sign in sign up
<<
Home , Lahiri Mahasaya, Paramahansa Yogananda

A Center for Spiritual Awareness Publication TRUTH JOURNAL Dec. 2010–Jan.201143YearsofContinuousPublication for individualandglobalspiritualenlightenment Directly Acknowledge,Affirm, and DemonstratetheTruth

– page5 In 6 Languages

PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA As I Knew Him

Experiences, Observations, and Reflections of a Direct Disciple of the Author of Autobiography of a

Hardcover 160 pages 16 pages of b/w & color photos $12.00

Selected Readings From the Book 2 Audio CDS 2 hours:30 minutes $10.00

Use the order form on page 30 or online at www.csa-davis.org

Spanish: Read or download free at www.csa-davis.org In Europe. Italian: marcovalerio.com German: www.kriya-yoga.de In . English and Hindi editions: www.atfullcircle.com Tamil: [email protected] Front cover photo: The library dome building at CSA Headquarters.

Directly Acknowledge, Affirm, and Demonstrate the Truth 5 Answers to Questions About the Spiritual Path 11 Conscious Food Preparation 16 Discovering the Sacred in Everyday Life 17 Weekly Guidelines to Inspired Living 18 Transcendent Realizations 20 Observations, Reflections & Discoveries 22 News and Highlights 25 Retreat Schedules at CSA Headquarters 29

CSA-Asheville, North Carolina, Meditation Center Meditation Sundays 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Thursdays 7:00 p.m. Midweek classes and special programs to be announced. In the North Louisiana Office Park 370 North Louisiana Avenue, Suites D-3 & 4 Ryan Kurczak, Minister 828-423-6636 [email protected] Michael Getch, Associate 828-490-1136 [email protected]

Published bimonthly: February, April, June, August, October, December Subscription in the U. S. $10.00 Other countries $15.00 airmailed Copyright © 2010 by Center for Spiritual Awareness P. O. Box 7 Lakemont, Georgia 30552-0001 Phone 706-782-4723 Fax 706-782-4560 e-mail [email protected] Web Site www.csa-davis.org Offices and Retreat Center on 151 CSA Lane off Lake Rabun Road

3 The devotee who is established in [Self] knowledge, whose highest aim is liberation of consciousness, with senses, mind, and intellect controlled, from whom cravings, fear, and anger have departed, is forever free. – 5:28 STUDIES IN TRUTH LESSON Conscious Living & Effective Spiritual Practice — by Roy Eugene Davis —

Roy Eugene Davis writes a 16-page Studies in Truth Lesson for Center for Spiritual Awareness members six times a year. In alternate months the Lesson is published in this magazine for our members and growing global family of readers.

Directly Acknowledge, Affirm, and Demonstrate the Truth directly In an immediate, forthright, decisive way. acknowledge To recognize and admit the existence, reality, or truth of something. affirm To firmly declare the truth. demonstrate To prove or make evident, experiment with, apply in practical ways, or reveal or illustrate by behaviors or actions. truth Conformity to fact or actuality.

Having knowledge of what is true is useful. To affirm the truth and demonstrate it by our actions is transformative. For many people who are interested in spirituality, there is a wide gap or difference between what they know and what they do. To try to use metaphysical knowledge to somewhat improve an ordi- nary (unexceptional) egocentric human condition may produce a small degree of improvement, but will not nurture authentic spiritual growth that illumines one’s mind and consciousness. To have -satisfying changes in mental states, states of consciousness, circumstances, and experiences, what is needed is a radical (going to the source) endeavor to discover that which is of permanent value and which supports and maintains transi- tory, objective realities. Sincere truth seekers must be:

• Emotionally mature enough to be willing and able to assume personal responsibility for what they do and for the effects of their actions.

5 • Firmly dedicated: willing and able to concentrate on matters which are essential for them to be successful in their quest while disregarding all nonessential matters. To be dedicated is to consecrate or “set apart” one’s thoughts and actions for a special purpose. To think and behave in ordinary, habitual ways is to experience a continuation of existing conditions. To think and behave only in constructive, purposeful ways is to allow ideal, beneficial changes to occur.

Pray (fervently aspire from the depths of your being):

Lead me from the unreal [the superficial and impermanent] to the real [that which endures]. Lead me from the darkness of ignorance of the truth to the light of absolute [pure] knowledge. Lead me from the false notion of death to the liberating realization of immortality. – Adapted from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (800 – 500 B.C.E.)

You are a Spiritual Being in a Spiritual Universe

To define yourself in terms of human limitations is a desecration of the image of you are. – (1893 – 1952)

You are a spiritual being eternally one with ultimate Reality. The universe is spiritual because it is produced and maintained by cosmic forces emanated from the expressive field of ultimate Reality which operate in accord with natural laws of cause and effect. A natural law is a principle considered to be consistent between or among phenomena in all instances in which specific conditions are met. When we know these laws of cause and ef- fect and cooperate with them, the spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, and environmental components of our lives can be har- moniously integrated. It is then easier to live effectively with- out the limitations and problems that are commonly experienced by people whose mental states and states of consciousness are blurred and fragmented. During interludes of quiet introspection, you can intuitively

6 know and actually experience that you are not your physical body or your mind. You can be a detached observer of physical and mental states and objective circumstances which are con- stantly changing while you do not change. Demonstrate that you know you are a spiritual being living in a spiritual universe by always being Self-aware, thinking ra- tionally, and acting wisely. When thoughts or feelings of lack or limitation emerge, immediately change your point of view. Acknowledge and affirm the truth, “I am a spiritual being in a spiritual universe!”

