yoga74017

Almighty God has given man His very own form. From the standpoint of consciousness all those Divine Powers that the Creator (God) possesses are found in the deep recesses of the human psyche albeit in latent form. In this manner all the power and energy present in the macrocosm (cosmos) is present in the microcosm (human psyche). The microcosm is the smallest unit of the macrocosm. All functional aspects of the Solar System are found in its smallest unit i.e. the atom. The divine glory of God exists in individual souls. It is hence that man is called the Prince of God who is the King or ruler of this cosmos. Vedanta Philosophy very articulately proclaims that the living being (Jiva) and cosmic consciousness (God) are one i.e. non-dual or Advaita.

And yet the obvious question that needs to be answered is: If a creature and God are one how come such gigantic differences are seen between both? If indeed man is a Prince of that God who abounds with divine wealth, why is he (human being) so poor and weak? Great seers while answering this all important question opine that although it is true that man possesses all the divine glories of God, this divine wealth lies latent in his psyche/soul. It is like a seed that contains an entire tree or that a locked vault contains untold precious jewels. Thus the locked vault of Divine Powers in mans psyche needs to be opened via the key of intense spiritual efforts (Sadhana). spiritual practices are called Sadhana and they reap rich dividends on the basis of apt psychic credentials (Paatrata) and ethics in ones day to day life. It is only when man passes this most important test that he can become a master of the divine wealth of the cosmos. The principle of Sadhana say Sidhi or Attaining the goal via spiritual endeavor is well known. The philosophy of spiritual endeavor is equivalent to scientific inventions and discoveries. Today man with his intense efforts and sharp intellect has unearthed many material powers via scientific research. Great scientific endeavors have today given us material energy tapped from sources like steam, radio, atom etc.

The human body is like an infinite storehouse of precious jewels i.e. divine wealth. If only via spiritual practices man awakens this divine glory all those Divine Powers attained by Rishis, saints, seers of yore and today can be attained by him too. Sadhana is nothing but awakening the latent divine potentials that lie untapped in the deep cave of mans psyche and soul.

Human existence can be called an all encompassing scientific laboratory. The human body enfolds all powers/energies of nature albeit in seed form. Human consciousness harbors in seed form Gods unlimited divine consciousness. In order to attain cosmic consciousness those efforts are required akin to first sowing a seed in fertile soil, watering it and helping it bloom forth like a skillful gardener who looks after his various plants and trees. Although the atom possesses infinite potent nuclear energy, it can be tapped only by adept scientists with their scientific tools. For a layman this task is well nigh impossible. In order that an embryo grows into a human baby (after the males sperm unites with the females ovum) it has to mature in its mothers womb for 9 months on an average. This is called Sadhana say Sidhi i.e. Making due efforts to attain the goal. In order to become a scholar, wrestler, boxer, artist, scientist, businessman etc intense efforts are required. In the same way if one desires to awaken latent Divine Powers in ones soul intense efforts are required (Sadhana) so as to witness miraculous results. Soul advancement spiritual practices are termed as high stature endeavors.

spiritual practices are a science by themselves. One requires aid of spiritual philosophy so as to make sacred and pure ones inner sentiments, beliefs, aspirations and thinking. This is also called Jnana Yoga or Yoga of Wisdom. Hence one needs to pursue mental reflection, meditation, concentration etc. An all round progress can be achieved by associating with realized saints, seers and studying sacred scriptures with deep devotion. To put this in a nutshell this itself is spiritual Philosophy or the Yoga of Wisdom. Within it predominantly the principle of mental reflection in a focused manner is deployed.

The other important leg of spiritual endeavor is Kriya Yoga wherein physical or bodily movements too are taken recourse to. It encompasses Asan (posture), Pranayam, Bandha, Mudra, vows, fasts, pilgrimages, Mantra chanting or Japa, Yajna or fire sacrifices etc. Thus true spiritual endeavor revolves around both, Dhyana Yoga or Meditation and Kriya Yoga (includes Hatha Yoga too).

There was a time centuries back that like Modern Science of today, spiritual Sciences ruled the roost. In it within the laboratory of the human body Divine Powers were manifested in the individuals body. These benefits were termed Sidhis by seers of yore. As against this Ridhis are psychic and sentimental glories attained via purification of ones consciousness and psyche. In ancient times spiritual seekers who underwent spiritual practices attained both Ridhis and Sidhis. If one compares the benefits attained by todays modern scientific research they significantly pale in front of the achievements of spiritual seers of ancient times. The laboratory of spiritual Science is the human body and hence it does not require external apparatus like fuel, technology, chemicals and other apparatus used in a modern science laboratory. And yet despite being so priceless spiritual Science it can easily be availed of by entire world humanity. It is a divine gift of God and that indeed is mans good fortune.

spiritual endeavor is said to be supreme amongst all human endeavors. It is a means via which man can attain both material and spiritual benefits. In the Sadhana Age or the Era of spiritual Practices, spiritual Science was in full vogue and very well imbibed the world over. There was both zeal and zest in that era. But alas! Today man is full of greed, envy and avarice. An externalized mind seeks joy and glory in external objects. Today because of a maddening fast life none has the time to self introspect and discover the untold divine wealth lying hidden in the cave of his/her psyche. Man just refuses to give up his lustful, indolent and sensual life and thus master his mind so as to attain the greatness attained by seers and Rishis of ancient times. On the one hand a major chunk of world humanity erroneously discarded this profound science and hence simultaneously the number of great seers and sages of spiritual sciences too diminished drastically. If demand depletes the number of buyers decrease and hence the number of sellers too decrease in tandem. At present in the name of Yoga deluded concepts have come into vogue (blind leading the blind). No doubt one finds hordes of so called Yoga Gurus who sell fantastic dreams to gullible aspirants. The latter just have no clue whether their teacher is genuine or fake. As a result the number of genuine Yoga Gurus and Preceptors who are the only ones who can help laymen reach their spiritual destination is dangerously declining as days pass by. That Great spiritual Science has been replaced by nothing but vain deluded proclamations akin to a peg of alcohol. Today in the name of spiritual practice mere lip service is being doled out to a large number of gullible people. And hence both the layman and intellectual class harbor aversion for it.

Today we realize that the need of the hour is to research into the ancient spiritual Sciences in a modern scientific manner and thus understand its aptness, true state and form. This is the way we can transform atheism into theism. Since spiritual Sciences are infinitely more potent and beneficial than Material Science, it should not lie in a hapless ruined state as is seen today. In order to solve this problem once and for all we have established the Brahmavarchas Research Institute. Within its realm the human body is looked upon as a laboratory and intense efforts are being made to manifest Divine Powers that so far existed latently in mans psyche. For this it was most required that in this modern scientific age necessary proof be made available to the highly intellectual class of world humanity. Only then will even the layman accept its true credentials and imbibe them wholeheartedly.

The spiritual Science of the area of consciousness is called Super Divine Wisdom Gayatri (Mahaprajna Gayatri). That science which influences material nature (Prakriti) is called Agnihotra. Both are mutually conjoined to one another as a pair. Both are mutually dependent on one another. Agnihotra is most required for ripening and manifesting mans conscious potentials. It is like exposing bricks into a furnace for toughening them up or like making our speech more audible by using a microphone. When fire and water unite steam manifests which is used to run trains. Programs heard on radios mainly use electrical energy. Similarly within the realm of spiritual practices (Sadhana) Gayatri manifests via the combination of sentimental consciousness and word power (Shabda Shakti). This Gayatri is hence made more prolific via the divine energy of Agnihotra. Gayatri symbolizes Yoga of Sacred Sentiments and Agnihotra symbolizes Kriya Yoga. Gayatri and Yajna are said to be the Mother and Father of Indian culture. Within the field of spiritual endeavor they are compared to Prana (Vital Force) and the physical body. The first step of transformation and purification of the psyche and body is development of a pious character and ethical dealings in ones day to day social and professional life. It is only then that one can enter the portals of spiritual practices.

The Brahmavarchas Research Institute is targeting its research on those areas that are related to the goals of various spiritual practices. We are trying to prove that Gayatri Mantra Word power is not some ordinary mutterings and that it instead activates via incitement our conscious arena. Which precepts are involved in radiating our character and personality and how does it influence the environment? This is being seriously studied at the Brahmavarchas Research Institute. Word power is an intense and terrific form of divine energy. Various creatures inwardly contact one another with its help. It is the fount of spiritual wisdom and modern scientific laws. Thus we must deeply understand that Mantra power can be used optimally in ones self/soul unfolding, for helping in others advancement and transforming both the gross and subtle atmosphere of the world in a very positive manner.

Another major research area dealt with by the Brahmavarchas Research Institute is the mysteries of the Science of Mantra Chanting called Japa. Over here we are mainly concentrating on Super Mantra Gayatri. Very advanced scientific technical apparatus is being used in or hi-fi laboratory to analyze the potential of Word power while chanting Mantras. When we hold spiritual camps for our devotees we also scientifically study the results of Mantras chanted by them. So far the results indicate that Mantra Energy is n-fold more powerful than Yantra Energy (machines and technology).

