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ARTArticleDistinguishing the Realisation of the Atman and the Higher Planes of ConsciousnessWhen an individual begins the spiritual quest, there can be considerable confusion about different directions, objectives and methods of attainment. In many cases, divergent goals are lumped together, while in other instances, there can be confusion about the sequence of the steps. Sri Aurobindo has provided an overview and a roadmap that can aid the seeker in understanding and clarifying these points.ARTArticleDistinguishing Various Types of Symbolic VisionsAs the seeker interacts more with the inner levels of consciousness, there are often various types of visions and symbols which are perceived. These visions, however, are not all from the same source, and do not all carry the same weight or significance. It is another element of the research and growth of understanding that the seeker undergoes, to gain a feel for the meaning of these visions and thus, be able to place the correct emphasis on them, and see what they actually are having as an impact on the consciousness.ARTArticleDisturbances Attributed to the Physical MindWhat is the physical mind? The element of mental activity that relates to the actual physical substance that conveys and responds to sense perceptions and the operations of the physical body is considered to be the ‘physical mind’. We normally believe that the operation of our mind is independent of these things to a great degree, but when we examine things closely we can see that changes in physical circumstances, changes in bodily comfort or discomfort, even changes in diet, can influence both the specific thoughts that arise and circulate in the mind, and the tenor of the thoughts.ARTArticleDisturbances of the Vital Caused by Life-Changes, Negative and PositiveSome years ago we were witnesses to an event that clearly illustrated the disturbance to the vital that can be caused by a positive experience. In that case, a married couple were planning to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary and their extended family and friends were there to join the festivities, except for one daughter and her family who lived half a world away, and who were not expected. The day before the celebration, the daughter with family showed up at the doorstep.ARTArticleDoes Rahu indicates 2 marriages?Rahu in the fourth house gives extramarital physical relationship sometimes though, depending on other planets. In the fourth house, it may cause problems for/with the mother. It will decrease the quantum of Sukh(joy and pleasures) in life even if life is successful in all aspects. Rahu will never let the native be satisfied and content with what he has and will drive him to look for more always.
When Rahu is in 4rht house Ketu is in 10th. Ketu here may cause unusability in career and profession but 10th house Lord's position has to be checked.rARTArticleDual States of Consciousness in the BeingThe normal human individual lives primarily in a state of consciousness that is immersed in the outer life, including the inner reactions to that life, and the functions of the body, life-energy and mind. This is true whether the person considers himself to be an extrovert or an introvert. The introvert simply focuses more on the inner reactive states of the being in relation to that exte
al reality, but the focus remains essentially the same as the extrovert.ARTArticleEffects of the Descent of the Higher Consciousness Into the BodyWe observe the effects of training and conditioning the body to reach its peak of efficiency and perfection in action. The mind, the vital ambition, both play into the ability to bring the body to a state where it can undertake to achieve things that most people cannot even imagine.ARTArticleEffects of Third Lord In The Second House AstrologyThird Lord In The Second House (3rd lord in the 2nd house)
The third lord in the second house of family and savings is in the 12th house to itself. Generally, the 12th house to any house is unfavorable to the house itself. So the third lord being in the second house is not favorable for the signification of the third house. The person will be without valor and initiative. Since the person lacks vigor there will be a tendency to be overweight. There is also a tendency to dissatisfaction and unhappiness. The person might also desire the wealth or spouse of another person.ARTArticleelations of the Yogic Practitioner With Non-PractitionersFamily, friends, relatives, children, parents, siblings, community. It is both normal and generally accepted that people form attachments to those with whom they have close relations. Those attachments demand attention and effort. For those who have a calling to follow the religious life or a spiritual path, such attachments tend to distract and confuse the focus. The seeker wants to undertake meditation or prayer, or some form of contemplation, but the children demand attention and draw one out.ARTArticleEnergies Sources: Energies of the Physical Body and the Universal Vital EnergiesThere are a number of different ways that physically alive beings draw and obtain energy. Human beings tend to rely heavily on eating food, and converting the food into other forms of energy to carry out work in the body. Plants, on the other hand, rely primarily on direct conversion of sunlight into physical energy to fuel the