The Journey of Unconditional Love and Self-Realization

(AI Summary of Swamiji Sunyogi Umasankars talks, checked and approved by Swamiji)

Pain as a Path to Growth

Pain, often considered something to avoid, actually holds a remarkable power for transformation. Like fire that purifies gold, suffering refines our character and enhances our understanding of life. We gain invaluable wisdom and move closer to our true selves through these hardships. 

Those who have never faced difficulties may find it hard to appreciate genuine happiness truly. Instead of resisting pain, we can learn to embrace it as a teacher, guiding us toward self-discovery and instilling hope and inspiration in our journey. Accepting pain as part of life opens ourselves up to growth and deeper fulfilment.

The Power of Unconditional Love

True love is limitless—it does not seek rewards or impose conditions. When we transcend selfish desires and love unconditionally, we experience profound joy. This form of love, untethered by expectations, is selfless and liberating. When we grasp its essence, we no longer see divisions of ‘mine’ and ‘yours,’ but instead recognise the entire world as one interconnected family, feeling liberated and free in this realisation.

The Energy Centres Within Us

Our body mirrors the universe, housing energy centres known as chakras that influence our evolution:

1. Root Chakra: Governs survival and security.
2. Sacral Chakra: Manages emotions and desires.
3. Solar Plexus Chakra: Empowers confidence and willpower.
4. Heart Chakra: Channels love and compassion.
5. Throat Chakra: Expresses truth and wisdom.
6. Third Eye Chakra: Enhances intuition and insight.
7. Crown Chakra: Connects us to cosmic consciousness.

When these energy centres are balanced, we harmonise with the universe. Practices like meditation amplify this balance, leading to deeper awareness and inner peace.

The Guru’s Role in Awakening the Self

A true Guru does not impose knowledge but illuminates the seeker’s inner wisdom. Their guidance dissolves the ego, fostering a connection with the Supreme. Learning requires surrender—not as an act of submission but as an expression of trust. When the seeker is open, wisdom flows effortlessly. The Guru serves as a mirror, reflecting our highest potential. Surrendering to the Guru’s light is not about losing oneself but about transcending limitations and merging with the infinite, making the audience feel guided and supported in their journey.

Swamiji guides during the advanced course.

Self-realisation: The Ultimate Goal

Self-realisation is the awakening of our true nature. It is not about acquiring something new but uncovering what has always existed within us. When we move beyond material illusions, we experience oneness with the cosmos. This state is beyond words—it is pure, eternal bliss. Truth is revealed in silence; in love, we merge with the universe; in surrender, we dissolve into the Divine.

The Fourth Dimension: Beyond the Three Gunas

The cosmic triangle symbolises the three gunas (qualities of nature): Tamas (inertia), Rajas (activity), and Sattva (purity). This pattern shapes our existence at three levels:

1. Physical Level (Bhautik): The material world.
2. Mental Level (Manushik): The realm of thoughts and emotions.
3. Vital Level (Bodhik): The plane of intellect and higher understanding.

While Sattva is often seen as the pinnacle of purity, a more profound realisation reveals an even higher state: the atomic level. This fourth dimension represents the soul’s union with Cosmic Consciousness, where true love and self-realisation reside. Cosmic Consciousness is the understanding that we are all interconnected and part of a larger whole, transcending individuality and ego.

The Four Levels of Love and Consciousness

1. Physical Love (Tamasic): Rooted in attraction and desire, leading to attachment and suffering.
2. Mental Love (Rajasic): Based on emotional and intellectual connection but still bound by expectations.
3. Vital Love (Sattvic): Sees the beloved as divine, fostering purity and respect, yet constrained by ego.
4. Atmic Love (Trigunatit) is beyond all limitations. It is a soul-to-soul connection—eternal, unconditional, and one with Cosmic Consciousness. Atmic love transcends individuality and ego, connecting us with the divine essence within ourselves and others.
   

   Swamiji with his grandson (eldest brother’s grandson).

The Five Stages of Love

1. Purvarag (Initial Spark): A soul-level connection, free from physical awareness.
2. Anurag (Deepening Affection): Love grows, blending spiritual and physical attraction.
3. Abhisar (Secret Union): Lovers seek emotional fulfilment beyond societal norms.
4. Viraha (Separation): Physical distance purifies love, strengthening its unconditional nature.
5. Milan (Divine Union): The lovers reunite beyond worldly constraints, experiencing pure bliss.

The Role of Consciousness in Love

At the centre of the cosmic triangle lies Consciousness, which binds the physical, mental, and vital realms to the Cosmic Whole. Without this awareness, imbalance and suffering arise. True love flourishes when we transcend the gunas, merging with the Atomic essence and becoming one with the infinite.

The Five Steps to Unconditional Love

1. Purvarag: The initial, blissful soul connection.
2. Anurag: Physical attraction within societal bounds.
3. Abhisar: Emotional and mental bonding beyond physical attachment.
4. Viraha: Separation that purifies love, removing all impurities.
5. Milan: Ultimate divine union, where love becomes eternal and unconditional.

Through this journey of love and self-realisation, we awaken to our divine essence, embracing the universe as one. When freed from expectations, love becomes a doorway to the infinite—revealing our true nature and uniting us with the Supreme.

The Cosmic Connection

The journey of love mirrors the path of meditation and self-realisation. Just as love transcends the physical, mental, and vital levels, meditation guides us beyond the three gunas to the Atmic level. Here, we connect with Cosmic Consciousness, experiencing divine bliss and eternal peace.

The Four Levels of Karma and Donation

1. Tamasic Karma: Actions driven by physical desires and expectations, leading to suffering, dissatisfaction, and disease.
2. Rajasic Karma: Actions motivated by mental and emotional goals bring temporary happiness and wealth but lack true fulfilment.
3. Sattvic Karma: Actions based on intellectual and spiritual understanding, fostering respect, wisdom, and societal recognition, yet still bound by ego.
4. Trigunatit Karma: Actions performed as an instrument of cosmic consciousness, free from ego and expectations, leading to self-realisation and divine bliss.

The Importance of Self-Realization

The ultimate goal is to know oneself—to realise one’s connection to Cosmic Consciousness. This realisation purifies the mind, body, and spirit and brings holiness, happiness, wealth, peace, and divine bliss. It transforms every aspect of life, from personal relationships to societal contributions.

Conclusion

The Law of Creation teaches that love is the foundation of existence. By transcending the physical, mental, and vital levels, we connect with the Cosmic Consciousness and experience unconditional love. This journey of love and self-realisation is personal and universal, uniting us with all beings and the cosmos. Through this understanding, we fulfil our purpose and achieve divine bliss.

The True Nature of Love

Today, I experienced another dimension of love—how it unfolds step by step and impacts every aspect of life. When we misuse or misunderstand love—whether in family, society, or our relationship with nature—we risk distorting its true essence. Real love is sacred and transcends the conventional ideas of romantic relationships.

A Bengali verse beautifully captures this:

“ভালোবাসা একমুখী নয়। এটা কারোর উপর জোর করে চাপিয়ে দেওয়া যায় না, আবার কেড়েও নেওয়া যায় না। ভালোবাসা স্বাভাবিকভাবে জন্ম নেয়। এটি শুরু হয় দ্বিমুখী সংযোগ হিসেবে, তারপর বহুমাত্রিক রূপে প্রসারিত হয়, এবং শেষ পর্যন্ত এক ঐশ্বরিক অবস্থায় উত্তীর্ণ হয়। কেবল তখনই ভালোবাসা তার প্রকৃত পরিপূর্ণতা অর্জন করে।”

This translates to:

“Love is not one-sided. It cannot be forced upon someone, nor can it be taken away. Love arises naturally. It begins as a two-way connection, expands into multiple dimensions, and ultimately ascends to a divine state. Only then does love achieve its true fulfilment.”

Tiyasa make friend with Ghosala dog.

The Journey of Love: From Individual to Cosmic

Love begins with recognition—when one person sees the unique qualities in another. As this recognition deepens, love expands beyond the individual, reaching family, friends, society, and ultimately, the entire universe. This journey of love is endless, boundless, and timeless. It manifests in various forms:

• The love between parents and children
• The bond between siblings and friends
• The connection between humans and nature
• The love for the divine and the cosmos

When we truly understand love, we see its reflection in everything. This is cosmic love—the highest form of connection.

The Consequences of Misunderstanding Love

When love is misunderstood, it creates chaos—violence, unrest, corruption, and disharmony. One of the root causes of this is a misguided education system that promotes competition and comparison. However, the universe never creates duplicates—every being is unique. If we constantly compare ourselves with others, whom are we competing against? This confusion leads to suffering and destruction.

The Five Pillars of Spiritual Growth (The 5 P’s)

To restore balance in our lives and the world, we must cultivate these five principles:

1. Patience (Dhairya): The ability to wait and endure, bringing resilience and clarity in difficult times.
2. Punctuality (Samay Palan): Respecting time fosters discipline, efficiency, and harmony.
3. Perfection (Purnaata): Doing everything with dedication, like a river flowing effortlessly toward the ocean.
4. Purification (Shuddhi): Cleansing thoughts, actions, and relationships lead to inner peace and harmony.
5. Pleasantness, Path of Self-Realization (Atma Gyaan): The highest goal of life— is connecting with cosmic consciousness.

The Ultimate Purpose: Self-Realization

Following these principles, we can overcome negativity—violence, corruption, and pollution—and align with the universe’s natural order. This leads to inner fulfilment and global harmony. Real love is eternal, limitless, and divine. We find peace, bliss, and enlightenment when we embrace this truth.

Final Message

Self-realisation and self-confidence are the keys to life’s highest goals. Through patience, punctuality, perfection, purification, and Perfection, the path of self-realisation, we transcend limitations and experience divine bliss.

Sunset in Mumbai.