Image courtesy of Lisa Connors (2002)
Category Archives: Advaita and Yoga
The Heart, Nirvikalpa Samadhi, and Self-Realization: By Harsha (Harsh K. Luthar, Ph.D)
A few of Harsha’s writings and responses to comments or questions have been organized and edited to cover the topics of Heart, Nirvikalpa Samadhi, and Self-Realization for easy access. The names of the questioners have been abbreviated to respect their privacy.
– Amanda, Editor.
The Term Hridaya (Sanskrit for Heart)
Image courtesy of Lisa Connors (2002)
Using Mantras with Kundalini: By Michael Hortling
Introduction
Over 20 years ago, the kundalini-shakti erupted within myself. Since I didn’t have a clue about what had happened to me and I experienced some quite unpleasant side-effects of this awakening, I had to start looking for remedies in order to ease some of the discomfort. This has been a more or less ongoing process ever since and although I can’t say that all problems have disappeared, some interesting insights and experiences have been gained and that alone has made the journey very worthwhile.
The effects on the psyche, and on one’s ideas about oneself and life in general, that come about by an active kundalini are far reaching indeed, but this transformation seems to have a price attached to it. In my case I’ve been plagued by a variety of symptoms ranging from physical health problems to bouts of anxiety and depression. As a result, I’ve been led to closely observe and attempt to harmonize the innermost workings and mechanics of my mind and body using a variety of techniques and methods such as tai-chi, hatha-yoga and various types of meditation.
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A Spiritual Seeker: By Robert Ryder
To be a spiritual seeker is to be concerned with moving beyond the limits of the ordinary mind. The main obstacle we encounter in attempting to do this is our own psyche and no tinkering with outer circumstances or systems will help advance us. We must go to that center within to bring about a change in ourselves. It does no good to travel from one place to another to find spiritual enlightenment. If you cannot find God in your own backyard, it is not likely you will find God along the Jordan, the Ganges or the Nile; nor will you find Her in the flower or a smile.
We must be living expressions of truth, not fossilizing custodians of ancient theosophy. The spiritual seeker knows that life is being moved by powerful unseen forces. At times traditional beliefs and dogma are insufficient. Recasting old ideas and collecting knowledge is not synonymous with spiritual experience. It may serve to activate our interest but it does not provide an inner awareness. There is no set course of instruction which, after completing, we receive an S.D. (“Saint’s Degree”) or an M.D. (“Mystic’s Degree”). Each of us has a unique past to draw from and each is drawn to and responds to certain practices in our own unique and individual way. Individual differences are neither better nor worse, just different. To compare one’s self with others is to forget the uniqueness of your own journey.
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Some Similarities between Jnana Yoga and Kundalini Yoga: by Vib “Vibri” Ribbon
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini-Shakti is in traditional Indian spiritual sources described as the energy that propels man to liberation. Thus, awakening this energy in the body(mind) of the practitioner is central in some liberation teachings, most notably, the Kundalini Yoga systems and the Tantra Yoga systems. As the energy moves in the central channel in the body from its resting place and source in the Muladhara Chakra to the Sahasrara Chakra, and enlivens the passive element of the mind, liberation is said to ensue.
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The Book Of One
The Book Of One, The Spiritual Path of Advaita by Dennis Waite, Published by O Books,46 West Street, Alresford, Hants, SO24 9AU, UK, 288 pages, paper back, £9.99 or $17.95.
Ramana Maharshi on Pradakshina
Talk 212 :
Maharshi observed : Pradakshina ( the Hindu rite of going round the object of worship ) is ” All is within me “. The true significance of the act of going round Arunachala is said to be as effective as circuit round the world. That means that the whole world is condensed into this Hill. The circuit round the temple of Arunachala is equally good; and self-circuit (i.e., turning round and round) is as good as the last. So all are contained in the Self. Says the Ribhu Gita: ” I remain fixed, whereas innumerable universes becoming concepts within my mind, rotate within me. This meditation is the highest circuit ( pradakshina ).”
EGODUST: By Frank Maiello
Frank Maiello
Regardless of what you think, say or do, the
perfection of Freedom was, is and always will
be who and what you really are.
A ZEN GARDEN: By Jerry C. Weinstein
I used to go to Asia every year, especially to India, but had never been to Bali. So in Aug 92 l scheduled a trip there. It’s such a long flight l decided at the last minute to do a stop-over in Japan for 5 days to break up the trip. Before l left l told my caretaker to get rid of all the weeds in my back yard, which was quite a mess. Upon arriving in Japan l immediately went to Kyoto, which l knew to be a spiritual center with a lot of zen temples. It was then that l found myself in another world, sensing at once that destiny had guided me there. I’d been doing vipassana meditation pretty intensely for several months and was starting to feel the increased concentration and depth from this practice. In addition, I’ve always had a passionately aesthetic nature. So, l think it was a combination of these things that led to not only the temples, but particularly the zen gardens being probably the most wonderful moment of discovery I’ve ever known. There were many moments of melting in tears of joy, and many others of profound meditative stillness, induced by the sense conveyed of almost perfect harmony with nature.
Comment on a verse in Ashtavakra Gita: By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar
The nature of the Self is absolute, immutable, taintless. It is not distant, nor is it subject to attainment (being ever attained). This is the Truth. ——-Ashtavakra Gita
Here is my comment on this verse in six sentences. This is the natural approach to stilling consciousness by being simply aware of awareness with one’s awareness.
To see that, which is obvious, look.
Do not look for anything, and do not look at anything.
Luthar.com 
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