A Most Excellent Result

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Stained glass in the entry to the chapel at Providence Hospital–Gratitude to this greatest of Masters.  

We went in for my four month CT/PET scan. When I told Carla I appreciated her coming (as she has been to every appointment and stayed in the room after each operation), she said, “Where else would I be!”

 I am now familiar with the procedure for the PET/CT scan, a restrictive diet the day before, nothing to eat six hours before, all to make the body hungry for sugar. A concoction of a radium marker (which they assure me is mostly gone in a few hours) and sugar is injected and lights up areas of the body that absorb the sugar; and tumors love sugar, so if they are present they light up during the scan.

 The tech took three different pokes to get access to the blood system, I am told I am most difficult (having wiggly veins). He always talks for a good twenty minutes about his life (including pictures from his phone, as he is a special Ram edition!) before he gives me the radium, but eventually we get there. For about an hour I rest (not even reading) as the marker circulates through my system; wonderful meditation time.

 Then a short walk into a room with a large machine in it. I lie down on a narrow platform, strapped in and asked not to move, and then conveyored into a four foot deep tunnel with a few inches above me. Fortunately, I do not mind caves and enclosed spaces, in fact I rather like them. Asked beforehand if I want music played, I decline, again, an excellent time to meditate, besides, my mind can reproduce any music I know with stunning quality. The machine whirs as I am shuffled forward and back, slowly scanning up and down this body. After about an hour I am taken out and then I reverse my direction on the platform and once again I am enter the tube and more sound from the multimillion dollar PET/CT machine, as it does what it does. Twenty minutes or so later apparently I am fully baked and am given a hand up as I emerge from the procedure.

 Meanwhile Carla went to the beautiful little chapel that is provided by the Providence Hospital; a hospital founded years before by nuns, it continues to sport religious icons and prayers on walls throughout their buildings. Carla felt a wonderful support and presence of Mother and the Masters while meditating there. She then had the inspiration to call the doctor’s office; I was not able to get an appointment until the end of December, a long time to wait for results of the scans; as they tend not to give you the results until they see you in person.  The weather out has been turning cold and apparently some cautious souls decided not to keep their appointments out of concern it might snow—we could see the doctor later that afternoon! Carla said to me that this was only the outward reason given for their cancellations, she knew it was God who made all the arrangements.

 Normally it takes 24 hours to have a specialist read the results of the scan, but the nurse put in a call and we met with the doctor that very afternoon, he had the results in hand. After waiting for the doctor, he usually runs generously behind schedule, he came in to say that the scan was clear, no evidence of tumors; a very happy outcome (the second scan now that has come back clean). One reason he is so far behind scheduled time is that once he is with us, it seems he has no other place to be and we met with him for nearly an hour.

 We reviewed the scans, looking at the body as if from above the head, and with a movement of a mouse we view the spine and internal organs up and down at various layers, as well seeing the whole body from the front, and many other different windows to the internal workings of the body. The brain, kidneys, colon and liver all light up, as they readily absorb sugar. We could see the staples left by a previous surgery, a fascinating view of the internal body.  My original surgeon, who seems to have taken over my case, is a saint–he has a positive, healing presence and brims with intelligence as well as perpetual curiosity. I think it unusual that a surgeon would continue as a primary doctor with me now, but Carla has the thought it is because he finds something in us he likes (presumably more than my small intestines, liver and gallbladder resections and removals!).

 Afterwards we visit the chapel to give thanks and to be absorbed in His Presence. I tell God that I hope it is not due to attachment to the body that I feel this great joy, but He is bubbling up with blissfulness as we sit before His altar. I also thank so many of you who have sent prayers and notes of support and love. Science may have difficulty in quantifying the effects of prayer, but I have no doubt whatsoever that you have been essential in this time of physical challenges and that my smooth recoveries from major surgeries and multiple procedures have been made possible by your loving support—Thank You. And, for the grace and love I feel from God and the Masters, there is no end to my gratitude. Surely, and not just for this, my life has been blessed and my soul melts in gratitude.

 The only difficulty in what turned out to be a long day at the hospital is that the hours wore away and it became clear I would not be back in time for our Skype Service with the Ashland Group; I only hope they will forgive me for missing our time together, for what, I think, is for a good reason and a most excellent result.

God’s Emissary

Yogacharya David

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Picture: It’s a Wonderful Life: “Every time a bell rings…

I have been spending a special amount of time focused on the transcripts of Mother’s Talks as I work to put them into book form. As I do so I am so conscious of what a powerful engine she was for God. The other attribute that stands out to me is her willingness to share from a human level what her life was like.

Mother’s life as a God-woman is perhaps unique, because so many of her teachings about the inner meaning of the scriptures is taken from an intimate portrait of her life. Although Yoganandaji shared much about his life, and his discipleship with his guru was open for all to see, Mother’s experiences relates to a major shift of understanding about the life and teachings of Jesus the Christ, it affects all Christendom and beyond.

It is remarkable (as in once in many lifetimes experience remarkable) to be given work by Mother and Master; in whatever degree they have given us to help. No matter what role we play in the work, there is nothing insignificant in what we do. It is a ruse of the ego that makes us think that our lives do not matter, or at least does not matter much.

I think of Brother Lawrence washing his dishes at the monastery. He was reputed to be not good at anything, so he was put on what was considered lowly cleanup duty.  Who the head of the monastery was at the time–I do not know. Who the bishop or even the pope was at the time–I do not know. But, through his letters on Practicing the Presence of God I know Brother Lawrence.

As you go about your life you may sometimes believe that no one sees or cares about all that you do, but this is not the truth. This is especially true when you are making sincere spiritual effort in your life. Because, by connecting your life with God’s you are unleashing a tremendous force for good in this world. The more deeply you are immersed in God, the greater the good being done.

There are no insignificant lives in this world; period. There are no exceptions to this. The original screenplay for “It’s a Wonderful Life” was not Jimmy Stewart’s role as the bank CEO, rather the main role was played by a bank clerk. He was shown the world, by his guardian angel, as if he never lived. Because he was not the bank clerk another man had the job and embezzled money from the bank. The bank failed due to the theft and therefore a number of  local businesses failed as well. The whole town and its economy suffered because this one man was not there to do his humble job honestly. Every life is important, and you are indispensable to the role you play, therefore you must play it well.

Meditating regularly and deeply you change not only your life, but your families life, your community and even the world at large. There is simply no way for you to accurately assess all the ways that your spiritual practice is absolutely needed by this world. Therefore, resolve that whatever role you are playing in this world, you play it well, and you enter into your spiritual practice with all of your heart, mind and soul–for you are God’s emissary.

‘Tis the Season

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Santa Claus created by Lois Hickenbottom

For those of us in the largely Christian West we have entered the Christmas Season; ostensibly celebrating the birth of Jesus. As with many religions that spread to new lands folk traditions often become incorporated into the newly accepted faith; so, among other things many of us will have Christmas trees in our homes.

Yesterday we put our tree up, complete with lights and the delight of bringing out of storage decorations—many of which have special meaning. This early morning I sit in otherwise complete darkness with the lighted tree shining—and with it there is a magic spell that comes to life. It is this special feeling that is so much of the power behind the traditions and celebrations of Christmas.

We love to see the look of wonder in our small children, and through that to re-awaken in ourselves the experience of magic. Without a focus on the underlying power of these traditions we can get caught up in the externals of buying gifts, going to parties, and all the traditions that goes with this season. The feelings of awe and magic are tender shoots that can be choked out by the pernicious weeds of excess, greed, competition, alcohol, drugs, and getting caught up in being too busy and having too many commitments to do it all.

Whew, take a breath! I am far from bah-humbug, for I love this season of lights in darkness, listening to Handel’s Messiah and other favorite music associated with the season, and watching movies such as “It’s A Wonderful Life,” “Jesus of Nazareth,” and “Scrooge” (I especially like Alistair Sim). I am also aware that in trying to capture the magic of the season we may lose focus on what is essential, allowing those noxious weeds to strangle those very tender feelings right out of existence.

That feeling of magic and awe we love to see in children–is not for children only! It is unfortunate that because we use fanciful stories and contrivance to evoke that feeling in children we can quash that very needed quality by our adult view of realism. We can turn it all around, inside out and being repulsed by the excesses become the bah-humbug of Mr. Scrooge. Of course, the fully adult version of magic and awe comes with loving God–in fact we do our children a disservice in not teaching them this “reality” from the beginning. When our whole being is lit up with the eternal Light, we become a finely decorated tree with the spine as the trunk and nerves the branches. The Star of the East is seen at the Christ Center of the ajna, and gifts are delivered when those fine spiritual feelings are felt throughout our beings. Christ is born anytime the Presence of God is felt and there are acts of loving service.

We honor the season best when we dive deep in meditation to find the Source of that most powerful feeling of magic and awe. Then we will be mindful to not allow noxious weeds to drown out those refined feelings. Let us look for ways to serve others, and to teach our children that rather than Christmas being all about, “What am I going to get,” to be a time also of, “What am I going to give;” to help our children to find true magic, to find God within.

May you have the very best Season ever, and in magic and awe may the tender and all-powerful Divine Incarnation of Christ be born in you.

A Natural State of Gratitude

Yogacharya David

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 Experiencing divine Grace begets a natural state of gratitude, even as a sense of gratitude brings about a feeling of closeness with our Creator. To have a day set aside for giving thanks is a wonderful idea, but with feasts, football and family is there even a moment set aside for honoring the spirit of the holiday? Sri Yoganandaji advocated a time for both a social Christmas and a meditative spiritual Christmas, likewise we can take time to honor the spirit of Thanksgiving with family, and by taking time to deepen our inner communion with God.

 Reflecting the news-media, our minds can become fixated upon the things that are troubling about the world. However there truly is much to be thankful for. In the year Mother Hamilton was born, 1904, the average life expectancy world-wide was 32 years, 20% of newborn children did not make it to see their first birthday, and the average income was $2,000 a year (in today’s dollars). Flash Forward a hundred years: global life-expectancy is 70 years, first year deaths have been reduced to 3.6%, and the average person now makes $10,070. Even in the last twenty years global poverty has fallen by half (when they poll people about this one fact, only 5% guessed that is was cut in half, the rest thought it had marginally improved, was the same or worse). Another improved area in the U.S. is in polluting emissions, which have dropped 70% since 1970, while the economy has grown 240%. There is much to be grateful for.

 While material improvements in health and prosperity are important, they are incomplete in themselves. Without the core of deepened spirituality these outer improvements are hollow, the sounding of a thin tin bell. Only through deepened communion with the Almighty does that sound become enriching—a beautifully toned bell reverberating for all the ages. The gift of spiritual awakening is the ultimate gift for which we are grateful. Just getting started on this path to Self-realization is of great import; how many darkened lifetimes have we spent in ignorance and suffering with no spiritual understanding?

 To be given the quality tools for realization and the guidance from an extraordinary lineage is reason enough for giving profound thanks. However, like the negative popular news about this world, you can focus on those things in life you do not like about yourself without acknowledging the progress you have made. Giving gratitude brings about balance in your perspective; looking at all the ways you have grown, advanced, and become more empowered. Taking legitimate pride for what you have done circles you, the sincere aspirant, right back to the source of your accomplishments—your life in God.   

 On this day of thanksgiving I have gratitude for having a body in good health, which is remarkable after what has occurred in the past year. Thanks to your support, loving thoughts and sincere prayers, as well as excellent medical care, I am still very much here. Which leads to another area of gratefulness. When I first started this spiritual journey, I had no compatriots in Spirit. Over time Mother drew me to herself, and through her to so many sincere aspirants—as kindred spirits upon the path, you are my treasured gifts. God has given us each other to make spiritual progress and to give mutual support—what a tremendous gift that has been in my life. For that, and for all the unbounded grace God gives, I am deeply grateful. I wish you deepened connection with God and Gurus as you mindfully keep your own day of thanksgiving.  

Note: If you would like, send me your thoughts on what you are grateful for, I would love to hear from you.

Additional Note: I am in for a CT/PET scan on Monday, December 5 as a scheduled follow-up.

He Must Come to You

Yogacharya David

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Swami Ramdas: In continuous remembrance of Ram Nam

The notion of a mantra or chanting as a means for achieving states of higher consciousness is well known in the East, but is only beginning to be explored in more recent years here in the West. A chant used for this purpose normally does not have many lyrics, it does not tell a story or have a romantic appeal–rather its simplicity is its power.

Recently a dear devotee was inspired by a statement Mother Hamilton had made, “If you call upon the name of the Lord for 24 hours unceasingly, He cannot refuse to answer. He must come to you.” Originally she thought to start chanting Ram Nam unceasingly the day after her long work day, but God prompted her to start immediately after, 11:00 that night. She asked for blessings for her accomplishment of this noble endeavor. I suggested anytime tiredness affected her that she walk and chant for some time.

It is interesting that God’s prompting made her chant throughout the night of a supermoon, a time when the full moon was to be closest to the earth (perigee) since 1948, and would not be this close again until 2034; a unique night for spiritual practice. Spiritually, full moons are considered favorable; it was on a full moon that the Buddha achieved nirvana and it was on a full moon that the gopis met Krishna in a dance of divine ecstasy.

Her practice brought to mind times at Anandashram, especially on full moon nights, when I climbed to  the top of Manjupati, the hill behind the Ashram, and chanted through the night. On one such night I was unsuccessfully trying to remember a new chant I had heard at the Ashram when suddenly some distant temple in the valley below played over loudspeakers the very Ram Nam tune I had been trying to remember! (Only in India would a temple play a chant at this volume at 2 in the morning!) In heart-melting gratitude to the Infinite Beloved for answering this smallest of desires in such a unique way I looked out on the night, with dots of lighted lamps here and there below, in the distance incoming waves of the Arabian Sea reflecting moon’s light, with a shawl wrapped around me for warmth in the rare coolness, Ram Nam kept me company and lifted me into His Presence throughout the nocturnal observance. On other nights, when there was 24 hour Ram Nam at the Mandirs for some special occasions, I walked the Ashram walkways to quietly chant during the night.

