Ask Me About Truth

A talk about the importance of music in reference to how it effects our consciousness and energy.

Swami Kriyananda answers the following questions:

Does humility start by saying, "I'm no good"?

What if one is a sinner, is it appropriate to say you are a sinner?

Is suicide a greater sin then murder?

How do we recognize uplifting music?

What is energy? How can we relate to energy in our everyday life?

 

When we die, we lose our physical bodies — but what remains?

Swami Kriyananda talks about subtler, more esoteric aspects of ourselves — as well as how to become free from ego.

Can you tell us a little bit about the astral body, the physical body, and the causal body?

When we are created, are we a vibration that emanates from God?

Is it possible for people to experience their causal body?

I've heard stories about people who were able to separate their astral body from their physical body and travel in that way. Is that possible? Is it a helpful practice?

Can you tell us how to overcome "spiritual ego"?

When we die, we lose our physical bodies — but what remains?

Most of us are imitations. It's only when you go deep within yourself that you can find out who you really are.

If you can take some time every day to be with God, to be alone, Swami Kriyananda says, then you begin to face what is in your life, not what is just froth.

Questions include:

I read a quote of Paramhansa Yogananda; he said “Seclusion is the price of greatness.” What does that mean?

If people are afraid to be alone, what advice can you offer them?

How have you, Swami Kriyananda, practiced seclusion in your life?

It seems that being in silence would make your speech more powerful, when you do speak — is that true?

When you talk about seclusion, it sounds a bit austere. Is it enjoyable to do that?

Did you have to start with seclusion gradually?

You don't have be concerned about madness, or something? — people have all kinds of concerns about being alone.

Swami Kriyananda talks about why death is nothing to be scared of.

Questions include:

A lot of people have a great fear of death. Can you discuss how to overcome that fear?

What happens, spiritually, at birth and death?

When does life begin?

What is the process of death?

How can one know what is right to do, when faced with a difficult decision?

To get an intuitive answer to a question, as Swami Kriyananda explains, offer it up at your spiritual eye, the point between the eyebrows.

He shares about what intuition is and how we can strengthen it, for example, by being calm — as he was, even in a dream where he was burned at the stake.

Questions include:

For people who are trying to make a decision in their lives, how do they get correct guidance as to what course of action they should take?

How can one know if guidance comes from intuition?

If you're trying to accomplish something, is it helpful to visualize the result?

What is the feeling of intuition like?

How can one achieve the state of calmness?

Expectations are, to some extent, self-fulfilling. If you hold a positive expectation, you will be more likely to have a positive result. The mind can be very powerful.

If you know that something is right, Swami Kriyananda says, don't let anything discourage you.

Questions include:

What kind of expectations should we hold in regards to life? How should we approach life?

What if something negative happens in our life?

So if I'm trying to achieve something — it's still a good idea to hold a positive expectation and keep going forward even if things aren't working out?

The less strongly we identify with our ego, the easier it is for us to change.

Swami Kriyananda talks about learning languages, tells the story of an interesting (and quite dangerous!) trip to Bali, and how he overcame smoking by saying, instead of "I've failed," that "I haven't yet succeeded."

Questions include:

How can people overcome bad habits?

What about getting rid of addictive habits, like smoking?

How do you reinforce a good habit?

Is there a point beyond which we rise above all habit, altogether?

Swami Kriyananda shares a thoughtful discussion about the meaning and essence of soulmates. He states that as everything in life is dual, soulmates do exist, though that kind of relationship is not necessarily a romantic one. Kriyananda emphasizes the importance of finding and seeking spiritual connections and partnerships and serving others without misplaced ambitions or ego.

Kriyananda states that the love we seek will never be found in another person, except that we find it first within ourselves. Fulfillment can be found within. Kriyananda guides us to strive to understand through spiritual effort that life is a divine dream and to relish it as God’s dream so that we can experience His infinite and boundless joy.

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What is worth seeking, and what is a delusion? By what should we guide our lives? Can we trust our hearts?

All these topics are touched on in this talk.

Questions include:

What do you think about the concept of soulmates?

Is the desire for human love a delusion?

Is it wrong to be ambitious in this world?

How can you know which way to focus your life?

"Whatever comes of itself, let it come." Swami Kriyananda says, "I think you'll find great freedom in that." Feelings tie us to the ego and make us restless. Only when we become calm, but not apathetic, can we perceive truth. The way to become calm is by not being attached to the body. When you're not attached to the body, then nothing will bother you.

Questions include:

Should we endure emotional pain?

How do you accept the currents of life when you still feel hurt?

Is it possible to forgive someone who isn't alive anymore?

The conversation centers on calming the heart's feelings as a path to liberation and overcoming delusion. It explains that our feelings create waves of separateness on the ocean of spirit, tying us to the ego and preventing us from perceiving the divine. The key is to calm these waves by not reacting to external events with strong emotions like happiness, sadness, love, or hate.

Swami Kriyananda emphasizes that calmness doesn't mean apathy, but rather accepting everything with joy and detachment. He shares personal anecdotes to illustrate how refusing to be bothered by pain or adversity can lead to inner peace. He further explains that forgiveness is crucial, and it begins with oneself by accepting that everything, even negative experiences, is part of one's karma and ultimately guided by God.

Kriyananda suggests placing one's security in God and trusting that everything will work out, even if it doesn't align with our expectations. He defines God as the highest potential one can imagine for themselves and encourages listeners to move towards inspiration, peace, kindness, and love.