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Ted & Denise stars in movie "Church in Your Living Room." Click for details and purchase info
Welcome to the First International Church of Christian Yoga. I am first minister Ted Self and my lovely fiance Denise Malone is secretary-treasurer of the church. The First International Church of Christian Yoga is an online church, established in 1998 to provide spiritual inspiration and resources. Our church is inspired by the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, but we are in no way affiliated with his Church, SRF, or any other church. We are however active members of SRF and we practice the kriya Yoga meditation technique of Paramahansa Yogananda. The symbol of our church is the sacred OM symbol embossed upon the cross of Jesus. We pray to both heavenly Father and to Divine mother, as well as to the SRF line of Gurus and saints and sages of all religions. We believe in the one true God, who has manifested through the ages in many different forms. We believe in reincarnation, and the law of karma, as ye sow, so shall ye reap. I quote from the Bible:
Revelation 3:12
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God.
This passage explains that for one who has overcome all worldly karma and desire, there shall be no more rebirths, but a glorious reunion with God in heaven. Also I quote from:
Matthew 17:12-13 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
This passage explains that John the Baptist was Elias in his previous incarnation, a sure indication of reincarnation.
I now quote from the Autobiography of a Yogi, by Paramahansa Yogananda:
Chapter 43
"The ordinary astral universe- not the subtler astral heaven, is peopled with millions of astralbeings who have come, more or less recently, from the earth, and also with scores of fairies, mermaids, fishes, animals, goblins, gnomes, demigods and spirits, all residing on different astral planets in accordance with karmic qualifications. Various spheric mansions or vibratory regions are provided for good and evil spirits. Good ones can travel freely, but the evil spirits are confined to limited zones. Visitors to the astral world dwell there for a longer or shorter period in accordance with the weight of their physical karma, which draws them back to earth within a specified time."
The limited zones refered to by the great world teacher and Yoga master Yogananda is the eternal hell spoken of in the Bible. This hell is eternal but one's stay there is not eternal, for all souls are drawn back first to the material world, and eventually to reunion with God.
We live in the new age of reason. A reasoning person is never going to believe that a merciful God will burn you in hell forever. That's why so many have lost their religion. That's why society is collapsing with homelessness, murder, rape and thievery at one end and greed and avarice at the other. What is needed is to rediscover original Christianity so that we can believe once again. Original Christianity did not teach an eternal burning hell where not only are the wicked burned forever, but also those who won't accept Christ. Original Christianity was very mystical and very communal and reincarnation was accepted as fact. The Byzantine Church threw out the doctrine of reincarnation and indeed they refashioned the Christian Church to best suite their own needs.
Matthew 6:22
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
This passage refers to the esoteric, or mystical teachings of the original Christian church. As one becomes proficiant in meditation, one begins to behold the great light of God, and to hear the sacred sound of God, which is the OM, the river which flows by the throne of God. As one begins to behold first the light of God, and then the mystic star at the point between the eyebrows, ones powers of intuition and one's will power will become gradually increased. Now:
I have been reading much about Native Americans. Many Native Americans have given up their Native religions, and either adopted Christianity or a "mix" of Christian and native religion. The trouble is this-- the Christianity they are adopting is the exoteric, and is devoid of the esoteric aspects of the religion which have been all but lost through the ages. I invite all Native Americans and all who hear this to explore the esoteric aspects of true Christianity, and of all true religions, through the links I have provided at the First International Church of Christian Yoga online. Discover the primordial sound of OM within, the true name and word of God. Discover your true identity, your own innate Divinity.
