There Is No Spoon

Posted July 8, 2016

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Every moment is the only moment. In the midst of tragedy you can choose to go into the Self and find the Eternal Truth. This is untainted by the transient, and often troubled, world. Despite what appears to be chaos, there is a substratum where we all are One. Through meditation on silence and affirmative prayer we connect with this Divine Matrix. Then you realize, like in the movie, that you don’t have to try to bend spoons.

There are always atrocities on the news. Anyone of average intelligence knows that sensationalism sells. But, for me, it feels so close to home right now. This body I have incarnated in is Black and I am raising children how have incarnated as mixed-race people. Yes, I deeply believe (and in moments of samadhi I have known) that and we are all One. Yet, when I open my eyes and engage in the world I, temporarily, forget.

I become angry and I fear for my son–who is the sweetest young man I know. He is 6′ 2″ at age fourteen. I plead with him to not wear his hood, to be polite, and not to cut through the neighbor’s yard–because he may be murdered. Yes, I am deeply committed to my spiritual practices and I know that no one dies. But, our karmic bond is deeper than philosophical conjecture.

I’m playing multiple roles on the stage we call “life”. Some of the roles seem to contradict each other. As a mother, I am a wildcat backed into a corner who is desperately trying to care for her cubs. As a an aspirant, I uphold the tenet that all life is equal and valuable. I also strive to remember that those who inciting violence are in pain. But, sometimes it easier said than done.

Two wise teachers told me, there are two things we always must remember. First:

Everything is the opposite of what it appears to be and nothing is the opposite of what it appears to be.

Second:

Anything you do everything you experience will either bring you closer to or farther from the Truth (Center of Consciousness, perception of God, Yoga, Unity, Christ Consciousness, and numerous names for Supreme Oneness).

The first principle is that we really never know what is going on beneath the surface level of appearances. I mentioned, perpetrators of violence are victims, as well. Karma is intertwined at every level. What we are seeing is a ripple on the surface of the ocean of cause and effect. It’s not judgement by an anthropomorphic paternal deity– we are seeing the ripples from infinite stones being thrown into the lake of eternity.

The second principle is to cease throwing stones which cloud the lake and obscure the Truth. The second principle is supreme compassion for ourselves–at any given moment we can choose to love everyone. At any moment we can look at someone and choose to remember there is no ~~other~~. These are choices made in a nanosecond.

Then we bend, we grow, we advance and we can be a beacon to bring those who are still perceiving separation toward Our Collective Center of Consciousness.

Part 1 of 30 Days of Peace…

An Attitude of Gratitude

Posted June 16, 2016

Filed under Insights

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Can you ever have too much gratitude? I doubt it?

This is a repost from 2014; however, I was reminded, through a cascade of`teachable moments, to be eternally gratefully–for every moment. There is no need to anticipate, and this does take effort, the next moment will get here!

Prayer is an interesting activity. Like meditation, it is an opportunity to go inside and merge with stillness. However, so many people pray their power away–they ask for assistance, intervention, and blessings; but, they do not, simply, offer gratitude for what is going well.

Recently, I was challenged by a dear friend to post 3 statements of gratitude, for a week, on my Facebook page. Over, the years I have done several exercises in gratitude– which is something I continue to work on cultivating. Whenever, I make a conscious attempt to find something to be grateful for, the gratitude flows in abundance. One positive thought, attending to one gift, becoming aware of an inkling of Prasad becomes a river of plenty.

Many people mistakenly believe that prayer is not part of the Yoga tradition. Conversely, this tradition has consists of four pillars: meditation, contemplation, mantra, and prayer. However, it is taught, prayer begins as a dialogue and converges into a unification.

Prayer instills us with bhava, the strong emotion of devotion–but, we don’t have to pray our power away. Offer gratitude for what is working. You and the Divine Source are one and the same– therefore, nothing can be against you. Sit with the blessings before asking for intervention. You may discover that you are all the resources you need.

