The sky has returned to the thin egg shell of robins’ egg blue that covered the desert all summer. Though the days are warm again, the chill of this morning’s air makes it almost too hard not to connect with feelings. In the dizzying bright coolness of a new day I feel autumn and that is not such a bad feeling if one feeling is all the heat of the day, which will lay on this land like a suffocating blanket, allows.

     With a kiss I draw Movie from the back field. A change has come to her as well. Last year when my soul was soaked by the energy of the shame and the violence of the people surrounding me, which in turn expressed itself through me as the energy of pain and anger; Movie barely tolerated me. Now she is, as is my soul, is more open, coming easily when I call her with kisses. I lean on the fence in the morning light and watch her swaying, swaggering walk, a belly full of hay, hoping for more. Her movement is like the morning exercise of some wise fat Taoist master full of the meaning of life.

     I thought of my years of Buddhist practice while I watched Movie sway across the field. I was reminded of moving meditations learned in the practice of Gung Fu, Tai Chi and Qigong. I learned a style of Qigong called Wild Goose Heart. In the cool morning, as I watched Movie dance across the field, I thought about the differences I felt then as I focused too hard some days on my own enlightenment – my head feeling like it would explode at times because of the analytic chores of Buddhist Scripture, and then other days my soul soaring like a wild goose as I sat in meditation, or walked in meditation through woods and field, freed from life as text.

     I realize now the chore of those scriptures was as much about making me realize that life cannot be lived as text, that one cannot catch the wild goose in the net of the mind. Peace, enlightenment, joy has to come to one who is freed like the wild goose is free. Life not as ruled by text but as spirit freed from text. I know my Christian friends panic when my thoughts return to the Buddhism I learned and practiced for so many years. They panic because they, as good friends, fear for my soul, fear that I will be lost and burn in hell. I have no such fear.

      Last night I watched one of Kathryn’s programs with her – a gay Hispanic woman is confronted by her father verbally throwing Biblical scripture against homosexuality at her, convinced, and trying to convince her, she was going to hell. She, with even greater power threw back the Beatitudes. Powerful stuff the Beatitudes. I wondered as I watched this exchange what Christian faith would be like if we threw away the Old Testament and the Acts and the Epistles and only had left the good news that Jesus taught. In my heart I know it would look like the deeper regions of Buddhist and Taoist Practice I explored, practices of tolerance and peace and oneness with life, not finding heaven out there somewhere but finding both heaven and hell in the human heart and opting for the peace of Heaven.

     I can easily understand why so many think that Jesus must have studied in Tibet before he came to Galilee to teach. The Beatitudes are “the core” of Buddhist life practice and seem like an anomaly preached in the context of the legalism of the Judaism of Jesus’ day – or the legalism of fundamental Judaism, Christianity or Islam today. (I doubt if Jesus studied in the east, though it is historical fact that there were Buddhists teachers in the area of Judea and had been for two hundred years. We forget that the Hellenic world that followed the death of Alexander was as cosmopolitan as America is today. For those doubting such a connection I have added a link to provide some historical information.

(http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/history/hellenistic.htm)

     The Buddhism I practiced was a Buddhism infused with the teachings of what came to be called the Beatitudes. They are very much two religions walking similar paths. It is a shame that one, the Christian, is not tolerant of the other, the Buddhist. When one moves deeply into Buddhism one soon discovers the Beatitudes of Jesus and the teaching of the Siddhartha Gautama are the much the same. One eventually discovers that Buddhists believe that what Christian call Christ is in all of us, all too often a flame unlit.

     Christianity, no more so than Judaism or Islam, at least the fundamental versions which rely too heavily on the Old Testament or upon textual Scripture, is not tolerant in the main of views other than its own. These three faith walks are like three old men walking on the same road side by side refusing to acknowledge the existence of the other or of any other travelers on the road. They trap the soul, the spirit, through the regulation of the conduct of life like out of control traffic cops until life’s journey becomes an angry bitter feud about how one should walk the path. Chinese Confucianism is like that as well and I find it interesting in the “East” the two paths – the path of social behavior and the path of spiritual awakening – diverged into two parallel roads. I suspect there was good reason for that. It surely does not seem to work to create a spirit filled and tolerant life in the West when we take the legalistic ethics of Judaism, Christianity and Islam and try to apply them to the spirit filled life.

     I have found that when one simply lives the the spirit filled life it creates good behavior the way that Chrysanthemums create flowers, it simply happens and one cannot force it.

     These thoughts came to me in a moment then were gone, like geese soaring across this brilliant dry sky and I was left with the knowledge that life in the chill of the morning air was more than enough. As Movie finished her dancing Tai Chi walk across the field I heard dogs barking, sounding in the distance like geese. From the front of the property the morning traffic rushed past farms, strung like pearls along the lane. Each car sounded like the soughing of a sea wave rolling in a syncopated rhythm onto a beach. All of this in a moment reminded me that each moment is its own enlightenment into heaven or hell. The choice is up to us.

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees

for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours,

and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles

of the rain are moving across the landscapes,

over the prairies and the deep trees,

the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,

are heading home again.

Whoever you are,

no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese,

harsh and exciting – over and over announcing

your place in the family of things.

Mary Oliver

In His Service – Whatever we choose to call Him as you live there and in doing so, respecting whatever path He calls each of us to walk upon to Him.

I received these though provoking words from my meditation group today, attributed to Alan Watts.

“We could say that meditation doesn’t have a reason or doesn’t have a purpose. In this respect it’s unlike almost all other things we do except perhaps making music and dancing.

When we make music we don’t do it in order to reach a certain point, such as the end of the composition. If that were the purpose of music then obviously the fastest players would be the best.

Also, when we are dancing we are not aiming to arrive at a particular place on the floor as in a journey. When we dance, the journey itself is the point, as when we play music the playing itself is the point.

And exactly the same thing is true in meditation. Meditation is the discovery that the point of life is always arrived at in the immediate moment.”

For years, copying other people,

I tried to know myself.

From within, I couldn’t decide what to do.

Unable to see, I heard my name being called.

 Then I walked outside.

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.

RUMI (1207-1273)

(image by me)

Is eternal life the final frontier or is it something that always is already, even if it doesn’t seem to be?  By its very virtue “eternity” is an always. What is the need to wait for thing that must always be, if that is how it is by the nature of its being?  How can eternity be partial, broken, splintered, or fragmented in anyway?

When was the birth of eternity? What can come before an always?

(What came first the chicken or the egg?) LOL!

The word always is very interesting to me.  Simply because there is no reference for it in the experience of a body.  We can only know always in the present moment where it is. When is always?  When is it right now? Eternity is not hard to find because always is…. well always.   What would seem very difficult however is identifying with its reality by pretending it doesn’t exist. (for the eternal, that is.)  We can’t truly think that something came before eternity without also denying its always presence inside of us.  Nothing real came before it because what can exist outside of eternity?  Those that are …. are held within it.  It for them and they for it.  Where can the eternal travel outside of always, except in fantasies of endings and death?

How can we know we are held in eternity?  There isn’t a person in the world who hasn’t been disappointed at some point over death.  From either the threat of it or by the loss of a loved one.

Only those that can be disappointed at the prospect of death can know eternity.  Only the eternal have a reference for it and can miss it, wonder how to re-obtain it, or hope or wish for it in anyway.  Disappointment can only occur from thwarted hopes and dreams for a better way.  The temporal cannot conceive of eternity or always, because by nature of being temporal, they only know the temporary.  The search for answers in this world is the evidence that we know that there must be some. There is one inside you that knows eternal sunshine, the open skies of freedom, and the answers the bodies senses are not equipped to understand or experience.  Maybe you are unsure, which would be understandable.  Just the same what is the harm to sit for moment as if eternity is ours?  Can you get in in trouble for claiming such things?  Will we get our hopes up?  Get our hopes up for what though?  Do we really want this body forever, or is it that we are just afraid that there is nothing beyond it?  When was your shine ever contained by a body anyway?  Will we look the fool if we sit in eternal sunshine right this moment and just be grateful that it is so?  Who would care but those who thought eternity wasn’t theirs, or somehow felt that your eternity jeopardized theirs in some way? Who can be outside eternity?

The gentle having of the simple awareness, forever is right now … and it is shining inside and everywhere this very moment.

(We can no more be outside eternity than it can depart from us.  Who is eternity for but those who are in it?  When is it NOT eternity?)

Where is the place of looking … when the place of looking is inside ones own self?  Where have we turned when we have turned within?

Answer these questions and what have we found?

In  the spirit of the Apostle Paul I’d like to say grace and peace to all of you out there on the world wide web, but especially to the believers who have made their way to this blog.  I hope it is helpful to you.

e

See my last post before reading this one.  It’s sort of becoming a series now…

Meditation is very important, but not many people understand it… today many Christians fear it and throw it out because of the association with other pagan religions and secular psychology.  Nowhere in the Bible is meditation forbidden.  In fact it is encouraged.  Remove your thoughts about what mediation is and try to think of it in a new way.  Meditation is not pagan worship or psychotherapy.  Meditation is simply thinking deeply with all of the mind body and soul engaged in ways you aren’t used to experiencing.  The purpose is spiritual growth, human growth, and for the Christian, WORSHIP.

After my last blog I felt like I should give some practical advice.  These are some things I have used that work for me.  They can be very powerful, but not everything works for everybody.

Some are prayers, some are Bible verses, some are quotes from sermons, others are just wisdom collected over the years that is really easy to forget if not constantly reminded.  Also sometimes I take things from secular sources that I feel are true as well.  If I see something I like or think of something that I like and know is inspired by scripture I try to write it down.  Keep in mind it helps if they are personal to you and personalized.  Even if you know me well some of the stuff on my wall only I truly know what it means.

I also have a stack of note cards with spiritual attributes I want in my life such as the fruit of the spirit that I meditate upon.  In my spiritual growth journal I keep lists of affirmations which are just positive, present statements that are spoken aloud repeatedly or simply read over and over again.  This can be very powerful when used with spiritual attributes.  Another way to use affirmations is to write them over and over again… but that is sort of bad for me cuz it reminds me of elementary school and alot of bad memories… like undeserved detentions… etc

Some examples of  my note cards and notebook pages…

NOTE CARD:

SPIRITUAL ATTRIBUTES I WANT IN MY LIFE- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self control, humility, thankfulness, contentment, confidence, boldness… etc until the card is full and then I start a new one if I have to…

When I sue these to meditate I think, say, or write something positive and present for example:

I am a person who loves

I am joyful

I am at peace with myself, with others, and with God

I am always thankful

I am confident

While I do this I try to visualize it and make it feel real and pray for god to take it and make it ral in my life.

NOTEBOOK PAGE:

I will list sentences of affirmations I want to be true about my life much like the actual thought method I sue with the note cards.  The only reason I use a huge page is because it requires lines of sentences… not just one word attributes.  For example-

AFFIRMATIONS:

*I am living a life that is pleasing to God

*I am no longer a slave to sin.  I am a new creature.  Old things are passed away.  I have a new nature.  I am not a sinner in God’s eyes because he has saved me and he sees Jesus’ blood covering my sins.  I am a slave/servant to God.  I now can choose to live for God.

