PDA

View Full Version : Guideposts for Sadhakas



saidevo
19 August 2006, 05:17 AM
This thread may be used to collect the anugraha bAshana (spiritual speeches) of our gurus (of all sects). I suggest the postings may begin with a heading, a flyer that highlights the essence of the advice, followed by a link to the full text of the speech.

001. The Riddle of Fate and the Free-will

His Holiness Shri Chandrashekhara Bharati of the Shringeri Matam, in one of his famous dialogues with a devotee:



HH: As a follower of our Sanatana Dharma, you must know that fate is nothing extraneous to yourself, but only the sum total of the results of your past actions. As God is but the dispenser of the fruits of actions, fate, representing those fruits, is not his creation but only yours. Free-will is what you exercise when you act now.
...
HH: Have it this way. Fate is past karma; free-will is present karma. Both are really one, that is, karma, though they may differ in the matter of time. There can be no conflict when they are really one.
...
HH: The past is past and is therefore beyond your vision and is rightly called adrishta, the unseen. You cannot reasonably attempt to find out the relative strength of two things unless both of them are before you. But, by our very definition, free-will, the present karma, alone is before you and fate, the past karma, is invisible.
...
D: Does Yor Holiness then mean to say that we must resign ourselves to fate?

HH: Certainly not. On the other hand, you must devote yourself to free-will.


Very enlightening! Read the full dialogue at this link:
www.advaita-vedanta.org/articles/The_Riddle_of_Fate_and_Free.htm

002. The Utility of God

His Holiness Shri Chandrashekhara Bharati of the Shringeri Matam, in one of his famous dialogues with a devotee:



HH: That is inevitable in all intellectual processes. Apart from minor differences, are the modern thinkers agreed at least on this point that, if the world had a beginning, it had a single undifferentiated cause from which it took its birth?

D: I think they are, though they postulate the exact nature of that cause variously. Some think that there was at the beginning a nebulous mass of atoms.

HH: So do our tarkikas. Were thise atoms at rest or were they active in the pre-creation stage?
...
...
HH: But the univerese is not mere matter which we can trace to atoms. You and I exist. Apart from our physical bodies which are, of course, matter, there is the spark of intelligent consciousness in us which cannot come under the category of matter; and that also has to be explained if a complete explanation of the universe is attempted. How do the scientists seek to explain it?
...
...
HH: ...In other words, we may postulate that root cause as undifferentiated intelligence-force(chit-sakti). We call that Brahman. As intelligence and force are but aspects of the same entity, we can characterise it only by saying that it IS; and we therefore sometimes give it the simple name of Sat, Being.
...
...
HH: Certainly so, if we do not grant the existence of some primal person who knows the truth without the need to learn from another.

D: Who is he?

HH: Our old friend again, the omniscient God himself. The vedas are his breath and the fountainhead of all knowledge.


Beautiful! Read the full dialogue at this link:
www.advaita-vedanta.org/articles/utility_of_god.html

Members may add to these links, in the format I have suggested.

saidevo
19 August 2006, 05:36 AM
003. Significance of the name Advaita

His Holiness Shri Chandrashekhara Bharati of the Shringeri Matam, in one of his famous dialogues with a devotee:



G = Guru, D = Disciple)

G: First we shall try to understand what is meant by Advaita. How have you understood it?

D: I have heard it explained thus: dvi means two, dvita means the state of being two, that is two-ness. Dvaitam is the same as dvita. Advaita is therefore that thing in which there is no two-ness or duality.
...
...
G: Quite so. No system therefore enunciates any duality so far as God is concerned?

D: It is so.

G: Then, every system, inasmuch as it negatives the existence of two Gods is entitled to give the name of Advaita to the God enunciated by it and to appropriate the same name for itself also. If so, what is the justification for your monopolising the name Advaita specially to your God and to your particular system of thought?

D: I pray that Your Holiness may be pleased to explain it.
...
...
G: It would seem therefore that all other systems, except your own, enunciate a single supreme principle and that in your system only there is an enunciation of two supreme principles, the saguNa and the nirguNa. Strictly speaking, therefore, it would seem that all systems are equally entitled to call themselves Advaita and that, if any system can be disqualified from using that name by reason of enunciating plurality in God, it is certainly your system only that can be so disqualified. The advaita system is thus not entitled at all to call itself by that name. How do you then call advaita?

D: The answer for this also must come from Your Holiness.


