the yogi was a nobody. Yet the great Alexander, for all his might and power, was conquered by a simple man wearing simple clothes and living a simple life. It is not the external appearance that makes one great, but the inner character! Dandamis saw beyond the wealth and might of Alexander into the depth of the great emperor’s character, and beyond to the divinity within. That encounter changed Alexander’s life. He became intrigued by the wisdom of the east and had many wise ones visit his capital city in what is now modern-day Iraq. It is not known how transformed Alexander was, but his empire never grew any larger after that encounter.
The lesson we learn from Dandamis is to see beyond external appearances. What appears to be an inequality between a rich emperor and an ascetic who owns nothing has no relevance to one who sees with ‘the ornament of eyes’. This phrase highlights the importance of perceiving all beings with impartiality and fairness..
Such a point of view changes the way we integrate with life. If we see others as separate, this engenders either desire, revulsion of even fear. We become subject to the whim and whiles of others. When we see with equal vision, it empowers us, as we know that nothing really exists outside of us. Then, where is the need to desire and object or an outcome? Where is the need to feel revolted. Sai tells an instructive story of Jesus.
A dog died by the side of the road. Everyone who walked past felt revolted and moved to the other side of the road in disgust at the rotting flesh and the revolting smell. Jesus came along and saw the dead dog. He said to His companions “Look at the beautiful condition of this dog’s teeth. He must have looked after them well in his life.” Jesus saw only goodness in the situation. That is equal vision.
- Satyavan
Why do we not always see with Equal Vision?
Fear grips us all at some stage in life. Fear arises because of some external threat. The one that see beyond difference has less chance of fearing the outcome of life’s circumstance. Fear arises because of the imperative to survive, be it physical, emotionally or even psychically. We fear death. We fear financial loss. We fear humiliation. We fear so much, but it is all because of external influences or happenings.
Equal vision allows us to see and experience the continuity of our existence. We see the Divine in others and in our surroundings. That Divine Consciousness becomes the continuity, which we are part of. Indeed, we are that continuity! Separation ceases, therefore, we no longer see everything outside ourselves as apart from us. Fear, jealousy and hatred can no longer contaminate the heart. Our lives become happier, freer and a joyous expression of unity.
Swami Shivananda
“The Sruti declares, He who sees all beings in the Self (Atman) and the Self in all beings, shrink not from anything thereafter. The one who sees the One Atman or the Supreme Self in all beings, how can there be delusion or grief for them, how can that one be afraid of anything? (Isavasya Upanishad 7, 6, 7). The Self harmonised by Yoga sees the Atman in all beings, and all beings in the Self; everywhere he sees the same (Gita VI-29). Sages behold the one Atman in a Brahmana adorned with learning and humility, a cow, an elephant and even a dog and an outcaste and thus have equal vision (Gita V-18). Behold the one Atman in all beings. This is equal vision.” - Swami Shivananda
So, we don’t treat all people the same. Our actions with one will not be the same as our actions with another. We don’t treat a murderer as we do a saint. We don’t invite the tradesperson who is fixing our sewerage system to dinner that night with our family. We may give one child a sweet treat, but it is inappropriate to give this to another child who has diabetes. Seeing with equal vision is not about treating everyone the same, it is about seeing beyond the appearance and, in our hearts seeing the same divinity in all, Shivananda explains beautifully when ne states:
“You can have Bhavana-Advaita (feelings of oneness). You cannot have Kriya-Advaita (treating everyone the same). If there are three litres of milk and if there are twenty inmates in an Ashram, the three litres should be given to the six sick persons only.”
Satyavan
How do we deal with a judgemental mind?
The mind is constantly judging. These judgements can be useful or detrimental to our peace. For instance, we can judge if something is safe or not. We want to jump into a pool of water. The mind assesses its depth, if there are any rocks or trees under the water, etc. That is worthy use of the mind. BY the word judgemental we usually mean that we take a superior position to the other. We feel we are better; therefore, we negatively criticise the other. Our mind has emphasised the differences and declared that the other is somehow inferior or not worthy of our esteem or at least respect. This attitude arises from the egoic dominance. We do not see with equal vision. We do not see beyond appearances.
So, what can we do when such thoughts arise. There are many psychological strategies that are often proposed, such as: recognising biases; practising empathy, etc. The strategy most often recommended in Advaita Vedanta or Jnana Yoga is the observation of thoughts as they arise, asking from where or whom does this thought originate. That takes us inward to the heart and the realisation that the Heart is actually everywhere and everything. However, there are many strategies. In September’s newsletter I wrote about the devotional path – Bhakti Yoga, where one perceives the favourite form of the Divine in everyone. This also takes us to the realisation of the omnipresence of consciousness, for the focus is on consciousness with form. Raja Yoga takes us on a stepped journey to the place where only that Divinity is experienced, and Karma Yoga is a practical extension of seeing the Divine in all. All these practices help us to develop a very broad mind that encompasses all and judges none.
All these practices and paths lead us to the place where there is only divinity. Then, where is the need to judging, for judgement is founded on difference. Unity of vision, both inward and outward, removes the need for judgement. As stated above, we still require discrimination, especially as we travel upon this journey. One might say, common sense non-judgementalism.
- Satyavan
The Seeing of Everyone Equally Is the Ornament of Eyes
An exercise to assist the development of Equal Vision
The development of equal vision requires persistence and stillness. As stated, we need to see not just through the eyes, but through the Heart. How is this possible? This small exercise may help.
Find a quiet space, preferably outside in nature. (This exercise works best in a tranquil, natural environment.) Close the eyes and allow yourself to settle into peacefulness. The breath slows and moves in rhymical motion. Watch the breath for some time and allow the mind to sink into the heart. When thoughts arise, offer them to the heart. If you like you may picture an image that reminds you of the Divine, be it a human (or humanlike image, or some other image such as light. When you are settled and the mind is still, open your eyes in soft focus (i.e. shift the focus from any object until its blurs slightly). Inwardly focus on the Heart and allow the Heart’s presence to flow through the eyes. Stay with it and you will begin to experience that presence in all that you see.
As you practice this you will begin to envision all within your field as part of the One Whole. It may come almost immediately, or it may take some time. Then you will truly see everyone and everything as the ornament of eyes.
Seeing everyone (and everything) as the ‘ornament of eyes’ is an ancient saying from Vedic times but is as relevant today as it was when it was a common phrase among the Indian society.
May our eyes be adorned with the ornaments of Divine Vision
- Satyavan
