My Cup Runneth Over

Yogacharya David

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Picture: My Cup Runneth Over (Psalm 23:5)

The conscious mind is a cup that holds the content of whatever your attention is focused upon. When the body demands your attention the mind naturally is full of worldly concerns. When those concerns make you think that you are either gaining or losing something, then craving, dread and unrest fills the cup. For many, their cups are filled to the brim with the things of the world.

When you want to focus on God-experience and the cup of your mind is already filled with worldly concerns, then where is there room? In order to know God, you first empty your cup of the things of the world; only then do you have the room needed for contact with the Infinite.

“Be still, and know that I am God” is your goal. Being still is not just sitting quietly, it requires that you empty the cup of your mind of all material concerns. You do this by shifting your attention to God-consciousness. Being aware of your breath—you feel His peace. Thinking on God’s name at the Christ Center—His light fills your Being. Going within—you inwardly hear His all-powerful voice as the Aum/Amen. Through expanding consciousness—you experience His bliss. Your cup is sanctified, no longer polluted with fear, greed and jealousy. You cannot hold it all and your cup runneth over—bliss, light and the power of the Infinite pours out of your cup, flowing out in blessings to one and to all. Now the cup of your mind is completely still—His blissful Presence fills you without end.

Don’t Eat, God First!

Yogacharya David

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We have had the joy of hosting some special souls this last week, 4 growing boys. The energy, inquisitive minds and underlying spirituality are a wonder to see. They hold the future in their hands, and with the beautiful souls I have seen coming into Kriyaban households I feel that the future will bear bright lights to help this world become better–with increasing Light.

Each generation has its own challenges. When I was growing up there was the threat of a nuclear holocaust that would destroy the world as we knew it looming over us. Here in America prosperity grew, but a war in Vietnam became extremely distasteful. It was a younger generation in which many challenged accepted norms and were bent on experimentation. Like all experiments there were many misfires, some of which we continue to live with today. Drugs, sex without restraint, and in some cases a total lack of personal responsibility are the dregs we continue to see. On the other hand, racial equality, concern for the environment, and a desire for the betterment of all people have grown through that same time frame.

Many times the real impact of a time period cannot truly be evaluated until many generations have passed. There are some obvious hallmarks of our time: travel to the moon, technological growth, producing food for seven and a half billion people (in the 1970s this was thought impossible), and a general peace around the world (compare today with world wars and conflicts of the 20th Century).

What will the future bring? Will computer modeling be correct about a global warming disaster? Will there be new devastating wars or major acts of terrorism? Will irresponsibility and greed lead to economic catastrophe? On the other hand, will international cooperation and competition create a more prosperous world with cleaner air and water? A safer world?

New generations will collectively help determine the answers to these questions. Sri Yukteswarji said that we are emerging from dark ages into greater light. Mother added that the age of darkness we are coming out of was an unusually dark cycle from which it has been very difficult to emerge. The challenges are great, but the possibilities are even greater. Great souls can help lift this world into a new age of world peace and enlightenment.

There are indeed high souls incarnating, offering hope not only for material prosperity, greater peace, and harmonious living with nature, but most importantly, by first offering the basic foundation that makes all those great things sustainable going into the future, spiritual progress, both individually and collectively. Hope looms, as reflected in what little  five year old Aron said when we sat down for our meal this last week, “Don’t eat, God first!”  

Your Temple-Home

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Reverend Jill & Greg in the new Temple Home

Today we have celebrated a House Blessing for Jill and Greg. The blessing took me back in time to when the seed of a thought to do House Blessings first came to mind. It was in 1999 at Anandashram when I was invited to the room of a couple who worked in the Ashram and were moving into their new quarters. Swami Satchidananda was the honored guest, incense was lit and the group rang out with Ram Nam for some time, then Prasad (blessed food) was served to all participants.

I thought, “How wonderful to start out your new home with blessings of enlightened souls and the sacred chanting of Ram Nam.” In India the center of daily spiritual life is not the temple, but is right in the home. Devotees set aside a room, if they have the space, or a part of a room for puja, a dedicated space for devotion to God. Temples are generally used for special occasions and as pilgrimage spots, but regular worship of God occurs in the home. This spiritual center becomes the nexus of blessings for the entire family and community through devotees God contact. Where better to strive for realization than in your own home?

To dedicate the home to being a Temple-home is the intention behind the House Blessing. A spiritual atmosphere is built with chanting, prayer and meditation by all who attend. This jumpstarts the higher vibration that is then continued by the regular practice by the house inmates. The spiritual atmosphere seeps into all activities of the home, both sacred and mundane. The power of Divine Consciousness is a blessing to the household, the community, and, if we would but know it, an unlimited potential for how far those uplifting vibrations can radiate from sincere practitioners.

This all-in-one package of the Temple-home supports the family in so many ways. When purity pervades the atmosphere of a home a natural filter is created that makes bad behavior feel doubly inappropriate, it just feels out of place. On the other hand, spiritual power makes doing what is right and uplifting natural. This power also extends itself to the community in which the Temple-home resides, thus benefiting so many with or without their awareness. In an intentional experiment a meditation group meeting once a week saw a significant reduction of crime according to police statistics in a rough part of town after they began their weekly, one hour meditation.

It truly is a great thing when you dedicate a space to your practice. It may be a room, a corner of a room or a closet space you claim. Your practice builds a power in that space, just as it does in the things you use, such as your meditation blanket, beads and altar. On one of those days you feel drained or uninspired, the vibration you have invested into your meditation space will lift you up and support you—helping to transform a tough day into a good one.

Gradually the walls, floors, everything in your room and home resonates with that higher vibration and others who enter your home will feel it as well. Even those who are not attuned to spiritual practice will comment that your home feels peaceful, or they just feel good when they enter in; in some notable ways they will recognize there is something differently salubrious about your home.

You start by feeling peace and upliftment, making God contact during your practice. Then you can consciously radiate that experience out to your home, community, the world and creation itself. In feeling the vibrancy in the room, your room then becomes transparent and the power you feel goes out and out as your consciousness expands with this feeling. God Himself is working through you to bless this world. There is nothing greater in this world than to be a conscious instrument in the hands of the Divine. You and all those sincere in their spiritual practice invisibly unite to lift this world up for much needed harmony, peace, light and love. In this way your Temple-home becomes a blessing for one and for all.   

Joy in Victory

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Arjuna is granted the universal vision in which he sees all, both edifying and terrifying, as expressions of the One perfect God.

Health Update: Today we received the results from the PET scan done last week. Good news, the scans were clean; no sign of tumors. Thank you for all of your loving support and prayers; it makes the difference. The news brings great joy. We discussed options with the oncologist for treatment going forward. A viable option is to begin a series of immunotherapy infusions. There will be more consultations as we go forward–for today, we feel pleased with the results.

The joy that I feel has led me to reflect on the role that being either pleased or disappointed plays in our lives. For pleasure ever alternates with painful situations that occur in life as well. Going back and forth between joy and sorrow is the plight of the human condition. In the Gita Krishna points out that this alternation binds us in ignorance. Why is this ignorance? Because we identify with the body through our attachment to the attraction to joy and repulsion to sorrow which is never-ending and breeds the delusion that “I am happy or sad” based on momentary situations.

Attachment works in both directions. We can be equally attached to joy and pleasure, as well as sorrow and pain. It is one of the great mysteries as to how or why we would be attached to pain, but many are. In fact, you can tell by what people talk about and what they emphasize as to what their attachments may be. For many it is the misery in life that captures and keeps their attention. However, you cannot have sorrow without joy, nor can you have pleasure without pain. Great attraction for one side and being repulsed by the other is the source of our attachment.

Applying the principle of detachment to my current situation is a great field-test. This latest scan has vital implications for the health of this body, so approaching the test and waiting for the results have kept it all in my mind. But what has been even more prominent during this time is the work I have been doing on the diary that Mother’s husband, Ralph, kept when they travelled around the United States in 1954. As I typed out the handwritten notes it felt as if I were travelling with them. It was during this trip that Mother worked to shore up the SRF Centers around the country after Master’s passing. It was also on this journey that she entered into Nirvikalpa Samadhi for eleven days, receiving revelations while in this rare and exalted state. Ralph’s diary is interesting on a human level as well as the hints to the spiritual glory Mother was experiencing at the time. So, even though I had to keep track of appointment dates for my tests, my mind was taken up with the spiritual life of my Guru.

When we practice detachment, does that mean we live a life empty of pleasure and pain? This cannot be, for this world of duality cannot exist without them. The news that brings us smiles will one day turn into news that is displeasing. We ride the wave of happiness only to get crushed in the swell of sorrow.

How do you get out of this endless cycle of highs and lows? Only by attaching yourself to something superior, higher and more enlightened can you free yourself from lowly passions and attachments. First, you learn to discern what is higher from what is lower. By letting go of lower passions and striving for what is uplifting you enter into an inner stillness. It is this stillness that connects you to pure Divine Consciousness—and through identification with God-consciousness you transcend life’s highs and lows. This realm of pure Being brings about peace and an inner knowing that you are more than the body, emotions and thoughts—you are no longer ruled by them.

You continue to live life, you feel the waves of joy in accomplishment, you may feel sorrow at a loss, but being anchored in the Divine you never lose connection with who and what you truly are. You experience yourself to be the vast ocean of consciousness underneath the ever-changing waves—the alternations of being happy and sad only play on the surface, never touching your deeper Self. For the aspirant who has purified his mind, this is salvation. By knowing your true Self you cast off delusion’s net and free yourself from the endless cycle of gain and loss. Now you know yourself as the ever blissful ocean of God-consciousness.

