#breakillusions

In this doha by Sant Eknath, a profound spiritual truth is presented: "You are bound by the illusion of attachment; abandon it and follow the true path. Devotion to Hari brings ultimate happiness and is the foundation of everything." The essence of this teaching lies in the stark contrast between the fleeting nature of worldly attachments and the enduring peace derived from devotion to the divine.

Illusions That Bind Us

Attachment to material possessions, relationships, and ego-driven desires creates an illusion that obscures our true purpose. These attachments, while appearing to provide comfort and meaning, often lead to anxiety, jealousy, and grief when they are threatened or lost. Sant Eknath equates these attachments to invisible chains that restrict spiritual freedom and create a sense of separation from the divine.

In our daily lives, the illusion of attachment manifests as:

Possessiveness in Relationships: We mistakenly believe we own others' time, affection, or loyalty.

Material Obsessions: Accumulating wealth or possessions becomes a goal, while inner fulfillment remains neglected.

Ego-driven Identity: Our self-worth is tethered to external validation or achievements, making us vulnerable to loss and disappointment.

The True Path of Liberation

Sant Eknath’s doha points toward "the true path"—a life guided by devotion to Hari (God). Devotion, in this context, is not merely religious practice but an unwavering focus on higher ideals like love, compassion, humility, and surrender. By cultivating devotion, the soul aligns with the divine flow of the universe, experiencing inner joy and liberation from worldly chains.

The true path is:

Rooted in Simplicity: Letting go of unnecessary desires to focus on what truly matters.

Empowered by Love: Transforming relationships into sacred connections of unconditional love.

Grounded in Trust: Surrendering the ego and trusting the divine plan, even in uncertainty.

Devotion as the Foundation

Sant Eknath beautifully underscores that devotion to Hari is the foundation of everything. This devotion is not blind faith but a conscious choice to anchor life in truth and love. Devotion transforms the mundane into the sacred, turning routine actions into offerings of gratitude.

Through devotion:

Clarity Emerges: The noise of worldly concerns quietens, revealing the soul’s purpose.

Strength is Gained: Challenges are met with resilience and grace.

Bliss is Experienced: Joy arises not from external achievements but from inner harmony.

Devotion reminds us that ultimate happiness is not an external pursuit but an internal realization of our oneness with the divine.

A Divergent Perspective: Attachment vs. Devotion

From a spiritual standpoint, attachment and devotion are two sides of the same coin. Where attachment binds us to the impermanent, devotion frees us by anchoring our hearts to the eternal. Imagine attachment as a river’s turbulence, pulling us in all directions, while devotion is the riverbed, providing stability and direction.

Sant Eknath’s doha challenges us to reframe life:

Attachments demand control; devotion demands surrender.

Attachments foster fear of loss; devotion fosters love without conditions.

Attachments fuel the ego; devotion dissolves it.

A Practical Toolkit for Daily Devotion

To incorporate Sant Eknath’s wisdom into daily life, here’s a simple and actionable toolkit:

1. Morning Reflection

Begin each day with a 5-minute silent reflection. Ask yourself:

“What attachments am I clinging to today?”

“How can I redirect my energy toward love and devotion?”

2. Gratitude Journal

Maintain a journal to write three things you are grateful for daily. Gratitude strengthens the foundation of devotion by recognizing the divine in everyday blessings.

3. Surrender Practice

Identify one worry or fear and mentally surrender it to the divine each day. This helps release the illusion of control.

4. Devotional Action

Turn a daily activity—such as cooking, cleaning, or walking—into an act of devotion by performing it mindfully, as an offering to God.

5. Chanting or Prayer

Set aside 10 minutes to chant a mantra or say a prayer that resonates with you. For example: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" (A mantra of surrender to the divine).

6. Letting Go Ritual

Every week, identify one object, habit, or thought pattern that no longer serves your higher purpose and let it go. This could be as simple as decluttering or forgiving someone.

7. Acts of Service

Devotion grows through selfless acts of kindness. Help someone in need, volunteer, or offer a genuine compliment.

Closing Thoughts

Sant Eknath’s timeless wisdom illuminates the path from illusion to truth, from bondage to freedom. By letting go of attachments and embracing devotion, life transforms into a journey of eternal joy and peace. The shift from holding on to letting go is not easy, but as the doha assures us, it is the only way to discover the true essence of happiness.

