Picture: Divine Mother’s love of color and variety

Like many anniversaries in life, a birthday gives time for reflection. Like an eagle flying high above sees a person down below and can look far back, know where the person is now, and can gaze forward to see what is to come.

I have had the privilege of God showing me many of my past incarnations. Like a lightswitch thrown and a room lit up,  a revelation can be given in which the gist of a whole lifetime can be given in an instant, or perhaps just a significant moment is seen. When it is God who is showing you, whatever is shown will relate to something you are going through in that moment, and it is given to you to help release you from the past.

So I can look back to many experiences that have all gone into making me who I am today. And not all of them are good, or perfect, but then some of them show signs of compassion and clarity. In what I have been given  there has been more suffering than overcoming; that is because it is those things I have done wrong or have traumatized me that have held me back. In order to be released from these things that follow me from lifetime to lifetime I must absorb the lesson intended, not always the one I learned at the time.

Perhaps the greatest revelation that has come from these experiences is that the law of cause and effect, the boom-a-rang of Karma, is not meant as punishment, but rather it occurs to teach compassion. If I do something despicable to another without real consideration for how that action affects them, then those same actions will be visited upon me. When they come to me I understand what suffering is produced by that action. When this happens enough, I will see myself in the happiness or suffering of all others, for no one is a stranger to me. There is nothing another does that I have not done, in some version, and there is no pain another may have that has not been mine at some time. My vision becomes universalized. This is the lesson of compassion my past has taught me.

In the present I am just reading the newly published Cross and Lotus Journal, after having gone over it many times when proofing it. In reading Mother’s Easter Talk I find myself carried into her living presence; her words, thoughts, and spiritual experiences are not just reacting in my brain, but through my whole Being. She is telling my story. At the time she gave the talk she was showing me the way. Now, as I read her words she is telling the way that I have come. When Mother ordained me a Yogacharya she said that I had been through nearly all the experiences she had been through–I was quite surprised when she said that.

What was very important in her statement was–“nearly.” And, in fact there were many experiences yet to go through, some of them unimaginable to me at the time. I think for the most part it is best for us to not know everything we will have to go through before hand! However, through those experiences I am now able to enjoy a communion with God that does, as Sri Yukteswarji said it would, fulfill my heart’s desire. I melt in gratitude to God and Guru for making this possible. I know in every cell of my being that God-experience is the source of every happiness, and it is separation from Him that makes suffering. My soul melts and merges with Him, then He re-animates me to serve Him in all forms, and it is all His play. This–I know.

Looking forward I only know that there is much work to do. I know with every fiber of my being that Mother’s words, the truth that came at such a high price, must go out in order to help this world to change. She speaks to all the Christian world, telling them of the original teachings and meaning of Jesus. She also bridges the the teachings of Jesus to reach out to every man, woman and child the world over, those belonging to every religion–for she tells a story with universal significance. This world stands on the verge of becoming more universal, we see signs of it everywhere; yet the oppositional force does not go quietly. Dedicated souls must first tread the way themselves, and then be willing to share the Light now shining through their forms.

I see a world that tempers individuality, competition, and striving with compassion, internally derived joy, and universal vision. God proves through nature He loves individual expression, as Divine Mother manifests through so many different kinds of flowers, so much beauty, so many colors and outrageous patterns. So She must love Her individuality in humanity. When we realize that every individual is part of one complete puzzle, and for the picture to be complete no piece of the puzzle can be discarded or treated with disrespect, then we will have taken a giant step forward to universalizing our vision.

So, as the eagle swoops earthward, and on this day that I ostensibly celebrate my birth, the birth of a body that is simply one of many this soul has inhabited, I wish that all  your heart’s desires be fulfilled. And, I do happen to know a secret–realizing God will satisfy your heart, completely.

Papa Ramdas: In Joyfilled Bliss

If we apply the lessons of tidying to our thinking, then we would start on the first of two stages,  internal house clearing; discarding any thoughts that do not bring us joy. Recognizing that thought is the creative powerhouse that directs our emotions, energy and activity, then choosing only joyful thoughts and the supreme bliss of God is the only course that makes sense.

Yet we see that this is not what many people do. Instead they remain focused on those thoughts that produce unhappiness; with so many of those things outside the direct control of the individual. So, instead of choosing joy, there is too much of choosing suffering instead.

This can seem crazy for anyone to choose unhappiness, and yet we know from first hand experience that we do exactly that. The natural question comes, “Why?” The answers can vary, but it comes down to the same thing–a part of us thinks a negative thought will make us safe and happy. For instance, a state of depression can seem like a safe place to retreat. A child may seek out a closet, make a nest of blankets and pillows inside and close the closet door to darken the room. Inside the closet all the chaos, shame and fear disappear. Depression can initially feel like that closet, all safe and warm.

And every other “negative” behavior has a root cause in seeking happiness–but in all the wrong places. Again, “Why?” Because you are not one whole person yet. You have many parts to your self, parts that vie with one another for fulfillment of varied needs. The key to resolving this inner conflict can be found in learning some basic spiritual principles, and then teaching them to all the various parts of yourself.

One such principle is to choose joy. Absolute joy is ultimately a spiritual gift, not just “luck of the draw” or just for a fortunate few, but grace that comes to all. However the key to having joy is to be realy open to receiving it. There are many who say they want happiness, but parts of them do not believe they deserve it, or if that they get it, then it will be taken from them–“So (goes the reasoning), better not to even think that happiness can be mine.”

However, there is no stopping a determined soul, especially true when individual will is united with Divine Will! Decide to choose joy, discard every other thought and you open the door to grace and real joy; Bliss flows to you, of this I am sure.