I have seen the words of our brothers who feel that because the sacred fires no longer burn, because the great turtle drum is lost, and because our way of life is all but gone that all is lost. Please do not feel this way. Know that we still have what is most important, we have each other. With every thoughtful and caring word, deed, or prayer that we give to each other and to Mother Earth we help in our own way to keep the Spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood alive. The only true reality is within. True peace, joy and wisdom are all from within, and not from without. True freedom comes from rightly knowing and understanding the nature of oneself and the nature of the world in which we live, which is the world of duality. Look to the Great Spirit which is within, for we are not just a reflection of this Spirit, but indeed we are a part of this Spirit. Our consciousness is a part of God's consciousness, only trapped for a few cosmic moments in the prison of the three bodies. Someday we shall merge again in the tranquil sea of oneness with our Great Spirit Father, and realize that this existance was only a dream of our creator. Divine Mother, as Sacred Indian Maiden, watches over us all!
A Message To The World From The Echota Cherokee Tribe Of Alabama
You Are My Sister - You Are My Brother
You are my sister, you are my brother because we were born of the same Great Spirit; conceived from the same mound of Earth - slept quietly together in the cradle of unknowing until He, in His gentleness set us in the midst of humanity ...
You and I are destined to be companions on the path of life ... Together or apart. If the color of my skin is different from yours, it matters not, only let the beauty of our souls be kindred
I will honor your wisdom and understanding, as you will mine. Together we shall seek the seeds of truth in the distant rooms of the Great Spirit; the reflection of inner knowledge shall wear as beauty upon our faces ...
I will be human and fall down in rough places, but thy hand is near mine... I will reach for it ... I shall not be alone, I will embrace you when the rains of sorrow visit you; I will befriend your soul as if it my own, You are my sister, You are my brother ...I Love You
I am inspired to speak about the spiritual path, and of the plight of our mother Earth. The natural and spiritual way to live is in a communal village, as Indians in both North America and in India have traditionally lived. Now we in the United States refer to ourselves as a Christian Nation, but I doubt that if Jesus came down to see our slaughterhouses, our war machines and our government for hire that he would recognize us as being very Christian. Those in the early Christian church lived communally, and held all possessions in common, as told in the book of acts. Consequently we endorse such practices as helping to create village societies, recycling and composting, practicing organic gardening, solar and wind power, vegetarianism, natural health care, midwifery, meditation and cooperative living. We can still create a world where there are no environmental diseases, no malnourished children, and no wars. Diversity will flourish, rainforest will expand, new coral reefs will be born. There will be no poverty, and no affluence either. Success will be measured in peoples readiness to pass on what they have learned, and their ability to help others. People will practice loving kindness, compassionate action, joy in serving others, detachment and peacefulness. Hear the call of your heart, and find some way to serve your Sacred mother Earth, and humanity as a whole. We, as God's children, are also God's instruments for change. Renounce greed and ignorance, and become free in the light of God's truth. On my sacred links page I provide links to groups dedicated to promoting vegetarianism, saving the rainforest, saving Tibet, and other non- profit groups such as Plenty. Please find a way to help, to do your part, to not waste the precious moments of your life.
A few words about Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, our Guru. He came to the United States in 1920, and he brought us his energization exercises (hatha and prana yoga), hong sau and Aum (OM) techniques of meditation, and Kriya yoga. He emphasized the underlying unity of original Christianity as taught by Jesus Christ, and original Yoga as taught by Bhagavan Krishna, and he stressed devotion. His teachings are available from the organization he founded, Self Realization Fellowship. He is the author of several books, the most famous is The Autobiography of a Yogi
Prayer of Sri Paramahansa Yogananda from Whispers From Eternity.
Heavenly Spirit, we are traveling by many right roads to Thine abode of light. Guide us unto the highway of Self knowledge, to which all paths of true religious beliefs eventually lead. The diverse religions are branches of Thy one immeasurable tree of truth. May we enjoy the luscious fruits of soul realization that hang from the boughs of scriptures of every clime and time.
From The Royal Science of God Realization by Sri Paramahansa Yogananda.
