Tagged: faith
Every Life is a unique experience
As obvious as this sounds, we continually neglect that. We have ideas of what should be, what is right, what is better for others. Comparisons are incessant and with that a sensation that will not allow us to feel fulfillment in Life.
Most everyone wants to be “someone” in Life: Well known, powerful, influential. However, that is not Life. That is society. In Life, we already ARE. In society, we continually need to BECOME someone else, we call that with a pretty label: “better” we say.
Am I saying to be a “nobody,” not to have goals in “Life”?
No. Every Life is a unique experience. Riches may be combined with ill health. Power with impotence. Influence combined with a lousy relationship, it is a bag of mixed goodies!
How can there be happiness then?
It just depends on what we focus on. Some “spiritual” people like to call this as “positive thinking.” But that could be a bunch of “positive self-inflicted lies.”
What I focus on, is not thinking. It is that which I enjoy, that which I take great pleasure, that which makes my day, and of course; that will change, thus there is no space for the “same old thing.”
It is in this focus how appreciation of that which I am able to do NOW, that which I have NOW becomes my source of fulfillment. When it is time for that to change, I will be able to shift to newness, for in appreciation of now, there is space for a new tomorrow. It may not be as I thought of, or as I wished this newness should be or as I expected it; but it is certain that this new change will bring newness and with that a new source of fulfillment as long as my focus is on the art of appreciation.
In our society, we are taught to think too much, thus there is no space for unrehearsed appreciation. We don’t have to have all the answers before making a move, we just need to feel if that change is where Life will take me and trust it.
Trust is not a matter of having faith in some power above us. It is a matter of acceptance of Life as it comes to us.
Acceptance is one of the hardest things to BE, when we are told to fight for everything in Life. When we ARE in that consciousness of fighting, we are taught to “practice” acceptance when there is no way out.
What a joke.
Do you believe in God?
A reader asked this question:
“Do u believe in God?”
Thank you for your question.
Ahnanda has shared many things about beliefs. Beliefs have a time when they are useful even necessary for us and then a time comes when they are useless. But we may tend to hang on to them.
That is my short answer. Now, let me elaborate on that.
A belief in Santa Claus, had his own time. After going through the experience of Santa Claus, we could realize that the gift given by HIM was the most important item, for the gift gave us a moment of happiness. Once our belief in Santa goes away (we grow up;) then we could see that it is not important to know the “facts,” to have the “right answers” in LIFE as to: Who is the “true” Santa, or How to get Santa to like you, or why he dresses in red and white, or how old is him or if he comes through your chimney or through your door; all of those things which kids (“thanks God!”) have not made into different “faiths” yet.
For an honest spiritual seeker, the “right” answer to a belief in God will be found in his own journey. It may not be as simple as a “Yes or No” a “I believe or I don’t” answer. Remember, Life is a journey. Your “right” answer will dependent on where you ARE in your journey.
Why does God become so important?
Because the “I” is aware of his limitations, of his short life span, of his uncertainties. That is the moment when God becomes important as a belief. God is a support. You FEEL it.
This experience will change you.
For those who are not seekers yet; the logical answer only resides in their mind. It is a simple “yes I believe” or “No, I don’t.” These individuals do not know about the “gift” yet. For them, it is about being “right,” by having “the right answer.” Nothing will change in them yet.
You may have had an extraordinary experience with Santa Claus. He appeared only to you with Rudolph (the red nose reindeer) and his whole crew of elves. You felt happy as you have never felt before. You know that “Santa exists and he has chosen you.” You proclaim to others “Behold! Santa exists. I have seen HIM. He is the “true” Santa! Believe in HIM!”
You could know Santa, but you do not know YOURSELF, and because of that; you do not know your potential to BE that gift, which Santa once gave you: The gift of happiness.
You believe that Santa can help you. You do not know about your own strength.
You become a worshiper of Santa because you have not explored your own potential.
You may dress like Him. You may act like HIM. You may even say Ho Ho Ho to be “like HIM.”
Yet, you don’t know yourself, your own gift.
It is my experience that an honest seeker may start his journey believing in God, after that… only “God knows…” 🙂
The atheist and the theist: The opposites that attract
An atheist was invited by his friend to a wedding ceremony to be held at a church.
The atheist entered and started looking at the decoration: Images of saints and Jesus crucified in a cross. The atheist was surprised by the atmosphere of peace that he felt in that wide room.
All of the sudden, he saw a white light which almost blinded him but increased his peace and made him feel a special bliss that he has never felt before.
The atheist was surprised after the experience and told his friend about it.
His friend said: “That is God showing you that he exists.” The priest knew about that experience of the atheist and congratulated him profusely. It was a miracle.
The atheist had experienced God by popular interpretation, therefore; he decided to convert himself into a Christian and from that point on, he strongly believed in God and followed his Godly book; the Bible.
The priest used this singular story to support his beliefs and the beliefs of those who believed in him. 🙂
The above story may have happened to many of us. Through an extraordinary experience, we thought that God has “chosen us.” After all, not too many folks experience that type of experience.
“I am special,” we thought.
Notice how the interpretation of an experience resulted in the change of consciousness of the atheist.
