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Ted & Denise stars in movie "Church in your living room." Click for details and purchase info
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. 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.
In closing here is a prayer from Sri Yogananda (as far as I know he is the only spiritual teacher to come to the U.S. from India who put Jesus Christ on his altar). "Come Spirit come. Receive the fervor of our souls. We worship Thee with the burning, ringing desire of our hearts. We are Thy children. We are knocking at Thy door. Receive us. Spirit Divine, forgive our trespasses; teach us to love our brothers as Thy children. May Thou, the only Spirit, be reflected in the mirror of our souls." This newsletter was written by Ted Self
