Life was not given to enjoy. Everyone, will have hardship throughout life. Some more than others. Some lives can be miserable but the next life will be better if you endure patiently

However , life will be painful. NO EXCEPTIONS. Happiness like Vivekananda says, comes wearing a crown of sorrow.

Now be serious. Decide what you want by roasted births.

“Divine Grace is essential for Realisation. It leads one to God-realisation. But such Grace is vouchsafed only to him who is a true devotee or a yogin, who has striven hard and ceaselessly on the path towards freedom.”
Ramana Maharshi

This is very true. Without grace of a Guru realization is not possible. However Guru grace can only be achieved by those who constantly try

There should not be even a speck of desire of becoming famous or teacher in your efforts. The moment you have that you believe in the reality of the world. Something impermanent. Those people are not candidates for grace. They cannot progress

We cannot understand why a gyani can see the suffering and simply call it a dream.

The gyani cannot understand why we suffer when it is a dream.

That creates a problem for moksha. How can someone who sees this world as a dream help or be motivated to help? And if they help we immediately think this person is not a gyani !

The solution is ..

It is the day Jesus United with God. Hence it is good Friday

2000 years have passed and Ghedh ( United ) became goda, God and good.

It is the Latin version of samadhi. To be United with God or advaita. Simple !

अतुलितबलधामं हेमशैलाभदेहं
दनुजवनकृशानुं ज्ञानिनामग्रगण्यम् ।
सकलगुणनिधानं वानराणामधीशं
रघुपतिप्रियभक्तं वातात्मजं नमामि ॥
Atulita-Bala-Dhaamam Hema-Shailaabha-Deham
Danuja-Vana-Krshaanum Jnyaaninaam-Agragannyam |
Sakala-Gunna-Nidhaanam Vaanaraannaam-Adhiisham
Raghupati-Priya-Bhaktam Vaata-[A]atmajam Namaami ||

Meaning:

Unparalleled power, with body like a golden mountain,

Burning away evils, smartest of all

With all the Gunas within you, King of monkeys,

Favorite ok Raam and Krishna namaami

Unfortunately there is no translation of namaami. It is not now to you but much more

Of course it would be foolish to take the translation literally. However for the ignorant, even a literal translation is a stepping stone

NDE. near death experience

The publication

https://apple.news/AxSY0cJYMTROOVEpr7mq74g

But a stunning new finding published Wednesday in the journal Nature turns that conventional wisdom around.
In a paper that reads a bit like an adaptation of Mary Shelley, researchers at Yale University describe how they were able to partially revive disembodied pigs’ brains several hours after the pigs’ death.
First, the researchers took 32 brains from pigs slaughtered for food and waited four hours. Then they hooked them up for six hours to a system called BrainEx, which pumped those brains full of oxygen, nutrients, and protective chemicals.
At the end of the 10 hours, the scientists found that the tissue of the pig brains was largely intact, compared to controls. Individual brain cells were up and running, performing their basic duties of taking up oxygen and producing carbon dioxide.

Commentary :. Many people who “die” have a common experience of seeing light, going through a tunnel etc. Medical science had maintained that this universal common experience is due to dying nerve cells. It was thought it happens immediately after the breathing stops and heart stops beating. In fact after a code many patients when brought back have anoxic encephalopathy

The current study from nature – shows that the brain remains viable for hours after being slaughtered. Is there consciousness in the brain? Or life still there. The paper said no. However, since we do not know much about consciousness – all we can say is the brain could not communicate to other organs. Possibly, the consciousness was still there unable to communicate though

In some Indian history there is a story where a kshatriya ( warrier clan ) was decapitated in a battle but the rest of the body kept fighting.

So what does this have to do with spirituality? Well two things

1. If the consciousness still there in the brain after the rest of the body was non functional, isn’t that hell?

2. Anyone still love non veg?

The human mind is very fickle. The moment a person gets happiness or joyful activities, we quickly forget God and pursuit of meditation.

We may sit down for meditation but the mind will not cooperate. It refuses to go within.

Our goal in life is to find pure consciousness. But the forces of the world constantly lure us with false promises of happiness. How often can anyone say this? But yet you will forget it. Constantly. If nothing people make mockery of this pursuit by intellectual discussion

The Gurus know this. So they remain incognito. What is the point when the sincerity is lacking. People are sincere momentarily but quickly forget

Progress requires years and years of unwavering pursuit.

I protected myself from getting enmeshed in this world. However I would not recommend it to anyone. It is very painful.

Now I laugh at Maya /Satan Maybe. Maybe not. Enough of this

Only when one sends the mind, which becomes calm when one restrains the breath, on the (one) path of (self-) investigating* will its form perish**.

