Ajay0

This was my experience in last months full moon , Feb 4-5-6. I keep a diary and decided to record anything of the unusual. Found that these days there was a certain pressure on my mind tending to agitation. I never gave much importance to the full moon period, other than taking time to enjoy its beauty in the dark sky. Because of the experience and the data in this thread, I have decided to take it seriously for spiritual benefits if any. This months full moon is on March 7 th, and I have decided to spend as much time on spiritual practices as possible on 6-7-8 March, or at least to maintain a calm and equanimous mind. which can then be maintained relatively easily the rest of the month.

I found this informative article on the full moon and its effects on the human system as well as spiritual practices... https://www.thepranichealers.com/the-significance-of-full-moon

We have a saying in Tibet that engaging in the practice of virtue is as hard as driving a donkey uphill, whereas engaging in destructive activities is as easy as rolling boulders downhill. ~ Dalai Lama (Ethics for the New Millennium) We have a saying in Tibet that engaging in the practice of virtue is as hard as driving a donkey uphill, whereas engaging in destructive activities is as easy as rolling boulders downhill. It is also said that negative impulses arise as spontaneously as rain and gather momentum just like water following the course of gravity. What makes matters worse is our tendency to indulge negative thoughts and emotions even while agreeing that we should not. It is essential, therefore, to address directly our tendency to put things off and while away our time in meaningless activities and shrink from the challenge of transforming our habits on the grounds that it is too great a task. ~ Dalai Lama (Ethics for the New Millennium) In particular, it is important not to allow ourselves to be put off by the magnitude of others' suffering. The misery of millions is not a cause for pity. Rather it is a cause for developing compassion. We must also recognize that the failure to act when it is clear that action is required may itself be a negative action....inaction is attributable less to negative thoughts and emotions as to a lack of compassion. It is thus important that we are no less determined to overcome our habitual tendency to laziness than we are to exercise restraint in response to afflictive emotion. ~ Dalai Lama (Ethics for the New Millennium)

Insightful article by Sister B.K.Shivani of the Brahmakumaris on practicing traffic control of the mind with respect to unhealthy thoughts and emotions... https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20230116-sister-bk-shivani-practise-traffic-control-of-the-mind-2318376-2023-01-06

I recall reading of Yogananda on practicing concentration on the point between the eyebrows, stating that it helps to bring about the super-conscious state. https://yogananda.com.au/gita/gita0612-13.html The Brahmakumaris consider the point between the eyebrows as the region where the soul is embedded. Consequently, concentration on this point is an important spiritual exercise for them so as to identify with the soul rather than as the body. They consider the human being in this manner as an eternal soul inhabiting a temporary body, and the spiritual focus being on soul-consciousness or identifying oneself as a soul rather than body-consciousness or identifying oneself as a body.

The Druze is a monotheistic Abrahamic religion that holds belief in reincarnation as one of its fundamental beliefs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze Druze believe that at the end of the cycle of rebirth, which is achieved through successive reincarnations, the soul is united with the Cosmic Mind (al-ʻaql al-kullī). This is similar to the stance of the Dharmic religions of India, which emphasize Moksha or Nirvana meaning liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. Dharmic sects similar to the Druze in terms of belief in monotheism and reincarnation are Sikhism, Arya Samaj and Prajapita Brahmakumaris.

Ethical discipline is a necessary pre-requisite for philosophical enquiry and Self-realisation. Ethics is an enquiry into the nature of good and is concerned with an analysis of the concepts of good and bad, virtue and vice, right and wrong. ~ Swami Sivananda Ethics lead to restraint of the lower self and thereby the mind is calmed. Through calmness of mind, discrimination dawns and one knows the Self. Without ethical perfection there is no spiritual progress. ~ Swami Sivananda

I was of the impression that either Aurobindo or Swami Krishnananda was the greatest Hindu scholar in modern times. There is a website on Swami Krishnananda highlighing his articles and books... https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/ I have never heard of Gopinath Kaviraj before. I understand that he is a disciple of Anandamayi Ma, whom I respect a lot. But I have never come across his books or even quotes till date.

