I thought I might suggest a book and website that seems on the surface to have zero spiritual connection. Instead it is an economics book about human action. It isn't an easy read. I haven't managed to finish it as yet, however I have found some amazing parallels with spiritual practice.
I'm reminded that spiritual progress also includes 'action'. When I read The Gita I see similarities in the apparent harshness of the actions the hero must undertake.
This book seems to do this in a way that is possibly easier to understand in modern times. Things I once thought to be true have been washed away by the information and philosophies that are contained within these pages.
Some things like foreign aid, welfare and Governments which had formed such a big part of my past beliefs as a socialist I can now see as impediments. That trying to control and plan are simply the same foolishness that Arjuna was accused of by Krishna when he faced his friends and relatives in the great battle.
Reading this book and the website has helped me better understand that yoga is about action.
Thanks Karl, looks like an interesting read. I've recently been finding all sorts of parallels between different books/situations/people that on the surface don't appear to be 'opening oriented' but upon closer investigation (or shifting perspectives a bit) the similarities are hard to miss.
For example, I recently read "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" by Richard Bach (given to me by our own Anthem11) which almost had me make the same post you have above. On the surface Bach's book may seem like a fun, fictional story... but the parallels to the path are incredible and inspiring. I read it in an hour while waiting for a flight... well worth a read.
Yes, that has been the case for a few years now. I have found it leads to an inner focus. This focus unleashes something that is suppressed by the mind. The mind seems to be trying to do stuff on its own without realising it is supposed to be directing an enormous force.
I think of the mind like a lens but its all messed up and distorted in trying to produce some goal or result. It has not realised that it is simply a part of the whole. Once it stops trying to fulfil its own agenda and gets on with just being a lens it can focus incredible power.
Not what you might expect
Posted - Jun 27 2013 : 09:13:27 AM
