Your Heart’s Desire

Yogacharya David

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Awake at 1 a.m., worries about money come unbidden to mind, “How am I going to pay my bills? How can I ever go on vacation? My old car needs to be replaced, how can I ever do that? My business is stalled, money is going out the window, I am more and more in debt!”

Awake at 7 a.m.  “Oh, another day. I am so lonely. What is wrong with me that I do not have someone special in my life? I want someone to especially love, and who will love me! I just want to roll over and go back to sleep; there I may feel some respite from this loneliness.”

Just two examples of how we worry and cry bucket loads of tears about our unfilled desires. Is it so inconceivable that you would cry over not knowing God? That you would remain awake, thinking that days, years are going by and you do not know God, or deeply love Him? That you would wake in the night, wondering how you will pay for the air that you breathe?

What if you yearned for God at least as much as you desire things in this world? What if you worried if you will know God as your complete lover as much as you yearn to be loved by that someone special in your life?

At one point in my life I started to connect the idea that all my desires for things and satisfaction found in this world was really my desire for God. Sri Yukteswarji quoted the Vedas, saying that God is  the fulfillment of all your heart’s desires. Just think, everything you desire, everything you worry about, everything that causes you stress in this world, it is all satisfied through your connection with the Divine Presence.

Begin today by transferring your allegiance, your focus of attention, and your love, to God and not the world. You will still live in the world, therefore you must give it its due. However, inwardly, deeply, you look to God as your all and all, in all. Discover that amazingly, simply, your heart’s desire and fulfillment is, and always has been, right within you. 

Christine: One Year Anniversary

Yogacharya David

2007-India-Anandashrram.11Today marks the one year anniversary when Christine left the body. What stands out clearly is that when a soul leaves this earthly existence, it leaves a void that cannot be filled by anything or anyone; life is simply not the same, nor will it ever be.

As this realization deepens in me, it makes me more aware of how sacred life is; every life, everywhere. That search for the sacred, for divine healing was such a prominent feature in Christine, and what she inspired in many, many others.

Last night we held a Service for Christine: reading from the Resurrection of Sri Yukteswar, I spoke, we then chanted and held silence. While in silence I beheld Christine in a striking inner vision: She was near a large waterfall, there were lush flowers and foliage all around, all was lit with a beautiful, spring-like sun and peace rang in the air.

We communed in thought and in Spirit. My consciousness expanded like a geyser of radiance, transporting her into higher, more expanded awareness. As beautiful as the astral worlds are, they pale into insignificance in contrast to an experience in overarching Spirit.

Then for some time we were again next to the waterfall. She exuded light and a brilliant smile. She indicated that she would wish me to pass on her love to all, and for no one to feel sorry for her, that she is happy and free of bodily pain and restrictions. The feeling of light and happiness comes easily and joyfully as I think of her now.

How I started writing about Christine and what I have just now written seem to be two realities, a physical one in which Christine has left void of absence, and a spiritual reality in which she is ever-present and shining in a new world. Both are true, and while we deeply miss her, the greater reality is her eternal existence in God. This is the key to all healing around the physical death of a loved one; while acknowledging the loss, we may also know the eternal existence of the Soul.

What stands out to me in this moment is the tremendous feeling of love in my heart in thinking about Christine. And a feeling of fulfillment, that what she strove for in life, spiritual healing, has come to pass. Christine now has freedom from fear, and and has found joy; freedom from aloneness and separation, and is joined into oneness in Spirit; freedom from disappointment, and content in Divine Love; and now she has a playground of all astral creation, that more easily accommodates her vast desire to create beauty!

She earned all of these spiritual gifts by her relentless striving while here. Christine courageously faced her past demons, sometimes shaking and shuddering in the process, but never turning away from her path. And her expansive heart ever wanted to include everyone in the experience of growth; for she believed in, and eventually came to know, the real freedom and the lasting happiness that comes with bravely facing darkness in order to know the Light. This courage and tenacity for growth is what stands like a monument in Christine for all to emulate and follow.

AWAKE—The Life of Yogananda—

Yogacharya David

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AWAKE—The Life of Yogananda—

Compelling…Enough to make a modern soul look inwards. New York Times movie review.

It was an evening spent with many from our Spiritual Group, dinner at a delightful Asian restaurant and then on to a much anticipated movie, Awake—The Life of Yogananda, a newly released movie to a limited number of theaters and in the case of Bellingham, for one night only (although they have now scheduled another night in November after a sold out performance last night).

In a word, a wonderfully made film about our beloved param-guru.

With astounding vintage still pictures and moving pictures of Master, Sri Yukteswarji, Anandamayi Ma and others, the movie makers worked magic with older photos and film to make us feel that we were there. There were a few voice recordings of Master and quotes from Master read by an actor as a voice over, many interviews from some who knew Master and some who were placed in the movie because they are well-known today.

The movie was respectfully and lovingly done; the copyright at the end indicated that it is an SRF production and they own the rights. There are some things I would have preferred, for instance there was little or none of Master’s music performed by him or others, and there were noticeable absences of known recordings and videos by disciples of Master, such as Roy Eugene Davis, Bob Raymer, Yogacharya Black or Yogacharya Mother Hamilton.

The stories told did, somewhat surprisingly, bring out some the more difficult times in Master’s life. The painful separation between Master and Dhirananda, and the “yellow journalism” attacks on Master (at least in part due to racism), and his experiences in Washington D.C. where he was received by the President and his lectures were attended by congressmen and senators, but people of color were not allowed to attend his lectures; Master conducted classes for people of color separately.

The movie told Master’s story in such a way that you felt you could actually meet him and know what he would be like, not an “ivory tower” version of him. Overall, excellent effort in bringing out the life and teachings of Master that is informative and entertaining for all audiences, not just ardent disciples and followers of Master’s teachings.

Swami Satchidananda’s Mahasamadhi response by S. Muktanandaji

Yogacharya David
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Swami Muktanandaji & Yogacharya David-2013

Revered Davidji,

Your most loving and touching email email conveying your love and gratitude for our Revered and Beloved Swamiji is heart-rending at the same time soul-elevating. The last few days have been bringing back all the memories of our dear Swamiji. His love, his fortitude, his guru-seva, concern for all and his tireless service for all devotees. All we can do is bow our head with gratitude at HIS Holy Feet and seek HIS blessings to be able to live up to all these noble ideal that He has placed before us through HIS life.

Yes, when we think about it 6 years seems a very long time, but when we think about Pujya Swamiji He is right before us, still looking at us with all the compassion and love in HIS eyes.

A lot of devotees from various places were here for Pujya Swamiji’s Maha Samadhi day. The day went off with intense God-remembrance.

Deepest love and best wishes to you, Carlaji, Larry, Cateji, Jillji and all there.

Ever your Self

Swami Muktananda

Swami Satchidanandaji’s Mahasmadhi Day

Yogacharya David
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Yogacharya David & Swami Satchidanandaji: 1998

Dear Swami Muktanandaji and all dear friends,

Today we concluded our meditation service with a tribute to our dear Swami Satchidanandaji and distributed Ashram Prasad packets. Each day I see Swamiji’s prominent picture here, given to us by Larryji and Cate. Whenever I think of our dear Swamiji love and gratitude fills my heart. This fullness of heart is the greatest tribute I can think to bestow upon this precious soul. The year 2008 seems so long ago, but when I think of Swamiji he feels so close.

We wish to send you our love and gratitude not only for our dear Swamiji, but for all of you at Anandashram who are holding aloft the Light that Swamiji manifested in all that he did. Our Gurudev never tired of saying that out of all there at the Ashram, when she went through the terrific experiences of the Mystical Crucifixion Papa put her through, she felt above all others there, Swamiji exhibited the most understanding and compassion for her; I know he and Mother always had a special connection. She would with great affection refer to him privately as “Satch.”

Such are the thoughts we are having on this special Mahasamadhi Day for our dear Swamiji. Etched forever in my mind is the last time we took our leave from him. I asked if I would see him again in the body, and he answered, “Not likely.” Oh, how my heart heaved with grief in that moment. However, for the sake of knowing him, and loving him, I would gladly bear such utter grief a million, million times; for he is my savior and forever I will bow at his feet in gratitude.

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram,

Yogacharya David (the name he gave to me)

The Wisdom of Sri Ramakrishna

Yogacharya David

Ramakrishna seated

“The feeling of ‘I and mine’ has covered Reality. Because of this we do not see Truth. Attainment of Chaitanya, Divine Consciousness, is not possible without the knowledge of Advaita, Non-duality. After realizing Chaitanya one enjoys Nityananda, Eternal Bliss. One enjoys this Bliss after attaining the state of a paramhansa.

“Do you know what the vision of Divine Consciousness is like? It is like the sudden illumination of a dark room when a match is struck.

“The Incarnation of God is accepted by those who follow the path of bhakti. A woman belonging to the Kartabhaja sect observed my condition and remarked : ‘You have inner realization. Don’t dance and sing too much. Ripe grapes must be preserved carefully in cotton. The mother-in-law lessens her daughter-in-law’s activities when the daughter-in-law is with child. One characteristic of God-realization is that the activities of a man with such realization gradually drop away. Inside the man [meaning Sri Ramakrishna] is the real Jewel.’

“Watching me eat, she remarked, ‘Sir, are you yourself eating, or are you feeding someone else?’

“The feeling of ego has covered Truth. Narendra once said, ‘As the “I” of man recedes, the “I” of God approaches.’ Kadar says, ‘The more clay there is in the jar, the less water it holds.’

“Krishna said to Arjuna: ‘Brother, you will not realize Me if you possess even one of the eight siddhis [powers].’ These give only a little power. With healing and the like one may do only a little good to others. Isn’t that true?

“Therefore I prayed to the Divine Mother for pure love only, a love that does not seek any return. I never asked for occult powers.”

While talking thus, Sri Ramakrishna went into samadhi. He sat there motionless, completely forgetful of the outer world. Then, coming down to the sense world, he sang:

‘Ah, friend! I have not found Him yet, whose love has driven me mad… .

The Depth of This Mystery Knows No Bounds

Yogacharya David

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The path of a yogi is suited to the individuality of the practitioner. Only through deep understanding may you know for certain that you are following the highest path. Even then the notion that you will know everything in a factual sense is never true. What you do know is your absolute oneness with God. You may take on the role of a master, a lover of God, a servant, a child, an instrument, or other such divine expressions. However, what is consistent in all of these spiritual manifestations is the experience that God is the operator of the machine, you are but the machine. Even what sort of expression you become is according to His will. In this sense there is no free will, even though your experience is that of choosing to do His will. Relationships such as a Father and Son, a Hand in the glove, the Master and servant, have all joined and merged, one into the other. Now God and His devotee are interchangeable; it is God who has become the servant, and the servant has become God. The depth of this mystery knows no bounds.

Years

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