(‘Upadēśa-Undiyār’ [‘Teachings in Undiyār (poetic style)’], v. 14) [ātma-vicāra]

** Please, see verse 13. Translated from Michael James.

Ramana Mahatshi

ஒடுக்க வளியை யொடுங்கு முளத்தை
விடுக்கவே யோர்வழி யுந்தீபற
வீயு மதனுரு வுந்தீபற.

Here is Ramana Maharshi version

For the last decade people have been feeling sorry for me. In the hallway, at work, and otherwise. They ask me how are you?

I say alive. And immediately I get their sympathy. It’s better than the alternative. Or they laugh thinking I am joking.

And they get my sympathy. They did not understand me. And no one asks why. The world goes on

Those who have read about Baba know his greatness. He cured many and took away suffering of thousands and thousands people.

In 2017, Ram Dass wrote one of his experience with Baba. In the sixties or early seventies, many people in Bangladesh were suffering. Ram Dass was very troubled by it. He used his VW as an ambulance and tried to help many

Baba saw him troubled and Baba said to Ram Dass, don’t you see that it’s all perfect?

So Ram Dass heart revolted. He said how could it be perfect? There is much suffering and Injustice

And there in lies the mistake. A subtle test from the enlightened. And he missed the boat !

I was tested to many times. But I did see through his viel

Padmasana-sthite devi
parabrama svarupini,
Paramesi jagan matar-
mahalaksmi namo stu te.

It means Mahalaxmi, you sit in padmasana, you are para Brahma and Creator of all the different worlds and I bow to you

So this is an Asana described in Yoga. Many people have claimed many benefits of the Asana The Asana can cure all diseases and even the great Mahalaxmi is padmasane sthite. 15 minutes of the Asana gives samadhi.

Those are the claims. So the different web pages extol it. Hatha yoga extols it.

But wait a minute – if that’s all it takes why don’t I see millions of perfected people out there? In other online web pages many other benefits have been described.

And there in lies stupidity of humans. So stupid that they don’t even realize they are foolish. So you can blindly how what is written in scriptures and keep doing padmasana. You may have some smaller benefits. But curing all diseases? Or samadhi?

And then when it fails you will say the scriptures are wrong.

So people follow a trend. They get excited about a path. Follow it and then a few years later give up on it. Saying it is not accurate ( unless they make you an official of the society or cult). And the scriptures are given a bad name.

But very rarely does someone say I believe the scripture but I misunderstood it. That I was doing padmasana incorrectly. What do you mean I was doing the incorrectly. I have seen video taped, scoured through countless web pages and I am doing it right.

I hate to break it to you – but is it possible, that all web pages are wrong? Ok for course it is.

So what is Padmasana ?

Someone who sincerely tries to look for evil and is very sincere in his effort, finds very quickly no one is as evil as our own mind

Now mind you, this is not an easy mental exercise. But honestly, if you observe your own mind and the random thoughts that are in the mind – they are quite terrible. It is merely that we don’t act on it. The mind constantly goes from sex to food to having ego to anger or like dislike towards others. The mind does not hesitate in retaliation towards others.

Now, I include even a seconds fleeting thought. This level of calmness is rare that you can truly notice that our calmness and inner Joy is being constantly robbed by our own thoughts.

If only we could maintain that Joy strongly, the world problems would be solved. Because at that point , random thoughts would be replaced with a kind understanding for others. However for this to succeed 80-90% percent people have to be on the path

At that point what would be the need for laws or rules etc. It would be minimal. So ALL RELIGIONS have failed because going to churches or temples has not really changed the inner mind if people. Selfishness is still the ruler.

Any society that has an enormous number of laws and attorneys and law enforcement are loudly proclaiming – society has failed. Humanity has failed. Sad but true

So if you seek some reprieve, and go to higher worlds where there are more Nobel selfless people, change your own mind. The only ticket to go to those worlds is a clean mind with no thoughts of anger or retaliation or selfish needs. Of course it can be more permanent if only your own mind was clean. We ourselves execute our destiny in heaven or hell

What can I say, spontaneous niceness of the mind ( constantly ) is rare. And that my friend is purity.

Like Kabir said…..

Why do you crave things in this world? Why? Why?

See the world as it was intended – as a creative marvel of God. Instead it became a trap for you and you got enmeshed in it?

I may say it , you understand for a few but yet your heart goes back to the old ways!

The great saints say many things. You don’t practice instead waste your time analyzing and discussing? Sad it is. Or melt quote them for others and feel smug about it? Merit is in Practice not in quoting.

He hid is full greatness better than most

“Religion, which is the highest knowledge and the highest wisdom, cannot be bought, nor can it be acquired from books. You may thrust your head into all the corners of the world, you may explore the Himalayas, the Alps, and the Caucasus, you may sound the bottom of the sea and pry into every nook of Tibet and the desert of Gobi, you will not find it anywhere until your heart is ready for receiving it and your teacher has come. And when that divinely appointed teacher comes, serve him with childlike confidence and simplicity, freely open your heart to his influence, and see in him God manifested. Those who come to seek truth with such a spirit of love and veneration, to them the Lord of Truth reveals the most wonderful things regarding truth, goodness, and beauty.”