There is One Essence; That Essence is Your Essence essence The indispensable property or properties that characterize or identify something. The inherent, unchanging nature of things or a class of things.

I absorbed my attention within and realized my true Self. – (1440 – 1518)

The essence of ultimate Reality is individualized as the Self of you. The word Self is used to designate what you really are as an immortal, spiritual being. A Self or soul is individualized or produced (not created) by the blending of the consciousness of ultimate Reality and its emanated vibration (). That is why the essence of ultimate Reality is your essence and why what is true of it is true of you. As a unit of pure consciousness, you have within you all of the qualities and innate knowledge of the transcendent field of pure consciousness. which are not aware of their essence are either overly identified with objective (outer) or subjective (mental and emotional) conditions, or their intellectual and in- tuitive powers are not yet sufficiently developed to enable them to discern the truth about themselves. In the course of time, the intellectual and intuitive powers of all souls are eventually im- proved, their innate divine qualities are unveiled, and know- ledge of their true nature is spontaneously Self-revealed.

7 There is One Life; That Life is Your Life

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see [realize] God. – The Gospel of Matthew 5:8

An omnipresent, intelligence-empowered, animating force con- tinuously enlivens the fine, subtle, and gross aspects of Nature and impels the trends and processes of evolution. To a person whose views are materialistic, the universe and its processes may be presumed to be random (without a specific pattern or organized modes of action). To a person whose heart (essence) is purified and whose intellectual and intuitive powers are highly developed, the universe and its processes are viewed as orderly effects of an impersonal impulse to manifest that emerged from within the expressive field of ultimate Reality. Three attributes of the expressive field of ultimate Reality regulate the processes of cosmic manifestation and of Nature: 1) a power of attraction; 2) a transformative influence; 3) inertia. Pervading the universe, they influence the processes of evolu- tion, physical and mental states, and states of consciousness. For a person whose spiritual awakening is almost complete, illumination of consciousness that makes them impervious to the influences of the attributes of Nature is the final stageof awakening.

There is One Mind; That Mind is Your Mind

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. – Genesis 1:26

The writers who composed the Old Testament tried to imagine what the ultimate Reality (God) might have been “thinking” when it produced the universe. Ultimate Reality does not have to think to produce universes because its inclination is to mani- fest them by emanating its power as a cosmic vibration (Om) from which space, time, and cosmic forces are produced. The word man (used to designate a human being regardless of gender) is derived from manas, the word for mind, which enables thinking. Mental impressions (memories) of our

8 perceptions enable us to be conscious of our personal history and to reason, plan, and imagine. Impressions of cosmic events are in the subconscious level of cosmic mind. Cosmic mind is responsive to your mental states, desires, and intentions because your mind is a part of it. As you become more cosmic conscious you will discover that cosmic mind is re- ally your larger mind. When you can think from that viewpoint, it is easier to be rationally creative and to produce and attract ideal circumstances and experiences.

There is One Reality Expressing As All That Exists; That Reality is Your Reality

Earth, water, fire, air, ether [space with cosmic forces], mind, intellect, and ego [cosmic and individual] are the eight expressive aspects of ultimate Reality. – Bhagavad Gita 7:4

Believing that ultimate Reality (God), the universe, and souls are separate, independent realities is a delusion: an erroneous notion that should be replaced with understanding. When it is known that one Reality is expressing as the universe and as souls, we can affirm that what we observe is one Reality as it. That is what saints mean when they say, “Wherever I look and whatever I see, I see God.” Some truth seekers continue to think of God as being other than them or that they have a soul, instead of acknowledging and affirming their divine nature and thinking and acting from that point of view. They are inclined to have an infantile, de- pendent mental attitude when thinking about ultimate Reality and to be confined and limited by their false, egocentric sense of self-identity. When they use flawed powers of discriminative in- telligence in an endeavor to be Self-knowing, they tend to think that their personality characteristics indicate what they are. Your changeless Self-identity as pure consciousness can be realized by discarding all ideas about what you are and detach- ing your attention and awareness from your emotions and from modified states of mind and consciousness.

9 Miraculous Powers are Within You miraculous Having characteristics of a : an event that seems impossible to explain by natural laws and often regarded as being supernatural in origin. powers Abilities or capacities to act or perform effectively.

Realization of one’s essence of being provides knowledge of the difference between it and ordinary states of consciousness. From that superior realization, exceptional powers of perception and extraordinary abilities result. – ’s - 3:36,37

An intellectual understanding of your true nature is helpful; intuitive awareness of it is more soul-satisfying; realization is transformative and liberating. As your spiritual growth progresses you will be more Self- aware, mentally calm, and emotionally stable. Your powers of perception will be more reliable. Your understanding of meta- physical (higher) realities will quickly improve. Your enhanced functional abilities will enable you to more easily accomplish what you choose to do. Superconscious influences will purify your mind and clarify your awareness. Your consciousness will be restored to its original, pure wholeness.

