<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>
<channel>
	<title>Luthar.Com: HarshaSatsangh &#187; Luthar.com</title>
	<atom:link href="http://luthar.com/category/culture-travel-and-lifestyle/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://luthar.com</link>
	<description>An Inquiry Into Life, Work, and Commerce</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:46:22 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2</generator>
		<item>
		<title>I Love Your Silence!</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/i-love-your-silence/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/i-love-your-silence/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Mar 2012 02:26:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helene Averous</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA & YOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ART & POETRY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TEACHERS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arunachala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dakshinamurthy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[God]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heart]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Love]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poem]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Realization]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10849</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[_________________ This world is full of words spewed out in excitement creating noise and confusion. It demands appreciation and acknowledgement of its existence. The shouts of pain and vanity compete for your attention. Yet your eyes remain aloof and not a single utterance ever passes your lips. I love your silence. ______________ Editor&#8217;s note: This [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_10829" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 510px"><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/soh_24.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-10829" title="Bhagavan Ramana sitting on Arunchala" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/soh_24.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="500" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Bhagavan Ramana</p></div>
<p>_________________</p>
<p>This world is full of words</p>
<p>spewed out in excitement</p>
<p>creating noise and confusion.</p>
<p>It demands appreciation</p>
<p>and acknowledgement</p>
<p>of its existence.</p>
<p>The shouts</p>
<p>of pain and vanity</p>
<p>compete for your attention.</p>
<p>Yet your eyes remain aloof</p>
<p>and not a single utterance</p>
<p>ever passes your lips.</p>
<p>I love your silence.</p>
<p>______________</p>
<p>Editor&#8217;s note: This is an edited version of the submitted poem.</p>
<p><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/03041121.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-10852 alignleft" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/03041121-300x265.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="265" /></a></p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">Related Articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/papaji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal">Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/my-visit-to-arunachala-by-alan-jacobs/" title="My Visit to Arunachala: By Alan Jacobs">My Visit to Arunachala: By Alan Jacobs</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/" title="The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas">The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-diamond/" title="the diamond">the diamond</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/dreaming-the-dream/" title="Dreaming the Dream by Anna Ruiz">Dreaming the Dream by Anna Ruiz</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/i-love-your-silence/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Holy Task of Self-Realization: By Alan Jacobs</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/the-holy-task-of-self-realization-by-alan-jacobs/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/the-holy-task-of-self-realization-by-alan-jacobs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Mar 2012 02:06:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Harsha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA & YOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PERSONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TEACHERS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alan Jacobs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arunachala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ENLIGHTENMENT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meditation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana Maharshi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Realization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spirituality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tiruvannamalai]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10854</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We must never lose sight of the Holy Task, that of Self Knowledge, or Self-Realization.
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Alan-ji6.jpg"><img class="wp-image-10855 aligncenter" title="Alan-ji with Bhagavan devotees at Arunachala" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Alan-ji6-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="922" height="691" /></a>We must never lose sight of the Holy Task, that of Self Knowledge, or Self-Realization.</p>
<p>This is the main thrust of Bhagavan Ramana&#8217;s teaching. Bhagavan leaves to us to make intelligent use of our lives as we follow his teachings of self awareness and being a witness to all that is happening. Following his guidance and example, we discover the God or Guru within; the Inner Ruler, the Heart.</p>
<p>The journey to Self-Realization needs supporting methods or &#8220;recipes&#8221; to constantly refresh us. That is why being with Bhagavan devotees in satsang is most helpful. Bhagavan has said that those who have found the company of sages and devotees have found the best help.</p>
<p>Bhagavan also advocates that we enquire into our nature. Due to His grace, teachings of Bhagavan are widely available. Teachings in their utmost purity are found in Bhagavan&#8217;s works and also his conversations.</p>
<p>One of my personal favorites is Bhagavan&#8217;s masterly treatise Self Enquiry in which he gives a comprehensive account of how to pursue meditation and enquiry to Self-Realization.</p>
<p>In the picture below, I am in Satsang with Bhagavan devotees from Arunachala and we are eating some good South Indian food. We are looking so happy because we feel Bhagavan with us.</p>