That which he denied, all of the sudden was completely embraced to the same extreme as his denial.
That is the story of St. Paul as well as the story of many “believers.”
What could have happened if that “special” experience was felt in a Muslim mosque? Or what about a Hindu temple?
Obviously, “God” automatically would have acquired those colors.
What is important to observe is not that the atheist have found God.
No.
Observe how his consciousness has changed into the opposite side.
Observe how an interpretation has validated his beliefs.
Observe how general acceptance has determined that new “reality.”
Eventually, that “experience” becomes the hook into becoming a believer.
The label of “atheist” will change into “theist.”
That change is very superficial. The former atheist may follow rituals, he may confess his sins and pray to God all he wants, but his consciousness will be stuck in that new location, for a dogma will be created in his mind.
He found the “One.” The “One” who was denied.
Nevertheless, that may be the starting point in his “spiritual career.”
Unless this person allows for his consciousness to be open to further experiences, he will not be able to change anymore.
In his mind, he has found security and support from a group. He has “arrived.”
However, in his heart there will be the longing of needing something else.
Why? Is finding God or a belief in God not enough?
No… unless he wants to believe it is.
Once the belief is confronted and discovered, he may move into the next step.
What is it?
He will need to find himself.
To find the “One” is not enough until we become “One.”
That “knowing” is not theory. It is not something to recite and to “tell others.”
Being (labeling) an “atheist” or a “theist” is of no consequence unless we believe that to be the case. Lost into that duality, we could get “busy” by “doing things” such as proselytizing, supporting the faith, doing all rituals, etc. or going against it in a “hate” campaign. More duality…Same consciousness.
When those 2 words are forgotten, then we could be away from labels and perhaps discover that we are not those labels that we used to believe we were…
At that point, the search truly starts…
The “special” experience is meant to be enjoyed. It is the point for a change. It is not meant to be interpreted.
Who has the truth?
If someone could explain to you what is the truth about God, our existence on Earth, the “reason” as to why we are here, what happens after we die, where do we go and what we do, etc, etc…etc.
Would you believe that to be the truth? 🙂
Are you sure that you can understand the “truth”?
Certainly, you are a very intelligent human being. Up to date with all the information out there and the latest scientific discoveries… you have the brain of Mr. Spock, capable of reciting the latest accurate data out of logical and reasonable input… Einstein’s insight is equal to a middle school kid compared to yours… 🙂
Please see that our human ways, what we value in our society, what we have been taught to worship such as our intellectual capacity, understanding and reasoning may not be valid “tools” to understand the “truth.”
That is a healthy doubt, ladies and gentlemen.
“Human ways” does not mean that the Universe works under those premises.
In our society we tend to misname the “truth” as “facts.”
“Nothing but the facts, man..” has been interpreted as “truth.”
Spiritually speaking, it does not matter who is speaking the “facts,” unless those words have been experienced in “real” life; there is not a chance to know anything at all but just to hear words to repeat and believe…
“I believe.” 🙂
“After you die, you either go to heaven or hell.
Time does not exist. We are timeless.
Everything repeats identically. Eternal return.
You are not the body. You are a spirit, a soul.
You will be resurrected by God with your body and will live for ever in Paradise.
We know God. God is speaking to us.
We know God. We have in these scriptures, the “words” of God.”
In the plethora of “truths” which are somehow different, what do you believe and why? 🙂
Every religion has a set of beliefs. We believe in this and that.
Is that the truth? Are we concerned only in following beliefs and facts or are we truly concerned in “truth” ? 🙂
Words and mystical stories, well written scriptures can only attempt to give us ‘facts.’ In fact, 🙂 the beliefs of different religions are different because of their own beliefs about those ‘facts.’
Facts are great for a history book. Facts are great for a geography book. Facts are good in mathematics, logic, reasoning…. However, none of those facts from none of those branches of human knowledge can convey truth.
Truth can make a human being truthful. Facts cannot do that change.
When a human being lives his truth, all the “why’s” type of questions are over. They are meaningless.
Do you know “why?” 🙂
Because the search for facts does not feed our hunger for inner fulfillment.
All verbal answers will only bring another set of beliefs to believe in.
Verbal answers could bring facts, but never truth.
When a human being is free from his own baggage, his own hang ups, and when he is mentally and emotionally balanced; the question of certainty of a “tomorrow” in heaven or hell does not arise mentally and verbally; for words cannot answer questions which have not been experienced.
All we have left are just beliefs.
“We believe” will add number of believers, but never truth.
When a human being lives life to the fullest, that is in a balanced, harmonious relationship with all; then this experience is the answer to all questions.
There is no doubt about “tomorrow” when today is a full day. There is no need for beliefs, when our own harmony and balance has certainty of a bright day today and because of that, tomorrow.
The ‘facts’ of different belief systems are just meant to make us see the world and our lives under a particular perspective, so we could discover that which cannot be spoken of, that which cannot be transmitted to another human being; which is our own self realization.
To know ourselves.
