TANTRA  and SEX 

 

Tantra is a Sanskrit word that means “woven together.” Hindu and Buddhist mediation  practitioners use sexual union as a metaphor for weaving together the physical and the spiritual: weaving man to woman, and humanity to the divine. The purpose is to become one with God. The Western form of this sacred sexuality called Tantra teaches slow, non-orgasmic sexual intercourse. Couples in my practice who have tried tantric sex find that they cultivate great sensual pleasure and also a sense of “dissolving into each other” that is profound and loving. The purpose is to become enlightened, not to win an Olympic medal for carnal gymnastics.

Here is an introductory tantric exercise. Begin by facing each other and gazing into each other’s eyes—clothes on. Focus on one of your partner’s eyes; this keeps you intimately exposed. (Some people look back and forth between the two eyes to reduce the tension, but that’s cheating!) Eyes are windows to the soul, so you are gazing into his soul, he into yours. Next, synchronize your breathing: Breathe in together, exhale together. Then move into breath exchange: You inhale when he exhales, then exhale when he inhales, as though you’re breathing each other in. Practise this for at least 10 minutes.

To take this into sexual Tantra, try the same process but with clothes off. Sit on his lap, facing him, and wrap your legs around his waist. Do the breath exchange, but move into kissing and caressing. In time, begin slow intercourse, but continue caressing and kissing. Keep eye contact. Here is where things get interesting; as you become more proficient, you can develop the ability for prolonged orgasm. For both women and men, this is a variation on multiple orgasms; you remain at the peak of ecstatic pleasure without climaxing. There are all the feelings of a typical orgasm, but it lasts for many minutes (or even hours), without a traditional orgasm. This leads to profound sexual and emotional merging.

Mystery of the Cross

Once I read a maxim saying in effect, "Problems are walls to be scaled; Mysteries are pools to be plunged into."

God our Father, in obedience to you your only Son accepted death on the cross for the salvation of mankind. We acknowledge the mystery of the cross on earth. May we receive the gift of redemption in heaven. (Opening Prayer: The Exaltation of the Cross)

I've heard it said that when Jesus entered the Jordan River at his baptism that he consecrated the waters. In a similar manner when he entered his Passion he consecrated all suffering. The understanding and treatment of suffering is one of the attributes that marks a Christian and separates him or her from the mainstream. In a proper sense we strive to alleviate suffering to its irreducible core; and that core is the place where it can no longer be ameliorated, it can only be embraced or rejected. If we embrace it we do so with Christ and with his strength, love and passion, at which point it eventually is overcome, as death is overcome with new life.

But when we reject or disdain our sufferings we resist the power of God in our lives which is always life giving, even as our bodies tend toward their ultimate temporal state, that of death. (We sometimes forget this when we fail to discern the proper boundaries for medicine and healthcare, violating the rights and dignity of all human life and sacrificing others for our own well being. )

It's no coincidence that the Feast of The Triumph of the Cross is followed the next day by the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. Somehow all Christian love passes through suffering in this life. That's one of the keys to the mystery of the cross. In one respect we call Christ the 'Eternal Word of God' because his life communicates all true life (He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life) not only in speech but in the transcendent reality of the Divine One becoming incarnate and consecrating the human condition. The sinless Virgin Mary is not spared from the sorrows of this world because she is so completely united with her Son. His willingness to take on suffering for our salvation and her willingness to accept sorrows because of her union with him are further keys to understanding our role in the plan of salvation.

Thus it's difficult to get one's arms around this mystery unless we are willing to join in an intimate journey with Our Lord and his mother as we enter the 'valley of tears'. The Crucifixion is a scandal and an outrage. It involves humiliation and indignity. It asks us to accept surrender and powerlessness. It cries for justice and asks, "Who is to blame?" These questions often elude us when we are free from pain. But they eventually surface and cry for attention when we are confronted with this mystery: especially when we are trapped in corners where the only escape is the Way of the Cross.

Pope Benedict XVI reminds us at his recent remarks in Lourdes, France that the Lord has bridged immeasurable distance to unite himself with us through suffering and love.

"He is calling you (cf. Jn 11:28)! He wants to take your life and join it to his. Let yourself be embraced by him! Gaze no longer upon your own wounds, gaze upon his. Do not look upon what still separates you from him and from others; look upon the infinite distance that he has abolished by taking your flesh, by mounting the Cross which men had prepared for him, and by letting himself be put to death so as to show you his love. In his wounds, he takes hold of you; in his wounds, he hides you. Do not refuse his Love!"

In Ineffable Wisdom the Lord has chosen to communicate eternal life through his own passion and death and to draw us into the mystery of what this divine suffering means and does for the whole of creation. He has given us the opportunity to transform our own suffering by uniting it with his and offering it to God the Father. As each Christian grows in maturity they become drawn to the reality of suffering and the cross and their need to submit in obedience to its efficacious work, even as it remains mystery.

And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived" (v. 9). The stress in this passage is not on some magical healing, but on a bronze serpent as a symbol of salvation that God offered to all who would look to Him and live. Jesus borrowed the object lesson from history. He said, just like Moses raised the serpent up in the wilderness, He, too, must be lifted up so that whoever believes on Him may have eternal life. This "lifting up" of the Son of Man is a definite statement of Jesus' coming death on the cross. He was telling Nicodemus that in His death God would provide salvation. There is a divine imperative in the death of Jesus. The Son of Man "must" be lifted up. Peter preached the necessity of His death saying, "this Man, was delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. And God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death; since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power" (Acts 2:23–24). It was God's deliberate choice and purpose to crucify Jesus. It was no accident, or the martyrdom of a good religious teacher. He died as an act of God. His death was necessary for our salvation. The death of Jesus is exalted in New Testament preaching. The preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). There is something about the message of the cross that throbs, it acts, it produces results. We glory in the uplifted cross of Jesus because it is the power of God to bring healing to our sin sick souls. "We preach Christ crucified" was the theme of apostolic preaching in the New Testament (1:23). Without that cross, we die an eternal death. Why is the uplifted cross so important? The apostle Paul wrote, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). In fact, Christ died just at the right time for us while we were helpless sinners (5:6). He "died for us;" He "died for the ungodly." He died "on our behalf," or "instead of us." The atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross is the foundation for the kingdom of God. There is simply no other way to be saved. "The wages of sin is death," the apostle Paul wrote. Then he went on to say, "but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). A look of faith gives eternal life to those doomed to die.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

The emphasis Jesus is making is that salvation comes through believing. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Salvation doesn't come through some magical formula. It comes by simple faith, looking up to the cross of Jesus and believing that He died in your place on the cross. There is no other way of salvation. "There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). There is no other name that you can call upon to be saved. No other person anywhere in this world will give you a right relationship with God. Be careful what name for God someone whispers in your ear. Any other name or person will send you to hell.

Salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. How tragic, but in the history of Israel the bronze serpent became an idolatrous object of worship (2 Kings 18:4) and had to be destroyed in King Hezekiah's reforms. Salvation came not through the serpent on the pole, but through God's sovereign provision. They were not saved by what they saw, but by the Savior.

We live in a day in which men take sacred objects and icons and turn them into idolatrous objects of worship and belief. The object of our faith must always be the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

The cross is the greatest mystery of God. A little child can drink of it; old men can meditate upon it for a lifetime. Still, people do not know even a “thimbleful” about it. It is “unexplainable,” yet we can grasp the import of its eternal truth. Mystery challenges and allows growth. Creeds do not have mysteries.

A mystery defies our grasp and is difficult to com­municate. Eternal principles are larger than human words. We think we know who we are, but we finally recognize that we are seeing ourselves through a darkened glass! (See 1 Corinthians 13:12.) We have daily surprises that result in our saying, “I never understood this!” Sinful man is always strong in things that do not matter but weak in eternal things that do matter. We do not conquer mystery—we use it, grow in it, and celebrate it.

Mystery is understood only by revelation, not by reason. God can be known but not figured out. We cannot understand God’s grace until we accept His wrath. Until we understand the cross, we cannot understand Christianity.

Where there is no mystery, there is no wonder. With­out wonder, there is no real worship. When one explains a magic trick, he finds nothing is left; when we accept God’s mystery, we find everything!

Mysteries are not discovered in Eastern religion or Western logic. Mystery comes only by divine revelation. A mystery is an eternal secret that can be disclosed by God alone. A truth once hidden is now revealed. The secret things belong to God . . . but they are revealed to us. We do not have to be “one of the initiated” or know the “secret handshake” to enter the mystery of God.

Paul said that the gospel message is a mystery (Ephe­sians 6:19). Faith is a mystery (1 Timothy 3:9) to be lived in a pure conscience. Redemption in Christ is the mystery that 96 THE AGONY & GLORY OF THE CROSS

saves and unites Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 1:7–13). Paul said that this truth about Christ had been kept secret since the world began (Romans 16:25, 26; 1 Corinthians 2:7). This mystery was “for obedience to the faith” (Romans 1:5; NKJV). The mystery by revelation tells us what to believe and what to obey. The Spirit has revealed through His holy apostles and prophets this mystery of grace (Ephesians 3:2–6). This truth, this unity, had not been previously made known. Paul also referred to “Christ and the church” as a “great mystery” (Ephesians 5:32). He used this descrip­tion in regard to husbands and wives and the depth of marriage (Ephesians 5:21–33). All the beautiful things, the great things in life, involve mystery.

DIVINE SPIRITUALITY: PRAY THIS EVEN IF YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE IT!! IT WILL ONLY TAKE A MINUTE.

DIVINE SPIRITUALITY: PRAY THIS EVEN IF YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE IT!! IT WILL ONLY TAKE A MINUTE.

HOW IS IT THAT HUMAN LIFE IS IN PAIN?HOW IS IT THAT ALL ARE AFTER WORLDLY LIFE ?HOW IS IT THAT LIFE AND LOVE ARE NOT IN IT?HOW TO SOLVE THIS?YOU ARE ME HAVE TO TAKE A STEP INTO THIS WORLDTHAT IS DIVINE SPIRITUALITY

DIVINE SPIRITUALITY: Noah's Ark : Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark .

DIVINE SPIRITUALITY: Noah's Ark : Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark .

HOW IS IT THAT HUMAN LIFE IS IN PAIN?HOW IS IT THAT ALL ARE AFTER WORLDLY LIFE ?HOW IS IT THAT LIFE AND LOVE ARE NOT IN IT?HOW TO SOLVE THIS?YOU ARE ME HAVE TO TAKE A STEP INTO THIS WORLDTHAT IS DIVINE SPIRITUALITY

Noah's Ark : Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark .

ONE:  Don't miss the boat. 
TWO:  Remember that we are all in the same boat! 
THREE:  Plan ahead.  It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.   
FOUR:  Stay fit.  When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big. 
FIVE:  Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done. 
SIX:  Build your future on high ground. 
SEVEN:  For safety's sake, travel in pairs. 
EIGHT:  Speed isn't always an advantage.  The snails were on board with the cheetahs. 
NINE:  When you're stressed, float awhile. 
TEN:  Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals. 
ELEVEN:  No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

Most people walk in and out of your life,
but FRIENDS leave footprints in your heart

PRAY THIS EVEN IF YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE IT!! IT WILL ONLY TAKE A MINUTE.