<p><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Alan-ji7.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-10856" title="Alan-ji at Arunachala with devotees" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Alan-ji7-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">Related Articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/papaji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal">Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/" title="The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas">The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/my-visit-to-arunachala-by-alan-jacobs/" title="My Visit to Arunachala: By Alan Jacobs">My Visit to Arunachala: By Alan Jacobs</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/how-i-came-to-the-maharshi-by-papa-ji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)">How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/effort/" title="Effort">Effort</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/the-holy-task-of-self-realization-by-alan-jacobs/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>My Visit to Arunachala: By Alan Jacobs</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/my-visit-to-arunachala-by-alan-jacobs/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/my-visit-to-arunachala-by-alan-jacobs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:53:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Harsha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA & YOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arunachala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[India]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[journey to light]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Love]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meditation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana Maharshi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Realization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tiruvannamalai]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10816</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Firstly on arrival I was struck by Arunachala's wondrous power of silence and did not wish to post on FB or Harsha for the time being. I just wished to keep quiet as much as possible, and sadhana progressed well in this respect, under His direction, along with deeper diving in...to the Heart.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/boa_38.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8785" title="Bhagavan Ramana standing near Arunachala with his walking stick" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/boa_38.jpg" alt="" width="288" height="360" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Letter From Alan Jacobs after returning from Arunachala</p>
<p>___________________</p>
<p>My dear Friends,</p>
<p>My whole recent visit to Arunachala was filled with Bhagavan&#8217;s boundless Grace from beginning to end.</p>
<p>Firstly on arrival I was struck by Arunachala&#8217;s wondrous power of silence and did not wish to post on FB or Harsha for the time being. I just wished to keep quiet as much as possible, and sadhana progressed well in this respect, under His direction, along with deeper diving in&#8230;to the Heart.</p>
<p>Namat a very good FB friend visited for around 10 days.She took to the Teachings, and the Ashram, like a fish in water, and we visited most of the important sites, and made many good contacts.. She was a joy to be with, and she made many new friends including Sri Ganesan. I saw many old friends as well, and renewed valuable contacts. Several FB friends made contact too.We went to the Ramana Maharshi Centre for Learning, in Bangalore, where I gave a talk at their conference which was enjoyable and well received . We watched their ballets and heard their music which was glorious. I was inspired to write several poems during the entire visit.</p>
<p>Paula Marvelly arrived later, and she is currently filming documentary footage of the Ashram, with the Ashram&#8217;s permission, under the direction of film maker and FB friend, Jean Rafael Dedieu. I enjoyed working with her, and we made many contacts for her future footage. To cap all this boundless grace, on the return flight, I amazingly found myself seated next to a charming Czech devotee of Ramana, and we shared many reflections! His grace is ever abundant.</p>
<p>Yours in Bhagavan,</p>
<p>with love to all,</p>
<p>Aum</p>
<p>Alan Jacobs</p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">Related Articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/papaji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal">Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/" title="The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas">The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-holy-task-of-self-realization-by-alan-jacobs/" title="The Holy Task of Self-Realization: By Alan Jacobs">The Holy Task of Self-Realization: By Alan Jacobs</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/in-praise-of-shri-bhagavan/" title="In Praise of Shri Bhagavan: By Alan Adams Jacobs">In Praise of Shri Bhagavan: By Alan Adams Jacobs</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/i-love-your-silence/" title="I Love Your Silence!">I Love Your Silence!</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/my-visit-to-arunachala-by-alan-jacobs/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/how-i-came-to-the-maharshi-by-papa-ji-h-w-l-poonja/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/how-i-came-to-the-maharshi-by-papa-ji-h-w-l-poonja/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:34:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Harsha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA & YOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PERSONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TEACHERS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meditation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nonduality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Papa-ji]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poonja-ji]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana Maharshi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Inquiry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Realization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spirituality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tiruvannamalai]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yoga]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10795</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It was the first time that I had heard of the Maharshi or of Tiruvannamalai, so I wrote down both names. But how was I to get there? It was right down in the South, and my funds were almost exhausted. However, the next day I saw an advertisement in the paper for an ex-army man to run a canteen in Madras. I applied and was at once given the post and my fare paid.
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Papajis-Heart.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-8650" title="Papaji's Heart" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Papajis-Heart.jpg" alt="" width="616" height="691" /></a></p>
<p>I have been a visionary from childhood. When I was only five years old I already had visions of Sri Krishna. At first I thought every one could see them. I once said to my mother: &#8220;Look! He&#8217;s standing there!&#8221; but she explained to me that only I saw him.</p>
<p>When I grew up I joined the army. However my desire for God-experience grew so strong that after some years I resigned and decided to devote my life to sadhana. I wanted to become a sannyasin but could not because I had a wife and children to look after.</p>
