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

 

  

 

Himinnbláminn hlýtur að blygðast sín fyrir smæð sína

 

Allt sem áður olli mér áhyggjum og angri

er sem lyft af brjósti mínu.

Ég nýt leiks handan við veröldina.

Því sá sem þekkir zen,

veit engin takmörk.

Himinnbláminn hlýtur að

blygðast sín fyrir smæð sína.

 

 

Muso Soseki

 

Gopi Krishna - The Birth of a Super-Conscious Brain

 

Gopi Krishna - BEYOND A NEW EARTH: Religion and the Path to World Peace

 

Hér getið þið lesið bókina Kundalini - The Secret of Yoga eftir Gopi Krishna.