Conceptions of Consciousness
What is the conception of consciousness in the West? Awareness—awareness of something, awareness which lies inherent in the mind but which needs the co-operation of the mind and the sense-organs before it can function. Consciousness is thus perception, either mental or sensory, and is a distinctive characteristic of the mind. The idea that Consciousness could…
Read MoreSeeing More: Appearance and Reality
The central teaching of Adhyatma Yoga is that if we calm and purify our mind through a spiritual way of life, we will arrive at a deeper understanding of the nature of ultimate reality. This principle is expressed in a response given by the Indian holy man, Shri Dada of Aligarh, to a questioner who…
Read MoreRight Discrimination on the Path of Light
At a basic level, discrimination means that we have accepted the goal of liberation as our own, and that we are prepared to evaluate experiences according to the criterion: ‘Is it helpful to my path towards my goal? Will it take me a step forward, or throw me back?’ Once we get a feeling for…
Read MoreSelf-Examination on the Path of Light
One step towards this higher self-awareness is the practice of self-examination. Setting aside a few minutes for self-examination, we place our mind before us, so to say, and take a detached look at its condition. We remember our highest purpose: progress towards enlightenment. We then review the day’s actions, reactions and thoughts, in the light…
Read MoreAction as an Offering to Me
One expression used in the Gita is ‘Be My-minded’. This means that the mental energies, which before were spread over a hundred diverse interests, are now preoccupied with the quest for divine knowledge. By using the word ‘My-’ in this way, the Gita links the idea of God with the idea of Self. The quest…
Read MoreImportance of Rhythm in Meditation
Before starting to meditate, there are three preliminary things to be established: a rhythm in timing a rhythm in posture a rhythm in the preparation to be carried out immediately before the actual meditation begins. The more conscious a pupil becomes of his inner processes, the more aware he will be of his disharmony, and…
Read MoreOn Dharma
HOW DO WE awaken to inner joy and peace, and a sense of the underlying unity of all? We do so by following the way of Dharma. Dharma is dynamic spiritual living— to live in such a way that meets and fulfils our present stage of development, and helps us on to the next stage.…
Read MoreOn the Life of Higher Love
All human beings are born with an innate need to love and to be loved. Love is one of the two most precious urges of human nature— the other being the urge to know. Love means expansion. We do not like to have our experience confined to a fraction of the finite world. Nor are…
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