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Into the Mystic: The Journey from Meditation to Contemplation
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“The Wisdom of No Escape” by Pema Chödrön, Advaita Vedanta, “Ramana Maharshi’s Forty Verses On What Is”, “The Crystal and the Way of Light: Sutra, Tantra, and Dzogchen” by Namkhai Norbu, “The Hakomi Way: Consciousness & Healing: The Legacy of Ron Kurtz”, “The Pristine Mind” by Orgyen Chowang, Bhakti Yoga: The Path of Devotion and Divine Love, Blog Posts with Books in Associated, Bridging Hearts and Minds, Caravan of Love: Interfaith Healing & Harmony, Christian Mystic: St. John of the Cross, Eastern Spiritual Traditions, Embracing Forgiveness, Loving-Kindness, and Compassion, Global Wellness: Nurturing Health and Harmony, Guiding Principles, Hatha Yoga: The Path of Physical Mastery and Inner Balance, Health and Wellness: Nurturing Body, Mind, and Spirit., Hindu Sacred Texts and Scriptures, IntoTheMystic, Jnana Yoga: The Path of Knowledge and Self-Inquiry, Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism, Karma Yoga: The Path of Selfless Action, Mantra Yoga: The Path of Sacred Sound and Spiritual Resonance, ME/CFS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Navigating Wellness and Support, ME/CFS Prayers: Finding Solace and Strength in Spirituality, Meditation Practices: Paths to Inner Peace and Clarity, Mindfulness of Emotions, Mindfulness Practices- Zen, Dharma, Advaita Vedanta, Nonduality,, Mindfulness, Meditation and Personal Growth, Practices of Neti Neti, Practices of Self-Inquiry (Atma Vichara), Raja Yoga: The Path of Meditation and Mental Discipline, Sacred Community Collaboration, Sacred Text: The Bhagavad Gita: Dialogue of Duty and Devotion, Sacred Text: The Ramayana: An Epic Journey of Virtue and Valor, Sacred Text: The Satipatthana Sutta: Foundations of Mindfulness, Spirituality, Psychology, and Personal Growth, Teacher: Byron Katie, Teacher: Carl Jung, Teacher: Joseph Cambell, Teacher: Joseph Goldstein: Insight Meditation and the Path of Mindfulness, Teacher: Paramahansa Yogananda, Teacher: Ram Dass, Teacher: Ron Kurtz, Teacher: Sri Ramana Maharshi, Teacher: Swami Sivananda, Teacher: Swami Vivekananda, Teacher: Tibetan Master: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, Teacher: Tibetan Master: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, Teacher: Tibetan Master: Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche, Teacher: Tibetan Master: Pema Chödrön, Teacher: Toni Bernhard, Teacher: Vipassana Master: S.N. Goenka, Teacher: Zen Master: Dogen, Teacher: Zen Master: Reb Anderson (Tenshin Roshi), Teacher: Zen Master: Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, Teacher: Zen Master: Thich Nhat Hanh, Teachers and Masters of the Buddha’s Path, Teachings: Mahayana Teachings of Compassion and Wisdom, Teachings: Theravada: Teachings of the Buddha, Teachings: Tibetan Teachings of the Buddha, Teachings: Zen Teachings of the Buddha, The Dark Night of the Soul, The Philosophy and Teachings of the Buddha, Universal Responsibility: Spiritual Teachings for Global Harmony, Yoga Nidra: The Path of Deep Relaxation and Conscious Awareness, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Yoga Vāsiṣṭha, Yoga Vāsiṣṭha Sara Pradīpika, Yoga Yājñavalkya, Yoga: Pathways to Inner Peace and Spiritual Realization, Yoga: The Philosophy and Practice of YogaIn this personal reflection, we explore the contemplative journey of shifting from meditation to contemplation, as inspired by St. John of the Cross. Drawing on insights from Namkhai Norbu, Ramana Maharshi, Thich Nhat Hanh, and the Dalai Lama, the post delves into meditative absorption and the quiet unfolding of awareness. By embracing curiosity and the…
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Post 11: A Moment of Reflection: Integrating the Yoga Sutras So Far
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Advaita Vedanta, Bridging Hearts and Minds, Eastern Spiritual Traditions, Foundational Texts in the Philosophy and Practice of Yoga, Raja Yoga: The Path of Meditation and Mental Discipline, Teacher: Swami Vivekananda, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Yoga: Pathways to Inner Peace and Spiritual Realization, Yoga: The Philosophy and Practice of YogaIn this post, we take a moment to pause and reflect on the journey through the Yoga Sutras so far. As we integrate the teachings from the first ten sutras, we explore how they’ve touched our practice and offer a guided meditation to deepen our connection to the Seer. This is a time for contemplation,…
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Post 10: Stages of Meditative Absorption: Patanjali’s Sutras 1.17 and 1.18
In this post, we explore Patanjali’s Sutras 1.17 and 1.18, which outline the stages of meditative absorption. Learn how the mind moves through reflection, contemplation, bliss, and subtle individuality, and how deeper states of absorption lead to pure awareness, free from mental fluctuations. Discover the path toward samadhi and how the practice of Neti, neti.…
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Post 8: The Importance of Discipline: Patanjali’s Sutras 1.13 and 1.14
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Advaita Vedanta, Bridging Hearts and Minds, Eastern Spiritual Traditions, Foundational Texts in the Philosophy and Practice of Yoga, Raja Yoga: The Path of Meditation and Mental Discipline, Teacher: Swami Vivekananda, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Yoga: Pathways to Inner Peace and Spiritual Realization, Yoga: The Philosophy and Practice of YogaIn this post, we explore Patanjali’s Sutras 1.13 and 1.14, which emphasize the importance of disciplined practice. Patanjali teaches us that mastering the mind requires sustained effort over time, without interruption, and with sincerity. By using the phrase “Neti, neti. I am the witness. I am the Seer,” we return to stillness and build the…
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Post 6: Navigating Imagination and Sleep: Patanjali’s Sutras 1.9 and 1.10
This post touches on…
Advaita Vedanta, Bridging Hearts and Minds, Eastern Spiritual Traditions, Foundational Texts in the Philosophy and Practice of Yoga, Raja Yoga: The Path of Meditation and Mental Discipline, Teacher: Swami Vivekananda, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Yoga: Pathways to Inner Peace and Spiritual Realization, Yoga: The Philosophy and Practice of YogaIn this post, we explore Patanjali’s Sutras 1.9 and 1.10, focusing on imagination and sleep as mental events. Discover how these natural fluctuations of the mind can either distract us or be observed with clarity. We also introduce the possibility of lucid dreaming, where you can remain aware as the dreamer during sleep. Using the…
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Post 5: Simplifying the Mental Events: Patanjali’s Sutras 1.7 and 1.8
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In this post, we explore Patanjali’s Sutras 1.7 and 1.8, which distinguish between right knowledge and wrong knowledge. However, rather than getting caught in analyzing thoughts as true or false, we simplify the process by recognizing all thoughts as mental events. Using Orgyen Chowang’s teachings on pristine mind and the practice of Neti Neti (“Not…
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Post 4: Understanding the Five Types of Mental Fluctuations: Patanjali’s Sutras 1.5 and 1.6
This post touches on…
Advaita Vedanta, Bridging Hearts and Minds, Eastern Spiritual Traditions, Foundational Texts in the Philosophy and Practice of Yoga, Raja Yoga: The Path of Meditation and Mental Discipline, Teacher: Swami Vivekananda, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Yoga: Pathways to Inner Peace and Spiritual Realization, Yoga: The Philosophy and Practice of YogaIn this post, we explore Patanjali’s Sutras 1.5 and 1.6, which describe the five types of mental fluctuations (vrittis). Learn how right knowledge, wrong knowledge, imagination, sleep, and memory influence the mind and how these fluctuations can either lead to suffering or liberation. Discover how the practice of observing these mental modifications can deepen your…
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Introduction to Mantra Yoga: The Path of Sacred Sound and Spiritual Resonance
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Advaita Vedanta, Bridging Hearts and Minds, Embracing Forgiveness, Loving-Kindness, and Compassion, Mantra Yoga: The Path of Sacred Sound and Spiritual Resonance, Teacher: Sri RamaKrishna, Teacher: Swami Sivananda, Teacher: Swami Vivekananda, Yoga: Pathways to Inner Peace and Spiritual Realization, Yoga: The Philosophy and Practice of Yogapractice of sacred sound, in this introductory post. Learn how the repetition of mantras—sacred syllables, words, or phrases—elevates consciousness, focuses the mind, and fosters a deep connection with the divine. Discover the power of sound vibrations in aligning the mind, body, and spirit, and how consistent practice in Mantra Yoga can dissolve the ego and…
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Introduction to Hatha Yoga: The Path of Physical Mastery and Inner Balance
Explore Hatha Yoga, the path of physical mastery and inner balance, in this comprehensive introductory post. Learn how the practice of asanas (postures) and pranayama (breath control) in Hatha Yoga creates a strong, flexible body and a calm, focused mind, preparing practitioners for deeper spiritual work. Discover the symbolism behind Hatha Yoga, which balances solar…