Spirituality and God - A guide - Basics of Yoga - from scriptures, saints and my Gurudev

Mar 13

How does karma create a body – part 2

By Bhavin in spirituality

Those who know how karma creates a body, cease to be deceived or attracted to the body.

Yogananda had an experience. One of his disciples had a new born baby. They brought the baby for His blessings. When he lifted the baby , he was shocked the baby was a murderer in the last life!

If you know the past sins of even the most handsome or prettiest person, would your minds be deceived by appearance? But the trap is, you must cease to be attracted to the body first before the past is revealed.

Anyway. Idle ramblings. Nothing worthwhile friends.

First cultivated genuine interest. Then rest comes a little easier.

karma, soul
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Mar 13

How does karma create a body?

By Bhavin in spirituality

Interesting question, isn’t it?

Did somehow your karma inspire your parents?
When does the soul enter the body? At birth ? At conception? Somewhere in between?
And if the body has say blindness- how did your karma influence the body to be blind?
Or is there a magistrate or / judge out there saying – your a terrible soul and now I am going to punish you with a body having problems?

See you yourself judge your self and create your own destiny And are the executioner However you have to be at a very high level to realize how you created your own problems. Once the body is created – the karma with that body has to be borne out. Yogananda could not get out of it
Ramana maharshi could not either. He suffered from severe arthritis – disabling throughout his life
Vivekananda had severe asthma
Yogananda has back problems and eventually had gait problems
Saint Francis was blind

Yet without complaining they let the karma work it out in the body. In fact physical ailment for karma is far easier than to endure emotional pain and anguish.
Just ask yourself would you rather be sick for. A few years or in jail? In both cases you are confined !

So wherever problems you have – smile. In fact if your smile is 100% genuine karma gets burnt quickly.

Yet skillfully , I have not written how karma creates the body. If only you knew , you would leave the world and wish for a quiet life in the Forrest with no one around , no one ever visiting you, including your spouse, kids or parents or friends

karma, soul
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Mar 13

We are not sincere!

By Bhavin in spirituality

These are the features of being sincere

Give up desires of the senses. This includes food , alcohol and sex.
No matter what kind of difficulties you face , not to be upset – tolerance
Sincerity. Here sincerity means not to lie to yourself. Meaning believing you have made progress when in reality you still crave things And people in the world
Compassions. The true word is karuna. It is not pity or sadness. But a manifestation of love
Satisfied with what you have and don’t have. Meaning the craving for money is gone.
Truthfulness. God is the Only truth. The body and world are pits that take us away from truth

Now are you sincere?

Mar 12

Said this before – purpose of life

By Bhavin in spirituality

If that is the case, why look outside? Why read blogs, or think of anyone outside?
Why thin of food and Pleasure?
Why think of past or future ?

They All exist outside you! Everything outside will eventually be a source of pain! So why bother?

Go within!
Blogs are good only if they can help you go within. Read it. Be inspired. And Go within

God likes those who are determined to go within. Willing to leave all material things!

Mar 12

What is true wisdom?

By Bhavin in spirituality

True wisdom has a few steps

Absolute trust in God
Stopping our own idle logic and chatter
Know with certainty God will guide perfectly and unerringly. This means not a shred of emotion
Pure inner self so Gods wisdom can guide us
What is the benefit – saves us from significant misery.

Does any one see misery in this world?

In words of Yogananda

When guided by error, human will misleads us; but when guided by wisdom, human will is attuned to the Divine Will. God’s plan for us often becomes obscured by the conflicts of human life and so we lose the inner guidance that would save us from chasms of misery.
Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda

Mar 12

How can I get my wishes fulfilled

By Bhavin in spirituality

Prayer of course.

But prayer as a child of God. But as a beggar

A forceful , polite , firm will

Q I have tried It but it does not work
Then try again

This is what Yogananda said

MARCH 12 – SRF DAIRY – WILL POWER

To create dynamic will power, determine to do

some of the things in life that you thought you

could not do. Attempt simple task first. As your

confidence strengthens and your will becomes more

dynamic, you can aim for more difficult

accomplishments. Be certain that you have made a

good selection, then refuse to submit to failure.

Devote your entire will power to mastering one

thing at a time; do not scatter your energies nor

leave some-thing half done to begin a new venture.

— Paramahasa Yogananda, “ The Law of Success “

karma, Love
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Mar 11

Quantum physics or how to steal

By Bhavin in spirituality

Please watch

This is why I have often said certain things including losing spiritual awakening or gaining more

Mar 09

Vivekananda story

By Bhavin in spirituality

I am not sure if the story is true but the moral is wonderful

Bhajan by sant Surdasji. There is a beautiful story about this Bhajan.

Vivekananda had stopped for some time in Khetri, at the court of the Maharaja who had become his disciple. One day while he was sitting in Durbar, the court, a performing girl made her appearance with her troupe and was about to sing. As Vivekanand was a celibate, he considered taking part in similar kinds of entertainment inappropriate for him and his sadhana. He rose to leave the assembly. “Wait Swamiji.” the Maharaja said. “you will find nothing to offend you here. On the contrary you will be pleased.” Vivekanand stayed on the Maharajji’d persistence and the girl started singing this Bhajan.
Once the Bhajan was over Vivekanand who was moved beyond words, spoke most beautifully to the girl, even thanking her for the lesson she had given him, thus removing the last vestige of a possible spiritual pride.

“prabhu ji more avgun chit na dharo�prabhu ji mere avgun chit na dharo�samdarsi hai naam tiharo �samdarasi hai naam tiharo
Chaho toh paar karo�prabhu ji mere avgun chit na dharo�prabhu ji mere avgun chit na dharo

Ek loha pooja main rakhat
Ek ghar badhik paro
Sow duvidha paras nahi jaane
Kanchan karat kharo

ek nadi ek naar kahaavat�mailo hi neer bharo�Jab mili donon ek baran bhaya
Sursari naam bhayo
Tann maya jo Brahma kahavat
Sur so mile bigiro
Kai inka nirdhar kijiye
Kai prann jaat taro�prabhu ji more avgun chit na dharo�prabhu ji more avgun chit na dharo”

Meaning

My sweet Lord please don’t give any attention to my shortcomings,
You are called “Samdarsi”, one who is impartial and loves every one equally,
If you do please, help me cross this ocean of hardships,

Metal in it’s various forms is used in temples and other holy places and the same metal is also found in forms of various tools at places where they cut animal meat (otherwise considered impure places),
However you are like the “Paras” rock that on touching any metal changes it to gold,

A river gets it’s water from various sources, some pure as rain and other smaller rivers and also from dirty drains,
However once all that water finds it’s way to the river, the entire water becomes Ganga (the same way we mortals on finding and merging with you become one with you),

This body is full of maya (is easily corruptible) whereas the soul is Brahma himself,
However maya corrupts the soul and so sweet Lord it is up to you either to accept this being or let your promise of salvation to all souls, go unfulfilled.

