Grace – a Quality of Consciousness
Blessing is a word that has gained a wide range of meanings throughout the centuries, and across the various continents of our planet. In the Vedic tradition, the word has a very specific, and very beautiful meaning. The Sanskrit word used here is ‘anugraha’ and it is said to be one of the five qualities, or activities, of the Consciousness or the Divine. These five are ‘srishti’ (creation), ‘sthiti’ (maintenance), ‘samhara’ (dissolution/transformation), ‘tirobhava’ (veiling) and ‘anugraha’ (grace). Anugraha is therefore one of the main powers inherent in our consciousness, but what does it mean? The word ‘anugraha’ is explained as ‘anusritya ghrinati iti anugraha’, which could be translated as ‘that which follows you wherever you go and holds you together’. It is such an amazing and beautiful definition!
And it is this power that we seek, whenever we ask blessings, whether it is from our parents or elders, a priest in a temple or church, or the God we worship. This power is a part of our own consciousness, which gets enlivened whenever we are able to go deep inside, and let go of all daily worries, impressions and activities, and be with that part of ourselves that is always peaceful, contented and untouched. And this is the purpose of meditation , it takes us within, and allows us to surrender all the small things that trouble us and keep us from feeling peaceful and contented.
3 effects of Blessings
Blessings are said to have three effects: ‘svasti’ (health), ‘shanti’ (peace) and ‘samriddhi’ (abundance). Only when our body is healthy, our mind is peaceful and when we don’t feel any lack, can we really live a healthy, happy and successful life. In the same way, whenever we feel that contentment in life, these three qualities manifest automatically. The more we are able to feel this contentment and joy, the more we become able to share this with other people – and this is what happens when giving blessings. It is simply becoming a channel for that consciousness to manifest in the other person. Whenever we are happy and joyful, we are spreading those vibrations around us, just like a fire warming all who stand near it.
Aligning with Nature
Many who have gone deep in their meditation practice have had this experience many a times. You wish someone well, or you think it would be good if something happens, and it does! The more you are aligned with Nature, the more Nature supports you. The more you are able to transcend the limited mind, the more you gain access to the unlimited consciousness. And that is what true meditation is – it is not focusing on something or trying to have no thoughts, it is transcending the mind and experiencing the consciousness.
If you would like to start meditating, or you would like to go deeper into your practice, or learn more about how to manage your mind, read my new book ‘Looking Inward: Meditating to Survive in a Changing World’.