~Swami Vivekananda
Complete Works Vol 3 Chapter 5
🙏🌺🌺🙏

Moksha is not meant for everyone! Let’s face it most want to keep enjoying. This world and the heavens. And on their way make several spots in hell. Many consider this world a form of hell

Then there are some who half heatedly want it and they intermittently take interest. And some seek it more intently but they fail to recognize the true help they receive. They understand the wisdom and clarity from the experienced person. However it was not in their destiny. Their past karma’s prevent them and those unfortunate souls go back to all false things that is in their ingrained in their psyche. And they feel more comfortable with the non yogic or imperfect yoga teachings and methods.

When you talk with them they nod yes. They grasp it but are afraid to hold on. And minimize the wonder if the enlightened person

Such an enlightened person is not easy to understand. Disciples in general can only understand based on the social and cultural values they have been taught. A guru is way above that and his logic and intuitive methods are not understood.

What end up happening is that different enlightened beings explain ego differently

The same enlightened being may define who differently to disciples based on their ability to grasp

Yukteshwar described ego and Patanjali described ego similarly

Ramana Maharshi gave a definition at a very simplistic level. He used the word this Ego. This was a big hint

The drama is amazing. Even when Krishna was there or Ram or Yukteshwar or Kabir, those who could see them as perfected individuals are always few

So those who believe have mass followers – not sure where to place them

Truth is the higher the person more difficult to accept. That’s because what they talk is in quntum physics. The rest of the world struggles with alphabet

So many times I write and stop half way through. My message left incomplete. What to say!

This is a picture of a black hole. You can’t really see it. But because of the massive gravity there is a peripheral area of intense heat that lights up in a circle – as predicted by Einstein in 1930. Finally we have proof

The sun goes to the Moon for rest!

I generally don’t share this information It reveals deeper secrets of the machinery of God. I won’t go into the steps of how to overcome issues. Sadly at times – friend, religious leaders, psychologist make recovery from pain more difficult with misguidance

Everyone has suffered in this world

Suffering affects both mind, body and spiritual aspects

We can never understand the other person’s suffering even though we went through something similar. Why? Everyone has a slightly different emotional reaction. 7 billion people. 7 billion different reactions to a loved one dying. Reaction is based on spiritual understanding, spiritual tolerance, our relation to the loved one, family support, cultural aspects etc

So the reaction to the suffering prolongs our pain. If we simply forget the pain is gone. If we don’t forget, we allow the circumstance to repeat and can grow. But this is a very tricky slope. PLEASE DO NOT USE THE INFORMATION ON THE BLOG TO DEAL WITH YOUR PAIN

God is not responsible for the pain

We are not spiritually qualified to say all is God. So drop that thinking. There are some spiritual Giants like that. But they do it at the right time Ramkrishna said. All is God including the tiger. That does not mean you sit with a tiger. Be practical. Use proper thinking.

God and karma are different. **God and karma are different. Actions of others are not actions of God **

For example if you fall and slip …

As long as you see yoga and Gyana as two different methods you have not understood either and not really on either path

Yoga is not about breathing or Asana. That only happens when your Shakti is not awakened

Gyana or self inquiry will keep you confirm to thinking unless you have a spark of the Divine

So if you don’t have a guru what do you do?

Do more so you can attract their attention

Pray. Meditate. Strong desire to know truth experience it. Work hard tirelessly for others. Never get angry. Forgive everyone who hurts you. Give charity. Serve others. This is above and beyond doing what is necessary.

Many times I have written about a true Guru. You may have say Vishnutirthji as your Guru. You may believe in him completely. But for the person to be your Guru you MUST HAVE MEET HIM ONCE IN YOUR LIFETIME AND ESTABLISHED THE BOND

if that has not happened, no matter what you believe, the Guru disciple bond has not been done.

You see, there is something much more subtle, more subtle than you can understand , that happens when the Guru accepts you as a disciple.

All that you have read , understood or even experienced is worthless until that ” something” happens

Once that happens , it is something concrete. You can only have one Guru. Some fancy that every great being is their Guru – Vishnutirrhji, Yogananda , Ramkrishna etc. And they change their opinion quickly based on what they read. In that case you really have not found a Guru.

Once the connection between you and the Guru is done, you will know it. Something tangible happens. More than what you ever read about Shakti Awakening

This is almost like asking do you believe in the traditional Yoga with all the “miracles” or the modern day version of Yoga with all the limited abilities?

