Tulsi Gabbard
Hawaiian Congresswoman’s YouTube video speaks for itself.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
Neti, Neti, Neti
I have been working with a fitness coach/trainer for a while now. It has been a lot of fun. He is excellent. I have noticed that I am quite sensitive to how he responds to me. I sometimes wonder how he feels about a question I have… if he feels like he has already answered it or it is silly, etc. I recall, years ago, feeling similarly with my spiritual teach, professors, etc. The image of me that they held was important to me.
These recollections and current experiences with my coach/trainer have been good. It has brought to light (again) the sensitivity I am sure a number of you have with respect to your interactions with me. I think this is particularly true in the spiritual area when the path is often viewed as one of Neti, Neti, Neti… not that, not that, not that. It could feel like everything you say is wrong. I know that such a response, even from my coach/trainer would be difficult for me.
I want to make it very clear to you all, that the path to enlightenment leaves one with nothing, NO-THING, to cling to. The transcendent is an abstraction, not a concrete concept or ‘thing’. Though infinitely solid and stable, it is also infinitely boundless and without edge or handle to cling to. Any ‘thing’ is not it… not that… neti, neti, neti. You rest into it, rest upon it, like a sort of cosmic cushion. It lies beyond relativity. So it is out of my love and devotion for you, that I keep pointing you in the direction of that which lies beyond all relativity. I love all your questions. I never judge you for them. I am your devoted helper.
Remember that every point has a counter point. Every notion has an equally valid yet contradictory notion. My job is to free you. Anything you cling to is Not That. Please do not forget, that my corrections or introduction of contradictory points to what you may be holding on to is not a judgment of you. Please do not feel that I have made you wrong. It is only to keep you moving forward… to keep your vision looking beyond the horizon and not locked on to a fixed notion, position, or principle. You are the transcendent, the divine, the absolute. My purpose is to awaken you to that. Enlightenment is not about adding anything, it is only about taking away reliance upon that which is Neti, Neti, Neti.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
2014: The Year of Manifestation
2011 was The Year of Change.
2012 was the Year of Positivity.
2013 was the Year of Realization.
2014 is the Year of Manifestation. A couple days ago, that came to me ‘from out of the blue’. It seemed a pretty bold declaration, but somehow I knew it was right. Just yesterday, I came to realize why that is so.
Regarding New Years Resolutions, my favorite fitness coach offered the following:
“It’s NOT about quick fixes. It’s about the LIFE-long journey.”
Wishing you all a happy, fulfilling, and evolutionary LIFE-long journey through higher and higher levels of enlightenment.
Happy New Year!
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
The Guru
“So long as you have faith in your Guru, nothing will be able to obstruct your way.” — Vivekananda, 1896
This quote (that Marty provided) is one of the most beautiful things I have recently seen. It immediately made me think of my teacher. Through his presence and his words, he touched a place within me. It is as if he somehow lit a candle deep within me that once lit, could never go out. The guru lights the way. It has struck me over the years to see people who have read and studied Vedic knowledge without the influence of a true, real, and living guru. It underscores for me the understanding that real spiritual knowledge can not be attained from books. It is too subtle. Such knowledge succumbs to the ‘I get it syndrome’. People think they ‘get it’, but they do not. The words may be there, but the understanding is not. As it is said, knowledge exists in the gaps between the words. It is the guru that clarifies the knowledge.
The spiritual tragedy of our time is that so many think of themselves as spiritually knowledgeable, when they are not. Then many of them go out and teach, leading so many well intended people astray.
Finding a real guru is far more challenging and precious than many understand. All too often people are swayed by the drama or presentation: flowing robes, an appealing accent, a trip abroad, an awe inspiring moment and they are convinced they found a real living guru. Real gurus are far rarer than most spiritual seekers can even imagine.
The truth is, finding a real guru has more to do with the depth of their being and knowledge than any superficial criterion you may be holding on to. And depth of knowledge does not mean volume of facts memorized. More is not better. Better is better.
Now why would Vivekananda say ‘so long as you have faith in your Guru…?” Isn’t faith in your guru a given? Well, not always. I have seen people walk away from a real teacher for the most ridiculous reasons. Maybe they projected on to the guru that he did not like them. Maybe the guru’s correction of the person’s behavior or thinking pushed the ego too much. Some people cannot tolerate the idea that they were wrong or behaved in a not ideal manner. When you are too vested in the ego, it can seem intolerable at times to even have a guru.
Once someone said to my guru, “I love you so much, but what if you asked me to go jump off a cliff? Should I do it?” My guru responded with a shaking of his head “no”, as he said, “You know me by my teachings.” Faith in the guru means knowing him by his teachings… knowing him by what he touches deep within you through those teachings. There will be times when a glance or action of the guru may not sit completely right with you. That may be more about you than him. He is a being that is acting in this world… a world of imperfection. To live better, you must look deeper. By all means, be discerning. Any real guru would insist upon that. But be clear on who and what he really is and do not judge him by inane criterion that you have, in reality, come to him to help you overcome.
More than a few times throughout the years I have been told I live in accord with my teachings and never contradict myself or those teachings. My teacher was that way. It resonated with the divinity within me and has guided my life all these years. Divinity is within you. It IS you. The guru just more fully awakens you to it. Stay with that and “nothing will be able to obstruct your way.”
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
New Year’s Resolutions
I have two personal offices in my home. One is a traditional sort of office. The other is my home gym. It is a place where I go not just to workout, but also to hangout. It gives my mind some space… a different type of space to reflect, ponder, and plan my day. Before I exercise, I warm up with a foam roller, etc. Often during part of the warm up, I will put on the television and tune in and out of listening to the news. One newly added and essential part of that space is my dry erase board. Currently, I have the following written on that board:
Better is better.
Earn it. Mean it.
Let’s get serious.
Regarding ‘Better is better’, it points out that more is not better. Better is better.
Now this for me is all about one thing: Fascination. The quotes (simple as they are) fascinate me. To may they say a lot about the human psyche.
If I have a secret to my life, it is that I pursue what fascinates me. Of course, along with that path are things I do not like but must do… such as paying taxes. However, I do not allow those things to cloud my fascination. Furthermore, for something to really, really fascinate me, it must be something I really, really believe in.
Just this morning my daughter asked me to check her math homework for her. As usual, when she began reading a math problem, I stopped her. I told her that I need to have control of my mind when I do math… i.e. to read at my own pace and rhythm. As I usually do with my kids (sometimes eliciting a roll of their eyes) I, waxing philosophical, generalize the point. I told her that she needs to be able to take control of her own mind in life. That is called focus.
So if you want my suggestion for a possible New Year’s Resolution: Find something that really fascinates you. See what is in it that you believe in. And then focus on making it so in your life.
Belief and fascination are the fuels of passion and progress.
This time of year a common resolution is to exercise and get healthy. That is not enough. Why you believe in it… well… that is probably simple enough… good health, feel better, look better, etc. But that is not enough. Find the fascination in it. Fascination with how the human physiology works… Fascination with how your psyche works in relation to it… whatever it may be that fascinates you about it. THEN you are ready to take control of your mind and focus. Part of the focus may include research. The Internet makes that easy. Just remember that life is a string of failures as you pursue what you believe in. That is called the churning process, like when the Gods and Asuras had their tug of war, out of which came the nectar of immortality. Remember: Forward, forward, always forward. And do what it takes to accommodate YOUR process, if it is having to read the math problem for yourself, or finding a way to ease in to the gym… like saying you will just go roll around on the floor for a few minutes with the tv on. Work with your psyche – don’t fight it.
If you fight your psyche, you will lose.
Lastly but importantly, I read an article today about habits. The idea was the neurons in the brain become linked so that when one fires, the other automatically fires as well. This conditions your mind to function a certain way and is the source of bad habits. Freeing up the nervous system is the way out of this. I call that clearing the samskaras, the programming of how you function. The best way of doing that is through proper meditation, which you can learn free on this website. Now there is a New Year’s Resolution for you: meditate regularly. But hold on here. First get clear on why you really believe in meditation [many good reasons like evolution, health, freedom from any and all bad habits, etc… just take your pick]. Then find your fascination with that: fascination with the notion of enlightenment, health, etc. etc… whatever works for you. Then focus… and do whatever YOU need to do for YOUR psyche to keep it going… maybe even a dry erase board would help inspire you to keep up your belief, fascination, and focus.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Regardless of religious affinity or nationality, Christmas is a time we can all celebrate the birth of a great soul. Whatever degree the accuracy of facts that surround his life, they wax insignificant in proportion to the Truth of the Absolute he has touched in the lives of so many throughout the centuries. With dignity and courage, he stood up for the Divinity that dwells within us all. What greater thing could be asked of any being?
