Here the Powers of the Mind which this dynamic meditation produces has been described.Today we studied the spiritual and mystical explanation of what makes a person a Genius and master of all knowledge in any field according to the ancient science of Raja Yoga..( The Royal meditative path). The teacher refers to two books. Raja Yoga from the complete works of Swami Vivekananda and an explanation of the four paths by Swami Sarvagathananda Maharaj the late president and head of the Vedanta Society of Boston and Providence USA.
Before and after each class the Spiritual Teacher reminds his students that These powers are great impediments in the search for true spirituality. The aim of meditation and spiritual practice is not the attainment of powers . The powers can destroy a person if he does not have the moral and spiritual purity and ability to go beyond them. Meditation and all spiritual practices need to begin with the guidance of a spiritual master. The powers described have often been experienced in the lives of great saints and prophets of every religion . There are not the results of ` a few yoga classes' or ` a few hours of meditation here and there' ..they are Mile stones in the spiritual path that indicate where the yogi ( spiritual aspirant has reached) they are Not the destination and goal of spiritual practices..however they show us how amazing and wonderful the mind and the soul is and how it can reach the farthest limits imaginable and unimaginable to man ..The Book Raja Yoga from the complete works of Swami Vivekananda. This book is a study of the Yoga aporisims of Patajnaji .
The Yoga we are studying is the serious meditative methods and their Science . The spiritual truths of the Vedas ( Ancient Indian scriptures date back thousands of years. ) The compilation and commentaries by Patanjali are believed to date back to 322–185 BCE according to Wikipedia.We studied the spiritual and mystical explanation of what makes a person a Genius and master of all knowledge in any field according to the ancient science of Raja Yoga..( The Royal meditative path).
Patanjali's Yoga Aphorisms; Raja Yoga : Powers of the Mind.
प्रातिभाद्वा सर्वम् ॥३४॥34. By the power of Prâtibha, all knowledge.
All these can come without any Samyama ( Meditation that is deep and continuous over a long period of time and over the ages ) To the man who has the power of Pratibha (spontaneous enlightenment from purity). When a man has risen to a high state of Pratibha, he has that great light. All things are apparent to him. Everything comes to him naturally without making Samyama.
Discussion : Our teacher the Revered Swami Kripamayananda Maharaj explained that Genius on any field whether as in a Scientist like Einstein or a legendry world leader like Abraham Lincoln, a film director like Satyajit Ray, a poet like Rabindranath Tagore or William Shakespear..any where and every where that we see incredible intelligence and insight and brilliance..is a result of great spiritual practices from former life times.." It is the result of ' Sadhana' ( spiritual austerity)and purity that comes from great spiritual discipline...finally when that `genius' benefits the world it comes from God..
A question arose about meditation. Was it easier to meditate on the `abstract qualities' as described by Patanjali on on a particular form or name of God we believe in.
Swami K said that meditating on the form of God which appeals to the devotee most will give him the qualities of that form. Example for the followers of Christ , meditation on Christ makes them Christlike..which is merciful, forgiving, saving and serving others, self sacrifice and extremely spiritual. For those who love Krishna..the qualities of Krishna such as non violence, kindness to all creatures, happiness, freindship, courage and so forth..for the follower of Hanuman great strength and courage and great devotion to their chosen ideal.In fact in India , traditional wrestlers always keep the image of Hanuman in their practice rooms just as Musicians and Artists in India ( even the Muslims) keep the pictures of Ma Saraswati in their practice rooms. Another question arose whether it was easier or even right to meditate as one with God or separate..Swami K answered that one discarded all ego and arrogance and spiritual pride and thought of self as one with God..then the path was quicker. However he has always cautioned that meditation and other spiritual should be performed under the guidance of a true spiritual teacher or mentor.
Finally God is one and all pervading and Vedantists believe that he can take on any form and any name and that is why they say that each path is true and ultimately leads to the same goal. That is why Vedantists do not subscribe to any one fanatical/ dogmatic view as the `only' truth .as Sri Ramakrsihan said..all ghats ( steps that lead to the river..) take us to that same Ocean of truth and bliss..the truly spiritual and enlightened man will never fight with others about their views.