I try to update these Journals and note cards as much as I can!  there is always something new to meditate upon, and there are always things about life yourself that you  will want to change.

I keep them organized by category, such as: Body, Mind, Soul, Worship, Spiritual Disciplines, Finances, Fun (What is a Biblical view of fun? Recreation? Hedonism…etc.), Work/Career,Education, Ministry, Family, Friends, Love, Goals, Addiction, Life Purpose, Personality, Manhood (important in a day when my generation has been raised in a fem-Nazi society that has emasculated half… no more like 75% of the men in America… now we are either really confused sexually, gay, girlie men, or just little boys… Where are the MEN?  It’s important to meditate upon Biblical manhood because if you’re a man today… you’re probably hurting a little bit in this area… Sorry!  Random tangent… but important none the less).

Here are some meditations I keep posted on my wall that I try to think about daily that help me live a life for God.

* WAKE UP! You are a soldier at war.  Welcome to the real world!!! (I always think of the Matrix and Neo coming to the real world when I do this one… and then Rambo… except it’s about spiritual warfare… lol)

*Learn from the past, live in the present, plan for the future…

*Forget what’s forgiven…Cast your worries and fears upon HIM…

*Live for God’s glory… forget all the rest-Nothing Else Matters

*Every FAILURE is really just a hidden OPORTUNITY to LEARN,GROW, HEAL, GET UP, AND MOVE ON to an immensely greater victory!!!

*The Christian Church is a WHORE, but man does God love that whore- Anonymous- (I think it was Erwin McManus who said that at a Convocation meeting one year at Liberty University not long ago.   I know they were from Mosaic church.)

*We are on the victory side. We may lose battles but the WAR IS WON!!! CELEBRATE EVERY LITTLE VICTORY!!!

*THE UNIVERSE IS SPIRITUAL… EXPECT SPIRITUAL THINGS…

*I EXIST to GLORIFY God by enjoying Him forever…

*YOU EXIST TO BRING REVIVAL… a mustard seed of faith will move a mountain

*Lord open my eyes to see the spiritual things happening every day my sinful pride has blinded me to…

*FEED the Love/WORSHIP/God addiction! Starve all others!  (Basically it’s the concept of a divided soul battling the flesh and the true inner man.  you have two dogs fighting each other.  You feed them both with the choices you make in your life.  If you starve one dog the other will win.  Most people are feeding the wrong dog: addiction, laziness, flesh nature, idols… etc)

*It’s all about HIM! -Pastor SteveDeWitt (Referring to Jesus)

*God CENTERED and Christ imitating- That is what I’m striving for!

*Preach the gospel to yourself daily.  Never take your salvation for granted

*The ONLY reason why I’m still HERE is because GOD STILL WANTS TO USE ME!

And that’s just the short ones .  I have some much bigger ones on my wall, but I don’t have the time to type it all out right now.

Not all of it is spiritual.  Some of it is just things I want to be more disciplined about in my life.  Diet, Exercise, Sleep, Even little things like posture (cuz I used to have REALLY, really BAD posture), The ways I communicate… really anything I want to improve about my life.

It’s clearly not all typical ”CHRISTIAN” stuff, but I do this as a form of worship because I believe that all of life is about God and all of life is to be worship to God, and this can be extremely spiritual so I do it as a part of my daily worship time.

Psychology as well as other religious traditions have helped me to develop ways to enhance meditation which I think deep down inside we all know how to do and even do unknowingly as children when our imaginations are still strong and running wild.  As adults we have to learn how to bring about such states.

Some things I have used but don’t necessarily recommend for everyone…

If you think it might be helpful to you I highly recommend Googling some of this stuff especially the last three since they are so complex and diverse that I really can’t do justice to them here with the amount of time I have to write this.

POSITIVE SELF TALK (VERY IMPORTANT!!!) Elements of this should be included with all meditation you do.

Our minds are constantly in conversation.  Not with other people… (well that’s debatable… I had a friend who used to mess with Wicca who could read minds and claimed he could talk mentally with other people who had been through that… Scary crap… but yeah normally it doesn’t happen… lol that’s a subject for another post! I go off on al ot of randm tangents… get used to it!  It’s part of my writing STYLE )

What I mean is that our minds are constantly thinking and talking to themselves.  Our mind is a battle field.  Most of us don’t think of them this way, but Satan wins many battles with us in temptation by winning over our minds.  Once he has our minds he has an entry to our hearts and combined our bodies are soon to act to the inner mans will.  Guarding the thoughts in your head is important.

This form of meditation is an active one.  You always do it when you are using the other forms, but this one is one that you take to work with you.  Our minds easily get in patterns of negative thinking.  Once we are thinking negative thoughts we get negative attitudes which gives us negative emotions leading to negative actions which cycles back to where it began and continues the cycle all over again.

It is important as a Christian to constantly be monitoring what is going on in our heads… not just in a 30 min. meditation session.  temptation can be overcome or avoided by actively changing your thoughts.  When you get a second to slow down and think think about your thoughts and if they are positive.  If they are try to keep them and encourage them.

Daydreaming isn’t always bad for you.  Go to an island far away and relax.  If your thoughts are negative change whatever it is, whether a picture, a sound, a word, a sentence.  Replace it with something helpful.

With practice this becomes a habit.  It’s not easy at all, but it’s a discipline that is well worth the effort.  this with prayer and daily bible study can really help improve your life and your walk with God.

Affirmations

That would be what I do with the note cards and notebook pages in my journal.

Visualization

If you see something in your mind before you do it you will be more likely to actually accomplish it.  Visualizing a successful outcome is very helpful.  Athletes use it and so do successful business men whether they realize it or not!

It can be planned visualization like a rehearsal for a big speech, or it can be done in the moment before you are required to act.

Most of us just visualize things through our own eyes.  Try this: Visualize the outcomes not just from a first person perspective, but from a second and third person perspective as well.  It takes a little imagination and a little practice, but it works wonders.  It also helps to understand life in the moment more clearly.

ROLE PLAYING

If you admire someone… play the role… imagine yourself as them doing what they would do (THE GOOD STUFF ABOUT THEM OF COURSE… don’t imagine yourself reenacting their greatest sins  I think that should go without mentioning, but what can I say… some people are just stupid.

I like to imagine that I’m George Clooney when I’m talking to the ladies… believe it or not it helps… but Brad Pitt is much more effective. jjk

Spiritually… Take Joseph… What was good about him?  Imagine that you are Joseph in that moment when you are tempted with sexual sin.  What did he do?  He ran.  Channel Joseph.

Neuro-Linguistic Programing (NLP).

It’s a very interesting and for me it was a very effective way of changing simple habits.  (not recommended to be used alone for things like addictions although it can be a helpful tool it is not a solution for stuff that deep, but if you want to stop chewing your nails, or change your emotions on the spot… this is very helpful.)

SA Hypnotism (Self Administered Hypnotism)

Trance states can be very helpful and it’s not at all like being hypnotized by a stage performer… think of it more like a day dreaming in a trance state so that you can go deep within and work on your mind and soul while resting and relaxing the body.  You can come out of the trance any time if you have to.

The only downside to this is that it takes alot of time… so if you’re going to do it make sure you have at least an hour to kill.  They will tell you 20 minutes… In my experience it takes longer because I just really like trance states .  I don’t want to come out.  Eventually you can train yourself to get in one of these states at any time on the spot… though it’s not as effective as if you had time to do it properly.

Buddhist and other traditional forms of religious meditation minus the pagan gods and worship. (only use this if you’re sure it WON’T be a stumbling block to you spiritually…)

I was introduced to this while I was studying the martial arts when I was learning about CHI energy when I was younger.  If you do it right it can be very VERY effective… Especially when you get into things like the mind/body connection.

Make sure everything you do with this is done in a way that is centered upon the truth of God’s word and worshiping God…  Anything that goes against this pretty much throw it out or ignore it.  This stuff is powerful… and I don’t believe that it’s because of the religion… I think it is more psychologicalal and mental… this helps to connect to the spiritual.  Download some meditation music too if you do this!  It will help you greatly!  Or even worship music if you want.

I hope this has been helpful to someone.  If you want to know more or have questions you can email me at

joshuajameshendricks1984@gmail.com

Or add me on facebook.  My facebook name is:

http://www.facebook.com/FreeTheYouthWithMe

Or feel free to IM me on AIM, Yahoo, or MSN… My sn is the same for all three:

disciple134 (on MSN. disciple134@hotmail.com)

God Bless,

In HIM,

Josh James Hendricks

I am seriously considering going to this one. The agenda looks really good and the cost is very reasonable for a 3 day retreat. Plus it is hosted by the wonderful Mike George whom I have a lot of respect for. Take a look:

Yogi Bhajan was a wonderful Sikh man who worked tirelessly to spread the message of not only Sikhism, but also peace and love. Many people all over the world follow his teachings through his foundation 3hO – Healthy, Happy, Holy Organisation. He was a clear cut man who as they say – would shoot from the hip. The last line from below will confirm this!

Here is a lovely meditation from him:

Affirmation for Self Love Sit straight. Place your right hand on your heart and say, “My heart, I love you.” Place your hands on your eyes and say, “My eyes, I love you.” Then on the top of your head and say, “My head, I love you.” And next, at the navel point and say, “I love you.” And lastly on both your knees, and say, “I love you.” If you pay a little bit of attention to yourself and show love to yourself you will find yourself different. You have been taught to hate everything, and that what you do not hate will eat you up. This is your most stupid behavior.

“Eine Meditation in flirrend-schönen Bildkompositionen” beschreibt die hamburg pur den neuen Jim Jarmusch Film The Limits of Control. Meditationen enden bei mir in der Regel mit Tiefschlafphasen und das ist ein Problem.

Am Abend vorher feierten wir zu lange auf der Eröffnung von Beatlemania und die Idee am nächsten Tag in die Spätvorstellung vom neuen Jim Jarmusch Film zu gehen, ist nichts für Körper und Seele über 40. Der Tag in der Schreibstube ist zäh, dann noch eine St. Pauli Führung mit einem frisch verheirateten Brautpaar. Der Körper ist auf Höchstleistung gepumpt, da geht Kino um 22.30h. Mein Kollege bringt eine weitere Kollegin mit, beide schon recht müde und eher couchbereit. Im Holi ist es gemütlich, man kann entspannt vor sich hindösen.