It is true though. You could be the lowest of the low. The wretched of the wretched. More worthless than anything in this world. A Guru will always love you and only wishes for you to be near him so his touch can change you to pure Gold.
How they do it is upon them. But they will accept you

Mar 08

The power of a true Lineage

By Bhavin in spirituality

“My body shall pass but my work shall go on. And my spirit shall live on. Even when I am taken away I shall work with you all for the deliverance of the world with the message of God.

“Those who have come to Self‑Realization Fellowship truly seeking inward spiritual help shall receive what they seek from God. Whether they come while I am in the body, or afterward, the power of God through the link of the SRF Gurus shall flow into the devotees just the same, and shall be the cause of their salvation….The ever‑living Babaji has promised to guard and guide the progress of all sincere SRF devotees. Lahiri Mahasaya and Sri Yukteswarji, who have left their physical forms, and I myself, even after I have left the body — all will ever protect and direct the sincere members of SRF‑YSS.”

Sri Paramahansa Yogananda said <3
shared by Sri Daya Mataji

In all lineages, there is one immortal Guru, who continues to keep a mortal form for thousands of years. They continue to guide all Those who are genuine and want to reach salvation. However the key word is being genuine. Serious. Sincere.
Many People follow a lineage seeking information and then brag or they just want an end to their suffering during difficult times

In Vishnutirthji Maharaj lineage Shivohum tirthji and Vishnutirthji said they would continue to help and guide. In SRF there is Babaji. In this lineage, there is Parmanandtirthji Maharaj, Lal ded, and traloki Baba They are all immortal beings maintaining their bodies for hundreds of years

In my lineage also there are immortal beings with a tradition predating Vyas Bhagwan . However with passage of time , the information remains hidden.

Mar 08

From Yukteshwar

By Bhavin in spirituality

In shallow men the fish of little thoughts cause much commotion. In oceanic minds the whales of inspiration make hardly a ruffle.

~Sri Yukteswar Giri

So what do they mean?

In a mind with very little control, every thought will flow out of them – these are the kind of people who interpret and come out of their own , very flawed explanation of all they read. They will comment on everything.

Those with immense depth, even a magnificent thought is submerged back within. Staying within with immense peace. They do not explain or discuss even when it is immensely revealing. Those giants wait patiently for one disciple to be worthy of Listening to the Profound truth

The photo says that if you truly want to be divinely guided then you must have learnt to calm your mind completely. You no longer have your own thoughts. They remain ever so peaceful with absence of any thought !

That my friend is Peace. Any thought is violence. Thus, like I said in my previous blog a few days ago, any thought, conflicting thoughts is violence. It is a violent protest against the divine peace that is present everywhere. So be established in non violence. In peace. Without thought

Mar 08

Yoga

By Bhavin

I had a blog on Kriya yoga. I had a few. I have a few blogs on Kevali Pranayama

I have not shared much details although the article seems long

However, the fastest way to enlightenment is doing Yoga. Why is it the fastest?

1. Our past Karma are binding to us. It prevents us from going within. However, lets say you were a king in a dream and did a lot of charity or you were a murderer, when you wake up, is the wealth or the bad karma of the dream going to hurt you? NO. An instant way to end many past karma is by simply realizing your divine self, the higher self that merely exists, without body, or thoughts , and you suddenly laugh at the series of dreams you created, body after body for no reason. It was a dream and no longer can affect you

2. It really is quite easy to do it. All you need is someone who opens your inner door, do the technique with patience and love and persist till you realize all past lives were just a bad dream

Now compare this with the foolish techniques that people do. They read books. You read blogs. You discuss, debate. Worship. You recite mantra or practice rituals.

What Yoga talks about is simply waking up to your divine self. Don’t worry about God.

Mar 08

Dharma – religion

By Bhavin in spirituality

The meaning of Dharma – as per Vivekaanda (and Yogananda) comes from the Sanskrit root word Dhru. This means to uphold

So what does Dharma uphold? It upholds all the properties of the universe. Thus the fact that the electron rotates around the nucleus , that is a property that does not get violated. What is the force that makes sure that these rules are not violated. Those laws are upheld – thus you could say all the physicists are studying dharma or religion.

However, as far as the soul is considered, which is what we traditionally call Dharma, what are the rules that are always upheld?

If you do not know your divine self, you will be born again
What you do, you will reap the fruits NO MATTER WHAT. This is the theory of Karma.

The third definition of Dharma – is given to the first person who dies when the new Yuga starts. He is given the role of upholding the law and is called Dharma Raja. He is also known as Yama Raja. Now Yama raja is drawn as a scary person. Why scary? The effects of your karma are always scary. Directly or indirectly, hurting anyone, forgetting our divine selfs, not trying to recollect our divine self, all bear terrible consequences.

If you look at him, he is quite scary. He rides a water buffalo. The same figure is described in Buddhism, Chinese and Japanese literature.

When do we meet him? At the time of our death. And he upholds the law!. Our fate is mete out based on our karma. No matter how wonderful a life you had, at the last few seconds and for hours to days later, you are given the results of your karma. It usually is terrible. That is the beginning of hell, and since all our actions are mixed, we find the results mixed

If only you had memory of your past birth, if only you had memory of what you experienced at the time of death, everyone would become cautious and careful of their actions. You will become respectful of those are beneath you, above you and around you and equal to you. You will learn and say, God, I don’t want the pleasures of the body. You would rather be hurt than hurt anyone. You don’t want to hate anyone. There is a detailed description of the pain of death in “Garuda Purana”.

In India there is a tradition, after a family dies, they recite either Garuda Purana or Bhagwad Gita. The reason is you want to remind those who are unfortunately left behind, that there is a painful after life

Why did I say, unfortunately left behind ? Well, it can be very fortunate also if

They have a healthy body

They have a lot of interest in discovering their higher self

They no longer want to fall prey to the faults of the body

Rest of the people are unfortunate, since they merely exist to commit more sin. Think of all the rioting. Unnnecessary killings. Stealing, Meanness. Anger. Frustration (frustration of not being happy with the few things we were given by God).

Mukta Shasta gives a detailed description of how and when.

Mar 08

Kriya Yoga

By Bhavin in spirituality

Everyone “thinks” they do Kriya yoga.

Sadly, people maybe on the way to learning how to do Kirya but it can take decades to truly learn it

Once it is perfected, and the consciousness has become pure, then all it takes is a few kriya and the dirt that we accumulate by living in the world is washed and quickly we realize your divine self.

Could take as long as 3 minutes but not more

So what we are trying to do is learn the correct technique

In the final run, all techniques are the same. Since we have no full understanding or experience we think there are different types of kriya. The kriya yoga is one – but based on our level of depth of meditation it may look like Sohum or mantra or Aum technique or Pranayama.

