Whoever expected the spiritual path—Fivefold Path or otherwise—to be a trajectory always going upward had best take an extra dose of reality or ‘get real-ness.’ Whoever assumed that happiness, bliss, or God-consciousness automatically meant an absence of pain, dissonance or disturbance, likewise best stand in line and get vaccinated against Polyanna-ish, Peter Pan-ish veils covering …
The opportunities to serve are endless in today’s world. The multitudes who yearn for lives having at least the bare necessities to survive cry out for help. Not only can we help on the material level, but we have the tools and the vision to offer roads to dignity and fulfilment When we teach Agnihotra …
If we discount (for a few moments) the saboteur matrix—that humans have an archetype characteristic of engaging in selfsabotage at times, we might realize that at our core, we don’t wish to exert pain upon ourselves or others. We really do seek comfort, balance, perspective, peace & serenity.How all of this exists in consonance with …
LAZINESS AND THE LAW OF KARMA It might be said that one positive result of the pandemic is that we are much more aware that we cannot be lazy when it comes to our health—both from preventative and curative aspects. Vigilance is not a luxury right now. It is totally required. Those who wish we …
What at times may seem somewhat perplexing is one of the core concepts on the spiritual path—that we humans are created in the image of God. Notwithstanding that all around us is the damage and destruction perpetrated by rather ungodly behaviour by humans—wars and environmental destruction being just two large examples—a look in the mirror …
It might be said that the way out of the ‘dilemma’ of what to do and when to do it, is SERVICE. Why we do it lurks in the background as well. Should my goal be personal aggrandizement, amassing wealth, seeking name and fame, or plain old pursuit of pleasure, asking who stands to benefit …
If you think you understand it all, think again. Just as we use a small percentage of our brain/mind capacity, so we understand a small percentage of ‘reality.’ Now this is not necessarily as depressing as it sounds. Just as very high Masters have said they know only what they need to know, it may …
Just like we humans, who have our Light sides and our Dark sides, life seems to be a potpourri of paradoxes that does keep things rather interesting, but at the same time, can lead to or encourage dangerous consequences. So putting aside the ‘agonies and the ecstasies,’ and the double-edged swords, what practical solutions and …
In a world beset with imbalances and traumas that sometimes hour to hour challenge whatever approximations of serenity we may have managed to manifest, where should we turn to? If you answered, “withing ourselves”,you may go to the head of the class. Primary to aspects of life we are able to change is our ability …
“All of you walk in Light, protected by Divine Grace”, Shree Vasant told us. ¿Protected from what? For openers, our instincts, Samskaras (old impressions on the mind) and situations beyond our control. Consciously embarking on the spiritual path does not 1) absolve us from old impressions on our mind, 2) insulate us from our human instincts, 3) …
We have all heard of the goal of the Homa Therapy Mind Training Program: “Train the mind to react with Love under all circumstances.” At some point it might prove interesting to say more about ‘under all circumstances.’ But for now, what is this thing called Love? If there were enough of it to go …
Homa Psychotherapy, a revived scientific process from Vedas, employs methods not limited to any religion, culture or timeframe. Just as Vedas are universal and available to all, so is Homa Psychotherapy. The core element is daily sunrise and sunset Agnihotra copper pyramid fire. It can be utilized by therapists at minimal cost and effort. Furthermore, …
BIENESTAR HOLÍSTICO SOSTENIBLE Y UN ANTÍDOTO PARA LOS RETOS MUNDIALES ACTUALES Read More »
The thousands on all continents who have experienced Agnihotra can attest to the Fivefold Path being a bargain by most standards. It is a blueprint, however, not a formula. Why? Perhaps it is because FREE WILL and POWER OF DISCRIMINATION are ours to use—like it or not! Blueprints require construction. Even the ultimate act we …
At this point, many of us have either been exposed to, if not tutored in, what it takes to SERVE while maintaining balance and equanimity. It doesn’t appear to be rocket science. Yes, at first it may have seemed counterintuitive to how our lives had been before—the ‘me first’ generation among us know this—but as …
It would indeed be an understatement to say that the world we inhabit is beset with misplaced priorities—if it apparently has any at all. Money and power are at the root of this disease. Despite enormous sums of money—and lives—being at risk due to Climate Change, and funds belonging to ‘others’ being of little or …
WHERE ARE WE GOING? — THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL Read More »
One minute you’re lying by the swimming pool taking in the beauty that surrounds you—swaying palm trees, coconuts and pineapples galore. The next minute you and thousands of your neighbours are running for your lives as your hawaiian paradise has become a raging inferno that a few hours later has burned your house and your …
The apparent age of disinformation that besets us all goes beyond politicians’ lies and shadings of truth, and beyond artificial intelligence’s ability to make the unreal seem real. The ‘truth’ is what we don’t know includes some basic life questions such as: How many times has your life been saved or extended through no particular …
The Mind Training Program of Homa Therapy—the core of Homa Psychotherapy— contains 7 guidelines that are suggested. Here is the second one: We start removing the old grooves of habit and addiction by performing Agnihotra daily exactly at sunrise and sunset. Performance of Agnihotra healing fire tuned to the biorhythm of sunrise/sunset expedites the recovery …
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to …
HITTING BOTTOM: IT MIGHT NOT BE SUCH A BAD THING — THE ONLY WAY IS UP “I’m Sitting On Top of the World,” is a popular, 90 year old song from USA. When our lives are going so, so well, with little disharmony, much good health, and good wealth, we could very well feel as …
The title here may need some explanation in any language. I don’t think ‘insidious’ is used that frequently—in English, at least. Thus, its meaning may be a bit obscure. “Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with very harmful effects,” is one definition. Examples of insidiousness may not be difficult to find. Addiction is one …
Happiness: “positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy,” says the dictionary. In the Broadway show, ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ “Do you Love me?” asks the husband to his wife in one blockbuster song. “Do I what?” the wife responds. Then she lists the duties and chores she has provided her husband, from preparing meals …
Do we give our mind its due? Thinking, willing and feeling somehow seem inadequate of a description, though this does describe how the mind functions. Want proof of the inadequate description? 1)look in the mirror—the unseen, unheard power lurking behind, in, and before your image is your mind. Do you find yourself repeating certain behaviours …
We humans have been trying to invent a better mousetrap even before Mickey and Minnie Mouse came on the scene. Not to cast aspersions on the Mouse Family, but our aversion to mouse poop has not diminished over time. And the quest for the perfect mousetrap–ideally nonviolent–goes on. As the blueprint for happiness has been …
NO NEED TO REINVENT THE WHEEL- just put air in the tires Read More »
One byproduct of service is personal satisfaction accompanied by increased happiness at having fulfilled part of your Vikarma—your life’s allotted task. Rather than bemoaning the state of the world or even of your neighborhood, why not direct your attention and energy to “making the world a better place” or “being the best you can be,” …
The fifth step on the Fivefold Path is Swadhyaya—self-study. Asking the question, “Who am I?” describes this step, albeit simplistically. If I have an arm amputated, I refer to “my arm.” Who is the “my?” My arm obviously exists independently of myself. Trying to discover who the “my” is, is Swadhyaya. Similarly, if we focus …
Attempting to comprehend the Law of Karma during trying times can be challenging, First of all, God’s time may indeed be different than humans’ time. Paybacks—good or bad— usually cannot be figured out—at least not definitively. One exception is the tenet that intense good karmic behaviour attracts Grace and, more often than not, the Grace …
“OBSTACLES DON’T BLOCK THE PATH.THEY ARE THE PATH.” (Zen proverb) Read More »
The gentle push to the mind that Agnihotra–the core of the Fivefold Path and of Homa Psychotherapy– provides, is a tool without which all matters become more difficult. There are no two ways about it. This is the experience of tens of thousands worldwide. To say it another way, with Agnihotra, things just become easier. …
Humans’ inhumanity to humans underlines the very high stakes on the table today. Climate Change, Covid and Coercion (in eastern Europe) might be considered the 4 Cs affecting our hearts and minds currently. The truth of ‘Atmosphere, Prana, Mind,’ seems indisputable—disturbed, polluted atmosphere disturbs Pranic flow and balance, and the resulting terrible affects and effects …
“Once you inculcate the attitude of TOTAL SURRENDER, no other special discipline is necessary as this attitude itself is the culmination of all religious practice.” –Shree Gajanan Maharaj; 1986 in Akkalkot, India. The word surrender is on the lips and minds of more of us, more often these days. This is especially true where I …
If, in fact, we are all created in the image of God, why should we not be able to see Him in love for our brothers and sisters? Babies…now how easy it is to see the face of God in them–even in young children in whom ego and fear and such have not yet surfaced. …
TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD. Read More »
“The only way out is in,” is a concept many of us have pondered for quite some time. Through meditation, writing and other pursuits of self-development (Swadhyaya), we try to access and listen to our inner voices. How does this coordinate with the concept of SURRENDER? The 3rd step of the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous—a component …
When asked about service to others, Ramana Maharshi—a famous advocate of Advaita (unity in multiplicity)—is purported to have said, “What others?”—which to me says there are no differences among people; we are the same. “We are one,” has been a battle cry of sorts. As a goal, it may be righteous. As a reality, it …
MORE ON MIND TRAINING: NEARLY EVERYTHING MAY BE PSYCHOSOMATIC A kind of mantra within a mantra is how we might think of ATMOSPHERE, PRANA, MIND. Of course, the two mantras that must be said once in order to perform Agnihotra properly are crucial or, shall we say, non-negotiable. When discussing the mind, it is helpful …
“I CAN’T, HE CAN, LET HIM” A higher power can bring you out of the insanity caused by addictions, so you would be well advised to let your higher power do just that. Addictions, Surrender, 12 Steps and Homa Therapy Addictions, Surrender, 12 Steps and Homa Therapy (Barry Rathner, Ph.D. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.) Steps …
Addictions,Surrender , 12 Steps And Homa Therapy Read More »
“THE HUMAN CONDITION” It wouldn’t surprise me if some day during a patient’s angiogram, it was found that a piece of his/her mind was blocking the heart. If our minds were to concentrate on human similarities and not the differences, we would immediately cognize—and feel, hopefully—that all of we humans share at least one major …
HOMA PSYCHOTHERAPY Focus of Homa Therapy on aspects of the mind and issues of human behaviour. This is the first article of a planned series of regular pieces on HOMA PSYCHOTHERAPY, which is a focus of Homa Therapy on aspects of the mind and issues of human behaviour. Future entries may be geared to those …
“HOMA PSYCHOTHERAPY AND HOMA ORGANIC FARMING FOR FARMERS/GARDENERS AND CROPS” As we humans all share the common desire to be happy, healthy and holy, when we come across ways to manifest these goals, we feel a strong compulsion to spread the word. In India, a unique, though sad problem evolved in this century whereby more …
“SUPPORTING FARMERS’ MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH WITH AGNIHOTRA” Have you heard the joke about how our governments are meant to protect us in times of crisis—be it COVID-19 or CLIMATE CHANGE? Dream on, fellow seekers and wannabe survivors. THIS IS NOT A TEST. This is not a movie. All the woods, be they Hollywood, Bollywood …
“HOMA PSYCHOTHERAPY: STEPS 4 & 5” Taking a deep breath is easier said than done by millions of us. Covid-19 prevents many from taking deep breaths and, most sadly, more than 800,000 will never breath again. Were we to take a deep breath and assess where we as planet are today, some prominent points stick …
‘FREEDOM’S JUST ANOTHER WORD FOR NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE’ It is interesting to take note of how the world reacts to the dangers and inconveniences resulting from this pandemic. To the vast majority of the planet, living with serious threats to health, material welfare, and decent quality of life unfortunately are “all in a day’s …
Freedom’s Just Another Word For Nothing Left To Lose Read More »
If there is one thing the pandemic with its lockdowns and social (life) barriers has taught us, at the very least it is that:1) we humans basically have very limited control,2) if my life is to have a purpose, what do I need to add/subtract from it? Or am I here just to travel to …
THE CHOICES ARE YOURS; CHOOSE WISELY If the pandemic with its lockdowns and social (life) barriers , has taught us anything, at least: 1) we humans have very limited control ultimately, 2) if my life is to be purposeful, what needs to be added/subtracted? Or am I here just to travel to as many places …
FREE WILL, THE POWER OF DISCRIMINATION, EXPERIENCE AND INTUITION Apologies for the lengthy title of this piece, but these four aspects of life make up the inexorable (unavoidable) ’rules of the road’ for our lives. As inexorable may translate as ‘unrelenting,’ we may think of ourselves as stuck with these—whether we like it or not. …
Free Will The Power Of Discrimination ,Experience And Institution Read More »
DEPRESSION, HUMILITY & LOVE: STRANGE BEDFELLOWS (OR NOT) In searching for antidotes for depression, there may be some value in examining how humility enters the picture. It may initially seem counter-intuitive to connect humility with depression—since a common symptom of depression is thinking oneself not worthy. But if “humility is thinking less on oneself,” certainly …
Depression, Humility & Love: Strange Bedfellow( Or Not) Read More »
LIFE: A 24-HOUR ENDEVOUR Swadhyaya—self-study—the 5th step of the Fivefold Path, is a 24 hour a day job, we’ve been told. As Covid-19 containment is also a 24-hour job, the concept of constant vigilance, thus, is not new to us. Also, since the advent of 24 hour food stores, 24 hour McDonalds, 24 hour gas …
FOR DEPRESSION AND ADDICTION IT IS well-known in addiction circles that one does not ‘cure’ addiction. That may be why “one day at a time” (of sobriety) is perhaps the most famous of the 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous slogans. Momentum of sobriety notwithstanding, what I do and what happens to me today, is mostly independent from …
GRACE: THE END RESULT OF EFFORT Grace is a word used often on the Divine Path that is not easily understood or even defined. Wikipedia says that in Christianity, Divine Grace means a “favour of God for mankind. God favours every person without looking at what they did.” In Vedic teachings, I feel there is …
TURNING LEMONS INTO LEMONADE Though recently we have been writing about thriving, not just surviving, as pandemic fatigue spreads and reports of mental dysfunction and disorder proliferate, perhaps it might be a good idea to temporarily set our sights or goals a bit lower. In fact, it might be said that one of the current …
WHEN SURVIVING SEEMS TO TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER THRIVING Last month I wrote about thriving as a goal—not mere surviving. Life, it seems, has a way of influencing our agendas and the phase we seem to be in currently—individually and collectively—seems to have surviving being in the driver’s seat. Pick your poison: Covid-19, Climate Change, economic …
When Surviving Seems To Take Precendence Over Thriving Read More »
SURVIVING AND THRIVING We ended last month’s article speaking of Surviving and Thriving. If , as it is said, human beings use a very small percentage of our brain (and mind) power, might we be setting our standards and goals way too low? Surviving the physical, emotional and spiritual challenges facing us these days is …
WHERE ARE WE NOW? WHAT DO WE DO NEXT? Those of you fortunate enough to be reading this have managed to avoid becoming a death from Covid-19 statistic. That is no small feat considering the status quo. It is not in dispute that DANGER is the tagline of today. The best response is not fear, …
TRAINING THE MIND TO REACT WITH LOVE AND MAKE PROPER DECISION To all Addicts: yes, that means you. Unless you are not human—and I have my suspicions about a few politicians—this article is addressed to you. Shree Vasant famously said that all humans are addicts. The brilliant intuitive healer, Carolyn Myss, says the same thing. …
Training the Mind to react with Love and make proper Decisions Read More »
THE FIVEFOLD PATH OF THE VEDAS AS OUR WAY OUT AND IN The Coronavirus is trying to teach all of us many lessons. One of them is especially applicable to India—a mecca of spirituality facing especial challenges today with respect to material and physical issues. Vedic Culture provides simple—though not easy—solutions. The Fivefold Path of …
Training the Mind to react with Love and make proper Decisions Read More »
Training the Mind to react with Love and make proper Decisions HOMA PSYCHOTHERAPY: Steps 4 & 5, as promised Were we to take a deep breath and assess where we as a planet are today, some prominent points stick out SUPPORTING FARMERS’ PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH WITH AGNIHOTRA Taking a deep breath is easier said …
Training the Mind to react with Love and make proper Decisions Read More »
“BIO-ENERGETIC MANIPULATION” The Homa Therapy in-residence drug/alcohol de-addiction program. Teachers Guide Class 5: DAAN Much of what has gotten us to a state where we are out of control, or slaves to our addictions, is our own self will or better said our own selfishness. We addicts would be hard pressed to tell what good …
“BIO-ENERGETIC MANIPULATION” The Homa Therapy in-residence drug/alcohol de-addiction program. Teachers Guide Class 4: Introduction to Agnihotra The performance of Agnihotra is not a matter of belief. It is a matter of experience. Therefore, we ask no one to believe anything except what they experience. The best way to teach Agnihotra is to simply perform it …
TRAININ THE MIND TO REACT WITH LOVE AAND MAKE PROPER DECISION Though I intended to have this article be a continuation of the discussion of Fivefold Path, I have decided that the situation we all face with the pandemic makes it more important to discuss some issues related to this. I shall return to the …
Training the Mind to react with Love and make proper Decisions Read More »
TRAININ THE MIND TO REACT WITH LOVE AAND MAKE PROPER DECISION We are very happy to welcome and present Barry Rathner. He has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. He worked for 10 years as a psychologist for California state prisons, USA. Now he has his private practice and …
Training the Mind to react with Love and make proper Decisions Read More »
