Thursday, December 18, 2008

Mahavatar Babaji and Jesus Christ

"...Babaji's mission in India has been to assist prophets in carrying out their special dispensations. He thus qualifies for the scriptural classification of Mahavatar (Great Avatar). He has stated that he gave yoga initiation to Shankara, ancient founder of the Swami Order, and to Kabir, famous medieval saint. His chief nineteenth-century disciple was, as we know, Lahiri Mahasaya, revivalist of the lost Kriya art.

The Mahavatar is in constant communion with Christ; together they send out vibrations of redemption, and have planned the spiritual technique of salvation for this age. The work of these two fully-illumined masters-one with the body, and one without it-is to inspire the nations to forsake suicidal wars, race hatreds, religious sectarianism, and the boomerang-evils of materialism. Babaji is well aware of the trend of modern times, especially of the influence and complexities of Western civilization, and realizes the necessity of spreading the self-liberations of yoga equally in the West and in the East.

That there is no historical reference to Babaji need not surprise us. The great guru has never openly appeared in any century; the misinterpreting glare of publicity has no place in his millennial plans. Like the Creator, the sole but silent Power, Babaji works in a humble obscurity.

Great prophets like Christ and Krishna come to earth for a specific and spectacular purpose; they depart as soon as it is accomplished. Other avatars, like Babaji, undertake work which is concerned more with the slow evolutionary progress of man during the centuries than with any one outstanding event of history. Such masters always veil themselves from the gross public gaze, and have the power to become invisible at will. For these reasons, and because they generally instruct their disciples to maintain silence about them, a number of towering spiritual figures remain world-unknown..."

From Autobiography of a Yogi,
Chapter 33 By Paramhansa Yogananda

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Visualize the Radiant, Cosmic Christ above the US Capitol

This is a prayer visualization that I have been doing for the last few weeks, and it has been very helpful for me during these challenging times. So much is being decided in Washington right now...and always, but the karma seems more intense these days. I realized that I needed a visualization that would be powerful and effective, yet also uplifted me me even in the process of doing it indefinitely. So, I chose to visualize the radiant Christ very tall above the US Capitol Building - His Divine Being dwarfing the Building below Him...I see this as a Divine magnet that helps each person working there to be lifted into his or her own high potential, magnetized toward their higher chakras as they serve the nation. Each person has a higher self, even if they are not in the habit of aspiring to relate to it!

Because I am focusing deeply at the spiritual eye to do this visualization, it is very powerful and blissful, and it helps me to rise above worry or fear for our nation. I feel more like a beacon of Light rather than a magnet for worry!

Frank Laubach
, author of Letters of a Modern Mystic, had a prayer group in Washington, DC after he retired from his missionary efforts. Their purpose was to pray about issues of State, in order to bring about the best possible outcome. He said later about this prayer experiment, "It is uncanny what can happen when you pray in this way, but we learned that you have to keep it up every day."

When I first found this quote by him, I had already realized the same thing! It is uncanny what can happen, and I appreciated his remark that "you have to keep it up every day"...and why is that? It is because decisions and deals are made every day...and they are being made by people who have the karma and the desire to be in that role at this time, and hopefully some of that desire is to serve...but ego can easily cloud their judgment.

So, these prayers hold Divine magnetism above the whole Capitol Building to create a higher possibility of decisions being made from wisdom and truth. Policies made in the Capitol Building can affect people the world over, so I see this visualization also blessing people everywhere. I also sometimes visualize rays of Light going out toward the White House, as well. (However, I chose to focus primarily over the Capitol Building to emphasize the group effort involved..."of the people".) I have come to realize that the visualization is not limited to those who happen to be in the building at the time. The building itself serves as a symbol for the work that is done there, and the people who serve in that role. Think of the Radiant Christ Shining above all of that - lifting up their thoughts, and actions and insights.

One final note, in the teachings, Paramhansa Yogananda said that Jesus Christ watches over and guides the West, while Mahavatar Babaji does the same to the East. I don't know where the exact "border" would be, and I am quite sure there must be some overlap - but I do keep this in mind when I am doing these big visualizations for the world...Over time I will share some other prayers instances in which I gained insights into how to pray for international issues.

Our Tiny Planet Home

December 4, 308 Dwapara

Thank you for your continued prayers…There seems to be a special link right now between Ananda and the tragedy of the attacks in Mumbai, ..and I feel that link calls us to continued prayer to bless and uplift the world. One link that defies all the odds is that two visitors from India were at Ananda Village at the day of the attack and they counted as their friends three of the people killed in Mumbai that day. One woman, Gayatri, knew one of the policemen who died, and the other young woman, Simran, lost two friends: an older professor friend, and a young journalist friend. (These two Indian guests came here separately for different programs.) So, the way this tragedy hit them in a personal manner, while visiting Ananda Village, brings home the point that this world is one global village, after all. The things that happen on the other side of the world are really quite close…Paramhansa Yogananda says that in Dwapara Yuga distance seems to disappear, for we can transcend it (even now) in so many ways.

Saintly response to tragedy from Kia Scherr

Thank you for your prayers for Kia Scherr. She is responding to this tragedy in a very saintly manner... It is a deep blessing to watch her in this video, talking about Jesus' divine command to forgive.

The story: A Virginia woman whose husband and daughter were gunned down in last week's terror attacks in India says the attackers should be forgiven. (Kia Scherr, who didn't go on the trip, said at a news conference in Faber, Virginia, she is experiencing the "deepest grief and pain I have ever known." )

"We must send them our love, forgiveness and compassion," Kia Scherr told reporters Tuesday of the Mumbai attackers, nine of whom were killed by Indian forces. "As Jesus Christ said long ago, they know not what they do.

"They are in ignorance, and they are completely shrouded and clouded by fear, and we must show that love is possible and love overpowers fear. So that's my choice."

For a full update - you can read this article (below):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/02/AR2008120202812.html

Prayers for Kia Scherr and more...

FIRST UPDATE: Dec. 1, 308 Dwapara
The Ananda web site has a special message from Swami Kriyananda regarding the events in Mumbai. Please read it, and you will also find a link to the poem, My India, which is also a beautiful addition to the prayer/visualization in the original letter.
So many tragedies happened in Mumbai, and I am sure people have been touched by our prayers, in ways we will never know. … One tragedy touched my heart, and moved me to reach out in a note of sympathy. I sent this note to Kia Scherr who lost her husband, Alan, and teenage daughter, Naomi, in Mumbai. Alan was a meditation teacher and a vedic astrologer… The family lived in the spiritual community in Faber, VA. They are followers of Master Charles, who is a direct disciple of Paramhansa Muktananda. There were so many similarities to our own life here, that I wanted to reach out in a personal way. I share it now so that you may also pray, and in case it may be of inspiration to you at any time….

Mary’s note to Kia Scherr at the Synchronicity Community: (sent on Friday after Thanksgiving)
http://www.synchronicity.org/
“Deepest condolences from Ananda Village:
I have been following the news from Mumbai, and I was so saddened to hear of your loss. Ananda Sangha also leads meditation pilgrimages to India, so your tragedy hits very close to home. I cannot begin to imagine the heartache and shock that you are going through. May you be strengthened and comforted at this time...May God's grace carry you...We will pray for you. May your heart be enveloped in peace, even as you grieve. When it gets very rough, try to take life not one day at a time - but one breath at a time. With each inhalation and exhalation - be at the center of this experience. Let the prayers of all of us help you...and know that you can walk this journey one breath at a time...It will not be easy, but it will be strong...and in that strength you will heal, and you will go on. And in that you will find Peace. Our prayers are with you.
Mary Kretzmann for the Ananda Healing Prayer Ministry”

Prayer from Ananda KolKata for Mumbai

Dear Friends & Concerned Citizens of Kolkata

We are gathered here today to broadcast our love & concern to the people of Mumbai and to pray or peace, harmony and healing.

India has had many sorrowful incidents in the past few months – but the breadth and scope of the Mumbai attack has numbed the nation.

The saints of India have protected this nation from many tragedies and really from collapse. How else can we explain that India survives in spite of the callousness & indifference of the powers that be.

So, please visualize healing grace from the Eternal Himalayan Masters and from the saints of all religions and faiths, blessing and comforting the people of Mumbai, and of India.

Visualize God & the Great Ones floating above all of India…See Their blessings shining down to all receptive souls, and simultaneously lifting up the thoughts and feelings of the nation.

May all negativity, hatred and fear be absorbed into His all transforming Light and Bliss. (This will also bless you.) May the thoughts, plans and inclinations in those who would do evil be lifted up – transmuted…into Light. Do not focus on the evil – but simply on the blessed Light above the land lifting up the thoughts and feelings of each inner spine and soul. See it as a Divine Magnet the helps each soul to be more in the Light.

Please visualize this healing Light over Mumbai and over all of India . May the Great Light bless and comfort the city and nation now.

Prayer Announcement from KolKata for Mumbai on Dec. 3

Finding Peace & Harmony in Troubled Times

A Programme Dedicated to the City of Mumbai
By the City of Joy

Ananda Sangha & Harmony at Work, in association with C-Quel Management Services & Odyssey Bookstore, are organizing a prayer & healing meeting on 3rd December 2008 at Odyssey Bookstore, Price Anwar Shah Road, Kolkata as a mark of Kolkata’s solidarity with the citizens of Mumbai and also our city’s profound respect for the great heroes who gave up their lives to protect the city and the honour of our country.

This meet aims to send across the message that we should condemn the sin rather than the sinners and that the violent acts of a few should not destroy the peace and harmony in our society. As LOVE & PRAYER are more powerful than HATRED we should all pray for the awakening of good-sense and progressive thinking among all people, all over the world.

The inspiration for this gathering is the message of the great world teacher Paramhansa Yogananda, author of the spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi, and considered to be one of India’s greatest spiritual ambassadors. He deeply empathized with the mass suffering and offered practical methods and techniques that people can practice to maintain peace and harmony. Paramahansaji also emphasized the great power of group prayer and group meditation as an active force for changing the consciousness of the community at large.

ANANDA SANGHA & Harmony at Work, established by Swami Kriyananda, a direct and close disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda , is organizing a Group prayer with the above goal. We will have a glimpse of Yoganandaji’s spiritual and non-sectarian techniques; Acharya Haridasji from Ananda Sangha, (www.anandaindia.org), and Dharmaraj Iyer from Harmony at Work (www.harmonyatwork.in) will guide us.

This is a small effort to spread vibrations of peace and harmony from Calcutta to Mumbai, and all of India. We encourage you to come experience the power of these healing techniques and participate in the great global yagna to restore peace and harmony.

Prayers for India: Original prayer request:

Original prayer request:

November 26, 308 Dwapara

Today in Mumbai there were several terrorists bombings incidents; over 80 were killed and hostages were taken. India has had many such incidents in the past months – but the breadth and scope of this one seems to have shocked the nation.

Please visualize healing grace blessing and comforting the people of Mumbai, and of India. Visualize Mahavatar Babaji floating above all of India…See his blessings shining down to all receptive souls, and simultaneously lifting up the thoughts and feelings of the nation. May all negativity, hatred and fear be absorbed into His all transforming Light and Bliss. (This will also bless you.) May the thoughts, plans and inclinations in those who would do evil be lifted up – transmuted…into Light. Do not focus on the evil – but simply on the blessed Light above the land lifting up the thoughts and feelings of each inner spine and soul. See it as a Divine Magnet the helps each soul to be more in the Light.

You can visualize this healing Light over Mumbai, or over all of India – or do a little bit of each. We do have an Ananda meditation group in Mumbai, and many people in Mumbai have attended Ananda programs. May the Light of these many devotees bless and comfort the city and nation now. You can also visualize people tuning into the television programs of Swamiji talking about Master; this would bring them comfort and upliftment at this time.)

Over the years I have seen the power of such prayers. May this Light to comfort and bless all those who need it right now.. Divine Mother knows all – ask Her to take this grace to them now…May all souls be blessed.

I probably will not send updates on this, but you can follow it with the link, below.. Pray according to your heart. Please do whatever seems right to you.

Tonight, on our eve of Thanksgiving, be grateful for the many blessings all around you, and share the blessings with all, in prayers, and in the healing vibrations of AUM

God bless you all.