The Real Secret
Ordinary people seek the world but all who are wise seek the Kingdom of God -- Jesus
Nothing in this world can satisfy you - Only God - Yogananda
All the happiness in the world comes from thinking of others – suffering comes from preoccupation with yourself - Buddha
When we have complete faith in God we do not have to ask for anything, in fact we will not even feel like asking – Narayani Amma
Make spirituality first and everything else will improve - Brother Anandamoy
Superficially, human beings are all different – in their psychological and emotional makeup, in the roles they play in life, in their jobs, and in their desires. But underneath those differences, there exists two things that every human being, without exception, wants and needs: One is freedom from all forms of suffering and want, and the other is infinite happiness – an absolute fulfillment that includes perfect Peace, Love, Wisdom, & Joy.
Essentially, what we are seeking is God (The Real Secret), whether or not we use that name. We will never feel satisfied until we have that perfect happiness and complete fulfillment; that is the fundamental key to understanding the human condition. But where is humanity seeking it? In the things of the world: in possessions, in seeking wealth, in outer conditions, in relationships with other persons. It is mathematically impossible to find that perfection in anything or anyone or any condition in this world. What we crave at the deepest level of our being cannot be found in anything the world can give us.
To put the Divine first is the biggest blessing in the world. When we are satisfied with what we have, then we can truly begin to give to others. If there is a man without satisfaction, though he has many things - he is still poor. He still needs something from someone. So satisfaction is very important. That is the blessing of making spirituality first and that is the Real Secret.
Most people in the materialistic world we have created may not choose to listen to the advice of The Great Ones and renounce material desires, as they fear that giving up temporary pleasures of the world means they will suffer or have less. This fear is ultimate pure attachment, called Maya in the East and Satan in the West – it is that which distracts one from God and creates suffering.
There is a greater comfort of mind, body & soul that comes with the practice of making spirituality first. “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all shall be added unto Thee” is the Real Secret, and Jesus’ greatest message to mankind. It is the surest way to lasting individual, social, and world happiness. Those who suffer seek impermanent material things first.
May we all choose wisdom and not waste our efforts on more than we need, which we then must give up by force at the time of death. Rather, may we form first the habit of making spirituality first and there find true happiness and fulfillment. Be in Spirit. Realize you are soul. Feel its infinite Love and know it is you. There is no safer haven of Joy than in it’s presence. When you are truly with Spirit nothing can hurt you.
He is the wisest who seeks God. He is the most successful who had found God. (The Real Secret) - Jesus
You can never find lasting happiness in any 'thing' because nothing is complete except God. – Yogananda
What is Yoga, Really
Yoga is about Soul Realization – Always has been
Most of us think of yoga as a place of business we go to, pay our fees and participate in a class where a trained instructor guides us through a series of unique stretches and exercises. Most yoga studio dwellers, and even most instructors, measure their success in yoga by the ability to perform specific body positions, improving flexibility and strength, body appearance, an overall feeling of well being and knowledge of the ancient vocabulary used to describe postures. This yoga is a fantastic trend sweeping the world over, and has many benefits on its own - but it is also very limited if the main focus and understanding is not on the ultimate goal of yoga practice which is Soul Realization or God. Yoga has always been about realizing what we really are and true success in yoga is actually measured by improved levels of spiritual awareness, direct experiences of being One with all, and by realization of the Infinite Soul. Words cannot describe these supreme realizations of true yoga practice as they are far far beyond what the mind can know and imagine.
The word “Yoga” itself means “Union”: of the individual consciousness or Soul with the universal consciousness of Spirit. Though many people think of yoga only as physical exercise – the asanas or postures that have gained widespread popularity in recent decades in the west – these are actually only the most superficial aspect of this profound science of unfolding the infinite potentials of the human mind and soul.
There are various paths of yoga that lead towards this goal, each one a specialized branch of one comprehensive system:
Hatha Yoga (Physical) -- a system of physical postures whose higher purpose is to purify the body, giving one awareness and control over its internal states and rendering it fit for meditation.
Karma Yoga (Action) -- selfless service to others as part of one’s larger self, with no attachment to the results; and the performance of all actions with the consciousness of God as the doer.
Mantra Yoga (Chanting) -- centering the consciousness within, through the repetition of certain universal root-word sounds representing a particular aspect of Spirit.
Bhakti Yoga (Devotion)-- all-surrendering devotion through which one strives to see and love the divinity in every creature and in everything, thus maintaining unceasing worship.
Jnana Yoga (Intellect) -- the path of wisdom, which emphasizes the application of discriminative intelligence to achieve spiritual liberation.
Raja Yoga (Meditation) -- the royal or highest path of yoga, specific proven meditation techniques. This path combines the essence of all the other paths. Everyone can perceive, from the very beginning of one’s efforts in meditation, glimpses of the ultimate goal -- conscious union with the inexhaustibly blissful spirit. The quickest and most effective approach to the goal of yoga, which is Soul Realization, is to commit and practice proven meditation techniques.
Meditation – The Highest Form of Yoga
Most of us are accustomed to looking outside of ourselves for fulfillment. We are living in a world that conditions us to believe that outer attainments can give us what we want. Yet again and again our experiences show us that nothing external can completely fulfill the deep longing within us for “something more.”
Most of the time, however, we find ourselves striving toward that which always seems to lie just beyond our reach. We are caught up in “doing” rather than “being”, in “action” rather than “awareness”. It is hard for us to picture a state of complete calmness and repose in which thoughts and feelings cease to dance in perpetual motion. Yet it is through such a state of quietude that we can touch a level of joy and understanding impossible to achieve otherwise. Patanjali, Saint of the Yoga Sutras, said “Yoga is stilling the waves of the mind”, The Great Saint Paramahansa Yogananda said “Yoga is tuning out restless thoughts”. It is said in the Bible: “Be still and know I am God.” In these few words lies the key to the science of yoga. This ancient spiritual science offers a direct means of stilling the natural turbulence of thoughts and restlessness of body that prevent us from knowing what we really are.
True mediation is a simple process of reversing the ordinary outward flow of energy and consciousness so that the mind becomes a dynamic centre of direct perception – no longer dependent upon the fallible senses but capable of actually experiencing Truth. It has been proven that all the answers to all the questions and mysteries of life are found in proper and proven meditation techniques.
Proper and proven mediation techniques are not based on beliefs but are based on consistent practice and then direct experiences. The missing link between religion and realization is meditation. Meditation raises religion above the limitations of dogmas and beliefs.
Lastly, and most importantly, is to know that there is a personal element in the search for God and Soul Realization that is more important than mastery over the whole science of yoga. One must have a desire for this final goal and want it more than any “thing”, then the realization of immortality will come without fail. Simply put, God can never be given to you by somebody else - you must have the desire and make the effort and it will come, as it is a true law of the Universe.
2012 and the New Age
The Aquarian Age is said to start in the later months of 2012. The period that has been leading up to 2012 is known as the “cusp” period or transition period between the Piscean and Aquarian age.
Key ideas and values that characterized the Piscean age were duality, separation between self and other and self and God, self sacrifice, and the need to find salvation outside of our selves. There was a real focus on materialism, the need to acquire more, and the idea that "more was better”. Piscean thought was intellectual, driven towards technology, complexity and sophistication. An age of individualism with the driving thought (either conscious or unconscious) of every man for themselves.
The Aquarian Age that many have already begun to move into is a complete transition to a Heart-centered world. Instead of being driven by the head and the intellect, decisions and actions will come from the Heart. People will need to find the balance between the head and the Heart. With this will come the awakening of our spiritual energy and we will step into our own power and True potential. In this awakening, God will be reintroduced and we will realize that we are not and never have been separate from "It”. In this Aquarian Age there will be peace, understanding, and happiness unknown today.
Meditation – Go Beyond Thinking
The thinking that has brought me this far... Has produced a problem that this thinking cannot solve.- Albert Einstein
Why Meditate?
Is there really any need for meditation in our lives?
Let me ask, what is your ultimate aim in life?
To earn more?
To stay forever young, healthy, beautiful?
To have better, longer lasting relationships?
To improve your personality?
The list is endless – for each individual, there will be a specific goal. But every single goal – without exception, - every single goal – points to the same thing: a yearning for the state of happiness (bliss). Can anyone disagree with that? Can anyone say, I am not interested in happiness or I don’t care about being happy, being blissful?
Each of us is searching for nothing but happiness. However intellectual, however sophisticated may be the terms in which we express it, we are all seeking happiness. Only the ways in which we are searching is different. Through money, through power, through relationships – through all the cosmic and tragic dramas of our daily lives, we are searching for happiness. It is the single motivation force of our lives.
If we do not go within – we go with out. – unknown
If we have been searching for happiness all our lives, why haven’t we still found it?
Because we have been searching unconsciously. 99% of us are not even aware that happiness is our true goal! The majority of us are only aware that there is something lacking in our lives, some vacuum that we cannot fill with money or relationships or possessions.
Ask yourself, what have you collected so far in the outer world that is of any lasting value? Still we continue to search and because we are unaware, we search outside ourselves. We search everywhere in the world for something which is already there within us. Believe it or not, happiness is our birthright – happiness (bliss) is our true nature.
Meditation is nothing but a preparation to rediscover the state of happiness that is already in side you. The moment you realize the futility (pointlessness) of searching for happiness outside of yourself, you are naturally ripe for mediation. There are hundreds of ways of explaining the state of pure happiness, but only one way you can understand it – by experiencing it. And how do you experience this – by meditation.
What exactly is meditation?
Different Masters have interpreted meditation according to their own experience, or according to specific needs of the people they are speaking to.
