SRF Lessons 1-5

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

i would like to start an SRF lesson discussion. A direct disciple (Brother Bhaktananda) of Paramahansa Yogananda told me/us several times that the way to stay in tune with the Master was to read the SRF Lessons. This section of the forum is reserved for those who have the lessons or have ordered them. It would be impractical to discuss something you have not read.

This thread will cover lessons 1 thru 10. Comments or thoughts are welcome....

1. The Way to a Higher Life
2. The Dynamic Power of Will
3. What is the Best Religion? 3A How To Meditate
4. Friendship
5. The Art of Energization-- Part 1
6. The Art of Energization --Part 2
7. The Art of Energization-- Part 3
8. The Art of Energization-- Part 4
9. The Art of Energization-- Part 5
10.The Phenomena of Dreams

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

Thanks for the response Into Blue. i recently read lesson 3 (What is the Best Religion?) about choosing the right religion for ourselves and staying with a religion. It seems that all of us have been curiosity seekers at one time or another in our lives and have not given a path the time and effort to work before seeking out new thrills. Somewhat like a man who gets indigestion from eating every food imaginable while never following the advice of the nutritionists he has met. But yet listening to new ones that come along because there are 'new' ideas. If one does not  assimilate the ideas he has been presented and put them in practice: how will they know if it works or not? In the same way we can get theoretical indigestion if we do not actually discipline ourselves to put a path in practice.

Steve Hydonus

[Katze]

True, one must put something into practice to get the full effects. However, before one commits to anything, religion, spiritual teachings, psychic lessons, etc, it is helpful to know what there is to choose from. One just doesn't usually walk into a restaurant to get something to eat, without looking at a menu, unless he has been there before and knows what he wants. That is the reason, there are questions and there are answers, and usually with this comes a dear soul who so patiently answers the multitude of questions that one seems to have and points them, usually, in the right direction.  sometimes it is necessary to first take a detour or two, before finding the right path. Or, if one prefers, they can continue to walk in circles and confuse anyone who is trying to read this, lol !  I will get back on track and comment on lesson 3 soon, now where is that darshan ticket, oops, I mean train ticket ?

[Katze]

oh Task Master, you are most welcome ! thanks for the reminder on spiritualizing, there are so many spirits to distract one, one must bring focus back to where it belongs. Divine Life energy, sounds like you are talking energizing. It does recharge the body and the spirit, I must agree with you on that one.

Into Blue

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

oh Task Master, you are most welcome ! thanks for the reminder on spiritualizing, there are so many spirits to distract one, one must bring focus back to where it belongs. Divine Life energy, sounds like you are talking energizing. It does recharge the body and the spirit, I must agree with you on that one.

Into Blue

Yes The Master says that: Self-Realization Fellowship teaches you how to rouse the life energy (life force) which creates every part, every organ, of the body. There is an interesting link here with pranayama which is the energy behind the breath. We energize and develop will power and an awareness of this inner life force. When we do such techniques as Kriya and the IAm technique we bring this energy from the nerves and the apendeges back up the spine to awaken the higher centers. We  worship God on the alter of the spiritual spine.

Jitendra

[Katze]

Yes The Master says that: Self-Realization Fellowship teaches you how to rouse the life energy (life force) which creates every part, every organ, of the body. There is an interesting link here with pranayama which is the energy behind the breath. We energize and develop will power and an awareness of this inner life force. When we do such techniques as Kriya and the IAm technique we bring this energy from the nerves and the apendeges back up the spine to awaken the higher centers. We  worship God on the alter of the spiritual spine.

Jitendra

Thank you Jitendra for reinforcing or emphasizing the reason behind the energization exercises. It is good for me, to keep this in mind, realizing that there is more to the exercises than just basic exercise, a higher purpose so to speak.

Into Blue

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

Lesson #5

Master speaks of the human body being surrounded by a 'halo of conscious cosmic energy'. What a thought! He also shows us how to draw that cosmic energy into the body through the medulla oblongata ('where God breathes the life force into man') by practicing the energization exercises.

[Katze]

Yogananda has such a way with words ! " Master speaks of the human body being surrounded by a 'halo of conscious cosmic energy' " .

It is interesting how you can just zero in on certain comments, out of the whole lesson, which bring the focus to what the lesson is about ! This must come with the re- reading of the lessons, as when I read them, all is so new and almost filled with too much spiritual info to absorb at once. Perhaps a reason, that it is mentioned to read each lesson slowly~

and one more gentle reminder to the benefits of practicing those energization exercises ! 

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

Master says that a strong will is never stifled; it always finds a way. But he also speaks of different kinds of use of will; blind will and thinking will etc. We must discriminate to see what our will is and if it is not just a desire, wish or intention but rather we are using volition. No matter  how impossible of accomplishment his goal may seem, the man of volition never stops repeating conscious acts of determinationmto achieve it, as long as he lives. Even if it takes manifesting this intention in a future life there is no better time then now to start in his/her determination.

[blue nova]

Master says that a strong will is never stifled; it always finds a way. But he also speaks of different kinds of use of will; blind will and thinking will etc. We must discriminate to see what our will is and if it is not just a desire, wish or intention but rather we are using volition. No matter  how impossible of accomplishment his goal may seem, the man of volition never stops repeating conscious acts of determinationmto achieve it, as long as he lives. Even if it takes manifesting this intention in a future life there is no better time then now to start in his/her determination.

[/color]

yes. yes yes yes.

my will....i said to god one time...i say to him....let my will be as yours,,,cause ya know what god ?? i am tired of my will, decisions, leading me to jealously, greed, materialism, greed, hate, hitting others,,hating others....i am done with that bologne !! 

done.  i want OUT...and I WANT OUT NOW ! pleeeease   and he , god/creator/ took me seriously !  yep, he did so one day....and i went thru a long dejavoooo moment.  dedjavu...dejavu..dejavoo...ya know what i mean 

when u feel a such thing....take grasp of it NOW !  please 

what's the old adverb...?  better now than later ?  why put off tomorrow what u can do NOW ? 

i went back a few times during meditation....back to when i was a kid trying to learn how to dive into a pool.

i stood, hunched over, at the side of the pool...in diving position...for hours.....and for hours my parents sat poolside encouraging me to dive in...yet i hesitate...and hesitated...u get me drift yes ?

and finally..the will came to surface...i took a leap...a leap of faith..i dove,,and was sucessfull..<3<3<3

now..i dive in...without no doubt <3<3<3

((((Hugs)))))

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

i went back a few times during meditation....back to when i was a kid trying to learn how to dive into a pool.

i stood, hunched over, at the side of the pool...in diving position...for hours.....and for hours my parents sat poolside encouraging me to dive in...yet i hesitate...and hesitated...u get me drift yes ?

and finally..the will came to surface...i took a leap...a leap of faith..i dove,,and was sucessfull..<3<3<3

now..i dive in...without no doubt <3<3<3

((((Hugs)))))

'Will and act till victory is the slogan of all volitive activity.'

When like minded people do things together they have more power when they come together. 'Where two or more are gathered in my name there I shall be also'. I will reason I will act I will will but guide thou my reason will and activity towards thy purpose.'

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

This sounds like the advice that i give music students: If you will study these lessons for at least half an hour a day, you will soon realize a new goal of happiness, inner awakening and Self-Realization that will forever shed light upon you so that you may live according to the highest standards of existence. From lesson #1

[blue nova]

This sounds like the advice that i give music students: If you will study these lessons for at least half an hour a day, you will soon realize a new goal of happiness, inner awakening and Self-Realization that will forever shed light upon you so that you may live according to the highest standards of existence. From lesson #1

  <3<3<3

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

Back to lesson #2. It is important to realize that too much dependence on what is external or objective 'throttles the possibility of progress and nips in the bud the potent factors of evolution.' We can see this working in coercion from the outside or compulsion on our part to follow certain familiar routines. Unless we practice certain scientific methods of meditation are power of volition atrophies.

Jitendra

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

Lesson #3 
"The guru's help is important, for while you may find true religious principles expressed in good book, you can never realize their full meaning until you see them manifested in the life of an enlightened being." PY