Dream - Girl - Is Large Age Difference The Problem? - Adoration Without Desire - Feeling Of Loss And Rejection - Continue Path Of Celibacy And Tapas
Spiritual Dreams - July 14, 2014
2014.7.14. Girl dream.
I was in a large space that was part restaurant and part hotel lobby. There were lots of people socializing in pairs and larger groups. There appeared to be a lot of history and camaraderie between the people, so maybe it was some kind of extension of school. Their ages were 15 to 30 or so. I was there, but being 49 years old, I must have been a teacher, though I didn't behave like a chaperone, nor was that my role. It was a social event that I attended during my free time. Many of the women/girls in attendance flirted with me, wanting my attention. I was polite and chatted with whoever sought me out. But there was one girl in particular, a beautiful, confident, charismatic girl who was my clear favorite. She might have been analogous to X, a popular girl I had a crush on back in 8th grade (and who dated one of my best friends, Y). She also wanted my attention, and looked over at me several times. She was a tall brunette, about 18 years old. She had shown me some sexually suggestive pictures of herself, including one that was a photo that morphed into a movie of her masturbating nude on a bed. I really liked her. I would have loved to have her as my girlfriend. But at the get-together's conclusion, I saw her and another man leave the party together. He was tall and handsome. He called back to her as he exited. He had a strong but kind voice. He appeared intelligent, well-mannered, and under 30 years old. Though there were several women at the party awaiting my call to leave and spend the night together, I felt a blow to my solar plexus as the only girl I truly desired had chosen someone else. I wasn't mad at her. Her choice would make a solid mate. He had my respect. He would treat her well. They would have a good life together. I thought to myself, "You know what, you are 49 years old. That guy is half your age. Of course she would choose him."
I had some choices laid out in front of me. I could pick up one of the many "second choices" available to me there at the party. But I didn't do that. I never choose what's available. I only choose what I want. If I don't have a powerful urge or desire for something, forget it, I'll pass. I thought to myself, I'd rather live with pain, loss, and rejection than embrace mediocrity, something less than my heart's desire. My intention in responding to the rejection was to seek tapas (see excerpt from Wikipedia below) or spiritual austerities: climb a mountain, meditate, do whatever is necessary to build inner strength and insight. This girl did love me, did want me. There was no denying that. But she had chosen another man to be her mate. Was it purely a matter of age? Was it some failing of mine that a greater manifesting of health and wisdom would amend? When I don't get what I want, I don't wallow in self-pity. I have no problem with pain and rejection. A good cry is tonic for the soul. Deep inside me I hold firm to the belief that I will get what I want and that I deserve what I want -- if I can just hold fast to my ideals.
Comments
I am growing older. Fewer women in their teens and early twenties show an interest in me. I have a lot of gray hair. It is obvious that I am in my forties. Though I retain much vitality, I am clearly well past my prime. This is effecting my ability to connect with some women. Interestingly, there are LOTS of younger women -- for example, cashiers and clerks at many of the stores I shop at -- who show a lot of interest in me. But if I don't sense a powerful spark of the divine in them -- some overpowering sexual or energetic force -- then I will pass. There must be CHEMISTRY, and that is hard to find. So I will remain solo, awaiting something special that motivates me to move beyond my comfort zone, these rutted tracks of personal habit.