I felt in sympathetic connection throughout for this beloved aspirant during her 24 hour practice. After this “experiment” she felt no tiredness, rather she was rested in a complete way. When drowsiness did come, she walked and chanted and did some yoga stretches without loss of Ram Nam, which was continuous. She also felt a deepened guru-disciple connection. From my own previous experiences I know this dedicated period of practice will reverberate into the future, strengthening her ongoing remembrance of God.

Ram Nam practice has a number of stages it takes the aspirant through. From the beginning chanting Ram Nam has given me a feeling of upliftment, peace and bliss. This purification results in continuous God-experience, feeling His presence permeating mind, body and spirit. At a certain point the vibration of Ram Nam enters the spine awakening an awareness of vast inner space filled with sacredness. The illumined spine and brain then effortlessly merges with outer creation–God within, God without. This universal vision confirms that there is no place where God is not.

When every cell of your being resonates with divine feeling you may be sure you are in God-consciousness. You know that you are not the body, not any temporary emotional state and you are beyond thought–you are eternal Spirit existing in a state of freedom. The power of chanting is just becoming more widely known, but what a power it unleashes to lift one and all into the bliss of His Presence–that through continuous and earnest practice He must come to you.

Note: Since returning from the Redwoods God has kept me in a powerful inner experience that keeps me indrawn in Him. It is for this reason I am not giving a talk this Sunday, the week of Thanksgiving. Know that I am with you in Spirit.

Walking Among Giants

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Redwood Forest Nothern California Coast

We mark Armistice Day, the signing of peace between the Allies and Germany that ended WWI on 11-11, at 11 a.m. in the year 1918. It was a day of celebration for the Allies and a symbol of peace for what was touted to be the war to end all wars–how wrong that proved to be. It is still a day to remember–for those who sacrificed much as well as a day of peace. This is also the anniversary of the birth of Swamiji Satchidananda, for whom so much is owed

On this anniversary day I walk among giants. We are here in northern California in the Redwood National and State Parks–entering one of nature’s great cathedrals. A remarkable aspect of Redwood trees concerns time. The oldest of these living trees can be traced back to before the time of Jesus, and the ancestors of these sequoia redwoods stood tall during the time of dinosaurs! Strolling beneath these pillars of the forest, some reaching over 300 feet high my attention is naturally drawn skyward; as well as making me think of long stretches of time, at least by human standards.

This reflection on time put me in a train of thought about the affairs of man. My brief visit–hours of walking on a couple of days–would barely register by redwood standards. However, even in this too short of time the clear sense of soulfulness in these Sequoia sempervirens is abundantly apparent. These ancients exude longevity, a perspective that makes human calculation based on the minute, hour and day seem all too insignificant. What are years compared to millenia, was not 1918 only a moment ago?  

Certainly each person’s perspective is important to them; a moment can make time stand still, or a lifetime can be over in the blink of an eye. Even the millennial view, however long by our standards, is still only a blink of an eye in eternity. And this is where time becomes a plaything. It is relative to the state of consciousness we have in the moment. Whether time has come to a stop, is crawling or flying by, whether we think in expansive geological time or measure the microseconds of a sprinter, the concept of time is pliable and ultimately dependent on the individual.  

Our ascent into Divine Consciousness proves that time and timelessness are completely dependent on shifts of consciousness. The soul may rise up and know that time is suspended when absorbed in transcendent awareness. The Over-Soul has ever been, it is now, and it will ever be. This is not a mere philosophical concept, but an obvious reality to the all-conscious Self. Even as God-consciousness can span the space of a far-reaching galaxy or even the universe itself, and then be found to be equally present in the miniscule atom, so can the Divine be in vast reaches of time, or in the eternal moment of now. For God-consciousness is transcendent to, and immanent in, both time and space. It is the great equalizer–to omniscience the life of a flower is on equal footing with the life of a stellar system, or even a universe.

Peace is not something that occurs at any particular time, such as when an agreement is signed–it is an ever-existent state of being that can be made self-evident at any and all times. Just as a state of Self-realization is not something to achieve, such as making something new, rather it is something you have ever been, only unaware of it. We think that the world can one day be made perfect, but it is already perfect! A newborn is perfect, so is a child and a young adult, through all stages the individual is perfect just as it is, only that one may not be aware of it, that is all. You would not say, while watching a play, that it is imperfect without seeing it to its end, only at the conclusion can you properly ascertain its worth–and so it is with life.

