~Swami Satchidananda~

“On a pilgrimage you learn to depend on a higher source. You learn that you cannot depend on anything else for your safety or for your peaceful life. All other things, though they are around, can only help you to a certain extent. They are limited. The ultimate help comes from the God within.”



                                                                                       

The Chhandogya Upanishad

The Upanishads

OM

Kodo Sawaki

The universe and I are of the same root. The myriad things and I are one body. That is zazen.

Dogen

"You should study not only that you become a mother when your child is born, but also that you become a child."

— Helen Keller

Knowledge is power.“ Rather, knowledge is happiness, because to have knowledge - broad, deep knowledge - is to know true ends from false, and lofty things from low. To know the thoughts and deeds that have marked man’s progress is to feel the great heart-throbs of humanity through the centuries; and if one does not feel in these pulsations a heavenward striving, one must indeed be deaf to the harmonies of life.

Taisen Deshimaru

"To obtain satori, one must let go of the ego. To receive everything, one must open one's hands and give."

-Osho

It is simply sitting silently, witnessing the thoughts, passing before you. Just witnessing, not interfering not even judging, because the moment you judge you have lost the pure witness. The moment you say “this is good, this is bad,” you have already jumped onto the thought process.

It takes a little time to create a gap between the witness and the mind. Once the gap is there, you are in for a ...great surprise, that you are not the mind, that you are the witness, a watcher.

And this process of watching is the very alchemy of real religion. Because as you become more and more deeply rooted in witnessing, thoughts start disappearing. You are, but the mind is utterly empty.

That’s the moment of enlightenment. That is the moment that you become for the first time an unconditioned, sane, really free human being.

Annamalai Swami

Forgetfulness or non-forgetfulness is not a part of your destiny. It is something you choose from moment to moment. That is what Bhagavan [Ramana Maharshi] said. He said that you have the freedom either to identify with the Self and have the understanding that the body is performing its predestined activities, animated and sustained by the power of the Self, or you can identify with the activities of the body and the mind, and in doing so forget the Self. If you choose the latter course, don't blame God or God's will, or predestination. God did not make you forget the Self. You yourself are making that choice every second of your life.

                                 
                                                                  

— Paramahansa Yogananda

You are walking on the earth as in a dream. Our world is a dream within a dream; you must realize that to find God is the only goal, the only purpose, for which you are here. For Him alone you exist. Him you must find.

— Nguyễn Quốc Bảo

Today is a holiday, holy day.

Why are these holy-days so important to us? Because we live our normal days in an unholy way.
In the normal days, we are so miserable with our tedious job so these holy-days are kind of a relief for our continuous toturing days.
Just like entertainment, what type of people are very much attracted to entertainment? The miserable type. Otherwise, anything can be an entertainment for us. We dont need to wait for some holidays, some occasions to celebrate life. Life itself is beautiful, its just out of our false way of living that we need some special occasions to celebrate life. Life as such is a celebration 24 hours a day.

The Doctrine of the Upanishads by Swami Krishnananda

"I become a subject in dream; and I am a subject in the waking state also. The question that we have to put here is: Is this dreaming individual who is different from the dream-objects the same as the waking individual who is different from the objects of waking experience? If we think carefully over the issue, we will find that they are different from each other. The waking individual contains witthin himself the dream-subject as well as the dream-objects. It is the waking subject that has externalised his ideas as the dream-subject and his universe. When we wake up we find that not only the dream-universe is not there, but the dream-subject, also, is not there. The dream-subject and the dream-objects are unified in the waking subject. This can give us a clue to the relation of the individual to the universe. Even as the dream-subject is different from the dream-objects, this waking subject is different from the waking universe; but even as the dream-universe is not created by the dream-subject, so the waking universe is not the product of the waking subject. And, even as the subject and the objects in the dream state are resolved into another subject in the waking state, the waking subject and the waking universe are resolved into another subject which is Purushottama or Virat. Ishvara contains in himself all the objects and subjects. The universe is the objectification of the Cosmic or Universal Consciousness, and not of any individual mind.