Tapas (tapas, Sanskrit: तपस्) means deep meditation, effort to achieve self-realization, sometimes involving solitude, hermitism or asceticism; it is derived from the word root tap (Sanskrit: तप् or ताप) which depending on context means "heat" from fire or weather, or blaze, burn, shine, penance, pain, suffering, mortification. In the Vedic literature of Hinduism, fusion words based on tapas are widely used to expound several spiritual concepts that develop through heat or inner energy, such as meditation, any process to reach special observations and insights, the spiritual ecstasy of a yogin or tāpasa (a Vriddhi derivative meaning "a practitioner of austerities, an ascetic"), even warmth of sexual intimacy. In certain contexts, the term is also used to mean penance, suffering, austerity, pious activity, as well as misery. The fusion word tapasvini (Sanskrit: तपस्विनी), for example, means a female devotee or pious woman, "an ascetic, someone practicing austerities", or in some contexts it can mean poor, miserable woman. In the yogic tradition it is the fire that burns within that is needed for the sanyasi to achieve the very difficult goal of enlightenment, to foster self-control, one mindedness and focus, simplicity, wisdom, integrity. It is used to develop and discipline the body, mind and character; control of mind; satisfaction of all desires - through discipline of body, correct speech, telling only the truth, correct thought, non violence, correct action, love for all, devotion to God, developing the ability to remain tranquil and balanced in every situation, act without any selfish motive or thought of reward, with an unshakable faith in God.
The earliest discussions of tapas, and compound words from the root tap (Sanskrit: तप) relate to the heat necessary for biological birth. Its conceptual origin is traced to the natural wait, motherly warmth and physical "brooding" provided by birds such as a hen upon her eggs - a process that is essential to hatching and birth; the Vedic scholars used mother nature's example to explain and extend this concept to hatching of knowledge and spiritual rebirth.
Some of the earliest reference of tapas, and compound words from the root tap (तप) is found in many ancient Hindu scriptures, including the Ŗg Veda (10.154.5), Satapatha Brahmana (5.3 - 5.17), and Atharva Veda (4.34.1, 6.61.1, 11.1.26). In these texts, tapas is described as the process that led to the spiritual birth of ṛṣis - sages of spiritual insights. The Atharva Veda suggests all the gods were tapas-born (tapojās), and all earthly life was created from the sun's tapas (tapasah sambabhũvur). In the Jāiminiya-Upanisad Brāhmaņa, life perpetuates itself and creates progeny by tapas, a process that starts with sexual heat.
Agni, the fire deity, is common at Hindu rituals such as weddings. Agni is considered a great tapasvin, and symbolizes the heat and patience necessary to recreate and incubate life.
According to Walter Kaelber and others in certain translations of ancient Sanskrit documents tapas is interpreted as austerities, penance, asceticism, or mortification; however, this is frequently inadequate because it fails to reflect the context implied, which is of sexual heat or warmth that incubates the birth of life. The idea of linking austerity, exertion, fatigue and self-renunciation to the ancient idea of heat, brooding and inner devotion, comes from the observed labor every mother puts in caring for its embryo and delivering her baby, regardless of the life form; The concept and reference to 'egg hatching' is replaced in Sanskrit texts written in later centuries, with simply 'brooding' or 'incubation'.
In ancient literature of Hinduism dedicated to love, desire, lust, seduction and sex, the root of the word tapas is commonly used. For example, in Atharva Veda, a mantra recommended for a woman who wishes to win or compel a man's love is, 'Love's consuming longing, this passion this yearning, which the gods have poured, into the waters of life, I kindle for thee (tam te tapāmi), by the law of Varuna.' Desire (kāma) is homologized with the concept of tapas, to explain the feelings and inner energy that leads to sexual intercourse. Agnicayana, Satapatha Brahmana and other ancient texts similarly use the root of the word tapas to symbolize emotions, biological stages and a mother's effort from conception to the birth of a baby.
Sanskrit tapasyā (neuter gender), literally "produced by heat", refers to a personal endeavor of discipline, undertaken to achieve a goal. One who undertakes tapas is a Tapasvin. The fire deity of Hinduism, Agni, is central to many Hindu rituals such as yajna and homa. Agni is considered an agent of heat, of sexual energy, of incubation; Agni is considered a great tapasvin. From tapas the more widespread word tapasyā was derived, which is used in all three genders and was mentioned in Katyayana-Shrauta-Sutra, Baudhayana's Dharma-shashtra, Panini-4.4.128, etc. Monks and gurus in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism practice tapasya to obtain moksha, or spiritual liberation.
