Keys to progress

Pacification of Karma
Over the years, I have applied myself to the purification of my past karma and the adoption of more healthy modes of behaviour.  I have found these practices really help to bring me back to my true Self and the only proper meaning of life that I can fully appreciate and accept, that meaning is love.

In Buddhist systems, they teach the 10 virtues and the 10 non-virtues, and these are elaborations of the Yama and Niyama systems of  Patanjali's(One of the earliest teachers of yoga, said to be an incarnation of the great celestial serpent Ananta) yoga. The main idea here is that although we pacify and purify Karmas through mantra recitation, we try not to create new negative karmas through changes in our behaviour. Without the changes in our behaviour, the practice of purification is much like the way an elephant bathes and then throws dust all over himself again.

The ten non-virtues which are to be carefully avoided include;
Killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, harsh words, slander, gossip, coveting, cruelty, and wrong view(essentially wrong view means seeing the world the prism of ignorance)

The ten virtues which are to be carefully practised include;
Protecting others, being satisfied with one's fair share, generosity, healthy sexuality within committed relationships, truthfulness, pleasing speech, recitation of mantras, reconciling disputes, rejoicing in the good fortune of others, cultivating the desire to help others, becoming established in the correct view(the proper understanding of truth and love, emptiness and compassion, Vissudha sattva and prema, being and love)

Taking refuge
The Vaishnava and Buddhist spiritual systems identify three main sources of refuge and solace. A yogi always venerates and prostrates before these sources of refuge with giving strength, protection, and guidance to the sincere practitioner.
The first emblem of refuge or jewel is the Buddha himself, in the Vaishnava view, this is Sri Krsna, the original supreme personality of Godhead. First, we take refuge in the supreme, as he is the supreme shelter of all.
The second jewel is the sangha or assemblage of yogis/spiritual seekers of the past, present, and future. To associate with, hear from, and serve yogis and realized individuals, is extraordinarily beneficial for clearing doubt, receiving lived wisdom, and gaining insight into the nature of reality and the meaning of life.
The final jewel is the dharma, these are the teachings and wisdom passed down in the sutras, terms, tantras, agamas, Puranas, and Upanishads. We should commit to hearing this wisdom and imbibing knowledge into our lives every day.


Realization of being
The ultimate purpose of the yogi's path is to first clear away all the coverings and illusions which blind us from the perception of the true Self and then steadily become fixed in the realization and experience of the Self both in and out of meditative absorption.

The true Self is beyond conceptualization and is the perfect co-emergence of emptiness and compassion(prajna-upaya). It is both form and formlessness, time and desire, matter and spirit.
Being free from extremes of idealism and nihilism, it is a perfect balance, the tao. This is Sri Krsna!
Those committed to realizing and adoring that Self are called Boddhisattvas and Vaishnavas.

To all those out there on the path, I bow down to you beautiful souls.

Until next time.

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