"Like a ball batted back and forth, a human being is batted
by two forces within."
-Yogabindu Upanishad
"As human beings we have a divided nature - partly
physical, but essentially spiritual. We are constantly
batted by two conflicting forces. One force is the fierce
downward thrust of our past conditioning as separate,
self-oriented, physical creatures. Yet built into our very
nature is an inner drive that will not let us be satisfied
with a life governed only by biological laws. Some inner
evolutionary imperative is constantly exhorting us to grow,
to reach for the highest that we can conceive." Eswaran
I liken this ancient Indian spiritual teaching in the Upanishad
to the concepts of the False Self and the Essential Self.
"The Work" of Transformation would cast the dilemma in the terms
of being open to an objective observation of the driving force
within my life.
Which of the polar opposite influences in my life do I follow?
1. The Holy Ghost, expansive, unified, whole and pure--which is
said(by Christ and many other wisdom teachers to whom I seek to
listen)- to abide within me, in my heart, my essence?
Or
2. The ego-compulsive, and selfish?
Through daily meditative practice,
through stillness and silence
where I can once again find the Essence of life,
I must objectively and habitually retreat, and thus choose.
Discrimination and discernment
Loss of discrimination is the greatest source of danger. -Sanskrit proverb The greatest source of danger to a human being is loss of discrimination, and this is the main malady in our modern civilization, where we have lost our capacity to differentiate between what is necessary and useful, and what is unnecessary and harmful. How often do we stop and ask, "What is really important? What matters most to me?" If every one of us starts asking this simple question, it will transform our daily lives and even the world in which we live. After all, we need clean air and water more than we need microwave ovens. Doing work that is meaningful and of service to others is more important than owning luxury cars.We need loving human relationships more than we need home entertainment systems. Many modern conveniences make life more pleasant and can save time. We needn't live without them, but when we begin to think such things are not merely useful but prized possessions, we may gradua...
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