by Michael Mamas | Wednesday, January 18, 2017 | Clarifying Confusion, Spiritual Evolution |
It is commonly believed that knowledge is the result of observations of the outer world. It is the foundation of the scientific method. However, if we just give it a little thought, we realize that the observations are not the knowledge. It is how we put those observations together within our own minds that is the source of knowledge. Knowledge then is an inner experience, not an outer observation. What we observe matters little if we do not find understanding of those observations within ourselves. Knowledge comes from within.
The methodology of evolving our ability to become a person of greater knowledge is not usually known. It is the cultivation of inner awareness. The most powerful tool to accomplish this is proper meditation. There are various forms of meditation, but very few cultivate evolution. Rather, most control or condition the mind and/or heart to function in a particular manner. A meditation that cultivates evolution allows and facilitates a natural blossoming of awareness.
The potential of such cultivation goes far beyond the imagination of most. All knowledge is contained within. It is merely a matter of cultivating ones ability to tap more and more fully into that level of evolution.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
by Michael Mamas | Friday, November 25, 2016 | Clarifying Confusion, Vedic Arts |
In a comment on a previous blog, I was ask about the relationship between omens and shaktipat.
To which I respond:
Omens are an interesting topic. Since, through the transcendent, everything is infinitely correlated in space and time, one could view every event as an omen. It is like the flow of water down a mountain stream. The movement of the molecules of water predetermine where they will be the next moment… omens. Similarly, then, Shaktipat could also be viewed as an action predetermining what follows.
Of course, then enters the notion of free will vs. predetermination. The Guru, acting from a place of free will, can guide or suggest the process shift in more evolutionary directions.
Certainly, everyone has a degree of free will but, generally speaking, predetermination (karma) rules most people’s days.
I would add that even a Guru, who has no karma, has entered into this world of karma. One might compare it to someone who jumps into a swirling torrent of karmic waters to assist drowning people.The Guru is certainly subject to the currents as well as the flailing of arms and legs of those drowning. Though it is not the Guru’s karma to jump into those waters, once done, he has volunteered to deal with the karmic waters and the situation he has entered.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
by Michael Mamas | Sunday, November 20, 2016 | Clarifying Confusion, Spiritual Evolution |
Early Saturday morning, it was really windy at Mount Soma. While doing Pradakshina outside around the Navagrahas, the wind slapped a fall leaf right into my face. Spontaneously searching for the symbolism, I asked myself, “Was that a Shaktipat blessing or a reprimand?” Immediately the answer came: “There really isn’t any difference.” If perceived properly, a reprimand is a purificatory rite. When heard and received, it purifies the awareness. The Karma has been delivered, clearing away for a deeper relationship with life. When you stop and think about it, that’s pretty much a definition for “Shaktipat.” As I’m fond of saying, “It’s not so much about the thing, but your relationship with the thing.” Shaktipat is not nearly as effective when we’re not open to it. Shaktipat comes in many forms: a moment of insight, the touch of the Guru, or conceivably even the slap of a fall leaf.
After all, the Guru’s nature is one with your true nature, is one with Mother Nature. The Guru then gives his blessings in many ways. Saturn is the influence of the Guru through life’s lessons, through our experiences with life and all of nature. Everything is just as profound, as is our ability to hear it, to see it, to know it.
Of course, we can make moods around this sort of thing which is called “projection.” On the other hand, we can see more deeply into things than what may be self-evident to most on the surface. When seen clearly and deeply, it’s called “perception.” Projection considers perception to be projection.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
by Michael Mamas | Tuesday, October 18, 2016 | Clarifying Confusion |
Everything in this world has an influence and deeper meaning, a karmic significance, on all other levels of relative existence.
Everything is interconnected in ways that can seem unfathomable to the ‘rational’ mind. Those interconnections transcend time and space.
The science of omens is the technology that reads those interconnections. Omens track the karmic flows as one level of existence influences another back and forth through space and time.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
by Michael Mamas | Friday, June 10, 2016 | Clarifying Confusion, The Gods |
These days, many people both western and eastern, are put off when entering a Vedic temple. Seeing beings with many arms, the head of an elephant, or in the form of a bull just does not make sense to the current modern perspective. Admittedly, as a teenager, I too would have been put off if I was to walk into such a temple. It would have just seemed too strange.
