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OfflinePhishe
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Meditation
    #5971556 - 08/16/06 11:11 PM (17 years, 5 months ago)

Ok so i've been thinking about trying meditation. Does one need faith in some religion to succesfully meditate. I do not believe in god but i believe meditation could benefit me.

Also, any info on meditation, and the "how to" sort of thing would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.


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InvisibleDNKYD
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Re: Meditation [Re: Phishe]
    #5971560 - 08/16/06 11:11 PM (17 years, 5 months ago)

You just have to believe in yourself. No fairy tales required for meditation.


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Offlineplurby
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Re: Meditation [Re: DNKYD]
    #5971570 - 08/16/06 11:13 PM (17 years, 5 months ago)

There is an awesome site called erowid.org . Go check it out, you can find anything about anything, drugs, relegion, anything. Its really cool there. I learned how to meditate there.


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OfflineFractalated
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Re: Meditation [Re: Phishe]
    #5971580 - 08/16/06 11:15 PM (17 years, 5 months ago)

Anyone can meditate, anytime, anywhere. There are many different styles and techniques and methods. Generally, you sit down in a comfortable position with your back unsupported (so you sit up straight). I sit cross-legged but you don't have to. Then you relax and either stare at a blank wall or close your eyes. Become aware of your breathing, how it goes in and out, and how your chest rises and falls, and the sensation of your shirt moving with your breath. Just follow your breath in and out, or you could count your breath. Try to stay focused on the present moment, bring awareness to everything that is happening, but don't judge or analyse, just be aware.

If you hear a car door outside, welcome the sound, but don't react to it or start analysing it. Just be aware of it. Be aware of everything: all sensations.

Your mind will quickly start to wonder and become distracted, so as soon as you notice that your mind has done this, then just bring your awareness and attention back to the breath.

I meditate for about 40 minutes a day, but different times work for different people.

:sun:


--------------------
"Now that the principalities and the powers stockpile weapons of mass destruction, contaminate the earth with their feverish industry, release floods of images to trigger insatiable desires, treat animals and humans as commodities and functions of a market, the devil must be grinning from ear to ear."


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Invisiblesleepy
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Re: Meditation [Re: Fractalated]
    #5971639 - 08/16/06 11:37 PM (17 years, 5 months ago)

"Yoga is the cessation of thought waves in the mind"


its true you should keep your back straight but other than that... just be comfortable and keep it simple. feel inside how it feels right for you to meditate. you are just like buddha. you must experience what he experienced.

"the cause of suffering is desire"
and your thoughts are caused by desire
so just cut them off at the roots. to end desire is to end thought
and to end thought is to end desire and to do either is to "meditate" and not breath and to unite with God which is Yoga (yoga means union). you have succeeded (or at least taken a big step) when you no longer breathe. if you are breathing you are thinking. dive deep into the universe here and now. read the words of enlightened beings (in my signature there are some examples of saints) seek and ye shall find


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Invisiblesleepy
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Re: Meditation [Re: sleepy]
    #5971658 - 08/16/06 11:43 PM (17 years, 5 months ago)



Once there was a disciple called Jalandharnath, who set out looking for a Guru named Goraknath. Finally he met someone walking on the road. Goraknath said, "Where are you going?"
"I'm looking for Goraknath," said Jalandharnath.
"Why?"
"To receive grace."
"I am Goraknath," he said. "Sit down here and I will be back."
Then he left for twelve years. Jalandharnath sat there for twelve years. When Goraknath returned, his disciple had attained everything. This is the sign of a person who is worthy of receiving grace.


You can attain God, you can finish your journey, within a few years. It doesn't have to take a long time. Jnaneshwar Maharaj finished his journey very quickly, in only six months. Others have finished their journey in fifteen years, or twelve, or less. Then they became utterly content within themselves.

Baba Nityananda used to say, "You can finish the journey like this - within a fraction of a second." And he would snap his fingers!


When a person dies and divine Consciousness leaves the body as a tiny flame, the corpse is a frightening sight to many people. Even if the body was much loved, you hate to see it after the light of consciousness has left it. your eyes turn away from the corpse. How beautiful that divine Consciousness must be, which made the body appear glowing and lovable, beautiful and full of goodness. How radiant that light must be, how powerful. How much sweetness it must have. All this is known by one who has lost himself in the inner Self.