Insightful article by Sister B.K.Asha of the Brahmakumaris on being self-aware to perform correct actions and attract success. https://thedailyguardian.com/how-self-awareness-brings-success/

The root of virtue is a mind free from the three poisons of aversion, attachment, and ignorance. ~ Phakchok Rinpoche All vices are connected to the feeling of wanting or desiring. All desires keep us in the illusion of fulfillment that is gained only for a fleeting moment. ~ Dadi Janki ( Prajapita Brahmakumaris ) To think and act under the influence of vices is to commit violence because the soul is violating its true nature of peace, joy, love and power. The five forms of violence committed by human beings are to indulge in five vices—lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego. All vices are connected to the feeling of wanting or desiring. All desires keep us in the illusion of fulfillment that is gained only for a fleeting moment. ~ Dadi Janki ( Prajapita Brahmakumaris )

It should be understood that mathematics in its modern form had its origin in India. Mathematics as in the numeral system, arithmetic and zero, trigonometry and decimal system, which the world knows today was developed in ancient India. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_mathematics The numeral system as well as zero were the philosophical conceptions of the Sankhya philosophy of sage Kapila and Shunyata philosophy of Buddha. Sankhya means number in sanskrit. The term zero is derived from sifr in Arabic which in turn is derived from the sanskrit Shunya meaning void. Indian mathematics spread to the Arabs who in turn taught it to the Europeans who after centuries of opposition, finally discarded the cumbersome roman numeral system (which could not be used for advanced calculations) in favor of the Indian, a development which revolutionised modern science, technology and accounting. Indian physics through mathematics was developed to the point that In the early part of sixth century A.D., Indian physicist Aryabhata calculated the sidereal rotation (the rotation of the earth referencing the fixed stars) as 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.1 seconds; the modern value is 23:56:4.091. Similarly, his value for the length of the sidereal year at 365 days, 6 hours, 12 minutes, and 30 seconds (365.25858 days)is an error of 3 minutes and 20 seconds over the length of a year (365.25636 days). Indian mathematics reached Europe six centuries later after Aryabhata. So you can see from here that Indian philosophy has had a strategic and major influence in modern science as we see it now. Science is not a holistic philosophy and results in only partial truths. It takes time and research to gather a holistic understanding. For example, chemical fertilizers and pesticides were considered to be useful and safe by scientists when they were introduced heavily in agriculture. Large spikes in cancer rates and death rates however disproved this illusion and resulted in the movement for organic and natural farming in the west. Similarly when nuclear weapons were used and tested, there was not much understanding about its harmful effects. I have seen an old photograph of American soldiers without protective clothing and even shirts watching a nuclear explosion with the resultant mushroom cloud at a distance which they unfortunately thought to be safe. It was similarly when the adverse effects of exposure to nuclear radiation was understood that such practices hopefully came to an end. However by then a lot of damage had been done due to ignorance. So science cannot result in a holistic understanding of the whole in the beginning itself. It has its own due process for that. I had stated in my own post that research findings were inconclusive on this subject due to lack of sufficient research, but the following correlations were noted between full moons and effects on the human system, which I had put over here. There is no certainty even on the part of the scientists on the reasons for these correlations, and phrases like " It's more likely " and "There does seem to be a link " are used.

There is still an effect on water, and this could be what Sri Sri Ravi Shankar have stated to explain this ancient tradition in Hinduism considering that the human body is largely water in mass. Research is not generally conclusive of the effects of the moon on the human body, but they have perceived changes in those with bipolar disorder, and in blood pressure, blood sugar rates and heart rates during different lunar phases. Humans were also found to be more efficient on full and new moons. https://www.healthline.com/health/full-moon-effects#full-moon-and-cardiovascular-health Scientific research have also observed a correlation between poor sleep and a full moon. https://www.science.org/content/article/yes-you-can-blame-moon-bad-night-s-sleep

In Hinduism, there is a religious ritual of fasting on Ekadashi, which is the eleventh lunar day between the new moon and full moon. It is believed that if you fast on Ekadashi and then on Full Moon day, you will not have any illnesses. Since around 60 per cent of the human body is composed of water, the moon is bound to have an effect on the body as it has on tides during full moon nights. Fasting during this time is said to purify the body of accumulated toxins. This is also considered to be a good time for spiritual practices. https://www.followingsrisri.org/2021/06/What-Is-Ekadashi-Fasting-Significance.html

Desire is fine if you can control and regulate them to serve your needs. But if they are intensified into cravings and aversions, you might find yourself under their control against your will. All vices like hatred, lust, greed, gluttony are just manifestations of intense desires in the form of aversions and cravings, and all crimes or errors in conduct, are evolved from them. Also desire promises pleasure but all pleasure is followed by pain and misery in the long run, due to the factors of saturation and impermanence. The peace and joy of Buddha nature or emptiness is considered superior to such fluctuations of pleasures and pain prompted by desires.

