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Understanding The Benefits Of Yoga
2008-01-23 13:28:00
Understanding The Benefits Of Yoga - By: Noel Swanson, 2008-01-23What are the benefits of yoga? This is the most asked question by people who are thinking about practising yoga. It may not be entirely possible to give a comprehensive explanation, as there are simply too many. We will only discuss in this article some of the most important benefits that you can expect from doing yoga.* Overall HarmonyThe most important benefit of yoga is its primary goal, which is harmony. Those who have practised yoga for a long time have already enjoyed physical, mental and psycho-spiritual harmony. All the other so-called life-changing benefits of yoga should drive home to this single most important benefit. It is through the achievement of harmony that one's entire life is modified and enhanced. When one's parts of the self are harmonized, one can function productively and respond positively to internal and external stimuli.* Enhanced Self-awarenessBefore practitioners got into yoga, they were...
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Pregnancy Exercises: The Role of Yoga
2008-01-12 11:27:00
By: Bishop Candy, 2008-01-12Pregnancy is the time when every woman is motivated since she wants to do the best for herself as well as the baby. In this way, even for women who have not exercised before, pregnancy is the time to start by beginning with simple ones with stretching, relaxation, meditation and deep breathing. Thus exercises relieve simple day-to-day problems of pregnancy but precautions should be taken not to be hard and fast on exercises. Since during the first trimester, maximum number of mis-carriages take place, it is important to be extra careful and start exercising from first trimester onwards. If the pregnancy is normal and the woman can do normal activities, exercises can be carried on until the time of childbirth. Exercises should be a combination of physical and relaxation kind.During pregnancy, a gentle way of keeping active and agile is doing yoga. The magnificent effects of yoga asanas ensure a smooth pregnancy, natural childbirth and restoration of body s...
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The First Book of Yoga
2008-01-10 13:45:00
The Bhagavad Gita has influenced great Americans from Thoreau to Oppenheimer. Its message of letting go of the fruits of one's actions is just as relevant today as it was when it was first written some two millennia ago.By Stefanie SymanAt the sight of this, your Shape stupendous,Full of mouths and eyes, feet, thighs and bellies,Terrible with fangs, O master,All the worlds are fear-struck, even just as I am.When I see you, Vishnu, omnipresent,Shouldering the sky, in hues of rainbow,With your mouths agape and flame-eyes staring—All my peace is gone; my heart is troubled.—Doctor Atomic (act 2, scene 2, chorus)Had you attended any one of the performances of Doctor Atomic, a John Adams opera about the detonation of the first nuclear bomb near Los Alamos, New Mexico, you would have heard those words and perhaps been terrified by the image they painted of the Hindu god Vishnu. But the verse is not original to Adams's work; it was respectfully pilfered from the Bhagavad Gita (in this...
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Yoga for weight loss
2008-01-10 11:18:00
Yoga for weight lossBy: Robert BairdObesity is a necessary evil that has gripped modern society and it has several adverse affects on the body and is capable of causing life threatening diseases like cancer and diabetes and high blood pressure. Therefore, the primary agenda of the overweight individuals is to lose weight and at present there are scores of weight loss products available in the market like diet pills, diet foods and drinks etc. and they are marketed so well that most people lured by the prospect of having quick weight loss indulge into investing on these products. But extensive research has revealed that most of these products are absolutely inefficient in causing effective weight loss and in fact some of them are even capable of causing harm to the body. Thus it is always better to follow a balanced diet low in calorie and this is aided by a strict exercising regimen and can be supplemented by some other weight loss techniques. Yoga is a very effective means of losin...
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Meditation is a Quiet Revolution
2008-01-09 15:15:00
By Jeanie MarshallFor over 30 years, I have been meditating. For almost as many years, in workshops, consultations, friendly conversations, and writing, I have been encouraging, teaching, or leading people to meditate and create quiet times. During this time, the world has changed considerably, and so have I. My most important learning is: everyone is different. Certainly there are commonalities in meditating, but each individual is unique. I consider that meditation is one of the most empowering practices that anyone can engage in.A "quiet revolution" is an oxymoron, of course. Meditation is generally a private, quiet practice. In North America its acceptance has changed dramatically over the last several years, although it is still not universally accepted. As with most revolutions, an underground is established before, during, and after the outward manifestations of the awakening. In this culture which I know, more and more individuals are speaking and writing about their meditat...
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Yoga: The Holistic Treatment for Arthritis Pain Relief
2007-12-29 17:06:00
By: Cecilia Artates, 2007-12-27Living with arthritis pain is not something that anyone would like to happen to them. Many people suffer the aches and pains of damaged or inflamed joints. Some are just uncomfortable, and some become crippled as a result of a disease that has been recognized since prehistoric times but understood only in the past few decades.Arthritis affects the joints, specifically where the areas in the body where two or more bones meet. There are several different parts of the joint that may be affected by arthritis, such as cartilage, synovium, tendons, and muscles. The neighboring ends of bones that form the joints are covered by a soft, protective material called cartilage that cushions the bones and keeps them from rubbing together. The joint is also enclosed in a capsule and lined with a tissue called synovium.The term arthritis covers a group of more than 100 diseases that involve inflammation of joints and discomfort in connective tissues throughout the bod...
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Some Simple Tantric Yoga Exercises to Improve the General Health and Sexual
2007-12-26 05:09:00
A healthy anal and genital area is of great importance both for the general well-being and for the sexual abilities. The same is thrue about a healthy respiratory tract and breathing apparatus. Here are presented three poses and three breathing exercises that have the following effects when done together in a series: -They stimulate the physiological functions of the genital and anal area.-They correct muscle weakness and anatomical problems of the anal and genital region. -They increase the sexual drive and abilities. -They produce a stimulating response that spreads upwords along the spine and revitalizes the whole body. -They stimulate the physiological functions of the respiratory tract and help against infections in the airways. -The exercises are very good to start each day with, or to do before going to bed in the night. POSE 1 Stand on your hands and knees upon the floor. Kneel backword so that your buttocks go backword and down towords your feet and stretch your arms forewo...
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Experiences of Cosmic Consciousness
2007-12-15 11:45:00
Experiences of CC differ.One poet defined it asNothingness, where neither land nor seaNeither the moon nor the stars resplendentNeither planets nor constellations existSunk as they are in the Ocean of Bliss Absolute !Another defined it as a state of omnipresence !Aware of his occult omnipotent sourceAllured by the omniscient EcstacyHe felt the invasion and the Nameless joywrote AurobindoA force came down into his mortal limbsA current from the eternal seas of BlissHe felt the invasion and the Nameless joy.It is this invasion of Bliss which characterises Cosmic Consciousness . The Nameless joy is our true nature and the symbol of the Cross, the symbol of the World-Pain, is only ephemeral, hanging as it is on the background of Eternity !
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Truth is Omniscient !
2007-12-14 04:39:00
We are all Truth seekers, but Truth seems to be far away. Wisdom seems to be far away !Conquest of Truth, its actualisation, was the sole object of the Seer-Poets of yore. The path celestial had a grand objective and Goal, Cosmic Truth. The Rishi, the Seer-Poet, was a Rithwik, or a Drishta, a Seer of Cosmic Truth.Truth Actualisation was Self_Actualisation, as the Seers discovered that Truth lay hid in them as the Absolute Self.Savitri tells death about Cosmic TruthWho can show thee Truth's supreme faceTo thought an incomprehensibe supreme lightTo speech a marvel inexpressibleIf Thou wert to unmask Truth's supreme faceThou shalt suddenly grow wise and cease to be !
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Life, the Evolution of Consciousness.
2007-12-10 14:31:00
In the initial stage of Yoga, one can feel " some mighty Force, not situated in the body but possessing it, is acting for you, thinking for you and that your entire body is moved by that Force and not by yourself ". This is experiential wisdom. It is the Superconscious Might which uses the individual as a center and as a means. Now Life is the Evolution of Consciousness and we have to pass through different stages. The Ego will rebel against this leading by the Divine. All the negative traits of the Ego - lust, greed, anger, jealousy, sloth, covetousness and gluttony - drop off one by one, paving the way for Self Actualisation. We have to understand that the Divine Will is leading us, through every circumstance, towards the Final Self Realisation. This is known as the Transfiguring Hour, as it transfigures the aspirant into something divine, something rich and strange. This is also known as the Hour of the Divine. To him who seeks Self Realisation with a clear mind, to him the Lord...

How to Meditate
2007-12-09 06:27:00
- By: Juliet Cohen, 2007-12-09Meditation is the art of silencing the mind. When the mind is silent, concentration is increased and we experience inner peace in the midst of worldly turmoil. We can learn how to transform our mind from negative to positive, from disturbed to peaceful, from unhappy to happy. Overcoming negative minds and cultivating constructive thoughts is the purpose of the transforming meditations found in the Buddhist tradition. Meditating a few minutes each day is a proven stress reducer, and it can improve your view of life as well. Various types of meditation that are recognized include transcendental meditation, prayer, Zen meditation, Taoist meditation, mindfulness meditation, and Buddhist meditation. Meditation is a practice that brings about not only physical benefits, but psychological benefits as well.Some methods of meditation may require the body being absolutely still or to be moved with controlled deliberation, while other types allow for free movement...

Fame, only if one perseveres in the Path Celestial !
2007-12-05 05:17:00
This is the quintessence of the Geetha, Sreyan Swadharmo Vigunah. Perseverance in one's chosen path is all in all.We find that there are military people ( Kshatriyas ), businessmen ( Vaishyas ), spiritual people ( Brahmanas ) & people who are devoted to service ( Shudras ). These are the Four Noble Professions ! No caste system is meant here. The Lord says the He created the Four Noble Professions ( Thasya kartharamapi mam ) & at the same time He is the uncreator ( that He is blissful in the transcendental realm ). So when a spiritual aspirant seeking Self Actualisation is beset by adversities, he should not give up his striving for the Absolute. This is what is meant by Sreyan Swadharmo Vigunah. When he underwent initiation, there was something in him which was not ignorant and something that made him crave for the Eternal. But tests and tribulations are part of the Law of the Way. Only after mortal dross is purged from his being, only after the Seven Deadly Sins fall away from hi...
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Self Realization Is On A Moment By Moment Basis
2007-12-05 01:53:00
By: Elysha What makes you different to the life forms around you (animal, plant, mineral), at this stage of the evolution of the divine one consciously entering into its manifestation, is that you have the capacity to consciously realize who "you" are. You have the capacity to consciously be this "you" of you, and as a result of this beingness, have the luxury of the journey of self and heart discovery – the greatest journey in existence.This "you" of you is the very central point of existence. It is the divine one of all time. It is the beyondness itself.This one has created - from within its own intelligence, beyondness, genius-ness and innateness – a manifestation that is precisely designed for the incarnation of the very beyondness that this manifestation arises in. The precision of its design is beyond our current comprehension – however, this very journey of self and heart discovery is what brings the awakening of this comprehension. It is immaculate and flawless.Who "yo...
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Power Yoga: Physical Activity and Meditation for a Overall Health
2007-12-04 15:24:00
By: EMMANUEL CHAVEZ Health is the real wealth of an individual. Good health does not mean the absence of physical illness but also the lack of mental and social illness. A healthy person can properly survive and easily cope with the difficulties and stress of daily living. Incorporating regular physical activities, nutritious diet, and refraining from alcohol and cigarettes are necessary in maintaining a fit and healthy body. Yoga is a physical activity that has been used in the ancient times to alleviate health problems associated with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, shallow breathing, backaches, chronic illness, and many other forms of discomfort. Nowadays, Yoga has gone from a spiritual discipline practiced by many in the Far East, into a mainstream exercise routine that has been taught in many gyms around the world. Other researches suggest that yoga may promote relaxation and reduce distress. A new form of yoga that focuses on a more fitness-based approached has ...
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Is Yoga Honestly A Form of Exercise?
2007-12-04 15:22:00
By: Javier Melendez India's most ancient gift to the human species is said to be Yoga . "Uniting" is what the word Yoga can be translated to in Sanskrit and consequently we take this small word as having a very large meaning: thre uniting of discipline.Yoga is practiced for mental and moral development and helps generate whole health - Yoga practitioners call this "arogya". Yogic exercise also cultivates "chirayu", which is longevity. Yoga in its whole aims to develop inner peace and positive, perennial happiness. As such, Yoga is thought of as being essential for an individual's ultimate completion in life.Yoga is really a kind of science that not only affects the consciousness of oneself, but also one's subconscious. Yoga's physiological training practice (Kriya Yoga) when done correctly, can lift human beings to a supra-mundane level.Yoga shows people how to embrace life. It promotes mental control and self-development and brings out the noble in any being, thus removing the i...
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Benefits of Yoga
2007-12-04 15:20:00
By: Michael phillips Contrary to popular belief, yoga is not a form of exercise but is a form of meditation. The term ‘yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit term ‘yog’ which means to “add” or in simpler terms to be in oneness with god. Yoga relaxes a person and allows him/her to enter a deep meditative state. Although, there are numerous physical benefits of yoga, but the primary purpose and ultimate goal of yoga is to help a person reach a relaxed and spiritually elevated state. Yoga is a complete exercise that helps improve body tone and also helps relieve tension and anxiety. Yoga is now recommended by many physiotherapists as a means to improve muscle tone and to improve the flexibility of joints. People that are recovering from muscle injuries are often prescribed easy yoga exercises to help improve blood circulation to damaged or injured ligaments and muscles. Yoga is also believed to be a strong detoxification exercise, and the body is detoxified by improving blood c...
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The Healing Power of Yoga
2007-12-04 15:01:00
I used to be one of those people that only worked out if itinvolved serious, jolting cardiovascular movement, liftingheavy weights, and basically moving fast and sweating mybutt off. Then I was introduced to yoga, a practice that I knewhelped a lot of people with back and muscle problems, whichI was starting to experience both with age and with mycontinuing status as a "desk job" professional. The funnything is, I did not start practicing yoga to actually get a"work out", which I thought could only be obtained throughmy grueling sessions on the treadmill, eliptical machine,and recumbent bike.Oh no, for me yoga was strictly a relaxation exercise, onedesigned to help stretch my muscles and soothe my busymind. Little did I realize, I was getting an excellentworkout with yoga, combined with all the benefits of aserious cardio workout, as was apparent upon waking up thenext day to an invariably sore rump and tummy.But it didn't always "feel" like I was working out when Idid yoga, especi...
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Modern Meditation
2007-12-03 04:42:00
By: Editor 123 With the changing times, the ways to enjoy the complexities of life has changed too. To run with the increasing pace of time, a person has to be choosing the ways that gives him or her most benefits. Modern meditation is the result of this increasing pace of life. In recent time, people have realized the utility of meditation method and its ever green benefits that will help a person to gain happiness and inner peace in his life.To enjoy this process of meditation fully, a person has to learn the tricks and correct practice of meditation process to fully and then has to be practiced continuously to obtain the positive effects in the life for long. So, first thing is to learn the concept from a practiced master and avail the benefits. With proper learning process, you can develop great means to satisfy your meditating concentration and just feel on the top of the world.The concept of modern meditation is to become aware about yourself, your surroundings and things happ...
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Personal contact with your Higher Self
2007-12-02 13:49:00
By: Basavaraj Udapudi The higher self is the true expression of you as an individual. Its purpose is to fulfil your heart's desire and soul purpose of your present life. The experience of the higher self is joy, self-confidence, and selfempowerment. It uses the faculties of clairvoyance, clairaudience,clairsentience and intuition.Higher self is a wise and highly perceptive, unconditionally interested in your highest good, and capable of figuring out where you are getting off track with the same intensity that is required to get you to really listen.In this sense your higher self is a powerful mentor. You can certainly get assistance from your powerful mentor if you are setting out to change your life or achieve other types of seemingly impossible things and get stuck in important decisions of your life.How to get assistance from your higher self: Here is a two step formula to contact your higher self. 1) The more relaxed you are mentally and physically, the better your contact with...
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Yoga - Benefits of Yoga
2007-12-02 04:57:00
By: Juliet Yoga is an ancient practice that helps create a sense of union in body, mind, and spirit. The most important benefit of yoga is physical and mental therapy. The aging process, which is largely an artificial condition, caused mainly by autointoxication or self-poisoning, can be slowed down by practicing yoga. Although yoga has been shown to be beneficial in a variety of conditions, it is not considered a therapy for specific illnesses. Yoga also strives to increase self-awareness on both a physical and psychological level. This allows people to take early collective action, such as adjusting posture, when discomfort is first noticed. Practicing yoga can provide chronic pain sufferers with useful tools to actively cope with their pain and help counter feelings of helplessness and depression. Laboratory tests have proved the yogi's increased abilities of consciously controlling autonomic or involuntary functions, such as temperature, heartbeat and blood pressure. Patients w...
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Yoga, the Science of the Superconscient Mind
2007-11-30 14:23:00
Psychology deals with the Subconscious and Psycho Analysis with the Unconscious.Yoga , on the other hand, deals with the Superconscious or the Superconscient.EEG signals measured shows that Meditation generates a Fourth State of Consciousness, characterised by Alpha waves.High beta waves (above 25 MHz ) characterise the Waking State or JagratAlpha waves characterise Meditation is in between 7.8 and 14 MHz.Theta waves characterise Dreaming State or Swapna ( 3.2 to 7.28 MHz).Delta waves chacterise Deep Sleep or Sushupti (.1 to 3.2 ) Hence it is possible to commune with the Superconscious Mind and Yoga is the Art of Cosmic Union
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The Universal Will will not lead you where the Universal Grace cannot keep
2007-11-10 12:27:00
This is a Law " The Divine Will will never lead you, where His Grace cannot keep you"When I returned from the Gulf, I had no problem in starting Zodiac Computers way back in 1988. I had always felt the hand of the Supreme. His Grace has protected me throughout.The hand of the Divine guided me to Philosophy and Astrology. When I was in crisis, I always felt His hand guiding me and protecting me. I did not have any major problem whatsover. Minor problems I had, but then they were all solved by Grace Divine !
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Therapeutic Yoga
2007-10-29 10:03:00
Yoga maintains that diseases are caused by mental tensions or Adhis.We have five levels of Being - the Material, the Mental, the Vital, the Intellectual and the Spiritual .The Fivefold Sheaths that encase the Absolute Self is known as Pancha Koshas. The positive energy from the Blissful Sheath is hindered by mental tensions or Adhis. Because of this block, healing does not take place all of a sudden.By practising Meditation, one can get rid of Stress and mental tension. Only after removing all Adhis will true healing take place
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Union via Wisdom
2007-10-26 08:09:00
Union via Wisdom is very difficult. The whole Universe is mirrored in Becoming, in the Universal Mind. The real "I" is the Absolute SELF, who is the witness to all the three relative states. Union with this Self, while we are indulging in mundane activitis, is not easy. The waking appears like the dreaming state. That is why Union via Love is preferred to other systems of Yoga. The way of Love unites one with the Beloved. If we love all in the Universe, then via that Love, we can achieve the Ultimate Union
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Gayathri Mantra Meditation
2007-09-10 12:18:00
I am meditating on the Gayathri Mantra , the greatest amonst the mantras. Gayantham thrayate iti gayathri is the defintion. Which means that it is the mantra which protects the chanter.It has protected me throughout and has given insight into Vedantic and Jyothish mysteriesOf Divine GraceThe Divine operates by remote controlShowing in the mind of the devoteeWhom He wants to redeem and saveThe solution to the problemTime Eternal does not cut offAny person's head !Whom He wants to destroyShows the wrong things in his mind !
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Bridal Mysticism is Ecstacy personified !
2007-09-10 11:27:00
Amongst the Yogas Four, Bhakthi Yoga is extolled. This is because Absolute Self as Love is more endearing than Absolute Self as Wisdom or Action or Psychic Control.The veil between the Ego and the Self, the Mind or Maya or the Mirror suddenly ceases to be, revealing the face of the Beloved.What bliss can equal the Bliss that is coming from Thee !
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The Dark Night of the Spirit
2007-03-19 11:26:00
The Dark Night of the Soul is accompanied by the gretest test - the Dark Night of the Spirit ! This is the most difficult test. The story of Jesus is an alchemical allegory, describing the mystical experiences of the alchemist-initiate. The initiate feels cut off from all help, even from one's source of Being ! Beautiful is the face of the Mother Divine, but She too can be hard and terrible ! He feels cut off from all inspiration and intuitions ! He is alone on the Cross and this is the state of Crucifixon !Bliss and pain alternate in this state of Crucifixon. Jesus cried out " My Power, my Power, why hast Thou forsaken me ? " in his pain. Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani ! At the same time he acquiesed in the Universal Will and said " Father, unto Thy hand I command my spirit " All emotions and Mind are totally on fire, during this state of combustion. One has to overcome this period by self-reliance and self-faith ! This state of Combustion is caused the Divine Fire, by the fiery...
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The Dark Night of the Soul !
2007-03-19 11:06:00
When a mystic goes nearer the Divine, he experiences ' The Dark Night of the Soul ' He has had his experiences of Bliss. But the Path of Return or the Solar Path ( yoga ) is also not a bed of roses. He who dare not hold the thorns, need not crave for the rose ! So there will be many trials ans tribulations !Which are indeed naught else But the protractive trials of high JoveTo find persistent constancy in men !Rebounding Karma catches his unawares. But he has to understand that they are Wages ( of sin ) and that Initiation is a process of intensive culture and acceleration. Janmantara Kritham Papam Vyadhi Roopena Jayathe.No growth is possible without resistance to draw out latent power. Gold has to be burnt for perfection. The wise recognise negativity as the inevitable clearing process and maintain equanimity.The best way during this period is to chant the names of the Lord. One should know that the Lord is with the initiate eternally. Anu vrajami Aham Nityam " Fear thou not, I a...
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For Love to triumph, war is inevitable !
2007-03-19 10:55:00
You have heard of the adage "Out of evil cometh good."If then His ProvidenceOut of evil seeks to bring forth goodOur aim must be to pervert that end And out of good still to find means of evil ! ( Satan in Paradise Lost ) First there will be a clash. There will be quarrels galore. There will be ego clashes. Then both parties will realise that Love is better. So for Love to triumph, war is inevitable !War is a biolgical necessity, an outlet for the human desire to compete and excel. Since the Ego function is dominant in man, war becomes so to say a necessity.The Ego is the imperfect term in Man and Self is the perfect term. The Ego is the lower imperfect term of our Being. Self is the higher, perfect term. The Law of Vishnu ( Love ) cannot prevail, unless debts to Rudra ( War ) are paid !
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Ode to the Kundalini
2007-02-16 09:44:00
Thou art the KundaliniThe Macrocosmic Shakti divineThou liest serpentine at the Chakra BaseRepresentative of the mighty Conscious Force !Success in both spheres is given by TheeBoth the material & spiritual realmsWith Thy Grace, wealth & all paraphernaliaFriends, relatives & praises galoreSubordinates, vehicles, power, influenceMen attain; such is Thy Grace's might !In the other realm spiritualThou makest the aspirant piousEndowing him with knowledge divineMaking him do virtous deedsSo that he becomes eligible for HeavenBoth material & spiritual successAre effectuated by Thy Grace Supernal !