Directly Acknowledge and Affirm

I am a spiritual being in a spiritual universe. There is one essence; that essence is my essence. There is one life; that life is my life. There is one mind; that mind is my mind. There is one reality expressing as all that exists; that reality is my reality. With exceptional powers of perception and extraordinary abilities, I live freely and enjoyably. The knowledge and freedom that I now have, I compassionately wish for everyone.

10 Answers to Questions About the Spiritual Path

How can I acknowledge and declare something to be true if I don’t know, or believe, it to be true?

In your heart (essence), you know you are a spiritual being and can be more conscious and live wisely and creatively. Acknowl- edge those facts (truths) and affirm them until you are more Self-aware and able to more easily live effectively.

When I speak an affirmation, instead of experiencing a positive change, I become frustrated and mildly depressed. Is there some- thing else I can do to experience a breakthrough?

Ask, “What can I do to be the person I want to be, do the things I want to do, and have the experiences and circumstances I want to have?” Creative ideas will emerge into your mind. You will imagine ideal circumstances and how to create or attract them. When actualized, they will enhance your life.

Aware of widespread confusion, disorder, and suffering in the world, it is difficult to believe that I live in a spiritual universe. What can I do to improve my understanding?

Confusion, disorder, and suffering result when people who are not spiritually conscious think and behave unwisely, or are not able to imagine ideal conditions or understand the laws of cause and effect that determine their experiences. That which produced and maintains the universe pervades it.

How can there be compatibility or harmony between our human nature and our spiritual nature?

Our human (mind-body) characteristics can be conformed to our spiritual aspirations and refined states of consciousness. as a spiritual being expressing through your mind and physical body during your current incarnation and enlarge your capacities to be conscious of higher realities.

11 My Self-realization seems to be a distant-future, hoped-for event rather than being possible for me to soon experience. How can I be more optimistic regarding this matter?

The Self (essence) of you is flawless. It is only at the surface of your awareness that misunderstanding can occur. Think of yourself as becoming more conscious and Self- and God-aware with each passing day. Time, as ordinarily perceived, does not have to be considered as an obstacle to Self-realization. What can be realized in the distant future can be realized now.

In spite of my sincere endeavors to think and live constructively, study higher realities, and daily meditate, I don’t have a lot of positive results. What can I do to have the results I want to have?

Go more deeply within your Self. Frequently contemplate (examine and endeavor to discern and experience) your pure- conscious essence. When you study metaphysical concepts your understanding will be improved. Your meditative perceptions will be more insightful, meaningful, and transformative.

If Cosmic Mind is inclined to impersonally respond to our men- tal states, desires, needs, intentions, and states of consciousness, why is it that thousands of “positive thinkers” are not able to have their constructive desires fulfilled and real needs satisfied?

Many people who have good intentions are not yet able to consistently think constructively, clearly define their desires or needs, be decisively intentional, or maintain clarified states of consciousness. They may be inclined to identify with ordinary or conditioned mental states and states of consciousness while hoping that interludes of positive thinking might produce the results they want to have. Their moods and personal behaviors may be incompatible with their aims and purposes. When we want to have the support of Cosmic Mind, we also have to feel and act in accord with our aspirations. Learning to cooperate with spiritual and mental laws of cause and effect enables us to discern the relationships between our states of consciousness, mental states, circumstances, and experiences.

12 I go back and forth between believing in (that there is one, not two, realities) and being inclined to think about a per- sonal God who is said to care about me, others, and world affairs. When I think about nondualistic philosophical principles, I have peace of mind. Thinking about a who allows people to have various kinds of hardship elicits thoughts and feelings of frustration and disappointment. How can this inner conflict be completely resolved?

When it is definitely known that only one ultimate Reality exists, you will not have the inner conflict which has troubled your mind. Devote more attention to knowing ultimate Reality as it is without going back and forth between opposing views or opinions. When you know the truth, you won’t be inclined to try to compare it with what is not true. False ideas (delusions) cause irrational thinking, weaken intellectual and intuitive powers, and interfere with endeavors to live effectively.

After my early morning meditation practice I am alert and look forward to my schedule of activities. After a few hours, if what I do is stressful or if events occur that cause emotional unrest, I tend to become more egocentric rather than calmly Self-aware. How can I learn to always be peacefully soul-centered?

Do something that will help you avoid being Self- and God- forgetful. During the day, frequently remind yourself that you are a spiritual being in a spiritual universe. Observe all events without allowing them to unsettle your emotions. Avoid feeling guilty when you notice that you are Self- and God-forgetful.

Can prayers and compassionate thoughts beneficially influence people who are distant from us or have left this world?

