#Krishna Path

[badulescuradu14]

Episode # 1370 – “A broken friendship is irrepairable!” – Bhishmachaarya explains!!!

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhishmachaarya continuing his detailed accord on the “Aapad Dharma” to Yudishtra. He is currently amidst the narrative that during an “Aapad-Kaalam”, it is not wrong to make friends with even your fiercest enemies in order to combat the dangerous situation. Also, when it comes to protecting / securing […]Episode # 1370 – “A broken friendship is…

[cosmosdevotee]

Love is not for the easy ones;

You need to know yourself in order to love.

[xatmaa]

Deep Sleep in The Direct Path

"...As we know, the traditional Vedanta (TV) following mANDUkya upanishad and Gaudapada’s kAkrikA, considers Deep sleep as one of the three states that plays on the substratum of turIya (the Fourth). Even amongst the TV people, there are schools that hold that prAjnya is no different from turIya. Swami Ishwarananda of RK Mission, Kerala produced a short monograph expounding this theory supported by Upanishadic quotes. I presented those arguments in a three part series of posts here, here and here. The followers of Swami Satchidanandendra Saraswati of Holenarsapur too support this contention.

Atmananda Krishna Menon (1883 – 1959) who propagated the “Direct Path” (DP) approach of Self-Inquiry too taught that Deep sleep itself was Pure Consciousness knowing Itself as Itself. The actual experience of Consciousness experiencing Itself in Deep sleep cannot be known or conceptualized by the awake state mind.

The Consciousness knows Itself by being Itself and another name for that is Happiness. Happiness here does not mean any state of excitement or arousal. It is simply the absence of ‘unhappiness.’ In other words there exists during Deep sleep neither a sense of lack nor any desire. It is not a state triggered by or obtained through the contact of the sensory systems. It is acausal.

In the normal parlance, Deep sleep is described as an experience of dark, blank nothingness. As a matter of fact, It is anything but that. In the words of Rupert Spira, “Deep sleep is simply the presence of Consciousness without the appearance of mind (taking mind here to include all thinking, imagining, sensing and perceiving). It is Consciousness ‘experiencing’ itself, which means there is only the presence of Itself. This is neither deep, nor dark, nor blank nor asleep. It is dimensionless, luminous, alive and awake Prsence.”

The DP school utilizes the Deep sleep as a metaphor in the preliminary stage of teaching in order to negate the presumption of the seeker that s/he exists as a finite entity having a gross body-mind which she thinks herself to be during her awake state. The metaphor breaks this stranglehold and separates the “knowing element” (i.e. the “I” principle) from that which is seen.

From the example of the Deep sleep, a realization dawns that ** “I” shine as my true nature** even in the absence of a body-mind. Once this understanding gets stabilized, the seeker learns to identify herself with the ‘knowing element’ and NOT with what is known (the body-mind). She will also learn that this self-effulgent “shining” nature of “I” does NOT stop at any time, whether it is in the awake state or dream state and also whether a form (an ‘object’) is present or not.

Then the teacher tells her that this formless true “I”, can shine as any form It chooses because there are no limiting conditions restraining Its freedom. In Deep sleep the “I” stays as Itself, being Itself and knowing Itself and shining as the Deep sleep.

The same “I” shines and knows Itself as the dream world. The same “I” shines and knows Itself as the awake world. It never stops shining ( = “knowing”) and takes on the forms of Deep sleep, dream and awake worlds. Thus, what one considers as dream world or awake world are only Its luster like the sunlight that spreads all around and beyond the Sun disc.

Once the above understanding is ingested, it will be also clear that it is not that the three forms of deep sleep, dream and awake worlds are events that happen along an irreversible arrow of time. All happening is in a timeless NOW (which is not a point in time) and a placeless HERE (which is not a point in space).

It is not even that the shining “I” travels through the three worlds of deep sleep, dream and awake worlds. They are forms of “I” Itself passing through “I” Itself and are known by “I” Itself. Thus, the self-luminous “I” never stops shining and manifests as Itself by being Itself (as Deep sleep), or in a subtle form (as the dream world) or in a gross form (as the awake world).

An example from Yogavasishta will help drive home the idea. Sage Vasishta asks you to think of Gold. Think of just Pure Gold without a form or color or luster and of no particular size or shape. It will be impossible for the human mind to conceive of “pristine pure Gold without a form.” The mind cannot imagine anything having no objective qualities. That’s what the Deep sleep is like. It is the Pure Gold.

