Some insightful spiritual quotes from Lahiri Mahasaya...

Dear All,

As i have done some Google-searching, i have come across some great quotes, one

of which (in part) says:

" Always remember that you belong to no one, and no one belongs to you. Reflect

that some day you will suddenly have to leave everything in this world–so make

the acquaintanceship of God now. Prepare yourself for the coming astral journey

of death by daily riding in the balloon of God-perception " .

Enjoy!

violet

Lahiri Mahasaya

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Lahiri Mahasaya

Born 30 September 1828

Ghurnigram, West Bengal, India

Died 26 September 1895

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Shyama Charan Lahiri, best known as Lahiri Mahasaya (September 30, 1828 -

September 26, 1895) was an Indian yogi and the guru of Sri Yukteswar Giri.

Mahasaya is a Sanskrit religious title meaning 'great soul'.

He was unusual among Indian holy men in that he was a householder. Lahiri lived

with his family in Varanasi rather than in a temple or monastery apart from

family life. Nonetheless, he achieved a substantial reputation among 19th

century Hindu religionists.

Paramahansa Yogananda tells many stories of Lahiri Mahasaya in his Autobiography

of a Yogi. He was an office worker until the age of about 30, when he met his

guru, Mahavatar Babaji. Lahiri was said to have been chosen by his guru to

reintroduce the lost practice of Kriya Yoga to the phenomenal world. Lahiri's

disciples included both of Yogananda's parents as well as Yogananda's own guru

Sri Yukteswar. Lahiri Mahasaya is said to have prophesied that the infant

Yogananda would become a great yogi.

Teachings

The central spiritual practice which he taught to his disciples was Kriya Yoga,

a series of inner pranayama practices that quickly hasten the spiritual growth

of the practitioner. He taught this technique to all sincere seekers, regardless

of their religious background. Regarding Kriya Yoga, he said:

" Always remember that you belong to no one, and no one belongs to you. Reflect

that some day you will suddenly have to leave everything in this world–so make

the acquaintanceship of God now. Prepare yourself for the coming astral journey

of death by daily riding in the balloon of God-perception. Through delusion you

are perceiving yourself as a bundle of flesh and bones, which at best is a nest

of troubles. Meditate unceasingly, that you may quickly behold yourself as the

Infinite Essence, free from every form of misery. Cease being a prisoner of the

body; using the secret key of Kriya, learn to escape into Spirit. "

He also encouraged direct experience of truth, as opposed to theoretical

discussion of the scriptures, and to: " Solve all your problems through

meditation. Exchange unprofitable religious speculations for actual God-contact.

Clear your mind of dogmatic theological debris; let in the fresh, healing waters

of direct perception. Attune yourself to the active inner Guidance; the Divine

Voice has the answer to every dilemma of life. Though man's ingenuity for

getting himself into trouble appears to be endless, the Infinite Succour is no

less resourceful. "

Lahiri also taught that if one is earning an honest living and practicing

honesty in all his or her dealings, then one need not alter one's external life

in any significant way in order to become aware of God's presence in one's own

daily life. If a student neglected his worldy duties, he would correct him.

He generally eschewed organized religion. However, this wasn't a strict dogma

for him, as he personally made at least one exception to this principal,

allowing one of his advanced disciples, Panchanon Bhattacharya " to open an " Arya

Mission Institution " in Calcutta. Here the saintly disciple spread the message

of Kriya Yoga... " Other disciples of Lahiri also started organizations to spread

the Kriya Yoga message, including Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri's 'Satsanga Sabha'.

Three notable principles taught by Lahiri about what he believed to be the

fundamental characteristics of a true guru were: A true guru will never ask for

money or gifts. (It's notable that Lahiri himself was instructed by Babaji to

ask for a donation from people who he initiated into Kriya Yoga. This practice

has been continued by many of his disciples.

A true guru will never assume any special title that might separate him from, or

elevate him above others. (It's notable that 'Mahasaya' itself is a title which

means 'great soul'. It was given to him by his disciples, along with several

other titles. A true guru will never ask that his followers surrender their free

will to him in any way. (However, Lahiri Mahasaya, guided the free will of his

disciples. Sri Yukteswar said, " When I encountered my guru, Lahiri Mahasaya, my

will was guided by whims. But when I attuned my will to Lahiri Mahasaya's

wisdom-guided will, my own will became free, because guided by wisdom. " )

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahiri_Mahasaya