Guest guest Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Dharma Journal Authentic Dharma for Today's World ___________ March 19th, 2007 - Founded in 1998 The Teachings of the Bhagavad Gita THE INDESTRUCTIBLE SPIRIT TRANSCENDS MIND AND SPEECH Some look upon this Spirit as a wonder, another describes it as wonderful, and others hear of it as a wonder. Even after hearing about it very few people know what the Spirit is. (See also KaU 2.07) (2.29) O Arjuna, the Spirit that dwells in the body of all beings is eternally indestructible. Therefore, you should not mourn for anybody. (2.30) LORD KRISHNA REMINDS ARJUNA OF HIS DUTY AS A WARRIOR Considering also your duty as a warrior you should not waver like this. Because there is nothing more auspicious for a warrior than a righteous war. (2.31) Only the fortunate warriors, O Arjuna, get such an opportunity for an unsought war that is like an open door to heaven. (2.32) If you will not fight this righteous war, then you will fail in your duty, lose your reputation, and incur sin. (2.33) People will talk about your disgrace forever. To the honored, dishonor is worse than death. (2.34) The great warriors will think that you have retreated from the battle out of fear. Those who have greatly esteemed you will lose respect for you. (2.35) Your enemies will speak many unmentionable words and scorn your ability. What could be more painful to you than this? (2.36) You will go to heaven if killed on the line of duty, or you will enjoy the kingdom on the earth if victorious. Therefore, get up with a determination to fight, O Arjuna. (2.37) Treating pleasure and pain, gain and loss, and victory and defeat alike, engage yourself in your duty. By doing your duty this way you will not incur sin. (2.38) __________ Strive for Excellence! " Strive always for excellence in all things. Admire the greatest exemplars. Dream the greatest dreams. Seek the loftiest goals. Cultivate the most valuable virtues in yourself. Never settle for your lesser self. In all striving, however, always seek to do Good. Never seek the path of self-aggrandizement. " - Dr. Frank Morales _________ Is There Evidence for Reincarnation? By Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya (Dr. Frank Morales) I've often been asked about what evidence there is for the process of reincarnation. To answer this question properly, it depends on what someone means by the term " evidence " . Since reincarnation is a metaphysical reality (meta = " beyond " ; physical = " material " ), and not a material one, it doesn't stand to reason that there can really be scientific " evidence " per se. A non-material, metaphysical reality simply cannot be grasped by merely material physical means. That doesn't mean, though, that reincarnation can't be proven. After all, we can know that many other non-material things exist that cannot be proven scientifically or empirically. For example, we all know that we have minds…yet no one can really see a mind. We can't examine a mind in a microscope, nor can we put a mind in a test- tube. The proof for your mind's existence is that we can infer that you have a mind because you act intelligently: you display the attributes and actions of one who has a mind. In the same way, reincarnation cannot be proven through scientific experimentation…but it can be proven through inference and logic. One of the most powerful arguments for upholding the fact of reincarnation is that, without the existence of reincarnation and karma (reincarnation and karma are inseparable; you can't have one without the other), the existence of human suffering has no explanation and no coherent meaning. Logically speaking, we can only explain the meaning of suffering in the world by inferring the fact of reincarnation and karma. If each of us merely pops into existence at the moment of conception, and did not have a pre-existence previous to the creation of this body, then how do we explain the fact that some people are born with terrible birth defects (blindness, lacking a limb, etc.), and others are not? How can a merciful and loving God allow some babies to be born fine and healthy, and others to be born in a terrible state of pain and suffering? Simply claiming that such instances are merely " divine mysteries " is just avoiding the question. The only explanation for suffering that does not make God seem either unjust or impotent is the concept of reincarnation/karma. More, we also see that people are all born with very different capacities, talents, attributes, and personalities. As much as we want to pretend that all human beings are born as complete tabula rasas, or blank slates, the truth is that none of us are born with equal intrinsic faculties. Some people are born with more of an inherent talent to be creative and artistic than others. Some are born more cerebral and intelligent than others. Some are born 7 feet tall and can become famous basketball players, while some are 5 feet tall, and cannot. Again, the only logical explanation for why a just and merciful God would allow people to be born with such diverse and unequal qualities is reincarnation and karma. The concept of reincarnation and karma is a principle of both universal justice and radical freedom of the individual to create his/her own destiny. This