Dance with Your Friends - The Trees

To Be Positive -

Carolyn Baker wrote in her book,'Sacred Demise' - "I occasionally receive mail like this,"I've just unsubscribed to your email list. Your website is filled with negative stories and articles and I need to keep a positive attitude and do what I can to make my world better."

She continues, "How does one describe the tone of such a statement? Angry? Not really. Disappointed? Perhaps. Scared" Probably. But I think that righteous is the word I would use to describe the reader's perspective. By righteous I mean a false sense of doing of feeling "the right thing", but the problem with the righteous attitude is that it often leads to detachment from reality-not unlike Barbara Bush's comment that she doesn't want to trouble her "beautiful mind" with statistics about troops o civilian casualties in Iraq. It's all so American/Judeo Christian and of course, NEW AGE: keeping a positive attitude so that we never feel badly about what's actually happening."

"A righteous attitude bypasses those emotions (such s grief, fear, anger, or despair) and makes the state of the planet someone else's problem, not my problem. It communicates that one is above emotions and really doesn't want to soil his/her sanitized psyche with them. The addiction to a "positive attitude" in the face of the end of the world as we have known is beyond irrational. It is obsession that could only be cherished by humans; it is, indeed humancentric, as human beings are the only species that matter and as if the most crucial issue is that those humans are able to feel good about themselves as the world burns."

Usually having a "positive" attitude about collapse implies wanting it not to happen, believing that it may not happen, and doing everything in one's power to convince oneself that it won't happen. It is a unique human attitude.If we could interview a polar bear who had just drowned trying to find food because the ice shelves that he usually rested on which allowed him to regain strength during the hunt were no longer there, I would suspect he'd express a very different attitude."

She concludes,"any person who wants to "maintain a positive attitude" in this culture-the culture of civilization that is killing the planet-killing all the people and species that we all love-that person is not only irrational and deeply afflicted with denial, but he/she is exactly like the member of an abusive family system in which physical and sexual, assaults are occurring in the home in a daily basis, but that family member insists on "thinking good thoughts" and resents anyone who says what is so about the abusive system."

Excerpt from the book "Sacred Demise" - Walking the Spiritual Path of industrial Civilization's Collapse by Carolyn Baker, Ph.D.

Now tell a kid that the dentist does not hurt? Is one being negative to tell that this treatment won't be just pleasure?

Positive, means that in spite of knowing the truth, which means the actual realities out there, we remain positive in the way we solve the problems we encounter best of our abilities. Ignoring the problems is not positive but denial - whatever we ignore come back with a vengeance.

The above mentioned book is written with much honesty and compassion. It is urgent that we wake up to the realities in order to help to transition into post-carbon area.
The author suggest to do some kind of ritual or spiritual practice in order to cope and balance what is about to be faced globally and as a humanity.



Warmest considerations and care!

"Sacred Demise" -

Many of us know that we have reached the end of the consumer society and the end of the model of growth as we know it. Even our pyramid scheme, the way we use money, will not be able to rescue us.

