Self Development

Heal through fire

Why am I here? What is my purpose in this life? Our life is a gift that can be used to fulfill a higher calling. Regardless of one's life path, asking these questions, trying to grow as an individual, and transcending our own limitations is what self-development is all about. Real transformation comes only through a change of consciousness. The more we realize that there is a need for spiritual awareness, the greater the pendulum will swing into a new dawn, a better world that Mother Earth is crying out for.

We are a reflection of our atmosphere:

Self-development and the path to higher consciousness is filled with new discoveries, challenges, pitfalls and rewards. In a stressful atmosphere inundated with distractions, temptations, and frustrations, it can be difficult to stay calm, let alone find the strength to improve yourself. Agnihotra, performed daily at both sunrise and sunset, creates a cycle of protection. It generates an atmosphere that is more conducive to meditation and inner harmony. While the stress and strain of life exist in the outside world, one's mind and body get a boost toward inner peace. Then, in such a thin atmosphere, it becomes easier to become more loving, to exercise patience, and to learn to listen to the calm voice within. One can begin by facing oneself and, using simple techniques, begin to unravel the "bonds that bind." Self-development becomes easier. Agnihotra sets the stage for it. When someone's environment itself is more peaceful, inner peace is more likely to unfold.

Ancient Spiritual Traditions:

In ancient times, dating back many thousands of years, the Vedic culture took a scientific approach to attain a higher consciousness. It was a culture of Satya Dharma (Universal Path of Truth), which meant honoring eternal spiritual principles and considered all life sacred. It is said that there was a Golden Age (Satya Yuga) when mankind lived in peace and the world was kept in balance by honoring all life forms and walking the path of Truth. We are now in the midst of what Vedic texts call the Kali Yuga (Age of Pollution). It is the nuclear age of great technological progress, but also of extreme polarity and strife. Humanity is at a critical point where we must make the choice to evolve and transform or face destruction. Agnihotra is currently being resuscitated to be used as a tool to cleanse the atmosphere, encourage a peaceful life, and rebalance Mother Nature. Along with this great resource come the ancient teachings of the Fivefold Path.

THE FIVE-WAY PATH:

The Fivefold Path is the foundation of the teachings of all true prophets, divine messengers, and saints who have come to serve mankind. It is a blueprint of universal knowledge given through the Vedas, the oldest wisdom known to humanity. This knowledge does not belong exclusively to a country or community. It is the common heritage of all peoples, given through Sanskrit, a language as old as creation. These principles can be practiced for self-development by anyone from all walks of life, regardless of race, religion or belief system. These five essential teachings are explained below.

01.

YAJNYA

Fire ceremony is old. It is known in all cultures of the world. Many of the ancient cultures have long lost their fire ceremonies, but sacred fires were performed in almost every civilization for healing and purification purposes. Yajnya is the first step on the Fivefold Path. By resuscitating these ancient fire practices and performing Agnihotra on a daily basis, one simply opens the blinds and lets the sunshine in! It creates a more harmonious atmosphere in which we can become freer, more aware, more aware, compassionate, more understanding and more service-oriented. Stimulated by a harmonious atmosphere, we move into a new state of consciousness. More importantly, we simultaneously serve our planet by helping to purify the atmosphere and rejuvenate our Earth.

02.

DAAN

Zane is in the habit of sharing your belongings in a spirit of humility. When you give without expectation, we break the grip of attachment to the material world. It is not only a gift for the recipient, but also for the giver. Of course, when practicing Daan, it is important to give without a desire for recognition or to stimulate your pride. Give humbly, even anonymously if possible. As we begin to practice Zane, we realize that the attachments we have in life pull on our minds. Now the world is so unbalanced in its quest for material gain, and what one does or does not have materially. The paradox is that when we practice Zane in a true state of humility, we often find that it actually attracts material prosperity. By becoming less attached, Zane can open the door to the flow of energy and material needs seem to be met with ease. Whether you are rich or poor, giving without attachment is a great habit that will enrich your life. Icoon voor Geverifieerd door de community

03.

TAPA

The third aspect of the Fivefold Path is Tapa or Self-discipline. Simplified, this is a way of training the mind to move in the right direction. We all have addictions, be they certain foods, behavior patterns or bad habits. Either way, the practice of Tapa helps to bring the intellect and our emotions back into harmony. For example, if you find yourself with a candy addiction, you can make a decision not to eat foods with sugar for a month. In the course of that month you will notice more, the subtle games the mind plays. Your perception and awareness quickly become more sensitive and receptive, simply by taking a little more control over your desires. There are many ways you can practice this in your life - tapa-on speech is very powerful. Not speaking bad about someone, refraining from gossiping, just telling the truth - these are effective ways to practice self-discipline. The ways are varied, but focusing on areas of a person's life where one feels weakness are often the best places to start change. Tapa strengthens a person's determination. Often, applying boundaries or structure to a person's life can ultimately bring someone more freedom.

04.

KARMA

The law of cause and effect, which governs our universe, when taken to subtler levels, is the law of karma. This is the law of "You reap as you sow". We cannot go without action - indeed, even inactivity is action! So we create karma every moment. In this fourth step, the goal is to become more aware of our thoughts, words and actions. In doing this, it puts us in a much more conscious state of being. If you even think about this, you start to shift your priorities to put Service first. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." Ultimately we come to look for who we are, what is our purpose in life. We begin to ask ourselves these questions in an attempt to discover and develop ourselves.

05.

SWADHYAYA

This is the fifth and final step in the Fivefold Path. All the previous principles lead to this, of course. The Sanskrit word Swadhyaya simply means tutorial. It does not mean "self-analysis". Swadhyaya is done in a more meditative way. When a person examines himself, he must be fearless. When, by looking within, one finds areas that need improvement, one begins to vigorously seek to change that which needs to be revised in oneself. This is done without guilt or shame. Someone's mind opens and someone's heart follows suit. The Swadhaya process is not only about identifying and working on weaknesses, but it also helps us discover our natural gifts and talents. By doing this, you can find the best way to fulfill your true purpose in life. We are all different and unique, with specific passions, interests and callings. By discovering our true gifts, we can begin to focus on how to serve humanity, no matter how big or small. As we come to understand our own weaknesses, release our attachments to material possessions, discipline our thoughts, and clear our minds, the world suddenly opens up to us in a new way. We start walking 'the walk', not just 'talking'. Inner peace becomes a bit more tangible than before. As Agnihotra clears the cobwebs of doubt and ego, one's true spirit can really shine. We begin to see the world outside of ourselves and find our way to navigate through it, bringing more light to everything we encounter. It is a step-by-step process that requires honesty and undaunted effort, ultimately culminating in being able to fulfill the commandment “Love your neighbor as yourself”.

Heal through fire