So the most difficult thing is always to keep your beginner's mind

 

So the most difficult thing is always to keep your beginner's mind. There is no need to have a deep understanding of Zen. Even though you read much Zen literature, you must read each sentence with a fresh mind. You should not say, "I know what Zen is," or "I have attained enlightenment." This is also the real secret of the arts: always be a beginner. Be very very careful about this point. If you start to practice zazen, you will begin to appreciate your beginner's mind. It is the secret of Zen practice.

 

Shunryu Suzuki roshi

... liberate others

 

May the sound of the bell and drum dispel afflictions
May it nourish the roots of wisdom
And give rise to the fruit of awareness
May it carry to the depths of Hell
And echo through the Three Realms
(Desire, Form, and Formlessness)
And may all who hear it become Buddhas
And vow to liberate others

 

 

Evening song of offering from Wuhsiang Temple

About Kundalini

 

In order to understand something of the nature of Kundalini and why it is important to study this mechanism, it is necessary first to understand something of the paradigm or world-view which supports this rather unusual and profound phenomenon. The following ideas have been taken from both ancient Hindu philosophy and the writings of Gopi Krishna.

  

Western scientific thought, despite the discoveries of physics in the last 100 years, is rooted in the idea that what we perceive with our senses is 'real' and external to us and that our consciousness or subjective experience is simply an epi-phenomenon, or consequence, of the chemical activity of the brain.

  

The esoteric systems of India, on the other hand, view consciousness as the ultimate or paramount reality. This supreme reality, or Brahman as it is called, is said to be beyond the capacity of our limited human mind to perceive directly, as it is infinite, formless, timeless, and has no physical attributes by which we can comprehend it directly. Our individual awareness is said to be like a drop in this infinite ocean and the physical world that we perceive as external to us is held to be a projection of this individual drop of awareness.

  

This constitutes a complete reversal of the western, scientific, world-view. The reason that we do not experience reality in this way, at our current level of perception, is due to the limitations placed on our consciousness by the brain and nervous system of our body, through which it functions. The goal of evolution, or at least the next step to which we are evolving, would be the enhancement of our perceptive faculties to the point where this new world-picture is a day-to-day reality.

  

Since our world view, physical existence, and mental process are rooted in dualism, i.e. good/bad; up/down; male/female; hot/cold, positive/negative, etc., our minds are more comfortable conceptualizing this ultimate reality in dualistic terms. They have been defined by Hindu philosophical thought as Supreme Consciousness and an Infinite Creative Energy, or Shiva and Shakti.

  

From this Shakti, at one level, the physical universe, consisting of matter and the four known forces, is manifested. At another level, it manifests as prana, or the animating principle which gives life to all sentient things. This animating principle, referred to at this level as Kundalini, is most evident in the process of conception, development of the embryo, and birth where, after this process is complete and a new individual is born, it is said to go into a quiescent or dormant state at the base of the spine where it maintains the basic life processes of the body.

  

As the microcosm is a reflection of the macrocosm, so the universal principles of Shiva and Shakti are present in the human body. Shiva is held to be the conscious principle centered in the head, while Shakti (referred to as Kundalini) lies in a quiescent state at the base of the spine.

  As a consequence of our lifestyle, spiritual practices, heredity, and other factors, Kundalini can become reactivated and the same processes which built our body in the womb now begin to function again, but in a different manner. They now work to refashion the brain, organs, and nervous system so that a more elevated form of consciousness is possible. The ultimate, although rarely attained, goal of Kundalini is to permanently transform our being so that a new perceptive faculty emerges by which we can experience reality directly as consciousness. In most cases, however, the individual eventually becomes more creative, psychically sensitive, aware of who they are, and better adjusted to their environment, with an enhanced faith in the Divine.   

The effects of this activity are many and varied and can extend to all aspects of our being--physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. They can range from being barely noticeable to totally overwhelming. They can vary widely in duration and ultimate effect from individual to individual as a great many factors are involved. To someone who is not familiar with what is happening and why, these processes can be quite disturbing and even terrifying. Attempts to obtain guidance and support from medical and health care professionals and religious institutions are often found to be frustrating and even counter-productive, due to the general lack of good information on this subject.

  

But it must always be kept in mind that the process is a natural one, as much a part of our being as conception and birth, and although it may sometimes be difficult, it is attempting to bring about change of a very positive nature in us to advance the level of our evolution both as individuals and as a species.

