Article 18 July

Friday Spiritual Msg No:08

Dear Abhyasis, 

"Idannamama" is a Sanskrit word meaning that nothing in this world belongs to me - everything belongs to God.

From childhood, elders tell children "this book is yours, this toy is yours, this cloth is yours." This grows into pride and strengthens the feeling that everything belongs to me. But how true is this? We need to understand this.

When we come into this world, we bring nothing. When we leave, we can take nothing with us. So what is really "mine" here? It's just a feeling. 

We can only understand this truth under the guidance of a capable teacher. Does this mean I cannot use anything if nothing is mine? Of course I can use things. You can use everything with the understanding that all belongs to God, not to me.

When traveling by bus, the seat becomes "mine" - given for my use. But when I get off the bus, the seat is given to someone else. This shows that what's "mine" is never permanent. After my journey, that object becomes someone else's.

I should try to adopt this understanding while I'm still alive, before leaving this world. Then there will be no attachment to any object, matter, or relationships. There will be no pain when leaving them behind. Wise people have explained this truth as "Idannamama" - "this is not mine."

Namachivayam 🌙