Easy to do are things that are bad and harmful to oneself. But exceedingly difficult to do are things that are good and beneficial. ~ Buddha ( Dhammapada 163) Sin is easy to commit. ~ Ashoka If there is a right thing and a wrong thing, it takes longer for the right thing to be implemented, while the wrong thing will be implemented immediately. ~ Dada Bhagavan The nature of the mind is such it ignores all the good and holds on to the negative. ~ Sri Sri Ravi Shankar The mind naturally tends towards evil deeds. It is lethargic in doing good work. That is why I say that perseverance and tenacity are necessary for success in all works.~ Sri Sharada Devi The nature of the mind is to be easy-going and indolent. It loves to shirk responsibility and to get attached to the senses and their objects. A careless man gets attached to sense-pleasures and becomes weak and stupid. The mind of such a man gets impure and weak. ~ Swami Narayanananda

Hinduism has reincarnation as part of its doctrine as well as ancestor worship known as Shraadh. The understanding is that the rituals and worship in Shraadh provides spiritual merit to the souls of one's ancestors or parents who may be in astral dimensions, heavenly or hellish as per their life karma or actions. Those in the hellish astral dimensions will have their negative karma reduced by Shraadh while those in heavenly dimensions will be able to stay there more or even get to better dimensions or get a good birth the next time they reincarnate. The latter would reincarnate in ideal circumstances conducive to wisdom , noble company and enlightenment, thereby liberating themselves from the cycle of death and rebirth. This is what is explained in the Hindu scriptures. Paramahamsa Yogananda in his book, ' The autobiography of a Yogi' had also described the astral heavenly and hellish dimensions as explained by his resurrected master Sri Yukteshwar.

Sensei Sandeep Desai on the 70 % threshold in Taoism... https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/the-speaking-tree/the-70-threshold/ I found this interesting because medical science have also stated of a link between moderate exercise and longevity. I know of a couple of athletes who died of a heart attack while going through rigorous physical regimens. Working at 70 percent capacity can also bring conditions of creativity, enjoyment of work and performing work mindfully.

An ethical life purifies the mind. By living an ethical life, one progresses towards the realization of the Divine. ~ Sri Anandamayi Ma Behavior influences consciousness. Right behavior means right consciousness. ~ Taisen Deshimaru (Zen Buddhist master and founder of Association Zen Internationale) Behavior influences consciousness. Right behavior means right consciousness. Our attitude here and now influences the entire environment: our words, actions, ways of holding and moving ourselves, they all influence what happens around us and inside us. The actions of every instant, every day, must be right...Every gesture is important. How we eat, how we put on our clothes, how we wash ourselves, how we go to the toilet, how we put our things away, how we act with other people, family, wife, work - how we are: totally, in every single gesture. ~ Taisen Deshimaru

There maybe some exagerations and mistranslations due to lack of proper knowledge of english. But you can still see that these weapons have similar effects to that of modern nuclear weapons. Infected foodstuffs, pottery breaking without any cause, hair and nails falling out, infertility in humans and animals are some of the similarities I am talking about. It is just some exaggerated stuff. In Buddhism as well you can see some exaggerations while praising the person of the Buddha or Bodhisattvas for creating impact. People record their activities and add their own statements to increase the impact. In the Ramayana, Indrajit is said to have wiped out millions of vanara soldiers with the Brahmastra in a single day. However , the story of Ramayana is known even now. Arjuna contained the weapon's destructive effects, but Ashwatthama directed the energy malevolently to an another target which was in turn contained by Krishna. The story of Ganesha getting an elephant head is part of the puranas which is mainly of metaphors . Wisdom is supposed to be distilled from them by properly interpreting them. The weapons of the Brahmastra is mentioned in both epics Ramayana and Mahabharatha, which have a logical narrative to a large extent. Battle formations and tactics and their corresponding counter-tactics are described in detail. Even now, chanting of mantras are considered to be important in increasing the efficacy of medicines prepared in Ayurveda and indigenous medical systems of India. And I have personally seen and read of people who have exhausted all that allopathy had to offer but found their cure and healing in Ayurveda. So it is possible such weapons based on mantras were there in the past, and knowledge of them deliberately wiped out due to the present age of Kali Yuga which is considered inauspicious due to the dominance of the guna of tamas. Even if these weapons and the epics are just tales of fiction as Atlantis is supposed to be, there still remains wisdom to be distilled from them to guide our turbulent present.

There are references to super-weapons in the Ramayana and Mahabharatha, with corresponding mantras . They were called astras, and they were mainly used by highly proficient warriors. https://www.gaia.com/article/evidence-nuclear-war-ancient-times The Brahmastra is mentioned in both the Ramayana and Mahabharatha. The destructive effects of this weapon is similar to that recorded by the use of nuclear weapons. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmastra An interesting fact recorded is that self-mastery and a good character was necessary in the proper use of these weapons. In the Mahabharatha, there is a confrontation between Arjuna and Ashwatthama , who were both the favorite disciple and son respectively of the martial arts teacher Drona . Ashwatthama used the Brahmastra offensively ignoring the regulations in its usage, while Arjuna used the same weapon to counter the widespread destruction and contain it. The sages Narada and Vyasa stopped the battle considering its dangerous repercussions and asked both warriors to withdraw the weapon. Arjuna , due to his self-mastery and virtuous behavior, was able to withdraw the weapon safely, while the character flawed Ashwatthama was not able to do so. Arjuna was praised by the sages for his self-restraint and prudence while Ashwatthama was criticised and rebuked for lack of the same. Ashwatthama was cursed by Krishna for breaching rules of proper conduct and morality in this regard by using such powerful weapons without self-regulation. Shivabalayogi, an enlightened sage of modern times had also cited this battle to show that such super-weapons were present in earlier times, and the dangers associated with their usage. https://www.shiva.org/SHIVABALAYOGI-HisWords_World_Conditions.htm It is said that there were other similar warfare techniques and technologies that were deliberately wiped out by martial arts teachers with the onset of the present Kali Yuga or Dark Ages, as they were probably apprehensive that such techniques and weapons might fall to the wrong hands creating peril for the whole world. The present Kali Yuga is the time when the guna of tamas will be at its peak, leading to lower states of consciousness and loss of values due to philosophies adhering to hedonism, materialism, atheism and nihilism. This had been prophesized in the past and consequently much of such destructive weapons had been deliberately lost with time. I would say that all this showcases the fact that destructive weapons the world has at present should be destroyed by the UN or there should be a hard body of regulations governing their usage as they are capable of wiping out entire countries and continents.

Insightful article by Sadhguru on the cause of violence and its solution... https://isha.sadhguru.org/us/en/wisdom/article/violence-cause-solutions

Mathematics as in the numeral system, arithmetic and zero, trigonometry and decimal system, which the world knows today was developed in ancient India. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_mathematics This was studied by the Arabs later on who expanded on it, and was passed on to the Europeans in the tenth century A.D. There was opposition to the foreign mathematical system in Europe then , which delayed its widespread use by a couple of centuries. European scholars however in time noted its practicality and superiority over the roman numeral system and advocated its adoption. This lead to a quantum leap in the development of western science, technology and accounting.

https://www.news18.com/news/india/no-land-encroachment-intrusion-into-elephant-corridor-by-isha-yoga-centre-tn-govts-reply-on-rti-4544348.html https://thelogicalindian.com/trending/sadhguru-isha-yoga-center-32581 The claim that Sadhguru's center has encroached on any forest land is incorrect according to the government's own records that have been made public. Also Sadhguru and his volunteers have converted many acres of arid land into lush forests in India bringing about great ecological gains in the process benefiting India. Sadhguru has a world record in his name for planting saplings in his efforts for ecological preservation. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/over-8-lakh-trees-planted-in-one-day-in-tn/articleshow/2191748.cms On 17th October, 2006, 256,289 volunteers working on 6284 sites spread across Tamil Nadu planted a record number of 852,587 saplings in a single day. He has similarly worked and executed other nature related projects in India and around the world and has created awareness on them through his talks and discussion sessions.

With his dark looks and turban, Sadhguru does look unconventional. Swami Vivekananda in the nineteenth century had his turban pulled from behind him, while he was walking in a street in America. When Vivekananda asked the culprit for an explanation, the man was embarrassed and asked Vivekananda why he dressed that way ! A barber also refused to give his services to Vivekananda back then on account of his dark skin. On the backdrop of 9/11, many Sikhs were targetted and subjected to hate crimes on account of their turban. Sadhguru is however quite popular in Arab and Islamic countries though, and have posed with high ranking officials and people over there. Perhaps it is a cultural similarity and dissimilarity thing that is creating the philias and phobias !

When even one virtue becomes our nature, the mind becomes clean and tranquil. Then there is no need to practice meditation; we will automatically be meditating always. ~ Swami Satchidananda Wholesome virtuous behavior progressively leads to the foremost.~ Buddha AN 10.1 If you do right, irrespective of what the other does, it will slow down the (turbulent) mind. ~ Rajini Menon