Today the line 'Char Padarath Kamal Pragas' struck my attention at Sukhmani Sahib path at the gurdwara. 'Sikhi to the Max' website translated Char Padarath as the four cardinal blessings. What are these four blessings? I tried to find the meaning in the Bhai Sahib Singh's translation. It didn't help. It said they were Dharma, Kaam, Mokh and something else. It didn't make much sense to me.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Inquisitive
On my way to work, there were a billions questions in mind.
Why have these souls chosen to be my children, especially this last one? What is the background of these souls? What could they see attractive, when I am such a useless parent?
What is the purpose of my life? Am I fulfilling it? It seems I have become spiritually aware and yet useless for earthy duties. I have failed in so many homely duties, cos I keep using that time for spiritual benefit.
How is one suppose to obtain balance? A few days ago, when I shamefully asked for money in ardaas after completing 20 Japji Sahib paths in 2 days, to buy the property that my husband wants to buy, I felt so guilty for asking anything other than naam. I did it cos I want to continue feeling secure with finances, as I am, to help me keep focusing on my spiritual path. I hate debt and my husband was adamant that he wanted it, no matter how much debt he gets into. Knowing that with that much debt I won't be able to meditate peacefully, not worrying about the worldly matters distracted me so much that I couldn't do any simran, after asking for money,as if I didn't even know what it was. Simran suddenly became the hardest thing in the work. I knew I had asked for the wrong thing. Usually I look forward to when I can wake up in the early hours, when the family is asleep, to have the time for myself with the formless. That is the most precious time of my life.
Today at Sukhmani sahib path at Gurdwara, I noticed the 23rd Astpadi
Nau Nidh Amrit Prabh ka naam , more later
Now it must be time to learn this astral technique. If I could learn this, there would be so much I can finish reading that is on my list but no time to read. I would be reading all night if I could Read a book with eyes closed
Why have these souls chosen to be my children, especially this last one? What is the background of these souls? What could they see attractive, when I am such a useless parent?
What is the purpose of my life? Am I fulfilling it? It seems I have become spiritually aware and yet useless for earthy duties. I have failed in so many homely duties, cos I keep using that time for spiritual benefit.
How is one suppose to obtain balance? A few days ago, when I shamefully asked for money in ardaas after completing 20 Japji Sahib paths in 2 days, to buy the property that my husband wants to buy, I felt so guilty for asking anything other than naam. I did it cos I want to continue feeling secure with finances, as I am, to help me keep focusing on my spiritual path. I hate debt and my husband was adamant that he wanted it, no matter how much debt he gets into. Knowing that with that much debt I won't be able to meditate peacefully, not worrying about the worldly matters distracted me so much that I couldn't do any simran, after asking for money,as if I didn't even know what it was. Simran suddenly became the hardest thing in the work. I knew I had asked for the wrong thing. Usually I look forward to when I can wake up in the early hours, when the family is asleep, to have the time for myself with the formless. That is the most precious time of my life.
Today at Sukhmani sahib path at Gurdwara, I noticed the 23rd Astpadi
Nau Nidh Amrit Prabh ka naam , more later
Now it must be time to learn this astral technique. If I could learn this, there would be so much I can finish reading that is on my list but no time to read. I would be reading all night if I could Read a book with eyes closed
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Divine experiences and young age
It is often that when we are young, we have other goals in life but because of my own childhood experience, I believe that if a child is asked to meditate with the adults, they have experiences quicker than adults. Partly it may be because children are not preoccupied with so many useless thoughts. The story of Druv and Prahlaad confirm that children can successfully meditate. Then why do we hesitate as parents, from involving children in our meditation sessions. Is it the fear of childs initial resistance? Yes, it requires an effort in persuading them but once they do sit down and meditate, it is facinating listening to what they experienced.
I read somewhere that children's brain up to the age of 13 /14 naturally vibrates at Alpha frequency between 8-14 cycles per second, compatible for meditation; as opposed to the adults who generally vibrate at Beta frequency of 14-38HZ.The link here mentions various Brainwaves and their connection to consciousness http://www.hirnwellen-und-bewusstsein.de/brainwaves_1.html
Generally, people don' t seriously think of meeting God until they are near the death bed. This due to our belief that we encounter God and his Court to see a balance of our good and bad deeds only after death. If we hadn't heard of justice in God's court based on deeds / karma, we probably won't even be concerned about other beings and their feelings and concerns.
