Gyandev McCord

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Sanjay,

You say that others take advantage of you, so that tells me some good news: You know what is right and what is not right, what is healthy interpersonal behavior and what is not.

Then comes your big question, “Why do I not stand up for what is right? What attitude of mine makes me willingly participate in unhealthy behavior? Is it fear of others’ disapproval? Fear of making a mistake? Low self-esteem? Not caring enough about anything to take a stand?” Work out the answer for yourself. Then will you know better what to do about it.

Shivani Lucki

Ananda Assisi, Italy

Answer

Dear Shibu,

When we meditate, we are taking a journey, similar to visiting a different country. If you visit Agra, for example, you expect to see the Taj Mahal and many other fascinating things which are special to Agra.

In meditation, we are visiting our inner kingdom, and it is to be expected that the breath will become shallow and sometimes cease to move, that we will feel pleasant sensations at the spiritual eye, and that the energy which we normally use to perceive and live in the world will become redirected into the spiritual body.

Savitri Simpson

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Nair,

It is wonderful to hear that you have been practicing Hong-Sau for some time now. Keep it up!

Probably everyone has at least some difficulty keeping the eyes focused at the point between the eyebrows and having them never move from that place.

Gyandev McCord

Ananda Village

Answer

Hello Jacob,

I’m not clear from your question whether your deja vu’s have been with Paramhansa Yogananda, or with our line of masters, or with life events in general. I’m going to assume it’s the first of these, since "it always feels exciting and comforting" to you, and mundane deja vu’s might not make you feel that way.

Devi Novak

Ananda Village

Answer

Your question actually has two parts and therefore needs two answers. First, has Swami Kriyananda found liberation? There are different stages of liberation. In the jivan muktan state, you have advanced to the stage where you acquire no new karma, but may have residual karma from the past to overcome.

Gyandev McCord

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear K,

When one looks at what is happening in this world, it’s easy to understand why one might ask this question!

We must realize, however, that "sanatana" means what it says: "Eternal." It’s eternal because it is based, not on theology, but on the nature of reality, which is not likely to change in the coming 100 years. :-)

Savitri Simpson

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear India,

The root of the word "minister" means "to serve", and in that sense, all those who wish to serve God are ministers, whether they have a formal title or affiliation with Ananda (or any other organization), or not.

This attitude of service has always been emphasized strongly to us by Swami Kriyananda, concerning those who might want to become Ananda ministers.

Savitri Simpson

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Jason,

To answer your question better, I’d need to know what sort of meditation techniques you are using (you say "not kriya yoga") and for how long you have been sitting in meditation, when these sensations happen to you.

Some breathing exercises can make you light-headed if not practiced correctly. Or perhaps your posture needs some modification.