These are actually awesome times for meditation, prayer and spiritual practice as the world spirals into madness and chaos. Going within is the only antidote. That’s why there is a such an explosion of spiritual practice in the world today.
The pull of the world, … sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll … as it spins into madness & chaos, is so constant, strong and all pervasive, that everyone, kids and adults alike need to be aware of an alternative to this insanity which you can see will not let up and is increasing at a rapid pace. This is Kali’s time. Fasten your seat-belt. The only refuge is “within”.
Many years ago I saw a bumper sticker that read, “God is coming. She’s black. And boy, is she pissed!”
Harada Roshi had a monastery in a very harsh climate in Japan. He was offered a chance to move to a more temperate location. He replied, No thanks, this harsh place forces men’s minds into the pits of their bellies.
That’s what Kali is doing now with her crazy dance, and unpredictable twists, holding our feet to the fire!
There are many paths leading to the same goal. One size does not fit all. These books will give you a small sample of the diversity. Mindfulness is just a start.
Here are four of my favorite books. They may not all appeal to you. Choose what you like. Think for yourself. They are all very different expressions of the same truth yet they are all basically the same. All dogs howl alike.
Truth is ONE, sages call it differently. This is the path of the mystic.
The ‘Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God‘ with a brilliant introduction by Aldous Huxley.
This is the first book I red in Spain in 1963 in a little fishing village that made any sense out of life to me. It answered every question I did not even know I had!
One of my favorite books is ‘The Way of a Pilgrim‘. This very simple practice can be adapted to any path in any tradition. I don’t know of a better, simpler example of japa, unceasing prayer or constant remembrance of the Divine Force. It exists in different forms in almost all traditions. I’ve been reading it for almost 60 years, particularly if my practice gets a bit stale. I call it the essence of Christian mysticism. It very beautifully explains “Prayer of the Heart”. You see there’s a rhythm in the body between the breath and the heart beat. It describes most beautifully this Prayer of the Heart, which can be practiced in any tradition. The RM French translation is the first in English from the Russian, done in 1940. It capturing the essence of the narrative.
The 3rd is ‘Three Pillars of Zen‘ by Philip Kapleau. This is a chemically pure secular road map to enlightenment, particularly for westerners. The section on enlightenment experiences of 8 ordinary men and women is so encouraging!
It especially ties in well with Indian Vedanta, ….Christian Union, ……Al Haqq, the Real of the Muslims, …..and the highest experience of the Jewish tradition.
When Rabbi Yitzak Mier was a little boy, someone said to him, Yitzak, I’ll give you a gulden if you tell me where God lives….. He replied, I’ll give you two if you tell me where he doesn’t. ….. What kind of culture produces a kid like that?
The 4th is ‘The Spiritual Athlete: a Primer for the Inner Life‘. It contains 22 biographies and the wisdom of mystics of many paths. It was selected by The Library of Congress for Talking Books, used in some Hospice programs and schools.
Think for yourself. The proof of this is only one’s own direct experience. This is the mystic’s path. Only made clear to the “eye” of the mystic.
Friends, “There is something about you that you don’t know yet.” The purpose of life is to uncover that knowledge.
Please note the predictions of the Kali Yuga and how uncannily accurate they are becoming today! These were made 5000 years ago.
A sampling: Money is GOD…. Mass migrations…. Overt sexuality…. Rampant drug & alcohol abuse ….. Wholesale killing…… and more … and the very positive and encouraging last one: Spiritual practice is at a great discount. It produces tremendous results with little effort in these turbulent times.
Kali means black, look carefully at the image, she’s fierce, but also very benevolent. Now is her time! It’s also called the Iron Age. Fitting, eh?