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Changing
Our Mythic Universe
Oct. 12, 2008
- Swami Atmarupananda,
Vedanta
Society of S. California
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Summary of this Lecture:
Mythology has emerged from a deeper level of human mind. Every one of us
has a mind through which all our experiences are filtered. The mythic universe
of one person can be conflicting at times with that of another person and
as a spiritual aspirant one has to make choices and resolve it.
Three fields of experience that every philosophy and hence mythology (through
stories) deals with - 1) field of self 2) field of world 3) field of God.
Each one of us is a philosopher having some ideas about these things.
1. God - For a theist or an atheist, God is a placeholder for what is real
and hence valuable in life. Spiritual life means changing our sense of reality
and seeing God or the Self as the most real and hence the most valuable
thing in life. According to one's liking, one may think of God as personal
or impersonal. God is not a judge but the Love, the Consciousness, the deepest
reality within me.
2. World - Through the filter of our mind, we see the world as good or bad.
As a spiritual aspirant, look at the world as manifestation of God.
3. self - Many times people develop a sense of guilt and weakness. A spiritual
aspirant should see himself/herself as a pure person. How can one remain
impure by thinking/meditating on God? Meditate on the divine image or light
residing at heart which will purify our self image.
This is changing our mythical universe.
Although mind is not a field of experience, it is certainly the instrument
of experience. Until the highest realization, everything comes to us through
mind and hence we have to take the best possible care of mind so that it
will be a perfect instrument for achieving the highest goal of life.
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