<p>I started visiting Swamis and asked each one point blank: &#8220;Have you seen God and can you show me God?&#8221; I would allow no hedging. If they began to talk around it I said: &#8220;Please give me a straight yes or no.&#8221; I found no one who could answer `yes&#8217; and returned to my home in the Punjab feeling very depressed.</p>
<p>One day my wife was just serving my midday meal when a sadhu came and stood in the doorway. I invited him in and told her to serve him food too and then asked him whether he could direct me to a Swami who could show me God. He told me that I could find what I was looking for from Ramana Maharshi of Tiruvannamalai.</p>
<p>It was the first time that I had heard of the Maharshi or of Tiruvannamalai, so I wrote down both names. But how was I to get there? It was right down in the South, and my funds were almost exhausted. However, the next day I saw an advertisement in the paper for an ex-army man to run a canteen in Madras. I applied and was at once given the post and my fare paid.</p>
<p>When I got to Madras I said that I must first pay a visit to Tiruvannamalai before taking up my duties. Arriving there, I dumped my bedding in the Ashram dormitory and went into the meditation hall; and who should I see there on the couch but the sadhu who had visited me at my home in the Punjab!</p>
<p>I decided that he was a fraud. He had been travelling about India boosting himself and had then taken a train back and arrived before me. So I got up and left the hall. I got my bedding and was just putting it back on the horse-cart that had brought me from the station when a devotee asked me why I was leaving so soon. I told him and he said: &#8220;It must be a mistake, because the Maharshi has never left this place since he first came nearly fifty years ago. Either it was someone else you saw or he appeared to you by supernatural power.&#8221; So I was back to the hall.</p>
<p>As soon as I had an opportunity to see Bhagavan alone I asked him my usual question. I added: &#8220;It&#8217;s a bargain. I am willing to pay any price, even my life, but your part of the bargain is to enable me to see God.&#8221;</p>
<p>At first he sat silent, but I said &#8220;That&#8217;s no good; I don&#8217;t understand silence. Please give me a straight answer.&#8221;</p>
<p>Then he said: &#8220;I can enable you rather to be God than to see God.&#8221;</p>
<p>That puzzled me. I had very little understanding then.</p>
<p>A few days later I went for a walk in the rough country at the foot of the north slope of Arunachala and fell into a state of ecstasy during which I again had a vision of Sri Krishna. When I got back I told Bhagavan. He asked me: &#8220;can you see Krishna now?&#8221;</p>
<p>I said, &#8220;No; only when I have a vision.&#8221;</p>
<p>So he said: &#8220;What is the use of a God who comes and goes? If he is a real God he should be with you always.&#8221;</p>
<p>That shocked me. Again I almost lost faith in him, but some of the devotees explained to me. Before I left for Madras I asked Bhagavan for a mantra but he did not give me one. I asked him for permission to take sannyas, but he refused.</p>
<p>However, shortly after my return to Madras he appeared to me in a dream and gave me a mantra. Soon after this I had a vision of God in human form. This was followed by a great change in me. I lost interest in all the ritual and incantations and breathing exercises that I had been doing up to then. For instance, I used to get up at three o&#8217;clock in the morning to attend to my statue of Sri Krishna. All such things ceased to interest me. I was very worried about this. I thought it meant I had become an atheist.</p>
<p>At the first opportunity I went to Tiruvannamalai. I told Bhagavan about the change that had come over me and how I had lost interest in all the ritual that I had been practising regularly for so many years past.</p>
<p>Bhagavan looked steadily at me for some time and then said something to me in Tamil which I was told, on enquiry, meant &#8220;You, that is me, that is Bhagavan.&#8221; These words sank into my heart and I experienced the most wonderful feeling of bliss I had ever known.</p>
<p>It was from this time that I began to understand Bhagavan and his teaching.</p>
<p>Source:</p>
<p>The Mountain Path<br />
Vol. 2 &#8211; JULY 1965 &#8211; No. 3</p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">Related Articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/papaji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal">Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/" title="The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas">The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/nome-a-leading-american-teacher-of-ramana-maharshis-self-inquiry/" title="Nome &#8211; a leading American teacher of Ramana Maharshi&#8217;s Self-Inquiry: By Richard Clarke">Nome &#8211; a leading American teacher of Ramana Maharshi&#8217;s Self-Inquiry: By Richard Clarke</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/mahasivaratri-with-arunachala/" title="Mahasivaratri with Arunachala: By Richard Clarke">Mahasivaratri with Arunachala: By Richard Clarke</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-holy-task-of-self-realization-by-alan-jacobs/" title="The Holy Task of Self-Realization: By Alan Jacobs">The Holy Task of Self-Realization: By Alan Jacobs</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/how-i-came-to-the-maharshi-by-papa-ji-h-w-l-poonja/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Effort</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/effort/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/effort/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:20:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>kheyala1</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA & YOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PERSONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ENLIGHTENMENT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meditation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana Maharshi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Realization]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10782</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is a mistake to think that one day you will be awakened.  You are, indeed, awakened every single moment you are fully present now. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Namaste!</p>
<p>My name is Kheyala. I used to post regularly on the HarshaSatsang list 10 years ago, and I am the author of the article &#8220;Satsang with Robert Adam&#8221;. Recently, Harsha-ji again ihvited me to be a contributor to his site. My style can be edgy, but if Harsha-ji&#8217;s not afraid to have me post here, then I am not afraid to do it!</p>
<p>My writings go out weekly and are a mix of essays/articles, stories, poems, and Q&amp;A&#8217;s. Here is the latest, after receiving a letter from Walter in  Maryland.</p>
<p>Enjoy. And love to all!</p>
<p>Kheyala</p>
<p><strong>Effort</strong></p>
