Cunning duplicity

Whilst relaxing in a nearby park the other day I observed a heron bird motionlessly poised in the shallows of a lake. As he effortlessly balanced on one leg like a great yogi, he seemed completely absorbed in silent meditation, aloof to the passers by and pigeons battling for scraps of bread. Seeking to become disinterested with the temporary thrills of this world and instead focusing on deeper more substantial spiritual experiences are the goals of those sincerely practicing yoga. At first one may have been misled into believing the herons show of control and sensory withdrawl were signs of advancement or yogic powers, but studied a little closer he will understand the mind of the bird. Although appearing detached and indifferent to the world, the heron is actually deeply meditating on his next catch by which he will enjoy and satisfy his taste for fish.

Unfortunately today we find many herod-like personalities dressed as yogis, priests, monks and many more. Whilst poising as spiritual leaders, renunciants, meditators or gurus, certain people are to found who, within, are a very different person from what their masquerade hides. Once, while traveling by train, I sat across table from a female religious leader dressed in full attire. As the journey commenced she smiled at her friend and produced a bottle of French wine, Bordeaux of course. Upon opening and smelling the cork they agreed that it would be a delightful travel. I reflected on the teachings of Bhagavad Gita, proclaiming that a leader must lead by exemplary behavior (click). As a great person acts, common men will follow. Considering the problems with alcohol in society, I felt sorry for the lack of responsibility from such a "spiritual leader". Many claim to be self controlled, yet within they contemplate sexual affairs, or they proudly meditate for 30 minutes a day, but then perform all nonsense for the remainder. This is the heron syndrome (click). Of course not all are cheaters, but one should learn to recognize the characteristics of one who is truly pure in motive.

In a Sanskrit dictionary I looked up a word baka; a hypocrite , cheat , rogue , the crane/heron being regarded as a bird of great cunning and deceit.

In the great histories of ancient India there is an account of Krishna, the supreme personality of godhead, and how he deals which such cheaters. Krishna appears at certain intervals in order to bring relief to pure personalities dedicated to his loving service, as well as to remove any unwanted burden from society. As his pastimes progress he seemingly grows like an ordinary child yet never ages beyond a fresh youth of 16 year appearance. When Krishna spoke the powerful philosophy of Bhagavad Gita (click), he was 125 years old, yet was moving with the grace of a youth, without the aid of a cane of walking frame.

So, one morning as Krishna was playing in the forest with his friends and their calves, they approached the river Yamuna. There they came across a terrifying sight, a huge heron like bird pounding its way towards them. This was Bakasura, a powerful yogi friend of the tyrannical ruler Kamsa. Bakasura, who by his yogic power, had assumed the form of a gigantic heron, represents this cunning duplicity or hypocrisy. He came there with the intention to kill Krishna and all his friends, just as he had killed countless other innocent victims. He was so large that he appeared like a mountain and with his sharp beak he tried to pierce the butter soft body of Krishna. Within a flash he gobbled up Krishna and swallowed him whole, much to the despair of Krishna's friends. Yet, because Krishna is the source of all spiritual energy, he felt like a burning fire within the throat of the demoniac child killer. Both the sun and fire have potential to severely burn, and they are just reflections of the potency of Krishna. Immediately Bakasura coughed out beautiful Krishna, who took hold of his beak in both hands and effortlessly bifurcated the monster, killing him instantly. For Krishna, God, his killing is as good and beneficial as his saving someone, so Bakasura was released from his sinful reactions and liberated.

Looking inwards we may well find that we also possess some of this hypocritical tendency. How often do we perform our activities, our prayers, meditations and hope that someone is becoming impressed by our show? Purity entails giving up all selfish motivations and offering everything to Krishna, complete self-giving. We are so fortunate that we can relish such activities of Krishna so that all heron-like impurities will be purged from our hearts and pure spiritual existence will once again be our natural position.

These pastimes and many more can be downloaded here, this pastime is within Krsna book.

Something like a lizard

I was thinking of how we are something like lizards. Please don't take offense, I don't mean in looks, but in the way they lay in the sun during the morning hours in order to energize themselves. This is vital for the cold blooded lizard for he is completely dependent on such solar empowerment, as are many other species. After the long cold night, especially in the desert, the warm sun offers a much needed recharge.

Similarly, for those who are serious about practicing spiritual life, they need to each day bathe in the pure spiritual vibrations of prayer, meditation, scripture or whatever is recommended to recharge them for the day ahead. Personally I find that by fixing my mind on the sacred sound of the mahamantra Hare Krishna, as well as absorbing myself in such philosophical masterpieces as Bhagavad Gita As it is and Srimad Bhagavatam, then I obtain this necessary recharge. Whilst we are living in this material world we must inoculate ourselves from the negative effects of its touch. Dealing with so many people, situations and problems, if we do not regularly bathe in the rays of spiritual energy, then we will fall victim to material contamination.