Heimasíða Institute for Consciousness Research

Union with the Beloved

 

“There is a person called J. Krishnamurti who has had in his view the end he would reach and in search of that end he has passed through many struggles, sorrows and pains. He has explored many avenues thinking they would lead to the goal. And then came the vision of the mountaintop which is Union with the Beloved, which is liberation, and from that moment he set aside all affections, all desires, all things except the attainment of the goal. And now that goal is reached and he has entered into the flame. And what happens after that does not matter—whether the spark remains within the flame or issues forth. And you may have the Beloved with you constantly even before you have become one with the Beloved.”

 

J. Krishnamurti, from "Krishnamurti—The Years of Awakening"

Zen

 

 

SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP!

Raja yoga

Compiled by the Sage Patanjali Maharishi in the Yoga Sutras, the Eight Limbs are a progressive series of steps or disciplines which purify the body and mind, ultimately leading the yogi to enlightenment. These 8 limbs are:

 

1.  
   1. Yamas - The Yamas or restraints (Don'ts) are divided into five moral injuctions, aimed at destroying the lower nature. They should all be practiced and developped by the letter but also more importantly in the spirit. They should all be practiced in word, thought and deed.
      • Ahimsa or non-violence
      • Satyam or truthfulness
      • Brahmacharya or moderation in all things (control of all senses). Also refers to celibacy
      • Asteya or non-stealing
      • Aparigraha or non-covetousness
   2. Niyamas - The Niyamas or observances (Do's) are also divided into five and complete the ethical precepts started with the Yama.. These qualities are:
      • Saucha or purity - this internal and external cleanliness.
      • Santosha or contentment
      • Tapas or austerity
      • Swadhyaya or study of the sacred texts
      • Ishwara Pranidhana which is constantly living with an awareness of the divine Presence (surrender to God's Will)
   3.  Asanas  - Postures
   4. Pranayama   - regulation or control of the breath. Asanas and Pranayama form the sub-division of Raja Yoga known as Hatha-Yoga
   5. Pratyahara - withdrawal of the senses in order to still the mind.
   6. Dharana - concentration. The last 3 steps constitute the internal practice of Raja Yoga. When Dharana is achieved, it leads to the next step:
   7. Dhyana - meditation is that state of pure thought and absorption in the object of meditation. There is still duality in Dhyana. When mastered Dhyana leads to the last step:
   8. Samadhi - the superconscious state. In Samadhi non-duality or oneness is experienced. This is the deepest and highest state of consciousness where body and mind have been transcended and the Yogi is one with the Self or God

The great Tao flows everywhere

 

The great Tao flows everywhere,
To the left and to the right.
All things depend upon it to exist,
And it does not abandon them.
To its accomplishments it lays no claim.
It loves and nourishes all things,
But does not lord it over them.

 

Chuang tzu

Your responsibility in life is to awaken

 

"Let me respectfully remind you, life & death are of supreme importance.  Time passes swiftly and opportunity is lost.  Each of us must strive to awaken.  Awaken!  Take heed, do not squander your lives."

A few important aspects of this quote that I think are worth highlighting are below.

 

1.  Your responsibility in life is to awaken.  Everything else is secondary.  EVERYTHING!  This does not mean you do not participate in the world, it means you participate according to the discipline your spiritual practice is creating for you.  Your supreme goal is always The Supreme.

 

2.  Human life is an invaluable opportunity that must not be squandered.  Don’t take this opportunity for granted and don’t waste it in pursuit of frivolous desires.

 

3.  Your house is on fire, this is not the time to hit the snooze button, you need to act; you need to get out!  You must have a great sense of urgency in order to summon the necessary energy to break through the trap of duality.  You can’t do this by dabbling about and being lukewarm about your dedication.  You need to have fierce passion and urgency, then you have a chance.  Act Now!

 

... and certain is birth for the dead

 

For certain is death for the born

And certain is birth for the dead;

Therefore over the inevitable

Thou shouldst not grieve.

 

Bhagavad Gita  

The fiftieth birthday of Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji

 

 “The beauty in human life is to be grateful and thankful. Offering thanks and gratitude not only makes a person humble but it helps us deal with ego nicely. Humility is the very foundation of spirituality. We should always be grateful to God and God’s creation, and we should offer this loving gratitude to our parents, family members, and, above all, humanity. Let us also never forget to be grateful for all the saints, sages, and divine incarnations of all times, places, and religions. We should extend this feeling of gratitude to everyone we come across in our lives and offer our humble thanks to all of them.   

 

 

 

Remember: God did not give you this life to live only for yourself; He gave you this life to love and serve humanity. The beauty of life does not come from selfish living; the real beauty manifests in caring and sharing with others. We have not come to this world to just live as animals ordinarily do, fulfilling sensory needs and desires; we have come to live with love, compassion, and understanding — and to help make God’s creation a better one. We all are children of God and we should live in that spirit, day and night, with every breath.”  

Paramahamsa Prajnanananda