<p>Walter writes, <em>“… I try to focus my mind on the feeling of I-Am-ness when I remember, or I try to ask the question ‘Who am I,’ like Ramana Maharshi recommended. This helps focus the mind.  However, Tony Parsons said no effort is necessary and for a week after coming back from Amsterdam, this seemed to work well. However, when I read the book I am That by Nisargadatta, he indicated that earnest effort is necessary. Tony was great and I plan to go back to either Amsterdam or Germany to attend another weekend at his seminar.  I feel that if I hang out near someone [who] is awakened, one day I will too … I cannot think of any questions to ask except about effort and effortlessness.”</em></p>
<div>
<p>***</p>
</div>
<p>Hi Walter,</p>
<p>{snip}</p>
<p>I am afraid after reading your words regarding your spiritual state at this time, what’s happening is that your enlightenment has become more of a preoccupation than a way of BEING.  Having enlightenment be an object or an idea that you stand next to, examining from that distance, can only lead to learning more angles on it; more <em>how-to-get-theres</em>, rather than actually Being there.</p>
<p>I speak to you this boldly only because you said you had your first awakening experience decades ago.   I feel that the teachers you mentioned reading and visiting are among the very best.  I am not knocking them.  But for You, well, don’t you think it’s time to see what it all is from the inside?  From your self?</p>
<p>See, enlightenment is ALIVE.  In fact, I would say that that is its most outstanding quality.  Even when it is perfectly still, it is ALIVE.  And when it’s in motion, any acts that take place from it have an Aliveness to them.  That is how you can tell a superficial stillness and any action that comes from mental activity apart from what really has divinity pumping through it.  I am not talking about mind-blowing spiritual experiences, either.  I’m talking about the mundane: brushing teeth, boiling water, answering the phone, doing nothing, whatever.</p>
<p>It is a mistake to think that one day you will be awakened.  You are, indeed, awakened every single moment you are fully present now.   In these moments you are awakened to who you truly are.  You already ARE that presence.   However, it is only when your actions come from that source of awakened presence that you get to see your own proof – that physical evidence that keeps driving you toward enlightenment in the first place.</p>
<p>So, you were wondering about effort.  I would say to pay more attention to how present you are being when in action.  How fully are you experiencing what is in front of you?  How fully are you breathing in the air around you?   How much love is in your heart when you write an email?  How much grace is there when you are handing an object to one of your employees?  Does this take effort?  Does it matter?</p>
<p>I believe, for you, what is more important are the results you’re getting.  I believe if you pay more attention to those, you will find that no effort is needed to keep your awakening in the front of your mind at all times.</p>
<p>Let me know what you think!</p>
<p>Warmly,<br />
Kheyala</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>[To read Walter’s response, click <a href="http://enlightenmentsupport.com/2012/01/effort/">Here</a>.]</p>
<p><strong></strong><br />
<a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Headshot.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-10784 alignleft" style="border: 2px solid black; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Headshot-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="98" height="98" /></a>About the Author:  Kheyala is a dedicated writer, mother, and walking catalyst for spiritual growth. Her greatest joy is helping others make real contact with the love and perfection that lies &#8211; unconditionally &#8211; at the center of every living moment.</p>
<p>Copyright © 2012 Enlightenment Support, All rights reserved.</p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">Related Articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-holy-task-of-self-realization-by-alan-jacobs/" title="The Holy Task of Self-Realization: By Alan Jacobs">The Holy Task of Self-Realization: By Alan Jacobs</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/" title="The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas">The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/papaji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal">Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/my-visit-to-arunachala-by-alan-jacobs/" title="My Visit to Arunachala: By Alan Jacobs">My Visit to Arunachala: By Alan Jacobs</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-nature-of-enlightenment-in-advaita/" title="The Nature of Enlightenment in Advaita">The Nature of Enlightenment in Advaita</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/effort/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Maharshi&#8217;s Advice to Poonja-Ji</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/the-maharshis-advice-to-poonja-ji/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/the-maharshis-advice-to-poonja-ji/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:36:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Harsha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA & YOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PERSONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TEACHERS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arunachala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ENLIGHTENMENT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Papa-ji]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poonja-ji]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Realization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spirituality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transformation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transmission]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10769</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Bhagavan said to me, "If you call it a dream, why are you afraid of a dream? It is better if you go into the dream and look after your wife and relations. Why be afraid of the dream?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Papajis-Heart.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8650" title="Papaji's Heart" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Papajis-Heart.jpg" alt="" width="616" height="691" /></a>Editor&#8217;s note:</p>
<p>As you read this personal account by Poonja-ji, keep in mind the background and the context of the times of the year 1947 as India was getting ready to be split into two countries.</p>
<p>1. Poonja-ji was from a Hindu family and his family was living in the area of India that became Pakistan after the partition.</p>
<p>2. In the summer of 1947 there was much tension in India due to the partition which resulted in violence between Hindus and Muslims.</p>
<p>3. During those times, Poonja-ji was far removed from his family and living on the holy mountain of Arunachala in the company of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p>Now the story in the words of  Sri H.W.L. Poonja (AKA Papa-ji by his students).</p>
<p>I was staying in Ramanashram before the partition of India in 1947.</p>