“Deep sleep” is just a name we give in our awake state to ‘something’ that the awake mind has no access to. It only conjectures what Deep sleep could be. But honestly speaking, “this awake you” were NOT there in deep sleep and you never have a chance to know what Deep sleep IS.

It is simply a confabulation of the mind when it tries to describe what Deep sleep is. The mind will know Deep sleep only when the Deep sleep takes on a subtle or gross form. Continuing the analogy of Sage Vasishta, if you think of Gold in the form of a nugget or a necklace, the nugget can be said to be the dream world and the chain is the awake world. The formless unimaginable true “I” is the unknown Deep sleep.

The ‘happy-feel’ factor felt in the awake state is neither an experience nor a memory of what was actually there in that timeless and spaceless Deep sleep. What is experienced by the awake mind is the “After-glow” of the Deep sleep. The Happiness that was the Deep sleep leaves Its footprint in the form of a totally relaxed body-organism and this relaxation is stored in the form of tension-free muscles etc. On awaking from sleep, the mind senses this relaxed state and expresses it as “I had a sound sleep; I feel relaxed.”

The “After-glow” gets stored in the brain cells too. That is expressed by the awake mind as “I am refreshed.” As the day progresses, the body muscles accumulate tension and the brain cells accumulate toxins. Thus the awake mind does not any more sense that relaxed and refreshed feeling as the day goes on. [Studies from Neuroscience establish the above fact.]

Atmananda explains Deep sleep in both his works, Atma Darshan and Atma Nivritti. Below are a few of the verses from those texts translated into English:

Atma Darshan:

The True “I”

In the Deep sleep state and whenever a desire is accomplished, “I” alone shine as the undisturbed Peace and Happiness. “I” am the inmost principle which is sat-cit-Ananda Itself. I am That which transcends all.

Atma nivritti:

Verse 4: It is that Atma again that shines as bliss in Deep sleep and also when a desired object is attained.

Verse 16. In between thoughts and in Deep sleep state, shines the principle to which the word “I” points. There the mind has dissolved and cannot, therefore, perceive it.

Verse 17. No one sees anything, no one hears anything, and no one thinks anything, because objects and sense-activities have no existence. Thus, all are in Deep sleep state, where there is no ignorance (non-Knowingness)."

[nomadman108]

The Q&A in the Scripture Part 3

Welcome to another installment in our occasional series (see links to all previous installments at the end of this post) looking at some of the answers given by Krishna to his cousin Uddhava during a kind of Q&A session that takes place as both are about to leave their hometown which is on the brink of war. Krishna’s returning to Heaven, while Uddhava is heading for parts – and a future –…

[jeevanjali]

Old Clothes Of Laddu Gopal: लड्डू गोपाल के पुराने कपड़ों का क्या करें? इस लेख में जानें नियमOld Clothes Of Laddu Gopal : पूजा घर में कई देवी-देवताओं की मूर्तियां या तस्वीरें होती हैं और अलग-अलग देवी-देवताओं की पूजा या रखरखाव की विधि में भी अंतर होता है। इन्हीं में से एक हैं लड्डू गोपाल।

[leafxytrxes]

Āgamana - VaidarbhiShyamaa

|Rukmini Krishna|

She was surrounded by ten women, all silent. No sound of anklets, no whispers, not even the usual rustle of silks. It was as if the palace had ordered the air itself to still.

Too still.

It had been an hour since she stepped out of the palace gates. Eight hours since the jasmine was tucked into her hair - now limp, clinging to her neck as if it were tired of waiting. Seventy-two hours since she’d sent the letter.

That letter.

She hadn’t even signed it. Just wrote what needed to be said and sealed it with trembling fingers. Come get me out of here, it said, without saying it so directly.

The jasmine had begun to brown at the edges, one petal falling loose and catching in the fold of her saree. She didn’t reach to fix it. Let it fall.

Every second stretched. Her heartbeat was loud, but she was not anxious. Her hope, somehow, had grown more stubborn. It should have shrivelled by now.

Died quietly inside her chest. But no. It sat there, full of nerve. as if challenging everyone who didn't believe in it.

And she liked it.

"He won't come, Rajakumari," her maid whispered - the first to break the silence and, in doing so, cast all attention on the former.

"No." She knew it in that irritating, unreasonable part of her gut that refused to believe in disappointment. "He will."

“He’s not coming,” one of the maids said, not unkindly. Just tired.

She didn’t answer. She stared straight ahead, at the dirt path disappearing into the horizon, letting the words slip off her like water.

He had listened. She believed that.

Or maybe he hadn’t. Maybe he’d laughed, tossed the letter into a fire, muttered something about her.

But even thinking that felt wrong.

Then - a sound.

The women straightened. Someone gasped.

Dust swirled in the distance.

She blinked once, slowly. Her chest didn’t rise. Didn’t fall.

The sound grew louder. Fierce. Real.

Chariot wheels tore across the earth like they had something to prove.

And there he was.

Just him. Hair wild. Tunic wrinkled.

Eyes sharp, locked on her like he’d been doing nothing else for the past seventy-two hours.

She almost laughed. Not because it was funny, because this was so him. Last-minute, dramatic, absurd. Just like she'd heard from Narada. What made her fall in love with him without even seeing him.

He looked at her with his head tilted, as if he knew everything she was thinking. Like she hadn’t needed to write a single word.

He held out his hand. The world stopped for her. She didn't look at anyone's reactions, but her actions were proudly announcing See, I was right. He came. For me.

When her fingers curled around his, it felt like everything she hadn’t been allowed to say had finally spoken.

“Late. You were late, Krishna,” she muttered.

He smirked. “You didn’t put a time in the letter, Rukmini.”

"I did. Indirectly. Through my urgency, Swami."

"As you say, Vaidarbhi."

Rukmini knew her brother’s messengers had already been dispatched. That he was riding towards them. She also knew no one could separate her and her Swami now.

[badulescuradu14]

Episode # 1371 – Broken trust is irreparable – Bhishmachaarya illustrates with a story!!!

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhishmachaarya’s continued accord on the “Aapad-Dharma”, which is extremely important to adhere to for any leader across any domain. Of course, Bhishmachaarya is narrating this to Yudishtra, but we can also take several leadership lessons from this accord. In this way, Bhishmachaarya is explaining to Yudishtra that once […]Episode # 1371 – Broken trust is…

[cosmosdevotee]

[ajje-111]

Pick a Painting: General Messages

Pile 1: Lady in Blue [Two of Swords]

Pile 2: Woman holding man's head [Justice]

Pile 3: Four Women [Ace of Swords]

Pile 4: Two Young Girls [10 of Pentacles]

In usual tarot fashion, please take the following messages as what resonates with you. I hope these messages find you well. With peace and love, Hare Krishna.

-Wind.

Pile 1

Cards: Two of Swords, Two of Pentacles, & 10 of Swords (reversed)

Courage: I find the inner strength to face fear with confidence.

Balance: I bring a state of perfect harmony into my world, and I do so without judgment.

Hello to all the visitors of pile 1. I hope you are well. The colors blue and purple are very vibrant to me in this pile. Many of you may strongly connect to your throat and third eye chakra.

A current situation in your life is affecting these deeply connected qualities, specifically your ability to communicate. You are on the fence about how to approach a certain situation because you are unsure of the consequences that it may lead to. I picture someone biting their tongue a little before speaking up to someone who has a big say in their future.

You will be turning inward and taking this situation personally because it has triggered deep emotions within you that were unaware of.

Although I see you being able to find the courage and strength needed to restore balance in this situation, I do not see it happening without deep reflection beforehand.

If there is something that brings out uncontrollable emotions in you, listen to them. Our body reacts to all stimuli, not only physical but also emotional. Learn how to find balance in this situation.

Song: "Dem Haters (feat. Dwane Husbands)" - Rihanna

I hope this helps, be well. Thank you :)

Pile 2

Cards: Justice, Queen of Swords, Seven of Cups, & Six of Swords.

Failure: I understand that a mistake is only an opportunity to learn.

Perseverance: I know that I can do whatever I set my mind to.

Hello pile 2 visitors, I hope you are well. Purple is the color for you, embodying a sense of high knowing and openness of your crown and third-eye chakras. Very beautiful energy that you have created within yourself. I sense that many of you make sure that your thoughts are clear so you can operate throughout the day as efficiently as you'd like.

The message here is not for all of you, so please take what resonates with you. If you feel it does not apply to your well-being I suggest you stop reading. This message is for those who have left a certain situation in the dust. There is a person or situation that is showing me your complete disengagement. Much like the painting, you hold the dead head of whatever it is that you have left. Only you will know what that is.

I sense you feel that this situation was a failure, but I see you choosing to believe that it was not a waste of time. You're taking this fall out and learning from it, you're moving on to a better place and imagining what awaits you next.

Either way, this situation or person that you have decided to disengage with is the right decision. For some of you, I see karma dealing its cards in your favor. Continue to do what feels right for you.

