ETERNAL CONSCIOUSNESS

            “Eternal Consciousness” is the right word for “Consciousness”. This is the mother of all mysticism. If anybody can acquire full understanding of consciousness by personal deep experiences, there is no word like “unattainable” for him/her in whole cosmos. Such realized individual can do things that are beyond, and miracle, for the mind of common man. All spiritual seekers have many bothering questions about consciousness. For example:
            What is consciousness? How is it related to human beings? How is consciousness related to cosmos? Is there any relationship between different form of lives and consciousness? etc etc etc.
            Let us try to understand the basic concept of consciousness by following two metaphorical examples:

Number 1: Let us visualize the life on this “Earth” during twilight periods. Before morning twilight moments, whole darkness covers the land. Observe the behavior of different lives like human, animals, birds, trees, plants etc. As shine of twilight approaches almost whole lives come out of slumber and gradually with full sunshine in view, the sky gives full feeling of life with flying birds. Animals have typical ecstatic running, as if got new doses of energy. Flowers buds open out to enjoy the surrounding. What are the human feelings? If you ask to any one, even patients of some disease like cancer, they express the feeling of elation in their overall mood during morning hours. For normal men, they have a feeling of extra life energy into them.
            Now sun goes up increasing its light and energy (heat), reaching to maximum at noon and then starts descending. Again sun approaches the evening twilight moments. Now observe in the same way during these twilight moments. What differences do we find? During evening twilight moments that bubbliness of inner life energy is not fully present, in comparison to morning. Why is it so? Whole surrounding is same, humans under observations are same, sun is same. Then why is so? If difference has come that must be at the inner plane of an individual. There must be some variations in some “unknown element” which is causing variation in the exhibited life at different time. This unknown element is known as “Consciousness”.

Number 2: Let us again visualize a situation where a very rationalist person of scientific temper is sitting in a room with all windows and doors fully closed to external light. Room has its own lighting system whose intensity can be controlled. Now at the start, keep the lights fully off for some period. Keep the room pitched dark. How does the man feel? Even if he opens his eyes, having full physical strength, he can’t move or work. After some time he will have a typical sinking feeling.
            Now gradually bring the light on, but very gradually. Ask the man about his feelings. Finally bring the light to full bearable intensity. Leave it for some time. Finally again start dropping the light and bring back complete darkness.
            What will be our observations on that man’s feeling? During initial darkness he will have a feeling of very low life energy that increases with increasing light. At full bearable light he will have full flow of energy. Again when light goes down, he will feel descending life energy. What is that, which causes such variations in feelings? That unknown element is known as “Consciousness”.

Human Beings And Consciousness: Existence of external material world and physical human body is no mystery even for a very layman mind. Human beings exists at a finer level, this idea may give some difficulties to ordinary mind. But personal experiences of dreams in sleeping state are such experiences that everybody experiences, be it poor/rich, literate/illiterate, theist/atheist etc. No one can deny this. So every human being sees dream, this is also an accepted fact. Questions may be asked: What is meant by seeing the dreams? Are there eyes present to see the dreams? Is there some one present to see the dreams? Where from does this whole script come? etc etc etc. Now if we extend the phenomenon of “seeing” of external world into inner world (also called inner plane), then logically, we have to agree that: Inner world must have eyes, seer, creator, scenes etc. Seems to be an interesting idea! Then comes another question: For external world, all working human bodies need energy. We get this energy through food intake, converting into blood and so on. Likewise there must be some exact counterpart in the inner world for activities. That is how an ordinary human mind can pick up. Let us accept this, before proceeding further.
            Then question comes: If it is so, then all laws of external world must be applicable to inner world. Physical scientists work on the external physical world. They and their instruments, so far, have no reach to inner world. To find out truth and laws of inner world, few scientists ventured into this invisible world. They made their own whole being as the test laboratory and worked on it. Vedic texts called such Vedic scientists as “Rishis”. The word “Rishis” has its root in Sanskrit word: “Rit” meaning “Absolute Truth”. So “Rishis”, all over world tried to uncover this mysterious “Absolute Truth”. Gautam Buddha, Yogi Patanjali, Lord Christ, Prophet Mohammed are examples of such enlightened persons. After experimenting on their own being, they experienced and gave following mysterious facts:
[A] Inner body of every substance in the cosmos is made of distinct constituents. In human beings, this inner body is called as spiritual body. The origin of this body is “Soul” or “Spirit”. This origin gives out energy and light to the spiritual body (like sun) to work in the spiritual world. In itself, “Soul” or “Spirit” does nothing, like sun does nothing, except giving out energy and light.
[B] Unfortunate Revelation: Most unfortunate finding about “Mind”, by the “Rishis”, was that, it cannot work on its own even after having energy and light from the “Spirit”. It needs some past memories to work on. (Past memories are called Sanskara). These memories it crates by interacting with external material world through physical body. So inner body or spiritual body depends on physical body to create fodder for its own activities. That way spiritual body gets connected to physical body.
            Later on, Rishis found that the only function of physical body is to serve spiritual body. For its own self, physical body is totally inert, a dead thing.