Meditation is prayer. Meditation is the process that helps us discover the treasure locked up in side ourselves. Meditation is the technique that helps you connect to the energy of the cosmos. Meditation is just being blissful in the moment. When you are at peace in the present moment, you are already in a state of meditation and you do not need to do anything else. And all of these statements are right.
What are the benefits of meditation?
Meditation has the power to transform you – physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually! On the physical level, the benefits of meditation are well known. Through meditation you can regulate your blood pleasure and blood sugar. You can increase your body’s resistance to disease. No physical problem or disease can escape the power of meditation. On the mental level, meditation enhances clarity of thought and verbalization. The gap between thoughts becomes longer. Meditation is a sure way to improve concentration and memory power. Above all meditation leads you from intellect to intelligence. With meditation this all flowers naturally.
The spiritual benefits are too many to list! Meditation puts you in touch with the infinite energy of the cosmos. It opens you to the discovery of the divine that lies latent within each of us. Meditation is truly beyond words. Its benefits are to be experienced, not explained.
How and where do I start?
There are many different techniques and ways. It is recommended to find the most creditable techniques or path usually given by a True Master or Guru – then give it time and patience and go by results. Find which technique or path or True Master or Guru that suits you best and stick to it, putting all of your energy behind your efforts. Whichever way is best for you - do it with the greatest sincerity, believing fully that it will work for you. In a short time only you will know through direct experience that you have found your way back into your true self, you will become internal happiness, you will know again your soul, and you will discover what was unknowable before the commitment to meditate.
Remember
Remember! God is beyond all yet embraces all. There is no space or time, no object or living being, no concept or view, in which God is ever ceaselessly and continually present. To tell you the truth, everything in substance is He.
Remember! Despite the all embracing and ever-present nature of God, you are deprived of the privilege of realizing Him – of attaining eternal peace consequent on His realization – only because He is not your goal. If God be your goal and if it is believed that He thus embraces all, you are sure to realize Him – whatever way, qualified or unqualified, with or without form, you conceive Him; God is the only all-pervading universal reality.
Remember! Your human life is intended for God-realization alone, and the latter depends on your own one-pointed desire. The utility and fruition of life lies in God-realization and God-realization alone, without which everything else is useless and accursed.
Remember – construction and destruction, coming into existence and ceasing to exist, union and separation constitute the very nature of this world. If you seek to turn its objects into something ever existing and ever united, it will be a fruitless search because here life is invariably wedded to death. And if perchance an object proves to be comparatively long lived, it will be wrong to believe that its possession will confer bliss. So long as there is a feeling of want lurking in your mind; so long as your mind is haunted by a desire to supply the wants, nothing can give you unalloyed pleasure. To tell you the truth, the soul can never be free from want until it has realized God – who is perfect, true and spiritual. The soul, an eternal part of God, naturally craves the perfect, the eternal, the true, and the ever-conscious. How can objects that are imperfect, transient, unreal, and lifeless satisfy its wants?
Remember – failing to realize the true nature of the world, if you remain entangled in it, and continue your quest for, and endeavor to create, earthly happiness, not only will it ever elude your grasp, but you will also fail to remember God and thus your human life itself will come to nothing. Therefore, without the least delay, apply yourself to the task of attaining the real goal in life. Freely allow everything here to take shape as it may according to the decree of providence. Your spiritual interests will not in the least be affected thereby. Then why waste time in attempting to undo or alter outer circumstances? Every moment of this life should be devoted solely to the attainment of the highest goal – the Lord.
Remember – of the entire span of your life that moment alone is useful and valuable which is spent in an endeavor to realize God. Deem yourself fortunate only when every moment of your life is devoted to Him. Try to keep your mind fixed on the Lord every moment – no matter whether you are sitting or standing, eating or drinking, walking or sleeping, seeing or hearing. Never let God slip out of your memory; perform your life-activities remembering Him all the time, and be positive in your mind that, God-remembrance being the only means of realizing him, that practice is the foremost and paramount duty of life.
Remember – If owing to negligence you keep your life engrossed in the fruitless and baneful enjoyments of this world, which are productive of sorrow alone, you will realize your mistakes as death approaches. But then there will be no remedy left in your hands. Therefore do not lose this excellent opportunity in the shape of human birth, obtained by you through Divine Grace. Devote every single moment of it to efforts at God realization; you will be blessed thereby and shall have achieved the purpose of your life; eternal and perfect happiness.
-SIVA
Special Message from Seed Productions Foundation…
We dedicate this event and all of Seed Productions work to the realization of Oneness and to all people of all races, beliefs and religions that share the one goodwill to continue to strive for Truth, Peace, Understanding, Forgiveness and Love.
May we all realize that there is nothing to seek and nothing to be learned that can compare to what we all ready are and always will be. We are all beautiful and perfect.
May we realize that Peace, Happiness, and Love is in us, it is everywhere and cannot ‘not be’ for it is the very essence of us all – it is God – and it is always there for us and is forever free for everyone always.