Bhagavan Nityananda used to day, "O soul, you should see the inner beauty. It is so sweet, so fascinating, so joyous. Not even a drop of that inner ocean can be found on the outside. Therefore, turn within. Meditate, meditate, meditate!"

http://www.cosmicharmony.com/Sp/Muktanan/Muktanan.htm#Guided


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OfflineFractalated
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Re: Meditation [Re: sleepy]
    #5971666 - 08/16/06 11:46 PM (17 years, 5 months ago)

Even if the body was much loved, you hate to see it after the light of consciousness has left it. your eyes turn away from the corpse.

It may also have something to do with the smell of a rotting person. :grin:


--------------------
"Now that the principalities and the powers stockpile weapons of mass destruction, contaminate the earth with their feverish industry, release floods of images to trigger insatiable desires, treat animals and humans as commodities and functions of a market, the devil must be grinning from ear to ear."


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OfflinePhishe
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Re: Meditation [Re: Fractalated]
    #5971699 - 08/16/06 11:55 PM (17 years, 5 months ago)

Thanks everyone for the words of advice. I have started attempting to meditate. It is very calm and relaxing, but the feeling doesn't last prominently(or not that i've noticed).

But i am just a beginner..


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Invisiblesleepy
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Re: Meditation [Re: Fractalated]
    #5971700 - 08/16/06 11:56 PM (17 years, 5 months ago)

keep going!


Edited by sleepy (08/16/06 11:57 PM)


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Offline888
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Re: Meditation [Re: Phishe]
    #5971719 - 08/17/06 12:07 AM (17 years, 5 months ago)

When your mind grasps at nothing you will see everything.


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InvisibleHendostan
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Re: Meditation [Re: Phishe]
    #5972833 - 08/17/06 01:15 PM (17 years, 5 months ago)

it's just like anything else, you have to keep practicing. it's easy to get frustrated when your mind wanders...most don't realize how distracted they are from moment to moment, and they believe those thoughts are "them", the true self. the more you meditate, the more you are able to rid yourself of the incessant chattering of your mind and see deeper into yourself, which is where it gets interesting, because, at least for me, the deeper i go the more i realize "self" has nothing to do with it..seeing deeper into yourself is really losing the self and seeing deeper into reality...and also becoming aware that that is where the true nature of reality is. you'll start to catch glimpses of that if you keep practicing, and it will also start to affect your non-meditating state of mind by making you more mindful of the present moment.
anyway, i'm rambling...i believe meditation is a very powerful and important practice, regardless of your beliefs. be patient with yourself and keep practicing :peace: :heart:


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OfflinePhishe
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Re: Meditation [Re: Hendostan]
    #5974078 - 08/17/06 07:41 PM (17 years, 5 months ago)

Every time i try this, things flow into my mind because i'm thinking that i need thoughts in there. Do i not need thoughts?


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OfflineKidShelleen
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Re: Meditation [Re: Phishe]
    #5974462 - 08/17/06 09:34 PM (17 years, 5 months ago)

Thoughts arise and pass away by themselves.  You don't need to try and generate them or push them away.  If the object of your meditation is your breath or some other body sensation, just ignore any thoughts that arise - let them stay in the background as you continue to focus on the breath.  If the thoughts cease, fine.  You don't need them when you are meditating.  If they continue, that's fine too.

:heart:KS


--------------------
"Who would be free themselves must strike the blow" -Lord Byron


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OfflineStuckOnStars
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Re: Meditation [Re: KidShelleen]
    #5974588 - 08/17/06 10:24 PM (17 years, 5 months ago)

wow thats a cool post...all of theese in fact....time to look with in...thanks for the tips!


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OfflinePhishe
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Re: Meditation [Re: KidShelleen]
    #5974652 - 08/17/06 11:00 PM (17 years, 5 months ago)

Thank you that clarifies things. :smile:


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InvisibleShroomismM
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Re: Meditation [Re: Phishe]
    #5975140 - 08/18/06 03:41 AM (17 years, 5 months ago)

Thoughts work in cycles..
They come and go..
When a thought arises out of nowhere, try to not react to it or attach emotions to it, or analyze it.
Simply observe it, like a passing cloud

It has been said that the goal of meditation is to empty your mind of all thoughts.
I find this to be inaccurate. Instead, I try and focus on one thing.
For me, the easiest thing to focus on is my breathing.
Other people use visual focal points, like the flame of a candle.
Whatever works for you.

