Life After Death (2): The AfterLife - Ghosts, Spirits, Death and Re-Birth !

The subject of Life after Death or "The After Life" fascinates many of us. In an earlier post on the blog, we have read about the moments of death and what we experience when we die . 

While for most us Death is involuntary, we have also understood how great sages and seers can take Samadhi (Voluntary cessation of Life after their purpose of being here is served). In this article we learn about the habitat of the departed soul, ghosts and apparitions, death and rebirth. The article also answers questions like : Is there an avarage time lag between death and rebirth?

The enclosed article is an excerpt from the very informative book " Life Beyond Physical Death" by Shriram Sharma Acharya. The author Shriram Sharma Acharya is himself a reincarnation of Sant Kabir, Samarth Guru Ramdass and Ramkrishna Paramhansa.

Quoted Text: 

"The habitat of the departed soul: 

On coming out of the body, the soul finds itself in a strange environment. Just as after a prolonged period of hard work one seeks a comfortable bed, in order to relax after the lifelong engagement with the body, the soul needs rest and sleep (a period of inactivity). This period of sleep provides the soul a great deal of rest. (Hence the prayer for the departed soul to rest in peace).

However, the soul does not fall asleep immediately after death but takes some time in doing so. Generally, the duration lasts about a month. It is because the habits and memories of earlier bodily attachments are fresh and strong at the time of death and only gradually loosen their hold. As an analogy, consider the state of body after hard labor. The circulation of blood is fast and one cannot fall sleep even on a comfortable bed till it becomes normal. 

After its separation from the physical body (Sthool Sharir) on death, the soul assumes an astral body (Sukshma Sharir). The form of this body is somewhat similar to that of the physical body. The being is pleasantly surprised to find a sudden acquisition of levity. Now it can move freely in space like a bird and reach anywhere simply by willing to do so. After abandoning the physical body, the soul hovers around the mortal remains. Finding the near and dear ones mourning, it makes an attempt to communicate with them or re-enter the dead body, but does not succeed.

The following narration of a departed soul illustrates the point :"After death, I found myself in a strange situation. On account of my previous attachments with my physical body and dear ones, I wanted to interact with them but found myself helpless. I could see and hear everyone and talked loudly, but found that I had become invisible and inaudible to the living beings. Though it disturbed me to some extent, I felt very happy in my newly acquired body in which I felt very light and could fly around with great speed. I recollected, that while living I was afraid of death, for which now there did not appear any reason, whatsoever. Having acquired the new body, I became less interested in the older one, since this astral (Sukshma) body was in every way much superior to the previous one. I felt that I was existing as before and could see and move my limbs as earlier. It convinced me that there was nothing to fear about death and dying was only an ordinary natural process involving change of body."

Ghosts and spirits :

Because of earlier long attachment the soul continues to hover around the dead body till it is cremated. After it is reduced to ashes, it reluctantly seeks a diversion. On burial, however, it remains infatuated with the mortal remains and hovers around them for many days. Souls of less enlightened persons and of those having deeper involvements in worldly matters, haunt the graveyards and crematoriums for many days. A longing for the earlier body draws them again and again towards the place of cremation and unable to control their emotions, they wail around the grave. Then there are also individuals having deep affections with close friends and relatives. Souls of such persons prefer to stay near the favorite persons rather than around the place of cremation. 

Old aged person while living naturally develop greater detachment from worldly affairs. Consequently, the soul of such a person is more relaxed and falls asleep sooner after death. On the other hand, youths having strong desires and attachments-specially those dying of shock or suicide suffer for longer duration, before having rest. 

The Apparitions : 

In the event of sudden death associated with pain, quite a few particles of the physical body (Sthool Sharir) cling to the Astral Body (Sukshma-Sharir), as a consequence of which, the soul retains the characteristics of both the former living as well as the astral being. It, therefore, has some physical as well as astral (Sukshma) components. Such souls, at times become visible to the living person as apparitions. However, this is not true about a person dying a natural death. In order to make themselves visible, the latter category of spirits have to make great efforts and carry out specific spiritual exercises. 

Persons dying of unnatural death, on the other hand, exist as spirits (ghosts) and they are unable to sleep because of their troubled emotional state. Seeking opportunities for taking revenge or fulfilment of desires through the body of a living person, they hover around old "Pipal" trees, caves, ruins or some reservoir of water. They make their presence felt to the desired person or persons at opportune moments. The exorcists (Tantriks) bring such spirits under their control with help of witchcraft and make them work like slaves. The spirits, however, do not work willingly for the exorcists. They remain ever resentful and even kill their captors in unguarded moments. No one likes to be in bondage. The spirits perform like the caged lion in a circus. 

The spirits generally tend to stay at a particular place, and do not change their abode frequently unless there is some specific reason to do so. 

The rest before rebirth : 

The souls of modest persons and of those having religious disposition severe links with the earlier worldly milieu after cremation and easily reconcile to the changed environment. Detaching themselves from the past, they easily fall asleep for recuperation. Nature has not specified any fixed duration for this period of rest. It depends on the state of spiritual health of the soul. As children and hard working persons need a longer period of sleep and rest, so do the souls in various states of spiritual health. Generally a duration up to three years is found sufficient for this rest. During the first year, the soul sleeps soundly within which it is able to recuperate from the exhaustion of earlier life and the finer perceptions of the new astral body begin to react efficiently to the requirement of new levels of sentience. In the succeeding second year of rest the soul recapitulates the wrong deeds (sins) of earlier existence and prepares itself for working in the new environment, in the light of past experiences. The third year is spent in looking for the milieu in which it desires to return to this world by taking birth in a new body. The duration mentioned here are averages. Occasionally, in specific cases, persons have been found taking rebirth even after six months, whereas others have taken as long as five years. The maximum age (period of existence) of spirits (Prait) is believed to be twelve years. Thus the maximum gap between the death of a person and rebirth could be taken as twelve years. "

Other similar  articles on the topic of- Life after Death:

Moments of Death and what do we experience when we die?

http://guidingthoughts.blogspot.com/2012/08/do-we-need-to-fear-death-or-is-soul.html

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Source and credits : 

The above is an excerpt from Acharya Shriram Sharma's fascinating book "Life Beyound Physical Death". 

If you would like to read this very informative book "Life Beyond Physical Death" please click the link below: 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/58833184/the-Life-Beyond-Physical-Death
If you would like to download this wonderful book , please click the link below:
http://vicharkrantibooks.org/vkp_ecom/English_Books/Scientific_Spirituality/The_Life_Beyond_Death_English

If you would like to know more about the author Shriram Sharma Acharya, please click the link below: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shriram_Sharma

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Inspirational Quotes, Short Stories, Tales and Fables from "Akhand Jyoti" Magazine

Enclosed here are Inspiring Quotes, Short Stories, Tales and Fables with a great message. These inspiring motivational tales and short stories are from "Akhand Jyoti" magazine or the "Light Divine" started by Shriram Sharma Acharya in 1936. 

The Akhand Jyoti magazine completes 75 years of publication and circulation this year and has worldwide readership. Akhand Jyoti magazine was started by Shriram Sharma Acharya  to transmit the Acharya's writings and Literature. 

The spirit of the Divine purpose of  Acharya Shriram Sharma's Life lies in Acharyaji's  extensive writings ( the translation of all Vedas , Puranas, Upanishads, learnings from Puranas, Mahabharata, Ramayana etc) and forms the essence and substance of this magazine. (Note: certain grammatical amendments to the quoted text below have been made for ease of reading.)

The Art of being Tactful yet Truthful:

"A King called three great artists and asked them to make his portrait. There was a big prize for making the best portrait. The King had only one eye.

One artist thought that the King may get angry if he showed him with only one eye. So he made a beautiful portrait with two eyes. 

The second artist thought that the portrait should be completely real and so he sketched the picture with only one eye. 

The third artist acted intelligentlly and showed the king with a bow and arrow.An eye was hidden in the posture as the king was aiming to hit the target. 

All the portraits were beautiful but the prize for the best portrait went to the third artist as he had succeeded in artfully making the truth of the King having one eye more appreciable."

(Credits: Akhand Jyoti Magazine, September-October 2011)

The wisdom of Jesus Christ:

When Christ was in the town of Caper, he chose to live with the downtrodden , illiterate and backward people in the city.Many criminal people and people with a dubious character also lived there. The elite of the town went to visit Christ and pay their obesiance to him. The requested HIM to come and stay at a nearby locality where the people were cultured, educated and civilized. At this request Jesus replied by saying: "Does a doctor on duty go to see the sick and the healthy persons? The Son of God has come to serve those in pain, to show light to those who are in dark, to help the fallen ones to rise. So he has to live with the lowest and the lost.

(Credits: Akhand Jyoti magazine, September- October 2011)

The  distribution of knowledge and wisdom is the best charity:

A dispute arose between three brothers on the best type of donation or charity. One brother said -Money is the best donation. The second brother said- gifting a cow is the best donation. The thrid brother said -gifting land is the best donation.

The Father did not give an answer. He sent his eldest son with some money and the son gave this money to a beggar he met on the way. Similarly, the second and the third son went and gave a cow, a piece of land to the same beggar while on their way to do their father's work.

A few days later the sons were passing through the village with their father and were surprised to find the same man bagging again. The man had finished the money and sold the cow and the land. Now the Father told the sons: The charity of giving wisdom is the best charity".

(Credits : Akhand Jyoti Magazine, September- October 2011)

Can Money be the most Important ingredient of our Life?

A Businessman from the city of Basra got lost in the desert. He wandered lost for a very long time. He was hungry and looking desperately for food. As though God heard his prayers by evening, he found that he could see Nakhalistan. He was really happy to see a parcel lying there. He picked it up felt it and thought it was a parcel of grams and that it would be enough to feed him for two days.

Minutes later he was really distressed and disappointed. On opening the parcel he found that it was not grams that he could eat, but precious pearls were the contents of the packet. He remained hungry. 

In the final moments of life we realize that MONEY is not the most important pursuit of our lives. Money is precious only when it is utilised rightly and justly, and when not utilised correctly, the pursuit of money is like accumalating gravel and stones.

(Credits : Akhand Jyoti Magazine , September- October 2011)

The Most Important work, The Best person and The Most Auspicious Time:

A seeker once asked : "Which is the most important work, Who is the most important person and What time is the best time"?

The wise person explained: " The work in hand is the most important work ; One who works along with you is the most important person ; and the present moment is the most auspicious time - so do not waste it".

(Credits : Akhand Jyoti Magazine , September- October 2011)

Control of The Senses: Katha Upanishad

The journey of life can be safely completed only if one keeps a watchful control over the senses. This is also the path of reaching the Supreme/ or The Absolute. 

The BODY is like a chariot to which the SENSES are yoked like horses. The MIND is like the reins, it enables the charioteer to hold the horses in check. 

The SOUL rides in the chariot and the ROAD is the world of objects over which the senses move.

If the reins are not held firmly and wisely, the senses like wild horses will get out of control and the chariot will not reach its goal. Instead the chariot will go round and round in births and rebirths.

If man is wise and controls his mind, his senses will be like well behaved horses driven by an able charioteer. -(Katha Upanishada{3(3,4,5,9)}

(Credits : An excerpt with minor text modifications from Akhand Jyoti magazine , May- June 2012).

Note to our readers: We hope you enjoyed reading these Inspiring Motivational short stories. For similar other stories and informative articles , we invite you to read Akhand Jyoti online.Akhand Jyoti Online :http://literature.awgp.org/magazine

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The Vedas, The Upanishads, The Bhagvad Gita - What are they ? When were they written?

