by Michael Mamas | Thursday, June 9, 2016 | Clarifying Confusion |
This diagram can be viewed in two different ways… either as two boxes or three. Yet the diagram has not changed. The Veda is structured the same way. The apparent contradictions are resolved through deeper understanding and insight. To argue which perspective (two boxes or three) is to misunderstand the structure of the Veda, the structure of existence. Of course, being the underlying dynamic of all existence, the structure of Veda is far more profound than that of this simple diagram. Yet the diagram illustrates the principle. Yantras are geometric representation of the structure of Veda. All yantras are one. In that sense, there is only one yantra, only one God. So it can be said that all the various yantras are contained in the Shri Yantra, just as the simple diagram contains both two boxes and three.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
by Michael Mamas | Thursday, May 26, 2016 | Clarifying Confusion, The Veda |
I recently received a lovely email regarding the Vedas. The question came up regarding Truth and contradiction. The idea was that Truth is free of contradiction so any contradictions are non-Truths.
In a sense, this is certainly true. However, this is the world of paradox and contradictions. Paradox and contradiction finds resolution in the depth, not on the surface. In that sense then, Truth does not exist on the surface of life, but in the depth. All paradoxes and contradictions find resolution in the Transcendent, in the depth. Even within the Veda, this is of course addressed. The Shiva Puranas declare Shiva to be the highest of all the Gods. The Vishnu Puranas declare Vishnu to be the highest of all the Gods. On the surface that appears to be a contradiction. In fact, many see such ‘contradictions;’ permeating the Veda and reject it. Yet by looking more deeply within Vedic Knowledge, such apparent contradictions do exquisitely find their resolution.
The second idea in the email involved the idea that pictures of God vary from temple to temple and are therefore not correct since only one can be right. Of course, no picture of God or anything else is totally accurate, so that idea is correct. At the same time, all pictures of God point in a direction, toward the Formless, the Transcendental, the Divine and in that sense they can all be ‘correct’. Furthermore, the One God has many faces.
I humbly do very much appreciate such heartfelt and reflective emails and invite others.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
by Michael Mamas | Thursday, May 5, 2016 | Clarifying Confusion |
The relevant excerpt from a comment on my recent article “Can You Really Find Your True Soulmate?” read:
“Finding connection by being skeptical and critical of other teachings, meditation techniques, and religious practices will only get us so far in building true faith and trust in others and connections with other conscious spiritual leaders.”
To which I respond:
No student who gave wrong answers on a math test would tell their teacher, “Let’s just agree to disagree.” Some things are valid and other things just aren’t. Spirituality is no exception. It’s not a no-holds barred, anything goes, let’s agree to disagree subject. Admittedly, spirituality is a very subtle topic. Different religions approach it from different angles and we certainly need to respect that. However, fundamental principles do exist and need to be respected and understood. In fact the reason so many people reject spirituality today is because it doesn’t make sense, simply because those fundamental principles are superseded by superstition and erroneous thinking.
Adi Shankara, a great saint from India, said that the spiritual path is the path of discernment. It is described as the path of Neti, Neti, Neti (not that, not that, not that). Discernment is not about being “skeptical and critical.” Discernment is about taking a deep, wise, and rational approach. In so doing, we separate the wheat from the chaff. In so doing, the light of Knowledge is no longer obscured by a garb of mysticism.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
by Michael Mamas | Thursday, March 31, 2016 | Clarifying Confusion |
The terms “Avatar” and “Guru,” are thrown around all too loosely and frequently, particularly in the West. An Avatar is a very rare occurrence. Avatars did not incarnate or go through incarnations. To explain exactly what an Avatar is takes some time and is better suited for a lecture or series of articles. However to say it briefly, an Avatar is an appearance of the Absolute within relative existence. Lord Krishna is a prime example. Certainly don’t expect to go to India to visit an Avatar.
“Guru” is a term that is used in a couple different ways. It can be used to mean teacher of most anything. However more commonly, it is a term used for a true spiritual teacher: One who has awoken to the true nature of the Absolute (attained enlightenment) and also has the rare gift of being able to guide other people to that awakening. Enlightenment is far rarer than people are led to believe. Among the enlightened, it is quite rare to find an actual Guru. If you believe the mainstream spiritual media, you’d think there is an enlightened Guru on almost every street corner in both the U.S. and India. You’d also believe the majority of people who have been on any sort of spiritual path, for even a short period of time, have attained enlightenment. That is all foolishness.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
by Michael Mamas | Monday, March 14, 2016 | Clarifying Confusion |
Perhaps nothing gauges people’s ability to discern as much as a look at what they believe. Discernment reflects, ponders, contemplates, examines, and re-evaluates based upon what makes sense, what is logical, what feels right, any new information, and what feels to be a balanced, unbiased, emotionally settled, and wise perspective. Discernment looks beyond indoctrination and conditioning, beyond the superficial emotional reactions to the depth of ones soul. Discernment integrates the surface of life with that depth.
As a youth, I needed a better reason to believe in God than simply because my family and friends did. At first glance that may sound terrible, but it formed the basis for reflection which led to an understanding and relationship with life that I could believe in with all my heart, mind, and soul. Understanding is revealed to the self, by the self, and through the self. That is done through wise questioning, not imposition and indoctrination. If parents’ understanding is clear and on a firm foundation, they can confidently give their children the assistance and guidance to find wise understanding within themselves, as opposed to imposing ideas upon them. The point is that solid belief is based upon deep understanding, not programming.
If a parent is ill equipped to provide and assist in that process, then they often resort to programming as the only option. Today we see a rebellion among young people against religion for that reason. What was imposed upon them did not come from deep within them. Yet rebellion is unwise unless it includes and is followed with respectful, wise, humble, and deep reflection. Not being willing to question your beliefs often comes from fear of what may be found. That is no way to live life.
A wise young man came to me this summer. As a science major in college, he said that he wanted to believe the spirituality of his family, but it just did not make sense to him. I respected him for that and offered what I could to help him evaluate. Spirituality does make sense, but only if one is willing take the time to make sense of it. Any superstition or confusion is thereby removed.
What people believe often tends to be what they hear first. This is true ranging from spirituality to politics, to the latest theories in any and every field, to the latest rumor. We do well to look far beyond that sort of relationship with life.
Knee jerk reactions do not serve anyone well. Beliefs and convictions that are well thought out have a firm foundation. The best teachers teach people how to think, not what to think. How to think means how to discern for ones self. The best students take time to think wisely, deeply, and with discernment. We are all students.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