It is erroneous to believe that Agnihotra is simply a lit pyre of fire. Instead know for sure that it is our Vital Force that manifests a divine fire. In that not only are divine herbs made more subtle that influence a vast area but that the devotees Mantra power sanctifies and makes more powerful their Vital Force energy (Prana Urja). Hence its widespread influence is indeed gigantic and cosmic in nature. Great seers of yore proclaim in one voice that Yajnas improve our physical health, purify our will power and augment divinity in our soul force. Hence they are said to be priceless means of remedial measures and ones all round progress. Further global pollution which is cause for serious concern all over the world can be greatly warded off via Yajnas and Mantra Chanting. It is strongly believed that rains can be invoked via Yajnas. It is prudent to note that over here rains does not simply mean monsoon season but that the cosmic vital energy rains on Earth so as to add more vim and vigor in our plant life, other creatures and of course human beings too.

If we make intense efforts to understand the true utility of the above benefits and thus make optimal and apt use of them a bright future is in the offing for world humanity and thus various problems faced by us can be easily overcome. In this manner the Brahmavarchas Research Institute of Shantikunj (Haridwar, Uttaranchal, India) is scientifically studying all the principles and tenets that are the foundation stones of the Science of Sadhana (spiritual practices). The progress attained via Spiritual Sciences should no way be looked upon as superficial in comparison to the advancement attained via Modern Material Science. Apart from Gayatri and Agnihotra, Spiritual camps organized by us deals with other forms of spiritual practices too. Its results are being minutely noted via scientific experimentation techniques. When spiritual seekers are made to undergo high leveled spiritual practices of Brahmavarchas not only is their initial and final inner state is noted but that the high-low and pendulum-like state that they go through in between too is being focused on deeply. It is only then that we can truly understand the important basis of Soul Science, the method of spiritual endeavor and the underlying principle behind it. In this computer age of I believe only that which I perceive with my 5 senses it is most required that we prove beyond doubt to both, the laymen and highly intellectual class, the importance of both material and spiritual tenets. This is exactly the task taken up on a war footing by the Brahmavarchas Research Institute.

The most important aspect of Mysticism is to understand deeply the benefits of interstellar space radiations and other potentials on our planet Earth and that along with staving off side effects we make optimum gains with its aid. Keeping this in mind a laboratory has been set up at Shantikunj to study and note interstellar space movements and states. On the basis of these calculations and other mathematical calculations a new Panchang shall be published. In that not only the planets discovered by ancient seers but those discovered by modern science like Uranus, Neptune and Pluto too will be dealt with. It will encompass Panchangs of various regions and method of making a Kundli (horoscope) of a person born in a particular place. Greater emphasis is being laid on the influence of interstellar space emissions on the Earths atmosphere and all creatures dwelling on it. On the basis of this finding we can find methods of balancing varied circumstances that visit our daily life. Today Astrology is called blind belief but with our systematic scientific analysis this will not be the case in the coming years. It is certainly not an overstatement if we call this the total transformation of Astrological Sciences.

The Brahmavarchas Research Institutes endeavor is extremely priceless from the standpoint of elucidating the true nature of Spiritual Sciences and Spiritual Practices (Sadhana Vijnana). Only time will tell us as to how our sacred endeavor results in great service to world beings for their material and spiritual unfolding.

AUTHOR: Shriram Sharma Acharya, founder of the International Gayatri Family, was a great Yogi, seer and incarnation of God who wrote volumes of scientific literature mainly on spiritual subjects for world welfare and peace. For more scientific e-books visit: http://www.shriramsharma.com/ (GOOGLE PR 4) and http://www.awgp.org/ (Google 5)

Shes comin on boys, and shes comin on strong!

These were the final recorded words of Captain Billy Tyne of the Andrea Gail. On September 20, 1991 the crew of six set out for what would be the final voyage of this 75-foot fishing vessel. After thirty-nine days of moderately good luck fishing in the waters of the north atlantic, the united States coast guard received the final radio transmission from the Andrea Gail. At 6:00pm on the evening of october 28, 1991, Captain Billy Tyne reported his coordinates and gave a weather report indicating 30-foot seas and wind gusts of up to 80 knots. His transmission ended with the fateful words, Shes comin on boys, and shes comin on strong! Forty days after departing from Massachusetts the Andrea Gail was pronounced lost at sea.

