Monday, April 18, 2011

Nachiket and Yama

It is absolutely amazing that the previous post I wrote, before I started listening to Katho Upanishad, was exactly the question that Nachiketa had for Yama. I was astounded to hear the 3rd question by Nachiketa to Yama, is there existence after the death of individuality.
As a meditater stands at the edge of infinity, there is a sense of the unknown infinite beyond, a fear of the unknown. The state of samadhi can't be known, therefore nothing can be recollected as to what that state was like, nor how long one was there, and if one goes into samadhi will one come back. The mind can't comprehend the concept that I can be infinite - how can I exist without a central reference point. In that existence where there is no "I", no thoughts, there is existence, intelligence, infinity, bliss.  It takes great courage to let go of the "I"ness, the reference point, the ego, and take the plunge into the unknown timeless infinite and destroy the ego. Like offering ahutis into the sacrificial fire.
In the havan, the kund is the body, the fire is consciousness. Into it are offered all the objects and mystically it is done 3 times to offer the 3 types of identity we have, perceiver, feeler, thinker, and also the physical, subtle and causal. Nachiketa is the fire into which the ego is offered and burnt up. He stands face to face with the principle of death who takes you to the other shore - the unknown shore - where Yama takes the soul. Therefore at the ledge, the gateway to infinitude, Nachiketa asks Yama what lies beyond tell me.
To be cont.

No comments: