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resources to learn all about the "Law of Attraction" - the most fundamental
universal law one needs to understand in order to live happily. May you make the
most of it!

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Saw a documentary called "The Secret" this afternoon. It discloses THE
MOST important secret anyone needs to know in order to live a
COMPLETELY fulfilling life. Period.

So if you haven't seen it yet...why not?

no time? take a day off from work!
no money? sell your shirt!...

'cos this is truly worth it!

Visit...
http://www.thesecret.tv

Posting below something you can use meanwhile...



A Summary Of Secret Teachings:
1. MONEY (Its energy! Flow with it )
2. RELATIONSHIPS (Its love! Show it)
3. HEALTH (Its wealth! Glow with it)


MONEY
Money is magnetic energy.
You are a magnet attracting to you all things,
via the signal you are emitting through your thoughts and feelings.


To become a powerful money magnet:

     * Money Be clear about the amount of money you want to receive.
State it and intend it!
     * (not how much you can earn, but how much you want to receive).
     * Fall in love with money.
     * (most people do not love money, because they don't have enough
of it).
     * Visualize and imagine yourself spending all the money you want,
as though you have it already.
     * Speak, act and think from the mindset of being wealthy now.
     * (eliminate thoughts and words of lack such as "I can't afford
it", "It is too expensive".
     * Do not speak or think of the lack of money for a single second.
     * Be grateful for the money you have. Appreciate it as you touch it.
     * Make lists of all the things you will buy with an abundance of
money.
     * Do whatever it takes for you to feel wealthy.
     * Affirm to yourself every day that you have an abundance of
money, and that it comes to you effortlessly.
     * Appreciate all the riches around you, including the riches of
others. Look for wealth wherever you go, and appreciate it.
     * Be certain that money is coming to you.
     * Love yourself and know that you are deserving and worthy of an
abundance of money.
     * Remind yourself everyday that you are a money magnet, and ask
yourself often during the day, am I attracting money now or pushing it
away with my thoughts.
     * Always, always pay yourself first from your wage, then pay your
creditors.
     * (in that single act, you are telling the Universe that you are
worthy and deserving of more).
     * Repeat over and over every day, "I am a money magnet and money
comes to me effortlessly and easily".
     * Write out a check to yourself for the sum of money you would
like to have and carry it in your wallet. Look at it often.
     * Do whatever it takes to feel good. The emotions of joy and
happiness are powerful money magnets. Be happy now!
     * Love yourself!

Wealth is a mindset.
Money is literally attracted to you or
repelled from you. It's all about how you think.




RELATIONSHIPS
You can completely transform any relationship,
no matter what it's like right now.


Every single relationship you have is a reflection of how you feel
inside about you. You are a magnet attracting to you all things, via
the signal you are emitting through your thoughts and feelings. Every
relationship you have and every interaction with every person, is a
reflection of your own thoughts and feelings in that very moment.

To transform every single relationship you have in your life:

     * Relationships Fall in love with YOU!
       (you must love yourself deeply).
     * Make lists of hundreds and hundreds of wonderful things about
you. Keep adding to it every day.
     * Know that you are perfect.
       (do not think any negative thoughts about you).
     * Know that you are worthy and deserving of anything and
everything you could possibly want in your life.
     * Focus on the wonderful things in every person. Look for only
those things.
     * Do not blame or criticize anybody, ever.
     * Set an intention that you are going to see the best in
everything and everyone.
     * Make your happiness the number one thing in your life.
       (Happiness is an inside job.)
     * Free yourself of the responsibility of trying to make other
people happy
       (respect and love them enough to allow them to take care of
their own happiness).
     * Get your attention off those things in others that don't make
you feel good.
     * Appreciate and love yourself in every moment you can.
     * Do not expect others to behave in a way you want, so you will be
happy. Release yourself forevermore and know that you alone control
your happiness and it is a choice, no matter what anyone else is doing.
     * Love and respect yourself completely.
     * Know that you are PERFECT right now.



HEALTH
Incurable means curable from within (in-curable).
Disease is the body's way of giving you feedback
that you are not loving or grateful.
Dr. John Demartini


You are a magnet attracting to you all things, via the signal you are
emitting through your thoughts and feelings.

To open yourself up and become a powerful magnet to wellness and
health from wherever you are now:

     * Health Love yourself! Deeply, profoundly! Make lists of all the
wonderful things about you. Add to it every day.
     * Free yourself of any past resentments or disappointments you may
be holding about you.
     * Let go of any and all resentments from the past you may be
holding of everyone and everything.
     * See yourself as completely well in your mind and visualize
yourself doing things in a complete state of perfect health.
     * Do not speak of your illness, or disease with others.
     * Love and appreciate everything and everyone, and especially
yourself.
     * Know you have the power within you to heal yourself.
     * Never criticize or blame yourself or anyone else for anything.
     * Be grateful for the wellbeing that is coming to you.
     * See yourself as ONLY well.
     * Be happy, knowing that in your state of happiness your body is
healing itself.
     * As you appreciate, as you love, as you are happy, as you are
grateful, you are summoning wellbeing and it is pouring through your
body and disease is vanishing in the moment.
     * Laugh! Hire funny movies or recall any memories that make you
laugh. Laugh your way back to health.
     * Make lists every day of all the things you are grateful for,
including being grateful for your healing and complete wellbeing.
     * You must do whatever you can to remove your attention from disease.
     * Distract yourself from thoughts of disease, and put all of your
focus and attention on doing things that make you feel good.
     * Make your happiness the number one thing in your life.
     * Resist nothing, love everything!
     * Know that there is no such thing as incurable.
     * As you love completely and feel the joy within you, disease
cannot exist.
     * Know and accept that you are PERFECT as you are right now.

My friend Jayanth just sent me this wonderful link:

http://www.mayyoubeblessedmovie.com/

"May You Be Blessed" is a short flash presentation. It is the
brainchild of writer Kate Nowak. She wanted to share this blessing
with One Million people in 100 days...and such is the power of the
internet that she actually surpassed that number!

The following is the script of the movie...


May you be blessed
with all things good.
May your joys, like the stars at night,
be too numerous to count.
May your victories be more abundant
than all the grains of sand
on all the beaches
on all the oceans
in all the world.
May lack and struggle be always
absent from your life
and may beauty order and abundance
be your constant companions.
May every pathway you choose
lead to that which is pure and good and lovely.
May every doubt and fear
be replaced by a deep abiding trust
as you behold evidence of a Higher Power
all around you.
And when there is only darkness
and the storms of life are closing in
May the light at the core of your being
illuminate the world.
May you always be aware you are loved beyond measure
and may you be willing to love unconditionally in return.
May you always feel protected and cradled
in the arms of God,
like the cherished child you are.
And when you are tempted to judge
may you be reminded that we are all ONE
and that every thought you think
reverberates across the universe,
touching everyone and everything.
And when you are tempted to hold back,
may you remember that love flows best when
it flows freely
and it is in giving that we receive
the greatest gift.
May you always have music and laughter
and may a rainbow follow every storm
May gladness wash away every disappointment
may joy dissolve every sorrow
and my love ease every pain.
May every wound bring wisdom
and every trial bring triumph
and with each passing day
may you live more abundantly than the day before.
May you be blessed
And may others be blessed by you.
This is my heartfelt wish for you.
May you be blessed.

Here is a presentation with inspiring and uplifting messages...

www.imagesofone.com/fg/

It takes about 12 minutes to see completely.

I'm sure you'll appreciate it.

Love

Nyanasanti

Here's a touching story with an important lesson...

A Sweet Lesson in Humanity

Years ago, a 10 year old boy approached the counter of a soda shop
and climbed on to a stool.

"What does an ice cream sundae cost?" he asked the waitress.

"Fifty cents," she answered

The youngster reached deep in his pockets and pulled out an
assortment of change, counting it carefully as the waitress grew
impatient. She had 'bigger' customers to wait on.

"Well, how much would just plain ice cream be?" the boy asked.

The waitress responded with noticeable irritation in her
voice, "Thirty-five cents."

Again, the boy slowly counted his money.

"May I have some plain ice cream in a dish then, please?"  He gave
the waitress the correct amount, and she brought him the ice cream.

Later, the waitress returned to clear the boy's dish and when she
picked it up, she felt a lump in her throat. There on the counter the
boy left two nickels and five pennies. She realized that he had
enough money for the sundae, but sacrificed it so that he could leave
her a tip.

The moral of this sweet story: Before passing judgment, first treat
others with courtesy, dignity and respect...


Source:
http://www.emofree.com/Inspiration/sweet-lesson-in-humanity.htm?
WT.mc_id=N_Dec29_Inspiration

Dear Friends,

According to the Buddha's teachings we are creating our own reality
every moment. Mind is forerunner of all states. Our mind is not
inside the universe. The universe is inside our minds. Rather...the
our mind IS the universe.

Quantum science has reached the same conclusions...there is no
objective reality "out there"...the act of observation defines
reality. Infact it has even been proven that even "double blind"
experiments (supposed to remove the biases of both the experimenter
and the subject) are not free from bias...where there is observation
there is automatically a bias.

However most of us go through our lives in a Newtonian manner...we
do not percieve matter as clouds of energy. We do live like there is
an "out there" apart from the "in here". We believe that the is a
separate "self" in us which is distinct from others and the
environment. This is the crux of what is called "ignorance"
or "delusion".

How to wake up from this dream that we are all co-conspirators in?
In the west the emphasis has been on freedom from "conditioning". In
the east the approach has been freedom from "karma". The aim being
to realize that everything is interconnected / one / empty (there is
no separate self).

Have you heard of the "law of attraction" (if not, google it!).
Essentially it is based on the same principle that the law of karma
is based on: "to know what you were doing in the past, examine your
present situation; to know what your future will bring, examine your
actions right now."

The law of karma emphasises: "as you sow, so you reap"; the law of
attraction emphasises: "like attracts like".

The religions of the east view the law of karma as a cosmic
mechanism of balance...what goes around, comes around...and they
recommend doing wholesome actions of body, speech and (specially)
mind to ensure that one experiences happiness in the here and the
hereafter.

The ultimate goal is rising above the duality of wholesome and
unwholesome actions...a state wherein the subject - object duality
collapses and phenomena is lived on the inside as a "process" (which
produces no new karma), instead of acting on percieved "things"
or "personalities" outside (which is the basis for performing either
positive or negative karma).

The law of karma and the law of attraction are two sides of the same
coin. One is passive and one is active. One says do your best and
good results will certainly come; the other says hold a clear
intention and precisely that will manifest in your experience (if
you allow it to!). No exceptions.

Each of us is creating our own reality right now and
always...whether or not we are conscious of this. This will be easy for those of
you who participated in the "Life Transforming Experiment" to appreciate. The
LTE was based entirely on the "law of attraction" and science of "deliberate
creation".

For those of you who are familiar with Buddhism... the Arahant puts
an end to the tendency of finding delight in all creations of the
mind. The Bodhisattva uses the skillful means of deliberate creation
for the spiritual evolution of the whole. If law of karma is best
aligned with the ideal  "Freedom = from samsara to nirvana" (the
Arahant perspective)...the law of attraction is more aligned with
the ideal "Freedom = realizing that samsara is nirvana" (the
Bodhisattva perspective).

Most people have heard of the law of karma but are rather unfamiliar
with the law of attraction. I believe that an understanding of each
fulfills and completes the other.

I believe you might benefit from watching the movie "The Secret"
(although I have yet to watch it myself...my brother did benefit
immensely from it).

http://thesecret.tv

You will also benefit enormously from reading these books which are
very powerfully life transforming -

"The Law of Attraction" - Jerry and Esther Hicks
"Ask and it is given" - Jerry and Esther Hicks
"A Happy Pocketful of Money" - David Cameron (and its not just about money!)

There are also several classics on the subject available on the
internet (available for free download if you search):

Wealth Consciousness by Roger G. Lanphear.
A Guide from Babaji for Prosperity. Pure Gold.

The Master Key System by Charles Haanel.
The story goes that Bill Gates read this powerful book before he
decided to quit Harvard and start Microsoft.

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.
This timeless classic has been read and recommended by most rich and
famous people since the 1920s. It is not just about getting rich but
a reliable guide for all forms of success in life.

As A Man Thinketh by James Allen.
Excellent for showing you the impact of your thoughts on your life
and wealth.

The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles.
Another excellent book. Highly recommended.

Acres of Diamonds by Russel H. Conwell.
Shows you how what you have been looking for has always been right
under your nose! Wonderful and entertaining.


(Please remember that while the above authors have shown how the law
of attraction works for wealth creation...the exact same principle
applies to any other endeavour...physical, emotional, social or
spiritual.)

I'm sharing this because I have gone to a whole new level of
understanding since I learnt this "law of attraction". I am
confident that this wonderful and life transforming law will benefit
you for the rest of your life.

Its not just theory or philosophy...its all been proved both in
practise and by leading edge science. To call it "THE most important
law in the universe" is no exaggeration.

So thank-you, thank-you, thank-you all...for allowing me to share
these wonderful things with you! May you live your highest, truest
and most brilliant life...for the benefit of ALL!

Peace and Light

Nyanasanti

My dear friend B. just concluded his 2 weeks experiment and sent me
these wonderful experiences...


Namaste Ven. Nyanasanti,

Sorry for the delay in sharing with you the results of the life
transforming experiment.

For about 10 days in the begining i had pain in my arms and chest.
Probably my heart centre was not open enought and was struggling to
open up and share metta with all. Later it was much easier and
gentler.

On Tuesday, i forgot my bag in the rick. But my mind was fairly calm
and i somehow had faith that the driver seemed a nice old man who
would return the bag. I mentally sent him pink lotus and light and
wished him well, which i do usually during the course of the day
whenever i feel like ant for whomever i feel like. And within 3
hours he came to my office to return it!

Also everybody at my new office is very gentle and nice.

Metta,

Warm regards,

B

(message 2)

Namaste Ven. Nyanasanti!

I forgot to tell you that there is so much peace and love and
dignity in relating with people here in Bangalore that i have to get
used to it all after the rough and tough lifestyle of Mumbai! i'm
sure it is the outcome of the Metta meditation.

Warm regards,
B

Dear Everybody,

Some time back I posted a message here inviting people to
participate in a "Life Transforming Experiment".
I myself also participated in this experiment and followed the same
guidelines I had suggested to the participants.
So now I'm pleased to share with you the results from my personal
experience with the "Life Transforming Experiment".

It has been really fascinating and there is a great deal I could
say, but I'll restrict myself to the salient points.
I applied the guidelines to approximately seven different issues
each day for about five minutes, over a period of two weeks.
Without getting too much into specifics, let me outline the issues I
worked on...

Issue 1) Strained relationship with another monk (in another
country) with no replies to my letters for over two and a half years.
Issue 2) Relative with health problems and high blood pressure.
Issue 3) Tense relationship with a layperson associated with the
monastery who has a very unpredictable temper and habitually
complains about his health problems.
Issue 4) Another relationship issue (someone living far away).
Issue 5) A seriously sick monk I know (in another town).
Issue 6) Personal dilemma which has been causing some value
conflicts for me over last several months.
Issue 7) Peace and Happiness on Earth and for ALL BEINGS!

So what were the results of applying the guidelines according to
the "Life Transforming Experiment" ?

Issue 1) Got very warm and loving message in a letter from this monk
(thats the first time in over 2 years!)
Issue 2) Relative still has the health problem, but health
indicators show improvement and the high BP problem is over.
Issue 3) This person became very warm, friendly, respectful, helpful
and even humourous in his exchanges with me. Last time we spoke he
said with a huge smile that his health was "just fine"!
Issue 4) No contact and therefore no feedback on this one yet (but
I'm expecting the best!).
Issue 5) The monk was released from hospital after a long,
persistent, and serious illness.
Issue 6) The dilemma has been effortlessly, completely, and
beautifully resolved. Only enthusiasm, energy and light remain in
its place.
Issue 7) At least one being on Earth is happier (me!) so there has
been progess on this one too!

That is actually just the tip of the iceberg. Because there were
plenty of "minor" matters I applied the process to on a daily level.
Each time the

results were delightful. To give an overarching summary...

- Many meaningful syncronicities or "co-incidences".
- Lots of creative energy and unexpected answers to problems.
- Deeper meditation.
- Life much more pleasant and smooth.
- Healed a foot infection with this process when antibiotic failed.
- Sharper mindfulness / present moment awareness.
- Needed less sleep than usual.
- Subtler intuitive faculty - doubts easily resolved.
- Could quickly convert a misunderstanding into an opportunity for
greater trust.

And one particularly remarkable one too...but I'll save that for
later...remind me to tell you if we meet sometime : )

For those of you who would like to learn more about this process,
please visit the files section of this webgroup and download
the "Life

Transforming Experiment - Guidelines".

Although clothed in a secular and practical garb, this whole
experiement is based on the essential teaching of the Buddha in the
first two verses in

the Dhammapada...

1.
Manopubbangama dhamma - Mind is the forerunner of all states,
Manosettha manomaya - Mind is their chief, they are all mind-made,
Manasa ce padutthena - If with an impure mind
Bhasati va karoti va - A person speaks or acts
Tato nam dukkam anveti - Suffering follows him
Cakkam va vahato padam - Like the wheel that follow the foot of the
ox (in an ox-cart).

2.
Manopubbangama dhamma - Mind is the forerunner of all states
Manosettha manomaya - Mind is their chief, they are all mind-made
Manasa ce pasannena - If with a pure mind
Bhasati va karoti va - A person speaks or acts
Tato nam sukham anveti - Happiness follows him
Chaya va anapayini - Like his shadow which never departs.


It is a truly profound, life transforming teaching when one takes it
to heart.

Isn't it wonderful, and aren't we all so fortunate to hear these
powerful teachings!

For me there is only gratitude and gratitude and gratitude...

Thank-you to all for enthusiastically participating in this
experiment and apologies that I haven't been able to respond to each
one personally due to slow internet speeds this end.

Let me end this with a favourite quote from Venerable Ajahn Chah:

"When there is something to do -
give it everything you've got.
When there is nothing to do -
do nothing."
- Ajahn Chah

Peace and Metta.

Nyanasanti

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Intention. I love quick-fixes : )

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nyanasanti <nyanasanti@...>

I want to share a 5 second life transforming practise with all of
you...how important this is!


Love Greetings: 5 Seconds of Love Magic

We all greet people every day – lots of people. People we work with.
Friends. Family. Strangers.

The average greeting occurs in less than 5 seconds – and what
enormous love potential exists in those first 5 seconds.
Unfortunately, those precious seconds are often stiff, routine, or
simply unthinking. How often to you feel loved by people who greet
you? Or how often do others feel loved when you greet them? Simple
questions, but very revealing.

So what creates true love magic in those first 5 seconds – with
anyone?

The first 5 seconds of love magic begins with intention – and that
occurs even before you encounter the other person. For example, what
is your intention today when you greet a friend or fellow worker, a
close family member, a lover, or a stranger? Perhaps you don't even
have an intention – or a clear intention. That would not be unusual.
But the quality of your greeting is not likely to rise higher than
your inner intention.

So, for example, when you buy groceries, do you have an intention
for the cashier to feel loved? Or is your intention just to get the
task done? And, in your family, is it your intention today that your
partner, kids, or family members feel loved when you greet them – or
have you thought about that today? Intention is the springboard to
love magic in those first precious seconds. So put love magic into
your greetings today. With everyone you meet, let your intention be
to have them feel your love.

And after intention, it's time for your beautiful eyes look directly
into another's beautiful eyes. Are you kidding? That's embarrassing
and awkward! Perhaps it is, but let's discover what might change
your heart/eye habit. First, have you ever felt the glowing
satisfaction of another's loving, sustained eye contact, even for a
few seconds?

Sustained eye contact, infused with love intention, melts and opens
our hearts. Most eye contact lasts less than half a second. In other
words, virtually no eye contact. If you want to create 5 seconds of
love magic, get your intention aligned with love and then use those
beautiful eyes of yours and sustain eye contact for at least 3
seconds. Don't worry about feeling awkward or the other person
feeling awkward. This is a moment for love alignment.

Yes, love alignment. That's the third ingredient in creating 5
seconds of love magic. Let love do the looking through your eyes.
Drop your faηade and fears. Just let love itself pour through your
intentions and your eyes. Such purity of love is irresistible – and
it feels  wonderful for you too. So what if someone else's eyes drop
away from such direct heart linking. You have still loved them well.
But you will be surprised how often others will respond – and often
with the fourth ingredient in love magic, the smile.

           A smile flowing straight from love itself (love
alignment), combined with clear intention and soft, direct eyes is
the equivalent of the most beautiful flower on Earth. A smile by
itself is lovely. A smile combined with direct eyes is even more
loving. And a smile, with direct eyes, combined with love intention
is pure love magic. Such greetings often lead to a gentle touch of
someone's arm or a hug.

           How long does all this intention-eye-smile-touch greeting
take? About 3 seconds. So we still have 2 seconds left in our love
magic greeting.

And that leads us to the love message. Consider this the dessert of
the 5 second love greeting. Rather than asking the typical, "How are
you today?" with it's typical answer, "Just fine," offer a simple
love message – something from your heart that you feel or appreciate
about the other person. For example, "It feels good to see you
today." Or, "I'm very grateful to know you." Or, "You have a lovely
smile." Or, "Thank you for being my friend." Or, "I hope all is well
within your heart."

There are infinite ways to give a simple love message. The key is
that your words are truly a message from love, however simple. Let
them flow from your open heart with clear love intention. Don't be
afraid to be loving. It is simply love speaking & flowing through
you. Welcome to the heart of Love!

© Copyright 2005 by Dr. Scott Peck & Shannon Peck

Sharing this Healing Message:
Feel free to share this message with others, but
please keep it in its entirety including the copyright notice and
all information above the copyright notice.

By Dr. Scott Peck & Shannon Peck
Co-Founders, TheLoveCenter

www.thelovecenter.com


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
there is nothing to attain
there is nothing to sustain
so let-go of all the strain
love all without restrain

-knowpeace

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   Description : An invitation to an "utterly price-less" two-day workshop...I
mean joy-shop. May you live happily today and ever after!

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Regards,

nyanasanti <nyanasanti@...>

FYI
Initially I wanted to keep this a rather low-profile visit. However
now I have decided to make myself available and be of service. I will
be visiting India between 14th Dec and end of Jan '07.
First 3 weeks pilgrimage to various holy places in and around
Bangalore / Chennai. Next 3 weeks in and around Pune.

Peace

Nyanasanti Bhikkhu

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   File        : /Life Transforming Experiment - Guidelines.pdf
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   Description : Namaste! Please read Message # 54 - "Life Transforming
Experiment" before downloading this file. May you be happy all the time!

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%20Guidelines.pdf

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nyanasanti <nyanasanti@...>

Dear Friends,

There is a wonderful transformation principle I would like to share
with all of you. It is capable of resolving difficult relationships,
problematic situations, and even of healing oneself and others.

In the past few mails I have shared these "Life Enhancing and
Transformational Practices" without even knowing if you were
interested in them. So this time, instead of "push", I want to use
a "pull" method of sharing this marvellous information. It is also a
principle of Dharma to not preach valuable teachings unless
specifically invited.

What I want to share is not my invention, nor is it some big secret.
Still, it is a powerful principle along with suggested practice
guidelines, which when applied may transform your difficult
relationships and various other challenges.

Now then...do you have a difficult relationship you'd like to
improve? Is there an aspect of your life which is bothersome? Are
you facing some stressful situation/dilemma in your private or
professional life? If the answer to any of the above is "yes", then
it is likely that what I hope to share with you will be of value.
(If the answer is "no", you are still welcome to try it on behalf of
someone else who is suffering in some way!)

If you want to learn this principle you'll have to email
<nyanasanti@...> agreeing to follow these three commitments:

1) "I will apply the guidelines for a minimum of 5 minutes daily."
2) "I will apply the guidelines for a minimum period of two weeks."
3) "After two weeks I will share with Nyanasanti my experience of
applying the guidelines (briefly or in detail)."

: )

Once I get your email I'll send you the practice guidelines and the
other information that you'll need to participate in this two week
transformational experiment.

Have I "pulled" you successfully?!

Much love,

Nyanasanti Bhikkhu

PS: One small problem is that I have irregular internet access and a
slow net connection. So please be patient if it takes me a few days
to reply to your email.

Life Enhancing and Transformational Encounters (Part II)

In today’s post I’d like to talk about what I consider one of the most reliable
transformational practices of all...meditation.  It’s an easy topic to discuss
because it's something I’ve been passionate about for many years (...lives?).
What is meditation? I’ll share this acronym that came up recently...

  MEDITATION =
  Mindful
  Energetic
  Devoted
  Investigation of
  Truth
  Aligned with a
  Tranquil and
  Intuitive
  Observation of
  Now

I’ve experimented with many different meditation methods over the years. What
I’ve realized is that it is not so important what the meditation object or
method is...what is more important is the attitude with which one approaches
meditation. Is the attitude one of wanting to achieve something? Wanting to get
somewhere? Is one hoping to realize some idealized state? Or is the attitude one
of relaxed watchfulness, witnessing without expectations...not even the desire
to become relaxed and watchful! Attitude is key. It makes all the difference in
meditation.

My favorite three point summary of meditation is this...

1) Be still ........ 2) Be at ease ........ 3) Be attentive

(In some meditation methods “Be still”, may be replaced by “Be movement”)

1) Be still - How to keep still while meditating? Regular physical exercise esp.
yoga helps. An attitude of contentment goes a long way. The spiritual practices
of generosity and morality (Dana and Sila) help release the burdens of selfish
grasping, guilt and shame. This promotes rested and centered feelings within,
which support stillness.

2) Be at ease - Deep relaxation, and breathing exercises such as pranayama are
helpful. Chanting calms the nerves and creates conducive atmosphere. Attitudes
of acceptance, love, letting-go of concerns and a sense of surrender go a long
way. The spiritual practice of concentration (Samadhi) brings a profound sense
of ease of body and mind.

3) Be attentive – Gently returning to awareness each time the mind scatters.
Refining attention by applying it to wholesome/skillful objects. It is also
helpful to select a meditation object/method that is suited to the current state
of the body and mind. The spiritual practice of wisdom (Pragnya) is all about
“appropriate attention”.

So now I’d like to share some of my favorite meditation and contemplation
methods ...

Meditation and Contemplation

A) Theravada Tradition

Vipassana Meditation (as taught by Sri SN Goenka) – this was the first
meditation method that I learnt indepth. It is a secular, rational,
straightforward, breath-taking, sensation-al and love-ly path to happiness! It
is very admirable how this tradition has avoided the pitfalls of propaganda and
commercialization and has spread the priceless Dharma without charging money for
their residential meditation courses (it all runs by voluntary donations and
service). I will be forever grateful to S.N. Goenkaji, his assistants and the
Vipassana organization for the Gift of Dharma.
http://www.dhamma.org

Anapanasati (as taught by Ven Ajahn Brahm) – Ajahn Brahm is one of the most
dynamic meditation teachers of our time. His teachings are a delightful blend of
traditional and modern idioms along with a healthy dose of humor. He has a
unique approach to meditation, which even experienced meditators find
refreshing. He teaches how to develop deep states of meditative absorption
(Jhanas) as a basis for true insight (vipassana). His teachings and Dharma talks
can be found at ...
http://www.bswa.org

Brahmaviharas – The four Brahmaviharas (love ; compassion ; appreciation;
equanimity) are the highest, most positive and divine emotions one can
experience. They are called the boundless states because they are not bound or
limited to only certain people, circumstances or things...they suffuse and
permeate equally everyone and everything. All of us have access to these sublime
abidings or emotions, infact they are our natural state. Meditating on the
brahmaviharas is like taking a vacation in heaven. And who knows, if you hang
around there long enough, you may even be eligible for a ‘green card’!
Suggestions on developing the first brahmavihara can be found from Buddhanet...
  http://www.buddhanet.net/metta_b.htm

Luangpor Teean's Dynamic Meditation – I learnt this unusual meditation technique
when I first went to Thailand. It is based on the principle that the most
straightforward and robust way to “live in the present moment” is to be aware of
our body. The body is always in the present moment! This method involves
rhythmic hand movements done with open eyes to cultivate body awareness. It
usually starts working its wakeful magic even if done for a short time daily. It
is an effective means to be naturally aware and undistracted through the day,
since most people tend to be moving about much of the time! This remarkable (and
decidedly queer) method has been one my favorites over the years (moving my
hands also keeps me awake). There are free books and instructions at...
http://www.mahasati.org

Four Protective Meditations – This set of four meditations/contemplations is
said to protect one from all inner and outer dangers. They are 1. Recollection
of the Buddha (to arouse joyous faith and confidence in the qualities of the
fully enlightened ones), 2. Contemplating the non-beautiful aspects of the body
(to counter conceit, attachment and lust); 3. Loving-kindness Meditation (to
heal dislikes, anger, aversion and conflict); 4. Mindfulness of death (to arouse
a sense of spiritual urgency and cut through complacency)
http://www.arrowriver.ca/dhamma/protmed.html

Elements/Aggregates/Sense spheres/Characteristics – The Buddha investigated
reality in diverse ways until he was completely free from ignorance. Four (of
the many) ways to do this is by way of (1) Elements – Experiencing the body and
the entire universe as simply earth, water, fire, air, space and consciousness
elements dancing around each other (2) Aggregates – realizing that what we call
“I” or “me” is only one of the following: body, feeling, memory, volition or
consciousness (3) Sense spheres – All our experiences are either sights, sounds,
smells, tastes, touches, or mind objects ...no more (4) Characteristics – All
the above are characterized by change/uncertainty; unsatisfactoriness; being
impersonal phenomena. This may all seem very technical and doctrinal...however
investigating reality in any of the above ways instantly cuts through clutter
and confusion. Teachings in the Buddha’s own words can be found from...
http://www.accesstoinsight.org

Skeleton – Meditating on (visualizing) ones own / others skeleton is a
surprisingly effective way to transcend the traumas of being a “personality” and
enter the enjoyable flow of being a “process” belonging to nature (or God, if
you prefer). Infact, meditating on any part of the body is capable of nourishing
the realization that what we take to be “my body” is just an assemblage of
organs and elements. It’s a misappropriation of public property...nothing
personal about it! ...and isn’t that such a relief...:)

Mindfulness in Plain English – This book by Bhante Gunaratana is one of the
worlds most loved and appreciated meditation manuals. You can find it at... 
http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma4/mpe.html .