Awesome! Read the full dialogue at this link:
http://www.advaita-vedanta.org/articles/Significance_of_the_name_Advaita.htm

saidevo
19 August 2006, 08:56 AM
004. http://www.swamij.com/

Swami Jnaneshvara, as an "independent emissary of Swami Rama" and the Himalayan Tradition of Yoga Meditation, provides spiritual counseling and teaches practical aspects of Meditation, Yoga, Vedanta, and internal Tantra from his home base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, USA and his spiritual home of Kalimath, Himalayas.

Some of unique features of Swami J.'s Website are:

1. Using diagrams and following a scientific approach, Swami J. explains the ancient wisdom and yogic practice in the "simplest manner possible", as envisaged by his guru Swami Rama.

2. The main objective is to help the sadhaka on pure meditation on his Self and "find the teacher within". This ritual-and-sect-free approach suits open-minded people who look beyond their religion and sect for a practical method to get started on the path to Self-Realization.

3. The Yoga taught by Swami J. is the Yoga Meditation based on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, with the only aim of Self-Realiztion.

4. The design of the Website with excellent cross references supports and encourages the Teach Yourself method, ideal for sadhakas who are householders.

5. Since Sadhana and Vichara are two important requirements for a sadhaka, the site has a number of enlightening articles that discuss spiritual inquiries about Self-Realization.

Since every article in the Website is of immense interest to a sadhaka, we can only mention their titles here:

Sadhana:
01. Who Seeks Self-Realization?
02. Why Should I Meditate?
03. Shortcut to Self-Realization
04. Relaxation before Yoga Meditation
05. Breathing Practices and Pranayama
06. How to Use a Mantra
07. Soham Mantra
08. Om Mantra and Seven Levels of Consciousness
09. Om Mantra and Seven Methods of Practice
10. Mantra Japa and Ajapa-Japa
11. Steps in Yoga Meditation
12. Seven Skills to Cultivate for Yoga Meditation
13. Yoga Meditation described in 16 parts
14. Five Universal Stages of Meditation
15. What is "Systematic" Meditation?
16. Yoga Meditation: 50+ Methods
17. Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Meditation
18. Mindfulness and Concentration in Meditation
19. Meditation on Attitudes
20. Witnessing Your Thoughts
21. Intentionally Inviting Thoughts
22. Clearing the Clouded Mind
23. Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Raja Yoga - Ashtanga Yoga
24. Yoga Sutras - 7 Keys to Practice
25. Regulating Lifestyle & the Four Basic Urges

Vichara:
01. 5 Sheaths or Koshas
02. 4 Levels and 3 Domains of Consciousness
03. The Self behind the Paint and the Canvas
04. Basis of Holistic Health
05. Yoga, Vedanta, and Tantra
06. Kundalini Awakening
07. Shakti, Kundalini, and a River
08. Bhuta Shuddi: Purifying the 5 Elements
09. Mahavakyas - The Great Contemplations
10. Four Means and Six Virtues
11. Modern Yoga versus Ancient Yoga
12. Mysticism, Yoga, and Religion
13. Stages of Enlightenment
14. Archery and the Art of Reducing Karma
15. Uncoloring your Colored thoughts

Since the Website is a treasure house of spiritual information, it would be best for the sadhka to find his/her own way to collect the treasures of wisdom.

saidevo
14 September 2006, 07:48 AM
005. The Greatest Miracle—Health Through Knowledge

His Holiness Shri Datta Swami explains an apparent discrepancy in ashavakra samhita:



There was a scholarly priest, who was delivering a sermon on a philosophical scripture called Ashavakra Samhita. In that scripture, there was a certain verse which can be translated as follows:

“The mother and the son of this birth are born as wife and husband of each other in the next birth, owing to the attachment of the mother to the body of her son.”

The scholar simply could not accept this outrageous statement due to the social stigma associated with this idea. Preaching this statement to people was out of question for he would surely get beaten up if he were to do so. However, the statement, being in the scriptures, could not be refuted. The scholar was extremely distressed at his inability to resolve the conflict and understand the verse. He consulted many other scholars hoping that someone would come up with an acceptable interpretation of the verse. However nobody could satisfy him.

Some scholars suggested that he just skip that verse and move on to the next one. However this particular scholar was a true seeker of the truth. Neglecting what he could not understand or accept or just blindly accepting it, was not an option for him. He had to know the true meaning of the scripture.
...

It was in this state when someone told him about Swami, telling him that Swami was an incarnation of the Lord. If there was anyone who could solve his problem, it was Swami.