The feeling of peace and the perspective of time I experience while hiking in this forest is one of life’s great experiences. Just so, you may know peace now–whatever your circumstances; it is your eternal gift. As I meander in awe at the feet of these grand beings I feel their ancient wisdom in the simple quiet. They awaken in me through thought, “What is a moment? See what a brief speck time is. Know the eternal verities if you would be wise: patient awareness, silence, stillness, vibrant life-energy resounding, standing straight and reaching for the heavens while rooted in the earth and drawing strength from kindred spirits, these are whispered truths that seep deeply into my soul from theirs, as I walk among giants.

Redwoods: gets its color from tannin, which protects the trees from insects, fungi, and fire. Redwoods can absorb half of their water needs from fog. The roots of the trees are relatively shallow, however they get much of their grounded strength from interweaving their roots with other redwoods. These giants have a tiny seed, only about an inch long. Much of their new growth is a result of cloning, a bulbous formation will activate when the main tree is damaged and grow a new tree, genetically identical to the original. A redwood called the General Sherman is, by volume, the largest tree in the world.

Picture: Standing among one of the medium size brothers

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The Love of God

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Mother gave the love of God to all

Truly speaking it is not that we have to love God; we have to know that God who is Love is enthroned in our hearts. By surrendering ourselves to this Divine Love in us, we become embodiments of that Love. By constant remembrance and meditation we realize His presence in us and our life becomes filled with His light and love. His love then radiates through us and we see with love, talk with love, give with love, receive with love and act with love.

Swami Ramdas

This great saying by Papa is really tremendous. So what does it mean when we hear elsewhere that we must love God in order to know Him? There are two stages for the love of God, one is from the aspiring human viewpoint, and the other is totally Divine.

Human love of God means you aspire, pray, and work for loving God more than the world. That is, you have an overwhelming need and drive for God-consciousness, truth, bliss, expansive awareness and universal  vision that supersedes your greedy, lustful, self-centered way of life. This striving for higher consciousness uses the power of attraction that is generated by powerful love to purify your mind and lift you into the supreme consciousness of God.

Achieving union with God makes the second stage of the love of God a living reality. You are now merged in universal divine love. Love naturally pours through your heart, love guides and enlightens you, it effortlessly flows through every part of your being in thought, word and action. Divine Love is now part and parcel of your being.

This past week we spent in Ashland with a beautiful group of flowering devotees and aspirants, all coming together in Satsang–a sanskrit term that means: Sat-truth, and sang-gathering, gathering together to immerse ourselves in the highest truth. In the midst of these sincere seekers the love of God radiated and flowed through my heart and soul without limit.

Mother said that she gave to all the love of God. Today I understand that differently than I did when I first heard Mother say it. Although I could feel love, such as I had never experienced before, flowing from Mother I had no idea of the source of that love or what she must be experiencing when she said it. Now I can say, from my own experience, I give the love of God to all, and it is the most magnificent experience–a way of seeing God in action.

My heart is wide open as love flows like a vast river. There is no beginning or end, only radiant love shines and moves through to one and all. It has no demand nor does it need reciprocity, however it glows brightly when there is receptivity in another. It is strong in the physical presence of someone or a group, but it is equally powerful from a distance as well. When I think of another who is far away there is a distinct awareness that love is transmitted directly to the recipient. There are literally no barriers, even what we call death is no bar to the power of this love. It is not sentimentality, nor is it blind or deluded, rather it is transcendent and knows the worth of another far better than what the faculties of our senses or mind can comprehend.

Whether you are practicing loving God in order to attain Him, or you are immersed in divine love through realization, love will be found the most potent force in all the three worlds. To remain in a sterile world empty of emotion is not proof against suffering; it is only through union with God will you know that freedom. If you ask, “Where is this love you speak of?” It is here, within you, and all around you, you are verily swimming in an ocean of love, and always have been–you need only receive it.

Come-Rise Up

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Jesus in blissful meditation

The mind directs our life-energy, emotions and moods; change the mind and all else will follow. My football coach of old taught us a move called a head-shuck. When the opposing player came right at you, the forearm was to be applied to the side of his head with some force–moving his head to one side or the other. Coach confidently told us that wherever the head went–the rest of the body would follow! I never saw that principle proved wrong.

So with your mind; wherever it goes, the rest of you will follow. Change your thoughts, change your life. The complication comes in that most people’s minds are “a house divided.” That is, the mind becomes fractured and can actually oppose itself. When president Harry Truman consulted economists about what policies he should institute, he heard, “Well, on the one hand we can do this, but on the other hand we could do that. Finally, the exasperated president exclaimed, “What I would give for a one-handed economist!” There are two sides to every thought, that is its nature.

The only way to the deeper truth of any subject is through refined intuition. Certainly the reasoning mind plays an important role in gathering information and performing analysis, but that part of the brain can never ascertain absolute higher meaning. For that, truth is known in deeper states of meditation, which opens a doorway to greater reality.

Intuition of this sort is not simply a mental flash or idea. It is an experience that uplifts and transforms you. The fact that there are those who claim divine inspiration and are clearly deluded only demonstrates that we must be very good spiritual scientist, not sloppy or inauthentic. The number of times it has been predicted that the world was to have been destroyed or civilization collapse on a particular day and time, then nothing occurs at the appointed moment has baffled more than one observer as to how such charlatans get a hearing at all. The fact is, fear sells, as the news reporters demonstrate daily.

Many times revelations from God are not at all dramatic in nature, but elucidate a simple truth that high drama cannot compete with. Reflect on the time when Jesus talked about the lillies of the field, that Solomon, in all of his glory, was not arrayed as one of these. What was Jesus experience when he looked at a small lilly that made him talk like this? What a tremendous vision he must have had that speaks to us still, thousands of years later.   

Many times I have a revelation that defies speech. I could say the words, but you would not comprehend the enlightenment that is behind them. Only a direct revelation would accomplish the shared realization. While we benefit from reading the words of the spiritually great, seeing the words alone cannot lift us into the high state from which those words were uttered.

I remember listening to Mother talk, and thinking to myself, “I want to be in the same state of consciousness in hearing those words as Mother is when she is speaking them. In truth, this is why Mother was saying those words in the first place, to lift me into the bliss, wisdom and light she was enjoying.

Come, rise up into the consciousness of Krishna, Christ, Yogananda, Mother; know the same state of awareness they know, be infused with the same power to bring light and healing to one and to all, immerse yourself into the bliss they too enjoyed. It is the reason they taught at all, so that you might be as they are in God. Come, recieve your innate divinity and be one with your heavenly Father and divine Mother.

Gathering God

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Shiva, king of meditating yogis

People naturally gather information of various kinds: an avid baseball fan analyzes the statistics of various players, an intellectual gleans facts and information from his favorite subjects, a philosopher studies and compares the sages of history, and so on. Our spiritual journey is composed of a different kind “gathering.”

In the beginning an aspirant may study various religions, teachers and philosophies. However, as one deepens in merging the little self into the vast Self, the mind takes on a different purpose than that of gathering information. Now the mind is used to focus attention upon transcending the mind through a mantra or some other meditational focus. Experience teaches that only when the mind is still is God revealed–this making all the difference.

No longer is gathering facts and information central to the aspirants life. With full awareness, the mind becomes still, the little bubble of the self dissolves and merges into the vast ocean of Consciousness. Now pure Consciousness is known, the one without a second. This pure awareness resides in its Self, no thought, no information gathering, no reference to another; it is purna: whole and complete.

When I started this journey of journeys I had many questions about so many things. Some of these questions could not be answered by books or intellectual study, they could only come from a source beyond speculation. As I continued in this quest I found so many of those questions were either answered, or they simply dropped off–the growing stillness rendered questions obsolete.

This morning I entered the inner Temple of Silence, the thought of the bubble dissolving into the sea–made it so. Whatever defines this part of the mind that operates in the world simply disintegrates, awareness becomes a vast ocean of consciousness. It is not an empty ocean, it is full of all life, everything that is good and pure, but it has no need for activity so it rests in the bliss and peace of itself.

To the worldly mind this may seem like a nice dream, or it may be inconceivable how one could be enraptured when there is not constant stimulation. My mom said, when I told my parents I was going into silence and seclusion for the next year, that she imagined if my father tried that he would run out of the cabin in a few days desperate to know the score of the football game! Most would have their version of a driving need to know the score–news of a child or grandchild, of the world, work, friends or family.

There is the story told in India of the yogi who simply showed up at a temple and spent his days meditating. The temple fed the yogi daily, the rest of his time he meditated or rested. The wealthy man who financed the temple noticed this yogi and that he did not do any chores around the temple, simply ate his meals and seemed to do nothing else. Finally he had had enough of this and angrily approached the yogi. “You do not do anything here, you should leave!” He shouted. The yogi was calm in the face of this verbal assault and answered, “I will gladly leave, but I would like you to meditate with me for a little while first.” The businessman said he did not have time for such foolishness, but the yogi was somehow calmly insistent and prevailed. The businessman spent some uncomfortable minutes trying to sit still, but could not. Suddenly it dawned on him what “work” this yogi was doing by meditating long hours throughout the day–he gained a newfound respect for him. “Mahatma,” the businessman said, “You may remain here at this temple as long as you like, blessing it’s precinct’s with your dedicated meditation.”

In your practice you recognize that what you are doing is fundamentally different than what a worldly man or woman does. From the depths of your meditation you may very well be inspired to do some great work, however you must know God first for any endeavor to be truly successful. To know God you transcend the desires, thoughts and all preoccupations of the self. First merge your little self in the great Self of God, then let all action flow from that high state. You will certainly be a blessing to this whole world as no other can be.

Arjuna Chooses Krishna

Yogacharya David

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Anger can be one of our greatest tests upon the way up in our search for God-consciousness. Either a deep rage or a brooding discontent interferes with our connection to the Divine. When we analyze it, we come to know that anger is caused by attachment to how things are supposed to be. If you think traffic is supposed to be moving fast and there is a sudden stoppage, a flare of rage may erupt. It is the thought that traffic should be flowing at high speed, and then it is not that causes the disturbance.

In our desire to continuously experience the qualities of the Divine we must cut the binding cord of attachment. In this work of letting go we differentiate between attachment and having an ideal. We can have the ideal that there should be no violence in this world, everyone should work their problems out non-violently. Yet, we find ourselves in a world where violence is all too prevalent. I have known those who are very disturbed by the violence in this world, and in their disturbance they are livid. Their thoughts and emotions emit violence in their rage. How can they bring peace to this world when they have none of it themselves?

In the Mahabharata, the epic poem from India, there is a collision of forces that ends up in a massive war involving millions. Krishna belongs to one of the royal families drawn into the conflict. He first attempts to mediate a solution, but when King Duryodhana is insistent on maintaining an unrighteous position, Krishna makes a decision to bequeath his army to one side, and he, unarmed, will stand with the other. Arjuna (self-control) is first to choose, he takes Krishna, not his army. King Duryodhana (material desire) thanks his lucky stars that his enemy Arjuna has picked Krishna, leaving Krishna’s army for himself.

Duryodhana is recklessly angry, trying to prove himself and find security through his position in the world. Arjuna is calmly determined and looks to Krishna as his guide. Arjuna does not yet realize that Krishna is a divine incarnation, however he does know that Krishna is wise and very special; he definitely wants him by his side. Though the battles are hard fought and many times goes against Arjuna, eventually he and his side win the war.

The key is that he has asked Krishna to be the driver of his chariot. Although in a worldly sense a charioteer is beneath the dignity of royalty, Krishna accepts the position. Spiritually this puts him in command of Arjuna on the battlefield. It is Krishna who teaches and directs Arjuna. Arjuna fights without anger, neither does he give into despondency. He fights because it is God’s direction to do so, to fulfill righteousness.

We find in Arjuna exactly the right attitude in life. This world is a battlefield of competing interests, to run away leaves the field to those who are driven by lower desires. If good people do not become policemen, then those posts are left to scoundrels and the world suffers. This is true of all positions, from the janitor to CEOs of large companies, political leaders and spiritual ministers. Dharma, right action, betters the world, adharma, wrong motives, brings suffering.

The essential factor is that you must serve with a focus upon doing what is right, putting God’s direction in the driver’s seat. When you are driven by angry vitriol or seething revenge, no good can come of it. When you stand aside out of fear or tepidness, the world suffers. To find the right balance of calm decisive action based upon the highest light you know will produce the highest and best results for yourself and the world at large. Determine to demonstrate your Arjuna within—put God first and enter into the world to do what is right, with all your might.

Blessings–Not Luck

Yogacharya David

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What do we mean when we say, “Good luck?” We are wishing someone well, that things go his way. And what does it mean for things to go his way? We all know there are times in life when everything seems to just go easier, contrasted to other times when it feels one difficulty after another is trying to stop us. Good luck means either the impediments disappear or that they are overcome.

But why any impediments at all? Is it bad luck that is at fault? The same person with the same body conditioning may be walking down a slight hill, talking, smiling and laughing all along the way, or he may be climbing a steep incline, all talk ceases, the lungs act like overworked bellows and he feels as though he will not make it to the top! Is the hill climbed bad luck?

When we find someone who is struggling to put one foot in front of the other we want him to have strength, endurance, have some things go his way. The individual may focus upon his own abilities, however to the thoughtful person it becomes clear that every individual is connected to something higher, and events that swirl all around have a Source beyond random chance—there is a Creator, a God. Rather than ascribing this source to luck, you ultimately want another to be blessed by the giver of all good things. Good luck really means: God bless you.

If you would but know it, all things in your life are a result of the law of cause and effect, the law of karma. However, higher than the law of karma, or the stars, genetics or any other influence from the material world is the power, intelligence and grace that comes directly from Divine Consciousness.

Replacing no, I can’t consciousness with yes, I will consciousness is a tremendous step in evolution. But a giant leap forward comes in uniting individual will with the supreme Creator’s will, which makes all things possible. Light is stronger than the dark, love more powerful than fear, omniscience true and separation false; in all ways, the Presence of God is superior to anything this world offers.

It is the human mind that is the battleground for these two ways of perceiving the source for overcoming—the human and the Divine. Years and lifetimes of survival mode makes us think we must rely only upon our own wits and capabilities. And, although it becomes clear there is a Divine Consciousness which is the true source of our being, past programming remains strong in feeling, it is just me.

My own journey in knowing this something higher began when I was a late teen. My own decision making and circumstances led me to crisis of great emotional pain. In the middle of the night I sat in the front yard looking at the starry sky, feeling my heart splitting in two in the most painful way possible. It was so painful that I prayed, “God, I don’t know if you exist, but if you do, if I have never needed you before I need you now. Please, help me with this pain!” Immediately I felt as if a thousand-pound weight was lifted from my shoulders and the pain in my heart was alleviated.

My rational mind argued that there was no divine intervention, but a deeper part of me could not deny it, I knew that it was. This was a momentary opening of a door to a much greater way of being. The way was slow and bumbling, but a seed was planted in the rocky ground of doubt and denial, finding enough good soil that it eventually bore a tree of realization. The most tremendous change began when I was blessed on that warm summer’s night.

Instead of wishing you good luck, I see, in the depth of my communion with the all-beneficent Lord of creation, that you are blessed—most particularly that your journey to the highest realization is greatly quickened. In that spirit, God’s greatest blessings to you.

A Meditation on Master

Yogacharya David

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2016 Loon Lake Retreat

A spiritual retreat is a concentrated time of companionable connections and deepened divine awareness–I only wish that all could attend. Each retreat is a mystery as to what the topic will be. As the time approached my prayer was that our time together fulfill the highest good of all—whatever topic God chose.

The approach of the 70th anniversary of the release of the Autobiography of a Yogi in December of this year triggered the topic—to spend our time meditating on the life and ongoing influence of our great master, Paramhansa Yogananda. When a soul such as Sri Yoganandaji realizes God, his life yields an unending source of inspiration and offers unlimited facets of a divine personality.

I asked our three ministers to read passages from the Autobiography of a Yogi that were particularly meaningful to them. Larry focused on the fascinating chapter Kashi, Reborn and Rediscovered. It is an intense experience for Master as he promises to do a thing that he is not sure how to do—finding Kashi in his new incarnation and put him solidly on the spiritual path. Through his knowledge of how the heart acts as a receiving station and the ajna a transmitter Master develops a method for finding Kashi that he fearlessly and relentlessly employs in order to fulfill his sacred promise.

That promise is made when Kashi asks about his future. Master spontaneously says, You shall soon be dead. Instead of Kashi asking that his life be spared he implores Master to find him when he reincarnates and ensure his continued spiritual journey. Kashi is unremitting in pursuing Master to fulfill this difficult occult request. Master finally relents when he sees Kashi stretched to the breaking point. It is both touching and fascinating as Master describes in humble detail how he fulfills his sacred promise to his beloved disciple.

Jill read from the chapter The Resurrection of Sri Yukteswar in which Master’s guru describes afterlife, and in particular the astral worlds. In his new afterlife role Sri Yukteswarji serves as spiritual preceptor in an astral heaven where he is a guru for those souls who leave their bodies on earth in a high state of realization, but not yet fully realized. The great master intimately knows the comings and goings in all the three worlds. Jill spoke about her younger days when she was keenly aware of death, a constant feature to life, but no one wanted to talk about it. Death, the elephant in the room that went unnoticed, was finally addressed when she read the Autobiography. It spoke deeply to her longheld quest to know the truth about death.

Peter described that when he was given the Autobiography as a young teen it struck him as the ultimate adventure story. Master ran away from home to the Himalayas in search of saints as a youth, Peter could identify with this impulse and in reading the Autobiography he felt he was on an exciting spiritual journey with Mukunda. Peter related how his awakened spiritual life helped him in an outdoor adventure of his own in the Alaskan wilderness. He and a friend hiked and then paddled a raft to a campsite at the end of a remote lake. The plan was for a seaplane to pick them up in three days. They were well prepared, however when they unpacked there were no matches! Their freeze-dried food was inedible without the required hot water, so they faced a daunting prospect of no food and no warming fire in the days to come.

The two young campers displayed an unusual response to this crises—both entered into a deepened state of prayer. After placing their dilemma before God they searched around a bit and discovered matches mysteriously spread on the ground and amazingly, quite amazingly, they were dry and flame-worthy. How could these matches inexplicably be in this remote area and in perfect condition? This demonstration of God’s Grace was not dissimilar to what happened in Master’s life that he describes in the chapter Peter read, Two Penniless Boys in Brindaban. Master’s life ignited a spiritual flame in young Peter that has burned ever since.

The retreat was filled with Master, his grace definitely felt. No better topic could have surfaced for our time together, and it is proof positive that Master is a living presence that only grows with time.

Picture: Mother’s Autobiography of a Yogi

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