They also say that if you can focus on only one thing for a full minute, you have mastered meditation. That's the irony of it.. because that is virtually impossible, meditation cannot be mastered. It is a perpetual process.
The human mind is easily distracted, and thoughts are uncontrollable at times. But meditation helps.
Things in the subconscious will constantly arise.
Don't get frustrated, just let it flow. And be.
Remember there is no perfect technique. If you are doing it, you are doing it right.

My definition of meditation is the art of practicing to control your thoughts. Concentration.
When you control your thoughts you control your reality, as thought creates reality. At least in my reality.
Like many things, the more you practice meditation, the easier it becomes.
There are different 'levels' of meditation, very deep levels are like a trance state.
You will find your own level of comfort. Strip away the layers and reveal your soul.

Meditation is many things. For one, it is teaching yourself to focus. The better you can focus, the easier it is to do.. just about everything. You also learn a lot about yourself in the process.. and knowledge is power. It teaches patience and brings extreme amounts of calmness to the body, and I like to think it brings about a sense of peace and inner wisdom. You cannot truly be at peace with others unless you are at peace with yourself. And the better you understand yourself, the better you will be able to understand others. We are like mirrors.

You don't need any rules or guidelines. A few things do help.. such as keeping your spine straight.. and breathing is pretty important.. deep and steady, rhythmic .. natural breathing. Breathing deep means breathing from the stomach and not the chest. As in.. the stomach expands more than the chest. Oxygen to the bottom of the lungs. Deep. This really helps.

But other than that, it's a free-for-all. You don't need a religion. You are going within yourself, do it at your own pace. There is no final product of meditation.. it is a perpetual tool you can use throughout your lifetime for betterment of yourself. You can meditate any time and any place. It is simply a state of mind.

As you meditate, you increase your capacity for concentration, until it is like a focused laser beam, instead of a bunch of scattered light rays. When you can focus your thoughts clearly, you can be in the now and present and deal with life as it comes much easier.... a focused, calm and clear state of mind helps in countless situations.

Everything you need is within. Just let yourself be and focus on not focusing.
Thoughts are just thoughts.. they come and go. Let them. You remain you.
And remember to breathe.
Focus.


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Offlinetheorganicdomino
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Re: Meditation [Re: Phishe]
    #5975205 - 08/18/06 05:19 AM (17 years, 5 months ago)

Read "Zen Mind Beginner's Mind" - the perfect guide to Zen Meditation.


--------------------
"You've got to get hold of the thread of marching time, pull the fuck thing down, get on the end of it and pang yourself to the infinitude of absolute mind"
Ken Campbell - Furtive Nudist

"The mystery of life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced" - Aart van der Leeuw


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Offlinenotapillow
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Re: Meditation [Re: theorganicdomino]
    #5975558 - 08/18/06 10:42 AM (17 years, 5 months ago)

Quote:

theorganicdomino said:
Read "Zen Mind Beginner's Mind" - the perfect guide to Zen Meditation.



very good advise :smile:
i love that book so :heart: it really opened me up at a time when i need opening

i could ramble about meditation for a whiel but shroomism already said everything i have to say x 10
just sit back relax and be


--------------------




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Offlineshampoo
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Re: Meditation [Re: Phishe]
    #5975732 - 08/18/06 12:11 PM (17 years, 5 months ago)

my girlfriend meditates frequently. she solves a lot of her problems by meditating then opening up issues and then resolving them. i admire it..


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Invisiblesleepy
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Re: Meditation [Re: shampoo]
    #5975849 - 08/18/06 01:03 PM (17 years, 5 months ago)

the goal of meditation and life is Sat Chit Ananda or Existence Knowledge Bliss. this is a state of NO THOUGHT. in this state there is no thought of "I" as a seperate entity. so the answer to your question is yes and no. You don't need thought but the "I" thought (Ego) does, it depends on who is asking. the "death" of the I thought is what is meant by being "born again", in Sat Chit Ananda, Christ. you don't need to believe in Jesus or anything for this though.

that being said, it is absolutely necessary to get instruction from people WHO HAVE ACTUALLY ATTAINED THESE STATES, ie, not me. these following works are from http://www.ramana-maharshi.org/books.htm

except for this one which is from http://www.hermetic-philosophy.com/ramana_maharshi1.htm

"You impose limitations on your true nature of Infinite Being, and then weep that you are but a finite creature. Then you take up this or that sadhana (spiritual practice) to transcend the nonexistent limitations. But if your sadhana itself assumes the existence of the limitations, how can it help you to transcend them?"


