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Spot freaking on. Showing up for yourself by diving into a practice that rejuvenates your spirit-that is certainly what I have found in my study of astrology and some other things. Holy moly. Loving this and so thankful!
I love how CS Lewis (not sure which book) used the metaphor of being in a long hallway with doors. Each door representing different denominations or religions. And we can be very good people in the hallway having a peek into each room but until we walk into a room and wrestle with the discipline or discipleship we will not have faith and all the fruits of the spirit.
Your description of spirtual practice and its importance to our daily life is so good. For my part, I found myself following symbols given me by an Empath in a meditative session. This brought me to follow the Sufi path which has helped me enormously in maintaining my connection with source. It has also brought me to develop a capacity to understand energy and now to become a body psychotherapist. In relation to setting goals with my clients, I would never set out with the goal - far better to look at the horizon - I find it more realistic. I do love how you explain everything from the centre, the core of life, rather than more of the duality that is offered everywhere these days. In gratitude, Anne, Oxford, UK
Thanks for presenting such a great topic. It would be good to hear who your teachers and influencers are from the older Bhakti tradition. Also, it's worth mentioning that millions of people use astrology in their religion and in practices and have done so for centuries. Even in the U.S., many Hindu temples have stations to the planets. Haribol everyone!
I think of spiritual as much more authentic than religious. I guess religious reminds me of my upbringing in the Catholic Church where I quickly saw the facade and superficial hypocritical behavior. Many people have a regular spiritual practice and don’t have to succumb to some kind of organized religion. But I agree, being consistent in your practice is key.
People would always laugh at me when they knew that I'm into Astrology. But I always say to myself that they just don't know how Astrology help develop my Spiritual practices in my life. I came from a Catholic Christian background before and there's this article I read a few years ago while I was new in Astrology about how the 7 classical planets are associated to '7 capital sins' and '7 Christian virtues'. After I read that article, I fell in love with Astrology even more. Also how the Tree of Life of Kabbalistic Astrology explains the evolution of human soul with the planets. This is such a wonderful video. Thank you for this sir and Happy Holidays from Philippines. ✨🎄🎁
You have impressed me once again with the symbolic underpinning of your understanding. My form of religious practice manifests through writing. Yet, the 'double bind' of that particular ligature is cynicism. To whom and what am I yoking my Self? Do I bind myself to a mast of skepticism so that I may survive the seductive songs of destructive sirens? Has my quest for the perfection of form not limited the market for my ideas? Is the pearl of great price thrown to demon maddened swine the bane of prophetic preoccupations? Too much of any good is bad! Thanks for listening!
Thank you! I'd love so much to know from you the nature and differences of Bhakti yoga and Buddhism, I heard you mentioning some of them once in a while, but it would be great (at least for me) to hear your reflection on this topic, although you're a monk (Bhakti yoga) ;) Thanks for being an important part of my spiritual practice (I love the images of the waves!)
Another terrific discussion, thank you. On the point of giving a religious system a year to try out: at a minimum, absolutely. (Unless there's abuse or harm being done. Unfortunately, abuse does occur in religious contexts as much as any other. No one should stick with something if real abuse is going on.) Where "spiritual" vs. "religious" is concerned, I don't think these terms are synonymous, yet they're often used interchangeably, even in the video. I don't think this is where the issue lies, in re consistent vs. inconsistent practice. "Spirit" is from the Latin "spiritus," which is a translation of the biblical Greek "pneuma" and Hebrew "ruach," both of which refer to breath or wind; versus, as Acyuta-bhava pointed out, "religion," from Latin "religio" meaning yoked or bound together. I think the difference many modern people feel between being spiritual and being religious is revealed in the etymology: "spiritual" is ephemeral, a feeling, often related to a sense of awe, maybe mystery; something that shifts and pulls us now one way, now another; it is free-floating and may come and go. As the Gospel of John (3:8) has it: "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (King James Version). Interestingly, the translation of this passage matters very much. Some versions, like the Aramaic Bible in Plain English, translate it similarly to this: "The Spirit breathes where he will, and you hear his voice, but you do not know from where he comes and where he goes; thus is everyone who is born from The Spirit.” It depends on how the translator wishes to render it, but the sense is similar. "Religious," on the other hand, is a sense of dedication or even obligation or commitment, whether to a path, a god, or a community. One can practice piano religiously -- that is, with total dedication and consistency. But although one may feel inspired (literally blown/breathed upon, from Latin "inspirare": "blow into, breathe upon") while practicing, we don't generally speak of practicing piano spiritually. People who participate in religion may or may not feel inspired at any given moment. Religious practice doesn't guarantee it, as many religious people will attest. But that's not the point; in fact, waiting upon a spiritual high is contrary to the point of religion. The point is the showing up, the consistency, regardless of how one feels about it in the moment, as Acyuta-bhava emphasized. Here's where I think the issue lies: both Smith (who speaks on a few podcasts and videos I found) and Cornelius point out that there's a difference between being religious and thinking about being religious -- or thinking about religion as a topic. One can read and talk about religion, but unless one participates in it, one never reaps the benefit of consistent practice. Spiritual feelings come and go, quite as the wind does. The greatest teachers all warn against hanging one's practice upon them. Because if one waits around to feel spiritual/inspired, or does rituals, etc., *only* to get a spiritual "high," one is bound to be rootless and disappointed, lost in the attempt to jump from one moment of ecstasy to another. Instead, the wise cultivate the habit of *showing up* regularly, so that when a spiritual/inspired moment happens, one has a ready framework/container for it. This preparation affords the greatest possibility that the spiritual moment will be *meaningful* -- experienced as a transcendent moment within a larger context, not as an addictive high that one then chases, often to the individual soul's detriment. Very interested in reading Smith's book, especially as an accompaniment to Cornelius's "Moment of Astrology," in which participation is very much the point.
Thanks, liked this video. Find your stances are often a bit more conservative than my own, but in a way that makes me want to keep watching instead of being a turn-off :) Definitely a big part of it is knowing you have control over religion--spiritual not religious can root into control. Some religions-of-origin tell you unless you believe what you were born in, you are damned. Personally find that quite manipulative, and it may be what people are backing away from when they renounce structured religion
"In ancient Greece, however, the principal carriers of intellectualism and theological rationalization were not priests or prophets, but secular philosophers who lacked religious authority.” Intellectuals and Religion in Ancient Greece: Notes on a Weberian Theme Joseph M. Bryant The British Journal of Sociology Vol. 37, No. 2 (Jun., 1986), pp. 269-296 (28 pages) Published By: Wiley
I read many sacred texts, among which is the bible, and in the book of Matthew (13:1-23), Jesus tells the parable of the Sower and the Seeds that illustrates the principles you've talked about here. The Tao de Ching probably addresses this from beginning to end, really. The New Age movement really helped to expose many esoteric principles and practices that were mostly unknown to anyone but serious practitioners previously, but it has also had the effect of cheapening them. The teachings have been diluted (to introduce them, but we have to move beyond milk for babies!) and there is little-to-no emphasis on the necessary commitment for deep practice, which is how anything is birthed from it, sort of like "twilight birth" which we now know was a terrible idea and practice that resulted in a lack of necessary human connection through trauma and hardship-bonding, which disturbed and disrupted the purpose of both birthing and nurture (apt analogy, I think)! You really can't do any of this wrong, but there are definitely easier and harder ways, and they don't always/often correlate to benefit and detriment the way we assume! Hard can be beneficial and easy can be damaging, and vice versa. Life is so interesting. Like your advice to choose something and do it for a yr, I also emphasize in my own life to "just decide." If it's wrong for me, then I know through experience, and if it's right, I know by the same means, and then I get to make another decision. I really enjoyed this talk and yesterday's also- actually I always enjoy listening to your videos and classes :) Thank you, Acyuta
I think religion is also a set of beliefs that are man-made. i.e. Baptist, catholic etc. I think people mean that they don’t believe in the beliefs of a man-made religion. I think everyone is on a different level of understanding as your seeking a power greater than yourself.
I saw an eye in a triangle when I meditated this past January. I’ve been told it’s the all seeing eye of God and I’ve been told it’s evil. People are so disconnected with God.
How did you intuitively feel when you saw it? It's interesting to get people's views on what it might mean if you are curious about it, and also after sitting with it for a while, the meaning comes to you through introspection that you can feel in your center, is correct for you. Some would say this answer would come from the same Divine source which sits next to you in your heart, that revealed the image to start with, but wanted you to meditate on it more for your own personal and intimate realization
I think religion is also a set of beliefs that are man-made. i.e. Baptist, catholic etc. I think people mean that they don’t believe in the beliefs of a man-made religion. I think everyone is on a different level of understanding as your seeking a power greater than yourself.
Support my work in 2021 through my Kickstarter campaign, and pick up a reward here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/nightlight2020/nightlight-daily-horoscopes-2021
I can’t help but believe that it was my astrology that “brought you” into my life at this time as a spiritual teacher! Grateful!
Spot freaking on. Showing up for yourself by diving into a practice that rejuvenates your spirit-that is certainly what I have found in my study of astrology and some other things. Holy moly. Loving this and so thankful!
"Religion is not an institution, it's a way of life". So wise and inspiring video! :)
I love how CS Lewis (not sure which book) used the metaphor of being in a long hallway with doors. Each door representing different denominations or religions. And we can be very good people in the hallway having a peek into each room but until we walk into a room and wrestle with the discipline or discipleship we will not have faith and all the fruits of the spirit.