In the doha, “Jaga sukha jara, moha ti chhedu” Saint Tukaram offers a powerful reflection on the nature of worldly happiness. The line translates to “Worldly happiness is temporary, cut through the illusion.” Tukaram presents a direct challenge to our usual understanding of happiness, urging us to move beyond the fleeting joy that material things and desires bring. This doha provides a roadmap for spiritual awakening by encouraging detachment from illusions and a deeper exploration of true, lasting joy.

1. The Fleeting Nature of Worldly Happiness: Worldly pleasures are often pursued as the ultimate goal in life—wealth, recognition, material success, or sensory pleasures. While these may bring a momentary sense of joy, Tukaram reminds us that they are temporary, much like a mirage in a desert. This happiness, bound to the material world, fades as quickly as it arrives, leaving us in constant pursuit of more.

From a spiritual standpoint, chasing these transient pleasures only distracts us from realizing our true nature, which is eternal and beyond material confines. This is why Tukaram calls this happiness an illusion—an image we constantly chase but never truly grasp.

2. Breaking the Chains of Illusion (Moha): Tukaram’s call to "cut through the illusion" speaks to the core of spiritual awakening. Illusion, or "moha," in this context, refers to our attachment to the material world and the belief that it holds the key to our happiness. The doha encourages us to recognize that the attachments we form to people, objects, and achievements are based on illusions created by our desires. These attachments become chains, binding us to a never-ending cycle of temporary joy and inevitable dissatisfaction.

3. Discovering Eternal Bliss: Tukaram points us toward a higher truth—the joy that comes from realizing our connection to the divine, the universe, or the eternal essence within us. This joy is not dependent on external circumstances. It is stable, constant, and available to all who are willing to look beyond the material and cultivate spiritual awareness.

Instead of fleeting happiness, we can tap into a deeper state of bliss through practices like meditation, self-inquiry, and devotion. This bliss is unaffected by the highs and lows of worldly experiences because it is rooted in the unchanging reality of the self.

4. A Different Perspective on Life: This doha challenges the conventional idea that life’s purpose is to seek happiness through external achievements or possessions. It suggests that true contentment is not found in what we gain but in what we let go of. This idea is revolutionary in a world that promotes acquisition, consumption, and ambition as paths to fulfillment. Tukaram flips this perspective, offering a path of renunciation, detachment, and inner reflection as the key to real joy.

Practical Toolkit for Daily Routine:

To incorporate Tukaram's wisdom into daily life, here’s a practical toolkit designed to help cut through the illusions of the material world and cultivate a sense of inner peace and lasting joy.

1. Mindful Reflection on Desires:

Each day, take 10 minutes to sit quietly and reflect on your desires. Ask yourself: “Is this bringing me lasting happiness or momentary pleasure?” This reflection will help you become aware of the illusory nature of many desires.

2. Daily Detachment Practice:

Choose one small material attachment or habit to let go of for the day. This could be something as simple as avoiding social media for a few hours or not indulging in a particular craving. This practice strengthens your ability to detach from illusions.

3. Meditation on True Bliss:

Practice a daily meditation where you focus on the concept of eternal bliss. Visualize yourself as a being of peace and contentment, untouched by external circumstances. This visualization reinforces your connection to lasting joy.

4. Gratitude for What Is:

Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, cultivate gratitude for what is present in your life. This shift in perspective can help dissolve the illusion that happiness comes from gaining more. Begin or end each day by listing three things you are grateful for.

5. Service Without Expectation:

Engage in acts of service or kindness without expecting anything in return. This helps to break the cycle of attachment to results and shifts your focus from material gain to spiritual fulfillment.

6. Mantra Practice:

Recite a simple mantra each morning, such as “Om Shanti” (I am peace) or “Sat Chit Ananda” (Truth, Consciousness, Bliss), to anchor yourself in the reality of eternal joy. Chanting these mantras can help dissolve illusions and foster a deeper connection to inner peace.

7. Simplify Your Environment:

Create a clutter-free and peaceful space in your home where you can engage in spiritual practices. Reducing physical clutter helps clear mental clutter, making it easier to see through the illusions of material attachment.

8. Engage in Conscious Consumption:

Before buying something, ask yourself if it is a need or a desire. This small pause can help you become more aware of how often we chase fleeting happiness through material goods. It also reinforces the practice of detachment.

9. Spiritual Study:

Dedicate time each week to read spiritual texts or listen to teachings that focus on breaking free from illusion. Reflect on how the wisdom can be applied to your own life and incorporate it into your practices.

10. Regular Digital Detox:

Once a week, take a break from digital distractions—social media, online shopping, or entertainment. Use this time to reconnect with nature, meditate, or engage in creative pursuits that bring you joy from within, rather than from external sources.

Looking Ahead