And in that regard, you all have my deepest respect. The path to enlightenment does indeed require dignity and courage. Your commitment to that is most honorable. It is not always easy. But forward, forward, always forward we go. We at times stumble, yet we again stand tall and continue. I could not be prouder, nor could I be more grateful than to have the opportunity to be by your side as we continue upon this most laudable path.
With deeply heartful gratitude and joy, a Merry Christmas to you, one and all.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
Sin and Salvation
In the USA, the television show called ‘Duck Dynasty’ has become very popular. Though I have never watched the show, I understand that an interview of its main patriarch triggered a great deal of controversy when he talked about what he saw as sin and the path to salvation.
To fathom all this, we must first understand that there is an underlying essence to all of life and existence. Modern science calls it the Unified Field. Theologians call it God. Everything in essence, is that unified field. It is the source of all that is… the source of all the intelligence and harmony that birth all of existence. It is nature, Mother Nature. Your own true nature is one with Mother Nature. You are, in essence, the unified field, i.e. one with God.
So what is sin? You could say that it quite simply is not living in harmony with your own true nature. That is the same as not living in harmony with Nature, Mother Nature, God, the Unified Field, etc. Clearly then, there are varying degrees of sin. Though simplistic, it is good that humanity has been provided with certain rules or laws to help people live in harmony with Nature. But where do you draw the line? When do these guidelines cease to be supportive and become oppressive? And who says the rules are really all correct or correctly understood? And are there exceptions to them? For example, with regard to ‘thou shalt not kill’ is there ever an exception? These matters can and are debated ad nausea. Opinions abound. But in the final analysis, the answers cannot be derived intellectually. Even as times change, the laws of nature change. Techniques and rules that work in one age (such as holding your hands over your head indefinitely to gain powers) may not be right for another.
How then does one not sin? Well, starting with basic rules can be helpful, but they are only training wheels. Ultimately, to not sin is to spontaneously live in harmony with nature. And that is a physiological state. It is not a rulebook. Rules may assist in the process of attaining that state, but that state goes far beyond the reach of those rules. Furthermore, rules quickly deteriorate into a quagmire of dogma. What is the way out? Evolve. Grow toward enlightenment. Do not be simplistic in your understanding of what that means. Be discerning.
So what is salvation? Like everything in existence, there are many levels to it. Superficially, salvation is any sort of awakening or commitment to a deeper or wiser truth. For example, New Years resolutions are a sort of salvation or commitment to becoming a better you. Being ‘Born Again’ too is such a commitment or some level or degree of awakening. But there are an infinite number of awakenings. Some things that are viewed as awakenings may even be steps backward. Of course, the highest form of salvation is enlightenment… spontaneously living in harmony with Nature. But just get ready. When you see beyond the horizon, all who have their gaze fixed upon rules and laws will judge you in terms of what they are capable of seeing. It has been said that the enlightened, in this age of ignorance, are kicked around like a football. For now, no matter who you are, no matter how knowledgeable you may be in your studies of spirituality, know that you are in for new awakenings. Also know that when the great awakening comes, your understanding of everything, of all you think you know, will be turned over on its head… like a sock that was inside out being turned right side out. Discernment is the path to ultimate salvation. Wisdom is the path of discernment. Humility is the flip side of wisdom.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
Hormones in a Nutshell
The cycling of hormones in the body is an incredibly complex and intriguing science. I have read a fair amount from many difference sources on the subject. I recently found a book that offers an interesting perspective on the hormone cycles involved in nutrient metabolism very concisely and very well. It is called The Renegade Diet. If you are interested, a brief summary follows:
The nervous system has two aspects: the sympathetic (which involves outward action sometimes referred to as fight or flight) and the parasympathetic (which involves internal homeostasis or internal maintenance of the body). The sympathetic ‘takes over’ during the day while we are active. The parasympathetic takes over a night when we sleep and the body rebuilds.
Cortisol is a hormone that stimulates action, the sympathetic. It is naturally high in the morning. Insulin is a hormone that drives nutrients from carbohydrates into the cells of the body.
If you eat a lot of carbohydrates, you first get an insulin surge and a lot of energy, but that is followed by a hypoglycemic crash when you become sleepy (think post Thanksgiving dinner).
According to the book, there are three phases in healthy eating which conform to the eating habits that humans evolved through millions of years:
1) The evening feast of protein and healthy starchy carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin, white potatoes, etc.
This provides the nutrients for the body to rebuild over night. The carbohydrates spike insulin, which drives nutrients into the cells. Then the hypoglycemic crash occurs enabling one to get to sleep easily so the body can continue to regenerate all night. It is a natural time for Growth Hormone to be high, facilitating growth. This then is also the natural time for the nervous system’s parasympathetic phase. Minimal fats should be eaten at this time since fats and carbohydrates eaten together overwhelm the system and cause nutrients to be stored as fat instead of feeding the muscles and other cells of the body.
2) The 16-hour, overnight fast
This allows the food of the evening meal to be efficiently utilized. Growth hormone remains high throughout the fast, building the body. The fast also gives the digestive system time to rest and restore, rebuilding the enzyme stores, cells, etc.
3) The 8 hour daytime window to eat protein, veggies (for nutrients and fiber), and healthy fats like omega 3s, coconut oil, olive oil, etc.
This keeps the sympathetic nervous system ‘in charge,’ which prevents daytime hypoglycemic crash, thereby providing a full day of energy for an active, bright, clear, and dynamic life. Minimal glucose from carbohydrates in the system during this time has many health benefits:
• If carbohydrates are eaten often, then the cells become resistant to the spike of insulin post carbohydrate ingestion. This in time can lead to obesity and diabetes.
• The fatty acids in the blood are utilized as energy for the day. This ‘teaches’ to body to burn fat instead of storing it.
Too much stress causes too much cortisol to be released which creates abdominal fat and other health disadvantages. Coffee stimulates cortisol so a little in the morning, when cortisol is naturally high, is ok. However, coffee all day long and too much stress over stimulates cortisol, which is a problem.
Then comes the evening meal when the cycle starts again. There are many fine points involved but these are the basics. If you are interested there is plenty to read on the Internet. Many who follow this diet consider themselves to be on the 90% paleo diet.
One last hormone I would like to mention is Leptin. If you diet without a break, leptin forces the body to resist the process and you hit plateaus in your weight loss. Therefore, a couple of times a week, they recommend a fun meal of whatever you want… just not excessive. This actually speeds up weight loss and health.
So, there you have the basics. If you are interested you should certainly learn more about it before trying it out. Needless to say, consulting a doctor for any health issues before trying it out is wise.
Prior to eating along the lines of The Renegade Diet, I followed a more traditional six small meals a day. A takeoff on The Renegade Diet works better for me. The main way I deviate from The Renegade Diet is that I only eat one large carbohydrate meal in the evening, whereas some may eat carbs in the evening over a longer period of time. Also, for vegetarians, getting enough protein can be a challenge, but is certainly doable.
Personally, I find the whole arena of nutrition and physiology fascinating.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
What is Magic?
Magic is science that people do not understand yet. All science is a product of imagination. The only limit is that of the imagination. The Universe is a field… a unified field… of all possibilities.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
Do You Really Know What You Are Feeling… and Why?
From time to time, I receive email questions from someone who seems upset. Instead of a sincere desire to learn, the motivation of the questions seems to be to find a flaw in me and/or my teachings. The intent seems to be to make me wrong. I usually try to find a way to help the person. Truth is, that rarely works because they have already committed themselves to their attitude. But at least they have then heard something from me that may (if not right away then in the future as they reflect back) help them.
I believe that such resentment is often rooted in some sort of competitiveness. Perhaps a husband resents the fact that his wife likes my teachings and would prefer that she look to him for spiritual knowledge. Perhaps the person wants to see himself as an authority and therefore feels threatened or offended by me. Perhaps they feel they need to maintain their dogmatic world-view, feeling threatened by anything that may challenge their current understanding.
I hope the following response might be useful to anyone who may find himself feeling at odds with another person:
I sense hostility in the emails you send. I would like to suggest that you take a look at your motivations. What feelings, what emotions, lie within you when you write these emails? What do you really want from me? What is going on with you? I am not asking you to give me those answers. However, I do feel it would help you if you could honestly answer them for yourself… what you are really feeling about me, my teachings, and why. Just please remember that self-honesty is a most difficult task in such situations. Of course you could always deny any negative feelings. Perhaps then you could once and for all make me wrong in your eyes, which may in fact be what you have been hoping for all along. If that is so, consider this my gift to you.
With utmost sincerity,
Michael Mamas
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
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