latest update 17 Feb 10
the wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh
by howiemac 17 Feb 10
Oprah Winfrey talked recently with Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk, an 83-year-old native of Vietnam, who joined the monastery when he was 16, and valiantly opposed his own government during the Vietnam War. Nhat Hanh's actions gave birth to "Engaged Buddhism" — a movement that involves peaceful activism for the purpose of social reform. He led the Buddhist Peace Delegation to the Paris Peace Talks in 1969, established the Unified Buddhist Church in France, and went on to write more than 100 books, including the 1995 best-seller "Living Buddha, Living Christ". He eventually settled in Southern France and founded Plum Village, the Buddhist meditation practice center and monastery where he still lives.
At the end of his discussion with Oprah, he describes it as "A moment of happiness that might help people".
I found much of what he said to be inspiring and very clearly explained, and so, in the spirit of helping others, ....(more)
At the end of his discussion with Oprah, he describes it as "A moment of happiness that might help people".
I found much of what he said to be inspiring and very clearly explained, and so, in the spirit of helping others, ....(more)
latest update 20 Jan 10
Bahai leaders held captive
by Al 15 Jan 10
I don 't have much faith in news papers but this gives the basic idea of what is going on here, I copied this from here-
"
http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2009/03/10/News/Bahai.Leaders.To.Be.Put.On.Trial.In.Iran.For.Religious.Affiliation-3666910.shtml
Baha'i leaders to be put on trial in Iran for religious affiliation
Seven followers of the Baha'i religion are in jail because of their beliefs
By: Michael Allen
Issue date: 3/10/09 Section: News
....(more)
"
http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2009/03/10/News/Bahai.Leaders.To.Be.Put.On.Trial.In.Iran.For.Religious.Affiliation-3666910.shtml
Baha'i leaders to be put on trial in Iran for religious affiliation
Seven followers of the Baha'i religion are in jail because of their beliefs
By: Michael Allen
Issue date: 3/10/09 Section: News
....(more)
The New Age Movement
by howiemac 05 Jan 10
adapted from wikipedia
The term New Age refers to the coming astrological Age of Aquarius, an age of love, light and humanity (unlike the previous Age of Pisces).
The New Age movement is a decentralized Western social and spiritual movement that seeks "Universal Truth" and the attainment of the highest individual human potential. It draws from elements of older spiritual and religious traditions, and includes aspects of astrology, esotericism, metaphysics, alternative medicine, psychology, music, collectivism, sustainability, and nature. New Age spirituality is characterized by an individual approach to spiritual practices and philosophies, and the rejection of religious doctrine and dogma. Another term for the movement is Mind-Body-Spirit.
The term New Age refers to the coming astrological Age of Aquarius, an age of love, light and humanity (unlike the previous Age of Pisces).
The New Age movement is a decentralized Western social and spiritual movement that seeks "Universal Truth" and the attainment of the highest individual human potential. It draws from elements of older spiritual and religious traditions, and includes aspects of astrology, esotericism, metaphysics, alternative medicine, psychology, music, collectivism, sustainability, and nature. New Age spirituality is characterized by an individual approach to spiritual practices and philosophies, and the rejection of religious doctrine and dogma. Another term for the movement is Mind-Body-Spirit.
History
....(more)
keep 'em busy
by marley 22 Dec 09
a festive link, courtesy of alladin:
http://www.youtube.com/user/souljamming#p/u/0/5sSiMVsJ0v8
happy midwinter to everyone
http://www.youtube.com/user/souljamming#p/u/0/5sSiMVsJ0v8
happy midwinter to everyone
latest update 23 Oct 09
Real Personality Development Course.
by mbbhat 08 Oct 09
I would like to post the matters related how one can build up himself and to what extent he can develop himself. So far, I have not written any useful thing here. I am just going to begin now. I also do not know how to use this forum. I am a learner as well as an effortmaker. So if any mistakes happen from me, please excuse me.
Any comments/criticisms will be accepted/treated without any negative attitudes.
Thanks to the most beloved World almighty God father and all his children who are playing their part as members/guests here. ....(more)
Any comments/criticisms will be accepted/treated without any negative attitudes.
Thanks to the most beloved World almighty God father and all his children who are playing their part as members/guests here. ....(more)
God is the Self
by howiemac 10 Sep 09
David Godman notes, in his introduction to The teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi, that Maharshi's statements on God
Godman explains that these contradictions "are largely a reflection of the differing levels of understanding he encountered in his questioners. Those who worshipped personal Gods would often be given anthropomorphic explanations. They would be told that God created the world, that he sustains it by his divine power, that he looks after the needs of all its inhabitants and that nothing happens that is contrary to God’s will. On the other hand, those who were not attracted to such a theory would be told that all such ideas about God and his power we ....(more)
appear to be riddled with contradictions: on one occasion he might say that God never does anything, on another that nothing happens except by God’s will. Sometimes he would say that God is just an idea in the mind, while at other times he would say that God is the only existing reality.
Godman explains that these contradictions "are largely a reflection of the differing levels of understanding he encountered in his questioners. Those who worshipped personal Gods would often be given anthropomorphic explanations. They would be told that God created the world, that he sustains it by his divine power, that he looks after the needs of all its inhabitants and that nothing happens that is contrary to God’s will. On the other hand, those who were not attracted to such a theory would be told that all such ideas about God and his power we ....(more)
latest update 09 Jan 10
The Sat Yoga Institute
by Central Sun 03 Aug 09
In Shunyamurti's talk "an introduction to the ultimate reality", he promotes his spiritual school The Sat Yoga Institute in Costa Rica, as follows:"
There’s an urge, a longing, within us to live a divine life. We .. realize that consciousness exists as a ladder, much as that metaphor has been used in the Bible—Jacob’s ladder, the ladder to Heaven. This ladder is a ladder of different levels of consciousness. And we find that the deeper within we go, the higher we climb that ladder, until we reach our ultimate level of pure consciousness which is a unity with all that is and with the supreme intelligence that has created the cosmos.
Our spiritual school of Sat Yoga, and our community, exists in order to support everyone’s moving up that ladder, and to keep each other from falling. And yes, people will fall; that’s a natural part of the process. But knowing that there’s someone there to catch you, and not to judge you, and say, “See. Yo ....(more)
latest update 13 Mar 10
The Buddhist Blog
by James Ure 16 Jul 09
http://thebuddhistblog.blogspot.com/
by James Ure
by James Ure
This blog is a journal of my humble travels as I try to follow the middle path of Buddhism. Take my hand and walk with me for awhile.....(more)
shunyamurti speaks
by howiemac 27 Jun 09
http://satyogainstitute.org/sat-yoga-meditation-podcast.html
click.. click.. and listen..
I found these talks very inspiring - I hope you do too
click.. click.. and listen..
I found these talks very inspiring - I hope you do too
The Perils of Paradigm Shift
by howiemac 13 Apr 09
In his essay, "The Perils of a Paradigm Shift", Shunyamurti offers advice on how to shift from the old paradigm to a new paradigm. Here is my interpretation of what he is saying:
1) don't ridicule or be cynical about the new paradigm, just because the new ideas do not make sense in terms of the old criteria, or because the new ideas threaten the old "certainties", long-established practices, and comfortable ways of thinking, that were justified by the old paradigm. Instead we should consider, weigh, and digest the new information: it takes great courage to think anew, to re-evaluate, and to start over.
2) don't, on the other hand, accept the new paradigm too quickly, thus unconsciously interpreting it in terms of the dualistic assumptions of the old paradigm. When the new paradigm is accepted by an ego that remains embedded in the old structure, that ego will feel threatened and paranoid, unable to understand or accept the need for its own subjugation to the higher understanding of ....(more)
1) don't ridicule or be cynical about the new paradigm, just because the new ideas do not make sense in terms of the old criteria, or because the new ideas threaten the old "certainties", long-established practices, and comfortable ways of thinking, that were justified by the old paradigm. Instead we should consider, weigh, and digest the new information: it takes great courage to think anew, to re-evaluate, and to start over.
2) don't, on the other hand, accept the new paradigm too quickly, thus unconsciously interpreting it in terms of the dualistic assumptions of the old paradigm. When the new paradigm is accepted by an ego that remains embedded in the old structure, that ego will feel threatened and paranoid, unable to understand or accept the need for its own subjugation to the higher understanding of ....(more)
The Shakti Gate
by howiemac 09 Mar 09
Shunyanmurti writes on http://www.satyogainstitute.org about "The Shakti Gate":
"The Eastern paths of spirituality are all in agreement that our original sin is ignorance. What we are ignorant of is who we are. We have a false idea of our identity. Simply by overcoming that false idea, we are immediately transported into a different energy field. It is as if we are traversing an inter-dimensional portal. Crossing the boundaries of the ego identity enables us to be in a much vaster field of Being, a field of grace.
The more that gateway is open to you, open to your awareness, and the more you are able to move in and out of ego consciousness, rather than being petrified in an identify that is rigid and unquestionable, the more through that portal will rain in, just as in a great rainstorm, the rays of divine grace. This is called Shaktipat in the Kashmir Shaivite Yoga tradition. The gaze of an illumined sage can transmit Shakti, but the source of Shakti is really always within. It ....(more)
"The Eastern paths of spirituality are all in agreement that our original sin is ignorance. What we are ignorant of is who we are. We have a false idea of our identity. Simply by overcoming that false idea, we are immediately transported into a different energy field. It is as if we are traversing an inter-dimensional portal. Crossing the boundaries of the ego identity enables us to be in a much vaster field of Being, a field of grace.
The more that gateway is open to you, open to your awareness, and the more you are able to move in and out of ego consciousness, rather than being petrified in an identify that is rigid and unquestionable, the more through that portal will rain in, just as in a great rainstorm, the rays of divine grace. This is called Shaktipat in the Kashmir Shaivite Yoga tradition. The gaze of an illumined sage can transmit Shakti, but the source of Shakti is really always within. It ....(more)
latest update 05 Jan 09
a year of high alert
by howiemac 25 Dec 08
Shunyamurti, in his essay "Blessings for 2009—Year of High Alert", gave blessings for the coming new year, and in very clear terms spelled out his predictions for the nature of 2009 and what we must do to weather it:
"
The year 2009 will be a momentous one. It is a year in which we must be on constant high alert. We must be in the witness state, beyond the pull of identification with the ego, in order to withstand the force of projections from others, and those arising from within. The negative energies will be stronger than ever, but the power of the Divine Presence is with us more palpably than ever as well. We must take the support of the Presence, through full interior surrender of the mind and heart to the Supreme Being. Through this act of sacrificing the ego, we shall become free of the plagues of desire and fear, and shall come to live in transcendent peace. We shall be able to transmit the gifts of serenity and contentment, pure love and wisdom, to offer to all who seek spir ....(more)
"
The year 2009 will be a momentous one. It is a year in which we must be on constant high alert. We must be in the witness state, beyond the pull of identification with the ego, in order to withstand the force of projections from others, and those arising from within. The negative energies will be stronger than ever, but the power of the Divine Presence is with us more palpably than ever as well. We must take the support of the Presence, through full interior surrender of the mind and heart to the Supreme Being. Through this act of sacrificing the ego, we shall become free of the plagues of desire and fear, and shall come to live in transcendent peace. We shall be able to transmit the gifts of serenity and contentment, pure love and wisdom, to offer to all who seek spir ....(more)
Inner Guidance
by howiemac 09 Dec 08
I found the following, at http://beyond-the-illusion.com/files/Channeled-Info/Ascended-Masters/god-1.txt , and thought it was worth sharing:
Telepathic Communications - To Tom H. Smith of Spirit-Earth - August 11, 1993
"I AM. I love you.
I send love to all those on the Earth. I am love. I want every single person and every single plant and animal to know the depth of my love for you. My love has no end. I want each of you to KNOW this in your heart and your soul. I love you now, and I will love you the same after the many Earth changes have occurred, regardless of which path you may choose. I want you to know and believe this more than anything about your entire being. I have blessed your creation. Therefore, I have blessed your life with love. ....(more)
Telepathic Communications - To Tom H. Smith of Spirit-Earth - August 11, 1993
"I AM. I love you.
I send love to all those on the Earth. I am love. I want every single person and every single plant and animal to know the depth of my love for you. My love has no end. I want each of you to KNOW this in your heart and your soul. I love you now, and I will love you the same after the many Earth changes have occurred, regardless of which path you may choose. I want you to know and believe this more than anything about your entire being. I have blessed your creation. Therefore, I have blessed your life with love. ....(more)
Journey to Love
by howiemac 11 Oct 08
In his article "Journey to Love", Shunyamurti extols a return to our original nature as loving and forgiving beings, and the building of a community of spiritual people, based on love and mercy.
Unloving environments have conditioned us to lose our innocence and our openness. Some learned to attack, some deadened their hearts so as not to feel the attacks of others, some chose to seem not worth attacking, others chose to flee, to hide, or to camouflage themselves.
We adopt the same defensive approaches we see in Nature: "in human society, we can see wolves and deer, skunks and porcupines. We can see sharks, electric eels, and puffer fish. We recognize that the realm of animals reflects back to us our own images. Thus, we tend to adore those creatures that have retained their beauty, playfulness, friendship, loyalty, communication skills and social mutuality, while coping courageously with a difficult world. We valorize dolphins and wha ....(more)
Unloving environments have conditioned us to lose our innocence and our openness. Some learned to attack, some deadened their hearts so as not to feel the attacks of others, some chose to seem not worth attacking, others chose to flee, to hide, or to camouflage themselves.
Those who are beautiful must know how to fly.
We adopt the same defensive approaches we see in Nature: "in human society, we can see wolves and deer, skunks and porcupines. We can see sharks, electric eels, and puffer fish. We recognize that the realm of animals reflects back to us our own images. Thus, we tend to adore those creatures that have retained their beauty, playfulness, friendship, loyalty, communication skills and social mutuality, while coping courageously with a difficult world. We valorize dolphins and wha ....(more)
healing power of meditation
by howiemac 22 Sep 08
In his essay "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome", Shunyamurti extols meditation as a cure for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
in essence he is saying that scientists cannot explain this syndrome because science does not acknowledge the subtle life energy forces (psychic and spiritual), which govern (and comprise) our existence. These forces are electromagnetic in nature, and,
The source of our life energy is the soul, our divine higher selves, our link with God. This is "th ....(more)
in essence he is saying that scientists cannot explain this syndrome because science does not acknowledge the subtle life energy forces (psychic and spiritual), which govern (and comprise) our existence. These forces are electromagnetic in nature, and,
today, for a variety of reasons, including the intrusion of disruptive electromagnetic fields from computer and cell phone use and the presence of other electrical devices and high-voltage wires, as well as the weakening of the immune system as a result of chemical pollution and inadequate nourishment due to depletion of the soils and other industrial agricultural practices, most people’s life energy systems are operating at a barely functional level, and it takes only a very little extra stress to cause the system to crash.
The source of our life energy is the soul, our divine higher selves, our link with God. This is "th ....(more)
The Houdini Drive
by howiemac 27 Aug 08
In his essay, "The Houdini Drive", summarized and simplified here, Shunyamurti compares the human ego to Houdini:
"
Houdini created increasingly extreme situations of impossible difficulty, to escape from, with death only seconds away. In the same way the Atman (soul) creates an ego and places it in a situation of impossible constraints - including the constraint of ignorance - and forces it to cope with unbearable suffering of every sort. Egos love brinksmanship, and are even willing to go over the brink, initiating wars. At the collective level, the human ego-system faces itself with imminent death on a planetary scale. It creates conditions of utter hopelessness and despair—only to miraculously find the way out, at the last moment, and emerge victorious over all obstacles. But can we do it this time? We are in suspense. It can only happen if the trunk we are trapped in becomes a magic cocoon, in which our ego dies and our immortal spirit reveals itself in all its power.
