Dharma, Bhakti and Discrimination
|
|
- Alexis Shields
- 6 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 Dharma, Bhakti and Discrimination Sundari (Isabella Viglietti) Source: Simon: Thank you so much for your reply. I wanted to answer earlier, but my mind has been very tamasic because of illness. I guess this question about dharma came out of hearing James speaking about how you can t get to moksa if you don t follow dharma. And I interpreted that as meaning following your destiny. And there has always been this thought in the back of my mind that moving back to my parents is somehow my destiny (not in a feel-good way) because of tradition (that place has been inherited for a lot of generations), my father being sentimental and missing me, guilt. Sometimes also I miss my family. And I could live there doing my regular job since it s not technically a farm being used as a farm, just a lot of property to take care of, which doesn t really feel like my thing. But when I am there for longer periods it feels so good to go back to MY city afterwards. Actually, if moksa is my priority like I said it was, living where I do now, far away from relatives, is more beneficial to self-inquiry for me, I guess. I have a good lifestyle. I have a job I love, but I work part-time. I live alone. I have a few good friends, but I try to hang out more and more with myself. I also live in a city I love. Life is not very busy and I have time to study Vedanta. So is dharma is mainly about doing what feels right for me in the moment, responding to situations in a way that feels natural for me? Then I shouldn t really have to worry about maybe one day having to make a choice to live somewhere else. I don t have to right now, so I should focus on karma and knowledge yoga. I guess this fear is silly and doesn t make much sense, but is something like if I am free and let go of the sense of doership, I m afraid the body will just follow its vasanas and might move there because of guilt or habit or whatever, and will be unhappy because of that. I know, it makes zero sense. I m sorry to go on about this. But like I said, I must have a relatively peaceful life if a thought like this is my biggest concern in life. And it s not even a concern that has to be bothered about right now! Sundari: I understand your dilemma. It s strange how Isvara works things out, a beautiful place in the country is many people s idea of heaven, yet it is given to you, who do not want it! See the humour and the play none of it is real, remember. I think you have answered your own question about this situation. Right now you do not have to make a decision, so practice karma yoga on the should I/shouldn t I move to the country? thought and leave the results up to Isvara. When the time comes to make a decision, trust that you will know what to do because Isvara will make it clear to you. Remember, you are not the
2 doer, so the results are not up to you. You have an ideal lifestyle to practice self-inquiry, so focus on that. The negative thoughts about the situation do not help anyone so whenever the guiltthoughts pop into the mind, practise the opposite thought. Start taking a stand in awareness as awareness and say to yourself something like this: I am non-dual, limitless, unchanging awareness; Simon is an object known to me and, as he is me, he exists everywhere and nowhere. Where his body is housed is only important to the jiva because wherever I am is home. Simon s parents are me too and I offer them pure and unconditional love, without guilt. Their bodies will one day be gone, but I will never be gone and neither will they, because they are me. You can make up your own version of this, even make it into a song and sing it accompanied by your guitar. Dharma Dharma it is not the same as destiny, although as a concept destiny often coincides with what Isvara has in mind for the jiva. But destiny is not set in stone and is subject to many factors. Dharma is a very difficult topic and impossible for one person to tell another what their personal dharma is. Ultimately, the highest dharma is to commit to self-inquiry into your true nature, using the scripture as your means of knowledge. There is no other purpose to life than to know who you are and so live not as someone identified with being a person or someone who knows about the self but AS the self. The universal laws, or dharmas, are built into the nature of the Field of Existence and cannot be avoided or contravened without consequence. The results of all actions, whether through appropriate action (dharma) or inappropriate action (adharma) are called karmas. On a macrocosmic level gravity and electricity are examples of universal dharmas. No matter what religious or non-religious views one enjoys, these laws, or dharmas, operate the same way for everyone. On a personal, or microcosmic, level this applies to the laws, or dharmas, of proper conduct, the law of non-injury, for instance, the highest human value. This is an expectation we all hold and if it is contravened we feel unpleasant effects, as do others. It is our experience that as you sow, so shall you will reap. Whether or not we abide by these laws or know what they are, they are built into the very fabric of our being. Even though how dharma plays out is different for everyone, the fundamental laws apply to everyone. Although dharma is one because reality is non-dual, it can be understood in three ways. 1: Samanya dharma, or universal values, are (1) moral laws governing the Field of Existence that apply to everyone personally, like non-injury, honesty, fairness, etc. and (2) the macrocosmic laws of physics, like gravity and thermodynamics, etc. 2: Visesa dharma is how the individual interprets the universal rules and applies them to their lives in the apparent reality with regards to everything: lifestyle, diet, money, work, family, sex, marriage, how one relates to people and the environment one lives in, etc. 3: Svadharma with a small s is an individual s conditioning. This is the nature and the predisposition with which each person is born. To be happy the individual needs to act in accordance with his or her inborn nature or he or she will not be following dharma. For instance,
