Karma Yoga, Non-attachment and Liberation

Unless The Lord builds the house, its builder labors in vain. Unless The Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. - Psalm 127:1

 

The word ‘yoga’ comes from the ancient Sanskrit language and is etymologically related to our English “to yoke.”  It refers to any means by which we can reconnect our individual beings with Being.  “God” as Being is never really separate from who and what we are, instead this sense of separateness exists within our minds and is the foundation of the ego or false self.  Yoga techniques work primarily with the mind.  Not in the sense of intellectual education but more in the sense of helping us to differentiate our conscious essence from the mind.  As Rishi Patanjali explains, “Yoga means bringing the patterns of mind into a state of stillness, wherein one can recognize one’s true self-nature.” 

The practice of yoga does not require a withdrawal from life.  Karma yoga is the yoga of action, of heartfelt service in this world.  At the same time it is joined with an attitude of non-attachment.  With yoga practice we are always balancing between two extremes.  We are learning not to be conditioned by the world as it appears to be, nor to escape into some artificial transcendence.  In meditation we can connect with a tremendous sense of bliss, this is our self-essence: being-consciousness-bliss.  It is very, very nice, however as long as we are in this life we cannot just stay there.  Instead we have to bring this bliss, this love and joy into actuality in this world.  Be mindful of all the darkness in the world but, turn up your own light.  “Be the change . . .”

In the Bhagavad Gita this whole dilemma is addressed brilliantly.  Arjuna, a warrior General feels despondent on the eve of an epic civil war.  He ponders the possibility of withdrawing from battle.  He questions the meaning of life and existence.  And he wonders about the nature of the soul.  His mentor, Krishna, just happens to be a Divine Avatar.  He helps Arjuna to understand the spiritual path of non-attached action, Karma Yoga.  It simply means committing to the action that is right for the time without worrying about the outcome.  Leave the outcome up to God.  Things may not turn out the way we think they should be, but they always turn out for the best.  “Fulfill all of your duties;” says Krishna. “Action is better than inaction.  Even to maintain your body, Arjuna, you are obliged to act.  Selfish action imprisons the world.  Act selflessly, without any thought of personal profit.” 

Is this even possible?  It takes practice.  Meditation is essential.  Practice yoga and meditation regularly to help stabilize your consciousness in Self-essence.  Use the rest of your time to practice karma yoga.  Of course, be sure to get enough nourishment and sleep.  Take care of your physical vehicle.  Practice prayer and devotional song.  Read and contemplate spiritual literature.  These are all important aspects of yoga.  Non-attachment grows naturally out of on-going meditation practice.  We learn that the objects of the world have little or nothing to do with our inner state of total well-being.  We might not be able to fix the world, but we might be able to communicate this deeper awareness to others. 

Then again, action without attachment is very powerful.  Who knows what is possible?

What's Really Gonna Happen on 12/21/2012

We're living the end of time. Not the end of the world, but the end of a world age-a 5,125-year cycle of time-and the way we've known the world throughout that time. The present world age began in 3,114 B.C. and will end in 2012 A.D. Because the end of anything also marks the beginning of what comes next, we're also living the start of what follows the end of time: the next world age, which ancient traditions called the great cycle.  – Gregg Braden

I first heard about the 2012 thing in the writings and ravings of Terrence McKenna, went on to read a lot of the literature surrounding it.  John Major Jenkins’ Maya Cosmogenesis 2012 (Bear & Company, Santa Fe, NM: 1998) was the most daunting, detailed and perhaps compelling.  Daniel Pinchbeck’s 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl, (Tarcher, 2006) was probably the most entertaining. 

I remember a time in 2008 when I was going through the breakup of yet another “serious” relationship when this particular meme really hit home.  McKenna’s prophecies started to gel in my mind and I started to recalculate my life meaning.  Unfortunately while I wallowed in depression things went on around me.  It is important to pay attention to what is happening Now.  Maybe the biggest impact of this looming date is that a large majority of us will be Present! 