Be the Best “Version” of your Self

Posted January 9, 2016

Filed under Himalayan Tradition, Insights, Musings

Truly, there is no “better” or “worse” version of You, or I–we are the Center of Consciousness. How can there be a flaw?

Be the Best Version of your “Self”

In Yoga Philosophy, a human is viewed as an expression of the Center of Consciousness. As the Center of Consciousness “moves outward” it appears to condense (for lack of a better word) and become the individual. But, the Center of Consciousness remains eternal, undiminished, unchanged.

There are various sheaths (koshas) appearing to veil the Center of Consciousness; they are like layered lampshades covering a light. At the outermost level there is the physical body; the next, more subtle, layer is the energy/breath body; the next, subtler, layer is the mental body; the mind is preceded by the wisdom body; at core is the Self–the point where Center of Consciousness initiates individuation.

Whether or not you subscribe to this philosophy, we can intuit that we are more than we appear to be. What we hold to be as our “True Nature” is a personal belief. However, the busyness of our lives causes us to misidentify with all of the actions we are doing instead of our illusive “True Nature”.

Furthermore, our addiction to moving outward–as opposed to focusing inward–causes many of us to fixate on our failures and challenges. We can become mired in a victim persona, subjecting ourselves to a self-fulfilling prophecy. Meditation is a tool which can shift us to a state of empowerment by: improving our physiological functioning, depersonalizing the thinking process, and relieving us from attachments.

When the human nervous system evolved, it bifurcated into two aspects which work like gears on a manual transmission. The sympathetic nervous system causes humans to jump into action. It triggers the “fight or flight” response via the release stimulating hormones, which includes: dilated pupils, accelerated heart rate, and increased rate of respiration. Conversely, the parasympathetic nervous system is associated with feelings of safety and wellbeing–reflect on the feeling holding a calm baby. Unfortunately, many people are primarily tapped into the sympathetic nervous system–they are reactive, anxious, and judgemental.

Most systems of meditation are practiced in a relaxing environment and incorporate techniques, such as: body scanning, diaphragmatic breathing, and focusing attention–all of which elicit a parasympathetic response. When this is stimulated, thoughts are inclined to be uplifting and positive. In fact, a recent Harvard study indicates, 8-weeks of mindfulness meditation cause the brain to grow new gray matter. This asserts you can rewire your brain into new thought patterns. Despite the catharsis of improving the quality of our thoughts, it is important to understand that we are not our thoughts.

As previously mentioned, we identify with our accomplishments and roles; however, we also identify with our thoughts. Thoughts, like the material objects of the world are “objects” we have created on the mental plane. Many people have an antagonistic relationship with their thoughts. They tend to believe that they are good when they are having positive and altruistic thoughts. They tend to judge themselves when they are having negative thoughts. All minds are creative–even Buddhist monks have thoughts of murder. However, acting on a thought is a different scenario.

Although there are benefits to positive thinking; it’s important to get distance from your thoughts. This is not an attempt to have cessation of the thinking process; rather, the goal is to become detached from the activity of the mind. In most meditation traditions, practitioners are taught to allow the mind to behave naturally–not to interfere with the thinking process. Over time, one is able to become aware of the transient nature of thoughts. Ultimately, as one becomes dispassionate about thoughts, the mind begins to relax; this is not unlike a pond settling after it is undisturbed for a while. Then one becomes aware of spaces between the thoughts. In meditation we attempt to move into those spaces–not to shut the mind down.

After one develops a regular practice they may observe that thoughts are of two sorts: neutral and colored. Neutral thoughts are benign, they do not elicit an emotional response. Colored (klishta) thoughts are shaded with attachment. Attachment is twofold: attraction and repulsion (aversion). We cling at what we are attracted to and we push against what we are repulsed by. Yet, these are two sides of the same coin–in both cases one is attached. We expend a great deal of energy trying to get more of what we want and an equal amount of energy trying to keep away what we abhor. The rationale of this behavior is happiness; but, true happiness is not determined by what is outside of us.

