The most common email we receive that indicates we have
something "wrong" on our web site, Meditation Station
http://meditationsociety.com is one where we state
that Einstein said in his Theory of Relativity that
everything is relative to everything else. It is from
the following Concept of Meditation. Today we again
received an email that took hundreds of words that
dealt with the sender's great knowledge of Einstein
and how we should correct this article and put in his
interpretation of E=Mc2. For now we are not going to
add his "proofs" to the content of the article, as
we think what can be gained from it already has potential
benefit without pontificating about Einstein. But
perhaps the emailer is right. I guess it's all relative
to one values.
Enjoy!

Two Types of Meditation: Stabilizing and Analytical

Tibetan Buddhism speaks of two different types of
meditation. One is Stabilizing and could be
characterized by a type of "mindless" repetition
of a word or phrase (mantra/japa) or by simply doing
an action over and over like yantra (the continual
gazing at an object, ie: a picture or statue of a
deity, the symbol for OM, a flame, etc.). The other
type of meditation is Analytical. In this form, the
practitioner doesn't simply repeat a word over and
over or look at a picture repeatedly. The meditator
would try to understand everything they know or
everything that can be known about the object of
their attention. As an example of the difference
between a stabilizing and an analytical meditation,
let's use the word peace. You could repeat peace,
peace, peace, ad infinitum and eventually go deeper
and deeper into a state of quietude that could be
described as Peace. This is very nice but perhaps
might not be fulfilling relative to an increase in
understanding about peace. This is where analytical
meditation might bring a benefit. The meditator who
is trained in analytical methodology might also start
by repeating the word peace, but once firmly
concentrated on it would then proceed to analyzing
everything they knew about peace. They might think
about the things that bring them peace like swimming,
or eating, or maybe holding a baby. They may also
think about the things that make them lose their peace
like their boss, or unfulfilled desires, or driving in
heavy traffic. In theory, eventually, if they kept at
it, they would connect everything in the universe,
because everything is in some way connected with peace
(Einstein's' theory of relativity - all things are
relative to everything else). But what actually happens
is that the object of your meditation starts to present
itself to you and you can sit back in your minds-eye
and simply witness your Higher Mind reveal every aspect
of peace to you. Your inner Witness, who is your Real
Self, is always receiving, knowing, and at one with
everything and once we remove the false concept that
we are different (a body, a mind, an emotion, even a
separate soul) from it, we will know and be at one with
everything. Our consciousness awakens to its real
natural of infinite, eternal Peace, Love, Knowledge,
and Bliss, and we live happily ever after. This is the
state known as Contemplation. So, to summarize, you
start by Concentrating, then Meditate by the analytical
method, and then this segues into Contemplation. It is
then when all the ???'s turn into !!!.The Tibetans
Buddhists consider analytical meditation techniques to
be superior to the stabilizing. For you, now, it may be
possible that this may bring about the result you seek.

Thanks Bob for the "Not seeing the Forrest for the Trees.." post.

I followed the link to the Meditation Society site and read some articles.

What struck me was that there is a tremendous amount of "information" on
meditation but very little personal experience linked to individual meaning.

What I suggest is that we (that is all members of this group) each write a
post on "What Meditation Means To Me". I feel that this will enrich
meditation for all of us. The very act of writing such a post will help each
of us to better understand our experience and the meaning we attach to it.

This is my contribution:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What Meditation Means To Me

Meditation is a mental state I reach when I relax my body and sufficiently
reduce external and internal distractions. In this state, I have a greater
freedom from normal thoughts and I am able to experience and appreciate a
thoughtless state of being that expands my consciousness and leaves me with
a new perspective on life and the world around me.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

If I had written this years ago, I would have included; ideas, such as
enlightenment and perfection, comments on techniques etc. If I were to write
this in a few years time, I am sure it would change, reflecting my
experience to that time. So, this is where I am now.

My suggestion to every member of this forum is to write a few lines on what
meditation means to you so we can explore our individual experiences.

...Tony

I've been meditating for several months with good results. Then I started
to 'push' expecting to get better results faster. Instead I started getting
headaches. These would last sometimes all day after my morning meditation.
I stopped meditating for several weeks, but when I started again the
headaches returned.

Any suggestions?

Robert Lake
robert.lake@...

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "Robert Lake"
<robert.lake@c...> wrote:
>
>
> I've been meditating for several months with good results. Then I
started
> to 'push' expecting to get better results faster. Instead I started
getting
> headaches. These would last sometimes all day after my morning
meditation.
> I stopped meditating for several weeks, but when I started again the
> headaches returned.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Robert Lake
> robert.lake@c...

Yo Robert,
Relative to Tonyji's great suggestion that we
share what meditation means to us, I guess for
you it's a pain in the brain. Sorry for joking
about what must be uncomfortable and frustrating
for you, but I did it to ease tension that you
probably have about meditating, and traditionally
that's 180 degrees away from what we usually
associate with meditation. My first suggestion
would to have your physician check you out and if
that proves to not lead to the source of the problem,
my next suggestion would bee (for now at least) to
not do whatever form of meditation you have been doing.
Not every technique is good for everyone, nor are any
necessarily good for you at all times. My simple formula
for what is a good technique is if it brings you
peace, it's "good", and if it takes your peace
away, it's "bad". Not wanting to be falsely humble
about it, I'll say that our site is in the top ratings by
Google and virtually all the other search engines for
meditation techniques for a good reason. There are dozens
of easy to follow "how-to-do-it" techniques shared there.
http://www.meditationsociety.com
Check it out and try a few that seem appealing to you.
The best way to learn about meditation is by actually
meditating. Then, please consider Tony's suggestion
and share your (head ache free, I hope) results with us.
Peace and blessings,
Bob

There is no first this, then that
There is no first this, then
There is no first this
There is no first
There is no
There is
there

Kir Li Molari

Thanks Bob for the "Not seeing the Forrest for the Trees.." post.