Who Am I? - (Nan Yar?)

As all living beings desire to be happy always, without misery, as in the case of everyone there is observed supreme love for one's self, and as happiness alone is the cause for love, in order to gain that happiness which is one's nature and which is experienced in the state of deep sleep where there is no mind, one should know one's self. For that, the path of knowledge, the inquiry of the form "Who am I?", is the principal means.

1 . Who am I ?

The gross body which is composed of the seven humours (dhatus), I am not; the five cognitive sense organs, viz. the senses of hearing, touch, sight, taste, and smell, which apprehend their respective objects, viz. sound, touch, colour, taste, and odour, I am not; the five cognitive sense-organs, viz. the organs of speech, locomotion, grasping, excretion, and procreation, which have as their respective functions speaking, moving, grasping, excreting, and enjoying, I am not; the five vital airs, prana, etc., which perform respectively the five functions of in-breathing, etc., I am not; even the mind which thinks, I am not; the nescience too, which is endowed only with the residual impressions of objects, and in which there are no objects and no functioning's, I am not.

2. If I am none of these, then who am I?

After negating all of the above-mentioned as 'not this', 'not this', that Awareness which alone remains - that I am.

3. What is the nature of Awareness?

The nature of Awareness is existence-consciousness-bliss

4. When will the realization of the Self be gained?

When the world which is what-is-seen has been removed, there will be realization of the Self which is the seer.

5. Will there not be realization of the Self even while the world is there (taken as real)?

There will not be.

6. Why?

The seer and the object seen are like the rope and the snake. Just as the knowledge of the rope which is the substrate will not arise unless the false knowledge of the illusory serpent goes, so the realization of the Self which is the substrate will not be gained unless the belief that the world is real is removed.

7. When will the world which is the object seen be removed?

When the mind, which is the cause of all cognition's and of all actions, becomes quiescent, the world will disappear.

8. What is the nature of the mind?

What is called 'mind' is a wondrous power residing in the Self. It causes all thoughts to arise. Apart from thoughts, there is no such thing as mind. Therefore, thought is the nature of mind. Apart from thoughts, there is no independent entity called the world. In deep sleep there are no thoughts, and there is no world. In the states of waking and dream, there are thoughts, and there is a world also. Just as the spider emits the thread (of the web) out of itself and again withdraws it into itself, likewise the mind projects the world out of itself and again resolves it into itself. When the mind comes out of the Self, the world appears. Therefore, when the world appears (to be real), the Self does not appear; and when the Self appears (shines) the world does not appear. When one persistently inquires into the nature of the mind, the mind will end leaving the Self (as the residue). What is referred to as the Self is the Atman. The mind always exists only in dependence on something gross; it cannot stay alone. It is the mind that is called the subtle body or the soul (jiva).

9. What is the path of inquiry for understanding the nature of the mind?

That which rises as 'I' in this body is the mind. If one inquires as to where in the body the thought 'I' rises first, one would discover that it rises in the heart. That is the place of the mind's origin. Even if one thinks constantly 'I' 'I', one will be led to that place. Of all the thoughts that arise in the mind, the 'I' thought is the first. It is only after the rise of this that the other thoughts arise. It is after the appearance of the first personal pronoun that the second and third personal pronouns appear; without the first personal pronoun there will not be the second and third.

10. How will the mind become quiescent?

By the inquiry 'Who am I?'. The thought 'who am I?' will destroy all other thoughts, and like the stick used for stirring the burning pyre, it will itself in the end get destroyed. Then, there will arise Self-realization.