As a meditation practice develops, one is able to discern which thoughts are colored. A regular meditator is detached from their thoughts, they are able to uncolor them and decrease incessant craving for the the material world and it’s ephemeral pleasures. Many philosophies believe attachment is our greatest downfall; whether is desire for more accomplishments and experiences or the fear of death. Meditation does not make us apathetic; a healthy yearning for that which brings us inside and towards truth is amplified with regular practice.

Meditation is a wellspring; it allows us to set down the many false ideas and identities that burden us on a daily basis. Then, as if we hang these on a clothesline, after meditation we pick these up and they feel lighter. With meditation we begin to perceive ideas of lack are not our true nature; they are fantasies we created along the way. During meditation, we still the body, smooth the breath, quiet the mind, and steep in the silent Center of Consciousness. How can we be undeserving, unworthy or unlovable if our true nature is perennial and connected with the True Nature of everyone?

The New Normal

Posted November 6, 2015

Filed under Himalayan Tradition, Insights, Musings

Spiral Staircase Queens House UK www bamorama com

Ah, it’s nice to return to the blog-o-sphere…

I never pegged myself as one to share extremely personal things via my blog; however, I feel sharing this experience is beneficial on multiple levels. Firstly, I want to explain my hiatus from this commitment. Secondly, I hope that sharing the experience will allow others to catch a glimpse into my reality and, perhaps, see our commonality. Lastly, I believe that appropriate sharing is cathartic.

When I first set out to create this blog, I did so with my life partner, my best friend, my husband. Some of you who have been following will remember our collaborations and his poetry–which are still hosted on this site. Despite us both being committed to our spiritual paths, our relationship path has diverged and we are not continuing in the direction of a married couple. We are still committed to our children and to the being the best co-parents and friends we can be.

Sharing what “happened” isn’t necessary. In fact, according to Swami Rama, “The nature of Reality is a game of hide and seek, which is really the only game there is—now you see it and now you don’t.” Furthermore, the Yoga Sutras explain: “Although the same objects [or situations] may be perceived by different minds, they are perceived in different ways, because those minds manifested differently.”

So in actuality, what “happened” is based on whose perspective you garner. In fact, the word perspective is powerful in and of itself… According to Google, “[in] late Middle English (in the sense ‘optics’): from medieval Latin perspectiva (ars ) ‘science of optics,’ from perspect- ‘looked at closely,’ from the verb perspicere, from per- ‘through’ + specere ‘to look.’” What calls me is not the fact that it means to look, it’s the fact that it denotes looking through.

So what is it that we are looking through?

It is the veiling Power of the Universe, Maya. “Maya means appearance, as if something appears to be one way, but is really another… some view maya as meaning that nothing is real, and turn this into a cold-hearted intellectual practice, others view the illusion of maya as being shakti, the creative force of the universe. In this way, the maya of the koshas is experienced both as unreal and, at the same time, as the beautiful manifestations of the universal oneness” (Swami J).

The reversal of this process is the purpose of meditation in traditional Yoga. As Georg Feuerstein has explained, it is implosion. A receding (for lack of a better word), through all the “layers” until there is an experience of “The Witness?“.

How does this tie in with Chad and I? Well, I believe the philosophy and the practices I have been sharing have helped me to be more at peace with what is happening. Firstly, as I have mentioned, I appreciate perspective in a way that I have never before. I feel more empathetic towards someone who I may have considered to be an adversary in the past. Secondly, they have given me more self-regulation. All of the time watching my thoughts, emotions, and behaviors have helped me to be less reactive. I am certainly not professing mastery; but, I feel less volatile. Additionally, I attribute a general feeling of optimism because I know that what I am is not defined by my life situation–there is a constant which is unaffected and I have access to the peace of this space.

I was recently presented with the metaphor of grief being like a spiral staircase–as opposed to being like a ladder with rung-like stages. We continually move through stages, which circle back around; but, on the next pass we’ve moved higher. This is also a metaphor for sadhana (the spiritual path); we keep moving upwards–even if it seems we’re going around in circles.

Make sure to click the links– there is a plethora of information there.

