So(ul) to Spe k

The practice of
meditation
re-opens the gates
of consciousness
to the universal
rhythms of life. It
steeps the mind
in those rhythms,
allowing the
impurities of the
mind to dissolve
in the light of
awareness.
 The Rhythm of Life
The Universe is in perfect rhythm. Mother Nature always flows in an infinitely
intelligent, harmonizing and natural rhythm. Because our existence arises within
that larger, harmonized context, we always have those larger, universal rhythms
available to us. They are our own, true nature, the very source of our own existence.

If you could look within your body, you would see trillions of cells, all functioning
in perfect harmony. If you could split the hard stuff of matter and see the atom, you
would see the rhythm of infinite space dancing within each tiny particle. All of life
moves in eternal rhythm. Our soul, our Spirit, is one with the eternal dance of that
celestial rhythm.

Our mind is not so harmonious however, and we are identified with our mind. So
the rhythm of our life becomes increasingly elusive, unfamiliar, shrouded in the
ignorance and illusions of our conditioned mind.

Restoring the Natural Rhythm of Earth

Through Individual and
Collective Meditation SRI SHUDDHAANANDAA BRAHMACHARI

The practice of meditation re-opens the gates of consciousness to the universal

rhythms of life. It steeps the mind in those rhythms, allowing the impurities of the
mind to dissolve in the light of awareness. Meditation allows the natural rhythm
and harmonies of life to manifest more readily.

When you are one with the universal rhythm, your breath is rhythmic. Your
body-mind-soul is in perfect balance. You are untouched by the apparent ups and
downs of life and the constant flow of change. You become calm, composed and
serene.

The more removed we are from our Spirit, which is inseparable from the source of
all life, the more we deviate from the primary, innate intelligence that seamlessly
moves life forward in harmony. Global warming is nothing but the manifestation of
the loss of rhythm in the collective consciousness of humanity. People all over the
world have abused Mother Nature for sensual and material gratification for too
long. The natural balance of Mother Earth’s rhythm has been lost. It is human beings
who distort that natural balance. It is humans alone who can restore it.

Tathaastu 31
 So(ul) to Spe k
No Waste, No Want
Human beings are essentially seekers of
happiness. Yet, in our pursuit of
happiness we have drifted towards the
periphery. We have abandoned the
Center, the essence of our being that is
naturally in harmony, for externals.
Humankind has become greedy, lost in
the illusion that happiness comes from
more and more material possessions.
We thought that by mastering nature
outside we would be happy. The
damage that has been done is a direct
result of our individual and collective
illusions.
Humanity has to move from the
periphery back to the Center again.
The fountain of happiness and peace
lies in the balance of the inner and the
outer world, in living harmoniously
within the larger rhythms of nature.
Each and every one of us can take outer
action to save water, electricity, gas, and
Human beings are essentially seekers of happiness.
Yet, in our pursuit of happiness we
have drifted towards the periphery.
We have abandoned the Center, the essence of our
being that is naturally in harmony, for externals.
other resources to ease the misuse of
Nature’s abundant gifts. But we need to
take an inner journey as well. Most of
us lack adequate respect, consciousness,
and appreciation for our Mother’s gifts.
We might mean well, but who among
us does not have unexamined areas of
unconsciousness?
32 Tathaastu
We need to wake up, to realize the
wisdom of “No waste, No want,” and
to discover ever new ways to practice it
in our daily living. Developing new
patterns and behaviors that heal the
environment, cultivating our awareness
of life’s boundless gifts and the ways we
can be in deeper service to them, are
acts of love for life. They give us joy.
They cleanse and heal the earth with
positive vibrations, while warding off
the negative impact of a polluted
environment.
Your Heart Beats
with the Rhythm of
the Universe
Feel blessed that you were given a
human body, a human mind, a life in
which to grow and learn, and most
importantly, a heart. Your heart is a
center of the world, a center of the
Universe. Bring the whole of the
Universe through the center of your
heart. Feel the whole Universe from
that center. When your heart is open,
you feel for everybody, for every being.
Then your heart beats, not only with
blood, but with the rhythm of the
Universe, with the rhythm of divine
ecstasy.
Spend time outside often, meditating
on the beauty of the natural world, its
harmonies, and its rhythms. Allow
those harmonies to amplify and
resonate in your body. Feel them as
your own. Nature and all of its
harmonies are in you. They gave birth
to you. Know that you are connected to
the inexhaustible source of the cosmos
in your own heart. Gradually, all
external forms come home to the one
thread running through the garland of
life. Prayer, meditation and natural
beauty will bless you with the growing
awareness and experience of oneness
and peace.
Feel the Beautiful
Rhythm of Your Life
Flowing through
Each Breath
Spend some time in silence each day.
Find a quiet, peaceful place, preferably
a place where you can be aware of the
beauty of Nature. Sit comfortably erect.
Relax your body from head to foot,
focusing on relaxing each body part.
Then take a few deep breaths. Inhale
deeply and exhale deeply. Breathe
consciously, withdrawing from external
perceptions. Watch the flow of
universal energy, prana, moving in and Come out of meditation gradually,
out through your nostrils. You are bringing your mind to the body. Relax,
consciously connected with the bring your consciousness back to the
vishwa-prana, the universal life force beauty of Nature and feel all is well in
that sustains all life. Feel the beautiful your life. Bless everything around you
rhythm of your life flowing through the when you open your eyes. Celebrate
breath. and be joyful for the gift of meditation
and your union with all that is.
Thoughts will come and go to take you
away from your concentration. Don’t
condemn your thoughts. Don’t
condemn yourself. Just relax. Bring
your focus back to your breath and
keep breathing. Let your thoughts go
into the rising and falling of the breath,
into the delicate and soothing rhythm
of the air passing through your nostrils.
You will experience lightness in your
body, calmness of mind, and peace in
your heart.
So(ul) to Spe k
Join with Others in
Collective Meditation
In the frantically paced, imbalanced
society in which we live, we all need
greater access to positive energies. We
all need to strengthen our inner life and
personal relationship with the Divine.
We need a safe forum for personal
discovery, spiritual support, and
sharing.
That is why I encourage forming
groups to learn yoga, practice relaxation
and breathing exercises, meditate
together, and pray for peace and
healing in our world. “Whenever two
or more are gathered” in the Divine
name, Divine energies are amplified
and reinforced.
You can start a small group with your
spouse, your family, or a friend. Soon
another friend may want to join you.
Beginning with relaxation and
breathing exercises harmonizes you
within your own body-mind-soul and
with one another. Collective prayer and
meditation purifies both the inner and
outer environment. It fills the ether
with vibrations of peace and happiness.
Conversations flow more naturally, they
foster personal discovery, spiritual
support and sharing. Everyone in the
group can then share gratitude, insights
and inspirations, or problems.
One of the purposes of such groups is
to grow in spiritual friendship. Most
psychosomatic diseases are emotionally
induced; the result of feelings of
isolation and separation. Today, we
have so little time to listen, to connect
with one another. Far too many people
suffer with emotional imbalances and
depression as a result. Meditation
groups create opportunities for trust,
sharing, and growth through mutual
support.
There is no need to wait. We can wake
up now to the dance of consciousness
and learn the art of celebration. We are
not alone. Together we can make a
difference!
Nature celebrates continually, without
rhyme, without reason, through the
universal rhythm of the seasons,
through every life form, through every
physical manifestation. We humans
often miss the joy and celebration that
life is, because we have too many other
distractions and priorities. What we are
missing is our own soul’s peace and
harmony, the dance of our own Spirit,
the music of our own heart.
Alone and joining with others, let us
invoke the abundant, regenerative
energies that are all around us. Let us
create ripples of joy and celebration
that nourish our world. What is more
important than arousing our awareness
of all the ways that life supports us?
What is more important than honoring
the gifts of Nature?
Individual and collective meditation
and prayers can work miracles.
Becoming contemplative of the purpose
of human birth, we move towards the
peace of our Spirit. May we all offer
ourselves more completely to the
rhythm of the Universe. May we pray
for it to manifest more fully in our own
heart and in all hearts.
Let the love and the warmth of our
hearts for Mother Earth and all her
beings expand our awareness of her
infinite glory. Let our small sacrifices
reduce the various perils we face today
such as global warming. No small effort
is in vain, whether individual or
collective. Joining together in prayer
and meditation, we replenish and
amplify the natural balance and rhythm
of our Mother Earth.

One of the purposes of such groups

is to grow in spiritual friendship.
Most psychosomatic diseases are emotionally induced;
the result of feelings of isolation and separation.
Today, we have so little time to listen, to connect with one another.

Sri Sri Shuddhaanandaa Brahmachari informally called “Baba” is a renowned speaker and philosopher.
He has authored several books, including the biography of his spiritual master Baba Lokenath - The Incredible
Life of a Himalayan Yogi; Words of Pure Bliss and others. “Making Your Mind Your Best Friend” represents his
core teachings and will soon be available in the United States. Baba has worked relentlessly for the emancipation
of women and children in the slums of Kolkata and the remote villages of West Bengal. He founded Lokenath
Divine Life Mission (LDLM) in 1985. More than 200,000 patients are treated each year at the Mission’s
outdoor medical clinics & mobile medical vans. The Mission is also leading West Bengal in forming Farmers’
Clubs to promote eco-friendly agricultural and village development. Baba was a delegate at the Millennium Peace Summit of Religious
and Spiritual Leaders of the World organized by the United Nations in August 2000; and he was a presenter at the World Parliament
of Religions in Montserrat (Spain) in 2004. www.babalokenath.org, www.feelinghearts.org

Tathaastu 35