Retreat Reflection #2
I really liked the secluded location for the January 2015 retreat. Not having cell service allowed me to be more present and to be able to draw my awareness inward more easily. It was wonderful to be surrounded by genuine people who give out such beautiful energy and who are in search of the truth. I have been struggling with meditation for the past few years and doing the morning meditation during the retreat helped tame my restlessness and strengthen control over my mind. The satsang every evening was a great way to end each day. I really enjoyed listening to others formulate questions and listening to the responses from Babaji. The classes allowed me to have a firmer grasp on prana and the senses. Connecting to God through music and chanting was a great addition to the retreat and brought balance to the study portion. I am so grateful for all the fresh food that was provided and prepared and for everyone that made this retreat possible.
Namaste,
Sarah
SENSES
There’s a long period of “neti-neti” before “iti-iti” becomes authentic. To jump steps along the way short-circuits the mature understanding that “All is Brahman.”
The seers remind us that objects are devoid of any real substance. But they did not say they are devoid of Essence.
When one arrives on earth, one is going to want to know, sooner or later, how to get back to one’s Source. If you die tomorrow, the knowledge of evolution and involution reveals how you get in and out of the body. Those souls who know the 24 Cosmic Principles never get lost, in or out of the body. They may not be headed to the formless Brahman yet, but they are never lost. Those who do get lost have forgotten the panchakarana process, and have lost the inner tools of vital force and subtle elements. Swami Vivekananda came to the West and saw that we were missing knowledge of prana and the tanmatras, and moved to remedy that void. Now we have to take up that task and locate and utilize them for spiritual growth.
AVASTHAS
You have to first apply “Who am I” to name, form, time, space, and causation, and then come to know that 1) they are ultimately unreal, and 2) that they exist inside of you. Then you are ready to apply “Who am I” to Consciousness.
Any negativity that comes at you, fend it off with the dharma. What you cannot fend off, well, that is what you really need to work on……