11. What is the means for constantly holding on to the thought 'Who am I?'

When other thoughts arise, one should not pursue them, but should inquire: 'To whom do they arise?' It does not matter how many thoughts arise. As each thought arises, one should inquire with diligence, "To whom has this thought arisen?". The answer that would emerge would be "To me". Thereupon if one inquires "Who am I?", the mind will go back to its source; and the thought that arose will become quiescent. With repeated practice in this manner, the mind will develop the skill to stay in its source. When the mind that is subtle goes out through the brain and the sense-organs, the gross names and forms appear; when it stays in the heart, the names and forms disappear. Not letting the mind go out, but retaining it in the Heart is what is called "inwardness" (antar-mukha). Letting the mind go out of the Heart is known as "externalisation" (bahir-mukha). Thus, when the mind stays in the Heart, the 'I' which is the source of all thoughts will go, and the Self which ever exists will shine. Whatever one does, one should do without the egoity "I". If one acts in that way, all will appear as of the nature of Siva (God).

12. Are there no other means for making the mind quiescent?

Other than inquiry, there are no adequate means. If through other means it is sought to control the mind, the mind will appear to be controlled, but will again go forth. Through the control of breath also, the mind will become quiescent; but it will be quiescent only so long as the breath remains controlled, and when the breath resumes the mind also will again start moving and will wander as impelled by residual impressions. The source is the same for both mind and breath. Thought, indeed, is the nature of the mind. The thought "I" is the first thought of the mind; and that is egoity. It is from that whence egoity originates that breath also originates. Therefore, when the mind becomes quiescent, the breath is controlled, and when the breath is controlled the mind becomes quiescent. But in deep sleep, although the mind becomes quiescent, the breath does not stop. This is because of the will of God, so that the body may be preserved and other people may not be under the impression that it is dead. In the state of waking and in samadhi, when the mind becomes quiescent the breath is controlled. Breath is the gross form of mind. Till the time of death, the mind keeps breath in the body; and when the body dies the mind takes the breath along with it. Therefore, the exercise of breath-control is only an aid for rendering the mind quiescent (manonigraha); it will not destroy the mind (manonasa).

Like the practice of breath-control. meditation on the forms of God, repetition of mantras, restriction on food, etc., are but aids for rendering the mind quiescent.

Through meditation on the forms of God and through repetition of mantras, the mind becomes one-pointed. The mind will always be wandering. Just as when a chain is given to an elephant to hold in its trunk it will go along grasping the chain and nothing else, so also when the mind is occupied with a name or form it will grasp that alone. When the mind expands in the form of countless thoughts, each thought becomes weak; but as thoughts get resolved the mind becomes one-pointed and strong; for such a mind Self-inquiry will become easy. Of all the restrictive rules, that relating to the taking of sattvic food in moderate quantities is the best; by observing this rule, the sattvic quality of mind will increase, and that will be helpful to Self-inquiry.

13. The residual impressions (thoughts) of objects appear wending like the waves of an ocean. When will all of them get destroyed?

As the meditation on the Self rises higher and higher, the thoughts will get destroyed.

14. Is it possible for the residual impressions of objects that come from beginningless time, as it were, to be resolved, and for one to remain as the pure Self?

Without yielding to the doubt "Is it possible, or not?", one should persistently hold on to the meditation on the Self. Even if one be a great sinner, one should not worry and weep "O! I am a sinner, how can I be saved?"; one should completely renounce the thought "I am a sinner"; and concentrate keenly on meditation on the Self; then, one would surely succeed. There are not two minds - one good and the other evil; the mind is only one. It is the residual impressions that are of two kinds - auspicious and inauspicious. When the mind is under the influence of auspicious impressions it is called good; and when it is under the influence of inauspicious impressions it is regarded as evil.

The mind should not be allowed to wander towards worldly objects and what concerns other people. However bad other people may be, one should bear no hatred for them. Both desire and hatred should be eschewed. All that one gives to others one gives to one's self. If this truth is understood who will not give to others? When one's self arises all arises; when one's self becomes quiescent all becomes quiescent. To the extent we behave with humility, to that extent there will result good. If the mind is rendered quiescent, one may live anywhere.

15. How long should inquiry be practised?

As long as there are impressions of objects in the mind, so long the inquiry "Who am I?" is required. As thoughts arise they should be destroyed then and there in the very place of their origin, through inquiry. If one resorts to contemplation of the Self unintermittently, until the Self is gained, that alone would do. As long as there are enemies within the fortress, they will continue to sally forth; if they are destroyed as they emerge, the fortress will fall into our hands.

