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A FRESH PERSPECTIVE

My Qi Gong teacher has me rethinking something I wrote yesterday:

“self-mastery leads to Self-awareness”

 

Raja or Patanjalian Yoga refers to our body/mind as our “self”, and consciousness as our “Self”.

Herein “Self-awareness” is another term for “Enlightenment”, a state in which the distinction between thought and awareness OF thought is apparent.

Thoughts are evidence of our Conscious Mind. The awareness OF our thoughts is evidence of our Consciousness, the aspect of us that’s intangible and immutable.

Patanjali’s discipline is consciousness-centric, purposefully bifurcating the universe between consciousness and everything else to make the point that:

Consciousness is essentially divine!

 

That said, all of my yoga teachers have stressed that while we’re here, we clearly remain human and therefore naturally fallible.

So IS Enlightenment the endgame?!

 

What if say, it happened to someone in the Fall of their life? They can’t just sit around dwelling in bliss (especially if they’re married and want to remain so)!

As the universe (and my Qi Gong teacher) keeps reminding me, it’s about being balanced and grounded while we’re here!

Be the best you can be! Tap into the power within yourself! Meditate!

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GIVING BIRTH TO FAITH

Hi Kaya,

This is for your student who asked about fostering Faith.

According to Chinese self-mastery disciplines like Tai Chi and Qi Gong, winter is the best time of year to foster Faith [not coincidently, the time of year we tend to “go inside”].

I found Faith by practicing Patanjali’s Raja Yoga, the science of mind control or meditation.

Raja Yoga is experiential. When we put it to use in our life, we’re practicing. Until then it’s just information.

According to Patanjali, success (realizing the secret to life, or finding Faith and purpose) requires two things: consistency (i.e., never giving up) and non-attachment (i.e., always letting go).

HERE’S THE SHORT VERSION

Humans are multi-dimensional beings. Not sure? Do you think? Can you see your thoughts? Would your thoughts exist without you? Right. Our invisible thoughts are an integral part of who we are.

We have at least three invisible dimensions:

Our Conscious Mind functions; it’s always on; the conscious or “thinking” aspect of our mind functions like our heart and lungs: singly and sequentially – until our body no longer holds an electrical charge. 💔 Like  our lungs, our Conscious Mind naturally functions involuntarily, but we can override those systems and breathe and think voluntarily!! This aspect of our invisible Mind is evidenced by words in our head.

Our Sub-Conscious Mind also functions perpetually but at a lower energetic frequency; we just don’t hear it! The multi-tasking, “doing” aspect of our mind runs the ship silently and seemingly on autopilot. It’s also where our memories are stored [not unlike the furnace and storage areas in our home: they’re generally “downstairs”]. Our Sub-Conscious Mind is evidenced by sensations, insights and intuition.

All you need to know about our Sub-Conscious Mind [aka our “reptilian brain”] is that anything an alligator can do, this Sub-Conscious aspect of our Mind is capable of: walking, chewing, stalking prey, mating; further, this aspect of our mind works flawlessly (at Olympian athletic levels!) as long as our Conscious Mind is thinking clearly and correctly!

Our Consciousness doesn’t function. It just “is”. Our Consciousness CAN NOT BE AFFECTED BY ANYTHING. Raja Yoga is a personal discipline that inevitably makes that Self-evident. 😉

Consciousness is evidenced by the awareness OF whichever of the two aspects of our Mind is most energized.

You can imagine the practical benefits of never having to listen to the nagging voice in your head again – but here’s the catch:

this Truth must be experienced between our own two ears to be of any use!

 

HERE’S HOW

The first step in learning mind-control is discerning between when and which aspect of your Mind is engaged.

  • Do you hear words? You’re in your conscious “thinking” mind.
  • If instead, you’re only aware of sensations, images, memories, insights and intuition – you’re in your generally Sub-Conscious Mind: your operating system and storage area.

The second step is to figure out how to “drive” your Conscious Mind. It’s simple, it just requires constant practice. The critical thing to realize is that while we CAN simultaneously multi-task, we CAN NOT simultaneously multi-think [try simultaneously counting and reciting the alphabet].

After that, it’s like driving a sports car with three forward gears, reverse and neutral, that runs on five types of fuel, has a steering mechanism, and volume and speed controls. Search my blog posts for “driving your mind”.

The third step is to figure out where your Conscious Mind’s “neutral” is – so you can comfortably let your Mind idle. You can’t turn it off but you CAN allow it to slow down!

BUT WHEN DOES FAITH BLOOM??

It’s the “what happens next” part that’s harder to describe – but there are both short and long term physical, mental and emotional benefits: initially, mind control or meditation is stress relieving (imagine being able to control the voice in your head). Longer term, it deepens our intuition.

When does faith emerge? It depends on you and your teacher. My teachers say our purpose is to grow up – not just old, and the sooner we begin the sooner we’ll bloom into our inborn potential. 😉

It took me 13 years, but if you start with a map and an experienced guide it’ll make your journey infinitely easier!!! [btw – if you know me, you KNOW I’m NOT fully Self Realized – YET!!!]

The awareness OF thought (Consciousness) is eternal, immutable, and more subtle than the very fabric of the known universe – completely unaffected by the vagaries of time & space – yet a CRITICAL aspect of our life experience – because without awareness we wouldn’t taste, smell, hear, see, or feel!!!!!

It will freak you out when you realize a) the distinction between thought and the awareness OF thought, b) the eternal nature of Consciousness, and c) that IT’S INSIDE YOU!!!

You DO have a ‘spirit’ or ‘soul’!!  Those are modern religious synonyms for Consciousness!!!!!!!

That realization gives a whole new meaning to Faith.

Unfortunately, while the knowledge can be freely given (I’M TRYING!!) it must be personally experienced to be helpful to anyone. We each have to do the work. Until you use it, this is just information – like a treasure map – by itself, relatively valueless!!!

Self-discovery is like acquiring a shield in one of those electronic war games our son plays, though very real – just difficult to describe. It prompted someone to memorably declare “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me…!!”

Raja Yoga is simple but not easy. It takes discipline, tenacity and dedication (pigheadedness and being Irish help)!

As Patanjali said, when it “clicks” you know it. It’s indescribably liberating.

Love, Skip

#BringBackPatanjali!!!!!

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“Hello. I’m Skip, guide to your secret self.”

Hi Xxxxxx,

Thank you for reaching out. I’m looking forward to coffee next week.

Here are two links to the essence of what I teach: Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, a 200-line text universally recognized as the authoritative source of Raja Yoga.

I practice and teach the first two chapters (the science and preparation required to experience the secret of life).

 

Here are links to loose translations of those two parts of Patanjali’s gift to humanity:

Chapter 1 – how this experience is possible

 

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are a guidebook or treasure map to experience something that can’t otherwise be understood: the secret of life!

The yoga sutras are proof of the underlying hypothesis that our consciousness is unlike EVERYTHING else in the known universe.

Consciousness alone is not affected by time and space. It’s literally the only “thing” known to man that’s eternally free of the perpetual law and consequences of karma which generate equal measures of suffering and joy.

The awareness OF our thoughts is as distinct from our thoughts as our fingers are from our ears!

 

In the process of learning to control our mind, we eventually come to the realization that consciousness is a horse of a completely different color!!

It’ll freak you out. If it hasn’t, don’t stop trying to realize the difference!!!!!! THAT is Raja Yoga.

Chapter 2 – how to prepare for the experience

 

Chapter 2 tells us how to prepare for the journey of a lifetime.

 

The chapter is broken into two parts: the first stressing the importance of our attitude, the second includes step-by-step instructions to prepare for the internal journey.

I’m open to virtually anything to get the word out that within EACH of us is something superhuman!

Speaking of which, I hope you’ll come to hear me try to enlighten the town of Marblehead on May 22 at 7am at Masonic Temple on Pleasant St. Please bring a contribution for the Food Pantry!

Blessings, Skip

Your Secret Self

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YOUR SECRET SELF

If I could give one thing to every person on the planet it would be the understanding of the difference between a) their thoughts and b) the awareness of those thoughts.

Thoughts are evidence of our conscious mind. The awareness OF our thoughts is evidence of our consciousness.

Raja Yoga is a personal, experiential PROOF that our

Consciousness is divine!

 

Students of Raja Yoga eventually experience six energetically-distinct dimensions of themselves (inner & outer physical body, conscious mind, and three states of sub-conscious mind), inevitably [with pigheaded determination] arriving at the conclusion that our underlying consciousness is “not of this earth”.

Consciousness or awareness simply “is”. It’s eternal & unchanging.

 

The awareness OF our thoughts NEVER changes. It’s literally the only thing in our universe that doesn’t! Obviously, WHAT we’re aware OF (our thoughts) changes every second – but not our awareness OF them!

The ancient yogis said that no amount of fire or water can affect this aspect of us.

Does that mean the essence of who we are, our awareness or consciousness, lives forever? FOREVER?! That’s the theory: that neither consciousness nor energy can be created or destroyed.

The key to significantly relieving suffering and reducing stress is to realize that the death of our body/mind is not the end of our journey!

 

While this body/mind will inevitably run out of energy and stop working, part of us lives forever!

The eternal, intangible nature of our consciousness remains unaffected by the death of its host body/mind.

Realizing the eternal nature of our own consciousness takes the stress out of life; it’s HUGELY literally empowering and transformative – because it inspires Faith!

“Yea, thou I walk thru the valley of death….”

 

Who’s to say what will happen when this body/mind exhales for the last time?

My guess is the ancient yogis were right: the eternal aspect of each of us withdraws back into a giant pool of consciousness which:

“sleeps in rocks;

dreams in plants;

stirs in animals; and

CAN awaken in man.”

 

As Amma says,

“Consciousness is essentially divine, infilling everything, pervading everywhere, impelling all. Revealing itself as Truth, Awareness, and Bliss.”

God bless, Skip

❤😊🕉

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DRIVE YOUR BRAIN LIKE A CAR – PART 2

Herein lies the essence of Patanjali’s Raja Yoga:

Continuing with the automotive analogy, last week we said our conscious mind (the aspect we hear; our thinking mind) has three forward gears (correct, incorrect and imagined), reverse (memories) and neutral.

But what fuels those conscious thoughts [aside from the bio-magnetic energy that literally keeps our heart beating, lungs breathing, and mind thinking]?

There are five fuel (energetic) impurities or mental blockages (“emotions”) that affect how well our body/mind functions. To the extent they are present, all five can affect our every conscious thought.

The first is “Ignorance”. This gets right to the heart of Patanjali’s Raja Yoga; overcome this obstacle to continuous clear, correct thinking and you’re virtually home free! Herein “ignorance” has nothing to do with our aptitude or IQ; rather, it simply refers to whether or not we are aware of the distinction between our thoughts and the awareness OF our thoughts:

thoughts are evidence of our conscious mind; awareness OF our thoughts is evidence of our consciousness.

 

The other four impurities to clear, correct, completely objective, balanced thinking are a consequence of Ignorance: Ego, Attraction, Aversion and Fear.

The objective of the mental discipline of Raja Yoga is to continuously think clearly and correctly – recognizing that

our emotions affect our thoughts which precipitate our behavior which accounts for most of what bothers us!!

 

I’m here to help. Blessings, Skip

❤😊🕉

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Shout out to the Witch Rx in Salem

I taught two classes this morning: the first had six students; the second took place over an impromptu cup of coffee.

My heartfelt thanks to the Witch Rx in Salem for opening his shop early so family and friends could practice a few few stress-relieving exercises.

If you haven’t been inside the doctor’s shop in awhile (or ever), you should.

 

Regardless of the reason for your visit, it’s fascinating: the good doctor employs artists who turn out a lot of the pieces on exhibit – and these guys have crazy imaginations & mad skills!

[btw – contact me if you have more than half a dozen employees and would like to offer them an inexpensive “inner” retreat for a change!]

LINK to the good doctor’s glass blowing shop

…..where you’ll find the following – among lots of other handmade glass pieces. These guys are seriously talented artists (for the uninformed, that donut is a weed pipe!!)

LINK to a recent post about the relationship between pot (“weed” in the current vernacular) and meditation; both relieve pain but one doesn’t have any ill effects.❤😊🕉

Namaste, Skip

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POT vs. MEDITATION FOR ANXIETY, DEPRESSION and ADDICTION

EVERYTHING – other than prayer (meditation) and service – has both a light and dark side, including pot.

Putting aside my personal fears and desires, here’s how these two pain relievers work:

MEDITATON

PROS – allows me to drop beneath the noise and stress of my conscious “brain” mind into the quiet calmness of my sub-conscious “body” mind – effectively taking my thinking mind offline, giving it a chance to rest and refresh – deepening my insight and intuition over time.

Meditation provides short and long-term physical, mental and energetic benefits. Like physical exercise, the benefits of mind control practices extend well beyond the time we spend on the mat!

CONS – we can’t live in a state of seated perpetual sub-conscious bliss! First of all, Sue wouldn’t let me – and we have to eat!!

POT

PROS – if appropriately administered, immediately relaxes and calms my “thinking” mind.

CONS – aside from any obvious short-term impairment affects if I overdo it, my short-term memory goes out the window when I smoke (which has its own pros and cons!), and this avenue of short-term mental relief has adverse long-term physical effects (a persistent cough being one of them!)

At some point the cumulative benefits of meditating will trump the short-term relief I find in pot and distractions like comic books (read yesterday’s post)!!

When is that going to happen? I’m not sure, but it’s drawing closer. 😉

Faith comes from meditating. Find it within yourself!

 

Namaste [“The aspect of me that isn’t affected by time and space – let alone anxiety, depression and addiction – acknowledges and honors that aspect of you”],

Skip

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TAKE YOUR MIND OFFLINE

If you have a friend or neighbor who spends all day every day doing things for other people to the point that they’re not taking care of themselves (e.g., not eating, sleeping and/or exercising adequately – my mother comes to mind)…..

….with love, let them know that there’s a reason the stewardess tells us to put our own oxygen mask on first: so we can do a BETTER job serving others.

Take care of ALL of you, including your non-physical bits!

Learn to distinguish between your conscious and sub-conscious mind….

1  Conscious mind “thinks” – this aspect of our mind:

  • is evidenced by the voice in our head: words, typically of judgment or analysis;
  • functions like our heart and lungs: single, consecutive, constant beats, breaths, and thoughts;
  • has five operating “gears” or functions: 1,2,3, R & N [when we meditate, we’re looking for “Neutral” or observation-only mode]!

2  Sub-conscious mind “does” – this aspect of our mind:

  • “runs the ship” (i.e., controls physical movement: walking, talking, pooping, blood circulation, organ function, etc.) without our having to consciously think about doing those things;
  • stores our memories;
  • is typically taken for granted because we can’t “hear” it; rather, our sub-conscious mind is evidenced by actions, sensations, insights, instinct, and intuition.

……and between mind and consciousness.

 

3  Consciousness “is” – the awareness OF our thoughts (i.e., the witness: the “YOU” behind your thoughts) doesn’t “do” anything, nor can anything be “done” to it! For all intents and purposes, as long as your body/mind is sustained by energy, this aspect of you benignly “witnesses” it all – WITHOUT judgment (which is a product of our conscious mind).

Our deep, calm, quiet, still, underlying, non-judgmental consciousness is a source of indescribable bliss.

Tap into it!

Learn to drop beneath the static and noise (and the voice!) of your conscious mind – and experience a holistically restoring and energizing state of being – AT WILL!!

RECHARGE.  RESTORE.  REJUVENATE.

Take yourself offline! Meditate!

Blessings, Skip

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TAKE TWO ASPRIN AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING

To a friend I hadn’t seen in awhile who’s been under considerable stress:

For five minutes, once a day, for three weeks – take your mind offline as follows:

[If you can’t sit comfortably on the floor, sit in a chair. The physical part of this Rx is to eventually be able to readily get up and down off the floor!]

Set a timer for 5 minutes.

Optional: use a meditation app if it helps you focus. I like “Insight Timer”. I suggest something you can synchronize your breath to.

Sit comfortably. Close your eyes almost all the way.

Breathe “manually” into your stomach: expand your stomach as you inhale; contract it as you exhale. “Navel away on the inhalation. Navel back on the exhalation.”

Focus 100% of your attention on the mechanics of breathing. Observe the sensations. Try not to hear words of judgement or analysis in your head. Literally just enjoy witnessing your body breathe.

The long-term goal is to be able to sit upright comfortably while breathing rhythmically and subtly (i.e., quieting our physical bits in preparation to still our mental bits).

I recommend a pre and post flight system check: scan your self (again, without words) observing your physical, mental and emotional states. Did anything change between check-ins?

Mechanically, you’re distracting the typically noisy, thinking conscious part of your mind, and settling into your quieter, deeper, calmer, otherwise sub-conscious mind – thereby taking it “offline”.

Learn to give yourself, specifically your busy tired mind, a chance to rest, restore, recharge, and refresh – at will!

As an added bonus, each time you do, you draw a little closer to nirvana: the source of that sense of calm stillness, your awareness itself.

Hugs, Skip

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YESTERDAY WAS OUR SECOND 2ND ANNIVERSARY

Two years ago Sue reluctantly agreed to allow me to establish a yoga school in 01945 in hopes it would become a mecca for yogis the world over for generations to come because………

I was [am!] going to enlighten the world!

Here’s what I learned in the last two years trying to commercialize the intangible:

There’s a light inside you – but only you can turn it on.

I can tell you how. I’ve blogged, danced, screamed, sang, cried and bled trying to turn it on in others – but only you can turn it on – and it’s not easy.

I’m at a crossroads.

The ability to control our mind is literally invaluable – yet, like the joke about a guy with a pocket full of hundreds that can’t attract attention in a brothel – I’m struggling and frustrated!

WHAT I’m teaching isn’t the problem!

People who know how to meditate can transcend the chaos and judgment of their conscious mind at will! Think about that!

The science of meditation is empirical! We witness and experience it for ourselves!

Help spread the word!

“Meditation therapy” (aka Raja Yoga) dovetails beautifully with virtually all healthcare services aimed at relieving physical, mental and emotional pain – particularly due to trauma – for both the patients and service providers!

Do you know someone with influence at a public or private medical, counseling or rehab facility?

If so, please forward this to them! Thank you.

Spring is a perfect time of year to start a new habit. Pick one that you’ll be glad you did 10 years from now!

Blessings, Allan (Skip) Dowds

Class schedule