When done perfectly, all these differences instantly vanish. At that point it becomes Kevali pranayama

So how do you know that you have mastered it, doing it properly

1. You realize that the higher self or divine is you

2. You realize that the problems in life are all your fault

3. Kevali occurs naturally

4. You become the source of all scriptures

5. Peace

6. You have a preference to staying within than going outside

7. The world ceases to impress you. You can go within and without in seconds and there is no regret or feeling of loss when you don’t get things in life

Mar 07

How a Guru May act

By Bhavin in spirituality, Yogananda

Many ways. Depends on the disciple. To change his errors. Flaws. The biggest flaw is not knowing he is the divine

From Yogananda he said,

Ignorance is the archenemy of man.
Therefore, to guide yourself and others by wisdom is the greatest wisdom.

To all those who are around me, I speak without weighing my words. If I see error in their ways, I tell them so. But I never try in any way to muffle anyone’s reason.

Obedience to the Guru is the surest way when one is seeking God.

Master [Swami Sri Yukteswar] first told me what to do, and afterwards gave me the reasons. I found him unerring in his wisdom.

By listening to him, I saved myself from many incarnations of roaming and trying to find the truth by myself.

Guru is He who has experienced truth. He serves as a guide in the dark forest of life. If you follow him, he will lead you out of the darkness.

If you try to find the way alone, you may needlessly lose yourself in the forest for many incarnations. So follow the Guru, and he will take you through safely.

Forms and dogma should not control religion. Religion must be based on reason,
and that reason is supplied by the Sankya philosophy.

~Paramahansa Yogananda
“The Divine Romance” Page 81

So the Guru when he wants obedience, he is not a dictator but they see things about what is to happen and help guide the disciple. They are humble and cannot brag that they know what is to happen. So they softly suggest, what do you think, maybe you should postpone your trip to visit your friend by a day? We insist on going and have an accident.
But conversely when we don’t go, we avoided the accident but don’t know that we gained something by the suggestion

But such Guru are rare!

Mar 07

Atheists and believers say the same thing!

By Bhavin in spirituality

You can deny existence of God, but you cannot deny existence of yourself. No matter where you are, birth or rebirth, gross world, dream world or in deep slumber ( I had a great nights sleep. Felt wonderful) , you cannot deny your existence.
Even in the process it rebirth , you cannot deny your existence.

If only you looked back and see What gives you the thought of ego or self , you will agree to a higher self. That higher self is God or you.

As Vivekananda said the experience of Samadhi is identical. Whether you believe in God or are a non believer.

That higher self does not have rebirth. So there is no reincarnation. By forgetting the higher self the dream ego continues its creation of different identity

In the final run all opposites have the same meaning

This ends all conflicts. That is true non violence.
Otherwise convicts always exists in the mind. Should I eat Chinese or Indian food? Isn’t that a conflict?

One must establish in non violence. But all conflicting thoughts must end.
Love and hate – conflicting thoughts. I like this person. I don’t like this person. Conflicting thoughts in the mind which sees opposites. Dvaita. Going beyond it is advaita. That is the highest

So a gyana – a person of wisdom has love and indifference at the same time. Remember I said , the opposites merge ? So when a gyani meets someone he has love for person. Love knowing the other person because he sees that the divine is deep within the other person too. But at the same time is indifferent to the other person, letting the other person act out in whatever way the other person wants to do.
Thus saying God gave free will is an expression of love

Mar 06

Based on comments on the post tamsic kriya yoga

By Bhavin in spirituality

Kriya is great if done like instructed

The source is spiritual commentary by Shyam Charan Lahiri. It has 3 volumes It is a collection of letters and commentary by Lahiri Mahasaya – things that he constantly talked About. This was from a letter he wrote to a disciple. Beyond that I can give no authenticity

The letter basically states one must do kriya properly and whole heartedly with full attention within. If the mind wanders on worldly matters and is not done with attention to chakra that will not help

Full devotion to Guru and going within is needed

It is a cautionary remark that Lahiri Mahasaya made that do not do kriya mechanically

There are other letters and commentary

I have no attachment to any publication.

I wish everyone success and much love on your path.

My apologies for hurting your feelings

Mar 05

Struggles of life

By Bhavin in spirituality

Rumi was enlightened. He was an attar merchant. Selling perfumes

However with every perfume he distributed, people were cured. He often saw 200-500 patients a day.

He is very much alive. And has left immortal words

When life breaks us – we learn to pray. It was not designed to hurt us but just to get us closer to God

Something was amiss in our deeper recess. We must uncover it. Slowly. Correct it. And mind on

Humility and love for God is Needed

But things are difficult to achieve.

Mar 05

What did Neem Karoli Baba preach

By Bhavin in spirituality

If you want to be with God kill desire
Do exactly opposite to what your desire is and desires dies

This Is similar to Yogananda story in Autobiography of a Yogi

I wrote it in my blog titled adverse times Titiksha

guru, Kabir
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Mar 05

Needs a little more than self inquiry

By Bhavin in spirituality

D.: Please tell me how I am to realise the Self? Am I to make an incantation of ‘Who am I?’

B.: No. It is not intended to be used as an incantation.

Self-enquiry is a different method from the meditation ‘I am Siva’ or ‘I am He.’

I rather lay stress on Self-knowledge,
because you are first concerned with yourself before you proceed to know the world and its Lord.

The ‘I am He’ or ‘I am Brahman’
meditation is more or less mental but the quest for the Self of which I speak is a direct method and is superior to the other.
For, as soon as you undertake the quest and begin to go deeper and deeper, the real Self is waiting there to receive you and then whatever is done is done by something else and you have no hand in it.

In this process all doubts are automatically given up just as one who sleeps forgets all his cares for the time being.

Although the scriptures proclaim ‘Thou art That,’ it is only a sign of weakness to meditate ‘I am That, not this,’ because
you are eternally That.
What has to be done is to investigate
what one really is and remain That.

Only if the thought ‘I am a body’ occurs will the meditation
‘I am not this, I am that’ help one to abide as that.

Why should you forever be thinking ‘I am That’?
Is it necessary for a man to go on thinking ‘I am a man’?
Are we not always That?

~ The Teachings of Bhagavan
Sri Ramana Maharshi in His Own Words

Edited by:ARTHUR OSBORNE

My viewpoint

However self inquiry done with the mind trying to understand will fail.

Self inquiry is by stilling the mind, and see where it arises after the mind is stilled

Criticism for mediation is because no one makes an effort to sell the mind. Make it thoughtless. There are some great people who can still the mind effortlessly. For them mediation is not needed. But they still go into isolation. Not talk with anyone. Remain there. Without food etc for a long time

Now reading these things those who are desperate to be called a guru often make up stories like this and publicize. A real guru will not announce and no one well know the truth of their practice

Mar 04

In the news today – daily observer

By Bhavin in spirituality

LONDON, Mar 4: Mysterious and invisible, dark matter is believed to be all around us and is estimated to make up 85 per cent of all matter in the universe. But why can’t we find it? Scientists are sure it exists because without the extra matter the movements and gravitational interactions of galaxies and stars make
no sense. But despite decades of study and numerous different theories and tests to find its origin, it has remained a shadowy enigma. Now, nuclear physicists at the University of York have identified an “exciting” new particle which they are putting forward as a candidate to explain the formation of dark matter.
They have named the new particle the “d-star hexaquark”. The particle is composed of six quarks – the fundamental particles that usually combine in trios to make up protons and neutrons – the basis for atoms and matter as we currently know it.
But the team found that the six quarks in a d-star result in a boson particle, which means that when many d-stars are present they can combine together in very different ways to the usual protons and neutrons. Bosons are particles which obey Bose-Einstein statistics – a theory which describes how particles interact and can form a “fifth state of matter”, known as Bose-Einstein condensate.
The research group at York suggest that in the conditions shortly after the Big Bang, many d-star hexaquarks could have grouped together as the universe cooled and expanded, and formed this condensate. Dr Mikhail Bashkanov and Professor Daniel Watts from the department of physics at the University of York recently published the first assessment of the viability of this new dark matter candidate.
Professor Watts said: “The origin of dark matter in the universe is one of the biggest questions in science and one that, until now, has drawn a blank. “Our first calculations indicate that condensates of d-stars are a feasible new candidate for dark matter. This new result is particularly exciting since it doesn’t require any concepts that are new to physics.”
Co-author of the paper Dr Bashkanov said: “The next step to establish this new dark matter candidate will be to obtain a better understanding of how the d-stars interact: when do they attract and when do they repel each other? “We are leading new measurements to create d-stars inside an atomic nucleus and see if their properties are different to when they are in free space.”
The research team at York will now collaborate with scientists in Germany and the US to test their theory of dark matter and search for d-star hexaquarks in the cosmos. A New Possibility for Light-Quark Dark Matter is published in the Journal of Physics G Letters.
-INDEPENDENT

Anyone catch on to the spiritual thing in here?

Mar 04

Iron will

By Bhavin in spirituality

The ocean is ocean of life.
Cross ocean of life – moksha nirvana
Pierce the mountain – open the door / inner gateway

Without opening inner gateway – there is no knowledge no progress no yoga no salvation .

Do you know where the inner door is ? Are you sure? Or have you read about it? And that’s all?
Do you know how it opens ?

Mar 04

Sacchidananda

By Bhavin in spirituality

Sacchidananda. A much better word than God

God can often imply a tyrannical figure who hands out rewards and punishment, overseeing billions of people all day and night. What a lousy job.

Sacchidananda is much better word

It is 3 words united together

Sat – meaning imperishable. Always existent immortal. ( generally people think sat meaning good. That is because they equate sat with satwa guna)

Chit – who wants existence with knowledge of existence? This means self awareness.

Amanda : Joy.

Thus sacchidananda means being aware of self as bliss and that existence is beyond time

Since that state is Beyond time – the word used is sat rather than immortal

Now that is the perfect description of Samadhi. That is self. That is God. That is joy. That is bliss.

Mar 03

Why is a True Guru rare?

By Bhavin in spirituality

The responsibility of a true Guru is enormous. They simply can’t take the burden of hundreds of disciples. At most a few

Why?

This is what Yogananda said

It is the duty of the guru and the disciple to be loyal to each other, not only in one life, but for many lives if these are necessary to reach God. Those who are one hundred percent loyal to a guru can be sure of ultimate liberation and ascension. One may have many teachers, but only one guru, who remains as one’s guru even in many different lives, until the disciple reaches the final goal of emancipation in God. You must remember this, once that relationship is formed.
Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda

Since this goes on for many births, he simply cannot take this responsibility for hundreds let alone a thousand. These giants take a few Births and come repeatedly devoting their lives to helping a few. During those lives they may perform many miracles but do it so secretly no one is aware of them.

The disciple most remain fully committed to his Guru without fail. If they are not, if they move from one Guru to another, the consequences are unfortunate for the disciple.

True disciple who want to never come back to the mortal chain of the body are rare. Everyone wants to enjoy – few want to stay in the self

Mar 03

Gyanmata

By Bhavin in spirituality

These are her words

The Masters, the Good Shepherds of this world, come down from their high places and give their lives to searching for disciples who are lost in the darkness. They find them in desolate and dangerous places, arouse them, lift them to a divine shoulder, and bear them with rejoicing to a safe place in the fold. They feed them with celestial food and give them living water to drink, of which, if a man eat and drink, he shall live forever. They give them power to become the sons of God. They give their own lives, to the last ounce of flesh and the last drop of blood, for the redemption of the sheep who know their voice.
Sri Gyanamata

About Gyanmata

Gyan meaning knowledge of self. Mata mother

She was Yogananda foremost disciple. I would encourage people to read about her life. A few instances of her life that struck me

She had terrible arthritis which only got worse as she grew older. When guests visited the ashram, she would sleep on the hard bench and give up her bed for Guests! Even at the age of 75 or so. She next told anyone and talked about it. Yogananda only found that out accidentally
Once Yogananda was upset with her. She would be the last to visit him when he arrived Yogananda thought she did not appreciate the value of a Guru. Finally after this happened a few times he reminded her about the importance of a Guru. Softly she replied, I only did not want to over burden you master that was the only reason. Yogananda had tears in his eyes
She was at death bed from CHF. heart failure. Yogananda could not bear to see that. He intervened and she got a ten year extension of life. But those ten years were very painful from physical sickness – mostly arthritis. Yogananda was very sad. But not once did Gyanmata complain

My prayer is to be as great as her loving caring personality. I bow my head to her

Mar 01

Why are people reborn?

By Bhavin in spirituality

Desires

And repetition of desires makes it a strong habit. Like eating. Strong habit eating 3 times a day. And there is a favorite food item which will crop up repeatedly. And you’re back in this world.

But the desire is food. Taste buds change from time to time. Just one is replaced with other.
Child hood it was sweets or peanut butter sandwich ( USA ). Later some thing else

It is identification with mind that created this Whole mess. The experience you’re not mind is needed. How can thinking lead to discovery your not mind?
Analysis can’t help.

So mediation. Done the right way

Mar 01

True light versus phosphene

By Bhavin in spirituality

Some people follow a “Jyoti mudra”
They see light ! Yogananda describes it god talks with Arjuna in chapter 6

What he described is phosphene. Flickers if light. They are partly divine light but not completely. They tend to disappear quickly. It is a good start

So when can you see true light in its full effulgence ?

When thoughts go away. Including the thought that you meditate or the thoughts you have a body

It is remarkable when you get it! Not One in a billion races it. Some reach jada samadhi but that means nothing

Feb 29

Is it absurd?

By Bhavin in spirituality

” Live for God and God only. This is the only way to have freedom and security in this world. Outside of God, there is no security; no matter where you go, deceit can attack you. Be free now. Be a child of God now.
Meditate deep and faithfully, and one day you will wake up in ecstasy with God and see how absurd it is that people believe they are suffering.”