Confirmation from your guides that you are on the right path.

Song: "Free Mind" - Tems

I hope this helps, be well. Thank you :)

Pile 3

Cards: Ace of Swords, Eight of Swords, Eight of Wands, Two of Pentacles, and Two of Swords.

Honesty: I can't always expect the truth from others, but I can expect it from myself.

Peace: I am a being of love, and I release all negative energy.

Hello pile 3 visitors, this pile is very in tune with the universe I can tell by the synchronicities within the cards. During my initial shuffle, I was supposed to only take one card but for your pile two came out.

I see honesty and peace being key ideas that you hold with your heart. If there is anything that poses a challenge to you I see that you do not take action without regarding your honesty and peace first. I see this to the point of you virtually not engaging with negativity at all for the sake of your own being. Which I totally understand, sometimes I have to do this myself. Not every opinion needs a thesis written about it.

I digress, your message here is that there is a certain aspect of your life that provides stability to you, it could be a job, relationship, pet, house, I don't know but it shows up as something that gifts you new ideas the more you engage and invest into it. This aspect restrains your creativity and restricts you from expressing ideas of honesty and peace. Similar to the painting, you feel claustrophobic in the world you're in and brings out a different side of your honesty and appears defensive.

I see that this situation or aspect of your life has caused you to not express yourself in the most peaceful of ways, but you see that as a sacrifice willing to take to be an honest person. You will not lie.

Some of you will leave this situation as is, you tell yourself you did all you could. You may be right.

Others of you will feel a sense of regret and guilt, remember that the past does not define you. You can move past this if you find it within yourself to be honest about the situation and see it for what it is.

You may be a water sign.

Song: "Wake Up Alone" - Amy Winehouse

That's all, be well. Thank you :)

Pile 4

Cards: Ten of Pentacles, Three of Swords, Three of Wands, Five of Pentacles, Five of Cups, & Two of Cups

Death: I am learning that endings are merely beginnings

Relationships: I am attracted to those people who serve my higher good.

Blame: I accept responsibility for my well-being

Hello, pile 4 visitors, a lot of messages I got for this pile specifically. I don't pull many cards out for my readings. But there was no need the cards honestly flew right out. Off the bat, this tells me that you are a very expressive person who doesn't hold any of it back and honestly refuses to. Some of you may be performers as a career or side hustle. Either way, this pile attracts those who are very creatively defined, talented, and intelligent.

Your message is that there may be something you've invested in that is not working out how you initially thought it would. For many of you, there was actual money involved. Some of you may have lost a large sum of money but that is not a message for everyone.

There is a project you are working on that requires you to be on 10 all the time. This means discipline, and you're only human but this project requires 100% focus and it shows up to me as draining, but it ultimately invests into your 10 pentacles, which is the abundance of your life. You see this investment as worth it even if you may have lost something of value or importance to you. Do not dwell on loss if you did lose a large sum of money. Think of the law of attraction, if you worry about what it is you don't want, all you will receive is exactly that.

A strong message to keep moving forward, reflect on how you're showing up in your relationships. Continue to connect to loved ones as they will remind you of who you are.

Song: "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" - Whitney Houston

That is all I have for you, be well. Thank you :)

[xatmaa]

Mr. Greg Goode speaking at Vedanta Society of New York- The Direct Path of Sri Atmananda an insider's tour.

[subhashdagar123]

[jeevanjali]

Janmashtami 2024: कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी के दिन बाल गोपाल को लगाएं उनका पसंदीदा भोग, मिलेगा शुभ फलKishna janmashtami bhog recipe in hindi: हर साल भाद्रपद के कृष्ण पक्ष की अष्टमी तिथि को मनाया जाने वाला जन्माष्टमी का त्योहार इस बार 26 अगस्त को मनाया जा रहा है।

[kamal-nayan]

Self love is important even in bhakti path, I realized how much my self esteem is holding me back to completely approach krishna. The feelings of guilt, shame or I must have somehow let him down is ever present somewhere in my heart and I realized that is holding me back from getting closer to him.

Kanha has chosen me and he loves me, so how can I not love myself? How can you not see your value? Self hate will cause you to be overly apologetic and then I remind myself he is my most beloved, literally I would want to marry him without hesitation not thinking how he deserves better lol and how can I hesitate to approach him, he is a perfect person, he is perfect in ever way yet he accepts us who are full of flaws, then why can't we accept ourselves who are inseparable from him?

Think about it, so take one step towards self-love everyday my sakha/sakhis 💕💕🌷

Hare krishna 💕🌷