            As said in [A] above, source “Soul” gives out energy and light to the inner world. In fact these two elements, light and energy are directly inter-related. [Note: In Vedic texts, “Tattwa” is the word used for “element”]. If light is more, energy from soul will be more and vice versa. It’s like more closer one is to the sun; he/she will receive more light and energy (heat). The light coming out from “Soul” or “Spirit” is called “Light of Consciousness” or simply “CONSCIOUSNESS”.

            Caution: Reader are cautioned not to think about “Mind as a Gross Body” or physical identity, like physically visible body of human beings. In fact mind in itself is a big pool of energy coming out of the Source, the Soul or Spirit. This energy pool, that is “Mind”, works under the (light of) Consciousness. Obviously, if this pool is more nearer to the Soul, more Consciousness it will have, and vice-versa. Remember: Our physical body is far far away from the Source, that is why it lacks consciousness and remains inert (like the man of metaphor (2) in a dark room). Mind simply uses physical body for its own consumption. This way both gets married and thus starts the whole miseries of married life [sic]. To make concept more clear consider another metaphoric example:
            Think of an airtight (sealed) glass chamber, full of super heated steam. Nothing will be visible from outside, as if only energy exists inside. Now cool the chamber gradually. Successively: first water vapor than water and on further cooling, ice shall appear. Note: on cooling we are withdrawing energy. So ice appears at lowest energy. Conclusion is: that more gross a body is more away it is from the Soul. Thus body becomes inert, not capable of working by themselves. Such bodies are referred as bodies with sleeping consciousness. Rocks have a complete sleeping state of consciousness.

            Conlusions: Now we apply the developed concepts to the metaphorical examples already discussed.
In # 1: In fact in morning twilight time, there is a rise in consciousness of whole cosmos. Because of this raised Consciousness level, human feel an increase in the life energy in morning hours. This whole subtle phenomenon works in the “Mind” That is why, all spiritual practices are more strongly emphasized in morning hours.
In # 2: While room is dark for a longer period, person feels a drop in his Consciousness and feels typical inertness (also called inertia). This inertness is also referred as sadness. Patients suffering from “Depression” feel such depression in the Consciousness. Depression as a disease manifests only when there is sustain depression in Consciousness for a longer period.
            When lights are switched on, the mind interacts through physical body (eyes) and experiences a rise in Consciousness. Don’t confuse that external lights are producing this rise in Consciousness. External light simply acts as a catalyst, a means for mind to react. This reaction of the mind is the cause of variation in Consciousness. Once again when lights are going down, whole phenomenon works in reverse order.

            How to use this knowledge? Intellectual grasp of whole phenomenon discussed, is not going to help in any way. Unless we put ourselves to personal experiences by practices, nothing will materialize. Do any such practice/practices that helps to raise Consciousness. But practices must produce a progressively lasting effect.
            Question is: Are there some externally exhibited parameters to declare that one’s Consciousness is increasing? Yes. “Rishis” whole rigorous exercise has made out such results that help in organizing the practices. Their findings are:
      (i) All those externally exhibited parameters which uplifts Consciousness belongs to special group, known as positive traits. They are: Love; Compassion; Selfless service to others; Truthfulness; Non-violence; Non-possessiveness; Penance; Austerities etc.
      (ii) Parameters pushing down the Consciousness, also called as negative traits are: Cruelty; Anger; Lie; Violence; Lust etc. They are also called seven sins in Catholic faith.

