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Podcast: What Is Satan?

The topic of Satan and evil is one that we should not dwell on, for Abbot George says “talking about negativity can bring the mind into the orbit of negativity.” But it is good to have a basic understanding of evil so that we can be on our guard against inner and outer evil.

Buddha and Practical Spiritual Life

The purpose of life is to attain enlightenment, but people would much rather like to discuss or argue about abstract metaphysics which leaves their egos intact and even may increase their size! Buddha refused to engage in any teaching or discussion on subjects that did not relate to practical spiritual life.

What If I Don’t Have Faith?

More from our series “Wisdom of Sri Gajanana Maharaj of Nashik”

Gajanana Maharaj on FaithIt might be asked: Is there any use in carrying on the japa of Soham without faith in its efficacy?

The answer to that is that the repetition of the japa will always be useful, even though done without faith. It will never do you any harm. No doubt all the shastras and saints lay stress on faith, and hence the above statement will appear contrary to their teachings. However, if you go deep into the matter and observe minutely, you will easily be able to reconcile the two statements.

Without having faith–although it may be in the subconscious mind–no one will be induced to practice the japa. As soon as a person begins to repeat the japa, faith is there accompanying the japa like its shadow. If we carefully follow this argument the seeming contradiction will cease to trouble us. A real mumukshu or devotee will never be deceived by the seeming contradiction, and will never allow his mind to be disturbed and turned away from the path.

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The Odes of Solomon – Ode 1

Crown rays

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee (Isaiah 60:1).

I will give thee a crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

The Lord is on my head like a crown, and I shall not be without him.
They wove for me a crown of truth, and it caused Thy branches to bud in me.
For it is not like a withered crown which buddeth not.
But Thou livest upon my head, and Thou hast blossomed upon me. Thy fruits are full-grown and perfect; they are full of Thy salvation. Alleluia.
(Ode of Solomon 1)

The Lord is on my head like a crown.

“In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people” (Isaiah 28:5).

The halo upon the head, which we find in the depictions of holy ones in all religions, is the Glory of the Presence of God which rests upon all holy things and persons. It is the cloud of light that rested upon Mount Sinai and upon the tabernacle when God spoke with Moses, and out of which God spoke on the Mount of Transfiguration. It is the Lord himself, for Saint John tells us: “God is Light” (I John 1:5). Jesus simply called It “the Light of Life” (John 8:12).

It is often shown surrounding the entire body of a saint or angel, but usually it is only around the head. This is because

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