Ishvara is the Soul of the universe, the Cosmic Self, the Cosmic Mind, who is the efficient and material cause of the individual minds; the individual has no independent existence apart from Ishvara; God includes in himself both mind and matter. Brahman (the Absolute) is Ishvara divested of cosmic relations, and Ishvara is Brahman in relation to the cosmos"

The following quote, which teaches us about acquiring ‘spiritual eyes’

The following quote, which teaches us about acquiring ‘spiritual eyes’ is taken from, The Revelation of Baha’u’llah, Vol. 2, p.31 by Adib Taherzadeh:

“Baha’u’llah teaches [quoting from] the Mathnavi [written by Rumi, the Sufi poet] that: ‘man will not be able to receive the Light of God in this day unless he acquires a new Eye. Eyes which are fixed on the things of this world can never see the glory of His Revelation, and ears which are tuned to the voices of the ungodly cannot hear the Melodies of the Kingdom.’ By ‘new eyes’ and ‘new ears’ He means spiritual eyes and spiritual ears. He states that since the Eye of the Spirit receives its Light from God it is shameful to let it turn to a stranger, and re-affirms that the purpose of God in creating the inner Eye was that man might behold the beauty of His Manifestation in this world.

                                                                    

Thich Nhat Hanh

"You are already what you want to become. Why search anymore? You are a wonderful manifestation. The whole universe has come together to make your existence possible. There is nothing that is not you. The kingdom of Heaven, the Pure Land, Nirvana, happiness, and liberation are all you right now."

Guru Vachaka Kovai

Since one’s own reality, the sun of Jnana - Knowledge which has never seen the darkness of delusion, itself shines as happiness, the confusion of misery appears only because of the unreal sense of individuality; but in truth, no one has ever undergone any such thing - ‘misery’.
—
Guru Vachaka Kovai (The Garland of Guru’s Sayings) by Sri Muruganar - Chapter The Non-Existence of Misery, Verse 953 ...

“We all go through low cycles of processing and purging, which is completely natural and even necessary… but what is the key to rising out of it again? Yourself. Turning within, you search for your Light— that spark of Life that drives you onward and upward. The instant you touch that Divine Fire and Passion, it BURSTS into the Universe, and there’s no stopping you then! ” ~ Unknown 

                                                                   

      

– Gyelse Tokme Zangpo

The practice of all the bodhisattvas is to turn away immediately
From those things which bring desire and attachment.
For the pleasures of the senses are just like salty water:
The more we taste of them, the more our thirst increases.

ISHWARA

Meditate in the Heart upon Lord Ganesha – the silent, non-dual, Universal witness – who is the nectar of divine bliss and is full of Grace, shining as the bountiful flowering of aspirants following the path of spiritual wisdom revealed in Devikalottara, which was expounded by Lord Ishwara into the ears of Goddess Ishwari. DEVI :  1. O Lord of all celestial beings! I yearn to know that path of Supreme wisdom and the code of conduct by adopting which one can get liberation, so that all humanity may attain salvation. I request you to enlighten me on them, out of your Grace. ISHWARA :  2. O Queen among women! So that everyone may attain knowledge, I shall clearly explain to you today the highest knowledge and the discipline to be followed by which discerning seekers will attain liberation, which is free from any blemish and is difficult to describe. 3. O Lady with fair countenance! Understand that one who is not able to realise the Truth in his Heart by this knowledge of spiritual wisdom known as kala jnana, can never attain it even by studying countless crores of scriptures [shastras] spread out like the sky.

4. Therefore cast aside all fears on following this path and shed all doubts. Giving up attachment or desire for anything, be ardent in seeking the ultimate knowledge with wholehearted devotion and with a clear mind [without any trace of confusion]. 5. Claiming nothing as "mine", filled with compassion, giving protection to all living beings so that no creature fears you, yearning for liberation, absorbed in yoga [fusion of individual self with the Universal Self], study this work Devikalottara and follow wholeheartedly and steadfastly the single path shown therein. 6-7. If one is to describe the person who can bring under control his mind, which is restless and turbulent like a whirlwind, and maintain it in a tranquil state, he is verily Brahma [the God that does the creation], Shiva [the saviour who shows the path to salvation] and Vishnu [the sustainer of the world]; he is Indra, King of the devas, and Lord Subrahmanya [chief commander of all the celestial forces]; he is Brihaspati, the Guru of all devas; he is a supreme yogi, and one who has achieved the result of performing all austerities; he is a great scholar [who has mastered all the Vedas and shastras], and an outstanding man; he is one who has achieved the true spiritual Goal. 8-9. The means by which this mind, which is restless and moves about quicker than the wind, can be brought under control, is indeed the means to obtain liberation; it indeed is what is good for those who seek the Permanent Reality; it itself is pure consciousness and the state of firmness; moreover, it alone is the righteous duty to be followed by discerning aspirants; it alone is the pilgrimage to holy waters; it alone is charity; it alone is austerities. Know that there is no doubt about this.

10. When the mind moves even a little, that is worldly bondage [samsara]; when the mind abides firmly and motionlessly in the state of Self, that is liberation [mukti]. This is certain. Therefore know that the wise man must hold his mind firm by Supreme Self-awareness. 11. The happiness attained in this Aloneness is the highest, boundless bliss. Which learned persons will not revel in that Supreme Reality, in which there is absolutely no action? Tell me. 12. Being rid of the worldly knowledge, the great hero who has acquired pure wisdom, in which there are no sense objects, and which is all-pervading and without any form, will attain immutable moksha without fail, even though he may have no desire to attain liberation. 13. The consciousness [chaitanya] associated with the aspect "am" is called shakti. The universe shines by Its light. The entire creation is Shakti's thought [sankalpa]. The state of mind which is completely devoid of all attachment is the pure [wisdom] to be attained. 14. The Void which is the Infinite and all-encompassing one Whole without a second, which is just the effulgence of pure wisdom, which is completely devoid of visible phenomena and which consists of the aspect "I" is the seed which fructifies as liberation, bestowing salvation by enabling one to unite with the Supreme. 15. Instead of following this direct path, do not ever contemplate even in the least upon chakras [located in six adharas or centres in the body], nadis [subtle nerves that produce the ten divine sounds, such as Pranava], the deities associated with the Lotus seats [in the adhara chakras, beginning with Vinayaka], the mantraksharas [potent sound syllables for the worship of these deities] and the diverse mandala murtis [the God-aspects, starting from those controlling the sun, Surya Mandala, the moon, Chandra Mandala, and fire, Agni Mandala]. Note: Some aspirants indulge in severe austerities and arduous practices, mastering several techniques and incidentally attaining extraordinary supernatural powers as well. All these are to be shunned as they do not lead to ultimate peace and joy. On the other hand, the path of Kala Jnana described here is a direct path to mukti. 16. Those who seek everlasting liberation need not endeavour to practise repetition and countless verse mantras [repeating potent scriptural words or texts to gain various ends], and methods of yoga such as breath-control [pranayama], breath retention [kumbhaka] and concentration. 17. There is no room for performing puja [worship of deities], namaskaram [paying homage, like prostrating], japa [incantation], dhyana [contemplation] and so on. Hear from me that the highest Truth acclaimed in the Vedas can be known only through jnana; hence, there is absolutely no need to know anything outside of oneself. 18. For those whose minds are constantly expanding, clinging to external objects, factors will always arise causing increasing bondage. If the outward-wandering mind is turned inwards to stay in its natural state, know that one will not undergo any suffering in the world. 19. Unite with that One Totality, which is all-pervasive, which has no inside or outside, which is bereft of all [concept of] directions such as above, below and in between, which assumes all the forms in creation and yet is Itself formless, which can be known only by Itself, and which is Self-luminous. 20. People perform their actions having their own aims in mind, and they accordingly reap the consequences of their actions by attaining those aims. Therefore do not engage in such actions which are not free from flaws [leading to bondage]. Turn the attention completely away from external objects and concentrate only upon That [the Self] which cannot be seen. 21. In our natural state, actions, cause and result of such actions, and all the various other theories propounded [in the scriptures] do not exist. In fact, even the diverse world does not exist. As such even the worldly individual who is attached to [the various attractions of] the world is also nonexistent. 22. This entire universe is nothing but the niralamba [the Reality which exists without any support]. Further, it shines being illumined by the niralamba. The yogi [with his mind turned inward] merges with this Whole One by making every object in this world one with it. Know this. 23. If any person does not meditate on this great all-pervading Void, which is the space of consciousness [chidakasa], he will be a samsari [a worldly individual] forever in bondage to worldly attachments, like the silkworm in its self-made cocoon. Understand this. 24. All living beings, of whatever genus, undergo great misery over and over again. Hear from me. In order to avert all this suffering and sorrow, meditate on the great Void constantly without any break. 25. Good actions and good conduct have been prescribed only to guide the seeker towards the path of acquiring knowledge. Therefore, giving up even Salamba Yoga in which an object [such as a mantra or a form of God] is meditated upon in the mind, stay steadfast in your real state [sahaja swarupa], where the outside world is not perceived. 26. One who can destroy all the principles [tattvas] from the nethermost world to Shakti [one of the highest tattvas], which are all interdependent, by the arrow of Sunyabhava [Emptiness] is a man of great valour. He has attained Supreme wisdom which is beyond matter. 27. The mind, hankering after things of the world, is more restless than a monkey. If one controls it from wandering after external things and holds it in the Void of non-matter [Sarvasunya], one will attain liberation directly. 28. The full consciousness [purna chit] which is not other than the true import of the word "I", being non-different in all the principles [tattvas] and being other than the sense "I am the body", is the all-pervading Reality. 29. This Complete Wholeness pervades inside and outside all creations like ether, merging with them, and is itself formless. Dear, those who are submerged in this Supreme bliss become that Supreme bliss themselves. See, how wonderful! 30. The expanding mind will attain peace, becoming still of its own accord, if it is deprived of something to hold on, just as fire gets extinguished gradually if not fed with fuel. 31. You must realise that the four states of infatuation, delusion, swoon [due to shock] and dreaming, as also sleeping and waking, are all to be dispelled. 32. If one meditates that the One consciousness is different from the life-force [prana], which has subtly attached itself to this gross body, from the mind, from the intellect and from the ego, one will become established in that One consciousness. 33. Due to sleep and due to thoughts the mind always loses its sharpness, its foolishness increases, and it goes to ruin. Awakening this mind with effort, and without allowing it to wander, establish it in the state of Self. Persevere in this effort by fixing the mind again and again in its natural state. 34. When once the mind becomes steady, it should not be disturbed in any way. There is no need to think even in the least of anything else, entertaining any doubts. Fixing the mind firmly in that state [of Self-awareness], keep it still. 35. Make the mind, which always clings to some support [sense-objects], devoid of all such supports. Making the mind, which is restless in clinging to external supports, motionless, do not disturb that tranquillity even a little. 36. Meditate on the peerless Self which pervades all the various forms, yet remains without any blemish [being unaffected by them], just as ether, pervading all the creations made up of the five elements, remains unsullied at the time of their dissolution. 37. When one adopts the practice by means of which one's mind, which is restless like the wind, is made still perpetually, then the purpose of taking birth as a human being is fulfilled. That is also the mark of a true scholar. 38. Do not practise meditation by fixing the mind on the six adhara chakras, the ones that are up or down or in the middle, or anywhere else. Giving up all such meditations, make the mind always devoid of any support [either inside or outside]. 39. If the mind falls asleep, awaken it. Then if it starts wandering, make it quiet. If you reach the state where there is neither sleep nor movement of mind, stay still in That, the natural [real] state. 40. The state in which the mind is bereft of any support to cling to, ever faultless and pure, and devoid of worldly attachments, is the nature of liberation attained through knowledge. Keep this firmly in mind. 41. Dispelling all attachments completely, and fixing that mind in the Heart firmly, persist in your practice always in order to strengthen the awareness, which then shines forth with great effulgence and clarity. 42. Know that whoever meditates on that Supreme Void, and becomes established in It by virtue of constant practice, will definitely attain the Great state which is beyond birth and death. 43. Gods and goddesses, merits, demerits and their fruits, which are likewise anya [other than oneself], objects of attachment and the knowledge of those objects – all these will lead one to bondage in mighty samsara. 44. All objects of attachments are said to be pairs of opposites [happiness and misery, good and bad, profit and loss, victory and defeat, and so on]. When one rises above those pairs of opposites, one realises the Supreme. Such a yogi is a jivanmukta, liberated from bondage. On discarding the body, he becomes a videhamukta. 45. A wise man should not give up the body out of aversion to it. Know that when once the prarabdha karma [result of accumulated actions] which was responsible for the creation of the body ceases, the bodily burden will automatically fall off. 46. The consciousness which shines as "I" in the Heart Lotus is pure [flawless] and perfectly steady [without a trace of movement]. By destroying the ego, which rises [from that consciousness], that consciousness itself bestows the Supreme joy of liberation. Be sure about it. 47. With great devotion meditating constantly that "I am Shiva, the form of the One consciousness that is always unsullied by any adjunct", dispel all your attachments. 48. Giving up all notions about country, caste, blemishless community, asrama [status as a bachelor, family man, ascetic or one who has renounced the world] and associated matters, hold on to and practise always meditation upon the Self, your own natural state. 49. I alone am. No one belongs to Me; nor do I belong to anyone else. I can see no one who can call Me his; neither can I see anyone who is mine. I am all alone. 50. Know that the person who experiences the firm conviction, "I am the Supreme Brahman, I am the master and Lord of the universe!" is the real mukta [one who has attained liberation], and that the one following conflicting paths is in bondage. 51. The day one is able to see oneself with his inner eye as not the body, all his desires vanish, and he experiences Perfect peace. 52. He who is described in the scriptures as the Unborn and Lord, I am He, the Atman [Self], who is forever without form or qualities. There is absolutely no doubt about it. 53. I am pure awareness, immaculate, perfectly liberated; and forever present everywhere. I am indeterminable. No one can grasp Me or leave Me. I am free from sorrow. I am always brahmamayam [of the nature of Brahman]. 54. I am the Self which is consciousness, Absolute completeness, deathless and Self-established, and which is other than this insentient body, limited between the top of the head and the sole of the foot, and which, beginning with the antahkaranas [the inner instruments such as mind and intellect] is bounded by the covering of the skin. 55. Thinking, "I am the Lord of all creations, moving or stationary, I remain as father, mother and father's father for the universe", aspirants for liberation contemplate with concentration and ardour only upon Me, who am that great Turiya state [the substratum of the waking, dream and sleep states]. 56. I am the one who is worshipped through sacrifices and penances by all celestial beings beginning with the creator [Brahma], the heavenly damsels who are themselves sought after, humans, yakshas, gandharvas, nagas and other groups of superhuman beings, and also by many others. Know that everyone worships only Me. 57. By many kinds of rare austerities and charities, everyone worships only Me. Know that this vast creation, moving and stationary, and all objects, are nothing but Me, the Infinite One. 58. I am not the gross body, nor am I the subtle body. I am also not the causal body. I am the kinsman of the universe. I am the One who is of the nature of Transcendental knowledge. I am moreover the Eternal One, the Lord, the taintless One, the One who is devoid of the states [of waking, dream and sleep], the One who is devoid of the universe. 59. The beginningless consciousness is Unborn, Whole and, residing forever in its natural home of the Heart-cave, is without form, world or impurity. It is beyond comparison and completely unattached. It cannot be comprehended by the mind nor can It be seen or felt by the senses. 60. Repeatedly see thus: "I am He, the Eternal, Omnipresent Reality which is Brahman." Meditating thus for a long time, whoever abides imperturbably will become the Supreme Brahman, thereby attaining Immortality. 61. Having thus explained the nature of knowledge to enable everyone to attain liberation, which is always available, I shall now proceed to describe the conduct to be adopted by seekers. Noble Lady, listen to them calmly. 62. O Queen among women! Know that bathing in holy waters, repeating holy names or words [mantras], performing daily homa [sacred offering in specially prepared fire], worship, other oblations in lustrous fire, or any other means [sadhana] to be followed after great study, are never required for him [the earnest aspirant seeking liberation]. 63. Niyamas [strict rules of conduct such as what to eat, when to eat, how to eat, what to wear, where to sit and so on], worship of deities in sacred places, nama archanas [worship of deities by reciting sacred names], pitru karmas [oblations, etc., carried out for the sake of forefathers to help them reach a high state], pilgrimage to holy places which have come forth on earth, and observance of great vows, are all not for him, if considered deeply. 64. He does not reap the fruit of actions, good or bad. Important dates and special observances zealously followed by the world are not for him. Give up all actions and all kinds of worldly codes of conduct. 65. Renounce completely all religious edicts and disciplines. Since all kinds of action result in bondage, give up all action plans, mental conflicts, and attachment to one's caste duties. 66. Even if the aspirant acquires many kinds of supernatural powers and magical powers such as visualising what is buried underneath the earth, and can demonstrate them before the world, he should give up mental attachment to them. 67. All these powers [siddhis] are only bondages to the individual soul. Further they drag one to follow a low path. The Supreme joy of liberation does not lie in any of them, but only in the Infinite consciousness. 68. One must engage unfailingly in yoga [the practice of Self-abidance] in all conditions, without allowing any special event to affect one adversely. If, due to doubts, delusion arises in the form of attraction to worship in holy places and temples [on account of past practices and vasanas], reject it immediately. 69. Listen to me, Lady! Know that only the wise man who never does anything which leads to the destruction of any form of life, such as insects, worms, animals, birds or plants, is a person who is seeking true knowledge. 70. He [the true aspirant] should not pull out tender roots [of fragrant plants, which is often done for worship]; he should not even pluck the leaves; he should not harm any living thing out of anger; he should not heartlessly pluck even flowers. 71-72. He should worship Lord Shiva using only flowers that have fallen naturally. He should not indulge in vile practices such as marana [causing destruction through the use of certain mantras], uchadana [driving one out with the force of mantras], vidveshana [causing mutual hatred between friends], the well known sthambana [freezing one's capabilities], causing fever, putting into action evil spirits, causing agitation, wrongly taking control of others, attracting and infatuating others, and so on. Abandon the worship of stones, wooden objects and similar articles. 73. Having relinquished the great mudras which are adopted in order to fix the mind on the devatas [deities] residing in holy places and temples, and the associated sacrifices, get rid of the vasanas also which may have accumulated on account of such practices in the past, and cling only to the Self, the all-pervading real consciousness. 74. Maintain a neutral attitude towards all things; do not get infatuated with anything; maintain equanimity whether in happiness or suffering; be the same to friends and enemies; treat alike a broken piece of mud pot and a piece of gold. 75. Know that a flawless yogi is one who does not ever allow himself to be swayed by desire for the pleasures of the senses, who frees himself at heart from mamakara [treating things as "mine"], who has a steadfast mind, who is free from desires and fear, and who always revels in the Self. 76. Being unaffected by either praise or slander, treating alike all creatures, he should always unfailingly maintain an equality of vision [sama drishti], considering all living beings in the world as himself. 77. Avoid unnecessary arguments and worldly associations. Do not create misunderstanding among others. Do not join religious bodies well versed in many scriptures. Give up both words of abuse and words of praise. 78. Gradually and completely get rid of jealousy, slander, pomp, passion, consequent hatred, desire, anger, fear and sorrow. 79. If a man is free from all the pairs of opposites and always lives in Solitude [established in himself Alone], he gains Perfect wisdom even while in the present body and shines forth with great effulgence. 80. Liberation is attained only by knowledge [jnana]. By other powers [siddhis] such a fruit is unattainable. However, aspirants become enchanted with blemishful worldly enjoyments and thaumaturgic powers [siddhis] and go after them with desire. 81. Know that the pure flawless person will experience that blemishless Lord [the Supreme Brahman] and positively attain liberation whether attended by the supernatural powers or not. 82. The body is a form constituted of the five elements [earth, water, fire, air and ether]. The One all-pervading Shiva is also nicely seated there. Hence the entire universe, right from the indivisible all-pervading Shivam [the highest and most abstract tattva or principle] to this world, is the form of Shankara. 83-84. My dearest, earnest seekers who see the enlightened one [jnani] and worship him with all the three instruments [mind, speech and body] in unison, offering him with heart-melting love, sweet-smelling sandal paste, fruits, flowers, incense, good water to bathe, clothes and food, will thus attain liberation. Know that those who worship that jnani reap the fruit of his righteous deeds and those who slander him reap the result of his sins. 85. I have revealed the Truth about knowledge and the conduct pertaining thereto, as you have asked. This entire path is indeed kalottara jnana [the knowledge to be revealed at the final stage of maturity]. Tell me, O Lady, if you want to ask anything more.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