Traditional Yoga has 8 siddhis – it talks about the ability to make body very light, lighter than a fresher or heavier than a thousand elephants, very tall or short, invisible etc

It talks about making body survive for thousands of years

No one in the modern era talks about that. Neem Karoli baba did some of those things, reportedly. But who knows. And people say siddhis – it is wrong to run after siddhis. That is like saying I have no siddhis because I don’t want them. My response is you don’t practice yoga – true yoga – hence even if you tried you can’t get those siddhis

Of course I don’t have the siddhis. So I fall in the category of a believer in the traditional Yoga. Why? Because somehow, no matter how illogical it seems, I believe in Yogananda. His teachings are perfect. He started Babaji is still there, 5000 years or more are, looks like a teenager!

So it boils down to – if you believe in Yogananda believe in him all the way. Believe in Babaji. Believe that there might be a Guru – who has no need for advertisement- who can do all those things!

Such great people know all our efforts and if we are a 100% sincere they come to us. The fact that we have not met them means something in us is lacking. Work harder. Try to be more pure

There are a few immortal souls in the lineage of Vishnutirrhji Maharaj also. More than 10,000 years old. Lal ded is a few centuries old.

All we can hope for is their Grace.

I never mention my Gurudev. He has taken Samadhi

If it is immobile your calm

Moving slowly stressed

Moving very fast like a carousel – very stressed

All it has to do is can you do tratak. Keep your eyes Rock steady. ( My interpretation)

Everything

Nothing

His help is given in silence

That’s grace

Sometimes he talks. Writes. Since the disciple does not know for decades the great blessing and Grace the guru has given. His writing and talking is a Grace

He opens his eyes. That’s grace

He closes his eyes that’s grace

He speaks. That’s grace

He is silent. That’s grace

He blesses that’s grace

He gets angry. That’s grace

Such a Guru is rare.

The ultimate experience comes suddenly. All at once. We usually don’t know what was holding us back. It is all at once

Then what is the slow progress that people make? Getting closer? And what are the Chakras and steps of Gyana?

That’s a topic of discussion for another day

Modern day parents are a dismal failure from a yogic standpoint

Most parents want and teach their kids – become wealthy, have Fame, a nice family and or a successful career, maybe a nice married life

Is there a parent out there who wishes on their children – life without money but a wealth of spiritual success? Be well known only to God and unknown to others? The only family he or she knows are the people who seek God ? A parent who says be great and successful only in spiritual matters?

Yogananda parents did. Reluctantly

I will end with “Rajab tune to kiyo ajab……”

That’s what a Guru wants A child like that.

Celebrate it in real with mango and Neem leaves over a bamboo shaft.

Today is the new year in one Indian calendar. Celebrating the creation of the world , or victory of Rama over Ravana and the beginning of spring

Some exceptionally smart people have come up with an interpretation of Gudhi – the bamboo shaft. I call them smart since they used their brain ( rather than learning from the feet of a Divine Sage )

Truth is, Gudhi refers to 9 days of meditation and shows the results of success. The great saints described the success in a variety of ways – but it is NOT MATERIAL SUCCESS OR WORLDLY OR BODY RELATED HAPPINESS.

Wake up. See the reality of self. Where is the body there????

There is a lot of information about yoga online. From a variety of asanas ( different postures ) , breathing exercises ( pranayama ) , diets, chakras and ecen Awakening of chakras

99.99% is nonsense. It is usually delusional and often a con job with the intent of Fame and making money. Oh yes , they even have ” trials”, and anecdotes with a great swami or guru healing cancer on the spot etc. I have seen such performance on magic shows – even more spectacular!

Only a handful of books are authentic about yoga. I have alluded to them from time to time. Even with that, they have covered the truth in some places citing need for secrecy / learning from a true Guru. Those things are not placed online or revealed in public lectures

Awakening of Shakti completely is extremely rare and occurs over several births. Yes it can occur in a birth but such disciples are very rare. Hardly occur once every billion people a few hundred years? ( This is pure guess work based on history )

Don’t delude yourself. A few small experiences is NOT THE FINAL THING. It may seem big and is big to the eager disciple but nothing in the grand scheme. Much more is to be accomplished

Don’t be eager to teach others. Or write blogs. A little hypocritical of me? Not really. Since all I write is rubbish. I rarely say things of the higher order ( one has to know it first !!! )

Don’t get disappointed or think yoga is bogus because you can’t experience it. It could be from lack of love for God ( for yoga is about God – not body perfection ), not having an enlightened Guru, or your knowledge comes from reading a million pages online.

I would go far to find someone interested in God and perfection. The world is a trap. Eventually it will betray you. The people will betray you. All that you think is happiness will leave you. At that point, with tears in their eyes and a sad heart, many truth to drugs, medication or alcohol.

Heed my words now. Believe me. Even if you intend good and you think your motives are altruistic, don’t preach or lecture. If you follow politics, use it to know the cruelty and disgusting attitude of politicians and pray you don’t become like them.