Find the answer at: http://www.universal-spirituality.org/greatestmiracle.htm

saidevo
14 September 2006, 08:47 AM
006. The True Knowledge: Rejuvenation of Hinduism

His Holiness Shri Datta Swami explains the real meaning of worship in temples and gives a clarion call for a drastic change in the system followed in our temples!



Why there is so much rush in the temples? There is only one reason. People think that if they go to the temples they can escape from the difficulties, which are the fruits of their sins. They also think that they can get some benefits (which are the fruits of good deeds) for good deeds that they have not performed. Obviously this is not true. The scriptures say “Avasyam Anubhoktavyam” which means that we must enjoy the fruits of our good and bad deeds.
...

Then what is the actual aim of the temple? ... The beautiful Lord should be seen first (“Drashtavyah”) as said in Veda. So the statue of God in the temple must be carved most beautifully. The priest should decorate the statue in the most beautiful way, so that our eyes will be fixed on the statue. The next step is “Srotavyah” as said in the Veda. It means that after seeing the form of God, we must listen to His other divine qualities. It is the duty of the priest to explain the other divine qualities of God. The third step is “Nididhyasitavyah” that is your minds should be filled with inspiration given by the all-round personality of God. With this inspiration you must go back home.
...

For example, let him (the priest) maintain the idol by regular washing (Abhisheka) and decoration and explain the divine virtues of God in their mother tongue. Then let him take Rs.2.00/- as Gurudakshina (fees paid to the teacher). By this true way, not only would the devotees but even God would bless the priest. The eatable items (Prasadam) offered in the temple by the devotees should not be enjoyed by the priest, because it is nothing but cheating the devotees in the name of the God. Such food offered should not be given even to devotees, because the devotees are capable of earning their own food. Such food should be distributed only to beggars who can come under the following categories: 1) Children 2) Very old people 3) People suffering with diseases 4) Handicapped persons 5) Hungry animals like dogs and birds.

So the temples must be spiritual centers and not shops in which you can ‘purchase’ the fruits of your desires


Read the full article at: http://www.universal-spirituality.org/relhindrejuv.htm

Such down-to-earth teachings (at least I) never heard before! Enlightened members may discuss the desirability and practicality of Datta Swamiji's teachings here.

saidevo
17 September 2006, 08:19 PM
007. Advaita for Beginners

A comprehensive treatise titled Advaita for Beginners by Sri D. Krishna Ayyar is available for reading online. Alternatively, the individual pages can be saved to your local disk and read offline.



From Part 1:

We all ask questions regarding ourselves, the world and the Lord, such as –
Who am I? Am I the body? Am I the mind?
What happens to us when we die?
What is the nature of the world that we see? How did it come into existence? Will it have an end?
Is there a creator? Is there some one like a Supreme Lord? Is there more than one God?
What is our relationship to others, the world and the Lord or the Gods?
What is the purpose of life?
...

From Part II:
(1). Let us start with finding answers to the questions raised in Part I. Whatever you perceive or know as an object cannot be yourself. It is not difficult to understand that I am not the physical body . I can see the body. So, no thinking man will deny the fact, “ I am not the body.” “Am I the ‘praana’ (divided into prana, apana, vyana, udana and samana) , i. e., the life forces that are responsible for the respiratory, circulatory, assimilative functions etc.? I am aware that I am breathing. I am aware that I am hungry etc. So, I am not the ‘prana.’ Am I the ‘jnanendriyas,’ i.e., the sense organs of perception, i.e., the faculties of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch? I am aware that I see, hear etc.. So, I am not the jnanendriyas. Am I the ‘karmendriyas’, the sense organs of action, i.e., the faculties of speaking, lifting, walking etc? I am aware that I am speaking, walking etc. So, I am not the karmendriyas. (A single name for the jnanendriyas and karmendriyas put together is ‘indriyas’ – sense organs, in English).
...


There are three parts, a number of appendices and two annexures besides glossary pages for the book. Read the full book online at:

http://www.katha.org/Academics/Advaita-FrontPg.html

saidevo
07 October 2006, 11:25 PM
008. Vidya Vrikshah: A Great Project in the Making

Learning Sanskrit from the scratch is a difficult and time-consuming task. I think once the alphabets and some basic grammar about the formation of words and sentences is learned, looking at the originals of our scriptures to see for ourselves how the words and phrases are used and work out their meanings could be a highly rewarding experience. And if there is a source that explains phrase-wise meanings of a scripture, it would be an entrance to the heavens! Here is a resource that aims to be the kalpakga vrikshah for a seeker.



