Hello Everyone-
I am writing a new book about happiness and joy. I thought - what
better place to look for participants than a group of meditators! If
you are truly happy and have a joy filled life, I would like to hear
your story for possible publication in my new book, The Joy Filled Life.

If you are interested, please visit the website for additional
information: http://www.thejoyfilledlife.com/

Thanks so much!
Karen

From an email we received:

Hey! My name is Emma Petrie-Smith, and I am a
journalist at the Daily Nebraskan at the University
of Nebraska-Lincoln. I want to do a piece on
meditation, and have already begun researching.
I think it would be really cool if I got some direct
input from you guys. If you have anyone who would be
willing to send me some information about meditation
in general (like: interesting facts, what it does for
them, or anything else), I would greatly appreciate
anything I can get. They can e-mail me back whenever.
The deadline is Saturday (Nov. 3) at five. Thanks
-Emma

Emma Petrie-Smith
emmaclare06@...

" Embedded impressions of previous pleasant
experiences form the root of diversion and
temptation. They form the root of losing the
path, moving away from the straight path and
going into byways, away from blessedness.
Therefore there is only one way. These deep-rooted
samskaras (mental impressions) and vasanas
(subtle desires) must be destroyed at their
own level.
..... "There are only two methods of dealing with
them. One powerful method is to constantly affirm
the Reality. Identify yourself with the true Self,
your essential, real Being, which has neither
birth nor death. Then the question of previous
births and previous impressions itself becomes
absurd. This is the super method, constantly
identifying yourself with your nitya nija svarupa
(own eternal nature) where there is neither upadhi,
nor samskara, nor vasana, nothing....
.."The other powerful method is to destroy them
where they are through deep meditation and the power
of the Divine Name. That is the purpose of japa.
This technique of deep meditation and the power of
the Divine Name can do the impossible, it can do
everything for you ."
Swami Chidananda

Brain stimulation sparks out-of-body experience
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddly...39850420071101

Thu Nov 1, 2007 8:58am EDT
BOSTON (Reuters) - Electrodes implanted into the
brain to treat a man with a stubborn case of ringing
in the ear instead sparked an out-of-body sensation,
doctors in Belgium reported on Wednesday.

Stimulating the electrodes made the 63-year-old
patient feel like he was outside his body twice,
for 15 and 21 seconds, and allowed the doctors to
use a PET scanner to track which parts of the brain
became active during the experience.

The out-of-body sensation of near-death experiences,
sometimes reported by people whose hearts have
stopped for a time, are regarded by some people as
evidence of an afterlife.

Most scientists are doubtful, especially when
epilepsy, migraine headaches, and brain stimulation
can mimic the sensation.

A team led by Dirk De Ridder of the Antwerp University
report in the New England Journal of Medicine that
they were trying to cure the man of tinnitus in one
ear when they stumbled onto the phenomenon.

The treatment did not work. Instead, the electrodes
made the man feel like he was about 50 centimeters
(20 inches) behind his body and off to the left.

Only a certain pattern of stimulation, involving a
portion of the superior temporal gyrus, located on
the right side of the brain, produced the sensation.

Positron emission tomography, or PET scans, showed
that other parts of the brain became active as a result,
including the supramarginal gyrus, which processes
information from the inner ear designed to detect
head movement and position.

"Whether these regions are activated in patients
who report disembodiment as part of a near-death
experience -- and if so, how -- is a provocative
but unresolved issue," they wrote.

Brain stimulation sparks out-of-body experience
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddly...39850420071101

Thu Nov 1, 2007 8:58am EDT
BOSTON (Reuters) - Electrodes implanted into the
brain to treat a man with a stubborn case of ringing
in the ear instead sparked an out-of-body sensation,
doctors in Belgium reported on Wednesday.

Stimulating the electrodes made the 63-year-old
patient feel like he was outside his body twice,
for 15 and 21 seconds, and allowed the doctors to
use a PET scanner to track which parts of the brain
became active during the experience.

The out-of-body sensation of near-death experiences,
sometimes reported by people whose hearts have
stopped for a time, are regarded by some people as
evidence of an afterlife.

Most scientists are doubtful, especially when
epilepsy, migraine headaches, and brain stimulation
can mimic the sensation.

A team led by Dirk De Ridder of the Antwerp University
report in the New England Journal of Medicine that
they were trying to cure the man of tinnitus in one
ear when they stumbled onto the phenomenon.

The treatment did not work. Instead, the electrodes
made the man feel like he was about 50 centimeters
(20 inches) behind his body and off to the left.

Only a certain pattern of stimulation, involving a
portion of the superior temporal gyrus, located on
the right side of the brain, produced the sensation.

Positron emission tomography, or PET scans, showed
that other parts of the brain became active as a result,
including the supramarginal gyrus, which processes
information from the inner ear designed to detect
head movement and position.

"Whether these regions are activated in patients
who report disembodiment as part of a near-death
experience -- and if so, how -- is a provocative
but unresolved issue," they wrote.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

For real meditation please visit web www.srcm.org

----- Original Message ----
From: bobby786pk <bobby786pk@yahoo.com>
To: meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2007 6:08:31 PM
Subject: [Meditation Society of America] I find Meditation in Isla

Dramatically,

i have searched a lot of about meditation.. ..
and in Islam this technique called Muraqaba..
that the Holy Prophets (PBUH) was doing in the
Mount Hira.....

Muraqaba is the very well technique, in which we
concentrate of the word God.

>>>>>

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

Since I last posted pictures of the
knives that I had a hand (actually 2
hands) in making, there have been
a dozen more that have appeared.
They can be seen in pictures #84 to 112 at:
http://tinyurl.com/54ma6
I have no real idea how they came to be
a part of this dream that pretends to be
"my life", but when I look around, they
seem solidly present. I have really grown
to appreciate the fine beauty of their
wood handles and the form they have taken
in a way that is similar to the way I
appreciate more traditional art work.
Prior to taking part in this craft,
knives were just knives and wood was
just wood to me. I am now in awe
of the amazing textures and designs
that are in the woods and acknowledge
the artist who created them as a master.
But as a witness to my inner chatter,
I see that the potential to criticize
this great display of divine beauty
is ever present. And I laugh, fascinated
by the moronic commentary that would
interrupt my contact with the gift I
have been given in my ability to
appreciate and "get off on" something
so exquisite. So I tell my chatterer
to be still and embrace the moment and
then let it go. And then smile with
the silence and emptiness that shouts
with joy as it fills with bliss. Now
that's some sharp knives!

GREETINGS AND BEST WISHES IN YOUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY.

THE LATEST VOLUME OF THE SPIRITUAL WEB SITE www.ahwan.org (or
www.ahwan.com) : VOLUME 80, October 2007 ISSUE,  has been published
and uplinked with the article "A VEDIC VALEDICTORY SERMON."

- If you visit the site, and have any observations to make, I shall
be grateful. There are also interesting questions from readers
dealing with "Testing the right path", "Inter-faith
conflicts" "Dharma as an obstacle", "Void in sadhana", "The mentally
retarded" etc. You can also browse the previous articles by clicking
on the ikon `articles'. Please share it with your friends and dear
ones.  God bless you-  Sri Bimal Mohanty. (bimal_mohanty@...)
PS – To continue spreading the benefit of AHWAN to all, we need your
assistance if you please. Click on `special information' on the
homepage of www.ahwan.org.

If you do not wish to receive this information about future issues,
please e-mail accordingly - Thank you.
If you wish someone to receive this information as complements from
you please indicate his/her e-mail address.
____________________

You can usher a qualitative change in your life, the spiritual way-
the effective way. Visit the website www.ahwan.org. or www.ahwan.com.
regularly. Share it with your friends and dear ones.

Who You Are

Before your mother knew you were in her womb,
before any doctor, politician, family member,
religious leader, or anyone else on earth even
knew you existed, the Highest Power so loved
you that he gave you life and protected and
nourished you. Before you had drawn your first
breath, the Highest Power had already demonstrated
love and concern for you and provided all you
needed for your wellbeing, and this continues to
this very moment.

Your inner Witness, your Real Self, has gone from
the womb of flesh to the womb of the Cosmos. The
Highest has made every atom, that makes up every
molecule, that makes up every cell, that makes up
every organ in your body, perfectly compatible with
everything the Universe provides. The air, earth,
fire, and water have been created in the precise
proportions necessary to provide the environment
needed for you to survive and thrive. The odds against
this happening by chance are trillions to one and
can be appreciated as absolute proof of the Highest's
loving intervention and intention.

Mother Earth is in an exquisite rhythm with its sister
planets as gravity and motion balance their dance
around Father Sun, as it travels in concert with the
billions of other stars and heavenly bodies that make
up our galaxy. Ultimately, the hundreds of billions of
galaxies, in harmony, provide the exact perfect
conditions that allow consciousness to exist and evolve.
You are, always were, and will always be, the love
child of the Highest Power. Every atom in the universe
is presenting itself to enlighten you. The celestial
stage has been set. It is for you to decide to be
conscious of the cosmos and embrace your infinite, eternal
identity. Royal Divine Child of the Universe, awaken and
live happily ever after.

Who You Are Meditation Technique
Position yourself in the posture you have found to be
the one that affords the greatest comfort to you, while
letting you maintain an alert awareness without falling
asleep. Direct your inner chatterer to be still and your
emotions to remain in a serene state. With eyes open,
let your gaze fall to any given spot on the surface of
the floor or ground. If you are sitting on sand, pick out
one grain to focus on. If you are on a carpet, lock
your attention on one fiber. And so on. Witness your
mind making comments, comparisons, and judgements, but
remain unreactive. Simply let the gazing continue no
matter how strongly your chatterer tries to discourage
you. It will eventually cease and desist. As your
concentration becomes more intense, with less and less
effort, you will start to see movement. For instance,
the grains of sand may start to appear to be giving off
light that is flowing in a paisley pattern motion. This
is the atomic and pre-atomic nature of reality presenting
itself to you. Soon thereafter the air, earth, water, and
fire within and without you will reveal their atomic
unification and join in this dance of light.

This will continue until your mind chatter stops it.
By stilling the mind, the intensity will grow until
the point is reached where it is not unusual for the
experience to be so astonishing and overwhelming that
inner comments like "Oh my God!" and "Thank you God"
occur. Simultaneously, language becomes insufficient
and only feelings of love and adoration suffice. Keep
at one with the eternal silence of the inner Witness
and you will know your limitless and total connection
with the universe and its creator. The misidentification
of your self as apart from the rest of the universe as a
body, mind, or feeling will evaporate like a fog lifting,
and there revealed in all glory will be the divine Garden
of Eden that has always been present. And you will live
happily ever after.

After Thought
Half a century ago, on one of TV's first variety shows,
the Ed Sullivan Show, a ventriloquist named Senor Wences
used to have a running gag with his puppet (which was
simply his hand with some lipstick on it, to make it look
like a face). He would say, "That's easy to do!" about
various things, and his hand puppet would answer "Easy
for you, difficult for me!" in a Spanish dialect. This
always made the audience convulse with laughter. But in
real life, when things are easy for someone else, but
difficult for you, you rarely find it humorous. As a
matter of fact, adjectives like frustrating, annoying,
ego deflating, and so on, are often much more accurate
descriptions of how you feel. The Who You Are Meditation
Technique has the potential to be in this category. It
is easy to tell someone "Sit comfortably, concentrate,
and let the Highest Power fill you with all the wonders
and wisdom of the universe". But can you actually sit
comfortably enough, for long enough for your attention
to remain focused enough? If so, this and every other
technique will "work". If not, like most things, the
more you practice, the better you will get. Persevere,
because unlike most things, the end result of this and
every meditative effort has the potential to lead to
the end of all effort. And effortlessly, you will live
happily ever after.

This article and technique first appeared in our
newsletter, The Inner Traveler, issue #3.

Hypnotic Selling Techniques

Read the following sale's pitch:

Does public speaking make you nervous? What if it was easy? Imagine
standing at the podium, knowing exactly what to say to make them love
you. Wouldn't that feel great? Just apply our simple methods, and
you'll have that power. Use the form below to order right now.

Okay, let's dissect the sales pitch above.

Line 1: It gets you to say yes, which is habit forming.

Line 2: It suggests the possibility of a solution.

Line 3: The word "imagine" gets you to do just that.

Line 4: Line four suggests a positive emotion and gets another yes.

Line 5: It uses "and" to infer cause and effect (you'll have the power
because you used our product).

Line 6: This last line directs you with "Use the form below." The part
that says "order right now" is called an "embedded command," because
putting it in italics influences you (subtly commands you) without you
noticing consciously.

That paragraph uses six or more "hypnotic sales techniques." They
work, by the way. I have forty such techniques in my notes in front of
me. When I used them to rewrite the sign-up page for the Brain Power
Newsletter in March of 2005, I started to get four times as many
subscribers from the same traffic. Powerful stuff. Start watching for
it - or using it (with good intentions I hope).

http://www.subkiisp.com/

Hey Bob -

Maybe meditation needs to trickle down from
the B schools. Found this from Mark Thornton:

"Both the Harvard Business School and Europe's leading business school, INSEAD,
have
concluded, from research, that the two most effective business tools for
twenty-first
century executives are meditation and intuition."

Jeff

PS: Meditation for Eagles? They made need it
after next week's battle with the Brady Bunch.

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Belyea"
<jeff@...> wrote:
>
> Hey Bob -
>
> Maybe meditation needs to trickle down from
> the B schools. Found this from Mark Thornton:
>
> "Both the Harvard Business School and Europe's leading business
school, INSEAD, have
> concluded, from research, that the two most effective business tools
for twenty-first
> century executives are meditation and intuition."
>
> Jeff
>
> PS: Meditation for Eagles? They made need it
> after next week's battle with the Brady Bunch.
>
Yo Papajeff,
Business schools getting into meditation!
What will they think of next?:-) Of course,
here in Philly the U of P has been doing lots
of pro-meditation studies in their med school,
mostly with TM , but also from other traditions.
As an example, below is one semi-interesting report
that basically tells us that you get spaced out
(in a good way) from meditation.
As far as the Eagles playing the Pats, I fear
that will be some nasty business.
Peace and blessings,
Bob

http://repository.upenn.edu/neuroethics_pubs/25/
Center for Cognitive Neuroscience
Neuroethics Publications

TITLE:
The measurement of regional cerebral blood
flow during the complex cognitive task of
meditation: a preliminary SPECT study

AUTHOR(S):
Andrew B. Newberg, University of Pennsylvania
Abass Alavi, University of Pennsylvania
Michael J. Baime, University of Pennsylvania
Michael Pourdehnad, University of Pennsylvania
Jill Santanna, University of Pennsylvania
Eugene d'Aquili, University of Pennsylvania

DOCUMENT TYPE: Journal Article
This document has been peer reviewed.

Postprint version. Published in Psychiatry
Research: Neuroimaging, Volume 106, Issue 2,
April 2001, pages 113-122.
Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0925-4927(01)00074-9

ABSTRACT:
This study measured changes in regional cerebral
blood flow (rCBF) during the complex cognitive
task of meditation using single photon emission
computed tomography. Eight experienced Tibetan
Buddhist meditators were injected at baseline
with 7 mCi HMPAO and scanned 20 min later for
45 min. The subjects then meditated for 1 h at
which time they were injected with 25 mCi HMPAO
and scanned 20 min later for 30 min. Values were
obtained for regions of interest in major brain
structures and normalized to whole brain activity.
The percentage change between meditation and
baseline was compared. Correlations between structures
were also determined. Significantly increased rCBF
(P<0.05) was observed in the cingulate gyrus,
inferior and orbital frontal cortex, dorsolateral
prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and thalamus. The change
in rCBF in the left DLPFC correlated negatively
(P<0.05) with that in the left superior parietal
lobe. Increased frontal rCBF may reflect focused
concentration and thalamic increases overall increased
cortical activity during meditation. The correlation
between the DLPFC and the superior parietal lobe
may reflect an altered sense of space experienced
during meditation. These results suggest a complex
rCBF pattern during the task of meditation.

KEYWORDS: frontal cortex, thalamus, single photon
emission computed tomography

DATE POSTED: 04 April 2007

Fro the MedicalNewsToday site:

Practicing Zen Meditation In Psychotherapists.
Controlled Study Suggest It Matters
An investigation by German researchers headed
by Professor Nickel which was published in
the current issue of Psychotherapy and
Psychosomatics indicates the practicing Zen
meditation by psychotherapists matters. All
therapists direct their attention in some manner
during psychotherapy. A special form of
directing attention, 'mindfulness', is
recommended. This study aimed to examine
whether, and to what extent, promoting
mindfulness in psychotherapists in training
(PiT) influences the treatment results of their patients.

The therapeutic course and treatment results
of 124 inpatients, who were treated for 9
weeks by 18 PiTs, were compared. The PiTs
were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups:
(i) those practicing Zen meditation (MED; n = 9
or (ii) control group, which did not perform
meditation (noMED; n = 9). The results of
treatment (according to the intent-to-treat
principle) were examined using the Session
Questionnaire for General and Differen-tial
Individual Psychotherapy (STEP), the Questionnaire
of Changes in Experience and Behavior (VEV)
and the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R).Compared
to the noMED group (n = 61), the patients of
PiTs from the MED group (n = 63) had significantly
higher evaluations (according to the intent-to-treat
principle) for individual therapy on 2 STEP scales,
clarification and problem-solving perspectives.
Their evaluations were also significantly higher
for the entire therapeutic result on the VEV.
Furthermore, the MED group showed greater symptom
reduction than the noMED group on the Global
Severity Index and 8 SCL-90-R scales, including
Somatization, Insecurity in Social Contact,
Obsessiveness, Anxiety, Anger/Hostility, Phobic
Anxiety, Paranoid Thinking and Psychoticism.
This study indicates that promoting mindfulness
in PiTs could positively influence the therapeutic
course and treatment results in their patients.

http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf

Within every atom, every cell, every organ
in your and everyones body is a Wisdom/Love
energy that generates life, sustains IT, and
then evolves IT. It was there before you came
to BE and is here now and will BE here always
in all ways. It is your Self and can be known
by ceasing the habitual outlook on life and
by jumping on the inner revelation that is
waiting to BE realized. Talking about IT will
never take you here, there, and everywhere.
Meditation is the path into this experience of
Truth, Justice, and the Universal Way.
Kir Li Molari

"Yoga is all about freedom. Only a fraction of the world's population is formally imprisoned, but the entire human race is imprisoned in the earth itself. None are free from the inevitability of sickness, age, and death, however free of them they may be at the moment. The human condition is subject to innumerable limitations. Who really controls his life fully, attains all his goals, and knows no setbacks of any kind? No one.

Our real self, the spirit, is ever perfect and free. But it has forgotten that. So it identifies with its present experience of bondage and consequently suffers in countless ways. Our situation is like someone who is asleep and dreaming that he is being tortured and beaten. In reality he is not being touched at all; yet he is experiencing pain and fear. He need not placate, overpower, or escape his torturers. He needs only to wake up. Yoga is the procedure of self-awakening.

Om Yoga is the way to freedom from suffering and limitation. "What world does he who meditates on Om until the end of his life, win by That? If he meditates on the Supreme Being with the Syllable Om, he becomes one with the Light, he is led to the world of Brahman [the Absolute Being] Who is higher than the highest life, That Which is tranquil, unaging, immortal, fearless, and supreme." (Prashna Upanishad)"

>>    A Seductive Sound A  man is driving down the road and his car breaks
>> down near a  monastery.  He goes to the monastery, knocks on the door,
>> and  says, "My car broke down.  Do you think I could stay the night?"
>> The Monks graciously accept him, feed  him dinner, even fix his car. As
>> the  man tries to fall asleep, he hears a strange sound. A sound  not
>> like  anything he's ever heard before.  The Sirens that nearly  seduced
>> Odysseus into crashing his ship comes to his  mind.  He doesn't sleep
>> that night. He tosses and turns trying to figure out  what   could
>> possibly be making such an intriguing and seductive  sound.  The next
>> morning, he asks the Monks what the sound  was, but they say, "We  can't
>> tell you. You're not a  monk."  Distraught, the man is forced to leave.
>> Years later, after never being able to forget that sound,  the man goes
>> back to the monastery and pleads for the answer  again.  The Monks reply,

>> "We can't tell you. You're not a  Monk."  The man says, "If the only way
>> I can find out what is  making that  beautiful sound is to become a Monk,

>> then please, make me a  Monk."  The Monks reply, "You must travel the
>> earth and tell  us how many blades  of grass there are and the exact
>> number of grains of  sand. When you find  these answers, you will have
>> become a  Monk."  The man sets about his task.  After years of searching
>> he returns as a gray-haired old man and knocks  on  the door of the
>> monastery. A Monk answers. He is taken before a gathering  of  all the
>> Monks.  "In my quest to find what makes that  beautiful sound, I traveled

>> the  earth and have found what you asked  for:  By design, the world is
>> in a state of perpetual change. Only God  knows  what you ask. All a man
>> can know is himself, and only then if he is  honest and reflective and
>> willing to strip away self  deception."  The Monks reply,
>> "Congratulations. You have  become a Monk. We shall now  show you the way

>> to the mystery of the sacred  sound."  The Monks lead the man to a wooden

>> door, where the  head monk says, "The  sound is beyond that door."  The
>> Monks give him the key, and he opens the door.  Behind the  wooden door
>> is another door- it is made of stone.  The man is  given the key to the
>> stone door and he opens it, only to find  a door made of  ruby.  And so
>> it went that he needed keys to doors of  emerald, pearl and  diamond.
>> Finally, they come to a door  made of solid gold. The sound has become
>> very clear and definite. The Monks  say, "T his is the last key to the
>> last door."  The man  is apprehensive to no end. His life's wish is
>> behind that  door!  With trembling hands, he unlocks the door, turns the
>> knob, and slowly  pushes the door open. Falling to his knees, he is
>> utterly  amazed to discover  the source of that haunting and seductive
>> sound......  But I can't tell you what it is because  you're not a Monk
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>_________________________________________________________________
>>Put your friends on the big screen with Windows Vista® + Windows LiveT.
>>http://www.microsoft.com/windows/shop/specialoffers.mspx?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_CP
C_MediaCtr_bigscreen_102007
>
>
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database:
> 269.16.7/1152 - Release Date: 26/11/2007 10:50 AM
>
>

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.7/1152 - Release Date: 11/26/07
10:50 AM


No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.8/1154 - Release Date: 11/27/07
11:40 AM

>> A Seductive Sound A man is driving down the road and his car breaks
>> down near a monastery. He goes to the monastery, knocks on the door,
>> and says, "My car broke down. Do you think I could stay the night?"
>> The Monks graciously accept him, feed him dinner, even fix his car. As
>> the man tries to fall asleep, he hears a strange sound. A sound not
>> like anything he's ever heard before. The Sirens that nearly seduced
>> Odysseus into crashing his ship comes to his mind. He doesn't sleep
>> that night. He tosses and turns trying to figure out what could
>> possibly be making such an intriguing and seductive sound. The next
>> morning, he asks the Monks what the sound was, but they say, "We can't
>> tell you. You're not a monk." Distraught, the man is forced to leave.
>> Years later, after never being able to forget that sound, the man goes
>> back to the monastery and pleads for the answer again. The Monks reply,

>> "We can't tell you. You're not a Monk." The man says, "If the only way
>> I can find out what is making that beautiful sound is to become a Monk,

>> then please, make me a Monk." The Monks reply, "You must travel the
>> earth and tell us how many blades of grass there are and the exact
>> number of grains of sand. When you find these answers, you will have
>> become a Monk." The man sets about his task. After years of searching
>> he returns as a gray-haired old man and knocks on the door of the
>> monastery. A Monk answers. He is taken before a gathering of all the
>> Monks. "In my quest to find what makes that beautiful sound, I traveled

>> the earth and have found what you asked for: By design, the world is
>> in a state of perpetual change. Only God knows what you ask. All a man
>> can know is himself, and only then if he is honest and reflective and
>> willing to strip away self deception." The Monks reply,
>> "Congratulations. You have become a Monk. We shall now show you the way

>> to the mystery of the sacred sound." The Monks lead the man to a wooden

>> door, where the head monk says, "The sound is beyond that door." The
>> Monks give him the key, and he opens the door. Behind the wooden door
>> is another door- it is made of stone. The man is given the key to the
>> stone door and he opens it, only to find a door made of ruby. And so
>> it went that he needed keys to doors of emerald, pearl and diamond.
>> Finally, they come to a door made of solid gold. The sound has become
>> very clear and definite. The Monks say, "T his is the last key to the
>> last door." The man is apprehensive to no end. His life's wish is
>> behind that door! With trembling hands, he unlocks the door, turns the
>> knob, and slowly pushes the door open. Falling to his knees, he is
>> utterly amazed to discover the source of that haunting and seductive
>> sound...... But I can't tell you what it is because you're not a Monk
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>_________________________________________________________________
>>Put your friends on the big screen with Windows Vista® + Windows LiveT.
>>http://www.microsoft.com/windows/shop/specialoffers.mspx?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_CP
C_MediaCtr_bigscreen_102007
>
>
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database:
> 269.16.7/1152 - Release Date: 26/11/2007 10:50 AM
>
>

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.7/1152 - Release Date: 11/26/07
10:50 AM


No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.8/1154 - Release Date: 11/27/07
11:40 AM





Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/meditationsocietyofamerica/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/meditationsocietyofamerica/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:meditationsocietyofamerica-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:meditationsocietyofamerica-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
meditationsocietyofamerica-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

The greatest enemy to your peace is your inner Chatterer that
says there is something wrong now, or in the past, or to come.
The inner Chatterer may also lull you into accepting misery and
suffering as what your lot in life is by making you content with
temporary bandages of momentary pleasant experiences.
Be in the Witness position and as these type thoughts arise,
recognize them as what they are, and do whatever brings
you into a real lasting peaceful mode. This may be by mantra,
looking through your 3rd eye, doing breath control, or any
other meditation method. Learn by experimentation and
regular practice what technique best positions your awareness
at one with the silent non-commenting inner Witness.
The inner Witness is aware of what tensions your body is
going through, what emotional swings are presenting, and
what thoughts are floating by your minds screen. Looking
at your life while it is taking place through the inner Witness
is the antidote to all the poisons that keep you out of the alpha
and theta brain wave levels, emotional calmness and physical
non-reactivity that are serene, healing, and advantageous to
consciousness expansion and evolution. Meditate!

I just saw a report on the ABC national news
about tests done on chimps where they were
given series of numbers and rewarded if they
could remember where they appeared on the
computer screen. They not only could do this,
but were far better at it than the humans that
were also tested. It was said that this may be
so because they cared more about their
peanut reward than the human test takers did.
But is this actually simply a demonstration
of how they can remain one pointed better than
we can. I'm wondering how experienced meditators
would do?
Here's the story:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=3944729

I just saw a report on the ABC national news
about tests done on chimps where they were
given series of numbers and rewarded if they
could remember where they appeared on the
computer screen. They not only could do this,
but were far better at it than the humans that
were also tested. It was said that this may be
so because they cared more about their
peanut reward than the human test takers did.
But is this actually simply a demonstration
of how they can remain one pointed better than
we can. I'm wondering how experienced meditators
would do?
Here's the story:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=3944729

One of the most common emails the
Meditation Society of America gets
asks for advice on which books are
the best dealing with meditation.
We had several this week and also
received an email from the Divya
Jivan Newsletter that pointed to
one answer to this question. We'll
let these quotes speak for themselves:

"When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and
reflace about how God created this
universe everything else seems so superfluous."
Albert Einstein

"The Bhagavad-Gita calls on humanity to
dedicate body, mind and soul
to pure duty and not to become mental
voluptuaries at the mercy of
random desires and undisciplined impulses."
Mahatma Gandhiji

"The Bhagavad-Gita is the most systematic statement
of spiritualevolution of endowing value to mankind.
It is one of the most clear and comprehensive
summaries of perennial philosophy ever revealed;
hence its enduring value is subject not only to
India but to all of humanity."
Aldous Huxley

"The Bhagavad-Gita is a true scripture of the
human race a living creation rather than a book,
with a new message for every age and a
new meaning for every civilization."
Sri Aurobindo

"In the morning I bathe my intellect in the
stupendous and cosmogonal philosophy of the
Bhagavad-Gita, in comparison with which our modern
world and its literature seems puny and trivial."
Henry David Thoreau

"The marvel of the Bhagavad-Gita is its truly
beautiful revelation of life's wisdom which
enables philosophy to blossom into religion."
Herman Hesse

"The Bhagavad-Gita deals essentially with the
spiritual foundation of human existence. It is
a call of action to meet the obligations and
duties of life; yet keeping in view the spiritual
nature and grander purpose of the universe."
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

"I owed a magnificent day to the Bhagavad-Gita.
It was the first of books; it was as if an empire
spoke to us, nothing small or unworthy,
but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an
old intelligence which in another age and climate
had pondered and thus disposed of the same
questions which exercise us."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The Bhagavad-Gita is an empire of thought
and in its philosophical teachings Krishna
has all the attributes of the full-fledged
montheistic deity and at the same time the
attributes of the Upanisadic absolute."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"In order to approach a creation as sublime
as the Bhagavad-Gita with full understanding
it is necessary to attune our soul to it." -
Rudolph Steiner

"The Bhagavad-Gita is not seperate from the
Vaisnava philosophy and the Srimad Bhagavatam
fully reveals the true import of this doctrine
which is transmigation of the soul. On perusal
of the first chapter of Bhagavad-Gita one may
think that they are advised to engage in
warfare. When the second chapter has been read
it can be clearly understood that knowledge and
the soul is the ultimate goal to be
attained. On studying the third chapter it is
apparent that acts of righteousness are also of
high priority. If we continue and patiently
take the time to complete the Bhagavad-Gita and
try to ascertain the truth of its closing chapter
we can see that the ultimate conclusion
is to relinquish all the conceptualized ideas
of religion which we possess and fully surrender
directly unto the Supreme Lord."
Sri Swami Prabhupada

"The secret of karma yoga which is to perform
actions without any fruitive desires is taught
by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita."
Swami Vivekananda

"The Bhagavad-Gita was spoken by Lord Krishna to
reveal the science of devotion to God which is the
essence of all spiritual knowledge. The
Supreme Lord Krishnas primary purpose for descending
and incarnating is relieve the world of any demoniac
and negative, undesirable influences that are
opposed to spiritual development, yet
simultaneously it is His incomparable intention
to be perpetually within reach of all humanity."
Sri Ramanuja

"Nothing has ever arisen in my life, internal
or external, that the Gita has not made clear
and enabled me to deal with or understand."
Swami Nirmalananda Giri

"When doubts haunt me, when disappointments
stare me in the face, and I see not one ray of
hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagavad-Gita and
find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin
to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those
who meditate on the Gita will
derive fresh joy and new meanings from it every day."
Mahatma Gandhiji

"From a clear knowledge of the Bhagavad-Gita all
the goals of human existence become fulfilled.
Bhagavad-Gita is the manifest quintessence
of all the teachings of the Vedic scriptures."
Adi Sankara

"The secret of karma yoga which is to perform
actions without any fruitive desires is taught
by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita." -
Swami Vivekananda

"The Bhagavad-Gita is where God Himself talks to
His devotee Arjuna."
Paramahansa Yogananda

"The Bhagavad-Gita has a profound influence on
the spirit of mankind by its devotion to God
which is manifested by actions."
Dr. Albert Schweizer

One of the most common emails the
Meditation Society of America gets
asks for advice on which books are
the best dealing with meditation.
We had several this week and also
received an email from the Divya
Jivan Newsletter that pointed to
one answer to this question. We'll
let these quotes speak for themselves:

"When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this
universe everything else seems so superfluous." - Albert Einstein

"The Bhagavad-Gita calls on humanity to dedicate body, mind and soul
to pure duty and not to become mental voluptuaries at the mercy of
random desires and undisciplined impulses." -Mahatma Gandhiji

"The Bhagavad-Gita is the most systematic statement of spiritual
evolution of endowing value to mankind. It is one of the most clear
and comprehensive summaries of perennial philosophy ever revealed;
hence its enduring value is subject not only to India but to all of
humanity." - Aldous Huxley

"The Bhagavad-Gita is a true scripture of the human race a living
creation rather than a book, with a new message for every age and a
new meaning for every civilization." - Sri Aurobindo

"In the morning I bathe my intellect in the stupendous and cosmogonal
philosophy of the Bhagavad-Gita, in comparison with which our modern
world and its literature seems puny and trivial."
Henry David Thoreau

"The marvel of the Bhagavad-Gita is its truly beautiful revelation of
life's wisdom which enables philosophy to blossom into religion." -
Herman Hesse

"The Bhagavad-Gita deals essentially with the spiritual foundation of
human existence. It is a call of action to meet the obligations and
duties of life; yet keeping in view the spiritual nature and grander
purpose of the universe."
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

"I owed a magnificent day to the Bhagavad-Gita. It was the first of
books; it was as if an empire spoke to us, nothing small or unworthy,
but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence which
in another age and climate had pondered and thus disposed of the same
questions which exercise us."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The Bhagavad-Gita is an empire of thought and in its philosophical
teachings Krishna has all the attributes of the full-fledged
montheistic deity and at the same time the attributes of the
Upanisadic absolute."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"In order to approach a creation as sublime as the Bhagavad-Gita with
full understanding it is necessary to attune our soul to it." -
Rudolph Steiner

"The Bhagavad-Gita is not seperate from the Vaisnava philosophy and
the Srimad Bhagavatam fully reveals the true import of this doctrine
which is transmigation of the soul. On perusal of the first chapter of
Bhagavad-Gita one may think that they are advised to engage in
warfare. When the second chapter has been read it can be clearly
understood that knowledge and the soul is the ultimate goal to be
attained. On studying the third chapter it is apparent that acts of
righteousness are also of high priority. If we continue and patiently
take the time to complete the Bhagavad-Gita and try to ascertain the
truth of its closing chapter we can see that the ultimate conclusion
is to relinquish all the conceptualized ideas of religion which we
possess and fully surrender directly unto the Supreme Lord."
Sri Swami Prabhupada

"The secret of karma yoga which is to perform actions without any
fruitive desires is taught by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita." -
Swami Vivekananda

"The Bhagavad-Gita was spoken by Lord Krishna to reveal the science of
devotion to God which is the essence of all spiritual knowledge. The
Supreme Lord Krishnas primary purpose for descending and incarnating
is relieve the world of any demoniac and negative, undesirable
influences that are opposed to spiritual development, yet
simultaneously it is His incomparable intention to be perpetually
within reach of all humanity."
Sri Ramanuja

"Nothing has ever arisen in my life, internal or external, that the
Gita has not made clear and enabled me to deal with or understand." -
Swami Nirmalananda Giri

"When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and
I see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagavad-Gita and
find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the
midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those who meditate on the Gita will
derive fresh joy and new meanings from it every day."
Mahatma Gandhiji

"From a clear knowledge of the Bhagavad-Gita all the goals of human
existence become fulfilled. Bhagavad-Gita is the manifest quintessence
of all the teachings of the Vedic scriptures."
Adi Sankara

"The secret of karma yoga which is to perform actions without any
fruitive desires is taught by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita." -
Swami Vivekananda

"The Bhagavad-Gita is where God Himself talks to His devotee Arjuna."
Paramahansa Yogananda

"The Bhagavad-Gita has a profound influence on the spirit of mankind
by its devotion to God which is manifested by actions."
Dr. Albert Schweizer

And it's a kick ass story filled with action adventure and romance

medit8ionsociety <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

One of the most common emails the
Meditation Society of America gets
asks for advice on which books are
the best dealing with meditation.
We had several this week and also
received an email from the Divya
Jivan Newsletter that pointed to
one answer to this question. We'll
let these quotes speak for themselves:

"When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this
universe everything else seems so superfluous." - Albert Einstein

"The Bhagavad-Gita calls on humanity to dedicate body, mind and soul
to pure duty and not to become mental voluptuaries at the mercy of
random desires and undisciplined impulses." -Mahatma Gandhiji

"The Bhagavad-Gita is the most systematic statement of spiritual
evolution of endowing value to mankind. It is one of the most clear
and comprehensive summaries of perennial philosophy ever revealed;
hence its enduring value is subject not only to India but to all of
humanity." - Aldous Huxley

"The Bhagavad-Gita is a true scripture of the human race a living
creation rather than a book, with a new message for every age and a
new meaning for every civilization." - Sri Aurobindo

"In the morning I bathe my intellect in the stupendous and cosmogonal
philosophy of the Bhagavad-Gita, in comparison with which our modern
world and its literature seems puny and trivial."
Henry David Thoreau

"The marvel of the Bhagavad-Gita is its truly beautiful revelation of
life's wisdom which enables philosophy to blossom into religion." -
Herman Hesse

"The Bhagavad-Gita deals essentially with the spiritual foundation of
human existence. It is a call of action to meet the obligations and
duties of life; yet keeping in view the spiritual nature and grander
purpose of the universe."
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

"I owed a magnificent day to the Bhagavad-Gita. It was the first of
books; it was as if an empire spoke to us, nothing small or unworthy,
but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence which
in another age and climate had pondered and thus disposed of the same
questions which exercise us."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The Bhagavad-Gita is an empire of thought and in its philosophical
teachings Krishna has all the attributes of the full-fledged
montheistic deity and at the same time the attributes of the
Upanisadic absolute."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"In order to approach a creation as sublime as the Bhagavad-Gita with
full understanding it is necessary to attune our soul to it." -
Rudolph Steiner

"The Bhagavad-Gita is not seperate from the Vaisnava philosophy and
the Srimad Bhagavatam fully reveals the true import of this doctrine
which is transmigation of the soul. On perusal of the first chapter of
Bhagavad-Gita one may think that they are advised to engage in
warfare. When the second chapter has been read it can be clearly
understood that knowledge and the soul is the ultimate goal to be
attained. On studying the third chapter it is apparent that acts of
righteousness are also of high priority. If we continue and patiently
take the time to complete the Bhagavad-Gita and try to ascertain the
truth of its closing chapter we can see that the ultimate conclusion
is to relinquish all the conceptualized ideas of religion which we
possess and fully surrender directly unto the Supreme Lord."
Sri Swami Prabhupada

"The secret of karma yoga which is to perform actions without any
fruitive desires is taught by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita." -
Swami Vivekananda

"The Bhagavad-Gita was spoken by Lord Krishna to reveal the science of
devotion to God which is the essence of all spiritual knowledge. The
Supreme Lord Krishnas primary purpose for descending and incarnating
is relieve the world of any demoniac and negative, undesirable
influences that are opposed to spiritual development, yet
simultaneously it is His incomparable intention to be perpetually
within reach of all humanity."
Sri Ramanuja

"Nothing has ever arisen in my life, internal or external, that the
Gita has not made clear and enabled me to deal with or understand." -
Swami Nirmalananda Giri

"When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and
I see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagavad-Gita and
find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the
midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those who meditate on the Gita will
derive fresh joy and new meanings from it every day."
Mahatma Gandhiji

"From a clear knowledge of the Bhagavad-Gita all the goals of human
existence become fulfilled. Bhagavad-Gita is the manifest quintessence
of all the teachings of the Vedic scriptures."
Adi Sankara

"The secret of karma yoga which is to perform actions without any
fruitive desires is taught by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita." -
Swami Vivekananda

"The Bhagavad-Gita is where God Himself talks to His devotee Arjuna."
Paramahansa Yogananda

"The Bhagavad-Gita has a profound influence on the spirit of mankind
by its devotion to God which is manifested by actions."
Dr. Albert Schweizer

---

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, Silent Thunder
<pacificmonk@...> wrote:
>
> Dudes! I can find half a million such quotes for every other
religious text ever written... quotes can't make one piece of
scripture better than another...
>
Yo Wolf,
You're 100% right. And saying the Gita is the best
in a way is way off base. Each of us may react and act
differently in relation to what we ingest. I love
the Bhagavad-Gita and also the Bible, Koran, etc.
But, few Americans have even heard about the Gita
and I'm sure many could benefit from its wisdom.
So with the synchronistic appearance of the emails
and the newsletter, here it has been mentioned and
labeled as the "Best". And for those who gain
greater peace from its knowledge, it may well be
so. But for many, it may not. I'm wondering what
others think is the very best book to recommend
to others, particularly those just starting to
look at meditation/consciousness evolution/etc?
Peace and blessings,
Bob

> sean tremblay <bethjams9@...> wrote:
And it's a kick ass story filled with action adventure and romance
>
> medit8ionsociety <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>     One of the most common emails the
> Meditation Society of America gets
> asks for advice on which books are
> the best dealing with meditation.
> We had several this week and also
> received an email from the Divya
> Jivan Newsletter that pointed to
> one answer to this question. We'll
> let these quotes speak for themselves:
>
> "When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this
> universe everything  else seems so superfluous." - Albert Einstein
>
> "The Bhagavad-Gita calls on humanity to dedicate body, mind and soul
> to pure duty and not to become mental voluptuaries at the mercy of
> random desires and undisciplined impulses." -Mahatma Gandhiji
>
> "The Bhagavad-Gita is the most systematic statement of spiritual
> evolution of endowing value to mankind. It is one of the most clear
> and comprehensive summaries of perennial philosophy ever revealed;
> hence its enduring value is subject not only to India but to all of
> humanity." - Aldous Huxley
>
> "The Bhagavad-Gita is a true scripture of the human race a living
> creation rather than a book, with a new message for every age and a
> new meaning for every civilization." - Sri Aurobindo
>
> "In the morning I bathe my intellect in the stupendous and cosmogonal
> philosophy of the Bhagavad-Gita, in comparison with which our modern
> world and its literature seems puny and trivial."
> Henry David Thoreau
>
> "The marvel of the Bhagavad-Gita is its truly beautiful revelation of
> life's wisdom which enables philosophy to blossom into religion." -
> Herman Hesse
>
> "The Bhagavad-Gita deals essentially with the spiritual foundation of
> human existence. It is a call of action to meet the obligations and
> duties of life; yet keeping in view the spiritual nature and grander
> purpose of the universe."
> Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
>
> "I owed a magnificent day to the Bhagavad-Gita. It was the first of
> books; it was as if an empire spoke to us, nothing small or unworthy,
> but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence which
> in another age and climate had pondered and thus disposed of the same
> questions which exercise us."
> Ralph Waldo Emerson
>
> "The Bhagavad-Gita is an empire of thought and in its philosophical
> teachings Krishna has all the attributes of the full-fledged
> montheistic deity and at  the same time the attributes of the
> Upanisadic absolute."
> Ralph Waldo Emerson
>
> "In order to approach a creation as sublime as the Bhagavad-Gita with
> full understanding it is necessary to attune our soul to it." -
> Rudolph Steiner
>
> "The Bhagavad-Gita is not seperate from the Vaisnava philosophy and
> the Srimad Bhagavatam fully reveals the true import of this doctrine
> which is transmigation of the soul. On perusal of the first chapter of
> Bhagavad-Gita one may think that they are advised to engage in
> warfare. When the second chapter has been read it can be clearly
> understood that knowledge and the soul is the ultimate goal to be
> attained. On studying the third chapter it is apparent that acts of
> righteousness are also of high priority. If we continue and patiently
> take the time to complete the Bhagavad-Gita and try to ascertain the
> truth of its closing chapter we can see that the ultimate conclusion
> is to relinquish all  the conceptualized ideas of religion which we
> possess and fully surrender directly unto the Supreme Lord."
> Sri Swami Prabhupada
>
> "The secret of karma yoga which is to perform actions without any
> fruitive desires is taught by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita." -
> Swami Vivekananda
>
> "The Bhagavad-Gita was spoken by Lord Krishna to reveal the science of
> devotion to God which is the essence of all spiritual knowledge. The
> Supreme Lord Krishnas primary purpose for descending and incarnating
> is relieve the world of any demoniac and negative, undesirable
> influences that are opposed to spiritual development, yet
> simultaneously it is His incomparable intention to be perpetually
> within reach of all humanity."
> Sri Ramanuja
>
> "Nothing has ever arisen in my life, internal or external, that the
> Gita has not made clear and enabled me to deal with or understand." -
> Swami Nirmalananda Giri
>
> "When doubts haunt me, when  disappointments stare me in the face, and
> I see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagavad-Gita and
> find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the
> midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those who meditate on the Gita will
> derive fresh joy and new meanings from it every day."
> Mahatma Gandhiji
>
> "From a clear knowledge of the Bhagavad-Gita all the goals of human
> existence become fulfilled. Bhagavad-Gita is the manifest quintessence
> of all the teachings of the Vedic scriptures."
> Adi Sankara
>
> "The secret of karma yoga which is to perform actions without any
> fruitive desires is taught by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita." -
> Swami Vivekananda
>
> "The Bhagavad-Gita is where God Himself talks to His devotee Arjuna."
> Paramahansa Yogananda
>
> "The Bhagavad-Gita has a profound influence on the spirit of mankind
> by its devotion to God which is manifested by actions."
> Dr. Albert Schweizer
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Be a better friend, newshound, and  know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.
  Try it now.
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.
Try it now.
>

Dudes! I can find half a million such quotes for every other religious text ever written... quotes can't make one piece of scripture better than another...

sean tremblay <bethjams9@yahoo.com> wrote:

And it's a kick ass story filled with action adventure and romance

medit8ionsociety <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

One of the most common emails the
Meditation Society of America gets
asks for advice on which books are
the best dealing with meditation.
We had several this week and also
received an email from the Divya
Jivan Newsletter that pointed to
one answer to this question. We'll
let these quotes speak for themselves:

"When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this
universe everything else seems so superfluous." - Albert Einstein

"The Bhagavad-Gita calls on humanity to dedicate body, mind and soul
to pure duty and not to become mental voluptuaries at the mercy of
random desires and undisciplined impulses." -Mahatma Gandhiji

"The Bhagavad-Gita is the most systematic statement of spiritual
evolution of endowing value to mankind. It is one of the most clear
and comprehensive summaries of perennial philosophy ever revealed;
hence its enduring value is subject not only to India but to all of
humanity." - Aldous Huxley

"The Bhagavad-Gita is a true scripture of the human race a living
creation rather than a book, with a new message for every age and a
new meaning for every civilization." - Sri Aurobindo

"In the morning I bathe my intellect in the stupendous and cosmogonal
philosophy of the Bhagavad-Gita, in comparison with which our modern
world and its literature seems puny and trivial."
Henry David Thoreau

"The marvel of the Bhagavad-Gita is its truly beautiful revelation of
life's wisdom which enables philosophy to blossom into religion." -
Herman Hesse

"The Bhagavad-Gita deals essentially with the spiritual foundation of
human existence. It is a call of action to meet the obligations and
duties of life; yet keeping in view the spiritual nature and grander
purpose of the universe."
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

"I owed a magnificent day to the Bhagavad-Gita. It was the first of
books; it was as if an empire spoke to us, nothing small or unworthy,
but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence which
in another age and climate had pondered and thus disposed of the same
questions which exercise us."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The Bhagavad-Gita is an empire of thought and in its philosophical
teachings Krishna has all the attributes of the full-fledged
montheistic deity and at the same time the attributes of the
Upanisadic absolute."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"In order to approach a creation as sublime as the Bhagavad-Gita with
full understanding it is necessary to attune our soul to it." -
Rudolph Steiner

"The Bhagavad-Gita is not seperate from the Vaisnava philosophy and
the Srimad Bhagavatam fully reveals the true import of this doctrine
which is transmigation of the soul. On perusal of the first chapter of
Bhagavad-Gita one may think that they are advised to engage in
warfare. When the second chapter has been read it can be clearly
understood that knowledge and the soul is the ultimate goal to be
attained. On studying the third chapter it is apparent that acts of
righteousness are also of high priority. If we continue and patiently
take the time to complete the Bhagavad-Gita and try to ascertain the
truth of its closing chapter we can see that the ultimate conclusion
is to relinquish all the conceptualized ideas of religion which we
possess and fully surrender directly unto the Supreme Lord."
Sri Swami Prabhupada

"The secret of karma yoga which is to perform actions without any
fruitive desires is taught by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita." -
Swami Vivekananda

"The Bhagavad-Gita was spoken by Lord Krishna to reveal the science of
devotion to God which is the essence of all spiritual knowledge. The
Supreme Lord Krishnas primary purpose for descending and incarnating
is relieve the world of any demoniac and negative, undesirable
influences that are opposed to spiritual development, yet
simultaneously it is His incomparable intention to be perpetually
within reach of all humanity."
Sri Ramanuja

"Nothing has ever arisen in my life, internal or external, that the
Gita has not made clear and enabled me to deal with or understand." -
Swami Nirmalananda Giri

"When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and
I see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagavad-Gita and
find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the
midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those who meditate on the Gita will
derive fresh joy and new meanings from it every day."
Mahatma Gandhiji

"From a clear knowledge of the Bhagavad-Gita all the goals of human
existence become fulfilled. Bhagavad-Gita is the manifest quintessence
of all the teachings of the Vedic scriptures."
Adi Sankara

"The secret of karma yoga which is to perform actions without any
fruitive desires is taught by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita." -
Swami Vivekananda

"The Bhagavad-Gita is where God Himself talks to His devotee Arjuna."
Paramahansa Yogananda

"The Bhagavad-Gita has a profound influence on the spirit of mankind
by its devotion to God which is manifested by actions."
Dr. Albert Schweizer

---

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

---

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

Dear Meditation Society of America,

The Peace Every Day Initiative is working
to bring together as many meditation groups
as possible to create peace by being peace.
Seeing the meditation traditions united can
help deepen each individual, and transform
the global consciousness.  We have a site
with all the explanations about participating daily -
www.PeaceEveryDay.org.  The practice is
through your style/tradition of meditation,
with a feeling-based oneness experience linking
and permeating the planet.  The 140 who have
endorsed are linked under "sponsors".  Each
endorsing sponsor commits to the daily peace
meditating, and agrees to spread the practice
to a wide, critical mass network.  I hope to
hear from you soon about being an endorser of
the Peace Every Day Initiative.  Thank you.