While waiting for the results of this latest scan I was busy with God’s Work, feeling His Bliss and Power pouring through this little human frame. And with a focus on today, I take joy in the freedom of having a clean scan, and I am happy to share that wave of joy with you.

Perfect Faith

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Jesus healing woman

We are waiting for news from the latest PET scan from last week. I wrote earlier about shifting from the negative emotions to the reasoning mind (either it is a one or a zero) for making healthy decisions and maintaining a calm mind. The reasoning mind can then meditate and gain access to the inspiring Super-conscious mind.

There is something more than working with the mind in my thoughts today, it is the very interesting role of faith. Jesus said, “For assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20) This is a bold thought from the master!

And what does it mean? Surely there are those who claim to have faith, faith in a savior or a deity, but can they move mountains? Jesus must have had a tremendous experience that made him be able to make such a fantastic proclamation!

Is faith the power of mind—which is remarkable, but how remarkable is the mind alone? One of the great problems experimental scientists have is accounting for the placebo effect; an effect that is due to the patient’s belief they have been given a treatment, such as a drug, while in fact they have been given a placebo, perhaps only a sugar pill. The patient becomes well without the “real” treatment; the role of belief is one of the most understudied effects in medicine. The placebo effect can happen with people from varied backgrounds; those with religious convictions and those without any.

But faith is more than mind. Faith connected Jesus with a woman seeking healing in an entirely unconscious way on his part. Out of many in a crowd, Jesus felt the power of God flow through him to one woman:

25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

Time and again Jesus ascribes healings that passed through him to the recipient’s faith. Faith—faith the size of a mustard seed, a tiny seed that can grow into a tremendous tree. It is something to think upon, to meditate on. I have meditated on faith many times down through the years and there have been different levels of understanding unfolding before me from its deep mystery.

Belief is something of the mind, but faith comes from some place more fundamental to our being. Faith connects the mind, in a viable way, to the supreme power of the Creator, and in that connection the higher power of Grace flows. The direction that Grace goes can be interactive; we may direct that power through our intention, such as when we pray for another, or the inner power will also direct us, as when virtue goes out of us spontaneously.

Faith is not simply desire or belief; it is true contact with God. Such contact requires not only Grace on Spirit’s side, but purification on the human side. Once when Jesus’ disciples were unable to cast out lunacy in a man’s son, Jesus pointed out their failure was due to the disciple’s unbelief; the kind of faith needed for this particular situation required preparation and purification through fasting and prayer.

Through deeper meditation the aspirant achieves true God-contact; a knowing connection grows and convinces the devotee down to the cellular level that God is with him or her. When the power of God passes through that devotee then healing of the body, mind and spirit occurs; also courage, clarity of mind and purpose, and joyful bliss can be transmitted. With a clear connection to God mountainous obstacles are removed—and if God wills it, physical mountains tumble down as well.

Attunement to God’s will makes all actions taken by the devotee for the highest good of all. There are times when change does not come, even if it is wanted by the disciple. Not everyone who came to Jesus was healed, and even in his own life Jesus asked if the cup of crucifixion might be taken away, but in the greatest moment of surrender the Master said, “Not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42) There are times when the drama must unfold; that will be for the highest good of all.

This morning, all these thoughts about faith are passing through me while I wait on the results that will determine the next phase of life for this body. My faith is that all that is unfolding is for the highest good of all. I know that my part is to perceive only perfect health; in body, mind and spirit. In my touching the fabric of God’s Being I feel peace. I feel the love and prayers you send me, that joins you to me and me to you, and in that love I feel my infinite Beloved. Thus, riches stream to me, and this very moment is perfect.

Thank You, O’ Lord, for Your virtue flows to all, bringing Your perfection to all receptive hearts. Bless Your children with perfect faith; ever in God Christ Gurus.

It is Either a One or a Zero

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Lahiri Mahasaya: when he received word sent by Babaji that the sands of time were running out for this lifetime his body shuddered in reaction, then the great spiritual master immediately focused on the ajna and merged into Divine Consciousness.

We encounter disappointment, loss and jolts to our system on a fairly regular basis on this material plane; they are, and will always be part of our lives here. To weather these storms when they hit us and not allow them to knock us off balance must be a deep part of our spiritual practice.

The other day I received some news that was disappointing. I had been accepted as part of a new therapy in which they took samples of T cells with the idea that they would grow them in the laboratory and bank them against a day that I might have more tumors. The cells did not grow, that happens about 50% of the time.

Now, news like this can feel like a disappointment in the moment, but how do we keep that from sending us down a spiral into darkness? We have two major parts of our brain—the emotional mind and the reasoning mind. It is primarily the emotional mind that can attach itself to disappointment, loss or shock and retain it in the body where it loops back to itself in an endless cycle—accomplishing nothing and sinking the emotions into a pool of distress.

We can shift the focus from the emotional mind to the reasoning mind in a number of ways that does not suppress the emotions by denying them, but rather puts the reasoning mind in charge to help the emotional mind be useful—not self-destructive.

A way that God gave me to do this was inspired by binary computer coding. A binary code is a series of ones and zeros in different combinations to create a bit string for each symbol or instruction, a mathematical language. The principle for shifting from the emotional mind to the reasoning mind is simple. In life results or solutions are of two sorts, one is a yes, the other a no; either it is one thing or it is another. For instance, the results of the lab work with the T cells was either going to be successful in the growing the cells, a yes, or it was not going to work, a no. It was going to be a one or a zero.

We can spend an enormous amount of energy worrying about some outcome, but in truth all the worry in the world does not change what is going to be. Worry also produces a negative result as stress to our physical and mental health. With the reasoning mind in charge it can decide on proper action, or to remain in a restful, alert state. The emotional mind drives us to action, but the actions are usually not for the good.  Also, the emotional mind acts as static on the mental radio which interferes with intuition of the Superconscious Mind. So not only does the emotional mind have a negative effect on the body and mind, but it also makes it impossible to hear the still, small voice of God within. The reasoning mind can be employed to become calm in meditation; a perfect receiver for Super-conscious inspiration and guidance.Therefore, the reasoning mind must be in charge.

In anticipating the results of the T cell therapy, it was either going to be a yes or a no, successful growth of T cells or not. In getting the phone call, I thought, “This is going to be a one or a zero, a yes or a no.” With a calm mind I listened to the results, connected with the reasoning mind and the higher thoughts of the Soul.

Even so, when I first heard the results they came as a disappointment; the procedure offered an option for the future if needed, that option is now off the table. As I continued with shifting to the reasoning mind and surrendering to God’s will, the disappointment lifted from me and the reasoning mind focused on what I could do now. “I do not need these T cells in the moment, and the best alternative is to have no new tumors at all. There are other possible treatments as well; so let us investigate those to see what is possible.” I made three telephone calls to specialists in the field to alert them to the lab results and to get consultations for new options.

The calm mind also focused on the present. “Today, I feel very good. My stamina and general sense of physical well-being is 100%; recovery from surgery has gone perfectly. God has me busy with His Work. My focus has been on my work for God, and my occasional prompting to the medical professionals to ensure they stay on top of my situation. God knows I need more time to complete what I want to finish for Mother’s work and my own, and to serve those who are striving for realization. He knows that my will is surrendered to His will in all matters, but He also knows my preferences.

“He also knows your prayers on my behalf—in that I am content. I think of nothing but perfect health; I do all in my power to promote a healthy body, mind and spirit in all the ways He directs me—in this I am content. God knows the load He has given to me; He gives me the strength to carry it—in this I am content. I live in a human body that has limitations, and He makes me know that I also live in Him, and that has no limitations—and in that I am also content. In the end, He will decide, moment to moment, what His will is for me, and whether He decides it is a one or a zero—I am content.”

Note: Pictures from Glacier National Park. If you would like to see pictures we took on our pilgrimage to one of Nature’s great cathedrals, you may use this link:

https://photos.dropbox.com/app/album/qmVtNHu10Ext5mP

 

Positive Tapas

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Arjuna in veneration of Krishna as his Godhead

Tapas is an ancient Sanskrit word (tapah) that is translated as austerity (from Latin austerus: severe) that is often thought of as extreme forms of discipline that can extend all the way to self-inflicted torture. However, as Krishna points out in the Bhagavad Gita:

Veneration of the Devas, the twice-born, the gurus, and the wise, straightforwardness, continence, and non-violence are the penance or austerity of the body.

Meditative communion with one’s own true Self, and uttering words that cause no agitation and that are truthful, pleasant, and beneficial, are called the austerity of speech.

A calm and contented mental clarity, kindliness, silence, self-control, and purity of character constitute the austerity of the mind.

This threefold penance, sattvic in its nature, is practiced by persevering men [and women] possessing great devotion who desire no fruit of actions (God Talks with Arjuna—The Bhagavad Gita; Ch. 17, verses 14-7).

I remember watching a film in a High School class in which some yogis were shown on the banks of the Ganges. Some had kept their arms lifted above their heads for so long they atrophied in place, and others stared at the sun for so long they were blind. To my mind it made no sense to do such things. I was not raised Catholic but I read of aspirants and saints in that tradition where there were similar kinds of self-inflicted tortures on the body in the name of God; this too made little sense.

There has been a long history in all religions for disciplining the body—from fasting and keeping silence all the way to the extreme torture. In India this discipline is referred to as tapasia. While healthy discipline such a fasting and keeping silence can be an aid to the aspirant in rising above this world, the real renunciant goes beyond body disciplines and masters the vacillations of the mind. One may retire to a cave, eschew all but the most basic food, and to all outward appearances be detached, yet the mind continues to crave for things of the world and remains in bondage. On the other hand, one may be surrounded by the things of the world, with responsibilities and varied interests, yet be inwardly detached—such a King Janaka or Rajasi Janakananda (James J. Lynn).

