Golden Age
Golden Age
Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.–Ernest Hemingway
There was little fanfare when Maharishi Mahesh Yogi died in 2008 at the age of 91–a brief obituary and some newspaper items about the Beatles meeting him India in 1968. In fact, whenever Maharishi’s name appeared in the press, the Beatles grabbed the headlines. Yet the diminutive pundit who introduced a unique form of meditation to the west changed the lives of millions, from ashrams to board rooms all over the world.
Little Monk – Heart Like a Lion
A disciple of 20th century Indian Saint Brahmananda Saraswati of the Shankaracharya tradition, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was a spiritual teacher with a masters in Physics. He started the Spiritual Regeneration Movement in 1957. Realizing the label would not have the same appeal in western culture, he changed its name and began teaching the technique he learned from his master using specific Indian mantras. If you were not living in a cave during the mid-20th century, chances are you’re acquainted with this meditation.
Educated in the sciences, Maharishi concluded our decisions and actions are tied directly to the physiology and bio-chemistry of the body, as well as neural pathways of the brain or nervous system. By observation and experiment he demonstrated how meditation affects the mind and body by lowering blood pressure, lessening A.D.H.D. and various other physical, social and emotional disorders. Dr. Deepak Chopra was one of Maharishi’s early proponents in the United States.
Another advocate was physician Herbert Benson, founder of the Mind/Body Medical Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital and former professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. After learning Maharishi’s meditation technique, Dr. Benson experimented on his own. Substituting other word imagery for Indian mantras, he called his method “The Relaxation Response.”
Do Less Accomplish More
Research over the last 50 years confirms what eastern cultures have known for millennia. While sitting with eyes closed for 20-30 minutes twice daily, beginning by repeating a mantra, the meditator seemingly isn’t doing much of anything. Yet while in the transcendental state, deep stresses are released and greater health prevails. The person returns to the active waking state refreshed, relaxed and able to function more effectively with less effort. Maharishi coined the two phrases “do less, accomplish more,” and “do nothing, accomplish everything.” A student of the Tao Te Ching of Lao-Tsu will be familiar with the following:
“The further one goes, the less one knows
Thus the Sage does not go, yet he knows
He does not look, yet he sees
He does not do, yet all is done.”
Non-Duality and Yogastha Kuru Karmani
Roughly translated, the above Sanskrit phrase from the sacred Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, means “established in Being, perform action.” The story told in the Gita is an allegory for every human being. The scenario is a battlefield where prince Arjuna is morally confused about whether or not to fight and kill his own relatives. Lord Krishna instructs Arjuna, “This body is the battlefield.” The war is the struggle all spiritual aspirants experience when dealing with the results of their actions. In other words, life is a continuous struggle when lived in the world of duality or ignorance.
In the realm of higher consciousness or cosmic consciousness, Maharishi’s teaching never approached meditation spiritually. Yogastha Kuru Karmani is as close as it gets. Supposedly, if you continue meditating somehow you will become enlightened and live life in oneness with the Self. But what does all that mean? Maharishi’s “Do Nothing, Accomplish Everything” means you are not the doer. Yet many people say they have practiced various forms of meditation for decades and have yet to achieve that state of self-realization.
“The Power of Now”
In his book, “The Power of Now,” in seminars and videos, modern day spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle describes non-duality as “being present.” When we are totally present, in the moment, without interference by the ‘egoic’ mind, whatever decisions we make or actions we take will be the right ones because we are not the doer. Therefore, when a person is totally present he is living in the harmonious state of oneness with God.
In a previous article, “Consciousness Rising and the Art of Being,” the paragraph “Courage Under Fire,” I write about being with American soldiers who had to fight off a Vietcong attack on a village where I was staying. Faced with having to make on-the-spot decisions, the soldiers performed with unimaginable courage and profound efficiency. With no time to think, they acted spontaneously, and they saved my life. They were completely in the moment, which is our natural state. It was like Arjuna taking his cue from Krishna.
A Golden Age
Hatred, genocide and war would be impossible if the entire planet lived in the harmonious state of oneness. The key is to live in that state 24/7. India abounds with stories of people who lived in caves for decades until they achieved God realization. 2,500 years ago The Buddha struggled endlessly before sitting under a Bodhi (fig) tree for six years until he attained enlightenment. Though there might be a few, most 21st century aspirants are not suited for that role. Yet many have lived and studied in the presence of realized teachers for decades and are still seeking “the brass ring.”
Perhaps the earth is older than even scientists think. Or not. Is it possible there once was a golden age when all humans lived with love and respect for each other? Could it be that because times got to be so good, people became careless and forgot about the importance of vigilance?
Today there is an urgency to evolve. Rising consciousness demands it. No one gives you enlightenment. It isn’t earned by good deeds or withheld by bad. Everything happens in accordance with the laws of nature, i.e. automatically. Consciousness does not make mistakes.
I invite you to my website http://www.susanscharfman.com/index.asp “Writing For the New Consciousness.” Articles discuss how every individual can live a life without suffering simply by not thinking about yesterday or tomorrow; by living 100% in the present.
Also visit http://www.panachedesai.com where you will meet a young contemporary visionary who energetically awakens you to the Divine love and light that dwells in you and flows through you.