Paramahansa Yogananda.
The Cosmic Lover.

It may seem absurd to them but for us stuck in nightmare after nightmare it is NOT ABSURD
It is a nightmare. We desire so much. We look forward to much. But we don’t get it. Or there is a huge penalty. And there are financial woes. Even those who have money will be poor at some point in their life. At least Once or twice.

It maybe true that after waking up we might laugh and realize it was nothing. Just a bad dream.

Why we created this dream will always be a mystery. Why we became a beggar when in reality we are kings is a mystery

Feb 29

Grace versus effort

By Bhavin in spirituality

Both are needed. Effort till you realize it is the divine itself that is shanti. Till you realize grace and shanti themselves are divine.

This is the error with doing mantra – people make it mechanical. Like the humming of a song or railroad track sound. It happens automatically – even against your will. And that is not the divine.

A mantra becomes effective only if your full attention is on the mantra without diversion. Otherwise it becomes mechanical like a cassette player. Or video. In that case true moksha is attained by your cassette player / or dvd or usb / thumb drive. And since it received liberation go and worship your DVD player!

So don’t become a DVD player mechanical recitation. Full attention is needed. Without a single wayward thought of body or the world.

There are tricks to it. You can’t do it easily

This is from Ramana maharshi

From ~~~ Day by Day with Bhagavan, 17-2-46.

The gentleman said,

“I never thought I was going to have
the good fortune of visiting Bhagavan.
But circumstances have brought me here and I find
in his presence, without any effort on my part,
I am having santi.
Apparently, getting peace does not depend on our effort.
It seems to come only as the result of grace!”

Bhagavan was silent.
Meanwhile, another visitor remarked,

“No. Our effort is also necessary,
though no one can do without grace.”

After some time, Bhagavan remarked,

“Mantra japa, after a time,
leads to a stage
when you become Mantra maya i.e.,
you become that whose name
you have been repeating or chanting.

First you repeat the mantra by mouth;
later you do it mentally.
First, you do this dhyana* with breaks.
Later, you do it without any break.
At that stage you realize you do dhyana
without any effort on your part,
that dhyana is your real nature.
Till then, effort is necessary.”

Dhyana : Meditation; contemplation

Feb 29

Yoga Vasistha – one of the highest book ever

By Bhavin in spirituality

THERE IS NO OTHER WAY

this is the only way wisdom or experience that you are the pure consciousness arises

All four are needed

1. A Guru to help you go within.
2. Get rid of the habit of identifying as thoughts
3. Constantly pursuing and making the habit of eliminating that you are thought by finding the ultra subtle elements of creation
4. And realizing the role of breath in this whole process

This has been the gist of all my blogs. I wrote these things in 2005. My earliest blogs stated many tricks in how to accomplish this.

Feb 29

How does yoga work?

By Bhavin in spirituality

From ~~~ Day by Day with Bhagavan, 1-12-45.

Those who have not the mental strength
to concentrate or control their mind and direct it on the quest
are advised to watch their breathing, since such watching will
naturally and as a matter of course lead to cessation of thought
and bring the mind under control.

Breath and mind arise from the same place and when
one of them is controlled, the other is also controlled. As a
matter of fact, in the quest method — which is more correctly
‘Whence am I?’ and not merely ‘Who am I?’ — we are not
simply trying to eliminate saying ‘we are not the body, not
the senses and so on,’ to reach what remains as the ultimate
reality, but we are trying to find whence the ‘I’ thought for the
ego arises within us. The method contains within it, though
implicitly and not expressly, the watching of the breath. When
we watch wherefrom the ‘I’-thought, the root of all thoughts,
springs, we are necessarily watching the source of breath also,
as the ‘I’-thought and the breath arise from the same source.

Mr. Prasad again asked whether, for controlling breath,
the regular pranayama is not better in which 1:4:2 proportion
for breathing in, retaining, and breathing out is prescribed.
Bhagavan replied, “All those proportions, sometimes regulated
not by counting but by uttering mantras, etc., are aids for
controlling the mind. That is all. Watching the breath is also
one form of pranayama. Retaining breath, etc., is more violent
and may be harmful in some cases, e.g., when there is no
proper Guru to guide the sadhak at every step and stage. But
merely watching the breath is easy and involves no risk.”

Everyone is afflicted. The Chitta constantly identifies with body or thoughts. The goal is to eliminate those for a few minutes so you can realize yourself as pure consciousness which is God.

If you can’t stop thinking then do this !

Feb 28

Lured

By Bhavin in spirituality

This is a constant and serious battle. We read books. Bible. Gita. Wonderful words. How God protects us. Loves. Yes and how he has saved many.

In times of need or from fear we turn to God. High hopes. And we love God. Pray. Worship him to the best of our ability.

And often times our prayers are not answered.

Were we lured?

By a false promise or hope. A few may have prayed even to Neem karoli Baba By Chance prayers not answered.

And in those times, we may give up. The books fake. God fake. Saints fake.

This is a very common story.

Going on for births. Did God fail us? Or was there no God to begin with. Just a delusion?

These indeed are difficult times.
However one must remember two things

Failure of God is ultimately because Deep down there is a darkness in us that keeps saying God won’t help But what about the first time when I had faith ? It was not faith but belief based on books and not on a direct connection to God
There is something in us that needed correction. Hence God does not reach out the way we walked. But reached out in a different Way for sure

So it seems unfair that God helps Yogananda but not others in a miraculous way.

If I may indulge In an Example

If it is pouring rain and you go out with a small bowl and someone goes out with a million gallon size container, who is more likely to collect more rain?
Our container to grab the rain ( God blessings) is just small. We have not opened up to God completely. It takes time

I still have a gripe, we may not pray like we should , but doesn’t a father accept a child’s make belief food from his toy oven?

By my book , God you still failed us !

I try to be your child !

Feb 28

Revelations

By Bhavin in spirituality

Revelation 13:15-18 is the main passage in Scripture that mentions the mark of the beast. The passage says, “And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.”

In the final line it says – to understand this requires wisdom.
The wisdom is yoga experience

All secrets are best not reveled. So I can explain a few things. However to begin with

Buy and sell – karma. Good and bad. Meaning all those under the influence of maya are subject to karma.
666 – this constitutes six triplets. One of them being the three gunas – sattwa tamas rajas

Where can I find this monster and defeat it ? The mark is in the forehead or right hand – doing right karma. Slowly the beast is revealed so you can defeat it

Feb 27

Why is god not responding?

By Bhavin in spirituality

“I recommend a new experiment: examine your thoughts unremittingly for twenty-four hours. Then wonder no longer at God’s absence.”.

~ Sri Yukteshwar Giri ji
Autobiography of a Yogi

Yes our thoughts are constantly wayward!

Constantly under the Influence of three gunas. The mind dances. Past habits Past tendencies. Anger. Passion. Ego.

And helplessly, the mind moves around.

Now you know why the mind must be merged in God. It’s source

Feb 26

Think you have made progress?