The enclosed is a guest post from Spiritual Bee.com, describing The Vedas , The Upanishads, and The Bhagavad Gita. A short narration  of when they were written? What they are about? and Are they scientific texts containing the LAWS of the UNIVERSE that anyone can read like they would read a science text book? The article also tells us where we can  buy well explained English versions of these texts .

"The Vedas are the earliest known texts of the Indian civilization. Of these, the oldest is the Rig Veda, which dates to at least 2000 BC or earlier. The terminal portions of the Vedas are called the Upanishads. Each Upanishad focuses on answering key questions surrounding the nature of reality: What is the cause of all Creation? Is there a common reality that unifies both matter and individual consciousness? Who is God and what is His nature? Does life persist after death?

There are in total 108 known Upanishads, of which 11 are considered ‘Principal’ because they have been explained in detail by illustrious teachers of the past, such as Adi Shankaracharya (788-820 AD). The Bhagavad Gita which dates to around 1500 BC, is considered as an ‘Upanishad of all Upanishads’ because it contains a summarized view of the wisdom found in the 108 Upanishads combined.

It is important to note that the Upanishads are not mere spiritual philosophies, arrived at through rationalization, debate or logic. Rather they are a scientific record of the reality that has actually been witnessed by the sages in the highest states of super-consciousness. Much like the observational astronomy of today, the sages are explaining the laws of the Universe that they have discovered. The intense, rational and scientific wisdom contained in these books is the real foundation upon which all spirituality rests."

To know how and where to buy the best books on spirituality, along with a short descriptions of each book, click on the following link: http://www.spiritualbee.com/spiritual-books/

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The Future of The World - Prophecy of a Thought Revolution followed by an era of Enlightened Intelligence!

The World is Topsy Turvy today ! It is difficult to imagine its survival let alone imagine a New World Order based on Enlightened Intelligence. The below mentioned quoted text describes the "Future Of The World" and is  an excerpt from the Book " Super Science of Gayatri".
Here The Enlightened Indian sage - Shriram Sharma Acharya explains how current world events are shaping future trends  and setting the stage for  the dawn of a new era . This new era will be symbolised by  ENLIGHTENED INTELLIGENCE and will last a 1000 years.

The sole purpose of Shriram Sharma Acharya's Divine mission was to lay the foundations of this new era through the dissemination of "thought provoking" Literature and by initiating the "Thought Revolution Movement". For this purpose he dedicated his life to writing Transformational Literature (over 3000 books) that will guide the lives of people for millions of years to come. 

For any change of magnitude to take place, there is a transition period and a transition time that precedes it. Nothing happens overnight. We are currently in that transition period that precedes the start of a new Golden Era for mankind.

We all start as dis-believers . It is difficult today to imagine a new world order such as the one being described below. It seems impossible. However before we read this article lets go over some events in the last two decades that none of us could have imagined as possible? 

Could you have imagined the following events : 

The loss of Russia as a global super power? The re-unification of Germany?England the architect of the Industrial Revolution, manufactures close to nothing today?

The lost decade of Japan ? The launch of the world wide web and its transformational effects on our lives. Can u live without google, email,facebook today?

The launch of the Global Positioning system or the GPS?

The collapse of Enron, Worldcom, AIG, Lehman Brothers, Bear Sterns. Big corporations disappeared overnight? 

The current unemployment crisis in Europe and America?The rise of the US as the most indebted nation in the world? The rise of China and India in the past two decades? 

Revolutions today are fought as "Thought Movements " on Facebook and the worldwide web? 

Therefore do read the enclosed quoted article below in context of the above mentioned changes that you may have never dared to IMAGINE? 

Quoted Text : 21st Century and Beyond - An Era Of Enlightened Intelligence:

Gayatri (symbolizing righteous intellect in man ) will now be known as the power of the new coming golden era of Life on earth. The deadly poisons permeating the atmosphere today , poisoning the environment and minds and hearts of human-beings can be neutralized only with the help of collective Sadhana(worship) of this Mantra...that grants righteous intellect!

This new era of Enlightened Intelligence is described in Hindi as "Satyug".

What will prevail in the new era, what ideologies will be adopted, have all been described in detail in Hindu texts like Gayatri Geeta, Gayatri-Smriti and Gayatri Manjari. Learnings from these texts have been incorporated in the Hindi Edition of Gayatri Mahavigyan Part II- a book authored by Acharya Shriram Sharma.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER TO COME:

The sum and substance of this enunciation is that the people of the world will soon live like one family. There will emerge one unifying spiritual vision, making the earth a happy home for all the people and nations of the world, united in universal love, understanding and good will. It will be true unity in diversity -Sovereign nation states will be- come obsolete. None will be poor or rich.

This earth is mother of all. All humankind will unite together to use its bounties. Glaring economic and social disparities will be eradicated. Everybody will get according to his need and will have to work according to his capacity. Everyone will live on his own self-earned income. Nobody will subsist on ill-begotten money. None will get an opportunity to give unearned wealth through inheritance and indulge in riotous merry making.
No country will be allowed to subjugate a neighboring country to fulfil its selfish ends. This new one world organisation will have a combined judicial system and there will be one peace keeping force directly under the global government. Disputes will be settled by Panchayats.

It will be the duty of the global government to check any infringement of universally accepted and acclaimed laws of harmonious collective living. Immorality, atrocities, blind faith, evil traditions, foolishness etc. will become things of the past. None will be required to indulge in litigation to get justice. Women will command greater respect than men.

Family planning will be strictly enforced so that the world population is stabilised . Universal education and health will be the responsibility of the state. Old persons will also work in accordance with their capacity. Everyone will have to adopt the principle of simple living and high thinking. Nobody will be allowed to usurp the fundamental rights of anybody else. Culprits will be given exemplary deter- rent punishment.

People will earn money for livelihood for a limited time. The rest of the time will be utilized in self-refinement and in rendering selfless service for the good of others. Retirement will not mean a permit for idleness. Not only his family but society as a whole will get benefit of the wisdom and talents of an old person. Scientific discoveries will be applied more in the field of spiritual up-liftment rather than for increase of physical or material well-being.

Spiritual super-science will get preference over material science.

This prediction of the advent of the new golden era is foretold in the scriptures of the world and has been foreseen by the seer-vision of mystic masters around the world."
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We invite you to visit our "Life Transforming Books" section .The above article is from the last chapter of the classic masterpiece book  "The Super Science of Gayatri". If you would like to read this book, please click the link below: 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/104094422/8206508-THE-SUPER-SCIENCE-OF-GAYATRI-by-Shriram-Sharma-Acharya

If you would like to know more about Shriram Sharma Acharya, please click the link below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shriram_Sharma

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Why Should We Be Good, When Being Selfish Is More Rewarding?

Why be good? In a world where greed, corruption and dishonesty dominate, what will we gain by being good? Why must we do good to others, when being selfish is a whole lot easier and often more rewarding?

These questions are immensely pertinent, especially in the times that we live. So if you ever desired to know the answer, here is a powerful explanation that will not disappoint!

The answer comes from Swami Vivekananda, one of the greatest teachers of Advaita Vedanta and a sage who had realized his own soul. It was given in response to a question posed by a disciple, over a 100 years ago.

However, before we proceed to his answer, let us first visit some key ideas, that will make it easier to understand Vivekananda’s point-of-view:

Contrary to what modern biologists tell us, there is a purpose which governs our existence. The highest aim of life, of knowledge, of work, of all religions and spiritual paths is one, and that is self-realization – to discover our true identity, to know who we really our, to uncover our Atman or Soul.

Within each of us lies this divine soul, the source of all goodness, whose presence often goes undetected, because it is obscured by our ego, selfishness, greed and other base instincts, which form a hard shell around it.

To read the complete article please click the link below:

http://www.spiritualbee.com/posts/why-should-we-be-good/

The Gayatri Mantra (1) - Its Origin, Meaning, Scientific Impact on our Mind and Body.

The enclosed article explains the meaning of the Gayatri Mantra, its scientific merits, and the  universal application of its meaning and benefits to all people irrespective of caste, creed, nationality or religion. 

The Gayatri Mantra is a non religious mantra devoted to the promotion of righteous intellect in the world.

The following note is an amalgamation of writings from two books :
"The Super Science of Gayatri" and "The Tangible Miracles of Gayatri Meditation". Both books are authored by Yugrishi Shriram Sharma Acharya.

In Yugrishi Shriram Sharma Acharya's own words, the significance of the Gayatri Mantra is explained as follows :

"A person can proceed rapidly on the path of spiritual growth and self realization through the devotion of Goddess Gayatri the Supreme creative energy of the Divine. The Mantra endows its devotee with true wisdom.

A subtle uninterrupted current of divine energy starts flowing through the inner being of the devotee, cleansing his intellect , mind and emotions of the perverse ,  dark thoughts , feelings and desires. The effects of sincere and steadfast Gayatri Sadhana are swift and miraculous in purifying, harmonizing and steadying the mind and thus establishing unshakable inner peace and a sense of joyous calm even in the face of grave trials and tribulations in the outer  life of the devotee. 

Darkness has no independent existence of its own. Darkness is nothing but the absence of Light. In the same way unhappiness is nothing but the absence of knowledge. Otherwise in this orderly creation of God, there is no shadow or suffering. God is Sat, Chit, Anand, the embodiment of Supreme Truth, Pure , Awareness and Divine Bliss. Human beings suffer because they choose to aimlessly wander in the wilderness of ignorance - forgetting their true identity as Divine Sparks. Otherwise, birth in a human body is a great boon, which even the Gods covet, because it is the only means through which a soul can attain self realization, the fountainhead of unalloyed Bliss.

The Sadhna of Gayatri is the worship of Supreme Knowledge. It is my personal experience and firm belief that those who worship Gayatri will never be lacking in spiritual enlightenment and worldly happiness."

                                               

Quotes from Shriram Sharma Acharya's book "My Life its Legacy and Message"

Following are some great quotes on Spirituality ranging from How to become Spiritual? Does God have Form? The rewards of Public Service -what are they?  

These short quotes and excerpts are from the book "My Life Its Legacy and Message" by Shriram Sharma Acharya. This autobiographical book describes the spiritual journey of Yugrishi Shiram Sharma Acharya under the guidance of his own Guru from the Himalayas . 
Acharya Shriram Sharma was born to a noble, landed  and wealthy family, and yet under the guidance of his Guru he renounced his wealth and  instead poured his belongings and wealth into spreading Knowledge for greater public good. 
He describes in detail the instructions given to him by the Parliament of Divine Rishis living in their astral formats in the  Himalayas and how he was sent here by them  be an instrument of change and to revive the concepts of Vedanta and incorporate them into practical daily lives of people.

We can take inspiration from his Life and several others like him,  to share l  a component our time, resources and labour for common public good, so that in the future our  society is more  even and well balanced in its growth and believes in righteous living.

Quoted Text:

Does God have a FORM ? If  not -What is the purpose of Imagining him as having FORM?

"God is conceived as "sakar' ( with form) for the purpose of meditation according to one's liking and belief and resembles a human figure. This conception is definitely essential and useful, but it has to be borne in mind that its imaginary and not real. God is one and cannot have so many forms as has been visualised by various religions and sects. The utility of form should be kept confined to practicising concentration of mind. The principle of underlying Idol worship is that effort should be made to understand, visualise, assimilate the Invisible God through the medium of a visible symbol."

Why evil exists - Ramakrishna Paramhansa in conversation with his disciple.

Enclosed here is an explanation of Evil & why evil  exists. The short article also explains the consequences of committing sinful actions and deeds.The text is a self explanatory conversation between Ramakrishna Paramhansa and his disciple. Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa is referred to as MASTER in this conversation:

Quoted Text:

"A NEIGHBOUR: "Why does a man have sinful tendencies?"

MASTER: "In God's creation there are all sorts of things. He has created bad men as well as good men. It is He who gives us good tendencies, and it is He again who gives us evil tendencies."

NEIGHBOUR: "In that case we aren't responsible for our sinful actions, are we?"

MASTER: "Sin begets its own result. This is God's law. Won't you burn our tongue if you chew a chilli? In his youth Madhur led a rather fast life; so he suffered from various diseases before his death.

"One may not realize this in youth. I have looked into the hearth in the kitchen of the Kāli temple when logs are being burnt. At first the wet wood burns rather well. It doesn't seem then that it contains much moisture. But when the wood is sufficiently burnt, all the moisture runs back to one end. At last water squirts from the fuel and puts out the fire.

"So one should be careful about anger, passion, and greed. Take, for instance, the case of Hanuman. In a fit of anger he burnt Ceylon. At last he remembered that Sita was living in the Aśoka grove. Then he began to tremble lest the fire should injure her."

NEIGHBOUR: "Why has God created wicked people?"

MASTER: "That is His will, His play. In His maya there exists avidyā as well as vidyā. Darkness is needed too. It reveals all the more the glory of light. There is no doubt that anger, lust, and greed are evils. Why, then, has God created them? In order to create saints. A man becomes a saint by conquering the senses. Is there anything impossible for a man who has subdued his passions? He can even realize God, through His grace. Again, see how His whole play of creation is perpetuated through lust.

"Wicked people are needed too. At one time the tenants of an estate became unruly. The landlord had to send Golak Choudhury, who was a ruffian. He was such a harsh administrator that the tenants trembled at the very mention of his name.

"There is need of everything. Once Sita said to her Husband: 'Rama, it would be grand if every house in Ayhodhya were a mansion! I find many houses old and dilapidated.' 'But, my dear,' said Rama, 'if all the houses were beautiful ones, what would the masons do?' (Laughter.) God has created all kinds of things. He has created good trees, and poisonous plants and weeds as well. Among the animals there are good, bad, and all kinds of creatures - tigers, lions, snakes, and so on."

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Source and Credits : 

Visit our "Life Transforming Books " section to read the Gospel of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, as well as other great Books from The Enlightened Spiritual Masters.

This article is an excerpt from http://www.belurmath.org/gospel/chapter02.htm

Do we have a Soul? Three powerful truths that point to its existence.

A guest post from Spiritual Bee.com:

"There is a great battle raging on, between the practical man of science and the faithful man of religion – the battle over the existence of the soul. Often, this battle rages within our very own selves, and for good reason.

Born in this great century of science we find it difficult to reconcile the achievements of science with those of religion. The pragmatic instincts within us compel us to question the existence of the soul because science has failed to uncover any conclusive proof.

However before we dismiss this grandest of beliefs, which forms the cornerstone of all major religions of the world and which has persisted for well over 2,500 years of human history, we must remember that lack of scientific evidence cannot be construed as proof of non-existence.

Modern science which is in its comparative infancy, being less than 350 years old, is very much a work in progress and even though it has made giant strides in understanding our outer world of matter, it has yet to shine its light on our inner world of spirit – of feelings and emotions – of consciousness.

It must also be highlighted that the existence of the soul cannot be construed as a mere philosophy or an idea dreamed up by a group of people, rather it represents a Supreme Truth, witnessed by countless teachers and prophets in the highest states of super-consciousness. The belief in the soul stems not from imagination but from direct perception.

And while science cannot offer us conclusive proof just yet, a rational analysis of our inner nature reveals powerful and persuasive truths that point to the presence of this great spiritual reality within us. Listed below are three such truths:

(To continue reading the full article please click the link below: http://www.spiritualbee.com/posts/existence-of-the-soul/ ).

Swami Vivekananda's Speech- in response to a rousing welcome at the Parliament of World Religions.

RESPONSE TO WELCOME :At the World's Parliament of Religions, Chicago,11th September, 1893

"Sisters and Brothers of America,

It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions; and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects.

My thanks, also, to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honour of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration. I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. 

I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings: “As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.”

The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita: “Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to me.” Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilisation and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honour of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal."

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Credits and references:

http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_1/vol_1_frame.htm

Swami Vivekananda Speech at Chicago, Parliament Of World Religions: Should one religion triumph over another ?

ADDRESS AT THE FINAL SESSION, CHICAGO,27th September, 1893

"The World's Parliament of Religions has become an accomplished fact, and the merciful Father has helped those who laboured to bring it into existence, and crowned with success their most unselfish labour.

My thanks to those noble souls whose large hearts and love of truth first dreamed this wonderful dream and then realised it. My thanks to the shower of liberal sentiments that has overflowed this platform. My thanks to his enlightened audience for their uniform kindness to me and for their appreciation of every thought that tends to smooth the friction of religions. A few jarring notes were heard from time to time in this harmony. My special thanks to them, for they have, by their striking contrast, made general harmony the sweeter.

Much has been said of the common ground of religious unity. I am not going just now to venture my own theory. But if any one here hopes that this unity will come by the triumph of any one of the religions and the destruction of the others, to him I say, “Brother, yours is an impossible hope.” Do I wish that the Christian would become Hindu? God forbid. Do I wish that the Hindu or Buddhist would become Christian? God forbid.

The Five states of Human Consciousness, where they lie and how they are measured?

The following is an excerpt from the phenomenal book- "The Astonishing Power of the Bio Physical and Subtle Energies of the Human Body" authored by Shriram Sharma Acharya. 
The excerpt here advances our learning on the subject of how the sages and saints of  our current and ancient times harnessed the power of these subtle energies to enter into different states of bliss, the final state of bliss being Samadhi (merging of Individual Consciouness with the Universal Consciousness). Can modern scientific instruments measure some of these states of consciousness and how have we achieved the same? I would urge everyone to read this extensively validated research article and be inspired to read the book. A link to a copy of the book is enclosed at the end of the article.

                    
Quoted Text (with minor edits from the book to facilitate ease of reading):

"The science of spirituality deals with both the subtle and the physical level of the conscious body. Experts of this science can use higher levels of realization in the subtle body to perform supernatural experiments on the physical body. They experience more and more bliss as they realize higher and subtler levels of consciousness. 

The five important levels of the human consciousness are:
(i) The Physical Consciousness (Annamaya Kosh) which is manifested in the activities of hormones and enzymes etc.
(ii) The Awakened Consciousness (Pranmaya Kosh) which is active in the form of bio-electricity.
(iii) The Psychic Consciousness (Manomaya kosh) which gives rise to bio-magnetism.
(iv) The Intuitive Consciousness (Vigyanmaya Kosh) and
(v) The Supreme Consciousness (Anandmaya Kosh) which subtly exists in the Reticular Activating System in the Cortical Nuclei. 

Why has Science not found God? A guest post from Spiritual Bee.com

Science has not found God, because so far it has not looked in the right place. Modern physics, which deals with the study of the Universe, has for the most part, limited itself to analyzing inanimate matter and has completely omitted the study of life forces — of Consciousness.

The Universe which is comprised of both matter and consciousness cannot reveal its secrets if we confine our focus to one realm alone. Truth can only be realized when we examine all and not some of the facts.

According to physics, our Universe was born in a big bang, from which arose not only space and time but also our world of matter. When the big bang occurred, the 3-dimensions of space began to expand and time started. As the universe expanded, it cooled and matter came into existence along with the forces that govern matter (e.g. gravitational, nuclear and electromagnetic).

But what came before the big bang? What is the source of all Creation? Science has no answer, since it can only look back up until the big bang. It is unable to cross the chasm and know what came before, because at that point all laws of physics break down and everything that we know – matter, space and time, all go to zero.

Thus for science to see beyond the big bang, it must find something that survives this event. For any such force to survive unaffected, it must necessarily lie outside the confines of our Universe of matter – a realm in which science has yet to shine its light. To read the full post please click the link below: http://www.spiritualbee.com/posts/science-and-god/

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The rewards of Public Service - Instant Good Karma !

The path of true worship involves three essential constituents: Upasana (sitting close to God, like two bodies and  one soul), Sadhana (leading a correct, righteous  life) and Aradhana ( service to humanity). 

The enclosed text here explains the "rewards of public service " and how to engage in public service?  In the below mentioned excerpt, Shriram Sharma Acharya also  explains why public service is rewarding and why we should all engage in the same. He shares experiences from his own personal life and shares the rewards that accrued to him personally.He also explains that public service when done with a personal motive loses its rewards for the doer.
The enclosed excerpt is from the book - "My Life its Legacy and Message" authored by Shriram Sharma Acharya.  The excerpt is full of wonderful examples and analogies and is a must read. 

"Capital is needed for Aradhna (public service). How can a person who is hungry himself distribute food to others? Where from would this capital come?
The responsibility for Public Service therefore lies with people who do have the resources to do good.

Gurudev had told me on the very first day of my meeting with him, “Whatever you possess, learn to sow it in the form of seeds in the field of Supreme God, the Virat Brahma .” 

On sowing, one grain, that grain  is bound to multiply a hundred times. Gurudev quoted the instance of Jalaram Bapa who was a cultivator. He used to spend all his savings in feeding the needy. God was extremely pleased with him and gave him such a perennial bag, the contents of which never got exhausted. The free kitchen that he started is still working at Virpur, a village in Gujarat in which thousands of devoted people take food every day. A person who invests his money for public service gets ready and glad cooperation from the divine. However, a person who accumulates money , keeps his money unused and goes on amassing more and more is never blessed in the same way.

Inspiring Quotes, Short Stories, Tales and Fables from "Akhand Jyoti" magazine

Enclosed here are Inspiring Motivational Tales, Short stories, Tales and Fables with a good message from the May- June 2012 English edition, of Akhand Jyoti magazine . 

Akhand Jyoti is a monthly magazine started by Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya in 1936. It carries articles from the writings of Shriram Sharma Acharya and similar other prolific contributors. It has worldwide distribution in the millions and is printed in multiple languages. This year (2013) Akhand Jyoti completes seventy five years of publication!

Quoted Text : Inspiring Quotes, Short Stories, Tales and Fables

Mother to Son :

"Son! Take these two pieces of sweets. Eat the bigger piece yourself and give the smaller one to your friend". Okay Mother- says the son and went over to sit with his friend. The mother watched the son , as he gave the BIGGER piece of the sweets to his friend and kept the smaller one for himself.

She called the boy back and chided him, saying: "You naughty boy I had told you to keep the bigger piece for yourself and give the smaller one to your friend! Why did you do the opposite?

The child replied innocently: Mother I find greater joy in giving more to others and in keeping as little as possible for myself."

The mother became serious. For a long time she was engrossed in deep thought, reflecting on the generous nature of the child.

The boy was later known as Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.An iconic figure in India's struggle for Independence and HIS spirit represents the spirit of sacrifice present in similar other great people born across all nations of the world. 

(Akhand Jyoti magazine- September- October 2010).

The Farmer who lost his watch:

There once was a farmer who discovered that he had lost his watch in the barn. It was no ordinary watch as the watch had a lot o sentimental value for the farmer. After Searching high and low among the hay for a long time, the farmer gave up searching and enlisted the help of a group of children playing outside the barn. He promised them that the person who found the watch would be rewarded.

Hearing this, the children hurried inside the barn and ran around the entire stack of hay but still could not find the watch.A little boy went up to the farmer and asked to be given another chance. The farmer looked at him and thought, "Why not? After all this kid looks sincere enough, so let him try as well?''.

So the farmer sent the little boy back in the barn. After a while the little boy came out with the watch in his hand. The farmer was happy and surprised. He asked the boy how he succeeded when the rest had failed. The boy replied, "I did nothing but sit on the ground and listen. In the silence, I heard the ticking of the watch and just looked for it in that direction".

Message: A peaceful mind can think better than a worked up mind. Allow a few minutes of silence to your mind everyday and see how sharply it helps you to organize your life the way you expect it to be...!

(Akhand Jyoti Magazine- May June 2012)

The Sandal wood Tree and the Axe :

Goswami Tulsidasji has distinguished the traits of the good and the wicked as follows-The conducts of the saints and the wicked people are analogous to those of the sandal wood tree and the Axe. The axe cuts down a sandal wood tree, and at the same time the sandal tree perfumes the Axe by imparting its virtue (its fragrance) to the Axe. For this reason, sandalwood (in the form of paste) finds its way to the head of Gods (as Tilak on the Idols) and is loved by the world. While the axe has its metal edge heated in the fire and beaten with a hammer as punishment.

(Akhand Jyoti Magazine- May -June 2012)

The Legend of Ameer Khusro:

Ameer Khusro, the son of a rich man of Turkey was so obsessed with the desire to search for the ultimate truth that he left a luxurious life and became a mystic. He was is search of a great man who would be able to give him spiritual guidance. As a matter of chance he met Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. Both were vey happy to have met with each other.

Auliya felt that he had found a good disciple but he felt it necessary to ascertain the same through a test and evaluation process. Auliya said to Khusro - "You are a scholar, you know so many languages- Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit and other Indian languages too. You should be in the Kings court." To which Khusro replied " I have left everything behind and have come to your court. I don't feel the need to be at a King's court". Happy with the answer Auliya accepted him as a disciple.

Khusro's spiritual upliftment continued under the guidance of the Guru. Looking at the prevalent conditions in India at that time, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya said to Khusro- "I want to scarifice you for the good of the nation. You should eradicate hatred and spread the message of harmony amongst Hindus and Muslims.Tour the entire country and and create an environment where the whole country will remain bound together." Following his Guru's order, Khusro went to each nook and corner of India and played a vital role in binding the country together.

Message : Like yesterday, even today we need more people like Ameer Khusro, not just in India but around the world." 

(Akhand Jyoti magazine- Jan -Feb 2011)

Dear Readers: We hope you enjoyed reading the above collection Inspiring and Motivational Quotes and Short Stories. Akhand Jyoti magazine was started by Shriram Sharma Acharya  to transmit the Acharya's own writings and Literature. The spirit of the Divine purpose of  Acharya Shriram Sharma's Life lies in Acharyaji's  extensive writings (translation of all Vedas , Puranas, Upanishads, learnings from Puranas, Mahabharata, Ramayana etc) and forms the essence and substance of this magazine.

Be sure to explore other similar articles from Akhand Jyoti "using the SEARCH articles "  tab on the blog. May we also  invite you to read Akhand Jyoti online:http://literature.awgp.org/magazine

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How Do You Pray (2) -The Three Requirements and Benefits of Meaningful Worship.

Irrespective of our personal religious faiths, whether we are  Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhist or belong to any other faith , there is agreement  that the process of meaningful worship goes  beyond ceremonial rituals, hymns and reading the spiritual texts. 

What  then constitutes true meaningful worship? How do we pray? 

Could it be that true meaningful worship is a combination of  Upasana, Sadhana and Aradhana. What exactly do we mean by these terms? In this excerpt from the book  "My Life Its Legacy and Message", Shriram Sharma Acharya takes us to the true meaning of worship and how we need to incorporate these elements in our worship process. He gives us examples of how he achieved this aim for himself and gives us some starting meditation techniques to flag off the process for our ownselves. 

Quoted Text (abbreviated and condensed for purposes of this article):

"A man needs food, clothes and shelter for sustenance. Pen, ink and paper are needed for writing a book. Seed, manure and water are needed for growing a crop. Not one, but all these three are important and none of them can be ignored. For spiritual progress also, coordination of Upasana, Sadhana,and Aradhana,is needed. All these three are equally important. 

Upasana stands for worship (sitting close to God), Sadhana means (leading a correct life) and Aradhana (means service to humanity). 

The aspect which is secondary and minor e.g. mechanical adoration (Pooja-Path )has been wrongly considered to be worship. Offerings of some stray materials to the deity and doing certain rituals or overt acts of worship are considered as Pooja . To eulogize, extol and chant praises of gods is known as paath . Sweets, coconut, cardamom,money etc. are presented and offered to God or the deity as if He lacked such articles and that  by offering them, He will be overwhelmed with joy. 

People think that just as a ruler is pleased up on hearing  poetry in his praise , God will fulfill their worldly desires by following such adoration (Puja Path ). Such persons are totally ignorant about the true nature of Godhead and consider Him to be a supreme  person who could be allured with small toys and sweets  like a child.
They think that God can be coaxed to fulfil their desires, proper or improper, just or unjust. The common man is a victim of this illusion. The so-called (devotees) beg wealth, success, heaven, liberation, (divine powers) from God. Some other people are crazy about  seeing God with physical eyes. Still others  are engaged in counting beads or burning incense- sticks. Some are after a still cheaper formula. They think that simply by seeing idols in the temple or having a darshan of saints they can cajole them to fulfill their ambitions. Such naive beliefs are prevalent in  society. 

It should be clearly understood that anything worthwhile is bound to cost more than what's mentioned above (mere rituals). 
If a person wants to be included in the Central Cabinet, he has to get himself elected as a member of the Parliament. The meaning of Upasana is to sit close by. 
As an example the process is not about railway passengers who jostle or push each other to get into the train somehow. It is like two bosom friends who have two bodies with one mind and one soul sitting together. 
In the process of such intimacy one has to surrender to the other.The devotee ( Bhakta ) has to mold his life and surrender himself to the will of God. 

Understanding the importance and philosophy of Upasana,  is the first essential pre-requisite for spiritual upliftment. My own Gurudev said to me - “God cannot dance to your tune. You will have to become his devotee and act according to His will. If you are able to do so, you will become identical with God. Fuel has no worth except when it embraces fire and becomes fire itself. Fire does not become fuel. It is fuel which has to be transformed into fire.

A drain meets a river and becomes as purifying and great as the river itself. But it never happens that a river flows in reverse, meets the drain and becomes dirty like it. Iron comes in contact with Paras (the mystical stone which is said to convert iron into gold by mere touch), and turns it  into gold. It does not become paras. It is us who has to dance to the tune of God like a puppet. God does not fulfil the wishes of the Sadhak.
A Sadhak has to surrender himself to God and fulfil His will. A drop of water merges into and becomes one with the ocean. The ocean does not become a drop. This is the philosophy of Upasana. If a person wants to do Upasana, he has to sit near God, do His will and become His follower.” 

I did not regard  Gayatri (The symbol of the origin of knowledge) as Mother, and Savita (symbolised by the  Sun, the life giver to the planet) as the Father for the sake of convenience of meditation but knew throughout that they are formless, astral and all-pervading supreme consciousness. On account of this conviction I could feel that they pervaded my whole being and there was complete identity of Spirit. If I had regarded God or Gayatri Mata as specific persons, a distance between us would have been maintained and I had been deprived of that feeling of complete identification. 

In the beginning of your  prayers and meditation , for the sake of practice, one should regard himself as a creeper and God as a tree. The creeper embraces the tree and reaches the top. It is also convenient to regard one’s self as a flute and God as the Flute Player to enable him to make our life disciplined and inspired. 
The meditation about a kite flying high up in the air with its controlling thread in the hands of a child is also helpful for this purpose. 
I have followed these three types of meditation from time to time and had rich, enthusing and happy experiences. The sacrifice of the moth on the burning lamp; the physical, mental and material surrender of the wife to her husband, are instances of experiencing complete identification, unity or oneness with God. 

In my Upasana, actions, rituals were not of primary significance. It was suffused with emotional zeal, devotion and faith. I strictly followed the discipline of doing prescribed Jap (chanting with devotion). Except for some emergency, rarely was there any omission in getting up in the morning at 1 A.M. and performing the set routine. Deficiency, if any, was made up on the next day and nothing was left in arrears. Even then, I had practiced throughout to maintain an attitude full of emotional zeal during my Upasana. In the beginning the practice of arousing feelings of sacrifice, unity, identity and negation of duality was done in the form of imagination. Later it became a part of my nature and ultimately culminated in self-realization. 

The power and influence of Upasana  started reflecting in the form of devotion (Shraddha ) in the causal body, illumination (Pragya) in the astral body and determination (Nishtha) in the  physical body. Strict self-introspection was done from time to time to ensure that this was no mere wishful thinking. I examined and analysed myself in the light of actual daily events whether or not devotion for leading an idealistic life, for the service of mankind as a whole, had increased and allurement of temptation has been overcome; and found that my feelings had fully matured like those of a Risi-Kalpa-Sadhak. 

The aspect of Nishtha means firm determination, patience, courage, bravery, devout austerity (Tap ) and endurance. Just as a pot taken out from potter’s kiln is thoroughly examined by thrashing and beating it with fingers to find out whether it is half-baked, broken or fully baked and intact, in the same way, I kept on introspecting and observing myself whether there had been any wavering in my firmness in the face of temptations and fear. I found that every step was an advance forward and there was no stagnation in the progress. 

The brilliance of Savita is known as Brahmavarchasya . It is also called Ojas, Tejas, Varchas .It is reflected directly in the form of piety, sharpness and brilliance. The inrush of Savita's  light in the physical, astral and causal sheaths fills the body with strength, the brain with knowledge and the heart with love and courage. Later, I started experiencing that my entire self had become a field of light, a column of fire; and divine nectar was flowing through each and every cell of my body, my entire being. I felt, I was getting the joy of contentment, fulfilment and peace, as if I were drinking (nectar). 

This, in brief, is my regular programme of doing Upasana for four hours daily. This period effortlessly flies without boredom, tiredness, yawning, as if only half an hour has passed. Every moment I feel heavenly joy and closeness to God. This has become a routine. I have no inclination to count, boast or think of rewards or results. Like all other tasks of daily routine, sitting near God (Upasana) is also a natural living routine for me without which I cannot live for a single day. For me doing for a fixed period daily is a process of recharging myself with spiritual energies which keep me full of divine bliss throughout the day. I spend every moment blissfully experiencing myself in God and God in me. 

In such a state of inner consciousness, one takes the ups and downs of life in one’s stride. There is neither joy nor sorrow. An undulating ocean of bliss appears all around. 

Wherever I look, I see God. He walks beside me wherever I go. I feel His Presence every moment like a guardian angel, like a pilot. An ocean cannot become a drop but there is no doubt about a drop becoming an ocean by merging its identity in the ocean. An attitude of being carefree develops  and fearlessness spontaneously grows with the awareness of God’s constant presence. 

I have cherished firm faith (Shraddha ) in the Divine throughout my life, which has helped my soul in getting united with God. It is revealing and manifesting itself in the form of actual ! (Mother aspect of Divinity). "

         - By Acharya Shriram Sharma, a quote from "My Life its Legacy and Message"

Note to our readers: We  would encourage you to try the meditation techniques listed in the article as millions of followers have benefitted from them greatly.

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References and Source of  the above article:

If you would like to read the book my "Life Its Legacy and Message" please click the link below :

http://www.scribd.com/doc/101085680/54869318-My-Life-Its-Legacy-and-Message-Autobiographical-book-by-Shriram-Sharma-Acharya

If you would like to know more about the author Shriram Sharma Acharya, please click the link below:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shriram_Sharma