Om Shanti Namaste

All Yogic Approaches are Initiatory

Posted August 30, 2015

Filed under Himalayan Tradition, Insights

Part 10 of “How Do You Qualify Yoga?”

…I return to a more controversial qualification presented by Georg Feuerstein, in his perennial work, “The Lost Teachings of Yoga“.

Truly the name of this article can also be tilted “Do you need a Guru?” According to my teacher, Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati, “[A] Guru is not considered to be any person, though the force of guru may operate through a person. Teachers may be respected, but are not objects of worship. “Gu” means “darkness” and “ru” means “light.” Guru is the light that dispels the darkness of ignorance.”

However, even my teacher has a Guru.

Georg is adamant, in the aforementioned work–and many others–self-taught, and even incorrect teachings have benefit, the subtle nuances of Yoga tradition are missed without a Guru to elucidate them.

How do I feel about this? My answer probably will be cryptic–I avoid offering advice.

I know, the old adage, “when the student is ready, the teacher will come”, sounds patronizing–especially, to someone who considers himself to be an earnest seeker. The challenge is, especially if you listen to Georg’s audiobook, are we earnest seekers?

The Path, as described by Swami Rama in, The Architect and the Path, ” …Is narrower than the needle’s eye and as sharp as a razor’s edge.” Furthermore, he explains, a half-hearted seeker will find that their efforts may not bear fruit. He is assertive in his conclusion, “If your dearest one stands in the way of Self-realization, tread over him, forsake him, go beyond. If your beloved stands in the way of Self-realization, cast her aside. Your trusted friend is Truth and Truth alone.” These strong words are the rationale behind the celibate, renunciate lifestyle of the Swami.

So, before instead of answering the question, “do you need a Guru?” I offer, “are you a sincere seeker?”

A wise friend of mine said, “do you have a spiritual path or a hobby?”

I have vacillated on my committment; but, I am striving for complete adherence and surrender. This adherence is not coming from the fear of punishment, or the hope of reward, from an external source. It is intrinsic. The deeper I go, the more I realize that I am looking for something inside of me. The closer I get to it, the more I understand the need to associate with those who have tread this path.

My teacher is treading this path. I listen to his advice because I feel the truth resonating in it; not, because I am following blindly. I see the practices working in my life; but, only, when I am committed to them.

The Intention to Return Back to Life

Posted August 13, 2015

Filed under Insights, Musings

I have been pretty busy the last two weeks; I went to the Ashram for Guru Purnima (which is a little foreshadowing about my next post is the series, “How Do You Qualify Yoga“). Then, as I had been posting for the last few months. Ma Tri came to visit and it was sublime. The following post is the original I submitted to United Intentions. It will probably be edited in their version; but, it’s my first venture into being a guest blogger!

Descartes famously said, “I think therefore I am.” In this statement he is proposing that we are a collection of thoughts which coalesces into the human entity. Well, this is in stark contrast to several spiritual traditions, such as: Buddhism, New Thought, and the Himalayan Tradition (a convergence of three North Indian philosophies). These traditions believe there is one source, one power in the Universe, however, it is called by many names. For simplicity sake, in this article I will refer to it as the Center of Consciousness.

According to the aforementioned, and many other, traditions, at our truest level we are one and the same with the Center of Consciousness. However, we take on a layers of false identities. Consider a newly born baby, they do not know their name, sex, or race. All of these are identities which, over time, are bestowed on them.

The term “false identity” should not be considered a negative one. Without taking on some of these rolls we wouldn’t be able to work, have relationships, or procreate. The challenge is to see beyond what feels so real to us. The way that we set down the identifications, is through practices which take us inside: meditation, contemplation, gratitude, and intentions work to bring us through our roles towards the Center of Consciousness.

In the Himalayan Tradition, the main identities are considered to be bodies, or sheaths, which, like a lampshade veil the truth that at the Center we are indescribable pure potentiality. This tradition also views the mind as an instrument through which the Center of Consciousness experiences the world. When the mind is polished through the aforementioned practices, we see clearly who we are and the world around us. In one Buddhist tradition this is called Vipassana, clear seeing. We can see that negative thought patterns, prejudices, fear and hatred are a result of the clouded and dusty lens.

