Magnetism

Walking past a bookstore in Guangzhou, China, a lady I know glanced at the display of newly released books in the front window.   Her attention was drawn to a picture of a long-haired man in robes.  Stopping, she studied the face more closely and spontaneously began to weep, overcome by an unexplained emotion.   Collecting herself, she continued her walk, but within a short distance she stopped again and was drawn back for second look at what had so moved her.  Again, tears came to her eyes as she entered and purchased a copy.  That book was the “Autobiography of a Yogi.”  

Dramatic as this story is, it‘s not unique.  I’ve heard similar accounts and, in fact, my own introduction to “The Autobiography” was much the same.  A recent graduate from college, I had been drifting aimlessly toward a career when I came upon the “AY” and my life radically changed course.  It was as if a door had opened, inviting me into another realm.  Swami Kriyananda too had a similar experience and later asked Yogananda about the book’s influence.  “Yes,” the Master said, “It’s because I put my ‘vibrations’ into it.”  

What did Yogananda mean by that?   Just as we know spoken words convey a speaker’s consciousness, so too does the written “voice” reveal an author’s character.  Some immediately attract us while others do the opposite, repelling us like a magnet.  That woman in China was sensitive to Yogananda’s “magnetism” which awakened long buried feelings and “memories”.  

The analogy of a magnet is particularly apt in the study of yoga.  From physics we learn of two ways to create one. The first is to place a bar of iron in close proximity to a strong magnet.  In time, the bar too becomes magnetized simply by being in association with the strong magnet.  For a spiritual aspirant, the lesson is obvious; put yourself in the company of those who are spiritually strong and your own strength increases. 

Yogananda often quoted a phrase from the Bible, “To all those who receivedhim, gave He power to become the Sons of God.” When with close disciples, rarely did he speak of philosophy or techniques, but instead he emphasized attunement to the guru.  “Be in tune,” he repeatedly advised.  To the receptive and willing heart that is “in tune”, the guru magnetically transfers his blessings.  

There is a second way to create a magnet.  By rotating a current of electricity around an iron bar, the bar’s molecules align themselves in a uniform north/south polarity to create a magnetic field.   Applying this principle to meditation and pranayam gives us the science of Kriya Yoga. Subtle pranic currents associated with the breath are rotated around the central “bar” of the spine, thereby aligning our scattered energies to create a magnetic pull upon the outward flow of life force which normally moves toward the senses and outward involvement.  Through daily practice and living in harmony with Nature’s Laws, the yogi withdraws his attention away from the bodily senses into the inner spine and from there, directs his life force upward toward the brain and superconscious bliss.

Magnetism is the secret of all spiritual and material success and is within our power to increase or change.  We draw to us those people, circumstances and opportunities with which we and our karma resonate.  Ask yourself, “To what am I magnetically attuned?”  Prosperity and health come not by karma alone but also by our power of attraction.  Change your magnetism and you will change your life.  

First published in 2016, Speaking Tree, Times of India

Forget the Past

Ed was a neighbor and eventually a friend who looked upon life with a humorous detachment.  He died a few years ago and I can imagine it was with a smile on his face.   Ed was also, as a young man, a bank robber.   Like most who take up that “profession,” he was captured and sent to prison, but a decade in jail didn’t harden him as it does many.  He served his time, studied, got along with others in difficult circumstances and came out looking to start life anew.   

After his release, Ed bounced from one job to another, keeping quiet about his past. Invariably, his prison time would eventually come to light and when it did, his employers’ and co-workers’ attitude toward him would subtly change.  Nothing might be said, but they showed less trust and his relationships with them cooled.

In the eyes of the world, and maybe even in his own, Ed couldn’t escape being an “ex-con” and treated as such.  He felt stigmatized but he was wise enough to do something about it and take a new approach.  When asked, “So Ed, what have you been doing up to now,” he began to casually reply with a smile and seemingly carefree tone, “Oh, nothing much.  I tried robbing banks for a few years but that didn’t work out too well. ” He’d then pause.  His forthright and unusual answer usually gained his listeners’ attention and combined with his relaxed manner, put them at ease enough to ask, “Really? Tell me about it.” Wouldn’t you too be interested in hearing his story? 

Ed had come to see his past as “youthful folly” from which he had learned painful lessons.  As time passed, he saw it as nothing other than an interesting story only, as if it had happened to someone else. In a real sense, that was true.  The old Ed was long gone and as a consequence, others too no longer saw him in that light, as a man not to be trusted.   

Ed’s story is an example of someone not allowing the past to define who and what he is now.  He refused to accept others’ definitions of who he was.  Swami Sri Yukeswar summed this up clearly in the Autobiography of a Yogi, “The past lives of all men are dark with many shames.  Everything in future will improve if we make the right spiritual effort now.”