Heroic tr ....(more)
"
Houdini created increasingly extreme situations of impossible difficulty, to escape from, with death only seconds away. In the same way the Atman (soul) creates an ego and places it in a situation of impossible constraints - including the constraint of ignorance - and forces it to cope with unbearable suffering of every sort. Egos love brinksmanship, and are even willing to go over the brink, initiating wars. At the collective level, the human ego-system faces itself with imminent death on a planetary scale. It creates conditions of utter hopelessness and despair—only to miraculously find the way out, at the last moment, and emerge victorious over all obstacles. But can we do it this time? We are in suspense. It can only happen if the trunk we are trapped in becomes a magic cocoon, in which our ego dies and our immortal spirit reveals itself in all its power.
Heroic tr ....(more)
latest update 23 Mar 09
Avyakt BapDada
by howiemac 08 Aug 08
BapDada is the founder of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU), Lehkraj Kirpalani, self styled as Brahma Baba, (Bap) Kripalani claims to be combined, when speaking, with the soul he names as Shiva, who in turn is claimed to be the supreme soul, i.e. God, (Dada: Father).
Kirpalani left his physical body in 1969, but apparently remains in control of the BKWSU in avyakt (subtle, incorporeal) form since that time, as Avyakt BapDada. Avyakt BapDada speaks regularly through a trance messenger, Dadi Gulzar of the BKWSU, and summaries of many of these speeches are contained here. ....(more)
Kirpalani left his physical body in 1969, but apparently remains in control of the BKWSU in avyakt (subtle, incorporeal) form since that time, as Avyakt BapDada. Avyakt BapDada speaks regularly through a trance messenger, Dadi Gulzar of the BKWSU, and summaries of many of these speeches are contained here. ....(more)
Defeating the Twin Snakes of Anxiety and Depression
by howiemac 06 Jul 08
In his essay, "The deformation and reformation of human character", Shunyamurti visualizes a new community of spiritually enlightened people, joining together as one cleansing and uplifting spiritual force, as the tonic to the "twin snakes" of anxiety and depression that now plague the world.
Below, I have summarized, and in some instances reinterpreted his original writing, in an attempt to convey the essence of it, while avoiding the complexities of his language, which is unfortunately even more opaque than usual:
There has been a collective loss of soul in the human species. Alienation, cynicism, and collective paranoid psychosis, are accelerating exponentially. We are losing our sense of values and our generosity of spirit. True communication is lost, as the deluge of data streams and technological apparatuses disrupt our thought processes, and keep us from wisdom and genuine rapport.
This loss of soul follows a previous loss of spirit that brought about modernization i ....(more)
Below, I have summarized, and in some instances reinterpreted his original writing, in an attempt to convey the essence of it, while avoiding the complexities of his language, which is unfortunately even more opaque than usual:
There has been a collective loss of soul in the human species. Alienation, cynicism, and collective paranoid psychosis, are accelerating exponentially. We are losing our sense of values and our generosity of spirit. True communication is lost, as the deluge of data streams and technological apparatuses disrupt our thought processes, and keep us from wisdom and genuine rapport.
This loss of soul follows a previous loss of spirit that brought about modernization i ....(more)
Save the World
by howiemac 13 Apr 08
In Creating Conditions for the Realization of the Unconditional, Shunyamurti responds to a student
To be conce ....(more)
insisting that he didn't give a damn about the world and he only wanted to straighten out his own life, saying that the very act of dedicating one's life to saving the world will bring out the greatest compassion and wisdom from within one's being. And, more fundamentally:
the world we are dedicated to saving is, in fact, the Self. Since there is only the Self and nothing else, what the egoic mind perceives as the myriad of planetary life forms are but the expression of the One Self. To save the world is to save oneSelf. In the act of recognizing the world as the Self, the ultimate liberation is realized instantaneously.
In short, one must dedicate oneself to saving the world at the same time that it is clearly understood that there is no world to save.
To be conce ....(more)