As Krishna's names and his teachings in the Gita and Bhagavatam are all on the absolute spiritual platform then by hearing them and reciting them one gets direct association with Krishna, the all-attractive origin of all opulence. Krishna means the most beautiful, and Hare means the energy of pure love. Now that is good association!! Krishna means the absolute truth, that from which everything has come, the super consciousness. Other traditions may have other names to address this supreme personality of godhead, and that is perfectly good. All we need to do is chant.

Krishna is compared to the sun, and this material illusion(maya) to darkness. Where there is sunlight, there cannot be darkness. As the first rays of the morning sun dissipate darkness and eradicate fear of thieves and rogues, similarly just a glimpse of the pure name of Krishna is sufficient to remove the darkness of our ignorance and relieve us of our negative tendencies.

Similarly the Srimad Bhagavatam, a great spiritual treasure, is also compared to the sun that has arisen giving light to persons who have lost their vision to the dense darkness of ignorance.

Why not take advantage and bathe ourselves in the invigorating warmth of Krishna, Krishna's names and his teachings. There is no need for sunblock before the Krishna-sun as it is this spiritual practice that actually protects us from the burning flames of material existence.

Please chant..

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

The Spirit of Adventure

To some degree we all possess a certain craving for excitement or for experiences beyond the normal. Some of us feel enlivened taking risks of some kind whilst others simply strive to extend themselves beyond their comfort zones. Indeed, an adventurous spirit is considered by many to be a fundamental principle of life itself. Of course, we all have our own individual ventures and challenges and it is these very endeavors which can promote our growth and development.

Some people travel the world experiencing diversities in culture, sight and sound whereas for others sitting on the ocean floor forty meters under, surrounded by countless hungry sharks may be adventure. Some may penetrate deep into submerged caves with only a thin rope and limited compressed air as a life line to the surface. For others it may be the rush of free-falling from thousands of meters in the air or climbing forbidden peaks and mountains in exotic worlds. Then there are those who may hitch-hike across the unforgiving expanse of the Sahara desert or navigate the open ocean with its unpredictable elements, in only a teacup of a vessel. All of these different adventures often give one a profound sense of being alive and youthful. In fact for many, the need to challenge or even cheat death is required in order to feel truly alive.

From a deeper level of our existence though, we may not find such a continuous deep fulfillment through all our active pursuits. For most of the above adventures one may be searching for a certain sensation or rush of adrenaline to heighten the experience. From such a fix ones senses are enlivened giving the feeling of enhanced awareness. In this position one either faces or flees from his fears. However, we find that repeating the same activity several times reduces such a sensation as one becomes more accustomed to the situation. The initial rush of uncertainty is no longer felt as one becomes more familiar and even habituated or "natural" in their pursuit. Ever increasing challenges are required in order to access the fix we so eagerly yearn for. Even this exhilarating rush is itself relatively short lived due to the temporary nature of such activities. Through our temporary and limited body we can only experience temporary and limited happiness.

Bhagavad Gita explains that by nature we are the spirit soul, or pure consciousness. Being an individual living force beyond this temporary vehicle of our body, we possess an eternal nature and an eternal thirst for adventure. Also, this adventure, which alone can actually touch our real nature, is of a more refined quality. External activities may appear to be the same, but internally one's consciousness is of a different state.

The mind is the hub of our senses being the relay station for information coming in and of our subsequent interaction with the world. However, our minds are often our worst enemies if left uncontrolled. Therefore yoga aims at controlling the mind. This is the greatest challenge and adventure we could ever take. We have six formidable enemies who are enacting a fierce battle within our very hearts. Our pure consciousness is constantly assailed by these adversaries of lust, greed, anger, pride, illusion and envy. In fact our entire society today is founded on these hostile principles. A truly adventurous person is one who will stand up against these enemies and live for higher values. Through mantra meditation we can reawaken our pure identity and achieve victory in the battle. We then understand what is real adventure. However, meditation is not easy. Every session we enter the battlefield of our mind, combating against the missiles of negativity and laziness. To completely absorb our disobliging minds in the pure spiritual vibration of Krishna's names is an endeavor unmatched in this world. It is a gargantuan task as we have become so conditioned to materialism and ignorant of our real identity, becoming slaves to our enemies.