<p>One day in the middle of July 1947 someone asked me on which side of the river Ravi I was from. I told him it was much beyond this river. Then he told me about the partition crisis of the country which I didn&#8217;t know too much about since I neither had time for reading newspapers, nor for politics.</p>
<p>This man told me that in the middle of the next month (August 15) India would be partitioned and so my family, who was living in Lahore and Peshawar (areas to go to Pakistan), would be massacred if I did not save them. I told him that I had forgotten everybody and that it had all been a dream: parents, family, children, and country. All of it was a dream that was over now. This was how strong my detachment was and how strong it had to be.</p>
<p>This man told Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi what I had said and as we went out on his morning walk together the Maharshi asked me, &#8220;Why don&#8217;t you go and look after your family?&#8221;</p>
<p>I said to Bhagavan Ramana, &#8220;When I came here I had my wife and parents and children, but when you looked at me everything was finished and now You are my only relation and no one else in the world.&#8221;</p>
<p>Bhagavan said to me, &#8220;If you call it a dream, why are you afraid of the dream? It is better if you go into the dream and look after your wife and relations. Why be afraid of the dream? Your dream hand is quite safe in the mouth of the dream tiger. Like this, live in the world, and call it a dream. Don&#8217;t be afraid and work as you work in the dream. The dream is a dream and nothing in it is real, but you, as their son, are also in the dream. So let the dream son go to the dream country and save the dream parents in the dream.&#8221;</p>
<p>So in this way He defined the dream for me. Then the Maharshi said: &#8220;I AM with you wherever you are.&#8221;</p>
<p>With this sentence Bhagavan gave me the Teaching: He is the &#8220;I AM&#8221; which is with me wherever I am.</p>
<p>What could I say to Him? Bhagavan was telling me to leave. So I prostrated to Him and collected the dust from under His feet, went thrice around Him and left.</p>
<p>I went to the Punjab and through several miraculous events rescued my family from all the butchering.</p>
<p><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/soh_23.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9269" title="Bhagavan Ramana sitting with the walking stick" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/soh_23.jpg" alt="" width="347" height="360" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">Related Articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/" title="The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas">The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/papaji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal">Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-holy-task-of-self-realization-by-alan-jacobs/" title="The Holy Task of Self-Realization: By Alan Jacobs">The Holy Task of Self-Realization: By Alan Jacobs</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/how-i-came-to-the-maharshi-by-papa-ji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)">How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/self-inquiry-and-surrender/" title="Self-inquiry and Surrender: By Dr. Suryanarayana Raju">Self-inquiry and Surrender: By Dr. Suryanarayana Raju</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/the-maharshis-advice-to-poonja-ji/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:55:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Harsha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA & YOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PERSONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TEACHERS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arunachala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ENLIGHTENMENT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[God]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lord Rama]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Love]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meditation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nonduality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana Maharshi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramdas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Realization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spirituality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yoga]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10766</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Swami Ramdas describes how he attained the Divine Vision through the Grace of the Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. Swami Ramdas was called "Papa" by his devotees.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Swami Ramdas describes how he attained the Divine Vision through the Grace of the Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. Swami Ramdas was called &#8220;Papa&#8221; by his devotees.</p>
<p>&#8220;Papa,&#8221; I asked Swami Ramadas ,&#8221;Would you mind telling us about your final Realization which they call &#8216;Vishvarupa Darshan&#8217;?&#8221;</p>
<p>He readily acquiesced and gave a long description of his burning aspiration and yearning which had led him to Arunachala Hill, hallowed by the tapas of the peerless saint Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi. I can give here only the gist of his long narration &#8230;.</p>
<p>Papa (Swami Ramadas) then started speaking. Please note that Swami Ramdas refers to himself in third person as was his habit.</p>
<p>&#8220;One day the kind Sadhuram (a disciple of Swami Ramdas) took Ramdas for the darshan of a famous saint of the place named Sri Ramana Maharshi. His Ashram was at the foot of  Arunachala. It was a thatched shed. Both the visitors entered the ashram and, meeting the saint, fell prostrate at his holy feet.</p>
<p>It was really a blessed place where the great Bhagavan Ramana lived. He was young then but there was on the face of  calmness and in his large eyes a passionless look of tenderness which cast a spell of peace and joy on all those who came to him.</p>
<p>Ramdas was informed that the saint knew English, so he addressed Ramana thus:</p>
<p>&#8220;Maharaj, here stands before thee a humble slave. Have pity on him. His only prayer to thee is to give him thy blessing.&#8221;</p>
<p>The Maharshi turned his beautiful eyes towards Ramdas and looked intently for a few minutes into his eyes as though he was pouring into Ramdas his blessing through those orbs, then shook his head to say he had blessed.</p>
<p>A thrill of inexpressible joy coursed through the frame of Ramdas, his whole body  quivering, like a leaf in the breeze &#8230;.</p>
<p>Now at the prompting of Lord Rama (Ram), Ramdas desired to remain in solitude for some time &#8230; The sadhuram was ever ready to fulfil his wishes. Losing no time, he took Ramdas up the mountain behind the great temple. Climbing high up he showed him many caves. Of these, one small cave was selected for Ramdas, which he occupied next day. In this cave he lived for nearly a month in deep meditation of Ram. This was the first time he was taken by Ram into solitude for his bhajan. Now he felt most blissful sensations since he could hold undisturbed communion with Ram. He was actually rolling in a sea of indescribable happiness. To fix the mind on that fountain of bliss, Ram, means, to experience pure joy &#8230; He went on taking the Name (Ram) in an ecstasy of longing when, lo, suddenly his Lord Rama &#8230; appeared before him and danced and danced &#8230;</p>
