TRUTH
continued from p. 7
spiritual Self has brought on itself this present state (by whatever process it may be) by identifying itself with a transitory bodily vehicle and a restless mind. The spiritual Self, being thus identified, feels itself sorry for or delighted at a corresponding unhealthy and unpleasant or healthy and pleasant state of the body and mind. Because of this identification, the spiritual Self is being continually disturbed by their transitory states. When I say that to attain Bliss is the universal end of religion, I do not mean by Bliss what is usually called pleasure, or that intellectual satisfaction which arises from the fulfillment of desire and want and which is mixed with an excitation, as when we say we are pleasurably excited. In Bliss there is no excitement, nor is it a contrast consciousness: “My pain or want has been removed by the presence of such and such objects.” It is a consciousness of perfect tranquillity — a consciousness of our calm nature unpolluted by the intruding consciousness that pain is no more. What does Universal Religion say about God? It says that the proof of the existence of God lies in ourselves. It is an inner experience. You can surely recall at least one moment in your life when, in prayer or worship, you felt that the trammels of your body had nearly vanished, that the duality of experience — pleasure and pain, petty love and hate, and so on — had receded from your mind. Pure Bliss and tranquillity had welled up in your heart and you enjoyed an unruffled calm — Bliss and contentment. Though this kind of higher experience does not often come to all, yet there can be no doubt that all men, at some time or other, in prayer or in a mood of worship or meditation, have enjoyed a few moments of unalloyed peace. The spirit of inquiry is in all. Everyone in the world is a seeker after truth. It is his immortal heritage; and he seeks it, blindly or wisely, until he has fully reclaimed it. It is never too late to mend. “Seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.” (Mathew 7:7) a SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP (SRF) has been dedicated to disseminating the Kriya Yoga teachings of its founder, Paramahansa Yogananda, for 100 years — helping people worldwide to realize their highest potential and deepest joy. Today, SRF (together with Yogoda Satsanga Society, the name by which Yogananda’s work is known in India) has more than 800 locations encircling the globe, with members in almost 200 countries. Excerpts from The Science of Religion by Paramahansa Yogananda are reprinted with permission from Self-Realization Fellowship, Los Angeles, California, www.yogananda.org. COPYRIGHT © 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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October Horoscope
Seek Balance Mercurial Messages through the Zodiac BY HEATHER ROAN ROBBINS OCTOBER BRINGS A MONTH of fair days and deep turmoil, and lovely minutes in the sunshine, during some truly Machiavellian moves in the big picture. It’s our task to see the world’s problems and love anyway — to love, have compassion, and yet hold people accountable. Enabling is not love, whether we do it with our child, ourselves, a friend or our politicians. The energy swirls, shifts and confronts as Pluto leaves retrograde and turns direct on October 4, Mercury opposes Uranus October 7, and Mars squares Pluto October 9. We need to use our will for the best of all sentient beings. Enjoy easier aspects and interpersonal opportunity October 8-12. Stay balanced and aware October 13-18 while Mercury retrogrades and the sun forms a tricky T-square with Mars, Pluto and Saturn; look for truth and stay calm in the swirling winds. In the changes, look for opportunities to move the ball forward. Practice balance and poise to prevent accidents. Stay calm and poised and sort out facts from fiction. Complete work from the past. The sun enters Scorpio October 22 and Venus trines Saturn, helping to steady our mood and assist us in thinking critically, but kindly. Mercury and Venus both enter Libra on October 27 and call for fairness, honesty and social justice.
Let’s keep our eyes on the prize of a healthier, more conscious world. Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 19)…Be the instigator, but just be careful what you instigate. Your dynamic, innovative ideas at work are probably right on, but be patient about the process of bringing others along with you. Practice patience and awareness October 9. Compete with your personal best and not against others October 18. Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20)…Old problems can rankle you, but it’s important to be direct about your anger, not passive-aggressive. Own your feelings but work towards future change, not past retribution. Express your perspective around October 12, and dive into the depths October 21. Gemini (May 21-June 20)…Sometimes it is your job to ask the provocative question, but it’s so easy to tick people off. Keep your heart connected to your mouth and think through the consequences of your comments. Be kind to yourself around October 13, and step forward as Mercury reenters Libra October 27. Cancer (June 21-July 22)…You can be a leader this month, but lead the way you would like to be led, with kindness and respect for others, rather than by trying to prove yourself. The people around you are going through so much and need your firm, nurturing hand on the tiller.