People who are trapped In this world are like children. Naive. small children playing “Ghar Ghar”. Should I be upset or love them?

Here is an interesting article from Dr Breus published in psychology today

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/sleep-newzzz/201903/your-sleep-position-affects-much-more-you-think

Sleep position, personality and dreaming

This is some pretty fun, interesting science. There’s not a lot of research into the topic, but some scientists and body language experts have looked into connections between sleep position and personality. According to their work, our sleep position can reveal insights about our personalities, our mood, and our approach to life. 

Sleeping on your back is associated with self-confidence. Back sleepers may also be stubborn and have high expectations for themselves and other people. Depending on whether you sleep with your arms down at your sides (reserved) or arms and legs outstretched (relaxed, open-minded) might also have an influence.

Sleeping on your stomach is linked to defensiveness, as well as perfectionism and sensitivity to criticism. Researchers point to a tendency for stomach sleepers to feel overwhelmed and lacking control in their lives. 

Side sleeping (which tends to be very popular) is linked to being relaxed, open-minded, and able to compromise. Whether you sleep on your right side (more likely to smoke and rely on caffeine) left side (creative, well educated), with your arms at your sides (trusting and possibly gullible, also maybe rigid thinkers) or arms outstretched (tough on oneself and others, possibly suspicious, also curious about the world) may also influence your personality, outlook, and behavior. 

Sleeping in a fetal position, research suggests, is associated with sensitivity and anxiety, as well as a desire for comfort. Fetal position sleepers may be conscientious and organized, with a tendency to overthink things. Initially shy, research says underneath that reserve they’re warm hearted. 

And what about dreams? Research suggests a correlation between sleep position and dream type. If you sleep on your side and experience disturbing dreams, you might want to consider switching sides? Right-side sleepers may experience fewer nightmares than left-side sleepers. Back sleepers also may be more likely to have nightmares—and research indicates they may also have a harder time recalling their dreams. Stomach sleepers, according to studies, experience dreams that are more vivid, intense, and sexual. They’re also more likely to have dreams in which they’re immobilized or restrained. 

The pros and cons of common sleep positions 

You know what sleep position you prefer. There is no single sleep position that is best for everyone. In addition to comfort, the right sleep position depends on your individual health conditions and concerns. 

Sleeping on your back. This is not a very popular sleep position—the National Sleep Foundation reports only about 8 percent of sleepers choose this pose. But in fact, it’s the optimal sleep position for many people. Sleeping on the back allows our bodies to fall into their natural alignment, with our weight distributed evenly. That means there’s no undue pressure on any particular point. For this reason, it’s the position that typically requires the least re-adjusting throughout the night, which is likely why sleeping on one’s back tends to lead to more refreshing sleep. 

Back sleeping is often your best option if you experience physical pain or stiffness. People with arthritis often find it easier to sleep soundly and more comfortably on their backs. The most common exceptions? Back pain can make sleeping on your back uncomfortable and counterproductive. And some types of neck pain may also be aggravated by sleeping on your back. When it comes to sleeping well with pain, it’s important to try different positions to determine what gives you the most comfort and relief from tension. Here are some good sleep tips from the Arthritis Foundation for sleeping well with arthritis pain. 

Sleeping on your back can also help reduce nighttime symptoms of GERD, or acid reflux (but stay tuned, because there may be an even better sleep position for GERD sufferers). If you have acid reflux and opt to sleep on your back, make sure your esophagus is positioned higher than your stomach—a good, supportive pillow should do this. 

And if you’re worried about wrinkles and signs of aging on your face? Back sleeping is your friend. That’s because when you sleep on your back, you’re not crunching any part of your face into the pillow, creating lines that can actually become wrinkles. Not having your face against a pillow may also help reduce acne breakouts. 

When is back sleeping not a good idea? If you snore or have obstructive sleep apnea. Sleeping on your back can aggravate snoring, and make the airway more likely to collapse, leading to more frequent episodes of apnea. People who snore or have sleep apnea are better off sleeping on their side, or stomachs. In people with OSA, avoiding back sleep has been shown to reduce blood pressure.

Sleeping on your side. This is a popular sleep position, and I’d call it the second most optimal for health, after back sleeping. For people who snore or have sleep apnea, switching to a side sleeping position can help reduce symptoms, leading to fewer disruptions and better rest (both for snorers and bed partners). Sleeping on your side can help reduce back and neck pain. I wrote recently about carpal tunnel syndrome and its relationship to sleep. Side sleeping may be the right position for you if you have carpal tunnel—what’s most important is that you protect your wrists from pressure during sleep. 

Sleeping on your side appears to help the brain’s glymphatic system clear waste more effectively than sleeping on the back or the stomach. The ability of our brains’ waste removal system to flush out toxins and harmful proteins is critical to helping guard against neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia.  