Books having to do with pirates or the golden age of piracy?
What are some really good non-fiction books focusing on pirates or the golden age of piracy.
I enjoyed two books by Richard Zacks. The first I read was titled The Pirate Hunter and was about Captain Kidd and how he was betrayed by the government. After reading this book I craved something else by Zacks and was thrilled when he published another. The second I read was called The Pirate Coast and that focused on Barbary Pirates attacking European and American shipping off the coast of northern Africa. It also dealt with U.S. actions to try and prevent further attacks on their commercial interests in the Mediterranean Sea. Hope you enjoy.
Roadrunner United- Dawn of A Golden Age
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CHARLTON COMICS BLUE BEETLE #53 VOLUME 3 1965 GOLDEN AGE BLUE BEETLE STORIES $0.99 |
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“The Golden Age” #1234 – Complete series! James Robinson/Paul Smith JSA story $5.00 |
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TONTO #13 RARE GOLDEN-AGE PRE-CODE DELL COMICS 1954 (G/VG) LONE RANGER SILVER $7.99 |
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All Winners #13 Golden Age Timely Captain America $548.00 |
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Golden Age DVD HILLMAN PERIODICALS CLUE AIRBOY COMICS #13 CHESLER Punch Yankee $9.99 |
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FLASH #215 CGC 9.4 TOUGH CLASSIC BLACK COVER. GOLDEN-AGE FLASH! 48 PG GIANT! $120.00 |
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All-Star Comics #31 CGC 6.5 EARLY GOLDEN AGE J.S.A. BOOK!! BV = $485 $469.99 |
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Classics Illustrated #50 TOM SAWYER Golden Age Comic book $7.99 |
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Golden Age in DVD NOVELTY PRESS COMICS PRIZE TARGET 4 MOST #15 Crestwood Pub $9.99 |
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Masterwork 102 Golden Age Marvel Mystery Comics Variant $34.99 |
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SUPERMAN # 95 DC Comics 1955 Last Golden-Age Pre-Code ! LQQK $59.95 |
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SUPERMAN # 94 DC Comics 1955 Nice Golden-Age Pre-Code ! LQQK $48.95 |
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Walter Lantz New Funnies #204 (1954) *Golden Age* $6.00 |
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Golden Age in DVD FAWCETT COMICS CAPTAIN MARVEL ADVENTURES #6 1940 Billy Batson $9.99 |
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SUPERMAN # 93 DC Comics 1954 Nice Golden-Age Pre-Code ! LQQK $64.95 |
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Golden Age of Paris Drink Coaster Set of 4 $11.99 … |
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Set of 4 Absorbent Coasters – Golden Age of Paris – Bronze $14.49 We’ve taken pride in offering customers unique designs with a commitment to excellence since 1991. We start with the highest degree of laser cutting technology available and combine the talent of published artists to create a cost effective piece of art to enjoy for generations to come. We strive to provide superior customer service and prompt shipment because we owe our continued growth and suppo… |
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4 inch (10cm) Square Clear Acrylic Coaster Walter Crane Faerie Queen 01 $4.75 Brand new item ready for rapid despatch… |
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Deadly Mantis [VHS] $9.98 Beware of global warming! After an arctic glacier undergoes a sudden mysterious thaw, the world faces the wrath of a not-so-jolly green giant in this moderately diverting big bug movie. Although the handsomely produced film follows the standard ’50s monster movie playbook–plentiful stock footage, tired characterizations, a lengthy intro documenting the wonderfulness of a newfangled gizmo named ra… |
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Golden Age of Looney Tunes, Vol. 7: Bugs Bunny by Each Director [VHS] $12.50 Very clean case, VHS have very clear picture and sound… |
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Thin Ice [VHS] $19.98 … |
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Space Chase (Wall – E Hologramatic Sticker Book) $3.99 As he pursues his dream across the galaxy a little robot named WALL E learns about the values of loyalty and friendship. Touching and memorable film moments are captured in this collection of coloring and activity pages along with cool hologramatic stickers. Format: Trade Paperback 48 pages… |
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Brussel’s Golden Gate Ficus Specimen Bonsai, Age: 40 Yrs; Height – 25-Inch, ST7045GGF-B $2,707.02 This multi-trunked ficus is very muscular and thick. The large root base is accentuated by the relatively small container…. |
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Brussel’s Golden Gate Ficus Specimen Bonsai, Age: 40 Yrs; Height – 28-Inch, ST7045GGF-D $2,707.02 This specimen ficus has a very large root base and the foliage is very tight enhancing the visual experience…. |
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Puss in Boots $12.46 In this fractured fairy tale, Jack and Jill have the magic beans and Humpty Dumpty, with the aid of Kitty Softpaws, convinces his old friend Puss in Boots to help him steal the beans so they can climb the beanstalk to get to the golden eggs. Never mind that Humpty Dumpty and Puss in Boots had a falling out years ago, or that Jack and Jill are completely preoccupied by their squabbling over whether… |
Tags: age, art, Comics, golden, golden age, golden age of greece, golden age of hollywood, golden age of islam, golden age of radio, golden age of video, golden age passport, golden age pre 73, history
This entry was posted on Friday, July 30th, 2010 at 4:21 pm and is filed under Comics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.