I followed the link to the Meditation Society site and read some articles.

What struck me was that there is a tremendous amount of "information" on
meditation but very little personal experience linked to individual meaning.

What I suggest is that we (that is all members of this group) each write a
post on "What Meditation Means To Me". I feel that this will enrich
meditation for all of us. The very act of writing such a post will help each
of us to better understand our experience and the meaning we attach to it.

This is my contribution:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What Meditation Means To Me

Meditation is a mental state I reach when I relax my body and sufficiently
reduce external and internal distractions. In this state, I have a greater
freedom from normal thoughts and I am able to experience and appreciate a
thoughtless state of being that expands my consciousness and leaves me with
a new perspective on life and the world around me.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

If I had written this years ago, I would have included; ideas, such as
enlightenment and perfection, comments on techniques etc. If I were to write
this in a few years time, I am sure it would change, reflecting my
experience to that time. So, this is where I am now.

My suggestion to every member of this forum is to write a few lines on what
meditation means to you so we can explore our individual experiences.

...Tony

Hi Robert,

First, let me thank Bob for the excellent suggestion he gave you. I feel it
is spot on.

One of the things about life I have learned from meditation is not to force
things. I get the best results in meditation by "not trying". The key for me
is subtlety. What is incredible is that it actually takes more "effort" to
"not take effort" than it does to force things. Let me try to explain.

Imagine you are controlling a machine. You have your hand on a lever and as
you move your hand, the machine responds in proportion to your hand
movement. Now, imagine that your movements became more subtle and in
response, the machine makes larger movements. Now, imagine your responses
becoming more and more subtle and the machine's response becoming greater
and greater. This is a surprise. But the best is yet to come.

Imagine that, rather than try to make the most subtle hand movement
possible, simply thinking about trying to move your hand produces the
greatest movement in the machine you ever experienced! This is a revelation!
Now you are on a new level. You control the machine with just your thoughts
and the results are greater than you imagined possible. Now comes the harder
part.

In the same way the machine's response grew as your hand movement became
more subtle, the machine's response also grows as your thoughts become more
subtle! So you make your thoughts more and more subtle until...?

Well, now you don't know if you are thinking or not thinking. You have
passed the realm of thought. It seems like there is nothing to guide you.
However, you can still "perceive" the machine and when its response grows
you have a "sense" that whatever you "did" was "right".

Well - this is as far as I have gone. It is hard for me to even get to this
stage normally because so many things distract me. However, I hope I have
made the point. I had to reduce my "effort" to "no effort" just to get past
the first "level".

I am going to make a wild guess here. The skill you develop in subtlety
during your meditation will have some corresponding benefit to you in your
day to day life.

I can give you a personal example to illustrate this. Today, while I was at
the bank waiting for the attendant to complete my transaction, my mind was a
whirlwind of activity. This was strange to me. Because of my meditation I
have grown used to "observing" my mind. What I did was to simply peel off
each emotion like a layer, one after another. I noticed how each one
depended on the one below to magnify its agitation. When I got to the last
one I was surprised to find nothing there - emptiness; calm. Just like the
eye of a storm. Although the "storm" did not dissipate right away, I now
knew there was nothing really there. I could go about my day knowing it
would subside very soon and it did.

I think this post is getting very long so I will stop here. Look forward to
your response.

...Tony

Hello Mani,

I was very happy you shared your meditation experience. I felt as if I was
the one experiencing the world around me whirling. Thank you. The gaps of
recognizable thoughtlessness remind me of my own experiences - the peace is
incredibly beautiful (distractingly so, unfortunately).

When you asked if you were on the right path I wondered who the question was
directed to since I don't know if I am on the "right" path or not. But I
feel that your sharing your experience has helped me on my path and your
sharing might, in some way, help you on your path. Thanks again.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Subject: Re: What Meditation Means To Me
Nice suggestion. Thanks. First time when I was in initiated into TM and
meditated, literally all around me was whirling around like a huge spinning
wheel. This never happened ever again. But all along during meditation I am
not conscious of anything. But now after reading a book, I started observing
thoughts. Trying to catch the first thought that comes. I feel, quite aware
and also find gaps of recognizable thoughtlessness, though the period is
quite small say 10-15 seconds. But this is stimulating.
am I in the right path.

T. K. Mani
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

From an email we received:

Dear meditation society

I would like to share my meditation music
with all who needs peace and love for music.

At my site you can download and meditate to
all my music for free.

Please visit my site:

http://www.robertronnes.com/MyDiaryInMusic.html

Best regards

Robert Rønnes
Norway

it is here
in the breath
it is here
in the stillness between breaths
                 it is here
                 in the active mind
                 it is here
                 in the resting mind
it is here
in the dream's panorama
it is here
in each moment of awakening
                 it is here
                 when all is well
                 it is here
                 when fear has nothing left to fear

 even then
there is pure noticing even then
there is no need for doing
           no frantic searching
           can find the obvious
           no seeking needed
           to find that which seeks

 it is here
where it can never be lost or found
  








from "Gifts With No Giver" , by Nirmala - a collection of advaita (nondual)
satsang poetry


    ~~~~~~~~~
    love, Era

"If you can meditate well the moment you sit for
meditation, then you don't even need meditation!
Meditation is to calm the mind, to bring the mind
together. If you are already relaxed and peaceful,
why should you meditate? Meditation is a sort of
medication. When do you need medication? Only when
you feel sick. The same way, when you feel disturbance
in the mind, you try to calm the mind down, and that's
the practice of meditation. So don't get disappointed
if you can't meditate right away. Nothing is achieved
overnight. When were you able to walk? From the beginning?
No. When you were a baby, you couldn't even stand up;
you couldn't even crawl. Then you gradually learned to
crawl, and walk, and eventually even to run. Meditation
is like that; it takes time and it takes perseverance.
Stick to the practice and you will succeed.

God bless you. Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi."

For more by and about Swamiji:
http://www.yogaville.org

We often get emails asking "What is Yoga?"
Here is an article that answers this by
the great sage Swami Sivananda. It is a small
sample of the wisdom that can be found in the
350+ books he wrote.
Enjoy!

What is Yoga ?

To live in God, to commune with God is 'Yoga'. Life
in God brings eternal bliss. Yoga shows you the way,
unites you with God and makes you perfect and immortal.

Yoga is a system of integral education, education not
only of the body and the mind or the intellect, but
also of the inner spirit. Yoga shows you the right
method of rising from evil to good, and from goodness
to holiness and then to eternal divine splendour. Yoga
is the art of right living. The Yogi who has learned
the art of right living is happy, harmonious, peaceful
and free from tension.

Yoga is for all and is universal. It is not a sectarian
affair, but a way to God and not a creed. The practice
of Yoga is not opposed to any religion or any sacred
church. It is purely spiritual and does not contradict
anyone's sincere faith.

Yoga is not a religion, but an aid to the practice of
the basic spiritual truths in all religions. Yoga is
union with God, union with all. God dwells in all.
Moral purity and spiritual aspiration are the first
steps in the path of Yoga. One who has calm mind, faith
in the words of his preceptor and the scriptures, who
is moderate in eating, drinking and sleeping and who has
intense longing for deliverance from the wheel of births
and deaths is a qualified person for the practice of Yoga.

The four paths for God-realization are Karma Yoga,
Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga. Karma Yoga is
suitable for a man of active temperament, Bhakti Yoga
for a man of devotional temperament, Raja Yoga for a man
of mystical temperament and Jnana Yoga for a man of
rational and philosophical temperament.

Life today is full of stress and strain, of tension
and nervous irritability, of passion and hurry. If man
puts in few of the elementary principles of Yoga, he
would be far better equipped to cope with his complex
existence.

Yoga brings perfection, peace and lasting happiness. You
can have calmness of mind at all times by practice of Yoga.
You can have restful sleep and increased energy, vigour,
vitality, longevity and high standard of health. You can
turn out efficient work within a short space of time and
have success in every walk of life. Yoga will infuse new
strength, confidence and self-reliance in you. The body and
mind will be at your beck and call.

It is within the power of everybody to attain success in
Yoga. What is wanted is sincere devotion, constant and
steady practice. Spiritual growth is gradual. There is
progressive evolution. You should not be in feverish hurry
to accomplish great Yogic feats or enter into superconscious
state in two or three months.

Do not stop the practice when you get a few glimpses and
experiences. Continue the practice until you get perfection.

My little puppy is now a pretty full grown
dog now. As a matter of fact, he's gained
over 150 lbs. I've never met a sweeter or
gentler dog and every day we feel blessed
that we can interact with him. He had a
nice birthday including a pair of cupcakes,
a giant doggie bone, lots of exercise and
2 rides in the car (his favorite activity).
There are 2 pictures of him in the photo
section (#82 and 83). He's really loving,
and has a serene calm nature that we could
all do well to mimic. He's a good boy! I
wish you all could be so blessed.

Hi Bob,

Many happy returns to Dante. I remember so vividly seeing his picture as a
puppy. Amazing how time flies.


Unfortunately one of my dogs died today; Bruno a female Alsatian. I still
have one of her children and his father.

Interesting kind of balance in the world.

...Tony

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "Tony Osime2"
<tony.osime@f...> wrote:
>
> Hi Bob,
>
> Many happy returns to Dante. I remember so vividly seeing his
picture as a
> puppy. Amazing how time flies.
>
>
> Unfortunately one of my dogs died today; Bruno a female Alsatian. I
still
> have one of her children and his father.
>
> Interesting kind of balance in the world.
>
> ...Tony
>
Dear Tony,
I'm sorry for your loss. I really feel that dogs truly are
the best of human's friends, and that includes most of our
fellow humans. Their short life span is a reminder to enjoy
the present of their love in the present, and to carry the
sweetness they teach us everafter.
Peace and blessings,
Bob

In an email we received that I'm sure was intended
to be posted here in response to Tony's post,
Robert Lake said:

Tony

Thanks, your reasoning looks to me to be spot on!
When I was a jock in school I got my best performance when
I did not 'push' mentally.

Robert Lake

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "Tony Osime2"
<tony.osime@f...> wrote:
>
> Hi Robert,
>
> First, let me thank Bob for the excellent suggestion
he gave you. I feel it is spot on.
>
> One of the things about life I have learned from meditation
is not to force things. I get the best results in meditation by
"not trying". The key for me is subtlety. What is incredible is that
it actually takes more "effort" to "not take effort" than it does
to force things. Let me try to explain.
>
> Imagine you are controlling a machine. You have your hand on
a lever and as you move your hand, the machine responds in
proportion to your hand movement. Now, imagine that your
movements became more subtle and in response, the machine makes
larger movements. Now, imagine your responses becoming more and
more subtle and the machine's response becoming greater
and greater. This is a surprise. But the best is yet to come.
>
> Imagine that, rather than try to make the most subtle hand
movement possible, simply thinking about trying to move your
hand produces the greatest movement in the machine you ever
experienced! This is a revelation!
> Now you are on a new level. You control the machine with just
your thoughts and the results are greater than you imagined possible.
Now comes the harder part.
>
> In the same way the machine's response grew as your hand
movement became more subtle, the machine's response also grows
as your thoughts become more subtle! So you make your thoughts
more and more subtle until...?
>
> Well, now you don't know if you are thinking or not thinking.
You have passed the realm of thought. It seems like there is
nothing to guide you. However, you can still "perceive" the machine
and when its response grows you have a "sense" that whatever you
"did" was "right".
>
> Well - this is as far as I have gone. It is hard for me to
even get to this stage normally because so many things distract me.
However, I hope I have made the point. I had to reduce my "effort"
to "no effort" just to get past the first "level".
>
>I am going to make a wild guess here. The skill you develop in
subtlety during your meditation will have some corresponding
benefit to you in your day to day life.
>
> I can give you a personal example to illustrate this.
Today, while I was at the bank waiting for the attendant to
complete my transaction, my mind was a whirlwind of activity.
This was strange to me. Because of my meditation I
have grown used to "observing" my mind. What I did was to
simply peel off each emotion like a layer, one after another.
I noticed how each one depended on the one below to magnify its
agitation. When I got to the last one I was surprised to find
nothing there - emptiness; calm. Just like the eye of a storm.
Although the "storm" did not dissipate right away, I now
knew there was nothing really there. I could go about my day
knowing it would subside very soon and it did.
>
> I think this post is getting very long so I will stop here.
Look forward to your response.
>
> ...Tony
>

Thanks for posting the response Bob.

I chuckled when I compared my very long explanation to Robert's reply.

One of the hardest things I find is to describe meditation experiences using
every day terms. I find myself falling back on analogy to get a sense of
what I mean even though physically the experience is very different.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

I will have an experience in meditation, and I will say to myself - how
could I explain this to someone and still capture the essence of the
experience? So I might say to myself, it is like waiting for the tide to go
out and as it does you notice all kinds of things on the sand that were
covered by the sea.

In my meditation, there is no sea, sand or objects. But there is that
sensation of waiting, observing and noticing new things.

Is there a vocabulary for meditation?

...Tony

Thanks for posting the response Bob.

I chuckled when I compared my very long explanation to Robert's reply.

One of the hardest things I find is to describe meditation experiences using
every day terms. I find myself falling back on analogy to get a sense of
what I mean even though physically the experience is very different.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

I will have an experience in meditation, and I will say to myself - how
could I explain this to someone and still capture the essence of the
experience? So I might say to myself, it is like waiting for the tide to go
out and as it does you notice all kinds of things on the sand that were
covered by the sea.

In my meditation, there is no sea, sand or objects. But there is that
sensation of waiting, observing and noticing new things.

Is there a vocabulary for meditation?

...Tony

In an email we received that I'm sure was intended
to be posted here in response to Tony's post,
Robert Lake said:

Tony

Thanks, your reasoning looks to me to be spot on!
When I was a jock in school I got my best performance when
I did not 'push' mentally.

Robert Lake

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "Tony Osime2"
<tony.osime@f...> wrote:
>
> Hi Robert,
>
> First, let me thank Bob for the excellent suggestion
he gave you. I feel it is spot on.
>
> One of the things about life I have learned from meditation
is not to force things. I get the best results in meditation by
"not trying". The key for me is subtlety. What is incredible is that
it actually takes more "effort" to "not take effort" than it does
to force things. Let me try to explain.
>
> Imagine you are controlling a machine. You have your hand on
a lever and as you move your hand, the machine responds in
proportion to your hand movement. Now, imagine that your
movements became more subtle and in response, the machine makes
larger movements. Now, imagine your responses becoming more and
more subtle and the machine's response becoming greater
and greater. This is a surprise. But the best is yet to come.
>
> Imagine that, rather than try to make the most subtle hand
movement possible, simply thinking about trying to move your
hand produces the greatest movement in the machine you ever
experienced! This is a revelation!
> Now you are on a new level. You control the machine with just
your thoughts and the results are greater than you imagined possible.
Now comes the harder part.
>
> In the same way the machine's response grew as your hand
movement became more subtle, the machine's response also grows
as your thoughts become more subtle! So you make your thoughts
more and more subtle until...?
>
> Well, now you don't know if you are thinking or not thinking.
You have passed the realm of thought. It seems like there is
nothing to guide you. However, you can still "perceive" the machine
and when its response grows you have a "sense" that whatever you
"did" was "right".
>
> Well - this is as far as I have gone. It is hard for me to
even get to this stage normally because so many things distract me.
However, I hope I have made the point. I had to reduce my "effort"
to "no effort" just to get past the first "level".
>
>I am going to make a wild guess here. The skill you develop in
subtlety during your meditation will have some corresponding
benefit to you in your day to day life.
>
> I can give you a personal example to illustrate this.
Today, while I was at the bank waiting for the attendant to
complete my transaction, my mind was a whirlwind of activity.
This was strange to me. Because of my meditation I
have grown used to "observing" my mind. What I did was to
simply peel off each emotion like a layer, one after another.
I noticed how each one depended on the one below to magnify its
agitation. When I got to the last one I was surprised to find
nothing there - emptiness; calm. Just like the eye of a storm.
Although the "storm" did not dissipate right away, I now
knew there was nothing really there. I could go about my day
knowing it would subside very soon and it did.
>
> I think this post is getting very long so I will stop here.
Look forward to your response.
>
> ...Tony
>

Why does the mind refuse to calm down in meditation?

First of all, you must know that meditation is not the real path to attain the grace of the Lord. Meditation means fixing your mind on a form or formless God. You can imagine only any thing, which is in the realm of the space-time. This means that you can meditate upon only a part or total creation and not upon the creator. God is not the creation and is also not in the creation. If God is creation, you are also God and there is no need of any meditation. If God is in the creation, all the changes in the creation must affect the God. Kapila says " Asangohyayam purushash", which means that God is not associated with creation.

Gita also says the same (Nachaaham Teshu..). God enters a small item of the creation and pervades all over that item for your service, which is only the proven love. Did you meditate upon your parents or wife or children? No, because you have real love to them. You serve them directly and not their photos or some other inert objects keeping as their models. You serve them in their human forms. They are different from their human bodies as souls. But you are serving the soul through the human body.

Similarly the Lord enters a human body and available for your true love. You must take pains to detect him. Have you not taken pains to search a suitable girl for marriage to show your true love? Take the help of the divine knowledge. Vedas and Gita have given the procedure to detect the human incarnation. To cut your bonds with the family members, who are also, human beings, another human form of God is only the equal competitor. Formless objects, statues and photos cannot compete. Your body is also a human form.

 The bond with money is only for the human forms. If you develop the bond with human incarnation, which is Lord Himself called as Sadguru, He will bless you with divine knowledge, which alone can cut your worldly bonds. Since you have not fully realized, your attachment persists. The attachment is violent only due to the high intensity of ignorance, which is nothing but mis-interpreted and twisted wrong knowledge. Such ignorance can disappear only by the light of true divine knowledge.

The source of that knowledge is Sadguru. Therefore, you must catch a Sadguru and hear His divine knowledge constantly. You must clarify your doubts at every stage. When you are fully clarified, the ignorance disappears like the darkness in the presence of sunlight. Thus, the root cause is only ignorance and root remedy is only true knowledge. When the ignorance is associated with egoism and jealousy, it is like diabetes associated with hypertension and kidney-failure. Your case is not serious because you are with ignorance only. It will be easy to treat you.

at the lotus feet of shri datta swami

surya

www.universal-spirituality.org

mani kumara <kumara_maniin@...> wrote:

thanks.what an accurate description.i think thinking stops when you start observing.when the observation is intense trying to catch the first thought that pops up the feeling is very nice.

love

mani

Tonight I watched a segment
of 60 Minutes (after watching
the Tampa Bay Bucs get blown
out - again!) featuring Tom Brady,
the New England Patriots quarter-
back. At 28, he has 3 Superbowl
rings, a 60 million dollar,
10 year contract, dates a
Hollywood starlet...and stands
a handsome 6 foot 4.

And what did he say?...

"There has to be more than
this...".

When asked what the "answer"
was, he said he didn't know.

As a meditation teacher, I
found this a powerfully
motivating bit of news - in
that it affirmed the purpose
of teaching meditation and,
at the same time, the futility
of looking for peace of mind
and fulfillment in "outer"
things, no matter how impressive
and fanciful they may be.

Without the inner peace that
meditation plays a (big) part
in facilitating, there will
always be a sense of "there
has to be more than this" or
an uneasiness that "something
is missing" in our lives.

How do you think Tom Brady
would respond to the suggestion
that he find a guru or join
a meditation group?

Jeff

PS: Hey, Bob, T.O. might
consider the value of silence,
as well.

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Belyea"
<jeff@m...> wrote:
>
> Tonight I watched a segment
> of 60 Minutes (after watching
> the Tampa Bay Bucs get blown
> out - again!) featuring Tom Brady,
> the New England Patriots quarter-
> back. At 28, he has 3 Superbowl
> rings, a 60 million dollar,
> 10 year contract, dates a
> Hollywood starlet...and stands
> a handsome 6 foot 4.
>
> And what did he say?...
>
> "There has to be more than
> this...".
>
> When asked what the "answer"
> was, he said he didn't know.
>
> As a meditation teacher, I
> found this a powerfully
> motivating bit of news - in
> that it affirmed the purpose
> of teaching meditation and,
> at the same time, the futility
> of looking for peace of mind
> and fulfillment in "outer"
> things, no matter how impressive
> and fanciful they may be.
>
> Without the inner peace that
> meditation plays a (big) part
> in facilitating, there will
> always be a sense of "there
> has to be more than this" or
> an uneasiness that "something
> is missing" in our lives.
>
> How do you think Tom Brady
> would respond to the suggestion
> that he find a guru or join
> a meditation group?
>
> Jeff
>
> PS: Hey, Bob, T.O. might
> consider the value of silence,
> as well.
>
Yo PapaJeff,
Your points are right on the money. But give
Brady time. It seems like young Tom is ready to
start looking within for that "something else"
he hasn't found without. Most certainly his
wealth and great success don't have to be a
hinderance. The human with the "best" incarnation
of the last generation was probably Sri Hugh
Hefner, and his introspection and sharing of
the wisdom he found within helped liberate
millions from their stiff and primative sexual
hangups. And he seems to have lived happily ever
after in spite of tons of money, fame, women, etc:-)
But, at least semi-seriously, there is no greater
wealth than the treasure of having an awakening
into the realization of one's eternal, infinite
Real Self. And meditation is the best preparation
for that. There is no better thing you can do for
your Self than learn and do meditation. This includes
being excellent in any worldly endeavor, having great
fame, and experiencing all the material pleasures
that are possible. So for now, we can and indeed
should have compassion for the situation that Brady
and billions of others no less unfortunate
than him are in, and wish they all can find a
meditation teaching and actually practice this
most ancient and efficient healing and spiritually
evolving activity.
Peace and blessings,
Bob
PS: I think the whole Eagle team will now be able
to appreciate the value of (TO's forced) silence.

medit8ionsociety wrote:

>--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Belyea"
><jeff@m...> wrote:
>
>
>>Tonight I watched a segment
>>of 60 Minutes (after watching
>>the Tampa Bay Bucs get blown
>>out - again!) featuring Tom Brady,
>>the New England Patriots quarter-
>>back. At 28, he has 3 Superbowl
>>rings, a 60 million dollar,
>>10 year contract, dates a
>>Hollywood starlet...and stands
>>a handsome 6 foot 4.
>>
>>And what did he say?...
>>
>>"There has to be more than
>>this...".
>>
>>When asked what the "answer"
>>was, he said he didn't know.
>>
>>As a meditation teacher, I
>>found this a powerfully
>>motivating bit of news - in
>>that it affirmed the purpose
>>of teaching meditation and,
>>at the same time, the futility
>>of looking for peace of mind
>>and fulfillment in "outer"
>>things, no matter how impressive
>>and fanciful they may be.
>>
>>Without the inner peace that
>>meditation plays a (big) part
>>in facilitating, there will
>>always be a sense of "there
>>has to be more than this" or
>>an uneasiness that "something
>>is missing" in our lives.
>>
>>How do you think Tom Brady
>>would respond to the suggestion
>>that he find a guru or join
>>a meditation group?
>>
>>Jeff
>>
>>PS: Hey, Bob, T.O. might
>>consider the value of silence,
>>as well.
>>
>>
>>
>Yo PapaJeff,
>Your points are right on the money. But give
>Brady time. It seems like young Tom is ready to
>start looking within for that "something else"
>he hasn't found without. Most certainly his
>wealth and great success don't have to be a
>hinderance. The human with the "best" incarnation
>of the last generation was probably Sri Hugh
>Hefner, and his introspection and sharing of
>the wisdom he found within helped liberate
>millions from their stiff and primative sexual
>hangups. And he seems to have lived happily ever
>after in spite of tons of money, fame, women, etc:-)
>But, at least semi-seriously, there is no greater
>wealth than the treasure of having an awakening
>into the realization of one's eternal, infinite
>Real Self. And meditation is the best preparation
>for that. There is no better thing you can do for
>your Self than learn and do meditation. This includes
>being excellent in any worldly endeavor, having great
>fame, and experiencing all the material pleasures
>that are possible. So for now, we can and indeed
>should have compassion for the situation that Brady
>and billions of others no less unfortunate
>than him are in, and wish they all can find a
>meditation teaching and actually practice this
>most ancient and efficient healing and spiritually
>evolving activity.
>Peace and blessings,
>Bob
>PS: I think the whole Eagle team will now be able
>to appreciate the value of (TO's forced) silence.
>
>
Unfortunately, the improved
ambience wasn't quite enough
for Bob's beloved Birds to
overcome a Joe Gibbs coached
team determined to redeem
themselves after getting
drubbed by my G-Men.  I
really wanted the Iggles to
be the resurgent squad --
but alas it looks like the
great coaching and key
personnel upgrades in the
rest of the NFC East have
brought back the league's
cherished "parity" to its
toughest regional
foursome.

If it's any comfort, Bob, I
suspect the Pats are due
for their own dose of
"parity" tomorrow night,
since the Colts now have a
credible NFL defense and
even a Bruschi-equipped New
England D is still too
banged-up to contain that
other Manning brother on
anything close to a good
day/evening.  Let the
games continue!