concept teaches us that with every thought, action and word containing ethical-content that we engage in, we are freely creating who we are – and who we will be in the future. When we perform actions that are of an ethically positive and good nature, we are directly affecting our own consciousness in such a way as to purify and ennoble who we are. Conversely, when we perform actions that arise from selfishness, egotism, and negativity, we are ensuring that our future only holds darkness and sorrow. So, the concept of reincarnation and karma, ultimately, is a positive and hopeful concept of radical freedom, in which each and every one of us has the ability, moment to moment, to freely create both ourselves and our destinies. With every decision we make today, we are creating our own futures, our own destinies, and our own future lives. Such is the grace and love of God that He gives us the complete freedom either to choose to know Him, or to flee from His face. The choice to do one or the other is ours, and ours alone. ______ Announcements: 1) Another New York Teaching Tour Dr. Morales' last teaching tour of the New York area was so successful that he'll be returning to the area this week for a brief visit. Dr. Morales will be on another teaching tour of the New York City area from March 22 - March 26th. Among other places, Dr. Morales will be conducting a large Sunday morning satsangh at the Milan Mandir in Queens. For further information on Dr. Morales' itinerary, please contact Srimati Nandarani Sahadeo at: (718) 835- 2269. 2) Pensacola Teaching Tour Dr. Morales will be delivering three talks in Pensacola, Florida March 31 - April 2. Among other venues, he will be delivering a lecture to professors and students at the University of West Florida. For further information on Dr. Morales' schedule, please contact Professor Lal Goel: lgoel. 3) Dallas Teaching Tour Dr. Morales will be in the Dallas/Fort Worth area April 6 - 9. Among other activities, he will be appearing live on the " Namaste " radio show answering people's questions on Dharma; he will conduct a large satsangh at the Dallas Hindu Caribbean Temple; and he will be holding a major talk at the Dallas Hindu Temple. For further information, please contact Mr. Sashi Kejriwal at: 972-333-5705. 4) New Dharma Store Service: Dharma Central now has a new on-line Dharma store available for all your Yoga and Hindu needs. We have many beautiful Om tee-shirts, Yoga pants and clothing, mugs, bumper stickers and many other great gift items. Please support the work of Dharma Central by purchasing something fun for yourself or a loved one today! To see our many uniquely beautiful products, please visit us at: http://www.cafepress.com/supportstore All purchase donations go directly to supporting the important work of Dharma Central. Thank you! 5) Continued Rapid Growth of the " Dr. Frank Morales List " !: The " Dr. Frank Morales List " , which includes Dharma Journal, is now fastest growing group on Hinduism on all of Groups! Of over 4200 different Hindu groups on , Dr. Morales' list is ranked #59 in size. If you know of anyone who would like to join this list, please forward their email addresses to: info. 6) " The Shakti Principle " Website: Dr. Morales' newest book, " The Shakti Principle: Encountering the Feminine Power of God " , is now available on-line. This is a must read for anyone interested in personal spiritual growth, having deeper meaning in their lives, or creating positive social change. Please visit us on the web, and order your copy of this deeply thought-provoking work today! Great as a gift for someone you love! http://www.dharmacentral.com/Store/Shakti_Principle.htm 7) Arisearjuna.org Our good friend, Sri Vrindavan Parker, has started a new informative website: http://www.arisearjuna.org/ Vrindavan Parker is an important American Hindu leader and one of the most knowledgeable and active Hindu activists in the nation. Please support his work. Inspired by readings in the Bhagavad Gita, the study of Vedanta and the timeless Wisdom of the Ancients, the Arise Arjuna Foundation has been formed for the betterment of all Mankind. The Foundation actively seeks and involves the world's leading experts in various fields of study related to the Arise Arjuna initiative. Our website is a resource for the public at large. It will regularly feature articles, interviews and news items through which Scholars, Gurus, Acharyas and Experts will share their collective wisdom with our readers. ______ For further information on the philosophy and path of Dharma, please visit us on the web: http://www.dharmacentral.com drmoraleslist/ http://www.cafepress.com/supportstore http://www.dharmacentral.com/Store/Shakti_Principle.htm Thank you to all our many members and readers for your enthusiastic support and encouragement of Dharma Journal and the teaching efforts of Dr. Frank Morales. We couldn't accomplish anything without your well-wishes. Please feel free to forward this Dharma Journal newsletter to all your friends, family, and discussion lists interested in Sanatana Dharma, meditation, and Yoga spirituality. © 2007, Dharma Journal. Volume 9, issue 5 Welcome to the Dharma Revolution! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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