16. What is the nature of the Self?

What exists in truth is the Self alone. The world, the individual soul, and God are appearances in it. like silver in mother-of-pearl, these three appear at the same time, and disappear at the same time. The Self is that where there is absolutely no "I" thought. That is called "Silence". The Self itself is the world; the Self itself is "I"; the Self itself is God; all is Siva, the Self.

17. Is not everything the work of God?

Without desire, resolve, or effort, the sun rises; and in its mere presence, the sun-stone emits fire, the lotus blooms, water evaporates; people perform their various functions and then rest. Just as in the presence of the magnet the needle moves, it is by virtue of the mere presence of God that the souls governed by the three (cosmic) functions or the fivefold divine activity perform their actions and then rest, in accordance with their respective karmas. God has no resolve; no karma attaches itself to Him. That is like worldly actions not affecting the sun, or like the merits and demerits of the other four elements not affecting all pervading space.

18. Of the devotees, who is the greatest?

He who gives himself up to the Self that is God is the most excellent devotee. Giving one's self up to God means remaining constantly in the Self without giving room for the rise of any thoughts other than that of the Self. Whatever burdens are thrown on God, He bears them. Since the supreme power of God makes all things move, why should we, without submitting ourselves to it, constantly worry ourselves with thoughts as to what should be done and how, and what should not be done and how not? We know that the train carries all loads, so after getting on it why should we carry our small luggage on our head to our discomfort, instead of putting it down in the train and feeling at ease?

19. What is non-attachment?

As thoughts arise, destroying them utterly without any residue in the very place of their origin is non-attachment. Just as the pearl-diver ties a stone to his waist, sinks to the bottom of the sea and there takes the pearls, so each one of us should be endowed with non-attachment, dive within oneself and obtain the Self-Pearl.

20. Is it not possible for God and the Guru to effect the release of a soul?

God and the Guru will only show the way to release; they will not by themselves take the soul to the state of release. In truth, God and the Guru are not different. Just as the prey which has fallen into the jaws of a tiger has no escape, so those who have come within the ambit of the Guru's gracious look will be saved by the Guru and will not get lost; yet, each one should by his own effort pursue the path shown by God or Guru and gain release. One can know oneself only with one's own eye of knowledge, and not with somebody else's. Does he who is Rama require the help of a mirror to know that he is Rama?

21. Is it necessary for one who longs for release to inquire into the nature of categories (tattvas)?

Just as one who wants to throw away garbage has no need to analyse it and see what it is, so one who wants to know the Self has no need to count the number of categories or inquire into their characteristics; what he has to do is to reject altogether the categories that hide the Self. The world should be considered like a dream.

22. Is there no difference between waking and dream?

Waking is long and a dream short; other than this there is no difference. Just as waking happenings seem real while awake. so do those in a dream while dreaming. In dream the mind takes on another body. In both waking and dream states thoughts. names and forms occur simultaneously.

23. Is it any use reading books for those who long for release?

All the texts say that in order to gain release one should render the mind quiescent; therefore their conclusive teaching is that the mind should be rendered quiescent; once this has been understood there is no need for endless reading. In order to quieten the mind one has only to inquire within oneself what one's Self is; how could this search be done in books? One should know one's Self with one's own eye of wisdom. The Self is within the five sheaths; but books are outside them. Since the Self has to be inquired into by discarding the five sheaths, it is futile to search for it in books. There will come a time when one will have to forget all that one has learned.

24. What is happiness?

Happiness is the very nature of the Self; happiness and the Self are not different. There is no happiness in any object of the world. We imagine through our ignorance that we derive happiness from objects. When the mind goes out, it experiences misery. In truth, when its desires are fulfilled, it returns to its own place and enjoys the happiness that is the Self. Similarly, in the states of sleep, samadhi and fainting, and when the object desired is obtained or the object disliked is removed, the mind becomes inward-turned, and enjoys pure Self-Happiness. Thus the mind moves without rest alternately going out of the Self and returning to it. Under the tree the shade is pleasant; out in the open the heat is scorching. A person who has been going about in the sun feels cool when he reaches the shade. Someone who keeps on going from the shade into the sun and then back into the shade is a fool. A wise man stays permanently in the shade. Similarly, the mind of the one who knows the truth does not leave Brahman. The mind of the ignorant, on the contrary, revolves in the world, feeling miserable, and for a little time returns to Brahman to experience happiness. In fact, what is called the world is only thought. When the world disappears, i.e. when there is no thought, the mind experiences happiness; and when the world appears, it goes through misery.