In the beginning was the Word (the creative vibration- the Holy Ghost, Amen, or Aum), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Attunement with God as Aum lifts the consciousness to the imminent Christ Consciousness. Through Christ Consciousness the advanced Yogi (master of Yoga) ascends to Cosmic Consciousness in the highest cerebral center. No man cometh unto the Father (Cosmic Consciousness), but by me (through the Son, or Christ Consciousness). These states of the Holy Trinity are symbolized in Hindu scriptures as Aum, Tat, Sat- Holy Ghost vibration, Kutastha or Christ Consciousness, and God or Cosmic Consciousness.
The words of Paramahansa Yogananda from the Divine Romance, copyright Self-Realization Fellowship:
"Be serious about studying these Self-Realization Fellowship teachings. They have been sent to give you illumination. Many souls have been saved from the darkness of spiritual ignorance through this work. Others, who didn't apply themselves, strayed away; and I know some of them have fallen spiritually by the wayside. The fault lies within the seeker if he does not succeed on this path. If one makes a sincere effort to change, and steadfastly follows self realization, he will find his way out of the dead forest of theology and the endless miseries of this world. Make up your mind now to put forth greater effort to know God. I don't come here merely to give you lectures on philosophical or theological ideas about God, but to encourage you to know him.Whatever I say to you, I speak for my Father-not for my will or my ego-to help you on the path of emancipation. Self-Realization Fellowship marches on in all lands. I know it is God who speaks through my voice. The voice of Self-Realization is the voice of God. Follow it. Great souls, those who are hungry for God, are following this path and drinking the nectar of His presence. Practice these teachings, and you also shall see how beautiful life becomes. Waste no more time, for if you have to change your bodily residence you will have to wait a long time for another opportunity to seek God earnestly, passing first through rebirth and the travails of childhood and the restlessness of youth. Why squander your time in useless desires? It is foolish to spend your life seeking things you must forsake at death. You will never find happiness that way. But every effort you make toward the contact of God in meditation will bring you an everlasting gift of the soul. Start now-those of you who are real lovers of God, seeking not your own glory, but the glory of Spirit."
Also from the Divine Romance- Yogananda Speaks of Joy:
The words of Sri Yogananda: I remember when Master (Sri Yukteswar) said to me, "God is ever new joy unto eternity. If you have that joy, it will never grow stale." From that day, that joy has never left me. I can say God, God, God, and go into the state of ecstasy. I can enter that state by meditation, or by seeing beautiful scenery, or by looking at someone whose countenance shines with the presence of God. God is in the intelligent, creative, vibratory sound of Om that devotees hear. He often talks to me through that vibration.
Be loyal to what you have received, and work at it earnestly. Otherwise you will never know the wondrous blessings of this path. Every night when you sit to meditate, pray to God unceasingly. With the concentration of your mind, with all the love of your heart, tear at the veils of silence again and again. As constant churning brings hidden butter out of milk, churn the ether with the ladle of your devotion and it shall produce God.
The Words of Bhagavan Krishna from the Bhagavad Gita:
Those who engage in sacrifice by the cultivation of knowledge worship the Supreme Lord as the one without a second, as diverse in many, and in the universal form. It is I who am the ritual, I the sacrifice, the offering to the ancestors, the healing herb, the transcendental chant. I am the butter and the fire and the offering. I am the father of this universe, the mother, the support and the grandsire. I am the object of knowledge, the purifier and the syllable om. Of the sacred scriptures I am the Rig and other Vedas. I am the goal, the sustainer, the master, the witness, the abode, the refuge, and the most dear friend. I am the creation and the annihilation, the basis of everything, the resting place and the eternal seed. I give heat, and I withhold and send forth the rain. I am immortality, and I am also death personified. Both spirit and matter are in Me.
If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it. Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you perform -- do that as an offering to Me. In this way you will be freed from bondage to work and its auspicious and inauspicious results. With your mind fixed on Me in this principle of renunciation, you will be liberated and come to Me. I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him. Even if one commits the most horrid action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination. He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. Declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.
And now, a few words from Sri Daya Mata (Spiritual Mother of Self Realization Fellowship since 1955) from the summer 1996 edition of Self-Realization Magazine: "Someone has asked, is it not enough to accept Christ as our savior, and that thereby we will be free from all sins? Yes, it is sufficient- provided you understand what is meant by accepting Christ as your savior. Truth is eternal: the truths given by Jesus are essentially no different from the teaching of yoga given thousands of years ago by the Lord Krishna, and the truths brought by all the great ones sent by God through the ages. All seeming disagreement lies in man's misinterpretation. So it is absolutely correct to say that it is enough to accept Christ- the Christ Consciousness manifested in Jesus- as our savior, and thereby become free from all sins. But again, we must understand what is meant by accept. We are taught in the various churches today that if we accept Jesus as our savior, then there is nothing more we need to do- just believe. Christ is taking care of all our problems; Christ has saved us. This is a great distortion of Jesus' teaching. Each human being must save himself; and each human being is shown how to save himself by accepting and adhering to those principles, those teachings, to which Jesus gave voice during his time on earth. Therein lies our safety, our protection, our salvation, Jesus himself said this (Luke6:46): And why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Copyright SRF)
The following is a letter I received from Sri Daya Mata, president of SRF since 1955: Dear one, I was touched to receive your letter wherein you have expressed your gratitude to this path which has brought so much meaning into your life. My greatest joy is to encourage devotees in their search for God, and I am glad to know that you feel you have "come home" in finding Gurudeva's teachings. As you steadfastly apply the principles that Master gave, may you know within your own soul the boundless joy and peace of God. All of the monks and nuns in Gurudeva's ashrams are continuing to deeply pray for you, as does Dayama. Know that whenever you go within and meditate at the feet of God and Guru, you are in their presence and are united with all of us here who are seeking God with you on this sacred path. My divine love and blessings ever reach out to you, and I pray that you may remain loyal and devoted to the Divine. Nothing can keep you from the Goal of the spiritual path if you strive to remain one-pointed in your quest. Meditation will anchor your consciousness in God, and that awareness will remain clear through regular and devotional practice of his presence. Through every effort you make to attune your life with God, you are serving Him and this spiritual path. You might attend the Atlanta meditation group if you have the opportunity, and perhaps sometime if you travel to this area, you may be able to visit the Mother Center. May you ever realize God's nearness and be uplifted in his love.
Here is my testimony.
A couple of days before my father died in 1975, he introduced me to "The Autobiography of a Yogi" with the words, "This is the highest Yoga and the highest religion." How I love my father! Even though I read the book and believed every word in it, even though I sent for the SRF lessons, I was in the middle of a 23 year love affair with drugs. I tried to be a vegetarian, I tried to live on Steven Gaskin's farm in Tenn., but all I really cared about was drugs. Then around Feb. 1994 I read again the chapter (from The Autobiography of a Yogi) entitled "I meet my master, Sri Yukteswar." As I thought about the lives of these great souls, I began to reflect on the worthlessness of my own life. I began to cry, and I prayed to God that I should become a worthy instrument of His church. A couple of months later I cleaned up my appearance and that August I quit drugs. It was not easy at first, but by meditating and reading the inspired words of my Guru it got easier. Two things are essential to kick the drug habit, belief in a higher power and a sincere desire to quit. Sick of friends who rip you off, sick of being afraid to see a cop in my rear-view mirror, sick of having no money, I decided to quit. I still respect the people of the tribes I have known, and I love them always, but I am reformed. To those who say drugs bring them closer to God I ask: "And what happens when you die? Can you take drugs with you?" I again took up the study of the lessons. (Available from SRF). I have great success with the OM technique of meditation. I know that my first duty on this Earth is to become Self-realized. Now my aim is to be one of masters "boys". I want to serve God and Guru, perhaps to make up for some wasted time. I believe that God takes a part of himself and puts it down here, and that is you. He takes a part of himself and puts it down here, and that is me. Meditation is the process of discovering our true identity, our innate divinity.