Choosing to sleep on your right side or left side can make a difference to several health conditions. 

Left side sleeping is beneficial if you have acid reflux. Studies show acid reflux is worse when people lie on their right side. Pregnant women are advised to sleep on their left side, to help circulation and blood flow to the placenta. Left-side sleeping may help digestion. 

There’s ongoing question about whether a left-side or right-side sleep position is more healthy for our hearts. Research shows that right-side sleeping may lower nervous system activity, which reduces heart rate and blood pressure. Some scientists think the age-related preference for right-side sleeping is an instinctive, protective response for the heart. And studies show that people with heart failure tend to avoid sleeping on their left sides. 

What are the downsides of side sleeping?You’re more likely to develop wrinkles than if you sleep on your back, because of the pressure put on the side of your face. You’re also more likely to disrupt circulation in your arm, because of the pressure of your body. This can cause the uncomfortable, tingling pins and needles feeling, which often leads people to wake during the night. Side sleepers will typically shift during sleep more often than back sleepers, which may lead to less restful sleep. 

Sleeping in the fetal position. A curled-up variation of side sleeping, this is apparently the most popular sleep posture, especially with women, according to research. Sleeping in a fetal position can have similar benefits to side sleeping, including reducing snoring, relieving pressure on your back. 

When the fetal position isn’t ideal? Pulling your body into a tight curl may leave you feeling stiff the next morning. And your breathing can be restricted in the fetal because your diaphragm can’t function as effectively. If you feel most comfortable sleeping in a fetal position, try using a body pillow to keep yourself from curling up too tightly. 

Sleeping on your stomach. The National Sleep Foundation says only 7 percent of sleepers opt for this sleep pose. I have a handful of stomach sleepers as patients at any given time. Generally, I consider this to be the worst of all options, with occasional exceptions. Stomach sleeping can help reduce snoring and sleep apnea, so it may be a smart choice for people with mild versions of these conditions who can’t get comfortable sleeping on their sides. 

The problems with sleeping on your stomach?There are a number of them. Stomach sleeping can be hard on your back and neck, causing additional pain and discomfort. That’s because when you’re stretched out on your stomach, it’s practically impossible to keep your spine and neck aligned and not under pressure. Your neck is turned at a 90-degree angle from the rest of your body, and elevated by your pillow. That’s a recipe for neck pain and strain. Sleeping on your stomach causes a pronounced curve in your spine—it’s sort of like sleeping in a back bend all night—which puts pressure on your lower back and can cause pain and stiffness. Stomach sleeping also pushes your face into your pillow, which can lead to more wrinkles and signs of aging. 

The right sleep position for you? It’s the one you’re most comfortable in, which gives you the highest quality rest, and takes into consideration your specific health issues. If you’re not sleeping comfortably, try switching postures and see if you can improve your nightly rest. 

Sweet Dreams, 

Michael J. Breus, PhD, DABSM

The Sleep Doctor™

I am quoting excerpts from this months Inc by Jeff Hading.

Dunning-Kruger Effect, a type of cognitive bias where people believe they’re smarter and more skilled than they actually are. Combine a lack of self-awareness with low cognitive ability and boom: You overestimate your own intelligence and competence.
As Dunning says, “If you’re incompetent, you can’t know you’re incompetent… the skills you need to produce the right answer are the very same skills you need to recognize the right answer.”
Or as my grandfather said, “The dumber you are, the more you think you know.”
As Inc. colleague Jessica Stillman says, “Next time you’re trying to determine if someone is actually super smart or simply bluffing, don’t ask whether they’re always right. Instead, ask when was the last time they changed their opinion. If they can’t name lots of times they were wrong, they’re probably not as smart as they want to appear.”
Which means they’re probably a D-K.

So is there ever a point in religion where you know with certainty that this is the final answer?

YES.

BUT. BUT

It is very far away. Very very far. Usually you should be revising what you understand in religion every day. Always a step closer to something more pure. And a more prestine experience. If you keep the same understanding and have the same experience your stagnant

Religion changes their answer all the time. Is being Gay wrong or right? Is the world flat? There was a time when scientists were in jail for 20 years for saying it was round / moved. Isn’t that an example of DK effect? So many leaders insist on their stupid, illogical view point ! And remain adamant !

However , certain truths are eternal. We can understand them differently as we progress.

How can you reach Samadhi?

Patanjali said Pranidham Iti

This is what Ramana Maharshi said

Soil plus water is clay

Clay that’s baked is brick

Brick in layers can be house

House eventually goes back to brick and then clay

Once baked, you lose the clay

No longer can you mold

You have lost the gold

The oven is tapa, prayer and karma

Clay is bhoota

The choice is yours, what is your toy?

Brick or clay?

