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Trying to understand the true nature of reality – that which is beyond the immediately obvious – is like trying to understand nature (planets, sun, stars, people, hills, animals, rivers) when you have only ever existed inside a box, having never seen the outside world.
Until you break free of the box and see the vast outside world, you can never hope to realise the vastness due to your ignorance. You are limited by your senses, but once you have broken out of the box and witnessed nature for yourself you no longer need to believe, for you know it to be true.
It is in the same way as someone born in a box becomes free of it by breaking through to the outside world, that we, like a box within a box, are born from one box (our mothers womb) in another box (the world), and yet we take this box (the outer world) to be all there is. Where did the consciousness come from that animates the baby, is the world not a box to be broken free from?
Copyright © 2008 Russell Smithers
May
22
Yoga states that deep reality is beyond intellectual understanding which has it’s limits and can only take you so far.”, I.8: Unweaving the mind
“All creation is governed by law,” / “The principles that operate the outer universe discoverable by scientists, are called natural laws. But there are subtler laws that rule the hidden spiritual planes and the inner realm of consciousness; …”, page 131- Autobiography of a Yogi (Paramhahansa Yoganananda)
Ever the skeptic that I am, I like to find facts that support my writings, thinking and experience. This may seem a contradiction with the above quote, but it is not, for when one is treading the yogic path and has learnt things (experientialy and intellectually) that prove aspects of the map are correct he feels confident with the path;however, when he then has “experiences” which he can not deny, but does not intellectually understand
it is nice to try and use science, yogic and other significant literature and evidence to help his understanding. This is more important where a guru is not at hand, and living in England I have found no guru, although I have found some good teachers.
Charles Robert Richet (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Robert_Richet – foot note, on page 136 of Autobiography …) has performed some research and performed demonstrations regarding these matters. As I am reading my way through Autobiography I thought I would find what I could on the internet, except I haven’t found as much as I would like; however, please find a few links below for further reading. A biography for Charles Robert Richet can be found at the following link; www.spiritwritings.com/charlesrichet.html
Unfortunately with limited time I have not found much more, but I do intend to delve into Charles Roberts work in the future sometime.
Autobiography of a Yogi is a fantastic book. The chapter “Years in My Masters Hermitage” is full of interesting and insightful things, a treasure trove of wisdom. I recommend it even though I have not finished reading.
Copyright © 2008 Russell Smithers
Feb
5
Each day we walk towards death, step by little step.
The mechanics of taking that step, are,
the thoughts and actions we think and do that day.
So we know the destination is death,
and yet, we do not aim for it.
We do not prepare for death, instead,
we allow ourselves to be distracted with the outer world.
What can we do to prepare for death?
We can use the outer world as a mirror, seeing with awareness.
We can look at the mechanics of the steps we take, day in, day out.
We can understand ourselves, we can learn to act instead of re-acting.
We can become more conscience by enhancing our awareness.
We can accept ourselves for who we are,
and from that place we find ourselves, from time to time,
we can through quite awareness, try and listen to the intuition within.
We can be guided by our inner guide and see where it leads us.
Open your heart, and listen to the experiences of your life,
rich with wisdom and teachings, you only have to see and learn.
You don’t need to look elsewhere, for the wisdom you seek lies within,
should you care to wipe away the dirt that covers it, you will find it.
“That which we persist in doing becomes easier,
not that the nature of the task has changed,
but an ability to do it has increased.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
So pack your bags with understanding, compassion and courage,
and step through the vale of your amnesia onto the path that lies beyond.
Through the land packed with wisdom,
stay to the path and you shall find yourself
in a new and wonderful land some day,
high up in awe of all that is.
So,
“Compose yourself in stillness
Draw your attention inward
And devote your consciousness to the self.
For the wisdom you seek lies within.”,
Bhagavad Gita
And remember,
“When you are inspired by some great purpose,
some extraordinary project,
all of your thoughts break their bonds
Your mind transcends limitations.
Your consciousness expands in every direction.
And you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world.
Dormant forces, faculties and talents come alive
and you discover yourself to be a greater person
by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.”
Patanjali
Copyright Russell Smithers © 2008
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