These roses under my window make no 
reference to former roses or to better ones; 
they are for what they are; 
they exist with God to-day.

There is no time to them. 
There is simply the rose; it is perfect in 
every moment of its existence. 

Before a leaf-bud has burst, its whole life acts; 
in the full-blown flower, there is no more;
in the leafless root, there is no less. 
 

Its nature is satisfied, and it satisfies nature, 
in all moments alike. 
There is no time to it. 
 

But man postpones or remembers; 
he does not live in the present, but with 
reverted eye laments the past, or, heedless of 
the riches that surround him, stands on tiptoe 
to foresee the future. 

He cannot be happy and strong until he too 
lives with nature in the present, above time.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Life With Sanatana Dharma

“ The most obvious misconception about Hinduism is that we tend to see it as just another religion…” -Anonymous

Sanatan Dharma or Hinduism (as we know it today) is a way of life or Dharma. You do not convert, you just accept the Hindu way of life. Considering Hinduism as a religion is one of the most common misconception people have in today’s world. You will be surprised to know that the word “Hindu” or “Hinduism” has no existence in ancient scriptures or texts. In fact, it was a term coined by foreign invaders. To be more specific, it was used by the early inhabitants of Persia. They pronounced the name “Hindu” as it was the civilization that lived beyond the river Sindhu. The word Hindu and Hinduism thus have no origin from the land they truly belong to. Try asking around ten Hindus about the god they worship. You might get ten different answers to the same question and all of them will be surprisingly correct. It is said that Hinduism has more number of Gods than any other religion in the world and that number is surprisingly more than the total number of Hindus. Another fascinating truth is that prior to arrival of Muslims and later on Christians, Hindus had no particular name by which they were called. Common people often called it just Dharma. Sanatana Dharma or merely Dharma was the term that was used in ancient scriptures. If we look into the entomology of the Sanatana Dharma, “Sanatana” means eternal and “Dharma” means Religion. If we look into other religions of the world, we can definitely track its origin or founder. But, this is not true in the case of Sanatana Dharma. Sanatana Dharma is eternal and universal in nature. It is often referred to as the most ancient way of life or religion that is guiding millions of human beings till date. In Bhagavad-gita, As It Is, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has beautifully simplified the meaning of Sanatana Dharma:

Philosophy of the Upanishads

Ancient images still a part of Hinduism today

Anima Mundi: Awakening the Soul of the World Part 1

Anima Mundi: Awakening the Soul of the World
Published in Sufi Journal, Issue 67, Autumn 2005

Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee

God redeems humanity,
but nature needs to be redeemed by human alchemists,
who are able to induce the process of transformation,
which alone is capable of liberating the light imprisoned in physical creation.

— STEPHAN HOELLER⁽¹⁾

The world is a living spiritual being. This was understood by the ancient philosophers and the alchemists who referred to the spiritual essence of the world as the anima mundi, the “Soul of the World.” They regarded the World Soul as a pure ethereal spirit diffused throughout all nature, the divine essence that embraces and energizes all life in the universe.

Throughout history our understanding of the world as a living being with a spiritual essence has dramatically changed. Plato understood that “the cosmos is a single Living Creature which contains all living creatures within it.”⁽²⁾While this tradition was carried on by the Gnostics and later the alchemists, the Church fathers imaged a world that was neither divine nor sacred. A transcendent divinity was the source of all creation, and humanity lived in exile from heaven in a state of sin. This doctrine created a split between matter and spirit, causing the world to be seen as separate from its creator.

The understanding of the world as sacred resurfaced from time to time over the next centuries. In the Gothic revival of the twelfth century, and later in the Renaissance, the created world was briefly seen through the image of the World Soul. In their cathedrals the Gothic architects reflected their vision of a sacred order within creation that belongs to this feminine divine principle. The World Soul animated and formed nature according to divine proportions, which the architects, masons, sculptors, and stained glass artists imaged in their creations.