The universe, with subtle and material realms, is a whole manifestation of cosmic forces. Neither distance in space nor de- grees of universe-manifestation can interfere with our mental and spiritual work on behalf of others. When you pray for the well-being of others, acknowledge that you and those for whom you pray exist in the omnipresent wholeness of God. There is no need to use effort to send prayers through space

13 or into other realms. Calmly abide in awareness of wholeness, knowing that where you and others are, the Reality referred to as God is fully present. After meditation practice, radiate compassionate good will into the collective consciousness of the planet and throughout the universe, including the subtle realms in other dimensions. Wish for the highest good of everyone and for all life. All beings will be blessed; your mind and consciousness will be purified. When relating to others or thinking about them, silently ac- knowledge their innate, divine nature. The one life that is your life is the life of everyone and every living thing.

I have worked so hard and have experienced so much difficulty that I am tired, confused, and do not know what to do. Is it too late for me to make a fresh start in life?

Because you are an immortal, spiritual being, your body can be revitalized. You can learn to think constructively, make bet- ter choices, and go forward. Don’t allow the circumstances or memories of your personal history to influence your thoughts, emotions, or actions. Nurture self-confidence and self-reliance. Be self-motivated rather than rely on others or circumstances to impel your actions. Acquire the knowledge and skills that you need to have to live as you want to live. Read inspirational liter- ature to nourish your mind with creative ideas. View your oppor- tunity to learn and to grow as a great adventure. Daily meditate to anchor your life in the Infinite.

Some of my friends say that tithing (giving ten percent of their income to religious or charitable organizations) helps them to be receptive to good fortune. Is it necessary to do this?

I recommend responsible giving to worthy causes in accord with one’s financial condition without any expectation of being rewarded for doing it. Two thousand or more years ago, in the middle East and in other regions of the world where social groups were formed for the common good, giving a portion of one’s harvested crops, ani- mals, or money to be used for the welfare of the community was

14 required. In modern times, taxes are collected by federal and state government agencies. Giving to worthy causes should be done thoughtfully. Ten percent is an arbitrary sum based on one’s personal judgment or discretion. If funds are limited, only modest giving is possible. Affluent people can give more. Very rich people can, and should, be wisely generous. To improve your consciousness of prosperity, use this affir- mation and let it pervade your mind and consciousness at all times:

I always have a continuous supply of money and other necessary material resources easily and generously provided by the inexhaustible Source that produced and sustains the universe.

My ultimate aim in my current incarnation is to be spiritually enlightened to the extent that I am liberated. Can I accomplish this by my own endeavors or do I need the help of someone who is already spiritually enlightened?

You will be spiritually enlightened when you are fully Self- realized (have experience and accurate knowledge of your true nature). You will be liberated when your consciousness is as pure as your essence of being, no troublesome subconscious con- ditions exist, and nothing that is external to your Self can un- duly influence your consciousness. You can be fully Self-realized and liberated by your right en- deavors. If you are fortunate to have the help of someone who is qualified to assist you through the final stages of spiritual awak- ening, your progress may be faster. It will be most helpful for you to do what is necessary to allow your innate Self-knowledge to be unveiled and to spontaneously emerge.

The liberated Self abides in pure consciousness. – Patanjali’s Yoga-Sutras 4:36

15 CONSCIOUS FOOD PREPARATION

Sweet Corn and Green Beans

Native American succotash

Servings 4 Decrease or increase quantities according to how many servings you want to prepare. Measurements do not have to be exact.

4 cups sweet corn cut off cob (3 or 4 large ears) or frozen sweet corn 4 cups fresh green beans or frozen green beans 1 large tomato or 2 medium 3 tablespoons unsalted butter salt and pepper

1. In a cooking pot, barely cover corn with water. Simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Put 1 cup of corn in a blender. Blend smooth and return to pot. Cook and occasionally stir for another 5 minutes.

In another pot, while corn is cooking, cook green beans until done. About 15 minutes.

2. Slice tomato, remove seeds, and chop into 1/2 inch chunks.

Add cooked beans and tomato chunks to corn. Stir gently to mix. Stir in 4 tablespoons room temperature unsalted butter. Add salt and pepper to your taste. Can be served with a fresh garden salad and bread.

Optional: Green peas, fresh or frozen, can be substituted for green beans. Chopped red bell pepper can be substituted for tomato.

Note: Frozen vegetables are almost as good to use as fresh vegetables because they are quickly frozen at the peak of ripeness.

Traditional succotash is made with lima beans.

16 Discovering the Sacred in Everyday Life

Meditation and Dharmic Living

Ellen Grace O’Brian

Keep your mind beautiful with divine thoughts. – Paramahansa Yogananda

Your mind is a field through which your soul qualities can be ex- pressed. Purifying the mind by daily superconscious meditation, using our powers of discernment, and making right choices al- lows your soul-light to shine in the mental field. Living in accord with the impulses of your soul nature instead of overly reacting to emotions, desires, or thoughts that arise is freedom. Yoga practice enables you to discover your essential whole- ness. Do not practice Yoga to try to become more spiritual, for you cannot become more spiritual than you are. At the core of your being you are pure, changeless, birthless, deathless, ex- istence-being. What you eternally are was not born, does not evolve, and cannot be changed or improved. Although it cannot be fully described with words or completely known by the mind, it can be directly experienced. Direct experience of your true nature is Self-realization. Self- knowledge is improved by repeated episodes of superconscious meditation, skillful use of discriminative intelligence, and dhar- mic (right, moral) living in harmony with natural laws.

Ellen Grace O’Brian is the senior minister and director of Center for Spiritual Enlightenment 1146 University Avenue, San Jose, 95126 Tel: 408-283-0221 e-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.csecenter.org

17 Guidelines to Inspired Living

Speak the Affirmations With Conviction

November 28 – December 4 Nurture Your Physical Health Adhere to self-care regimens that allow your vital forces to enliven and regenerate your body.

I diligently nurture my health and total well-being.

December 5 – 11 Nurture Peace of Mind Daily meditate in the deep silence and cultivate soul-contentment in all circumstances.

I am peacefully poised in Self- and God-awareness.

December 12 – 18 Cultivate Emotional Stability View events, thoughts, memories, and feelings with dispassionate objectivity.

I easily discern the difference between my true Self as the observer and what I observe.

December 19 – 25 Improve Your Spiritual Awareness Acknowledge and affirm that you are an immortal, spiritual being.

I am an immortal, spiritual being!

December 26 – January 1 Write Your Resolutions and Plans for 2011 Be imaginative, specific, and decisive. Go forward with confidence into a future bright with opportunities.

I joyously look forward to all of the good fortune I will have in this New Year, and beyond it!

18 January 2 – 8 Create and Attract Only the Circumstances and Experiences That Enhance Your life Use imagination, intention, and effective actions to experience excellence in all aspects of your life. Review your 2011 resolutions and plans and begin to do what you can do to have them actualized (made real by your actions).

I create and attract only those circumstances and experiences that enhance my life.

January 9 – 15 Perform All Actions Skillfully Skillful performance of constructive actions will bring forth your innate qualities and powers.

I perform constructive actions skillfully and effectively.

January 16 – 22 Simplify Your Life Renounce thoughts, feelings, desires, behaviors, and circumstances which are not for your highest good.

I enjoy my life of purposeful simplicity.

January 23 – 29 Harmoniously Integrate Spiritual Practices into Your Everyday Life Consider everything that you do as spiritual practice: how you think and behave; how you perform your duties; how you relate to others; and how you manage your material resources. As a spiritual being in a spiritual universe, how you live your life now determines your near and future experiences and circumstances.

I harmoniously integrate spiritual practices into my everyday life by being wisely attentive to everything that I do.

19 Transcendent Realizations

transcendent Beyond the knowledge of ordinary experience.

Transcendent realizations may occur when one’s consciousness has been somewhat clarified by spiritual practices or may occur effortlessly without prior indication of their emergence. They can provide direct knowledge of realities that are very different from those which are or- dinarily perceived.

I was about thirty when this marvelous change came to me. To it I attribute results disproportioned to my moderate ability or knowledge. An awe, sweet but not burdensome, shadowed my , as every moment was filled with the presence of God; nor did it leave me in the midst of the most engrossing occupations. Life became a psalm of praise. – Anonymous man (1830 – 1898)

How long that period of intense rapture lasted I do not know—it seemed an eternity—it might have been but a few moments. In the morning I awoke with a spiritual sense so strong that what we call the material things surrounding me seemed shadowy and unreal. My point of view was entirely changed. Old things had passed away and all things had become new. The ideal had become real, the old real had lost its reality. Every longing of the heart was satisfied, every question answered. The universal tides flowed in upon me in waves of joy and gladness. – Anonymous woman (middle 1800s)

A kind of waking trance I have frequently had, quite up from boyhood, when I have been all alone. This has come upon me by repeating my own name to myself silently till, all at once, out of the intensity of the consciousness of individuality, the indi- viduality itself seemed to dissolve and fade away into boundless being; and this is not a confused state, but the clearest of the clearest, the surest of the surest … utterly beyond words, where death was an almost laughable impossibility. – Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809 – 1892)

20 I am without attributes or actions, eternal, pure, without stain of desire, changeless, formless, always free. I fill all things like space. I am that Reality, indivisible, bliss, truth, knowledge, in- finite. – (India, 8th century)

When the truth is seen and the ego-sense has been dispelled, where is there room for delusions, sorrows, hopes, desires, and mental distress? [Beliefs concerning] heaven and hell, and also delusions regarding liberation [of consciousness] exist only as long as ego-sense exists. When the faculty of intelligence is freed from the cloud of ego-sense and from cravings, it shines with the light of Self-knowledge. – Vasistha’s Yoga

When the devotee perceives various states of being as abiding in the One, and emanating from That alone, the ultimate state [absolute or pure consciousness] is realized. – The Bhagavad Gita 13:30

The liberated soul abides in pure consciousness. One Reality is then known; the universe and its processes are viewed as its Self-referring actions. The inherent characteristics of that Real- ity are consciousness-existence-bliss, devoid of attributes. – Patanjali’s Yoga-Sutras 4:36 – 38

… all mean egotism vanishes … I am nothing … I see all, the currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part and parcel of God. – (1803–1882)

[Realization of] the ultimate truth is simple; it is nothing more than being in one’s natural, original state. – (1879 – 1950)

Seek first to know the reality of God, and to live righteously, and all of these things [that are needed] will be provided for you. – Gospel of Matthew 6:33 (Modern translation)

… in quietness and confidence shall be your strength. – The Book of the Prophet Isaiah 30:15

21 Observations, Reflections & Discoveries

Trying too hard to renounce bad habits, negative mental atti- tudes, or inappropriate or addictive behaviors doesn’t always produce the best results. It can be more effective to nurture posi- tive mental attitudes and appropriate behaviors. Frequent as- sociation with creative, functional people can also be helpful. If personal association is not always possible, adopt the mental at- titudes and behaviors of role models. Replace habits, mental at- titudes, and behaviors you don’t want to have with those which will enhance your life.

Superconscious influences that strengthen the body’s immune system, slow biologic aging processes, clarify awareness, and weaken harmful subconscious tendencies during meditation can continue to prevail for several minutes or hours after a practice session, especially when the mind is calm. Superconsciousness, sometimes called the fourth state of consciousness, is superior to ordinary awake, dreaming sleep, and deep sleep states. It is characterized by alert, clear awareness, improved powers of per- ception and intellectual discrimination, and the ability to wit- ness what is observed or experienced. Superconsciousness is the natural state of our essence of being.

Imagining that you are doing something activates the same regions of the brain that are associated with actually doing it. Imagining that you are doing what you want to do or having what you want to have makes your mind and consciousness receptive to having those experiences. Imagining that you are healthy, happy, creatively expressive, and spiritually conscious can enable you to be healthier, happier, creatively expressive, and more spiritually conscious. Creative imagination is con- trolled and intentional. Uncontrolled imagination is fantasy.

22 Ignore foolish prophets: 2012 will be an ordinary year. Every few years, misguided or self-serving individuals announce that dramatic changes will soon occur on our planet: earthquakes, storms, floods, sudden climate changes, famine, new diseases, economic chaos, or a sudden shift to that produces a new era of spiritual enlightenment. For several hundred years, an apocalyptic climax of human history was often predicted; righteous people would be taken up into a heaven-like abode and unrighteous people would be judged and punished. More recently, some delusional individu- als claimed to have telepathic contact with intelligent beings on other planets who would come to teach us how to live in harmony with nature and with each other. From time to time, the coming of an or “world teacher” is announced. Some Christians still keep alive the hope that a messiah with supernatural pow- ers will come into the world to free them from their oppressive conditions and create an ideal society. Some people, unable or unwilling to nurture their spiritual growth or to be responsi- ble for their thoughts and actions endeavor to invoke the help and guidance of disembodied enlightened souls: a vain endeavor which results in fantasy and mental confusion. 2012 is naively said to be significant because it coincides with the end of the Mayan calendar. A few months ago, a reporter for an American magazine asked some Mayan people what they thought about the prophecy. They laughed. The persistent trends of evolution that brought us to our present stage of development are not affected by the simple- minded opinions of a few human beings. There is nothing to fear. Diligently nurture your spiritual growth. Wisely live each day. Look forward with confidence to what is yet to be.

Undoubtedly we have no questions to ask which are unanswerable. We must trust the perfection of creation so far as to believe that whatever curiosity the order of things has awakened in our minds, the order of things can satisfy. – Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1883)

23 New Color Video (DVD) Playing Time: 107 Minutes Infinite Life Talks by Roy Eugene Davis at the Third International Congress. San Jose, California 2010 March 18 –20

1 DVD $10.00 Use order form on page 30 or online at www.csa-davis.org

Part One: Our Fundamental Purpose for Living Part Two: Meditation Methods and Procedures Part Three: Meditation Practice Guidelines Part Four: Initiation: Commitment to Practice

Other video and audio recordings are listed on page 30

24 NEWS and HIGHLIGHTS

See the 2011 CSA headquarters meditation retreat schedules on page 29 and plan your participation now. Reserve only when your travel plans are firm.

The Fourth International Kriya Yoga Congress Being planned for the first week in March 2013. This special event will be held every three years instead of every two years.

Dial–An–Inspiration: 706-782-2767 Guidelines for Inspired Living 24 hours a day. Changed each weekend. Listening time, approximately 2 minutes. Or read it on our web site.

Our Web Site: www.csa-davis.org Video and audio talks by Roy Eugene Davis. A weekly Guide- lines for Inspired Living theme. Retreat and seminar schedules. Books and articles in eight languages to read or download free (English, Spanish, German, Italian, French, Turkish, Roma- nian, and Hindi). Read Truth Journal online. Donate; apply for membership; subscribe to Truth Journal; order books, CDs, and DVDs online. Send your spiritual friends a link to our web site. It is visited by truth seekers in more than 85 countries and regions in the world.

If you are not a Center for Spiritual Awareness member or a regular reader of Truth Journal Be a member (pg 28) or subscribe to Truth Journal (pg 30) or at www.csa-davis.org Read or download it free on our web site (above) Click on View Truth Journal Online

25 Memorandum from Roy Eugene Davis

Remembrance of significant events that beneficially influenced our lives and the lives of others can remind us that the active presence of a Higher Power was often the determining factor re- garding what occurred during the intervening years. Sixty-one years ago (December 25, 1949), during my first pri- vate talk with Paramahansa Yogananda, I became his disciple. In late 1951, he ordained me to teach as he had taught and to initiate devotees of God into Kriya Yoga. Immediately after my ’s passing on March 7, 1952, for two years I was the minister of the Self-Realization Fellow- ship Center in Phoenix, Arizona, then served for two years in the United States Army Medical Corps. From 1956 to the early 1970s I traveled to lecture and present meditation seminars, wrote books, and began to publish Truth Journal magazine. Center for Spiritual Awareness was founded in 1972. During my teenage years in northern Ohio, I had occasional intuitive glimpses of what I would be doing during my adult years. I did not then know of the many supportive events that were yet to occur, most of which I can only attribute to God’s grace and the trends of destiny.

Some of my books to read. See page 30 or online at www.csa-davis.org

Paramahansa Yogananda As I Knew Him Also on 2 audio CDs

The Science of Self-Realization (Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras)

Seven Lessons in Conscious Living (Kriya Yoga Philosophy and Practices)

Absolute Knowledge That Liberates Consciousness

The Eternal Way (The Inner Meaning of the Bhagavad Gita)

26 Lineage of in Our Kriya Yoga Tradition Calendar of Significant Events Birth date and personal history unknown. Resides in remote area of Himalayas. (Shyama Charan Lahiri) Born September 30, 1828, Ghurnigram Village, Bengal. Initiated by Babaji, 1861, Ranikhet, Himalayas. Transition: September 26, 1895, Banaras (). Sri Yuktswar (Priya Karar) Born May 10, 1855, , near Calcutta. Initiated by Lahiri Mahasaya, July 1883, Banaras. Transition: March 9, 1936, , India. Paramahansa Yogananda (Mukunda Lal Ghosh) Born January 5, 1893, , Northeast India. Initiated by Sri Yukeswar, 1909, Banaras (Varanasi). Initiated into the swami order, 1915. Transition: March 7, 1952, , California. Roy Eugene Davis Born March 9, 1931, Leavittsburg, Ohio. Initiated by Paramahansa Yogananda, August, 1950. Ordained by Paramahansa Yogananda, autumn, 1951.

Meanings of Sanskrit Words babaji Baba, father, ji, used to indicate reverent respect. mahavatar Mah(a), great, avatar, incarnation of divine qualities. mahasaya Maha, great (expanded or enlarged) consciousness. A title often used by Lahiri’s disciples. swami A member of an ancient monastic order reorganized by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. sri Venerable, worthy of respect. yukteswar Yuk, joined or united with, ishwara (an aspect of ultimate Reality that controls or regulates cosmic processes.) paramahansa Param, beyond, hansa, swan. In , swans are said to be able drink milk from a mixture of milk and water. A paramahansa is not influenced by mundane conditions. yogananda Yoga, joined or united with, ananda, bliss (joyousness) of Self-realization.

27 You Are Cordially Invited to Be a Member of Center Studies in Truth Lessons in Conscious Living & Spiritual Practice for Spiritual Awareness November 2010

You will receive:

You Are a Spiritual Being • A Studies in Truth Lesson six times a year. in a Spiritual Universe – 3 Answers to Questions – 8 • Truth Journal magazine six times a year. Lesson Review – 13 • Occasional CSA Newsletters. • The satisfaction of knowing that you are personally involved in a ministry dedicated to individual and planetary enlightenment. A Center for Spiritual Awareness Publication

Your choice of participation: [ ] Supporting Member. Donate $100 or more a year on a schedule that is convenient for you. [ ] Active Member. $60.00 a year. This allows for a surplus of income to be used for general ministry services. [ ] Subscribing Member. $30.00 a year. For the costs of printing and mailing publications and necessary office procedures.

If you do not have a copy of Roy Eugene Davis’ book Seven Lessons in Conscious Living, mark here [ ]. A free copy will be sent to you with your first Studies in Truth Lesson and membership card.

Donation $ ______

By check [ ] Visa [ ] MasterCard [ ] Discover [ ] American Express [ ] Credit Card# ______expires ____/____ The last three numbers on the back of the card ______Name on card ______Phone ______

Name ______

Address ______

______

Center for Spiritual Awareness P.O. Box 7 • Lakemont, Georgia 30552 Tel: 706-782-4723 weekdays 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. e-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.csa-davis.org A 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation since 1964. Tax number 58-0942053

28 Meditation Retreats At CSA Headquarters

[email protected] Travel map on our web site: www.csa-davis.org Click on Retreats page

Meditation and lifestyle routines taught by Roy Eugene Davis. Kriya initiation Thursdays at 1 p.m. during the week long retreats. Guest houses. Vegetarian meals served.

2010 Weekend: November 13 – 14 Saturday Morning to Sunday 11 a.m. Arrive by Friday December 4 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Holy Season Meditation 2011 Week long: June 6 – 10 July 4 – 8 July 18 – 22 Aug. 15 – 19 2011 Weekends: October 22 – 23 November 19 – 20 Holy Season meditation December 3 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 2011 Private retreats: CSA members and Kriya Initiates May 2 – 6 9 – 13 16 – 20 September 5 – 9 12 – 16 19 – 23 ______

Retreat Reservations: Reserve only when your travel plans are firm. Mail this form, phone, fax, or e-mail.

Dates ______Time of arrival______Daytime phone ______e-mail______Travel directions, see web site or mark here [ ] for mailed copy. Prefer a CSA guest house [ ] Will stay at a motel [ ] Name______

Address______Center for Spiritual Awareness PO Box 7 Lakemont, Georgia 30552 Tel: 706-782-4723 weekdays 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Fax 706-782-4560

29 Books, Videos (DVD format), and Audio CDs U.S. packing/postage $3.00 for 1 item; 30 cents for each extra item. Other countries: double the U.S. postage for airmail. Quantity [ ] Self-Knowledge $5.00 $ ______[ ] The Eternal Way Inner Meaning of the Bhagavad Gita $12.00 ______[ ] Mystic Reflections $5.00 ______[ ] The Spiritual Basis of Real Prosperity $5.00 ______[ ] Absolute Knowledge That Liberates Consciousness $7.95 ______[ ] Paramahansa Yogananda As I Knew Him hc $12.00 ______

Books [ ] The Science of Self-Realization yoga-sutras hc $10.00 ______[ ] Seven Lessons in Conscious Living kriya yoga $10.00 ______[ ] A Master Guide to Meditation $5.95 ______[ ] The Science of God-Realization (essays) $5.95 ______[ ] An Easy Guide to $4.95 ______[ ] DVD Infinite Life 2010 Kriya Yoga Congress $10.00 ______[ ] DVD Know Your True Nature & the Reality of God $10.00 ______[ ] DVD Our Awakening World 2008 Kriya Congress $10.00 ______[ ] 3 DVDs Light on the Spiritual Path $20.00 ______DVDs [ ] DVD 2006 Kriya Yoga Congress Overview $7.00 ______[ ] DVD Experiences With Paramahansa Yogananda $7.00 ______[ ] CD Know Your True Nature & the Reality of God $5.00 ______[ ] CD The Only Permanent Solution $5.00 ______[ ] 3 Audio CDs Light On the Spiritual Path $15.00 ______[ ] Audio CD Meditation Instruction & Practice $5.00 ______CDs [ ] CD Conscious Living & Superconscious Meditation $5.00 ______[ ] 2 CDs Paramahansa Yogananda As I Knew Him $10.00 ______[ ] 4 CDs Absolute Knowledge (audio book) $20.00 ______Book/CD/DVD Total ______Packing and shipping ______Truth Journal new[ ] renewal[ ] U.S. $10.00 Foreign $15.00 ______Total ______

With check[ ] Visa[ ] MasterCard[ ] Discover[ ] American Express[ ] Credit card # ______expires ____/____ Last 3 digits on back of card ______4 digits on front of Amex card ______Name on card ______Tel: ______Name ______Address ______

Center for Spiritual Awareness P.O. Box 7 Lakemont, Georgia 30552 Phone weekdays 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. 706-782-4723 www.csa-davis.org United Kingdom: Gazelle Book Services Ltd. White Cross Mills, Hightown, Lancaster LA1 4XS e-mail: [email protected] India: Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi. (10 of Mr. Davis’ books) e-mail: [email protected] web site: www.mlbd.com And at Motilal Banarsidass bookstores in Delhi, Patna, Varanasi, , Chennai, Bangalore, , and Pune. B. Jain Publishers, . www.bjainbooks.com An Easy Guide to Ayurveda Full Circle Publisher, New Delhi. www.atfullcircle.com Paramahansa Yogananda As I Knew Him (English and Hindi) Abolute Knowledge That Liberates Consciousness Indian Books Centre, New Delhi. www.indianbookscentre.com The Science of Self-Realization Dr. L. Mahadevan e-mail: [email protected] Paramahansa Yogananda As I Knew Him (Tamil edition) How to Live Consciously in God (Tamil edition) Italy: Marco Valerio Editore. www.marcovalerio.com Paramahansa Yogananda Così come l’ho conosciuto La scienza della realizzazione del sé La strada maestra per la meditazione e la crescita spirituale Srimad Bagavad Gita / La Via Eterna Insegnamenti sul percorso spirituale del kriya yoga La base spirituale della vera prosperità Immortalita cosciente Guida All’Ayurveda Germany: Harald and Marlies Reiske. www.kriya-yoga.de Pfad des Lichts Paramahansa Yogananda – wie ich ihn kannte To improve your understanding of higher realities … read this book and listen to these CDs Chapter Themes The Truth About Your Essence of Being and Your Relationship With the Infinite The Sequential Categories, Specialized Capacities, and Orderly Processes of Cosmic Manifestation The Psychological and Physiological Basis of Spiritual Enlightenment Superconscious Meditation That Clarifies Awareness and Facilitates Authentic Spiritual Growth Guidelines to Dedicated Discipleship Trade paper edition Three Transformative 128 pages $7.95 Practices to Effectively Use Infinite Life Addendum The Evolution of Religious Beliefs and Practices Glossary of Key Words and Philosophical Concepts

Use order form on page 30 or at www.csa-davis.org

4 CDs 3 hrs:48 minutes $20.00

Preoccupation with modified states of mind and consciousness causes and sustains an illusional sense of self-identity. When this error in perception is corrected, our awareness is immediately restored to its original, pure wholeness. – Roy Eugene Davis