The concept of tapas as symbolism for spiritual rebirth begins in the Vedas. Atharva Veda verse 11.5.3 compares the process of spiritual rebirth of a student in care of his or her teacher, with the gestation process during the biological birth of a baby in a mother's womb.
David Frawley (in his book "Yoga and Ayurveda") defines Tapas as the spiritual transformation in which Tejas transforms Ojas to produce Prana. He defines Prana, Tejas and Ojas to be the subtle aspects of Vata, Pitta and Kapha (Doshas) respectively.
Tapasya, is also the name of the father of Manyu in the Rigveda. The tapo-raaja ("king over austerities") is a name of the Moon.[citation needed]
Application
Yoga requires tāpas (meditation, calm reflection, exercises, brooding).
Yoga, a practice that aims physical, mental and spiritual purification in Hinduism, is closely linked with tapas. The disciplined and concentrated practice of yogic arts and exercises are a form of tapas. Patañjali, widely considered as an ancient authority on yoga, suggests yoga as a way to reduce impurities, confusion and ignorance in or about one's body, mind and spirit. In his Yoga Sūtra, Patañjali urges that realizing the full meaning of Yoga requires tāpas (meditation, calm reflection, exercises, brooding), svādhyāya (study of self), and īśvara-pranidhāna (reflect on universal oneness of life, God, quality of action).
A vow to observe brahmacharya, silence or fast is the commitment an individual offers to complete the objectives of tapas.
In the ancient scriptures of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism holy men, women and heroes undertake tapas to obtain a spiritual goal of realization, or salvation.
Brahmacharya
Tapasya is part of a stage of life, called brahmacharya - a monk or nun like celibate lifestyle. At the mind and spirit level, meditative tapas involves focusing upon the Supreme Brahman - the central principles of reality and universe.
Vedic literature correlates and joins tapas with dīksā. Diksa is the initiation and incubation of a student, by his or her teacher, in the principles of knowledge; diksa sometimes starts with a ceremonial ritual before Agni, the fire deity. The Vedic literature suggests diksa requires tapas, and tapas is enabled by the state of brahmacharya. This state sometimes includes tapas such as vrata (fasting, sacrifice of food), sram (philanthropic social work, sacrifice of income), silence (sacrifice of speech), and asceticism (bare minimum living, sacrifice of comfort). Oldenberg notes that Brahmana scripture suggests that the Brahmachari should carry tapas to the very tip of his existence, which includes not cutting his hair, nail and beard. Thus, during this process of spiritual rebirth and diksa, the tapas observed by a Brahmachari may include silence, fasting, seclusion, chastity, as well growing of hair, beard and nails; in other cases, the tapas may include simply reduction in talk, noise, amount and types of food consumed, and other human activities. The goal of tapas is to help focus the Brahmachari on meditation, observation of reality, reflection and spiritual rebirth.
Brahmacharya and tapasya is so interrelated that some modern literature incorrectly consider it as synonymous. In Hinduism, brahmacharya is one of the four stages of life; while tapasya is an on-going learning process during all four stages of life. During the brahmacharya stage, typically the pre-adult youth stage, a brahmachari (bachelor, monk, nun) retains his or her sexual energy, focuses on learning, knowledge, understanding and cleansing of ignorance. Once cleansed and matured with self-knowledge, the individual graduates from brahmacharya stage with better understanding, he or she is ready for responsibilities, career, and sexual partnership of grihastha stage of life in Hinduism.
As adults, individuals may re-enter brahmacharya stage as tapasvins to resolve physical, emotional or spiritual questions. This is sometimes done with a teacher (guru). Tapasvins simplify and manage what they eat to cleanse their body. Vegetarianism and ahimsa towards all living beings is practiced to eliminate anger, destructive impulses and avoid the foolishness of hurting others. Fasting is accompanied by avoiding all cooked foods, especially spices and meats. Only fruits and roots are considered acceptable, and one may strive to reduce the quantity one consumes. The eating regimen is combined with exercises, community service, reflection, conversation, discussions and meditation.