By Bhavin in spirituality

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, for the devotee may feel vain and self-satisfied, falsely assuming he is what he knows. There is a proverb that pride goes before a fall. A self-admiring person is apt to refrain from further effort…. Only he who is free from the sense of self-importance becomes richer and richer in spirituality until he is one with God.
Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda

Even the great yogis , who meditate all day , for thousands of years, can create universes at will , still are in awe and amazed at God , then where are you my friend?

Even Neem karoli Baba said, he could have been a great Yogi, if he did not care so much for the people in the world!

Feb 26

Delicate karma

By Bhavin in spirituality

“The moment you quarrel, you are not going God ward, you are going backward, towards the brutes.”
Swami Vivekananda

So let’s say someone does injustice to you. They steal your money. You know it. Now, do you fight the person – a sort of quarrel ? Take the person to court? Or do you look the other way.
This dilemma will only occur to those who want to make spiritual progress

If this debate does not occur to you, then your not that Keen in progress? Or your perfected? Or I did not present the case properly

Nevertheless, the proper attitude in this case should be introspection. Correct your flaws and do the right thing

Introspection First figure out why V your upset. Is it your ego and righteousness ? It is it your attachment to money that got you upset? Let’s say the person took a stapler from you would you be upset ? When you think your way through you will discover your attachment and sense of self righteousness. Notice those flaws. Ask god forgiveness for the same.

You may then discover in your mediation that you had wronged the person you stole in your past birth. Now what do you do? Silently bear the pain ?

Right karma The next step after you correct your flaws is to take proper action. You should not set a wrong example that stealing is permissible. In that case others will take advantage of you. So you take whatever proper legal action as dictated by law is done. Why ? Not with grudge. Not with anger. Moreover the money that was yours is yours to decide to give – you may never have needed or wanted that money. But since it is yours donate it.

As long as you do this without frustration out anguish or anger take the right legal course
Without grudges or anger – there is no quarrel. And yet you have done the right thing

Do you see how karma is decided not based on action but based on inner attitude ?

Be pure within!

Feb 25

The darkening power

By Bhavin in spirituality

You hear and read about spirituality. And your Keen on it.
And suddenly you lose interest. Or your simply unable to do it. Or you get weary

Believe It or not – it is a sign of progress. A significant flaw that must be patiently overcome. It may take weeks or months. But keep up fighting that darkening power that prevents you from being motivated.

This darkening power came up because God is checking to see if your really truly motivated and interested or will you succumb to the negative forces

Hence in Sanskrit yoga Darshan

Abhyasen Na pramaditavyam

Don’t be lazy / dispassionate about mediation

Feb 25

Please learn this!

By Bhavin in spirituality

Without a Guru the final steps are not possible

Actually the beginning steps are not possible

Oh the middle steps are not possible

Do you see – Yogananda Gave full credit to his Guru

And he clarifies what his Guru did.

This is the humility of a disciple to his Guru

There is something that a Guru does. The disciples may not know about it for decades. But the constant invisible help is there

Such great Guru will never have a mass of following. Hardly a few.

Feb 25

Ash Wednesday

By Bhavin in spirituality

: Ash Wednesday today. A reminder from God, that we are spirit, dont get too attached to the body!

For the enlightened, it means hide your self from the world with ash lest anyone know

Of course there is a deeper Yogi technique in there

For

Feb 24

God? Various perceptions

By Bhavin in spirituality

Tribal : He is all mighty. Very powerful. He has created the universe. But he is very strict. If you don’t worship him you will incur his wrath. He requires different types of sacrifices

Who wants a God like that? He is a Dictator!

Benevolent God : this God is both kind and loving and punishes the wicked. His problem is he is very needy. He requires you to pray daily, worship him in a variety of ways. If you please him he grants you wishes. And yes there is a heaven and hell. If you do bad, guess what he wicked go to hell forever.

Now in this picture, you feel glad the wicked will get punished. So now we can hold on to God. Thinking after life he will punish. Oh what a wonderful God. And guess what, I will give him many different food, pray daily , praises. After all he has no intelligence, he loves to be praised. He can do many magical tricks. And is quick to get angry.

Atheists They don’t believe in God. Science is true. It’s all otherwise nonsense. Maybe something for the weak minded – the belief of God

Agnostic I don’t know for sure if God exists or does not exist. They say they will believe it there is more proof! But who knows and I sort of don’t care

The intellectuals :. They are the Arrogant ones. They realize the stupidity of the above 4. They have read a variety of scriptures. They become proficient. They learn Sanskrit, Latin they want to debate. Impress others. Quite smug. They constantly seek to read, they love to preach, teach others, that follow rituals to some degree and then quickly say it is quite silly – and love to give advise to others.

Mumukshu. These are the true people. They are tired of the sense pleasures. They believe in something beyond the human understanding but want to be practical. They seek a true teacher. They may Indulge in rituals but they want to go beyond it also. They have a variety of thoughts – and as long as they are not satisfied by make belief experiences, they will eventually find a teacher. It is then that they become true Mumukshu.

Even with that often times with the hardship of life, their past karma and life situations will try to break them. Those are difficult times For they. They may slip, but quickly regain their foot hold. Continuing the practice and stubbornly believing in their Guru is the only way. They eventually have super natural experiences and continue their quest!

Feb 24

Don’t lose hope

By Bhavin in spirituality

The great saints will never stop. They constantly help. Even when they have left the body.
Vivekananda said the same. I will continue to help. And he has come back and guided those who are ready
Amitabh one of the Buddha said he will continue to help till every loving being is liberated He has sons of work let. Yet they continue in every way. With love

This Is from Yogananda

When I am only a dream

Poem by Paramhansa Yogananda

I come to tell you all of Him,
And the way to encase Him in your bosom,
And of the discipline which brings His grace.
To those of you who have asked me
To guide you to my Beloved’s silently talking mind,
Or speak to you through a gentle significant glance,
Or whisper to you through my love,
Or loudly dissuade you when you stray away from Him.
But when I shall become only a memory or a mental image,
Or silently speaking voice,
When no earthly call will ever reveal
My whereabouts in unplumbed space
When no shallow entreaty or stern stentorian command
Will bring an answer from me,
I will smile in your mind when you are right,
And when you are wrong, I will weep through my eyes,
Dimly peering at you in the dark,
And weep through your eyes, perchance;
And I will whisper to you through your conscience,
And I will reason with you through your reason,
And I will love through your love.
When you are able no longer to talk to me,
Read my Whispers of Eternity.
Eternally through that I will talk to you.
Unknown I will walk by your side
And guard you with invisible arms.
And as soon as you know my Beloved
And hear His voice in silence,
You will know me again more tangibly
Than you knew me in this earth plane.
And yet when I am only a dream to you
I will come to remind you that you too are naught
But a dream of my Heavenly Beloved,
And when you know you are a dream, as I know now,
We all will be ever awake in Him.