Economic growth as we know it is now over. The matter minded ideologies of communism and capitalism are "left-over" skeletons of a past and examples of "limited dogmatic thinking." The notion of capitalistic "greed" will soon be considered a mental malaise as it has brought untold suffering to literally all life on earth. The party of superficial abundance is over and we are on the brink of developing a new post-carbon civilization. The sooner we face this reality the better will be our chance to re/co-create a new socio-econimoic model based on spiritual and neo-humanistic values for the good and benefit of all life. How to accomplish such a transition, the birth of a new post-carbon civilization, however, is a question many of us are still struggling with. We need a new model which guarantees food, clothe, shelter, medical care, education, work, and spiritual values to one and all people, and that... as always, in the spirit of service and blessedness for all beings. The human body is valuable, as it is perfectly designed for spiritual pursuits of self-realization. In addition, to ease the load on the planet, it becomes clear that not all of us need to create ever new well deserving kids who will suffer unlucky incarnations right now, in an overly changing negative paradigm, leading them into unfavorable conditions of further unfathomable suffering. Indeed, if we think about it, we come to the conclusion that we are free to develop other living models to help the planet to survive into happiness. For instance, becoming a service minded, creative single yogi or yogini, who chooses to even remain childless in order to serve and help the planet earth to go through this huge transition, may be a huge help of setting an example of new ways of living, especially in the West. Even the traditional notion of the archetype, "the traditional married couple," or the heavily Disney advertised "ever loving girl- and boy-friend archetype," needs to be seriously challenged and questioned. Who can really live up to these models, which are nothing but immature attempts to sedate and project our conflicted emotional body in and onto another person (what a burden!), as the perfect reflection and hence attraction of our own personal dysfunction from imprinting of earlier years of life? Most of us know already that this model, sold by capitalism as the ultimate dream of happiness, rarely works out without maturity and spiritual training. Perhaps in near future many more may choose to voluntarily make space for all beings of the planet so that we all may have a chance to live together in balance. Our choices to create children will perhaps be given a "compassionate LET GO," as we realize how easy it is to really steer this body towards its well-designed purpose the happy self-realized states of conscious presence, often known as "Anandam" or "true happiness." Much wisdom, virtue and self-restraint will be required of us in future as we need to learn to be examples ourselves of how to go through dramatic global transitions with the highest spirit and intention. At this point, we may need all the pointers we can get to train our heart and mind to see everything as sacred, no matter what happens, and even in the midst of a possible destructive transformation, which is a scenario which most of us are not ready to think about.

Quote, "The book 'Sacred Demise' by Baker's central point is that the death of our cultural identity can be a spiritual opening for us, an opportunity to cast off our egocentric way of living (we are a "culture of two-year-olds," she says) and reclaim the ecocentric awareness of our indigenous heritage--a life in harmony with the pulsating vitality of the earth. This is the only way of living that has intrinsic meaning and purpose, that is spiritually and existentially nourishing, and the time has come to reconnect with it.

As with all major transitions in life, this "quantum shift" in consciousness will be psychologically difficult; the loss of "much of what we have held dear in civilization" will engender disorientation, distress, and deep grief. Sacred Demise is essentially an invitation to surrender to this emotional upheaval, to learn from it and allow it to deepen and mature us. Baker describes personal and communal practices we can use to turn cultural disintegration into a collective rite of passage, through which the limitations and mistakes of our immature worldview may be purged and transformed.

Sacred Demise draws on the wisdom of deep thinkers from various traditions; Carl Jung's insights inform much of her discussion, as do the indigenous African teachings of Malidoma Somé, the research of Jared Diamond and the spirituality of Thomas Moore and Eckhart Tolle, among others. Baker brings in many relevant and moving poems, and suggests a series of exercises for self-reflection. Weaving these elements with her own insights, Baker has given us a beautiful vision of humanity reconnecting with our ancient roots and with the Earth, finding spiritual resources to endure the coming apocalypse. For Baker, collapse opens possibilities for transformation."

Perhaps this book will help us to face our fears and prepare our minds better for a time of change. May this change be seen as most sacred.

Link to the book :-) Abundance comes from the bliss of the heart and realizing that 'less stuff means more time for inner happiness.'

When we are able to see ourselves from the highest light, we maybe able to see the other as divine being of the highest light as well. Their tears are ours and so are their smiles. We share all of that. Service then will not be based on co-dependent ego-needs but based on that which enriches the wellspring of inner heart. A rich heart, cultivated with the highest intention will bring forth the bright future we all have been longing for since the birth of the galactic universe.

In retrospect, the party is not over yet. We will only shift the focus to the inside, while doing loving service to the outside - we create from the inside out. It has been done before!

Om Shanti!

Forgotten Dimensions - In Adoration of the Magic

Enjoy your ever so beautiful presence!