3 if it is an individual s nature to live their own life in a city, it will not work for him or her to take up farming. All dharmas are based on common sense and logic. Our personal svadharma of course also includes our conditioning: our vasana load, which will be governing how we see and act on all levels. The binding vasanas must be seen and dissolved for peace of mind to be experienced. Still, we will have a particular kind of nature that we need to be in harmony with, so unless one understands what our dharma is we can make decisions that cause great agitation, suffering and discomfort to the mind and body, making peace of mind impossible. It is possible that on the personal level in order to be true to our svadharma we must sometimes take actions that cause agitation and distress to ourselves or others. For instance, in your situation because you are afraid to hurt your parents and feel duty-bound to them, you could decide to give them what they want, knowing it does not support who you are. There is no hard and fast rule here. If you do decide to go against your nature, then do so with a clear mind and good heart, committing yourself to fulfilling your duty to your parents without complaint, with the karma yoga attitude. But the if jiva cannot be happy doing this and it causes great agitation or dullness in the mind, then your duty is to do what is right for the jiva and that is conducive to selfinquiry. Either way it sounds like you would have a peaceful life with lots of time for self-inquiry. These are tough decisions, and you have to decide what your dharma is according to the nature Isvara gave you. You did not make yourself like you are. Our lives have to conform to the truth or we will not have peace of mind, so if we are in a situation like this and faced with such choices, following the truth will always work out for the best even though it may turn your life upside down. It may take time, but it will work out. It is far more damaging to all concerned to make choices that contradict dharma because we are afraid to face the consequences of making the choices that are right for us. If on the other hand we our duty-bound and cannot change our circumstance, then we have to accept that this is prarabdha karma playing out and we attend to it as best we can with the karma yoga attitude. You know the beautiful prayer: Lord give me the courage to change what needs to be changed, the strength to accept what cannot be changed and the wisdom to know the difference between the two. The nagging voice in your head is guilt, and not self-knowledge. I call it the voice of diminishment, and it is not your friend. You would be well served to recognise the role-playing demanded by samsara and dismiss that voice. All the same, if we are not feeling good about ourselves it is because we are most likely contravening dharma on some level either by what we do or don t do because ignorance is present in the mind, i.e. rajas and tamas are at play. Many spiritual seekers believe that self-knowledge is going to fix their lives and fix them. It will not because Vedanta assumes that the mind is qualified and purified to receive self-knowledge. If the mind is not purified then, yes, you have some work to do on the psychological level to clean up Simon s stuff. Our stuff may not be ours, but it sticks like you know what until we resolve it by dissolving it in self-knowledge. Vedanta, or self-realisation, may not fix your life but it can give you the tools to help you deal with it, which is karma yoga. Karma yoga, when practised properly, is really dharma yoga because every action you take is dedicated to Isvara; it is a consecration. It is understood that peace of mind only comes with the realisation that you are not in control of the dharma field, yet in taking
4 the appropriate steps to act according to dharma and then relinquishing the results, peace of mind is produced. If you are not experiencing peace of mind by relinquishing results you are not relinquishing results. It s that simple the doer is still there, afraid and small, still wanting a particular result, frustrated and afraid because it believes it needs the result to be safe or whole and it is not getting what it wants. Also, don t confuse peace of mind with always feeling blissful. This is another enlightenment myth. What moksa gives you is the bliss of self-knowledge, which is very different from experiential bliss. When moksa has obtained in the mind one may and usually does feel experiential bliss regularly, but one does not depend on it, because you know you are the bliss. Experiential bliss is an object known to you and you are always blissful, whether or not experiential bliss is present. In fact you could be sick, in pain and half-dead, broke, jobless or stuck in a situation you do not enjoy but cannot change and be totally blissful because who you are is not influenced by what is or is not going on around you. Life in samsara is a zero-sum game. It is often brutal. We need to be able to be true and faithful to ourselves no matter what, even if in doing so we are called faithless, cruel, indifferent, uncaring among many things. The world does not like it when we change the status quo or refuse to go with what is expected of us. Ignorance rears up and strikes even harder and will try to bring us down. People around you who do not have self-knowledge will make you wrong if you go against the flow of what makes them comfortable. Fear runs deep and its roots entangle us all until we have self-knowledge. Everything we ever need to know about any situation is always present, but unless the mind is sattvic we will not be able to see clearly, because rajas and tamas will be obscuring the truth. It is a hit-and-miss situation making choices without self-knowledge, usually it is a miss. Some people believe that their intuition will guide them; but intuition is based on your conditioning and not constant, so it cannot be trusted. In all situations and choices (other than when one is after moksa) when strong likes and dislikes are pushing for a particular result, there are only ever two valid questions to ask yourself: (1.) Who wants what it wants the way it wants it, and why? (2.) If I am really awareness, will it make any difference to me if I get the result I want or not? The answer to the first question will be always be the doer wants what it wants because it believes it is incomplete and the solution to its problem is in the object; awareness has no wants. The second answer will always be no for the same reason. The answer to both questions if it is moksa we are seeking depends on who is asking because in truth as awareness you are already free. Moksa only makes a difference to the jiva. Simon: Well, anyway, yes, devotion feels like something I want more of, like a year ago I had a really personal relationship with my God. I walked around surrounded by God s grace. I really felt protected and loved, sang to God and talked to him, even though I pictured him in my heart and sometimes it was always a matter of seeing him as an object. Now reading Vedanta I have felt more and more love towards Ganesh and Krishna; before it was Jesus, although I have never been a Christian. I have a hard time understanding how to worship God as myself. Maybe I need more knowledge yoga to understand how God and I are one. And for that I might need more karma yoga to get a quieter mind.
