This is a deeper look at an amazing quote that comes from an American theologian. It is more of an in-depth analysis of the quote I mentioned in my previous talk but from the yogic perspective.

My feelings are not God. God is God.

My feelings do not define truth. God’s word defines truth.

My feelings are echoes and responses to what my mind perceives. And sometimes - many times - my feelings are out of sync with the truth.

When that happens - and it happens every day in some measure - I try not to bend the truth to justify my imperfect feelings, but rather, I plead with God: Purify my perceptions of your truth and transform my feelings so that they are in sync with the truth.

― John Piper (American New Testament scholar, Baptist theologian), Finally Alive

Some of the verses I quote from Vedic texts.

I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas, I am to be known. Indeed, I am the compiler of Vedanta, and I am the knower of the Vedas. - Bhagavad-gītā 15.15

One must deliver themself with the help of one’s mind, and not degrade themself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well. Bhagavad-gītā 6.5

For one who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, the mind will remain the greatest enemy. Bhagavad-gītā 6.6

For one whose mind is unbridled, self-realization is difficult work. But one whose mind is controlled and who strives by appropriate means is assured of success. That is My opinion. Bhagavad-gītā 6.36

Thus knowing oneself to be transcendental to the material senses, mind and intelligence, O mighty-armed Arjuna, one should steady the mind by deliberate spiritual intelligence and thus -- by spiritual strength-conquer this insatiable enemy known as lust. - Bhagavad-gītā 3.43

This uncontrolled mind is the greatest enemy of the living entity. If one neglects it or gives it a chance, it will grow more and more powerful and will become victorious. Although it is not factual, it is very strong. It covers the constitutional position of the soul. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 5.11.17

I received an amazing quote which comes from an American theologian. This is a brief talk about the main point, but I will also do another talk on this which will be a more in-depth analysis of the quote from the yogic perspective.

My feelings are not God. God is God.

My feelings do not define truth. God’s word defines truth.

My feelings are echoes and responses to what my mind perceives. And sometimes - many times - my feelings are out of sync with the truth.

When that happens - and it happens every day in some measure - I try not to bend the truth to justify my imperfect feelings, but rather, I plead with God: Purify my perceptions of your truth and transform my feelings so that they are in sync with the truth.

― John Piper (American New Testament scholar, Baptist theologian), Finally Alive

On Earth Day a friend had sent me a wonderful quote by Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda which read:

“This planet can be made a happier, more peaceful place to live, but the change will have to come from within the hearts of all of us living here.”

The implication is that we need to become more responsible as individuals, which is a profound spiritual truth.  Mahatma Gandhi has said – “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.”

Personal responsibility is deeply eroded by consumerism, engaging on social media, frequently by usage of the internet in general, and we don’t even realize it because we are so conditioned by the ideology of materialism.

So what do I need to change in my life. A good starting point is to deeply reflect on, and try to live by, the principles found in the “Serenity Prayer” –

Grant me the serenity to accept that which I cannot change,

The courage to change that which I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.

This is the final of 5 talks given at a retreat where we look quite deeply at the most essential and foundational practices for a spiritual life.

 These are longer than usual talks, and include some Q&A segments where we address some wide-ranging topics in some detail.

This is the 4th of 5 talks given at a retreat where we look quite deeply at the most essential and foundational practices for a spiritual life.

 These are longer than usual talks, and include some Q&A segments where we address some wide-ranging topics in some detail.

This is the 3rd of 5 talks given at a retreat where we look quite deeply at the most essential and foundational practices for a spiritual life.

 These are longer than usual talks, and include some Q&A segments where we address some wide-ranging topics in some detail.

This is the 2nd of 5 talks given at a retreat where we look quite deeply at the most essential and foundational practices for a spiritual life.

 These are longer than usual talks, and this one is a Q&A where we address some wide-ranging topics in some detail including somethings related to Christianity.

This is the 1st

These are longer than usual talks, and include some Q&A segments where we address some wide-ranging topics in some detail.

This is a continuation of last week’s talk where we explained that enlightenment is not only for “special” persons, but for everyone. Enlightenment does not mean ‘attaining’ something, but rather uncovering our true, eternal, spiritual nature, that which is intrinsic to everyone. We spoke about the use of spiritual sound meditation as being the most powerful and effective way to do that.

However, we can accelerate our spiritual journey by living a life guided by spiritual virtues such as humility and the mood of surrender. This truth was also taught by Patañjali in the Yoga-sūtra:

Īśvara-praṇidhānād-vā

Asamprajñata samādhi is also[certainly] attained by devotion (complete surrender) to Īśvara. - Yoga-sūtra 1.23

Īśvara Supreme Controller (God / the Highest Truth)

praṇidhānāt devotion, supplication, bowing before

vā or (can also denote “indeed” or “verily” placing stress on the preceding word.)

This process of surrender is extraordinarily powerful. A practical example of the transformative power of this can be seen with the application of these principles in the 12 Step AA process used in many addiction rehabilitation programs. When a person caught in the powerful grip of addiction immerses themselves in this process they can gain freedom and wholeness again.

In this talk we discuss these 12 steps and then consider them in relation to living an enlightened and spiritual life.

The 12 Steps, as outlined in the original Big Book and presented by AA (with associated virtue) are:

1. Admitting powerlessness over the addiction - Acceptance

2. Believing that a higher power (in whatever form) can help - Hope

3. Deciding to turn control over to the higher power - Faith/Surrender

4. Taking a personal inventory – Courage (introspection & Honesty)

5. Admitting to the higher power, oneself, and another person the wrongs done - Honesty

6. Being ready to have the higher power correct any shortcomings in one’s character - Patience

7. Asking the higher power to remove those shortcomings - Humility

8. Making a list of wrongs done to others and being willing to make amends for those wrongs - Willingness

9. Contacting those who have been hurt, unless doing so would harm the person - Brotherly Love

10. Continuing to take personal inventory and admitting when one is wrong - Integrity

11. Seeking enlightenment and connection with the higher power via prayer and meditation - Self-discipline

12. Carrying the message of the 12 Steps to others in need - Service

It is very

Enlightenment means to uncover what is there already, your true spiritual identity, and then to live in that truth. But it requires that we apply a process (the use of