Do you remember learning to read? Was it easy for you or did you struggle? Did you immediately realize that reading had opened a door to a world of adventure or did you have to wait for that one “special” book to grasp your imagination and keep you reading until late in the night?...
Read MoreWe must be willing to let go of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. Joseph Campbell ...
Read MoreLesson Learnt IV: The Devi Gita Out of the four scriptures we have read so far the Devi Gita, the Song of the Goddess, is comparatively difficult to understand. But underneath the rough surface of this ritualistic, repetitive, and somewhat esoteric oyster are hidden pearls of wisdom. The Devi's teachings provide intellectual understanding and insight about the deep human concerns, the matters that link an individuals to their true Self. The Devi Gita portrays the goddess as all compassing. In it the male as well as female aspects of the Ultimate Reality are authenticated. Terrible as well as benign aspects of the Ultimate Reality are recognized. No caste is discriminated against. The scripture teachaes that each and every human being is worthy of the goddess worship. The Devi announces that all...
Read More(THE GODDESS SETS FORTH THE PRELIMINARIES OF TANTRIC WORSHIP) 10. 1-5 The Goddess Spoke: Rising at dawn, one should call to mind the radiant lotus on the top of the head, shining like camphor. On that lotus one should recollect the form of One's own blessed guru, kindly disposed, adorned with shining ornaments, conjoined with his consort. The wise person will bow to them, and then calling to mind the coiled Goddess Kundalini, will reflect: "She shines brilliantly in her ascent; she appears like nectar in her descent; I take refuge in that woman who wanders along the middle channel in the form of bliss." Meditating in this manner, focusing on my form as infinite being, consciousness, and bliss that dwells in the internal flame, one should meditate on me. Next one should complete...
Read MoreVedic and Internal Forms of Goddess Worship (HIMALAYA QUERRIES THE GODDESS ABOUT THE RULES OF RITUAL WORSHIP; SHE OUTLINES THE BASIC TYPES) Himalaya said: 9. 1-6 O Goddess of the Gods, Great Ruler, Ocean of Compassion, Mother, Proclaim now in detail the proper manner of your worship. The Goddess Spoke: I shall explain the manner of worship, O King that pleases the Mother. Listen with great reverence, Best of Mountains. My worship is of two kinds: external and internal, the external also is said to be of two kinds: Vedic and Tantric. Vedic worship is also of two kinds, according to the type of image used, O Mountain. Vedic ritual is to be performed by Vaidikas-those initiated into the Vedas. Tantric ritual should be embraced by those initiated into Tantric lore. One who knows not this mystery regarding worship...
Read MoreChapter Eight (HIMALAYA ASKS ABOUT IMPORTANT PILGRIMAGE SITES, RITES AND FESTIVALS OF THE GODDESS: SHE RESPONDS BY STRESSING HER ALL PERVASIVE NATURE) Himalaya said: 8.1-4 O Ruler of the Gods, what scared dwelling places here on earth should one see? Which ones are preeminent, purifying, and most pleasing to the Goddess? What rites provide satisfaction, and also what festivals? Tell me all about these matters, Mother, where by a person becomes completely fulfilled. The Goddess spoke: Every site is my dwelling place is worth seeing, all moments are fit for observing rites, and festivals may be held on any occasion, for I pervade all times and places. Yet loving my devotees as I do, I shall be more specific. Listen attentively to my words, Mountain King. (THE GODDESS COMMENCES TO ENUMERATE HER SACRED DWELLING PLACES AND...
Read MoreInstruction in the Yoga of Devotion HIMALAYA INQUIRES ABOUT THE PATH OF DEVOTION, AND THE GODDESS INDICATES THE EASE OF THIS YOGA. 7.1 Himalaya Spoke: Describe the path of devotion that focuses on you, O Mother. By such devotion, supreme knowledge easily develops in the ordinary person filled with passions. 7. 2-3 The Goddess Spoke: There are three well-known paths leading to liberation, Mountain King: the yoga of action, the yoga of knowledge, and the yoga of devotion, my good sir. Of these three the latter is the easiest to practice in all respects, appealing naturally to the heart without distressing the body or mind. THE GODDESS DESCRIBES THE FIRST THREE GRADES OF DEVOTION ACCORDING TO THE THREE GUNAS OR QUALITIES OF NATURE 7. 4-10 Devotion as practiced by human beings is of three kinds, in accord with the qualities...
Read MoreThe Goal of the Yogas: The Knowledge of Brahman THE SUMMARY OF THE GOAL OF THE YOGIC DISCIPLINES 6. 1. Cultivating the Yogas just described, one should meditate on me as the true form of Brahman with sincere devotion, assuming the proper posture, O King. 6. 2-14 It (Brahman) is manifest, well fixed, pervading the hearts of beings, indeed; it is the great foundation. Thereupon all that moves, breathes, and blinks is established. Know that as existent and nonexistence, as the most desirable, as supreme, as beyond the understanding of humankind. What is luminous, what is smaller than the small, in which the worlds and their inhabitants are rooted, This is the imperishable Brahman; it is the life principle, speech, and mind. This is the real, the immortal; know, good sir, that this is what...
Read MoreInstruction in Kundalini Yoga HIMALAYA INQUIRES ABOUT YOGA 5.1 O Great Queen, describe that yoga with all its limbs which bestows supreme understanding, So that by practicing it, I may become fit to see the truth. THE GODDESS GIVES BRIEF DEFINITION 5. 2-5 The goal of yoga is not found in the heavens, nor on earth, nor in the underworld, But in the union of the individual soul and the supreme Self; thus do skilled adepts define yoga. Impending the practice of yoga are the obstacles, said to be six, O Faultless One. They are designated as desire and anger, greed and delusion, arrogance and jealousy. Adept yogis use the limbs of yoga to break through these obstacles and to reach the goal of union. Restraint and observance, followed by posture, breathe control, withdrawing the senses, concentration, meditation and finally...
Read MoreINSTRUCTIONS IN THE YOGA OF KNOWLEDGE 4. 1-2 THE GODDESS'S REASON BEHIND THE REVELATIN OF HER COSMIC FORM The Goddess said: How distant you are, so humble, from this form of mine, so magnificent! Yet out of affection for my devotees, I have displayed such a form. Not by study of the Vedas, nor by yoga, charity, austerity, or sacrifice can you see this form in any way, without my favor. 4. 3-8 THE GENESIS OF THE INDIVIDUAL SOUL DUE TO IGNORANCE AND ITS SUBSEQUENT KARMIC ENTANGLEMENTS Listen, O king, let us return to the original subject regarding the supreme Self and how it becomes the individual soul. By combining with apparent limitations, the self seemingly assumes the role of an active agent and so on. The soul performs diverse acts, the sole cause of virtue and vice. Thereby it...
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