            Therefore, while doing any practice, our actions should follow positive traits. Rishi Patanjali developed, based on his experienced studies, his practices, known as “Raj Yoga”. But it needs really a very high level guidance. In modern times of consumerism, one must feel himself/herself lucky if a genuine “Yoga Guru” meets you.

            Try, may be it is your turn now.

ROOT CAUSE: BODY-MIND COORDINATION

     Ask a poor man: Are you happy? Reply will be: How can I be happy living in such a poor condition? No proper food, no roof above head etc etc etc. What he meant by proper food, proper roof etc is not difficult to make out. Now ask same question to a rich man: Are you happy? A counter question will be shot back to you: What do you mean by happiness, tell me? You: I mean, so rich living must be bringing permanent happiness to your daily living. Richman will answer: For you these riches may be happiness, but I need peace, mental peace. I can exchange these riches with the peace of mind… So poor is striving to be rich and rich is fed up of his material possessions. Whole world is struggling this way. Apparent external glamorous world is here at the cost of peace, individual’s peace, the peace of mind. Everyone is carrying a desire to get this elusive mental peace. World peace will appear only when each and every individual, at least majority of them, are at peace.

An Analysis: In the present times of advanced technology and communication, almost everyone is in the knowledge that: Human beings exist at body, mind and Soul (Spirit) levels. Naturally human feelings and experiences are results of interactions of these levels of existence. Let us briefly analyze each level.

1. Body: Every human being has a physical body; this is no illusion for the mortal eyes of a common man in practical sense. But illusion is to believe that physical body does everything. Body experiences all such doings, is the next bigger illusion. And, in these illusions lie the seeds of all miseries of life. Physical body comes into existence by birth and melts away with death. This is the only real truth with our bodies. In fact, during life time physical body has no independence to act. Physical body is purely inert. This is grossest form, the most inert form created by “Nature” in human beings.
2. Mind: This is the invisible finer part of the existence of every human being. This is the real doer. Whatever activities we experience, grosser or finer, are mind’s doing. For a layman to think of such a finer existence is difficult to grasp, but he/she undergoes mind’s activities daily without noticing it. The daily experiences of dreams are common phenomenon with every human being. Rather, more less-evolved a person is, more he/she undergoes dream experiences. Evolved beings have less dream experiences. It’s not only in dream state mind exists beyond these levels. 
3. Soul (Spirit): This is like sun in the Universe. Sun, by itself, does nothing. But, sun is responsible for all that is happening in the Universe. Likewise Soul (Spirit) does nothing, it simply provides basic elements for activation of mind and body. Under the light of Soul whole human activities, grosser or finer, comes into existence. This light of Soul is also known as “Consciousness”.
   

            In above three elements, mind is the bridge between body and Soul. Its built-up, working, control on body and relation with Soul are mysteries to an unevolved human being. But there is nothing mysterious for an evolved mind. Only requirement is: We have to work on it through practices in the inner world.

Mysterious Mind: Until and unless mind is fully evolved, it remains a mystery. Evolution of mind means its unconditioned state. Now question is: What is meant by conditioning of mind? To understand this, we need to have a clear idea about relationship between body-mind and mind-Soul. In most unevolved state mind has full relation with body. Its conditioning is fully overpowered by the physical body i.e. material world. Remember, for mind its own physical body and whole physical world constitutes the external world.

            As far as mind-Soul relationship is concerned, we have to pick up a brief concept of how mind gets its power to work and make physical body to act. In fact mind acts in the light of Consciousness of Soul. It’s like a man sitting in a dark room, even after having full body strength finds it difficult to move. The moment light is on man can perform his/her act. In a similar way mind gets its energy and light (of Consciousness), both, from the Source “Soul”. Energy responsible for all activities of mind is called “Prana” and light from source is called “Consciousness”. Now we again come back to our original question: What is meant by conditioning of mind? Conditioning of mind is defined by its Consciousness level. More evolved mind will have higher level of Consciousness and vice versa. Accordingly conditioning of mind is exhibited in external conduct by one’s physical body. Action resulting from compassion, love, kindness and self-service etc are signs of higher level of Consciousness of mind. So, the conditioning of mind can be observed by conduct of an individual through his/her physical body.