<p>&#8220;Did you see Lord Rama with closed eyes or open?&#8221; I interjected.</p>
<p>&#8220;With open eyes, as Ramdas is seeing you,&#8221; Papa answered. &#8220;But it was not this momentary vision that Ramdas&#8217;s heart craved. For he knew that a vision like this, was unlikely to last and so, when the Lord would vanish, Ramdas would revert to his darkness. Therefore he prayed for the great darshan, the Vision of visions, which comes to stay for ever so there is no more parting, namely the Vishvarupa Darshan, longing to see Rama always in everything; that is nothing less would satisfy Ramdas.&#8221;</p>
<p>Papa paused and then resumed with a beatific smile: &#8220;And it came one morning and the entire landscape changed: All was Rama, nothing but Rama &#8211; wherever Ramdas looked! Everything was permeated by Rama -vivid, marvellous, rapturous &#8211; the trees, the shrubs, the ants, the cows, the cats, the dogs &#8211; even inanimate things pulsated with the marvelous presence of the one Rama. And Ramdas danced in joy, like a boy who, when given a lovely present, can&#8217;t help breaking out into a dance.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8216;And so it was with Ramdas: he danced with joy and rushed at a tree in front, which he embraced because it was not a tree but Rama Himself! A man was passing by, Ramdas ran towards him and embraced him, calling out: &#8216;Rama, O Rama!&#8217; The man got scared and bolted. But Ramdas gave him chase and dragged him back to his cave. The man noted that Ramdas had not a tooth in his head and so felt a little reassured: at least the loony would not be able to bite him!&#8221;</p>
<p>Papa laughed out and we swelled the chorus.</p>
<p>&#8220;And then?&#8221; I asked, after the laughter had subsided.</p>
<p>Papa said,&#8221;The bliss and joy came to be permanent, like a torrent rushing downhill till it finds a placid level of limpid purling stream. This experience is called sahaja samadhi, in which you can never be cut off from the consciousness of being at one with the One who has become all, in which you feel you are one with all because you have perceived that all is He, the One-without-a-second.&#8221;</p>
<p>Finally we end with a comment made by Swami Ramdas &#8211; about forty years later.</p>
<p>&#8220;Ramdas went to Ramana Maharshi in a state of complete obliviousness of the world. He felt thrills of ecstasy in his presence. The Maharshi made the awakening permanent in Ramdas.</p>
<p>Some people told Ramdas: &#8220;You went to Maharshi and you got illumination. Give us illumination like that.&#8221;</p>
<p>Ramdas said, &#8220;You must come to Ramdas in the same spirit and in the same state as he went to Maharshi. Then you will also get it. Where was his heart? How intense was his longing? What was the world to him at that time ? If you come in that state it is all right.&#8221;</p>
<div id="attachment_7845" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 232px"><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/soh_021.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-7845" title="Bhagavan Sri Ramana in relative youth -2" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/soh_021.jpg" alt="Bhagavan Sri Ramana in relative youth -2" width="222" height="360" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Bhagavan Sri Ramana in relative youth -2</p></div>
<p>Source for this article: The Mountain Path</p>
<p>Vol. 2 &#8211; JANUARY 1965 &#8211; No. 1</p>
<p>Editor&#8217;s note: Minor edits were made to the original. Harsh K. Luthar</p>
<p>&#8211;</p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">Related Articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/papaji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal">Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-holy-task-of-self-realization-by-alan-jacobs/" title="The Holy Task of Self-Realization: By Alan Jacobs">The Holy Task of Self-Realization: By Alan Jacobs</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/my-visit-to-arunachala-by-alan-jacobs/" title="My Visit to Arunachala: By Alan Jacobs">My Visit to Arunachala: By Alan Jacobs</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/how-i-came-to-the-maharshi-by-papa-ji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)">How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/self-inquiry-and-surrender/" title="Self-inquiry and Surrender: By Dr. Suryanarayana Raju">Self-inquiry and Surrender: By Dr. Suryanarayana Raju</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Beloved Arunachala! By Helene Averous</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/beloved-arunachala/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/beloved-arunachala/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:54:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helene Averous</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA & YOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ART & POETRY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PERSONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TEACHERS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Art & Poetry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arunachala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Helene Averous]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Love]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mountain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10741</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There is a secret
In that mountain
Words cannot capture
The magnificence
Of Arunachala
Something mysterious
Flowing from there.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/boa_38.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8785" title="Bhagavan Ramana standing near Arunachala with his walking stick" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/boa_38.jpg" alt="" width="288" height="360" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">There is a secret<br />
In this mountain<br />
Words cannot capture<br />
The magnificence<br />
Of Arunachala<br />
Something mysterious<br />
Flowing from there.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Still and silent<br />
Always present<br />
In every flower<br />
Every stone<br />
Every bird<br />
Every being.<br />
In sky and earth<br />
And in between</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">What is the secret of Arunachala?</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I cannot say for sure<br />
It embraces all life<br />
And shows<br />
Everything is<br />
Holy<br />
All is pure<br />
Grace<br />
Flowing endlessly.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">AUM!</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Editor&#8217;s note: The poem was edited from the original submission made by Helene-ji.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Harsh K. Luthar</p>
<p><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/03041121.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-10744" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/03041121-300x265.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="265" /></a></p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">Related Articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/i-love-your-silence/" title="I Love Your Silence!">I Love Your Silence!</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/in-praise-of-shri-bhagavan/" title="In Praise of Shri Bhagavan: By Alan Adams Jacobs">In Praise of Shri Bhagavan: By Alan Adams Jacobs</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/my-visit-to-arunachala-by-alan-jacobs/" title="My Visit to Arunachala: By Alan Jacobs">My Visit to Arunachala: By Alan Jacobs</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/" title="The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas">The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/papaji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal">Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/beloved-arunachala/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>What Is Yoga Truly? By Latha Ramanan</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/what-is-yoga-truly/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/what-is-yoga-truly/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Sep 2011 23:52:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>sivashakti</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA & YOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TEACHERS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meditation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Knowledge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Realization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spirituality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yoga]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10666</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What is actually Yoga? Yoga is a system that was developed 5,000 years ago to reach the ultimate state of perfection or silence.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Ekapadagalavasana.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10667" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Ekapadagalavasana.jpg" alt="" width="226" height="127" /></a></p>
<p>(My Teacher, Stephan Shiva Trefzer performing Ekapada Galavasana)</p>
<p>“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.” – Romeo &amp; Julliet (II ii 1-2)</p>
<p>Now-a-days there are different styles, names and trademarks for Yoga. It has become like another commodity which you need to peruse and buy according to your need and what fits your pocket. These varieties of yoga styles can leave you confused about what will suit you. This write-up is not intended to criticise what yoga teachers are doing in the name of yoga. What I wish to is to highlight is the meaning of real yoga and what human souls intend to gain through yoga.</p>
<p>What is actually Yoga? Yoga is a system that was developed 5,000 years ago to reach the ultimate state of perfection or silence. What is seen at present is the old wine in new bottles and labels. All the new names given to Yoga are similar to patenting a drop from the ocean and calling it as an individual property. Real Yoga is considered as a systematic process that unites the individual self (Jivatma) to the Self (Paramatma). Swami Vivekananda says, “It is a means of compressing one’s evolution into a single life or a few months or even a few hours of one’s bodily existence.” So yoga as a system has the capacity to reduce the time-span required to realise one’s self.</p>
<p>Apart from the Hatha Yoga (physical postures and breathing exercises), there are different stages/limbs of yoga. Patanjali, the Father of yoga, mentioned in his ‘Yoga Sutras’ that yoga has eight parts or limbs so it can be called Ashtanga Yoga (not to be confused with the popular style of Hatha yoga by this name). The eight parts are the yama(the personal observances), niyama(the social observances), asana(the hatha yoga postures), pranayama(control of breath), pratyahara(restraint of senses from their objects of enjoyment), dharana(focussing of mind), dhayana (deconcentration) and Samadhi (super consciousness or the merging of the self with the Self).</p>
<p>Depending on an individual’s nature one gets drawn into one of the four streams/branches of Yoga, namely Karma Yoga (path of selfless work), Bhakti Yoga (path of devotion), Jnana Yoga (path of knowledge) or Raja Yoga (path of culturing the mind). Sometimes one might engage in all the four paths of Yoga and eventually settles in one’s predominant path.</p>
<p>People initially take up Hatha Yoga or any other branch of Yoga for some peripheral reasons such as losing weight, curing some illness or a strong inclination etc. We have to understand there is always a deeper goal we are trying to fulfill. Every human soul takes birth with an ultimate goal of realising oneself. If we miss the goal, several births may be needed to achieve it.</p>
<p>So enjoy any style of Yoga you are attracted to, the name is irrelevant as long as it aids you to achieve this ultimate goal of realising oneself.</p>
<p>Once you realise yourself, it is said that you have to leave that practice; just like a ladder needs to be abandoned once it&#8217;s use is over. Then there is no need for a practice; you remain in that state of silence or the indescribable merger with God!</p>
<p>Namaste!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">Related Articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/" title="The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas">The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/papaji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal">Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-journey-of-the-soul-ii/" title="The  Journey of the Soul &#8211; II">The  Journey of the Soul &#8211; II</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-holy-task-of-self-realization-by-alan-jacobs/" title="The Holy Task of Self-Realization: By Alan Jacobs">The Holy Task of Self-Realization: By Alan Jacobs</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/how-i-came-to-the-maharshi-by-papa-ji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)">How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/what-is-yoga-truly/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Raw, Vegan Live Food Diet? Reallly? Why? (part two): By Cyndi Dodick</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/raw-vegan-live-food-diet-reallly-why-part-two-by-cyndi-dodick/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/raw-vegan-live-food-diet-reallly-why-part-two-by-cyndi-dodick/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:58:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cyndi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[HEALTH & NUTRITION]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=9583</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Why is it important to be plant-based? In a previous article we talked about some of the health benefits. What about the environmental costs of eating animals?  Well, if we care about the earth we are "gifting" to our children, it's not just important, it is MANDATORY! Cyndi Dodick]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&#8220;So this raw food thing sounds nice and all, but I&#8217;m pretty healthy, I have energy and honestly, I&#8217;m not feeling the whole salad scene.  I buy my meat and fowl and fish from local folks who really care about what they are doing and besides, what would we do with all those cows if we stopped eating them? &#8221;</p>