'You need a miracle tomorrow'

so here goes...Prov. 29:25

You never know
when God is going to bless you!!
Good things happen when
you least expect them to !!!!!!!!

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day,
I thank You for my being able to see
and to hear this morning.

I'm blessed because You are
a forgiving God and
an understanding God.
You have done so much for me
and You keep on blessing me.
Forgive me this day for everything
I have done, said or thought
that was not pleasing to you.
I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe
from all danger and harm.
Help me to start this day
with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day
to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.
Please broaden my mind
that I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and whimper
over things I have no control over.
And give me the best response
when I'm pushed beyond my limits.
I know that when I can't pray,
You listen to my heart.
Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be
a blessing to others.
Keep me strong that I may help the weak...
Keep me uplifted that I may have
words of encouragement for others.
I pray for those that are lost
and can't find their way.
I pray for those that are misjudged
and misunderstood.
I pray for those who
don't know You intimately.
I pray for those that will delete this
without sharing it with others
I pray for those that don't believe.
But I thank You that I believe
that God changes people and
God changes things.

I pray for all my sisters and brothers.
For each and every family member
in their households.
I pray for peace, love and joy
in their homes; that they are out of debt
and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this
knows there is no problem, circumstance,
or situation greater than God.
Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.
I pray that these words be received
into the hearts of every eye that sees it

in Jesus'  name.  Amen!

Reducing stress

 WAyS TO REDuCE STRESS
Stress is common in daily life and may be associated with work,
family or personal relationships. Whatever the cause, there are
some simple steps that can help you to reduce stress.
Postpone major life changes
• Making major changes in your life can be stressful at any
time. If you’re feeling stressed or anxious, it’s probably a
good idea to try to avoid moving house or changing jobs.
Leave them to a time when you’re feeling better.
Resolve personal conflicts
• Stress in personal relationships often contributes to
depression. Talk to a counsellor or psychologist who can
help you find ways to address your problems.
Do the things you enjoy
• You may find you are enjoying yourself less and spending
more time worrying. In order to relax effectively, you need to
allocate time to do the things you enjoy, such as exercising,
meditating, reading, gardening or listening to music.
Control your work
• Take control of your work by avoiding long hours and
additional responsibilities. This can be difficult, but small
changes can make a difference.
• Learn to say ’No’ more often. Create a balance between
work and the things you enjoy doing. Don’t allow yourself to
be overwhelmed by new commitments.
• Make sure you have enough time to rest, relax and exercise.
• Part of learning to relax requires you to set aside some time
in the day to do the things you enjoy.
Exercise regularly
• Physical exercise such as walking, swimming, dancing,
playing golf or going to the gym can help relieve the tension
in your muscles and relax your mind.
• Try to do some physical exercise every day, even if it’s just
going for a walk.
Seek help
• Talking to a friend, doctor, counsellor or someone else you
trust, can help to relieve your stress. Asking for help and
support at home, at work or in your other activities can also
reduce stress.

SlOW bREATHINg ExERCISE
Have you noticed that you’re breathing too fast? Stress and
anxiety can affect your heart rate and breathing patterns.
A relaxed breathing rate is usually 10 to 12 breaths per minute.
Practise this exercise three to four times a day when you’re
feeling stressed or anxious so that you can use this as a shortterm
coping strategy.
1. Time the number of breaths you take in one minute.
Breathing in, then out is counted as one breath.
2. Breathe in, hold your breath and count to five. Then breathe
out and say the word ‘relax’ to yourself in a calm, soothing
manner.
3. Start breathing in through your nose and out slowly through
your mouth, in a six-second cycle. Breathe in for three seconds
and out for three seconds. This will produce a breathing rate of
10 breaths per minute. In the beginning, it can be helpful to time
your breathing using the second hand of a watch or clock.
4. Count to yourself.
5. Continue breathing in a six-second cycle for at least five
minutes or until the symptoms of overbreathing have settled.
After practising this exercise, time the number of breaths
you take in one minute. Practise the slow breathing exercise
each day before breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime. Use
the technique whenever you feel anxious. Gradually, you’ll be
familiar enough with the exercise to stop timing yourself.
Practise this exercise three to four times each day, so
that it becomes easy to use as a short-term coping
strategy when you feel anxious.

He that cannot ask cannot live

An old proverb says He that cannot ask cannot live.
These are 75 questions you should ask yourself and try to answer.

1. Why not me?
2. Am I nice?
3. Am I doing what I really want to do?
4. What am I grateful for?
5. Whats missing in my life?
6. Am I honest?
7. Do I listen to others?
8. Do I work hard?
9. Do I help others?
10. What do I need to change about myself?

11. Have I hurt others?
12. Do I complain?
13. Whats next for me?
14. Do I have fun?
15. Have I seized opportunities?
16. Do I care about others?
17. Do I spend enough time with my family?
18. Am I open-minded?
19. Have I seen enough of the world?
20. Do I judge others?
21. Do I take risks?
22. What is my purpose?
23. What is my biggest fear?

24. How can I conquer that fear?
25. Do I thank people enough?
26. Am I successful?
27. What am I ashamed of?

28. Do I annoy others?
29. What are my dreams?
30. Am I positive?
31. Am I negative?
32. Is there an afterlife?
33. Does everything happen for a reason?

34. What can I do to change the world?
35. What is the most foolish thing I have ever done?
36. Am I cheap?
37. Am I greedy?
38. Who do I love?
39. Who do I want to meet?
40. Where do I want to go?
41. What am I most proud of?
42. Do I care what others think about me?
43. What are my talents?
44. Do I utilize those talents?
45. What makes me happy?
46. What makes me sad?
47. What makes me angry?
48. Am I satisfied with my appearance?
49. Am I healthy?
50. What was the toughest time in my life?

 51. What was the easiest time in my life?
52. Am I selfish?
53. What was the craziest thing I did?
54. What is the craziest thing I want to do?
55. Do I procrastinate?
56. What is my greatest regret?
57. What has had the greatest impact on my life?
58. Who has had the greatest impact on my life?
59. Do I stand up for myself?
60. Have I settled for mediocrity?
61. Do I hold grudges?
62. Do I read enough?
63. Do I listen to my heart?
64. Do I donate enough to the less fortunate?
65. Do I pray only when I want something?
66. Do I constantly dwell on the past?
67. Do I let other people’s negativity affect me?
68. Do I forgive myself?
69. When I help someone do I think Whats in it for me?
70. Am I aware that someone always has it worse than me?
71. Do I smile more than I frown?
72. Do I surround myself with good people?
73. Do I take time out for myself?
74. Do I ask enough questions?
75. What other questions do I have?

Creating your own mindfulness exercise

Below is a step by step example of mindfulness practice
1. For 20 minutes each day, just after waking up in the morning, sitting on my back porch, I will be mindful.
2. Get comfortable with good posture, and close eyes or fix them on a non-distracting spot.
3. Bring attention to the feeling of breathing. Follow the breath from the point it enters your nose or mouth, down into your lungs and then out again. Notice the sensation of the rising and falling of your chest caused by your lungs moving.
4. As soon as you realise you have been distracted by a thought or feeling, make a mental note of what distracted you, and return your attention to your breath.
5. You may find it challenging to not get involved with your thoughts. However the more you practice observing your thoughts and not becoming fused with them during mindfulness exercises, the better able you will be to apply this to other parts of your life.

• Reduce physical tension and stress through exercise - walk, jog, cycle, swim or weight training.
• Engage in relaxation techniques - yoga, breathing and mindfulness exercises, meditation or prayer.
• Maintain a balanced diet and sleep cycle. Avoid overusing caffeine, sugar, nicotine, alcohol or other drugs.
• Take "time outs." Give yourself permission to take quiet moments to reflect, relax and rejuvenate especially during times you feel stressed or unsafe. Reading can be a calming activity, as can listening to music. Try to find short periods of uninterrupted leisure time.
• Consider writing, journaling or drawing as a way of expressing thoughts and feelings. Write a letter about how you feel about what happened to you. Be as specific as you want to, whilst prioritizing
your feelings of safety.

CRY OF A WOMB

Cry of a dried womb

A soft whispering sound ascended to the golden sky as The sun uncovered his moonlit face to glimpse The velvet green cladden fertile virgin - with A quiver full of Manmadan arrows to mingle the Aroma of creation to the onlookers and Bring life to multiple beings but … … A pearly droplet on her cheek meaning The untold pain of this mesmerizing damsel … … … *** *** *** Being the finalist creation of Sun and Moon Dawn on the day of soundless motion of universe - with A heart full of love to intake other’s suffering - and My golden telescope began to gaze at the fragmented life Over the lands and plain and alas! Alas! To my sight … … … For I saw a rainbow cladden virgin - with A grief-stricken face like that of a widow - who Lost her husband on wedding day - and Had a spell bound beauty of orchid’s softness - with Her ivory curved skeletal frame – as if A soft tender lily stem under the scorching sun – so She looked … … … *** **** **** At that juncture my heart began to siphon - and The sensual feelings began to arise in me like a volcano - and The sweetest damsel stopped and gazed at me - as if A doe is staring at her fawn on the mouth of a lion - and My artery began to detonate painful sparks as The droplets of my sweat began to flow -like That of a small stream on the sand - bedding desert. Seeing this, her scarlet mouth widened like a half bloomed lotus - and Her lips began to speak an epic. My trumpets heard her twinges of pain - leading A sharpest thorn to pierce my heart painfully - and The words began to flow … … … *** *** *** These lands you behold are my flesh - which longed For a grain to moisture my dried womb but couldn’t - and Still desire to have that life giving grain - to remember Those days of lush green fields with animals and Murmuring hilly streams with birds of the sky - and Springs with seeds of the living to show The presence of a beautiful world … … … A world anew of wonder and fascination was there - and How beautiful was my presence to others - with the Existence of divine creative power in me - but Today … … … *** *** *** This vast land now turned into an arid - but Those were the glistening days - when The swarms of people are and drank, Filling their hungry pot bellies - and Thirsty stomachs to experience bliss - and Then why is it that now I am lone? Why is that I have become barren …………….? Where are they, who have filled themselves of me - and Are now no more by my side? Why? Why is it that I become an uprooted barren widow - and None is ready to sprout or grow in me? How could I know, how will I know? Who will help me … … …? This is my unsolved problem … … …

human cry and divine search

HOW IS IT THAT HUMAN LIFE IS IN PAIN? HOW IS IT THAT ALL ARE AFTER WORLDLY LIFE ? HOW IS IT THAT LIFE AND LOVE ARE NOT IN IT? HOW TO SOLVE THIS? YOU ARE ME HAVE TO TAKE A STEP INTO THIS WORLD THAT IS DIVINE SPIRITUALITY

LIFE OF JESUS TO THE SEEKER IN SHORT

The Life of Christ

Recognizing there are 4 accounts of the life of Christ, it may be useful to have a brief outline which synthesizes the events set forth. Our intent will be to put the recorded events in chronological order, as much as is possible. The pre-existence of Christ John 1:1-18 Luke’s preface and dedication Luke 1:1-4 The genealogy of Jesus Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38 The announcement of John’s birth Luke 1:5-25 The announcement to Mary Luke 1:26-38 Mary’s visit to Elizabeth Luke 1:39-56 The birth of John the Baptist Luke 1:57-80 The announcement to Joseph Matthew 1:18-25 The birth of Jesus Luke 2:1-7 The angels and shepherds honor Jesus Luke 2:8-20 The circumcision of Jesus Luke 2:21 The presentation of Jesus at the temple Luke 2:22-38 The wise men visit the newborn King Matthew 2:1-12 Baby Jesus carried to Egypt Matthew 2:13-18 The return from Egypt to Nazareth Matthew 2:19-23; Luke 2:39 The childhood of Jesus Luke 2:40-52 The beginning of John’s ministry Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-18 The baptism of Jesus Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22 The temptation of Jesus Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13 John’s first testimony to Jesus John 1:19-34 Jesus makes his first disciples John 1:35-51 Jesus works his first miracle John 2:1-11 Jesus’ first stay at Capernaum John 2:12 Jesus’ first cleansing of the temple John 2:13-25 Nicodemus’ night visit with Jesus John 3:1-21 Jesus’ 1st ministry in Judea and John’s 2nd testimony John 3:22-36 Jesus’ reasons for leaving Judea Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14; Luke 3:19-20; John 4:1-4 The Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well John 4:5-42 Jesus’ arrival in Galilee John 4:43-45 A general account of Jesus’ teaching in Galilee Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:14-15 The healing of the nobleman’s son John 4:46-54 Jesus’ temporary residence at Capernaum Matthew 4:13-16 Calling 4 to be fishers of men Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11 Healing a demoniac on the Sabbath Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37 Healing Peter’s mother-in-law & others Matthew 8:14-17; Mark 1:29-34; Luke 4:38-41 A preaching tour in Galilee Matthew 4:23-25; Mark 1:35-39; Luke 4:42-44 A leper healed and excitement follows Matthew 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16 A paralytic healed at Capernaum Matthew 9:2-8; Mark 11:1-12; Luke 5:17-26 The call of Matthew Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:13-14; Luke 5:27-28 Jesus’ defense of healing on the Sabbath John 5:1-47 Jesus defends his disciples plucking grain Matthew 12:1-8; Mark 2:23-28; Luke 4:1-5 Jesus’ defense of healing a withered hand on the Sabbath Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 4:6-11 Jesus heals multitudes beside the sea Matthew 12:13-21; Mark 3:7-12 Jesus’ prayer and selection of the 12 Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16 The sermon on the mount Matthew 5-7; Luke 6:17-49 Healing the centurion’s servant Matthew 8:1, 5-13; Luke 7:1-10 Raising the widow of Nain’s son Luke 7:11-17 Lessons arising from John’s inquiry Matthew 11:2-30; Luke 7:18-35 Jesus’ feet anointed in a Pharisee’s house Luke 7:36-50 More travels in Galilee Luke 8:1-3 The Jews accuse Jesus of blasphemy Matthew 12:22-37; Mark 3:19-30; Luke 11:14-23 Jesus’ response to sign seekers Matthew 12:38-45; Luke 11:24-36 Jesus’ teaching on his mother and brethren Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21 Jesus denounces the Pharisees Luke 11:37-54 Warnings regarding hypocrisy Luke 12:1-59 The need for repentance emphasized Luke 13:1-9 The first great group of parables Matthew 13:1-53; Mark 4:1-34; Luke 8:4-18 Jesus stills the storm Matthew 8:18-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25 Jesus heals 2 demon possessed men Matthew 8:28-9:1; Mark 5:1-21; Luke 8:26-40 The feast at Matthew’s house Matthew 9:10-17; Mark 2:15-22; Luke 5:29-39 Jarius’ daughter and the woman with an issue of blood healed Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:22-43; Luke 8:41-56 Healing the blind and dumb Matthew 9:27-34 Jesus’ rejection at Nazareth Matthew 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6; Luke 4:16-31 The 12 sent out Matt. 9:35-10:1, 5-11:1; Mark 4:6-13; Luke 9:1-6 Herod Antipas thinks Jesus is John Matthew 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:7-9 Feeding the 5,000 Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14 Jesus walks on the water Matthew 14:22-36; Mark 6:45-56; John 6:15-21 Discussion of spiritual food John 6:22-71 Discussion about tradition Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23; John 7:1 Healing the Phoenicean woman’s daughter Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30 --Gary Hampton, author and evangelist

Gandhi and christianity

Mahatma K. Gandhi (1869-1948), Indian nationalist It is impossible for me to reconcile myself to the idea of conversion after the style that goes on in India and elsewhere today. It is an error which is perhaps the greatest impediment to the world's progress toward peace ... Why should a Christian want to convert a Hindu to Christianity? Why should he not be satisfied if the Hindu is a good or godly man? How very nice it would be if the missionaries rendered humanitarian service without the ulterior aim of conversion. I hold that proselytisation under the cloak of humanitarian work is unhealthy to say the least. It is most resented by people here. Religion after all is a deeply personal thing. It touches the heart. Why should I change my religion because the doctor who professes Christianity as his religion has cured me of some disease, or why should the doctor expect me to change whilst I am under his influence? My fear is that though Christian friends nowadays do not say or admit it that Hindu religion is untrue, they must harbour in their breast that Hinduism is an error and that Christianity, as they believe it, is the only true religion... so far as one can understand the present (Christian) effort, it is to uproot Hinduism from her very foundation and replace it by another faith. The first distinction I would like to make ... between your missionary work and mine is that while I am strengthening the faith of people, you (missionaries) are undermining it. If I had the power and could legislate, I should stop all proselytizing ... In Hindu households the advent of a

missionary has meant the disruption of the family coming in the wake of change of dress, manners, language, food and drink ... I regard Jesus as a great teacher of humanity, but I do not regard him as the only begotten son of God. That epithet in its material interpretation is quite unacceptable. Metaphorically we are all sons of God, but for each of us there may be different sons of God in a special sense. Thus for me Chaitanya may be the only begotten son of God ... God cannot be the exclusive Father and I cannot ascribe exclusive divinity to Jesus. It is my firm opinion that Europe (and the United States) does not represent the spirit of God or Christianity but the spirit of Satan. And Satan's successes are the greatest when appears with the name of God on his lips. I consider western Christianity in its practical working a negation of Christ's Christianity. I cannot conceive Jesus, if he was living in flesh in our midst, approving of modern Christian organizations, public worship, or ministry. It pains me to have to say that the Christian missionaries as a body, with honorable exceptions, have actively supported a system which has impoverished, enervated and demoralized a people considered to be among the gentlest and most civilized on earth.

christian thinking

Voltaire (French Philosopher, 1694-1778) "If we believe absurdities, we shall commit atrocities." "Every sensible man, every honorable man, must hold the Christian sect in horror." "Nothing can be more contrary to religion and the clergy than reason and common sense." "Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion that has ever infected the world." You will notice that in all disputes between Christians since the birth of the Church, Rome has always favored the doctrine which most completely subjugated the human mind and annihilated reason. Nothing can be more contrary to religion and the clergy than reason and common sense. As you know, the Inquisition is an admirable and wholly Christian invention to make the pope and the monks more powerful and turn a whole kingdom into hypocrites. Of all religions the Christian is without doubt the one which should inspire tolerance most, although up to now the Christians have been the most intolerant of all men. The son of God is the same as the son of man; the son of man is the same as the son of God. God, the father, is the same as Christ, the son; Christ, the son, is the same as God, the father. This language may appear confused to unbelievers, but Christians will readily understand it. God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh. Every sensible man, every honorable man, must hold the Christian sect in horror. Superstition, born of paganism and adopted by Judaism, invested the Christian Church from earliest times. All the fathers of the Church, without exception, believed in the power of magic. The Church always condemned magic, but she always believed in it: she did not excommunicate sorcerers as madmen who were mistaken, but as men who were really in communication with the devil. The first priest was the first rogue who met the first fool. Holy Scripture: A book sent down from heaven... Holy Scriptures contain all that a Christian should know and believe, provided he adds to it a million or so commentaries. Hell: A cooking stove which heats the sacerdotal sauce-pan here below. It was founded on behalf of our priests, to the end that the latter may never be wanting in good cheer. Moses: A prophet inspired of God who gave him a holy and righteous law, which he was obliged to change later on, seeing that it had become worthless... He was the meekest of men, as he himself tells us. Inspiration: A peculiar effect of divine flatulence emitted by the Holy Spirit which hisses into the ears of a few chosen of God...

the base of my spirituality from tribals of chotanagpur and Ignatian love of divine

Modern thought in the west puts a high price on individuality. It also treasures the separation between religious and secular spheres, and frowns upon outside involvement in personal decisions. These are the ideological suppositions of our time. But, they are not universal human qualities. Care must be taken to discover cultural nuance in young retreatants, and so, find the stalk onto which the fruitful branch might be grafted. For modern youth, the Ignatian adventure will probably be a first experience of unconditional connectedness. Putting on the Lord’s colors, one is no longer an individual. Pre-moderns don’t call themselves individuals, except in a pejorative way, as if to say, selfish or self-involved. To the south and east, a subject exists primarily for the good of the community. Honor, more than personal satisfaction, dictates appropriate personal options. In some ways, that makes the person more open to making a lifelong allegiance. He was going to do that anyway. The Exercises propose that the allegiance be to the Eternal King. Ignatius was accused of brainwashing the young. They would do the Exercises, and as often as not, break with expectations. They would choose a different life, because their new alliance with the Lord would override submission to traditional authority. Then, Ignatius would go before the Inquisition. It was intense and unlike anything I’d gone through before. It was simple and very real. I liked that you didn’t make it flashy so it would seem cool. You told us just enough to let us explore our way through our prayer time, and then afterward, redirect, in case there were any problems. Tim, 24 years old In our time, paranoia has made it dangerous to be involved with the young for any reason, especially to influence their personal decision processes. We must make it clear that the Exercises are not intended to manipulate. Retreat directors are not supposed to promote any particular cause or option, [15]. This is not a movement, not a fraternity, and not a [to] explore our way through our prayer time secret society. It is a method intended to open the heart to the Lord’s call. It is the property of the Church, for the good of the faithful. The young, of any culture, are just passionate enough to make the oblative gesture of the Exercises, pouring out their lives, in poverty, at risk of great suffering, to serve our Lord and King. For them, it is an adventure, an honor, a challenge to be met. For the older generation, taught to live by the rules, it is often taken on as a requirement. The kids really are better at this. Even so, the youthful quest for meaning is at a crossroads. Modern boys and girls are often functional orphans. Broken homes provide shakier foundations. Emphasis on career and personal satisfaction in the parents’ generation, have left them with minimal support or direction. The Church is afraid to deal with them. She often doesn’t recognize them as full members,7 and she doesn’t value what they have to offer. And there they are, as hungry as ever for a cause or a purpose. Contrary to Maslow, the young would happily go without food, water and security, in exchange for meaning. In the absence of a guiding hand (whether to follow it, or rebel against it), contemporary young men and women are particularly vulnerable to totalitarian relationships with authority, religious and civil. There seems to be a growing sentiment of lost-ness, or just plain fear, as the global scenario becomes polarized, often with religious overtones. Many seem eager to submit to exacting disciplines, in which others make all their choices for them. Fundamentalism has never found more fertile soil, even among the most devout Catholics. Spiritual leaders who dictate what people must do to be saved can really fill the pews and the collection baskets. We are seeing absolutist religious manipulation. Frighteningly, this is also a climate conducive to the formation of brown shirt brigades and storm troopers. And yet, because we are the image and likeness of a God who freely loves, many young men and women are not swallowing the bait. They are pleading for help. They want to learn to love sincerely and give freely. Are we answering that call? Are we putting our treasure out there for them?

Twelve Pointers for Maintaining Brahmacharya (Celibacy): Swami Nirmalananda Giri

Occasionally I receive letters from spiritual aspirants asking me for advice on the subject of brahmacharya. The following are pointers which are essential for the establishment of brahmacharya. 1) Daily meditation and constant japa is the essential foundation of brahmacharya. The japa and meditation of Om cause the subtle forces known as prana to rise upward. Those who become adept in these spiritual practices will become “urdhvareta yogis”–those in whom the sexual energies flow upward and become transmuted into spiritual energies. 2) Satsanga, the company of holy people–or at least those who are aspiring to holiness–is extremely helpful in the maintenance of brahmacharya. If you know like-minded people, then meet with them regularly for spiritual study and conversation. It is not uncommon among both Hindus and Buddhists for spiritual aspirants to meet daily for meditation. If you do not know any other spiritual aspirants–and this is not uncommon here in the West–then keep satsanga with saints and masters by reading their lives and teachings and keeping their pictures in your home. Holy images of divine forms are also beneficial. Every day listen to spiritual music. Such music should be soothing and reflective–not the raucous banging and clanging that many shallow and worldly Christians and Hindus like. It is good to listen to devotional music, but shun merely emotional music, for it is linked to lower desires, no matter how “holy” the words. 3) Avoid asatsanga–the company of the unholy and the worldly–in the form of people who have no interest in spiritual life, as well as books, magazines, television, radio, and motion pictures that are centered on material consciousness. Absolutely avoid those things who deal with the subject of sex or depict sexually suggestive (or outright) matters or images. 4) Avoid casual association with members of the opposite sex. Never be socially alone with a member of the opposite sex. This is an absolute. Make no exceptions based on seemingly spiritual character, age, or intention. When an older woman tells you that she is your “mother” run away! The same thing applies when a man tells a woman that he is her “father.” This goes on in both India and America, including close–and private–association of men with female gurus and of women with male gurus. No one knows what impulses carried over from previous lives–many even from centuries past–are lying not far beneath the surface of the conscious mind, waiting to manifest. “Spiritual” friendships with members of the opposite sex are doors to disaster. I have seen it over and over. Even in my early teen years I watched “spiritual” associations inevitably turn into sexual associations. And that had usually been the intention from the first moment. If what I have said does not convince you, at least I have discharged my responsibility. 5) If you happen to be homosexual, then what I say above applies to both sexes. (The number of “gays” that end up fathers is remarkable. It may be cute or poignant on the movie screen, but it is tragic in real life.) In your spiritual associations try to be sure that there are always several people involved. This is a trial, but many saints and masters have coped with much worse. 6) Avoid absolutely any person or thing that argues against your aspiration to brahmacharya or tries to persuade or force you into sexuality in any form. The “just try it once/for a bit” people are worse than tigers. Run for your life–literally. 7) I have warned you about external factors that harm the life of a brahmachari, but the biggest threat or danger comes from your own mind and impulses. Ruthlessly cut off all overt or oblique thoughts of sex when they rise in your mind. Note what “innocent” subjects of thought “somehow” end up in ideas of sex and banish them the moment they appear in the future. 8) What about “physical needs” and “bodily urges”? Never let them be an excuse for wavering in your ideal. But you must keep the body clean and pure to help you in maintaining brahmacharya. 9) Continuing the previous subject: Diet is an essential factor for the brahmachari and the yogi. Diet is a form of spiritual culture as well as physical culture. There should be total avoidance of animal protein in any form and to any degree whatsoever, and this includes dairy products. Gandhi saw over and over that animal flesh, animal fats, and dairy products were detrimental to brahmacharya, that movements of lust could be attributed to the physical effects of their use. (This also happens to be the opinion of the Eastern Orthodox Church, especially the monks who watch their minds.) This Hindus screamed “blasphemy” because of their attitude toward cows, but the truth cannot be changed by hysteria. Become not just a vegetarian but a vegan: Eat a diet that is free from all animal protein and fat, dairy products, sugar, and caffeine. Abstain totally from nicotine and alcohol. 10) Food for the mind in the form of spiritual reading is also a tremendous help to the brahmachari. Two books are especially important for the aspiring brahmachari: Meditation and Spiritual Life by Swami Yatiswarananda and Practice of Brahmacharya by Swami Sivananda. Read the books of many traditions and teachers on spiritual life, taking what is useful and leaving aside what is not. Follow your intuition and don’t get what Yogananda called “spiritual indigestion.” 11) What if you fail in some area or to some degree–or completely? Just keep on trying and be more vigilant. Do not let the ego or foolish associates or “authorities” convince you that it is hopeless, you should not even try, you will not be able, blah, blah, blah…. Multitudes of holy people have struggled, some have failed at times, but ALL HAVE SUCCEEDED. So will you. 12) Finally, know that God is on your side. And remember these words of the Bhagavad Gita: “Though a man be soiled with the sins of a lifetime, let him but love me, rightly resolved, in utter devotion: I see no sinner, that man is holy. “Holiness soon shall refashion his nature to peace eternal; O son of Kunti, of this be certain: the man that loves me, he shall not perish. “You find yourself in this transient, joyless world. Turn from it, and take your delight in me. “Fill your heart and mind with me, adore me, make all your acts an offering to me, bow down to me in self-surrender. If you set your heart upon me thus, and take me for your ideal above all others, you will come into my Being.” (Bhagavad Gita 9:30, 31, 33, 34)

DESTINATION OF A RESTLESS DESTITUTE!

Into that silenced grave- stepping in
Entering deep down- as
I walked down through the alley of my heart
Shamefully, depressed, disgusted and aimlessly thinking - of
What personality am I playing, in this theatre?
*
A shooting star unpredictably illustrated me – the
Memorial routs I have travelled - and
The reminiscences swamped up imagination- revealing
Dreams, whimsies, successes and failures of- my
Life which took me to the paths to fall and rise.
*
The teary warmth of my mother’s lips on the cheek- and
The valour reproaches of my father - and
The wrangling with my dears – following
Those treasured schooling days,
Fluttering like a butterfly from flower to flower,
Whispering the inhibited bonbon love.
*
From those exciting moments of flame - to
Those disgusting moments of pain,
Without fretting and fearing the far edge of life – moved
Like a plougher – and then
That moment of confusion flittered my mind- to
Question the real existence of my being- and
Abruptly came that flash of vacillation- to
Strangling the four rimed path into one – and
Mystified me to walk towards where?
*
A soft whispering broke into my inner ears – and
A fingerless hand on the wall divulging the way to travel – and
My mind swathed with reasoning - to
Where am I itinerating to?
With that confusion of staggering- I
Conceded visioning to mission- to get
In touch with the oasis of life.
*
As I stared back to take collection of my life- referring
The people intruded in me and those I departed - and
The troubled sea I made and solved,
The filial I gave and shut, the eros I misused – and
The hitches overcome and partaken - with
The blissful existence and the terrified survival.
These parts and partials of me - in
This voyage towards the unknown Being – became
An inseparable ingredient of my existence.
*
The fearful realities whispering the way- and
What would be the end of this ride?
With that scintillating freeze mind I stood – and
Then that tender breeze and cooing of the dove-with
The murmuring brook whispered the hope- which
Soothed my greatly turbulent consciousness.
*
And then came in front -that
Less travelled road of life – and
The exiting and jolly began to slow – as
My eyes pinned that electrifying image
Shattering my nerves to shed teary drops- for
It had made many to shed teary rivers – and
That image pulled me to gaze again and again.
Alas! There I saw a blood dirty guy – naked
Except a rag around his slim waist- and
The boney skinned arms outstretched on a crossed wooden pole
Hanging like a modern political rebel- and
Alas to that horrific sight piercing my heart- began
Briskly tears swelled up in my eyes- and
My sneaky lips whispering at it- as if
My end rests on that folly Cross and nothing else- but
My heart whispered to me believe in you - for
This Being is your destination- and
I felt that soft murmuring calm of the breeze -which
None can give to this soul of me - except
This Divine Being (Christ) hanging on the cross.

God's search

God searches his own created man- still
He cannot find his own creation.
That day one who sinned in the garden of Eden is where –as
Today man’s sin over sin in this world - as
God questions himself to search his beloved creation.
When man live in glorious buildings- and
Eye catching imaginative forts of wealth
How can god see his own created human being - as
Coloured butterflies flying over the skies –in
Planes and jets of speed breakers- jumping into
Various satellites as a hope of living - and
God can only search him
As god searches man
Man forgot god and fell into the merrymaking life
When he comes out of this merry, he can see God
That day is a golden day
The end of all things
The day of destruction and creation –so
Man awake and give up merry making – and
Prepare fasting compunction.

divine incarnation for the humanity

A light from the heaven came into the sky
A lady from the earth went into the abode
Light went inside of the lady’s uterus
As the lady received it in the name of “yes”
* *
Snow was showering heavily
Sun was shining slowly
Flower was blooming happily
As the maidens were dancing joyfully
* *
Day is coming near to near
Dahlia wants to bloom for the dear- as
The dark night is watering dew- and
The lark is singing welcome song
* *
Babe came into this world happily- as
It’s birth brought an end to the suffering
Blessings from heaven flew down- with
The birds opening the silent singing lullaby

prayer of a heart

Lord in this world there are
So many white roses flowers and buds
Can I be one of those ?
Please take me as a gift for you
To keep it on your feet
As today I give my whole life –into your hands
Make my heart and mind as white as snow
That you can rest your foot
In me through out my life
The journey of boat filled with struggles.

divine search

There are times the road seams to long

And comes the assistance from Him

There are times boredom presses always

And comes that pleasing guide

There are times He asks to surrender

And we fail too do so

There are times when we wish something

And he wishes other things.

Whatever may be

This is the right time to surrender yourself fully

To that God who always cares for you?