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LIGHT OF CONSCIOUSNESS is known for its spiritual inspiration, its bold approach to the unity underlying all faiths and religions, and the emerging interface between science and spirituality.

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CURRENT ISSUE SATSANG

Karma and the Voice
of Conscience
by Swami Amar Jyoti

The voice of conscience rings in you all the time. You just have to listen to it. For example, let us say I am your conscience and I am saying many things to you. It is up to you how much you listen. You may listen thoroughly; you may listen half-heartedly; you may listen but your thoughts may be elsewhere; you may listen but your resistance may be such that not much is going in; your attitude may be negative so that you are just thrusting it away, or you may be listening positively and taking it in nicely. You see, the reactions are different. Conscience always speaks to us—whether we hear it depends upon our perspective, the color of glasses we wear.

It reminds me of a story long ago from Persia. In that country there was orthodox Islam but at that time there was no liberal Sufism. When Sufism first started it was diametrically against orthodox teachings. Orthodox Islam declared that Allah is God, you are a man, and you cannot be perfect. Sufis said, "I am That, I am God," which became "Hum Allah," and as in early Christianity, those who declared themselves to be one with God were often martyred.

In a certain kingdom there was a great Sufi named Mansur who was fearless and very courageous. He had realized his oneness with the Supreme and he taught commonly, "I am That." Many went to discuss with him and he would openly say what he had realized. He was not just intellectually asserting, "I am God." It came out naturally from him because he was a Realized Soul. The clergy were the last ones to tolerate this, not only because they were orthodox, not only because they were not Realized, but also because underneath there was the fear that such a one might take away their business. Eventually the news of Mansur went to king, who was supposed to protect their religion.

Read full Satsang in the Summer 2012 issue of Light of Consciousness

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Reshaping the Future: Yogic Tools to Alter Your Destiny
by Linda Johnsen

Many centuries ago, a worried Hindu mother brought her young son to the local astrologer. The boy did not seem very motivated, and she was concerned about his prospects. Like astrologers in India even today, the jyotishi (Vedic astrologer) carefully examined the lines in the boy's palms. “I regret to tell you this,” he sighed, “but it doesn't look like your son will ever amount to anything.”

Hearing his dismal fate, the boy ran out of the hut sobbing. Outside he found a sharp piece of stone. With painstaking precision, he carved new lines into his palm. Hurrying back to the astrologer's hut, he held up his bleeding hand and demanded, “Now what does it say?”

As anyone familiar with Indian history knows, that young boy, whose name was Panini, grew up to be one of the greatest geniuses of all time. His analysis of language structures was so brilliant that modern Western linguists admit they couldn't duplicate his work even with a super computer. Astrologers in India like to tell this story as an example of a determined soul who literally took his destiny into his own hands.

Read More

Karma & Dharma According to the Bhagavad Gita
by Ram Dass

The statement is made over and over again in the spiritual literature that if you give it all up, you get it all. It might be phrased differently: if you give it all up you will be it all, but you have to let it all go. Arjuna had a total breakdown. He got so despondent that he said, "I will not fight," and then he fell silent. We are going to examine the strategies that Krishna uses in dealing with this moment of conflict. His guidance is at one level that of an external teacher, at another level the answer of God, and at another it is the answer of our Self in the inner dialog.

The first major argument that Krishna puts forth is that of reincarnation. He says, "We have all been for all time—I, thou, and those kings on the other side—and we shall be for all time. Just as our mortal body wanders on in childhood, youth and old age, the spirit wanders on to a new body." There are three ways by which to know this inner, higher wisdom. You can develop it through having a direct experience of a previous incarnation. The second way is through someone who knows, and you know they know, and they tell you how it is. For me that is my relationship to my Guru; there is no place in me that doubts him. And the third way is through your intellect. You study and you decide, "This makes sense."

Read More

In each quarterly issue of LIGHT OF CONSCIOUSNESS you will find spiritual inspiration on your path through articles on wisdom teachings, spiritual practices, science and spirituality, prayer and meditation, healing, personal journeys, sacred ecology, transformational art, spiritual cinema, reviews and more - writings that will encourage and inform your journey. The knowledge and insights within each issue will help you live a more aware, conscious and fulfilling life.