Famous Ancient Tapasvins. Several ancient myths and legends of India are related to tapas.
Bhagiratha
He was an ancient Indian king who brought down the River Ganges to earth. Bringing Ganges back to Earth was a near impossible task and required many years to be spent in tapas and prayer. The Kosala kings of successive generations could not do this while managing their duties as kings. As a result, the sins of the thousand princes multiplied in their destructive energy, and began resulting in natural disasters. The kingdom began to lose its peace and prosperity, and by the time Bhagiratha ascended the throne, he found it impossible to attempt to govern in this situation, that had only one solution.
Turning over the kingdom to trusted ministers, Bhagiratha set off to the Himalayas to perform an arduous tapas in the extreme climate. For one thousand years, he performed an excruciatingly harsh penance to please Lord Brahma. At the end of the thousand years, Brahma came to him and told him to ask for anything. Bhagiratha asked Brahma to bring down the river Ganges to earth so that he may perform the ceremony for his ancestors.
Brahma asked Bhagiratha to propitiate Lord Shiva, for only He would be able to break the Ganges' fall. It was the largest river, and it would be impossible for anyone save Him to contain the destructive impact of this event.
Bhagiratha performed tapas for Lord Shiva, living only on air. The compassionate Shiva appeared only after a year's penance, and told Bhagiratha he should not have to perform tapas to accomplish a noble goal such as this. He assured Bhagiratha that he would break Ganges' fall.
Ravana
According to the Ramayana, as a young man Ravana undertakes a terrible penance, lasting over 1000 days to please Lord Shiva. When Shiva does not appear before him, Ravana begins to cut off his head, wherein a new head takes form out of his yogic power. He continues meditating again for a thousand days, then cutting another. When he is about to cut for a tenth time, Shiva appears. He grants Ravana's request for immeasurable strength and knowledge of weapons.
Ravana then undertakes another penance for 1000 days, endeavoring to please Lord Brahma. Brahma tells Ravana that he cannot grant him the immortality he desires, for none of the created are immortal. But Ravana obtains invulnerability against all celestial beings and living creatures, save man and monkeys.
Vishwamitra
King Kaushika undertakes fasting and meditation for thousands of years to become the equal of Guru Vasishta, a Brahmarishi. He steadily rises to become a Rajarshi, or a royal saint after a thousand years, but is not satisfied. Even harder penance wins him the status of rishi, and rising to the brahmin order from the kshatriya order. But that is not enough for him. He strives harder to control his sensual passions, including the sexual urge which ruined his tapas when he consorted with the apsaras Menaka, and the anger which led him to attack Vasishta and turn another apsaras Rambha into stone.
After over 10,000 years, Lord Brahma rewards Kaushika's fearsome penance with the title of Brahmarishi, the highest of all brahmins and holy men, and equal to Vasishta. However now, Kaushika has dissolved his anger as a result of his tapas, and is named Vishwamitra, meaning Friend of the Universe, prepared to help anybody who sought his help. During his journeys, several times he gives all his TapoShakti (Energy gained after doing severe Tapas) to several people who sought his help and who he deemed as worthwhile. As a result, he earned the name Vishwamitra (Vishwam means Universe and Mitra means Friend).
Modern Tapasvins
Modern Hindu mendicants pursue tapas - meditation and study of religion in ashrams across India and the world. Many hundreds of monks and mendicants base themselves around the holy sites of Hinduism, or in hermitages around the Himalayas to observe their vows and penance in as religious an environment as possible.
Comments
My modus operandi my entire life has been one of seeking absorption: long, sustained, immersion of my consciousness in an activity. For example: digging sand castles and playing at the beach for countless hours from ages 3 to 8; playing outside till dark every day after school from ages 6 to 11; playing basketball and tennis every day for hours and hours from ages 11 to 14; from age 10 to age 20, marathon reading sessions of various immersive fiction for up to 18 hours per day; frequent runs of two hours or more in length from ages 14 to 20; and when running and other high impact sports became too jarring to my awakened central nervous system at age 20, daily walks of 2-3 hours, or however long was needed to calm, ground, and holistically distribute these subtle energies.
