by Ma Muktananda | Sep 27, 2021 | Meditative Philately
I have been asked to publish some preparatory techniques of Meditative Philately for those who are not related to either philately or meditation. Before accessing meditation, or dhyāna, it is important to develop concentration or dhāraṇā. Therefore, the place chosen for practice should be quiet. Ideally, a room should be set aside just for philately, which is away from distractions. This simple practice is intended for our beginner friends. Before any practice, it is important to take three slow, deep breaths. Place the chosen stamp in front of you and direct your sight to the stamp with your eyes very relaxed. Do not focus your vision sharply on the stamp, but rather rest your attention on the stamp. Rest your gaze and attention on the stamp, allowing the image to gradually blur. Sitting quietly, let your attention focus on the image and allow its colors and shapes to affect your inner self. Do not resist the thoughts that appear, but allow them to recede and gently return your attention to the stamp. At first, 5 to 10 minutes a day will suffice. At the end, slowly return your attention to the world around you and maintain total silence for 3 minutes.
by Ma Muktananda | Jun 2, 2021 | Meditative Philately
When our attention is swept away by memories, we place ourselves in a non-existent past. When we focus our attention on our hopes and dreams, we direct ourselves toward a future that does not yet exist. In both cases, our consciousness takes illusory and non-existent directions and we live in a dream. Reality, or what is, takes place only in the now. In order to live in reality, our consciousness must be focused on the present place and moment. By sitting down and directing our attention fully to the stamp in front of us, the stamp is serving as an anchor to connect us to reality.
by Ma Muktananda | May 28, 2021 | Uncategorized
A king wanted to be completely happy. A great sage told him,
— “Look, if you want to be happy, you must fit in the shoes of a happy man.”
The king commanded his soldiers to go throughout the kingdom and search everywhere.
As they met with a resident they asked him,
—“Are you happy?”
— “Almost happy, if I find a bride I will be happy”.
— “Then something is missing; you are not happy,” argued the soldiers.
Then they went to another one who was already married and asked him:
—“ Are you happy?”
—“Almost happy; if I have a son I will be happy.”
They found another and asked him:
—“Are you happy, but really happy?”
—“Happy… happy… happy will I be, when I change my old horse and carriage for a new one; then I will be completely happy….”
Everyone whom they met was almost, almost happy…
—“When I buy a house”, “After the next million”; everyone was almost happy…
—“Yes” – one answered.
—“Is there anything missing?”
—“No, nothing.”
—“You don’t want a cigarette, a coffee?”
— “No”- he answered.
— “You don’t want beer, champagne, something to eat, some sensual satisfaction?”
— “No”.
—“You don’t want a family?”
— “No”.
—“You don’t want anything? You don’t need anything?”
—“No”.
—“Then, you are totally happy?”
—“Yes! I am totally happy!”
— “Then, give us your shoes!”
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