“Truth Hath No Confines“

~Captain Ahab, in Herman Melville’s classic novel, Moby-Dick.

Many of us may recall Moby-Dick as required reading in high school, and/or at least know the outline of the story:

A Nantucket whaling-ship captain named Ahab seeks revenge for getting his leg chomped off by a White Whale named Moby. Drowning ensues. Moby gets away. The End.

Many people have wondered why Herman Melville ended his somewhat strange tale of Ahab vs. the White Whale on such a tragic note.

What’s the message?

To paraphrase Jed McKenna: What could be the message?

And, by the way, very special thanks to Jed McKenna for pointing out the facets of Moby-Dick which resulted in the video below.

What facets?

Those are best described in the video.

Please take a few minutes to watch — and please let us know what you think.

Suffice it to say that if you haven’t read Spiritually Incorrect Enlightenment by Jed McKenna, your views about Moby-Dick may just be changing rather radically in the next few minutes (if you watch the video, that is).

Jed McKenna posits some rather staggering and radical ideas about Moby-Dick, which are highlighted in our newest video.

The most staggering and radical aspect of all, though, it that having just re-read Moby-Dick, and viewing it afresh, per Jed McKenna’s amazing insights — it appears he’s either largely, or completely, correct, with respect to his amazing, Living Unbound-related insights, not only about the story of Moby-Dick, but about the book’s author, Herman Melville.

And even “partially” (correct) would make Moby-Dick an infinitely more interesting and important story than most of us could ever have imagined.

Being a bit about spiritual symbolism ourselves, as well any and all resources that can help us all with Living Unbound, we’re now going to be studying Moby-Dick in greater detail as well, with the intention being to expand upon Jed McKenna’s initial insights.

We’ll keep you posted.

Resources:

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2. Jed McKenna Quotes
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"Devotion" ~ by Shweta Mitra (July 2010)

O My Mind

O my mind,
Worship the lotus feet of the Indestructible One!
Whatever thou seest twixt earth and sky
Will perish.
Why undertake fasts and pilgrimages?
Why engage in philosophical discussions?
Why commit suicide in Banaras?
Take no pride in the body,
It will soon be mingling with the dust.
This life is like the sporting of sparrows,
It will end with the onset of night.
Why don the ochre robe
And leave home as a sannyasi?
Those who adopt the external garb of a Jogi,
But do not penetrate to the secret,
Are caught again in the net of rebirth.
Mira’s Lord is the courtly Giridhara.
Deign to sever, O Master.
All the knots in her heart.

***

In A Sudden

In a sudden,
the sight,
Your look of light,
stills all,

The curd-pot
falls to

the ground.

Parents and
brothers
all call a halt.

Pry out, they say,
this thing from your heart.
You’ve lost your path.

Says Mira:
Who but you
can see in the dark
of a heart?

***

Devotion-Krishna

I WRITE OF THAT JOURNEY

I remember how my mother would hold me.
I would look up at her sometimes and see her weep.

I understand now what was happening.
Love so strong a force
it broke the
cage,

And she disappeared from everything
for a blessed
moment.

All actions have evolved
From the taste of flight;
the hope of freedom
moves our cells
and limbs.

Unable to live on the earth, Mira ventured out alone in the sky –
I write of that journey
of becoming as
free as
God.

Don’t forget love;
it will bring all the madness you need
to unfurl yourself across
the universe.

***

I Have Found

I have found, yes, I have found the wealth of the Divine Name’s gem.
My true guru gave me a priceless thing.
With his grace, I accepted it.
I found the capital of my several births;
I have lost the whole rest of the world.
No one can spend it, no one can steal it.
Day by day it increases one and a quarter times.
On the boat of truth, the boatman was my true guru.
I came across the ocean of existence.
Mira’s Lord is the Mountain-Holder,
the suave lover, of whom I merrily, merrily sing.

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Related posts:

1. Inspirational Quotes and Poems by Rumi

***

It is your fixed idea that you must be something or other that blinds you.

***

The world is like a sheet of paper on which something is typed. The
reading and the meaning will vary with the reader, but the paper is
the common factor, always present, rarely perceived. When the ribbon
is removed, typing leaves no trace on the paper. So is my mind – the
impressions keep on coming, but no trace is left.

***

Once you know with absolute certainty that nothing can trouble you but your own imagination, you come to disregard your desires and fears, concepts and ideas and live by truth alone.

***

There is no need of a way out! Don’t you see that a way out is also a part of the dream? All you have to do is to see the dream as dream.

***

There is no such thing as a person.
There are only restrictions and limitations.
The sum total of these defines the person. (…)
The person merely appears to be, like
the space within the pot appears to have the shape and volume
and smell of the pot.

***

Awareness is ever there.
It need not be realized.
Open the shutter of the mind, and it will be flooded with light.

***

You are not in the body, the body is in you!
The mind is in you.
They happen to you.
They are there because you find them interesting.

***

Do understand that you are destined for enlightenment.
Co-operate with your destiny, don’t go against it, don’t thwart it.
Allow it to fulfill itself.
All you have to do is to give attention to the obstacles created by the foolish mind.

***

Your sincerity will guide you.
Devotion to the goal of freedom and perfection will make you abandon all theories and systems and live by wisdom, intelligence and active love.
Theories may be good as starting points, but must be abandoned, the sooner — the better.

***

There is no chaos in the world, except the chaos which your mind creates.
It is self-created in the sense that at its very center is the false idea of oneself as a thing different and separate from other things.
In reality you are not a thing, nor separate.

***

Time is in the mind, space is in the mind.
The law of cause and effect is also a way of thinking.
In reality all is here and now and all is one.
Multiplicity and diversity are in the mind only.

***

When I realize I am nothing that’s wisdom and when I realize I am everything that’s love and between the two my life turns.

***

If you could only keep quiet, clear of memories and expectations, you would be able to discern the beautiful pattern of events.
Its your restlessness that causes chaos.

***

There is no such thing as an expression of reality. You are introducing a duality where there is none. Only reality is, there is nothing else. Just watch events happening, knowing them to be unreal.

***

Learn to look without imagination, to listen without distortion: that is all. Stop attributing names and shapes to the essentially nameless and formless, realise that every mode of perception is subjective, that what is seen or heard, touched or smelt, felt or thought, expected or imagined, is in the mind and not in reality, and you will experience peace and freedom from fear.

***

My actual experience is not different. It is my evaluation and attitude that differ. I see the same world as you do, but not the same way. There is nothing mysterious about it. Everybody sees the world through the idea he has of himself. As you think yourself to be, so you think the world to be. If you imagine yourself as separate from the world, the world will appear as separate from you and you will experience desire and fear. I do not see the world as separate from me and so there is nothing for me to desire, or fear.

***

Resource:

http://blog.gaiam.com/quotes/authors/nisargadatta-maharaj

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2. Jed McKenna Quotes
3. Inspirational Quotes and Poems by Rumi

***

Liberation is our very nature.
We are that.
The very fact that we wish for liberation shows that freedom from all bondage is our real nature.
It is not to be freshly acquired.
All that is necessary is to get rid of the false notion that we are bound.
When we achieve that, there will be no desire or thought of any sort.
So long as one desires liberation, so long, you may take it, one is in bondage.

***

Reality must always be real.
It is not with names and forms.
That which underlies these is the reality.
It underlies limitations being itself limitless.
It is not bound.

***

Happiness is your nature.
It is not wrong to desire it.
What is wrong is seeking it outside  when it is inside.

***

If the mind is happy, not only the body but the whole world will be happy.
So one must find out how to become happy oneself.
Wanting to transform the world without discovering one’s true self is like trying to cover the whole world with leather to avoid the pain of walking on stones and thorns.
It is much simpler to wear shoes.

***

Mind is consciousness which has put on limitations. You are originally unlimited and perfect. Later you take on limitations and become the mind.

***

The Guru is both external and internal.
From the exterior he gives a push to the mind to turn it inwards.
From the interior he pulls the mind towards the Self and helps in the quieting of the mind. That is the Guru’s grace.
There is no difference between God, Guru and the Self.

***

Nearly all mankind is more or less unhappy because nearly all do not know the true Self.
Real happiness abides in Self-knowledge alone.
All else is fleeting.
To know one’s Self is to be blissful always.

***

The experience of silence alone is the real and perfect knowledge.
Know that the many objective differences are not real but are superimpositions on Self, which is the form of true knowledge.

***

Correcting oneself is correcting the whole world.
The Sun is simply bright. It does not correct anyone.
Because it shines, the whole world is full of light.
Transforming yourself is a means of giving light to the whole world.

***

It is false to speak of realization.
What is there to realize? The real is as it is always.
We are not creating anything new, or achieving anything we did not have before.

***

Instead of indulging in mere speculation, devote yourself here and now to the search for the Truth that is ever within you.

***

Reality is simply the loss of ego.
Destroy the ego by seeking its identity.
Because the ego is no entity it will automatically vanish and reality will shine forth by itself.

***

Resources:

http://peacefulrivers.homestead.com/Maharshi.html
http://thinkexist.com/quotes/ramana_maharshi/

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Related posts:

1. Quotes by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
2. Jed McKenna Quotes
3. Abhinavagupta Quotes

“Heart Hands” ~ Shweta Mitra (May 2010)

LOVE STORY

Stumbling, a dark cold night
Shrinking, melancholy, sheer fright
Maze of questions, “Is this it?”
Must find answers, can’t yet quit

A flicker of light, a faint glow
“Come to Me”, unambiguous now
“Where?” “How?” ask I
“Take one step and I’ll take five”

Courage and trust the Voice seeks
So right and pure and good it feels
Surrendering, that lonely night
A leap of faith into the Light

What to name that divine One
Guide, Friend, Self, love?
It matters not, what is in a name?
Becoming That, the only real way

Remains true to His word, He does
Five steps to every single one
Enticing, luring, goading, showing
Unexpected glimpses of Infinite Glory

Longing, desperate and wordless
Intense desire to become That
To know it for what It is
Love and light, peace and bliss

An offering made every minute
Take it all now, please take it
Ignorance, darkness, fear, rage
Destiny re-written, a brand new page

Not long, the spark now a blaze
Of moments, hours, days
The Voice gaining hold
A promise long foretold

Dark days a distant dream
Light and love fill the being
Pathway to That painstakingly built
The veil of illusion lifted bit by bit

~Dr. Kavitha Chinnaiyan

Founder of  Heal Your Heart Free Your Soul

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Jed McKenna is one of the most straightforward and authentic spiritual teachers, ever. Jed tells it like it is: the reality of Living Unbound, and the way to Living Unbound. Jed McKenna is a pen-name, but whoever writes as Jed McKenna articulates Living Unbound in reality with an authenticity and a clarity rarely found anywhere.

Here is some of the very direct and very real wisdom of Jed McKenna:

Suffering just means you’re having a bad dream. Happiness means you’re having a good dream. Enlightenment means getting out of the dream altogether.

**

Enlightenment isn’t when you go there; it’s when there comes here.

**

It’s ego – the false self – that exalts the guru and declares the teaching sacred, but nothing is exalted or sacred, only true or not true.

**

Enlightenment is the unprogrammed state.

**

I don’t have something you don’t; you believe something I don’t.

**

The point is to wake up, not to earn a Ph.D. In waking up.

**

The bottom line remains the same: you’re either awake or you’re not.One day, there it is. Nothing. No more enemies, no more battles.

**

There’s nothing left to contend against and nothing left that must be done, and there will never be anything that must be done ever again.

**

The you that you think of as you (and that thinks of you as you, and so on) is not you, it’s just the character that the underlying truth of you is dreaming into existence.  Enlightenment isn’t in the character, it’s in the underlying truth.

**

Wake up first. Wake up, and then you can double back and perhaps be of some use to others if you still have the urge. Wake up first, with pure and unapologetic selfishness, or you’re just another shipwreck victim floundering in the ocean and all the compassion in the world is of absolutely no use to the other victims floundering around you.

**

The universe isn’t vague and ignorant. I am vague and ignorant. Something is true, and it doesn’t matter what it is, I’m not going to be false any more. I have not even the slightest trace of the slightest reservation that I would rather suffer and die figuring out what is true than continue this life as a slave to lies and ignorance.

-On the attitude needed for enlightenment

**

I don’t see it as my role to save or rescue anybody any more than regular people feel the need to rescue each other from sleeping and dreaming.

**

That’s how it is in dreams: thoughts become things practically before they’re thought.

**

You can’t manage to avoid your own true nature forever. It’s a wonder anybody manages it at all.

**

Who you are has little or nothing to do with you.
**

There is no true self. Truth and self are mutually exclusive.

**

This is about unknowing. All this so-called knowledge is exactly what stands between seeker and sought.

**

The teachers we need will always be there when we need them; no reason to track down somebody else’s.

**

The ‘I” casts off the illusion of ‘I’ and yet remains as ‘I’. Such is the paradox of self-realization. The realized do not see any contradiction in it.

**

Before enlightenment, I believed my ego was me. Then enlightenment comes along and no more ego, only the underlying reality. Now it’s after enlightenment, and this ego might be slightly uncomfortable or ill-fitting at times, but it’s all I’ve got.

**

The idea that your ego is destroyed in the process of enlightenment is roughly correct, but it’s not complete. Before enlightenment, you’re a human being in the world, just like everyone you see. During enlightenment, you realize that the human being that you thought you were is just a character in a play, and that the world you thought you were in is just a stage, so you go through a process of radical deconstruction of your character to see what’s left when it’s gone. The result isn’t enlightened-self or true-self, it’s no-self. When it’s all over it’s time to be a human being in the world again, and that means slipping back into costume and getting back onstage.

**

Miracles are nature unimpeded, which is a good way of saying that if you take your hand off the tiller, the boat will steer itself and do a vastly better job of it than you ever could.

**

Relax into the moment and let the universe do the driving. If there was a secret to happiness in life, I’d say that was it.

**

Trust you develop a little at a time as you learn to relinquish the illusion of control.

**

They have abandoned the illusion of control. It doesn’t matter why you do it, just that you do. This is the point of distinction and the root teaching of all major religions.

~On the power of spiritual devotion

**

Fear and ego – in other words, ignorance – are keeping your hand on the tiller. Release the tiller for whatever reason, and the steering takes care of itself.

**

Everyone’s grooving on the gurus, and everyone’s getting more and more spiritual, but nobody’s waking up.

**

Go jump off a cliff. Don’t go near the cliff and contemplate jumping off. Don’t read a book about jumping off. Don’t study the art and science of jumping off. Don’t join a support group for jumping off. Don’t write poems about jumping off. Don’t kiss the ass of someone else who jumped off. Just jump.

**

The difference between us isn’t that I’m enlightened and you’re not. The difference between us is that I know it, and you don’t.

**

The truth is identical for both of us. I haven’t achieved a better status than you.

**

There’s no such thing as instant enlightenment any more than there’s such a thing as an instant baby.

**

Simply put, I don’t think. I don’t make choices or decisions.  I don’t weigh possibilities and select one over others. Instead, I observe patterns and move with them.

**

I used to try to be smart and now I don’t and everything works a whole lot better. Stopping being smart was one of the smartest things I’ve ever done.

**

This is it. Not some other time, not some other place. Right here. Right now. I am standing at the exact center of infinity and I see beauty and perfection and absolute delight everywhere and in every thing. The touch of the slightest breeze, the sight of a single star through cloud-swept skies, the howls of coyote pups in the distance and the sheer glory and beauty of it all is enough to tear me to shreds and all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you

**

Truth isn’t an idea or a concept. It’s not in libraries or the words of sages. It doesn’t come in a flash of insight or a peak experience. It’s not a feeling of bliss or ecstasy. It’s not a concept to be understood or a feeling to be experienced. It’s not in your heart or your mind. It’s further.

**

Spiritual awakening is about discovering what’s true. Anything that’s not about getting to the truth must be discarded. Truth isn’t about knowing things; you already know too much. It’s about unknowing. It’s not about becoming true; it’s about unbecoming false so that all that’s left is truth.

**

No belief is true. No. Belief. Is. True.

**

One millionth of one percent false is completely false. Everything in duality is false. False as in not true. Not true as in bullshit.

**

This isn’t a song we’re singing or a mountain we’re climbing; it’s a dream we’re unweaving.

**

Living Unbound Jed McKenna Videos Playlist – 11 Videos, Total

**

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2. Abhinavagupta Quotes
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Here are some quotes from Abhinavagupta on the simple reality of Living Unbound that is the true nature of everyone, the ground of being of pure, liberated awareness underlying “accumulated multiplicity” as Abhinavagupta terms it.

This bliss is not like the intoxication of wine or that of riches, nor similar to union with the beloved. The manifestation of the light of consciousness is not like the ray of light from a lamp, sun or moon. When one frees oneself from accumulated multiplicity, the state of bliss is like that of putting down a burden; the manifestation of the Light is like the acquiring of a lost treasure, the domain of universal non-duality.

Nothing perceived is independent of perception and perception differs not from the perceiver, therefore the universe is nothing but the perceiver.

**

Philosophy is an elaboration of different kinds of experiences. The abstractions of high-grade metaphysics are based on spiritual experience and derive their whole value from the experiences they symbolize.

**

Relative distinction between two realities is not impossible. This is the doctrine of Supreme Unity in which in which relative distinction is neither shunned nor accepted. While there is an external difference between phenomena, there is none inwardly.

**

The existence or non-existence of phenomena within the domain of the empirical cannot be established unless they rest within consciousness. In fact, phenomena which rest within consciousness are apparent. And the fact of their appearing is itself their oneness with consciousness because consciousness is nothing but the fact of appearing.

**

The group of subjects, the various means of knowledge, the multiple kinds of knowledge and the objects of knowledge – all this is consciousness alone. The Supreme Goddess is the absolute freedom of consciousness which assumes all these forms.

**

Both characteristics, unity and diversity, are found in that which does not fall to the level of an object but which, because it is consciousness, is the supremely real Light. It has only one characteristic, namely, consciousness which is the perfect medium of reflection. This is what experience tells us.

**

The truth is therefore this: the Supreme Lord manifests freely all the varied play of emissions and absorptions in the sky of his own nature.

**

The Light is the supreme reality that encompasses all the categories from Earth to Paramasiva, while the unfolding of the reflective awareness of the Heart of I consciousness within it, distinguishes between them.

**

Absolute consciousness is manifest here in every circumstance of daily life because it is everywhere full and perfect. Consciousness is said to be the cause of all things because it is everywhere emergent as each manifest entity.

**

The extremely pure conscious reality transcends all talk of succession and its absence.

**

Immersing himself in the supreme reality, clearly aware that consciousness is all things, the yogi’s consciousness vibrates. This vibration is the Great Pervasion.

**

The yogi should abide firmly fixed in his own nature by the power of the exertion of his expanding consciousness. Thus he is established on the plane of Bliss relishing the objects of sense that spontaneously appear before him. Perfected yogis (siddha) , are ever steadfast in this, the Supreme Gesture (mudra), the perfect and unobstructed expansion of the awakened.

**

The couple (yamala) is consciousness itself; the unifying emission and the stable abode. It is the absolute, the noble cosmic bliss consisting of both (Siva and Sakti). It is the supreme secret of Kula (the ultimate reality); neither quiescent or emergent, it is the flowing fount of both quiescence and emergence.

**

The variety of this world can only be manifested if the Highest Lord, Who is essentially the pure light of consciousness, exists; just as a surface is necessary for a picture.

**

Other achievements are in vain if one has missed the supreme reality, the Self. But once one has attained this reality there is nothing left that one could desire.

**

Source: by The Doctrine Of Vibration By Mark S. G. Dyczkowski

For more on Kashmir Shaivism, please see the Living Unbound Kashmir Shaivism Resource Page.

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1. Living Unbound Resource: Kashmir Shaivism
2. Knowing Is Unity, Unity Is Power
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“I reach for a piece of wood. It turns into a lute.
I do some meanness. It turns out helpful.
I say one must not travel during the holy month.
Then I start out, and wonderful things happen.” ~Rumi

Like that, if we meditate and keep dancing, we will find our way. That is where our responsibility lies. Divine life is filled with paradox, and ever opening. Better not to second-guess it too much … though that too is part of it.

The guru is in you.

~Yogani

**********

Ego is just a concept, a word to describe consciousness identified with the objects of perception. Or, as the Buddhists say, “attached” to the objects of perception. The mind itself will not become dead until we are dead. It goes from being a tool of identified self (small “s”) to being a tool of unidentified Self (big “S”). What becomes dead in this life is identification of our awareness as self with all that appears in time and space. That is not death of the mind, or even of the “I thought” we call ego. We just come to know it for what it is, through the increasing presence of abiding inner silence (witness) cultivated in spiritual practices. It is the illumination of the mind in a divine outpouring, which then can awaken the unending joy of Oneness in time and space. It is the same thing that has been talked about by the sages of old, and modern ones too. It is the same experience. Only the words describing it may be a little different.

**********

From the perspective of the individual, thoughts are only omnipresent when consciously released in omnipresent abiding inner silence, which is cultivated through deep meditation. Before that, thoughts are only objects of perception with which we are identified locally. It is the samyama effect (release in stillness) that enables thought to become omnipresent, and therefore infinite in speed.

Before the samyama effect, a thought is like a picture. After the samyama effect, a thought is the thing itself, and far more influential via the infinite creative energy of divine outpouring that occurs when the mind is surrendered in stillness.

**********

Sri Yantra By Yogani. For more of these look here

Kundalini awakening is a partnership between ourselves and the divine. Have you taken ownership of your role in this partnership, or do you consider yourself to be a victim in it?

**********

“Uncertainty” is an interpretation of the flow of life, isn’t it? A “story.” This raises the question: Are we navigating a sea of uncertainty, or a sea of ecstatic bliss? It all depends on our point of view, and that depends on our relationship in stillness with the flow of life. Uncertainty is actually quite certain, isn’t it? Why argue with it? It can be very tiring. Much easier to go with it. We have plenty of choices as we move through — unlimited possibilities for uplifting the whole thing.

**********

This is the process of purification and opening, which we gradually learn to surrender to. With self-pacing of practices in play to keep things on an even keel.

First it is only about us. Then it becomes a partnership between us and the process of awakening. Finally, there is only the awakening, and the divine outpouring.

Fear evaporates along the way … what remains is stillness in action.

The guru is in you.

**********

Anyway, I generally don’t say “I am THAT.” I say “We are That.” There is a difference. One separates us, and the other brings us together.

What else do I have to say about it? Not much. Better to meditate daily and find out for yourself what THAT is. You will see there is nothing to fear. Who fears freedom anymore, having tasted even a little of it?

Until there is abiding inner silence, these kinds of discussions are mostly mind games — building castles in the air. Not that we should not have them. But we should know them for what they are — scenery that cannot enlighten us. Only effective practices can do that.

So practice wisely, and enjoy!

The guru is in you.

**********

~By Yogani*

**********

But, you know, after it is all said and done, it boils down to the one question that has no answer: Who or what am I?

No answer? But aren’t we pure bliss consciousness, the One, the Void, the Tao, and all of that? Surely this is the answer. But that isn’t the answer really. That is a structure in the mind, a concept. Not the thing itself. The who or what we are is not of the mind. It is beyond the mind. It is the infinite sea that mind is swimming in, which the mind is constantly trying to make into a solid concept. Trying to make solid what is fluid, invisible and without attributes. The mind is the proverbial fish that cannot see the water it is swimming in.

While there can be no answer to the question “Who or what am I?” we can realize we are that, become that, simply by letting go of the need to know. As soon as we surrender the heart and the mind, we are unadulterated That. This is not an answer. It is a condition. A non-experience of the AM-ness underlying the inner and outer din of our lives. We can only talk about it in a removed way.

Then, somehow, magically, mysteriously, this AM-ness is able to move within and through us, and express on this earth plane, as Love. We may ask, “How does this happen?” There is no answer to this question either. We can set up the conditions for it to happen through daily spiritual practice, but we cannot say how it happens, or why it is. It is beyond the rational mind. That is why we call it “Divine,” which explains everything, and nothing. We can have faith in what is, even if we cannot explain it. It has always been this way with human beings. When we don’t know, we call it “God,” or something that depicts the unknown, and our reverence for it. In time, we recognize that these too are concepts we transcend when we become the reality which they attempt to describe.

**********

Revenge is not self-defense. It is aggression, and will lead to complications.

It is aggression, and will lead to complications. It all depends on our spiritual condition. We will act as we must, according to our awareness. The trick is to expand our awareness, which will elevate all of our actions to a higher level of morality.

In truth, no one is injured, for ultimately we are beyond events occurring in time and space. We are pure bliss consciousness. As we advance in practices and on our path, we find this as direct experience, and act accordingly.

On the other hand, current perception is 100% of our reality, and we must live from where we are. In that case, some common sense can help keep us out of the ditch – paying attention to the basic precepts of yama (restraints) and niyama (observances), and to the laws of the land wherever we are living. It is certain that acting with personal intent to injure others will injure us, just as breaking the law of the land will lead to unwanted consequences in life. So it makes sense to keep this in mind.

If someone is harming you, it is reasonable to protect yourself, and take steps to prevent repeat injury from the same source in the future. However, it is not in your best interest to attempt to injure the other for revenge. That kind of “justice” is fleeting, and will only lead to further cycles of injury to you and others.

Prudent self-defense and forgiveness make good partners. “I love you and forgive you, but will not permit you to do that” is the way to handle those who are prone to inflict injury on others. It may mean exiting a relationship altogether, with no hard feelings. Actions performed on that basis are not personal. They are divine flow. But we may find anger mixed in, so it is good to pause to consider the consequences of our actions before moving ahead.

**********

*He had drawn this as a bookmark to indicate something in a book he send me. I think it is cute… so thought I’d share it. -Shweta

Resources:

The above quotes are taken from lessons posted by Yogani at the Advanced Yoga Practices Site and replies he has posted in the AYP forums.

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1. The Integral Wholeness Of Awareness
2. Samyama and Self Inquiry
3. Abhinavagupta Quotes

To Love Me Is To Know Me

I’m so unseen

Until my form is thought

To fill a need or two

To quench a thirst

To serve you now

Exactly as instructed

To please somehow

Until I am

Forgotten fresh again

Until your thirst reminds

Once more

For then I’m so important

And so I serve as I am told

A diamond used to stop a door

You’ve never even seen me

Yet pouring still is what I do

For loving is what fills this form

If I am used then I comply

As often as desired

But please just ask with open heart

And I will take you home to give

The source of all you yearn for

Yes you can have me

All of me

There’s just the matter

Of my name

How you address me

How you speak

I’m not the one

You think you know

For when you speak my name I laugh

Because you have it oh so wrong

Announcing me as property

As one who must obey

And so

Unnamed unknown

I play

My game with you

Until you see

Until you feel

Until you know

All I am for you now

Just speak my name

By loving me

To let me give you everything

~ Doug Sandlin

***

It’s a very common name, the world over; one that each of us has been all too familiar with, at one time or another — and yet, it is always in error.

The mis-used name?

“My mind.”

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1. Love Story
2. Real Love ~ Greg Baer
3. The Fragrance

“It’s a lie to think that you’re not good enough! It’s a lie to to think that you’re not worth anything!”

~Nick Vucijic

How can a guy like Nick enjoy happily Living Unbound?

Because Living Unbound is the natural state of all life, including the liberated awareness that we each and all every actually are, now.

Anything else is literally a bad dream.

Living Unbound is Freedom Beyond Imagination in Reality.

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1. Living Unbound: Sustaining Thoughtless Awareness
2. Living Unbound Profile: Richard Schooping
3. Living Unbound Music: The Inspirational Music of LIVE