Positive Tapas

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Arjuna in veneration of Krishna as his Godhead

Tapas is an ancient Sanskrit word (tapah) that is translated as austerity (from Latin austerus: severe) that is often thought of as extreme forms of discipline that can extend all the way to self-inflicted torture. However, as Krishna points out in the Bhagavad Gita:

Veneration of the Devas, the twice-born, the gurus, and the wise, straightforwardness, continence, and non-violence are the penance or austerity of the body.

Meditative communion with one’s own true Self, and uttering words that cause no agitation and that are truthful, pleasant, and beneficial, are called the austerity of speech.

A calm and contented mental clarity, kindliness, silence, self-control, and purity of character constitute the austerity of the mind.

This threefold penance, sattvic in its nature, is practiced by persevering men [and women] possessing great devotion who desire no fruit of actions (God Talks with Arjuna—The Bhagavad Gita; Ch. 17, verses 14-7).

I remember watching a film in a High School class in which some yogis were shown on the banks of the Ganges. Some had kept their arms lifted above their heads for so long they atrophied in place, and others stared at the sun for so long they were blind. To my mind it made no sense to do such things. I was not raised Catholic but I read of aspirants and saints in that tradition where there were similar kinds of self-inflicted tortures on the body in the name of God; this too made little sense.

There has been a long history in all religions for disciplining the body—from fasting and keeping silence all the way to the extreme torture. In India this discipline is referred to as tapasia. While healthy discipline such a fasting and keeping silence can be an aid to the aspirant in rising above this world, the real renunciant goes beyond body disciplines and masters the vacillations of the mind. One may retire to a cave, eschew all but the most basic food, and to all outward appearances be detached, yet the mind continues to crave for things of the world and remains in bondage. On the other hand, one may be surrounded by the things of the world, with responsibilities and varied interests, yet be inwardly detached—such a King Janaka or Rajasi Janakananda (James J. Lynn).

How to attain a high level of detachment even while living a busy life? One method is to focus on depriving the body in an effort to escape it; however, inwardly the mind can remain focused on what it doesn’t want—this feeds the beast rather than becoming free of it’s clutches. In the Gita, Krishna takes a positive approach. Tapas is defined as what to focus the mind on, not what it wants to get rid of; a successful approach that is over five thousand years old.

Krishna lists those things to focus on for the body, speech and thought in order to free itself from ignorance. For the body he says to keep your mind on God and His attributes (devas). Devas are either highly evolved beings or as aspects of His Supreme Being, and are to be worshipped. Others to be respected are your guru and guru-lineage, the twice-born (those who are truly spiritually reborn), and those who display wisdom—all are worthy of your utmost veneration.

In activity you are simple and straightforward, you are free from lower passions driving your life, and you seek to do that which is only beneficial for yourself and others (non-violence). By working these ways in the field of action of your life you are practicing penance or austerity of the body.

Practice austerity of speech by saying only that which is true and beneficial. And for your mind keep calm, clear thoughts that are kind and pure; established in equanimity. Great devotion to God in body, speech and mind creates this sattvic (pure, calm) state, which is the basis for Self-realization. Tapas is learning to focus the mind on these positives and giving no power to less worthy thoughts or activities—this is self-mastery.

Through keeping your mind on God and your inner attunement to Him you may well be prompted to fast, take silence, and not indulge in certain activities in order to purify your body, speech and mind. However, simply trying to get rid of the what bothers you is not enough. There were those who would fast when I did. A few disregarded the rules for breaking a fast and would ravenously eat as soon as they were finishing the fast. I had to ask one to stop fasting, for she would do her body harm by eating large bowls of icecream when coming off the fast. Many times doing something extreme will have a rebound effect and bring on more difficulties rather than freedom.

Be determined to be master of yourself, and as a result experience freedom, bliss and a universal vision. You need not torture your body in order to do this, even as the Buddha taught the Middle Way—avoiding extremes. You will find that focusing on starving the body or trying to make the mind empty without the uptake of blissful joy and spiritual freedom will not free you.