25. What is wisdom-insight (jnana-drsti)?

Remaining quiet is what is called wisdom-insight. To remain quiet is to resolve the mind in the Self. Telepathy, knowing past, present and future happenings and clairvoyance do not constitute wisdom-insight.

26. What is the relation between desirelessness and wisdom?

Desirelessness is wisdom. The two are not different; they are the same. Desirelessness is refraining from turning the mind towards any object. Wisdom means the appearance of no object. In other words, not seeking what is other than the Self is detachment or desirelessness; not leaving the Self is wisdom.

27. What is the difference between inquiry and meditation?

Inquiry consists in retaining the mind in the Self. Meditation consists in thinking that one's self is Brahman, existence-consciousness-bliss.

28. What is release?

Inquiring into the nature of one's self that is in bondage, and realising one's true nature is release.

SRI RAMANARPANAM ASTU

D: What are the limbs of yoga?

M: Yama, niyama, asana, ,pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi. Of these -

(1) Yama:- this stands, for the cultivation of such principles of good conduct as non-violence (ahimsa), truth (satya), non-stealing (asteya), celibacy (brahmacharya), and non-possession (apari-graha).

(2) Niyama:- this stands for the observance of such rules of good conduct as purity (saucha), contentment (santosha), austerity (tapas), study of the sacred texts (svadhyaya), and devotion to God (Isvara-pranidhana)*.

(3) Asana:- Of the different postures, eighty-four are the main ones. Of these, again, four, viz., simha, bhadra, padma, and siddha** are said to be excellent. Of these too, it is only siddha, that is the most excellent. Thus the yoga-texts declare.

(4) Pranayama:- According to the measures prescribed in the sacred texts, exhaling the vital air is rechaka, inhaling is puraka and retaining it in the heart is kumbhaka. As regards 'measure', some texts say that rechaka and puraka should be equal in measure, and kumbhaka twice that measure, while other texts say that if rechaka is one measure, puraka should be of two measures, and kumbhaka of four. By 'measure' what is meant is the time that would be taken for the utterance of the Gayatrimantra once. Thus pranayama consisting of rechaka, puraka, and kumbhaka, should be practised daily according to ability, slowly and gradually. Then, there would arise for the mind a desire to rest in happiness without moving. After this, one should practise pratyahara.

(5) Pratyahara:- This is regulating the mind by preventing it from flowing towards the external names and forms. The mind, which had been till then distracted, now becomes controlled. The aids in this respect are (1) meditation on the pranava, (2) fixing the attention betwixt the eyebrows, (3) looking at the tip of the nose, and (4) reflection on the nada. The mind that has thus become one-pointed will be fit to stay in one place. After this, dharana should be practised.

(6) Dharana:- This is fixing the mind in a locus which is fit for meditation. The loci that are eminently fit for meditation are the heart and Brahma-randhra (aperture in the crown of the head). One should think that in the middle of the eight-petalled lotus*** that is at this place there shines, like a flame, the Deity which is the Self, i.e. Brahman, and fix the mind therein. After this, one should meditate.

(7) Dhyana:- This is meditation, through the 'I am He' thought, that one is not different from the nature of the aforesaid flame. Even, thus, if one makes the enquiry 'Who am I?', then, as the Scripture declares, "The Brahman which is everywhere shines in the heart as the Self that is the witness of the intellect", one would realize that is the Divine Self that shines in the heart as 'I-I'. This mode of reflection is the best meditation.

(8) Samadhi:- As a result of the fruition of the aforesaid meditation, the mind gets resolved in the object of meditation without harbouring the ideas 'I am such and such; I am doing this and this'. This subtle state in which even the thought 'I-I' disappears is samadhi. If one practises this every day, seeing to it that sleep does not supervene, God will soon confer on one the supreme state of quiescence of mind.


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