            Mind is a big pool of Cosmic energy, working for different purposes: thinking, discrimination, analysis, reaction, storage etc. Unless mind interacts with material world through senses, nothing happens in the mind, for a common man understanding. Whenever a connection is made with the external world through senses, the part of mind involved is called Conscious mind. Then starts the whole process. A part of mind thinks over it (thinking mind), taking help of past experiences i.e. memories (sub-conscious mind), it discriminates and analyzes it (Intellect mind) for the reaction or action to be done. And finally the decision is implemented or executed (Executive mind-ego). So, in the wake up state or conscious state in presence of conscious mind this is brief phenomenon that takes place. What does happen when one goes to sleep? In this state conscious mind with intellect withdraws. So in sleep state sub-conscious mind with ego is free to operate. Sub-conscious mind, in fact, is storage of all past memories. These memories are of all past lives. So in dream state we go through cinema like viewing, without any power of interfering in dream. Why? Because of absence of intellect. Intellect by discrimination can affect the working of mind. Ego forces, because of its executing power, all dreams to appear. Because of our deep illusion or illusory knowledge we consume them helplessly. Remember: Memories stored in sub-conscious mind are all proof of this concept.

            Thus in conscious state, conscious mind and intellect are in play. Under unconscious state, sub-conscious mind takes over in the presence of ego. This is simplest explanation of the inner aspect of finer body in human beings. Until we experience them, they remain mysteries.

Mind–Body Connection: When conscious mind interacts with the world and, during interaction if conscious mind actively gets involved, all these are recorded in the sub-conscious mind. Those actions that are done mechanically (i.e. involuntarily) without conscious mind, sub-conscious mind does not record it. This is very interesting to experience that if any activity related to physical body or mind is done voluntarily it directly affects mind. Voluntarily means under full awareness. As an application “Pranayam” is one example, where a natural breathing is brought under voluntary exercise. Immediately, a changed state of mind is observed. Every reaction from a human being be it physically externally exhibited or internally at mental level, they will always get recorded. These recording of our deeds are the cause of all troubles in coming life. If they are bad we suffer and if good we enjoy, this is true. But recall, even after any enjoyment we crave for it, that again becomes painful. So, ultimately all these recordings prove to be painful. They result in the disturbance of peace of mind. During dream state, some of these recordings are wiped out or erased by consuming them in the dream.

            Modern medical science also agrees that when a person goes to sleep, in the first stage of sleep all latest storages are screened and weak ones are fully deleted and rest goes to sub-conscious mind, to bother you in future. These impressions in sub-conscious mind are called “Samskara”.

            Another important observation is the wayward running of conscious mind. In conscious state, everyone feels that most of the time conscious mind is not at job where physical body is. Reason? Actually sub-conscious mind is so powerful that even remaining in background during wake-up state, it propels conscious mind to run with stored memories. Common man finds it difficult to overcome and his/her conscious mind is carried away by such pressures from sub-conscious mind.

            Above phenomenon occurs with conscious mind when the consciousness level of whole mind is very low. In such state, conscious mind feels strong attachment to physical body and over powered by sub-conscious mind i.e. his/her Samskara.

Mind-Soul Connection: For seekers of evolution, mind-Soul connection understanding is a must. As explained earlier, mind is like a pool of energy. Just thinking of a soap bubble crated by a child. What happens with it? As Bubble moves up and up its size increases. That is, more it moves up, more it expands. Same way, more the mind moves towards Soul, more consciousness it gets. We say mind expands. This raising of consciousness level or raising of mind is known as evolution of mind in spiritual science. Rishis (spiritual scientists) of Vedic period did experience that more closer a mind near to Soul, mind’s interactions are of high quality, exhibited in form of compassion, love, kindness, service etc. Miseries come when mind descends, away from its source, getting less consciousness. The same Rishis invented, by working on theirs on being, the methods of raising consciousness of mind. These evolution practices are called “Yoga”.

