The lesson of reincarnation: Meditation

“The lesson of reincarnation is to neutralize the waves of likes and dislikes, of desire and aversion, by the expression of kindness, forgiveness and compassion to all, and by steadfast commitment in the Self. We must love others not for their human personalities, but because they are manifestations of God, Who dwells equally in all”

The lessons of reincarnation: Introduction

I introduced the timeless principle of reincarnation in last week’s blog “Where did I come from and why am I here: Introduction” (please click on the link for more information) http://spirituallyminespirituallyyours.blogspot.com/2011/06/where-did-i-come-from-and-why-am-i-here.html

As this topic is one that attracts great attention, I would like to explore it a little this week. Let's kick off with two age-old questions and their insightful answers, as given and explained by Sri Sri Paramhansa Yogananda. 

Why is a baby born crippled?

Paramhansa Yogananda said: “Why is a baby born crippled? Only reincarnation can explain this fact satisfactorily. People behold it as a ‘sweet, innocent baby’ but in some past life that personality must have transgressed against God’s law. This transgression deprived him of the consciousness of having good legs. Thus- and because the mind controls the body – when that person came back again into a physical body, he wasn’t able to create a perfect pair of legs, and was born crippled.

“Why is one person born a moron and another intelligent? God would be very unjust, wouldn’t He, if He allowed such things to happen without a cause. But there is a cause. For what we are now, is the result of our own actions at various times in the past.

“In our souls, we are immortal, but in our personalities we cannot reclaim the consciousness of that immortality until our human imperfections have been rubbed away. Working on ourselves is like chipping and polishing away the extraneous stone on a statue, until the image that was hidden is revealed in all its perfection!”

Why can’t I remember my past incarnations?

A disciple: “Master, why can’t I remember my past incarnations?”

“It is better so, usually” replied the Master with a humorous smile. People would soon grow discouraged if they knew all the things they’d done wrong in the past! God gives them an opportunity to try again, without the false hypnosis that they are  their mistakes.

“The less attached you are to the body,” he continued, “especially during deep meditation, the more clearly you will remember your past lives and everything you ever did in each one of them”

 “It wouldn’t help most people to remember their past. Even in this lifetime, see how habit-bound many of them become. I call them psychological antiques! Everything they do is predictable. Even the melodies they whistle or sing are the same – year in and year out. And the older they grow, the more settled they become in all their ways of thinking, feeling and behaving.

“Such people have the opportunity to forget what they’ve done and what they have been and to start afresh. Only in new beginnings is there any hope of their making something better of themselves.”

Where do I come from and why am I here: Reflection

According to Monday’s parable of the little soul and the Sun, the little soul was always part of the Sun, although the Veil would lead it to believe that it was separate, which of course it was not and never could be.

“Once upon a before-time existed, there was a little soul which formed part of the great Sun. The little soul knew it Self to be the light. “I am the light” it said, “I am the light”.  Yet all the knowing of it and all the saying of it could not substitute for the experience of it. And in the realm from which the little soul emerged, the realm of the absolute, there was nothing but the light.”

This is a radical idea, as it implies that as little souls, we ALL form part of God.

I would like to conclude this week’s blog with 2 bible versus, my interpretation of which I believe, may very well support this grand, grand and timeless idea.

“I have said, Ye are Gods.  Ye are children of the most high”

-          Psalm 82.6

Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'?”

-          John 10.34

Where do I come from and why am I here: Meditation

This week’s meditation is taken from Sri Sri Paramhansa Yogananda:

“Self- realization is the knowing in all parts of the body, mind and soul that you are now in the possession of the kingdom of God; that you do not have to pray that it come to you; that God's omnipresence is your omnipresence; and that all you need to do is improve your knowing”

Where did i come from and why am I here: Introduction

Where did I come from and why am I here?

The parable of the little soul and the Sun, adapted from my own personal experiences, may give a little insight into this.

Once upon a before-time existed, there was a little soul which formed part of the great Sun. The little soul knew it Self to be the light. “I am the light” it said, “I am the light”.  Yet all the knowing of it and all the saying of it could not substitute for the experience of it. And in the realm from which the little soul emerged, the realm of the absolute, there was nothing but the light.

