The Well 1
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- Self-Realization: How Long Naturally?
- The Importance of Some Maturity T
- Yogananda and Ramana Maharsi Meet
Self-Realization: How Long Naturally?
TENET: Natural evolution is hardly an all-round-good influence.I didn't have the inner discipline . . . Fortunately I had someone I respected to give me the outer discipline . . . I had someone help me. - Dorothy Maclean
Let us visualise that man has become used to gang-robbery and killings and is reborn as a lion, just as gurus may decree in harmony with many a karma-and-rebirth teaching. But lions live by similar activities - they too kill in gangs. How on earth does a lion evolve away from that? The overlooked answer: By NOT doing what is deemed natural.
It is the same with a lot of men, Buddhism and Hinduism teach: Good ones should try to live out what is handy or unnatural in certain basic, regulated ways without doing themselves harm, for some such measures may help inner development. In Buddhism it is likened to turning the wheel of dharma, in Hinduism it can be called tapas (sacrifice, penance etc). The clue is: Even if it is not totally in accord with natural living, it allows for having houses and homes, utensils and other goods, and fine food too. Even cattle may be had. Domesticating cattle and other animals is somewhat contrary to nature too, in its way. See?
A TTT essay-poem (tick tack toe formatted series of good points to consider and gain from if possibly) serves good enough living. There are a hundred such Tao-finding "chapters" in this archive, and other such novel poems in other archives on-site.
Now maybe the "natural evolution" thesis has to be considered anew, then:
How did Aryans or Indians evolve in early times and till now? Through tapas, that is doing what is NOT deemed natural, through what does not come by itself through id (libido). It is "tampering or meddling or intervening with nature" somehow, just like Freudian sublimation seems like. But it is not without hazards or risks, and the goings may get tough, even dangerous. Yes, there could be skerries beneath the surface of the ocean, out of sight. That should be considered too.
After all, it is not any "either-or" we deal with, but a "both-and". Thus, do and adhere to what fosters growth within along with the adaptations to nature and people we prefer or like best.
An added rule of the thumb might be useful right here: "If it is not the least pleasant, drop it for now." Another: "If it is not tenable, drop it." A third: "If it jolts being peaceful and modest, drop it," and so on. What you can do while keeping calm and reassured, that could help. Buddhism contains many tips to study.
Among good people, there are facets of upbringing, culture and items that assist, and tact helps too. Some facets of "going against raw nature" can be cultivated, then.
Now, some means and ways may assist GENTLE GROWTH IN SPIRIT, and that is the much desired fruit of ascetism, by and large. A diving method called Hong Sau can help that too.
In a larger picture, then, what assists MENTAL evolution is not flowing along in nature, but such as schooling, which is one form of tapas (penance).
What assists spiritual growth of awareness, are not matters that many common people think highly of, but "freaking out" in some beneficial ways. Pardon the term. It matters to be aware that so-called spiritual evolution is had through "freaking" cleverly and beneficially, basically. Tapas is for that - as understood in a wider perspective - and not all animals may have the means to it - for what we know? But some pets, like nice dogs, may have the conditions for developing somewhat.
Good learning methods employ a fuller use of the brain. Mind mapping methods as taught by Tony Buzan, are beneficial for people. There are many books authored and co-authored by him.
The Importance of Some Maturity
Spiritual discipline can be pleasant. It does not have to be too straining. Neither should gifts be that. Find someone to go along with in concord, and thus ease the way for both of you - and even better: for some others too within your close "circle of influence".
Misleading yogas exist too
A - Let animals become better animals, and let men become their selves as best they can
Spiritual maturity is so important for us — The longer you remain ensnared within a narrow cult's grasp and its breeding, the harder it will be to free yourself.There are many things to consider. Here is a quotation:
"As many animals serve a man, so does each man serve the gods. Even if one animal is taken away, it causes anguish, what should one say of many animals? Therefore it is not liked by them that men should know this." — Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. I. iv. 10In tantric yoga - Buddhist and Hindu yoga, that is - it says that some god-powers help to free you, and are very good to you. Others may help you, but expect lots of services rendered in return. Others may even mislead you, and go for folly on your behalf. But the basic thing should be: Self-realization can unfold more or less by itself and in a healthy fashion, if you know how to proceed towards enlightenment. There are yoga methods and life-style elements that bless a life to be found.And to this day whoever in like manner knows It as, 'I am Brahman', becomes all this (universe). Even the gods cannot prevail against him, for he becomes their self. - I. iv. 10
B - But there are sure traps for those keen on self-unfoldment
Be careful — this process is something we need to see through if we wish to truly mature spiritually. Be careful, do not slide into the traps of living - cults are among them - and do not fall down into false liberty and rudimentary goings either.
Limited people, limited traps and teachings
C - Limited ideas encircle some and trap others
Do not allow the limited ideas of the ego or narcissists to distort. Learn to bore inside (delve); do it before you make significant choices as to life-style and changes of directions. You can pray too.D - Subjugating simple people through ideas is much common
A good thing deserves being repeated:The Self alone is to be meditated on, for in It all these become unified. ..." - Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. I. iv. 7.You should not subjugate yourself in an attempt to destroy the ego. People aiming at taking advantage of you could foster such ideas, or simply people parroting religious teachings that they do not understand. You find "kill the ego" teachings in SRF along with "Thou shalt not kill". They are bad teachings and unrealistic. Buddha teaches to go gently with yourself and give yourself love and affection, because you deserve it better than anybody in your universe. He also teaches "Avoid killing". Absolutisic ideals of killing and not killing and medleys and confusion in Yogananda's teachings are avoided due to a noble, basic understanding.The Knowledge of this Self is the means to . . . unity is Brahman. - II. v. 9.
Adhere to better understanding and implement well
E - It is important to fend for and implement what is true
Spiritual work should be delicate and pleasant, since yogic enlightenment has such hallmarks: delicate, subtle, greatly enjoyable (bliss), clarity, and Self-understanding.
F - Adherence to better beliefs than all sorts of cheaters prosper by, can in time improve the large society
The religious beliefs we find agreeable and comfortable, we aggrandize and proselytize. [The operations can work both ways, for good or bad (dwarfingly etc.).]Summary
- According to ancient Hindu works there are misleading gurus and misleading yogas. The Siva Purana tells of how the hailed guru Narada is one such misleading yoga guy. We bring the story. [LINK]
- Limited people, limited traps and teachings: For limited, gullible persons, the calibre of the traps and teachings have to correspond well.
- What is good and well understood, needs to be well implemented too. That is the crux of the matter more often than not. Vajrayana is that.
Ancient Hindu books show there are many shades and nuances of gurus and yogas. Some gurus fight one another, and some even do evil -
Yogananda Meets Ramana Maharsi
This talk consists of key elements from the Fat Sea Lion discussion board, which is focused on SRF:In the book The Teachings of Ramana Maharshi [Tb] edited by Arthur Osborne, he says "Breath control is . . . an aid for diving inwards . . . Breath control is a help in controlling the mind [Tb 145, 146]." He also says "Illusion itself is illusory [Tb 17]." By your regulating the breath skilfully, prana may be helped inward. It can resemble what happens when we fall asleep, only that we are conscious inside. This crucial phase of interiorisation of the mind is called pratyahara in yoga books. It is a decisive step to mastering and excelling in a good fare and good mind use - that sort of control.
Somebody says that "On November 29, 1935, Yogananda asked Ramana: "How is the spiritual uplift of the people to be effected? What are the instructions to be given them?"
"Ramana said: "They differ . . . There cannot be any instruction en masse".
"Finally Yogananda rose up and expressed great regret."
COMMENT: What puzzles some is why the guru Yogananda should ask that question, and where it is written. I think we can say it is not in The Teachings of Ramana Maharshi. What puzzles others could be Ramana Maharsi's teaching in the matter: For there can be general yoga instructions, and such instructions abound, even. What is more, Ramana himself used to teach a generalised method, and did not deplore others either. [LINK]
Here are further thoughts to consider:
Most factors in a human life are common to many. The body shape in gross outline, the inner organs, how the mind tends to work, and so on. The behaviour is very conform, as Yogananda too observed, where people live in "little boxes, little boxes made of ticky-tacky, and they all look just the same" (from a song).
Even ground-breaking artists conform to basic techniques, skills and measures for most part. What may finally get unique and yet likable could be a final touch, like the rose flower of the rose-bush.
One implication of this rosebush view is that techniques may assist conform humans. Thus, there is no reason to discard general instructions for many just because the blessed few need individual tending to develop. In other words, it is not an either-or, but a both-and where delicate nuances or differences take time to blossom forth.
General yoga paths - Ramana taught one himself - and self-help books and courses in yoga suggest there is room for "both-and" favours. [MORE]
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| Literature | SECTION | First Page |
Ak: Yogananda, Paramahansa. Man's Eternal Quest. Los Angeles: Self-Realization Fellowship, 1975.
Ap: Mieder, Wolfgang (main editor), Stewart A. Kingsbury, and Kelsie E. Harder: A Dictionary of American Proverbs. (Paperback) New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.
Ay: Yogananda, Paramahansa. Autobiography of a Yogi. 1st ed. New York: Theosophical, 1946. Online. [oaks.nvg.org/pv6bk12.html]
Ebu: Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica 2006 Ultimate Reference Suite DVD. London: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2006.
Op: Simpson, John, and Jennifer Speake. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.
Pa: Yogananda, Paramahansa. Autobiography of a Yogi. 11th ed. Los Angeles: Self-Realization Fellowship, 1971.
Say: Yogananda, Paramahansa. Sayings of Yogananda. Los Angeles: Self-Realization Fellowship, 1958.
Tb: Osborne, Arthur ed. The Teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharsi in His Own Words. New ed. London: Rider, 1971.
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© 2003–2006, Tormod Kinnes. All rights reserved — September 2006.