creation of their bodies and the operation of their energetic action. We can understand that there are other and higher forms of energetic reception and action which can provide ‘fuel’ for beings of various sorts.ARTArticleEpilepsy and Insanity Under Pressure of the Spiritual Quest for an Unprepared SeekerThe divine Force that descends is not a theoretical event, but a real experience with consequences for the mind, life and body of the seeker. The seeker must be prepared mentally, vitally and physically for the action of this force in the being. The story of the unbaked jar, which cannot sustain the pressure of being filled is illustrative for the similar experience of the energy descending into a being not yet ready to hold that force.ARTArticleEscaping the Conflict and Battle of Thoughts in the MindThrough the process of affinity and filtration of thoughts, when we remain in the plane of the mind, we experience the struggle and resistance of competing thoughts that appear to be in many cases chaotic in nature. Fighting with these thoughts, struggling, suppressing, all turn out to be counter-productive strategies, as they only intensify the conflict in the mind. There are two basic methods proposed by the Mother to shift the attention away from these thoughts. One of these is to rise above to a higher plane of mental consciousness, or beyond that, to the spiritual consciousness.ARTArticleEvolution of Consciousness and the Need for Rebirth as a Mechanism of that EvolutionWe observe an outer fact of existence, but we do not see the motive force behind it, nor the intention behind the motive force. Thus, Darwin identified an evolution of species, and researchers have identified families of species, development of specific characteristics within those families and the sequential development of new powers of awareness, consciousness and action as the forms evolved.ARTArticleEvolution of Consciousness, Rebirth and Overcoming SufferingThere are many ideas about rebirth, how it works, and the relationship of suffering to an individual’s life and, through operation of karma, potential future lifetimes. Much of this is based on an underlying implicit assumption that the self-awareness that an individual holds in this lifetime carries forward into future lifetimes. While the individual may forget individual details undergoing the death and rebirth process, the same basic ‘person’ carries forward and with him goes the karmic consequences of past actions.ARTArticleExercise of Will as Part of the Process of Yogic TransformationThere remains considerable confusion about the role of will-power in the development of the spiritual life of the individual. On the one side, the seeker is asked to not give in to the force of vital desire, and the will is often confused with desire. Thus, the idea of acting without desire is also equated with the negation of the use of will-power. On the other side, the seeker is asked to utilize will-power to control desire and, when an excessive force is used, this can lead to suppression and active self-torture, which do not lead to liberation.ARTArticleExploring the Nature of the Dream StateDreams have kept researchers awake for the entire history of mankind. Where do dreams come from? Of what substance are they made? What significance do they have? The ancient Greek culture had oracles who interpreted dreams. The Old Testament of the Bible recounts the rise of Joseph in the land of Egypt through his ability to interpret the dreams of the Pharoah, and help the land prepare during seven years of plenty for a following seven years of drought.ARTArticleFasting and the Practice of the Integral YogaAt some point in their spiritual quest, seekers are generally confronted with the question of ‘fasting’. Some paths recommend fasting as a method to lighten the heaviness of the ‘earth consciousness’ and make the being more receptive to higher vibrational energies. Some point out that fasting aids in achieving a ‘vision quest’. Some practice fasting to habituate the body to become less reliant on the material energy and switch its source of energy to higher vital and eventually spiritual realms.ARTArticleFear and Fearlessness in Life and in YogaFear arises in the lower vital, in some instances, as a direct vital response to an energy that threatens health and safety of the individual; in other words, it is part of the survival instinct. But it also arises through social acculturation, such as in issues of stage fright, or through imagination of situations that ‘might’ come about, based on societal habits and pressures. All of the various causes of fear, however, act upon the lower vital chakras and raise up biochemical responses which then impact the mind and the will-power.ARTArticleFear Is Based in the Limitations of Ignorance and UnconsciousnessIn The Life Divine, Sri Aurobindo describes the sevenhold ignorance which limits the human being. We live in a world about which we know very little, and we lack a complete understanding of the significance of our lives, the meaning of existence, or the processes of Time. As a result, we act as if we are separate beings living a separate existence and we react to what we do not know, or what we imagine, or what we perceive to be a threat to that individual existence with fear.ARTArticleFinding a Solution that Provides Peace Without Sacrificing Progress in the Universal ManifestationIf the drive towards progress is fueled by dissatisfaction and anxiety felt by the individual, we are left with the conce
that achieving peace must come at the cost of giving up the active life and the development of consciousness in the world. We either have to sink back to the level of the animal who does not worry about the past or the future, and who lives in a relatively static consciousness, or find a way to escape the world, through renunciation and entering into a form of trance state based in the highest, but not attempting to modify or update the outer consciousness.ARTArticleFour Common Forms of Resistance by the Lower Vital to the Transformation RequiredSri Aurobindo considers yoga to be, in a certain sense, applied psychology. The review and understanding of one’s own actions and deeper motives and motivations is essential if one is going to overcome the limitations and habits of the lower nature and eventually receive and manifest new ways of knowing and acting, and thereby transforming the nature. The resistance of the lower vital is a critical element that must be overcome. Sri Aurobindo provides insight to four of the most common forms that this resistance takes.ARTArticleFour Steps to Avoid SufferingMany people suppose that it is impossible to avoid suffering, as it is an inherent aspect of life on earth. Their strategies for dealing with suffering may vary, but they all believe that suffering is inevitable.ARTArticleFriendship and Affection — Human and DivineHuman relationships are subject to eventual disappointment in almost all cases. Friendship and affection are generally based in the ego and its gratification and at some point, the needs and goals of the individuals may diverge, they may be separated due to distance, illness or death, or there may just be changing perceptions among the parties about their own interests and willingness to participate in fulfilling the expectations of the other party to the relationship. Wherever there is human attachment, these issues arise.ARTArticleFriendship, Affection and the Practice of the Integral YogaAs we experience relationships in the world, whether family, friend or significant others, we begin to appreciate how complex, demanding and ‘messy’ they are. To cultivate and support relationships takes time, effort and understanding. When we don’t agree 100% with someone, we find that even among the closest individuals, there are potentials for misunderstanding, disharmony and disturbance, even if these are temporary in nature.ARTArticleGaining the Standpoint of the Observer of the NatureAn important step in the practice of yoga is to attain true detachment from the surface nature through the shifting of the standpoint from the surface to the ‘witness consciousness’, the Purusha. The separation of Purusha from Prakriti, the active nature, is needed in order to effectuate change in the exte
al nature, as otherwise, we remain involved in that nature and are limited within the frame that it sets for us.ARTArticleGaining the Support of the Vital Being for the Sadhana Through the Joy of Creative ActivityOne of the issues that every spiritual seeker eventually faces is what to do about the vital nature. The vital being is an essential element of life on earth. Normally however it is distracted with its needs and desires, the seeking for pleasure and enjoyment, the avoidance of pain and suffering. The difficulty of dealing with the drives of the vital being have led many spiritual seekers to attempt to suppress it, or overpower it through an action of the mental will.ARTArticleGuatama Buddha Wisdom: Joy and GratitudeGautama Buddha lived in ancient India 5th to 4th century BCE and is regarded as the founder of Buddhism. He was an enlightened soul (that phrase is overused, but he really was) who reintroduced a path to let go of the attachment to suffering. He taught a middle ground between over-indulgence and the excessive strictness of other spiritual practices, as well as meditative practices and mindfulness. He was referred to as Buddha, which means “Awakened One” starting two centuries after his death. Below we share some of his wise statements on gratitude and joy.ARTArticleHelp from 12 step program for BusinessYou can start by asking for help, just like many thousands of meth addicts have done.
You can call a treatment center and ask about admission to a detox program, followed by an inpatient or outpatient program.
You can check for 12-step programs in your community, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA can help you locate a meeting), and GO TO ONE.ARTArticleHelping Others in the Spiritual PathThere is an impulse to share something that we find valuable in our own lives. This impulse is oftentimes harnessed by religious organizations or spiritual groups to become a method of proselytizing and conversion, and in some cases, it can become a situation filled with pressure on the individuals to bring in converts, and on converts to stay and become ever-more-deeply entwined in the community. What starts off as a joyful sharing of something unique and wonderful can get turned into a drive to control, accumulate and influence people.ARTArticleHere you Go, Pisces, We catch you!Pisces is an intense cosmic feeler, experiencing universal emotion at shocking rates <3
Here are a few differences I have come to know depending on Sun vs. Moon Pisceans, mostly focusing on their healing and coping skills: