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!!!!!

May 5, 2018

“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

May 3, 2018

THE VIEW FROM MY BEST FRIEND’S BEDSIDE

While I was driving in to visit the old goat, I heard two things on the radio:

a news story about a young woman who had just been told she had six months to live, and
Scotty McCreery’s country music song, “Five More Minutes”.

Whether my friend has 5 minutes, six months or 46 years left here – think of all we can do in five minutes, let alone six months!

I like the story about the honorable old Samurai walking his last several yards to where – based on the strength of his convictions – he ritualistically committed suicide.

During his final walk, time seemed to slow down. He became more alive: he felt the grass under his feet, the sun and breeze against his skin, the smell of flowers and incense, and the sound of birds overhead.

Be the Samurai: the master of yourself.

None of us are guaranteed tomorrow.

If today were your last day here what would you do? I suspect it has something to do with friends and family.

My buddy’s last request before they knocked him out (to – his words – “Crack me open like a lobster”) was to make sure his family had dinner that night.

He’s a Samurai – like Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree”: selfless to the end.

OK Samurai – don’t get complacent. Training starts as soon as your fat ass is up and out of that damned hospital bed!!!

Love, Skip

April 28, 2018

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

❤😊🕉

April 27, 2018June 6, 2018

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

❤😊🕉

April 25, 2018

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

April 21, 2018

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

April 20, 2018

ADDICT

According to the Internet, an addict “devotes or surrenders him/herself to something habitually or obsessively.”

Have I mentioned that I suffer from addictive tendencies? Some good: meditation. Others not-so-much.

Karma:❤

Several years ago, as an under-challenged and grossly overpaid accountant for a large investment firm, I pursued desires with abandon, and often a single-mindedness that would make my Irish ancestors smile.

Before the bottom fell out of our lives economically ten years ago, I collected almost 2,500 girly comic books from the late 90’s. It all started – and ended with Ricky Carralero’s Double Impact – don’t be fooled by imitations; his business partner signed Ricky’s name to lots of sub-par pics – the difference is obvious! Ricky’s pics jump off the page! Just sayin’…….

I methodically organized, cataloged, photographed, labeled and stored every piece of my prized collection (some I even read!) with my usual all-in mentality – until it stopped fulfilling me, and I turned my attention elsewhere.

Fast forward ten years. Corporate America reaches out from beyond the grave and says I owe them $5,000. [I checked; they’re right. Damn!]

Anyone want to buy 2,500 girly comic books? I just told a potential buyer “It’s a teenage boy’s dream – if the boy was born before 1960!”

Easy come; easy go.💔

[You see why I say Sue is divine!]

April 20, 2018

EXCERPT FROM A LETTER TO MY BROTHER

……..as an RN (age contemporary) said to me the other day, “Why did they wait our entire lives to tell us this stuff [Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts]?!” Those energy meridians acupuncturists use? They’re very real!

I think the thing that stands out most to me about the Eastern Taoist disciplines is the emphasis on the cyclical nature of our world: everything – including us – in the normal course has five “seasons”:

1) Spring – 2) Early Summer – 3) Late Summer – 4) Fall – 5) Winter.

Growing up in Vermont we know each season has a different energy: things bloom in the Spring, hibernate in the Winter. It’s simultaneously sobering and relieving to realize that you and I are like magnificent old maple tress in the Fall: as good as we get. Like an old maple tree that’s been through a lot of seasons and storms, before long our limbs will become more brittle, and our leaves will dry and fall.

The awesome thing about these Eastern disciplines is the emphasis they put on restoring, maintaining and replenishing the energy that sustains us. That’ll keep your beautiful Fall foliage blooming longer!

Love you.

April 20, 2018

DRIVE YOUR BRAIN LIKE A CAR

We all have two aspects of our mind: a higher and lower frequency if you will:

Our conscious, higher energetic frequency, noisy, thinking, brain mind (the “thinker”) functions like an old fashioned manual transmission.
Our sub-conscious, lower energetic frequency, silent, doing, body mind (the “doer”), which runs the ship so to speak, functions on autopilot: multi-tasking without cognitive input or oversight. Leaving this aspect aside for the moment because it’s silent and runs on auto-pilot…

On any given Tuesday, here’s how our five-speed conscious mind functions:

1 CORRECT “TODAY IS TUESDAY.”

2 INCORRECT “TODAY IS WEDNESDAY.”

3 IMAGINED “TODAY IS MURGPHDAY.”

R REMEMBERED “YESTERDAY WAS MONDAY.”

N NEUTRAL “ .”

In Neutral there are no words!! THAT’S how you know you’re in Neutral! In Neutral you’re aware only of your senses: sounds, sights, smells, tastes, and bodily.

Our conscious mind (the aspect we’re aware of) is where the voice in our head lives –

but we can drive it anywhere we want to go!!

Learn to drive your brain! Meditate.

It’s fantastically liberating!

Blessings, Skip

p.s. you don’t want to be in Park; that’s going to come way too soon as it is!