Yoga Meditation and Contemplation from SwamiJ.com

This podcast is from the article at: www.SwamiJ.com/how-to-use-swamij-com.htm. It may seem odd to have instructions on how to use a website, but the need comes from the common statement of people that while they love the articles on the SwamiJ.com website, they don't know where to get started. By understanding the way the site is intentionally designed, it might be easier to use. The SwamiJ.com website is on Self-Realization through traditional Yoga meditation of the Yoga Sutras, Yoga Vedanta, Sri Vidya Tantra Yoga meditation, Jnana Yoga meditation, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga. Emphasizes Yoga as meditation, since Yoga truly is meditation.

Yoga is in religion, but religion is not in Yoga. The principles of Yoga are (in alphabetical order) in Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, and most of the other religions. However, unlike religions, Yoga itself has no deity, worship services, rituals, sacred icons, creed, confession, clergy, institutions, congregation, membership procedure, or system of temples or churches. The word “Yoga” means “union” referring to the direct experience of the wholeness of ourselves at all levels.

The transition from one year to the next year happens in an infinitely short moment that is actually non-existent in time. So too, there are transitions in the moments of life and the moments of meditation. Mindfulness of transitions in daily life and during meditation time is extremely useful on the spiritual journey to enlightenment. I hope that you enjoy the discussion. The recording ends with a 15-minute guided contemplative meditation on Transitions, which begins at 54:42.

This conversation is about Saguna and Nirguna, and the paths of meditation and contemplation with form or without form, which is related to the paths of Knowing (Jnana Yoga) and Devotion (Bhakti Yoga). The discussion involves the approaches individually, and how the work together. The recording ends with a 17-minute guided contemplative meditation on either Form or the Formless, which begins at 55:47.

This is a conversation on the stages of meditation dealing with senses and actions, body, breath, the various levels of mind, and that which is beyond the mind. It centers around a graphic on the home page of SwamiJ.com that shows these stages, along with a question mark representing that which is beyond. We also talk about subtle experiences of meditation, obstacles to enlightenment, yoga sutras, and balancing living in the world and the highest goal of life.

Wisdom to live by and share with others: There is only one highest reality and many teachers. All humans and life arise from the same one source. All countries, religions and institutions arise from that. There are many books of wisdom from many ages. Thinking there is only one way comes from ignorance. Coercive conversion is violence against other peoples. The goal of life is found within, not in institutions. Wisdom, joy and freedom come from inner stillness. Love all, as we are all waves of the one ocean. Love all and exclude none.

Religion, mysticism and yoga conversation with Swami Jnaneshvara being interviewed by Ron Frazer. This recording is a podcast by Ron Frazer (ecbp.blogspot.com) who I have come to know quite well through an interfaith group in Florida, as well as private conversations. Ron is of the Bahai faith and asked me if he could have some of my comments on religion, mysticism and yoga. He also has kindly allowed me to copy his podcast here for you. I hope you find the conversation enjoyable and insightful.