Insights for uninterrupted Spiritual Progress after Awakening at BodhMarga Foundation

1) There are no accidents. Everything happens for a reason. Whatever happens is for the best and is happening for the strengthening of your awakening.

2) Everyone and everything you encounter in your life is a reflection of your inner-self. Witness without judgment and welcome all as ‘Soyaras’ who have arrived in your life to reveal layers of your deeper self and help you further in your awakening. Self, when fully realised, and self when fully known is not different from the Self in all beings. Know that “What’s within me is in everyone else.”

3) Pure self exists only in the now, and not in the past or the future.

4) Although experiences seem real, they are distorted perceptions of reality if viewed through the prisms of desire and fear.

5) See beyond all illusions or traps of Maya (Prakriti ki chaal). Look beyond what’s manifested and beyond the superficial realm.

6) Knowing the presence of ignorance (Agyaan) itself is the GyaanBodh or the presence of the highest awareness.

7) In Agyaan or ignorance, whatever is claimed as mine or strongly identified with will convert into an entanglement or bondage. They are also called Bhogas.

8) When in Bodh, one can effortlessly discriminate (Prithak) between the superficial situation (Anatma) to that which is an already eternal, permanent, and constant phenomenon (Atma).

9) Conscious disengagement from gossip, complaints, and conflicts in the world defines your Guru Nishtha – your faith towards the Guru Tattva.

10) In Bodha, we become aware of the patterns occurring from the accumulated content stored in our genes (Sanskaras). This ability to witness Sanskaras beforehand can potentially free us from their impacts.

11) In the presence of desire and fear, intellect is always misused.  Only the intellect empowered by your Bodh (bodh yukta buddhi) is free from all hurdles, sufferings, and Bhogas.

12) On the journey of Bodh, raising awareness to the present situation as it is unfolding is considered meditation. Allowing to drop unnecessary and discarding all visualizations is meditation. (Vag Yagya and Soksha-Moksha are part of your regular sadhana or spiritual practice.)

13) Allowing the mind to run and simply observing its content without getting attached to the thoughts that come and go is in itself a Tapasya.

14) Money, security, struggle, family, and all worldly situations are illusions but appear real in absence of Bodh. After attaining Bodh, all concerns of worldly matters are resolved through divine grace. Therefore, giving significance to one’s Bodh is of utmost priority.

15) Desperation (Spriha) increases Mamta (‘I’ness) & Ahamta (Doing nature). By dropping all three characteristics we become a receiver of grace and flow of life which solves every imaginable problem.

16) Do not fight, oppose, challenge or confront the world. Accept everything that comes your way. While witnessing injustice, if required one may take a stand against wrongdoing but it is essential that one simultaneously maintains compassion and love towards all while taking a stand. Allow your Bodh to take over.

17) See the divinity in all by perceiving that everyone is innocent or Nirdosh. Everyone’s original nature is innocence. Although their Sanskaras (accumulated content or patterns of the genes) could be immoral, such people have entered our lives to awaken us to the presence of such Sanskaras within ourselves. It is important to consider such people as Nirdosh and remain in Bodh despite all provocations.

18) Have faith, certitude, and patience in the Guru Tattva. (Guru Tattva is an all-pervading element and not just limited to a person.) After Bodhopaya (the process of transferring Bodh), whatever unnecessary for awakening will be purged from the life of a BodhMargi; just like an overripe fruit drops off the tree. The seeker shall experience divine order in every aspect of his or her life.

19) Allow Bodh to take its course and let the Guru Tattva handle challenging situations. Surrender to Bodh as it is the supreme, highest self, and be assured that it will never err in its guidance.

20) Be in a constant state of aspiring Bodh and keep declaring to the self – ‘My highest purpose is to be awakened’ (Atma prapti aur bodh prapti ka nishchay hai.) while maintaining an attitude of surrenderance towards all Gurus. When in a state of doubt or confusion, become aware that your troubles have emerged because you are disengaged from Bodh, Guru Nishtha, and Nischay. Allow this Nishchay (firmness of conviction towards bodh prapti) to grow stronger with every passing day. Know that all will be taken care of by the Guru’s grace.

21) Regular Satsang, Seva, and Sharing (giving daana) are the three keys that strengthen your awakening. As a practical guide book for living an awakened life, Pasaydaan by Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj understood and imbibed as per the authentic teachings and revealed translations under the guidance of a teacher who is part of the Guru lineage of BodhMarga is the greatest gift for the seeker.

Jai Gurudev!