Meditation is the way we train our mind to not be swayed by its natural fluctuations. Contemplation is the practice of holding higher vibrational thoughts which point us, like a compass, towards the Center. Gratitude practices, like contemplation, remind us to focus on what is working in our lives. The more gratitude we offer the more we realize we are blessed and often have more resources available then we realize. Gratitude increases generosity. Lastly, intentions, which are synonymous with affirmative prayer, are how we point our crystalline laser mind on the whatever goal we want to accomplish.

When we declare an intention and use our adjunctive practices to keep our mind translucent, we are saying to the Universe that this is what we truly want our lives to look like. But, the “Universe” is not some force outside of us. As mentioned, we are one and the same with the Center. If we truly want something to manifest in our lives, intentions just remind us that in the world of apparent duality, we are who we are seeking at the core.

Intention setting is not to be mistaken with manipulation; as stated adjunctive practice provide clarity. If we are “tuned in” our intentions will be set for the greatest good, not for mere selfish gain. Furthermore, since there is only one Center all of ours are one and the same. When we set intentions that are positive, we raise the vibration of the planet as a whole. Setting intentions is a spiritual practice; it is an opportunity to inherit your birthright which is whatever you intend it to be!

All Yogic approaches account for surprise and/or grace.

Posted July 30, 2015

Filed under Himalayan Tradition, Insights

Part 9 of “How do you Qualify Yoga?”

About a year ago, I was facilitating a workshop and met someone who is now a dear friend. Our connection was instant; he had been raised a devout Hindu and was very complementary about my ability to simplify teachings he had previously learned. We culminated our discussion with the idea that, assuming you subscribe to belief in Saṃsāra, how it took everything we had done up to that moment to even be in that workshop–to even be discussing teachings which were, at one time, only available to the chosen few.

According to Swami Rama, “…There is also the activity of grace. Grace is the impulse or the impetus of the energy to dispel darkness. There is the grace of the scriptures, from the wisdom that has passed down from others. There is the grace of the teacher, who imparts that wisdom and helps bring it to life in the student. There is the grace of God, or pure consciousness, that is alive and ever present in everyone’s life. Integral to these three graces is the grace of oneself, having the will to undertake a purposeful journey in life, to do the spiritual work of life, and to prepare oneself.”

What is the source of the impulse?

According to the mahavakyas:

Brahma satyam jagan mithya–Brahman is real; the world is unreal
Ekamevadvitiyambrahma–Brahman is one, without a second
Prajnanambrahman–Brahman is the supreme knowledge
Tat tvam asi–That is what you are
Ayamatmabrahma–Atman and brahman are the same
Aham brahmasmi–I am brahman
Sarvam khalvidam brahma–All of this is brahman

If Brahman–which is an arbitrary word for the Center of Consciousness, the nameless apex, or whatever you wish to call it–and we are one and the same, the source of the impulse is from within. We heard it said before, “You are who you are seeking.” Ironically, the picture above says “to serve another”–there is no other. There is only one.

There is no need to anthropomorphize the Center, I am not suggesting “someone” is pulling strings. But, to paraphrase Ma Tri, when you done all the preparatory work, when you have gone deep enough in your meditation, eventually it is a surrender and grace that carries you the final distance.

Hence, meditation, affirmative prayer, contemplation, and gratitude–try to do some every day.

Let’s Dance

Posted July 25, 2015

Filed under Guests, Poetry

From the Gross to the Subtle

A repost from Chad Bittner Hurt, who will be a regular guest blogger og FGTS!