“BIO-ENERGETIC MANIPULATION” The Homa Therapy in-residence drug/alcohol de-addiction program. Teachers Guide Class 12: Homa Therapy Post-In-Residence Discipline Maintenance Program The in-residence program is a beginning. The progress experienced can be a steppingstone to continued sobriety and further emotional, physical and spiritual development. For this to happen, however, a discipline maintenance program is integral. The aspects …
“BIO-ENERGETIC MANIPULATION” The Homa Therapy in-residence drug/alcohol de-addiction program. Teachers Guide Class 11: Investigation of the Practical Implementation of Spiritual Science to improve our Lives If a preacher does not practice what he preaches he is a fraud. Discourses on spiritual or religious matters have no meaning unless they are practiced by those who …
“BIO-ENERGETIC MANIPULATION” The Homa Therapy in-residence drug/alcohol de-addiction program. Teachers Guide Class 10: Self Study Most of us spend plenty of time judging what is wrong or what is right about others. A closer look at what makes one truly happy is another story. If we think one is happy who has just purchased a …
“BIO-ENERGETIC MANIPULATION” The Homa Therapy in-residence drug/alcohol de-addiction program. Teachers Guide Class 9: Karma “The law of cause and effect in physics when carried to subtler levels is the law of Karma. It is the law of ‘reap as you sow’.” The law of Karma leaves no room for fatalism of any kind. The law …
“BIO-ENERGETIC MANIPULATION” The Homa Therapy in-residence drug/alcohol de-addiction program. Teachers Guide Class 8: TAPA. The Process of Character Building Through Discipline. The practice of serving and then watching with a smile while others eat our favorite food is certainly behavior modification for us addicts. We are accustomed to taking what we want, how we want …
“BIO-ENERGETIC MANIPULATION” The Homa Therapy in-re Teachers Guide Classes 6&7: Power of Discrimination and Desire The power to discriminate between right and wrong “The power of discrimination differentiates man from all other animal species. Animals go by instinct; man goes beyond instinct by intelligence. Animals have no power of discrimination to discern right from wrong. …
“BIO-ENERGETIC MANIPULATION” The Homa Therapy in-residence drug/alcohol de-addiction program. Class 3: The Senses and Habit Patterns What are the senses and their relationship to mind? “The mind is a dictator. It is a tyrant that likes sense satisfaction.” (Give analogy of old Roman king who has before him all of the sense gratification one could possibly …
“BIO-ENERGETIC MANIPULATION” The Homa Therapy in-residence drug/alcohol de-addiction program. Teachers Guide Class 2: Stress What are other factors that cause stress and tension? Each attendee writes his/her own list. Explain: Positive stress and Negative stress Examples: Job, Spouse, Money, Parent, Promotion, Moving, Drugs, Worry, Fear, Desires Just being around stress causes stress. (Teacher and assistant …
“FAMILY” In considering family counseling, one is struck first with the innate difficulties. Counseling: Family Whereas one-on-one counseling requires only balance and congruity between therapist and client, family counseling involves as many family members as exist as well as the therapist. “Too many cooks in the kitchen,” is not the operative phrase, but it does …
“BIO-ENERGETIC MANIPULATION” The Homa Therapy in-residence drug/alcohol de-addiction program. Program Description: The addict must leave his present environment and live at the Homa Therapy Center. The amount of time needed varies from person to person but in all cases a minimum of 8 weeks is required. The Homa Therapy Center provides the environment necessary …
“BIO-ENERGETIC MANIPULATION” The Homa Therapy in-residence drug/alcohol de-addiction program. Cleansing Diet for the Homa Therapy in-residence drug/alcohol de-addiction program: Diet for the drug/alcohol addict is an important aspect of recovery which should not be overlooked. Compared with all other diets, vegetarianism is best because of its potential cleansing effect on body and mind. A vegetarian …
“BIO-ENERGETIC MANIPULATION” The Homa Therapy in-residence drug/alcohol de-addiction program. The Anonymous Programs The Anonymous Programs based on the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous have helped hundreds of thousands of alcoholics to rehabilitate their lives and therefore to live sober. The Homa Therapy In-residence Drug/Alcohol Deaddiction Program provides a Mind Training Program to enable the recovering …
“BIO-ENERGETIC MANIPULATION” The Homa Therapy in-residence drug/alcohol de-addiction program. The Seven Guidelines In order to participate in the Homa Therapy In-residence Drug/Alcohol Deaddiction Program we only ask that you have a sincere desire to become healthy and recover from whatever (addiction) that has hold of you. Our diseased thinking, clouded by the use of drugs …
“BIO-ENERGETIC MANIPULATION” The Homa Therapy in-residence drug/alcohol de-addiction program. Program Briefs The Homa Therapy Mind Training Program In many endeavors of life, we are taught by someone or something how to function. In every case we are taught the basics first, i.e., you crawl before you walk. In most things we learn, the basics continue …