Spirituality and the human
We can stop reinventing the wheel if we are receptive to learning from the past! Have you ever wondered why ancient practices that are tied to well-being – such as yoga and meditation, holistic medicine and holistic healing methods like acupuncture – are part of what’s called New Age in the West? Yoga and meditation are believed to have been born and practiced since the Indus Saraswati Valley civilisation, so many thousands of years ago.
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To all of you I say, “Let mountains fall; let the sea overwhelm the land, but do not give up your Sadhana. And, remember, Sadhana is a waste, unless you grow at the same time in virtue and uprightness.” If you give up all and surrender to the Lord, He will guard you and guide you. When you complain, “Oh! He has not guarded me.” I reply, “You have not surrendered.” The Lord has come just for this very task. He is declaring that He will do so; that it is the very task that has brought Him! Of course, you only talk of sharanam, surrender, of placing all at the Feet; but you withhold a great deal. Your minds are wayward like monkeys that skip and jump from bough to branch. Give them to Me; I can make them steady and harmless. When I say, sit, they will sit; when I say stand, they stand. That is what Sankaracharya offered to do; he told Siva that he will hand over the monkey that was his mind to Him so that it might be tamed and used for his Delight. But, it must be a complete handing over; no reservations. -Prasanthi Nilayam 3-2-63
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Halloween is an unofficial holiday celebrated each year on October 31, and Halloween 2021 occurs on Sunday, October 31. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honour all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.
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The Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change for COP 26 – called the Joint Appeal – was signed by over 40 religious leaders of the World’s Religions in the Vatican on October 4, 2021. At this event, Pope Francis gave a short talk wherein he identified our common humanity living on our common home. Pope Francis took up three themes in his address: openness to interdependence and sharing, the dynamism of love and the call to respect.
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After reflecting on abortion, it became immediately apparent that contraception is a closely related moral topic. In fact, it is often the case that if contraception fails, abortion is the next form of contraception. The contraceptive pill is one of the most widely used forms of medication in the world. Since the first clinical trials in the 1950’s, nearly 200 million women have taken the contraceptive pill, and today, over 70 million women rely on it for contraception. We look to what Sri Sathya Sai has to say about limiting population and family planning.
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For those who live on the surface of life with all its flotsam and jetsam – and marine litter (plastics, mainly) – it would appear that matters are rising to a crescendo. We have global warming, fire-storms, drought, civil war, nations testing nuclear arms as a show of strength and this virus mutation has caused hospitals to be overwhelmed. First responders are becoming exhausted and gripped by compassion fatigue. Where is the still point, the place of being and awareness of our true nature? Where is the still point of this turning world?
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Ganesh Chaturthi, also called Vinayaka Chavithi, is an auspicious Hindu festival which is celebrated for 10 days every year. The festival is celebrated in the Bhadra month as per the Hindu calendar which generally falls in mid-August to September. It marks the birthday of the beloved elephant-headed Lord Ganesha. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi begins on 10th September, and all the festivities will end on 21st September.
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We are born into a world of duality, of hot and cold, hard and soft, he and she, night and day, home and outside. What transcends all of this duality? What is the still point of this turning world that we seek? Is it out there somewhere? Is it at the end of a seminar I pay $$$ for? Is it given by this teacher or that Master? We are human beings. What is within your being?
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Some people – well intentioned – tell you of this treatment or that meditation, and urge you to take up their experience or a new path. Is this spiritually right for you? Only you know. The Source has shared that your personal spiritual path is what feels most comfortable to you. (This is not letting you off conscience; conscience is the impression / communications from Source within you).
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In one Divine Discourse, Sri Sathya Sai Baba told, Brahma sathyam, jagat mithya, jeevo brahmaiva naaparam meaning Brahman is eternal; the Universe is an illusion, and the jivi or Individual is Brahman itself. Here is a extract of a letter with a similar sentiment.
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Hayagreeva (Hayagriva) Jayanti is believed to be the day when Hayagreva incarnation of Lord Vishnu appeared on earth. Hayagreeva Jayanti 2021 date is August 21. (For some communities it is on August 22). Hayagreeva is a unique incarnation of Lord Vishnu with the head of a horse and the body of a human being. The purpose of this Avatar was to retrieve the stolen Vedas from the demons.
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The July Full Moon of 2021 will be on occasion of Guru Purnima, sometimes called Vyasa Purnima, the occasion when Sage Vyasa completed dictation of the Bhagavad Gita to Ganesha. It is an occasion without blemish. Guru Purnima is also celebrated by Buddhists in the honour of Gautama Buddha to commemorate the day when Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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A teaching was given by Sri Sathya Sai Baba: as the feeling, so the result. How you feel about matters comes to motion: e→motion. How you feel about Covid-19 is the result, the life you will create for yourself.
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The time of eclipses has passed us by, and the June Full Moon is in Sagittarius, in the nakshatra of Mula, the galactic centre. The solstice passed by several days ago, Jupiter is retrograde and finally moving after station, and has much effect and multiplying of energies at this time.
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The next Full Moon in the month of May will – at the maximum time of Full Moon – will be fully hidden and eclipsed at the same time, on 26 May 2021. This particular full Moon is called a Super Full Moon (it is closer to the Earth) and a Blood Moon (it is a total lunar eclipse).
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