The soul's Soul

Consciousness exists not as a one-dimensional point, a two-dimensional line, or a three-dimensional solid. It is four-dimensional. Each of its dimensions are successively more profound experiences of itself. From waking to dreaming to the experience of deep sleep and beyond, the experience of the self deepens.

We all have experience of the waking and dreaming dimensions of consciousness. In these realms, the soul experiences the physical and psychic reality, yet its asleep to itself. In deep dreamless sleep, when the physical and psychic dimensions close down, we continue to experience. Upon awakening, we remember that we slept well. One can only remember that which one has experience of. We may remember things we never experienced, such as a golden mountain, but not without having experienced both gold and a mountain. Remembering the peaceful experience in dreamless sleep amounts to a vague yet definite experience of the soul, an existence independent of thought and objects of thought.

Thought has a ground from which it springs. Thought and its object are experienced as distinct from one another, yet one has no meaning without the other. From this we can conjecture as to the existence of a realm from which they both arise and in which they cease to be distinct (nonduality). Thought itself is outside of the self, as is (and even more so) the objective world. Where thought meets object and the subsequent judgment causes us to “know,” we may know everything but our own selves and our source. As we see from the example of our witnessing the existence of ourselves in deep sleep, consciousness itself, uninhibited by body and mind, is the ground from which thoughts, and subsequently objects, spring up producing the world of duality. In deep sleep we go beyond the psychic and physical dimensions of consciousness, and it is peaceful, but we cannot stay in this reality, nor can we appreciate this reality in full awareness. Nonetheless it leads us to know of the dimension of pure consciousness. It is more than a moral postulate as was conjectured by Kant. This dimension of pure consciousness is an ontological reality for the Vedantin: the ground of being. It is a dimension we can reach after thorough exercise of the mind leads us to realize both the mental and physical world’s futility.

Going beyond the body, we realize the power of mind, and going beyond the power of thought, we realize the self. Reaching the limits of reasoning, we are pointed in the direction of ourselves. We can only reach that self by not only ceasing to exercise the body in terms of its demands, but ceasing to think as well. What the Vedantin suggests is not irrational, rather it picks up where reasoning leaves off. It is beckoning us to experience the realm of the soul proper, rather than merely to think about it.

Yet how shall we, and why sould we, attempt to go beyond the third dimension, having found the self? What in our experience in the waking dimension of consciousness would lead us to believe that there exists a dimension of consciousness that is beyond ourselves? We all exist and in a sense we exist unto ourselves, as units of nondual consciousness. In this we are one, yet we cannot deny that we are not entirely the same either, for although we are one in that we are consciousness and possess will, we do not all will the same thing. If there is anything we do all seek, however, it is communion with one another, and that not at the cost of ourselves.

This communion involves acknowledging each other’s common need. Furthermore, it involves understanding that this need will be realized only by acknowledging something greater than ourselves. We come together around a common cause that transcends our selfish needs. Living together requires that we give ourselves, and this giving of the self reaches its zenith in love. Mysteriously, we find that in giving up ourselves, we ourselves are nourished. This experience of the waking state should lead us to conclude that there is a dimension of experience, of consciousness, in which upon giving up ourselves, we get something geater. That greater experience is the unifying factor of existence. If this is so, we must look for it in the land of the self, beyond objects and thoughts. From the third dimension of consciousness we must go to the fourth; after finding ourselves we must enter the domain of self-forgetfulness.

The fourth dimension is the ground of our existence. For the Vedantin it is perceived variously, either as undifferentiated consciousness or a relationship with the divine. Regarding the latter, Sri Caitanya’s Gaudiya Vedantins conclude that love is greater than ourselves, and it is the greatest aspect of God, one that he himself is motivated by. For them, the nondual consciousness of Vedanta philosophy is realized when we know that we do not belong to ourselves, what to speak of anything belonging to us. If there is any time at which we can accurately say that something belongs to us, it is when, having given ouselves in love to God, we can say that “he is ours.”

If God realization is the fourth dimension of consciousness, the Gaudiya Vedantin’s idea of love of God—in which God becomes ours—is revolutionary. The Gaudiya Vedantins want to take us beyond even this fourth dimension. If we resign our souls to becoming God’s own, he takes the role of our maintainer. However, if he is ours, he is then subordinated to our love such that his Godhood is suppressed by that love. This is the Krishna conception of Godhead, one in which God appears not as God, nor finite souls as finite souls. Both interrelate intimately as lover and beloved, Krishna and his gopis, beyond any sense of each other’s ontological reality, yet beyond the material illusion as well. This dimension of love of Godhead is thus justifiably termed by the Gaudiya Vaishnavas as the fifth dimension, turya-titah, the dimension of the soul’s Soul.

By Swami B.V. Tripurari, www.harmonist.us

Dream state

Whilst laying asleep at night, we may be transported to magical kingdoms or experience situations possibly completely different from our waking state. We may be chased by a tiger and fear for our life or we may be convinced that we are able to fly in the sky like an eagle. Yet, upon awakening we soon realize that our day to day life is quite different. We may not be the king and fortunately there is no tiger. Yet, dreams can be so powerful that they may completely govern the life of the dreamer.

A dream is often a reflection of what we have experienced whilst awake. For example if a man is a cloth merchant by profession, spending his days absorbed in business, then at night he may dream of such transactions, quoting prices as he talks in his sleep. The dream is a subtle reflection of the waking state, meaning it is confined to our subtle existence of mind, intelligence and false ego, themselves having no tangible physical dimensions.

The physical world around us, our bodies and our possessions are all made up from the denser, grosser aspect of material energy. Therefore, it is described that as well as the subtle body we possess a gross(bulky) body, comprised of earth, water, fire, air and ether. This is our physical frame.

Ancient teachings tell us that just as we have subtle dreams at night reflecting our day, similarly our day to day life is also a dream reflecting our pure spiritual existence. Beyond the subtle and gross bodies, we are the pure consciousness, or soul, which enlivens these bodies. As our night dream has no reality because it is temporary and illusory, our "daydream" is also temporary and based on the illusory misconception that we are these non-permanent bodies and that all connected to these bodies are ours. The "daydream" is just as fleeting as the night dream. One may last for a few hours whereas the other for several years, but they are both dream states for our actual spiritual identity. (click)

We are in this reflection of reality because we wanted to take the position of Krishna, God, as being the controller and enjoyer, forgetting our true nature as loving servants. A child may cry to his mother to give him the moon, yet will be satisfied when she gives him a mirror so that he may enjoy the reflection of the moon therein. We are like that crying child that have been given the reflection of reality to enjoy, and a dull perverted reflection at that. A reflection cannot be truly satisfying, as one cannot be satisfied with only a reflection of food. There is no real taste, nourishment or relief from hunger with the reflection, only the true substance can fulfill. If you throw a bone to a dog, he will run after it, but if you throw a bone to a lion, he will turn to see where from the bone has come. He is looking for the substance. We should not be like dogs chasing after the bone-like reflection of our real identity and spiritually substantial life.

When we are dreaming at night we may be influenced by an external sound. For example, whilst we sleep there may be a certain music playing within the room or a brass band passing outside which may force its way inside our dream and convince us the band is there in our dream world. The alarm may ring for some time, whilst within the dream we are wondering from where the noise is coming. If we focus on this new sound then it most likely will pull our consciousness out to its waking state.

So the same science is there for awakening our dormant spiritual consciousness. Dormant means sleeping. We are sleeping in the illusion of this material world, therefore the all merciful Krishna has descended in the form of his sweet holy name to reawaken us and transport us to the highest realms of pure love (click). Golokera prema dhana, hari nama sankirtan. The treasure of pure love has descended in the form of the congregational chanting of the names of Krishna. If we sincerely take to this chanting then these names will influence us now and fully awaken us, just like the brass band in the dream. And just like the band originating from outside the dreamstate, the sweet all powerful names of Krishna are not manifestations of this world but a pure gift from our real home. We can factually realize our spiritual identities now and engage in the highest service of love even whilst still within this material realm. We will awaken from our illusory slumber in ignorance. It is for this reason that merciful persons take this chanting out to the innocent who are unaware of the reality beyond their daydream. However, there will always be those who do not want to awaken, preferring to snooze for an endless span of lifetimes.

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

“‘The holy name of Krishna is transcendentally blissful. It bestows all spiritual benedictions, for it is Krishna Himself, the reservoir of all pleasure. Krishna’s name is complete, and it is the form of all transcendental mellows. It is not a material name under any condition, and it is no less powerful than Krishna Himself. Since Krishna’s name is not contaminated by the material qualities, there is no question of its being involved with maya. Krishna’s name is always liberated and spiritual; it is never conditioned by the laws of material nature. This is because the name of Krishna and Krishna Himself are identical.’

"O King, unless one is influenced by the energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no meaning to the relationship of the pure soul in pure consciousness with the material body. That relationship is just like a dreamer's seeing his own body working."
Srimad Bhagavatam 2.9.1 (here)

What is real happiness? Part 2

Previously we mentioned that true lasting happiness cannot be found within the limits of our temporary material activities. Although one may be convinced that an oasis exists in the desert, as he runs madly after it desperate for relief, the oasis always remains unobtainable, for it is only an hallucinatory mirage. Similarly, seeking real happiness through material means will always prove baffling and inaccessible, yet true happiness does exist just as water also does, one only has to know where to find it.

According to the Bhagavad Gita, as the eternal soul, we have a natural prerogative for eternal, ever-increasing happiness. The soul is a spiritual element characterized by being eternal, fully cognizant and full of bliss. In Sanskrit these qualities are termed sat-cit-ananda. Ananda refers to the blissful aspect of spirit, or the limitless happiness of pure love. Love is the very essence of the soul and through exchanges of love one can access deeper realms of joy. The foundation for loving exchanges is that, as individuals, we possess the ability to express our love through action. Love can be understood to be a verb, a doing word. Performing acts to please the beloved is far more substantial and fulfilling that simply giving word gestures or exploiting one another for sense gratification. There is a story of a soldier, courageously rescued by his friend during a fierce battle of WW2. For the rest of his life a day never passed without him remembering his friend, whilst at the same time he never once remembered the French prostitute he had many times slept with. Exchanges of love are far superior to exchanges of lust.

In fact, for obtaining relationships on this level some are willing to sacrifice everything else. Another story tells of a king who possessed untold wealth and facilities, yet he was the only one there to enjoy it all. One day as he was feeling morose amidst all his unsharable opulence, a tiny bird flew in and landed on his hand. Immediately the king was prepared to renounce his kingdom in exchange for friendship with the bird. Therefore, as the whole world madly rushes on in pursuit of wealth and possessions, we must check to see if we are concurrently developing our loving dealings.

But does increasing material facilities actually augment our happiness? Surveys have shown that although countries like USA are leading the world in how to enjoy materially, they also have the highest suicide and drug abuse statistics. In contrast, Bangladesh, whilst one of the poorest countries, showed that their people were deeply content and happy. Even though without the wealth of the west, still they possess a greater wealth of spiritual knowledge, a happiness born of deeper values and exchanges. One great personality, Sri Prahlada, once said that if you really want to be happy, then stop trying to be happy in this world. The intelligent therefore seek happiness through spiritual connections and spiritual engagements. Jesus also exclaimed that this life is like a bridge with which we should cross over to the spiritual side, not that we should build upon this bridge and try and enjoy.

In Sanskrit true happiness is characterized by being ever-increasingly unlimited. Ramante yogino'nante satyanande cid-atmani (click). Spiritual happiness is by nature unlimited, unrestricted and without conditions. The soul is only limited at present by this clumsy tabernacle of a body. Only in activities corresponding to our spiritual nature can we find real happiness, nityananda, eternal bliss. Therefore if we can utilize this body for our spiritual development then we will receive boundless joy. By understanding who we are and from where we have come, we will know what is our blissful heritage.

Many great teachers have explained that the soul is part and parcel of Krishna, the supreme personality of Godhead (click). Krishna is the absolute truth, the origin of all, and therefore the proprietor of all. Consequently he is the supreme enjoyer. Everything else, including us, are the enjoyed. Krishna is known as the reservoir of unlimited pleasure, and if we align ourselves with Krishna's desire then we dive deeply into that reservoir. The hand is a part of the body having it's own specific functions, but if it tries to enjoy a cake independently without supplying it to the stomach, only disappointment will be felt. However, if the hand gives the cake to the stomach, then it will be happy, nourished and strong. Similarly, if we aim to bring happiness to Krishna through our thoughts, words and deeds, then we will naturally relish unlimited joy. Love means to satisfy Krishna, whereas lust means to selfishly try to satisfy only ourselves (click). One brings eternal happiness and unlimited love, the other only frustration and suffering.

We start to please Krishna by always remembering him through chanting his names and by molding our lives so that we can realize our spiritual love with Krishna. Then we naturally want to help others to also come to that blissful love. In fact, true spiritual practitioners feel great pain and unhappiness upon seeing others bereft of pure love and consequently suffering. Therefore they sacrifice for the welfare and upliftment of others. This pleases Krishna the most and brings the highest happiness to the soul. Whether in great physical pain or whilst tolerating cancerous death, a true spiritual person will never exchange their position for anything of this material world, for they are tasting a happiness known only to those who know and love Krishna.

"Of all the living entities who have accepted material bodies in this world, one who has been awarded this human form should not work hard day and night simply for sense gratification, which is available even for dogs and hogs that eat stool. One should engage in penance and austerity to attain the divine position of devotional service. By such activity, one's heart is purified, and when one attains this position, he attains eternal, blissful life, which is transcendental to material happiness and which continues forever."
Srimad Bhagavatam 5.5.1(click)

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

Fire and wood

A nice example is given to illustrate the different characteristics of the body and soul.

Fire, which burns and illuminates, is always different from that which is burned for illumination. It may be said, however, that fire is present in an unmanifest form within wood. Similarly, in the conditioned life of ignorance, the spirit soul is present, though unmanifest, within the body. The enlightened condition of the living entity can be compared to the act of arousing fire within wood. Just as fire quickly burns wood to ashes, similarly the spirit soul, when enlightened, burns to ashes the darkness of ignorance. We are conscious of the body; therefore it may be said that the body is illuminated by consciousness, which is the energy, or symptom, of the spirit soul. Identifying the body and soul as one is just as foolish as considering fire and wood to be the same. In both cases, the intimate circumstantial connection between fire and wood or between the soul and the body does not alter the fact that fire is different from wood or that the soul is always different from the body.
Taken from Jaiva Dharma by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur


Interestingly, the spirit soul is often compared to being a spark of the original fire, Krishna. A spark naturally possesses the same qualities as it's source, the roaring fire, all be it in a much reduced proportion. It can therefore burn and give some glow. Similarly, as the soul, we possess the same qualities of eternality, full consciousness and ecstatic bliss as Krishna, as well as many more of his amazing qualities, but just in a proportionate quantity. As long as the spark remains within the fire it will retain it's full manifestation of firey potency. Yet, if the spark leaps out of the fire, becoming disconnected, then it quickly loses it's power to burn and give light. Whilst we are engaged in the fire of service to please Krishna, our original flame, through chanting his names and helping others to also benefit, then we can also fully manifest our divine qualities. However, when the soul turns away from his spiritual reality and becomes engrossed in temporary pursuits, then he becomes like the spark that has separated and fallen into water. It appears that there is no soul or that the spark has become extinguished, even though Bhagavad Gita explains that the soul is eternal and indestructible (click). If though, by great fortune, one comes in contact with the original fire of Krishna, then once again the dormant flame within starts to burn, simultaneously scorching away all negativity and dirt from the heart.

For more information please click here


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

Ghostbusters- conclusion

"Oh no, it's started....it's started!"
The expression on the woman's face changed rapidly as did ours. What we had been expectantly awaiting was now immediately happening. As soon as we crossed the threshold of the apartment our hearts had taken on a new gear, sensing the thick heavy atmosphere. As if to ignite fear within us, two pictures of Christian saints had sprung from the hallway wall and crashed to the floor. Was this a message from our apparently hostile poltergeist suggesting our own immanent destiny? As each devotee individually deepened their soft recital of Krishna's names, we confidently ventured forward. Within a second a dining chair in the adjoining kitchen seemingly leaped up and smashed to the ground, sending the woman into a state of hysteria, as she frantically moved from room to room. We had been in the apartment for about ten seconds and had already experienced more than we could have imagined.

Standing in the centre of the main room we all looked at one another for a moment and then spontaneously erupted into kirtan, the loud calling of the names of Krishna, themselves feared by fear personified. The leader of the chanting requested we all chant in unison with full voice instead of the usual call and response style we are familiar with. What with the accordion sounding, clay drum booming and countless hand symbols chiming, along with the resounding call of a conchshell being blown, overall the effect was quite tumultuous. Placing all of our breath into the chanting we searched to find the protection promised from these all powerful names of the Supreme. What the neighbours were thinking was far from our thoughts as we absorbed our minds in the pure transcendental vibration;

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

One of our party had brought several sacred Narasingha stones called Salagram, and proceeded to bath them with pure water. These transcendental manifestations offer powerful protection as well as removal of inauspicious obstacles on our spiritual path. Spraying the bathing water all around we gradually moved from one room to another ardently chanting the recommended mantra for this age, Hare Krishna.

