50 Years of Continuous Publication TRUTH JOURNAL. A Center for Spiritual Awareness Publication For Individual and Global Spiritual Enlightenment

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1 June July Years of Continuous Publication TRUTH JOURNAL A Center for Spiritual Awareness Publication For Individual and Global Spiritual Enlightenment Gracefully Growing Through the Stages of Spiritual Awakening 4

2 3rd Printing New 6 x 9 Format Seven Lessons in Conscious Living 160 pages $7.00 plus $3.00 P&H ($6.00 foreign) Order form on page 30 online at weekdays 8 a.m. 3 p.m. A COMPREHENSIVE COURSE IN HIGHER LEARNING AND SPIRITUAL PRACTICE IN THE KRIYA YOGA TRADITION SEVEN LESSONS IN CONSCIOUS LIVING Philosophical Principles, Holistic Lifestyle Guidelines, and Effective Meditation Routines ROY EUGENE DAVIS A Direct Disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda Lifestyle Guidelines & Meditation Routines. The Kriya Yoga Tradition Understanding and Using Mantras Live in Tune With the Infinite Technique of Primordial Sound Contemplation Categories and Processes of Cosmic Manifestation Fulfill Your Life-Enhancing Desires Technique for Conscious Expansion of Awareness Understanding Your True Nature Be Prosperous in All Aspects of Your Life Moving Awareness Through the Vital Centers The Fundamentals of Yoga Practice The Path of God Meditation Technique Awakening Your Inner Potential Unfold and Express Your Innate Qualities Meditation Routines for All Levels of Practice Spiritual Enlightenment and Soul Liberation Initiation and Commitment to Discipleship In India: Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi. Read free Spanish and Turkish editions on our web site:

3 Front cover photo: Lake in Black Rock Mountain state park, Mountain City, Georgia. Gracefully Growing Through the Stages of Spiritual Awakening 4 Answers to Questions About the Spiritual Path 13 Guidelines to Inspired Living 18 Conscious Food Preparation: Stuffed Baked Potato 20 Discovering the Sacred in Everyday Life 21 Mystical Reflections 22 Knowing What to Believe 24 Summer Guest Speakers 28 Below: CSA Headquarters Meditation Hall Published: February, April, June, August, October, December Subscription in the U. S. $10.00 Other countries $20.00 airmailed Copyright 2017 by Center for Spiritual Awareness P. O. Box 7 Lakemont, Georgia Phone Monday Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. info@csa-davis.org Web Site Offices and Retreat Center at 151 CSA Lane off Lake Rabun Road 3

4 Studies in Truth Conscious Living & Spiritual Practice Gracefully Growing Through the Stages of Spiritual Awakening From ignorant, dysfunctional egocentric awareness to higher purpose-directed living, superconsciousness, Self-realization, and complete spiritual enlightenment that liberates consciousness. ROY EUGENE DAVIS

5 Our true, permanent Self-identity, a unit of the pure essence of ultimate Reality, is conscious, joyous existence. When a soul s intellect, mind, and awareness are modified by conditions that limit or restrict them, the ability to intellectually discern what is true is impaired, thinking is often confused and irrational, and awareness is blurred. Influences of modifying conditions may be weak, mild, or strong, resulting in various degrees of ignorance of one s pure essence, ultimate Reality, and spiritual awareness. The primary (first in order of importance, time, and order of influences) condition that blurs the intellect and awareness is the attribute of inertia in nature that inclines souls to temporarily forget their true nature and be confined and limited. Being unaware of their essence and behaving in limited ways may be reinforced by association with people who are like that. Souls (individualized units of the pure essence of ultimate Reality) are constantly flowing with the Om vibration from the expressive aspect of ultimate Reality into the realm of Nature. Some of them, strongly influenced by inertia, become involved with objective conditions; others that are not overly influenced by inertia are more Self-aware and less restricted by mind-and awareness-modifying influences. Others are highly Self-aware and more freely expressive. It is useless to wonder why newly produced souls have varying degrees of Self-awareness because the expressive aspect of ultimate Reality that emanates them as units of that Reality s pure essence is impersonal. Other conditions that may blur the intellect and awareness: Frequent Self- and God-forgetfulness because of being overly preoccupied with personal concerns and habitually thinking and behaving as an ordinary human being. The solution to the problem is to nurture constant Self- and God-awareness. To effectively do this it is necessary to have accurate understanding of one s pure essence and ultimate Reality. Emotional immaturity: unwillingness or inability to want to be responsible for one s thoughts, moods, private behaviors, actions, and their results. Emotionally immature people who 5