Mind Beyond Death -

Quote, "Mind Beyond Death is an expansion upon a series of lectures given by author Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche in 2003 at the Treasury of Knowledge Retreat. The book focuses on Buddhism's six bardos, or stages of life. Of these, the text focuses most heavily on death and on preparing for death, not just in response to an impending crisis such as illness, but as a part of everyday life. The book also offers a fascinating, if sometimes challenging and intricately detailed, storehouse of Tibetan Buddhist thought. It provides some practical thought exercises, visualization techniques and yogic techniques on how to become focused on the present, along with more ambitious and esoteric goals such as 'planning your last thought."—Feminist Review -

Review:"This stunning work will prepare the seeker of truth for the moments before, during, and beyond the material expiration of our body, our vessel. Through seven concise chapters, a trained, listening, open mind arrives at the statement: 'Mind endures because it is unborn and unceasing...because it transcends our concepts of time and space.' The states of consciousness experienced will determine whether one's mind beyond death is able to transcend space and time or must come back to live again in the waking dream of some form of this life. Being compassionate, Ponlop provides the reader with exercises that contribute to our being able to focus, overcome obstacles, and practice entering the dream state. This reviewer has been reading esoteric spiritual texts since age 17 and has never seen as clear and skillful a description as found in the fifth chapter, 'Evaporating Reality.' In this extraordinarily articulate section, Ponlop makes his strongest portrait of the 'subtle dissolution process' of how our consciousness dissolves into space. One's awareness is 'simply open and vast, like a clear sky."

Source



The above mentioned book is one of the better explorations into the nature of the human mind (phenomenon), and is written in an easy language of deep inspiration capable of touching "beginners" and "seasoned practitioners" on many levels.

Above all, there are lots of good lessons about approaches towards spiritual practice, or sadhana which are worthwhile to consider and perhaps integrate.

Om Shanti Namaskar!

The Gayatri Mantra Rendered Beautifully

It is often agreed among the pundits that women should not chant this mantra. Well, I heard that at one point ten-thousands of women came out in India and chanted this and other forbidden Vedic mantras. Some women argued that the men are afraid that when women evolve too fast they won't do the cooking for the little Pundit boys anymore. We, the women, won't let that happen. With enlightenment states, chances are that we cook even better and with ever more love :-).

Sarou Mandala - Sun Meditation

Oh, dear companion - come to my village - that lies beyond the sovereign suvam'areka' river - when walking along the seaside - come to that river - the path leads across the dunes of the sea - when the sun rises there - the sky and the sea bloom with color - that color awakens my mind - and gives me infinite pleasure - In the cashew nut orchard - the colored birds always dance - the hawks fly over to unknowns places - the sailor starts his journey - hearing the far song of the rivers current - he moves towards the sea - without any other thought in mind.

(Song Number: 911 from Bengali Song Poetry by P.R. Sarkar)

Music: Soja
Chant: Baba Nam Kevalam - means - only the name of the Beloved...

From my heart to yours - Peace

I Feel You - I Love You - And We Are One

"If we cherish 'understanding' above all else, and so place our mental body upon our altar as The Holy Grail, we may experience regular doses of frustration and disappointment - the same sort of frustration one would experience when attempting to vacuum our home with a spurting hose pipe.

For example, we are told, 'We ought to love everyone'. Why? Because everyone is a divine expression of the one creator - or some reasoning like this. This definitely sounds groovy, and undoubtedly all with heart naturally seek to love everyone.

We are also told, 'We are one', and so ought live in oneness with everyone.

The pitfall here is the mental body cannot, of its own a-chord, grasp these two revelations through its addiction to 'understanding' or 'anal-I-sing' the words that make up the sentences that transmit the vibration of each revelation.

The mental body cannot feel revelation, therefore it cannot hear it, and therefore is unable to listen and fully receive it. This inadequacy leads to overcompensating through 'control' - to the instillation of important rules, complex formulae, detailed logically-driven concepts, and prioritized lists, etc, by which it attempts to demonstrate its 'understandings' of what it thinks is being revealed.

To the mental body, the above two statements often translate as follows:

1. Loving everyone means treating everyone the same. Or, when perceiving this from a deeper, causal perspective: Loving everyone means we ought feel the same about everyone."