Flame Exercise: When a thought comes to you and does not spark joy, then discard it. See with your mind’s eye a flame 12 to 14 inches in front of you, then send the unwanted thought into this flame; the Light of God. See those thoughts you are discarding flowing into the flame, and see the flame consume the thought and take it up and away–purified in those flames.

In this way you can choose only thoughts that give you joy, let everything else go. Moods, unhealthy desires, compulsions and negativity can be gotten rid of, beginning now! Decide to think only of Light, universal Love and ever-new Joy and change your life, never to be the same.

Picture: Carla going through tops

More  and more have worked on discarding those items that no longer bring them joy. There are some things that come up when doing so that I would like to comment on. One is the material from past classes I have given; what to do with handouts from those classes?

There are a few, like Carla, who will actually go back and review past class notes, study them and work to integrate them into their daily life. However, I know the reality is that those are few in number, no matter how well intentioned we may be.

The real value for many is the experience of the retreat or class itself; the insights, feelings, and upliftment that come at the time and immediately after. For many, the purpose is already fulfilled in just coming to such an event. While the handouts were very valuable at the time, that moment has come and gone and re-reading the material will not have the same effect as it did originally. If that describes you, then you may let them go.

This issue has come up for several aspirants, and it tugs at the heart and soul to think of discarding of these papers. The question that comes to mind is, “Am I being disloyal or disrespectful in thinking of getting rid of them?” Go inside, if you honestly feel the only reason for keeping them is guilt, then let them go. If you feel real joy in having them, then by all means keep them. You may always request a digital copy from Carla for any materials from any past class or retreat.

When you let go of anything it adds great meaning when you give gratitude for the service those materials rendered you and the experiences you had in the class. In India when a sacred image has been damaged and can no longer be the focus for worshipping Divine Consciousness then the image is taken to the Ganges, or some sacred river and submerged into the flowing stream. You might like to have a ceremony, give a moment of gratitude for how these materials served you at the time of the retreat with a hearfelt send-off.

Another issue that comes up for different ones is when very few items in possession give any joy. There is a recognition that he or she has brought things into the home for utilitarian reasons, but joy was not part of it. Now you may have filed some insurance papers or other items that should be kept, but you cannot say they give you joy, except in knowing you should have them. However there may be many things, such as clothes and furniture, that are in your home by choice, but you have no real love for them. Then the question comes, “Will I have anything, or enough, left if I get rid of all of this?”

It may require you to become creative when you let certain things go. You can make it fun and interesting to see how to get along without something by being innovative, which may make you feel more alive and less encumbered. To see unloved things leave lifts a burden from you and opens the way for more things to come; things that you will really love. It could be you just have too much darn stuff, and so much can go out the door that you do not ever miss; even if there is some fear beforehand that you can’t do without it.

There is no doubt about it, this is a purging. And there are those reporting that when they purge their house they also lose weight, have added clarity of mind, make decisions in other areas of life more easily, even have signs of physical purging similar to a fast. This is really fascinating and powerful stuff!

I hope you will join in the tidying fest and tell me of your own experiences. It is a great way to get the energy moving in your own life. If you feel stuck right now, I would be most interested to hear how it impacts you to thoroughly purge your home of anything that does not produce joy.

I continue to be impressed with Marie Kondo’s book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and I encourage you to read it even if you feel you are good at getting rid of things because of her know-how, the feeling and spirit that comes with her words, her well considered and deep knowledge of the subject, and her emphasis on more joy.

The response to the posting on The Joy of Tidying has been tremendous; it hit a real need. Already the amount of clothes gone from a number of households has filled up dozens of garbage bags. This Means greater organization and enjoyment for the givers, and it has released thousands of items to new recipients who will find joy in them.

The things you have are manifestations of your consciousness, so this is not just stuff, useful tools, or clutter; these are all items that are connected to you. As a result, when you make changes in your home, you change your consciousness. When you release things that are no longer are right for you, you feel light, free and renewed energy.

We all need things in life, clothing for warmth and style, shelter, books, papers, tools for accomplishing our tasks in life and entertainment. What is the right amount for one is different than for another, but we all recognize clutter when we have it, which is having things that are not right for us or having too much of it.

Find the right balance that allows the winds of heaven to move through all parts of your life, uninhibited; recognize that clutter blocks that movement. Here are a couple of points made by the author, Marie Kondo (The life-changing magic of tidying up), said in my own words:

• Books are for reading, if you are not going to re-read a book or read it for the first time (you have had it for six months and not read it yet) then pass it on, even if it is new. Let someone else enjoy the book you will probably never open.
• The joy of receiving a gift may be in the exchange itself. If, after this exchange the item does not give you joy, then pass it on. Know the gift has already fulfilled its purpose when you received it and the thoughtfulness and effort the giver made in presenting it to you. A real friend would not want you hanging on to something they gave you if it does not give you real joy.
• A few pictures will remind you of a past event. Having boxes of badly taken pictures that you will “someday” go through will not bring you joy, nor will you ever go through them. Sort them now and keep only the cream of the crop.
• Keep papers only as long as it takes to deal with them. When you respond to a letter or pay a bill let the paper go; don’t keep them a minute longer. And don’t keep extra buttons from new clothes (when have you ever used that button?), even instruction manuals you can look up online—let them all go.
• Make a place for everything you have. Give it a home and then find joy in returning it to its home when you are done with it.

Many of us think of organizing and tidying up as a hassle, overwhelming or never really possible. Connecting this process to feeling joy, freedom and clarity of consciousness brings new elements to what may seem a vexing and perpetual problem.