Der Film besteht aus

einem großartigen Soundtrack der japanischen Band Boris

schönen Bildern, die an manchen Stellen zu schön sein wollen

Menschen die Streichholzschachteln austauchen

Ich meditiere vor mich hin, genieße die Bilder. Um mich zu fragen was das soll, bin ich zu müde. Nicke weg, während mein Nebenmann unentwegt zappelt. Ich empfehle ihm zu schlafen. Hat er auch schon, aber jetzt ist ihm langweilig . Irgendwann gegen Mitternacht kramt er seine Autoschlüssel aus der Tasche, steht auf und geht mit knappen Worten. Die Nebenfrau rührt sich nicht. Als der Film zuende ist wundert sie sich, dass wir nur noch zu zweit sind. Da hat sie wohl was verschlafen…

Yesterday I introduced you to my experience with meditation.  And like I said yesterday, when I go within I often receive guidance.  The guidance usually comes by way of the “still small voice” (calm and quiet instructions) but sometimes it comes in the form of a vision.  I’m in a book group with my friend and meditation teacher, Rob.  We have been reading a book by Joel S. Goldsmith.  Goldsmith was a great healer, spiritual teacher, and mystic who lived from 1892-1964.  His message is as relevant today as it was in the 1950’s when he was speaking to groups all over the world.  Meditation is a huge part of Joel’s teachings and he has written at least one book entirely about the subject. So, in the last meeting of the Goldsmith book group we found ourselves in meditation for over one hour.  It was really an amazing meditation and I wanted to share with you the message I received because I think it is relevant not just for me, but for everyone.

At one point during the meditation I saw myself in an ocean, my arms hanging over a surf board as I floated gently on the waves.  I heard a voice behind me ask “Are you full of life?”  I didn’t answer the question, but looked behind me to see an unbelievably enormous wave forming.  I’m not a surfer, so you can imagine that I didn’t feel too confident about what I saw coming towards me.  At that point the voice said “GET ON!” and a huge hand smacked the board.  The sound of the hand hitting the board was enough to startle me out of the vision, but I knew immediately what the message was.

One of my favorite images (that I first read in Eric Butterworth’s book “Discover the Power Within You”) is that of us being waves in the ocean.  God is the ocean and our lives are the waves.  We are always a part of God but it is up to us to recognize that.  It is also up to us to be present and live life to the fullest.  I believe that huge wave in the vision represents my life and I have two choices.  I can sit here and let it pummel me or I can jump on that board and ride it all the way.

Hay que Atender a la Paz

No cabe duda que todos, de alguna manera, soñamos y anhelamos PAZ en nuestras vidas sobre todo, cuando sentimos que, a veces, somos presa de unas fuerzas que nos arrastran, una tras otra, por caminos duros y difíciles, y pareciera que estas situaciones no vinieran con un botón de apagado que nos permita apretarlo a nuestro antojo, y descansar.
Ante esto, es oportuno hacer algunas reflexiones: ¿Cómo sabemos de la paz, sino desde el furor de la guerra?, ¿Cuál paz es la deseada, quizás aquella que se parece más a la muerte que a la vida?, ¿Sabemos el precio que nos implica en nuestro caminar, apostar a que en nuestras vidas no suceda nada que nos rete emocionalmente?
Es importante corroborar que nada de lo que es realmente importante de la vida, trae solamente paz. Por supuesto que en ello hay muchos espacios de rica paz y plenitud pero, por contraste, vienen llenos de guerras, de lidias, de gestas, de luchas que, de momento, nos agotan, y hasta nos ponen a preguntarnos si valdrá la pena tanta dureza.
Una vez, en una charla que asistí como oyente, la ponente decía enfáticamente:
“Los caminos de Dios y a Dios, siempre son fáciles, expeditos, y llenos de liviandad y satisfacción”.

Esta frase la repetía con gran convicción, y yo me decía una y otra vez: “Como que yo me perdí hace rato de los caminos del Señor”.
Pero hoy entiendo que eso no es posible, y no por ello pierde lo amoroso y lo sacro que pueden tener los caminos de Dios.
Vivir que es el verbo fundamental de lo humano, además del morir, implica un aprender constante, el cual va a dar un peso y una importancia a lo vivido que pasará necesariamente por tres fases: DOLOR, DIFICULTAD y PROCESO.

Para que no quede esto como una mera convicción mía, analicémoslo. Si el vivir, amar, crear, dar vida, criar, levantar, forjar, enseñar, alimentar, transformar, envejecer, liberar, estudiar, lograr, tener, dejar, soñar; son una clara representación del quehacer humano, todos llevan consigo en su desarrollo esas tres palabras de lo importante, y cuando lo comprendemos y aceptamos, lo podemos vivir de otra manera. De lo contrario, buscar afanosamente esa paz poco humana, que no deviene de la dificultad, del dolor y del proceso, sólo carga un sobrevivir seco y muy desalmado.

Dejemos que la vida suceda día a día, paso a paso, con cierta lentitud. Seamos honestos con lo que podemos y con lo que no, y dejemos que nuestro cuerpo nos lo diga, conectemos este vivir interesante que lo convoca todo, y veamos el vivir como la más hermosa tarea de la existencia; y apoyémonos con lo que hay dentro y fuera de nosotros:
Dios, la fe, las risas, la naturaleza, los niños, los animales, el agradecimiento, la familia, el amor y las satisfacciones que en la paleta de colores del vivir nos entreguen. De eso se trata. Pero también recuerden que la paz, como un todo, es más un privilegio de la muerte que de la vida, por eso decimos al morir de alguien:
“Que descanse en paz”.

You calm your mind down with Meditation. It can be as basic as just breathing slowly and letting go. No matter how deep you choose to go in, you will always benefit from it and come out refreshed.

Whether you are new to meditation or have done it before, these are great, peaceful sessions. The Brahma Kumaries international site has these six:

• Who am I?
• Free to Forgive
• My Home
• Peace
• Inner Peace
• Stillness

The best way to go through these is to find somewhere quite where you are comfortable and at the right temperature. You can sit in any position you like, eyes open or closed. Try different ways and you will soon come to realise what works for you. And just listen to the meditation. If your mind wonders, that’s ok. Bring it back as soon as you are conscious that you have drifted.

For many of us, not taking care of our minds can be very detrimental. So it’s worth investing in your mind even for just a few minutes to a few hours a day. Out of 24 hours in the day, take a bit out for you. Even if you are just sitting in silence observing your breathing pattern. You will receive some amazing solace.

Anyone can meditate, from a child to a senior person. Kids benefit really well from it because they are not afraid to try it. They just let go and have a wonderful experience.

There are many CD’s you can buy if you struggle to get with how to meditate. Just go into any search engine and add “meditation CD” and go through the list. As mentioned before, Anne Jones has some great ones on her CD’s.  

Good luck!

Imagine a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together and be welcome.  At this place, no one is turned away because they can’t pay – classes are donation only.  In this space, there are classes – yoga, meditation, tai chi, capoeira and philosophy.  Towards the back, find state-of-the art training equipment where a sorta tough guy, sorta hippie trainer and life coach guides his clients.  (Trainer and life coach?  Who wants to kill two birds with one stone?  Mmm…ME. )  There is an adjoining space set up for lounging, movies and a tea room to-be.  And above, communal living for a select group of spirits drawn to this environment of love, sharing, health, spirituality and whatever else I didn’t pick up in my once over.

This place exists right there in the hustle and bustle of Downtown SD, believe it or not, at 3rd and Market, and it’s a beautiful space.  I visited The Red Lotus Society at the Ideal Hotel today curiously, and left peaceful and satisfied.

My friend Tyler and I showed up to meet Pete Kirchmer, a friend of Tyler’s and the fitness and life coach referenced above, for the 7:30 Zen Mediation class.  The vibe was very informal – no one there checking you in at the door.  We sat at the cushions set in a circle on the tatami floor, and with 10 or so of us comfortable on our pillows and under blankets, the teacher entered and joined us seated cross-legged on the ground.  He was very soft spoken (apologies, I did not catch his name but will find it out and update later) but knowledgeable and patient.

About four of us were new to Zen meditation, and he walked us thoroughly through the breathing technique and a bit of the history behind the trade.  With 3 strikes to the singing bowl, we entered the first 20 minutes of silent breath.  I welcomed the stillness, easing into the process.  The teacher had suggested that as thoughts arise, we should examine them like passing clouds.

While I enjoyed the application of the cloud metaphor, one particular cumulus, let’s say, stuck most through this practice (although I was attempting not to think, gazing at one cross stitch on the mat in front of me while breathing steadily in stillness).  I was moved in the observation that relationships can highlight and bring out different parts of who we are.  In accepting this idea, we accept that some access our best selves and some do not.  I want to choose only the relationships that allow my best self to flourish to exist as my core, but do so in a way that is still inclusive, loving and accepting of all.   And one step deeper, what is that best self, my core?  Perhaps that is a better question to ponder…because perhaps it is when I am being this “best self” I attract relationships and people that compliment it.

After 20 minutes, the first meditation closed with 2 gongs on the singing bowl.  We discussed the experience and asked questions.  And then we entered for about 10 minutes more.

I really liked taking this time for myself to be quiet in this sacred space.  I will definitely try out other classes at Red Lotus.  They have an array of offerings from yoga and tai chi to energy healing and capoeira, all classes by donation.

Review:

Ambiance: Like it

Comfortable, intimate, informal – a place where I’d look forward to going.

Class: Love it

The instruction was thorough; I’ll be back for more.  Admittedly, I don’t have much of a background in mediation, especially of the Zen type, so I don’t have grounds for comparison.  But I enjoyed the class very much and think I could learn a lot by returning.

Overall: Like it / Love it

I definitely need to spend some more time at Red Lotus.  This isn’t the type of place I understand after one visit, but I am left feeling connected.  They have a good thing going on with what they’re offering the community.  I recommend stopping by, especially if you live downtown – it’s a beautiful reprieve from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The universe is made up of a feedback between information-containing energy and consciousness. The energy coalesces into visible matter due to our awareness of it and does so on an infinite fractal scale dependent on a fundamental pattern of the division of space. The ever-present and permeating universal information that pulsates through us in every moment is filtered and made tangible and available by our senses. Our senses are the direct antecedent of the mysterious entity known as consciousness, which also acts in a fractal nature. I strive to focus on noticing the different levels of my awareness in order to come into touch with my thought stream and its impact on my direct experience of the world.

As I understand my experiences there exists what I will call a primary level of being. It consists of the direct experience of the universal vibration surrounding us and entails complete receptivity outside of thought. This state is most organically accessed through meditation, through the stripping of all thoughts and the surrendering to the eternal moment and the infinite energy contained within one’s organism. This primary and organic level of being forms the foundation for a cascading waterfall of possible states of awareness.

Beyond the world of energy and information, there exists a secondary level which is made up of the thoughts that course through the mind. These thoughts are very much the result of years of conditioning and life experience. They are the highly present and easily overlooked mental chatter that determine to an enormous degree the nature of our reality, the way we frame the information containing energy around us. They are the librettos which we constantly write attempting to make sense of our experiences.

On the next level, there are interpretations of the thoughts that arise out of our experiences. Being present in our body and mind enables us to take a birds eye view of our thought stream, of the very entity that is determining our reality. These interpretations are no less real than the secondary level of thought as they lead to new ideas, new insights and a renewed and intimate relationship with our own mind. We can be mindful of our own thoughts, which is to say understand where they arose from, what stemmed their arising and what significance their origins hold.