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"What the family intimacy work reveals to us experientially - more efficiently than anything else - is that, 'loving everyone does not mean we ought feel the same about everyone', nor does 'living in oneness entail betraying ourselves to try and fit in, or expecting others to fit in by insisting they behave just like us'. Living according to such mentally-manufactured assumptions drive us mental with frustration."

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About Michael's Cat Family

"I also noticed that some of them had behavioral traits which, at times, annoyed me. Especially the strays. I again used felt-perception to energetically trace these annoyances into my own heart. By continually applying this practice of felt-perception, I realized that right within my heart - side by side with their individually beautiful felt-resonance - also nestles this felt-dissonance.

It is all, always, felt inside me.

The love and the imprinting - side by side - part of the same inner, felt-reality.

When around the cats I now choose to honor both these inner feelings, to perceive both as valid, and to allow myself to feel both exactly as they arise. However, when consciously identifying with each cat - I choose to consciously interact with the felt-essence of their individual loving presence that causes me to feel, and sometimes say, "I love you."

more here: Michael Brown's Blog



Love - to be with all you are - unconditionally accept the diverse expressions of life - upon entering this heartfelt presence - feelings - become at peace.

Message for Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day. The kindness of all mother sentient beings.

The Seven Stages of Generating Loving Compassion:
1) I will joyfully acknowledge that my mother is my kind mother.
2) I will gratefully remember the details of my mother’s kindness.
3) I will sincerely and intentionally repay my mother’s kindness.
4) I will lovingly and affectionately care for my mother.
5) I will compassionately and skillfully care for my mother.
6) I will unconditionally and wholeheartedly care for my mother.
7) I will definitely and always help my mother realize true happiness.

I Will Remember the Five Kindnesses of My Mother:
1) My mother is very kind, because she created my precious human body.
2) My mother is very kind, because she protected my precious human life.
3) My mother is very kind, because she gave me all basic necessities and worldly enjoyments.
4) My mother is very kind, because she taught me worldly education.
5) My mother is very kind, because she always loved me and cared for me in all situations.

I Will Remember the Five Dharma Kindnesses of My Parents:
1) My parents are very kind, because parents are the condition of my precious human body.
2) My parents are very kind, because my parents provided the favorable conditions for my Dharma practice.
3) My parents are very kind, because all my parents are the objects of my Bodhicitta.
4) My parents are very kind, because all my parents are the conditions of accumulating merit and wisdom.
5) My parents are very kind, because all my parents are the perfect reasons for becoming Buddha.

(as given by Khenpo Chogo Rinpoche from Dzogchen "The Buddha Path")

Love the way the mother and parents are cherished, honored. loved and respected. The same really also counts for our personal teachers and mentors.

Beautiful Mother's

Beautiful mothers nurture their inner child which is their own emotional body. Breathe in all your emotions into the inner core of your hearts sun, with total acceptance and unconditional love and see what happens! By changing our inner shine, the outside spectrum reflects in different lights. Bathe and enjoy your rainbow, your clear light and your golden sunlight in the center if your radiant heart. Beautiful mothers may choose to attend their inner child and in return teach their children not to be afraid of any of their own emotions. Let your children paint their emotions and enjoy the creation of new artistic skills together. Your children can give any emotion a name when they feel it and describe what that emotion is and does to them. Emotional energy can be transmuted into the presence of devotion and deeper spiritual absorption. Perhaps feel free to remember the innocent softness of the beautiful breathing as taught by Ajahn Brahm, "Mindfulness, Bliss and Beyond." He really knows how to teach to go deeper into practice and your spiritual center.

Happy Mother's Day!
Om Shanti Namaskar!

Meditation on the Bindu is Fascinating

The Point of convergence - simply burst through it! :-)

Bindu

Examples of "Positive Wording" within the Yoga Sutras

Examples of "Positive Wording" from the Yoga Sutras are found in the book "The Secret Power of Yoga" - A Woman's Guide to the Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras, written by Nischala Joy Devi.

Quote, "the great virtue of Astheya in the Yoga Sutras is typically translated as 'non-stealing.' Upon hearing this the mind cannot help but focus on 'stealing'-exactly what we have been told not to do! For an opposite effect to take place, the world or words must be reinterpreted from "what not to do" into what to do. Astheya, then, could easily understood in positive terms such as 'honesty, generosity, or integrity.' So, rather than implying that people steal and proposing them to refrain from this action, this text will propose they they be generous and honest and live in integrity.

Similarly, the Sutra about Aparigraya, is generally translated as "nongreed" or "greedlessness." Telling someone not to be greedy is like telling her not to think of chocolate. Once the notion of chocolate is planted in the mind, it's very hard to dislodge. A more positive approach goes to the heart of Aparigraha and unveils the positive perspective as "awareness of abundance," so that sharing what you have and taking ony what you need follow naturally (p.XXVIII)."



"Devoted practice, Abhyasa cultivates the unfoldment of consciousness (1.13 - Secret Power of Yoga)."

"Abhyasa is nurtured by a sustained, steady rhythm and a dedicated heart (1.14 - Secret Power of Yoga)."

A Women's Guide - To The Heart of the Yoga Sutras

Quote,"This book is truly a gem. It discusses the Sutras from a heartfelt perspective lacking in most other translations. It will compliment any other reading of the Sutras you have done, and will add a whole other dimension. A must-have for any complete yoga library."


http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Power-Yoga-Womans-Spirit/dp/0307339696

Yes, this book is gem for all women but especially for younger women.

1.3 United in the heart, consciousness is steadied, then we abide in our true nature." (p.18)

(no title) -

Innocent Korean Music From the Jang Geaum Series... A great series which teaches many lessons about "yoga" indirectly.


In the Beauty of our hearts we are indeed ONE.
Namaskar

The "Beautiful Breath" Is Indeed What It Is

Quote, "The fifth stage is called full sustained attention on the beautiful breath. Often, this stage flows on naturally, seamlessly, from the previous stage. As one’s full attention rests easily and continuously on the experience of breath, with nothing interrupting the even flow of awareness, the breath calms down. It changes from a coarse, ordinary breath, to a very smooth and peaceful “beautiful breath.” The mind recognizes this beautiful breath and delights in it. The mind experiences a deepening of contentment. It is happy just to be there watching this beautiful breath. The mind does not need to be forced. It stays with the beautiful breath by itself. “You” don’t do anything. If you try to do something at this stage, you disturb the whole process, the beauty is lost and, like landing on a snake’s head in the game of snakes and ladders, you go back many squares. The “doer” has to disappear from this stage of the meditation, with just the “knower” passively observing.

Now the breath will disappear—not when “you” want it to but when there is enough calm, leaving only “the beautiful.” A simile from English literature might help. In Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, Alice and the White Queen saw a vision of a smiling Cheshire cat appear in the sky. As they watched, first the cat’s tail disappeared, then its paws, followed by the rest of its legs. Soon the Cheshire cat’s torso vanished, leaving only the cat’s head, still with a smile. Then the head started to fade into nothing, from the ears and whiskers inwards, and soon the smiling cat’s head had completely disappeared—except for the smile, which still remained in the sky! This was a smile without any lips to do the smiling, but a visible smile nevertheless. This is an accurate analogy for the process of letting go that happens at this point in meditation. The cat with a smile on her face stands for the beautiful breath. The cat disappearing represents the breath disappearing, and the disembodied smile still visible in the sky stands for the pure mental object “beauty,” clearly visible in the mind."

http://santifm1.0.googlepages.com/ajahnbrahm
The above link is a diamond... to be read slowly.

Notice that when the gap between inhalation and exhalation goes away... a lot of harmony floods the mind. I realize that in yoga one creates pauses in between inhalation and exhalations. The beautiful breathing, however happens naturally. Nothing is being forced. Notice that when you take the pauses initially away, it accumulates present moment awareness as the thinking stops. Here one can go much deeper into a place where the meditation process picks up gracefully and effortlessly.

