Reflection Upon Truth

Preface

It was Swami Chinmayananda, a great visionary of our times, who realized how Vedantic students throughout the world would benefit from a publication that would emphasize the importance of independent reflection. This is how Mananam came into being twenty-five years ago. Over the years the many devotees who have worked on Mananam and our readers have understood what an invaluable process reflection (mananam) is for gaining insight into our true nature. Therefore, with this 25^th year anniversary issue, the editors would like to honor the vision of both its founder Swami Chinmayananda and his successor Swami Tejomayananda. It is now Swami Tejomayananda’s guiding hand, which holds us through every issue, constantly supporting and inspiring us.

      In the Vedantic tradition, mananam is defined as the spiritual practice of deep thinking on the subtle words of the scriptures and great spiritual masters. It is the second of a three-point practice that can help us in our journey toward Self-unfoldment. Listening (sravanam) being the first practice, mananam the second, and the third is meditation (nidhidhyasana). Mananam is a very important spiritual practice yet often gets bypassed in our journey to know our Self. Most of us enjoy listening to the words of the scriptures as taught by great spiritual masters, but unless we think deeply and ponder on these words using our own logical reasoning, we will not be able to transform our character and move to the third step of meditation. In the words of Swami Chinmayananda, “Life is a piece of art and it can be beautified and polished, chiseled, and shaped by our own careful self-effort. Each of us will have to help ourselves. Study, self-appreciation, continuous discrimination, and constant self-analysis are the means.”

      Before the mind can reflect properly on the meaning of the sacred themes of the scriptures it needs to become calm and steady. Thus, how to make the mind subtle enough to reflect, is the topic of Part One. The authors in this section outline some of the qualities that the mind needs in order to become steady. In Part Two, the authors define reflection. Here it is shown that when the mind dwells on higher divine thoughts, it gets inspired and gradually becomes clear of all doubts, vagueness, and misunderstandings. Personal reflection is important in the practice of mananam and examples of that are given in Part Three. Constant self-effort leads to an inner transformation, and subtle messages from the Upanishads are absorbed with ease. This is the essence of Part Four. When reflection is practiced consistently the mind becomes alert, it is then able to discriminate between the real and the unreal, and meditation comes naturally. Thus our journey continues towards the final goal of abidance in our true nature.