05.07.08
Today’s thought
If the mind is afflicted by an adverse condition, think the opposite.
03.23.08
Becoming Spiritually Minded
When spiritual growth becomes your primary aim, it helps to become more spiritually minded. Surrounding your self with people of a similar aim (Make sure this isn’t done simply to pacify feelings of being alone. Otherwise, you might find your self in the company of those who profess an interest in spiritual develoment, but really just want to be part of a “club”), letting go of old habits that are not conducive to inner realizations, and reading or listening to the words of clear thinking teachers, keeps the mind intent and heading in the direction of spiritual fulfillment. Maintain these three supports until you are no longer dependant on them, but don’t give them up too soon. A mind conditioned by wisdom is an excellent foundation for the direct experience of Self-realization.
02.20.08
Meditation Explained
First sit in a comfortable position with the back straight. Close your eyes and look slightly upward gazing into the darkness of your eyelids. Upward gazing will keep you alert and awake. Take a few deep breaths, and feel the air come in and leave your body. With each exhalation let your worries or concerns fall away. As you
settle into a relaxed attentive state set your intention to experience the essence of divinity within and without you. This can be done with a prayer if you are inclined. Now, return your attention to your breath. For the next fifteen minutes just breath, and be aware of breathing. Should thoughts arise, let them pass. Remember to
give yourself fully to the practice. Become absorbed in the breath, prayer or stillness. This is the time for inner rejuvenation. You have all day to attend to other matters. After any form of distraction, gently return your attention to your breathing. When you are ready, drop the breath from you attention. Rest within the stillness that has been allowed to emerge from this simple practice.
After a few weeks gaining proficiency in the above routine, utilizing the following schedule can deepen the practice. Twice a day sit for thirty to forty-five minutes. Set aside the same time every day. Sit where you will not be disturbed. Take a few deep breaths and get comfortable with your back straight. Close your eyes and
direct your attention within. Again, looking slightly upward to stay alert and affirm your innate divine nature. Recite a memorized prayer, or speak one spontaneously silently to allow the connection with the divine to become more real. Now, use a two word phrase to direct your attention toward. This can be as simple as
“Peace, love” or any other word that positively attracts your attention.
With your breathing recite your word phrase. On the inhale, listen to the first word inside your head. On the exhale, listen to the second word. Let it fill your entire awareness. Give all of your attention to it. Should thoughts or distractions arise, gently bring your attention back to your word phrase and breathing. Practice
feeling the word phrase resonating in your awareness for the next ten to fifteen minutes. This will calm the mind and allow the body to relax deeply. Now rest in this relaxed, yet alert peaceful state. Remain calm and poised for as long as possible. Once internal or external distractions begin to make themselves known, start over
again. Continue practicing in this way until you have reached your proscribed time. Finish with a silent prayer, and acknowledge the divine peace you experienced, and let it fill your day.
After resting for a while in the pure state of awareness you may conclude and go about your day, or remain a little longer engaging in constructive problem solving. It is after the practice that we can most appropriately address any issues in our lives that need it. When our awareness is not clouded by overactive thoughts or
emotions we are more easily able to understand why things are the way they are. With this understanding proper action can be taken to change.
This practice creates the structure in life for the unfoldment of self-realization and spiritual knowledge. Without this understanding we wander pointlessly into suffering. Each day we meditate or pray to realize our spiritual purposes and how they transpose into our physical life, we lay a few more bricks into the structure.
With patience and consistency we will eventually wake up to find that the last brick was set yesterday morning, and from there all we need do is let life happen spontaneously and constructively.
02.18.08
Kriya Yoga Talk 2/17/08
Here are clips from a talk given at Namaste Yoga Center in Asheville.
02.15.08
Some good points are here…
There are some good points in this video. Please enjoy…
http://video.stumbleupon.com/?s=ithct48cqw&i=ufcchmyxqsuj9vwsemax
02.07.08
Vasistha’s Yoga II.19
II.19 “Non recognition of the existence of Supreme peace in the heart and assumption of the reality of imaginary factors, are both born of imperfect knowledge and the consequence of perverted logic.”
In this verse, what is referred to as the heart is the essence of one’s being. It is the eternal spirit that is the foundation for all that is experienced in the world and the enlivening power of all life. Recognition of the Supreme peace within the heart requires one to keep awareness centered in the clear stillness of the spirit while functioning in the world. To not do so, fragments consciousness and leads one to mistake transient experiences for reality.
Reality (something that exists independently of all other things and from which all other things derive) is the essence of one’s being. Much like when one dreams, everything within the dream is the dreamer and also the product of the imagination of the dreamer, the objects of perception in the world are products of the imagination of one’s true self.
To entertain the notion that the products of one’s imagination is real results in ignorance of one’s true self and is the cause of misunderstanding about the nature of reality. The more attention given to the transient things of the world the less attention is given to the eternal changeless nature of one’s own spirit, resulting in less peace and more attachment to things that cannot last, further blurring the clarity needed to remain fully awake to what is real.
Knowing that the world of experience is ultimately imaginary does not require a denial of the world. The objects of perception are to be related to appropriately as they are experienced. The purpose of acquiring flawless knowledge about what is and what is not real is to enable one to participate in the game of life without losing the perspective that it is a play of consciousness in the field of nature.
Remaining stable in the understanding of one’s true nature requires training. Realizing one’s enlightenment has a rich history of training opportunities. The study of authentic enlightenment scripture by writers of clear awareness provides ample reading material to study. From thousands of years past to the present enlightened sages have taught, those ready and willing to receive, soul liberating knowledge. Techniques to control the mind and return attention to one’s spiritual essence have been devised for all temperaments.
The way is always open for those committed to walking it. To be express one’s enlightenment requires learning from credible sources and applying what is learned. Then through direct experience the truth is revealed.
12.17.07
Proactivity
I’ve been reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Last night I learned that Love is a verb. People who aren’t effective treat love as a feeling, to be chased and “had”. “Highly Effective” people are proactive, and to them Love is a verb, something you do. So a proactive person loves, is loving. A reactive person, needs love, is dependant on circumstances to feel it.
06.04.07
Three Ideas
1) The only difference between an enlightened person and an unenlightened person is the way they think.
2) The only obstacles in your way are you and your self doubts. Overcome those and you are on your way.
3) When you know “the-why” you are doing something, the “how-to” becomes easy.