Moving to another level of awareness, we can write these thoughts down or subject them to further pondering. This continued filtering of cognition and experience hones and focuses the thought stream to a new level and provides a fresh way to gain insight on our surroundings and on ourselves. This practice is an amazing tool to come into an intimate understanding of our disposition and thought stream. From this level, the fractal begins to become evident. Through practice, we essentially expand the awareness of our awareness. Our new insights can again be put through the same cascade of consciousness to the point where, as I am doing right now, we are writing about writing about thinking about thinking….etc. We write mental meta-programs for our learned awarenesses there by allowing room for new energies and rubrics to flourish. Every moment, every event and every thought can be mulled over and made sense of within the framework of existence using the conceptual hall-of-mirrors known as awareness. This meta-cognition is highly expandable and extremely useful for getting in touch with our subconscious.

The focus of meditation is to gain insight on the nature of existence, to come into union with the primary information energy passing through us and to learn how to use it to our advantage. It teaches us how to be completely present in each moment of our lives. The act of sitting in silence and paying attention only to breath gives rise to an intimate experience of the primary level of being. The breath is the only bodily function that is both consciously and subconsciously undertaken, therefore mindfully existing with it provides a gateway to contact the intuitive latent higher self. For most of us though, silencing the mind which has been influenced by years of bombarding advertisements, busy lives and constant stimulus is very hard. Through practice we can learn to take the stairwell to the higher self which allows us to observe our mental chatter and dismiss it along with each passing breath.

The practice of letting go and being one with the permeating energy effectively allows us to take a seat in the base of our soul. When we are truly in touch with ourselves and recognize the universal presence within each atom of our body there is no indecisiveness and no confusion. We are able to understand the cosmic significance behind each event we experience. The difficult and the easy, the good and the bad become visible as two sides of the same coin of existence. When we can glide through each and every situation with the grace of flowing water we can find complete and utter contentment. We find ourselves in union with all that is and all that will be. In order for us to accomplish this, we must rise above the mindless chatter and focus on the primary level of being where all that exists is the present moment, the present breath and loving grace. We must also exercise the meta level of expansive questioning and insight to develop our ability to come into the infinite nature of our cognition and its promise in creating a new possibility of conscious evolution.

Our intention holds the ability to overcome some of the physical limitations of life. We have evolved to a point where we are aware of our awareness and can use it as a tool much like our ancestors used modified pieces of nature to descend from the trees and become the beings we are today. Currently, as affluent homo sapiens existing in 21st century life, we have overcome our need to exist on a fight or flight basis. Through yogic asana practices we can actively engage our ability to elude the physical and mental yearning to escape strenuousness in practice and in life. We can begin to learn how to operate from a loving place where the well being of all things is sacrosanct. Our own mental facilities become the next tool to be harnessed in the evolution of our species. Instead of developing new physical ways to adapt to our environment, we can mindfully adapt our culture and our cognition to better our ability to relate to each other and to the universe.

The highly subjective nature of reality as proved by modern physics enables us to use our intention and awareness to shape reality. We do away with the multi-generational prescriptions of growth and are able to take quantum leaps in evolutionary change. We can literally adapt our genes through mindful action. We solidify the paradigm of mind over matter and realize the true nature of the interaction between nature and nurture. This direct puppeteering of our evolutionary growth is beyond exciting and paves the way for a new existence when, as Saul Williams foresees, ’sayings like out of the blue will reveal their hidden origin.’ When there is little need for a continuing physical adaptation to environment we are able to focus our energy on the evolution of our ability to love and to see ourselves in each other. Unexplainable situations, events that transpire outside of our capacity to explain, and beauty that exists independent of our current reason become the framework of life.

The endless and disorganized thoughts of the unexamined secondary level of being beg to keep us slaves to our conditioning, to the past and to the shortfalls we see in ourselves. Some believe that the choices and decisions that we make along the journey of life are completely tied to and determined by previous experience and conditioning. These deterministic rubrics of existence leave no room for free will in our choices. However, if we can use meditation, yoga practices and insight to center ourselves, understand our past experience and come into touch with the infinite than we can make decisions based upon what we want to make of the world instead what the world wants to make of us. When we shed the chatter we understand the effect of the conditioning and we do away with the predestined story of our lives that is seemingly outside of our control.

As everyone has experienced, story has an incredible ability to transport its audience into a knowing and understanding role in the discernment of the significance of its events. Clear cognizance is engendered by a captivating book or movie, cognizance about why each event in the story took place and what significance each had on the whole. It sheds divine light on situations and interactions so that the audience gains a heightened state of observation and a greater ability to distinguish the gravity and importance of events. Essentially the viewer/reader is taken directly into the role of the observant godhead.

In our own day to day lives we are constantly writing the narratives of our existence. Reality and language are undeniably entangled and often times people walk around unaware of the nature of their inner language while allowing their apparent shortcomings, disappointments and fears to take the authoring role in their realities. When we can come into union with ourselves and our environment through the yoga of being present and mindful in the here and now, we are empowered and our intuition becomes extremely focused. Every uncomfortable thought or situation that we experience and are mindfully able to confront, accept and discern meaning from allows us to further sort through the garbles of our minds which only serve to keep us confused and ignorant. Our secondary level of cognition starts to become more and more based upon a deep and holistic comprehension of ourselves and our world. Experiences manifest synchronistically and stem directly from intention. Signals and signs make themselves evident. We gain a prescient view from the higher self and are essentially able to become the authors of our own lives. We cease to exist in the past and the present and begin to shape the eternal moment into an artwork of our choosing. We are able to execute actions based upon our own free will and in resonance with a great understanding of the nature or our situation and the interconnected relationship we share each other and the entire biosphere. In every moment, in every decision and in every passing thought we know that, without fail, all we do has cosmic significance in the drama of the universe and the collective consciousness that is constantly shaping it. Instead of eternally trying to grasp the fleeting mystery of life we become one with it and flow through it like water flows down a river. We dance, we sing and we smile like the Buddha, all the while enjoying each trickle of time down the cascade of life.

indian yoga

People these days are thronging to ‘pranayama’ and yoga sessions conducted by a swami here or a teacher there. On any given day there are at least 300 to 500 people in many of the big parks in the city, practising Pranayama and Yoga.

Deciding to take up yoga is a big step. It means doing some exercises and making some changes in your life that will help bring balance to your body, spirit, and mind. Luckily, there are many resources on yoga for beginners to help you get started. The most logical place to start looking for information is probably the Internet. There are dozens of sites devoted to the different kinds of yoga, and many sites offer specific advice on yoga for beginners.

You’ll also find chat rooms and online support groups to help you make and maintain the changes you’re contemplating. The Internet is also a good place to order the equipment you’ll need–probably a yoga mat and a yoga ball to start out, and perhaps down the road a kit with blankets, slings, and blocks to assist you with the different yoga postures.

Another excellent resource on yoga for beginners is your local or online bookstore. Several books and DVDs about yoga are targeted specifically to helping beginners get started with their yoga program. You’ll probably want to buy, or borrow from your library, one or two DVDs that walk you through a series of asanas, or postures.

A good book about yoga for beginners can show you pictures and give you written descriptions of some of the different postures. Books can also offer advice on different techniques for meditation and breathing.

The internet and the bookstore will take you only so far. If you really want to learn the principles of yoga, the best way is to take a class. Yoga centers have become very popular, and if you’re lucky, you may find one near you. Yogafinder.com can help you find out if there is a center in your area.

If not, don’t give up. Many gyms, spas, and health clubs offer yoga for beginners to their members. If yours doesn’t, check with your local parks and recreation program or try your local community college. You might also ask your doctor for suggestions, or contact a local hospital. Hospitals sometimes offer yoga classes as part of their wellness programs.

Because of its emphasis on harmony between the body, mind, and spirit, yoga has become very popular. There are many resources both on- and off line to help the beginning yoga student get started on a path to better health and greater tranquility.

Those who can do holistic healing – learn how to scan the body – subtle bodies - in other ways.

Auras – for those who work with auric fields around the body – a hole in the aura – or a darker spot – means a problem. To practice seeing an aura – place the person in front of a white wall and look at them for a few minutes. You will seethe energies – and with luck the colors. You can also ’see’ the aura psychically – in your mind – with your third eye.

Hands – using the hands to scan for problems while sweeping them across the body – You do not have to touch the person’s body. There are many methods where you sweep your hands just above the body and look for differences in body temperature. Remember – to be in balance is to be the same. You are looking for hot and cold areas where energies – Chi – do not flow properly.

Pendulums - moving them up and down the body can show trouble spots. It the pendulum flows erratically – you’ve got a break in the flow of the energy fields. When you scan using a pendulum to balance chakras – as you move from the crown chakra – slowly downward – each chakra should move the pendulum in a different direction. For example- you start from the top – crown chakra – the person is standing. The pendulum will move in circles either clockwise or counter-clockwise. When you move down to the next chakra – the third eye – the pendulum should spiral in the opposite direction. When moving to the third chakra – it should move again in the opposite direct – matching that of the crown chakra. If your pendulum chooses to move vertically instead of in circles – then the crown should move one way – say, vertically [ back and forth from you] and the third eye should move the pendulum in horizontally [right and left]. When the pendulum is confused you’ve got a problem area – the Chi – Qi – EM energies – life force energies – not flowing correctly.

Psychic Scanning

Many people learn learn how to exercise Psychic Scanning. There are many methods here – none right or wrong – whatever works best for you.

Psychic Scanning Method #1

You close your eyes and – look at what is being shown to us by spirit. Let’s say they show you blood flowing – one must hone in to get better definition of the problem – often by asking the person. It could be high blood pressure – but things that run high and low – are usually shown to us as a graph – bar or regular. In the case of cancer – You either see the medical symbol for cancer or the area in question with a tumor or other problem. Some illnesses have no symbology for you – so You ask the person when You are confused or the symbol You see makes no sense. It is always best to say everything you see. It may not make sense at the moment – but it will later. Seeing ‘teeth’ can mean dental or the jaw – as TMJ is very common – or the mouth area.

Most people scan this way with their eyes closed. As you get better at it – you can do it with your eyes open allowing spirits to show you what is wrong.

Psychic Scanning Method #2

Becoming one with the person – You literally take on the energies fields of the person and feel what is wrong in your own body. You become one with the person – For example – You can get a headache. Your stomach hurts. Your eyes get blurry – and so forth. You do this quickly then move the energies away from you immediately. This is also useful when talking to deceased people who want to show you how they died by merging with your body. It is not exactly channeling as you are in control and you do this for a short period of time. It is merging frequencies.

After You see a problem – if You see spiralling DNA – which means the problem is genetic. Sometimes You see food – you ate the wrong thing.

Remember that we are souls in a physical body having an 3D experience. It is all about the movement of frequency and light.