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, medit8ionsociety
<no_reply@y...> wrote:
>
> --- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Belyea"
> <jeff@m...> wrote:
> >
> > Tonight I watched a segment
> > of 60 Minutes (after watching
> > the Tampa Bay Bucs get blown
> > out - again!) featuring Tom Brady,
> > the New England Patriots quarter-
> > back. At 28, he has 3 Superbowl
> > rings, a 60 million dollar,
> > 10 year contract, dates a
> > Hollywood starlet...and stands
> > a handsome 6 foot 4.
> >
> > And what did he say?...
> >
> > "There has to be more than
> > this...".
> >
> > When asked what the "answer"
> > was, he said he didn't know.
> >
> > As a meditation teacher, I
> > found this a powerfully
> > motivating bit of news - in
> > that it affirmed the purpose
> > of teaching meditation and,
> > at the same time, the futility
> > of looking for peace of mind
> > and fulfillment in "outer"
> > things, no matter how impressive
> > and fanciful they may be.
> >
> > Without the inner peace that
> > meditation plays a (big) part
> > in facilitating, there will
> > always be a sense of "there
> > has to be more than this" or
> > an uneasiness that "something
> > is missing" in our lives.
> >
> > How do you think Tom Brady
> > would respond to the suggestion
> > that he find a guru or join
> > a meditation group?
> >
> > Jeff
> >
> > PS: Hey, Bob, T.O. might
> > consider the value of silence,
> > as well.
> >
> Yo PapaJeff,
> Your points are right on the money. But give
> Brady time. It seems like young Tom is ready to
> start looking within for that "something else"
> he hasn't found without. Most certainly his
> wealth and great success don't have to be a
> hinderance. The human with the "best" incarnation
> of the last generation was probably Sri Hugh
> Hefner, and his introspection and sharing of
> the wisdom he found within helped liberate
> millions from their stiff and primative sexual
> hangups. And he seems to have lived happily ever
> after in spite of tons of money, fame, women, etc:-)
> But, at least semi-seriously, there is no greater
> wealth than the treasure of having an awakening
> into the realization of one's eternal, infinite
> Real Self. And meditation is the best preparation
> for that. There is no better thing you can do for
> your Self than learn and do meditation. This includes
> being excellent in any worldly endeavor, having great
> fame, and experiencing all the material pleasures
> that are possible. So for now, we can and indeed
> should have compassion for the situation that Brady
> and billions of others no less unfortunate
> than him are in, and wish they all can find a
> meditation teaching and actually practice this
> most ancient and efficient healing and spiritually
> evolving activity.
> Peace and blessings,
> Bob
> PS: I think the whole Eagle team will now be able
> to appreciate the value of (TO's forced) silence.
>

Hey, Peace Bob. Agreed that wealth
and great success do not have to be
a hindrance. If material success
and such, and that even combined
with the HH brand of high-intimacy
success with superwomen (he still has
3 sleep-over girlfriends at age 77)
were ultimately satisfying, Brady
would not be feeling the
"something missing."

Even though Jesus said something
like it is harder for a rich man
to enter the Kingdom of Heaven
(which he specified as "within")
than it is for Donovan McNabb to
thread the needle (with bad ribs -
not he meal, the bruises), he
didn't say it was impossible.

It speaks to Brady's humility
that he still seeks fulfillment
and speaks about it.

I haven't given up on the Pats.
They're still my default team,
after the Bucs. But the Colts
could give them another jolt...
maybe.

Jeff

PS: Bruce, it won't be long before
it comes down to Manning a Manning.
That's a Papajeff prognostication.

Thank you, Surya, for the insightful
and enlightened teaching. Nice take
on "real" salvation. Agreed, that it
is only when one is graced with the
knowledge of the essence of Jesus'
teachings, and has come to know, through
direct experience, the Truth that
sets you free, that they are "saved".

Mere ritual or parroting of words,
without the unlying change and the
"resurrection" of the new (enlightened)
person, does not bring salvation.

And, yes, trying to live by prescription
and impossible standards, as it taught
by the fundamentalists churces, is a
twist on the teachings of Jesus. His
description of how enlightened persons
live, and the joy and understanding
that they have, has been turned upside
down into a prescription.

Well, I'll stop here before I take
the next step up on the soapbox, except
to say that meditation, especially
meditation that has been marinated
in "essential oils" (authentic teachings)
for a time, can open the door to
the aromatic experience of the
essence of Jesus' teachings...and
bring us into Christ, Krishna,
Cosmic Consciousness - Real Saving.