The fact, according to the bhagats and their bani written in the Guru Granth Sahib ji, is that the spiritual person is not primarily concerned / scared about the consequences after death. The reason for meditation by a spiritual soul is to know the Absolute Truth / the creator / the invisible and formless God, first out of curiosity and later due to bond of love that they have developed. It does reach the stage of obsession I would say, for if for any reason you are distracted in life and can't meditate and reach the stage where they feel that personal bond, they feel the same as a person whose personal relationship is falling apart.
For those who wish to have such personal bond with God while they are living, like it should be, as one
Bhagat Namdev says -
Mooeae hooeae jo mukath dhaehugae mukath n jaanai koeilaa
If You liberate me after I am dead, no one will know that I am liberated.
Guru Arjan Dev ji writes
Raaj n chaaho mukath n chaaho man preeth charan kamalaarae
I do not seek power, and I do not seek liberation. My mind is in love with Your Lotus Feet.
Breham mehaes sidhh mun ei(n)dhraa mohi t(h)aakur hee dharasaarae
Brahma, Shiva, the Siddhas, the silent sages and Indra - I seek only the Blessed Vision of my Lord and Master's Darshan.
http://www.sikhitothemax.com/page.asp?ShabadID=2050
I read somewhere that children's brain up to the age of 13 /14 naturally vibrates at Alpha frequency between 8-14 cycles per second, compatible for meditation; as opposed to the adults who generally vibrate at Beta frequency of 14-38HZ.The link here mentions various Brainwaves and their connection to consciousness http://www.hirnwellen-und-bewusstsein.de/brainwaves_1.html
Generally, people don' t seriously think of meeting God until they are near the death bed. This due to our belief that we encounter God and his Court to see a balance of our good and bad deeds only after death. If we hadn't heard of justice in God's court based on deeds / karma, we probably won't even be concerned about other beings and their feelings and concerns.
The fact, according to the bhagats and their bani written in the Guru Granth Sahib ji, is that the spiritual person is not primarily concerned / scared about the consequences after death. The reason for meditation by a spiritual soul is to know the Absolute Truth / the creator / the invisible and formless God, first out of curiosity and later due to bond of love that they have developed. It does reach the stage of obsession I would say, for if for any reason you are distracted in life and can't meditate and reach the stage where they feel that personal bond, they feel the same as a person whose personal relationship is falling apart.
For those who wish to have such personal bond with God while they are living, like it should be, as one
Bhagat Namdev says -
Mooeae hooeae jo mukath dhaehugae mukath n jaanai koeilaa
If You liberate me after I am dead, no one will know that I am liberated.
Guru Arjan Dev ji writes
Raaj n chaaho mukath n chaaho man preeth charan kamalaarae
I do not seek power, and I do not seek liberation. My mind is in love with Your Lotus Feet.
Breham mehaes sidhh mun ei(n)dhraa mohi t(h)aakur hee dharasaarae
Brahma, Shiva, the Siddhas, the silent sages and Indra - I seek only the Blessed Vision of my Lord and Master's Darshan.
http://www.sikhitothemax.com/page.asp?ShabadID=2050
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Meditation experiences are not random
It might seem that the experiences are random but they are not. They are based on our deepest desires that our conscious mind may not be aware of at the time of the experience. So be mindful of what you spend your time on. Whatever, we engage in and notice during the day, slowly helps build our beliefs about how this world operates and also our desires are generated accordingly.
If you haven't heard of or read about the physical/ manifested and the spiritual/ the unseen word coexisting at the same time, you will find it hard to believe that you can seek help from the beings floating in the spiritual realm.
The ying yang theory explains the two worlds clearly. It says that in the physical beings there is a tiny portion of spiritual stuff and within the spiritual beings there is a tiny bit of physical matter. But if deep down you do not believe in the existence of spiritual world, then how can you have the desire to meet and take knowledge from these helpful beings? No wonder, you will not have these experiences and again, not having these experiences will confirm your original belief that they don't exist. This is why you have to explore yourself first to realize that it's our own limiting beliefs that stop us from experiencing a new life. This philosophy can also be applied to other desires that we have. If you for any reason believe that it can't possibly happen, then it simply won't happen for you. But that doesn't stop others from experiencing life in a different way. Therefore you can give money to a poor person but that won't make him rich forever,until the person starts believing that this money is sufficient to change his life. The reason we read other peoples success stories is to change our belief system, so we can be as successful. So engaging myself in reading Books and watching YouTube videos of others who seem to have less barriers of belief helped me re-evaluate my beliefs.