That is why Swami Vivekananda firmly said that Religion and Politics Cannot go hand in hand..wherever they do..there spiritual truth does not exist.
ह्रदये चित्त-संवित् ॥३५॥35. In the heart, knowledge of minds.
Discussion :Spiritual masters can read the minds of people because they have meditated in their hearts. The spiritual master Sri Ramakrishna would say that he could look into the mind and hearts of people like looking into clear glass..he could understand the true character and potential of a person just in one short glance..or meeting..
सत्त्वपुरुषयोरत्यन्तासंकीर्णयोः प्रत्ययाविशेषाद् भोगः परार्थत्वात् स्वार्थसंयमात् पुरुषज्ञानम् ॥३६॥36. All action of Sattva, a modification of Prakriti characterized by light and happiness, is for the soul. When Sattva is free from egoism and illuminated with the pure intelligence of Purusha, it is called the self-centred one, because in that state it becomes independent of all relations.
Discussion :Here again Swami Kripamayananda maharaj spoke and length about the need to discard and kill our little ' ego's when we tread on the spiritual path. " A person can grow spiritually only if he renounces his or her ego completely..a few `supernatural' or ` Yogic' powers bring extreme egotism in the `spiritual aspirants' of any religion. They can mislead and misguide others and finally theses people destroy themselves .Even in modern times we are all witness to `popular and famous " evangelists and `prophets' and ' Cult leaders' who have had steep falls..after a period of great fame and popularity..that have led to self destruction.
Swami K referred to a story often told by Sri Ramakrishna : A man had gone away for 12 years to practice extreme spiritual austerity in the wilderness while his younger brother stayed home to care for their old and frail parents. The man returned and told his brother that he had miraculous powers.." Can you show me some ? asked the brother .." ..the ' spiritual brother' then displayed his ability to walk on water..and cross the river.." is that all "asked his sibling?" I can pay a couple of cents and cross by boat..what have you achieved that money cannot do..? what spirituality did you achieve by these tricks?" Most people crave name and fame once they get some powers..There is a saying in the Indian scriptures " if you have and use even one of these powers you cannot reach God" you lose the goal..
Swami Kripamayananda maharaj also spoke on how growing and rising to higher spiritual levels changes our view.." It is like being in a plane over the city..everything looks beautiful and the `same' below..that is why those who are truly spiritually evolved do not see difference between people, races, creeds, faiths..they do not teach the fanatical path of
" Only my way is right and everyone else is false". They do not stand on podiums and say
" They follow false paths, condemn them " The true man of God realizes that everything has come from the same God and all he has is love, compassion and a feeling of unity..the true man of God does not try to disunite people or destroy unity and love and oneness with the message of hate and pride.."People who are spiritual are forgiving" he said.
On the subject of hate he said " All spiritual teachers from Jesus Christ to Sri Sarada devi taught is not to hate..we have to lower ourselves and take the same evil nature when we recognize the bad in another..he spoke of Sri Sarada Ma's lesson of trying to see the good and noble even in the the person we dislike the most..much like the lessons of Tao which is to find the tiny white spot in a black circle as an exercise in meditation.." said Swami K.
"Religious and `spiritual pride" is from the Ego and one cannot grow unless one destroys the little self..cautioned our spiritual teacher..It is our ego that discolors everything..our relationships , our work , our lives..give it up..make time to connect with God every day in the silence and depths of your heart and reach for the highest.." said our teacher..
Our teacher Reverend Swami Kripamayananda Maharaj will be visiting Belur Math in India from 20th January for the celebration of the concluding program of 150 th Birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda (Whose works we study). Hundreds of Monks( Sanyasis and Sanyassins) and thousands of devotees from all over the world will be attending this celebration:
See http://www.belurmath.org/ for more ..
Our freinds Dr Neel and Soumya are soon leaving Canada to join the University of Stanford California. Dr Neel was granted a Post doctorate research position in the field of Pharmacutical Sciences. Our Swami prayed a special blessing over their lives and wished them both well...in everyway..in the years to come..
Our class will resume in Mid February 2014. though we will miss our Swami dearly we know that where ever we are and where ever we go..we are always together in our journey towards our goals....
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