Jeff

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, prakki surya
<dattapr2000@y...> wrote:
>
>
> Essence Of Jesus Preaching --- Real Saving
>
>
>
> Merely by accepting the human incarnation (Jesus) as Saviour
cannot save you. It is told in the Bible that He came to save His
people. Who are His people? They are His beloved devotees. They
follow His instructions. Jesus did not give attention even to see
His mother, when He was with His disciples. When a woman shouted
that the Mother of Jesus was blessed, Jesus did not agree and told
that blessed are those who followed His instructions. He says that
one should leave parents, wife or husband, children and must be
prepared even to carry on his own cross for the sake of Jesus. This
means that one should be prepared to sacrifice even his life.
Therefore, it is a narrow path with thorns. Even to hear this
statement your mind is turmoiled with chaotic disturbance. That is
the reason why He says that He has come to give peace to you and
that He is holding the sword of knowledge in His hand. Therefore,
you can be saved only when you reach that state.
>
>
>
> If you say to the Judge that you accept him as your saviour, will
he save you and cancel his judgement? If you say to the jailor that
you will accept him as your saviour, will he relieve you from the
jail? Therefore, He saves only His dearest devotees. He underwent,
the suffering of His people only on the Cross. He did not suffer for
the sake of all the people and released all the people from their
sins. If such thing is done the justice is destroyed. The
administration becomes meaningless. When a devotee leaves everybody
and everything for the sake of such human incarnation and
participates in His service, such people are called as His people.
Such devotees will never agree for the crucification of the Lord for
their sake. Therefore, real saving is only at that stage.
>
> Whether, it is Christianity or Hinduism the beginner cannot come
forward if the final stage is shown. In Hinduism the saints and in
Christianity, the Popes, fathers, brother and sisters who are
dedicated to the Mission have left everything and everybody for the
sake of God. Actually such Holy saints only can be saved since they
stand according to His standards prescribed. But if this fact is
revealed no common man will come forward. It is the tradition of the
divine preacher to show the final result even in the first step. We
say to the schoolboy that if he goes to the school regularly and
studies sincerely, he will become the professor.
>
>
>
> It is only encouragement. Does that mean that the boy will be
appointed as professor as soon as he finishes the schooling? He gets
encouraged and studies well in the school. Then he will go to
college and university and study further, then he will join as a
lecturer, become reader and then finally become the professor.
Therefore, to attract the beginners such encouraging statements are
made, which need not be condemned as lies. When a lie does well,
such a lie cannot be the sin. Even if it is truth, if it harms it is
a sin. We tell so many lies to our children to encourage them and
our aim is only their welfare and not cheating them. Therefore, such
statements should be accepted with reference to the level of the
devotees.
>
> at the lotus feet of shri datta swami
>
> surya
>
> http://www.universal-spirituality.org
>
>
> Jeff Belyea <jeff@m...> wrote:Hey, Peace Bob. Agreed that wealth
> and great success do not have to be
> a hindrance. If material success
> and such, and that even combined
> with the HH brand of high-intimacy
> success with superwomen (he still has
> 3 sleep-over girlfriends at age 77)
> were ultimately satisfying, Brady
> would not be feeling the
> "something missing."
>
> Even though Jesus said something
> like it is harder for a rich man
> to enter the Kingdom of Heaven
> (which he specified as "within")
> than it is for Donovan McNabb to
> thread the needle (with bad ribs -
> not he meal, the bruises), he
> didn't say it was impossible.
>
> It speaks to Brady's humility
> that he still seeks fulfillment
> and speaks about it.
>
> I haven't given up on the Pats.
> They're still my default team,
> after the Bucs. But the Colts
> could give them another jolt...
> maybe.
>
> Jeff
>
>
> ---------------------------------
>  Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.
>

> >Bob
> >PS: I think the whole Eagle team will now be able
> >to appreciate the value of (TO's forced) silence.
> >

> Bruce Morgen <editor@j...> wrote:
> Unfortunately, the improved
> ambience wasn't quite enough
> for Bob's beloved Birds to
> overcome a Joe Gibbs coached
> team determined to redeem
> themselves after getting
> drubbed by my G-Men.  I
> really wanted the Iggles to
> be the resurgent squad --
> but alas it looks like the
> great coaching and key
> personnel upgrades in the
> rest of the NFC East have
> brought back the league's
> cherished "parity" to its
> toughest regional
> foursome.
>
> If it's any comfort, Bob, I
> suspect the Pats are due
> for their own dose of
> "parity" tomorrow night,
> since the Colts now have a
> credible NFL defense and
> even a Bruschi-equipped New
> England D is still too
> banged-up to contain that
> other Manning brother on
> anything close to a good
> day/evening.  Let the
> games continue!
>
Yo Sri Bruceji,
I agree that the Mannings are bringing
trials and tribulations to all in their way.
Eli has apparently fulfilled all the ancient
prophecies and is bringing about a new era
in the NFC. Now I feel I must answer a few
Footballism non-believers who have sent me
emails called me to ask what is up with the
football references. So.....
In classic meditation tradition, there are
only 3 types of actions:
1. Tamasic - characterized by sloth, darkness,
even evil...doing things by rote, unawake,
unaware, selfish.
2. Rajasic - dealing with chasing after
selfish desires and ego trips. Still in
darkness, but at least having some activity.
3. Sattvasic - the opposite of Tamas/Rajas -
in light, aware, awake, kind, selfless,
serene, etc.
Most always, we live among a mix of Tamas/Rajas,
or Rajas/Sattva. The meditative "deal" with
this is to witness your thoughts, words, and
actions (and those in your environment IE people,
places, and things), and if you see yourself
being in any way Tamasic, at least kick it up to
Rajas, and strive always for Sattva. The more you
eliminate the Tamas and Rajas in your life, and
the more you add Sattva to your life, the greater
the spiritual evolution. And the religion of
Footballism, which has millions of followers in
America, presents an ongoing opportunity to
witness your inner reactivity Tamasically and
Rajasically more often than perhaps any other
religion, and thus the potential to change them to
Sattvaic energy gathering events. So, (Ashley,
Nina, Tom, John, and all other) non-believers,
you go about your quest for enlightenment in your
own way, and we will continue to worship and
use the tools of Footballism to evolve in ours.
I encourage you to come to the Linc in Philly or
Giants stadium or any of the other temples of
Sunday (and Monday night) worship to partake of the
holy activities and learn first hand what Sattva
a feeling being at one with a higher power (60,000+
fans rooting for the home team) can be.
Peace and blessings,
Bob
PS: Don't even think about wearing the opposing teams
jersey while at either of the temples (stadiums)
mentioned above:-)
PPS: I hope you will take this in the
semi/hardly-serious Sattvaic way it was intended.