Vidya Vrikshah is an association of people drawn together, by devotion to the free spread of knowledge, much, as the name suggests, like a tree that gives freely to anyone seeking it's shade and fruit. The activities of Vidya Vrikshah rest on participation of anyone who subscribes to it's objective of the free spread of knowledge, devoid of profit. A small group constituted as a public charitable trust functions as a nodal point for handling the essential coordination and technical tasks.
...

Using the Computer Software Package made available to us by the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, on Computers available at their homes or at Vidya Vrikshah's Training Center, our Volunteers create data files in Indian languages and English in respect of :

(a) Texts of ancient Indian religious, philosophical and literary works from books, manuscripts and other sources, together with their translations and commentaries, with facilities for search and study.

(b) Presentations in respect of Art and Culture under heads like Music, Painting and Sculpture: A beginning has been made under Music with a presentation on the Melakarta Foundation of Carnatic Music, displaying the notation of the 72 Melakarta Ragas and illustrated by brief sound recordings on the Veena. The structure of this presentation is intended indeed as a model of a foundation on which the super-structure of a comprehensive public archive on composers and compostions of Carnatic Music, can be constructed with the help of votaries, connoisseurs and practitioners of this system of music. It would have facilities to navigate and locate any desired information and other sources of information and also listen to sound recordings. A beginning has also been made with presentations under the head Painting.
...


The Vidya Vrikshah has till now expanded to cover a good number of Upanishads, The Bhagavad Gita, The Rudram, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, The Works of Sankara and a number of other sources that are partially completed.

Knowledgeable members may have a look at this Website and post their impressions on the great and laudable efforts going on here: http://acharya.iitm.ac.in/mirrors/vv/

saidevo
02 November 2006, 08:26 AM
009. An Interesting Website on Hindu Religion

Sri Bala N. Aiyer is the author of the book Principles and Practice of Hindu Religion, published by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. He has a comprehensive and colorful Website that is based on this book. Sri Aiyer also has included basic information about all religions, and several pages on health education and diet control. Although this Website has remained static with not much recent updations, what distinguishes this Website is a clear, systematic and comprehensive study of Sanatana Dharma, that could serve as a solid foundation for everyone, specially the children and youth.

I have given below most of the content of the Website in the form of ready-to-click links:

Synopsis
1. A Primer on Hindu Religion and Beliefs
http://www.bnaiyer.com/vidya/basic-hindu-primer.html
2. A Primer on Hindu Philosphy and Beliefs
http://www.bnaiyer.com/vidya/basic-phil-primer.html
3.A Primer on Yoga as Spiritual Discipline
http://www.bnaiyer.com/vidya/basic-yoga-primer.html
4. A Primer on Devotional Practice
http://www.bnaiyer.com/vidya/basic-puja-primer.html
5. An Introduction to Principles of Hinduism
http://www.bnaiyer.com/vidya/hindu-title.html
6. An Introduction to Hindu Philosophy
http://www.bnaiyer.com/vidya/phil-title.html
7. An Introduction to the Four Yogas
http://www.bnaiyer.com/vidya/yoga-title.html
8. An Introduction to Devotional Practice
http://www.bnaiyer.com/vidya/puja-title.html

Basic Study
The Concept of God in Hindu Religion (6 Parts)
1: Analysing the Faith in the Supreme and Its Nature
http://www.bnaiyer.com/studies/concept-100.html
2: Understanding the Nature of Prayers and Rituals
http://www.bnaiyer.com/studies/concept-200.html
3: Understanding the True Nature of God and Angels
http://www.bnaiyer.com/studies/concept-300.html
4: Principles of the Practice of Hindu Temple Rituals
http://www.bnaiyer.com/studies/concept-400.html
6: Sri Aadhi Sankaracharya
http://www.bnaiyer.com/studies/concept-600.html

Comprehensive Study
Principles and Practice of Hindu Religion
1. A Basic Study of Hinduism
http://www.bnaiyer.com/hinduism/basic.html
2. Essentials of Hindu Dharma
http://www.bnaiyer.com/hinduism/essentials.html
3. History of Hindu Religion
http://www.bnaiyer.com/hinduism/history.html
4. Vedas and Scriptures
http://www.bnaiyer.com/hinduism/texts.html
5. The Principles of theHindu Philosophy
http://www.bnaiyer.com/faith/philosophy.html
6. The Daily Practice of the Faith as Yoga
http://www.bnaiyer.com/faith/yoga.html
7. Rituals and Prayers; Tenets and Ethics
http://www.bnaiyer.com/faith/rituals.html
Epilogue -- Problems and Renaissance
http://www.bnaiyer.com/faith/epilogue.html

