Lesson 19 - Meditation Q&A – What tradition to follow?

From: Yogani
Date: Fri Nov 28, 2003 6:08pm

New Members: It is recommended you read from the beginning of the
archive, as previous lessons are prerequisite to this one. The first
lesson is, "Why This Discussion?"

Q: I have been practicing yoga and meditation (a different kind) for
five years, and I'm not sure how to proceed. Your meditation is very
good. I experienced that right away. I'm not even supposed to be
here, as the tradition I follow forbids learning outside practices.
What shall I do?

A: As mentioned on the introductory page, this discussion does not
promote a particular sectarian view. Neither is it opposed to
traditions that may adhere to the teachings of a specific individual
or lineage of teachers. Everything has its purpose. It is up to each
individual to weigh the pros and cons of the various approaches and
carefully choose a course that promises to bring the best results.
Everyone is different. At the same time, everyone has the same
potential, for we are all spun from the same divine thread – pure
silent bliss consciousness. If we are in touch with that on a daily
basis, and keep on cultivating it with increasingly more powerful
means, we cannot miss.

If your path is serving you well, stay with it. If you are finding
fulfillment over time, you are in the right place. However, if your
tradition is mostly serving you well, yet seems to be lacking in some
way, find the courage and flexibility to try and fill in what is
missing. In the end, it is you who will unfold bliss consciousness by
your own efforts through devotion and application of the most
comprehensive practices you can find. This point of view may fly in
the face of traditions that insist we cannot achieve salvation by any
other means but theirs. Maybe so, but that approach also shuts the
door on further inquiry and scientific investigation into the
practices of human spiritual transformation. The methods of Western
science can offer much in this regard -- highly integrated and
collaborative approaches for discovering and applying knowledge. The
success of Western science in many fields has been astounding. It is
time for these methods of knowledge development to be applied in the
arena of spiritual knowledge.

This discussion is the result of an open inquiry into many advanced
yoga practices over a long period of time. The fruit of this journey
has been an integrated system of practices. If there is something
here that helps enhance your progress, it is good. If, at the same
time, it creates friction with your current tradition, you will have
to sort that out yourself. Ultimately, the answer is in you. Follow
your heart. The potential conflict is not a bad thing. It will test
your resolve and help lead you to the truth.

The venerable spiritual traditions are of great value. However, times
are changing, and today we are seeing the emergence of more open
approaches to examining and applying spiritual knowledge that are
well suited for wise spiritual practitioners. Ultimately, this will
have profound effects on all of humanity. Change is in the air, and
it is a good thing.

The guru is in you.

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