The Householder --- Part 1

While the sanyAsi can choose a path of nvrtti, and can reduce activities to concentrate on the self, and meditate in seclusion, that kind of luxury is not available to a grhsta or householder.However this does not mean the householder cannot perform meditation.The householder can perform a very beautiful, fulfilling and amazing meditation, which I am going to talk about.This meditation is nothing new, but it is our same old karma yoga, but the way I am going to talk about it is something different, a different manner I will talk about it.While a sanyAsi is meditating on the nirguna brahman, or nirgunatvam of brahman, a householder, may not have the time for this meditation in a secluded place.However, he is engaged in various activities, as a householder, a citizen of the nation, as a father, as a participant in a society and culture.As a part of his society there is a variety of activities that occur in his daily life and a variety of roles that she or he has to play.Each role involves interaction with other people, involves the psychology of people, involves the dymanics of interaction.A simple activity such as cooking involves so much KNOWLEDGE.Not only does each role and activity of a householder involve so much knowledge, it involves a lot of effort as well. And not to forget behind every effort there is a desire that drives the effort.So the householders life is three pronged living a life of pravartti, or activity, which involves knowledge, desire and effort.