The crew of the Andrea Gail had found themselves at sea when a weather phenomenon known as a Noreaster had descended upon the north atlantic with all its fury. Two low pressure areas merged with high pressure areas and these met up with warm air from the south, and cold air from the north, as well as moisture feeding into the storm from the gulf Stream to create a catastrophic storm. This simultaneous occurrence of events taken individually would be far less powerful than was the result of their chance combination. In fact, had the storm been more concentrated, it might have resembled a hurricane, which would have triggered the appropriate warnings. But because the storm occurred without the typical hurricane warnings, the Andrea Gail and her crew were caught off-guard. There had never been a storm like this in recorded history. This was the Perfect Storm.

About the same time each year, near the middle of September, thousands of high school graduates set sail for a voyage of their own known as the Freshman Year. Like the crew of the Andrea Gail, these students have high hopes and big dreams about the adventure that stretches out over the horizon. They proceed with little thought of what major difficulties they might encounter, and wouldnt even dream of any sort of catastrophe. However, during their first 40 days on campus, many of them experience a Noreaster of their own, in the form of a huge transition and transformation in their own lives. Pressure to succeed meets with expectations and anticipation for the future, this merges with the excitement and new-found freedom that comes from being on your own. The simultaneous occurrence of all of this combines to bring about the possibility of a catastrophic event. In all likelihood, each of these events taken individually would be far less powerful than the result of their inevitable combination. In fact, if these events were to be more widely known, they would trigger the appropriate warnings and solutions that would give students and their families the tools necessary to weather the storm. But these warnings often come too late, or not at all.

The transition from high school to college is one of the biggest transitions you will face. In fact, it is likely the biggest transition you have confronted in your 18 years on the planet! And look around you. Have you seen any media coverage of this transition? Any special reports about the transition from high school to college? The answer to those questions is a resounding NO! Multiple books, and plenty of articles and coverage is given to the preschool years, the elementary school years, and even the transition from elementary to junior high and high school. But our society simply has no clue about what is going on during this time in your life, and if they do, they have decided that it is simply not exciting enough to talk about on the evening news. Sure, they have special reports when a frat party turns ugly or when there is some sort of tragedy on campus. Each fall, hundreds of thousands of students are taken to college and dropped off by their loved ones. The media may cover, Move in Day, but they usually mention only that most campus costs have skyrocketed and that there is not enough room in the residence halls for the number of students entering college. But for the media, the story ends there, and you are the one left trying to figure out what to do.

So what is this transition? Simply stated, a transition is a change from one form to another. Oftentimes this change is celebrated through some sort of ceremony, in the form of what we call a Rite of Passage. Graduation from high school will likely have been (or will be in the very near future) a very significant rite of passage in your own life. There is the very profound moment in your Graduation ceremony, when you are asked to take the tassel on your cap and move it to the other side. This signifies your change from a high school student to a high school graduate. Its a pretty cool thing, but did anything really happen in that moment? Did the earth shake, lightning flash, and trumpets blare? Well, not usually! Honestly, its very much like your birthday - you didnt become another year older overnight, you became a year older over the process of a year. Likewise, at graduation, you didnt become a high school graduate overnight, you have been working towards it for years. And here is an important thing to remember, graduation from high school does not make you any more prepared for what lies ahead than going to McDonalds makes you a hamburger! Put another way, even though you have graduated from high school in this wonderful, moving ceremony, you are really no different than you were two days ago. However, society has told us that when you turn 18 years old and when you graduate from high school, you are now an adult. Sounds great, right? Well, let me tell you that being an adult is not always all its cracked up to be!

According to the Department of Education, more than 1/3 of all new freshmen will drop out of college before making it to their sophomore year. In fact, fewer than half of all new freshmen will graduate from college.

Are you ready for "The Perfect Storm"? You can be -- and you MUST be.

The storm, shes comin, and shes comin on strong. You pause, take a deep breath and look out towards the horizon. Then you say: But this is the voyage I have been preparing for and looking forward to for a long time this storm is going to make the voyage that much more exciting, and that much more fulfilling. So batten down the hatch and hang on for the ride of your life, into the first 40 days of your freshman year in college! Welcome to your Freshman 40!

Nick B. Herberger, M.Ed. is the author of "The Freshman 40: everything you need to know about your first forty days in college". Nick has been working and living with college students for almost 20 years. A sought after speaker, Nick is known for his ability to connect with people of all ages through his humor, storytelling, his drama, and his ability to help people live life to the fullest. As the founder of live Your Journey ( http://www.LiveYourJourney.com ) Nick continues to reach people worldwide through speaking, life and career coaching, and writing.