We live in a rational age. Things have to make sense or they are rejected. However, as science advances, things that once made no sense do begin to make sense. For example, a couple hundred years ago, the idea of unity and oneness made no scientific sense. However, with the advent of modern physics, the concept of unity is front and center for many theoretical physicists.
To understand the essential science of the Gods, we can begin to make sense of Vedic knowledge. Yet for the foundation of that understand to be solid, we must start with the basics and build upon them. Few people are willing to do that. Those that have rejected spirituality are rarely willing to take the time. Those who have embraced spirituality feel they have no need. Both perspectives are flawed. The more deeply and fundamentally we understand life and our existence, the better. Just because one believes in God, does not mean it is time to stop learning and discerning. Also, because we have become identified with a particular paradigm does not mean that there are no other valid paradigms. To ignore other paradigms is called ignore-ance. In this day and age of western science, that paradigm should not be ignored. By taking the time to investigate the Vedic paradigm, we can come to see the tremendous value of Vedic knowledge.
So let’s set any aversions or affinities aside for a moment and consider the following. Fundamentally, the Gods are laws of nature. There is a mechanism or mode of operation underlying the universe… they are laws of physics or laws of nature. Each God or Goddess is a particular aspect of the laws of nature, just as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are aspects of arithmetic.
Ganesh
Ganesh is the principle of categories or structure. To compare creation to a crystal, Ganesh would be the molecular structure of the crystal. Ganesh then is the remover of obstacles. By enlivening the underlying structure of life (Ganesh), we strengthen and stabilize our lives thereby removing obstacles to our progress. Ganesh is also the protector of women and children. Sociologically the family structure has traditionally be held together by the bond of mother and child. That family dynamic gives structure to life. So naturally, that is upheld by the principle we call Ganesh.
Watch video: "The Gods" with Michael Mamas – Ganesh
Shiva
There is one basis to all existence… consciousness. Even many modern physicists believe the unified field is quite simply pure consciousness. It is the one thing that births everything. Shiva is that principle, that quality, of oneness… pure consciousness, pure is-ness.
Watch video: "The Gods" with Michael Mamas – Shiva
Karthikeya
Kartikeya is the harmonizing principle of the dynamics underlying existence. if Ganesh is likened to the structure of a crystal, Karthikeya is the order of the dynamic display of light as it is shined through that crystal and the crystal is rotated. That is why Karthikeya is referred to as the commander and chief of all the Gods.
Watch video: "The Gods" with Michael Mamas – Karthikeya
Mother Divine
Consciousness (Shiva) becomes conscious of itself and perceiving it as ‘other’ duality is born. Aware of the duality, three things emerge. Then four, five, and on to infinity… this is the self-interacting dynamic of the structure of Veda. The exquisite display of the beauty of what is created pulls awareness into identity with that world of relativity. That force is call maya. That principle is call Mother Divine or Shakti. Shakti is the force that compels the universe to manifest.
Watch video: "The Gods" with Michael Mamas – Mother Divine
Summary
All the Gods can be understood in this way. That is the rational starting point. Then, as one builds upon that foundation, more and more is understood. For example, the shape of Ganesh’s head can be understood to be like that of an elephant because of the mathematical nature of that principle. That principle permeates and will up through creation in many ways. For example, the shape of a leaf or the the cross section of the human brain.
The more we study Vedic Knowledge in this way, the more sense it makes. By deeply understanding the scientific principles underlying things like cognition, yagya, puja, vastu, Gandharva Ved, jyotish, etc. all the various aspects of life are more fully understood and appreciated. Also, any distortions or superstitions that may have crept in can be purged. Superficial understandings give superficial results. Deeper understanding of Vedic Knowledge reveals a technology to bring life in harmony for all humanity. My life is dedicated to bringing out that knowledge in its purity for all of humanity to enjoy, regardless of one’s religion, race, philosophy, or nationality.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