6 Processes of Cosmic Manifestation Ultimate Reality (God) with a transcendent Pure Essence and an Expressive Aspect. Vibration (OM) emanated by the Expressive Aspect of Ultimate Reality that produces Primordial Nature* with characteristics of time, space, cosmic forces, and three energetic attributes that purify, transform, and cause inertia (resistance to change). Omnipresent Cosmic Individuality, Intelligence, and Mental Field (of which all minds are units). Essences of capacities of perception (smell, hear, see, touch, taste); action (walk, grasp, speak, reproduce, eliminate); and physical manifestation (fine particles, air, fire, liquid, gross substance). Units (souls) of the Pure Essence of Ultimate Reality are aware, with a sense of self-identity (ego), an intellectual faculty that enables discernment, and a mind with memories of perceptions and enables thinking. *The Sanskrit word for Primordial Nature is maya: that which forms things and blurs awareness. The three energetic attributes (gunas) are vibrating threads or strings with interactions that influence Nature and living things. More information about them is on page 16. 6

7 say they want to be Self-realized often prefer to have an infantile or childish relationship with an idea of God rather than awaken to realization of ultimate Reality as it is. Mental restlessness because of stress, anxiety, frustration, impatience, being too outward directed, letting subconscious inclinations be too influential, or not having regular sessions of meditative reflection and contemplation. Lack of ability to learn or to comprehend what is examined. Useful information should be acquired and understood. Egotism: an exaggerated sense of self-importance. It can be discarded by realizing that it is not of value and prevents spontaneous spiritual awakening. Delusions: wrong ideas about God, one s Self, the purpose of life, and ordinary conditions that exist or are thought about. Obvious delusions can be immediately discarded. Acquiring other delusions can be avoided by improving intellectual and intuitive abilities and rational thinking. Illusions: misperceptions of what is observed or thought that are presumed to be true. They can be avoided by being alert and attentive to what is present to be observed. Fantasy: uncontrolled imagining. It can be avoided by creatively imagining ideal near and distant future circumstances and being constructively goal-oriented. Irrational thinking. It can be avoided by acquiring accurate information and using intelligence and common sense. Negative mental attitudes. They can be replaced with cheerful optimism and thoughts and feelings of happiness, kind-ness toward others, thankfulness for good fortune that one has and will continue to have, and mental and emotional calmness when hearing about or seeing troublesome events that occur or misfortune that others experience. Memories that evoke strong pleasurable emotions that distract attention from essential matters or traumatic emotions that cause mental, emotional, or physical discomfort. Learn to view them with dispassionate (unemotional) objectivity, as mental impressions of perceptions that enable thinking and practical interacting with others and Nature. 7

8 Psychological conflicts. They can be resolved with insightful understanding and by making wise choices. Psychosis: characterized by distorted perceptions of reality and hallucinations or troublesome mood changes caused by schizophrenia or a bipolar disorder. Professional help should be obtained. Deep, introspective meditation practice should be avoided until the condition is healed. Quietly sitting for a few minutes with eyes open, observing the breathing cycles and being aware in present-time, may be practiced. Impulsiveness and/or compulsiveness. Disciplined, constructive thinking and behaviors and regular meditation practice with attention and awareness in the front region of the brain can more fully develop the part of the brain associated with impulse control, concentration, creativity, and decisionmaking. Being alertly Self-aware with attention and actions focused on accomplishing purposes of value can be helpful. Addictions of various kinds. They can be renounced by using will power and concentrating on constructive activities. It is not spiritually helpful to think or say that you are addicted to certain behaviors, are an alcoholic (if you don t currently use alcohol), or are weak, incompetent, helpless, or hopeless. Excessive stimulation of the senses, sleep deprivation, and dissipation of vital forces. Adhere to wholesome lifestyle routines, have a nutritious diet, exercise, and maintain ideal body weight. How to Awaken From Ignorant, Dysfunctional Egocentric Awareness to Higher Levels of Spiritual Awareness The permanent solution to all limiting personal conditions is to nurture spiritual awakening until Self- and God-knowing is constant and living is easy, enjoyable, and soul-satisfying. Before that realization prevails, having accurate understanding of God (ultimate Reality) and one s true nature, and how to effectively live, can be helpful. Enhanced spiritual awareness can enable us to live better, and better living before we are fully, spiritually conscious can help to bring forth our innate qualities (intuition, 8