It is not easy to let go of beliefs that are not serving any useful purpose in your life.
T
If you haven't heard of or read about the physical/ manifested and the spiritual/ the unseen word coexisting at the same time, you will find it hard to believe that you can seek help from the beings floating in the spiritual realm.
The ying yang theory explains the two worlds clearly. It says that in the physical beings there is a tiny portion of spiritual stuff and within the spiritual beings there is a tiny bit of physical matter. But if deep down you do not believe in the existence of spiritual world, then how can you have the desire to meet and take knowledge from these helpful beings? No wonder, you will not have these experiences and again, not having these experiences will confirm your original belief that they don't exist. This is why you have to explore yourself first to realize that it's our own limiting beliefs that stop us from experiencing a new life. This philosophy can also be applied to other desires that we have. If you for any reason believe that it can't possibly happen, then it simply won't happen for you. But that doesn't stop others from experiencing life in a different way. Therefore you can give money to a poor person but that won't make him rich forever,until the person starts believing that this money is sufficient to change his life. The reason we read other peoples success stories is to change our belief system, so we can be as successful. So engaging myself in reading Books and watching YouTube videos of others who seem to have less barriers of belief helped me re-evaluate my beliefs.
It is not easy to let go of beliefs that are not serving any useful purpose in your life.
T
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Your breath - a poking stick or an expanding dot
Gurbani says,
Dhun mai dyan - focus on the rhythm / sound of the mantra
Dhyan mei janya - while in focus, you will know God
Pavan Guru - your breath is the master leading you.
So the things to focus on during meditation are the sound and the breath. First the SOUND calms your thoughts. You can choose any mantra / word for this purpose. I choose to do the whole Moolmantra these days, as my mind is not focused easily with Waheguru in the first 10-15 min. I use to say the Moolmantra or the Gurmantra on each chakra point with the incoming breath but these days, its too much hard work, for some reason.
After I am settled a bit, I go on to Waheguru mantra. I say it and listen to what I am saying.The slowly I don't feel like saying it anymore, I just focus on breathing and listen to the Waheguru without saying it. Slowly just focus on the breath, where in the body is it penetrating?
There are two methods, budhhists say just watch your breath, don't try to alter it in any way. Pranayama yogis say to use the breath as a poking stick to awaken the chakras, so it is coming from the back of the body and pierce the chakra and go to the front of the body. Both methods are useful, depending on your focus on the day.
Another method I like is to contract your breath to the point of a dot in the centre of your body and then expand it to touch the walls of the room and beyond. This is great method to feel your etheric body.
Then imagine a silver piece of string coming from above your crown chakra, all the way down into the earth, as if dividing your whole body into two equal parts but you are hanging on this piece of string with your legs crossed. When you focus this way, you don't have to worry about falling asleep, as the string keeps your body in balance and back straight and head in right position.
Once you are calm, focused and comfortable with this string, just observe your breath and wait for something that might happen but don't be too sure that it will happen. Gurbani says,
Asa vich niras valai -
Desire and hope but don't expect the magic to happen for sure. It may or may not happen depending on the Almighty. Samuel Sagan says its beautifully - if you don't expect it, then surely nothing will happen.
Dhun mai dyan - focus on the rhythm / sound of the mantra
Dhyan mei janya - while in focus, you will know God
Pavan Guru - your breath is the master leading you.
So the things to focus on during meditation are the sound and the breath. First the SOUND calms your thoughts. You can choose any mantra / word for this purpose. I choose to do the whole Moolmantra these days, as my mind is not focused easily with Waheguru in the first 10-15 min. I use to say the Moolmantra or the Gurmantra on each chakra point with the incoming breath but these days, its too much hard work, for some reason.
After I am settled a bit, I go on to Waheguru mantra. I say it and listen to what I am saying.The slowly I don't feel like saying it anymore, I just focus on breathing and listen to the Waheguru without saying it. Slowly just focus on the breath, where in the body is it penetrating?
There are two methods, budhhists say just watch your breath, don't try to alter it in any way. Pranayama yogis say to use the breath as a poking stick to awaken the chakras, so it is coming from the back of the body and pierce the chakra and go to the front of the body. Both methods are useful, depending on your focus on the day.