                                             

Timothy Leary, Ralph Metzner and Richard Alpert (Ram Dass), The Psychedelic Experience

A sense of profound one-ness, a feeling of the unity of all energy. Superficial differences of role, cast, status, sex, species, form, power, size, beauty, even the distinctions between inorganic and living energy, disappear before the ecstatic union of all in one. All gestures, words, acts and events are equivalent in value - all are manifestations of the one consciousness which pervades everythi...ng. “You,” “I” and “he” are gone, “my” thoughts are “ours,” “your” feelings are “mine.” Communication is unnecessary, since complete communion exists. A person can sense another’s feeling and mood directly, as if they were his own. By a glance, whole lifetimes and words can be transmitted. If all are at peace, the vibrations are “in phase.” If there is discord, “out of phase” vibrations will be set up which will be felt like discordant music. Bodies melt into waves. Objects in the environment - lights, trees, plants, flowers - seem to open and welcome you: they are part of you. You are both simply different pulses of the same vibrations.

— Papaji

If there is peace in your mind you will find peace with everybody. If your mind is agitated you will find agitation everywhere. So first find peace within and you will see this inner peace reflected everywhere else. You are this peace. You are happiness, find out. Where else will you find peace if not within you?

Salvador Dali

Each morning when I awake, I
experience again a supreme
pleasure... that of being.

                                                          

— Christy Ann Martine

When your world moves too fast
and you lose yourself in the chaos,
introduce yourself
to each color of the sunset.
Reacquaint yourself with the earth ...
beneath your feet.
Thank the air that surrounds you
with every breath you take.
Find yourself in the appreciation of life.

John Tarrant, The Light Inside the Dark: Zen, Soul, and the Spiritual Life

“…we see that everything has arranged itself around the water playing in the sunlight: here is the source of the timelessness that is everywhere apparent. The more deeply we enter, the more… awe and wonder claim us.”

~ Pema Chodron

“Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.”

~ Elizabeth Gray Vining, Quite Pilgrimage

“Live up to the light that you have and more will be given to you” is a familiar Quaker saying. Indifference and inattentiveness dim the light. We can only do the best we know at the time and trust that the Spirit, the Eternal Goodness, Reality, The Christ Within… may be able to make use of the willingness alone…”

~ Lester Levenson

Meditation is used for quieting the mind. You use the mind to quiet the mind. When the mind is quiet enough this infinite being that you are becomes obvious. That is the whole purpose of meditation. If anyone gets his mind quiet enough, he cannot help but see this infinite being that he is because it’s only the thoughts that cover It. And the mind is nothing but thoughts. So, meditation is used to get the mind quieter, until you get it so quiet that you see your Self, your real Self

                                                         

Indian spiritual tradition has endured and flourished...

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

India is the treasure house containing profoundly valuable information about the evolution of consciousness. Many societies in the world have developed rich wisdom traditions; China, Egypt, Israel, and Greece, to name just a few. What makes India unique is that it’s ancient spiritual tradition has been maintained u...nbroken for tens of thousands of years. When the Great Library of Alexandria was burned by the Romans, nearly all of the vast knowledge of that ancient culture was lost. Under Mao Tse Tung, the rich Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist wisdom traditions of China were nearly annihilated. Societies rise and fall, and yet throughout the ages the Indian spiritual tradition has endured and flourished.

BY GONGA

The Delhi Lama

When you rest in quietness and your image of yourself fades, and your image of the world fades, and your ideas of others fade, what’s left? A brightness, a radiant emptiness that is simply what you are.

– Adyashanti

If you come to feel that everything is useless because it is empty, you are mistaking emptiness for nihilism.

– His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso

Just the manifestions are different

Mooji

“Once you begin to recognise the divine gifts in life, you come to see that there are so many. Your life is abundant.”

Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche

No matter how long the room has been dark, an hour or a million years, the moment the lamp of awareness is lit the entire room becomes luminous. You are that luminosity. You are that clear light.
— 

- Chan Master Sheng Yen

Persons traveling the path to Buddhahood must cultivate the great wisdom and compassion that sees all beings as one body with themselves. This is not just wishful thinking or philosophical speculation, but a sincere motivation that inspires our actions and compels us to live humanely in the world.

-Persons traveling the path to Buddhahood must cultivate the great wisdom and compassion that sees all beings as one body with themselves. This is not just wishful thinking or philosophical speculation, but a sincere motivation that inspires our actions and compels us to live humanely in the world

Afflictions of mind

Avatamsaka Sutra - Flower Ornament Scripture - 482

The real cosmos is all equal, without distinction, Containing infinite, boundless meanings; They enjoy contemplating oneness, minds unmoving: This is the path of knowers of all times. Avatamsaka Sutra -