5 Sundari: Yes, self-inquiry is the answer and a devotional practice is essential. See the detailed answer to this below. Simon: Sometimes I see life as a movie in front of me and everything being done and then I usually don t remember to dedicate my actions since I don t feel like a doer, I guess. (Well, I also have a really bad memory, so remembering it is hard also in normal circumstances.) Sundari: When you are one with the knowledge and the sense of doership is absent then you are seeing as the self, so memory is not required. This is non-dual vision. Karma yoga at this point is just knowledge, not a practice. Self-knowledge is not a function of memory, it is who you are, and you cannot forget it once the knowledge I am whole and complete, non-dual awareness and not the jiva is firm. Simon: Is more knowledge of myself and God the way to being able to worship God as myself? Sundari: Yes, see answer below. Simon: And also, I read the article on devotion. Thank you for that. Do you have any tips on traditional rituals for worshiping Ganesh or Krishna? I don t think I would have any problem with it culture-wise. Right now I mostly sing and play guitar, sing Hare Krishna and things like that. Sundari: You have the right idea about worship and devotion and you do not need any special rituals. In fact singing and playing your guitar is ideal. Krishna plays the flute which represents the subtle body, with nine holes that represent the nine orifices in the body. See your guitar that way too, playing the song of the self. I have attached a photo of a sculpture I made of Krishna that you can print and put on your altar. It carries a lot of bhakti. Bhakti Here are the different stages of bhakti yoga, based on the Narada Bhakti Sutra teachings, which you can download for free from transcriptions at the ShiningWorld website. The tradition says there are two kinds of bhakti, or worship, and it is compulsory for moksa to go through all of them, except Stage 1 of the first kind. I have broken down the two stages to four stages for ease of assimilation. The first stage is dvaita, or dualistic, bhakti and it has three parts to it. The fourth stage is advaita jnanum, or knowledge, non-dual bhakti. All three stages are steppingstones for the next stage, with the fourth stage being the end of the line, i.e. moksa. Many people who come to self-inquiry have a lot of negativity towards the idea of the religious God and hate the idea of God. It is essential that you understand the importance of worship. Dvaita (Dualistic) Bhakti
6 Stage 1: (Not essential, but it is a steppingstone to stage 2). Note: Stage 1 and 2 corresponds to Chapters I to VI of the Bhagavad Gita. This is informal, or undisciplined, worship. It is totally subjective and emotional, heart -based. It is where all religions originate, where most samsaris worship a personal deity or god, seeing it as a HE usually, a big daddy who takes care of them and listens to their problems. It is worshiping God as a person. It is childlike or childish devotion. It s about supplicating God in order to get results, getting what you want and avoiding what you don t want. This is where all religious fanaticism and dogmatism originate; it leads to sectarianism and fundamentalism. It makes people feel self-righteous, that they have God on their side and can act out whatever they believe in His name, that they are better than others and their way is the only way. It gives rise to all religious wars. It also makes ordinary people feel safe, providing guidelines that help sort out relationship and life issues. This is for people who are totally identified with being people and the world of objects. Stage 2: This part is compulsory for self-inquiry if moksa is the aim. This stage is emotional and intellectual. Here you start to practise karma yoga surrendering the results of actions to Isvara with an attitude of consecration and gratitude because you have realised that the results of actions are not up to you. This is to help neutralize the idea of doership. You also practise the five pancha yagna (sacrifices or activities): 1. Worship of your deity however you see it (Krishna or Ganesh are perfect); 2. Worship of your parents or ancestors; 3. Worship of your teacher and teaching; 4. Worship of society and people in general; 5. Worship of the environment (i.e. Isvara). Stage 3: Upasana (meditation), and is also compulsory for moksa. Note: This stage corresponds to Chapters VII to XII of the Bhagavad Gita. This is where worship of Isvara/God is objective: purely impersonal or intellectual. Knowledge of Isvara and the creation start to crystallise. There is still duality and you see Isvara in special forms (like icons or beauty), but gradually as knowledge becomes firm this progresses into seeing and worshiping Isvara in all forms, the good and the bad. All three stages of dvaita bhakti involve free will and the jiva, the person, which is why these stages are called dualistic worship. The purpose of these stages of worship, or bhakti, is that these practices reduce subjectivity and neutralize vasanas likes and dislikes, as well negate the doer. It takes care of the childish ego. Stage 4: Advaita, or non-dual, bhakti: jnanum Note: Corresponds to Chapters XIII to XVIII of the Bhagavad Gita.
7 This is the final stage of bhakti, it is advaita non-dual jnanum, or self-knowledge. It is impersonal, beyond subjectivity and objectivity, i.e. moksa. This is non-dual vision where you see everything as the self first and second as the jiva, never confusing the two again. You still live as the jiva and so follow dharma, your own and universal dharma, which requires following the rules of the field of existence, or Isvara, automatically. And you continue with dvaita bhakti except it is no longer dualistic in that you know that everything is you, awareness i.e. you have permanently discriminated between satya and mithya. Discriminating Satya from Mithya With the appearance of maya, the apparent reality comes into existence. If moksa is your aim, the only way you will be free of the apparent reality (duality) has everything to do with understanding God/Isvara by whatever name and the identity between the jiva and Isvara. Freedom is only for the jiva who lives in the apparent reality; as the self you are already free. The jiva, although its true essence is awareness, as the jiva never leaves the apparent reality. Freedom is freedom from the jiva and for it. To be free of bondage to the apparent reality or objects, the jiva has to understand what the jiva is and what Isvara is what they have in common and what makes them different. Without this understanding there is no possibility of discriminating satya (that which is always present and unchanging)from mithya (that which is not always present and always changing), which is the essence of moksa. A very important stage of self-inquiry is Godworship, upasana, before you get to non-dual, or jnanum. I have explained the different kinds of worship above. Isvara (or God) and jiva are essentially the same because their true nature is awareness, and together they make up or comprise the apparent reality. But they are also different because jiva depends upon Isvara whereas Isvara does not depend upon jiva. Isvara is omniscient and creates and sustains the whole universe; jiva only knows the objects it has contact with and creates nothing other than its subjective reality. And they are different because their uphadis are different. An uphadi is a limiting adjunct: that which makes something look other than it is. Isvara s uphadi is maya it makes pure awareness look like a creator. Jiva s uphadi is the five koshas, or sheaths (body/mind/intellect/prana/bliss sheaths), which make the jiva look like a doer. Each uphadi is unique to the jiva, which is why one person cannot know what another is thinking and vice versa. Whether you are enlightened or not, the person continues to live in the apparent reality and is subject to the laws that run it, which are the universal dharmas and the jiva s personal dharma laws. Simon: Thank you, and much love! Sundari: You are welcome. ~ Love, Sundari
Repetition Is a Tool to Remove Ignorance
Repetition Is a Tool to Remove Ignorance Sundari (Isabella Viglietti) 2014-06-01 Source: http://www.shiningworld.com/site/satsang/read/23 Theresa: Hello, Sundari. My name is Theresa. I have been studying
More informationHow Ishvara and Jiva are the Same but Different
How Ishvara and Jiva are the Same but Different Sundari (Isabella Viglietti) 2017-04-06 Source: http://www.shiningworld.com/site/satsang/read/3226 Mike: I am having just a little difficulty with this whole
More informationThe Three Gunas. Shanti: I'm so happy you are having the webinar. So often lately I become aware that I have forgotten who I truly am.