Out of everything I’ve read, the videos I’ve watched and the expensive multimedia events I’ve attended, there seems to be three alternative takes:  1) It’s the end of the world, 2) It is an energetic step into a new age of consciousness, or 3) It’s nothing, bullshit and fogetaboutit.  Leaning on the four-dimensional logic suggested by Nagarjuna, I might say that we have to give all possibilities equal value and we have raise our consciousness above even those thought processes.  It is what it is.

Swami Niranjan has addressed these questions in a video satsang.  I recommend you watch it.  Please . . .  It is the essence of wisdom and simplicity.

http://youtu.be/jc9WQY2SOIg

Releasing Our Thought Karma

You are not a helpless victim of your own thoughts, but rather a master of your mind. What do you need to let go of? Take a deep breath, relax, and say to yourself, "I am willing to let go. I release. I let go. I release all tension. I release all fear. I release all anger. I release all guilt. I release all sadness. I let go of all old limitations. I let go, and I am at peace. I am at peace with myself. I am at peace with the process of life. I am safe."  - Louise L. Hay

 

It seems many of us think of “karma” strictly in terms of outward physical actions.  If you hurt another; you will be hurt back.  This is actually just the surface of events that spring forth from the unseen realms of mind and consciousness.  Once we have entered into the domain of physical happening, it is already over.  The deed has been done and there is no turning back.  We might try to “take back” words spoken in anger.  We might wonder if certain negative thoughts contributed to our current situation.  Our experience of reality is the outcome of our inner processes vis-à-vis the processes of nature.

Karma is composed of a three dimensions of activity: thought, emotion and action.  If we don’t pay attention to thought and desire, we have little control over our actions.  If we are not aware of our thoughts then we are controlled by our emotions.  It is at the level of thought that we might possibly have some leverage in this cosmic deal.  The problem is that most of our thought processes happen on a subconscious level.  Unfortunately, whether we are aware or not, these thoughts affect our health, our careers, relationships and the shared world that we deem “reality.”  Underneath it all is a deeper level of reality referred to in Yogic terminology as Atman, “the Self.”  When we are aware at this level we are free from the compulsions of thought, emotion and habitual activities.  As Nisargadatta Maharaj explains, “When you are free of the world, you can do something about it. As long as you are a prisoner of it, you are helpless to change it. On the contrary, whatever you do will aggravate the situation.” 

Meditation helps us step into the Atman level of perception.  It helps us to step outside of our personal dramas and experience the presence of the timeless infinite being within.  Because we are temporarily experiencing ourselves as human beings, we are continually pulled back into thought, desire and action.  It’s alright that is what we are here to experience.  Meditation however gives us access to that deeper, more expansive way of knowing.  Instead of just living the drama, we are at least able to edit the script.

With a deep cleansing breath we are able to let go of inner storms of confused thoughts and emotions, rest briefly in all-pervading peace and then reengage with the “real world.”  The first step is to formulate positive, loving and compassionate thoughts.  Let these turn into positive, loving and compassionate feelings and deeds.  In this way your thoughts can change the world.

The Heart & Soul of Spiritual Relationship

Love is the only reality and it is not a mere sentiment. It is the ultimate truth that lies at the heart of creation.
- Rabindranath Tagore

In most of our human relationships, we spend much of our time reassuring one another that our costumes of identity are on straight. 

– Ram Dass

 

Why do we enter into relationships?  What are we looking for?  Too often we are seeking someone else to convince us to love ourselves.  We wander around at a masquerade party of soul’s hoping to find someone who feels safe enough for us to let down our facade.  At the same time we are completely invested in that mask and are afraid to look behind it.  We feel separate and estranged and can only accept the “safety” of someone who can be a comfortable masquerade partner.  Thus ego-centric “love” can never be anything other than a counterfeit. 

We are all wounded and vulnerable.  We all suffer.  We feel unworthy of love and thus cut ourselves off from our essence.  Then we look for it in someone else: Mom, Dad, husband, wife, child, lover, whoever.  And do we get righteously pissed-off when they can’t or won’t give it to us!  This seems to be the nature of our human existence.  We feel our individuality so strongly that we live in fear, no absolute terror of crossing our imaginary ego-boundaries.  Then we blame it on someone else.  True love cannot be limited to a particular relationship, is not based in need and desire and is non-attached.  As Marianne Williamson writes,

The love in one of us is the love in all of us.

‘There’s actually no place where God stops and you start,’

and no place where you stop and I start.

Love is energy and infinite continuum.

Your mind extends into mine and everyone else’s.

It doesn’t stay enclosed within your body.

(A Return to Love)

This, of course, is not just “mysticism” it is verified by modern physics. 

As a relationship therapist I get to see over and over again how we project our shadows, our wounds and fears, onto another and then call it “love.”  And it is in this sense that our relationships can possibly lead to the healing of our souls; however it can do so only when we are able to look at ourselves in the mirror of self-reflection.  Open, honest and non-judgmental self-reflection is the awakening of true love within us.  It opens the pathway to conscious consciousness evolution, or enlightenment. 

Buddha referred to this kind of self-reflection as “maitri,” or “loving-awareness.”  It is a common cliché that we need to love ourselves first before we can love another.  The problem is that like with most clichés we pay no attention.  Your loving acceptance of yourself, paradoxically opens the door for growth and change.  When we are able accept and allow ourselves to be who we are, we discover that we are beings of evolving conscious, unfolding love.  There is no actual effort involved.  All effort is simply resistance.  “Resistance to the disturbance,” writes Vernon Howard, “is the disturbance.” 

Relationships are an interesting kind of mirroring process.  We see ourselves reflected in each other and the things that we seek to change in the other are aspects of ourselves.  When we seek to change the world, it is often like cleaning the mirror to get rid of a blemish on our own faces.  To truly love another one has to be at peace within oneself.  One has to be free and non-attached.  It is the recognition of both of us as sacred and autonomous beings, individual expressions of Divine Unity.  We are beings of love.  Any need to change ourselves or the other is really an impulse of violence.  “The ultimate state of Love is freedom,” writes Osho, “absolute freedom and any relationship that destroys freedom is not worthwhile. Love is a sacred art. To be in Love is to be in a holy relationship.” 

Often times we turn our relationships into functions.  We put out ads where we want someone who is such and such height, weight, etc.  Or maybe we want a sense of humor, intelligence; someone to share our interests.  In this sense relationships seem to be about fitting a job description rather than opening up unconditionally to another being who essentially, deep down, one’s Self.  We forget sometimes that the tradition of marriage is really based in ownership.  It is a barely disguised form of mutual slavery.  As we awaken however we might be able to create a new kind of relationship based in mutual respect as sacred spirit beings; relationship based in freedom rather than control, love rather than need.

Recycled Suffering: Considering Metempsychosis

Liberation, bondage, what are they to me? What do I care for freedom? For I have known God, the infinite Self, the witness of all things. - The Heart of Awareness

Reincarnation is a controversial subject to put it lightly.  Some people believe in it strongly and even point to evidence of its reality.  Others are highly skeptical of the idea that there is anything or anybody who survives the death of the physical body.  And still others hold religious views which are antithetical to the concept of reincarnation.  Reincarnation is central to Buddhism and Yoga-Vedanta.  It is simply an accepted fact.  As Lord Krishna teaches in the Bhagavad Gita, “There has never been a time when you and I have not existed, nor will there be a time when we will cease to exist. As the same person inhabits the body through childhood, youth, and old age, so too at the time of death he attains another body. The wise are not deluded by these changes.”

From this perspective we are all souls at various stages of spiritual evolution.  We recycle lifetime after lifetime in order to learn lessons and to pay off karmic debts as we make our way back to a state of primordial Unity.  Yoga is primarily a means of reuniting the individual soul with the Universal Consciousness.  It is understood within these systems that cycles of reincarnation are basically cycles of suffering.  True peace, happiness, joy, etc. can only be found when we are able to transcend these cycles and abide in Unity.  Otherwise we continue to experience dualities: pleasure and pain, birth and death, health and sickness, love and hate, success and failure, and so on.  We are bound by duality due to attachment.

Cultivating non-attachment is a central spiritual discipline in Yogic and Buddhist practice.  As Krishna explains attachment is at the root of psychological suffering:

When you keep thinking about sense objects,

attachment comes.  Attachment breeds desire,

the lust of possession that burns to anger.

Anger clouds judgment; you can no longer

learn from past mistakes.  Lost is the power to

choose between what is wise and what is unwise,

and your life is an utter waste.  But when

you move amidst the world of sense, free

from attachment and aversion alike, there

comes the peace in which all sorrows end,

and you live in the wisdom of the Self.

(Bhagavad Gita, 2:62-65)

To be honest, I have been resistant to the idea of reincarnation over the years.  Even after returning from India after having delved deeply into Yoga theory and practice, I was skeptical.  When I returned to study psychology in graduate school an acquaintance asked my opinion on reincarnation.  I replied that I didn’t take it literally but metaphorically.  She said, “You are the only Swami I ever met who didn’t believe in reincarnation!”  I’m still reluctant to think that there is somebody, or something, that “hops” from one body to another.  Instead I suspect that it is a transfer of information and energy.  Yoga teaches that reincarnation is based on latent memories (samskaras) and desires (vasanas.) 

While in graduate school I came across the writings of psychiatrist, Brain Weiss.  Weiss, in Many Lives, Many Masters, writes about his encounters with past-life memories in working with his patients.  http://www.brianweiss.com/   I also was introduced to Ian Stevenson’s book, Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation.  Rather than looking at memories uncovered through hypnosis, Stevenson investigated cases of children who claimed to remember past lives.  In some cases they remembered verifiable details of where they lived, their previous relations, etc.  In some cases they even remembered how to speak a “foreign” language.  http://reluctant-messenger.com/reincarnation-proof.htm.  Certainly these cases are intriguing if not conclusive for the rational skeptic.

Interestingly some physicists who are investigating the “physics of consciousness” have developed theories to explain reincarnation.  From a Yogic perspective, I think that they are really investigating the point of intersection between the physical domain and consciousness itself, which is truly metaphysical.  Stuart Hammeroff and Roger Penrose have developed a theory of “quantum consciousness” which basically states that consciousness exists and has existed throughout the universe since the beginning.  Hammeroff talks about this theory in a recent episode of Through the Wormhole: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/28/soul-after-death-hameroff-penrose_n_2034711.html. The theory proposed by Hammeroff and Penrose is very similar to the ancient philosophy of Vedanta as espoused in the “Gita.”  A similar theory can be found in Amit Goswami’s The Physics of the Soul.

Also interesting is that, if we investigate more deeply into the roots of Christianity and Judaism we find that reincarnation has been part of these religions as well.  Jesus referred to reincarnation in the New Testament when he equates the prophet Elijah with John the Baptist (Matt. 11:13-14 and 17:10-13.)  http://near-death.com/experiences/origen03.html.  It seems that any direct reference to reincarnation as part of Christian doctrine was edited out in 381 AD during the Council of Constantinople and the formulation of the Nicene Creed.  The council and the creed were basically a ploy to turn the Christian teachings into a political entity which was then used throughout the middle ages to control the populace.  Of course, some are still trying to do the same today.  http://youtu.be/QsogswrH6ck 

Ultimately, when we follow the Yoga path, which is not at all antithetical to the true path as taught by Christ, we enter into a blessed state of consciousness wherein we recognize that the cycles of samsara are cycles of illusion.  Our true being is timeless and infinite.  We are eternal Peace, Love and Bliss.  We don’t actually transmigrate at all.  It is a Cosmic Dream.

More Surefire Ways to Avoid Awakening

Ego is the resistance to what is.
~ Adyashanti

In my last post I focused mainly on substance abuse and codependent relationships.  These are excellent ways of avoiding any kind of psychological development or spiritual evolution.  Given that these recent posts respect one’s right to, if not devolve, at least maintain a low level stasis.  After all, growth can be painful and nobody likes pain.  As 2012 reaches its Cosmic Climax it might be a good idea to keep a good supply of oxycodone handy.  In this post, however, I want to assure everyone that it is perfectly possible to remain static while being completely socially acceptable.  No one wants to do jail time and we all want to maintain at least a pretense of having a happy, well-adjusted family.

In fact having a strong sense of superiority when it comes to addicts, homeless people, homosexuals, “nerds,” etc. is a good way of hanging onto your personal status quo.  Just keep reminding yourself that you are better than “those people”.  Duality, division and fragmentation are the heart and soul of non-awakening.  Be as self-righteous as possible.  Never admit that you might be wrong.  Never concede that others might be fellow human beings in suffering.  They just have a “victim mentality.”

Religion can actually be a great tool in this regard.  Now religion can be an evolutionary tool.  It is a vehicle for teaching morality, etc.  Don’t worry it is also a great way of avoiding any true spiritual issues.  I think it was Carl Jung who said that religion is a great way of protecting oneself from God.  Or something like that.  The important point is to maintain a sense of separateness and specialness regarding your personal religious affiliation.  Always remember that your religion is the best.  Or even better, remember that your religion is the only true one. 

I haven’t paid much attention to the Catholic belief system that I was raised in for some time.  But when I was attending Catechism classes in grade school I learned that we had stolen the copyright from the Jews and were now the “chosen people.”  Unfortunately, because I started discussing this with my peers in public school who were of different, but at least Christian orientations, I began to have my doubts.  After all they seemed nice and I liked many of them a lot.  This was the beginning of my downfall (or perhaps, “upfall” depending on one’s perspective.)  Now that I have talked with people of all kinds of different religious perspectives I feel like a spiritual slut.  Please don’t follow my example.

Adhering to a patriarchal, authoritarian and punitive belief system is essential.  Neuroscience, through the new field of “neurotheology” has shown that these kinds of belief have the ability to actually shut down the more evolved areas of the brain.  That’s what we want, right?  Always remind yourself that you are a sinner and basically unworthy.  It is not enough to separate yourself from others and feel superior.  It is also a good idea to regard yourself with disgust and loathing.  That way you are sure to get into heaven.

If you are more inclined towards the rational, scientific view, don’t worry.  Neurotheology indicates that you are just as unlikely to develop those higher cognitive and feeling functions.  Whatever your beliefs are just hold onto them tenaciously.  Your thought-construct of yourself and reality is “reality.”  ‘Nuff said.

How to Avoid Expanding Your Consciousness

Our human problems are emblematic of areas where we are being called to grow, to peck into a new paradigm.  So when we are in the midst of a challenge, if we stop long enough to meditate and remind ourselves of our inner gifts of intelligence, wisdom and peace, we contact that place within us that also knows there are no problems, only human neuroses which can be healed by spiritual discernment. 

-  Michael Bernard Beckwith

As much as I like teachers such as Michael Beckwith, Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, etc. I have come to understand as both a psychological counselor and a spiritual teacher that many of you do not want to awaken.  After all, change can be hard and even painful and I fully respect anyone’s right to refuse to grow.  Sometimes it is just easier to stick with our comfortable misery rather than endure the growth pains of psycho-spiritual awakening. 

So relax, or not, as you prefer.  I’m not out to convince you that your reality is anything other than completely real, completely fucked up and that you are in no way responsible for any of it.  Feel better?  Take some zooloft, crack open a beer, or even better a fifth of Jack.  Don’t like to drink?  You might want to start.  Over the years I have found that heavy drinking can shrink my consciousness into numb and comfortable zones.  Heroin, crack, meth or pornography work very well too.  Dive in.  Don’t forget to be a totally self-centered son of bitch either.  Whatever you do don’t attend to your feelings or those of others.  That would be disastrous. 

On the other hand, you might want to find some other really f’ed up individual and devote yourself to trying to care for his or her needs.  There is nothing like taking care of an alcoholic or addict to distract you from your own inner processes. 

Whatever you do, don’t spend time with yourself.  Avoid introspection at all costs and avoid being around people who do so.  I don’t recommend reading – so once you’re done with this blog just say “no.”  Meditation is becoming popular these days but don’t worry it will pass and nobody will remember that you weren’t “with it.” 

Avoid people who are optimistic and positive.  They are anathema to those of us who are seeking stasis.  Preferably your should hang out in bars, or chat with unavailable sex partners online.  When the impulse to evolve gets really intense just watch TV.