Yoga Meditation and Contemplation from SwamiJ.com

From a presentation by Swami Jnaneshvara at the Center for Nondualism on February 1, 2009.

Just like the game show, this million dollar question is the last of all the questions of nondual Yoga meditation and contemplation. It is also the hardest question, and the most important question. It is the question that supersedes all other questions. It is the question that is neither in the past, nor in the future. It is the question by which all other questions pale by comparison.

This presentation is on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7 of the Christian bible), Nondualism, and Yoga Vedanta Meditation and Contemplation. It is from a presentation at the Center for Nondualism on May 11, 2008.

Presentation by Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati at the annual conference of the Center for Non-Dualism in Fort Walton Beach, Florida on February 23, 2008. The talk blends three topics: 1) Theism, Atheism, and Non-Dualism; 2) How do I contemplate? What are “great” contemplations? 3) What is shaktipat? How does it work?

This recording is from a talk entitled First Cause No Harm at the Center for Non-Dualism at the time of the transition to a new year. It goes into the subtler meanings of the process and practice of Ahimsa or Non-Harming. Please see the website at CenterForNonDualism.org as well as the site SwamiJ.com.

From www.SwamiJ.com: There is one energy flowing in a river, a hydroelectric power plant, electricity, and the many forms of energy such as recorded music, television, and microwaves. Similarly, there is one energy in the universe, Shakti, that manifests as many forms, which have many names, such as kundalini, prana, chakras, and the physical body.

There are two kinds of prayer: ego-centered prayer and God-centered prayer. These comments by Swami Rama are excerpted with permission from Volume 1 of the 5 CD audio series Conscious Living: An Audiobook for Spiritual Transformation, ISBN 818815718x by Swami Rama. See also SwamiRamaFoundation.us and HIHTIndia.com.

This podcast is from the article at: www.SwamiJ.com/how-to-use-swamij-com.htm. It may seem odd to have instructions on how to use a website, but the need comes from the common statement of people that while they love the articles on the SwamiJ.com website, they don't know where to get started. By understanding the way the site is intentionally designed, it might be easier to use. The SwamiJ.com website is on Self-Realization through traditional Yoga meditation of the Yoga Sutras, Yoga Vedanta, Sri Vidya Tantra Yoga meditation, Jnana Yoga meditation, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga. Emphasizes Yoga as meditation, since Yoga truly is meditation.

Yoga is in religion, but religion is not in Yoga. The principles of Yoga are (in alphabetical order) in Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, and most of the other religions. However, unlike religions, Yoga itself has no deity, worship services, rituals, sacred icons, creed, confession, clergy, institutions, congregation, membership procedure, or system of temples or churches. The word “Yoga” means “union” referring to the direct experience of the wholeness of ourselves at all levels.

The transition from one year to the next year happens in an infinitely short moment that is actually non-existent in time. So too, there are transitions in the moments of life and the moments of meditation. Mindfulness of transitions in daily life and during meditation time is extremely useful on the spiritual journey to enlightenment. I hope that you enjoy the discussion. The recording ends with a 15-minute guided contemplative meditation on Transitions, which begins at 54:42.

This conversation is about Saguna and Nirguna, and the paths of meditation and contemplation with form or without form, which is related to the paths of Knowing (Jnana Yoga) and Devotion (Bhakti Yoga). The discussion involves the approaches individually, and how the work together. The recording ends with a 17-minute guided contemplative meditation on either Form or the Formless, which begins at 55:47.

This is a conversation on the stages of meditation dealing with senses and actions, body, breath, the various levels of mind, and that which is beyond the mind. It centers around a graphic on the home page of SwamiJ.com that shows these stages, along with a question mark representing that which is beyond. We also talk about subtle experiences of meditation, obstacles to enlightenment, yoga sutras, and balancing living in the world and the highest goal of life.

Wisdom to live by and share with others: There is only one highest reality and many teachers. All humans and life arise from the same one source. All countries, religions and institutions arise from that. There are many books of wisdom from many ages. Thinking there is only one way comes from ignorance. Coercive conversion is violence against other peoples. The goal of life is found within, not in institutions. Wisdom, joy and freedom come from inner stillness. Love all, as we are all waves of the one ocean. Love all and exclude none.

Religion, mysticism and yoga conversation with Swami Jnaneshvara being interviewed by Ron Frazer. This recording is a podcast by Ron Frazer (ecbp.blogspot.com) who I have come to know quite well through an interfaith group in Florida, as well as private conversations. Ron is of the Bahai faith and asked me if he could have some of my comments on religion, mysticism and yoga. He also has kindly allowed me to copy his podcast here for you. I hope you find the conversation enjoyable and insightful.

The chariot is used by the ancient sages as a symbol for how to train your mind and senses. Though most of us do not use horse drawn chariots, the lesson is as practical today as it was thousands of years ago. Allow your mind to visualize this image, and it will become a wonderful tool in your daily spiritual life; from www.SwamiJ.com.