Everyone engages in sustained activity. As to whether it constitutes tapas -- or this notion of spiritual "brooding" or gestation -- I believe is a matter of point of view. Some people's minds are constantly flitting here to there. They stay at a superficial level of orientation. Others plow deeper and hit an inner groove. It's like a cord running down the front of your body, from your brain down through your chest, stomach, and sexual organs. From my experience I would say that it is very much a precursor, or a necessary precondition, for the opening of the frontal meridians through the descent of kundalini at a much more advanced developmental stage. It's the idea that your body-mind, even in its grosser state, finds a deep satisfaction in doing something over and over again: the alternating steps in walking; hitting a ping pong ball repeatedly off a raised backboard; turning page after page of an engrossing book; paddling through hundreds of waves in surf; and so on. I have been blessed to be able to trust and immerse myself fully in such activities. Distractions, fear, and squandered attention were foreign to my upbringing. For me there was an emotionally satisfying, deeply unifying quality to all these activities. I did feel an "inner groove" was reached; and I was made all the happier to sustain the activity and to dig that groove deeper still. I believe very much that sustaining oneself in activities that bring you a deep sense of satisfaction and joy is a necessary practice or "tapas" that readies the bodymind for the flood of heightened energy brought about by kundalini awakening.
With respect to my being rejected by a woman (as described in the dream above), or the failure on my part to win or achieve whatever I had set out to do, my response has always been to perform tapas. I might not have always called it that, but that's what it was. I would not become self destructive. I had a friend who slept with a lot of women. If a woman rejected him, he would make up for it by having sex with three others. Other people, when they are rejected, will turn to alcohol or drugs or will say hateful things to people to mask their frustration or sense of inadequacy. Generally, for whatever reason, I make a determination that it is the woman's loss, not mine; or that there is a constructive lesson here for me, for example, the need to become more powerful and wise. For other types of "failures," I always find a silver lining, a higher purpose that is being served by my not getting what I had initially wanted. For example, perhaps I get a C in a class that I had hoped to get an A for. Well, maybe the professor was unfair or the subject matter deadening to my inner quest. It's all fine and good to rationalize in this manner, provided you have options. Hopefully, you can move on to something that the "system," i.e., someone holding the purse strings, determines that you are good at. As one boss of mine said (with the fate of my career hanging by a thread), "it's about options." It's fine to have doors slammed shut on you, provided that you have alternative ways of earning a living -- or expressing your creativity in the world. But if too many doors close on you, life can become overly challenging, especially in terms of money, which requires people -- the great "other," that which lies beyond your personal control -- to recognize your efforts and to pay you for it. This is where sort of a bifurcation in my thinking occurs. I have often sought a spiritual solution to material problems. This means that people in my past have often judged me a "dreamer," "unrealistic," or "impractical." Even while finding a material solution to a problem (for example, memorizing the classwork required to earn a passing grade), 90% of my energies remain directed toward a deeper resolution. Because all problems and challenges in this world are but ghosts or lower representations of the larger problem posed by our limited self consciousness and even our mortality itself. But when the solution lies on an inner or energetic level, long walks, long hikes, long runs, several hours of surfing, and hours of contemplation/meditation have been my response to rejection. These activities constitute tapas because my orientation is toward a deeper experience, they integrate the mind and body, and they do in fact generate heat. You could say that I am "brooding" or incubating a solution. The dilemma, ultimately, is the problem of limited self consciousness. And if the stories of Agni and King Kaushika are true, then this heat, generated by tapas, will be an essential catalyst or invocation for the appearance/intercession of Grace/Vishnu/God and your subsequent awakening to Self or unitive consciousness.
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