Another method I like is to contract your breath to the point of a dot in the centre of your body and then expand it to touch the walls of the room and beyond. This is great method to feel your etheric body.
Then imagine a silver piece of string coming from above your crown chakra, all the way down into the earth, as if dividing your whole body into two equal parts but you are hanging on this piece of string with your legs crossed. When you focus this way, you don't have to worry about falling asleep, as the string keeps your body in balance and back straight and head in right position.
Once you are calm, focused and comfortable with this string, just observe your breath and wait for something that might happen but don't be too sure that it will happen. Gurbani says,
Asa vich niras valai -
Desire and hope but don't expect the magic to happen for sure. It may or may not happen depending on the Almighty. Samuel Sagan says its beautifully - if you don't expect it, then surely nothing will happen.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
According to the site http://www.spiritual.com.au/articles/witchcraft/magick-5-chakras-meditation-phansford.htm
The first chakra, located at the base of the spine at the perineum is the *root chakra*, muladhara. It primarily relates to the element of earth and to psychic smell.
The first chakra, located at the base of the spine at the perineum is the *root chakra*, muladhara. It primarily relates to the element of earth and to psychic smell.
The second chakra, known as the *sacral center*, svadhisthana, is located above and behind the genitals. Its dominant element is water, and it is related to psychic taste.
Third of the chakras is the *solar plexus*, manipura, located at the navel and corresponding with the emotions and with the element of fire; also with psychic sight (clairvoyance).
The *heart chakra*, anahata, is the fourth chakra, located over the heart and corresponding with the element of air, and also with psychic touch.
The fifth chakra is the *throat chakra*, vishuddha, located at the base of the throat (thyroid) and corresponding with psychic hearing (clairaudience).
The remaining two chakras are very important. They relate mostly to elevated states of consciousness. The *frontal chakra*, (or 'third eye') ajna, the sixth chakra, is located between, and slightly above, the eyebrows. Ajna is the center of psychic powers and can produce many psychic effects. Meditation on ajna is said to cure nervousness.
Finally, the *crown chakra*, sahasrara, located atop the head, (pineal gland) is the seventh chakra. It is referred to as the thousand-petaled lotus and corresponds with astral projection and enlightenment.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Guru ji-
Which guruji was that with a bright orange palla around his neck? I asked, is it Guru Angad dev ji? But how do I know? Then I saw Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib ji. I recognized the lota he kept near him. I saw three wavey lines with a dot on top. I think, it's another way of writing Om - meaning God. I asked him, how did he take the trouble to give me darshan when I was sleeping, not even doing nam simran lying down? I asked him to speak to me, as I have trouble understanding. Then the gurbani lines automatically came in my mind -
Kaho Nanak Jin Braham Pachata
Prab Sahib Ka Tin Bhed Jata.
Then I saw Guru Nank dev ji and the Ek- Onkar symbol written over his body, covering his whole body. I kept asking the guru to give me some instruction or tell me something. What does it all mean?
Did it indicate that Guru Nanak and the Nirankar are one and the same? I know Sikhs already say this as so do some shabads, probably the vaaran written by Bhai Gurdas ji etc. And I know I have my doubts as Guru Nanak Dev ji himself showed me that Nirankar was massive and in comparison Nanak looked just like a common old villager.
My memory went back to the day I was over-emotional and asked Guru Nanak if he would ever come for me like he did for Babe Nanaki? I had thought that day and many other times - what karma did these ladies do to deserve to have such personal relationship with the greatest Guru of this world? And what kind of karma have I done that it took me 500 year to take this human life to hear about them and my great Guru' s bani. I must be a very lowly soul, otherwise I could have been one of those bad people, that he went to teach the right way. I see even Noorshah, Sajjan thug and Malik Bhago as better and fortunate souls that the Guru himself came to see, let alone the fortune of Bhai Mardana who had the pleasure yo spend so many years alone with the Guru. I probably was some unknown insect that didn' t get to see the Guru in his physical body and hear his message from his own mouth. I have often wondered how beautiful would Guru Nanak sing and how powerful his Aura would be to stop an angry mob holding rocks to hit him to death for singing in the cemetery who ended up mesmerized by his singing. I wasn' t even there to listen to my Guru's singing. Where was I, the unfortunate one? That was in mid Nov 2010.
Kaho Nanak Jin Braham Pachata
Prab Sahib Ka Tin Bhed Jata.