How to attain a high level of detachment even while living a busy life? One method is to focus on depriving the body in an effort to escape it; however, inwardly the mind can remain focused on what it doesn’t want—this feeds the beast rather than becoming free of it’s clutches. In the Gita, Krishna takes a positive approach. Tapas is defined as what to focus the mind on, not what it wants to get rid of; a successful approach that is over five thousand years old.

Krishna lists those things to focus on for the body, speech and thought in order to free itself from ignorance. For the body he says to keep your mind on God and His attributes (devas). Devas are either highly evolved beings or as aspects of His Supreme Being, and are to be worshipped. Others to be respected are your guru and guru-lineage, the twice-born (those who are truly spiritually reborn), and those who display wisdom—all are worthy of your utmost veneration.

In activity you are simple and straightforward, you are free from lower passions driving your life, and you seek to do that which is only beneficial for yourself and others (non-violence). By working these ways in the field of action of your life you are practicing penance or austerity of the body.

Practice austerity of speech by saying only that which is true and beneficial. And for your mind keep calm, clear thoughts that are kind and pure; established in equanimity. Great devotion to God in body, speech and mind creates this sattvic (pure, calm) state, which is the basis for Self-realization. Tapas is learning to focus the mind on these positives and giving no power to less worthy thoughts or activities—this is self-mastery.

Through keeping your mind on God and your inner attunement to Him you may well be prompted to fast, take silence, and not indulge in certain activities in order to purify your body, speech and mind. However, simply trying to get rid of the what bothers you is not enough. There were those who would fast when I did. A few disregarded the rules for breaking a fast and would ravenously eat as soon as they were finishing the fast. I had to ask one to stop fasting, for she would do her body harm by eating large bowls of icecream when coming off the fast. Many times doing something extreme will have a rebound effect and bring on more difficulties rather than freedom.

Be determined to be master of yourself, and as a result experience freedom, bliss and a universal vision. You need not torture your body in order to do this, even as the Buddha taught the Middle Way—avoiding extremes. You will find that focusing on starving the body or trying to make the mind empty without the uptake of blissful joy and spiritual freedom will not free you.

Meditating upon the great I AM, chanting His name, surrendering to His will and immersing yourself in the bliss of God will purge you of every limitation and liberate you in full spiritual realization so that you will never be entrapped in ignorance again—this is the endgame in the practice of positive tapas. Keep your mind lovingly focused on God and surrendered to His will, it is the most positive, easiest and the most direct way to immerse yourself in God-experience.

 

Ingredients for a Great Marriage

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Ralph-Papa-Mataji-Mother-Anandashram 1957

One of the great events in life is to be married. However, while the marriage ceremony is not the very start of a relationship—it really is the beginning of a new life together. As a minister I have the privilege to perform marriage ceremonies, and each joining of a couple brings a special grace that occurs when vows are exchanged. This ceremony is the cradle from which a new-born relationship can evolve—given the right attitudes by the couple.

Standing in front of the couple a spiritual power transmits itself, and according to the receptivity of each one the seed is sown. However, the seed must have good ground to land upon in order for it to bear its ultimate fruit. And what are the ingredients of that good ground?

Commitment to the ideals of marriage must be the first component in forming a truly successful union. Without commitment there can be nothing lasting in marriage. The next element must be respect. Unless one shows self-respect and respect for one’s spouse the ground will be spoiled and become inhospitable to growth.

With commitment and respect the third act must be kindness. Kindness is expressed in thought, word and deed, and without it the land becomes barren. By tilling the soil with these three essentials love grows. Love is more than chemistry of animal attraction or need. Love is the blossoming of the heart that grows and grows, making the soul open to the higher qualities of life.

And finally, the fifth element to a truly great marriage is found in Spirit. With the focus on God in the beginning, middle and end a marriage rises above simple human fulfillment and becomes something far more. There is a blissful merging of two souls in Spirit; two souls in an ocean of Light. Then, the sense of being two separate identities merges in true union found in God-experience.

In the Gospel of Swami Ramdas (October 16, 1957), Mother and her husband Ralph described to Papa what happened when they talked about God with each other. Ralph: “We spend hours together talking about God and losing all count of time.” Mother: “We used to talk about God and sometimes we were so much absorbed in Him that our physical bodies would disappear, as it were, and there would be only waves and waves of light between us. This happened many times.”

It all starts with how we treat each other day to day. Each soul chooses to incorporate these five elements and makes them part and parcel in how he or she thinks, speaks and acts in marriage. Self-respect means you act in a way—that in the end—you will be pleased with and know you have been your best. When you have a spouse who does the same there are truly no limits to the heights to which two people can rise.

In marriage you seek to enact Jesus’ great saying, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38) This does not mean that everything you do you will see like-compensation in every moment. Rather, you build a habit of giving goodness, and it will surely return to you, just as surely as the sun rises in the morning. But, most of all, in marriage you give the best of who you are because it brings out the best in you; it is how God-consciousness is made manifest in this world and it is what brings you true and lasting happiness.

   

Babaji Remembrance Day

Yogacharya David

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Picture: The Divine Babaji

When I first met Mother I recognized what a powerful spiritual personality she was. Later, in meeting Swami Satchidanandaji, I experienced his spiritual personality, so different in outward expression than Mother’s. Mother came to me as powerful, penetrating, who could also give the love of a mother. Swamiji was quiet, unassuming, yet commanding the total respect of all those around him. These descriptions are but some of the outward signs of the personalities, however they both embodied a spiritual presence that defies all description.

And so it happens with all realized Beings—each one has a unique expression. When the personality has been subsumed in Divine Consciousness, then, if it is the Divine will, that one is reborn so to speak, as a Divine personality for the benefit of the world. One of the great lessons you learn in having a pantheon of a guru-lineage and coming into close association with saints is that you do not have to become an imitation of the personality of a God-realized individual, rather you learn what is essential to all God-realized beings.

And what is essential are the Divine attributes of love, bliss, wisdom, and being a giver of light. In meeting with Mother and accepting her as my Guru I learned of the great spiritual personalities that make up our guru-lineage. Through Mother’s stories, reading the Autobiography of a Yogi and other books I became aware of who these great ones were. However, at first it was like looking at them through a paned window, there was a view of these enlightened beings, but it was not the same as actually meeting them.

Over the years of discipleship, I had significant experiences that made me know that I had actually touched the fabric of their exalted divine personalities. Lahiri Mahasaya and Babaji were the last two param-para gurus in our lineage that I came into actual contact—twenty years after meeting Mother. Meeting these great ones was life-changing, right down the cellular level.

One such incident occurred soon after I had left my work as a counselor/mediator. Phyllis had generously invited me to stay in a little cabin not far from her house on Hornby Island. While on the island I took walks in Helliwell Park—boasting of magnificent views, old growth Douglas Firs and rare Gary oaks.

As is my want at times I took a late night walk to a particular place in the park that I had previously felt drawn to. The thought of Babaji came strongly to mind, I knew the great master was making me think of him. An intense desire came into my whole being to be in his presence. I perceived that Babaji was in intimate communion with my mind and a surcharge of spiritual power and realization coursed all through me. As my mind touched his I was drawn through the woods to the ocean side.

There I looked up to the canopy of stars, so close I felt I could reach out to them. The thought came to my mind that Babaji could descend—just as I felt one of those points of light above could come down to earth. Then—I felt enveloped in the great master’s presence. The cells of my being were sanctified, as if spiritually baptized through and through. His blessings showered upon me and I knew that I was touching the hem of Divinity through him. Through direct spiritual connection I glimpsed his supernal consciousness. Oh, if there were only words to say something of this; however, the words do not, nor can they ever exist. After some time, the master’s presence withdrew, but the afterglow continued as I remained enveloped in his bliss.

Even as we mark Babaji’s Remembrance Day (July 25th) and I write of this experience so many years ago now, once again all the cells of my being feel baptized in his holy Presence even as on that sacred night. It is true that we should seek out direct experience in God, without intermediaries. However, how blessed we are to have these great ones actively helping us to that noble Goal of goals. Truly, Babaji, Jesus, Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswarji, Master and Mother all stand at the ready to render us the greatest aid on the most tremendous adventure we will ever embark upon. The Mahavatar is naught else but pure God-consciousness, and thus a direct conduit to the Infinite.

Picture: Helliwell Park coming out of the woods to the oceanside

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Guru Purnima

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Mother–Holding the Light for the world

In India Guru Purnima Day occurs on the first full moon after the summer solstice; today. Tonight I have been gazing up at the full moon as it makes bright the earth below. It is a day to show respect, love and devotion for one’s guru, one’s own spiritual teacher and agent for profound change.

 I bow to my Guru, Mother Hamilton and my guru-lineage. It is due to their selfless service and total dedication that I found the ways and means to attain an illumination that is far greater than either the moon or the sun.

The tradition of Guru Purnima began countless years ago. An unknown yogi appeared in the Himalayas. So many aspirants were magnetically drawn to the sage, however he appeared as dead, only tears of ecstasy occasionally ran down his face. Eventually the crowds left, and only seven remained, determined to get teachings from this obviously great mahatma, this great soul. One day the yogi opened his eyes, and they asked for his teachings. His mind hovered above dualism and he said nothing. Eventually, through their persistence they were given teachings tailored to their advancement. They practiced what they were given sincerely and the silent guru said no more. Years rolled by, decades, and still the guru made no move. At last, he once again opened his eyes and saw the pure minds those seven yogis had attained through their practice for over 80 years. This Adiyogi, first yogi, was also Adi Guru, first guru, was none other than Shiva, the Himalayan yogi of extraordinary realization. The purity of his disciples drew Shiva out of himself and on the first full moon after the longest day of the year he gave them the cream of his teachings. With those teachings came the understanding that mankind can consciously advance in realization through individual effort—the essence of yoga and all the great religions of the world.

