Become Free of Likes and Dislikes

One of the main obstacles in the path of God Realization is having likes (attraction) and dislikes (aversion).   They are thieves.   When you engage in spirituality, often the likes / dislikes shift from worldly matters to spiritual matters such as – we do not believe in Shankarji.  We will only say "Jai Shri Krishna" but not "Jai Shankar." Or thinking that if we say "Ram Ram,"  while believing in Krishna, we will be without a foundation, a support.   Such things are like carrying with us biases that will surely lead to hell.    Even in our worship, contemplation/ thinking if we hold on to likes/dislikes, it will take us to hell! 

The obstacles are only in our mind.  There is no other obstacle.  There never was, there cannot be.  "Let things happen according to my wishes" - this is the main obstacle.   Some say Allah O' Akbar, and others say Sita Ram, or Ram Ram or Krishna Krishna.  Now it is not necessary that you say Ram Ram, but you must get the same joy when hearing Ram Ram, knowing that it is the name of the our Lord.  We must become happy, that they are speaking our language (spiritual/divine) in worship and reverence of the Lord.  If anyone wants to attain the Divine Truth (God), he may do so in any form, or worship any name; it is all OK.   Why must we have dislikes?    Ram, Madhav, Mukund, Damodar are all names of Bhagwaan (God), similarly, Allah, Akbar are names of God.  Therefore let us feel joy, let us be pleased, that everyone is calling out to the Lord in their own way. 

Remove likes-dislike from your heart, in whatever way that you can .   When you are counting, add any which way you want, but the total must add up.   Similarly in total there should be no likes-dislikes.   Get rid of all of these  -  Good-not good, favorable-unfavorab le, attraction-repulsio n, in which ever way you can, whether it be through scriptural teachings or other, then you will be greatly benefited. 

"Jneyah sa nityasannyasi yon a dvesti na kaanksati |

Nirdvandvo hi mahaabaaho sukham bandhaat pramucyate  || (Gita 5/3)

He who neither hates, nor desires anything, should be known as a "Nitya Sannyaasi" (ever a renouncer); being free from dualities (pairs of opposites) he is liberated easily from bondage, O mighty-armed (Arjuna). 

Gitaji says that if you become free from the pairs of opposites, then you will joyfully be liberated.   Liberated you already are naturally.   It is only due to foreseeing likes – dislikes (attraction and aversion) that you have become trapped.  And what is bondage?   This is good and this is bad, this is alright-this is not etc – this itself is bondage.   Get rid of this account once and for all from the mind, and you will be freed.  Do it and see for yourself.  Find any solution.  You are free in finding a solution.   Do what the Gita, Ramayan, Bible, Quran etc. say in it. Whatever comes to mind, do that, but in "total" (all-in-all) , attraction and aversion (likes-dislikes) ,  elation-dejection etc. should not be there.  

"Yo  na hrshyati na dveshti, na sauchati na kaanchati |  Shushbhaashuparitya agi bahktimaanyah same priyah" ||  (Gita 12/17). 

However much you study, however educated you become, however knowledgeable you become of the Vedas, but if there is likes-dislikes in the heart, then you will not be benefited.  "Aachaar heen na punati vedah."  In proper conduct, there is no likes-dislikes.  Why is Gitaji liked by all?  In Gitaji the main emphasis is on salvation, on liberation.  There is no insistence.  There is no dislikes.  Whether you are a Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Jewish, Parsi or any other, become free of dislikes and dislikes, and you will smoothly cross this ocean of life.   If you become a Hindu, or a Muslim, and have your own little groups, then will not likes and dislikes remain or will they not?   "Mana changaa to kathoti Ganga".   Make your mind "changa"  ( good, honest, kind etc.) and there will be nothing but great joy, delight, bliss!

From summary of discourse in Hindi on Jan 27, 1992 at 5 a.m.  by Swami Ramsukhdasji  

Way to be Free of Dependence

He has desires honor and respect,  becomes a slave to that honor and respect;  rather,  he is not at all worthy of honor and respect.   He who desires disciples,  he becomes a slave to those disciples,  He is not at all a Guru.   He who desires wealth,  is a slave to that wealth, and in the least bit an owner of that wealth.   Therefore one should remove the desire for wealth from one’s mind.   

It has been said for the ‘jeevatma’  (embodied soul) ‒

‘ईस्वर अंस जीव अबिनासी । चेतन अमल सहज सुखरासी ॥’ (मानस ७ । ११७ । १)

Ishvar Ansh Jeev Abinaashi,  Chetan Amal Sahaj Sukh Raashi  (Manas  7/117/1)  

Himself being an ansh (fragment, part) of God,  is eternal,  sentient, conscious and full of knowledge,  pure, and naturally blissful.

And for Brahma it has been said  ‒

‘व्यापकु एकु ब्रह्म अबिनासी । सत चेतन घन आनँद रासी ॥’ (मानस १ । २३ । ३) । Meaning - This ‘jeevatma’ (embodied soul) is an obvious incarnate,  an ‘ansh’ (fragment, element, part) of that Brahma, Who is an embodiment of Bliss.   

The same definition have been used for both.   Even though it is so,  then too,  ‘Jeev’  desires base things,  this is such a dishonorable thing !  His position is so great !  He has so many entitlements !  He is so very significant and great !  But he desires lowly things,  and becomes pleased on getting those things and considers himself to worthy of honor by having those things !  Where have his brains disappeared ?   If you have any doubts regarding what is being said,   please ask.   

Questioner ‒ There is no doubt whatsoever, but the kings-great men who are seen in front of us ….. !    

Swamiji ‒  That which is seen is perishable and temporary.   You tell me,  is there anyone here that you see that is imperishable and eternal ?   You only see in front of you the perishable and destructible.    The body, senses, mind,  intellect,  money-wealth,  kingdom, post-position,  entitlements and whatever is seen,  even if  Indrasan is seen, it is all perishing.   

Question ‒ Maharajji !  The company and associations have an influence !   There is no one that we see,  who does not desire honor and respect !   

महाराजजी ! संगका असर पड़ता है । ऐसा कोई सामने देखनेमें नहीं आता, जो सम्मान न चाहता हो !

Swamiji ‒ I tell you,  simple accept.   Why even look towards others !  You can only say this when seeing someone eating food,  you feel hungry !  If you are affected by seeing others,  then seeing someone eat or drink,  you should feel hungry and thirsty,  and not seeing someone eat or drink,  you would not feel hungry or thirsty.  

भेड़चाल संसार है,   एक एक के लार ।

भिष्टा पर भागी फिरे, कैसे हो उद्धार ॥

This is all herd mentality,  that if the other wants, then I will want.  If someone else goes to hell, then will you too follow him !   Is this humanity ?