However, when we reconnect with our eternal relationship with Krishna through chanting his names, we reconnect with real adventure. Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita that he is that very principle of excitement or adventure which we are all seeking. Krishna is the absolute truth or the supreme original consciousness, and from him all else emanates. Therefore he is the source of all thrills and pleasures. By chanting Krishna's names we obtain the power to control our minds. By chanting we also obtain positive realization of Krishna and of the plane of pure consciousness, a spiritual dimension of never ending adventure. All activity there is of an ever-fresh nature, is if done for the first time. Each time one meets Krishna, one tastes the flavour of fresh newborn love and joy. Familiarity and boredom are unknown as one experiences ever increasing excitement and bliss. There is no limit to the unlimited. Krishna is unlimited and by knowing him we can do more than simply cheat death, we will actually conquer death, and become completely fearless.

One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode. Bhagavad Gita 4.9

The real spirit of adventure is the adventure of the spirit.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Mantra meditation

There is no knowledge as pure as the name; there is no vow as powerful as the name. There is no meditation more effective than the name nor is there any fruit greater than that attained by the name. There is no greater renunciation than the name; there is no greater peace than the name. In this world there is no greater pious activity than taking the name, nor is there any quicker progress than in the name. The name is the highest liberation, the highest freedom, the highest destination, the highest peace, the point of no more searching. The name is the highest devotion, the name is the purest inclination of the soul, the name is the highest love, and direct remembrance of the Lord. The name is the cause of all causes, the Supreme Lord, most worshipable, and is a form of guru to bring one to the Lord.

Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur


What is that very special and all-powerful name? Krishna

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Even a dog can chant

This chanting of Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare is directly enacted from the spiritual platform, surpassing all lower states of consciousness-namely sensual, mental and intellectual. There is no need of understanding the language of the mantra, nor is there any need of mental speculation nor any intellectual adjustment for chanting this maha-mantra. It springs automatically from the spiritual platform, and as such, anyone can take part in this transcendental sound vibration, without any previous qualification, and dance in ecstasy. We have seen it practically. Even a child can take part in the chanting, or even a dog can take part in it.

Srila Prabhupada's purport to Hare Krsna Mantra

Woof woof

Meditation

There are many varieties of meditations offered on the market today, but do they really fulfill the spiritual needs of the practitioner? We find that alot of techniques work at silencing the mind and attaining consequent peace, but is that the spiritual perfection of meditation or just a preliminary stage?

Actually in astanga yoga there are steps to balance the life airs(prana) through breathing exercises called pranayama. As the subtle life airs have an intimate connection with the mind, when they become balanced then the mind quietens and can become focused, just as sunlight may be focused through a lens to intensify its properties to burn. Focusing on the flame of a candle is another technique often used to still the mind.

However all this practice is still within the realms of the material energy and as of yet not spiritual.

Once the mind is one-pointed, or having only one object, say the breath, then it has to be applied to spiritual focus. Traditionally Mantra was used to transport the mind beyond the material. Mantra means to deliver the mind. Being a repetition of sacred sounds, mantra gives great power in meditation. Mantra is not some chanting that is man-made but is actually sacred vibrations from the realm of pure consciousness. As all things around us are atomically vibrating, then also our consciousness has a specific frequency to which it naturally resonates. This is the level of pure consciousness or enlightenment, and is directly achieved through the chanting of mantra. Chanting of mantra may be performed in deep concentration during the quiet hours of the morning, or even on the bus at rush hour after work. Mantra may be chanted individually or musically as a group. Mantra is always accessible. Mantra gives one access to the true spiritual focus.

In sacred literature from India they recommend chanting the Maha-mantra (Maha-great) for quickly obtaining perfection in meditation, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. 

Hare means the energy of spiritual love, Krishna, the most beautiful, and Rama means the reservoir of unlimited joy. That is wonderful as it is these priceless things that everyone is looking for. All we have to do is chant and hear the sweet spiritual vibration.

When compared to other types of meditation, mantra seems much easier and more practical. Where in other practices one would have to empty the mind and ignore the senses, in mantra we fill the mind and engage the senses all in spiritual activities of chanting. Let the mantra fill the mind, the ears hear, the eyes may read, the hands may count on beads, all the senses can be engaged in meditation, which is much easier in today's busy world. All the same benefits of peace and freedom from stress can be obtained as well as much more due to contact with pure spiritual energy. Please chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, and observe the unlimited treasure available.

For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy. Bhagavad Gita 6.6

Hare Krishna

Eagle in a storm

A nice story I received and often quote in lectures,
Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks?
The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it.
The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.
When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we can rise above them by setting our minds on Krishna. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow the power of Krishna's names to lift us above them.
Krishna enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.
Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare