Self-Inquiry (Vichara)

Definition of Self-Inquiry (Vichara)
by James Swartz

"If you think inquiry is closing your eyes and looking within, you are sadly mistaken. You cannot see your face with your eyes open or closed unless you have a mirror. To see yourself you need the mirror of Vedanta, a word-mirror that reveals your self. When you look into a mirror you do not see the mirror, you see yourself. Self-inquiry is Vedanta. It is a lifelong practice of inquiry into the world, the Jiva and the self. Inquiry negates Jiva and the world, leaving only the self."

More here.

Finding Peace During the Covid-19 Outbreak

Rupert Spira on Finding Peace During the Covid-19 Outbreak

The Way We Live Now

"And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless way, the earth began to heal. And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to love and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed."

- Kitty O'Meara

sent to me by 200-hr teacher trainee Agatha DeFranco
photo snapped by me last night, courtesy of Mother Earth (Ma Shakti)

Tips for Weathering the Storm

Tips from Parvati Om

-Do not succumb to fear and doubt. If you become overwhelmed, go outside and gaze at the sky. Don’t look for something to focus on, rather let the image of the sky move towards you.

-Remember that love and peace the sustain it all. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krishna says, “With a single fragment of Myself, I stand supporting the whole universe.”

-Be grateful for every moment of health.

-Minimize your time on electronics and watching the news.

-Create a daily routine of self-care. Get up at the same time you normally would.

-Spend time in nature. Stand barefoot on the grass and release stress into the earth.

-Spring is here! Open the windows.

-Breathe deep and with the mouth closed!

-Start a home yoga practice. (sun salutations, headstand, shoulderstand, fish, a few backbends and forward folds, spinal twist and end with deep relaxation)

-Practice yoga nidra

-Meditate on color or the moon or mantra (like Om) or space

-Observe silence – Stop talking and listening for a little while each day.

-Eat Healthily. Sleep well. Laugh. Laugh a lot!

More tips here.


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Essential Practice

“Don’t teach too many postures; just the main ones, and hold them for a long time.”

~Sri Dharma Mittra



Home Practice – Essential Poses


Om

7 Surya Namaskar (sun salutations)
Sirsasana/Balasana (headstand/child's pose)
Sarvangasana/Matsyasana (shoudlerstand/fish)
Bhujangasana (cobra [or any backbend])
Paschimottanasana (seated forward fold)
Ardha Matsyendrasana (half Lord of the Fishes seated twist)
Savasana (corpse) - at least 7 minutes

Om shanti shanti shantih

This may be followed by pranayama and meditation.


More info on developing a home practice here.

Jai Guru!

Sri Dharma Mittra on Covid-19

The Essence of Self Knowledge: Limitless Consciousness Is the Ever-Evident "I"

The Essence of Self Knowledge: Limitless Consciousness Is the Ever-Evident "I"
By James Swartz

"If you are enlightened, there are four things you will know when you use the word 'I.'

"1. I am the consciousness that is not a part, product or property of the body.

"2. I am the independent consciousness which pervades and enlivens the body.

"3. I am not limited by the boundaries of the body and I continue to live when the body dies.

"4. I am the space-like consciousness in which all bodies appear, including the one I say is 'mine.'

"If you understand these words, you do not require more proof for your enlightenment. If you continually require proof of this statement, your knowledge is not steady and you cannot said to be enlightened."

from James Swartz's Inquiry Into Existence: The Lamp of Knowledge

Sharing the Lap

"When Bhagavan [Ramana Maharshi] was living on the hill, this incident took place. Bhagavan loved children and was charmed by their innocence. He admired their lack of hypocrisy. Vajreswari, the four-year-old daughter of Kavyakantha Ganapati Muni, had full liberty with Bhagavan and would insist on sitting on his lap whenever she came. Bhagavan would often call her near him, and show her affection by putting her on his lap and talking to her.

"Once Vajreswari came to Skandasramam and as usual sat on Bhagavan’s lap. As Bhagavan was holding her and talking to her lovingly, a young monkey came up to them. The young monkey apparently got jealous of Vajreswari, pushed her off Bhagavan’s lap and took her place.

"Vajreswari, started to cry, and she pleaded with Bhagavan, “Send this monkey out; I want to sit on your lap.” But the young monkey would not give up his privileged place and continued to sit there. This rivalry between the child and the young monkey thoroughly amused Bhagavan but at the same time he wanted to appease both of them.

"He turned to the young monkey and said, “Look, Vajreswari is your sister, is she not? Let her also sit on my lap with you. Give her some room.” Then he looked at Vajreswari who was standing near him and said, “Is he not your young brother? Come on, both of you sit on my lap!”

"Finally, both the child and the monkey sat together on Bhagavan’s lap fully satisfied and enjoyed each other’s company. Is this not a practical demonstration of Bhagavan’s great love for all beings irrespective of their forms? It is a lesson to all devotees!" 🐒🕉


-Arunachala’s Grace (7-volume set), Volume 1


More stories here.