Meditating upon the great I AM, chanting His name, surrendering to His will and immersing yourself in the bliss of God will purge you of every limitation and liberate you in full spiritual realization so that you will never be entrapped in ignorance again—this is the endgame in the practice of positive tapas. Keep your mind lovingly focused on God and surrendered to His will, it is the most positive, easiest and the most direct way to immerse yourself in God-experience.

 

Ingredients for a Great Marriage

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Ralph-Papa-Mataji-Mother-Anandashram 1957

One of the great events in life is to be married. However, while the marriage ceremony is not the very start of a relationship—it really is the beginning of a new life together. As a minister I have the privilege to perform marriage ceremonies, and each joining of a couple brings a special grace that occurs when vows are exchanged. This ceremony is the cradle from which a new-born relationship can evolve—given the right attitudes by the couple.

Standing in front of the couple a spiritual power transmits itself, and according to the receptivity of each one the seed is sown. However, the seed must have good ground to land upon in order for it to bear its ultimate fruit. And what are the ingredients of that good ground?

Commitment to the ideals of marriage must be the first component in forming a truly successful union. Without commitment there can be nothing lasting in marriage. The next element must be respect. Unless one shows self-respect and respect for one’s spouse the ground will be spoiled and become inhospitable to growth.

With commitment and respect the third act must be kindness. Kindness is expressed in thought, word and deed, and without it the land becomes barren. By tilling the soil with these three essentials love grows. Love is more than chemistry of animal attraction or need. Love is the blossoming of the heart that grows and grows, making the soul open to the higher qualities of life.

And finally, the fifth element to a truly great marriage is found in Spirit. With the focus on God in the beginning, middle and end a marriage rises above simple human fulfillment and becomes something far more. There is a blissful merging of two souls in Spirit; two souls in an ocean of Light. Then, the sense of being two separate identities merges in true union found in God-experience.

In the Gospel of Swami Ramdas (October 16, 1957), Mother and her husband Ralph described to Papa what happened when they talked about God with each other. Ralph: “We spend hours together talking about God and losing all count of time.” Mother: “We used to talk about God and sometimes we were so much absorbed in Him that our physical bodies would disappear, as it were, and there would be only waves and waves of light between us. This happened many times.”

It all starts with how we treat each other day to day. Each soul chooses to incorporate these five elements and makes them part and parcel in how he or she thinks, speaks and acts in marriage. Self-respect means you act in a way—that in the end—you will be pleased with and know you have been your best. When you have a spouse who does the same there are truly no limits to the heights to which two people can rise.

In marriage you seek to enact Jesus’ great saying, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38) This does not mean that everything you do you will see like-compensation in every moment. Rather, you build a habit of giving goodness, and it will surely return to you, just as surely as the sun rises in the morning. But, most of all, in marriage you give the best of who you are because it brings out the best in you; it is how God-consciousness is made manifest in this world and it is what brings you true and lasting happiness.

   

Babaji Remembrance Day

Yogacharya David

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Picture: The Divine Babaji

When I first met Mother I recognized what a powerful spiritual personality she was. Later, in meeting Swami Satchidanandaji, I experienced his spiritual personality, so different in outward expression than Mother’s. Mother came to me as powerful, penetrating, who could also give the love of a mother. Swamiji was quiet, unassuming, yet commanding the total respect of all those around him. These descriptions are but some of the outward signs of the personalities, however they both embodied a spiritual presence that defies all description.

And so it happens with all realized Beings—each one has a unique expression. When the personality has been subsumed in Divine Consciousness, then, if it is the Divine will, that one is reborn so to speak, as a Divine personality for the benefit of the world. One of the great lessons you learn in having a pantheon of a guru-lineage and coming into close association with saints is that you do not have to become an imitation of the personality of a God-realized individual, rather you learn what is essential to all God-realized beings.

