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Learn to endure

The seeker endures the paradox of truth and worldly life. We learn that Brahman is truth and the world is unreality, yet we live in a physical body composed of five elements. This body experiences hunger, thirst, anger, and desire, putting us to the test. With discrimination and intellect, one can practice titikṣā, which means to endure all situations while contemplating the Self. This contemplation asks, "Who am I?" recognizing we are not the body or mind but the ātmā. Yet we cannot escape the body. A core practice is cultivating a longing for liberation from worldly suffering. Troubles exist everywhere, in household or monastic life. The world is saṃsāra, where unwanted events occur and desired ones do not. Human nature fails to value what it has and cries for what it lacks, making endurance difficult.

"Titikṣā means to endure all situations and circumstances in life while practicing Ātmā Cintan."

"Ātmā Cintan means we try to direct all our concentration and all our energy toward liberation."

Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic

I can tell you only one thing, which I have been contemplating all day: what I will share with you this evening. We learn the teaching, "Brahma satya, jagat mithyā." Brahman is the truth, and the world is unreality. Yet, we still live in this physical world. We live with this physical body. This body has its own nature, composed of the five tattvas. It experiences hunger, thirst, and feelings of cold and heat. It knows anger and jealousy. Desires, likes, and dislikes are all present. Therefore, we are put to the test by this world. As long as we live in a physical body, it is true that with strong vivekā (discrimination) and a strong intellect, you can say yes or no. You can train yourself in titikṣā. Titikṣā means to be above everything. Titikṣā means to endure all situations and circumstances in life while practicing Ātmā Cintan. Ātmā Cintan means thoughts about the Self: Who am I? Not this body, not this mind, not these desires, not these senses. I am the ātmā. Yet, even thinking like this, you still cannot run away from your body. In Jñāna Yoga, among its last four principles, the fourth practice is to have mokṣa kī icchā—a longing, a desiring for liberation. As the verse says: Kabhi ho jag duk chūḍakara—"Lord, when will I be free from this suffering in this world?" Whether you are at home or somewhere else, whether you are in the forest or living a household life or a holy monastic life, you are not free from these duḥkhas. Troubles and sorrows are there. But Ātmā Cintan means here and now. Ātmā Cintan means we try to direct all our concentration and all our energy toward liberation. There are certain points in life. Many people long to get married, and many, after marriage, become very unhappy. Why did they marry? The world situation has changed a lot throughout the whole world. This is saṃsāra. This is where everything is mixed. What you do not want to happen will happen, and what you would like to happen will not happen. Everything has its time. It is not so easy. Therefore, to learn to endure is not easy. Human nature is such that when we have something, we do not know its value. When we do not have it, then we cry for it. That is the nature of human complication.

This text is transcribed and grammar corrected by AI. If in doubt what was actually said in the recording, use the transcript to double click the desired cue. This will position the recording in most cases just before the sentence is uttered.

The text contains hyperlinks in bold to three authoritative books on yoga, written by humans, to clarify the context of the lecture:

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