Ok, so 5, 000 (yes, Five Thousand!) Years ago, what was the most toughest task in Indian Civilization? Think deep. People were all goodnatured back then. At least that’s what we can deduce since they didn’t have a greed based economy back then.

So what was the most sought after desire back then, at least in India? The answer is Liberation through Self realization!

So 3,800 years after the Vedas came into existence, there was a 16 year old boy (Adi Shankaracharya) from Kerala, India (the newest kid in the block, if you wanna think so) reiterated a few of the previously researched techniques which would make self realization task much easier. He presented the world his new concept called non-duality (Advaita).

Fast forward to current age and time. What’s the toughest task in this era? Impressing a man/ woman that we seem to like. Yes?

If Self realization (for Liberation) has a pre-defined approach/ technique, then why should Self transformation (for dating approach) be any different. If you like someone and you rush to tell them immediately like a telegram or a whatsapp message then there could be repercussions or simply rejections too. Are you ready to face them?

So approaching a person for Dating has some rules just like approaching Self realization for Liberation that Vedanta prescribes. So why not use the same guiding principles for self transformation before approaching a person that Vedanta prescribes for self realization?

In fact if one thinks again, one can use the same guiding principles for any discipline in their life that Vedanta prescribes for self realization, be it Self Transformation for Career or Exams or Passion etc?

High Five!

So let’s just focus on self transformation related to Dating approach for now.

Vedanta prescribes 4 path approach for self realization. Lets understand how this 4 path approach intersects with  self transformation for Dating approach.

SADHANA (Self Realization) CHATUSHTAYA (four means)

The four means are as old as the Vedas itself. Try now to understand these four essential requisites for self realization.

Viveka is discrimination between the realistic and unrealistic approach. Good and bad character of the person you wish to approach etc.

Vairagya is dispassion from unrelated topics and unwanted materialism to enable undivided attention to the goal of self transformation before you approach the person of your interest.

The third requisite is Shad-Sampat, the sixfold virtue. It consists of Sama, Dama, Uparati, Titiksha, Sraddha and Samadhana. All these six qualities are taken as one because they are calculated to bring about mental control and discipline, without which concentration and self transformation is impossible.

Mumukshutva is intense desire for self transformation. If one is equipped with the previous three qualifications (Viveka, Vairagya and Shad-Sampat), then the intense desire for transformation will come without any difficulty.

The aspirant who is endowed with all these four qualifications should then approach a Guru who will instruct him/her on the knowledge of his/her real nature. The Guru is one who has thorough knowledge and experience.

One should then reflect on the inner Self and strive earnestly to attain the goal of Self transformation for Dating approach!

— Varun Gowtham Mannava