In the realm of the absolute, every soul was magnificent. Every soul was brilliant. And so the little soul in question was as a candle in the Sun. In the midst of the grandest light – of which it was a part – it could not really see itself nor experience it Self as who it really is.

And so it came to pass that the little soul yearned and yearned to experience it Self. And in order to satisfy this yearning to experience it Self, it decided that it would separate it Self from the whole and to move to another realm: the realm of the relative. In this realm, it would have the power to call into existence all the experiences it so desired. In the realm of the relative, all things and all possibilities would exist. In this realm it would really be able see it Self and experience it Self as who it really is.

And so, propelled by that yearning, the OMH sounded, and with a BIG BANG the entire universe was created. The little soul incarnated: The incarnation was made up of three parts: body, mind and soul. The body would be the vehicle to house the soul in the physical realm, and the mind would be the tool, given to assimilate information, which it would use to one day get back to the great Sun, from which is was never really separated.

In order for this plan to work, a few basic, timeless principles would then be introduced:

Duality

Duality, the state or quality of being in two parts, would be the foundation of the realm of the relative. Through this state, the little soul would have boundless opportunities to experience it Self:  black existed and white existed - with a full spectrum of everything in between. And what better way to fully experience the fullness of life, but by also experiencing its opposites: how much more would a little soul appreciate JOY but by also experiencing the depth of SORROW? And how much more would the little soul appreciate LOVE after also experiencing the depth of its opposite, FEAR? And how much more would the little soul appreciate the GOOD after also experiencing the depth of its opposite, the EVIL? And this is how it was to be with ALL experiences in the realm of the relative.

Forgetfulness

The incarnation, made up in three parts, could have no knowledge of its former existence. And so, when taking its physical body, it would be drowned in the Rivers of Forgetfulness. There would be a Veil which would keep the little incarnation set in the realm of the relative, away from the truth of who it really is. But the little soul it Self would never forget.  And, as the little candle was made of the Sun, even if it felt separate from the Sun, it could never be.

Imagine if you would, a Prince, who had lived all his life as a beggar, only one day to discover that he is in fact a Prince, son of the King, who’s Kingdom has no end. What a Joy! How would the Prince ever have appreciated his Princehood, his true Self, had he never known the un-prince-like-life and experiences of a beggar? The temporary experience of living as a beggar would give him the opportunity to experience more of life, from a different perspective: a perspective which would be the opposite of his true nature. And through these opposites, the [spiritual] beggar would come to experience it ALL.  And one day, when the time came, he would be deemed fit to rule his Kingdom, and rule he would, with a deep, deep sense of love, joy and compassion for ALL his people.  

Free will

As the little soul so deeply desired to experience it Self, it would be given complete freedom to do so, complete free will to choose whatever it so wished. The Sun imposed no limitations on the little soul. The Sun did not say to the little soul “You may go to the realm of the relative and have an experience of your Self, but only do this, and whatever you do, never do that!…”

Karma

Instead of this list of Do’s and Don’ts, the Sun would create the Law of Karma. Every choice made would bear consequences for the little soul: as it sowed, so it would reap. And the little soul would need to work through the consequences of ALL its actions and its free will. And through this process of working through ALL the consequences of ALL its actions and its free will, it would experience more and more of itself and simultaneously evolve and purify it Self spiritualty, as it readied it Self to be one day reunited with the Sun, from where it came, and from which it was never really apart.

Reincarnation

Of course this process would take some time and as such, the little soul would come back to this realm of the relative; incarnation after incarnation until it had worked through ALL the consequences of its actions and its free will. And in each birth, the little soul would be given the opportunity to start afresh in another incarnation: each time a new body, a new mind. The incarnation would have no knowledge of its former existence, while the soul would carry with it the fruits of work performed in each of its previous incarnations. And in each new incarnation: more opportunities to experience more of it Self.

Realization

The veil - which would keep the incarnation set in the realm of the relative- would lead the incarnation, to believe that it was separate from the Sun. This veil would be to give the little soul the opportunity and freedom to fully experience itself in this realm of the relative. But, once the little soul had worked through ALL the consequences of its actions and free will, or karma, and was sufficiently spirituality purified enough to return to the Sun, the little soul’s grandest moment would arrive.

