More on Renunciation

More on Renunciation

What is the greatest renunciation? Raja Yoga teaches that renouncing Body Consciousness is the greatest renunciation. What does this mean? Well, we have a habit of thinking that the body we occupy is who we are. But that doesn't really make sense. Here's why.

Cell replacement: Over a period of 7 years, the body completely replaces every cell in the body. After 7 years, if I am the body, I am no longer the person I was. I am some body different.

Death experience: The body needs something extra to be conscious. The body can die and come back to life again, but the experience of the one who dies is not that he ceased to exist, but he continued to exist apart from the body.

Past life experience: Some individuals have been able to recall details from a past life and their accounts have been scrutinized and found to be true. Somehow that information has been carried on - but not through the body.

Raja Yoga says that our true being is that of an atma (soul). We are genderless, ageless, and eternal. We are very small. An atma does not take up any space. But it is very powerful. It can master the movement of a body and bodily functions. With the power of thought an atma can achieve many things.

I like this idea that I am an atma. That this body is just a vehicle. That at some point I'll get to trade it in for a new model. :D

There is great benefit in knowing this. But to keep it in the awareness takes constant effort. And that is what makes it the greatest renunciation.

Om shanti.



Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.

Things I Could Really Do Without

Things I Could Really Do Without

In my Raja Yoga class recently, we had a lesson on renunciation. Renunciation is one of those disciplines that doesn't seem to be appreciated in the Western World. With mottoes like 'he who dies with the most toys wins,' it's not surprising that we find renunciation difficult. I'm just trying to think back to my own years growing up. We learned values like 'waste not, want not' and 'treat others how you would like to be treated'. And in Christianity, there was the concept that the more you gave the more you received (charity). But I don't recall any strong emphasis on renunciation. The closest slogan I can find is 'everything in moderation'. In other words, everything is ok, as long as you don't indulge too much.

Ah, wait, there IS renunciation in Christianity. There is the season of lent when you are supposed to give up something. I remember my friends taking up smoking so that they'd have something to give up. But fasting during lent was not something my family practised. I never fully understood what lent was about until the film, Chocolat. So I missed out on some major renunciation. And having not practised renunciation, I never learned of the benefits.

I've been examining the idea of renunciation lately. I don't know about where you live, but here in the UK people are past renouncing. They had to for the war and so they feel they don't need to any more. Or they feel as if they still are renouncing - out of habit - and that everyone should practice their form of renouncing. Or they are too young to know what it means to do without and they don't care to learn. Renunciation has a negative feeling of 'doing without' or 'giving up' or 'making life uncomfortable'. But that is not the true spirit of renunciation.

The reason for renunciation is to cut out things that are unhelpful or harmful. One very basic example is smoking. I might enjoy smoking. It might help me to cope with stress. But it has lasting, and sometimes fatal, consequences. By smoking, I'm abusing my body and those bodies that share the same immediate environment. So I may choose to renounce smoking when I fully realize that the harm outweighs the benefit.

It got me thinking, what other things can I renounce. Here are a few ideas.

Stress. Can one renounce stress? Sure. Who creates my stress? I do. I put pressure on myself to perform. Or I allow other's expectations of me to dictate what I should do and how I should spend my time. Or I allow others to affect my emotions. Is renouncing stress easy? No. But it can be done.

Vices. Most big vices I've renounced. Lying, stealing, cheating, murder. What about anger (subtle violence)? What about greed? There are lots of small vices that, if I renounce them, it will improve my life and my relationships. Some feel they don't have any vices to renounce. I'd like to live with one of these people. If they are truly viceless, I can't think of a better housemate. :)

Sweets. Definitely. Why? Because through taking in too much sugar, I put myself at risk of illness. Lately I've been eating a lot of sugary foods. I have a sweet tooth, so I'm grabbing a sugary snacks in a hurry because I don't have time to produce a proper meal. Which snacks do I reach for? A cereal bar, chocolate, fruit yogurt. Some of these things sound healthy, but when I look at the ingredients I find that the yogurt and the cereal bar have more sugar than the chocolate! But I digress. By renouncing sweets, I practise loving care for the body and the body will be in a better position to serve me longer term.

So, renunciation is a choice. Through renunciation I choose to do something good for myself whilst renouncing something not so good. And in the practice of renunciation, it's helpful to focus on the benefit and not the object of renunciation. I remember when I stopped eating meat, I found myself looking for meat substitutes because I was focused on NOT EATING MEAT rather than EATING DELICIOUS NEW (and vegetarian) DISHES. Where we focus our attention will determine how much effort is required during our first weeks of renunciation.

Well, enough on renunciation. I'm hoping to NOT renounce blogging any longer. It's a useful learning tool for me and I enjoy sharing experiences and musings with the wider family.

Om shanti.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.

Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost

As I was walking home through the park today, I saw a three year old, running off towards the swings. I was remembering that age for Hana. She was so innocent, so carefree – not a worry in the world. There was nothing that appeared bad or wrong. Nothing could upset her. Life was just new – everything was new and interesting. For her, there was no history to aid in delivering a judgment or prejudice.

I've experienced that feeling before. I'm sure I felt it at 3 years old. And then, eventually that paradise feeling was lost. Eventually, I experienced it again just over a year ago (my fourth trip to India). I remember that feeling clearly. Everything was perfect, everything was lovely. I was in love with everyone and everything. I could not even imagine that I could not love everyone and everything. It was obvious to me that everything was just right – paradise. And then, after some time, it was lost. Paradise was lost.

Now I wonder how it was possible that, as an adult with knowledge of the world and the way it works, that I should ever feel everything is perfect. What is this phenomenon called where from one point of view, the other point of view is impossible, but when you are able to see the other point of view, the first point of view becomes impossible? Whatever it's called, I have experienced it from both sides! Without the use of mind-altering drugs. And because I know that that paradise feeling is possible, I have not lost hope that I will feel it again.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

What makes a good mirror? Firstly, it must be clean. If it is not clean, you will not see your reflection accurately. Secondly, it must be true (flat), otherwise it will not give you a true reflection but a distorted one. Thirdly, a mirror doesn't judge, it only shows you the truth and then you are free to judge yourself.

Have you ever looked in a mirror expecting to see one thing, and then you see something else completely different? A mirror will show you how you look and not how you want to look. Thus, we notice a contrast between how we want to look and what the mirror reflects. But this is good, because, otherwise, how would you know what you need to do to produce the desired image?

I'm very lucky to have a mirror. I have a few, but one has proved to be most true. When I see his behavior, his dharna, it becomes obvious to me that I'm lacking some of those behaviors. I see a contrast. The way he treats others is very royal – again, another contrast. And all the while, I don't feel any judgment from him. Even when he makes an observation about me, it's just a remark, not a criticism.

Not many have such a mirror, and so I feel quite fortunate. I feel it is a gift. He does a great service because he inspires me (without saying anything) to reach my full potential. He shows me what is possible.

I think it would be a fine thing to become a mirror. What a beautiful service to provide to others. But it requires remaining clean, remaining true, and remaining free from a judging and opinionated attitude. In fact, a mirror will not even know that they are acting as a mirror, because they themselves will not see faults. Having seen my mirror, I know this is possible – and so I'm constantly checking my mirror to see how I'm progressing. If nothing else, it's something to reflect upon.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.

How Do We Serve the World?

How Do We Serve the World?

These days, there are many who want to save the world, but where do we start? Do we eliminate poverty first or starvation? Do we secure human rights or end disease? Do we teach scriptures or teach self-sustainability skills?

What is it that we are really trying to eliminate?

Is it poverty, hunger, injustice? No, what we really want to eliminate is suffering. But instead of focusing on suffering itself, we get distracted by the many causes of suffering.

To a degree, one can choose not to suffer, just as two doctors did in a Channel 4r documentary, Medicine Men Go Wild - World of Pain. In researching tribal pain rituals, one doctor experienced during one of the more painful rituals that, eventually, he reached a point where he no longer experienced pain.

Equally, with a clear understanding of our situation within the global picture, we can go beyond emotional suffering. The clearest example of achieving this is the liberation of India from British rule.

Liberation

Gandhi liberated India by giving the country a sense of purpose and teaching them an elevated lifestyle. With purpose they didn't mind a little suffering for their cause - a little hunger, a little less wealth, a little hardship for a temporary period - in order to bring about a greater benefit. Gandhi empowered the Indian people to face their hardships.

Gandhi's principles of self-sufficiency and living by independent means is what eventually freed India. While they were dependent on British products, they were slaves to the British government. When they removed that dependency, they became free - the British had no power over them.

We are trapped by the dependencies we create for ourselves - job, status, family. Yet if we really want to liberate the world, we first have to liberate ourselves.

"I don't think of myself as a poor deprived ghetto girl who made good. I think of myself as sombody who from an early age knew I was responsible for myself and I had to make good."

~ Oprah Winfrey.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.