And what is essential are the Divine attributes of love, bliss, wisdom, and being a giver of light. In meeting with Mother and accepting her as my Guru I learned of the great spiritual personalities that make up our guru-lineage. Through Mother’s stories, reading the Autobiography of a Yogi and other books I became aware of who these great ones were. However, at first it was like looking at them through a paned window, there was a view of these enlightened beings, but it was not the same as actually meeting them.

Over the years of discipleship, I had significant experiences that made me know that I had actually touched the fabric of their exalted divine personalities. Lahiri Mahasaya and Babaji were the last two param-para gurus in our lineage that I came into actual contact—twenty years after meeting Mother. Meeting these great ones was life-changing, right down the cellular level.

One such incident occurred soon after I had left my work as a counselor/mediator. Phyllis had generously invited me to stay in a little cabin not far from her house on Hornby Island. While on the island I took walks in Helliwell Park—boasting of magnificent views, old growth Douglas Firs and rare Gary oaks.

As is my want at times I took a late night walk to a particular place in the park that I had previously felt drawn to. The thought of Babaji came strongly to mind, I knew the great master was making me think of him. An intense desire came into my whole being to be in his presence. I perceived that Babaji was in intimate communion with my mind and a surcharge of spiritual power and realization coursed all through me. As my mind touched his I was drawn through the woods to the ocean side.

There I looked up to the canopy of stars, so close I felt I could reach out to them. The thought came to my mind that Babaji could descend—just as I felt one of those points of light above could come down to earth. Then—I felt enveloped in the great master’s presence. The cells of my being were sanctified, as if spiritually baptized through and through. His blessings showered upon me and I knew that I was touching the hem of Divinity through him. Through direct spiritual connection I glimpsed his supernal consciousness. Oh, if there were only words to say something of this; however, the words do not, nor can they ever exist. After some time, the master’s presence withdrew, but the afterglow continued as I remained enveloped in his bliss.

Even as we mark Babaji’s Remembrance Day (July 25th) and I write of this experience so many years ago now, once again all the cells of my being feel baptized in his holy Presence even as on that sacred night. It is true that we should seek out direct experience in God, without intermediaries. However, how blessed we are to have these great ones actively helping us to that noble Goal of goals. Truly, Babaji, Jesus, Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswarji, Master and Mother all stand at the ready to render us the greatest aid on the most tremendous adventure we will ever embark upon. The Mahavatar is naught else but pure God-consciousness, and thus a direct conduit to the Infinite.

Picture: Helliwell Park coming out of the woods to the oceanside

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Guru Purnima

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Mother–Holding the Light for the world

In India Guru Purnima Day occurs on the first full moon after the summer solstice; today. Tonight I have been gazing up at the full moon as it makes bright the earth below. It is a day to show respect, love and devotion for one’s guru, one’s own spiritual teacher and agent for profound change.

 I bow to my Guru, Mother Hamilton and my guru-lineage. It is due to their selfless service and total dedication that I found the ways and means to attain an illumination that is far greater than either the moon or the sun.

The tradition of Guru Purnima began countless years ago. An unknown yogi appeared in the Himalayas. So many aspirants were magnetically drawn to the sage, however he appeared as dead, only tears of ecstasy occasionally ran down his face. Eventually the crowds left, and only seven remained, determined to get teachings from this obviously great mahatma, this great soul. One day the yogi opened his eyes, and they asked for his teachings. His mind hovered above dualism and he said nothing. Eventually, through their persistence they were given teachings tailored to their advancement. They practiced what they were given sincerely and the silent guru said no more. Years rolled by, decades, and still the guru made no move. At last, he once again opened his eyes and saw the pure minds those seven yogis had attained through their practice for over 80 years. This Adiyogi, first yogi, was also Adi Guru, first guru, was none other than Shiva, the Himalayan yogi of extraordinary realization. The purity of his disciples drew Shiva out of himself and on the first full moon after the longest day of the year he gave them the cream of his teachings. With those teachings came the understanding that mankind can consciously advance in realization through individual effort—the essence of yoga and all the great religions of the world.

Thus it is said that the tradition began for honoring one’s guru on this most sacred remembrance day. I know firsthand the tremendous power that emanates from a fully realized guru. Mother not only gave me the means for completing my realization, but she stood as a protector, guarding me from dark forces. As I write this I think of the numberless times that Mother lifted me out of darkness into the Light. On one occasion Mother saved me from physical and vehicular damage. I was driving to Service on a Sunday morning. I was moving along on Northgate Way when I suddenly saw the car in front of me had come to a full stop. I was driving a van that had no protection in the front. I locked up my brakes but I could see that my vehicle was not going to stop in time. I braced for impact. Mother flashed through my mind, then suddenly it was as if a film was spliced–I was twenty feet back from where I previously knew myself to be. I continued skidding but now I came to a complete rest just inches behind the bumper of the stopped car. What happened and how it happened is as deeply mysterious to me today as on the morning it happened; I can only say, “Guru’s Grace.”

Guru comes in the guise of so many relationships. Mother was teacher, disciplinarian, beloved, confident, psychologist, mystic, pure spiritual power and light. No other has come anywhere close to changing my life and making it possible for me to make real and meaningful spiritual progress in this life. For that, no amount of words of gratitude can suffice.

Once I said to Mother, “When you leave the body you should take me and all of us with you, I have no wish to continue if you are not here.” She looked at me very sweetly and said, “But who would carry on this work if there were no one left?” So, we carry on in order to do what we can to help her work in the world–the work of lifting this world closer to God. True, there are powerful forces of darkness in operation at this time. However, there are also wonderful souls striving to bring in the Light, for themselves and for this world. Wherever there is courage and dedication to reach out for that Light, then Mother’s work will be advanced just that much more. The greatest honor we can pay Mother, Master and all the guru-lineage is to strive for and merge into the eternal light of Being; to bring the bliss of His presence into our hearts and souls so that heaven and earth may merge and become as one.

Have a blessed Guru Purnima Day.

  

Relations-Attachment & Freedom

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Swami Satchidananda-A powerful example of universal love (2007)

One of the enduring challenges for aspirants comes with relationships we have in this world, through family, friends and professions. The fine line of how to be in this world, but not of it, offers a demanding obstacle course to run, but like all obstacle courses they are intended to make us better, stronger.

I just attended a birthday celebration for a favorite aunt where I saw cousins and relations I had not seen in years. It was lovely to see these family members who I have known most of my life, exchanging news and whereabouts, catching up on those who were not in attendance, the normal kind of conversations that ensue in such gatherings.

Like the proverbial iceberg, what shows above the surface offers little of what resides below. To be in a group and feel the love and light of the Divine shining through the heart, to embrace each one in that same light is a freeing experience that sheds self-consciousness and makes us see more clearly the real person behind the mask of a social personality.

What prevents this freedom while mingling in the world of relations? It is the set of expectations we hold for ourselves and others, as well as those expectations others hold for us. These expectations are attachments to ideas of who we are supposed to be, or the spoken or unspoken agreement of what others expect of us—keeping us bound to roles that do not reflect who we really are.

What will others think of me or say about me matters a great deal to the ego-mind. Will they think I have gained a few pounds, lost a few? Will they think I am successful or failing to live up to expectations? Will I be accepted or rejected, embarrassed or proud? And then there are my judgments of others based on outward appearances. The list of attachments can be very long, all of which keeps me from being present to what is true in the moment. I will fail to see the greater reality when taken in by the outer show; I will be robbed of the greatest gift—universal love.

The truth is we all crave to be loved. However, in the marketplace of relationships we oftentimes only give and receive judgments—not love. Of course we perceive the tip of externals, but do we go beyond the things of the world? I alone am responsible for seeing or not seeing higher reality; I cannot expect the world to see it first, then I will follow its lead.

My aunt has the rare quality of seeing the best in others and bringing it out in them. With a twinkle in her eye and a ready laugh—even as dementia is destroying parts of her brain she retains that which has always been essential to her loving nature. Life has handed her some very difficult situations, and rather than make her bitter she has compassion readily available for her fellow man, as well as righteous anger for those who thoughtlessly heap suffering onto others.

A man recently broke into her room; it had been warm and she left the patio door open and fallen asleep. She woke up to a dark room and a strange man reaching to steal her cell phone. Coming out of her sleep she said, “Get the hell out of here!” She was sure he was more startled than she had been and he ran from her room. I know that if the man came back the next day and told her of his difficulties she would give a sympathetic listening, and some stern advice to never do any such thing again.

Someone like my aunt makes it easy to give and receive love. However, others can be more challenging, an obstacle in the course that makes you work harder to remain undisturbed. It is a matter of keeping your mind fixed on your own higher nature. It is common that when you meet someone, you meet like with like. If someone is abrasive, invasive or in some way rubs you the wrong way, you feel the need to react to their behavior. You put them in charge by being reactive to how they are presenting, giving them all the power. When you think about it, such a personality is the last person in the world you would put in charge of your life!

Instead, you exercise self-mastery—focusing on your own higher nature. You continue in your own light and remain undisturbed by what another says or does. This does not make you a doormat, you may even tell them to get the hell out! But you do not lose connection to that vast aspect of yourself that is beneath the surface—your greater qualities.

Practice chanting the all-powerful name of God when in social situations. See the light radiating from your own heart and surrounding those who are around you. Feel the freedom this invokes within you and you will see it has its effect on others as well. Those who are obstacles to this practice are in your life to make you stronger. Self-mastery teaches you that when you put God first you will find a peaceful bliss that the world simply cannot give to you—and that universal love will be the hallmark of your life.

 

 

Darkness Abhors the Light

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Columbia River from Wanapum State Park

Making our way back from Glacier we find ourselves next to the Columbia River at the Wanapum State Park. In this early morning light, the topic of temptation is uppermost in my thoughts. As we know, temptations are part and parcel of the upward path to realization. Jesus went into the wilderness and was tempted, Buddha sat in his night of temptation just as he was about to attain Nirvana, Rama had times of despair during his struggle to defeat Ravanna and rescue Sita; even these great beings, these avatars were tempted.

A universal feature to darkness is its abhorrence of the light. What had been perfectly clear to you before, during temptation becomes muddy. Temptation can be of any nature depending upon the psychological makeup of the individual. It can be sex, drugs, fear, greed, power, pride, self-interest to the exclusion to others, lack of surrender, so many aspects to the opposing force—it will always fight against what the inner soul knows to be true and correct.

The way through temptation is to keep your mind upon God. The qualities you will experience when in tune with God will be quite different than in ignorance. In the light you will be calm, clear, humble, not driven by lower forces, you easily stand in the light in humble submission and will not turn away.

One test I would enact for myself when faced with an uncertain decision would be to visualize all the masters surrounding me: Jesus, Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswarji, Master, Mother, Papa, Mataji, and Swamiji. Then I presented the situation at hand to them. What did they say? I did not avoid any of them as I did this. Many times when looking at Mother or Sri Yukteswarji I instantly knew I had been heading into a fool’s errand. This worked very well to cut through mental justifications the ego-mind concocted for going away from the light.

When in Glacier National Park we found a rare hydrological apex, one of three in the world (the other two being in Canada and France). At this apex drops of rain could land within inches of one another and one would end up in the Pacific Ocean, one in the Atlantic, and the third would be swept off to the Arctic Ocean. So little distance in origin, such a vast difference in destination. It struck me that choices we make can seem so small and insignificant at the time, and yet forces will sweep us off to such diverse outcomes.

I have known those who were sincere and dedicated upon the path, and then some old habit was re-awakened, drugs, alcohol, sex, and the spark of temptation became a flame—the individual was consumed. Or, the spiritual flame was no longer fed with deepened meditation and intense love of God—the flame died and the spark faded to a bygone memory. “Oh, are you still into that?” was the comment, “yes, I used to be, but now….” The spark that became a flame was now gone, and it seemed but a distant memory.

I know I have had lifetimes of avoiding the light, and in this lifetime I have made bad choices at times. I vividly remember the pain of those bad choices, both for myself and for others. Through the Grace of God and Guru the flame did not die, the spark remained even in the looming darkness. It is true, I did choose the light. But better than that, for some unknowable reason, the light chose me and saved me time and again.

There have been those who have thought better of me than I have thought of myself, and this has awakened a higher light in me, made me choose the better path. But we can choose, through pride or arrogance, to push away the light, to respond to those around us that are also pushing away from the light. We have that freedom of choice, but oh what a price we pay for landing on the other side of that decisional hydrological apex!

So this is the lesson I have come to learn again and again, the power I have—we all have—in making a choice. Do we choose the light, or to move into darkness? Do we strive to know God, love God, or do we make choices that ease us away from it, just before finding ourselves in a downward plummet away from our higher aspirations?  Sri Yukteswar asked Master to promise that he would never avoid him. Master said that was one of the most difficult promises he ever kept in his life. Sri Yukteswarji was the light to Master, and the light can break our pride and crash our dream-desires. Association with the light will also make us in to its own nature—unalloyed peace, joy and unending freedom–if we only choose it.

Echoes of Infinity

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Two Medicine Lake

Having a guru-lineage in this culture, day and age is a tremendous boon to all those who have accepted it into their lives. When I met Mother I had heard of a guru, having read a story of a man meeting his guru I had thought, “That is what I need, to meet someone who has gone the way and can show me how to achieve realization.”

It seemed a very long time in looking, but in reality it was less than five months since reading that story before I met Mother. My desire was very strong and the spiritual crises I found myself in was very deep. Mother was totally unexpected to me, an American woman with a universal message that included strong overtones of the story of Christ. However, her spiritual power and her ability to lift me up whenever I saw her was a wonder and convinced me to my bones that she was my guru.

With time I discovered, first through Mother’s stories and then through their own writings, her guru Paramhansa Yogananda, her param-guru Sri Yukteswarji, her param-para guru Lahiri Mahasaya, and the heads of this guru lineage—Babaji and Jesus Christ. I was in awe! It took time to slowly assimilate the profound meanings of my relationship with these personages. Then we also had the powerful spiritual personalities of Papa Ramdas, Mother Krishnabai and Swami Satchidananda—there seemed no limit to the spiritual riches that was simply handed to me, to us.

In writing about this now I melt in gratitude, knowing that I am a nothing in the light of these exalted beings. As I melt I merge in the oceanic bliss of cosmic Spirit. The mind drops to its knees in acknowledgement that it cannot possibly fathom such profundity. To one who has not come into real contact with this kind of relationship my experiences will simply sound incomprehensible, however to those who have known a true guru relationship, there is a kindredness of spirit in shared humility and powerful transformation.

When Mother asked me to teach she taught me to relay my inner experiences to the world. I felt shy in doing so for these experiences are what are most near and dear to me. It can be painful to relate what is most intimate to one’s heart and soul and have it not comprehended or misunderstood. That fear is now long past for me, for I know that those who have eyes to see and ears to hear will find truth in what I say; for others there is nothing lost because they will go on with their lives none the worse off and I will know joy in finding others, or even just one, who will be inspired by what I say. I know this transformation occurs because I feel the power of truth in me and I know truth has the ability to awaken itself in others.

In fact, words are too small to hold my meaning, however those who receive the spirit that inspires the words will receive both words and spirit and be lifted up into higher regions of thought and spiritual consciousness. When Reverend Bob Raymer first met Master, Sri Yoganandaji repeated the names of the gurus in his ear. Bob was unfamiliar with the sounds of these exotic names and had no idea of what he was saying, but he never forgot the whispers of the master.

I too hear those names whispered into my ear by some mystic means as Master repeats, “Sri Yukteswarji, Lahiri Mahasaya, supreme master Babaji.” In those words, I hear the echo of infinity. In saying this, is it madness to think others may hear endless, unfathomable bliss in this ecstatic Reality? Oh, I know there is ground prepared, and even new ground being prepared for these seeds to find rich soil in which shared visions of infinity merge us all into one Reality.

It is in this loving Spirit that I send out on etheric waves the untold blessings that come with inner attunement to our beloved param-para guru-lineage. We are blessed beyond comprehension through our deepened connection with these God-tuned beings—perfected in the fires of testing and blazing with the pure Light of Divine Consciousness.

Health Update: As we have been living in Nature’s Cathedrals this body has grown in strength and endurance. Hikes along lakesides with powerful glacier cut peaks above, vivid-colored alpine spring flowers at our feet, powerful waterfalls surging and pounding their way in freefall running past us, this has been just what the inner doctor ordered. Thank you for your positive, loving, prayerful thoughts; they truly make a difference. We are now making our way back from Glacier National Park. I highly recommend the experience to anyone who feels the inclination to go. A very happy observation has been the quality of young people working as park rangers. They have been universally positive, informative, and proud to wear the green and gray colors and distinctive hat of being a park ranger.

Superior Inner Nature

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Looking across the Great Divide to Hidden Lake at the top of trail.

The power of pristine nature is undeniable, however it should not be seen in lieu of the power of the life-force that is unleashed in the Son of man, the human form; rather nature may be seen as an adjunctive help. Spiritual forces within the spine and brain are of unparalleled dimensions.

We celebrated the 4th of July with a traverse up a large snowfield and narrow rocky ledges to the top of Logan’s Pass and the crown of the Great Divide. The vistas from the top are spectacular, mountain goats lazed next to the trail or scampered up vertical rock, beautifully coated marmots drew close giving us their darshan, and various climbers were festooned in patriotic red, white and blue. The wind was brisk, and the blue skies and floating white clouds made it a spectacular day.

It seems that I am on an every-other-day schedule; one day exploring nature’s wonders, the next indrawn into Spirit’s world. Following yesterday’s vigorous climb we are having a quiet day with shorter walks along the shoreline of St. Mary’s Lake. We thought of going for another climb today up to a waterfall, however God had other ideas. According to His whim powerful currents moved up the spine making physical activity null and void. With this spinal current heat built up in the cranium, bliss radiated from every cell that made for a deeply indrawn state. Rather than a Ram-adventure in nature, He has orchestrated a Ram-adventure in Spirit.

This life that I lead is a life of complete surrender. God has proved time and again that if something in this world is absolutely required then He makes it possible for me to do. However, this is not dictated by my preferences or desire nature, but strictly what He wills in any given moment. I am more than happy to surrender to His will, but it supersedes what I think, and sometimes what I think should happen for the sake of others.

This has made for a fascinating life and one that I cannot possibly predict. It has taken me on the most remarkable adventures in Spirit—following in Param-para Gurus light He has made me work in ways that defy description. As one who has worked at physical labor since a young age and mental labor years later, this God-work is far more demanding than anything I have known in the world, yet the world would be hard pressed to recognize it as labor.

There is no doubt that as stupendous as this material creation is—it being far beyond what any of us can know through these five senses—the inner spiritual nature is just that much more. The power of it, the intuitive perception it opens, the satisfaction it provides, the fulfillment of all the heart’s desires makes it vastly superior to anything this world, or numberless other world’s beyond can provide.

