Here in our land we grow up with the idea of reincarnations, that tells us Soul or Self or Atman or Brahman or God or Consciousness or Living Energy is different from Mana (Mind), Buddhi (Intellect), Chitta (The storehouse where all the Samskaras/ impressions of our past work or Karma are stored) and Ahamkara (Ego). The mind is a subtle body that stays with all the Karma done even when the gross body passes away. It takes another body through birth to work out the Karma. The body, while living, houses the eternal and immortal Atman making every living object Divine. Once this Atman is awakened, he/she becomes One with the Atman and escapes the cycle of births and deaths.
However I am one of those souls whose Atman is in deep sleep. So every day I have to wake up with a Mind that’s a cheeky brat and has the power to become a stormy sea with sky reaching waves of unholy desires. Thank God that I have received a Name to perform Japa (repetition of a Mantra) to soothe it down. My Mind tries to escape from the task until Buddhi ties it up and forces it to do the job. It’s a hard struggle everyday to brave those waves. I have already taken a bath in fire. It’s agonizing as well as ecstatic to see a desire fall like an auburn autumn leaf. I covet to make a bonfire of desires. Even if I have to take a million births for that I will certainly do that.
flakes of darkness dance
only for a time being
the sunrise happens
Posted for Susan’s Midweek Motif ~ Psyche (Soul) @ Poets United
sumanar/lekha 
Thank you for this wonderful educational post Sumana. I don’t pretend to understand all, but I will endevour to do so, so that I may be enlightened.
Thank you again.
Anna :o]
Beautiful!
Whew! This is not “the cheeky brat” speaking, but Buddhi aware of Atman. What a job each day is! And all those little fires! I will be here reading this poem again and again as it speaks to my condition.
I’ve clearly also have my work cut out for me – becoming one with Atman.
And though the body lies asleep, the soul moves on… sigh such a beautifully poignant and deep poem this is, Sumana!💞
This is so beautifully done, Sumana. I smiled at the “cheeky brat” of a mind. They are that! I am struck by, having taken a bath in fire, the mixed agony and ecstasy of seeing “desire fall like an auburn autumn leaf.” The depth of your faith inspires me.
I too liked the cheeky brat – such a good attitudes And the end haiku was superb
Thank you. I enjoy hearing thoughts from another perspective.
Sumana, this is such lovely writing. It shares a great tradition and it reveals your soul’s delightful truth.
How good it is to learn of others way of life. So often we think our own is the only acceptable way, but of course it is not. If only we could accept all our differences with love and understanding. Thank you Sumana for another educative post.
kaykuala
A wealth of info one could have come across before but not really knowing what they really mean or represent. Thanks for sharing Sumana!
Hank
Thank you for the interesting explanatory opening paragraph – I love learning about other cultures and religions, Sumana. The second personal paragraph made me smile – I learned about you and your ‘cheeky brat’ mind – I have one too! Your haiku is stunning.
The idea of reincarnations is always fascinating, so thank you for informative piece. And yes, the Mind being cheeky brat…this made smile as I can relate. Beautiful write, Sumana.
I loved reading this ideas, thank you. So well expressed and quite fascinating.
Before I wrote my poem I looked this up. I am pleased that you wrote the opening it helped cement what I just learned into place. Very interesting stuff. Your haibun was lovely and personal. I like the leaf analogy. We all go through periods of darkness where we have to find the light however we can. Sometimes the light comes all on its own but sometimes we need a match.
I hope your Cheeky Brat always finds a way to express herself! 😉
You express the struggle between the worldly distractions, and the ultimate aim perfectly. All the best to you… and me 🙂