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InvisibleRevelation

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Registered: 08/04/01
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Loc: heart cave
Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship?
    #4511407 - 08/08/05 06:24 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

I have a friend who's really into this group. About a year ago he gave me a book to read called "Autobiography of a Yogi", written by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1946. I thought it was a great read and a great introduction to eastern mysticism.

Now this friend I'm talking about is really bright, and he has studied the tenets of this belief system pretty thoroughly, the guy can (and has) talked me through the ins and outs of it for hours at a time. He is so into it, and his enthusiasm really shows when he's talking about it.

He has pictures of Yogananda in his room, and he practices meditation every day. He claims to have recieved "signs" from "the guru" in the form of what I know of as synchronicity.

He is travelling to San Francisco next month to an ashram called Hidden Valley, where he hopes to be initiated into Kriya Yoga. Apparently Kriya is a very powerful form of yoga. He tells me that for each hour that a person practices Kriya, it's equivalent to about a year of ordinary life in terms of karmic clearance. By doing this faithfully for a few decades one can eliminate karma completely and be in samadhi.

He has a friend in the organisation who, while being intiated into Kriya by the guru, claimed to open his eyes to see white light pour from the eyes of the master and a figure of Yogananda touching the heads and blessing each initiate.

He has plenty of similar stories of other worldly "miracles" happening at Hidden Valley.

I have to give this guy credit as he truly does practice what he preaches. He is chock full of good vibes. Some might say he's been brainwashed by this cult (his parents for example) but I see no evidence of that. I mean sure, he Believes in it whole-heartedly, but it does not seem to be doing him any harm - in fact, quite the opposite. So who is anyone to say that his beliefs aren't valid?

I'd like to hear you guys' thoughts on this. Do you know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship?


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InvisibleHuehuecoyotl
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Registered: 06/13/04
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Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: Revelation]
    #4511420 - 08/08/05 06:29 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

Never heard of it...but if this Guru starts wanting increasinly larger sums of money...your friend better look out.


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"A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda

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InvisibleIcelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery
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Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: Revelation]
    #4511433 - 08/08/05 06:34 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

I loved that book. Yogananda had a pretty good vibe. I have no idea if anything in the book was true. After all it's a book. I did take what spoke to me an have continued to apply it to my life. Much of it works quite well, when I remember to do it. :wink:


--------------------
"Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.

" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.

With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC

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InvisibleSwami
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Registered: 01/18/00
Posts: 15,413
Loc: In the hen house
Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: Revelation]
    #4511461 - 08/08/05 06:45 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

(Doesn't ANYONE use the friggin search function? I have already covered this as well as every other topic there is!)

I stayed at Ananda in the Sierra Nevadas of CA, a branch of SRF (though the two fight among themselves over rights to Paramahansa's Teachings). While there, a lady friend of mine was initiated into Kriya yoga by pressing on her eyes. When I pointed out the bright light was caused by activating phosphenes, she got very angry and refused to speak to me. You can tell that Kriya releases one from ego bondage...  :rolleyes:

The founder, Swami Kriyananda, who practiced Kriya yoga and meditation for over 50 years was expelled from the community he founded for abusing his position to get laid. Ater that occured the factions fought feircely over who be in control next.

Yoganada died at a relatively young age of 54(?) from phlebitis and possibly diabetes due to poor diet and obesity.

Despite my somewhat negative slant, the organization doesn't seem particularly money-hungry.

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InvisibleSwami
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Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: Revelation]
    #4511481 - 08/08/05 06:51 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

He tells me that for each hour that a person practices Kriya, it's equivalent to about a year of ordinary life in terms of karmic clearance.

This is called "marketing".

I use that line all the time on weekends. "Hey baby, let Swami give you a 'blessing' and one year of karmic debt is cleared."  :humpme: Works pretty well.


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The proof is in the pudding.

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InvisibleHuehuecoyotl
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Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: Swami]
    #4511494 - 08/08/05 06:55 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

"Hey baby, let Swami give you a 'blessing' and one year of karmic debt is cleared."

Do they ever reach nirvana as a result?


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"A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda

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InvisibleIcelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery
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Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
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Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: Swami]
    #4511498 - 08/08/05 06:58 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

Yoganada died at a relatively young age of 54(?) from phlebitis and possibly diabetes due to poor diet and obesity.
___________________________________________________

This is what I point out often about these Gurus. They are human beings first and teachers second. They have learned some things that are helpful on your path but they are no more than you are.  I believe it has a negative impact on your growth to worship them. I also feel it has a negative impact on your growth  to disregard everything they say as false because of their human failings. Be your own Guru, learn what you can from anyone but don't put them on a pedestal. You will get all the lessons you need from the Universe. It's called your life.

But if you need to devote yourself to one teacher. Then that is your lesson. Go for it. You will find exactly what you need. :thumbup:


--------------------
"Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.

" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.

With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC

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InvisibleHuehuecoyotl
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Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: Icelander]
    #4511506 - 08/08/05 07:01 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

"Be your own Guru, learn what you can from anyone but don't put them on a pedestal."

Of course Master....just joking....great advice.


--------------------
"A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda

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InvisibleIcelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery
Male

Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: Huehuecoyotl]
    #4511515 - 08/08/05 07:03 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

Veritas told me the other day I'm a pushy preacher on these forums. :blush:


--------------------
"Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.

" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.

With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC

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InvisibleRevelation

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Posts: 6,135
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Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: Swami]
    #4511523 - 08/08/05 07:04 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

I had a feeling that you would know a thing or two about this Swami. Tell me, is my memory correct in recalling an anecdote that you shared about a seemingly "spiritual" experience at the ashram, when trying to navigate in the dark you asked for a little help, at that point the sky was lit up for a second allowing you to see the path ahead?


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InvisibleHuehuecoyotl
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Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: Icelander]
    #4511524 - 08/08/05 07:04 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

Your pushy? You ain't got shit on me. I have mastered pushy.


--------------------
"A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda

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InvisibleLunarEclipse
Enlil's Official Story
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Registered: 10/31/04
Posts: 21,407
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Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: Icelander]
    #4511556 - 08/08/05 07:13 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

"Veritas told me the other day I'm a pushy preacher on these forums."

Maybe she didn't like you bossing her around and that was her passive aggressive way of avoiding the real issue.


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Anxiety is what you make it.

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InvisibleSwami
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Registered: 01/18/00
Posts: 15,413
Loc: In the hen house
Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: Revelation]
    #4511557 - 08/08/05 07:13 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

Great memory!

A bolide lit up the ground and made an impression on the then young Swami.


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The proof is in the pudding.

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InvisibleIcelander
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Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: LunarEclipse]
    #4511567 - 08/08/05 07:17 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

You must be kidding. She would never allow that. :rofl2: And would put it right in my face.  :fishsmack:


--------------------
"Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.

" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.

With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC

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InvisibleLunarEclipse
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Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: Icelander]
    #4511612 - 08/08/05 07:34 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

OK so my 5 cent analysis was lacking.

I don't think you are pushy on these forums, just omnipresent.


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Anxiety is what you make it.

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InvisibleIcelander
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Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: LunarEclipse]
    #4511639 - 08/08/05 07:43 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

Oh, so now I post too much.  :yesnod:


--------------------
"Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.

" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.

With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC

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Offlinecrunchytoast
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Registered: 04/07/05
Posts: 1,133
Loc: aporia
Last seen: 17 years, 1 day
Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: Icelander]
    #4511879 - 08/08/05 08:38 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

i love your posts icelander, hue, lunar

:heart: :heart: :heart:

this place wouldn't be the same if any of you folks were gone!


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"consensus on the nature of equilibrium is usually established by periodic conflict." -henry kissinger

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InvisibleLunarEclipse
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Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: Icelander]
    #4511999 - 08/08/05 09:04 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

Oh, so now I post too much. 


Excellent.  Admission is the first step to the other steps.

Hi, I'm Icelander and I post too much.  :crazy:


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Anxiety is what you make it.

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Invisiblegettinjiggywithit
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Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: Icelander]
    #4512003 - 08/08/05 09:06 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

Quote:

Icelander said:
Veritas told me the other day I'm a pushy preacher on these forums. :blush:




I havn't experienced you to be pushy. To me you are just enthusiastic to share. There's a difference. You demonstrate a lot of respect for differences and do a good job of remaining unconditional with your loving spirit! :heart:


--------------------
Ahuwale ka nane huna.

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InvisibleLunarEclipse
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Re: Anyone know anything about Self-Realization Fellowship? [Re: crunchytoast]
    #4512004 - 08/08/05 09:06 PM (18 years, 7 months ago)

Why thank you crunchy here's a heart your way and your posts are cool too.  :heart:  :thumbup:


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Anxiety is what you make it.

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