In Ekendryayoga it is explained:

1. Pra'na'n yamayatyes'ah pra'na'yama - that which controls the ten vayus (flows of vital energy) is called "pra'na'ya'ma.

2. Tasmin sati shva's-prashva'sayorgatibicchedah pra'naya'ma - the process to reduce the gap between inhalation and exhalation is pra'na'ya'ma.

"The flow o breath continues according to the shortening or lengthening of one's thought. By channelizing the natural system of respiration into a particular rhythm one controls the mind through pra'na'ya'ma. When the respiratory system is restless the mind becomes restless." - (P.R. Sarkar)

The pause in respiration also helps to create tranquility of the mind.

Michael Brown, describes a uninterrupted, natural breathing technique which excludes the pauses between inhalation and exhalation, in order to enhance present moment awareness, conquer the limiting sensation of time (past and future). Here feelings, or propensities may come up and are being worked through by calmly abiding with the attention to breathing through the emotions. The fluidity of the breathing is very natural and although deeper states of awareness are not the goal (in fact "a particular goal" is not part of the process...), one may notice that we may natural sink into deeper states, when we allow the present moment to unfold freely. In a way, the discoveries of different gentle breathing techniques are in themselves ways which may help to transmute emotional "charges and triggers" into "integration" and sometimes even bliss without having to go through any kind of extremes what so ever. The work of Ajahn Brahm, the study of Anandamurti's Ekendrya, and Michael Browns work with "The Presence Process," can be of relevance to overcome reactive momenta (samskaras) and move towards inner freedom, and wiser reflections and responses in the world.

Even after years of meditating, the discover of the importance of more subtle breathing methods, which are by no means extreme or forceful, can be of great relevance in order to transmute all emotions and psychic propensities into an integrated awareness and an ever deeper sense of unity beyond bliss.

The books of Ajahn Brahm, Michael Brown and Anandamurti in regards to mindfulness, presence, meditation, working with the mind and fluctuating emotional states, they offered a most inspiring and tender journey towards new inner openings, for which I am extremely grateful. Even though the perspectives and the places from which these authors come from may vary - they all teach how to move beyond unconscious limitations through commitment to ourselves and our practice.

Yes, Ajahn Brahms book about "Mindfulness, Bliss and Beyond, Michael Browns Book about "The Presence Process," and Shrii Shrii Anandamirti's lectures about Ekendrya (the "spiritual science of unity"), are important pointers and extremely helpful in teaching how to take full responsibility -which many people don't know, even with the best of intentions, how to do- for ones life experience.

Wishing you all the best. Om Shanti :-) Namaskar!

The Most Amazing Meditation Handbook

Mindfulness, Bliss & Beyond

A truly helpful and sophisticated manual of meditation written by a monk with deep and wide-ranging experience. Ajahn Brahm is one of a new generation of Westerners who have studied, practiced and mastered an important range of Buddhist teachings and now offers them to sincere practitioners across the modern world. In Mindfulness, Bliss and Beyond you will find a thorough set of teachings for developing and deepening meditation, aimed particularly at attaining absorption and opening to the insights that can follow from it. Ajahn Brahm offers a careful and subtle understanding of how to transform initial difficulties and how to incline the mind toward rapture, happiness, light and the profound steadiness of Jhana. So those of you interested in the practice of jhana and the depths of the Buddhist path: read this book carefully. And try its practices. Much will be gained from its rich and wise words and even more from the experiences it points to. And as the Buddha and Ajahn Brahm both advise, test them out, and use them, and learn from them, but do not cling to them. Let them lead you to the liberation beyond all clinging, the sure heart's release. May these teachings bring understanding, benefit and blessings to all. http://www.ajahnbrahm.org/books.html "But remember, silence is shy. If silence hears you talking about her, she vanishes immediately!" -From the book, "Mindfulness, Bliss, and Beyond"