Balance

[Jitendra Hydonus]

Over the years I have met people with various forms of imbalance. I’m sure we all have. We all are making an attempt to find our own balance as well in the activities and interests we have. I do not pretend to have a perfect balance in life. Although I find it important to be aware of the time I’m giving to various friends and activities. The concept and practice of meditation is rather new historically speaking. During the Kali Yuga, many if not most, people were just trying to survive. We find many if not most people trying to survive today. However, when Paramahansa Yogananda said that as a culture the most challenging issue of the American people is misplaced priorities, what did he mean? It is obvious to me having lived among saints and monastics and also living in a monastery six years of my life that balance of spiritual to material activities is much different around some people than others. Most people in our culture put a lot more premium on material desires verses spiritual activities. I have found that others even have tried to persuade me over the years that I should give less value to meditating. Many of these people do not meditate or do so infrequently and so they think that others who meditate a lot do not need to do so. Also, among people who do meditate, they also influence other meditating people with their own interests which may be quite different than meditation.

Some people give all their spare time to going to casinos. Others give most their time to politics. Some people spend most their spare time playing  crossword puzzles others on internet dating sites. How do we spend our spare time, and how do we influence others to spend their time? I see this as an important element in my life and those around me. When I find myself being taken away from the practice of meditation and spiritual sadhana* I have a concern about how other people are influencing my life and i am influencing theirs. I am able to assess my thoughts and state of being by the affect others are having on me and i am having on them. More importantly their happiness and my own happiness.

*What does Sadhana mean?

Sadhana (Sanskrit: साधन) is a Sanskrit term used to refer to a daily spiritual practice. Sadhana represents a disciplined surrendering of the ego, in which the practitioner uses tools such as asana, pranayama, meditation and chanting on a daily basis.

Anything that is practiced with awareness, discipline and the intention of spiritual growth can be considered as sadhana……As such, it does not need to be a physical activity; even daily self-study of yogic or spiritual scriptures is a form of sadhana.

Sadhana is also a means of forging a ritual connection with God or universal energy. It encourages the practitioner, known as the sadhaka, to use self-discipline in order to achieve power over the ego and maintain connection with universal oneness. With regular daily practice, the practitioner continually realigns his or her inner self, slowly progressing toward the very ultimate expression of consciousness known as samadhi. ~ Yogapedia

[guest587]

I'm happy these realizations are being made. Or even, remembered. I think it's important we maintain a personal discipline in order to have a sense of balance. How easy is it to be swept up by undesirable energies and not even realize it? Having a personal practice can help us navigate life and be grounded in our own energy- so even if we don't understand the other,  we ourselves are not misdirected. I have felt exactly what you described by your many political threads only to publish my own interest in politics as well. SI and other members have warned us early on about these realizations you're now sharing or have at least asked us to be honest and change the title from spiritual portal to political portal- do you remember? Let me refresh your memory, http://spiritualportal.net/index.php/topic,4866.0.html

What has happened to the spirit? Most all newer posts are related to Trump or Politics.

Sheesh maybe the forum should be renamed to Political Portal, or better yet, Trump is an Ass Portal. 

Life really is a mirror at times. It seems these realizations have come full circle.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

Glad to know he had a good influence on you as well. You expressed other feelings also. So I would rather not talk about someone that is not here to respond.

[guest587]

That's good Steve, because it's completely unrelated to our post. What is important is I see the parallels here, which give substance to your introspection.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

That's good Steve, because it's completely unrelated to our post. What is important is I see the parallels here, which give substance to your introspection.

Yes, it’s a strange thing but as much as you say that’s good about someone…. They can listen to you talk about it and take the other side that was disagreeable to them and say you are gaslighting. I hope you understand because I have found people take things extremely personal. So i’m trying to refrain from giving voice to someone that is not presently around. This includes my life away from the site as well.

[guest587]

My Sadhana today was to walk gently in nature and enjoy the bats. The world off our laptops or cellphones is a much nicer reality. There's something to information overload and and an unhealthy obsession. I believe Swami V mentioned something like this, I will try to find it... To add... It seems no matter what your beliefs or attitudes are, you can find something, "out there" especially in a digital landscape or in even in the news- to solidify your polarity- creating not just division but a coldness that blinds one from feeling the gentle communion with God so often sought by spiritually minded individuals. Believing that everyone thinks in these black or white terms, drowning your need for entertainment with self affirming stimulus, it creates a cold heart and it misleads. People think they know what is Truth in these narrative-driven frenzies and forget Gods Splendor and shut out not just those around them but they cut off a part of themselves. Fortunately, God is always by our side and we have every capacity to melt our barriers and remember our Divine Connection. 

[guest587]

I found it,

swami v has said we have to balance the anxiety which is fear and need for entertainment. to live with ourselves and within ourselves. to double up our moral courage and that this is a great opportunity for introspection and a leap for seekers to practice their faith. some notes from todays fellowship...

faith is the conviction god exist. limit sensory input, be selective. the key to balance is solemnity and to use this social distancing as a way to practice good habits- like hygiene, like consuming healthy edibles(which you should do already) but more importantly is at a mental level- we can strengthen our immunities at the thought level. deep slow breathing is one of the most important things, which he said if you can feel deep breaths at the pelvic floor that you're providing a rejuvenating effect on the lungs. forgiveness doubles up immunity, overcome violence on the thought level and to attune with nature.

earth- connect with earth in whatever way possible- *wet soil or barefoot, contemplate in nature
water- drink clean water and wash skin often
fire- light cooking - not to overcook, sun gazing
air- *slow deep breathing*
ether- access to sublime feelings from the heart


bliss from direct experience with god gives greatest immunity. he nonchalantly explained why the virus might be here but said it's not important because it's veiled in darkness. to see in the dark we need light. to choose to double up on moral courage is the light. our attitude and ourselves is the thing to work on, where to place our energies. he called the social distancing a blessing in disguise. on a deeper level says that dispassion leads to compassion. and he said there is momentum happening now that will be felt ahead but upcoming planetary transitions are to give the one practicing hopeful attitude a boost(strengthening) come april, may and june. still not to wait and to always practice positive affirmations and compassion for all life not just humans.
he also said to live a minimalist lifestyle.

it was an amazing audio session which should be made available on his site soon.

and

swami vidyadhishananda has said the thing to do during these times is to practice fortitude as a spiritual practice on the family level. the momentum and the collective karma is such that real reform won't be seen until 2034. between now and then we can expect at least one more major movement in consciousness. the prediction is 2025-2026... by 2029 things will calm as the younger generation will have more compassion than what the current generation is currently able to demonstrate. while we endure the transitions, time and time again we will be faced with the decision to respond to life with love or hate. the best medicine is nature, to disconnect from the fear-peddled news. i do believe these times are allowing people to embrace their individual responsibility more, take the desired paths for how they choose to live their life. freedom will be found in the connections with those closest to them. the potential is there at least. lastly, i'd like to add that there were other masters and monks who have in the past accurately described the times we are faced with today. some of the things to note that stood out to me, communication with extraterrestrials will be common place. there will be a movement from systems to consciousness. population will be decreased. despite the chaos, find peace and glide these waters. swami has also said it isn't enough to be earnest, these times require dutiful action. so let your expression be your service for those in your immediate life. you will find the joy in these moments. i sincerely believe there is a heavenly response, cosmic rays of energy that effects us all, it is transcendent and very positive in nature.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

My Sadhana today was to walk gently in nature and enjoy the bats. The world off our laptops or cellphones is a much nicer reality. There's something to information overload and and an unhealthy obsession. I believe Swami V mentioned something like this, I will try to find it... To add... It seems no matter what your beliefs or attitudes are, you can find something, "out there" especially in a digital landscape or in even in the news- to solidify your polarity- creating not just division but a coldness that blinds one from feeling the gentle communion with God so often sought by spiritually minded individuals. Believing that everyone thinks in these black or white terms, drowning your need for entertainment with self affirming stimulus, it creates a cold heart and it misleads. People think they know what is Truth in these narrative-driven frenzies and forget Gods Splendor and shut out not just those around them but they cut off a part of themselves. Fortunately, God is always by our side and we have every capacity to melt our barriers and remember our Divine Connection. 

Note from Steve attempting to follow your entries…..

Eric, Although I read with interest; I am having difficulty putting the above entry #5  with the entry below it, which is entry #6…
You have said that “I believe Swami V mentioned something like this” and then you said “I found it” and gave us the notes below… apart from extolling the helpfulness of nature I am having difficulty finding other connections.

I found it,

swami v has said we have to balance the anxiety which is fear and need for entertainment. to live with ourselves and within ourselves. to double up our moral courage and that this is a great opportunity for introspection and a leap for seekers to practice their faith. some notes from todays fellowship...

faith is the conviction god exist. limit sensory input, be selective. the key to balance is solemnity and to use this social distancing as a way to practice good habits- like hygiene, like consuming healthy edibles(which you should do already) but more importantly is at a mental level- we can strengthen our immunities at the thought level. deep slow breathing is one of the most important things, which he said if you can feel deep breaths at the pelvic floor that you're providing a rejuvenating effect on the lungs. forgiveness doubles up immunity, overcome violence on the thought level and to attune with nature.

earth- connect with earth in whatever way possible- *wet soil or barefoot, contemplate in nature
water- drink clean water and wash skin often
fire- light cooking - not to overcook, sun gazing
air- *slow deep breathing*
ether- access to sublime feelings from the heart


bliss from direct experience with god gives greatest immunity. he nonchalantly explained why the virus might be here but said it's not important because it's veiled in darkness. to see in the dark we need light. to choose to double up on moral courage is the light. our attitude and ourselves is the thing to work on, where to place our energies. he called the social distancing a blessing in disguise. on a deeper level says that dispassion leads to compassion. and he said there is momentum happening now that will be felt ahead but upcoming planetary transitions are to give the one practicing hopeful attitude a boost(strengthening) come april, may and june. still not to wait and to always practice positive affirmations and compassion for all life not just humans.
he also said to live a minimalist lifestyle.

it was an amazing audio session which should be made available on his site soon.

and

swami vidyadhishananda has said the thing to do during these times is to practice fortitude as a spiritual practice on the family level. the momentum and the collective karma is such that real reform won't be seen until 2034. between now and then we can expect at least one more major movement in consciousness. the prediction is 2025-2026... by 2029 things will calm as the younger generation will have more compassion than what the current generation is currently able to demonstrate. while we endure the transitions, time and time again we will be faced with the decision to respond to life with love or hate. the best medicine is nature, to disconnect from the fear-peddled news. i do believe these times are allowing people to embrace their individual responsibility more, take the desired paths for how they choose to live their life. freedom will be found in the connections with those closest to them. the potential is there at least. lastly, i'd like to add that there were other masters and monks who have in the past accurately described the times we are faced with today. some of the things to note that stood out to me, communication with extraterrestrials will be common place. there will be a movement from systems to consciousness. population will be decreased. despite the chaos, find peace and glide these waters. swami has also said it isn't enough to be earnest, these times require dutiful action. so let your expression be your service for those in your immediate life. you will find the joy in these moments. i sincerely believe there is a heavenly response, cosmic rays of energy that effects us all, it is transcendent and very positive in nature.

“the best medicine is nature, to disconnect from the fear-peddled news” this I have found to be the case for my spiritual welfare.

“communication with extraterrestrials will be common place.” I have yet to understand the mysteries I’ve witnessed and the experiences of those around me.

[guest587]

Steve, one is my personal experience and the other are notes from Swami V's lecture- between them and your original thread, there are a handful of connections bringing the topic of Balance and Sadhana into view. I'm too tired now to point you to all of them, but happy you were able to find something that benefits you.