  B) Mahayana and Vajrayana Tradition

Bodhicitta – The aspiration to “wake-up from delusion for the benefit of all
sentient beings”. Just one thought of Bodhicitta  purifies all negative
tendencies and sows seeds of enlightenment. This is perhaps the highest
aspiration, and most wondrous practice of all.
http://www.meaningoflife.i12.com/bodhicitta.htm

Posture – The mind-body connection is an intimate one and physical posture
profoundly influences mind states. I have long admired the emphasis placed on
physical posture in the Zen tradition, not merely as an aid to meditation, but
as a metaphor of the final goal. “When you sit like a Buddha, you are a Buddha.”
http://www.intrex.net/chzg/posture.htm

Shikantaza – The practise of “Just sitting”. And if you ask for more
instructions than that you’ll get whacked with a zen stick! Means and ends merge
and duality is detonated by this no-nonsense practice of awake-ness.

Buddha Name Chanting – Chanting the Buddha’s name with faith and devotion. This
practice has all the benefits of serene surrender, buoyant bhakti, joyous japa
and mesmerizing mantra. It is born from faith, matures with mindfulness and
blossoms in wisdom. It has been praised and practiced by the great Buddhist
saints across time and traditions.

Tonglen –  The essence of “Tonglen” practice (meaning “giving and receiving”) is
to 'Give all profit and gain to others, Take all loss and defeat on yourself.'
It is practiced by breathing in the pain and suffering of others (visualized as
breathing in hot black smoke) which goes right into our heart and destroys all
attachments. Then breathing out all our happiness, blessings and accumulated
good karma for the benefit of all beings (breathing out cool, brilliant white
light or healing rainbows). Another approach is to experience life from the
viewpoint of another being for deep empathy (this includes non-human beings!).
Often people ask... “isn’t this practice dangerous, what if it harms me?” It is
indeed dangerous...and will harass all ones self-cherishing ideas of “I”, “me”
and “mine”! It undermines the ego and makes one more selfless and responsive to
the pain of others.

Mandala – A mandala is a graphic representation of the universe. I’ve come up
with the following mandala practice: One fills the space (surrounding the body)
with vivid images of one’s greatest spiritual heros (mine happen to be from many
different traditions and religions!)  and allows oneself to be suffused with
their blessings, their light, their virtues and their limitless acceptance and
compassion. One can repeat a prayer or aspiration (e.g. "May I be a channel of
your light in the world") Then one experiences these great beings in ones heart.
Eventually one feels oneself to be indistinguishable from these beings. Please
be careful though...this is really a supercharged practice, and it may wash away
the shame, guilt and fear that one may have cherished for years!



D) Indian Traditions

Self-Enquiry – Sri Ramana Maharishi’s teaching of ceaselessly investigating “Who
am I?” is the direct way to tackle the mother of all assumptions ....the sense
of "I". The Maharishi says...

“Pursue the enquiry ‘Who am I?’ relentlessly.
Analyse your entire personality.
Try to find out where the I-thought begins.
Go on with your meditations.
Keep turning your attention within.
One day the wheel of thought will slow down
and an intuition will mysteriously arise.
Follow that intuition, let your thinking stop,
and it will eventually lead you to the goal.”

However its rather challenging to actually sustain this very direct practice.
For starters (like myself) there is an excellent four-step process that helps
integrate this investigation into one’s daily life. If you want to learn it,
check out the “Files” section of the SoThere Yahoo!Group....there is a text
document called “Who am I?” which summaries this process.

Silence – Shhh! Yes....s  i  l  e  n  c  e  ....this is real
meditation........Can’t do it? The teachings of HWL Poonjaji (also called
Papaji) may help:
“You are the unchangeable Awareness in which all activity takes place. Always
rest in peace. You are eternal Being, unbounded and undivided. Just keep Quiet. 
All is well. Keep Quiet Here and Now.  You are Happiness, you are Peace, you are
Freedom. Do not entertain any notions that you are in trouble. Be kind to
yourself. Open to your Heart and simply Be.”
A good book about Papaji’s teachings is "The Truth Is" published by Full Circle.

Surrender – Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa used to say that there are two
approaches to liberation. One is the way of the baby monkey... which involves
clinging on to mother monkey with all ones might in order to make it. The other
is the way of the kitten... which involves mewing cutely and allowing mother to
pick it up, lick it clean and protect it in everyway. Surrender is the way of
the kitten! (But I suspect most people are of the hybrid variety and may need to
develop and balance both approaches...baby kit-keys!?) So with surrender the way
of living, breathing and meditating is to perpetually cherish the attitude “Let
Thy Will Be Done, Not Mine” (“Thy” = Buddha; Dharma; God; Wife etc. according to
your beliefs)

Integral Yoga - I have great respect, appreciation and love for the Integral
Yoga teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother and the Kriya Yoga of Babaji
Nagaraj. Their comprehensive teachings address all dimensions of
being...physical, vital, mental, intellectual, spiritual and aim at
transformation of human life into divinity.


E) Modern teachings and innovations

Edgar Cayce – One of the foremost psychics of recent times, Edgar Cayce’s life
and works are truly fascinating. Someone who has never meditated before (and
even those who have) may benefit from the (free) meditation booklet and audios
from the Edgar Cayce website...
http://edgarcayce.org/Meditation/welcome.html

Big Mind – Roshi Dennis Genpo Merzel is a prominent Zen master (in the USA) who
has been teaching meditation for decades. Unfortunately he found that very few
of his students “got it!” Quite by chance, he discovered a remarkable new way to
help people access non-dual awareness. The basic process is described at the
website http://www.bigmind.org.
I read it and got a good first taste. I believe this process has far reaching
potential. For online media of a Big Mind workshop, try...
http://in.integralinstitute.org/live/view_bigmind.aspx

Meditation is Easy – This is a nice meditation website with useful techniques
and resources....
http://www.meditationiseasy.com

Meeting your Higher Self – In this process you visualize yourself going to a
room, meeting your future self (an idealized version of yourself), and having a
conversation with him/her. You can exchange jokes (he/she probably already knows
all of yours), ask questions, seek guidance, get feedback...have a nice time
together! Your higher self / conscience/ intuition will speak through this
‘future self’ and guide you. If you like you can also exchange ‘future self’
with some role model or admired person...you can experiment. This process may
help you move beyond inhibitions and conditioning to discover the person you
were meant to be.
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/08/my-favorite-meditation/

Power of Ten – This is an exercise which involves visualizing moving out and
above the body by successive distances raised to the power of ten (e.g...room,
house, neighbourhood, town, state, country...etc...upto galaxy, universe ...and
beyond)  then returning to the body and taking a similar inward journey,
visualizing the body’s inner universe in successively smaller parts raised to
power minus ten (eg. organs, tissues, cells, ...etc...upto subatomic particles
and beyond). This is one of my favourite visualization exercises because it puts
my normal world-view in macro and micro perspective. Some teachers recommend a
similar visualization using the time dimension...going from earliest memory in
this life (or past lives if you can!) to present moment in one or two year
intervals and then visualizing going forward in time upto the time of one’s
death (or beyond). Doing these space-time visualizations makes the mind
expansive and makes life’s problems appear rather insignificant and manageable.
Its a useful prelude to deeper meditation.

Neurofeedback – Is this the future of meditation? I can’t say, but it is clear
that the rapidly growing field of neuro-technology has some interesting things
to offer the world. (This is something I haven’t personally experimented with,
so I only offer it for your knowledge and consideration.) Neurofeedback uses
technology to help people “zone in” to meditative brain wave frequencies with
the help of feedback through sounds, or by the use of light and sound devices
which influence brainwaves. The website http://www.realization.org has links to
Neurotech and Neuroscience resources, including links to a (free) brainwave
generating software. There is also an article by an author who struggled with
various traditional meditation methods for two decades and finally tasted
success using neurofeedback.

Creative /Intuitive Meditation – Meditation is a skillful means to an end. The
end is always the same....being truly happy/peaceful/free. When one starts
meditating it is very helpful to follow a tried and tested meditation method
/system/tradition. Particularly helpful is guidance from a teacher or spiritual
friend. However once you start to get the knack of it, you can increasingly
trust your intuition and be creative. Like Ven. Ajahn Chah says, “There comes a
point when the heart tells itself what to do.” I’ve discovered several novel
approaches to meditation which have worked beautifully for me...which no one
taught me before. Being creative (in a wise way) prevents one from falling into
a rut and makes meditation a fascinating voyage of discovery and adventure in
the present moment.

This post is getting really lo-ong...you can see how passionate I am about this
subject!

Let me now wind up by briefly mentioning that there is now lots of leading edge
research showing the irrefutable link between meditation and health/ spontaneous
healing/ work effectiveness/ leadership/stress relief/ ESP and intuition
/positive changes in brain structure/ crime levels in the city where many of
people meditate/ etc. etc. But the most important benefit of all is that one
acquires the art of living and dying with peace and happiness!
(Search “meditation” at...
http://www.noetic.org/publications/library.cfm
for detailed studies on the effects of meditation).

Do you remember the “three-point summary of meditation” I shared earlier? (If
not, don’t worry, meditation also improves memory...only if you can remember to
meditate, that is!) There is actually a crucial fourth point to remember if you 
r-e-a-l-l-y  want to get the most out of meditation.....and its this :

1)Be still... 2)Be at ease... 3)Be attentive...4)BE PERSISTENT !

Its like the saying goes "The heights by great men reached and kept, were not
attained by sudden flight, but they while their companions slept, were toiling
upwards through the night." In the end those who persist are bound to be
successful.

So these are some of the choice nuggets I have to share about meditation...the
most life enhancing and transformative practice I know. Zen Master Hsu Yun used
to say, “If you want to be happy for an hour, have a nice meal; if you want to
be happy for a year, get married; if you want to be happy for a lifetime, take
up gardening; if you want to be happy forever...then practice meditation.”

May all of you make the best use of this precious human life (since animals
can’t meditate and divine beings, we’re told, are preoccupied with their
pleasures!)...may you always grow in peace, contentment and kindness...may
meditation help you realize your highest potentials...may you be a channel of
blessings to many many beings!! Sadhu, Sadhu Sadhu!  (may it be so)

I offer the present work with gratitude at the feet of all the enlightened ones,
my teachers, parents and fellow way-farers.

With love and light,

Ven. Nyanasanti

PS: If any of you would like to share your own list of life enhancing /
transformational practices with others on this group, you may send the message
directly to sothere@yahoogroups.com

PPS: In the spirit of disclaimers....I offer you the two laws that apply to all
meditation systems/ gurus/ religions/ or philosophies (from Zen Without Zen
Masters) :

First, just because it works for you, doesn't mean that it works for anybody
else.

Second, just because you think that it's working for you, doesn't mean that it
even works for you!

I pleased to share the following message from my kind facilitator
friend Kirron ....



Wow! Nyanasanti

Thats quite a list. And thanks a ton. This is completely up my
street. I mean compiling a list like this and sharing with people.
And I would certainly like to add a few to the most comprehensive
list I have ever seen.

Apart from practices, thru medium of books (and teh practcies that
they recommend) also many doorways to transformation have opened up
for me(in no particular order):

- For me Reiki would be at the top of the list - Yvette & James
Pancras yvette.pancras@... - they even attune on the phone in
some cases if appropriate.

- Loving What Is- Byron Katie www.thework.org  - A beautiful and
simple way of living inthis precious moment and making friends with
reality. Introduced to us by a dear friend, Gyandev.

- 'Taming Your gremlin'- Rick Karson www.tamingyourgremlin.com  -
Just started reading the book but I know I am on to something great
here.

- Integral Transformative Practice outlined in 'The life we are
given' - George Leonard and Michael Murphy. www.georgeleonard.com
Website might give some idea-

- The Peaceful warrior workout- outlined in Dan Millman's 'Everyday
Enlightenment' www.danmillman.com   - combines aspects of
suryanamaskar and other aspects.. Also 'The life you were born to
live' - another book of his- plus 'Teh way of tyhe peaceful warrior'

- The work of the Hendricks - which is Whole Body Learning using
breath and movement www.hendricks.com . Their daily newsletter in
turn introduces one  to a number of great resources for
transformation.

- Re-evaluative Co-counselling www.rc.org  - is the website I
think,  (not personally experienced- but Pramod, a dear friend who I
trust a  lot shared)

- Tarot - which Prativa is a student and teacher of..
prativa.gulrajani@...

- The work that we do to develop facilitators, tao of facilitation-
www.eternalelearning.com , kirron@...

- Vipassana

- The Landmark Forum

- 'Who am I?' and other programs being done by friends who channel
kryon- RangaShaheen kryonindia@...

- Bach Flower Remedies

- Coaching www.mikejay.com and  www.leadu.com


Warmly
Kirron

---------------------------------------------------------------------
"The word is not the thing, nor the description the described.
Experience is the best teacher. It is the difference between knowing
about and knowing."
– Rick Carson, `Taming Your Gremlin', A surprisingly simple method
of getting out of your own way


Eternale Learning, Pune, India
Cell:  +91-98909-20101
www.eternalelearning.com

Life Enhancing and Transformational Encounters (Part I)

I'm not sure why I'm sharing this, but I have this intuitive sense
that I must! So, over the next few posts, I wish to talk about some
transforming practices I have encountered in my life so far (since I have more
access to a computer for a while). I feel grateful to have had an opportunity to
learn and benefit from these practices...I hope they benefit you as well.

In today's post I'll concentrate on beneficial practices I've learnt relating to
the physical dimension....

Health and Healing

Walking - This is the exercise recommended by Lord Buddha! Zen
Master Thich Nath Hanh says...not on water, not on air, it is
walking mindfully on earth that is the greatest miracle of all.

Hatha Yoga and Pranayama - This is the relaxing, invigorating and
challenging discipline of mind-body  mastery. I have found Swami
Ramdev's teachings to be very accessible.

Suryanamaskar - A complete 12 step exercise system which aligns
body, breath and heart. This has been my staple exercise for years.

Five Tibetans - Five exercises which balance the chakras, offering
health and longetivity. They are easy and take only about 10 mins.

Zhan Zhuang (a form of Chi Gong) - Did you know that simply standing
still (like a tree) can be is a superb exercise! The book "The Way
of Energy" by Master Lam Kam Chuen explains this teaching well.

Three Stage Breathing - The simple practice of abdominal breathing,
has many benefits.

EFT - A delightfully simple healing system for resolving emotional
and physical issues. It has worked for just about everything I have
tried it on so far, including insect bites and distance healing!
(www.emofree.com)

5BX Plan - An quick and effective exercise plan developed by the
Royal Canadian Airforce. (try www.statesa.com)

Reflexology/ Acupressure - A system of diagnosis and healing
available to all. These books by Dr. Devendra Vora are excellent -
"Health in your hands" parts 1 and 2.

Amroli (Urine Therapy) - A wonderfully effective and versatile
healing practice (once you drop some stale old beliefs!). A good
book to learn about this is - "The Golden Fountain" by Coen Van Der
Kroon.

Sungazing - An extraordinarily healing and revealing practice which
awakens a new dimension of intelligence, energy and inspiration.
Hira Ratan Manek's system is most straightforward. Solar Charged
Water (water kept in the sun for 5-8 hrs) is packed with prana.

Relaxation - The art of deep relaxtion is not difficult to learn and
has so many benefits. An audio with a relaxtion exercise is offered
by www.silvaultramindsystem.com if you sign up for their free course.

Diet - The book "Diet for a New America" reveals how our daily food
choices have a profound impact our health, and the future of the
planet. (I am currently on a diet journey from vegetarian to vegan
to more raw food to (maybe) pure sunlight!)

Honest Food Guide - www.honestfoodguide.org gives a one page summary
which says it all.

Chewing - Gandhiji used to say "chew the liquids and drink the
solids" ... chewing and savouring well is a simple secret to mindful
and healthy eating...it also shows gratitude for all the effort that
goes into growing/preparing the food.

Affirmations and Visualizations - Our thoughts can be the best
medicine. Imagining perfect health is already a big step towards it.

Love - Forgiveness - Laughter - Are tremendously powerful healing
forces...they are often responsible for spontaneous remissions
of "incurable" diseases. (a simple and healing mediation which puts
one in touch with the power of love can be found at
http://www.soulprogress.com/html/Unification/UnificationIntro.shtml)

Water - drinking lots of pure water (the water in coffee and
coke doesn't count...it discounts!) is important for health. Also see
www.hado.net for neat photos of how thoughts can affect water.

www.wanttoknow.info presents summaries of Health Industry Cover-ups;
Genetically Modified (GM) Foods and more.

www.mercola.com has a hilarious spoof called "Town of Allopath" and
some good alternate health resources.

www.healthliesexposed.com clears some health myths.

That's all I can think up for now. I may expand on this list in
future posts.

I'm lucky to live in a place where there is plenty of sunlight,
fresh air, nutritious food, cheerful and caring companions. Sri
Lanka also has skilled ayurvedic doctors and health care is actually
free here. And........ wonderful as this may sound, it is all very
uncertain and subject to change :)

Anyway I'm happy to share with you this first installment of
transformational practices. If you want to learn more about any of
them, maybe you can search the internet (or write to me).

I invite you to share your own list of most life enhancing /
transformational practices and (if you so wish) I'll post them on
this group for the benefit of all.

Health is wealth...may you prosper!

With metta,

Ven. Nyanasanti

Dear friends...

Just what is the "purpose of life"?

There are many different opinions on the subject. The following are
some that I can think of now...(no particular order as such)

- life sucks! its a cruel joke

- life is strife

- life has no purpose! its a random event

- the purpose of life is to keep busy ("don't just sit there, do
something!")

- the purpose of life is to be and see ("don't just do something,
sit there!")

- the purpose of life is simply to live

- the purpose of life is to get by

- the purpose of life is to struggle to survive

- the purpose of life is to stop asking boring questions and have a
good time

- the purpose of life is to keep up with the latest
(news/fashions/technology...)

- the purpose of life is to eat, sleep and be merry

- the purpose of life is to make lots of money

- the purpose of life is to be accepted and appreciated by others

- the purpose of life is to be famous

- the purpose of life is to be humble

- the purpose of life is to see the world

- the purpose of life is to seek within

- the purpose of life is to stop seeking

- the purpose of life is to stop becoming and start being

- the purpose of life is to have lots of fun and pleasure (while one
can)

- the purpose of life is to be powerful and able control to
people/things

- the purpose of life is to go with the flow

- the purpose of life is manifesting abundance and fulfilling all
ones desires

- the purpose of life is to have as many experiences as possible

- the purpose of life is to live sustainably and in harmony with the
earth for the benefit of all future generations

- the purpose of life is to preserve the family/cultural lineage and
tradition

- the purpose of life is to serve the nation

- the purpose of life is to always keep learning

- the purpose of life is personal growth

- the purpose of life is to be efficient/ competent at what you do

- the purpose of life is to understand life

- the purpose of life is to gain knowledge

- the purpose of life is to live and let live

- the purpose of life is to just be oneself

- the purpose of life is to purify oneself

- the purpose of life is to burn off karma

- the purpose of life is to find the purpose of life

- the purpose of life is to live a life of purpose

- the purpose of life is to leave a legacy

- the purpose of life is to eat when eating, sleep when sleeping

- the purpose of life is to learn to live fully - in the now

- the purpose of life is to learn to be truly happy and make others
happy

- the purpose of life is to care

- the purpose of life is to share

- the purpose of life is to dare

- the purpose of life is to learn to inwardly smile...come what may

- the purpose of life is to serve wholeheartedly, without attachment
to results

- the purpose of life is to understand life

- the purpose of life is to discover "Who am I?"

- the purpose of life is to learn the laws of life/nature/the
universe

- the purpose of life is to understand how everything is
interconnected

- your life purpose is where your values, talents and passions meet

- the purpose of life is to learn love and forgiveness

- the purpose of life is to accept, forgive and learn (AFL code!)

- the purpose of life is to do the work that one is passionate about
(or atleast interested in!) and always...to have a heart of love

- the purpose of life is to fully exercise and develop all ones
faculties/capacities for the highest benefit of all beings

- the purpose of life is to love what is!

- the purpose of life is to surrender to the Divine and be an able
instrument

- the purpose of life is to grow in wisdom and compassion

- the purpose of life is to learn to let-go of attachment

- the purpose of life is to be enlightened

- the purpose of life is to heal oneself and heal the world

- the purpose of life is to see things as they truly are

- the purpose of life is to seek ultimate truth

- the purpose of life is to distinguish truth from falsehood;
reality from illusion

- the purpose of life is to go beyond the ego

- the purpose of life is to go from sel-fish to self-less to no-self

- the purpose of life is to put an end to discontentment

- the purpose of life is to learn to count ones blessings and abide
in gratitude

- the purpose of life is extinguish the fires of greed, hatred and
ignorance in ones heart

- the purpose of being born is to learn hoe to stop being reborn! (-
Ajahn Chah)

- the purpose of life is to escape from the cycle of rebirths/samsara

- the purpose of life is to stay in samsara to develop ones
spiritual perfections and serve living beings (bodhisattva)

- the purpose of life is to consciously evolve from human to Divine

- the purpose of life is to learn to live happily and dying
peacefully

- the purpose of life is to realize that you were never born and
will never die (...'cos all that is subject to birth and death is
not really you or yours anyway)

- the purpose of life is a mystery!


Whew! Thats quite a list. And I bet there are an infinite other
possible life purposes. The point is to find one that is meaningful
and inspiring to oneself.

I spent some time recently doing an interesting exercise called "How
to discover your life purpose in about 20 minutes"
(www.stevepavlina.com). Its essentially just this much:

1) Take out a blank sheet of paper (or type on your computer)
2) Write at the top, "What is my true purpose in life?"
3) Write any answer that comes to your mind. It doesn't have to be a
complete sentence. A short phrase is fine.
4) Repeat step 3 until you write the answer that makes you cry.
This is your purpose!

(note: don't give up even if this process takes more than 20 min.)


So I tried this and I came up with the phrase, "Being like a sun,
serving is such fun, spreading delight, then merging into light".
(Well, I confess I didn't really cry once I wrote that, but I did
feel really tingly all over!)

Then I decided to elaborate on that succinct phrase and came with a
poem which I'm pleased to share with everyone (maybe my secret
purpose of life is to be a great poet! )... I hope it inspires you
to clarify your own life purpose and vision so that your
mission/goals/priorities are aligned with your highest/truest
calling.

"Being a Sun, Loving Everyone"

The purpose of this life
Is to fill the world with light
Being like a sun
Loving everyone

When wisdom dawns from silence
All actions glow with love
Then shadow "I" well seen
The universe is clean

All of us are one
And serving is such fun
Dark oceans of despair
The light of love ray-pairs

The greatest work of art
Is life lived from the heart
And the wisest brightest way
Is to bathe in light all day

Till oceans are ray-filled
Till shadows lurk nowhere
Till every single heart
Is a sparkling jewel of art

Live life spreading delight
Then merge back into light
Being a sun
Loving everyone!



May you all be happy and well! May your life glow with meaning,
purpose and your unique genius...for the benefit of all beings!!

Peace

Nyanasanti

PS: when you get a chance, please check out the site www.wanttoknow.info ... not
only does it have some advise on finding one's life's purpose, it has some
pretty startling information that has been hidden from general public and that
everyone ought to know

...be positive, be happy

Dear Friends...

I have been given a real gift recently, and I want to share it with all of you. It is simply one of the most powerful healing and transformational tools I have ever encountered (after meditation).

It is called EFT, (Emotional Freedom Technique). It is deceptively simple to learn and apply, but the results are simply stunning. Emotional and physical healings occur in a manner which is fascinating...unbelievable even. EFT is based on a very different understanding of why negative emotions are caused in our lives. Its probably going to challenge some beliefs and assumptions that you have (just as it did for me) ...but the results are unmistakable. This stuff really works...I've tried it on myself and others in my monastery with results that are too good to be true...and yet true!

I'll warn you though, EFT is perhaps one of the strangest / funniest looking procedures you'll ever see. When first encountered it seems ridiculous...until you try it and see for yourself how beautifully it resolves the most complex of psychological / emotional, and even physical problems.

I'm amazed at how I got this gift -- and it is REALLY such a GIFT! -- here in a remote monastery in Sri Lanka. A senior monk returned from abroad and brought along the complete DVD set of EFT teachings. I'm truly grateful to him for sharing them with me and giving me a chance to learn this teaching. One way to show that gratitude is perhaps to spread the word about EFT.

This is very likely a tool I'll be using for the rest of my life. In all my years of learning various meditation techniques, studying healing systems, self-development methods, plus the wide array of methodologies I've been exposed to during my training in Psychology and Human Resources Management ... I've never come across anything as potent as EFT for rapidly diffusing complex emotional problems and associated physical issues. Infact for dealing with specific emotional issues (e.g. phobias, addictions, grief etc.) it's probably a more appropriate tool than meditation...it resolves these 'deep-rooted' issues, sometimes in minutes ... usually with lasting results.

Anyway...I don't want to say too much (I think I already have!). If you are interested, please download and read the "EFT Manual". You can download it for free from :

 http://www.emofree.com/downloadeftmanual.htm 

You can learn EFT just from this simple manual. There is also lots of other helpful material on the EFT website. However to really appreciate the power of this tool you'll have to order the DVDs from http://www.emofree.com/products.htm  Its a great set of DVDs...educational, entertaining and indeed transformational . These EFT people are altruistically motivated and allow the original buyer of the DVD set to make 100 copies for free distribution. Even though they are situated in USA, and that means having to order these DVDs from abroad (unless you can contact an EFT practitioner near where you live through their website), its definitely worth the investment. I've watched taped EFT sessions and have seen how severely emotionally scarred people (e.g. Vietnam War Veterans who were in therapy for PTSD for decades ) were healed, sometimes in -- hold your breath -- under 15 minutes!

And these teachings are easy and even fun to apply. I feel its going to help many of you in lots of ways. Thats why I'm sending you this email.

So please accept this precious gift and read the EFT manual. And, if you can, order the DVDs  ... b'cos they are really worth it (better than Hollywood Blockbusters actually!).

So I'll end this...wishing you Emotional Freedom !

May you soar...

Nyanasanti Bhikkhu

PS: It's somewhat unusual for a Buddhist monk to be recommending a transformational tool that wasn't explicitly taught by the Buddha. I venture to do so only because I've found that EFT has the potential to significantly reduce psychological and physical suffering. It does not promise Nirvana or Enlightenment (atleast I don't think so!). It does promise freedom from debilitating negative tendencies...and delivers fast! And to that extent perhaps it is congruent with the Buddha's teachings that aim at the complete ending of all suffering. 

Hello everyone,

A quick email to share something truly revolutionary I recently
encountered. It offers a fascinating new paradigm on physical and

spiritual healing, and living harmoniously on this planet.

Its about a man named Hira Ratan Manek (HRM) and the fact that he
has been living on just sunlight and water since 1995! Its been

verified by atleast three independent scientific studies in India
and the US, each running into hundreds of days.

Whats more, he's not unique. He says anyone can learn to do so in
about nine months if they follow a simple process of sungazing at
sunrise or sunset (details on the website www.solarhealing.com).
Apparently atleast 3000 people have now learned this art of living
on solar energy alone.Many more have reported physical,
psychological and spiritual benefits.

This may sound far fetched, but I can believe this because I
personally knew a yogi in Delhi who would sungaze. I have seen him
meditating for hours concentrating on the rising sun. He could also
look for many minutes unblinkingly at the mid-day sun. He had
perfect vision and was very wise. But he could not teach this
practice to others. Now HRM and a few others are doing so, and
the results are truly astonishing.

So for everyone's benefit, I'm pasting some writeups from the
internet below. I hope it widen your horizons of whats possible, as
it did mine:

Introducing Hira Ratan Manek and Sungazing

From: http://www.SolarHealing.com

Hira Ratan Manek was born on 12th of September 1937 in Bodhavad,
India. He grew up in Calicut, Kerala, India, where he received his
Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Kerala. After
graduation, he joined the family shipping and spice trading business
and continued working there until he retired in 1992.

After he retired, he began to research and study the ancient
practice of sun gazing in which he had been interested in since his
childhood. This method was an old but forgotten method, which had
been practiced, in ancient times in many different parts of the
world.

After working on this method for 3 years, he was able to re-discover
the secrets of sun gazing.  During his study, he was mainly inspired
from the teachings of Lord Mahavir of Jains, who was also practicing
this method two thousand and six hundred years ago. Other
inspirations for sungazing came from ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and
Native Americans.

Since June 18th, 1995, HRM has and continues to live only on sun
energy and water. Occasionally, for hospitality and social purposes,
he drinks tea, coffee and buttermilk.  Until now, he had three
strict fastings, during which he had just sun energy and only water
and was under the control and observation of various science and
medical teams.

The first of these fasting lasted for 211 days during 1995-96 in
Calicut, India directed by Dr. C.K. Ramachandran, a medical expert
on allopathy and ayurvedic medicine.

This was followed by a 411 day fast  from 2000-2001 in Ahmedabad,
India directed by an International team of 21 medical doctors and
scientists led by Dr. Sudhir Shah (Dr. Shah's synopsis report) and
Dr. K. K. Shah, the acting President of Indian Medical Association
at that time. Dr. Maurie D. Pressman, MD also describes his
experience with HRM in an article he wrote and later joined the team
for the next observation on HRM.

After the excitement of the findings at Ahmadabad, HRM was invited
to Thomas Jefferson University and University of Pennsylvania in
Philadelphia where he underwent a 130 day observation period.  This
Science/Medical Team wanted to observe and examine his retina,
pineal gland and brain, therefore this observation team was led by
Dr. Andrew B. Newberg, a leading authority on the brain and also
featured in the recent movie "What the Bleep Do We Know", and by Dr.
George C. Brenard, the leading authority on the pineal gland.
Initial results found that the gray cells in HRM's brain are
regenerating.  700 photographs have been taken where the neurons
were reported to be active and not dying. Furthermore, the pineal
gland was expanding and not shrinking which is typically what
happens after mid fifties and its maximum average size is about 6 x
6 mm, however for HRM, it has been measured to be at 8 x 11 mm.

There have been many other sungazers who have achieved similar
results and have volunteered to be tested, however due to lack of
funding and other lifestyle restrictions the results have not been
documented.  The uniqueness of HRM is that he has surrendered his
living body for observation and experiments to the scientific
firmament for several extended periods of time.  Although scientists
and doctors have agreed that hunger is being reduced if not
eliminated, due to the complexity of the various brain functions,
they have not been able to explain how sungazing has such positive
effects on the human mind or body, however more research is
underway.