Not all places are able to maintain the pure vibrations that were present when the saint was there. Often times it becomes commercialized. In that situation only those who are very fervently in respect of the saint can absorb the vibration

The highest of high people like Shirdi , Jalaram, Neem Karoli can maintain their vibrations after they have departed

The peaceful vibrations are still there at Yogananda

“Yesterday I was sitting in my room, looking back over my life, and I realized that everything in the outer world that had promised great happiness had deceived me; but one thing has never deceived me—my inner peace. Indescribable billows of happiness surge over my soul. As I passed through various ex- periences over the years, that unchanging inner peace has been proof to me of the existence of God.
I was just thinking this when suddenly I saw a great Light. Everything else vanished. There was feeling—that was all. My hand was not a hand, but a feeling. When I touched my hands to- gether there was no flesh there, only feeling. Then I understood that I had become thoughts,- everything around me, the light and the room and the weight of the body—all were nothing but thoughts.
It was a delightful experience. Gone were the sorrow and sadness I had felt for things past, and in their place a great sense of freedom.
That consciousness of God-peace is never-ending. It is the only real state of happiness. Everything else will fail you. Nothing else can make you happy because only the joy of His presence is real.”

~Paramhamsa Yogananda
Man’s Eternal Quest – The dream nature of the world

Encouraging to know that forgetting self happens to the highest a few times

Aum

Devotee: Buddha is said to have ignored such enquiries about God.

Bhagwan Sri Ramana Maharshi: And, for this he was called a sunya vadin (nihilist). In fact Buddha concerned himself more with directing the seeker to realise Bliss here and now than with academic discussions about God etc.

D: God is described as manifest and unmanifest. As the former He is said to include the world as a part of His Being. If that is so, we as part of that world should have easily known Him in the manifested form.

Sri Bhagwan: Know yourself before you seek to decide about the nature of God and the world.

D: Does knowing myself imply knowing God?

Sri Bhagwan: Yes, God is within you.

D: Then, what stands in the way of my knowing myself or God?

Sri Bhagwan: Your wandering mind and perverted ways.

D: I am a weak creature. But why does not the superior power of the Lord within remove the obstacles?

Sri Bhagwan: Yes, He will, if you have the aspiration.

D: Why should He not create the aspiration in me?

Sri Bhagwan: Then surrender yourself.

D: If I surrender myself, is no prayer to God necessary?

Sri Bhagwan: Surrender itself is a mighty prayer.

D: But is it not necessary to understand His nature before one surrenders oneself?

Sri Bhagwan: If you believe that God will do for you all the things you want Him to do, then surrender yourself to Him. Otherwise let God alone and know yourself.

D: Has God or the Guru any solicitude for me?

Sri Bhagwan: If you seek either — they are not really two but one and identical — rest assured that they are seeking you with a solicitude greater than you can ever

imagine.

Maharshi’s Gospel

Be careful of the word sunya. It is not nothingness like what traditional people think

There is a beautiful video of Yogananda on Facebook. I am unable to share it or download it.

If you have access to Facebook it is worth while watching it !

One thing is certain – if you have a comfortable life you will not be truly motivated to seek God or the truth. Your interest will be casual or more like a fun intellectual exercise. I use the word intellectual masturbation.

Often times as people get older, the reality of the world becomes more obvious. At that age it is often too late! The body will not cooperate and you will have missed your opportunity of finding a true Guru.

A great guru may be right next to you but your ego will create doubts. Surrender to the will of a Guru is difficult.

Most people still think information is knowledge. EXPERIENCE OF GOD IS KNOWLEDGE NOT INFORMATION.

This will be very difficult to understand.

Well everyone knows the human heart. Ramana Maharshi refers to the heart chakra or the hridaya chakra. This is distinct from the anahat chakra. It has been described by Vishnutirthji Maharaj and in Gyaneshwari

Again I suspect this is very different from Shiv heart which has been well written by Abhinav Gupta in the 10th century

Any further description is meant for Yogis and it would be out of place to describe it here

Samadhi is state that is rare. It is not an absurd nothingness like most people imagine. There are many types of samadhi – savikalpa, nirvikalpa, asampragnata, sampragnata, and then one is divided into 8 more subtypes.

Like I said, there are many layers to cut through. Much purity needed. And love for God. Not for any human being or material things.

Is it with it? ABSOLUTELY

But don’t be content with knowledge from blogs. Try to reach those levels. Don’t be foolish like the insignificant fake gurus who know these words and impress masses by giving their version of misleading information and logic.

From Ramana maharishi

Q. Why is it that the mind cannot be turned inward in spite of repeated attempts?

A. It is done by abhyas [practice] and vairagya [dispassion] and that succeeds only slowly. The mind having been so long used to go outwards, is not easily turned inwards. A cow accustomed to graze thievishly on others’ estates, is not easily confined to its shed. However, its keeper tempts it with luscious grass and fine fodder. It refuses the first time; then it takes a bit, but its innate tendency to stray asserts itself and it slips away. On being repeatedly tempted by the owner, it accustoms itself to the stall; finally even if let loose, it would not stray. Similarly with the mind. If once it finds its happiness within, it will not dwell outward.

(Bhagavan Sri Ramana in ‘Conscious Immortality’, ch. 4 [also “Talks”: 213])

Sri Lalita

She has a thousand names ( like Vishnu and other dieties )

Shankarachrya described her in Saundarya Lahiri

Her yantra is Sri Chakra

She is the original Shakti. She split into three Shakti ( Gyana, kriya and ichcha )

She has three stages – balya ( child ), Saraswati and baglamukhi.

Her original mantra is 16 letters. She is known as shodashi. The 16th letter is kept secret. Only an enlightened person knows it. It is not on the web or ever revealed.

Shodashi is of three types – kaadi, haadi, and saubhagya. There are other variations composing of 27 letters? Etc

The yantra has 9 triangles. 4 shiv and 5 Shakti

The names vary based on level of achievement. The highest names

Shiv based – sadashiv, Maheshwari, mahat and Purush

Shakti – shanti atita, Shanti, Vidya , pratistha and nivritti

At lower levels there are different names for the triangles

Kapil described only 24 tattwas. Shaivism goes much further.

The additional tattwas beyond sankhya ( Gita and Kapil ) are five stages of Shakti and Maya, kaal, kala, avidya, niyati, raag and Purush

43 comes from adding 7 dhatus

Parshiv is the Bindu in the center. 43 aspects or lesser triangles are Shakti manifesting this universe ( including the subtle, karana and sthula ). Lalita in three aspects – created 3 universes, 3 aspects ( ichcha, Gyana and kriya) and three stages.

This is a partial description of Sri Chakra

Dedicated to Hitabhabhi S Pandya for a lovely painting which took her 3 months to do and she gave it to us

From Ramana Maharshi

Becoming keenly aware that worldly life is full of misery, because it is infested with desire and fear, one should approach a Guru, a sage who is free from those bad forces, and after doing reverence to his holy feet should question him about how to become free.

V.3

The sage will give out in reply the supreme secret, confirmed by the [uniform] experience of all sages: ‘If you know yourself, there is no suffering for you. If you suffer [it only means that] you do not know yourself.’

V.4

‘Since you have no suffering in deep sleep, this suffering is only falsely ascribed to your Self. Realise the truth of yourself by the resolve to know it, and thereafter remain in your own true nature, which is bliss.’

V.5

The sage who has attained the supreme state is free, even though his body survives, [because] he does not look upon it as himself nor as belonging to himself. Therefore, that sage is really bodiless.

V.20

The aspirant to deliverance must resort to a sage as his Guru, that is, one who has awakened from the sleep of ignorance of the Self and is therefore free from delusion. How can one who has not awakened from that sleep awaken others who are in the same state?

V.24

Only that devotion to the Guru is good which is rendered to a sage-Guru, and which regards him as identical with God. Only by such devotion does one attain freedom from delusion. Truly the sage is not other than God.

V.25

Sri Ramana Paravidyopanishad, (The Supreme Science of the Self as Taught by Bhagwan Sri Ramana)

Mother sings a song to son crying. Infant. And helping infant sleep

Are necessary. Otherwise the mind would be a rotten brat. Causing grief to others incessantly

What to do when others give you grief though?

What kind of nonsense is this? The world is filled with himself / herself?

Is your meditation to this degree?

Do you think it is just lunacy? A totally lunatic thought process that you are everywhere?

Mind you, there are many idiots out there – who keep saying and thinking this way – and tell others they are enlightened. It is nothing more than deception both to others and themselves

The point that is being made – and it is only for those who are very earnest in reaching the highest – don’t stop you will know for sure you have reached the highest is when you are always in Joy, even when your without money and everyone hates you

But it still leaves the question unanswered. How is it possible that everything is you?

That level of meditation is indeed rare. the explanation is quite simple and acceptable but not revealed easily

Open eyes, see the world, blind your are

Myopic vision, forget the world, rudra you are

No vision, no creation, shiv you are

No vision, destroyer of creation, Sada shiv / guru you are

Words create imaginations, words come from thought

Thought arise from desires, now bound you are

Says Bhavin thrice, Divine you are

After reading the last blog , I noticed that most readers are not interested in God. They want to learn about chakra. Read about it. But not experience it

The chakras are different stations on the way to knowing God. They are very powerful stations. Some of the lower chakras have descriptions like – once you go to this level you can he powerful like the Creator of the world.

Since we are yet to encounter anyone like that it is very safe to assume that no one has really mastered it.

And that refers to the lower Chakras. Higher chakras do a lot more. But those are things beyond imagination – since in our current state we only know this physical world. Rest of the world, universe, after only fantasy stories to most