Thus it is said that the tradition began for honoring one’s guru on this most sacred remembrance day. I know firsthand the tremendous power that emanates from a fully realized guru. Mother not only gave me the means for completing my realization, but she stood as a protector, guarding me from dark forces. As I write this I think of the numberless times that Mother lifted me out of darkness into the Light. On one occasion Mother saved me from physical and vehicular damage. I was driving to Service on a Sunday morning. I was moving along on Northgate Way when I suddenly saw the car in front of me had come to a full stop. I was driving a van that had no protection in the front. I locked up my brakes but I could see that my vehicle was not going to stop in time. I braced for impact. Mother flashed through my mind, then suddenly it was as if a film was spliced–I was twenty feet back from where I previously knew myself to be. I continued skidding but now I came to a complete rest just inches behind the bumper of the stopped car. What happened and how it happened is as deeply mysterious to me today as on the morning it happened; I can only say, “Guru’s Grace.”

Guru comes in the guise of so many relationships. Mother was teacher, disciplinarian, beloved, confident, psychologist, mystic, pure spiritual power and light. No other has come anywhere close to changing my life and making it possible for me to make real and meaningful spiritual progress in this life. For that, no amount of words of gratitude can suffice.

Once I said to Mother, “When you leave the body you should take me and all of us with you, I have no wish to continue if you are not here.” She looked at me very sweetly and said, “But who would carry on this work if there were no one left?” So, we carry on in order to do what we can to help her work in the world–the work of lifting this world closer to God. True, there are powerful forces of darkness in operation at this time. However, there are also wonderful souls striving to bring in the Light, for themselves and for this world. Wherever there is courage and dedication to reach out for that Light, then Mother’s work will be advanced just that much more. The greatest honor we can pay Mother, Master and all the guru-lineage is to strive for and merge into the eternal light of Being; to bring the bliss of His presence into our hearts and souls so that heaven and earth may merge and become as one.

Have a blessed Guru Purnima Day.

  

Relations-Attachment & Freedom

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Swami Satchidananda-A powerful example of universal love (2007)

One of the enduring challenges for aspirants comes with relationships we have in this world, through family, friends and professions. The fine line of how to be in this world, but not of it, offers a demanding obstacle course to run, but like all obstacle courses they are intended to make us better, stronger.

I just attended a birthday celebration for a favorite aunt where I saw cousins and relations I had not seen in years. It was lovely to see these family members who I have known most of my life, exchanging news and whereabouts, catching up on those who were not in attendance, the normal kind of conversations that ensue in such gatherings.

Like the proverbial iceberg, what shows above the surface offers little of what resides below. To be in a group and feel the love and light of the Divine shining through the heart, to embrace each one in that same light is a freeing experience that sheds self-consciousness and makes us see more clearly the real person behind the mask of a social personality.

What prevents this freedom while mingling in the world of relations? It is the set of expectations we hold for ourselves and others, as well as those expectations others hold for us. These expectations are attachments to ideas of who we are supposed to be, or the spoken or unspoken agreement of what others expect of us—keeping us bound to roles that do not reflect who we really are.

What will others think of me or say about me matters a great deal to the ego-mind. Will they think I have gained a few pounds, lost a few? Will they think I am successful or failing to live up to expectations? Will I be accepted or rejected, embarrassed or proud? And then there are my judgments of others based on outward appearances. The list of attachments can be very long, all of which keeps me from being present to what is true in the moment. I will fail to see the greater reality when taken in by the outer show; I will be robbed of the greatest gift—universal love.

The truth is we all crave to be loved. However, in the marketplace of relationships we oftentimes only give and receive judgments—not love. Of course we perceive the tip of externals, but do we go beyond the things of the world? I alone am responsible for seeing or not seeing higher reality; I cannot expect the world to see it first, then I will follow its lead.

My aunt has the rare quality of seeing the best in others and bringing it out in them. With a twinkle in her eye and a ready laugh—even as dementia is destroying parts of her brain she retains that which has always been essential to her loving nature. Life has handed her some very difficult situations, and rather than make her bitter she has compassion readily available for her fellow man, as well as righteous anger for those who thoughtlessly heap suffering onto others.

A man recently broke into her room; it had been warm and she left the patio door open and fallen asleep. She woke up to a dark room and a strange man reaching to steal her cell phone. Coming out of her sleep she said, “Get the hell out of here!” She was sure he was more startled than she had been and he ran from her room. I know that if the man came back the next day and told her of his difficulties she would give a sympathetic listening, and some stern advice to never do any such thing again.

