One Peaceful Day...
It was another ideal day in the forest with Sri Rama, Lakshman, and Mother Sita, living in a state of harmony, Simplicity, Success, and Santosha. It seemed impossible for anything to disrupt this bliss. Have you ever had a time in your life when everything seemed perfect? Walking on cloud nine...then it happens that speeding ticket, that pop quiz, that broken leg, illness of yourself or a loved one... Sita sees a golden deer in the forest near their small house, a Temptation away from the Simple life of Santosha that they had been living, and playfully asks Sri Rama if he can hunt the deer for her. Have you ever felt that your desire for something disturbing and serving as a catalyst to ultimately destroy your peace of mind? Like a pot boiling over it seems unstoppable once you give it enough heat and energy ….Desire that everything be as I want it to. The temptation of desire that everything be perfect in the way that I see fit is what binds us to this sensual existence, the existence within the illusion of maya or vale, under the whims of the devil or demons like Ravana, and separation from our inner Truth, that we are the light of God. I have and it is not worth it, because every time I assert my will to control in this way there is always a greedy demon hiding behind a tree to steal my Peace, my Sita, away from me... And so was the case with with Sri Rama, Lakshman, and Mother Sita.
The Golden Deer and Ravana's Deception
Rama left to hunt the deer and eventually struck a killing blow. In the creature's last moments it revealed itself to be a demon, one of Ravana's subordinates, crying out in the voice of Sri Rama for help. Sita heard this and beseechingly asked Lakshman to find his brother. Lakshman protested because he was given the order to guard Sita by Rama while Rama was away. Sita pressed until she got him to agree on the condition that Lakshman put a protective barrier around their hut, and Sita stay inside. However, when Laksman departed Ravana disguised himself as a wondering aesthetic monk. Ravana asked for alms, and Sita brought him offering. He tried to step inside the barrier, but could not, so he lied saying that he could not get close to the house because of a religious vow. He threatened to curse Sita and her family if she did not presented them to him beyond the yard of the house and consequently the barrier. Mother Sita innocently agreed and Ravana stole her away, calling his flying chariot, and taking to the sky.
Sorrow and the Triumph of Truth
Returning Rama found Sita gone. “My Sita!” he cried, and fell into sorrow and anger. Lakshman reminder of his very actions that were always so set in Dharma and Truth. Eventually Rama remembered, and became reinvigorated in the Truth. This Triumph of the Truth through Trail provided Sri Rama with the Courage and Strength needed to set the difficult task of track down his beloved Sita who seemed to vanish into thin air. Not clue was left.
Practice in Gratitude for Peace, Trails and the Triumph of Truth
I invite you, my friend, to reflect on this episode of the Ramayana, and draw within yourself this wisdom by taking time to congratulate yourself for moving beyond the Trials of Life, allowing Truth, Life, and Love to Triumph. By celebrating our victories no matter what they may be big or small, we will be provide the Courage and Strength to follow our Dharma, to continue to find the pleasantness of Peace, Simplicity, Success, and Santosha despite all difficulty. Celebrate all your victories, all your blessings, all your talents, all your Life, allow Truth to Triumph and no Temptation or Trial will be too great! Jai Sri Ram! Jai Sri Ram! Jai Sri Ram!
Thank you Ramayana, Swami Dharmakirti, Swami Sankarananda, Shanti Ashram, Divine Grace Yoga Ashram, satvic food, nature, honest seekers, fellowship, Peace, Temptations,Trails, and the Triumph of Truth that we might know who we Truly are, what we are Truly capable of, Living a Life of Peace, Love, and harmony with all beings :-) Have a wonderful day, my friend! Thank you so much for joining me, for being wonderful you! I hope that you enjoyed “Thank You Peace :-) For Temptations, Trails, and the Triumph of Truth :-)” May all living beings see beyond the Trails of demons like Ravana to find hope, Strength, and Courage in the Triumph of Truth! Sri Ram! Jai Ram! Jai Jai Ram! :-) Love, Aaron :-)
Thank you Jaya Lakshmi, Ananda, and Saraswati for offering this wonderful rendition of Atma Rama
Atma Rama Ananda Nama
Ananda Mohana Shree Paramdhama
Maya Virama Manasa Prema
Sundara Nama Saguna Virama
The name of Rama brings bliss to the soul
The blissful lover in the highest abode
Where illusion stops and the mind fills with love
The beauty of the names bring form to the love