For more testimony I can tell you this story:
When I was eighteen years old a christian person found me in the hippy park and took me to the assembly of God in Birmingham one Sunday and I got saved. After the service as the people mingled an old grey-haired woman came up to me and looked into my eyes and said, "I can tell that you are sincere, now the next step is for you to receive the Holy Spirit." I said," really?" She reached out and put her hand on my head, and several other people reached out to touch me. She lifted up her voice to heaven and said, "Fill him Father, Fill him with the Holy Spirit." I felt a tremendous power like electricity surging through my body, it was overwhelming. Then she looked again into my eyes and said, "why do I see doubt? What is wrong?" I told her that this was a new experience for me, and I was friends with the Krishna people who like to come to the park and bring us vegitarian food." Many times have I heard the name of Krishna in my deepest prayers," she said." Christ and Krishna are of the same Spirit!"
Many years later, when I had overcome drug abuse, I was sitting in my apartment meditating on the inner sound of OM, as taught by my guru. Suddenly the thought of that day in the assembly filled my mind and I prayed, fill me father, fill me with the Holy Spirit. Again the surge like flowing electricity filled my body. I knew from that moment that I had come home, that I was in a true church of Jesus Christ. In late 1996 when my grandmother died the Baptist music director sang a song for us, "shall we gather at the river that flows by the throne of God." That night as I was meditating on the OM sound in front of my altar the inner voice of intuition spoke and said, "Behold; this is the river." In closing let me say that I am not a spiritual teacher. I am a devotee who struggles to conquer the flesh and to know God. I am ordained only to provide meaningful resources to sincere spiritual seekers, and hopefully to inspire. I experience setbacks, but the important thing is to never give up. Die fighting! Never surrender!
In closing let me say that this church, The First International Church of Christian Yoga, is non- denominational, and welcomes sincere seekers of every faith. I believe that Krishna, Christ, and the great sages of all true religions are of the same spirit. There is only one God, and therefore only one true church. The great religions of the world are all a part of this one true church.
Now please pray after me:
Heavenly Father, Divine Mother, Friend, beloved God. Jesus Christ, Bhagavan Krishna, Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Sri Yukteswar, beloved Guru Paramahansa Yogananda, we bow to you all. May thy love shine forever on the sancuary of our devotion. Divine Mother, we ask for thy guidance and thy protection, and thy sacred gift of healing. We thank you for our many gifts and for our love. We pray for all the souls in the world., especially the world's leaders. May those who suffer from poverty find comfort. May those who are angry find peace. May those who are ignorant find knowledge. May those who suffer with lust find comfort in the beauty and embrace of Divine Mother. May those who suffer with addictions find release through the joy of God. For it is his bliss which we are all seeking. Thank you Father, for sending Premavatar (World Teacher) Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, who gave us so many treasures. He has embraced us all with his love and wisdom. In Jesus' name we pray, OM, peace, Amen.
I am Ted Self, an ordained minister of the Universal Life church and the First International Church of the Web (an internet based ministry). I am authorized to perform the rites and ceremonies of the church, including weddings, funerals, baptisms and blessings. I am also a kriyaban member of Self Realization Fellowship. I feel called to bring you a message of inner peace, a call to discover your own innate divinity, which is your true state. This is the call to Christian Yoga. I quote from the gospel: Unto you, (my disciples) it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light. From Jesus Christ- St. Luke 8:10, 10:24, 11:34. My guru, (spiritual teacher) Paramahansa Yogananda, (the founder of Self Realization Fellowship, see photo above left) says that Jesus taught certain meditation techniques to his disciples. A meditation technique is only a tool, which one uses to go within, to still the thought process, to become attuned to the Divine which is within each of us.
I include here a beginners meditation technique. This should take 20 minutes or longer, and should be practiced daily. Sit upright in a comfortable chair, making sure the backbone is erect. It is all right to sit cross-legged if this is more convenient. The upturned hands should rest in the lap. Begin with a devotional prayer. As an option you might choose to do a chant or an affirmation. An affirmation (Such as: The first love of my heart, the first ambition of my soul, the first goal of my will and reason, is God alone.) is spoken loudly at first, then more softly, then to a whisper, and finally mentally listened to. A chant is sung over and over again several times to focus the mind and to awaken devotion.
