I read someplace that the three fold path is the safest, most BALANCED way ~ karma~bhakti~jnana
Which I think is reflected in the traditional stories. First, one starts with Selfless Service. This develops Humility, begins to starve the ego, and Devotion starts to grow. After some years( 12 ? ) if the disciple is ripe, the Guru gives just a little knowledge ~ too much knowledge would just begin to feed the ego all over again ~ just a little knowledge, perhaps, "you are not what you take yourself to be" "not the body, not the mind" "not any phenomena, not even the most beautiful" and perhaps, a mantra. And off you go to contemplate your inner nature; hopefully, in a short time, surrendering the ego completely, Awakening to Self. Now, how hard can that be? A friend of mine told me that at the time of Awakening, all knowledge is given up. One doesn't necessarily need a Guru to do selfless service. Without any guidance, after Peace Pilgrim devoted her life just to serve the needy, in only 15 years, she was God-Realized; her only knowledge was her inner guidance to really live non-violently. hope this is useful. i feel what America needs right now is a 1,000 Gandhis, Peace Pilgrims and a US Department of Peace to turn things around for America; perhaps, it's too late. But, we can start to do what is right for us, right now, just follow your inner guidance. Also, there are so many beautiful Awakened teachers; if you want, find one without a personal agenda, someone who wants nothing, expects nothing from you; but is willing to give of himself freely. om santi, anatol --- In [email protected], "Mr. Magoo" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In [email protected], Duveyoung > > Thanks to anyone who's contributed to this thread. > snip> > > Duv...in brief, I think the reason you don't see "pleasing > personalities on their way to sainthood" is because MMY only teaches > 1/8 of Maharishi Patanjali's 8 limbs of Yoga. Even though he > acknowledges that all 8 must be practiced simultaneously, as stated in > his Gita, he seldom emphasizes it. > > Yama and Niyama are the foundations to a spiritual life. When MMY > compromised and taught TM as a Science instead of a Religion (like it > was originally) much of the quality was lost, albiet quantity > increased, (hence you see a dope like me 38 years and still > meditating) but now I practice ALL eight limbs of Maharishi > Patanjali's Yoga, do you? And yes, I'm beginning to make progress, > real progress!!! > > snip>> > > "Mr. Magoo" says, "Thanks...but, what's your alternative, now that > > you've bailed on TM?" > > > > I say, "Thanks for that word "bailed." I had a very clear triggering > snip> >
