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288 - That Thou Art

This was my class guest speaker from last night. Dr. Mehta is one of the kindest men I know here on campus. He is a favorite of past classes and one of my favorite people here at ETSU. He teaches on the medical campus. He has presented several times and each time, I learn something different. He didn't come to my class with a fancy presentation and lots of "bells and whistles" - he came and simply shared from his life experience and perspective. He told stories. He gave my class a brief glimpse into the richness of literature surrounding his culture. He considers these interactions to be part of his dharma (his duty). It's more than the scope of this class to be able to wrap our minds around this philosophical position and understand it just from this one class setting. He gave us a generous overview and pause for consideration. 
My favorite of his stories has to be the one about Yudhisthira’s journey to the mountains, accompanied by his faithful dog. Yudhisthira was the only one to reach the mountain peak, because he was unblemished by sin or untruth. On reaching the top, Indra, the King of the gods asked him to abandon the dog before entering Heaven. But Yudhisthira refused to do so, citing the dog's unflinching loyalty as a reason. He replied that if this was so, he would stay outside heaven as well; for he could not bring himself to desert any creature which trusted him and wished for his protection. How’s that for a story about compassion and kindness?
Know this Atman unborn, undying,
Never ceasing, never beginning, deathless, birthless,
Unchanging forever
How can it die? The death of the body?
Worn-out garments are shed by the body:
Worn out bodies are shed by the dweller within the body

 New bodies are donned by the dweller, like garments. ~ Gita



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