Someone like my aunt makes it easy to give and receive love. However, others can be more challenging, an obstacle in the course that makes you work harder to remain undisturbed. It is a matter of keeping your mind fixed on your own higher nature. It is common that when you meet someone, you meet like with like. If someone is abrasive, invasive or in some way rubs you the wrong way, you feel the need to react to their behavior. You put them in charge by being reactive to how they are presenting, giving them all the power. When you think about it, such a personality is the last person in the world you would put in charge of your life!

Instead, you exercise self-mastery—focusing on your own higher nature. You continue in your own light and remain undisturbed by what another says or does. This does not make you a doormat, you may even tell them to get the hell out! But you do not lose connection to that vast aspect of yourself that is beneath the surface—your greater qualities.

Practice chanting the all-powerful name of God when in social situations. See the light radiating from your own heart and surrounding those who are around you. Feel the freedom this invokes within you and you will see it has its effect on others as well. Those who are obstacles to this practice are in your life to make you stronger. Self-mastery teaches you that when you put God first you will find a peaceful bliss that the world simply cannot give to you—and that universal love will be the hallmark of your life.

 

 

Darkness Abhors the Light

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Columbia River from Wanapum State Park

Making our way back from Glacier we find ourselves next to the Columbia River at the Wanapum State Park. In this early morning light, the topic of temptation is uppermost in my thoughts. As we know, temptations are part and parcel of the upward path to realization. Jesus went into the wilderness and was tempted, Buddha sat in his night of temptation just as he was about to attain Nirvana, Rama had times of despair during his struggle to defeat Ravanna and rescue Sita; even these great beings, these avatars were tempted.

A universal feature to darkness is its abhorrence of the light. What had been perfectly clear to you before, during temptation becomes muddy. Temptation can be of any nature depending upon the psychological makeup of the individual. It can be sex, drugs, fear, greed, power, pride, self-interest to the exclusion to others, lack of surrender, so many aspects to the opposing force—it will always fight against what the inner soul knows to be true and correct.

The way through temptation is to keep your mind upon God. The qualities you will experience when in tune with God will be quite different than in ignorance. In the light you will be calm, clear, humble, not driven by lower forces, you easily stand in the light in humble submission and will not turn away.

One test I would enact for myself when faced with an uncertain decision would be to visualize all the masters surrounding me: Jesus, Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswarji, Master, Mother, Papa, Mataji, and Swamiji. Then I presented the situation at hand to them. What did they say? I did not avoid any of them as I did this. Many times when looking at Mother or Sri Yukteswarji I instantly knew I had been heading into a fool’s errand. This worked very well to cut through mental justifications the ego-mind concocted for going away from the light.

When in Glacier National Park we found a rare hydrological apex, one of three in the world (the other two being in Canada and France). At this apex drops of rain could land within inches of one another and one would end up in the Pacific Ocean, one in the Atlantic, and the third would be swept off to the Arctic Ocean. So little distance in origin, such a vast difference in destination. It struck me that choices we make can seem so small and insignificant at the time, and yet forces will sweep us off to such diverse outcomes.

I have known those who were sincere and dedicated upon the path, and then some old habit was re-awakened, drugs, alcohol, sex, and the spark of temptation became a flame—the individual was consumed. Or, the spiritual flame was no longer fed with deepened meditation and intense love of God—the flame died and the spark faded to a bygone memory. “Oh, are you still into that?” was the comment, “yes, I used to be, but now….” The spark that became a flame was now gone, and it seemed but a distant memory.

I know I have had lifetimes of avoiding the light, and in this lifetime I have made bad choices at times. I vividly remember the pain of those bad choices, both for myself and for others. Through the Grace of God and Guru the flame did not die, the spark remained even in the looming darkness. It is true, I did choose the light. But better than that, for some unknowable reason, the light chose me and saved me time and again.

There have been those who have thought better of me than I have thought of myself, and this has awakened a higher light in me, made me choose the better path. But we can choose, through pride or arrogance, to push away the light, to respond to those around us that are also pushing away from the light. We have that freedom of choice, but oh what a price we pay for landing on the other side of that decisional hydrological apex!

So this is the lesson I have come to learn again and again, the power I have—we all have—in making a choice. Do we choose the light, or to move into darkness? Do we strive to know God, love God, or do we make choices that ease us away from it, just before finding ourselves in a downward plummet away from our higher aspirations?  Sri Yukteswar asked Master to promise that he would never avoid him. Master said that was one of the most difficult promises he ever kept in his life. Sri Yukteswarji was the light to Master, and the light can break our pride and crash our dream-desires. Association with the light will also make us in to its own nature—unalloyed peace, joy and unending freedom–if we only choose it.

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