Be As You Are, The Teachings Of Sri Ramana Maharshi

by Akemi 

• http://reallifespirituality.com/ramana-maharshi/

This book has deepened my spirituality so significantly that I want to do a review. Ramana Maharshi is an Indian sage (1879 – 1950). At age sixteen, he ran away from school and home, and went to the sacred mountain of Arunachala, staying there for the rest of his life.

He wrote very little. This book is a compilation of this dialogues, with the editor David Godman’s introduction at the beginning of each chapter.

Nondualism

The main point of his teaching is that the only thing that ever exists is the one Consciousness. Individuality is only an illusion. Identification with the illusionary self is the cause of suffering.

He uses several words to mean this one Consciousness: Self, sat-chit-ananda (Sanskrit for being-consciousness-bliss), Heart (not the physical heart but the center), and God. So we need to be careful when he says “Self”. It’s not the Higher Self — it includes all Higher Selves. In his view, there is no difference between the Source (Brahman) and the Higher Self/soul (Atman).

For Ramana Maharshi, there is no creator and the creatures. This is the purest form of nondualism. Only one Consciousness being aware of itself.

Although on the surface his theory is different from my idea of how the Higher Selves and souls came to be from the Source, I actually agree with him. That story of creation is a layer of illusion, or what I call virtual reality simulation game.

Advaita

Even though Ramana Maharshi is often categorized as an Advaita (Sanskrit of nondualism and indicates a branch of Hindu teaching) teacher, this book explains the difference:

Advaita teaches “I am Brahman” whereas Ramana Maharshi maintains “I am”. The idea of “I am Brahman (or the Source or God)” is nice, it’s only a notion that is thought or believed. It implies there is “I” and “Brahman”. “I am” is a knowing. For Sri Ramana, there is no subject and object, the seer and the seen.

The “I” cannot become aware of the Self — I can only be the Self.

Self-enquiry

Self-enquiry is essentially a process of removing the illusions so you find what you already know. You are already the Self. There is nothing that is not the Self. But we all have so much gunk caused by the five senses and our conventional thinking that the truth may not be obvious.

When you release thoughts and be silent, you realize the truth, he says. And by silent, he doesn’t mean just shutting up your mouth. It’s a complete silence of the mind. It’s the stillness or non-doing.

I guess this is a tough idea for many. We are taught to think. We are taught not-thinking is ignorant and lazy. And here Sri Ramana says ignorance is holding onto the illusions and we are wiser when we release thoughts.

Self-realization

So what good do we achieve when we realize the truth of “I am”?

Well, none. Achievement is an illusion. We just realize all our problems are illusions and therefore be free from them. Ramana Maharshi says self-realization is bliss — the Self is bliss.

Quantum mechanics

Now here is how I interpret his teaching with what I know about modern science. We are all made of atoms. The atom is like 99% space with tiny subatomic particles flying around as possibilities. In our everyday life, we recognize there is a distinct difference between my body and the space around me, and my body and your body. But really, the difference is only relative. My body is relatively denser than the space around me, but no significant difference.

Energy continues beyond what we recognize as individual objects and life forms. Individuality is only supported by our five senses, which only registers energetic information in a gross, inaccurate way.

We are all one. One taking localized forms temporarily.

Accepting a layer of illusion

For those of you who think his teaching is too far off and impractical, Ramana Maharshi also modifies his teaching and says it is okay to assume some individuality.

So it’s okay to pray. When you know there is only one Consciousness — in other words, when you know you are God — there is no point of praying. I agree with him, but at the same time, I find comfort in praying. So at least for now, accepting this layer of illusion that there is God and me works for me.

Needless to say, when we realize our individuality is an illusion, then reincarnation is an illusion as well. So those of you who really grasp his teaching of nonduality (not just understanding it on the intellectual level, but really know it and live in bliss) don’t need my Akashic Record Reading. You are free already and you know it.

Renunciation

Also, I personally find it interesting that he discourages renunciation even though he himself abandoned his worldly life and led a very austere life. It is said his only personal possession was his loincloth. To his visitors, however, he explained self-enquiry alone is sufficient for self-realization.

So I guess I don’t need to move to India

This is the best book on spirituality I know. I don’t think you need to know anything else about spirituality. Read it, be silent, and realize.

The Magic of a Defenite Chief Aim

by Kate Corbin

"Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?" asked Alice.

"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," replied the Cat.

- Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

The term, Definite Chief Aim, comes from the success philosophy of Napoleon Hill - especially his landmark books, The Law of Success (1928) and Think and Grow Rich (1937). Thirty years ago, my boyfriend's mother gave me a copy of Think and Grow Rich. The boyfriend didn't last long but the gift from his mother started me on a lifelong journey of discovery into the power of thought. I remember the thrill of recognition I felt upon first reading these words:

"Truly, thoughts are things, and powerful things at that when they are mixed with definiteness of purpose, persistence, and a burning desire for their translation into riches, or other material objects."

A strongly held Definite Chief Aim transforms your mind into a powerful magnet which attracts the people and circumstances necessary for you to accomplish your desire. It's the first step in turning invisible desires into visible reality. Without a clear direction, it's all too easy to drift through life, like a ship without a rudder. The Magic of a Definite Chief Aim helps you organize, direct and harness the infinite power of your mind.

Once you have clarity about what you want and why you want it, you're ready to follow these Steps to Attain Your Definite Chief Aim:

1) Write a Clear Description of your Definite Chief Aim. Years ago, before Arnold Schwarzenegger had made his mark on Hollywood, he stated his Definite Chief Aim: "I am going to be the number-one box-office star in all of Hollywood." Explaining how he intended to accomplish this feat, he said: "What you do is create a vision of who you want to be and then live into that picture as if it were already true." Years later, in 1991, receipts from Terminator II confirmed Schwarzenegger to be the most popular box office draw in the world, thus successfully accomplishing his Definite Chief Aim.

2) Include a Clear Statement of What You Intend to Give in Return. As I'm sure you agree, there's no such thing as something for nothing. To get what you want, it's important to decide what you will give in return. Oprah's Definite Chief Aim has been to make a positive difference in the lives of millions of people. Per Oprah, "As far back as I can recall, my prayer has been the same: Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself." Oprah has achieved phenomenal success for herself and others by focusing on a purpose greater than herself.

3) Believe You Can and Will Attain It. What you attain is limited only by your capacity to believe you can have it. To believe you can have what you want, keep thinking thoughts of having what you want. Magnetize your mind with positive affirmations. Visualize, imagine and feel yourself already in possession of your desire. In 1987, Jim Carrey was a struggling comic and part-time dishwasher, dreaming of fame and fortune. In addition to affirmations and visualizations, he wrote himself a check for $10 million and dated it Thanksgiving 1995, adding the notation "for acting services rendered." In the Fall of 1995, he did in fact reach his Definite Chief Aim when he signed a $10 million contract to film "The Mask."

4) Take Inspired Action. Tune in to guidance and inspiration from your Non-Physical Partner. When you listen to your inner voice and follow the guidance you receive, you are truly co-creating with Source. You don't have to do it all alone. Your intuition will lead you step by step in the direction of your Definite Chief Aim.

5) Persevere. To accomplish your Definite Chief Aim, you must stay the course. If your Definite Chief Aim is based on a burning desire for its achievement, you will be able to persevere through doubts and difficulties. Remember that the dominating thoughts of your mind WILL transform themselves into physical reality. Thomas Edison had a Definite Chief Aim to create the electric light bulb. He persevered through 10,000 failed attempts before successfully realizing his dream.

"If you don't have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?"

- from the movie, South Pacific

Vitalize and thoroughly saturate your mind with your Definite Chief Aim. Concentrate on the end result as you see and feel and believe yourself already in possession of it. Your Definite Chief Aim is a blueprint that will lead you, step by step, toward its attainment. It's a bridge between your dream and your reality. Remember to keep your vibration high while following the above steps and you'll joyfully engage The Magic of A Definite Chief Aim!

Kate Corbin

A Kiss from the Universe

God said:

Everything is all right, and everything is going to come up roses. It has always been so, beloveds. Despite the direness you are acquainted with, this is the actuality.

Everything that occurs in life serves. How it serves may well be beyond your grasp. You may not see it that way at all.

When a beautiful rose wilts and withers, it goes to the ground and helps to nourish what will grow in its place the next year. You can mourn the passing of the rose, or you can think about the benefits the rose gave and gives and what further gifts will come from its existence and its seeming demise. It is very possible that this one rose will contribute to dozens more..

It is undeniable that a rose, every rose, no matter how beautiful, falls to the ground. It has its span, and a beautiful span it is. If roses lasted forever, they would not be roses. Is not their temporariness part of their charm? Are you going to choose a long-lasting artificial rose when there is a fresh one to pluck?. Why mourn, beloveds, the seeming end of the life cycle of a rose?

Is it not the ending of a rose as beautiful as the beginning? A beautiful rose is laid to rest, and essence of the rose continues. Rose-ness is forever. Why mourn the passing of that which is forever?

In Eternity, what is there to mourn? Only a certain point of view. Only attachment gives you cause for mourning. Love without attachment, beloveds. Love and appreciate and enjoy the rose while it blooms. When the rose ceases blooming, love it just the same. The most beautiful rose can only be a reflection of the love you hold it in.

Why mourn anything? Why mourn love, beloveds?

Love is more than a hop, skip, and jump. Love is a kind of rose. Love gets passed on and meets itself coming and going. Love is eternal. No matter how fragmented you may think love is, it is eternal. Love is definitely more than a passing fancy.

Look outside your window right now. Perhaps you see a fruit tree in bloom. Tomorrow the wind may sweep all the blossoms to the ground. In another cycle, a last-minute snow may cover all of the straggling blossoms. What does it matter? The tree blossomed. The blossoms were. The blossoms slid into your heart. Have they left your heart?

The blossoms were like a kiss from the Universe. Would you regret a kiss from the Universe? Would you rue a blossoming tree because it will not stay as it was? You were given a gift. Love the gift. Love the gift while you have it. Treasure it even when it is no longer apparent and let it go. The gift made a mark in your heart, and that mark is indelible.

Does it make no sense to you at all that a rose and blossoms bloom and do not stay blooming? Isn’t that what life is filled of, beloveds? Life is filled with roses and blossoms and promises that come true. They have been given, and they were given to you. Is this not cause for rejoicing?

Something is yours for a moment in Earth-terms. And what a moment it is! It is not at all that something is taken from you, beloveds. It was yours for a short-time only. Its brevity is not a secret kept from you. It is not a surprise. The very brevity is part of the gift, will you agree?
Visit www.heavenletters.org

by Steve Pohlit

The Magic of Focus

"It's as easy to create a castle as a button. It's just a matter of whether you're focused on a castle or a button." - Abraham-Hicks

The most basic principle of the Law of Attraction is to focus on what you want, not on what you don't want. As simple as that sounds, it's not always so easy to do. In fact, if we could focus
exclusively on what we want rather than what we don't want, we would all be Manifesting Wizards. Even though we know better, we often focus on the problem, on the unpaid bills, on the fear of losing our job, our lover, our health, our looks . . .

This article was inspired by a recent chat with a neighbor. He asked me what I had been doing and I responded with a list of activities including coaching, writing, having fun with new friends, walking on the beach, hiking in the mountains, and basically enjoying a magnificent life. To which, my neighbor replied, "Well I guess that's better than being depressed." As strange a comment as I thought that was, it struck me right then and there that the only difference between a magnificent life and a depressed life is where you focus your attention. Whew, that's big!

You know the drill: What you focus on expands. Energy flows where attention goes. Even the Jedi wisdom of Star Wars informs us, "Always remember, your focus determines your reality." Focus includes thinking about, planning for, and visualizing. It also includes worrying about, fearing, and fighting against, which means - if you focus on opportunities, you'll get more opportunities. If you focus on obstacles, you'll get more obstacles.

Really, is it any more difficult to focus on love, abundance, and dreams coming true than it is to focus on money problems, painful relationships, or fears and worries? No, it's not. It just takes
practice. The first step is to observe what you focus on and think about most of the time. Next, recognize your power to choose what you focus on. Then, make a conscious decision to focus on the good stuff.

Everything is determined by where you place your focus, therefore, it's a very good idea to:

- focus on what you want, not what you don't want.
- focus on what you have, not what you don't have.
- focus on what you like, not what you don't like.
- focus on what feels good, not what feels bad.
- focus on the solution, not the problem.
- focus on the joy, not the sorrow.
- focus on the abundance, not the scarcity.
- focus on why it WILL happen, not on why it won't happen.
- focus on having it all, not on settling for less.
- focus on where you're going, not where you've been.

Think of Tiger Woods sinking a perfect putt, Itzhak Perlman hitting a precise note on the violin or investment genius, Warren Buffet, poring over financial statements. What do these extraordinary individuals have in common? They all focus with laser-like precision on their goals. They have all mastered the Magic of Focus.

Let's take a closer look at Tiger Woods. With the help of his father, Tiger was able to develop an extraordinary ability to focus, concentrate, and be in the present moment, at an early age. After the first round of his first international tournament, his father asked him what he was thinking about as he stood over that first shot. Tiger replied, "Where I wanted my ball to go, Daddy."
"That's when I knew, says Earl Woods, how good he was going to be." Tiger blocks out everything else and focuses on where he wants that little ball to go. The mental focus he brings to the game of golf is what sets Tiger apart from his competition.

So what are YOU focusing on? Not sure? Look at your life. Your life is a perfect reflection of where you're placing your focus. If you like the reflection, great, keep up the good work. If the picture could use a little tweaking, no problem, you can change your life by changing your focus. As you focus more on what you do want and less on what you don't want, you become the conscious creator of your own precious life. Given that what you focus on determines your reality, wouldn't you agree that it's worth mastering the Magic of Focus? With the Law of Attraction and the Magic of Focus, you truly can be and do and have whatever you desire.

Kate Corbin

13 Things You Can Do Right Now To Get What You Want

1) Want. You must want what you want more than not wanting what you don't want. Give yourself permission to want and desire. Let yourself HAVE what you want and desire.

2) Decide. If you don't decide, nothing else can happen. You must feel the resolve of your decision 100%.

3) See. Use your imagination to see your vision. What is happening? Who is there? What is going on? Play the scenario's in your head.

4) Feel. Harness this most missed step in manifesting. Let the feelings of what you want and desire surface. Feel them now. (This is one of the focus's of the *Feeling Good* Immersion Experience)

5) Think. Your thoughts create vibrations that the Universe matches, which creates what you know as your reality. Make sure you are consciously choosing thought that align you with what you want and desire.

6) Clear. Limited thoughts, mistaken beliefs, old baggage...must be cleared!

7) Act. Take action. But don't just move. Take inspired, clear action that you know is part of the momentum of your creation.

8) Know. Feel confident and convicted. Be certain that what you want and desire will be yours.

9) Trust. Infuse your consciousness and being with trust. Do you trust life? Do you trust yourself? Find a way to elevate your trust to a higher plane.

10) Allow. Learn how to open, receive and allow. Get out of the way.

11) Connect. Connect with whatever you know as a higher power, source or purpose. When you align with the greater rhythm of life, you are letting Universal laws work WITH you.

12) Raise. Engage in activity that raises your vibrations. High vibrations are a must for being a magnet for what you want and desire.

13) Thank. Give thanks! Gratitude is one of the most potent tools for using the Law of Attraction on purpose. Give thanks for what is. Feel gratitude for what will be.

THANK YOU!

In joy, prosperity and gratitude,

Kendra :)

Kendra E Thornbury, MA
Lessons in Law of Attraction
SpiritAlive

http://www.kendrathornbury.com
http://www.spiritalive.net

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Kendra is an internationally acclaimed coach,
spiritual guide, writer, speaker, facilitator,
humanitarian and entrepreneur. She helps
people awaken to the bounty of life and
live in joy and prosperity. Her purpose is to
inspire and guide people to be fully alive.



P.O. Box 20672
Seattle, WA 98102
Usa

Fix What Isn’t Broken

We sometimes get to places in our lives where things are … well, they’re really good! Money is flowing. Our health is great. Our relationships are loving and nurturing. We wake up in the morning full of satisfaction and contentment.

It’s tempting in this wonderful state of fulfillment to think that we’ve “arrived.” The “there” that we were striving for and working towards has become “here.” And “here” is exactly where we want to stay. Life is great, and we want to sit back and enjoy. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course. Hopefully, we all take time out to truly enjoy and savor the life we’ve created for ourselves, every single day.

And yet, from this state of satisfaction and contentment, it’s easy to slip into unconsciousness and become complacent. It’s easy to try and hold on to the joy of life as it is right now. We forget that we are growing and evolving Beings and that life circumstances inevitably must change to accommodate our ongoing evolution.

We may not realize that in these happy times, we are in the ideal state to consciously create more of what we want - even though our life is great!

Most of us are used to creating out of pain, need or lack. In fact, without pain, need, or lack, many of us stop creating altogether. If that is the case, we inevitably finally manifest a new pain, need, or lack in our lives, because that’s the only motivation for change and evolution we respond to.

We are not used to creating out of fulfillment and satisfaction. We are used to fixing what’s broken, rather than creating something new for the sheer joy of experiencing ourselves in new ways and circumstances. And yet, creation out of love, joy and abundance is the essence of Divine Creation. After all, Source / God / the Universe doesn’t create and express itself out of pain, need, or lack!

In times of satisfaction and fulfillment, we have the unique opportunity to truly experience ourselves as Divine Creators. We can playfully, joyfully, abundantly explore our authentic self-expression by changing what’s already working for us, to improve what isn’t broken. From love and joy, we can grow and evolve into even more abundant circumstances, simply because there is no end to what’s available to us. We can go deeper and deeper into the inquiry of what truly serves us in the present moment, because we are not operating from lack or fear.

When we’ve “arrived” in a place of fulfillment and satisfaction in our lives, the journey of conscious creation isn’t over - it’s just beginning!

Blessings,
Andrea

Universal Laws

by Alexys Fairfield

In the book, The Light Shall Set You Free by Drs. Milanovich and McCune, they explain that there are 12 Universal Laws, and 21 sub-laws, describing the correlation between cause and effect. Once understood, these laws would be able to enhance our life experience and boost our spiritual expansion.

These laws are based on the understanding that everything in the universe is energy, including us, and that energy moves in a circular motion. Looking at energy through a microscope, we see a whirling mass of electrons and energy atoms spinning rapidly and feel a connection to it on a profound level.

Everything we think, feel and say is comprised of energy. Whatever energy we put out boomerangs back to us in whatever form we put it out, thus we have the power to create peace, harmony and abundance.


Following are the Universal Laws


1. The Law of Divine Oneness:

The Law of Divine Oneness helps us to understand that we live in a world where everything is connected to everything else. Everything we do, say, think and believe affects others and the universe around us.

2. The Law of Vibration:

This Universal Law states that everything in the Universe moves, vibrates, and travels in circular patterns. The same principles of vibration in the physical world apply to our thoughts, feelings, desires, and wills in the Etheric world. Each sound, thing, and even thought has its own vibrational frequency, unique unto itself.

3. The Law of Action:

The Law of Action must be applied in order for us to manifest things on earth. Therefore, we must engage in actions that support our thoughts, dreams, emotions and words.

4. The Law of Correspondence:

This Universal Law states that the principles or laws of physics that explain the physical world – energy, Light, vibration, and motion – have their corresponding principles in the etheric or universe. “As above, so below.”

5. The Law of Cause and Effect:

This Universal Law states that nothing happens by chance or outside the Universal Laws. Every action has a reaction or consequence and we “reap what we have sown.”

6. The Law of Compensation:

This Universal Law is the Law of Cause and Effect applied to blessings and abundance that are provided for us. The visible effects of our deeds are given to us in gifts, money, inheritances, friendships, and blessings.

7. The Law of Attraction:

This Universal Law demonstrates how we create the things, events, and people that come into our lives. Our thoughts, feelings, words, and actions produce energies which, in turn, attract like energies. Negative energies attract negative energies and positive energies attract positive energies.

8. The Law of Perpetual Transmutation of Energy:

This Universal Law states that all persons have within them the power to change the conditions in their lives. Higher vibrations consume and transform lower ones; thus, each of us can change the energies in our lives by understanding the Universal Laws and applying the principles in such a way as to effect change.

9. The Law of Relativity:

This Universal Law states that each person will receive a series of problems (Tests of Initiation) for the purpose of strengthening the Light within. We must consider each of these tests to be a challenge and remain connected to our hearts when proceeding to solve the problems. This law also teaches us to compare our problems to others’ problems and put everything into its proper perspective. No matter how bad we perceive our situation to be, there is always someone who is in a worse position. It is all relative.

10. The Law of Polarity:

This Universal Law states that everything is on a continuum and has an opposite. We can suppress and transform undesirable thoughts by concentrating on the opposite pole. It is the law of mental vibrations.

11. The Law of Rhythm:

This Universal Law states that everything vibrates and moves to certain rhythms. These rhythms establish seasons, cycles, stages of development, and patterns. Each cycle reflects the regularity of God’s universe. Masters know how to rise above negative parts of a cycle by never getting too excited or allowing negative things to penetrate their consciousness.

12. The Law of Gender:

This Universal Law states that everything has its masculine (yang) and feminine (yin) principles, and that these are the basis for all creation. We must balance the masculine and feminine energies within ourselves to become a Master.

Sub-laws

In addition to the 12 Universal Laws, Drs. Milanovich and McCune state there are 21 sub-laws of the Universe that are governed by the Higher Self.

The 21 sub-laws are human characteristics that relate to the Universal Laws. These characteristics are:

* Aspiration to A Higher Power
* Charity, Compassion
* Courage, Dedication Faith
* Forgiveness
* Generosity
* Grace
* Honesty
* Hope
* Joy
* Kindness
* Leadership
* Noninterference
* Patience
* Praise
* Responsibility
* Self-Love
* Thankfulness
* Unconditional Love.