formula that works in a very specific way,” he says. “Each mantra has a seer, an ancient sage who saw how the mantra worked in our spiritual physiology. Just as we have the same physical physiology, and doctors can prescribe certain medicines (for certain conditions), we all have the same spiritual physiology, as well, So the ancient sages can see which spiritual formula will work in which kinds of conditions, or problems or difficulties. “Mantras deal directly with our karmic predicament depending on the formulas that are used,” he says. “Karma determines the situation of our birth, our family, our friends or our spouses; whether we have good health or bad; whether we have tumultuous or harmonious relationships. All of it is karma and all of it can be changed.” He said this can be achieved in many different ways, and that prayer is a powerful tool. “The eradiation of karma is a vast subject, and different approaches teach different techniques and modalities for approaching it,” he says. Because he
understands mantra, that is what he teaches. “Mantra reduces and eventually eliminates the karmic problems we’re dealing with,” he says. He said that while many spiritual gifts can be obtained by anyone with concentrated exercise, some have special talents. Just as some can be born with talents in athletics, mathematics and music, the same is true spiritually, he says. “Those who have certain kinds of gifts can see certain kinds of things. I sense things. … I (relate) in much more of a perceptual and nonintellectual way to my surroundings. That’s a rich fund of information. It helps one determine or sense what problems, issues or difficulties people may be experiencing.” Mantras, he says, can get specifically at some of those problems. “A guru is not a state of consciousness,” he says. “A guru is a job. You have been given some gifts that will help others, some tangible, mystical gifts. It’s really that simple.”
He said the foundations of different religions can be similar. “Our teacher used to say the biggest thing is sincerity,” he says. “And any discipline you do demonstrate your sincerity, and that will bring the grace of God.”
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shley-Farrand says he was pleased to be back in Ripon after nearly 20 years. “How wonderful it is to be back in Ripon,” he says. “And I’m delighted at all the progress, and the teachers that I’ve met here have continued the tradition that was so important to me — and that is contact with the students. It’s such an important part of the education, (as well as) making themselves available. And that goes right up to the top to David Joyce and Lynne, his wife.” The full podcast of an interview with Ashley-Farrand, including the recitation of the Gayatri mantra, a powerful prayer written more than 3,000 years ago, can be found on Ripon’s Web site at www.ripon.edu/podcast/index.htm. r
A LUMNI B ASKETBALL G AMES D RAW G REAT T URNOUTS
The annual Alumni Games featuring men’s and women’s basketball players from Ripon’s past were held Feb. 13 before Ripon’s game against Beloit College. The men’s team included, front row from left: Grant Oleson ’10, Charles Belt ’09, Eric Wright ’08, Tim Gera ’98, Matt Becker ’99, David McMullen ’07 and Tommy Becker ’05; middle row from left: Adam Zakos ’98, Jason Loewe ’94, Steve Kohl ’02, Craig Smith ’96, Adam Crawford ’03 and Joe Early ’03; and back row from left: Chris Jensen ’85, Paul Wise ’08, Bo Johnson ’07, Brett Vraney ’01, Brian Schmitting ’07 and Chris Kellett ’08. The women’s team included, front row from left: Rit Lee ’93, Jeri
Belongia Loewe ’96, Tiffany Goebel ’08 and Julie Johnson, assistant athletic director and head coach of women’s basketball; middle row, from left: Kristin Hereid ’90, Lindsey Gorske Michels ’04, Molly Kneip Maurer ’03, Lisa Sproston Sutter ’94, Christina Schneider ’08, Kristin Dodds ’98, Jeni Yaeger ’09 and Amanda Guay ’05; and back row, from left, Elaine Coll, professor of physical education emeritus, Crystal Helm ’97, Katie Carlson ’06, Sara Gustafson ’07, Karalyn Dehn ’06, Andrea Wepner ’96, Niki Gorske Sutter ’01, Kelly Johnson-Becker ’99, Neely Zakos ’01, Joanie Hammer ’04, Janine Emmer ’05 and Pat Gonyo ’89.
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