In 2002 Hira Ratan Manek gave over 136 lectures in USA and has been
invited by government agencies of many countries to help them
understand this process at which point he established his
International Headquarters in Orlando, Florida.  In 2003 HRM gave
over 147 lectures in US, Canada, Caribbean and UK and nearly 400
newspapers all around the world have published articles on him.
Additionally, many television channels have broadcast stories about
him and he was most recently interviewed by BBC World Services.  In
December, 2003 HRM traveled to India for 4 months and delivered 70
lectures to various cities such as Chennai, Pondicherry, Mumbai,
Ahmedabad, Baroda, Palitana, Kachchh, Jodhpur, Pali, Balotara,
Lucknow, Delhi, Chadigarh, and other areas.  Additional lectures in
Delhi , Mumbai, Lucknow and Dhadigarh were sponsored by Times
Foundation whose Chairperson Smt. Indujain has taken a keen interest
in spreading the universally popular HRM Phenomenon
(Suryanamaskar).  Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder of Art of Living
Foundation and Surya Foundation of International Naturopath
Organization and Salila Tiwari doctor of Indian Prime Minister
Vajpayeeji have also taken a keen interest in HRM Phenomena
spreading all over the world.  It was at the house of Salila Tiwari
that ZTV interviewed HRM and where Surya Foundation made a detailed
film on him.  ZTV released the HRM interview on March 25th in their
Hindustan Hamara Program and has repeated it many times since then.
BBC World Services also repeatedly broadcast HRM's interview on July
22nd, 2003. Other media groups from all over the world have reported
on HRM including those from Europe, Russia and Gulf Countries.

There are now Solar Healing Centers coming up all over the world and
facilitating a global group of HRM Phenomenon practitioners.  For
those who are interested in learning more about the sun energy is an
effective healing source, HRM recommends these books:

      - "Light, Medicine of the Future", by Jacob Lieberman
      - "The Healing Sun: Sunlight and Health in the 21st Century",
by Richard Hobday.


***************************************************

Hira Ratan Manek  - Not Eaten Food for 7 years

by Bineeta Mishra

From: www.jsocf.org/hrm1.htm

In an exclusive interview with India Post Shri Hira Ratan Manek said
that he has not eaten food since 1995. World famous doctors,
engineers, scientists etc. are engaged in studying this phenomena to
find out how Manek has sustained himself only on water, and on a
little tea and coffee for short duration's.

             Shri Hira Ratan Manek, a mechanical engineer from
Calicut, Kerala, says "this is not something new or that I have
discovered it." This is a scientific ritual  - the Surya Namaskar,
originating from Lord Mahavir's Atapna principle, Gayathri mantra,
Bala - Atibala, Ramayan mantra which is gaining popularity and world
acceptance.

The scientific technique practiced by Manekji is simple - deriving
his energy from the cosmic source or the solar energy of the sun.
The sun being the most powerful source, has been used for energy by
sages and rishis since ancient times including Lord Mahavir, Tibetan
Lamas and rishis. Mankind is also using solar energy for running
solar cookers, solar heaters, solar cars etc. he says. Similarly
Manekji has converted himself into a solar cooker.

The brain and the mind are the most powerful recipients in the human
body. The retina and the pineal gland (the third eye) are equipped
with photoreceptor cells and may be considered photosensitive organs
he says. As the plant kingdom thrives on chlorophyll and
photosynthesis, which is directly dependent on the sun, similarly
some kind of photosynthesis or photo analysis must be taking place
when we assimilate the sun's energy.

There is a pathway from the retina to the hypothalamus called the
retinohypothalamic tract. The method adopted by Manekji is to
initially look at the early morning sun for a few seconds and every
week to increase by a few seconds which should ultimately reach
several minutes. After about 3 months he says the brain gets charged
and mental strength increases that heals fears and many
psychosomatic diseases.

At the end of 6 months all physical disease go away he says. And
gradually after 8 to 9 months there is a decline in hunger, which
ultimately disappears. This is the utilization of energy mathematics
and is different from food or calorie mathematics he said. He calls
this micro or mind utilization food.

Manekji says most people utilize only 3 to 10% of their brains, but
he has utilizes 25% of his brainpower. Manekji says he is the only
person to come forward and has attracted medical attention. CT scans
and MRI scan reports say that his 66-year-old pineal gland is
comparable to a man in his 20s.

He also says one should walk barefoot on mother earth for 45minutes
every day to recharge the energy in the body.

             He has 25,000 people around the world that have started
to practice his technique. According to him food is a secondary
source of solar energy. He is also planning to write a book. At
present he is in the US where a team of medical doctors are going to
conduct tests. In the mean time he gives several discourses to
explain on a scientific level how he has sustained himself for seven
years and says will continue.

To arrange lectures contact: Cosmic Energy Center, 582 Ridgeline
Run, Longwood, Florida, 32750, USA, Phone #: 407-260-2303, Fax: 407-
260-5249.

In India his contact information is: HF-2-131 KSHB, Vikas Nagar
Colony, Chakor Tha Kulam, Calicut, 673-006, Kerala. Phone #: 0495-
369928


****************************************************

LIVING ON LIGHT

From: www.chrysalisyog.homestead.com/manek.html

What would you say if I told you that I actually met someone who is
literally "living on light"? Someone who says he has no need for
food  anymore? Someone who actually has been under medical
supervision in a hospital in the US for 120 days, during which he
consumed no food, only drank water and still went about his normal
activities? What if  he has actually, at one time, lived for 414
days without food, and
then able to climb a hill to offer prayers at a temple on the top,
and that too get up there faster than someone who was eating and
drinking as usual?


You would think that either I was crazy or that this person was a
great conman. Unfortunately, neither of these is true. I have met
this person  his name is Hira Ratan Manek in Bombay last week. Let
me tell you his story.


Mr. Manek is about 60 years of age. He has been researching the
subject of drawing nourishment DIRECTLY from the sun, instead of
getting it "second-hand" as he says, by eating plants, or
"third-hand" by eating animals that eat plants. After ten years of
study and experiments on himself, he has perfected a simple method
that works.


His belief is that we don't need food, we need the energy food
provides, which in turn it has derived either directly or
indirectly  from the sun. He says that if you can tap the source
directly, there  is no need to eat any food any more. But living
without food is not the basic objective. That is only a side issue.
It just happens, your  hunger goes down until you no longer feel
hunger or fatigue and can live without food  but this is not what we
are getting at. The basic objective is to live a happy, peaceful,
healthy life, free of all mental ailments, tensions and physical
problems and diseases. All  this can be achieved by the simple
expedient of sun-gazing. Of course, there is a specific method he
has prescribed, that has to  be followed in order to get the results
and ensure that no harm is done to your eyes. Few more things are
very important
- The whole thing has to be done regularly i.e. every day. You can
do it for 3,6 or a maximum of nine months. It should be stopped
after nine months, because then it is no longer required to do it
any  more.
- The `auto-suggestion" to be given to yourself, when you are doing
it, is that the sun is the provider of energy, the divine healer and
that the sun-rays are healing yourself. You must believe in this
implicitly. Any skepticism or doubt will cause the system to work
less effectively.
- You must surrender yourself to the divine force of the sun, and
let it do its work on you. You need not do anything else except
surrender. This attidude of surrender, of dropping your ego, is
important. You are not doing anything or getting anything out of the
sun. It is giving it to you, if you surrender to it.


If you are interested in the exact method please click here or you
can even email Mr. Manek directly at

hiraratanmanek@...

He  travels extensively, both in India and in the US,so may not
reply  immediately. He has already given 60+ lectures in the US on
this topic and he has been examined by the Indian Government,
defence forces etc to see how this miracle is happening.


I have seen a few conmen in my life and my spiritual guide, Ganoba
Date, has seen many more, including many men "pretending" to be
enlightened. He came along with me to meet Mr. Manek, and he too was
convinced that he is genuine. Why?


- He is not trying to sell us anything. There is no vested
interest  no financial involvement

- He does not claim that he has done something special or that  he
is something special. He says we all can do what he has done, and in
fact that many people have and are doing it

- He freely parted with the information, on his technique, without
asking for anything in return  no money, no respect, no need to
become his disciple  nothing at all

- He is not egoistic, and a very simple person.

- He does not claim that he did anything, or that this process does
anything. All he says that, if you surrender to this divine energy,
it just happens.


So it has happened with him. He no longer feels the need for food.
Ocasionally he drinks a cup of tea, coffee or buttermilk,
for "hospitality purposes" when he is entertaining guests. He feels
little or no fatigue, and sleeps just for a couple of hours a day.
Sometimes he goes for a whole week without sleep and without ill
effects. He has no bowel movements unless he has something to eat,
which is very occasionally. He is normal in appearance, slim, but
not very thin, his eyes and face are radiant, and he is active,
living an  ordinary life. Doctors have observed him and observed the
phenomenon and they accept this is happening, but cannot explain it
at least not as per the laws of the science they know.


Funnily enough, I wrote about Mr. Manek several months ago, in one
of my earlier newsletters, when I read about him in a newspaper
article. Now I was lucky enough to meet him, thanks to my friend
Manju. Since I have an eye problem, he suggested an alternate method
for me, which he assured me will heal my eyes, that are suffering
from what has been diagnosed as an "untreatable"
and "incurable"problem  macular degeneration. I have started the
practice and I will keep all of you posted of the progress.


More Sources of Info on the Art and Science of Sungazing:

http://www.SolarHealing.com
http://www.sunyoga.info
http://www.sungazing.com
http://www.suryayog.org
http://www.rawpaleodiet.org/sungazing/
http://www.newtreatments.org/sungazingsites

For an comprehensive e-Book on Sun Gazing:

http://www.lifemysteries.com/assets/LIVINGONSUNLIGHT2ndEditionNew.pdf

************************************


Meanwhile everything is fine in my peaceful monastery here in Sri
Lanka. Needless to say, I've begun experimenting with sungazing. I

find it wonderfully energizing for the entire day.

May you all be health, happy and awake!

May you attain Nirvana.

Love,

Nyanasanti.

"Penetrating the Illusion of a Separate Self"

by Stephan Bodian

(Originally published in Yoga Journal. Copyright 2004 by Stephan Bodian)

Like most meditators, I began my spiritual journey with a single,
time-honored technique: counting my breaths. After six months of
practice, bored with counting, I transitioned to following the
sensations of the breath and, a few years later, graduated to "just
sitting," the relaxed, focused, all-inclusive awareness considered by
many Zen masters to be the complete expression of enlightenment itself.