The Three Gunas Shanti: I'm so happy you are having the webinar. So often lately I become aware that I have forgotten who I truly am. Sundari: If you become aware that you have forgotten who you truly
More informationAhankara has given up by itself. This is possible only when one surrenders
CONTEMPLATION OF VEDANTIC TEACHING - N. Avinashilingam Part 1 SURRENDER: Sastra is the irrefutable pramana that gives rise to the knowledge I am Brahman. In the vision of the Sastra, subject and object
More informationShiningWorld Newsletter January 2015
ShiningWorld Newsletter January 2015 Dear friends This has been a year of expansion on the jiva level for James and me with many things coming together for us, our family and for shiningworld. My daughter
More informationBhikshu Gita. The Bhikshu-Gita is contained in chapter 5 of Skandha XII of Srimad Bhagavata.
Page 1 of 6 Bhikshu Gita The Bhikshu-Gita is contained in chapter 5 of Skandha XII of Srimad Bhagavata. Sri Suka said: 1. In this Bhagavata is described again and again the worshipful Sri Hari, the soul
More informationTHE ESSENCE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
THE ESSENCE OF ENLIGHTENMENT Vedanta, the Science of Consciousness James Swartz Sentient Publications $16.95 Paperback ISBN 978-1-59181-181-7 6 x 9 264 pages December 2014 CONTENTS Introduction 1. What
More informationMeera interviews Vijaybhai, a Hinduism teacher at the Swaminarayan temple, Kenton, Harrow, on the path of Bhakti yoga.
Spirituality and Hinduism Hinduism is a pluralistic religion, allowing many pathways to God. In this programme four students want to find the answer to the question: Which is the best pathway to God? Meera
More informationNarada Bhakti Sutra A summary of Swami Tadatmananda s Discourse February 6, 2007
Narada Bhakti Sutra A summary of Swami Tadatmananda s Discourse February 6, 2007 As we come to the end of the text we will see that there is a great deal of important material concentrated in these sutras.
More informationThe Never-Settled Mind
The Never-Settled Mind Greetings to AII Have you met anyone you agree with all the time, 100% percent all the time that is...? Of course not, for this is one of the impossibilities of life itself... Why?
More informationNarada Bhakti Sutra A summary of Swami Tadatmananda s Discourse December 26, 2006
Narada Bhakti Sutra A summary of Swami Tadatmananda s Discourse December 26, 2006 At this point in our text, we continue to focus on sadhana bhakti, i.e., bhakti as a means to achieve the goal. For next
More informationPANCHADASI SRI VIDYARANYA SWAMI
PANCHADASI SRI VIDYARANYA SWAMI Table of Contents I. THE DIFFERENTIATION OF THE REAL PRINCIPLE 3 WHY THE SELF IS NOT KNOWN FOR WHAT IT IS - AVIDYA 4 PANCHIKARANA PRAKRIYA 5 MACROCOSM AND MICROCOSM PRAKRIYA
More informationINNER JOURNEY. INNER JOURNEY youtube: sreedhar newenergy Page 1
INNER JOURNEY What is meant by inner journey? Doing journey within to reach soul state to become leader of trigunas. is called inner journey. Who can do inner journey? The persons who took births related
More informationSelf-Realisation, Non-Duality and Enlightenment
Self-Realisation, Non-Duality and Enlightenment Self-Realisation Most people are suffering from mistaken identity taking ourselves to be someone we are not. The goal of psycho-spiritual development is
More information1-1. Vedic Management The Holistic Approach to Managerial Excellence Dr.S.Kannan
1-1 Vedic Management The Holistic Approach to Managerial Excellence Dr.S.Kannan vedicmanagement@gmail.com http://vedvikas.blogspot.com/ 1-2 1-3 Trigunas Satva Equanimity, Tranquility, Detachment, Purity,
More informationEssence of Vedanta - Tiruvannamalai
Bhagavad Gītā summarized by James Swartz (ShiningWorld.com) Taught by Andre Vas (YesVedanta.com) Essence of Vedanta - Tiruvannamalai Part 1. Knowledge, Karma, Free Will, Purification, Meditation Text:
More informationInner Journey through Introduction: Gita Bhagavad Gita Gita Chapters Ch. 1 Context for Teachings of Gita Ch. 2 Summary / Essence of Gita Dialog
Chariot Our Material body 5 Horses 5 senses Horse s Reins Mind Arjuna Individual spirit soul in conflict and confusion Krishna God within us, the guide through our life Inner Journey through Introduction:
More informationToday. Next Wednesday. Wk09 Wednesday, May 23. BG 12-17, Perrett, Facts, Values and the BG. Matilal, Caste, Karmā and the Gītā.
Wk09 Wednesday, May 23 Today BG 12-17, Perrett, Facts, Values and the BG. Matilal, Caste, Karmā and the Gītā. BG 18 Wrap up: BG, course Next Wednesday 1 BG Brief Outline Nature of ātman Arjuna s despondency
More informationSounds of Love Series. Path of the Masters
Sounds of Love Series Path of the Masters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cwi74vvvzy The path of the Masters, when we talk of this subject, we are referring to the spiritual Masters of the East, Who have
More informationOrigins. Indus River Valley. When? About 4000 years ago Where?
Origins When? About 4000 years ago Where? What modern day countries make up where the Indus River Valley civilization once thrived? Indus River Valley Origins How? Who? It is widely believed that there
More informationKarma Yoga. By Jayant Kapatker E M A I L : J A Y A N S T A M I N T E R A C T I V E. C O M T EL:
Karma Yoga By Jayant Kapatker E M A I L : J A Y A N T @ S T A M I N T E R A C T I V E. C O M T EL: 6 0 9 7509827 Karma Yoga Karma means work or action. Yoga has many meanings; in this instance it means
More informationRamji Love from this side of the ocean. I have a question. When I was reading the book "Play of Consciousness" by Swami Muktananda maybe you have
Ramji Love from this side of the ocean. I have a question. When I was reading the book "Play of Consciousness" by Swami Muktananda maybe you have read the book also it caused a question and an inspiration.
More informationEmotions as Shakti, the Gunas and Their Relationship to Emotion
Emotions as Shakti, the Gunas and Their Relationship to Emotion Ram (James Swartz) 2003-02-19 Source: http://www.shiningworld.com/site/satsang/read/1750 Edward: Dear Ram, I ve a question for you. I hope
More informationD2D Atma Gynam (Gyan) / Vicharanai (Vichar) Series: Bhagavad Gita. The Vichars for Chapter 1 [Sorrow of Arjuna]
D2D Atma Gynam (Gyan) / Vicharanai (Vichar) Series: Bhagavad Gita The Vichars for Chapter 1 [Sorrow of Arjuna] 1. What are the ways with which you can identify yourself as both BODY and ATMA? 2. List all
More informationAdi Sankaracharya's APAROKSHANUBHUTI* (SELF-REALISATION) Translated by Swami Vimuktananda Commentary by James Swartz
Adi Sankaracharya's APAROKSHANUBHUTI* (SELF-REALISATION) Translated by Swami Vimuktananda Commentary by James Swartz 1. I bow to the all-pervading pure Awareness, the First Teacher, destroyer of Ignorance,
More informationThe Direct Path. Ram (James Swartz) Source:
The Direct Path Ram (James Swartz) 2013-01-20 Source: http://www.shiningworld.com/site/satsang/read/805 Greg Goode: Hey, James. Thanks for your close and careful reading of The Direct Path: A User Guide*!
More informationThe Hindu Heritage An Overview. Bansi Pandit
The Hindu Heritage An Overview by Bansi Pandit Topics of Discussion Part I Introduction Scriptures Hindu View of God Hindu View of the Individual Hindu View of the World Major Doctrines Part II Caste System
More informationGreetings ShiningWorld!
Greetings ShiningWorld! James is in great spirits as usual and fighting fit, has just finished teaching the 2015 Spring European Schedule. He will soon be heading back to the US and I will be joining him
More informationHinduism: A Christian Perspective
Hinduism: A Christian Perspective Rick Rood gives us an understanding of this major world religion which is becoming more a part of the American scene with the growth of a Hindu immigrant population. Taking
More informationSTUDY CIRCLE THE VARNA ASHRAMA SYSTEM DATE: SATURDAY, 15 TH APRIL 2017
STUDY CIRCLE THE VARNA ASHRAMA SYSTEM DATE: SATURDAY, 15 TH APRIL 2017 CONTENT Recap The Varna Ashrama System Discussion RECAP RECAP The Upanishadic Beginnings 1. What is the subtle difference between
More informationCorrections and Additions
Corrections and Additions The Psychological Chart: Yogananda actually used six categories 1. Tama (Obstructing), 2. Rajas-Tama (Activating-Obstructing) 3. Sattwa-Tama (Elevating-Obstructing) 4. Raja (Activating)
More informationPhilosophy on the Battlefield: The Bhagavad Gita V. Jnana-yoga: The Yoga of Spiritual Knowledge
Philosophy on the Battlefield: The Bhagavad Gita V. Jnana-yoga: The Yoga of Spiritual Knowledge Prof. K. S. Arjunwadkar (Figures in brackets refer to chapters and verses in the Bhagavad Gita unless stated
More informationMeditation. By Shamar Rinpoche, Los Angeles On October 4, 2002
Meditation By Shamar Rinpoche, Los Angeles On October 4, 2002 file://localhost/2002 http/::www.dhagpo.org:en:index.php:multimedia:teachings:195-meditation There are two levels of benefit experienced by
More informationSounds of Love. Bhakti Yoga
Sounds of Love Bhakti Yoga I am going to today talk to you today about Bhakti yoga, the traditional yoga of love and devotion as practiced in the east for thousands of years. In the ancient epic of Mahabharata,
More informationPrinciples and Frameworks Of Yogic Management
Principles and Frameworks Of Yogic Management Namaste, Thank you for your interest in Yogic Management and my book, The Yogic Manager. This file contains the principles and frameworks of Yogic Management,
More informationFROM SATSANGS OF GURUDEV SHRI OJASWI SHARMA KIRTAN AND MANTRA
KIRTAN AND MANTRA The theory is that you become what you think. What is japa? You go on chanting and remembering Christ, Krishna or Ram so that someday the qualities which were in them become yours. This
More informationVEDANTIC MEDITATION. North Asian International Research Journal of Social Science & Humanities. ISSN: Vol. 3, Issue-7 July-2017 TAPAS GHOSH
IRJIF I.F. : 3.015 North Asian International Research Journal of Social Science & Humanities ISSN: 2454-9827 Vol. 3, Issue-7 July-2017 VEDANTIC MEDITATION TAPAS GHOSH Dhyana, the Sanskrit term for meditation
More informationWhat is Hinduism?: world's oldest religion o igi g na n t a ed e d in n Ind n i d a reincarnation (rebirth) Karma
What is Hinduism?: Hinduism is the world's oldest religion, with a billion followers, which makes it the world's third largest religion. Hinduism is a conglomeration of religious, philosophical, and cultural
More informationAm I a Nutty Guru or What?
Am I a Nutty Guru or What? Ram (James Swartz) 2010-05-25 Source: http://www.shiningworld.com/site/satsang/read/1809 Cecelia: Dear James Swartz, I should like to order the whole set of videos about Vedanta
More informationHow to Make Wise Decisions by Reverend Jaganath Carrera
How to Make Wise Decisions by Reverend Jaganath Carrera As we act, so we become in life. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad Most of us know the importance of good decision making. Decisions can lead to happy or
More informationYOGA VASISTHA IN POEM
YOGA VASISTHA IN POEM CHAPTER III 10. The Story of Indu's Sons UNIVERSES WITHIN THE MIND After my morning prayers one day I beheld within the infinite void Seemingly independent universes In each my counterpart
More informationShiningWorld NEWSLETTER. Hello, Everyone. WE STARTED THIS newsletter in a. Dedicated to the Dissemination of Non-Dual Wisdom. November/December 2016
Dedicated to the Dissemination of Non-Dual Wisdom ShiningWorld NEWSLETTER November/December 2016 Hello, Everyone from Sundari Ogna, Norway. WE STARTED THIS newsletter in a cabin in the woods in Norway,
More informationThe Bhagavad Gita and Self-Realization
The Bhagavad Gita and Self-Realization 7th in the Series Subject: Duality of Experience Dr. M.W. Lewis San Diego, 11-30-52 The subject this evening is "The Bhagavad Gita and Self-Realization." This is
More informationBuddhism Connect. A selection of Buddhism Connect s. Awakened Heart Sangha
Buddhism Connect A selection of Buddhism Connect emails Awakened Heart Sangha Contents Formless Meditation and form practices... 4 Exploring & deepening our experience of heart & head... 9 The Meaning
More informationThey called him Indra, Mitra, Varuṇa, Agni; yea, he is heavenly Garuḍa, who has beautiful wings.
There is a trend these days of claiming that the Rg Veda 1.164.46 verse has been appropriated and is being misused by those who are called The Sameness Myth Perpetrators. Ékaṃ sád víprā bahudhā vadant
More informationChapter 2. Compassion in the Middle-way. Sample Chapter from Thrangu Rinpoche s Middle-Way Instructions
Sample Chapter from Thrangu Rinpoche s Middle-Way Instructions Chapter 2 Compassion in the Middle-way The meditation system based on the Middle-way that Kamalashila brought on his first trip to Tibet was
More informationLESSONS ON MANAGEMENT FROM THE BHAGAVAD GITA Ms. Megha Nair Pillai 1. Keywords: Bhagavad Gita, Management, Mythology, Knowledge
LESSONS ON MANAGEMENT FROM THE BHAGAVAD GITA Ms. Megha Nair Pillai 1 Abstract: Mythology defined as the study of myths has the most profound effect on the lives of Indians in the name of tradition and
More informationA Story of Cancer The Truth of Love
A Story of Cancer The Truth of Love Dear Friends, A few months ago, a friend was sharing with me her inspiration to publish a book focusing on stories of women who have had an experience of God that transformed
More informationANAASAKTI YOGA Krishna regarded King Janaka as an ideal person because he ruled his kingdom with this sense of Anaasakti and detachment, and thereby a
ANAASAKTI YOGA Krishna regarded King Janaka as an ideal person because he ruled his kingdom with this sense of Anaasakti and detachment, and thereby attained perfection. There are some people who have
More informationJac O Keeffe Quotes. Something underneath is taking care of all, is taking care of what you really are.
Jac O Keeffe Quotes Personality is a useful tool but it cannot define who you are. Who you are lies far beyond who you think you are. You don't have to be perfect, you don't have to have good health, you
More informationTranscript of the teachings by Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi on Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds, 2014
Transcript of the teachings by Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi on, 2014 Root text: by Shantideva, translated by Toh Sze Gee. Copyright: Toh Sze Gee, 2006; Revised edition, 2014. 18 February 2014 Reflecting
More informationSri Swami Muktananda ji
Sri Swami Muktananda ji Satsangs in Rishikesh from January to March 2005 Notes by Gonçalo Correia Preface In 2004 I had the opportunity of going 5 months and alone to India for intense Yoga Sadhana. I
More informationAudience: Why are hurtful, even violent responses more prevalent choices over caring ones, even though they clearly only bring more suffering?
5. The Cause of Suffering: Karma Questions and Answers Audience: Why are hurtful, even violent responses more prevalent choices over caring ones, even though they clearly only bring more suffering? Rimpoche:
More informationSo(ul) to Spe k. 42 Tathaastu
So(ul) to Spe k The goal of spiritual practice is to live in a permanent state of Divine Presence. We must become a new person if we want to live in that state. Every one of us has to ask, has my life
More informationPathwork on Christmas
Pathwork on Christmas The Pathwork Lectures began with Number 1 on March 11, 1957. The first Christmas lecture was Lecture #19 given on December 20, 1957 and for the first time introduces Jesus Christ
More informationThe Meaning of Prostrations - by Lama Gendun Rinpoche
The Meaning of Prostrations - by Lama Gendun Rinpoche Why do we do Prostrations? 1.The Purification of Pride - First of all, we should know why we do prostrations. We do not do them to endear ourselves
More informationWith Free Will You Can Seek To Go Home
With Free Will You Can Seek To Go Home Friends, I am very happy to be here in Toronto and to meet all of you. The reason why I am here is because I want to meet all the seekers, my fellow travelers, co
More informationThe Power of Positive Thinking
The Power of Positive Thinking Page 1 D I S C L A I M E R O F L I A B I L I T Y A N D W A R R A N T Y This publication describes the author s opinions regarding the subject matter herein. The author and
More informationWhat is God? (1) God is a Formless Creator
What is God? Intelligent people consider their rela1onship with the creator, sustainer and destroyer of life as their most important rela1onship since every other rela1onship depends on it. Emo1onal problems
More informationEssence of Indian Spiritual Thought (Sanathana Dharma)
Essence of Indian Spiritual Thought (Sanathana Dharma) The way of life envisaged for people of India by their sages and saints of yore (from time immemorial) is known as SANATHANA DHARMA. Sanathana in
More informationThe Eternal Message of the Gita. 3. Buddhi Yoga
The Eternal Message of the Gita SWAMI SIDDHESHWARANANDA 1 Source: Vedanta Kesari September 2003 2 3. Buddhi Yoga Those who tum to Me unceasingly and render homage to me With love, I show them the path
More informationEgo as the Cause of Unethics and Approaches to Dissolve it
Global Journal of HUMANSOCIAL SCIENCE: G Linguistics & Education Volume 14 Issue 4 Version 1.0 Year 2014 Type: Double Blind Peer Reviewed International Research Journal Publisher: Global Journals Inc.
More informationCHANGING THE WORLD THROUGH LOVE
CHANGING THE WORLD THROUGH LOVE By Uma Bhattacharyya We all dream of a better life in a better society. However it has become difficult to go through a complete day without becoming disillusioned, disappointed
More informationChristian Marriage. We will give ourselves to a regular lifestyle of confession and forgiveness.
II. Lesson 2: Commitment 1. Christian Marriage We will give ourselves to a regular lifestyle of confession and forgiveness. A. Coming Clean: Confession Confession is the doorway to growth and change in
More informationShiningworld Newsletter January 2013
The first Newsletter for 2013 comes to you from Tiruvannamalai, where we have completed Panchadasi and the first stage of the seminar. The second stage, the Bhagavad Gita is well under way. The first seminar
More informationThe essence of the Holy Bhagavad Gita
The essence of the Holy Bhagavad Gita ------------------------------------------------------------- The following notes are derivatives according to my understanding of Holy Bhagavad Gita. Lord Sri Krishna
More informationTHE SECRET OF WORK. By Swami Vivekananda
Helping others physically, by removing their physical needs, is indeed great, but the help is great according as the need is greater and according as the help is far reaching. If a man's wants can be removed
More informationThe spiritual awareness classes of the Living Light Philosophy were given through the mediumship of Mr. Richard P. Goodwin.
The Living Light Philosophy Catalog Class Synopses for the Consciousness Classes of The Living Light Dialogue Volume 4, which includes classes CC-69 through CC-92. The spiritual awareness classes of the
More informationSELF EXPERIENCE V. V. BRAHMAM. Excerpts from talks given in Satsang in Tiruvannamalai, in February of Edited by Kristin Davis.
SELF EXPERIENCE By V. V. BRAHMAM Excerpts from talks given in Satsang in Tiruvannamalai, in February of 2004. Edited by Kristin Davis. Emptiness Heart open. Heart open means without covering of mind...
More informationJOHNNIE COLEMON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. Title KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW 1. Why are we here? a. Galatians 4:4 states: But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under
More informationVEDANTA CENTER OF ATLANTA. Br. Shankara Swami Vivekananda's Raja Yoga November 12, 2017
VEDANTA CENTER OF ATLANTA Br. Shankara Swami Vivekananda's Raja Yoga November is a month for study of Raja Yoga, a spiritual path often called the yoga of meditation. A raja yogi uses ancient, proven spiritual
More informationBE NATURALLY FIT Mindfulness Month
BE NATURALLY FIT Mindfulness Month Welcome to Mindfulness Month Mindfulness is the path to becoming more accepting of ourselves and of others. This month we will focus on embracing our emotions, trusting
More informationSpiritual Enlightenment Truths, Distortions, And Paths
Spiritual Enlightenment Truths, Distortions, And Paths Buddhist monks, Hindu yogis, modern spiritual teachers, and Burning Man enthusiasts may all use the term spiritual enlightenment but are they speaking
More informationThe Six Paramitas (Perfections)
The Sanskrit word paramita means to cross over to the other shore. Paramita may also be translated as perfection, perfect realization, or reaching beyond limitation. Through the practice of these six paramitas,
More informationYoga: More than Just an Exercise
Maranatha Baptist Bible College Yoga: More than Just an Exercise Submitted to: Mr. Trainer Comparative Religions HUCC 226 December 6, 2011 By Holly Buell Yoga is a growing phenomenon in American culture.
