Category: Spirituality

Machiavelli

“For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearances, as though they were realities, and are often more influenced by the things that seem than by those that are.”

– Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527)

Jivamukti Yoga

After waiting for more than 10 years, I finally attended a class at Jivamukti today. Jivamukti appears true to nature and the founders, Deva Das (David Life) and Tripura Sundari (Sharon Gannon), actually teach yoga. The word “Jivamukti” is derived from Sanskrit for “living liberation”. Madonna, Uma Thurman, William Dafoe, Sting, Gwyneth Paltrow, Christy Turlington, Sarah Jessica Parker and Diane Keaton are regulars.

Jivamukti have basically taken traditional yoga and adopted it to modern times, by using current music and trends. While it is true that we need to stick to tradition, some minor adaptations are useful to improve the teachings. For example, I got a good dose of aromatherapy (peppermint at the start and Ylang Ylang at the end) during the session. And guess what music they played when the vinyasas began? Sounds from Thievery Corporation.

Lakshmi

Lakshmi or Mahalakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Lakshmi in Sanskrit is derived from its elemental form “lakS” meaning to “perceive”, to “observe”. This is synonymous with “lakSya” meaning “aim” or “objective”. Lakshmi is thus goddess of the means to achieving objectives including prosperity in the life of mankind.

She is the consort of Vishnu and married Rama (in her incarnation as Sita) and Krishna (as Rukmini and Radha).

Lakshmi is the embodiment of Love, from which devotion to God or Bhakti flows from. It is through Love/Bhakti or Lakshmi that the atma or soul is able to reach God or Vishnu. She is also the personification of the Spiritual energy within us and universe called Kundalini. Also, She embodies the Spiritual World or Vaikunta; the abode of Lakshmi-Narayana or Vishnu, or what would be considered Heaven in Hinduism. She is also the Divine qualities of God and the soul. Lakshmi is the embodiment of God’s superior spiritual feminine energy or the Param Prakriti, which purifies, empowers and uplifts the individual. Hence, She is called the Goddess of Fortune.

The rose

And he went back to meet the fox.

“Goodbye,” he said.

“Goodbye,” said the fox. “And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

“What is essential is invisible to the eye,” the little prince repeated, so that he would be sure to remember.

“It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.”

“It is the time I have wasted for my rose–” said the little prince, so that he would be sure to remember. “I am responsible for my rose.”

“Men have forgotten this truth,” said the fox. “But you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed. You are responsible for your rose…“

Eternity

Eternity isn’t some later time. Eternity isn’t a long time. Eternity has nothing to do with time. Eternity is that dimension of here and now which thinking and time cuts out. This is it. And if you don’t get it here, you won’t get it anywhere. And the experience of eternity right here and now is the function of life.

Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth (2001)

The Intentions

bsam pa bzang na sa dang lam yang bzang/ /
bsam pa ngan na sa dang lam yang ngan/ /
thams cad bsam pa dag la rag las pas/ /
rtag par bsam pa bzang la ‘bad par bya/ /

If the intentions are good, then so will be the levels and paths.
If the intentions are bad, then the levels and paths will be too.
Since everything depends on one’s intentions,
Always strive to make sure that they are positive.

~ Je Tsongkhapa, A Literary Gem of Poetry ~

What will destroy us?

The things that will destroy us are: politics without principle; pleasure without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character; business without morality; science without humanity; and worship without sacrifice.”

~ Mahatma Mohandas K. Gandhi ~