Finding My Happiness

Finding My Happiness

I've been back from India for nearly a month now. I'm sure you're all waiting for pictures. I travelled with a professional photographer (from Spain) who gave me a copy of her photos and so I have loads, but there are now too many to choose from! I also travelled with a nurse from Cambridge, so I felt very safe. ;D

It was an interesting trip - totally awesome! But not without tests! I was fine when someone else grabbed my luggage by mistake. I also coped with being thrust on stage in front of the general public (about 60 guests?) and asked to divulge deep spiritual wisdom over the next 30 minutes. Sadly, I did not have that much material. In fact, I have never divulged spiritual wisdom in a public talk before and so I was really caught off guard. I think I spoke for about 5 minutes - and it wasn't terribly deep nor terribly spiritual! I was better prepared for the next public programme though.

What really tested me was when we left Goa and headed towards Madhuban. We got to Ahmedabad, expecting a taxi to pick us up to take us to Mt. Abu (this is what we had requested). However, we were told we could not travel that evening and had to wait until the next morning. Disappointment #1. Next, when we arranged to go to Mt. Abu, we were told we couldn't go up the mountain, but had to stay in Shantivan. Now, there is nothing wrong with Shantivan, but my heart was set on Pandav Bhavan. Disappointment #2. When we got to Shantivan and requested a room, a brother quickly ran over. 'Foreigners are allowed to go up the mountain - no need to stay here.' Great, we were headed up. I was happy again. The hired car took us to Gyan Sarovar. We asked to be taken to Pandav Bhavan, but we were again told no. There was a transport ban at that time and so they felt it was better we stay put. Disappointment #3. The next day, another sister from Cambridge arrived in Gyan Sarovar. She requested Pandav Bhavan. They let her go. And I was wondering, 'Why can't I go?' Disappointment #4 + jealousy. The following day, those from Pandav Bhavan came to visit Gyan Sarovar. One brother staying there suggested I ask again. I did. By the end of the day, the three of us were allowed to move to Pandav Bhavan. I finally got my wish. But I didn't feel happy. Disappointment #5.

I kept good company - people who were light, kind, funny, sweet, etc. I was hoping some of their good humour would rub off on me. Nothing was working. I was completely needy but unable to satisfy those needs.

Then I recalled something my teacher mentioned in one of the public programmes in Goa. He was speaking about happiness. Who are the happiest people? The wealthy? The poor? The givers? The receivers? The takers? What group?

Statistically, the givers are the happiest. Then my teacher gave some examples from his own experience. I thought about this and wondered, 'How can I use this to find my own happiness?' I realized that the whole time I had been in Rajastan, I was thinking only of myself and my desires. I was not of any use to anyone. This realization was quite hard because I suddenly realized how ugly I was.

From then on, I was determined to be there for others, to give, to put others first, etc. The whole experience turned around for me. I was light. I was happy and enjoying myself. I was enjoying others and being with others. I was not so concerned with what Heather wanted, but with what others wanted and how I could fulfil their needs / desires.

Coming home, there is a tendency to want to return back to 'me, me, me'. I have to keep checking and tweaking my attitude. It's not easy, but I'm sure the results will be well worth it.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.

When I grow up, I want to be...

When I grow up, I want to be...

Last night, I was watching my daughter's ballet dress rehearsal, and I was really touched by a particular scene.  It's early in the show of Pinocchio - Geppetto has just carved a new wooden boy puppet and has shown his work to the town children.  But when the children say goodbye, the childless Geppetto begins to sob, because what he really wants is to have a real boy of his own.  Geppetto cannot be comforted and the music is that of grave disappointment of having lived so many years childless.  

Next enters the blue fairy.  The blue fairy with her graceful, calming music offers a complete contrast.  Where Geppetto is full of sadness, the blue fairy is overflowing with happiness.  Where Geppetto is burdened with disappointment, the blue fairy is light and elevated, on tip toe - carefree.  Where Geppetto can only see his current situation, the blue fairy appears to be unconcerned as if she knows something or at least is convinced that nothing is wrong at all.  Having experienced Geppetto's dark sadness, it's a relief when the blue fairy enters because she gives such a knowing, loving smile that you suddenly feel like everything will be ok.  

One could ask, Why is the blue fairy smiling when she enters?  It almost seems heartless.  It would seem heartless, except that you get the feeling that the blue fairy is genuinely good, and safe, and perhaps she just knows something we don't.  So instead of hating her for showing no empathy, we trust her and love her.  

So, when I grow up, I want to be a blue fairy.  I want to be able to enter a room and bestow such blessings that people feel comforted, at ease, carefree.  I can't think of a better career than that!

Meanwhile, I'm off to India on Monday for three weeks to get some blue fairy training.  ;D  I'll catch up with you when I get back.

Lots of love and good wishes,

heather* (blue fairy in training)

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.