Root Cause: As explained earlier, sub-conscious mind is the key for evolution or raising conscioussness level. Roots for pain/pleasure, suffering/happiness, anger/compassion, lust/love, delusion/peace etc can be traced to sub-conscious mind. His/her Samskara are the base of all problems. A seeker of evolution must have the first pledge that now onward he/she will not create new Samskara.

            One regrettable helplessness with mankind is: where his/her mind is, his/her body is not there; where his/her body is, mind is not there. Except for regular sincere practitioners, we rarely find reasonable body-mind coordination. What happens normally: If your body is in London, the mind will be in Rome… Such uncoordinated body-mind under Samskara only creates miseries because of illusions. All reactions to external inputs are results of the absence of body-mind coordination. One, who has perfect body-mind coordination, will be free of any illusion. Illusion is another name for absence of Consciousness. That is why it is said: “Live in Present”. What does it mean? Keep your mind where body is. But, this is easy to say than done and needs sustained practices.

            All spiritual practices are mainly aimed to bring perfect “Body-Mind” coordination. After all what do we do in the name of meditation? We try to keep our mind where our body is, that is the present. This is done with “Awareness”.

Solution: Awareness and awareness, is the key of all problems. Live life fully at every moment but with awareness, and immediately appears body-mind coordination. If regularly done with sustained efforts, the consciousness level of mind moves upward towards the source “The Soul”. Thus starts the evolution. We need proper guidance for this. Only a realized person, an evolved person can give such high guidance. Yoga, the Raja Yoga, is the path for this purpose.

Try once and experience yourself.

THE RELIGION AND THE DHARMA

Background Discussion:

          Before initiating any discussion on a complex topic like “Religion & Dharma”, let us review some of the aspects of the “Nature” and the “Cosmos”. Generally “Nature” is interpreted as the power responsible for creation of all substances of this “Cosmos”, be it animate or inanimate, be it visible to eyes or invisible, be it within the range of human intellect or not etc. Spiritualists believe that whole cosmos is a spectrum of energy, the Cosmic energy. At one end of this are the most grossed things like stones (apparently looking lifeless, inanimate, but inherently carrying sleeping consciousness). At the other end of the energy spectrum are the things (spiritualists call it “Tattwas”) that are beyond the conceptions of human mind. In between lies a range of energies, gross to finer to finest form. Some forms are visible to eyes; some can be made visible to the human eyes using man made instruments like telescope etc. But beyond that in the spectrum, there is a range where no instrument has the reach and is beyond comprehension.

            Scientists or rationalists believe purely on the scientific facts and logic. Whatever has been made known to mankind by “Nature” is believed by them. But science, so far, has unveiled only a part pf the whole energy spectrum and still working to move up on this energy spectrum. Whole scientific studies believe on working on the material world, partly visible and partly invisible.

            Spiritualist approach is based more on the internal world (finer world), what they call as spiritual world. Their belief is that the Cosmos is mere manifestation of energy coming out of an absolute “Source”. They use the word “Consciousness” as the light coming out of this source, responsible for whole life on this world. Whole Cosmos is submerged in this consciousness. Amount of awaken consciousness in any object decides the visible life on it. For example, we consider an electric bulb, which is giving out light, that we call light of consciousness. Now, if whole glass of the bulb is painted black with electricity on, what feeling such a bulb will give? Like a dead thing. But, can we say same feeling it gives while not painted black? Certainly not. Of course, it can be argued that feelings are in observer’s mind. But who created this feeling of dead bulb, absence of visible light i.e. consciousness. While in trees it  (consciousness) is more awakened, in animals further more, at the top of this ladder is mankind. Even amongst mankind the level of awakened consciousness varies. That’s why we find differences in the performance in different persons.