More informationNotes from the Teachings on Mahamudra, by Lama Lodu, January 26 th, 2008
1 Notes from the Teachings on Mahamudra, by Lama Lodu, January 26 th, 2008 The lineage blessings are always there, very fresh. Through this we can get something from these teachings. From the three poisons
More information2016 Meditation and Mindfulness Course Handbook
2016 Meditation and Mindfulness Course Handbook Where Should I Meditate? How Often Should I Meditate? Why Journaling & Keeping a Calendar Can be Beneficial Glossary of Terms Used in this Course When a
More information20. God s Love is like Sunshine
20. God s Love is like Sunshine There is nothing greater than karma or duty and that duty must be done in a disinterested manner without having any attachment to the fruit of the action. When action is
More informationFrom Karma to Grace. The Power of the Fruits of the Spirit. John Van Auken. A.R.E. Press Virginia Beach Virginia
From Karma to Grace From Karma to Grace The Power of the Fruits of the Spirit John Van Auken A.R.E. Press Virginia Beach Virginia Copyright 2010 by John Van Auken 1st Printing, May 2010 Printed in the
More informationDo not Grieve Swami Viditatmananda Saraswati 1
Do not Grieve Swami Viditatmananda Saraswati 1 aśocyānanvaśocastvaü prajñāvādāüśca bhāùase gatāsūnagatāsūüśca nānuśocanti paõóitāþ tvam you; aśocyān those who should not be grieved for; ananvaśocaþ grieve
More informationA-level Religious Studies
A-level Religious Studies RSS09 World Religions 1: Buddhism OR Hinduism OR Sikhism Report on the Examination 2060 June 2014 Version: 1.0 Further copies of this Report are available from aqa.org.uk Copyright
More informationRichard Rose Notes and Quotes 1986 to 1993 Part 1: Spiritual Action/Practice
Richard Rose Notes and Quotes 1986 to 1993 Part 1: Spiritual Action/Practice From 1985 through the mid-1990 s, Paul Constant 1 visited Richard Rose at his West Virginia home and farm. Many visits occurred
More informationBest quotes by Eckhart Tolle
Best quotes by Eckhart Tolle It seems almost impossible to disidentify from the mind. We are all immersed in it. How do you teach a fish to fly? Here is the key: End the delusion of time. Time and mind
More informationEkam Evadvitiyam Brahma, Mahavakya
Ekam Evadvitiyam Brahma, Mahavakya By Tantra Siddha Maha Yogi Shastrishree Paramahamsa Dr.Rupnathji Ekam Evadvitiyam Brahma is a Mahavakya, meaning that there is one absolute reality, without any secondary
More informationRamana Bhaskara Speech delivered in Palakollu, dated
Ramana Bhaskara Speech delivered in Palakollu, dated 23-11-03. 1 In order to get released from ignorance, the Lord has prescribed several paths like Karma, Bhakti, Dhyana and Jnana in the Gita. Treading
More informationGCE Religious Studies
GCE Religious Studies RSS09 World Religions 1: Buddhism OR Hinduism OR Sikhism Report on the Examination 2060 June 2013 Version: 1.0 Further copies of this Report are available from aqa.org.uk Copyright
More informationWhy Chant the Hanuman Chalisa?
Why Chant the Hanuman Chalisa? In 1996, I visited Maharaj-ji's temple at Kainchi. At the time, one of his very old great devotees, Shri Kehar Singh, was also staying there. I spent many hours talking and
More informationSTEP THREE WE MADE A DECISION TO TURN OUR WILL AND LIVES OVER TO THE CARE OF GOD AS WE UNDERSTOOD HIM
STEP THREE WE MADE A DECISION TO TURN OUR WILL AND LIVES OVER TO THE CARE OF GOD AS WE UNDERSTOOD HIM We worked steps One and Two with our group we ve surrendered, and we ve demonstrated our willingness
More informationHOW DOES DANCING, MEDITATING, RITUAL OR AFFIRMATION EMPOWER ME?
Introduction Love Your Inner Goddess is your guide to expressing the divine feminine spirit within. You are about to learn how to be the empowered, divine woman you were born to be. This starts with giving
More informationCosmic Partnership. Twin Souls Patricia Joudry & Maurie Pressman
Cosmic Partnership "Marriage was originally designed to assist physical survival. With the growth of spiritual consciousness in the world, that model is being replaced by another; a sacred commitment between
More informationPROBLEMS. Comfort. Sensitivity
PROBLEMS Comfort At present man is like a seed. He is not fully aware, he is not consciousness. But many people think that: I am consciousness, I am soul and I am god. This is the most dangerous and poisonous
More informationWhat is. Moksha? AiR
What is Moksha? by AiR What is Moksha? by AiR PREFACE Moksha is supposed to be the most spiritual word in the Hindu religion. It is said that Moksha is the nal goal of every human being. Everybody speaks
More informationFour Thoughts. From Mind Training, By Ringu Tulku
Four Thoughts From Mind Training, By Ringu Tulku We begin with the Four Thoughts or Contemplations. They are not sermons or holy rules but truths which we can reflect upon and use in our own way to revise
More information19. Know thyself "I" is the first sound emanating from Atma
19. Know thyself EMBODIMENTS of Divine Love! "Aham Atma Gudaakesa sarvabhoothaasaya sthithah" (Oh Arjuna! I am the Atma that dwells in all living beings). "I am the beginning, the middle and the end of
More informationAmerican Hindus: How to Cultivate Your Culture in America
American Hindus: How to Cultivate Your Culture in America By Stephen Knapp One thing I have witnessed is that how 20, 30 or more years ago, when Indians were coming to America, they came to concentrate
More informationThe Philosophy of the Kaivalya Upanishad. Dedicated with love to our Headcorn group with Anne and John Burnett
The Philosophy of the Kaivalya Upanishad Dedicated with love to our Headcorn group with Anne and John Burnett Advaita Philosophy Ashram Commentary by Kenneth Jaques Advaita-Philosophy. info email. AdvaitaPhilosophy@gmail.com
More informationThis is an extract of teachings given by Shamar Rinpoche. This section
Mastering the mind This is an extract of teachings given by Shamar Rinpoche. This section of the teaching was preceded by Rinpoche's explanation of the reasons for practice (why we meditate) and the required
More informationK A R M É D H A R M A C H A K R A. C o m m u n a u t é m o n a s t i q u e b o u d d h i s t e
A few questions were raised concerning the new function of Lama Jigme Rinpoche as the general secretary of the 17 th Gyalwa Karmapa Thaye Dorje; Lama Jigme Rinpoche wished to make the following clarifications
More informationThe Myth of Self-Inquiry
The Myth of Self-Inquiry The Myth of Self-Enquiry Questions and Answers about the Philosophy of Oneness Jan Kersschot Foreword by Tony Parsons NON-DUALITY PRESS NON-DUALITY PRESS 6 Folkestone Road Salisbury
More informationWorking With Pain in Meditation and Daily Life (Week 1 Part 1) Ines Freedman 09/13/06
Working With Pain in Meditation and Daily Life (Week 1 Part 1) Ines Freedman 09/13/06 Welcome everyone. I want to start out by very briefly telling you about my personal history with pain. I started as
More information