I love cats voice
Beautiful message. Love the depth of your work. Best astrologer I've come across.
This was beautiful, thank you.
Really appreciate the boat metaphor and commitment to a practice.
Your description of spirtual practice and its importance to our daily life is so good. For my part, I found myself following symbols given me by an Empath in a meditative session. This brought me to follow the Sufi path which has helped me enormously in maintaining my connection with source. It has also brought me to develop a capacity to understand energy and now to become a body psychotherapist. In relation to setting goals with my clients, I would never set out with the goal - far better to look at the horizon - I find it more realistic. I do love how you explain everything from the centre, the core of life, rather than more of the duality that is offered everywhere these days. In gratitude, Anne, Oxford, UK
Yes, it’s a verb - well stated. Thank you!
Thanks for presenting such a great topic. It would be good to hear who your teachers and influencers are from the older Bhakti tradition. Also, it's worth mentioning that millions of people use astrology in their religion and in practices and have done so for centuries. Even in the U.S., many Hindu temples have stations to the planets. Haribol everyone!
I think of spiritual as much more authentic than religious. I guess religious reminds me of my upbringing in the Catholic Church where I quickly saw the facade and superficial hypocritical behavior. Many people have a regular spiritual practice and don’t have to succumb to some kind of organized religion. But I agree, being consistent in your practice is key.
Thank you so much again! My brain truly liked the parable of the boat!
19:30 so true, thats how I became an astrolatrist. This ART (Astrology) and SCIENCE (Astronomy) has become a PHILLOSOPHY/RELIGION (Astrolatry).
I can't think of a simple comment for this. But very good info. Thanks!
People would always laugh at me when they knew that I'm into Astrology. But I always say to myself that they just don't know how Astrology help develop my Spiritual practices in my life.
I came from a Catholic Christian background before and there's this article I read a few years ago while I was new in Astrology about how the 7 classical planets are associated to '7 capital sins' and '7 Christian virtues'. After I read that article, I fell in love with Astrology even more. Also how the Tree of Life of Kabbalistic Astrology explains the evolution of human soul with the planets.
This is such a wonderful video. Thank you for this sir and Happy Holidays from Philippines. ✨🎄🎁
Book: “Religious but not Religious “ Jason Smith
You have impressed me once again with the symbolic underpinning of your understanding. My form of religious practice manifests through writing. Yet, the 'double bind' of that particular ligature is cynicism. To whom and what am I yoking my Self? Do I bind myself to a mast of skepticism so that I may survive the seductive songs of destructive sirens? Has my quest for the perfection of form not limited the market for my ideas? Is the pearl of great price thrown to demon maddened swine the bane of prophetic preoccupations? Too much of any good is bad! Thanks for listening!
Thank you!! xx
Spiritual practice isn't a matter of making perfect, just habitual.
Thank you! I'd love so much to know from you the nature and differences of Bhakti yoga and Buddhism, I heard you mentioning some of them once in a while, but it would be great (at least for me) to hear your reflection on this topic, although you're a monk (Bhakti yoga) ;) Thanks for being an important part of my spiritual practice (I love the images of the waves!)
Another terrific discussion, thank you. On the point of giving a religious system a year to try out: at a minimum, absolutely. (Unless there's abuse or harm being done. Unfortunately, abuse does occur in religious contexts as much as any other. No one should stick with something if real abuse is going on.)
Where "spiritual" vs. "religious" is concerned, I don't think these terms are synonymous, yet they're often used interchangeably, even in the video. I don't think this is where the issue lies, in re consistent vs. inconsistent practice.
"Spirit" is from the Latin "spiritus," which is a translation of the biblical Greek "pneuma" and Hebrew "ruach," both of which refer to breath or wind; versus, as Acyuta-bhava pointed out, "religion," from Latin "religio" meaning yoked or bound together. I think the difference many modern people feel between being spiritual and being religious is revealed in the etymology: "spiritual" is ephemeral, a feeling, often related to a sense of awe, maybe mystery; something that shifts and pulls us now one way, now another; it is free-floating and may come and go. As the Gospel of John (3:8) has it: "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (King James Version). Interestingly, the translation of this passage matters very much. Some versions, like the Aramaic Bible in Plain English, translate it similarly to this: "The Spirit breathes where he will, and you hear his voice, but you do not know from where he comes and where he goes; thus is everyone who is born from The Spirit.” It depends on how the translator wishes to render it, but the sense is similar.
"Religious," on the other hand, is a sense of dedication or even obligation or commitment, whether to a path, a god, or a community. One can practice piano religiously -- that is, with total dedication and consistency. But although one may feel inspired (literally blown/breathed upon, from Latin "inspirare": "blow into, breathe upon") while practicing, we don't generally speak of practicing piano spiritually. People who participate in religion may or may not feel inspired at any given moment. Religious practice doesn't guarantee it, as many religious people will attest. But that's not the point; in fact, waiting upon a spiritual high is contrary to the point of religion. The point is the showing up, the consistency, regardless of how one feels about it in the moment, as Acyuta-bhava emphasized.
Here's where I think the issue lies: both Smith (who speaks on a few podcasts and videos I found) and Cornelius point out that there's a difference between being religious and thinking about being religious -- or thinking about religion as a topic. One can read and talk about religion, but unless one participates in it, one never reaps the benefit of consistent practice. Spiritual feelings come and go, quite as the wind does. The greatest teachers all warn against hanging one's practice upon them. Because if one waits around to feel spiritual/inspired, or does rituals, etc., *only* to get a spiritual "high," one is bound to be rootless and disappointed, lost in the attempt to jump from one moment of ecstasy to another. Instead, the wise cultivate the habit of *showing up* regularly, so that when a spiritual/inspired moment happens, one has a ready framework/container for it. This preparation affords the greatest possibility that the spiritual moment will be *meaningful* -- experienced as a transcendent moment within a larger context, not as an addictive high that one then chases, often to the individual soul's detriment.
Very interested in reading Smith's book, especially as an accompaniment to Cornelius's "Moment of Astrology," in which participation is very much the point.
Thank you!! Brilliant points 👏 👍
@@Adam-Elenbaas Thank YOU! ❤️
Living an symbolic life.
Same as living an empathic life?
Thanks, liked this video. Find your stances are often a bit more conservative than my own, but in a way that makes me want to keep watching instead of being a turn-off :) Definitely a big part of it is knowing you have control over religion--spiritual not religious can root into control. Some religions-of-origin tell you unless you believe what you were born in, you are damned. Personally find that quite manipulative, and it may be what people are backing away from when they renounce structured religion
"In ancient Greece, however, the principal carriers of intellectualism and theological rationalization were not priests or prophets, but secular philosophers who lacked religious authority.”
Intellectuals and Religion in Ancient Greece: Notes on a Weberian Theme
Joseph M. Bryant
The British Journal of Sociology
Vol. 37, No. 2 (Jun., 1986), pp. 269-296 (28 pages)
Published By: Wiley
Secular philosophers isn't an accurate description, at all, unfortunately, but its true that they were not institutional priests.
I read many sacred texts, among which is the bible, and in the book of Matthew (13:1-23), Jesus tells the parable of the Sower and the Seeds that illustrates the principles you've talked about here. The Tao de Ching probably addresses this from beginning to end, really. The New Age movement really helped to expose many esoteric principles and practices that were mostly unknown to anyone but serious practitioners previously, but it has also had the effect of cheapening them. The teachings have been diluted (to introduce them, but we have to move beyond milk for babies!) and there is little-to-no emphasis on the necessary commitment for deep practice, which is how anything is birthed from it, sort of like "twilight birth" which we now know was a terrible idea and practice that resulted in a lack of necessary human connection through trauma and hardship-bonding, which disturbed and disrupted the purpose of both birthing and nurture (apt analogy, I think)! You really can't do any of this wrong, but there are definitely easier and harder ways, and they don't always/often correlate to benefit and detriment the way we assume! Hard can be beneficial and easy can be damaging, and vice versa. Life is so interesting. Like your advice to choose something and do it for a yr, I also emphasize in my own life to "just decide." If it's wrong for me, then I know through experience, and if it's right, I know by the same means, and then I get to make another decision. I really enjoyed this talk and yesterday's also- actually I always enjoy listening to your videos and classes :) Thank you, Acyuta
Adam, you’re talking very Saturn-Ian 😆😄😇 points taken. And on the money for this 6th house Aqua:)
15:40 ask your gaurdians
I think religion is also a set of beliefs that are man-made. i.e. Baptist, catholic etc. I think people mean that they don’t believe in the beliefs of a man-made religion. I think everyone is on a different level of understanding as your seeking a power greater than yourself.
🙏🔥💚as always
I saw an eye in a triangle when I meditated this past January. I’ve been told it’s the all seeing eye of God and I’ve been told it’s evil. People are so disconnected with God.
How did you intuitively feel when you saw it? It's interesting to get people's views on what it might mean if you are curious about it, and also after sitting with it for a while, the meaning comes to you through introspection that you can feel in your center, is correct for you. Some would say this answer would come from the same Divine source which sits next to you in your heart, that revealed the image to start with, but wanted you to meditate on it more for your own personal and intimate realization
You can't have spiritual without ritual...
I think religion is also a set of beliefs that are man-made. i.e. Baptist, catholic etc. I think people mean that they don’t believe in the beliefs of a man-made religion. I think everyone is on a different level of understanding as your seeking a power greater than yourself.