Think out of the box – Now you are the observer.

There are probably other psychic ways to scan the human body – the human energy field. The methods mentioned are the most common and natural.

Are you ready to try?

• Look at someone near you – or think of someone you know.
• Close your eyes.
• Look at their body as if looking at an X-ray.

Very slowly start from the top of their body and scan downward – stopping as you go. What do you see? You can get into the muscles, tissue, blood, internal organs, breasts, limbs, anywhere your mind can travel. It is really not complicated and once learned – is enlightening.

For anyone thinking they are pregnant – or know someone who is – or might be pregnant – travel into the uterus of the woman and ‘look around’. What do you see? A fetus? Good! Now look around some more. Scan for the sex of the baby. What do you see? Do you see 2 babies? Gulp! Is the baby sucking its thumb?

What’s that, you say? You want to scan the person’s emotional body? Sure, why not. Go for it. Get into their head and always be objective! Do it much the same way as the physical scanning technique that works for you. Remember that all illness and accidents stem from the emotional body – which stem from the soul body – so it is totally cool to go there first.

Practice before you give people a wrong diagnosis. As with all things psychic – some people are great at this skill – while others never master it – or are uncertain of what they are seeing. Self confidence is most important and comes after much training.

Try to develop a scanning technique that works for you

On another note, a very efficient exercise to clean your aura, based on ascension, is — during the cold season — to imagine a snow of light — and in warmer days to imagine a cotton — going down on you slowly, purifying progressively your aura and repairing its wounds.

]]> http://manifestingabundance.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/a-meditation/ Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:45:36 +0000 manifestingabundance http://manifestingabundance.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/a-meditation/ http://shotokan.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/ner-fran-berget/ Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:24:02 +0000 Tapper http://shotokan.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/ner-fran-berget/

Så är man hemkommen från Berget igen! Mina förväntningar på helgen blev som förra gången. Men andra ord så var det en mycket lyckad helg. En hel del repetition från förra gången men kände väl att det bara var nyttigt.

Precis som sist så infann sig även det totala lugnet och man kunde känna alla stress bara rinna ur kroppen. Det konstiga är att fast man inte fysiskt eller psykiskt var uttröttad så var man helt slut när det var kväll. Enda förklaringen jag kan komma på är att hjärnan faktiskt varvade ner ordentligt. Skönt att det kan hända någon gång!

För er som inte känner till Berget och dess utbildningar m.m. kan jag bara rekommendera att åka dit och ta en kurs. Du hittar Berget på: www.berget.se

Är du nyfiken på meditation eller Ki så kan jag rekommendera att ta nästa kurs som går till midsommar!

OSHO

E-BOOKS ALL BOOKS HERE

| ZEN ||

1. Rinzai: Master of the Irrational – OSHO
Rinzai, also known as Lin-Chi, was born in the early 9th century and was to become the founder of one of the most significant schools of Zen. In this book the Enlightened Master Osho speaks with humour, wisdom and insight on the magical and mysterious anecdotes and sutras of Rinzai.

2. Joshu: The Lions Roar – OSHO
Joshu was one of those exceptional people who got enlightened without any formal initiation. One of the most loved Masters in the Zen tradition Joshu’s words are both poetic and penetrating. Osho brings Joshu back to life and presents him to us radiant in the essence of Zen.

3. Isan: No Footprints in the Blue Sky – OSHO
Isan was a great Zen Master who lived from 771 to 853. He left home at fifteen to become a monk and was ordained at the age of twenty three. Thousands became Isan’s disciples yet he left no great scriptures or commentaries behind. With clarity and humour Osho leads us into the baffling and profound world of Isan and Zen.

4. The Empty Boat: Talks on the Sayings of Chuang Tzu – OSHO
Osho revitalizes the 3000-year-old Taoist message of self-realization through the stories of the Chinese mystic, Chuang Tzu. He speaks about the state of egolessness, “the empty boat”; spontaneity, dreams and wholeness; living life choicelessly and meeting death with the same equanimity. This beautiful edition overflows with the wisdom of one who has realized that state of egolessness himself.

5. Dogen: The Zen Master – OSHO
Dogen was born into an aristocratic family in Kyoto, Japan over eight hundred years ago. He was a uniquely intelligent child who began to read Chinese poetry at the age of four. His father died when he was two years old and his mother when he was seven. Dogen was to say later on to his disciples that he was infinitely grateful that his parents died when they did as they gave him through their death the opportunity to rise to the greatest heights free of attachments. Osho translates this great Zen Master for us with equally great insight.

6. Hyakujo : the Everest of Zen – OSHO
Hyakujo was the direct heir of Ma Tzu and became most well known for his establishment of the first truly Zen monasteries and his treatise on sudden enlightenment. Osho is the best and most lucid interpreter of Zen.

7. Kyozan: A True Man of Zen – OSHO
The Zen Master Kyozan’s uniqueness is his simplicity. When Kyozan was fifteen he wanted to become a monk but his parents would not allow it. Two years after that he cut off two fingers from his left hand and pleaded with his parents to let him follow the spiritual path. This time they agreed. As OSHO says “Nothing can be said about him (Kyozan) except that he was absolutely authentic, honest. If he does not know a thing he will say so, even at the risk of people thinking that he has fallen from his enlightenment.”

8. Hsin Hsin Ming The Book of Nothing: Talks on the Faith Mind of Sosan– OSHO
In OSHO’s own words, “Sosan was a man of power, a man who has come to know. And when he says something, he carries something of the unknown into the world of the known. With him enters the divine, a ray of light into the darkness of your mind.” As the meaning of Sosan’s teachings are unraveled, so are the habitual patterns and prejudices of the reader’s mind. Furthermore, the work is so subtle and delicate; the surgery is performed almost before you know it. As you turn the last page, you may suddenly realize that you’ll never be quite so captivated by your own inner chatter again – and without any effort you’ve taken the first, vital step toward meditation.

9. Nansen: The Point of Departure – OSHO
Nansen was a disciple of the famous Zen Master Ma Tzu. OSHO subtitles this book of discourse on Nansen as the Point of Departure because he says “From the past spirituality Nansen is a tremendous departure, accepting secular and sacred as together, one — two aspects of one reality….. He opens Zen to a wider variety, he gives Zen more dimensions. It is no more a small stream, but becomes an ocean.”

10. The Zen Manifesto: Freedom from Oneself – OSHO
“Zen has nothing to do with the mind – It is the lion’s roar. And the greatest thing that Zen has brought into the world is freedom from oneself.” Osho.
The Zen Manifesto is a collection of the last discourses of Osho with his last publicly spoken words.
“As you savor the chapters, you’ll discover that Osho is like a Zen archer. Almost poetically he circles his target, surveying it over and over again from many positions before he draws back his bow and lets the arrow fly.”
Robert Rimmer, USA. Author of The Harrad Experiment and Proposition 31

11. No Water No Moon – OSHO
Brimming with paradox and humor, Osho is guaranteed to shake shock and delight with these discourses based on Zen stories. This book is about sudden enlightenment – that supreme moment when we cease struggling to understand with our minds matters beyond the mind, and jump wholeheartedly into the void. Osho offers us deep insights into our individual natures and the universe in which we live.

12. Meditating with Koans – J. C. Cleary
Koans (those paradoxical conversational exchanges between Zen master and student) have been used as focal points for Buddhist meditation for centuries in China and Japan. Cleary’s excellent introduction is a perfect setting for this little Chinese Zen gem from about 1600. Included are lessons on using koans given by a wide range of classic Zen teachers. Cleary compares the effort needed in Zen work to athletic training, so that one begins to understand the ceaseless, exasperating effort needed to progress toward the Buddhist goal. As Cleary warns, this is serious work, not antirational amusement. An appendix gives a small collection of koans.

|| TANTRA ||

1. Tantric Quest- Daniel Odier
A wonderful autobiographical account of the journey of a seeker and the selfless and compassionate Master who gives everything of herself to lead him to the portal of the divine. Tantra demystified and glorious, experienced through a rare and wondrous journey.

2. Tantra the Supreme Understanding – OSHO
Nothing much is known about the Indian master Tilopa, yet his mystical insight into Tantra in the form of a song passed on to his disciple, Naropa, has lived on through the ages. Tilopa’s sutras contain many significant meditation techniques suitable for people today. The ultimate may not be expressible, but whatsoever can be said is included here within the tantric vision of Osho and Tilopa.
“Tantra is freedom; freedom from all mind-constructs, from all mind-games; freedom from all structures; freedom from the other. Tantra is space to be. Tantra is liberation.” Osho

3. Aghora: At the Left Hand of God – Robert E. Svoboda
One of the most profound and sensational books that have ever been written on Tantra. It describes the journeys of the Tantric adept Aghori Vimalananda through realms of existence far removed from the mundane world, and hidden from most of us. Reading this book can cause a radical change in the concepts we’ve formed about the universe, God, life, death and the mystical.

4. Tantric Yoga and the Wisdom Goddesses: Spiritual Secrets of Ayurveda – Dr. David Frawley
David Frawley has done a fine exposition of Hindu Tantra. He not only knows the subject well, but he also can convey it in a readable and lucid manner. The best part about Frawley is that he writes as a seeker of truth. After Frawley dispels common misconceptions about Tantra he proceeds to define aspects of Tantra and the various paths within it. Then the bulk of the book deals with the Ten Mahavidyas or wisdom goddesses. Later chapters deal with the chakras, pranas, tejas and ojas. Overall an excellent introduction to Tantra.

5. Kali’s Odiyya: A Shaman’s True Story of Initiation – Amarananda Bhairavan
A rare and exciting true story of worship and initiation in a culture that still exists today. Bhairavan writes of his experience of initiation into the world of Kali’s odiyyas shamans of the goddess. We learn the goddess tradition first-hand and experience exorcism, Kundalini training, astral travel, shape-shifting, healing, how to deal with the death of a shaman, and information about how a matriarchal society functions. Excellent reading. A book that is impossible to put down.

6. The Book of Secrets – OSHO
Osho elaborates on the meditation techniques described in the 5,000-year-old scripture, “Vigyan Bhairav Tantra”. In this comprehensive and practical guide, the secrets of the ancient science of Tantra become available to a contemporary audience for the first time. Confined to small, hidden mystery schools for centuries, and often misunderstood and misinterpreted today. Tantra is not just a collection of techniques to enhance sexual experience. As Osho shows in these pages, it is a complete science of self-realization, based on the cumulative wisdom of centuries of exploration into the meaning of life and consciousness. Tantra-the very word means “technique”-is a set of powerful, transformative tools that can be used to bring new meaning and joy to every aspect of our daily lives.

|| SUFISM ||

1. The Way of Passion: A Celebration of Rumi – Andrew Harvey
A powerful, clear and ecstatic interpretation of Rumi the Sufi mystic and his message of divine love and union. A penetrating antidote to today’s spiritual crises, The Way of Passion presents Rumi’s magnificent visions of spiritual surrender and mystical union.