An invitation comes directly from the Infinite, “Come, come on this greatest of adventures, the exploration of your own Spiritual Nature.” Answering this invitation does require something from you, actually it requires everything from you. You must be completely dedicated and surrendered to Divine Will.

You may know Divine Will initially as the spiritual practice prescribed for you: meditate morning and night, chant His holy name, practice seeing Him as all in all, be in service to Him in all forms you meet, love Him more than you love the world, and always tell the truth. As you practice these ways with sincerity an inner life awakens inside of you. Sporadically at first, then continually you know the Divine guidance and Presence through your purified mind—a result of your spiritual practice and Grace.

Now an inner peace and a thrill of joyful bliss permeates your being; you live in total submission to Divine Will expressed through your innermost being. The fullness of this can only be known through direct experience. Do not be left with the regret of wondering why you did not answer God’s invitation. Choose it now, today, and every day as you move forward and you will never look back with regret of any kind. You will then know the superior virtue of your inner nature.

Picture: Ascending the ice field

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Sacred Land

Yogacharya David

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Picture: Divide Mountain: We look out on the mountain where we are staying–it is considered a very holy mountain by the Black Feet Indian Tribe.

Each culture brings unique contributions to the collective world consciousness. Here at Glacier National Park we are in the heart of what had been traditional Black Feet territory, to the north was the Kootenai and to the west were the Salish and Nez Perce.

One of the great strengths of the native population was the feeling that the land and its animals were sacred. Through oral traditions this feeling was instilled in children from a young age. Taking this single concept, we can all attune ourselves to the sacred nature of the land we are immersed in.

The emphasis in Western Culture has been to build a house of God—a church, temple, mosque or cathedral in which God is seen to exist and to be worshipped. One of the things I have written about in particular since going on pilgrimage around North America is finding Nature’s Cathedrals; those sacred sites in nature that have existed since its evolutionary beginnings. There are certainly special places that resonate with powerful spiritual vibrations in nature that are systemic to the area itself. Many times these places will have sacred buildings or associations connected to them created by those who have inner awareness, and then there are times when there is no particular history to a place, but one may feel it and know from being in its presence.

Indians certainly had their favored sacred places, but there was also the idea that the earth itself is sacred and that animals play a special role in this interplay between spirit, earth and man. Those early inhabitants lived close to earth’s elements and many were sensitively attuned souls to this connection, open to the transformative experiences that can come by being in untrammeled nature.

As I walk along isolated trails through lush vegetation there is a vibrancy that God is moving throughout all of pristine nature. Birds calling, two bucks lazing next to me as I sit in my chair, a bear visiting at our door, eagles and hawks soaring overhead are all messengers of active spirit moving through its creatures. In this interplay there is a feeling that there are no accidental movements, these animals are part of an ocean of life-energy. People are not mere interlopers in this creation—but vital parts of it. By being mindful and keenly attuned to the spiritual dimension of creation new worlds of awareness opens to the soul.

The ideal of knowing that all creation is spirit is not known by all native people, nor is it barred to others, but the notion is interwoven into traditional culture and the invitation is there for all to become immersed into its deeper mysteries. One needs but a willing heart to go further into this awareness and know that universal Spirit really is all-pervading, including material creation as well as that which is beyond it. No one culture has every aspect of Truth or God in its pocket, but each brings a special view into its limitless variety.

In our time here in this glacially formed cathedral we have felt the healing power of nature when walking under its canopy of trees, observing a meadow carpeted with alpine flowers in full bloom, open to the many creatures that interplay with us as we visit their homes, and the deepening of inner spiritual qualities with the support of Mother Nature’s splendors as our souls sing out “Oh God beautiful” in spontaneous response. So, whether it is a walk in your garden, a local park, a water shore, mountain view or ancient giants of the forest, seek out the healing currents that run abundantly throughout nature and know the great benefits that God is constantly giving to us through this land that is sacred.

Picture: Alpine Flowers

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