Noticing that the heavy wooden dining chairs had each begun to vibrate, the woman lay them down under the table, all the while rambling through prayers in a frenzied manner. Her mother tried to console her but had little effect. Just then a wooden drawer from a cupboard in an adjacent room came flying across the ceiling and smashed against the wall just behind the woman, spraying its contents everywhere. We instinctively moved closer to the woman and desperately called out the names. Meanwhile, in the kitchen a devotee was offering the bathing water to drink for protection to the family, when a chair rose one metre from the floor and within a split second zoomed across the room colliding with the boyfriend. Seeing no other means to assist, the devotee practically threw the liquid down the boyfriends throat only then to see the coffee machine also begin its levitation.

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

We had been hoping to experience something and this local spook was certainly entertaining us.
Whilst the dining chairs were continuing to vibrate we moved through to the parents bedroom all the while intensifying our chanting of the all purifying names of Krishna. Vedic scripture explains that these names, the Maha-mantra, being completely spiritual, have the unlimited power of God by which the dirt of our hearts can be cleansed. Just as the sun can cleanse urine and waste from the earth by its scorching rays yet remain unpolluted, similarly the names of Krishna can never be contaminated, yet themselves clean even the reservoir of dirt in our consciousness.
As we danced to the sweet sound, the woman along with her Mother and Father was standing in the doorway, nervously chanting to herself. She appeared distant, lost in her racing thoughts. At that moment, seemingly thrust up against the wall, she was pinned by her invisible assaulter. As if held by the throat she was dragged along the wall banging into her parents. Pandemonium arose amongst them as we chased after throwing our weapon of the Maha-mantra in an act of rescue. Again she was released, although severely shaken.

We had now been chanting intensely for forty minutes and still the atmosphere seemed thick and heavy with darkness. Although violent events had occurred to the family members, nothing had touched any of us who were taking refuge in the sound incarnation of Krishna's names. We all felt completely protected and fearless. With such faith in Krishna names as well as the mood of compassion to help both the family and their uninvited phantom, we courageously danced and span around the home. Gradually we managed to involve the family in dancing and chanting with us which brought unlimited heights of bliss as the father of the family smiled for the first time. Then the atmosphere lightened and everyone felt the overwhelming joy of freedom whilst chanting Hare Krishna. It felt like a wonderful sunrise clearing away the darkness and fog of the evening, whilst simultaneously eradicating fear of thieves and dacoits. Carrying on for another fifteen minutes we all tasted the true happiness of the soul as he reawakens his relationship with his long lost friend, Krishna. With the mood considerably transformed we sat together on the floor and recited the twelfth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita in both Sanskrit and Italian, entitled Devotional service. We were refreshing ourselves with knowledge of our pure loving relationship with Krishna, whilst also praying that our poltergeist friend be now fully purified and able again to reawaken his own love.

We cannot be know what has happened to this ghost, although we are sure that immense purification took place not just for him but also the family and ourselves who came as menial servants of the sweet, all-powerful names of Krishna. By chanting the Maha-mantra we can purify our existence and fully reawaken our dormant love for Krishna and consequently each other. That love is within us all, even ghosts, but due to absorption in material pursuits we forget our real treasure within.

Since that day there has been no further disturbances in that home. That night was there first peaceful night in nine years. All glories to the unlimited glorious names of Krishna and all glories to the pure devotee of those names who has compassionately spread them throughout the entire world, Srila Prabhupada.

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.

Ghostbusters

As soon as we entered the apartment we understood we were in for some excitement. We'd heard different stories of how this young woman had been terrorized by a ghost for the last nine years, of how just the other week she had been hospitalized due to a flying chair striking her in the head, and how she was now at the limit of her sanity. We'd been told of knives flying across the room, pictures leaping from the walls and levitating coffee machines. Chairs and other objects independently shaking and smashing into walls was a daily occurrence in this home.

"Hey, but ghosts don't exist". Well for many people and cultures they do. Ancient Indian culture explains that a ghost is someone, a soul, who upon dying is not awarded a new physical body, but painfully lingers around in their subtle body made of mind, intelligence and false ego. Such a situation may occur due to a sudden death or extreme negative acts such as suicide, and is a position of suffering as one has a mind full of desires yet no body to enact them. Ghosts often take advantage of weak minded persons or those under intoxication, entering their physical bodies and attempt to enjoy through this borrowed facility. Many people cannot believe what they have done whilst under intoxication or depression, acts they normally would refrain from.

So, such was the situation we found in a quiet village just outside Rome. The woman and her boyfriend had tried everything they knew to free themselves from this terrifying situation. On one occasion they'd lit incense and chanted prayers in order to purify the atmosphere only to find the nearby wardrobe seemingly come to life and violently vibrate, splitting into two equal pieces. Upon moving the ruptured closet they had been horrified to find a swarming mass of bleach-white worms, quite different from the indigenous species, covering the wall and floor.
The woman explained that nine years before she had been the object of attraction for one boy in her school. Repeatedly denying his requests for a relationships, she had found herself cursed by the boy's satanic mother, who was well practiced in the black arts of witchcraft. She was told that she would suffer for the rest of her life for this refusal. That had been nine years before, yet with some incident every evening it already felt like a lifetime. One may ask why they stayed in the same apartment, why not move? Well, theirs was a family home for several generations , and they still lived with her parents. Whilst her mother was very sympathetic to her daughter, the father had been always skeptical. Most of the happenings had been directed only to his daughter, until he also started to experience strange things.

Out of desperation, they had once invited the local Catholic monks to come and assist. The monks explained that they could perform an exorcism on the woman but they couldn't guarantee the ghost would leave the property. "Anyhow, at least let's do something", they decided, although they were not prepared for what they would witness.
At one point in the ceremony with the woman white like a sheet, trembling and covered with sweat, they beheld countless 3-inch nails shooting from her mouth, followed by a deep ghastly roar clearly not from such a simple lady. Whilst the couple were completely shocked, the monks explained that it was all quite normal in these situations and that the Vatican was full of such incidents.

Seeing no alternative, the boyfriend called upon his parents for help. As they were Vaisnava practitioners, Hare Krishnas, for more than twenty years, they enthusiastically seized the opportunity and organized a troop of devout spiritual followers, we were seven in total. We meditated not only on trying to help the disturbed family but also on helping the ghost who was himself imprisoned in such an agonizing situation. Our strategy would be to perform loud, intense chanting of Krishna's names which purify everything and are feared by fear personified. It is said that all negativity flies away when one chants the holy name of Krishna. This would be a chance to see how much we believed in what we had dedicated our lives to, were we really taking our spiritual life seriously or were we just pretenders.
We were not sure what to expect but we were certain that we wanted to experience something extraordinary. Were we ready for what was to come?

This is a true story from March 2009, the conclusion will come soon....

Pranavayu-Life airs

Previously we mentioned how we are unable to see the air or wind that moves around us and affects the environment. Similarly, we may not be able to see the soul with our material eyes, yet we aware of the consciousness, the symptom of the soul, that certainly pervades the body.

In ancient Indian culture there is knowledge of prana, subtle life airs. Prana works throughout the body and is the force behind it's different actions such as digestion, blinking and heartbeat. Some believe that chi or qi from the far eastern traditions refers to this prana, and therefore we see a lot of similarities with forms such as Tai Chi and Yoga. There are seven circles of condensed movement for these life airs and these are called cakras. Pranayama and yoga act to find equilibrium between these life airs so that they can be harnessed and utilized for spiritual growth.

It is described that the soul is suspended within these life airs and also leaves the body with them. Yet again we cannot see these life airs just as we cannot see the winds blowing across our planet. However, there is a vast science of Vedic medicine known as Ayurveda which works on such a subtle level and is today becoming more popular because of it's wealth of understanding. Within Ayurveda there is detailed teachings of different types of bodily constitutions as well as symptom diagnosis from simply observing the pulse. One only has to research to find that Ayurveda is an outstanding medical science with documented results, showing that there are subtleties which may not be known to modern science.

Whilst writing this I also find myself reflecting on the energy current that is working this computer. Normally we cannot see electricity, yet we are sure that it exists. Under special circumstances we may see, for instance during an electrical storm, but normally we are completely unaware of the presence of this powerful force.

Here I have given a brief glance at the science of Ayurveda, cakras and prana, solely to help understand that although we may not be able to directly perceive something or even conceive of something, still there may be much more to be known. I end on a quote from Srila Prabhupada refering to these life airs and how we can spiritualize our existence. Once Prabhupada said that we can perform pranayama, balancing of life airs, simply by dancing and chanting for Krishna, the original powerhouse of all energies, subtle and gross.

The expert yogi who has thoroughly practiced the control of the life air by the prescribed method of the yoga system is advised to quit the body as follows. He should plug up the evacuating hole with the heel of the foot and then progressively move the life air on and on to six places: the navel, abdomen, heart, chest, palate, eyebrows and cerebral pit. Controlling the life air by the prescribed yogic process is mechanical, and the practice is more or less a physical endeavor for spiritual perfection. In olden days such practice was very common for the transcendentalist, for the mode of life and character in those days were favorable. But in modern days, when the influence of Kali Age is so disturbing, practically everyone is untrained in this art of bodily exercise. Concentration of the mind is more easily attained in these days by the chanting of the holy name of the Krishna. The results are more effective than those derived from the inner exercise of the life air. Srimad Bhagavatam

Have you seen your soul?

I would like to reflect on some thoughts that came this morning. After finishing my morning worship I sat on the balcony observing the sunrise over the Tuscany hills. This time of year is beautiful as a vibrant green returns to the trees and peacocks run around in excitement. Noticing that the fresh new leaves were gently swaying in the breeze I pondered a challenge recently received. "Have you seen the soul? Prove that there is such a thing." Good challenge. I Responded with the basic philosophy of Bhagavad Gita as it is and the man was satisfied, yet still I felt as though I could have explained clearer.

Now, we know that air exists and when moving is called wind, but have we actually seen this air or wind? As the leaves and branches of the tree gently sway in the breeze we certainly know that wind is present, as also when the clouds move overhead, but have we actually seen the wind? Is it the air moving that we are seeing or just the effects of that movement, or we could say the symptoms of the wind. In fact we cannot see the wind but we can see how wind affects the environment.

Similarly, we cannot see the spiritual particle called soul, but we can see it's symptoms. It is described that consciousness is the symptom of the soul, it is the soul's intrinsic quality. The soul is sat-cit-ananda; eternal, fully conscious and full of blissful love, whereas this physical body is composed of unconscious elements in constant flux. Whilst the soul is within the body it acts as a battery supply keeping the body working, yet when it leaves at death, then the body quickly decays. Although the soul is said to be situated in the heart cakra, it's symptoms are detected throughout the entire body. Even if a person looses a limb, they may still feel as though that limb were there, their consciousness still extending to produce the phenomena "phantom limb".

There are many who say that consciousness is produced from chemical synthesis, although they have a laboratory full of chemical yet fail to produce any. They say that life comes from matter, whereas ancient teachings declare that life comes only from life. Matter goes through constant change, but the conscious spirit soul is an energy beyond decay or change. In fact the soul, or in other words ourselves, are in a foreign place.

Someone living in a city may claim to see the air as it carries dust and pollution, or pollen in the country, yet again this is not the air we see but what it carries. Similarly, the soul carries layers of dirt in the form of false ego, bodily identification, lust, anger and greed, to name but a few, but these can be filtered by the process of buddhiyoga, loving service to Krishna.

But we can feel the wind as it caresses our skin, and so also we can feel the soul within a loved one when they touch our hearts. It is the soul who is the person we feel so much love for, not this temporary body. When a loved one dies we lament although their body lays before us. We understand that someone has left us, just as they have left behind their body, their temporary residence. It may have been someone who physically attracted us, maybe sexually, yet now we are repulsed by the decaying form left behind.

So, as the wind has great power and potential when harnessed, we also have incredible potential if only we can understand our actual identity and true source. When we chant Hare Krishna we can become infused with unlimited potential so long as we know how to direct it properly for the service and pleasure of Krishna.

Desires-spiritual or material?

On the streets of Manchester last week I met a lady who described to me her 'spiritual practice'. Inspired by a new book she was reading, she explained spiritual life as meaning how to practically realize our desires, understanding where we are and how to reach them. To some degree I was agreeing with her but mentioned that we must distinguish between desires that are spiritual and those that are material. There is an idea today that spirituality means learning how to get what you want by subtle means, subtle manipulations, whether or not those desires are actually in tune with our real spiritual identity. One may desire to become financially successful, powerful or to obtain a beautiful partner. The first time I stayed in India, I stayed in a Tantric school hoping to learn about spirituality. Upon hearing that they aimed at developing techniques such as how to steal another's wife, obtain secret information or kill someone using subtle means, naturally I quickly left. Often spirituality is seen as finding peace within oneself, but peace from what? Peace from the never-ending stream of material desires that fall upon us, peace from the frustrations that come from not being able to fulfill them or from not feeling satisfied once we have.