2. First Among Sufis: The Life and Thought of Rabia al Adawiyya, the Woman Saint of Basra
– Widad El Sakkakini
Born in Basra in the 8th century of an impoverished family, orphaned and sold into slavery, Rabia al-Adawiyya, rose to become one of the greatest Sufi teachers. An extraordinary kaleidoscope of myth and reality, of imagination and fact… is it not of importance that a woman of such stature and independence of mind existed so early in the story of Islam, to show what women could be, and how they could be regarded? Introduction by Doris Lessing.

3. The Secrets of Secrets: Hazrat Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani
– Interpreted by Shaykh Tosun Bayrak al-Jerrahi al-Halveti
Considered one of the greatest works of classical Sufi mysticism and interpreted here for the first time in English, The Secret of Secrets was written by the eponymous founder of the Qadiriya order, the first of the great Sufi brotherhoods which radiate throughout the Islamic world. This book reveals the very essence of Sufism.

|| ALTERNTIVE HEALING ||

1. Quantum Touch- Richard Gordan
Quantum Touch represents a major breakthrough in the art of hands on healing. This book teaches you how to use special breathing and body focusing techniques to raise your energy levels so high that with a light touch you can see postural corrections spontaneously occur as bones glide back into their correct alignment. Heals pains and inflammations as well. Anyone can practice Quantum Touch.

2. You Can Heal Your Life- Louise L. Hay
The timeless message of the book is that we are each responsible for our own reality and “dis-ease.” Hay believes we make ourselves ill by having thoughts of self-hatred. She includes a directory of ailments and emotional causes for each with a corresponding affirmation to help overcome the illness. An amazing woman who cured herself of cancer and through her book has helped millions help themselves.

3. Quantum Healing: Exploring the Frontiers of Mind Body Medicine – Dr. Deepak Chopra
Early on in Quantum Healing, Deepak Chopra asks an interesting question: Why, when your body mends a broken arm, is it not considered a miracle, but when your body rids itself of cancer, it is? Dr. Chopra believes the two phenomena spring from the same well, that the body is capable of doing much more than we assume it can. He calls this ability to cure disease from within “quantum healing,” and shows how we’re all capable of it. He believes intelligence exists everywhere in our bodies, in each of our 50 trillion cells, and that therefore each cell knows how to heal itself.

4. Ayurvedic Healing: A Comprehensive Guide – Dr. David Frawley
Ayurvedic Healing presents the Ayurvedic treatment of common diseases, covering over eighty different ailments from the common cold to cancer. It provides a full range of treatment methods including diet, herbs, oils, gems, mantra and meditation. The book also shows the appropriate life-style practices and daily health considerations for your unique mind-body type both as an aid to disease treatment and for disease prevention. This extraordinary book is a complete manual of Ayurvedic health care that offers the wisdom of this ancient system of mind-body medicine to the modern reader relative to our special health concerns today.

|| MYSTICAL EXPERIENCES ||

1. Many Lives Many Masters – Dr. Brian Weiss
As a traditional psychotherapist, Dr. Brian Weiss was astonished and skeptical when one of his patients began recalling past-life traumas that seemed to hold the key to her recurring nightmares and anxiety attacks. His skepticism was eroded, however, when she began to channel messages from “the space between lives,” which contained remarkable revelations about Dr. Weiss’s family and his dead son. Using past-life therapy, he was able to cure the patient and embark on a new, more meaningful phase of his own career. An extremely convincing book for non-believers and a fascinating one for those who like to delve in the mystical.

2. Light on the Path: Through the Gates of Gold – Mabel Collins
“No man is your enemy, no man is your friend. All alike are your teachers. Your enemy becomes a riddle that must be solved. Your friend becomes a part of yourself a riddle hard to read. Only one thing is more difficult to know-your own heart.” With these words Mabel Collins, mystic, clairvoyant and healer takes us into a fascinating journey of Light which unravels the most esoteric mysteries of Divinity and God. In this, her first book, Mabel Collins reveals a set of transmissions she received on her mystic Path, which she identifies as transmissions, “directly from the source of an ancient Sanskrit Sutra.” Un lettered in any ancient Indian texts or wisdom, the source and methods of her knowledge are fascinating. What is absolutely awesome is the depth, clarity and simplicity in which the absolute truth and the state of enlightenment are revealed to her. A must, for all seekers who are looking for a Path.

|| BUDDHISM ||

1. Meetings with Remarkable Women: Buddhist Teachers in America – Lenore Friedman
This book celebrates the flowering of women in American Buddhism. Lenore Friedman set out to explore this phenomenon by interviewing some of the remarkable women who are/were teaching Buddhism in the United States. The seventeen women she writes about vary in background, personality, and form of teaching. Together they represent the growing presence and influence of women teachers in America–a development that will surely affect Buddhism in the West for years to come. This revised edition includes a new section describing developments in these women’s lives and work since the book’s first publication in 1987. Teachers include:Toni Packer, Maurine Stuart, Pema Chödrön, Joko Beck, Ruth Denison, Bobby Rhodes, Jiyu Kennett, Sharon Salzberg, Karuna Dharma, Joanna Macy, Gesshin Prabhasa Dharma, Sonja Margulies, Yvonne Rand, Jacqueline Mandell, Colleen Schmitz, Ayya Khema, and Tsering Everest.

2. Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama – Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama’s autobiography should leave no one in doubt of his humility and genuine compassion. Written without the slightest hint of pretense, the exiled leader of Tibet recounts his life, from the time he was whisked away from his home in 1939 at the age of 4, to his treacherous escape from Tibet in 1959, to his winning of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. The backdrop of the story is the 1950 Chinese invasion of Tibet. He calmly relates details of imprisonment, torture, rape, famine, ecological disaster, and genocide that under four decades of Chinese rule have left 1.25 million Tibetans dead and the Tibetan natural and religious landscapes decimated. Yet the Dalai Lama’s story is strangely one of hope. This man who prays for four hours a day harbors no ill will toward the Chinese and sees the potential for good everywhere he casts his gaze. Someday, he hopes, all of Tibet will be a zone of peace and the world’s largest nature preserve. Such optimism is not naive but rather a result of his daily studies in Buddhist philosophy and his doctrine of Universal Responsibility. Inspiring in every way, Freedom in Exile is both a historical document and a fable of deepest trust in humanity.

3. The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living – Dalai Lama, Howard Cutler
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with the Dalai Lama and really press him about life’s persistent questions? Why are so many people unhappy? How can I abjure loneliness? How can we reduce conflict? Is romantic love true love? Why do we suffer? How should we deal with unfairness and anger? How do you handle the death of a loved one? These are the conundrums that psychiatrist Howard Cutler poses to the Dalai Lama during an extended period of interviews in The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living. Like any art, the art of happiness requires study and practice–and the talent for it, the Dalai Lama assures us, is in our nature.

4. Minding Mind – Thomas Cleary
Because of the growing popularity of meditative practices in many spiritual traditions, this anthology of Buddhist meditation manuals is timely. Collected here are texts that discuss a variety of techniques of meditation, the distinctions between sudden and gradual enlightenment, the value of Zen koan meditation, and the power of meditation in action. Cleary’s translations are clear and lively.

5. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying – Sogyal Rinpoche
This acclaimed spiritual masterpiece is widely regarded as one of the most complete and authoritative presentations of the Tibetan Buddhist teachings ever written. A manual for life and death and a magnificent source of sacred inspiration from the heart of the Tibetan tradition, The Tibetan Book Of Living and Dying provides a lucid and inspiring introduction to the practice of meditation, to the nature of mind, to karma and rebirth, to compassionate love and care for the dying, and to the trials and rewards of the spiritual path.

6. Cave in the Snow: A Western Woman’s Quest for Enlightenment – Vicki Mackenzie
This is the incredible story of Tenzin Palmo, a remarkable woman who spent 12 years alone in a cave 13,000 feet up in the Himalayas. At the age of 20, Diane Perry, looking to fill a void in her life, entered a monastery in India–the only woman amongst hundreds of monks—and began her battle against the prejudice that had excluded women from enlightenment for thousands of years. Thirteen years later, Diane Perry a.k.a. Tenzin Palmo secluded herself in a remote cave 13,000 feet up in the Himalayas, where she stayed for twelve years. In her mountain retreat, she face unimaginable cold, wild animals, floods, snow and rockfalls, grew her own food and slept in a traditional wooden meditation box, three feet square. She never lay down. A fascinating book outlining the courage, determination and single mindedness of a seeker. A portion of the royalties from this book will help towards the completion of Tenzin Palmo’s convent in India to revive the Togdenma lineage, a long-forgotten female spiritual elite.

7. Fire Under the Snow – Palden Gyatso
The autobiography of the monk Palden Gyatso, who was arrested in 1959 after taking part in a non-violent demonstration for Tibetan independence. After a failed escape bid he was starved and tortured. Following his release in 1992, after 33 years of captivity, he fled to India and began to reveal the true extent of the Chinese oppression in Tibet. This book is a story about endurance and perseverance.

8. Voices of Insight – Sharon Salzberg
You don’t have to be a practicing Buddhist to thoroughly appreciate these informative and engaging essays written by members of The Insight Meditation Society (IMS). Like a carefully prepared cup of green tea, each of these pieces is quieting to the psyche while energizing to the soul.
The teachings of IMS revolve around Theraveda Buddhism, which in the West translates into a commitment to insight, moral integrity, and compassion. As a result, these themes resonate throughout. For example, Steven Smith speaks about the insight he gained from the death of a friend–it helped him grasp the sacredness of friendship. In another essay, Michele McDonald-Smith talks about accidentally locking her car keys and her other sandal in her car. From this anecdote she begins to ponder what it would be like “to live like a guesthouse”–always ready to receive the unexpected guests and situations that come to us in everyday life. It is the use of personal stories that make these Buddhist gleanings so satisfying and accessible. As editor Sharon Salzberg explains in her introduction, “We are unfolding a tradition that speaks of current challenges, our own triumphs, and our unique lessons…. It is a significant step in the transmission of a living truth.”

9. Mother of the Buddhas: Meditation on the Prajnaparamita Sutra – Lex Hixon
Many Masters comment on how indefinable the final state of enlightenment really is. Gautama Buddha’s Prajnaparamita Sutra, the Mother of Buddhas, is a rare and almost singular expose to define the indefinable, to express the inexpressible and to capture into words the immeasurable experience of ‘nothingness’. Containing the subtlest and most ‘exalted’ teachings of Lord Buddha, this scripture which contains nearly 25,000 verses, has been sifted for forty key passages and matchlessly translated by Lex Hixon to present these timeless dialogues on enlightenment. Prajnaparamita, or the Perfect Wisdom, is in effect for an advanced spiritual traveler who has already entered the realm of subtle wisdom. Hixon’s work brings this dynamic wisdom to your doorstep in the simplest and most terse translation yet. For seekers, on the threshold of disappearing into the ‘void’ or nirvana, this book is a rare catalyst.

|| MEDITATION ||

1. Meditation: The First and Last Freedom – OSHO
Meditation is indigenous to all religions, and this book is a compilation drawn from Osho’s profound work on meditation. It contains a wide variety of methods. From ancient Buddhist, Taoist, Sufi and Hindu practices to Osho’s own modern Dynamic Meditation and Mystic Rose Meditation, these methods will help any spiritual seeker further along the path to fulfillment. The most complete, the most updated and the most modern book about meditation. A book made for the contemporary man. This book will completely change your perception of meditation. You are invited to experience your own inner sky.

|| CHRONICLES OF SEEKERS||

1. The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
Coelho is a gifted writer with both talent and wisdom. The story is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasures found within. Dazzling in its powerful simplicity and inspiring wisdom, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.

2. The Pilgrimage – Paulo Coelho
The Pilgrimage recounts the spectacular trials of Paulo Coelho as he journeys across Spain to discover personal power, wisdom, and a miraculous sword that seals his initiation into the secret society of the Tradition. With his enigmatic mentor, Petrus, he follows a legendary road traveled by pilgrims of San Tiago since the Middle Ages, encountering a Chaucerian variety of mysterious guides and devilish opponents. Coelho’s experiences and his mentor’s teachings impart the spiritual wisdom that reveals itself as the true purpose of their exciting journey. Part adventure story, part guide to self-mastery, this compelling tale delivers a powerful brew of magic and insight.

3. The Fifth Mountain – Paulo Coelho
Written with the same masterful prose and clarity of vision that made The Alchemist an international phenomenon, The Fifth Mountain is Paulo Coelho’s inspiring story of the Biblical prophet Elijah. In the ninth century B.C., the Phoenician princess Jezebel orders the execution of all the prophets who refuse to seek safety in the land of Zarephath, where the unexpectedly finds true love with a young widow. But this newfound rapture is to be cut short, and Elijah sees all of his hopes and dreams irrevocably erased as he is swept into a whirlwind of events that threatens his very existence. In what is truly a literary milestone, Coelho gives a quietly moving account of a man touched by the hand of God who must triumph over his frustrations in a soul-shattering trail of faith.

4. By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept – Paulo Coelho
By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept tells of Pilar, a frustrated scholar looking for some greater meaning in the endless cycle of her days. When a childhood friend contacts her, she is surprised to learn that her former playmate is now a charismatic spiritual leader, someone revered as a miracle worker. She is even more astonished when he reveals that Pilar has always been his great love.
Confused by this sudden opportunity for a new chance at life, Pilar gradually comes to realize that the man she loves is being called upon to choose between her and his spiritual calling. As the suffering lovers travel through sacred sites in the French Pyrenees, the difficult choice they face offers a startling revelation about the divine and the redemptive power of love. Full of warmth and wisdom, joy and unexpected sorrow, their story is a magical celebration of the endless possibilities that life has to offer, and a fable about opening your heart to miracles.

5. The Valkyries – Paulo Coelho
The enchanting, true story of The Valkyries begins in Rio de Janeiro when author Paulo Coelho gives his mysterious master, J., the only manuscript for his book The Alchemist. Haunted by a devastating curse, Coelho confesses to J., “I’ve seen my dreams fall apart just when I seemed about to achieve them.” In response, J. gives Coelho a daunting task: He must find and speak with his guardian angel. “The curse can be broken,” he replies, “if you complete the task.”
Rising to the challenge, Paulo and his wife, Cristina, drop everything, pack their bags, and take off on a forty day adventure into the starkly beautiful and sometimes dangerous Mojave Desert–where they encounter more than they bargained for. A masterful blend of the exotic locales, dramatic adventure, and magical storytelling for which Coelho’s fictional works are renowned, this true-life account is at once a modern-day adventure and a metaphysical odyssey.

|| IN THE WORDS OF THE MASTER ||

1. I Am That – Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
Hailed as a modern spiritual classic, I Am That is a collection of the timeless teachings of a great modern day India sage. Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj was a teacher who did not propound any ideology or religion, but gently unwrapped the mystery of the self. His message is simple, direct and yet sublime. I Am That preserves his dialogues with the followers who came from around the world seeking guidance in destroying false identities.

2. Ageless Body Timeless Mind: The Quantum Alternative to Growing Old
– Dr. Deepak Chopra
There is nothing inevitable about aging–that is the inspiring message from Dr. Deepak Chopra. In this book Mr. Chopra combines philosophy, biology, and modern health research to convince the reader that the effects of aging are largely preventable. Practical suggestions are mixed in with theory, case studies, and biological data.

3. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of your Dreams – Dr. Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra’s best-selling guide to creating abundance and prosperity is based on seven natural laws that govern all creation, this book shatters the myth that success results only from hard work, exacting plans, and driving ambition. Deepak Chopra offers a life-altering perspective on attaining success: Once we understand our true nature and learn to live in harmony with these natural laws, well-being, good health, fulfilling relationships, energy and enthusiasm for life, and material abundance can be achieved. Simple yet profound, the book’s timeless wisdom and practical steps can be applied with surprisingly quick results.

4. How to Know God? – Dr. Deepak Chopra
“You don’t have to believe in God in order to experience God.” — Deepak Chopra
Dr. Chopra has through this book inspired hundreds of thousands of readers to rethink their concept of God. According to Dr. Chopra, the brain is hardwired to know God. The human nervous system has seven biological responses that correspond to seven levels of divine experience. These are shaped not by any one religion but by the brain’s need to take an infinite, chaotic universe and find meaning in it. How to Know God describes the quest each of us is on, whether we realize it or not. For, as Chopra puts it, “God is our highest instinct to know ourselves.” This book makes a dramatic and enduring contribution to that knowledge.

5. Living with the Himalayan Masters: Spiritual Experiences of Swami Rama
– Swami Rama
Ordained a monk at a young age by a great sage of the Himalayas, Swami Rama was involved in a learning journey from monasteries to caves, studying and living with more than a hundred sages in the solitude of the Himalayan Mountains and the plains of India. Among those with whom he studied were Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi, Sri Aurobindo, and Ramana Maharshi. In this collection of simple stories, Swami Rama relates his experiences with the great teachers who guided his life. These are not only fascinating tales full of the miraculous but are also teaching stories for those who are attentive enough to listen and know.

6. Kundalini Yoga: In Search of the Miraculous Volume I and II – OSHO
In these volumes Osho speaks on esoteric subjects in an utterly practical and simple manner. This book is a road map to the science of inner alchemy. What does it mean to receive shaktipat from a Master? What is grace? How does the Kundalini energy move through the seven chakras? Are just some of the questions that are answered by the Master.

7. A Cup of Tea – OSHO
A wonderful collection of 365 letters written by the Master Osho to his disciples. Those who wish to understand Osho’s unique approach to life will find the book to be an excellent introduction to the wisdom of this extraordinary man. And all those who are on the path of enlightenment will find encouragement and inspiration within its pages. Full of wisdom, love and humor this book serves as an oracle to those who are looking for direct guidance from the Master.

8. From Sex to Superconsciousness – OSHO
In this book, a worldwide bestseller, Osho speaks on the need and the way to understand sex in its deepest sense, thereby transforming it. The life energy that flows into sex is the same life energy that becomes super consciousness Osho speaks on how instead of rejecting sex there is a need to understand and thereby transform it. The life energy that flows into sex is the same life energy that becomes super consciousness, enlightenment.. This book is a detailed description of the way this transformation happens.

9. The Book of Mirdad – The Strange Story of a Monastery which was Once Called the Ark
– Mikhail Naimy
The Book of Mirdad is a timeless allegorical story about a mysterious stranger, Mirdad, who visits the remote mountain monastery of the ark. There he assumes the role of teacher to the nine chosen companions, and through his dialogue with them, we are given teachings which show us how it is possible to transform our consciousness and uncover the God within, by dissolving our sense of duality. The Book of Mirdad is among the great spiritual classics of the twentieth century and deserves to be the constant companion of any spiritual seeker.

10. The Prophet – Khalil Gibran
In a distant, timeless place, a mysterious prophet walks the sands. At the moment of his departure, he wishes to offer the people gifts but possesses nothing. The people gather round, each asks a question of the heart, and the man’s wisdom is his gift. It is Gibran’s gift to us, as well, for Gibran’s prophet is rivaled in his wisdom only by the world’s great spiritualists. On the most basic topics–marriage, children, friendship, work, pleasure–his words have a power and lucidity that provoke the description “divinely inspired.” Free of dogma, free of power structures and metaphysics, consider these poetic, moving aphorisms a 20th-century supplement to all sacred traditions–as millions of other readers already have.

11. The Enlightened Mind : An Anthology of Sacred Prose – Edited by Stephen Mitchell
This magnificent compilation of sacred writings from all traditions includes discourses, essays, sermons, and aphorisms from Heraclitus, Plato, Julian of Norwich, Hasidic masters, Chinese Zen masters, plus works by such modern writers as Blake, Kafka, and Einstein.

Christianity Books

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The True Sage

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Osho speaks on classic Hasidic stories compiled by the Jewish philosopher, Martin Buber, a work Osho calls a tremendous service for seekers, adding that what D.T. Suzuki did for Zen, Buber has done for Hasidism.These tales, small stories, have such a flavor. It is different from Zen, it is also different from Sufism. The Hasid loves, laughs, dances. His religion is not of celibacy, but of creation.The book is full of lighthearted wisdom, as Osho adds a few of his own stories as well, saying that his jokes are not ordinary jokes.I don’t tell them to you just to make you laugh. No, they are not mere jokes. They are pointers. You should not just laugh and forget them, you should make them part of your understanding.

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The Art of Dying

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Once you know what life is you will know what death is because death is also part of the same process. Ordinariily we think death comes at the end, ordinarily we think death is the enemy. Death is not the enemy. And if you think of death as the enemy it simply shows that you have not been able to know what life is.

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The Hidden Harmony

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Discourses on the fragments Heraclitus. In greek history Heraclitus was a stranger, an outsider. Aristotle thought that he was a little eccentric, a little mad – and Aristotle dominates the whole West. Had Heraclitus been accepted, the whole history of the West would have been totally different. Had he been born in India, or in the East, he would have been know as Buddha.

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Socrates Poisoned Again After 25 Centuries

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As the bishop of Crete’s Greek Orthodox Church urges the local citizenry to forcibly drive him out of the villa where he is staying, Osho revives the spirit of Zorba in a series of lively talks to his disciples and to visiting journalists. Eventually Osho, like Socrates, was accused of “corrupting the youth”?and his heavy-handed deportation is documented in an eight-page color section at the end of this volume. But in the meantime the “corruption” had been recorded in print. A banquet of timely topics, from politics and religion to teenagers and sex, it sparkles like the Mediterranean setting in which it happened.

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Hammer on the Rock

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These talks happened at a time when Osho was beginning what is now known as the Osho Multiversity, a university dedicated to the multidimensional exploration of knowing and understanding oneself. Therapy groups were being introduced as an aid for people to go deeper into a life of awareness: AUM marathon, Enlightenment Intensive (Satori and Who Is In?), Primal, Breath, Pulsation. At the end of each group the group leaders and participants would meet Osho to share insights and understandings. The issues brought up are timeless: sex, work, relationships, death and meditation.Anyone who has spent a moment looking into his life and trying to find some clarity, will recognize the same mind, the same jealousies, the same pitfalls, the same joys as the people in this book. Now you can have the benefit of Osho’s approach of working with people through his revolutionary science, the psychology of the buddhas.Hammer on the Rock is the first of 63 diaries of these talks between Osho and the individuals who came to sit in front of him. Out of these 63 titles Osho has asked for only the first two to remain in print. The material from the other 61 are to be made into various compilations.

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Come, Come, Yet Again Come

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Osho’s invitation echoes the words of the Sufi mystic, Jalaluddin Rumi: “Come, come, whoever you are; wanderer, worshipper, lover of learning it does not matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come, even if you have broken your vow a thousand times. Come, come, yet again come.” Seekers from all over the world bring their questions to Osho and he responds with characteristic individualized attention, warmth and humor.

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Was Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh Poisoned by Ronald Reagans America?

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The real facts surrounding the arrest and incarceration of Osho. The evidence documented proves the extraordinary conspiracy by the US government to silence this man forever.

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Philosophia Ultima

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Discourses on the Madkukya Upanishad These discourses focus on the see mantra aum, the imperishable sound which is the seed of all that exists.

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Theologia Mystica

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Osho says of these letters by Dionysius, first bishop of Athens, to his disciple Timothy: “His whole book is written with a disguise, as if it is a treatise on theology; mysticism is just somewhere by the side, secondary, not primary

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Priests and Politicians

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“you have to be aware who the real criminals are. The problem is that those criminals are thought to be great leaders , sages, saints, mahatmas.”

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The most dangerous man since Jesus Christ

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Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh is the most dangerous man since Jesus Christ… I think Bhagwan is a great man, and his persecution makes a liar and a hypocrite out of anyone who claims there is a religious freedom in the United States

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In Search of the miraclulous vol.1

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5 discourses on Kundalini Energy and Dynamic meditation, and 3 meditations from the meditation camp at Nargol, Gujarat, India from May 2-5 1970; and 4 discourses on Kundalini energy and Dynamic meditation given in Bombay, India, June and July,1970.

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In Search of the Miraculous, Vol. 2

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Guiding the reader through the seven bodies and their corresponding chakras, Osho talks on psychic phenomena, dreams, telepathy, hypnosis, color therapy, Dynamic Meditation, Kundalini, mediums, gurus, and the Tantric dimension of sex. “I am talking about very scientific things,” he says, “not something belonging to religious superstitions.”

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I Celebrate Myself – God is nowhere: life is now here

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“I celebrate myself, and I want you also to celebrate yourself,” says Osho, echoing the American poet, Walt Whitman. In this powerful series of talks, Osho takes on all our assumptions and misconceptions that we live in a divided universe; creator and created, believer and belief, theist and atheist: “The idea of God is an imprisonment, and only when one is free from this prison can one know what it is to live in a celebrative way.”

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Come Follow to you

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Jesus is beautiful in his parables… A parable tries to show something, not to say it. It indicates very indirectly; the conclusion has to be supplied by you. It baffles the reason… it leaves a gap…it is creative. If you try to understand it, your understanding will become higher than it was before you heard it. Parables should be like puzzles which challenge you, and through challenge you grow.

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Guida Spirituale (Osho)

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The Philosopher questions, the poet answers, and the mystic is neither interested in questioning nor interested in answering.If you come to a mystic master, his whole work is to detroy your questions, your answers, everything that you are carrying along with you-to make you utterly empty. That is the moment when insight starts functioning; you become innocent.

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Christianity & Zen

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ChristianityTHE DEADLIEST POISON& ZenTHE ANTIDOTE TO ALL POISONS

Faith is not a virtue. and it is not a great contribution to humanities evolution. Faith is the greatest hindrance in peoples search for truth.Before you go in search you have already been handed a secondhand, dirty faith, and you are told that just this much is enough; you don’t have to search, Jesus has done it for you…Buddha has done it for you… Faith simply means hiding ignorance, and it is very cheap. Truth needs great energy, great urgency, and a total involvement in the search. Truth is within you, faith comes from outside. Anything that comes from outside is not going to help you. Truth is already alive in you, you don’t need any faith. It is faith which has kept humanity ignorant.Christianity and all other religions are part of the conspiracy to castrate man. They have destroyed all the dignity of man, they have given him only guilt and sin. Hence I call Christianity the deadlist poison.

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I say unto you

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I say unto you. Talks on the sayings of Jesus

Moses brought law to the world, Jesus brings love. Moses is a must before Jesus can be possible. Law is enforced love, love is spontaneous law. Love is from the inside. Law is without, love is within. The Gospel carries all that is beautiful in Jesus flowering. Those statements are the most beautiful ever made. Not even Buddha, not even Lao Tzu, have spoken that way. Jesus speaks like a villager, a farmer, a fisherman. But the Jews misunderstood him, because Moses talks of law and Jesus talks about love. Moses civilises man, Jesus spritualises man, That’s why Jesus says again and again I have come not to destroy, but to fulfil. Moses gives commandments, Jesus gives insight into those commandments. For more of Osho on Jesus see The Mustard Seed, also Come Follow To Me. I

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Osho – The Mustard Seed

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Osho Quotes, Jesus, Buddha and Old Zen Masters with Stupendous Memory, Interpreting them with a freshness and directness as ithey were speaking today, as if they wore jeans.

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Jesus Crucified again this time in Ronald Reagan’s America

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“In the past two thousand years christanity has done more harm to humanity than any other religion. It has slaughtered people, burned people alive. In the name of God, truth, religion, it has been killing and slaughtering people – for their own sake, for their own good.And when the murderer is murdering you for your own good, then he has no feeling of guilt at all. On the contrary, he feels he has done a good job. He has done some service to humanity, to God, to all the great values of love, truth, freedom.”

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The Messiah vol 1

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Kahlil Gilbran…the very name brings so much ecstasy and joy that it is impossible to think of another name comparable to him. Just hearing his name, bells start ringing in the heart which do not belong to this world. Kihlil Gibran is pure music, a mystery such that only poetery can sometimes grasp it, but only sometimes. You have chosen a man who is the most beloved of this beautiful earth. Centuries have passed; there have been great men but Kahlil Gibran is a category in himself. I cannot conceive that even in the future, there is a possibility of another man of such deep insight into the human heart, into the unknown that surrounds us.

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The Messiah vol.2

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Freedom has nothing to do with the outside world. The true freedom is not political, is not economic; it is spiritual. Political freedom can be taken away at any moment; economic freedom can disappear just like a dewdrop in the early morning sun. They are not in your hands. And that which is not in your hands cannot be called true freedom. True freedom is always spiritual. It has something to do with your innermost being; which cannot be chained, which cannot be handcuffed, which cannot be put in jail

Okay.  So about the retreat.

It was my 3rd 10-day meditation retreat and it had been three whole years since my last one.  They recommend 1 a year.  In my defense, in those past 3 years, I got a job I loved, quit the Suck Job, got another job I loved, met a man I later married, quit one of those jobs (3, really, if you count freelance and dogsitting), and moved twice. I think I will do another retreat next year, now that I have a job that isn’t so stingy with vacation.

S. N. Goenka says that usually Days 2 and 6 are the hardest. But I’ve been through the retreat, I’m supposed to know what to expect.  And for the most part, I do, but I still got a few surprises this time.

I was proud of myself for really working.  It’s difficult, trying to keep your mind focused ALL THE TIME.  But I did make a serious effort. And I think it paid off.  On my first retreat, I sat against the wall because I was sure that my scoliosisy back wouldn’t be able to sit for 10 hours a day without support.  On the second retreat I didn’t use a wall, but if I sat cross-legged it felt like my bones were cutting into each other.  So I sat cross-legged but the legs didn’t cross each other, if that makes sense.  This time, I could sit for one hour with my legs crossed and not feel like I’d have 2 severed ankles when the hour was up. I consider that progress.

The mind is truly an amazing thing.  And I so cherish the 10 days so I can unhook myself from the daily IVs of friends, family, books, television, magazines, RSS feeds, NPR, etc.  Because when I do, I discover things I’ve buried.  Like a girl in my art classes in college whom I’d barely remembered, let alone could attach a name to. But it came to me easily and randomly one day.  She was mad talented, hope she’s doing well.

It’s because the mind has lowered its vibration to a more subtle level that small things seem very, very big.  (It’s like living in Houston and thinking you’re way up in the air just because you’re on an overpass.)  On Day 2, the Old Students got to be able to use the pagoda, a circular building made up of several rows (rings?) of meditation cells (not any bigger than a closet).

The pagoda was being built the last time I went, so I was excited to be able to use it.  Neha’s been since it was built but she said she meditates better in the Dhamma Hall.  So she didn’t go.  I was excited to use it because unlike Neha, I don’t have a meditating husband or in-laws.  I looked forward to cultivating my meditation in solitude.  I’d need it when I got home.

I used my cell in the pagoda as soon as it was assigned to me on Day 2. And when I came out, feeling good that it had gone well, I glanced at my right thumb and it was swollen and purple.

What?

I inspected it.  Definitely swollen and definitely purple for about an inch diameter around my knuckle.  It didn’t hurt, I didn’t see a puncture (like from a bug).  I thought that was weird but not much else until I thought of 2 old coworkers who’d been bitten by a brown recluse and never felt it. They just saw the welt and had to go have the entire area of skin removed.  So I JUST KNEW I’d been bitten by a brown recluse.  I could die.  I wondered how long it would be.  Did I have time to alert the managers before I passed out?  I’d need to get my insurance card out of my wallet out of the safe. Who would drive me, I wonder?

In my super-logical mind, I thought maybe it was temporary and if I slept, it would go away.  YES.  That’s a great idea.  Go to lunch, eat quickly, and get back to your room so you can sleep.  And when you wake up, it will be gone.  Or you’ll be dead.  Whichever. Or maybe the brown recluse poison will have spread and you’ll have Book-6-Blackened-Dumbledore-Hand in no time.

Unless it was West Nile. Did mosquitos with the virus leave giant purple welts like that?

I eventually calmed down, but IT WAS NOT EASY.  It’s hard to focus on your breath when you’re not sure if you’ll need to be rushed to the emergency room before the end of the day.  It turns out, I did not.  I didn’t need anything.  I have no idea what caused it, but it didn’t spread, it never hurt and it went away after about 3 days.

It was temporary, just like everything else.

Tune in tomorrow for more mind drama.

As a resident of the Metro Detorit area, I am thrilled to share what I am learning about the Oneness Movement and Deeksha Blessings with you! Stop back by often and share your experiences and resources with me as well! ~Thanks