tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44087211679767052162011-09-01T15:43:42.153ZConnection, stillness, authenticity, freedom, joy, loveArjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.comBlogger331100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-63282395793727162212011-02-28T21:35:00.002Z2011-02-28T21:38:41.498Z

"If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way."Buddha Giving is the greatest thing you can do to experience more. That is why many traditions' vows, including the Ishayas, are all about service. Service to yourself, service to humanity.I have some amazing teachers in giving. All of them are constantly looking for places to

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-2563750655152038142010-12-04T12:59:00.002Z2010-12-04T13:02:04.840Z

Some of us really spend a lot of energy trying to get life right - to make the right decisions, to do and say the right thing. I used to be almost paralysed in making a decision because I wanted to make sure I did the best thing.We bring this with us when we learn Ascension - we want to be the best student, we want to get Ascension right, we want the formula to perfection.When I first learnt to

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-26515648447771552112010-07-11T10:06:00.001Z2010-07-11T10:07:20.517Z

I sat down to write just a few minutes ago and it seems like everything I start to tap away I stop and delete. I felt in the mood to write something definite, but I'm having a hard time finding anything definite right now. It reminds me of a joke: I used to be so uncertain, but now I'm not sure...Anyway... its not the desperate situation it sounds. I'm at peace with this uncertainty, all because

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-63377193933171895142010-05-09T21:30:00.001Z2010-05-09T21:30:29.586Z

The only thing that will save the world is praise.Love gets all the publicity, from songs ("All you need is...") to commemorative days (Valentine's Day). Gratitude is famous in its own right with people making gratitude lists and carrying stones to remind them to be thankful. Compassion has its champions in a whole tradition, the Buddhists.Praise gets very little recognition, yet it lays the

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-3342527149698718672010-04-27T20:44:00.002Z2010-04-27T20:52:50.441Z

If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way.Buddha I've read a lot of Buddhist books. Before Ascension I would read in them about unconditional giving, how the most powerful giving is that done without concern or regard for the result, without interest for getting anything. This threw me, because I looked at my giving at

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-19114807725510900532010-04-27T18:59:00.003Z2010-04-27T18:59:54.313Z

Do you give to get? Or do you give unconditionally?Perhaps you may give with the expectation that you should give, because that's what you think is expected of you. Perhaps you give because it's good karma - that by giving you'll be in heaven that much quicker? Perhaps you give because then it sets up a flow that means the universe will give to you much more?In other words: Is giving all about

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-9245270177467934602010-04-27T18:59:00.001Z2010-04-27T18:59:10.867Z

“When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice”.AnonAt the end of the movie “Saving Private Ryan”, where the Private Ryan, now in old age, goes to visit the graves of the men that died rescuing him. He breaks down in tears and asks his wife: “Tell me I’ve lived a good life”. He wants recognition that his life has been

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-87580072854752934992010-04-27T18:57:00.002Z2010-04-27T18:58:26.394Z

One of the most powerful moments in my life was at the end of the First Sphere when the Ishayas suggested that I ask myself:“Where in my life am I compromising?”It absolutely blew my socks off because compromise was the last thing I wanted to do, yet when directly examined under such a spotlight I saw my life was riddled with compromise.It was a powerful motivator to move, to go beyond my cosy

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-73949131697468041042010-04-27T18:57:00.001Z2010-04-27T18:57:45.228Z

Why, when it comes to spirituality, do people get so serious and vexed and bent out of shape?There's plenty of examples in the traditions of the world. Dozy Zen monks being beaten with sticks, guilty Christians whipping themselves, Bodhidharma supposedly tearing off his eyelids so he wouldn't lose awareness when meditating, the predominant image of Jesus being one of pain and suffering, Hindhus

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-44433257419487382612010-04-27T18:56:00.001Z2010-04-27T18:56:55.601Z

I had the belief that the more spiritually advanced I got, the more my life would become free of challenge and sadness.The challenges of life, big and small, haven't stopped. People I love die, grow old, get sick. I still have to pay the bills, I have to clean the toilet. Life in all its colours and shades continues. But my reaction to it has changed.From what I have lived through, I can tell you

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-30454115893000704142010-03-05T13:30:00.000Z2010-03-05T13:31:56.284Z

Before enlightenment chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment chop wood, carry water.Zen sayingIn the east there is an old story about the appearance of mastery and humility. It is of an old caretaker in the monastery, contentedly serving all by doing the lowly tasks of sweeping and cleaning. The young arrogant monks suspect nothing but an ignorant peasant, but the abbot and older monks know

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-16810740261352215292009-11-19T19:59:00.001Z2009-11-19T20:04:54.585Z

1. Learn to meditate Meditation allows you to see what your mind is telling you and gives you the power to choose what you want to focus on. It builds a relationship with who you really are, beyond all the habits and beliefs of the mind. Sometimes we are able to fall gracefully into a state of complete focus, but many times we cannot. Basically this is because most of our life is lived in a

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-17336734347812908082009-05-18T14:57:00.001Z2009-05-18T15:01:33.295Z

There are times in one’s life when it all makes sense, when everything becomes clear. Perhaps you remember a time like this for you, at the time of the birth of your children, when you fully committed to your partner, when a loved one dies, or perhaps you were simply with friends or alone, enjoying the company and the moment. In these times the priorities of your life become so apparent that

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-5382726517947418622008-09-11T14:32:00.002Z2008-09-11T14:59:46.225Z

I only met Wendy on a couple of occasions. Both times I was amazed by her lightness and her absolute goodness. Teaching meditation means that sometimes people's personal stress comes up for them. Wendy was incredible to have around whenever this happened in a class because clearly here was a lady who had so much more on her plate than most people could even imagine and yet she came through

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-4214077164531904422008-06-16T14:07:00.002Z2008-06-16T14:13:25.657Z

I got inspired to write something after reading a passage from someone complaining that in the 40 years of their meditation practice they hadn’t experienced so much as a peak experience, let alone lasting peace or enlightenment. It made me laugh, really in sadness mixed with amazement because for a long time they have completely missed the point of their practice. They haven’t been meditating.

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-38254324811222708122008-05-24T17:23:00.005Z2008-06-16T14:58:49.257Z

A bunch of meditation teachers made a recording recently of what their experience of surrendering everything - every thought, feeling and action - to the Stillness was like. For me it was amazing. It reminded me on so many different levels of playing with surrender myself.I hadn't realised it, but there was a subtle effort to secure an experience I thought I wanted. I know the silence well, but

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-83689563983105173992007-11-07T15:46:00.000Z2007-11-07T21:12:26.031Z

Have you ever heard a thing and only later understood it, realised it?I don't know how many times someone has said to me something like:"Don't do anything, just rest in the silence now. Be completely present and aware of what this moment has for you now. Remain content in your experience as it is, without judgement, without wanting to change or it to be anything else than it is, right now."The

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-35619509317439830442007-11-07T15:37:00.000Z2007-11-07T21:13:52.428Z

The small man builds cages for everyone he knows while the sage, who has to duck his head when the moon is low, keeps dropping keys all night long for the beautiful rowdy prisoners. ~ HafizI stole this from Moni Vangolen and Tomas Stubb's website. They are wonderful, still and inspiring teachers. If you are ever near them, seek them out. I feel such a connection with these guys, they are a ton of

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-77010466677353009732007-05-10T20:56:00.000Z2007-05-10T22:10:00.951Z

Surrender to the Source.Surrender to Awareness, this is the only place of protection.Surrender your heart and you will know all.Surrender to Consciousness and Bliss. Surrender means to surrender your bondage and simply be Freedom.Surrender is the ego bowing down to its Source.No more demands or commands, but just putting all in the hands of the Source.Surrender is to submit your

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-38743573096836158092007-04-19T20:41:00.000Z2007-04-19T20:42:25.233Z

"Love and serve all humanity.Assist everyone.Be happy, be courteous.Be a dynamo of irrepressible joy.Recognize God and goodness in every face.There is no saint without a past and no sinner without a future.Praise everyone. If you cannot praise someone, let them out of your life.Be original, be inventive.Be courageous. Take courage again and again.Do not imitate; be strong, be upright.Do not lean

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-3187748849731600262007-04-19T20:24:00.000Z2007-04-19T20:40:12.445Z

"The only difference between a rut and a grave is their dimensions." Ellen Glasgow

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-39116183617134599202007-03-28T20:30:00.001Z2007-03-28T21:31:50.407Z

It may seem at times that our search is for perfection, that one day we'll reach a state of ultimate purity and rest, finally fufilled, content, whole, finished. The reality I suspect, at least while we're still human, is of constant evolution, continual discovery of more.Sure, there will come a time of an continuous experience of contentment and peace and fufillment, but as long as you continue

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-29808443346164863312007-03-28T20:30:00.000Z2007-04-19T20:39:56.467Z

"The purpose of all practice is Silence, your real nature.Without Silence you cannot be in Peace,so strive only for this.Even while active, remain in Silence, as Silence, and be conscious of Silence always."Poonja

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-3439854774205624692007-03-17T12:13:00.000Z2007-03-17T12:14:51.739Z

“At the risk of sounding ridiculous, I say all true revolutionaries are guided by great feelings of love.”Che Guevera

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-31664725150041957532007-03-08T02:39:00.000Z2007-03-08T03:00:30.035Z

I've just realised how important inspiration is to me. I've also realised how I can be a source of inspiration - I don't need that to come from outside of myself. Of course it is lovely and wonderful to be inspired by others but the responsibility for the constant creation of that comes from me.It's this great cycle of never ending greatness - I tell people what excites and makes me passionate

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-57555708871583637622007-02-17T11:57:00.000Z2007-02-17T12:04:56.281Z

One of the most valuable things I have realised lately is what power a dream holds. One of the things that brought me to seek more in my life was that I didn't really know what I wanted in it. I knew the space of silence and love that I wanted to connect to permanently but beyond that I wasn’t clear. It felt rough - I felt like I couldn’t do anything or include anyone in my life until I knew

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-32524073220999570092007-02-15T11:30:00.000Z2007-02-15T11:31:33.481Z

"It is a puzzling thing. The truth knocks on the door and you say, 'Go away, I'm looking for the truth.' and so it goes away. Puzzling."Robert M. Pirsig

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-80761718978472109552007-02-14T20:30:00.001Z2007-02-17T23:50:43.629Z

"Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition." Steve Jobs, Apple Computers

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-51355706180237266632007-02-14T20:23:00.000Z2007-02-14T20:29:24.034Z

I teach meditation. Not meditation as commonly pictured or practiced, sitting bolt upright with legs crossed. Not meditation as in taking a trip or visualising colours. This is meditation as in union, a joining of one’s self to one’s fullest, greatest Self. It has no rules other than the more you use it, the more you get out of it. It is a simple movement into the heart of the Stillness within.

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-21333576100693647122007-02-07T10:56:00.000Z2007-02-07T10:59:02.170Z

It’s the doubt that kills all, any dream any love any aspiration any miracle. That belief that it can’t be done. Awful. If anything I want to live with both feet solidly in the dream. Definitely not in believing that it’s not even possible because that’s the way its always been, that’s the way it’s done, that’s the way everyone does it. No way, no more. I want to live life fully and hugely

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-66431491364676818592007-02-04T18:26:00.000Z2007-02-08T15:16:11.432Z

From the Prophet - Khalil GibranAt the city gate and by your fireside I have seen you prostrate yourself and worship your own freedom, Even as slaves humble themselves before a tyrant and praise him though he slays them. Ay, in the grove of the temple and in the shadow of the citadel I have seen the freest among you wear their freedom as a yoke and a handcuff. And my heart bled within me;

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-45369847108575699002007-02-04T12:29:00.000Z2007-02-04T12:43:27.119Z

Do you realise how wonderful you are? How beautiful and amazing your presence is? It shines like the sun! Not that you do anything to be like this, just you being fully present in yourself is all that is required for your light to come alive. It’s so wonderful to share either words or silence with you. Yet it’s the weirdest thing to feel that uniqueness, that wholeness that is you and then

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408721167976705216.post-60971128584232940482007-02-02T13:44:00.000Z2007-02-04T12:45:00.616Z

Something I wrote a while back to explain why I teach and practice the meditation technique I teach and practice. Hope you enjoy it.You are all that you seek to be, all that the sages have written about throughout time and space. You are at once a child of this Universe and the Creator of the cosmos. Your destiny, your purpose in life is to realise this, to be this, to live your fullest

Arjuna Ishayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10909629235025088981noreply@blogger.com0