10 steps to Achieving
In Self Effort, I reviewed the value of correct effort in accomplishing our goals. There is an old saying, well begun is half done. This is the key to productive action and rich results. Stepping …
All arises from Self Effort
Presently, I am reading the Yog Vasishta, a long discourse of great renown between Rama and the sage Vasishta. As is common in such books, the story is told by one sage to another about …
Gangaji Retreat
This weekend, I completed 7 days of silence (well, 5.5) on a retreat with Gangaji. Although I did not stay in residence as I lived nearby, it was very restful and I went deep into …
Choose Peace
One of the skills we lack in our culture is an understanding of peace. We are surrounded by examples of people who demonstrate the ego’s need to be right. The ego makes itself right by …
The openings
Received a newsletter today from Nirmala. It had excerpts from several recent eBooks that nicely touch on different stages in the awakening process. On the approach to awakening: “You may think it matters what happens. …
Real Victory
In September 1945 when the Second World War was over, newspaper reporters wanted to know the reaction of Shankaracharya Swami Brahmananda Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath (the north seat). This is said to be his response. …
Integration vs Growth
Tom has posted a great Adyashanti quote from earlier this year on Spiritual Awakening. I raised a point there I would like to repeat here – the importance of understanding the 2 aspects of the …
Appearance #2
In Appearance, I link to Tom’s post and the discussion on “What do Enlightened Guys Look Like?” The discussion is quite useful. I got a little verbose over there and thought it useful to summarize …
Appearance
Tom has written a much needed post on “What do Enlightened Guys Look Like?” He makes some important points and triggered a good discussion in comments. Appearance has NOTHING to do with awakening. D
6,000 stairs
Someone emailed me this love story. It’s about a Chinese man who fell in love with an older woman. To avoid scorn, they moved to a cave at the top of a mountain and lived …
LLL Retreat
I’m back from the first retreat but it seems not to have ended. It would be nice to be able to make a list of Main Points, such as Tom has done on his retreat …