Just sitting succeeded in relaxing my body and calming my mind, but it
never brought the breakthrough insights this young Zen student eagerly
longed to experience. Sure, I could concentrate for extended periods
of time and bend spoons with my laserlike focus (just kidding!). But
after five years of intensive retreats, I hadn't yet achieved kensho,
the profound awakening that Zen folks herald as the pinnacle of the
spiritual path.

So I changed teachers and took up the study of koans, those ancient
enigmatic teaching stories like "What is the sound of one hand?" that
aim to baffle the mind, force it to let go of its limited perspective,
and open it to a radically new way of perceiving reality. With the
help of the Zen stick and "encouraging" words like "Die on your
cushion", I succeeded over the years in producing satisfactory
responses to several hundred koans. Yet I still hadn't experienced a
breakthrough glimpse of my Buddha nature!. Assuming I must be poor
koan material, I returned to "just sitting" and eventually drifted
away from Zen entirely.

After meditating sporadically for several years, I came upon a teacher
of the Hindu Advaita ("nondual") Vedanta tradition, Jean Klein, whose
wisdom and presence reminded me of the great Zen masters I'd only read
about in books. From Jean I learned a simple question, "Who am I?"
that immediately captured my imagination. Several months later, as I
gently inquired, this question suddenly revealed the answer I had been
seeking for so many years. For some reason the clarity and directness
of the question, along with the relaxed receptivity of the inquiry,
allowed it to penetrate deep inside and expose the secret that lay
hidden there.

Both koan study and the question "Who am I?" are traditional methods
for peeling back the layers of mind stuff that hide the truth of our
essential nature the way clouds obscure the sun. Called kleshas by the
Buddhists and vasanas or samskaras by the Hindus and yogis, these
obscurations are the familiar stories, emotions, self-images, beliefs,
and reactive patterns that keep us identified with our limited
ego-personality and seem to prevent us from opening to the nondual
enormity of who we really are: the timeless, silent, ever-present
ground of being, which the Hindus and yogis call Self and the Zen
masters call true nature.

Most basic meditation techniques, such as following the breath or
reciting a mantra, aim to relax the body, quiet the mind, and
cultivate mindful awareness of the present moment, but they don't
encourage "the backward step" described by Zen Master Dogen "that
turns your light inwardly to illuminate" your true nature. In the
terms of a traditional metaphor, they calm the pool of mind and allow
the sediment to settle, but they don't take us to the bottom where the
dragon of truth resides. For this we need what the great 20th-century
Advaita sage Ramana Maharshi called atma vichara, "self-inquiry,"
probing questions like "Who am I?" or provocative Zen koans that plumb
the depths of our being.

Now, you may be quite content with your meditation practice and feel
no particular motivation to "plumb the depths" or meet the "dragon of
truth," thank you very much. Admittedly, self-inquiry is only for the
spiritually adventurous, those who are obsessed with finding the
answers to life's deepest questions. People like the Buddha, who sat
down after years of asceticism and vowed not to get up until he knew
who he was, or Ramana Maharshi, who, when overtaken by the fear of
death at the age of 16, fervently inquired into who he was if not his
physical body and spontaneously awakened to his identity as the
deathless, eternal Self.

Not everyone has profound and transformative experiences like these
renowned spiritual masters, but each of us in our own way has the
potential to catch a life-altering glimpse of the radiant sun of true
nature. In fact, only such awakening glimpses have the potential to
free us from suffering once and for all. Traditionally, self-inquiry
is an advanced practice often reserved for the spiritually mature. In
the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, for example, practitioners may spend
years developing concentrated presence, known as "calm abiding," or
shamata, before proceeding to the penetrating practice of "insight,"
or vipashyana.

In my experience, the twin practices of "abiding," or "resting," and
"inquiring" work together like the left and right foot in walking.
First we rest in the calmness and clarity of our basic sitting
practice, whatever it may be. Then, when the waters are relatively
still, we inquire, and the inquiry may reveal a new level of insight
into the silence and stillness of our essential nature that allows us
to rest even more deeply. And so, from this deeper resting, we have
the capacity to inquire even further.

To begin the practice of self-inquiry, sit for meditation as usual. If
you don't have a regular practice already, just sit quietly and allow
the mind to settle naturally. Don't attempt to focus your mind or
manipulate your experience, just rest as awareness itself. (Your mind
won't know what I'm talking about, but your being will.) After 10 or
15 minutes, when the mind is relatively open and present, introduce
the question "Who am I?" The point of this question is not to engage
the mind, because the mind inevitably gnaws on questions endlessly
like a dog on a bone, with little nutritional benefit. Instead, drop
the question into the stillness of your being like a pebble dropped
into a still forest pool. Let it send ripples through your meditation,
but don't attempt to figure it out!

When the pond is tranquil again, drop another pebble and see what
happens. Set aside any conceptual answers, such as "I am a child of
God," or "I am consciousness," or "I am a spiritual being of light,"
and come back to the question. Though true at a certain level, these
answers won't satisfy your hunger for spiritual sustenance any more
than a picture of a cake can satisfy your longing for sweets. As you
continue your self-inquiry, you may find that the question begins to
catch fire and you notice yourself asking it not only during
meditation, but at unexpected times throughout the day.

Instead of "Who am I?" you may prefer asking, "Who is thinking this
thought? Who is feeling this feeling? Who is seeing through these eyes
right now?" These questions direct your awareness inward, away from
the external world and toward the source from which all experiences
arise. Indeed, anything you can perceive, no matter how intimate,
including the cluster of images, memories, feelings, and beliefs you
take to be you, is merely an object of perception. But who is the
experiencer, the perceiver, the ultimate subject of all of those
objects? This is the real question at the heart of "Who am I?"

For the practice of self-inquiry to work its magic, you must already
recognize at some level that the word "I," though superficially
referring to the body and mind, actually points to something much
deeper. When we say "I feel," "I see," or "I walk," we're talking
about the experiencer or doer we iimagine to be inside. But what does
this I look like, and where is it located? Sure, your body walks and
sees and registers feelings, but is this bundle of physical substance
the I to which you refer, the self you spend so much time protecting
and expressing? Yes, your mind thinks, feels, and perceives, but do
you really believe you reside in the brain? If not, then who are you
really? Let your inquiry be fervent but effortless, without tension or
anxiety. Here's a hint: You definitely won't find the answer in the
file folders of spiritual beliefs you've amassed over the years, so
look elsewhere, in your actual, present experience. Ask yourself:
"Where is this I right here and now?"

Eventually, the question "Who am I?" reveals the answer, not as a
thought or a particular experience, but as a vibrant, timeless
presence that underlies and infuses every experience just as light
infuses and illuminates the visual field.When you awaken to this
presence, you may be surprised to discover that it has been there all
along, as the unacknowledged context and space in which life unfolds.

Both Zen and Advaita masters teach that this awake, aware presence
that gazes out through your eyes and my eyes right now is the very
same awakeness that peered through the eyes of the sages and roshis of
old. Though your realization may not be as clear or as stable as
theirs, this timeless presence is actually the Buddha nature or
authentic Self to which the great scriptures point.

Once you know who you really are, you can never forget it, though the
mind will do its best to obscure this truth with its urgent demands
for your attention. As you keep returning to rest in the silent
presence you now know yourself to be, your habitual identification
with the body-mind gradually releases, and you begin to taste the
peace and joy of true spiritual freedom. In the words of another great
Indian sage, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, "You merely need to find out
your source and take up your headquarters there."

Former YJ editor-in-chief Stephan Bodian is a psychotherapist and
spiritual teacher and the author of several books, including
Meditation for Dummies. He leads workshops at Omega Institute and
offers phone counseling to seekers worldwide. He can be reached at
www.stephanbodian.org

Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

greetings!

i should be in India between 25th march and 8th may '06.
first trip in four years or so.

broad itinerary:
25-26 - chennai
26-27 - calcutta
28-08april - bodhgaya and vicinity
08-13- lucknow and maybe lumbini (nepal)
13-17 - lucknow (saket gets married)
17 night - delhi
18-07 may - pune and vicinity
07-08 back to sri lanka via chennai

why maybe?
'cos I still haven't got a visa
(i'm a US passport holder)
and then there is always the ghost of
uncertainity :)

so there's the plan!

take care ^ be aware

nyanasanti bhikkhu

Everytime i send a message, something seems to go invisible!

True to their reputation of being supernatural beings who are shy of
humans...the attached photo of the naga didn't got sent.

So if you want to see this mysterious naga, you'll have to go to:

http://members.tripod.com/arahan/dragon_1.jpg

or click on the photos page of the 'So There' yahoo group.

While I'm at it I'll also tell about a strange annual phenomenon that
occurs at the Mekong river that has been very well documented. Its
about fire balls which emerge from the water on the precise day that
the monks end their annual rains retreat each year. They are said to
originate from nagas living deep in the river to celebrate this
occasion. They have been photographed and filmed by national thai
television crews and there is no adequete 'rational' explantion for
this phenomena so far (suggestions that they are military signal
flares have been disproved). You can see some photos and learn more
from the tourism authority of thailand's website:

http://tatnews.org/emagazine/1611.asp

guess thats enough supernatural information from this strange forest
monk for now!

Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

hi everyone
in case you were wondering...yes, i'm still alive
post-tsumani. but then it's only a matter of time...:)
needless to say, this is one of my rare net sojourns
so i can't respond to (m)any emails...but yes, when
people snail mail, I make a point to reply.
meanwhile,
>happy new year...year is a long time, i hope we find the time and
remember to BE happy in the midst of all the becoming :)
>remember to lift the corners of your lips ever so often...why?
it lifts your mood, just try
>and now for a serious tsunami warning:
great changes have been predicted for the future.
so if you wish to avoid earthquakes and waterquakes,
the advise is simple: when you find a fault don't dwell
on it!

guess i've reached wit's end...

know peace

nyanasanti



postal add.:
na uyana forest hermitage
pansiyagama 60554
sri lanka

Hi All

I know its a little late, but nonetheless...

just to let all of you know, that Harsh (ven. Nanasanti) is okay in
Sri Lanka.

No damage due to the tsunami.

I had recently visited him (pre-tsunami), and will post the pictures
soon.

With regards!
Saket
saketkhanna@...