Let’s dance

Deliberate movement
Divine purpose
Each step is an improvement
In our connection to spirit
Expanding our mantra beyond verses
Our bodies surrender to that which is us and reaches up
We move so carefully to all our guides gift us and teach us.
The drum, the beat, the music
That is our vehicle
Is a powerful short cut to the pinnacle,
An embrace we all so earnestly seek
So sing and cut a rug with reckless abandon.
Especially when instructed by those asking us to take each other’s hand in hand,
Bringing us ever closer in meditation and the gentle words they speak.
Leave with an open heart, lose these imaginary boundaries, fade into the oneness that is us becoming,
And settle into a happiness that Is no less than perfection dancing, cheek…

View original post 13 more words

All Yogic approaches require the implementation of Discipline and Detachment.

Posted July 23, 2015

Filed under Himalayan Tradition, Insights, Simple Tips

Part 7 of “How Do You Qualify Yoga?”

People think that sadhana–the yogic path–means the day-to-day process. In a way it does, it is what practices you do (meditation, breath work, etc). But, abhyasa is the moment to moment committment to this way of being and living. It’s the cultivation, not obsession, of remembering your committment to reach Yoga. But, all of the work you do has to be done with surrender–if you expect an exact outcome you are living in the world of control. Control is an illusion. There are many factors affecting us at any given time; our karma is coiled and spiraled in ways we cannot imagine. So we do the work, we commit to the path, and we let go. We make mistakes and we try again. Life throws curve balls and we still meditate, contemplate, pray, and offer gratitude. We are not bargaining with the Center of Consciousness– we are trying to connect to it. Although, the irony is, we are never away from it. Let the trials help you remember that every moment is Holy and Divine.

From Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati

The Silence

Posted July 20, 2015

Filed under Guests, Insights

From the Gross to the Subtle is proud to present our third guest blogger: the esteemed Cecelia Smith. Please contact us if you would like to share lesson, personal experiences, meditations, and poetry from dharmic traditions and mindfulness. Thank you for blessing us Cecelia.

THE SILENCE

Silence is of inestimable value in creating the place of change we are destined to inhabit. As our silence grows, so does the attributes of the One Being into whom we are transforming ourselves. Most of us are not yet capable of being in the Silence for extended periods of time. That is as it should be at this point in our development. Although, we may meditate for long periods of time, our moments of true Silence are very brief. Every second of linear time spent in true Silence is vast in the change it brings and the momentum it builds in our ongoing expansion. Each second of true Silence adds to our store of Silence and makes it easier for us to achieve that ultimate Silence in which we know ourselves as One Being.

That point, that second of transforming Silence is very close, and gets closer with every brush we make with the Silence. We feel it as a tremor, an awesomeness surrounding everything we do. We become excited in our anticipation of the revelations of ourselves, the One Being, Humanity. This excitement shatters our individual Silence, but in no way touches or disturbs the collective Silence we augmented by our entrance of the Silence. Second by second it grows. Second, by second, we are drawn closer to our objective; second by silent second we are a little more awake. The split second which transforms separate ego based individuals into the Great Being of Humanity is so very close. It is said in sacred writings that “no one knows the minute, or the hour when the Son of Man comes.” That is the truth.

We are building the habitation for the Son of Man on a second by silent second basis. The excitement is almost unbearable. The suspense so great, that some of us rush ahead. The Son is not ahead. The Son is not behind. The Son (translated SUN) is within the silent seconds we spend in the Silence. The magnificence of the raising Sun draws strength and substance within the Silence, getting bolder with every second spent within it. This Silence is an act of grace. We pray, we meditate, we sing, we dance, we expect and we love, all doing all building, all calling for the Silence to overtake us. Then it does and we remember. The truth of who we are dawns within our consciousness. We are astonished by our beauty and grandeur. Then we retreat from the Silence enter the world of doing again, leaving behind a Silence grown larger by our silent presence. The birthing of the Sun of man draws ever more close.

Enter The Silence Now and Become the Sun.

” I have written almost all my life. I write because I must. Words pile up inside my head and the only outlet for me to have is to write. I choose to share some of these writings in my blog ‘motivated in spirit” to inspire first myself and then others. It is my hope and prayer that you find these blogged words inspirational. Thank you… In the deepest love, Cecelia”

Cecelia’s home blog is: