Babaji’s Assignment for Sri Yukteswar; The Holy Science

[Jitendra Hydonus]

From the Holy Science by Sri Yukteswar

During my conversation with Babaji we spoke of the particular class of men who now frequent these places of pilgrimage I humbly suggested that they were men greater by far in intelligence of  most of these then present, men living in distant parts of the world Europe and America -professing different creeds  and ignorant of the real significance of the Kumbha Mela. They were men fit to hold communion with the spiritual devotees so far as intelligence is concerned. Yet such intellectual men in foreign lands were wedded to rank materialism. Some of them, though famous for their investigations in the realms of science and philosophy do not recognize the essential unity in religion. The professed creeds serve as nearly insurmountable barriers that threaten to separate mankind forever.  My paramguruji Maharaj Balaji smiled and honoring me with the title of swami imposed on me the task of this book I was chosen, I do not know the reason why, to remove the barriers and to help in establishing the basic truth in all religions.

~Sri Yukteswar and the purpose of the book he wrote; The Holy Science

As I was talking to Eric on the phone today we came to a point in our conversation where he and I were discussing various astrological significances that Swami Vidyadhishananda, Sri Yukteswar, Paramahansa Yogananda spoke of while being on this earth. Swami Vidyadhishananda appears to have insights in the present short time frame of the world that is part of a wider astrological perspective that includes a 24 thousand year cycle we call the yugas and western science terms; the procession of the equinoxes.

I intend to talk a bit about this large cycle since we are now a witness to how it is unfolding before us and how it has historically in the past. It is described in the beginning pages of the Holy Science.

[guest587]

Thanks Steve,

It's been my experience that there are spiritually adept individuals who cringe at the word religion. I believe these are souls who have been marred by Maya, where religion at one point in time brought them only suffering. The Sufi or mystic point of view teaches us to respect all walks of life, as consciousness is One. It teaches us to focus on qualities that unite, even amongst the various religions. It is eventually understood, that religion is merely a stepping stone towards God-Realization. All the noise and drama that has been birthed from this concept is created by man- where man challenges natural law. This drama includes but is not limited to greed and enslavement. I have witnessed an attitude of contempt towards the word religion by many great Western minds. If you look for discord surely you will find it. Similarly, it could be trauma from a past life experienced in a dark age.

Fortunately I believe we are at a moment in time where we are able to assist others- and there is a great reward in it for all of us. It is the promise of Love or Understanding. I believe we are on the verge of a collective discovery- whatever path one finds themselves treading. Here is todays bowl of saki, a perfect zeitgeist in regards to our vibratory state and stream of consciousness~

Insight into life is the real religion, which alone can help us to understand life.

     Bowl of Saki, May 20, by Hazrat Inayat Khan

  "The worst evil that has ever been should show man that it is now time to awaken and understand that it is not a study of national or social problems, not a study of religious questions that will bring an everlasting peace; but it is the insight into life which is the real religion and which alone can help man to understand life."

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VII/VII_23.htm

[Jitendra Hydonus]

Sri Yukteswar speaks a lot about contributing factors which lead to natural living as intended before our sense organs are directed at such confusing state that we no longer are able to even have an idea of what natural living is but are rather mesmerized by maya, the cosmic magician that keeps us tied to this physical reality of duality and delusion. We are corrupted by food that is intended for animals and not the sensitive apparatus of our spiritual body. This is much different than the carnivorous and omnivorous desires of animals, which are not yet able to awaken spiritual insights from the dimensions of the astral and causal dimensions.

Being evolved to the human state brings intermittent and eventually more permanent experiences with higher dimensions that suit our spiritual consciousness. Taking on a vegetarian diet cools the body from distracting desires and the natural environment of the woods, mountains and ocean refresh and provide a spiritual environment more suited for spiritual reflection and recognition than city life and constant sensory stimulation that makes it difficult to focus with clarity on spiritual insight and intuition. Nature reflects the sounds and smells that spiritual consciousness awakens in us, whereas the constant environment of human noise and restlessness steals our peace and inner beauty expressed as calmness, wisdom and joyful interaction with others.

Reading the Holy Science elevates us into the higher yugas (ages) where this knowledge has come from. We cannot but be somewhat distracted at even uplifting books from previous ages because they also reflect the vast ignorance of humanity at that time, therefore we meet with conflict with those belief systems. Spirituality is a constant search, not a static system that entombs us in mental and physical turmoil. It is not the Masters of these dark ages that brought such dissonance but rather those who wrote what they heard and interpreted.

[guest587]

I think being a vegetarian is a luxury of living in a functioning society. But not every luxury is considered advantageous for spiritual prosperity.

I'm watching a series called "Alone" where contestants try to survive in the wild, something our ancestors did.

I'm told the one vegetarian who tried to survive had to eat meat in order to continue. She was quickly becoming malnourished and lacking essential vitamins and minerals. Her lifestyle choice was killing her.

Considering the importance of our spine and the spiritual mysteries of our body- to me that would mean striving for optimal health with our neurons, our blood, our cells- etc. and considering that eating meat provides us with nutrients that you can not get anywhere else...

I wonder how much of being a vegetarian has more to do with Indian tradition than considering actual spirituality. The case for every individual is most certainly unique. Are the tribes who still live off the land and eat meat, who have shamans and pray to God and feel they are in tune with Mother Earth- are they somehow less spiritual than the Indian man who says to be vegetarian?

I mean no insult to injury- I respect your lifestyle decision Steve, it doesn't mean I have to follow the same. And I don't think it means I am barred from Gods Grace. Or maybe it means I am hurting my cause? I can't say. I tried being vegetarian in my 20's and I was also becoming malnourished. A man at 6'5 should not weigh 180lbs, but that happened and people were becoming concerned. I do recall having strong spiritual experiences, but I can't say whether or not being vegetarian is what is responsible for that. Why? Because I had strong spiritual experiences while I ate meat as well... I think it had more to do with an outside force waking me up to a greater reality. Once in a trance like state I held my arm and said, "too skinny" as if it came from my higher self.

While I do think keeping our body in optimal health is important I at times struggle with *knowing* what's right and feel that perhaps I need to include more vegetarian meals, still maintaining adequate protein intake. I do this as conscious as I can- supporting small farms that allow the animal a natural and happy life, or supporting hunters and fishers who harvest from the wild. And in most cases I try to pick businesses that are practicing things that are good for the animal and the environment. So, I could start there. Maybe a vegetarian meal every other day.

I remember even Gurunath who did not say we must become vegetarian but to limit our red meat intake and to include plenty of leafy greens as much as possible.

Can sincerity, prayer and meditation allow us to experience the subtler realms and be sensitive to higher dimensions?

I am asking with serious curiosity, not to say whose lifestyle is better- I am not here to condemn a vegetarian and I am not here to insult Sri Yuketswar or Yogananda- or the millions of spiritual aspirants who follow a vegetarian diet. Swami Vidyadhishananda is vegetarian and told me the monks in the mountains survived off nothing but green elixir. Then there are accounts of saints who did not need to eat food and could survive off sunlight.

Was it their Faith that carried them to that level of experience? Sometimes I also felt, not grounded enough, if I started fasting or practicing vegetarianism. Maybe each individual is meant to discover what works best for them.

With everything I've read and experienced- as far as nutrition goes, I am extremely hesitant to go back to being a vegetarian but I admire your choice Steve, because I think you have so much faith around your decision- and I think that carries you through any potential health deficiencies. But maybe I'm mistaken.