9 compassion, wise use of knowledge, creativity, enhanced powers of perception) and knowledge of higher realities. Awaken to higher (clear) levels of awareness by doing these things: Constantly remember (or silently acknowledge) that you are a spiritual being, a flawless unit of the pure essence of one ultimate Reality. Acquire and examine knowledge of ultimate Reality, your true nature, laws or principles of mental and spiritual cause and effect, and how to live effectively. Constantly aspire to be fully, spiritually conscious. Be willing to renounce mental attitudes, feelings, behaviors, habits, and circumstances that confine your awareness and limit your ability to freely, creatively function. Be willing to grow to emotional and spiritual maturity. Learn to meditate and daily do it until you are proficient in being superconscious and are always alert, inspired, cheerfully optimistic, and Self-motivated to accomplish purposes of value to you, others, and the environment. The most important characteristic is constant, sincere desire to know all that is necessary to be known and be able to easily do all that is necessary to do. Such desire empowers constructive actions and attracts opportunities to learn and grow. Pessimism, irrational thinking, meaningless and excessive talking, purposelessness, apathetic disinterest in spirituality, and preoccupation with egocentric interests and concerns keep awareness confined and limited. Be aware of the influences of the three primary attributes of consciousness that pervade the universe. Transcend and avoid being unduly influenced by inertia that dulls the intellect and mind. Do it by intentionally performing useful actions rather than be impelled by restlessness, emotions, or whims; constant aspiration to be fully, spiritually awake; nurturing your total well-being; and frequent, deep meditation practice. 9

10 How to Always Be Higher Purpose-Directed Higher purposes are aims that, while we are accomplishing them and when they are accomplished, enhance our lives and benefit others and our environment. An immediate way to be higher purpose-directed is to alertly attend to duties and other activities with skillful, appropriate actions, as advised by many people through the centuries: It isn t always necessary to do extraordinary things; just sincerely endeavor to do ordinary things extraordinarily well. Living like that makes our every thought and action a spiritual practice. We no longer think of duties, activities, and relationships as being either material or spiritual, but only as what is useful or necessary to do and experience while we continue our awakening to Self-realization. Having an optimistic mental attitude, thinking rationally, speaking thoughtfully, acknowledging the divine essence of all people and forms of life, accomplishing worthwhile purposes, behaving appropriately, examination of spiritual realities, and regular meditation are higher purpose-directed actions. Affirm With Confident Intention I accomplish my higher purposes easily, skillfully, and effectively. How to Cultivate Transformative Superconsciousness Your pure essence of being is always superconscious. Only your mind and the surface of your awareness can be modified by random thoughts, false ideas, misperceptions, and unsettled emotions. Cultivate superconscious awareness by calming your mind and emotions and seeing through and rising above your small sense of self-identity. Instead of thinking of superconsciousness as a state of consciousness to be attained or created, know it to be your natural consciousness to be acknowledged and experienced. Aspire to 10

11 be superconscious and support your aspiration with insightful, intellectual examination of your true nature and meditation to the stage of thought-free awareness. Even before thoughts are no longer noticed, you can experience superconsciousness that is mixed with thoughts and emotions. Avoid thoughts and emotions by disregarding them. When you are meditating, use a form of practice or helpful methods to calm your mind and focus attention. Be very alert. Observe subtle changes in mental states and your awareness. By patient, right practice, your mind will eventually be calm and the impulses from deeper levels of consciousness that activate thoughts and stimulate emotions will be quieted. Superconsciousness clarifies awareness, purifies the mind, strengthens the body s immune system, slows biological aging, refines the nervous system, develops regions of the brain that process refined states of consciousness, and allows innate Selfknowledge to be effortlessly revealed. Cultivate transformative superconsciousness by growing to emotional maturity and being willing to rise above all ordinary or modified states of consciousness. Superconsciousness and ordinary states of consciousness cannot simultaneously exist for a long period of time. As superconsciousness becomes more influential, ordinary states of consciousness will be purified and higher (spiritual) realities will be more easily accessible. Believing that you can be Self-realized will empower you to be steadily focused on your spiritual practices. Why You are Destined to Be Self-Realized and How to Allow It to Be Actualized destined Certain to happen. You will eventually be Self-realized (even if you don t yet aspire to be) because you will not be forever strongly identified with material conditions and afflicted mental and emotional states. Whether you awaken completely soon or later, or slow or fast, can be determined by your capacity to learn how to awaken and your intensive (concentrated) right actions. 11

12 Right living, right study of what is true, right self-inquiry that results in accurate understanding, and right spiritual practices clarify the mind and awareness and allow our true nature to be revealed. Constantly remember that you are an immortal, spiritual being and live in accord with that knowledge. Spiritual Enlightenment Will Permanently Free You From All Delusions and External Influences As my guru Paramahansa Yogananda advised me (in 1951) to aspire to be fully enlightened in my current incarnation, so I advise you to fervently aspire to be fully enlightened in your current incarnation. To aspire is to focus thoughts and actions on accomplishing a desired purpose. Aspiration should be sustained rather than mixed with conflicting ideas or behaviors. If you are sometimes distracted, or forgetful of your major purposes, when you notice that situation, use will power and intention to get back on the right course in life. Choose to be fully, spiritually awake and do everything you know to do to be spiritually awake. Affirm With Confident Conviction Fully resolved to have my awareness restored to its original, pure wholeness, I am gracefully growing through the stages of spiritual awakening. 12

13 Answers to Questions About the Spiritual Path If Spiritual Awakening Can Be Sudden, What Can Be Done to Prepare For It? Adhere to healthy lifestyle routines; be kind to others and to all forms of life; improve your understanding of your true nature; be mentally and emotionally calm; discard erroneous ideas and opinions; improve your intellectual and intuitive abilities. The innate urge of your essence of being to be fully expressive will then be able to effortlessly reveal your spiritual qualities and higher knowledge. Spiritual awakenings that provide useful insights, illumine the mind, and clarify awareness can spontaneously occur when we are engaged in ordinary activities. That is why it is helpful to aspire to be spiritually enlightened, optimistically believe that we will, and be alertly perceptive at all times, while being patient. Learn to be patient by being peacefully Self-aware in all situations. The innermost level of your being behind your thoughts, moods, and personality is your true Self-identity. Some spiritual teachers advise to forget the body or remove attention from it when we meditate. How can this be done? We are not immediately unaware of our body when we first begin to meditate. What is recommended is to be disinterested in physical, emotional, and mental conditions while directing attention inward to be aware of clear states of consciousness. Even with body and mind awareness, attention can be focused on breathing or any forms of practice: mentally speak an affirmation or mantra; listening to OM or imagining and blending with it, and transcending it; or aspiring to experience pure awareness. Affirmations (declarations of what is true) can be I am a spiritual being, The Radiant purity of my essence of being constantly illumines my mind and consciousness, or any meaningful words you choose to use. Rather than trying to be oblivious of your body, and of thoughts, be more interested in what you want to meditatively explore and experience. 13

14 Is it true that to be spiritually enlightened all desires must be renounced? How can we live without desires? It is natural to have desires. When we have normal needs we want to satisfy them. To live effectively we have to decide what to do and how to do it. To avoid creating problems for ourselves and others we should avoid having desires for things or experiences that won t enhance our lives, impulsive or compulsive behaviors, ego-driven thoughts and actions, and cravings (intense, insistent, or abnormal desires) that never can be fully satisfied. It is natural to sometimes allow harmless unimportant desires to be satisfied in order to have enjoyable personal experiences or to provide them for others. When we are fully committed to being spiritually awake in our current incarnation, it is easier to avoid desires, activities, situations, and relationships that are not compatible with our higher aims and purposes. How is it possible to experience spiritual awakening or have our problems solved by praying to disembodied spiritually awake people if they are not aware of us or our prayers? In many religious traditions, praying to saints or to others who are thought to be spiritually enlightened in our world or in other realms is commonly done. Positive results are due to the mental attitude and state of consciousness of the person who prays rather than saintly or heavenly influences. Aspiring to be mentally and spiritually attuned to the consciousness of enlightened souls can clarify our consciousness and reinforce our faith and confidence even if such souls are not aware of us, have transcended relative conditions, or don t exist. Enlightened people, wherever they are, have more useful things to do than to constantly be aware of and respond to our prayers and real or imagined personal needs. Although we can be inspired by the lives of enlightened people and have their personal presence and wise words when possible, we have to help ourselves to gracefully grow through the stages of spiritual awakening. 14

15 It is difficult for me to aspire to be spiritually enlightened, have time read about spiritual matters, or meditate. Problems and major difficulties involve all of my time and attention. What can I do about this situation? You have twenty-four hours every day to do what needs to be done. Set aside at least 30 minutes daily for attentive meditation practice. During that interlude, completely ignore your personal circumstances. Write a list of necessary things to do and how you will effectively attend to them. Avoid activities that are not useful or necessary. Solve problems by examining the facts of a situation and calmly thinking about what the solution might be. Be receptive to flashes of intuitive insight. Expect to have the support and guidance of cosmic mind of which your mind is a part. Remember the usefulness of being optimistic, thinking constructively, imagining ideal circumstances and experiences, and doing everything with confident conviction. Your circumstances can change because of events that may occur that you don t cause. Accept the unplanned good fortune that is provided while doing your best to think constructively, be confident, and live skillfully. View all that you do as helpful spiritual practice rather than thinking that your spiritual life and your mundane circumstances are separate. In the afternoon or evening of each day, write what you will do the following day. You will then always have specific things to do that will be of value to you and will do them efficiently. Don t complain or talk to others about difficulties. Learn to be self-motivated. Avoid sad moods, feelings of incompetence, or substances or activities that dull your awareness and waste mental powers and vital forces. Do what empowers you to be the person you want to be and can be! Sincerely endeavoring to live as a free spiritual being now rather than hoping to be able to do it in the future will increase your capacities to function effectively. You have to live your life. Why not live it the highest way? Paramahansa Yogananda ( ) 15

16 What is the relationship between the absolute (pure) essence of ultimate Reality and its expressive aspect? How can we relate to them or comprehend or experience them? The pure essence, which is changeless and will never cease to exist, does not have attributes and is outside of space and time. It can be realized (experienced and known) without using the mind, intellect, or intuition. Thinking, intellectual inquiry, and intuitive analysis can be helpful preliminary procedures. The expressive aspect has attributes (energetic influences) which can be emanated to produce universes and regulate the processes of nature. The Sanskrit word for the three primary energetic influences in the expressive aspect and throughout the universe is guna. When energetic influences of luminosity, restlessness, or inertia are expressed in our mind, awareness, body, and behaviors, we are said to be saguna ( with influential attributes). When we are fully Self-knowing we are said to be nirguna ( without influential attributes). Our true nature, what we are, is a unit of the pure essence of ultimate Reality. Complete spiritual enlightenment prevails when the purity of our awareness is as pure as our essence. Until actual experience of one s essence results in knowing the pure essence of ultimate Reality, it may be helpful to try to intellectually understand and have a sense of relationship with its expressive aspect, cultivate meditative superconsciousness, and endeavor to always be very alert and attentive. While praying, using rituals, expressing devotional ardor, meditating, engaged in intellectual Self-examination or rational thinking, constantly aspire to be fully conscious of your true nature and the pure essence of ultimate Reality. Wanting (and being willing) to grow to emotional maturity can bring forth innate knowledge of our true nature and relationship with ultimate Reality. Wanting to have a relationship with it and to be supported and provided for by it is normal until realization of its pure essence provides knowledge that our innermost level of being is a unit of it. We cannot then continue to view ourselves as being apart from it. 16

17 Some spiritual aspirants mistakenly think that realization of their pure nature will be difficult or that they have to strive for many years (or incarnations) to be enlightened. They may then tend to continue to think and behave in ordinary ways rather than endeavor to experience and express excellence, which they could do if they were highly self-motivated. Although some people are more intellectually competent and self-disciplined than others when they start on a spiritual path, all have the same potential to quickly awaken and have their awareness illumined. To awaken quickly, we can acknowledge and affirm I am a unit of the pure essence of ultimate Reality even if this fact is not fully understood or felt to be true. It is better to inwardly acknowledge the truth rather than talk about it. Each person has to experience it for themselves. As units of the pure essence of ultimate Reality we should not think that what we want to experience is other than us or distant from us. When our attention is detached from mental and emotional states, personality characteristics, and a small sense of self-identity, our true nature can be experienced. Detachment can be accomplished when meditating by using methods that quiet the mind and focus attention and by being Self-aware when engaged in activities and relationships. As pure Self-awareness becomes easy to maintain, insights that provide understanding of ultimate Reality can effortlessly occur, resulting in spiritual enlightenment: flawless knowledge of it. When spiritual enlightenment is constant, false beliefs and ideas are absent, perceptions are accurate, and we are free from conditions that prevented us from being Self-knowing. IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS, LET US KNOW Truth Journal is sent by 4th-class mail in the United States and is not forwarded to your new address. We pay our local post office $1.00 for each returned issue, then send it by first-class mail to your new address which the postal service provides. (Postage costs for mailing outside the U.S. are much higher.) To be certain that you receive our literature on time, inform us when you plan to move. 17

18 Guidelines to Inspired Living Audibly Speak the Affirmations With Conviction June 4 10 Reconfirm Your Commitment to Discipleship A disciple is committed to learning how to live effectively and be Self- and God-realized. I am fully committed to my spiritual path. June Demonstrate Your Commitment to Your Spiritual Path Think and act constructively, acknowledge your pure essence, and meditate superconsciously. All of my thoughts and actions confirm my commitment to my spiritual path. June Sincerely Want to Be Spiritually Enlightened You will be more focused on your spiritual path and responsive to your innate urge to be fully conscious and creatively expressive. I sincerely want to be spiritually enlightened. June 25 July 1 Be Fully Aware of Your Major Purpose to Successfully Accomplish You are not in this world merely to survive and be involved with superficial activities and relationships. You are here to live effectively, be spiritually awake, and share your illumined consciousness with others. I am fully aware of my major purposes and will successfully accomplish them. 18

19 July 2 8 Affirm What You Are and What You Want to Experience Affirmations are concise declarations of what is true or what we want to experience. As an immortal spiritual being, I live freely, enjoyably, and effectively. I easily experience and express excellence in all aspects of my life. July 9 15 Helpfully Affirm for the Benefit of Others Affirm, see, and believe the highest good for people you know and everyone, everywhere. I acknowledge, see, and believe the highest good for others. July Acknowledge One Reality Within and Around You You are a unit of the pure essence of one ultimate Reality. The physical realm is a manifestation of its powers and energetic influences. I acknowledge one Reality expressing as me and as the world around me. July Express Health, Happiness, and Creativity Do practical things for your total well-being while being enlivened from within. I am healthy, happy, and creatively expressive. July 30 August 5 Enjoy Being Always Prosperous Do practical things while being receptive to all of the good fortune life can, and will, provide. I enjoy being always prosperous. 19

20 CONSCIOUS FOOD PREPARATION Stuffed Baked Potato Prepare As Many As Needed Oven Temperature 450F (230C) 1 Idaho medium size or large baking potato 1 tsp (5ml) olive oil 4 tbsp (60ml) soft butter 1/4 cup (60ml) each: shredded Jack cheese, sour cream, and chopped green (or regular sweet) onion. (Note: onion is optional) 1. Wash and dry potato. Thinly coat with olive oil. Bake on middle oven rack 110 minutes or until a probe thermometer shows interior to be 220F (105C). 2. Put on cutting board and slice in half. Let cool 5 minutes. With a spoon, gently scoop potato into a bowl, leaving about 1/4 inch (.635cm) inside the shell. Brush inside of shells with soft butter. Add salt and pepper if desired. 3. Mash potato, stir in sour cream, rest of butter, and chopped onion. Fill potato shells with mashed mixture, which will be higher than the shell. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top. 4. Put potato halves in a shallow pan or on a baking sheet in a 160F(65C) oven approximately 20 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve alone or with another vegetable or green salad- 20

21 Discovering the Sacred in Everyday Life Live with Higher Purpose Ellen Grace O Brian To live with higher purpose is to live in accord with our aspiration to do what supports our goal to live mindfully, with awareness of our essential nature and our relationship with all of life. We can begin with the knowledge that one Reality is omnipresent. My father was a practical man. His focus on working hard was shaped by his childhood experience and the values of his generation. We were not wealthy, but we were comfortable. As a child I imagined how life could be better. I thought about fairness and justice, frequently voicing my opinions. My father would say, Just wait until you find out about the real world! For him, the world demanded all of his energy just to survive. Infinite possibilities of a spiritually aware life did not enter his worldview. But they were to shape mine. The yearning to discover what could satisfy my heart led me to the spiritual path. It was there I learned about the real world. It was not the one my father told me about. I discovered that there is an unchanging Reality beyond all appearances that is eternal. Everything else is subject to change. If I get too caught in circumstances and focus only on outer appearances, I lose track of my higher purposes. Living with spiritual vision requires me to return my awareness to divine Reality many times throughout the day. Ellen Grace O Brian is senior minister and spiritual director of Center for Spiritual Enlightenment 1146 University Avenue, San Jose, California Tel: info@csecenter.org 21

22 Mystical Reflections mystical Of or relating to spiritual or ultimate Reality beyond the range of the mind and senses, which may be directly known by intuition, experience, or revelation. Prayer is a rising of the desire of the heart [one s essence] into God by withdrawing it from all earthly thoughts. Walter Hilton ( ) In the breadth and depth of its cosmic stuff, in the bewildering number of the elements and events that make it up, and in the wide sweep, too, of the overall currents that dominate it and carry it along as one single great river, the world, filled by God, appears to our enlightened eyes as simply a setting in which universal communion can be attained and a concrete expression of that communion. Pierre Teilhard De Chardin ( ) The best preacher is the heart [one s essence]; the best teacher is time; the best book is the world; the best friend is God. The Talmud Deepest wisdom is nearest. Not in the midst of the ages alone, but in every soul. Bronson Alcott ( ) Belief consists in accepting the affirmations of the soul: unbelief in denying them. Ralph Waldo Emerson ( ) By attentive meditation on ultimate Reality, it is realized [experienced and comprehended] and all obstacles [to enlightenment] are removed. Patanjali s Yoga-Sutras 1:29 22

23 Roy Eugene Davis Shares Stories About His Experiences and Observations During His Early Years With His Guru Color Video 60 Minutes $5.00 plus $1.50 U.S. postage Foreign airmail postage $3.00 Center for Spiritual Awareness P.O. Box 7 Lakemont, GA info@csa-davis.org Telephone weekdays An Enlivening Power is Nurturing Our Universe and We Can Learn to Cooperate With It 23

24 KNOWING WHAT TO BELIEVE / Roy Eugene Davis Philosophical Opinions About Avatars opinion A viewpoint or judgment without sufficient evidence of certainty which is believed to be true. avatar Divine descent or incarnation, from the Sanskrit preposition ava (to cross or pass) and tri (down). Many cultural and religious traditions have stories about gods, goddesses, hero spirits, saviors, very wise and powerful saints, prophets, healers, and miracle-workers who incarnate directly from ultimate Reality or heavenly realms to spiritually awaken humans and illumine the collective consciousness of our world. Another opinion is that a person who awakens to complete spiritual enlightenment may incarnate one or more times as a spiritual teacher when many people need to be reminded of the facts of life, their personal duties, and the value of nurturing their spiritual awareness. Yet another opinion is that the universal avatar divine qualities and powers impartially expresses through various individuals whose consciousness is clear enough to allow them to be actualized. In the Bhagavad Gita (4:6 8) the author of the story has Krishna, a personification of enlightened consciousness, inform his disciple, Arjuna, how the well-being of the universe and its inhabitants is nurtured by a higher power. Though I am unborn and permanent, the lord [ruler] of all beings, remaining as I am, I express through my own creative power. Whenever and wherever influences that support evolutionary processes are diminished and confusion and disorder increases, I manifest my redemptive powers. To protect righteousness and replace disorder with orderly influences, I incarnate from age to age. The inner meaning of the these verses can be understood when ultimate Reality is substituted for I. 24

