49 - Evolving Towards Higher Swabhava | Swami Tattwamayananda

-5th chapter: verses 14, 15, 16, 17, 18<br />-The lecture was given by Swami Tattwamayananda on August 21, 2020.<br />-14th verse: “The Lord does not get involved in what we do. Neither agency, nor action, nor the fruits of actions can be attributed to Him. Our own Swabhava is responsible for how we act.”<br />-15th verse: “The all-pervading Reality does not accept the merit or demerit of anyone. Jnanam (knowledge) is enveloped by ignorance – that’s why people get deluded.”<br />-Swabhava is our inherent nature that determines our outlook to life and our actions. We are responsible for our actions and control our destiny. God is beyond any kind of agency of actions, and distributorship of results of actions. However, if our heart is pure and we pray with true earnestness, God’s grace can dawn on us.<br />-Every action leaves a residual effect (vritti) in our mental system. Many identical vrittis – from similar, repeated actions – solidify a distinct memory block called Samskara. Samskaras express through our determination to act in a certain manner, called Sankalpa. Sankalpa leads to further actions. This wheel continues, and it shapes our Swabhava.<br />-Samskaras are of two types: (1) Klesha, which are related to experiences from this life, and (2) Karmasaya, which are related to previous life experiences.<br />-Swabhava can be of lower or higher form. The lower form causes us to act based on our biological tendencies. The higher form causes us to act based on sublime tendencies such as unselfishness, broad mindedness, and spiritual wisdom.<br />-Spiritual practices such as Yamas, Niyamas, and Ashtanga Yoga can help to bring out the higher Swabhava that is inherent in all of us. Gita recommends the practice of Swadharma to bring out this higher Swabhava.<br />-Mind is compared to a lake with many layers, which has pure water below and mud/filth at the top. With spiritual practices, the mud/filth of the outer layer is removed, and our true higher Swabhava is brought to surface.<br />-16th verse: “Those whose ign