Best,

Michael Bedar
Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center
Assistant to Gabriel Cousens, M.D., M.D.(H),
Founder of the Peace Every Day Initiative
www.PeaceEveryDay.org
Founded at the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center,
Patagonia, AZ
web: www.treeoflife.nu
email: michael@...
phone: 520-394-2520 x209
fax: 415-598-2409

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "Gwyn Plaine"
<gplaine@...> wrote:
>
> So, the Gita?
>
Quite possibly the Gita is "best" of the best
(along with The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali).
My favorite translation and commentary
will be found in this version:
The Living Gita; The Complete Bhagavad Gita
Author: Sri Swami Satchidananda
Many other "Best" books can be found on our
Suggested Reading list:
http://www.meditationsociety.com/reading.html
Also, one of the best recent NonDuality books is:
Essential Writings on Nonduality
ONE
Edited by Jerry Katz
and I would include one of the truly classic
treasures to be:
I AM THAT,
Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

But...I really think that there is no book
that can do as much for your understanding of
meditation and help your evolution in
consciousness as actually meditating.
Peace and blessings,
Bob

> On Dec 7, 2007 2:54 PM, medit8ionsociety <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
wrote:
>
> >   One of the most common emails the
> > Meditation Society of America gets
> > asks for advice on which books are
> > the best dealing with meditation.
> > We had several this week and also
> > received an email from the Divya
> > Jivan Newsletter that pointed to
> > one answer to this question. We'll
> > let these quotes speak for themselves:
> >
> > "When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and
> > reflace about how God created this
> > universe everything else seems so superfluous."
> > Albert Einstein
> >
> > "The Bhagavad-Gita calls on humanity to
> > dedicate body, mind and soul
> > to pure duty and not to become mental
> > voluptuaries at the mercy of
> > random desires and undisciplined impulses."
> > Mahatma Gandhiji
> >
> > "The Bhagavad-Gita is the most systematic statement
> > of spiritualevolution of endowing value to mankind.
> > It is one of the most clear and comprehensive
> > summaries of perennial philosophy ever revealed;
> > hence its enduring value is subject not only to
> > India but to all of humanity."
> > Aldous Huxley
> >
> > "The Bhagavad-Gita is a true scripture of the
> > human race a living creation rather than a book,
> > with a new message for every age and a
> > new meaning for every civilization."
> > Sri Aurobindo
> >
> > "In the morning I bathe my intellect in the
> > stupendous and cosmogonal philosophy of the
> > Bhagavad-Gita, in comparison with which our modern
> > world and its literature seems puny and trivial."
> > Henry David Thoreau
> >
> > "The marvel of the Bhagavad-Gita is its truly
> > beautiful revelation of life's wisdom which
> > enables philosophy to blossom into religion."
> > Herman Hesse
> >
> > "The Bhagavad-Gita deals essentially with the
> > spiritual foundation of human existence. It is
> > a call of action to meet the obligations and
> > duties of life; yet keeping in view the spiritual
> > nature and grander purpose of the universe."
> > Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
> >
> > "I owed a magnificent day to the Bhagavad-Gita.
> > It was the first of books; it was as if an empire
> > spoke to us, nothing small or unworthy,
> > but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an
> > old intelligence which in another age and climate
> > had pondered and thus disposed of the same
> > questions which exercise us."
> > Ralph Waldo Emerson
> >
> > "The Bhagavad-Gita is an empire of thought
> > and in its philosophical teachings Krishna
> > has all the attributes of the full-fledged
> > montheistic deity and at the same time the
> > attributes of the Upanisadic absolute."
> > Ralph Waldo Emerson
> >
> > "In order to approach a creation as sublime
> > as the Bhagavad-Gita with full understanding
> > it is necessary to attune our soul to it." -
> > Rudolph Steiner
> >
> > "The Bhagavad-Gita is not seperate from the
> > Vaisnava philosophy and the Srimad Bhagavatam
> > fully reveals the true import of this doctrine
> > which is transmigation of the soul. On perusal
> > of the first chapter of Bhagavad-Gita one may
> > think that they are advised to engage in
> > warfare. When the second chapter has been read
> > it can be clearly understood that knowledge and
> > the soul is the ultimate goal to be
> > attained. On studying the third chapter it is
> > apparent that acts of righteousness are also of
> > high priority. If we continue and patiently
> > take the time to complete the Bhagavad-Gita and
> > try to ascertain the truth of its closing chapter
> > we can see that the ultimate conclusion
> > is to relinquish all the conceptualized ideas
> > of religion which we possess and fully surrender
> > directly unto the Supreme Lord."
> > Sri Swami Prabhupada
> >
> > "The secret of karma yoga which is to perform
> > actions without any fruitive desires is taught
> > by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita."
> > Swami Vivekananda
> >
> > "The Bhagavad-Gita was spoken by Lord Krishna to
> > reveal the science of devotion to God which is the
> > essence of all spiritual knowledge. The
> > Supreme Lord Krishnas primary purpose for descending
> > and incarnating is relieve the world of any demoniac
> > and negative, undesirable influences that are
> > opposed to spiritual development, yet
> > simultaneously it is His incomparable intention
> > to be perpetually within reach of all humanity."
> > Sri Ramanuja
> >
> > "Nothing has ever arisen in my life, internal
> > or external, that the Gita has not made clear
> > and enabled me to deal with or understand."
> > Swami Nirmalananda Giri
> >
> > "When doubts haunt me, when disappointments
> > stare me in the face, and I see not one ray of
> > hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagavad-Gita and
> > find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin
> > to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those
> > who meditate on the Gita will
> > derive fresh joy and new meanings from it every day."
> > Mahatma Gandhiji
> >
> > "From a clear knowledge of the Bhagavad-Gita all
> > the goals of human existence become fulfilled.
> > Bhagavad-Gita is the manifest quintessence
> > of all the teachings of the Vedic scriptures."
> > Adi Sankara
> >
> > "The secret of karma yoga which is to perform
> > actions without any fruitive desires is taught
> > by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita." -
> > Swami Vivekananda
> >
> > "The Bhagavad-Gita is where God Himself talks to
> > His devotee Arjuna."
> > Paramahansa Yogananda
> >
> > "The Bhagavad-Gita has a profound influence on
> > the spirit of mankind by its devotion to God
> > which is manifested by actions."
> > Dr. Albert Schweizer
> >
> >
> >
>