Spiritual Portal
Mar 28, 2024 03:17 pm
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
News: https://youtu.be/4BulJAQo1TI
 
  Home Help Search Gallery Links Staff List Login Register  

Spiritual Environment

Recent Items

Views: 0
Comments (0)
By: Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?

Views: 0
Comments (0)
By: Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?

Views: 2
Comments (0)
By: Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?

Views: 3
Comments (0)
By: Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?
Pages: 1 [2] 3
  Print  
Author Topic: Spiritual Environment  (Read 2382 times)
0 Members and 32 Guests are viewing this topic.
SpiritImage
Hero Member
*****

Karma: 88
Offline Offline

Posts: 593


« Reply #15 on: Jun 25, 2015 05:12 am »

Sounds nice, the sound of waterfalls, or the ocean, for me is nice for meditation vs a quiet room.
Report Spam   Logged
Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?
Surrender Kitty
Administrator
Hero Member
*****

Karma: 327
Online Online

Posts: 17672


Intereststs; Meditation/Spiritual Life


« Reply #16 on: Jun 25, 2015 06:52 am »

Sounds nice, the sound of waterfalls, or the ocean, for me is nice for meditation vs a quiet room.

Yes. Sometimes the slightest changes in routine have helpful side effects. Often these are environmentally  inhancing.
Report Spam   Logged

God Christ Gurus musical sample creations:
https://youtu.be/PU9157Esq-4 Hidden Springs

https://youtu.be/CQgAybAlVO0
Silent Voice Within
https://www.reverbnation.com/stevehydonus
stevehydonus@aol.com
For CD\'s of music by Steve or hydonus@yahoo.com
Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?
Surrender Kitty
Administrator
Hero Member
*****

Karma: 327
Online Online

Posts: 17672


Intereststs; Meditation/Spiritual Life


« Reply #17 on: Oct 04, 2015 04:10 pm »

It is difficult to keep the environment of highly spiritual beings as even Sri Yuktewsar found out in his encounters with Babaji. i was talking with a friend about this yesterday. Sri Yukteswars thoughts alone were so restless as to have Babaji leave his presence. Sometimes we are able to have the presence of saints and spiritually advanced souls for a little while but then we are drawn again into the presence of conditions that more suitably reflect are karma."The morning after I had concluded my literary efforts," Master continued, "I went to the Rai Ghat here to bathe in the Ganges. The ghat was deserted; I stood still for awhile, enjoying the sunny peace. After a dip in the sparkling waters, I started for home. The only sound in the silence was that of my Ganges-drenched cloth, swish- swashing with every step. As I passed beyond the site of the large banyan tree near the river bank, a strong impulse urged me to look back. There, under the shade of the banyan, and surrounded by a few disciples, sat the great Babaji!

Babaji appears before Sri Yukteswar:

"'Greetings, Swamiji!' The beautiful voice of the master rang out to assure me I was not dreaming. 'I see you have successfully completed your book. As I promised, I am here to thank you.'

"With a fast-beating heart, I prostrated myself fully at his feet. 'Param-guruji,' I said imploringly, 'will you and your chelas not honor my near-by home with your presence?'

"The supreme guru smilingly declined. 'No, child,' he said, 'we are people who like the shelter of trees; this spot is quite comfortable.'

"'Please tarry awhile, Master.' I gazed entreatingly at him. 'I shall be back at once with some special sweetmeats.'

"When I returned in a few minutes with a dish of delicacies, lo! the lordly banyan no longer sheltered the celestial troupe. I searched all around the ghat, but in my heart I knew the little band had already fled on etheric wings.

"I was deeply hurt. 'Even if we meet again, I would not care to talk to him,' I assured myself. 'He was unkind to leave me so suddenly.' This was a wrath of love, of course, and nothing more.

"A few months later I visited Lahiri Mahasaya in Benares. As I entered his little parlor, my guru smiled in greeting.

"'Welcome, Yukteswar,' he said. 'Did you just meet Babaji at the threshold of my room?'

"'Why, no,' I answered in surprise.

"'Come here.' Lahiri Mahasaya touched me gently on the forehead; at once I beheld, near the door, the form of Babaji, blooming like a perfect lotus.

"I remembered my old hurt, and did not bow. Lahiri Mahasaya looked at me in astonishment.

"The divine guru gazed at me with fathomless eyes. 'You are annoyed with me.'

"'Sir, why shouldn't I be?' I answered. 'Out of the air you came with your magic group, and into the thin air you vanished.'

"'I told you I would see you, but didn't say how long I would remain.' Babaji laughed softly. 'You were full of excitement. I assure you that I was fairly extinguished in the ether by the gust of your restlessness.'

"I was instantly satisfied by this unflattering explanation. I knelt at his feet; the supreme guru patted me kindly on the shoulder.

"'Child, you must meditate more,' he said. 'Your gaze is not yet faultless-you could not see me hiding behind the sunlight.' With these words in the voice of a celestial flute, Babaji disappeared into the hidden radiance.

« Last Edit: Oct 04, 2015 04:35 pm by Steve Hydonus » Report Spam   Logged

God Christ Gurus musical sample creations:
https://youtu.be/PU9157Esq-4 Hidden Springs

https://youtu.be/CQgAybAlVO0
Silent Voice Within
https://www.reverbnation.com/stevehydonus
stevehydonus@aol.com
For CD\'s of music by Steve or hydonus@yahoo.com
Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?
Surrender Kitty
Administrator
Hero Member
*****

Karma: 327
Online Online

Posts: 17672


Intereststs; Meditation/Spiritual Life


« Reply #18 on: Nov 06, 2015 12:28 am »

Commune with God in meditation and whenever you seek company be in the best spiritual company you can find. ~
Paramahansa Yogananda
« Last Edit: Nov 06, 2015 12:29 am by Steve Hydonus » Report Spam   Logged

God Christ Gurus musical sample creations:
https://youtu.be/PU9157Esq-4 Hidden Springs

https://youtu.be/CQgAybAlVO0
Silent Voice Within
https://www.reverbnation.com/stevehydonus
stevehydonus@aol.com
For CD\'s of music by Steve or hydonus@yahoo.com
SpiritImage
Hero Member
*****

Karma: 88
Offline Offline

Posts: 593


« Reply #19 on: Nov 11, 2015 06:45 pm »

I wish it were that easy to just be in the best spiritual company. I have a feeling that will happen much more after the transition from the present physical earth.
Report Spam   Logged
Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?
Surrender Kitty
Administrator
Hero Member
*****

Karma: 327
Online Online

Posts: 17672


Intereststs; Meditation/Spiritual Life


« Reply #20 on: Jul 27, 2016 04:41 pm »

I wish it were that easy to just be in the best spiritual company. I have a feeling that will happen much more after the transition from the present physical earth.

I have seen people talk about keeping spiritual company who remove themselves from it. I am reminded of the story that Amma told of the porcupines that experienced a particularly cold winter. They did not care to experience the quills of each other but they recognized that if they did not huddle together to keep warm they would be vanquished by the cold winter. So it is with us; we are sensitive to the ego barbs of our spiritual friends. Yet if we become hermits or return to our old life we will also become stagnate spiritually speaking. We have the choice and we make the choices in the company we choose. We cannot expect our spiritual friends to be perfect when we ourselves have so many imperfections.
« Last Edit: Jul 27, 2016 04:45 pm by Steve Hydonus » Report Spam   Logged

God Christ Gurus musical sample creations:
https://youtu.be/PU9157Esq-4 Hidden Springs

https://youtu.be/CQgAybAlVO0
Silent Voice Within
https://www.reverbnation.com/stevehydonus
stevehydonus@aol.com
For CD\'s of music by Steve or hydonus@yahoo.com
Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?
Surrender Kitty
Administrator
Hero Member
*****

Karma: 327
Online Online

Posts: 17672


Intereststs; Meditation/Spiritual Life


« Reply #21 on: Aug 01, 2016 06:14 am »

Environment is of supreme importance to spiritual progress. It is greater than will power. You must surround yourself with a good environment. If you keep a little plant without a protective hedge, animals can come and destroy it. So it is with your little plant of Self-realization. if you keep it exposed to the animals of selfishness and wrong environment; it will be destroyed.... and when the plant is watered and cared for, it will grow and blossom into beautiful flowers of wisdom and love.

~Paramahansa Yogananda

i have been very fortunate to be in strong spiritual environments in my life. Much of it was choice on my part but i have also had the good fortune of having people come in my life who have had strong spiritual aspirations. i am sorry to see some of them have gone but i am very grateful for their presence in my life. i think from years of consciously placing myself in spiritual company and spiritual environments i have a solid interest in spiritual enlightenment that will not be deterred and continues to find inspiration even in more isolated environments. However i continue my spiritual environment here at the portal among other aspirants who are making progress.

Sometimes i wonder if others occasionally think of me as i quite often think of them. There is at times telepathy that exists between kindred souls. i have spent much wonderful time with them over the years thinking of God and seeking together thru spiritual realization. i think that the mistake some people make is they conveniently divide their lives up into past present and future. Really though as spiritual beings we are above such considerations. The more we see who we really are--the more we understand the contacts that we have had and the importance of their contributions to this process. In this way instead of judgement we have appreciation for everything and every person who has come in our lives. We at times can sense what the future holds and remember past life connections as the present holds the future and past all in the transcendence of time and space in the ever present now.

i believe that the biggest difficulty i have seen in relationships of all sorts is being able to adapt to changing circumstances and events in a positive way without maintaining rigid views that destroy relationships. It is difficult but if both parties are willing to do it... it can be done. What happens is that rigid unbending views enter the landscape and people make no effort to find common ground but cling to their old patterns of reacting to present situations. When situations change we need to find creative ways to interact that accommodate those changes. i have learned much from the words below over the years. We must take great care to watch our words when difficulties occur between ourselves and those we love.

“Making others happy, through kindness of speech and sincerity of right advice, is a sign of true greatness. To hurt another soul by sarcastic words, looks, or suggestions, is despicable.”
― Paramahansa Yogananda, Where There is Light: Insight and Inspiration for Meeting Life's Challenges
« Last Edit: Aug 01, 2016 06:15 pm by Steve Hydonus » Report Spam   Logged

God Christ Gurus musical sample creations:
https://youtu.be/PU9157Esq-4 Hidden Springs

https://youtu.be/CQgAybAlVO0
Silent Voice Within
https://www.reverbnation.com/stevehydonus
stevehydonus@aol.com
For CD\'s of music by Steve or hydonus@yahoo.com
Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?
Surrender Kitty
Administrator
Hero Member
*****

Karma: 327
Online Online

Posts: 17672


Intereststs; Meditation/Spiritual Life


« Reply #22 on: Mar 09, 2020 08:37 pm »

Help us stay in tune with God and with the Gurus. Communicate with us. Paramahansa Yogananda said that environment is stronger than will power. Stay in a spiritual environment here at spiritual portal. When you have a certain stimulus you have a certain response. We are trying to create a spiritual environment to help our unfolding evolution.

Sat Nam

Steve Hydonus


It lately has come to me how many people on this planet have a remarkable wealth of talent but because of the environment they are born in or currently inhabit they are not able to freely express those abilities. However it also occurred to me that if it were not for the the deprivation of such environmental influences; would we have chosen the path of spiritual discipline? In fact many of us are born to influences and environments that help motivated such unfoldment which is by grace and divine blessings.
« Last Edit: Mar 09, 2020 08:39 pm by Steve Hydonus » Report Spam   Logged

God Christ Gurus musical sample creations:
https://youtu.be/PU9157Esq-4 Hidden Springs

https://youtu.be/CQgAybAlVO0
Silent Voice Within
https://www.reverbnation.com/stevehydonus
stevehydonus@aol.com
For CD\'s of music by Steve or hydonus@yahoo.com
Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?
Surrender Kitty
Administrator
Hero Member
*****

Karma: 327
Online Online

Posts: 17672


Intereststs; Meditation/Spiritual Life


« Reply #23 on: Mar 04, 2021 01:04 am »

Anyone who has not achieved full God-realization is on dangerous ground when he attempts to deal with the senses. Even in a self controlled way. There’s is always the risk of sense enslavement, for the mind usually gets mixed up with whatever is in proximity with it. The mind ordinarily follows the rule a “first come first served”; so if sense experiences are placed before it the mind gets used to indulging in transitory human pleasures forgetting any effort to experience the permanently blissful nature of the true self.

But once the devotee  has fully experienced the bliss that flows from God, that Joy becomes the most tempting, and the senses forever lose all hold. They can offer no competition.

~Paramahansa Yogananda

From interpretation of the Bhagavad - Gita Chapter IV The Supreme Science of Knowing God
Verse 27
« Last Edit: Mar 04, 2021 01:25 am by Steve Hydonus » Report Spam   Logged

God Christ Gurus musical sample creations:
https://youtu.be/PU9157Esq-4 Hidden Springs

https://youtu.be/CQgAybAlVO0
Silent Voice Within
https://www.reverbnation.com/stevehydonus
stevehydonus@aol.com
For CD\'s of music by Steve or hydonus@yahoo.com
guest88
Guest
« Reply #24 on: Mar 04, 2021 06:00 am »

Here's to our continual diligence- may these forums be blessed!
Report Spam   Logged
guest587
Guest
« Reply #25 on: Sep 27, 2023 03:29 pm »

Anyone who has not achieved full God-realization is on dangerous ground when he attempts to deal with the senses. Even in a self controlled way. There’s is always the risk of sense enslavement, for the mind usually gets mixed up with whatever is in proximity with it. The mind ordinarily follows the rule a “first come first served”; so if sense experiences are placed before it the mind gets used to indulging in transitory human pleasures forgetting any effort to experience the permanently blissful nature of the true self.

But once the devotee  has fully experienced the bliss that flows from God, that Joy becomes the most tempting, and the senses forever lose all hold. They can offer no competition.

~Paramahansa Yogananda

From interpretation of the Bhagavad - Gita Chapter IV The Supreme Science of Knowing God
Verse 27

This thread right here is a treasure trove. The reason I did not think we could understand the awakened sense of justice you have recently mentioned from the 10 Sufi principles is because we have not achieved full God-realization as you shared quoted above.
Report Spam   Logged
guest587
Guest
« Reply #26 on: Sep 27, 2023 03:32 pm »

It is difficult to keep the environment of highly spiritual beings as even Sri Yuktewsar found out in his encounters with Babaji. i was talking with a friend about this yesterday. Sri Yukteswars thoughts alone were so restless as to have Babaji leave his presence. Sometimes we are able to have the presence of saints and spiritually advanced souls for a little while but then we are drawn again into the presence of conditions that more suitably reflect are karma.

Yes, it would appear even Sri Yuktewsar was so identified with his singular form that he could not see Reality in its entirety.

I see you have been particularly drawn to this excerpt from AoY and I find my self contemplating it this morning and last night...

About trees...

I had the thought there are more to trees than we know- something like cellphone towers for spirits. They serve as some kind of medium and host...



…“I soon left Benares, and set to work in Serampore on the scriptural writings requested by Babaji,' Sri Yukteswar continued… 'The morning after I had concluded my literary efforts, I went to the Rai Ghat here to bathe in the Ganges… There, under the shade of the banyan, and surrounded by a few disciples, sat the great Babaji!"

..."When I returned in a few minutes with a dish of delicacies, lo! the lordly banyan no longer sheltered the celestial troupe. I searched all around the ghat, but in my heart I knew the little band had already fled on etheric wings."

..."I told you I would see you, but didn’t say how long I would remain.’ Babaji laughed softly. ‘You were full of excitement. I assure you that I was fairly extinguished in the ether by the gust of your restlessness.’

 I was instantly satisfied by this unflattering explanation. I knelt at his feet; the supreme guru patted me kindly on the shoulder.

 'Child, you must meditate more,’ he said. ‘Your gaze is not yet faultless — you could not see me hiding behind the sunlight.’ With these words in the voice of a celestial flute, Babaji disappeared into the hidden radiance."
Taken from,
https://www.sriyukteswar.com/sri-yukteswars-meetings-babaji-guru-guru/
Sri Yukteswar’s Meetings with Babaji, the Guru of His Guru



And still more, the trees have been likened to our lungs- and the Sun our Heart.

Separately... We must not recognize the totality of our being because we are so comfortably identified with the singlular personality when the reality might be we are connected to more than this temporary form.

Report Spam   Logged
guest587
Guest
« Reply #27 on: Sep 27, 2023 03:42 pm »

Swami Vidyadhishananda has said the karmic forces from this mini-era are so great no one can just sit on the sidelines. As much as we've tried, how often have we been swept up in Worldly news dampening our Spiritual Environment here at the Portal? We've had divine friends warn us, and we've disturbed their sense of peace and creativity as a consequence.

Can we apply forgiveness to ourselves and will our spiritual family be there when we realize we get carried away?

I think there's nothing wrong with discussing- this is a forum, we have come here to participate creatively with writing and expressing. Otherwise, we would just sit in silence.

Hazrat Inayat Khan speaks on this...

"There is One Path, the annihilation of the false ego in the real, which raises the mortal to immortality, in which resides all perfection."

The Ego prohibits us from seeing the array of life moving through the trees or hidden beneath the Sun. I believe there is more truth to this when I have, in a meditative state, seen orbs and auras moving in a way that denotes intelligible lifeforms not ordinarily perceptible to the human eye.

I believe the conundrum is when we forget we are both the form and formless. We are here, in 3D and it is entirely valid- yet we are connected to something greater. The suffering happens when we forget the totality of our true nature. This implies it's okay to be here, and it's okay to identify with these personalities and move through our Karma- and still we are more...
Report Spam   Logged
guest587
Guest
« Reply #28 on: Sep 27, 2023 03:44 pm »

I wish it were that easy to just be in the best spiritual company. I have a feeling that will happen much more after the transition from the present physical earth.

I have seen people talk about keeping spiritual company who remove themselves from it. I am reminded of the story that Amma told of the porcupines that experienced a particularly cold winter. They did not care to experience the quills of each other but they recognized that if they did not huddle together to keep warm they would be vanquished by the cold winter. So it is with us; we are sensitive to the ego barbs of our spiritual friends. Yet if we become hermits or return to our old life we will also become stagnate spiritually speaking. We have the choice and we make the choices in the company we choose. We cannot expect our spiritual friends to be perfect when we ourselves have so many imperfections.

Another great quote Brother. I love how we can come back to a thread years later and find so much wisdom to draw from.
Report Spam   Logged
Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?
Surrender Kitty
Administrator
Hero Member
*****

Karma: 327
Online Online

Posts: 17672


Intereststs; Meditation/Spiritual Life


« Reply #29 on: Sep 27, 2023 05:05 pm »

Even spiritual environments seem quite different to me from one perspective to another. I’ve been spending days and nites deep in the Manistee Forest lately, for the most part even away from the internet 🛜 but for a few moments here and there I find internet contact with the out side world. Although not enough time to attempt much in depth awareness of what’s happening here. The spirit occasionally leads us to unusual people and places. Some are very kind, supportive and encouraging others more challenging. But I seem to see the spirit of kindness surrounding me while in constant communion with the spirit in our midst.
« Last Edit: Sep 27, 2023 05:20 pm by Jitendra Hydonus » Report Spam   Logged

God Christ Gurus musical sample creations:
https://youtu.be/PU9157Esq-4 Hidden Springs

https://youtu.be/CQgAybAlVO0
Silent Voice Within
https://www.reverbnation.com/stevehydonus
stevehydonus@aol.com
For CD\'s of music by Steve or hydonus@yahoo.com

Pages: 1 [2] 3
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by EzPortal
Bookmark this site! | Upgrade This Forum
SMF For Free - Create your own Forum


Powered by SMF | SMF © 2016, Simple Machines
Privacy Policy