The ancient text from India, Bhagavad Gita, explains that by nature we are the conscious living entity, or soul, temporarily housed within this material body, a sort of biological machine. This machine or vehicle of the body allows us to interact in this world and fulfill our desires. Most often, these desires are actually in contradiction to our real-self benefit, as they are born from the misidentification of ourselves with these bodies and minds and that to satisfy them brings us pleasure. However, these bodies are temporary and therefore so is the pleasure derived from them. Furthermore, we seem to become attached to the temporary facilities connected to these bodies, thereby inviting dissatisfaction when they are inevitably lost.

If however, we utilize our present mindset and physical body to reawaken our dormant spiritual consciousness then we really benefit ourselves and those connected to us. Spiritual desires are those aimed at self realization, understanding our higher nature, and of consequently becoming free from our lower nature desires. Great teachers inform us that our higher nature is pure conscious spirit soul, part and parcel of Krishna, the reservoir of all consciousness. This is our dharma, our nature and essence. Spiritual desires are those that are based on this relationship of eternal love. By nature we are servants either of our spiritual nature or our lower nature. If we serve Krishna then we find a pleasure that deeply touches our soul, our very existence. On the other hand if we remain servant to our mind, our senses, our material desires then we will only find frustration with such uncaring masters. Real peace can be found when we truely understand our higher self and the love of Krishna. When we have such peace then only can we be truely happy, even in this flickering world of forgetfulness.

A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires — that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but is always still — can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires. Bhagavad Gita As it is 2.70

Behind the masks

Passing through life we may start to question our actual identity beneath the coverings of social interactions and familial relationships. Who are we really? Are we who we think we are? This is a very important point in life.

When I was growing up, especially through adolescence and early adulthood, I found myself playing various roles according to the different people I was interacting with. Sometimes I was a punk, sometimes a traveller, other times a professional diver or a new age person. It seemed as though I took on a different mask or image in relation to the time and circumstance. Now, knowing I didn't suffer from schizophrenia, still it was quite evident that I was really not being 'me'. But who was 'me"? I never felt I had truly found my real self. What was my actual identity, my real personality? Were my personal character and opinions actually mine or were they adopted from someone whom maybe I desired to be like?
The word personality is derived from the Latin 'persona', which means mask or character. More exactly it means 'to speak through', per sonare. Typically the actor would wear a mask or assume a character through which he would perform, hiding his own identity. Similarly we assume different identities according to how we live, how we like to be seen by others, what music scene we like. Music influences us so much that we imitate our idols dress and behaviour. Considering ourselves freely self-expressing, we just follow a general trend with millions of others.
Carl Jung on persona ;
'the individual's system of adaption to, or the manner he assumes in dealing with the rest of the world ... One could say that which in reality one is not, but which oneself as well as others think one is.'

Many people hide themselves behind masks or create many egos through multi blog pages.

Yet this image or mask covering our real self actually goes much deeper. Designations like English, Chinese, Hindu, Christian, man, woman, animal, all are subtle coverings or masks for the soul. By nature we are pure spirit soul, jivatma. Consciousness is the symptom of the soul. Wherever there is life, there is consciousness. Bhagavad Gita explains that we are the conscious driver of this biological machine or body, just as a man drives a car. The driver and the car are different, but due to attachment the driver may strongly identify with his car. We often see young men driving flash cars seemingly saying “look at me, how beautiful”, and when the car gets scratched they feel the pain as though their own limb was damaged. Yet if all focus goes to the car and one neglects the driver, one’s very self, then what? Polishing the car and using the best oils, yet starving himself is foolishness, madness.
We must take care of the body, but must not forget that we are the conscious element that lives on after the body gets scrapped. Gita explains the soul as being part and parcel of the supreme consciousness, Krishna. When we understand our actual identity, our real self as eternally connected to Krishna, then we can know what we should be doing. We will know how to act for our real benefit and for that of our conscious brothers and sisters. By trying to love and please Krishna we begin to truly love and please all life, as all is eternally connected to him. We are eternal by nature but have become illusioned to think we are these temporary bodies. Naturally fear arises from such misidentification as do all conflicts based on bodily consciousness. But by inquiring into spiritual teachings like Bhagavad Gita we can know our real identity and our real potential. We are fortunate to have this human life with powerful intelligence by which we can inquire into who are we and who is Krishna. We can learn that love is the basis of our eternal relationship to Krishna and that service is the way of expression. Pleasing Krishna pleases us as we are part of him. Chanting Hare Krishna will reawaken our pure love and pure consciousness, our real self.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare