Worship & Mantra
Showing 1–12 of 20 results
All Hail Surya Narayan! #194
Who is there is the three worlds, or even beyond them, who does not love and revere the Sun God? In India he represents one of the five major pathways to God, along with Vishnu, Siva, Ganesha, and the Mahashakti, granting all beings their “flood of days,” as the Akshi Upanisad states. In this beautiful dharma chart, all set up for affixing to the walls of ones sacred home or ashram, his glorious image graces the colorful contents, side by side and surrounded by several choice mantras and slokas from the revealed scriptures of Mother India. The wisdom rays emanating off of him are beneficial teachings to give to children and adults alike, all for their highest and best good.
Fundamental Facts about the Mantra #42
Before one receives the sacred mantra from a spiritual preceptor, and begins to use it in daily spiritual practice, a whole host of profound facts must be studied and understood. The inclusion of this oft neglected element in the practice of japa invests the mantra with its full power, and renders it effective, and fast acting. Mantra can then perform its duty of purifying the mind of karmas, false superimpositions, and samskaras (latent mental impressions).
Sacred Bijas of Mantra Practice #147
Here, on this wisdom chart, are gathered many of the most predominant bijas, along with their concentrated meanings. The aspiring student of Tantra, Yoga, and Vedanta can utilize these for gaining deeper comprehension leading to added effectivity in daily mantra practice. For convenience, as well as for contrast, the four major Mahavakyas, or “Great Sayings,” of the Upanisads, are included as well, giving the teaching a turn towards that singular nondual Truth that all have emerged from, and will return to when the auspicious moment is upon them.
Shakti Mantra, Kamakala & the Unity of Siva & Shakti #145
In the Tantric darshana, which never saw a complete systemization of its beneficial teachings due to it representing so vast a collection of dharmic fare, pertinent teachings are nevertheless available for contemplation by sincere aspirants. Both Vedanta and Buddhism have and hold a close relationship with Tantra, as evinced here by in-depth mentions concerning the mantra, the quality of viveka, and the Divine Couple. Thus, how to rise up and beyond the influence of root ignorance represented by “low-grade mantras” is a welcome facet of this ages-old darshana.
The Different Types of Diksha #146
Seldom heard, and also rarely understood, bijams are seed words of inherent power from which spring everything in the Seven Worlds, in all of “Creation.” In this day and age they are found in mantras only, and as mentioned, their implications are scarcely comprehended. For personal transformation, their contemplation is indispensable. For fathoming cosmological ramifications, knowledge of their meanings is innately necessary. Further, on the level of spiritual practice and its disciplines, their transmission to individual seekers by illumined gurus is responsible for souls entering into the inner path leading to Truth and Enlightenment overall.
The Eight Devotional Aids of Narada #269
The illumined Devarishi, Narada, is best known to the world by his Bhakti Sutras, a definitive commentary on the path of devotion. Since so many beings walk this path on earth, this dharma chart can act as both a guide and an inspiration along its relaxed and blissful way. Added into this wisdom chart are Narada’s eleven forms of Divine Love, which flesh out the devotee’s understandings of just what authentic Love is, and should look and be like. The chart is graced by a quote from Sri Ramakrishna, the veritable King of Divine Love in this day and age, who steers the sincere seeker away from love of the body and personality, and towards the Lord and Divine Mother of the Universe.
The Five Forms of Liberation & The Five Divine Moods#72
This set of fine twin teachings from the sacred Vaishnava tradition emphasizes the many boons of bhakti yoga and devotion — an incomparable devotion which Narada calls bhakti yoga’s own precious fruit. God with form, or Ishvara, is the focus here, but of note and interest is the presence of the attainment of nonduality in the form of Sayujya — immersion into Divine Reality.
The Five Strata of Sacrifice #289
The way of worship that entails the Five Sacrifices is not only ancient and time-tested, it is also pervasive, covering all bases. Plants, animals, and mankind are worshiped and served here, but so are the ancestors, deities, and great teachers who may have already passed from the body. Thus, what is external and internal is held sacrosanct, ensuring that inner life is duly acknowledged, not just life on earth. The dharma chart here, perfect for posting on ones wall, reminds us of the efficacy and wisdom of remembering all beings, and holding them always in the Light of Brahman.
The Five Worshipful Moods #318
In the revered lineages of Vaishvavism, the teaching of five, sweet inner moods is brought forth for choosing by the aspiring devotee of the Lord. Called bhavas in the tradition, in this conjunction the many meanings of that word refer to an attitude of dedicated worship that the committed devotee vows to take on and fulfill. Just one of these bhavas, if taken seriously and worked into daily life, causes a positive transformation to accompany all thoughts and actions over time. Here, on this wisdom chart, the five devotional moods are set out for study and selection, accompanied by quotes from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who has found this loving discipline to be of beneficial effectivity for this day and age.
The Four Parts and Eight Glories of Ishvara #290
Ishvara, or Ishvari if referring to the feminine counterpart, is the most unique soul in all the worlds. In Vedic tradition one does not pray to God, called Brahman, since It is purely transcendental. Being formless, It has no ears to hear! Therefore, the prayers of the devotees go inward (not out or up) to Ishvara, whom Swami Vivekananda called “....the highest concept of God that the human mind can comprehend.” This wisdom chart holds all the essential teachings on this grand Overseer of all the Worlds and their many occupants, making the establishment of contact with that Being much more alluring and possible.
The Four Stages of Mantra Practice #286
Restoring meaning to the mantra, thus wisdom, was the unenviable task that Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Sarada Devi faced when they embodied in this world in the 1800’s. For, the traditions of India had long since known that Shakti power lies in the word. The fact that it had been overlooked, then forgotten, was one of the reasons for the fall of true religion. This helpful wisdom chart describes how the practitioner of japa of the mantra becomes aware of deeper and deeper levels of Shakti power existing in the word, in all words — particularly in the bijams given by the illumined preceptor at the auspicious time of initiation.
The Four Types of Love #131
The most underestimated and most misunderstood divine quality in existence is probably authentic Love. There are many masqueraders and pretenders of this incomparable attribute, and they all cast shades of imperfection over the genuine article. In this chart, as the Great Master has explained it in the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, the matter of what is pure and what is impure in the realm of Love is clarified nicely, revealing that it is not a simple matter to comprehend the essence and movements of true Love. What is most evident is that romantic love cannot reach the pinnacle of Divine Love, which is, as has been described, a matter of an unconditioned quality.