Our personality is but “clothing” we wear for a short time, remnants we carry from one lifetime to the next, but they are not who we truly are. First and foremost, we are children of God; let that be our self-identity.  Others may choose to see us otherwise but we need not accept their view; the choice is always ours.  When we relax our hold on the past, the past begins to let go of us.  Remembrances of past lives are then seen as but a panorama of light and shade on the screen of duality.     

We are all “works in progress.” Be honest with both yourself and others but don’t advertise your faults either, lest others’ perceptions strengthen your own identification with past mistakes.  Don’t cling to them.   As Ed aged, he rarely mentioned his past as there was no need.  He had accepted it for what it was, an ancient history for which he held karmic responsibility, but he refused to allow it to define who he was now. “Ed, the Bank Robber” had become simply an amusing character from a long time ago.

Shopping for Butter

There is a small grocery not far from my flat in Pune where I shop for daily needs – fruit, milk, bread and, sometimes, butter.  These small “kirana” stores are like old-time groceries in the USA where the shopkeeper sits behind the counter and retrieves the items you ask for.   Here’s a recent exchange.

"Hello sir.  How are you today?" I say. 

“It’s a good day. What do you need?” says Mr. Shopkeeper from behind his counter. 

“Do you have butter?”

“Butter?”

“Yes, I’d like some butter.”

“You want butter?”

 “Yes, butter,” I say

 “Butter?”  he asks.  I nod. 

Mr. Shopkeeper calls out in Marathi to his “boy” to get him some butter and puts a packet of herb/garlic spread on the counter. 

“No. No. I want plain butter only.”

“Yes, this is butter.”

“No. It says Herbs and Garlic.” 

“Yes, it’s very good.”

“Maybe, but I just want simple butter.”

“You want butter?”

“Yes, butter”

“But this is butter.” 

"I want simple butter."

"Butter?"

“Yes,” I say again, nodding. 

Mr. Shopkeeper calls out again to his “boy” who puts another packet on the counter, this time something called Nutrilite, a margarine “spread.”

“This is Nutrilite” I say, “It’s not butter.”

“This is butter.”

“No, it’s not.  See, it says ‘Nutrilite.’”

“Yes, it’s butter.”

“No, it’s not butter. It’s Nutrilite and not butter.  I want just plain butter.” 

“No cholesterol.”

“Yes, but it’s not butter.  It’s Nutrilite.” 

“No cholesterol is good.”

“Yes, but I want butter, not Nutrilite.”

By this time, the bread deliveryman, who's dropping off a few dozen loaves, can’t resist joining in.

“That’s butter,” he says, peering over my shoulder.

“No, it’s Nutrilite.  It’s not butter. They are different.”

“No sir.  It’s butter.” 

“No, they are different.”

“Yes, it’s butter.”

Mr. Shopkeeper smiles.  I take the package of Nutrilite outside into the sunshine where I can better read the ingredients and then return.

“Look here sir. See where it says ‘Fat Spread,’” pointing it out on the label.  “It’s not butter. It’s ‘Fat Spread.'”

Mr Shopkeeper and Mr. Deliveryman inspect the label closely.

“Same thing. Butter.”

“Maybe, but I want plain Amul (brand name) butter, not Fat Spread.  Do you have any?” 

Without a word, the “boy” reaches into the refrigerator and hands Mr. Shopkeeper a half-kilo block of Amul butter who wordlessly hands it to me.

“Yes, that’s fine.”  I pay for my purchases, put the butter into my sack, say “Thank you” and am on my way. 

Conclusion:  I think Mr. Shopkeeper was, in his own way, trying to be helpful.  Nutrilite is sometimes called “Nutrilite Butter” and some people actually like it.  I’m told the Herbs and Garlic spread is pretty good on toast and maybe he wanted me to give it a try.  Or, possibly,  Mr. Shopkeeper had an overstock of Nurtilite and was trying to unload it or he didn’t have a small packet of regular butter and didn't believe I’d be interested in buying a full half-kilo.  Whatever.  I found it amusing. 

The Carping Spirit

I was chatting recently with a gentleman about my regard for someone who seemed to be a good man and well intentioned.  My acquaintance remarked, “Yes, I agree, but …..” before proceeding to air his grievances about this person, pointing out one perceived fault after another.  I reflected on why my critic friend felt such a need to counter my innocuous, positive comment, with which he agreed, with his own list of negatives.  It’s a common habit. The mind, ever discontent, looks for, finds, and dwells upon imperfections.  “It’s a beautiful day, but….”  “That was a great meal, but……” “She’s a noble person, but…..”

                                                 

“I’m just being trying to see all sides,” some offer as an excuse but is this really true? More importantly, is it helpful to habitually look for imperfections?   Why must praise or compliments be tempered by perceived faults?  When a friend proudly invites you to visit his new home, do you make an inspection of the closets to find flaws?  Of course not; you say, “Congratulations” and offer a compliment.   

Incessant disgruntlement or feeling a need to “balance” positive observations with negative ones is a mental disease that feeds discontent and subtly attracts to us the very things we dislike.  How could they not come if we are constantly on the lookout for them?  Far from “seeing all sides,” we find ourselves exploring problems to such an extent that intuitive perception of higher, more expansive solutions to those same problems becomes impossible.   

I knew a man in India who incessantly found fault with everything: co-workers, group decisions, world affairs, family, current circumstances.  Within short order, new acquaintances learned to give him a wide berth or risk falling into his whirlpool of negativity.  The result was a self-made world without friends along with a festering sense of victimhood as being “misunderstood.”  “If things weren’t so rotten, I’d be different,” was his assessment, failing to see his suffering was self-inflicted.

Those infected with the carping spirit close doors to spiritual counsel or guidance from others or from the world around them.  This was Krishna’s point when he said to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita, “To you, who have overcome the carping spirit, I now reveal the sublime mystery.”  Arjuna, perfected in discipleship and with intellect purified, was receptive to what Krishna offered.  By overcoming the impulse toward attitudes that block attunement, he actively drew guidance from his guru.  

Rābiʿa al-Baṣrī, an eighth century Sufi mystic, said, “Yes” when asked, “Do you love God?” but surprised her audience when she was asked next, “Do you hate Satan?”  “No,” Rabi’a replied.  “My love for God leaves no room for hating Satan. My love for God has so possesses me that no place remains for loving or hating anyone save Him.”

Swami Kriyananda restated Rabi’a’s answer in one of his songs, “What we need is Light!  You can’t drive out the darkness with a stick.” When Light fills us, where can darkness dwell? Swamiji’s focus upon the heights was more than “positive thinking.” It recognized we do more than color our view of “reality” by our state of mind.  We actively participate in its creation and influence it to our benefit or ill.   Give energy to the good if you wish to attract the better angels of happiness into your life.

Good Posture

I met Swami Kriyananda in late 1968 and began serving at the Ananda Meditation Retreat in California's Sierra Nevada foothills the following April.  At that time, Swamiji was still living in San Francisco but he would sometimes come to the retreat on weekends to lead public programs or to enjoy a few days of meditation before returning to his busy schedule in the city. 

One day, I was walking along a pathway when I heard quick footsteps from behind.  Without warning, an arm reached around my chest and a hand was placed firmly on my lower back.  It was Swami.  With a slight pull of his arm and a gentle push with his hand, he forced me to stand erect while saying forcefully.  “Stand up straight!  You’ll never get anywhere if you slouch.”  A moment later and without another word, he released his grip and proceeded on his way. 

Those were simple words of advice but perhaps the most practical ones ever given to me.  My posture was indeed poor, but more significantly, it reflected a “casual,” non-magnetic attitude toward life.  “Positive, energetic, enthusiastic” were what I wanted to become but Swami made me realize I wasn’t going to succeed if I met life with a lazy, eyes-to-the-ground shuffle.

How we hold our body is tied to our mental state and I find it sad to see someone young and vital hunched over for no good reason.   I’m tempted to rush up behind them as Swamiji did with me.  Age and infirmity sometimes take a toll but for those still able, it’s vitally important to maintain good posture and not allow casual habits to become ingrained.  Our approach to life, inward and outward, is reflected in how we hold our body.  Paramhansa Yogananda said, “A bent spine is the enemy of Self-realization” because it blocks our life force from freely flowing upward toward the brain.   

You can feel a difference when you sit up straight compared to when you slump.  Good posture affirms health and vitality, energizes your will, radiates magnetism and, mysteriously, draws favorable circumstances to you.  You mentally and physically greet the world.  A slouch does just the opposite.  If you are struggling, spiritually or materially, pay attention to how you sit, stand and walk.   Straightening up, both within and without, can be the most powerful tool at your disposal for changing your life for the better.

The next time you go for a walk, consciously lift your chest while gently pulling your shoulders back.  Notice your breath.  You’ll breathe more deeply and your spine will naturally straighten without effort.   In yogic symbolism, this straightening is known as “stringing your bow” before engaging in life’s battles.  There is no need to strain but rather, be relaxed and notice how your your mental outlook begins to change.  If when walking, you have a habit of looking downward, why not lift your gaze to the world around and mentally embrace life.  If you feel to do so, send blessings.   

After my experience with Swami on that pathway, I began to watch how he walked, how he sat and how he carried himself.  Posture isn't only physical but also an attitudinal approach to life. I noticed he moved deliberately as if conscious of an aura around him.  It was sometimes remarked that if he were to collide with a wall, it would be his chest that touched the wall first.  He led with his heart, both physically and figuratively.  Good posture, besides all the obvious health benefits, also helps us open and expand the heart’s natural feelings, the prerequisite for attracting to us what we need on the spiritual path.  With an open heart affirm, "I go forward in perfect faith to joyfully greet the world."