In this grand moment, the incarnation: made up of body, mind and soul, would realise that it was not separate from the Sun, nor had it ever been.  It would be in this moment that the little soul it Self would be REALIZED. In this grand moment, the veil would be lifted and the little soul would be ready to return to the Sun, filled with all its experiences, spiritually purified, and free from its karma; and thus liberated from the cycles of birth and death.

And so, once REALIZED, the desire of the little soul to experience it Self would be complete. The little soul would have satisfied its longing to know it Self, to express it Self, to experience it Self. And because the little soul had always been a part of the Sun, all the while that the little soul was undergoing these experiences, so too was the Sun undergoing them, each and every single one. And so, while the little soul was creating and experiencing it Self, so too was the Sun it Self being created.

If we are the little soul’s and God is the Sun, then just as God created us, so we too are creating God through our every experience: in our every though, every word and every deed.

Remember always, that we are spiritual beings having a human experience. We will one day return to God. This is the how the plan was designed and it can be no other way! What a Joy! What a grand moment, an inevitable moment, one which we ALL have to look forward to: our REALIZATION and our ultimate reunion with the Sun!

OM-Healing: Reflection

OM – Healing: Reflection

I would like to conclude this week’s blog with the following quotation:

"The spiritual heart lies in wait for the mental, physical and Essence-Self to unite and light the flame of Divine Love dwelling within. Oh Man, awaken to your potential, become a Yogi, radiate light of Divine Love that you really are. Be free. The OM Healing Circles join in the union of community and pave a bona fide path to Love, Peace, Health and Happiness for the future of the whole mankind." Mahavatar Babaji

OM-Healing: Meditation

This month’s full moon OM-Healing circle, to be held tonight in Johannesburg, will coincide with a Lunar Eclipse in the Southern Hemisphere. The Lunar Eclipse will start at 20h22, there will be a total eclipse from 21h21 to 23h02, and it will end two minutes after midnight.

The OM-Healing itself is incredibly powerful. Coupled with a full moon and a Lunar Eclipse, its power is most certainly amplified and magnified. We as humans are very much affected by the cycle of the moon. Quite simply, it is the moon that creates the tides in the ocean. Considering that we are 80% water, imagine the effect that the Moon has on us.

This week’s meditation is on the OM. If you are not able to attend an OM Healing Circle this evening, then sit quietly and meditate on the Glorious OM for a few moments. Ask for the grace and blessing of Mahavatar Babaji during the practice. The Cosmic vibration which pervades the entire universe exists within us all. By meditating on Her, we are able to harness Her beauty and Her peace.

OM-Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

OM-Healing: Introduction

OM- Healing is another wonderful technique used for the purification of one’s Self. For the last two weeks, I have blogged about the benefits on mantra and of chanting the Divine Names. My blog on 18 April (http://spirituallyminespirituallyyours.blogspot.com/2011/04/christ-krishna-holy-trinity.html) covered the Glorious OM in depth and explained how the cosmic sound is the aspect of the Christian Trinity which is known as the Holy Spirit or World of God.

This week, I wish to marry the two topics: Mantra + OM. Combined they yield a powerful result. This, essentially is OM- Healing.

Vision

OM Healing is an ancient group healing technique that uses the cosmic vibration of OM for healing humanity and Mother Earth.

We are all needed to make a change, to help turn around the imbalances whether they are in ourselves, our families, our society or our environment. As more and more people join the OM Healing circles around the earth, the healing and sacred energy of OM will naturally embrace, transform and expand our lives and existence as we know it. We heal ourselves and at the same time we perform a great service for our world!

OM Healing helps to heal people and the surrounding on all levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.

For thousands of years this sacred method of healing was not accessible to mankind. Now, as we are entering a new period of time, in which more and more people are reawakening to the hidden potentials inside of themselves, OM healing is being brought back to help facilitate this change in humanity.

History

The origin of OM healing is thousands of years old. It come It comes from ancient times in which mankind was more connected to a higher wisdom and living in harmony with the universe. The rishis (the ancient sages and sources of the Vedic scriptures) of that time used this powerful primordial vibration of OM to bring about healing to their fellowmen and all sorts of imbalances in people and nature. 

Mahavatar Babaji, the timeless yogi and source of Kriya Yoga, known to the west foremost through the internationally known book “Autobiography of a Yogi”, reintroduces OM healing to the world through his direct disciple Sri Swami Vishwananda. At this current stage of humanities growth Mahavatar Kriya Babaji has provided a transformative yoga system, called Atma Kriya. OM healing is part of this powerful system. Whilst Atma Kriya is practised individually, OM healing is practised in groups and brings transformation and healing for all people and the world.