A Companion to Faith & Practice
Bhakthi and Ritualistic Paths
http://www.bnaiyer.com/companion/pathways.html
Pooja Slokas
http://www.bnaiyer.com/companion/slokas.html
Bhagavat Geeta
http://www.bnaiyer.com/companion/geetha.html
Samples of Veda Manthras
http://www.bnaiyer.com/companion/vedas.html

Other Primers
Agamas: The Science & Art of Temple Construction
http://www.bnaiyer.com/studies/agamas-01.html
Ayurveda: The Science of Life
http://www.bnaiyer.com/studies/ayurveda1.html

Health Education
High Cholesterol
http://www.bnaiyer.com/health/cholesterol.html
Diabetes Mellitus
http://www.bnaiyer.com/health/diabetes.html
Exercise Stress Test
http://www.bnaiyer.com/health/stress-test.html
Heart Diseases (2 Parts)
http://www.bnaiyer.com/health/heart.html
Hypertension (2 Parts)
http://www.bnaiyer.com/health/hypertension.html
Stomach & Liver problems (2 Parts)
http://www.bnaiyer.com/health/liver-1.html

Life Style and Diet
Life Style Changes (4 Parts)
http://www.bnaiyer.com/health/lifestyle-01.html
Diet Pyramid : Balanced Diet Plan
http://www.bnaiyer.com/health/diet-pyramid.html
Low Carb-Diet Pyramid : Diet Plan
http://www.bnaiyer.com/health/diet-Locarb-pyramid.html
Low Salt Diet
http://www.bnaiyer.com/health/diet-losalt.html
Bland Diet
http://www.bnaiyer.com/health/diet-bland.html
Low Fat and Low Cholesterol Diet
http://www.bnaiyer.com/health/diet-lofat.html
Healthy Heart - Low Fat Diet
http://www.bnaiyer.com/health/diet-lochol.html
Diabetic Exchange Diet
http://www.bnaiyer.com/health/diet-diabetic.html
Weight Control Exchange Diet
http://www.bnaiyer.com/health/diet-obesity.html
Daily Meal Plan Exchange List
http://www.bnaiyer.com/health/diet-exchange.html

Comparative Religion
Truth is One Paths are Many
http://www.bnaiyer.com/studies/s-title.html

saidevo
11 November 2006, 10:43 AM
010. A Downloadable Vedic Treasurehouse and a Virtual Veda University

This Website from Sri Sathya Sai Veda Pratishtan, is a portal "primarily to bring the Vedic literature both in print, manuscript and in chanting to one place with access to all." A virtual treasurehouse of Vedic Scriptures, it aims to develop into a Virtual Veda University under the Sri Venkateswara Veda University, which is being established.

Infomation on the modules of this unique portal is available at the Homepage:
http://www.vedamu.org/home.asp

A special module of the portal is the 'Features'. "It carries articles on Vedic literature, aphorisms and discourses of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai, etc. One very illuminating feature is the 'Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai' by devotees around the world. It is a direct account in the words of the devotees themselves as to the manner of their experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan. It is an ever-expanding feature adding on to the 'Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan' by the individual devotees."

A record of over six hundred instances of Sai lila and grace experienced by the devotees prove how rupa dhyana, nama japa and bhajan are the astonishingly simple but most effective paths to divine experience and enlightenment in this age of Kali Yuga.

Below is a sample list of overwhelming experiences that I have collected so far from the first group of collections in the Features Module:

"We have come to you!" said Shirdi and Satya Sai to the devotee, and a never-ending spate of divine lilas and revelations of the rarest kind!
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/MrsPBhanumati.asp

A whole village, Melakavatti, Nilgiris District comes under Sai Dharma:
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/MsSubbamma.asp

A noted surgeon tells how Swami saved him from an Ugandan soldier:
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/DrKishanGadhia.asp

Lingams and yajnas galore, arrange by Swami's grace:
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/MrKrishnaMurthy.asp

Swami presents this devotee a sphatika (crystal) lingam inside a coconut:
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/MrYelisettiSimhayyaGupta.asp

A US devotee witnesses the vibuti miracles:
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/MrKryshnaLewisKrydick.asp

Swami's play A Man Called God written through this US devotee:
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/MrChristopherStJohn.asp

Lilas galore!
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/MrsMNagaratnamma.asp

Experiences of an Air Force officer:
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/MrTNarayanaReddy.asp

A sceptic turns an ardent devotee and is blessed with seemingly impossible experiences:
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/MrRIndreswaraRao.asp

Cancer cancelled:
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/MrDNarasimhaReddy.asp

The power of Sai bhajans:
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/MrRVSubbaRao.asp

A divine acceptance and a divine marriage:
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/MrLRamaRao.asp

Sai Lila of a Holi celebration at home:
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/DrARavindranath.asp

Intimate guidances and rewards:
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/MrsGManga.asp

Special care for the physically challenged:
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/MrsBRadhaKumari.asp

A Chritian husband, Buddhist wife, and an unshakable faith in Sai who takes care of each and every circumstance:
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/MrLalithNonis.asp

Mystic experiences:
http://www.vedamu.org/forum/ExperienceoftheDivinityofBhagavan/MrChallaPrabhakaraRao.asp

Znanna
11 November 2006, 12:39 PM
011. Advanced Yoga Practices Main Lessons

http://www.aypsite.com/MainDirectory.html



Lesson 10 (The first in this series) - Why This Discussion?

From: Yogani
Date: Sun Nov 16, 2003 11:45am

Everyone knows they are special, that there is something more than
this birth, life, and death. It resonates somewhere deep inside all
of us. We spend our lifetime trying to reach beyond what we are to be
more in one way or another. Sometimes we make a mess of it. Sometimes
we make progress. But too often we drift along hoping someone will
open a door for us. If only they would, we'd run right through. Or
would we?

This is the first crucial step, wanting to run through to that
something more in us. Being willing to do it. Craving it. Being
desperate for it. I am here because I have been one of those for many
years, and I know there must be others. I want to throw out some
methods, some methods that work. Tools, you know. They are for your
consideration. The rest is up to you.

We will talk about philosophy, but not too much. Mostly we will talk
about yoga practices, how they work, what they do, and how to do
them. And how they can blend together and leverage each other like
magic. That is why you will be hearing the phrase "integrated
practice" a lot here. It is not a new idea. The Yoga Sutras of
Patanjali lay out an eight-limbed path of practice. Most traditions
lean toward one limb or another. It is natural enough. How many balls
can anyone keep in the air? But if you want to really make progress
in this life, you must multi-channel your efforts in the direction
you want to go. It is like that in all things. Spiritual practice is
no different.

We will be talking about many inward ways here -- the ways into the
divine you. How to really open things up. Are you ready for that? Do
you long for it? Not everyone does. But everyone will sooner or
later. In fact, a little practice fans the fire of divine longing.
Just a little bit of practice opens the door enough so that the
divine desire wells up. Then we are on fire and want more practice
and more powerful ways in. It is a kind of addiction -- a divine
addiction. I confess to being an addict to this spiritual practice
game. It is an ecstatic spiral that pulls us out of our limited earth
perception. Everything will look different, first just a little, and
later on, a lot different. So if you are not wanting to become
divinely inspired, divinely addicted, better stay away. Because the
best means are here. If you set your heart and mind to it, you can do
it. Honest. And then nothing will ever be the same. You will laugh
and laugh when you see how it really is.

This discussion is for wise souls, those who are ready to do what it
takes for as long as it takes. Were the sages of old less committed
than this? Of course not. We marvel at their remarkable stories in
the scriptures. It is just the same now. You will get out of your
practices what you put in. It has always been like that.

Why bother with all this? To be honest, it is the greatest high we
can have. The pleasure is beyond anything on earth. Really. The
essence of divine experience is unending devastating bliss and an
unshakable silent peace. It seems contradictory, doesn't it? That's
how it is. But don't take my word for it. Try some of these methods
and see for yourself. It's all waiting in you. Take a few baby steps,
and soon you can be opening by leaps and bounds. That is assuming you
are ready, and choose each day to go for more. Remember, it is the
one thing we can take with us when we move on from this life.

Some of the practices we will be discussing include:

- Cultivating permanent inner silence through Meditation.

- Opening the subtle nerves through Pranayama (breath control).

- Stimulating divine energy through advanced physical postures and
maneuvers.

- Cultivating divine desire and conduct.

- Cultivating sexual energy to a new purpose.

- Cultivating silent inner awareness outward in powerful ways.

Some of these practices will seem familiar. Others will seem radical.
Combined together in particular ways, they comprise a powerful system
of yoga. These means are too useful to be reserved for the few. They
belong to the many. So indulge yourself. If you long for the knowledge of human transformation, you are worthy, and you have come to the right place.

The guru is in you.



ZN