Jason Gregory's Blog, page 37
December 20, 2017
#21 Siddhis: Magical Powers
In this episode of Enlightenment Today we will explore siddhis, the attainment of magical powers through rigorous spiritual practice. Siddhis are mentioned in a host of texts in the East, some with a positive attitude to these attainments and others with a negative stance against them. In this episode I will give siddhis an honest and open hearing based on this unique phenomenon recorded by spiritual adepts which is found in the the traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Taoism. In the end it is a matter of whether you are skeptical or a believer of this ancient spiritual phenomenon.
http://jasongregory.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/E21-Siddhis-Magical-Powers.mp3
Recommended Reading
The Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali http://amzn.to/2B5WSKR
The Yoga Tradition http://amzn.to/2B7YinW
The Upanishads http://amzn.to/2hR008t
The Bhagavad Gita (S. Radhakrishnan translation) http://amzn.to/2iC0Pzd
The Bhagavad Gita (Eknath Easwaran translation) http://amzn.to/2zU7wpI
Brahma Sutras http://amzn.to/2BIkfuk
Yoga Bija http://amzn.to/2knEObj
Tantra: The Path of Ecstasy http://amzn.to/2BI0QK2
Bhagavata Purana http://amzn.to/2jJsWfp
December 19, 2017
God is No King
In this episode of Enlightenment Today we will explore the monarchical view of the universe. In the West there is a deep-seated belief that God is a ruler, lord, and king. This view influences our view of life in general and ultimately separates the individual from the essence of the universe. It doesn’t matter whether you are atheist, religious, or spiritual, this view effects us in ways we don’t realize. I explain in this episode how the idea of God as a ruler is built on a political analogy of the universe originating from ancient rulers who tried to lord it over their people, which ultimately influenced the view of Western religions. The Eastern view of divinity is diametrically opposed to the monarchical view. The Eastern view is more related to nature and is a holistic view of the individual as one with the universe. This episode explores both views and ultimately dispels the illusion of the monarchical view of the universe.
http://jasongregory.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/E20-Monarchical-view-of-the-Universe.mp3
#20 God is No King
In this episode of Enlightenment Today we will explore the monarchical view of the universe. In the West there is a deep-seated belief that God is a ruler, lord, and king. This view influences our view of life in general and ultimately separates the individual from the essence of the universe. It doesn’t matter whether you are atheist, religious, or spiritual, this view effects us in ways we don’t realize. I explain in this episode how the idea of God as a ruler is built on a political analogy of the universe originating from ancient rulers who tried to lord it over their people, which ultimately influenced the view of Western religions. The Eastern view of divinity is diametrically opposed to the monarchical view. The Eastern view is more related to nature and is a holistic view of the individual as one with the universe. This episode explores both views and ultimately dispels the illusion of the monarchical view of the universe.
http://jasongregory.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/E20-Monarchical-view-of-the-Universe.mp3
Chakras
In this episode of Enlightenment Today we will explore the chakras. The chakra system has become a popular topic in New Age circles to which its tenets of kundalini, prana, and the understanding of energy have been misinterpreted. We will clarify that energy has more to do with psychology in relation to the chakra system. The chakra system is made of seven psychological centers and we will examine the characteristics of each chakra. The ultimate goal of the chakra system is to transcend duality, where the subject object split dissolves, leaving only the nondual state of ananda, pure bliss.
http://jasongregory.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/E19-Chakras.mp3
#19 Chakras
In this episode of Enlightenment Today we will explore the chakras. The chakra system has become a popular topic in New Age circles to which its tenets of kundalini, prana, and the understanding of energy have been misinterpreted. We will clarify that energy has more to do with psychology in relation to the chakra system. The chakra system is made of seven psychological centers and we will examine the characteristics of each chakra. The ultimate goal of the chakra system is to transcend duality, where the subject object split dissolves, leaving only the nondual state of ananda, pure bliss.
http://jasongregory.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/E19-Chakras.mp3
The Four Nutriments of Buddhism
In this episode of Enlightenment Today we will explore the Four Nutriments of Buddhism. This Buddhist philosophy is about four kinds of food people consume daily. These are edible food, sense impressions, volition, and consciousness, both individual and collective. We will discover how these four nutriments can impact us in healthy and unhealthy ways, depending on what we consume and how aware we are of our consumption. In conclusion, we will examine effective strategies, such as fasting the mind and mindful awareness, which will allow us to remain healthy and peaceful because we will be taking in only those nutriments that help us thrive.
http://jasongregory.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/E18-Four-nutriments-of-Buddhism.mp3
Recommended Reading
Silence http://amzn.to/2hGdKPI
#18 The Four Nutriments of Buddhism
In this episode of Enlightenment Today we will explore the Four Nutriments of Buddhism. This Buddhist philosophy is about four kinds of food people consume daily. These are edible food, sense impressions, volition, and consciousness, both individual and collective. We will discover how these four nutriments can impact us in healthy and unhealthy ways, depending on what we consume and how aware we are of our consumption. In conclusion, we will examine effective strategies, such as fasting the mind and mindful awareness, which will allow us to remain healthy and peaceful because we will be taking in only those nutriments that help us thrive.
http://jasongregory.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/E18-Four-nutriments-of-Buddhism.mp3
Recommended Reading
Silence http://amzn.to/2hGdKPI
The Seeker’s Mind
In this episode of Enlightenment Today we will explore the seeker’s mind. We will examine how learning is a constant process whether we like it or not. Learning nourishes our mind in the same way food nourishes our body. To “learn as if you were to live forever,” as Gandhi put it, keeps our feet on the ground and trains us to remain as a student in life rather than getting too far ahead of ourselves. We stay humble as a result. This attitude allows us to cultivate intelligence in a world where intelligence is dying due to overstimulation and entertainment addiction. When you are cultivating intelligence you are growing. Learning is growing and if you are growing then you have a real feeling of being alive.
http://jasongregory.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/E17-The-Seekers-Mind.mp3
#17 The Seeker’s Mind
In this episode of Enlightenment Today we will explore the seeker’s mind. We will examine how learning is a constant process whether we like it or not. Learning nourishes our mind in the same way food nourishes our body. To “learn as if you were to live forever,” as Gandhi put it, keeps our feet on the ground and trains us to remain as a student in life rather than getting too far ahead of ourselves. We stay humble as a result. This attitude allows us to cultivate intelligence in a world where intelligence is dying due to overstimulation and entertainment addiction. When you are cultivating intelligence you are growing. Learning is growing and if you are growing then you have a real feeling of being alive.
http://jasongregory.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/E17-The-Seekers-Mind.mp3
December 17, 2017
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
In this episode of Enlightenment Today we will explore the Eight Limbs of Yoga created by the founder of Yoga Patanjali. The Eight Limbs of Yoga comes from the Yoga-Sutras and is Patanjali’s system of practical spirituality. It is a complex system to follow but it is essential to follow if you are to reveal the inner technology that Yoga promises to deliver. Patanjali devised this system as the primary means onto the goal of Yoga which is complete liberation.
http://jasongregory.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/E16-Eight-limbs-of-yoga.mp3
Recommended Reading
The Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali http://amzn.to/2B5WSKR
The Yoga Tradition http://amzn.to/2B7YinW
The Psychology of Yoga http://amzn.to/2hPSpqU