How does OM Healing work?

The cosmic vibration of OM aligns all the vibrations within us, which are out of harmony with the resonance of OM. By chanting OM within a specifically arranged group of people, the healing power is enhanced and amplified. Entering into this vibration, we facilitate the releasing of emotions, thoughts and negative energy, thereby bringing about healing.

OM Healing has a combined effect of not only balancing and healing all the people within the group, but everywhere within the surrounding area, people and animals living in the vicinity, buildings and nature.

The transformative process is being enabled by the collective higher consciousness of the group. A channel is formed between that higher consciousness and the participants, in which the vibration of OM flows into and around the whole group. As a result, different energies – like fear, tension, pride - are released and purified.

Healing effortlessly takes place and the aura of the participants turns to pure light.

The healing power can also be directed for the benefit of people not present in the circle, places and life situations depending on what the group or participants focus upon. Anyone who specifically would like to receive support from OM Healing group can submit their subject and name that they would like the group to focus on.

A special blessing of Mahavatar Kriya Babaji is present wherever certified OM healing groups are formed in accordance with his guidance and teachings.

Source: http://www.om-healing.org/

Benefits of Mantra: Reflection

I would like to conclude this week’s blog by sharing a few more insights I discovered whilst I was researching this beloved topic.  Below are extracts from various sources:

The Benefits of Chanting

In the preliminary stages of chanting, the practitioner experiences a clearing of consciousness, peace of mind, and relief from unwanted drives and habits. As one develops more realization by chanting, he perceives the original, spiritual existence of the self. According to the Bhagavad-gita, this enlightened state “is characterized by one’s ability to see the self by the pure mind and to relish and rejoice in the self”.

Peace of mind

Initially meditation focuses on controlling the mind, for in our normal condition we are slaves to any whimsical thoughts, desires and appetites that the mind may generate. We think of something and immediately we want to do it. But the Bhagavad-gita tells us that the meditator must learn to control the mind: “For one who has control over the mind, then the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will be the greatest enemy.”

Mantra is a Sanskrit word. Man means “mind” and tra means “to deliver”. Thus mantra is a transcendental sound vibration with potency to liberate the mind from material conditioning.

Liberation from Karma

The law of Karma means that for every material action performed, nature forces and equivalent reaction upon the performer, or, as the bible states, “As you sow, so shall ye reap.”

Material activities can be compared to seeds, initially they are performed, or planted and over the course of time the gradually fructify, releasing their resultant reactions. Enmeshed in this web of actions and reactions, we are forced to accept one material body after another to experience our karmic destiny. But freedom from Karma is possible by sincere chanting of God’s names. Since God’s names are filled with transcendental energy, when the living being associates with the divine sound vibration, he is freed from the endless cycle of karma.

The Ultimate Benefit – Love of God

The final goal and highest fruit of chanting is complete God realization and pure love of God. As our consciousness becomes increasingly purified, our steady spiritual advancement is reflected in our character and behaviour. As the sun approaches the horizon, it is preceded by increasing warmth and illumination.

Similarly as we the Holy names are revived within the heart, the increasing spiritual awareness manifests in all aspects of our personality. Ultimately, the eternal, loving relationship between God and the living being is revived.

Before entering the material world, each soul had a unique spiritual relationship with God. This loving relationship is thousands of times greater and more intense than any love experienced in the material world.

“Pure love for God is eternally established in the heart of living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, the living entity is awakened” – Caitanya-caritamrta

Benefits of Mantra: Meditation

The Benefits of Mantra: This weeks meditation

Wild Horses of the mind

The Mind is always concocting objects for happiness. I am always thinking “This will make me happy” or “That will make me happy. Happiness is here. Happiness is there”. In this way, the mind is taking us anywhere and everywhere. It is though we are riding on a chariot behind an unbridled horse. We have no power over where we are going but can only sit in horror and watch helplessly. As soon as the mind is engaged in the [mantra] process, then the wild horses of the mind will gradually come under our control - on the way to Krsna

Benefits of Mantra: Introduction

The subject of Mantra is one that, I am sure you can tell, is very close to my heart. Last week’s blog was about my own personal experience of mantra and its benefits.. In this coming week, I wish to add some additional information I obtained while researching this Divine sadhana (practice).

The following are extracts from the Srimad Bhagavatam (one of the most important classics of India describing the life and times of Lord Krishna)

Reviving our original brilliance
Sparks are beautiful as long as they are in the fire. Similarly, we have to remain in the association of the Supreme personality of Godhead and always engage in devotional service, for then we shall always be brilliant and illuminating. When we living entities, who are like sparks of the original fire, the Supreme Lord, fall into a material condition, we may use mantra to be delivered from all the difficulties of this material world.
- Srimad – Bhagavatam (8.16.15)

Chanting: the universal religion
In this present age, quarrels take place even over trifles, and therefore the scriptures have recommended for this age a common platform for realization: namely chanting the holy names of the Lord. People can hold meetings to glorify the Lord, in their respective languages and with melodious songs, and if such performances are executed in an offenseless manner, it is certain that the participants will gradually attain spiritual perfection without having to undergo more rigorous methods… all people of the world will accept the holy name of the Lord as the common platform for the universal religion of mankind.
- Srimad – Bhagavatam (1.1.intro)

The Holy Name acts like fire
Fire will act, regardless of whether handled by an innocent child or by someone well aware of its power. For example, if a field of straw or dry grass is set on fire, either by an elderly man who knows the power of fire, or by a child who does not, the grass will be burned to ashes. Similarly, one may or may not know the power of chanting the mantra, but if one chants the holy names, he will become free from all sinful reactions
- Srimad – Bhagavatam (6.2.18)

Liberation from ego
The effect of chanting the holy name of the Lord is perceived by the chanter as liberation from the conception of false egoism. False egoism is exhibited by thinking oneself to be the enjoyer of the world and thinking everything in the world to be meant for the enjoyment if one’s self only. The whole materialistic world is moving under such false egoism of “I” and “mine” but the factual effect of chanting the Holy names, is to become free from such misconceptions
- Srimad – Bhagavatam (2.1.11)

Mantra: Reflection

Everyone knows that a happy life requires good health. More important, but less well known, is the inner self’s need for spiritual nourishment and attention. If we ignore our spiritual health requirements, we become overwhelmed by negative tendencies such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness

The ability to develop full spiritual fulfilment is already present within us all. It must be uncovered by a genuine spiritual process. One such process is the chanting of the holy names of the Divine.

In this present age of Kali (the Kali –Yuga), the scriptures have recommended the chanting of the holy names of the Divine as a common platform for realization (which by the way, (drumroll please) is the common goal of ALL life: to realize that we are one with the Divine!! )

The process of mantra selection is unique to each devotee (a devotee being one who is devoted to their spiritual advancement). Some devotees are given a mantra by their Guru. This is known as Guru Mantra. Other devotees should do a little research, compile a list of mantra’s and determine which mantra they resonate with.. In order to do this, the devotee needs to ask God for assistance, sit quietly, chant each mantra on the list and then and decide which mantra “feels right”.

Of course there is no restriction to where the devotee may source the mantra. I have written down a few of the many mantra’s which I love and which I have used personally at different times in my life.

In Buddhism
Om mani padme hum

To Lord Shiva
Om nama Shivaya


To Lord Vishnu
Om namo Narayanaya

Maha Mantra
Hare Krishna Hare Krisha
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

To Lord Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu
Ram Ram Ram Ram


To Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Haily Mary, Full of Grace
The Lord is with Thee
Blessed are Thou among woman
And blessed is the Fruit of Thou womb, Jesus
Holy Mary, Mother of God
Be with us your children
Now and forever
Amen


In conclusion, my experience of mantra, which really boils down to thinking of God often, has been life changing. The reason that I wish to share this, is that with sincerity and a little dedication, this practice can improve our own quality of life. And in so, doing, we elevate the quality of life of those around us. And so, while we personally reap these benefits, so does the greater society in which we live. This is how we can make a real difference in the world at large. I say “Think Big, Think God!”

Mantra: Meditation

Chant The Maha Mantra:

Hare Krsna
Hare Krsna
Krsna Krsna
Hare Hare

Hare Rama
Hare Rama
Rama Rama
Hare Hare


AND BE HAPPY!