The human brain is an organ in the body. The brain creates the ego. The ego thinks it is you. The ego fears its dissolution and seeks to continue. Therefore, throughout history, the egoic mind has created stories about what happens to this (false sense of) self when the body dies, and religion is born. Religion is often one big ego imposing control over numerous smaller egos. If you are on an authentic spiritual journey, much of the time the religious establishment will point you in the direction away from what you are actually seeking.
The hysterical aspect of the egoic mind that wants to know what will happen to it after the body expires, is not receptive to the answer to the question it asks. One must go deeper. When we transcend, when we discover that aspect of Self that is not only the body, then we seem to have cultivated something of a "witness". The witness watches that which masquerades as "you" move through the story - sees all the masterful and creative ways that the brain-body organism navigates through material space. The witness is not captured by hysteria or a fear of death. It knows itself to be not bound by the mental restrictions of time and space because it is not a mental construct.
Below is a video that is really worth watching. Swami Satchidananda demonstrates in terms that the logical mind can wrap itself around, something of a magic trick. For a moment, he seems to be letting us in on the larger cosmic joke of so-called "reality".
There are teachers out there whose main goal is to point you to themselves. "Guru" is a principal which means "dispeller of darkness". When that principal is personified one is said to be a Guru. The word has picked up negative connotations given all of the Yogis who turn out to be bogeys, elevating your consciousness to the level where you are willing to hand over your critical thinking and with it all of your material assets. Global One TV filters out, as best we can, those types of teachers and brings you what we feel are the best teachings, the most true, the teachers and teachings that will point you to your Self.
To discover your "Self" is to discover God.
From a talk in 1989, the video below shot at The Institute for Higher Healing in Richmond Virginia, shows the Swami demonstrating what happens to the egoic self after death, and what happens to the Eternal Self. He does so in terms that are not only immediately self evident, but with a sense of grace and humor. Enjoy.
"The goal of Integral Yoga, and the birthright of every individual, is to realize the spiritual unity behind all the diversities in the entire creation and to live harmoniously as members of one universal family. This goal is achieved by maintaining our natural condition of a body of optimum health and strength, senses under total control, a mind well-disciplined, clear and calm, an intellect as sharp as a razor, a will as strong and pliable as steel, a heart full of unconditional love and compassion, an ego as pure as a crystal, and a life filled with Supreme Peace and Joy."
- HH Sri Swami Satchidananda
Integral Yoga is a synthesis of the various branches of Yoga. It is a comprehensive system for the harmonious development of every aspect of the individual. In the subsequent pages, Swami Satchidananda addresses each of the following branches in more detail:
Hatha Yoga
Focuses on the physical aspects through asanas (postures), pranayama (breath control), mudras, kriyas, yogic diet, and deep relaxation.
Focuses on the physical aspects through asanas (postures), pranayama (breath control), mudras, kriyas, yogic diet, and deep relaxation.
Bhakti Yoga
The path of devotion, by constant love, thought, and service of the Divine. Bhakti Yoga can be practiced by everyone. All that is needed is faith and constant remembrance of God.
The path of devotion, by constant love, thought, and service of the Divine. Bhakti Yoga can be practiced by everyone. All that is needed is faith and constant remembrance of God.
Karma Yoga
The path of action and selfless service. Serving without attachment to the fruits (or results) of the action.
The path of action and selfless service. Serving without attachment to the fruits (or results) of the action.
Jnana Yoga
The intellectual approach. Through the knowledge of what really exists, that is, what is not changeable, one who engages in the Path of Wisdom realizes Oneness with the entire Universe.
The intellectual approach. Through the knowledge of what really exists, that is, what is not changeable, one who engages in the Path of Wisdom realizes Oneness with the entire Universe.
Japa Yoga
Japa means repetition of a mantram - a sound structure of one or more syllables which represents a particular aspect of the Divine Vibration.
Japa means repetition of a mantram - a sound structure of one or more syllables which represents a particular aspect of the Divine Vibration.
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