Then I saw Guru Nank dev ji and the Ek- Onkar symbol written over his body, covering his whole body. I kept asking the guru to give me some instruction or tell me something. What does it all mean?
Did it indicate that Guru Nanak and the Nirankar are one and the same? I know Sikhs already say this as so do some shabads, probably the vaaran written by Bhai Gurdas ji etc. And I know I have my doubts as Guru Nanak Dev ji himself showed me that Nirankar was massive and in comparison Nanak looked just like a common old villager.
My memory went back to the day I was over-emotional and asked Guru Nanak if he would ever come for me like he did for Babe Nanaki? I had thought that day and many other times - what karma did these ladies do to deserve to have such personal relationship with the greatest Guru of this world? And what kind of karma have I done that it took me 500 year to take this human life to hear about them and my great Guru' s bani. I must be a very lowly soul, otherwise I could have been one of those bad people, that he went to teach the right way. I see even Noorshah, Sajjan thug and Malik Bhago as better and fortunate souls that the Guru himself came to see, let alone the fortune of Bhai Mardana who had the pleasure yo spend so many years alone with the Guru. I probably was some unknown insect that didn' t get to see the Guru in his physical body and hear his message from his own mouth. I have often wondered how beautiful would Guru Nanak sing and how powerful his Aura would be to stop an angry mob holding rocks to hit him to death for singing in the cemetery who ended up mesmerized by his singing. I wasn' t even there to listen to my Guru's singing. Where was I, the unfortunate one? That was in mid Nov 2010.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
How to have mystical experiences in meditation
Have you been meditating and wonder why you never experienced anything mystical?
Now that you are wondering about this question, at this point of your life, it might be your time to get there. So you sometimes meditate and get to a stage where you feel peace and tranqual? That is the 1st stage meditation. Now what? How to get to the next stage? Ask yourself - what do I want from the meditation. If you are walking a certain path, you must have a destination in mind. What is your destination? What is that you want to achieve from this act?
Don,t ask your mind, ask your heart. Be clear about the difference between your mind and brain. Your mind is full of thoughts. This mind runs faster than any computer in the world. The point of meditation on a mantra / word by chanting / reciting it over and over again is to help the mind get rid of other thoughts, except one, that you are trying to be one with the word. When the other thoughts are eliminated, your mind comes to rest. At this point you automatically stop reciting and start listening. In Japji sahib path, note the sequence of Parhiye, Suniyai, Manne ki gat stanza's / paurees.
In one line Guru Nanak explains, "Gaviyai, suniyai, man rakiyai bhao"
Meaning - recite, listen and keep a feeling of love in the heart.
So the answer to your question is right here. You have been reciting followed by just listening silently but did you have a feeling guiding you? When you felt the peace, you thought you have achieved your goal? That was preparation to get ready to listen to your soul. Once the soul starts giving messages focus on the soul's message and stop the focus on your breath or the word you were chanting.
Now that you are wondering about this question, at this point of your life, it might be your time to get there. So you sometimes meditate and get to a stage where you feel peace and tranqual? That is the 1st stage meditation. Now what? How to get to the next stage? Ask yourself - what do I want from the meditation. If you are walking a certain path, you must have a destination in mind. What is your destination? What is that you want to achieve from this act?
Don,t ask your mind, ask your heart. Be clear about the difference between your mind and brain. Your mind is full of thoughts. This mind runs faster than any computer in the world. The point of meditation on a mantra / word by chanting / reciting it over and over again is to help the mind get rid of other thoughts, except one, that you are trying to be one with the word. When the other thoughts are eliminated, your mind comes to rest. At this point you automatically stop reciting and start listening. In Japji sahib path, note the sequence of Parhiye, Suniyai, Manne ki gat stanza's / paurees.
In one line Guru Nanak explains, "Gaviyai, suniyai, man rakiyai bhao"
Meaning - recite, listen and keep a feeling of love in the heart.
So the answer to your question is right here. You have been reciting followed by just listening silently but did you have a feeling guiding you? When you felt the peace, you thought you have achieved your goal? That was preparation to get ready to listen to your soul. Once the soul starts giving messages focus on the soul's message and stop the focus on your breath or the word you were chanting.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Is it necessary to take Amrit if one already meditates?
Someone asked this question. The answer lies in the person's personal goal. How far does this person want to go? It's like asking - I have bought a harmonium and I can play a few tunes. Do I need a teacher? More info later.
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