~Whispers from Eternity

Feb 24

The difference

By Bhavin in spirituality

In one case your still ignorant but on the path to experience. That’s why you keep repeating
Mind you that repeating is helpful – sets a goal. A reminder. And you realize your struggle in reaching the higher state

The true heart is not in the left side Of side of the chest.

The higher state is where you are there. In that case you will not repeat your love or you will love all. It is just there ! You don’t need a reason to love. It’s just there. Love does not require a reason. It is a manifestation of God.
If you need a reason your very far from your natural divine self.

This is what Ram Dass – Neem karoli Baba said. You decide. Comments anyone?

I am loving Awareness- Part I

I have a practice in which I say to myself, I am loving awareness. To begin, I focus my attention in the middle of my chest, on the heart mind. I may take a few deep breaths into my diaphragm to help me identify with it. I breathe in love and breathe out. I watch all of the thoughts that create the stuff of my mind, and I love everything, love everything I can be aware of. I just love, just love, just love.

I love you. No matter how rotten you are, I love you because you are part of the manifestation of God. In that heart-mind I am not Richard Alpert, I am not Ram Dass- those are both roles. I look at those roles from that deeper “I”. In the heart-mind I’m not identified with my roles. They are like costumes or uniforms hanging in a closet. “I am a reader”, “I am a father”, “I am a Yogi”, ” I am a man”, “I am a driver”- those are all roles.

All I am is loving awareness. I am loving awareness. It means that wherever I look, anything that touches my awareness will be loved by me. That loving awareness is the most fundamental “I”. Loving awareness witnesses the incarnation from a plane of consciousness different from the plane that we live on as egos, though it completely contains and interpenetrates everyday experience.

When I wake up in the morning, I am aware of the air, the fan on my ceiling, I’ve got to love them. I am loving awareness. But if I’m an ego, I’m judging everything as it relates to my own survival. The air might give a cold that will turn into pneumonia. I’m always afraid of something in the world that I have to defend myself against. If I’m identified with my ego, the ego is frightened silly, because the ego knows that it’s going to end at death. But if I merge with love, there is nothing to be afraid of. Love neutralizes fear.
To be continued……………

Excerpts from “be love now” Chapter “the path of the heart” written by Shri Ram Dass

Jai Babaji ki

Feb 24

A leader

By Bhavin in spirituality

The greatest man is he who considers himself to be the least, as Jesus taught. A real leader is one who first learned obedience to others, who feels himself to be the servant of all, and who never puts himself on a pedestal. Those who want flattery don’t deserve our admiration, but he who serves us has a right to our love. Isn’t God the servant of His children, and does He ask for praise? No, He is too great to be moved by it.
Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda

Then there are some great saints – who cannot understand the word leader. To them all is God. Everyone is God and they remain humble and respectful to all

Feb 23

Thoughts and misery

By Bhavin in spirituality

What we don’t realize is all thoughts are unwanted hence have the potential to make us miserable

Hence mediation. Learn to slowly conquer your thoughts.

Takes time. Learn the right way. You can’t stop the mind with imagination.

There is the right way. Call it kriya yoga or any fancy name – but the truth is the real technique is not written in books. It is taught and can only be taught by a someone who is accomplished.

Feb 23

God is the doer ??

By Bhavin in spirituality

FEBRUARY 23 – SRF DAIRY – HUMILITY

Humility comes from realizing that God is the

Doer, not you. When you see that, how can you be

proud of any accomplishment? Think constantly that

whatever work you are performing is being done by

the Lord through you.—Paramahansa Yogananda,

“ Self Realization Magazine “

So it is quite convenient to say God is the doer or God is acting through me. So now all the sins belong to God. That means I can walk with the notion God is the doer and do what I like ??

The answer is as long as you have ego or a sense of Identity with the body, you are the doer. Don’t try to hide behind the notion God is the doer

Yogananda himself never was the doer. But he always did everything only with the permission of God

There is this example where Yogananda had a huge stone fall in his foot while he was building the wishing well. It was shattered. His disciples said let’s go to doctor. He asked mother. She said no. A few days later it got worse. But mother told him not to go.
Then he had to give a talk and could barely walk
Mother Appeared and told him to walk on the shattered foot! He did – his first step and he had excruciating pain and next step – his foot was back to normal

So these are the requirements

Constantly in touch with God. Any and every second
Faith she will guide you perfectly. Not a second of hesitation
Not having any personal desire

And if you meet all there you can boldly say God is the doer !

Alas us mortals have to suffer the consequences of all our actions. Unless – we slowly learn to walk in the footsteps of great saints and relinquish our ego

Feb 22

How to destroy desires

By Bhavin in spirituality

It’s a catch 22. You want to progress but desires come in the way
Your desires can be destroyed only by making progress

Anyway it is a challenge. Slow process

However when it merges in God desires vanish

Feb 22

Synonyms

By Bhavin in spirituality

So the words are synonyms

Mind. Devil. Maya. Ignorance. Universe.

The mind when not merged in God is ignorant
The mind when it tempts is the devil
The mind when it misleads is Maya
And instantly it becomes the world. Split in two. World and mind. No difference.

Feb 22

How to make money – part 2

By Bhavin in spirituality

So what I like and what the great Guru and saints like are only those who are truly tired of this world. Not temporarily but for sure – for ever

They want to explore the joy of self consciousness and no longer seek things that are material. Those are the people who are ready for true meditation. Babaji called Lahiri. Not others. There are a few who claim to be Babaji and preach. And there are those who claim to have met Babaji. But just think – babaji told Lahiri ” henceforth I will only come to you when you need me not just because you called out to me ”

Don’t practice self deception. Go deep within.
Even when the world hurts you – hurts you a lot – go within. Find your sanctuary. Meditate deep enough that you forget the body. When you walk out of your chamber – the pain of the world is forgotten. It is for those the ever present Guru and saints appear. They finally found one person worthy.

And that is the true wealth. Samadhi.

How do you know your there? You will stop reading books, stop reading blogs stop attending lectures.

Until then read only things that will inspire you to go within. Stay within.

Should only – bill gates, presidents, prime ministers, Hollywood actors, actresses – the people which general audience worship – be lucky to meet a yogi. A true yogi.
The rest in the world are all bhogi. Only interested in sensual pleasure and money

karma, Love
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Feb 22

How to make money !

By Bhavin in spirituality

There are some general buzz words which we can use – and hardly anyone will oppose it.
Yoga ( be careful they can be associated with musculoskeletal injury)
The other is meditation

It is a great buzz word. I suspect everyone – irrespective of religion or even if atheist or agnostic – they all will say it is great .
Buddhist came out with vipasana
Modern day there is this Vikram yoga
There are meditation campus out there. There are apps for meditation
Blue light meditation
Siddha yoga
Maha yoga

Are they all the same ? Hell no! So now there is this competition who is the best. After all they all make money. Lots of money. But that amount of money is not enough. They have to make more. Advertise. It’s all for a noble cause – to help others. Just shell out thousands of dollars.

Well, for a few more victims – you add another buzz word – Shakti. Awakening of Shakti. Now you will grab the audience who believe in Reiki etc. The audience who believe in super natural stuff

Add a little logic. Throw in a few sanskrit words. Big words with the meaning.

We are getting Warmer to making a lot of money. A huge audience. The recipe is evolving

At this point you have a few options. Talk about the ancient art of Yoga. Talk about Patanjali or Buddha. 5000 year old technique. Now some may not like that. After all in those days the people were more cave men. Totally uninspired. Can you imagine they lived without cell phones! OMG. How can you follow cavemen like that ?
This is a perfect moment to add your own personal twist. Make it modern. And then label it with something sexy.

Just watch your money grow

Just look up a few things like this. Maybe read some blogs and gather knowledge. Your well on your way

THIS BLOG IS NOT FOR EVERYONE! IT MAY NOT BE SUITED FOR EVEN TEN PERSON IN THIS WORLD OF 7 BILLION PEOPLE.

Truth is not for everyone! Greatness is not for all. The greatness I refer to is – conquering your mind. Giving up all sensual pleasures. Those pleasures are disgusting compared to the joy of self. Not craving money. Not craving an audience. Seeking to take the pain of other people – their bad karma but never letting them know that they were helped !

Now my challenge to you is to find someone like that. And then your in your way to the real deal

Go for the real yoga. There are so many secrets that can help you. They are written but very deceptively. The wise Rishis and Yogi knew if they wrote it openly the evil people in the world will stay misleading others to make money. But they could not remain silent while in possession of ability to create universes. Yes universes. Hence things are written in clues.

What will you do ? Go for the real deal? Go for a gourmet feast of true joy within?Or be an idiot – eating the vomit of other people food ( pleasure of the senses) and think that is wonderful

karma, Love
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Feb 21

Maha Shiv Ratri Part 2

By Bhavin in spirituality

Like I said previously Maha refers to the month

The hunter – is the soul. Always on the hunt for pleasures of the senses.
It has climbed the tree with leaves of three
The three refers to sensual pleasures of three types ( sattwa, tamas, rajas)
For example – the ears can listen to harsh sounds of drilling ( tamas), melodious music ( rajas ) or divine music which you hear in meditation is sattwa

Everything in this works occurs in 3 or 5 or 8

So the soul is constantly hunting / experience these sensual pleasures
On the night of the 14 day of the waning moon, everything is dark.
The soul is no longer in touch of the outside world, and in that samadhi, gives up all the three Gunas to Lord Shiv.

Those who reach that state are surely given moksha

I will not elaborate on the full meaning of Bilvashtakam

However , if done like I described its benefit is

I offer Bilva Patra (A Bilva Patra is so called leaf having three small leaves.) to God Shiva. This Bilva Patra is a form of the three human qualities. Good Virtue (Satva), Passion (Raja quality) and Irascible (Tama quality). This Bilva Patra is like three eyes, Sun, Moon and Fire. It is like three weapons. It is destroyer of sins committed in earlier three births. I perform pooja of God Shiva with such Bilva Patra.

When does this way – all sins are destroyed
It has three weapons of destruction – to destroy the illusion that the purr consciousness has 3 bodies – sthula, sukshma, katana
The three eyes is a reference to a very special yoga technique

Anyway enough said.

In short This is the benefit of Maha Shiv Ratri

All other interpretations on the Net are laughable to a Yogi

Feb 21

A reminder

By Bhavin in spirituality

Paramahansa Yogananda’s First Experience in Cosmic Consciousness.

My body became immovably rooted; breath was drawn out of my lungs as if by some huge magnet. Soul and mind instantly lost their physical bondage and streamed out like a fluid piercing light from my every pore. The flesh was as though dead; yet in my intense awareness I knew that never before had I been fully alive. My sense of identity was no longer narrowly confined to a body but embraced the circumambient atoms. People on distant streets seemed to be moving gently over my own remote periphery. The roots of plants and trees appeared through a dim transparency of the soil; I discerned the inward flow of their sap.

The whole vicinity lay bare before me. My ordinary frontal vision was now changed to a vast spherical sight, simultaneously all-perceptive. Through the back of my head I saw men strolling far down Rai Ghat Lane, and noticed also a white cow that was leisurely approaching. When she reached the open ashram gate, I observed her as though with my two physical eyes. After she had passed behind the brick wall of the courtyard, I saw her clearly still.

All objects within my panoramic gaze trembled and vibrated like quick motion pictures. My body, Master’s, the pillared courtyard, the furniture and floor, the trees and sunshine, occasionally became violently agitated, until all melted into a luminescent sea; even as sugar crystals, thrown into a glass of water, dissolve after being shaken.

The unifying light alternated with materializations of form, the metamorphoses revealing the law of cause and effect in creation. An oceanic joy broke upon calm endless shores of my soul. The Spirit of God, I realized, is exhaustless Bliss; His body is countless tissues of light. A swelling glory within me began to envelop towns, continents, the earth, solar and stellar systems, tenuous nebulae, and floating universes. The entire cosmos, gently luminous, like a city seen afar at night, glimmered within the infinitude of my being.

The dazzling light beyond the sharply etched global outlines faded slightly at the farthest edges; there I saw a mellow radiance, ever undiminished. It was indescribably subtle; the planetary pictures were formed of a grosser light.* [* Light as the essence of creation.] The divine dispersion of rays poured from an Eternal Source, blazing into galaxies, transfigured with ineffable auras.

Again and again I saw the creative beams condense into constellations, then resolve into sheets of transparent flame. By rhythmic reversion, sextillion worlds passed into diaphanous luster, then fire became firmament. I cognized the center of the empyrean as a point of intuitive perception in my heart. Irradiating splendor issued from my nucleus to every part of the universal structure. Blissful amrita, nectar of immortality, pulsated through me with a quicksilver like fluidity.

The creative voice of God I heard resounding as Aum,* the vibration of the Cosmic Motor. [* “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”—John 1:1.] Suddenly the breath returned to my lungs. With a disappointment almost unbearable, I realized that my infinite immensity was lost. Once more I was limited to the humiliating cage of a body, not easily accommodative to the Spirit. Like a prodigal child, I had run away from my macrocosmic home and had imprisoned myself in a narrow microcosm.

My guru [Sri Yukteswar] was standing motionless before me; I started to prostrate myself at his holy feet in gratitude for his having bestowed on me the experience in cosmic consciousness that I had long passionately sought. He held me upright and said quietly: “You must not get overdrunk with ecstasy. Much work yet remains for you in the world. Come, let us sweep the balcony floor; then we shall walk by the Ganges.” ~Paramahansa Yogananda, “Autobiography of a Yogi”

Take home message

We limit our selves with desires for the body
The cosmic experience is given. It is divine grace through a Guru
It does not last long or forever. Why. Lord Shankar will.
We have so much more to go and we have not even started
The key feature is the breath

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