25 Ultimate Reality, uncreated and permanent, the ruler of all things, remaining as it is expresses by its own power. When enlivening processes diminish and disorder increases, it manifests its redemptive powers. To protect virtuous people and to replace disorder with ideal conditions, its constructive influences prevail from age to age. The absolute (pure) essence of ultimate Reality is beyond space and time. The expressive aspect has energetic influences that produce universes and govern all processes and forms of life. Some books and oral traditions in India vividly describe the lives, teachings, and actions of male and female avatars who supposedly lived many hundreds of years ago. Among them, Krishna and Rama are especially popular because of vivid portrayals of their noble personalities, wisdom, and heroic deeds. A few people in various regions of the world anticipate the incarnation of a world teacher who will inspire, spiritually educate, and uplift humanity. Members of some Jewish, Christian, and Muslim sects look forward to the coming of a messiah who will banish imagined evil forces and establish permanent peaceful, ideal conditions on Earth. People whose circumstances are unpleasant, restrictive, or painful, who feel helpless, may fervently hope that an external influence will intercede on their behalf and be easily persuaded to believe in various kinds of avatars. What they need to do is be emotionally and spiritually mature, learn to discern the truth, think rationally, and awaken to Self-realization. In recent years it has become common for some adherents of Yoga and other enlightenment traditions to say that their embodied or disembodied guru (teacher) is an omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent avatar who is aware of everything, knows everything, and has unlimited creative and functional powers. When they pray to their teacher and have favorable results because of their faith or constructive actions, they think that their teacher has blessed them. When results are absent, they think they must be more humble or patient. Their opinions about their teacher and prayer are flawed. 25

26 26 Sri Yukteswar and Paramahansa Yogananda. India 1935

27 Trying to discover higher realities with weak intellectual powers and a mind that is limited and weakened by delusions (false ideas), illusions (mistaken perceptions), and awarenessblurring influences of inertia will result in disappointment. A few years after my guru Paramahansa Yogananda died, on March 7, 1952, some of his disciples began to promote the opinion that he was fully enlightened before his incarnation in India on January 5, His writings and his conversations with disciples indicate otherwise. In Autobiography of a Yogi, first published in 1946, he told of talking with saintly persons during his early years, was instructed in meditation methods by his father and his Sanskrit tutor, devoted many hours to meditation, met Swami Sri Yukteswar, attended college, was ordained into the monastic order of swamis, and after ten years with his guru came to America in In 1951 I was with a few brother disciples at an informal meeting with Paramahansa Yogananda at the Self-Realization Fellowship headquarters in Los Angeles, California. A disciple asked, What did Sri Yukteswar do for you? Our guru quietly said, He made me what I am. I needed his training and discipline to balance my personality and prepare me to come here. On another, similar occasion he said, I am not the guru, I am only God s servant. He knew that the unveiling of our pure essence (true nature) reveals innate qualities and knowledge of ultimate Reality. Paramahansa Yogananda was an embodiment of qualities and characteristics that are often thought of as being divine. He had mastery of his mind, emotions, consciousness, and actions. He was fully aware of the major purposes he was to accomplish and succeeded in his endeavors. Although he was fully Self-realized, he never claimed to be great or exceptional. He was very humble, gentle, and compassionate. There is one ultimate Reality; all of its manifestations and processes (including us and our circumstances) are within it. 27

28 Classes and Workshops With CSA Ministers at Summer Week Long Meditation Retreats Roy Eugene Davis will teach morning classes and conduct Kriya Yoga initiations on Thursdays at 1 p.m. Kriya initates not at retreats: If you plan to attend initiation services to review your practices and renew your commitment, inform us. Michael Getch June From Asheville, North Carolina. Tuesday 12:30 p.m. Timothy O Brien June A business executive in Tallahassee, Florida. Tuesday 6 p.m. Katherine Geddes-Lovkay July She presents meditation seminars and classes in south Florida. Tuesday 12:30 p.m. Martin Wuttke July President of Wuttke Institute of Neurotherapy, Santa Barbara, California. wuttkeinstitute.com Monday and Tuesday 6 p.m. Ellen Grace O Brian August Spiritual director of Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, San Jose, California. Monday and Tuesday 6 p.m. Phillip McLemore August Our meditation teacher in Salt Lake City, Utah. Tuesday 12:30 p.m. 28

29 Meditation Retreats At CSA Headquarters Travel map on our web site: Click on Retreats page Meditation and lifestyle routines taught by Roy Eugene Davis and CSA ministers. Kriya Yoga initiation Thursdays 1 p.m. during week long retreats. Guest houses. Vegetarian meals. Donation basis Public Retreats Week long: June July August Weekends: October November Holy Season Meditation December 2, 10 a.m. 1 p.m Private Retreats September Retreat Reservations Mail this form, phone, or , info@csa-davis.org Date & time of arrival Departure Daytime phone Travel directions, see web site or mark here [ ] for mailed copy. Prefer a CSA guest house [ ] Will stay at a motel [ ] Name Address Center for Spiritual Awareness PO Box 7 Lakemont, Georgia Tel: weekdays 8 a.m. 3 p.m. 29

30 CDs and DVDs Books Books, Videos (DVD format), and Audio CDs U.S. packing/postage $3.00 for 1 book; 30 cents for each extra book. DVDs or CDs alone: $2.00 for one; 20 cents for each extra one. Other countries: double the U.S. postage for airmail. Quantity [ ] Words That Heal and Transform (Affirmations) $2.00 $ [ ] The Spiritual Basis of Real Prosperity $5.00 [ ] An Easy Guide to Ayurveda $5.00 [ ] In the Sanctuary of Silence $2.00 [ ] Living Consciously in God $5.00 [ ] Seven Lessons in Conscious Living $7.00 [ ] The Eternal Way Inner Meaning of the Bhagavad Gita $8.00 [ ] Satisfying Our Innate Desire to Know God $4.95 [ ] Absolute Knowledge That Liberates Consciousness $7.95 [ ] Paramahansa Yogananda As I Knew Him hc $12.00 [ ] The Science of Self-Realization yoga-sutras hc $10.00 [ ] DVD Paramahansa Yogananda Remembered $5 [ ] 1 DVD Our Awakening World $10 [ ] 1 DVD Infinite Life 2010 Kriya Congress talks $10 [ ] 1 DVD Experiences With Paramahansa Yogananda $5 [ ] 1 DVD Know Your True Nature $5 [ ] 1 Audio CD Know Your True Nature $5 [ ] 1 DVD 6 Questions Every Person Should Ask $5 [ ] 1 Audio CD 6 Questions above $5 [ ] 3 Audio CDs Light on the Spiritual Path $15 [ ] 1 Audio CD Conscious Living $5 [ ] 4 Audio CDs Absolute Knowledge That Liberates Consciousness Audio Book. $20 [ ] 1 Audio CD Two 30-Minute Guided Meditation Sessions $5 Book/CD/DVD Total Packing and shipping Truth Journal new[ ] renewal[ ] U.S. $10.00 Foreign $15.00 Total With check [ ] Visa [ ] MasterCard [ ] Discover [ ] AmEx [ ] Credit card # expires / Last 3 digits on back of card 4 digits on front of Amex card Name on card Tel: Name Address Center for Spiritual Awareness P.O. Box 7 Lakemont, Georgia Weekdays Order online:

31 United Kingdom: Gazelle Book Services Ltd. White Cross Mills, Hightown, Lancaster LA1 4XS India: Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi. (10 of Mr. Davis books) web site: And at Motilal Banarsidass bookstores in Delhi, Patna, Varanasi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Pune. B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi. An Easy Guide to Ayurveda Full Circle Publisher, New Delhi. Paramahansa Yogananda As I Knew Him (English and Hindi) Abolute Knowledge That Liberates Consciousness Dr. L. Mahadevan ayurved@sancharnet.in Paramahansa Yogananda As I Knew Him (Tamil edition) How to Live Consciously in God (Tamil edition) Italy: Marco Valerio Editore. Paramahansa Yogananda Così come l ho conosciuto La scienza della realizzazione del sé La strada maestra per la meditazione e la crescita spirituale Srimad Bagavad Gita / La Via Eterna Insegnamenti sul percorso spirituale del kriya yoga La base spirituale della vera prosperità Immortalita cosciente Guida All Ayurveda Libertà e consapevolezza la conoscenza dell assoluto Il desiderio innato di conoscere Dio Germany: Harald and Marlies Reiske. Pfad des Lichts Paramahansa Yogananda wie ich ihn kannte

32 Quietly Affirm Clear awareness of my pure spiritual essence and ultimate Reality constantly illumines my mind, inspires my creative thoughts, vitalizes my body, empowers my constructive actions, and harmoniously attracts ideal relationships and circumstances for my highest good and the highest good of everyone. csa-davis.org