Here is a chant which I wrote.
We are the generation that can save the world. True knowledge is waiting at our fingertips. We can turn the world from death to brotherhood. O Divine Mother, Jesus, Krishna, Buddha O God. Show me how to behold Thee in all I see. May I behold Thee silently speaking within. May I help to bring the world closer, to brotherhood, and universal love. All hail to God, the highest, Jehovah-Krishna. The unknowable, transform us, OM-Amen-OM. Jai Guru, Jai Guru, OM. Jai Guru, Jesus Christ, Om. Jai Guru, Bhagavan Krishna, OM. Jai Guru, Mahavatar Babaji, OM. Jai Guru, Lahiri Mahasaya, OM. Jai Guru, Sri Yukteswar, OM. Jai Guru, Sri Yogananda, OM.
(Note: Jai means victory! In this case the victory of our spiritual teachers in leading us to liberation from all material desires and from karma.)
Take several deep breaths from the diaphragm to become relaxed and centered, then breathe normally. With closed eyes direct your gaze and your attention to the area between the eyebrows, and keep your attention there throughout the session. This is the Christ-consciousness center, the spiritual eye, center of the will and of intuition. Become aware of your natural breathing rhythm. When inhalation occurs, mentally listen to a chosen word or words (a chosen mantra). When exhalation occurs, again listen to the word. "OM" is a good word to use, this is the word symbol of the Holy Spirit. Some people chant "joy", or "peace", or "God", or "I am He", or "I am free". Feel that the sound of the word/words is blossoming in your field of awareness. Continue doing this, without effort and without anxiety about results. When a state of conscious, calm awareness is experienced, discontinue listening to the word and be still and devotional, letting that meditative calm persist for several minutes. During this time God might speak to you through your Divine inborn intuition, in the language of your heart. When you feel inclined to do so conclude the meditation with a devotional prayer.
If you are inclined to find deeper meditation techniques, such as kriya, I recommend reading the "Autobiography of a Yogi" by Paramahansa Yogananda. If after reading this book you feel drawn to Yogananda and his teachings, then send for the lessons of Self Realization Fellowship church of all religions. Included in the lessons (available for a nominal cost to cover church expenses) are the energization exercises, (hatha and prana yoga) hong sau proper, the OM technique and finally kriya yoga. The lessons and the "Autobiography of a Yogi" (Yogi is one who has mastered Yoga, Yoga is the religious science of God-realization) are available from the catalog at Self Realization Fellowship, 3880 San Rafael Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90065.
What is kriya, many people ask? From Yogananda: Kriya is union with the infinite through a certain rite. The technique (rite) must be learned through a kriyaban (SRF master of Kriya). Kriya yoga is a simple, psychophysiological method by which human blood is decarbonized and recharged with oxygen. The atoms of this extra oxygen are transmuted into life current to rejuvinate the brain and spinal centers. By stopping the accumulation of venous blood, the yogi is able to lessen or prevent the decay of tissues. The advanced yogi transmutes his cells into life energy. A yogi who faithfully practices the technique is gradually freed from karma, or the lawful chain of cause-effect. Kriya yoga is an instrument through which human evoloution can be quickened. The kriya yogi mentally directs his life energy to revolve, upward and downward, around the six spinal centers, which correspond to the 12 astral signs, the symbolic cosmic man. One half minute of kriya equals one year of natural spiritual unfoldment.
Those interested in joining The First International Church of Christian Yoga should email us at Email me. You will receive the secret URL to our members page, where you will find words of spiritual blessing as well as a printable document embossed with the symbol of Christian Yoga showing you as a member, which is suitable for framing. Those interested in making donations should also email. May God watch over and bless each one of you. Ted and Denise
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