Lesson 74 - Q&A – For this life, and the next one

From: Yogani
Date: Thu Jan 8, 2004 1:38pm

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 am 73 years old and live alone, so I thought I would have plenty
of time to learn to meditate, but I was told that it could take a
lifetime to reach the state of bliss that meditators are reaching
for, and I don't have much of a lifetime left. Do you have any
suggestions?

A: It is very inspiring that you want to make the best, spiritually
speaking, of the time you have left. The rest of us should all be in
that mode too, no matter what our age.

Yes, the party line is that it takes a long time. But it is a
relative thing you know. In the Bhagavad Gita, the great Indian
scripture, it says that just one dip into the infinite erases
lifetimes of mundane struggles in the future. So whether we are 23 or
73, if we can start dipping into pure bliss consciousness, there will
be big progress. If you can entertain the possibility of
reincarnation in that vein, it can be a great motivator. It is a form
of bhakti, you know. We all have much to work for spiritually, no
matter how young or old we are. No one should delay a minute.

One thing I can tell you for sure. Whatever you accomplish in
spiritual practices now will not be lost. Later on, you will pick up
where you left off and continue somewhere else, carrying on with your
journey to enlightenment. Not only have I heard and read this from
every sage I have encountered over many years, it is also my direct
experience. I was born doing spiritual practices. Why? It had to come
from somewhere. Maybe I was a 73 year-old man who kept up spiritual
practices sometime in the past. Who knows? All I know is that I was
born with this stuff singing inside. The fact that you are interested
indicates you are not new to spiritual practices either. We have all
been here before. What we do in practices now brings us closer to
enlightenment. It will not be lost.

As you get further into the lessons, you will find things getting
more aggressive in terms of practices. It is not recommended you try
and tackle all that is in here, not at your age. Too much stress and
strain. Aggressive yoga is for the younger folks. But there is still
plenty you can do. Twice daily meditation is the best foundation.
That alone accomplishes huge things. It is your daily dipping into
the infinite, as mentioned above. Some light spinal breathing before
meditation can help, and maybe some daily yoga postures if you are
willing and able. There are yoga (postures) classes for seniors
available almost everywhere. Those three things are more than enough.
If there is any discomfort with pranayama (or anything), scale back
or stop immediately. See if you can find a steady, comfortable
routine. The most important thing is to have a comfortable daily
routine with no strain in practices. Then, doing that each day, you
will know you are making a big contribution to the future in both
this life, and the next one.

I am honored by your presence here. I am honored by everyone's
presence here. It is a sacred thing for me. Thank you so much.

I wish everyone on earth could be here. Not for my sake, but for the
sake of all the sincere longing that is out there.

The guru is in you.

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