            Scientists and spiritualists both believe the presence of energy in the “Earth”. While scientists look to the Earth as a source of physical energy, spiritualists see the Earth as a body encompassing energy, like any alive body. [Remember: Physical energies are mere physical manifestation of original cosmic energy, also called as PRANA.] If the Earth itself is energy, then how can it be deprived of life? So spiritualists see life even in rock, a part of Earth. Spiritualists’ belief is that, that by enhancing consciousness of any object, amount of life can be raised. For example: Domestication of animal is possible because of raised level of consciousness. Even in different men, a change in quality is achieved by raising consciousness.

About Human Beings

            Mankind occupies a very high place in the energy spectrum of spiritualists. Human beings can be visualized into two parts:

(i) Visible Part: No visualization is needed for this part, because it is clearly visible to mortal human eyes. This is physical body. Right from skeletal system (bones) to nervous system to cellular system, every part of the physical body is in the range of physical visibility. This, we call the gross body. In the energy spectrum, the physical body is placed at the lower level (end) of the part of whole energy spectrum occupied by whole human being. There is no confusion on this part of human beings because of its visible appearance.

 (ii) Invisible or Abstract Part: This is called the finer body or the spiritual body of human existence. It’s beyond any scientific instruments’ range. Finer body occupies a range in the energy spectrum above that of physical body (see figure). Physical body’s energy spectrum is subordinate to the finer body energy spectrum. Physical body works through finer body. Without finer body the physical body is dead. Why? Almost whole consciousness is confined at the finer body level. Higher we go on the finer body energy spectrum, higher is the intensity of consciousness. It’s like more nearer the bulb we are; more intense is light we receive. Fine body energy spectrum itself has different sub-layers, which carries different functions. These differences are because of level of consciousness. For example:

      (I) Thinking Mind: This is lower part of the finer body energy spectrum and is close to the higher end of the physical body energy spectrum. Sometimes it is remarked: More the thinking mind gets gross (lower in energy spectrum) more it feels attached to the physical body. So spiritual practitioners are cautioned, not to allow your mind to get gross. This attachment of thinking mind is the cause of miseries during evolution of consciousness of the human beings.
      (II) Discriminating Mind (Intellect): Higher than thinking mind in the energy spectrum, it dominates the thinking mind.
      (III) Memory Mind (Chitta or Sub-Conscious Mind): Here the word “Sub” is not to mean “under”. Here “Sub” represents deeper recess of Chitta. This part of whole keeps memory of human activities.
      (IV) Executing Mind (Ego): This part of mind executes, whatever has been discriminated based on memories.

          Above four are the energy spectrum occupied by common human beings. If consciousness penetrates more deeper, then there starts a super human range of human beings. Such super human beings have:
      (V) Super Conscious Mind: Beyond the range of energy spectrum of common human beings, consciousness penetrates so deeper, into such secrets of nature which are beyond the reach of common human beings.

            More higher the consciousness, more the mysteries of nature are unraveled.


“The Religion”

            For world peace, something that should be properly understood and practiced is the “Religion”. What is “Religion”? How, and what way is it connected to belief and faith? How it should be practiced? … These are some tricky questions that need serious attentions.

