Ask Ananda’s Experts
Questions and answers about meditation, yoga, the spiritual life, and more

Nayaswami Pranaba

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Bill,

This is indeed, an interesting question!

It’s helpful to understand that any images or expressions of the divine, such as Jesus or Krishna, are simply there to support us in our spiritual growth. It’s not so much about “worshipping” these expressions; the point is to tune into the consciousness behind those expressions.

It seems that you, like many others, have been only exposed to the outer layers of those pure expressions. The tendency unfortunately, is to “throw the baby out with the bathwater”. I would recommend that you read Swami Kriyananda’s book, The Hindu Way of Awakening. It will help you cut through a lot of misunderstanding and confusion around this issue.

Ultimately, the most important aspect of our spiritual journey is to align ourselves with a true guru and spiritual path. Through deepening attunement in this way we are able to put into context the various expressions of the divine.

You might also like to explore Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings on Jesus and Krishna, in these books edited by Swami Kriyananda: Revelations of Christ and The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita. You’ll find in these writings very deep universal teachings that go beyond dogma and theology.

In divine friendship,
Nayaswami Pranaba

Nayaswami Parvati

Ananda Village

Answer

The answer to this question is based on the laws of karma and reincarnation.

It may be that the “good” souls you have seen who died early had worked out much of their karma in past lives. Perhaps they came into the present life to work out some last bit of karma that was holding them back. This might be a reason for them seeming to be “good.”

Nayaswami Hriman

Ananda Seattle

Answer

Dear Friend,

Your inner conflict is not an uncommon one. Each of us has our inner obstacles to overcome, and money is one of the core issues for the ego that many, many people must wrestle with.

Yes, there are organizations who give charity a bad name but look within yourself. Is it not, perhaps, also an issue around money and what it represents to you? I cannot say, of course, but I have worked so often with individuals on this particular question, that I inevitably find the issue is not about organizations but attachment, fear, insecurity, habit and so on.

Nayaswami Gyandev

Ananda Village

Answer

Hello Cyril,

Since you specifically cite two quite demanding asanas, I am guessing that the sound you’re hearing is related to elevated blood pressure due to exertion and (perhaps) irregular or nonexistent breathing during the asanas.

(It happens to me, too, in those asanas, and sometimes also in other physically demanding asanas.)

Nayaswami Gopal

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear One,

You asked two very good questions. I hope and pray I can answer them proficiently.

Regarding the first question: "Is practicing Kung (Fu) negative on the path to God?" — to make a short story long, Kung Fu originally meant, "Way of Life." It had little or nothing to do with being combative, and the movements were taught as yoga in motion.

Nayaswami Savitri

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Peter,

God cannot be perceived or contacted easily when our minds are stirred up by constant thoughts — thoughts primarily generated by our egoic desires.

Thus it is necessary to find a way to quiet the restless mind, leaving the doors open for direct perception of God and our own God-Self or Divine Reality (the soul).

Nayaswami Hriman

Ananda Seattle

Answer

Dear Rajesh,

Perhaps in some distant past (life), you had done something similar (maybe it was that person?). Since then you’ve committed yourself to honesty. Yet, the karma, not yet being completely worked out, has found you and you have become the recipient. I cannot say that this is so, but I can say with conviction that this hurt is an opportunity to work out, end, or rise above whatever karma brought it to you to begin with.

Nayaswami Parvati

Ananda Village

Answer

Light from candles, especially during meditation, can help to keep the mind aware and keep it from wandering into the subconscious state. If you meditate in total darkness, it can be somewhat reminiscent of the sleep state.

Light used to give a blessing, such as the “touch of light” in the Festival of Light, is symbolic of the inner light that is seen in deepening states of meditation. The touch of light at the point between the eyebrows, the Christ Consciousness center in the body, is given to help awaken that center.