RE: Intro

[Guest guest]

12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue">Dear Rose,

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12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue">As you wrote, the word yoga covers a wide

ranging group of ideas and practices. When most people think of “yoga”

they think of Hatha Yoga. I don’t know exactly what you are

thinking of when you use the word. But I can tell you for certain that

the classic approach to yoga as taught by Patanjali is a very effective tool

for self-realization. This book is often referred to as the Yoga

aphorisms, or the yoga sutras of Patanjali and is available in many different

translations. If I were you I would get a copy of this book and study it.

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12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue">If you are thinking of actually practicing

hatha type yoga, I would be very careful. Older persons can injure

themselves easily. It isn’t easy to find a teacher who really knows

what they’re doing with older people, so watch out. However, I

remember reading about a Catholic priest who was very infirm and nearly

paralyzed. He took up the practice of Hatha Yoga on his own and was cured

of his maladies. I don’t remember exactly what it did for him in a

spiritual sense however.

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12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue">Some persons will tell you that you

shouldn’t really practice anything because you are already the Self,

etc. Whereas I do to the notion that you are already the

eternal Self, I feel that spiritual disciplines are an aid to actually

realizing that. I would follow my own inner-guidance and intuition, as

you seem to be doing. It might be beneficial for you If you could make a

trip to Arunachala Ashram in New York

and get acquainted with the persons there. Also there are two

Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Vedanta Centers in New York City that I can recommend as a place

to receive teaching. I do believe that there is another Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center

somewhere in upstate New York

and if you’re interested I would try to find out for sure.

12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue">

12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue">Always follow your own inner

guidance. Listen to your own heart and you can never go wrong.

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12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue">Warmest regards,

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12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue">michael

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[]

On Behalf Of Rose Lieberman

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

5:30 AM

 

[

- Ramana Guru] Intro

12.0pt">

10.0pt">Hello, All. My name is Rose, I'm 57, I live in rural upstate New York.

I've travelled a very ecclectic spiritual route,

but it's mostly focused on

New Age, although I started back in the 70's when

it was called the occult.

It's been an interesting journey, but in the end,

I don't believe it has

done anything for me.

I feel that studying and practicing the

traditional yogas is the Path I must

take. I know of Ramana Maharshi, although

not very much, but enough to know

that he was a precious jewel on this earth.

Currently, I'm trying to get my bearings as far as

the various yogic paths,

but I really am a green beginner. I've just

gotten a set of CD's by Georg

Feuerstein on the "Lost Teachings of

Yoga," which is a good introduction to

the wide umbrella of yoga and yogic

practices. His book, which I intend to

get next, is entitled "The Yoga

Traditions" is more of a textbook and goes

into real depth.

I tend toward a nondualist approach but that is my

nature. Unfortunately,

as yet I have no idea what yogic path would suit

this disposition.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to this part of my

journey.

In the meantime, my husband and I have become

vegans and our health is

improving.

I would most welcome any comments, suggestions, observations.

Thanks,

Rose