Origin of the word “Religion”: This has it’s root in Latin “Religio” which means:
“To Bind”; Belief in worship of or obedience to a supernatural power, power considered to be divine; To have control of human destiny; Fear of supernatural power….
            We can notice the emphasis on “To Bind”. Question is: What is meant by “To Bind”? Bind, here cannot be in the sense of losing freedom or independence. Because, purpose must sure be to evolve further. Binding will certainly be a sign of sticking to a certain stage. Here “To Bind” must be having an instructional meaning: “To Bind” to evolve. Remember: Evolution means to expand, to raise the consciousness level, the light of origin of this cosmos.
            The expansion of whole of the cosmic existence consists of (a) the physical or gross level existence i.e. external world, and (b) the finer or spiritual world. If we interpret that “To Bind” is an instruction to reach to external world and internal world for the purpose of evolution, then that way, may be we reach to some genuine meaning of “To Bind”.
            Mankind is already under “To Bind” state while living in this physical world. Whole physical activities are connected to this external (physical) world. And every common mortal feels, how miserable this material living is. Almost whole world is struggling to find out some ways to live an enjoyable life with perpetual peace. But that is always proving a futile exercise.
            Now look to other part (b) of “To Bind”, which is with internal or spiritual world. This internal world is a mystic world for common human mind. Common man can grasp the idea that one has a physical body to interact with external visible material world. But, to his/her mind it is difficult, first, to think of an internal world and then to think of a finer body, to consume this (Mystic) finer world. If the word “To Bind” (that is Religion) is instructing to bind with internal world, then questions are: Why to bind and how to bind with this mystic world?
            Now reflect again on “To Bind” with external world. What does it mean? Is it “Bind and consume”? Or there is some other message? An inner urge for pleasure, peace, happiness like positive desires are clear signs that human beings want to evolve from one’s present state. “To Bind” means to interact with the world to evolve. Evolution is the sole purpose. When the interaction only occurs for physical consumptions, the evolution part is completely absent. A non-evolutionary living brings negative states of being in form of pain, delusions, miseries etc. So “To Bind” means: Constantly keep evolving while interacting with physical world. But sad truth is that the physical body is not the doer. Physical body is a mere tool in the hand of inner finer body (Mind). Whatever mind wants, is manifested at physical body level, in form of actions. So good or bad, real responsibility, in absolute sense, lies with mind. Therefore instruction by “To Bind” is: one should bind (through mind) physically with external world and to the internal world for complete evolution.
That must have been the message in the name of “Religion”.
            Based on above concept our ancestors must have worked on it, and got fully evolved and got realization of the whole truth. To benefit whole human kind they tried to present this mystically experienced knowledge in form of philosophies. May be, later on, they found these philosophies too difficult for lower human mind. To propel such lowly placed (low consciousness) humans, they researched and created some symbolic rituals and dogmas, which were capable of such vibrations, that can help in evolution. Their search was total, covering internal and external world. What happened with passing of time, mankind developed faith and belief in these philosophies and carried on with rituals and dogmas without working on the practices needed in the inner world. Thus, with passing of time, this internal aspect of evolution almost vanished and evolution remained unfinished. Without evolving internally, secrets of “Absolute Truth” are not coming.  Gradually “Religion” carried the recognition by intellectual belief and faith and external rituals and dogmas.
            Unless mankind will give attention to the whole process of evolution, covering internal and external world, actual word “Religion” will remain so called “Religion” or “Pseudo Religion”. Religion has nothing to do with faith, belief, ritual, dogmas etc. They are mere means to the end i.e. evolution. Modern mankind has adopted these means as the goal; this is unfortunate part of present religious concepts. This is the major cause of all “Religious Chaos” in the world. World needs strong guidance from truly “Realized Soul”. Because of distorted practices in modern times, evolutionary practices are recognized into two classes:
     (a) Religion: This concerns with belief, faith, rituals, dogmas and some philosophies connected to a particular community. It concerns only physical world.
     (b) Spiritualism: The practices of evolution in the inner world.

            In absolute sense “Religion” encompasses both (a) & (b) above. So we have to bring back the real meaning, true meaning of “The Religion”.


“The Dharma”

            Word the “Dharma” has its Sanskrit root, “Dhri”, meaning: To hold, to sustain. Question is: What should be interpreted by the “The Dharma”? Sanskrit scholars and Enlightened souls experienced two meaning:

            (i) Dharma is that which everything of this Cosmos must hold: Observe, the interpretation is not confined to humans only. It encompasses whole Cosmos. For example fire: “The Dharma” of fire is to burn anything that comes in its contact. If it does not burn then fire is not performing its dharma. Likewise water must cool the things in contact. That way animate to inanimate, all things have their own well-prescribed dharma. Sometime we, alternatively, use the word “Nature” for “The Dharma”.
            (ii) Dharma is that which holds everything of this Cosmos: This is higher stage of interpretation of the world “The Dharma”. This interpretation follows the (i) above. Once no. (i) is practiced fully, then (ii) comes into picture, as a result of (i). For example: If one puts a seed of any fruit, then dharma forces the person to serve the seed with proper soil, water, manure, proper care etc. This has to do till tree gets its full growth. Until now one was performing his/her dharma in form of duties. Now starts the dharma of the tree to give flowers and fruits to grower. This way, the grower in return gets the fruits and flowers as a return from dharma for the dharma he/she performed.
            Observe the two stages:
         Stage (i): Grower holding dharma by performing certain duties.
         Stage (ii): Dharma holds grower by giving him/her fruits in return.
            So, essentially, we have to hold dharma first, and then we are looked and cared after by “The Dharma”. This is the simplest interpretation of “The Dharma”.