Once the belief system, whatever may that be; has been able to produce a human being who is looking at/ understanding his own self, then that belief system has been useful to that person. Otherwise, it is just a source of dependency, a source of more beliefs, a source of ‘facts’ from a limited perspective, which is one sided, incomplete and then misunderstood.
If someone tells you that you will be going to heaven, would that make you “sure” of that?
Wouldn’t you have any doubts, even if “God” told you that? Wouldn’t you be trying to make sure that “your belief in God,” is truly “God,” “The God”? 🙂
How is it possible for that doubt to go away? 🙂
When you discover heaven now, in your own life. Now.
That is the beginning and the end of every belief system.
The Spiritual “Method.”
Greater consciousness. Greater awareness. That is the aim of any “true” spiritual path.
This awareness is not “collective” awareness. It is numberwise. Every individual will be awakening at different levels. Therefore, a spiritual path cannot be generalized as the only “method” which will fit everyone. “One size fits all,” may work in the physical realm but certainly it is not the case in spirituality.
Everything has a method. But that method changes according to the individual, that is why the “Guru” system came into an existence. There are teachings given to all but within that, there is a specific teaching for someone according to his level. To recognize the disciple’s capacity was the task of the master, teacher or guru.
Nowadays as everything is for the masses; religions and spiritual teachings have been made as “one size fits all,” for it is easier to put together a book or a CD or DVD with methods to be sold. If for an uncertain reason the method does not work, then the student is at fault; for these methods are “proven to be correct, sacred and holy.”
One the one hand, it is very important to follow a particular method which the spiritual aspirant trusts, have firm faith and feels comfortable with. If the disciple follows that method with this frame of mind, he will do his best and will reach a realization. On the other hand, if the disciple creates a dependency in the method as a reassurance that whatever he has obtained in his spiritual life is due to a particular practice or method, then that student will be stuck. Growth will finish.
A method is just a way to take someone into further realizations, into a different consciousness. True improvement will happen when a person is able to get to that level of consciousness without a method.
Spirituality is like having a piece of candy. The method will instruct someone on how to open the wrapping paper out of the candy, what to expect after that, what is the best time to eat the candy, what are the properties of that candy, etc.
This method could be surrounded by devotional practices such as bowing down to the candy 5 times before opening it, or offering the candy to God before doing anything, etc. Those are the devotional practices introduced to give a method certain sacredness, certain importance. That is fine.
Nevertheless, to be able to taste that candy in the consciousness taught by the method, will give us the right time to let the method go away.
Attachment to a method will not bring further progress, for there will not be openness to experience something else other than a learned method for fear of losing what has been experienced so far.
It is true that it requires a very special individual to follow wholeheartedly a particular method to gain greater awareness; but at the same time; it takes a different kind of person to let the method go away when it has served its purpose.
Spiritual growth happens when we realize that everything has a purpose and when we are able to know its “right” time.
The circle of life
The wise in disguise
In the path of life
there is faith followed by ovations
doubts surrounded with plights
but in between; different destinations
Some will take U-turns
to meet the neighbor’s journey,
others will follow their heart
while hearing the inner attorney
rant of not being smart
By choosing “black or white”
we will be blind to colors in the sky
blindness is for those who cannot see
the monochrome of doubts to live high
Love is not just a feeling
but mostly a time for giving
our life treasure to be shared
as you are, completely bared
Dare not to be “normal”
think out of the box
flying away from the flock
it is truly paranormal
The circle of life is our inner travel
the rest is talk and senseless cavil
opening doors or closing windows, is you call
as the time to express our true feelings unfold.
Question: Dear brother, Being a brahmin means “not easy as going to your auntie’s home” as it is said, many things to overcome – loneliness, attachment, sex-lust. Pretty much all the vices what makes it hard is the thought of what if? … what if I get really sick, who is going to look after me? Is the hardest I think especially if you are on your own.. should this be answered as drama will take care of it or we need to have things in preparation? What are your thoughts on this?
Thank you for your great question!
Dear soul,
It is my opinion that this is an issue which the BK organization may need to “redefine” itself as times are changing.
It appears that one has to rely on a center to survive as a Brahmin soul; it appears as if the only avenue especially for BKs living by themselves, is to become a “surrendered” soul in the center near you, otherwise; anything else may be viewed as non “pukka,” so the stigma and consequences which that may bring.
As different life styles are the “norm” of the times, it is not feasible to live under “old” standards; a 1950s traditional mind set.
The issue is to understand that not everyone will fit a “cookie cutter” system. That will bring problems instead.
It is my experience, that the Drama/Baba will take care of you. All we need to do is to focus on our spiritual endeavors and to break away from any dependency to anyone and anything so there are no expectations from anyone and that means… anyone. That is to become self fulfilled as much as possible. This is not easy but then at that stage… you perhaps will be ready for a new change in your life. If you keep yourself open for the possibilities; for what life, the Drama/Baba is offering… you will see how the fruit of that spirituality will flourish as a simple return of your previous deeds.
By all means, prepare yourself if that gives you peace of mind. The aim is to have that peace of mind so we can continue this spiritual path. Although is good to know that there are no guarantees; and living life day to day is really living.
This is a test on your faith.
Best wishes!
Exploring the Depth of Living 