<p>Why is it important to be plant-based? In a previous article we talked about some of the health benefits. What about the environmental costs of eating animals?  Well, if we care about the earth we are &#8220;gifting&#8221; to our children, it&#8217;s not just important, it is MANDATORY!</p>
<p>Hang on, here are some facts borrowed from www.goveg.com.</p>
<table style="height: 217px;" width="476" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="left">
<div><img src="http://img.ymlp.com/philmadeley_cow_1.jpg" alt="" width="246" height="164" /></div>
<div>&#8220;Really? Can&#8217;t you find something better to eat than me?&#8221;</div>
<div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div>
<ul>
<li>It takes about 300 gallons of water per day to produce food for a vegan, and more than 4,000 gallons of water per day to produce food for a meat-eater.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>You save more water by not eating a pound of beef than you do by not showering for an entire year.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Food for a vegan can be produced on only 1/6 of an acre of land, while it takes 3 1/4 acres of land to produce food for a meat-eater.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Vegans and vegetarians save more than 100 animals a year per person.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>In the U.S., 70 percent of all grains, 80 percent of all agricultural land, half of all water resources, and one-third of all fossil fuels are used to raise animals for food.</li>
<li>Eating animals destroys the rain forest. Most environmentalists are aware that the Amazon has been slashed and burned in order to create grazing space for cows. But perhaps an even greater threat is the destruction of rain forest in order to create land where feed is grown for factory-farmed animals in wealthy nations. A recent report by Greenpeace blamed the chicken-flesh industry for leading the way in <span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://www.goveg.com/environment-wastedResources-rainforest.asp">destroying the Amazon.</a></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Animals raised for food produce <strong>130 times as much excrement as the entire U.S. population</strong>, roughly 89,000 pounds per second, all without the benefit of waste treatment systems.</li>
<li>According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, animals on factory farms in America produce 20 tons of fecal matter each year for every U.S. household</li>
<li>A pig farm with 5,000 animals produces as much fecal waste as a city of 50,000 people.</li>
<li>A contamination study conducted by John Chastain, a Minnesota agricultural extension engineer, reports, &#8220;The data indicates that the pollution strength of raw manure is 160 times greater than raw municipal sewage.In other words, farmed animal waste is much more dangerous than human waste. There are no federal guidelines that regulate how factory farms treat, store, and dispose of the trillions of pounds of concentrated, untreated animal excrement that they produce each year.</li>
<li>The EPA reports that chicken, hog, and cattle excrement have polluted 35,000 miles of rivers in 22 states and contaminated groundwater in 17 states. (And that&#8217;s just in the U.S.)</li>
<li>The EPA reports that roughly 80 percent of ammonia emissions in the United States come from animal waste.</li>
<li><strong>A 2006 United Nations report found that the meat industry produces more greenhouse gases than all the SUVs, cars, trucks, planes, and ships in the world <em>combined!</em></strong></li>
</ul>
<p>And if global planetary destruction is not really a concern to you, how about world  hunger?</p>
<ul>
<li>The world&#8217;s cattle alone consume a quantity of food equal to the caloric needs of 8.7 billion people—more than the entire human population on Earth.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>About 20 percent of the world&#8217;s population, or 1.4 billion people, could be fed with the grain and soybeans fed to U.S. cattle alone.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>The single most powerful choice we can make for the preservation of our planet is to stop eating animal products.</div>
<p>And what about ethics?   The principle of Ahimsa, or non-violence, not harming other people or other sentient beings. Not harming oneself or the environment. To practice Ahimsa clearly a person must choose to be vegan since there is some sort of violence even when the animals life is preserved.   Just because we are distanced from the violence does not excuse us from the responsibility for it if we consume the result.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If we hope to bring peace to this planet, we must bring peace into our lives. Being vegan supports a more peaceful existence by greatly reducing the violence associated with supporting our physical body.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">Choose a plant-based diet so we may nourish ourselves free of violence, so we can honor all the creatures sharing Mother Earth and so we can smooth our way towards the Divine.</span></span></span></span> For part 1 of the article see the following link.  <a title="Part 1 of the article" href="http://luthar.com/raw-vegan-live-food-part/" target="_blank">http://luthar.com/raw-vegan-live-food-part/</a><br />
Cyndi Dodick</p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">More interesting articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/an-interview-with-harsh-k-luthar-phd/" title="An Interview with Harsh K. Luthar, Ph.D.: Questions by Teegee">An Interview with Harsh K. Luthar, Ph.D.: Questions by Teegee</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/another-kind-of-self-inquiry-chandrakirti%e2%80%99s-sevenfold-reasoning-on-selflessness/" title="Another Kind of Self-Inquiry: Chandrakirti’s Sevenfold Reasoning on Selflessness: By Greg Goode, Ph.D.">Another Kind of Self-Inquiry: Chandrakirti’s Sevenfold Reasoning on Selflessness: By Greg Goode, Ph.D.</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/interview-with-prof-stanley-sobottka-by-ivan-frimmel/" title="Interview with Prof. Stanley Sobottka: By Ivan Frimmel">Interview with Prof. Stanley Sobottka: By Ivan Frimmel</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/art-of-dusan-pajin-introduction-to-a-yugoslav-artist-by-dusan-pajin-phd-and-gloria-lee/" title="Art of Dusan Pajin: Introduction to a Yugoslav Artist : by Dusan Pajin, Ph.D., and Gloria Lee">Art of Dusan Pajin: Introduction to a Yugoslav Artist : by Dusan Pajin, Ph.D., and Gloria Lee</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/wabi-sabi-by-jerry-c-weinstein/" title="WABI-SABI: By Jerry C. Weinstein">WABI-SABI: By Jerry C. Weinstein</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/raw-vegan-live-food-diet-reallly-why-part-two-by-cyndi-dodick/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