            Again note: As a result of following “The Dharma”, never expect a favorable or pleasurable result always. For example: If someone puts his/her feet on a poisonous snake, it is dharma of snake to bite and give out venom. That person may die, but snake has performed its dharma. That everything, right from a rock to evolved human being has their dharma as assigned by “Nature”. They are enjoined to strictly perform them. Then only, in return, “The Dharma” holds the doer, be it animate or inanimate thing.
“The Dharma” of Human Beings: Humans are assigned some exclusive dharma to perform. They are in form of some rules, regulation and code of conduct. Enlightened souls observed that, if a human being performs his/her dharma honestly, following ten qualities shall appear in him/her:
(1) Dhriti (Patience) (2) Chhama (Forgiveness) (3) Dam (Suppression of Lust and Desires) (4) Asteya (Non-Stealing) (5) Indriya Nigrah (Control of senses) (6) Dhi (Evolved intellect) (7) Vidya (Non-illusory Knowledge) (8) Satya (Truthfulness) (9) Sauch (Satisfaction) (10) Akrodh (Absence of Anger)
            So, by observing the appearance of above qualities in an individual person, one can find out whatever the person is performing his/her dharma or not.

            Now pertinent question is: what to do to reach to perfect state of dharma?

Here we have to understand that “The Dharma” is not a philosophy, come out of some intellectual exercises of some realized soul. Nor it is based on some rituals or dogma. These are assigned to each component of Cosmos, by the “Nature”, the moment they come into existence. So they are eternal. They come with Nature and will disappear only with Nature. The mode of practice of dharma is same for whole mankind. They are not based on color, creed, race, cast, language etc. etc. etc. These practices are independent of “Place, Time, Circumstances (Situations)”. That’s why this dharma is very rightly addressed as “Sanatan Dharma”. Sanskrit word Sanatan means: Without any beginning or end.

            The core principle of “Sanatan Dharma” is:
         “Every human being must strive to realize his/her nature. To evolve for this purpose, whatever practices are required and have to be done is his/her dharma. So “Sanatan Dharma” for a human being is to realize his/her true identity, to know the “Absolute Truth”.

            So all human are enjoined with the directive to evolve, to reach to the truth. This directive speaks of no philosophy, no rituals, no dogmas, no symbols, etc. To achieve this goal, various paths were researched. And finally four paths were found:
(A)    Path of Karma – (Karma Yoga): To reach the path by action.
(B)    Path of Knowledge – (Gyan Yoga): By intellectual inquiry and discrimination goal is achieved.
(C)    Path of Devotion – (Bhakti Yoga): By emotionally connecting to the Ultimate Truth.
(D)    Path of Mind Control – (Raj Yoga): By directly working in the finer world through finer body.

            Yoga, in above, means Union, Union with the Ultimate Truth.
So, “Sanatan Dharma” or simply “The Dharma” is meant for whole mankind.

     Conclusions: On the basis of discussions done so far, following conclusions can be made:
(1)    On “Absolute” basis, both “Religion” and “Dharma” strive for same goal, that is, to reach to the “Absolute Truth” through evolution. In other words to reach to “Self Realization”.
(2)    Unfortunately in modern times, the spiritual part is getting less importance than the external rituals, dogmas and philosophical concepts. So the word “Religion” is getting identified with these external part only. This is the main cause of all religious conflicts. Need is to restore the “Religion” in its purest form, making it free from any communal bias.
(3)    Internally evolved humans should come forward in every sphere of society all over world. Only such persons of deep insight and vision can guide society in right direction. Religion must be made free from the clutches of unenlightened souls.

            Let us hope the “Almighty” will bless the mankind to succeed on this path of “Religion and Dharma”