AVA Newsletter & Truth

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AVA Newsletter & TruthFri, 8 Jul 2005 16:36:13 -0700

"Roberts, William NAVSEA" <william.roberts (AT) navy (DOT) mil>To:

<ojaichiro (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) net>

Charles,

Thank you for clarifying what is was that you objected to so strongly to

in the June 16/21 issue of the AVA newsletter entitled “Derailed by Silent

Meditation”. I now understand that you feel the points I made were misleading

and “…as far from the truth as ( you/I ) could get.” I welcome the concerns

of those who challenge the veracity of what I write and now you have provided a

bit more clarity regarding what it is you take issue with. While this is

helpful, it still remains unclear what your source of “…The

Truth” is by which you base your objections on.

 

You are certainly educated enough to realize that my article was

intentionally written to provoke the reader into reconsidering their current

understanding of Silent Meditation. Needless to say, there are many who

apparently believe that the ability to sit silently is a symptom of a high

stage of transcendence. The purpose of my article was to raise the

question: “What is that practice based on?” Asking this question will

automatically lead to the more encompassing issue: “Who do you accept as a

reliable

source for understanding what is true?”

 

That seems to be at the heart of why you feel I am misleading people. There

are many individuals claiming to know the truth who also promote silent

meditation as some type of spiritual “Cure-All” but is that recommendation

based on anything more then their own empirical speculation?

Many so-called teachers climb to prominence simply because they convince a

lot of people that they have something meaningful to say. But is that all it

takes to become a Guru? Tom Metzger is a very charismatic person who convinced

thousands of people that his philosophy of White Aryan Resistance, (more

commonly known as the Neo-Nazi movement), embodies the highest truth regarding

who we should associate with! But is what he says good advice simply because

he says it's true and a buch of arrogant, snotty, spoild, trailer-trash

drop-out kids

agree?

 

As for myself; I have found that all of the big questions about life are

nicely explained in the Bhagavad Gita. This scripture has not only withstood

the test of time, but it is lauded by some of the greatest personalities that

every walked on the face of this earth. (See attached document) I therefore

go to great lengths to make sure that the articles I write are firmly based on

that highly revered text. Of course, despite how earnestly I try to do that, I

too am prone to mistakes. So if you feel I have misrepresented what Krishna

teaches

in the Bhagavad Gita, then please explain what your criticism is based on. If

you draw your references from some other source then that is where our

disagreement lies, not in the veracity of what Krishna says. For the most

part objective readers concur that what I share in the AVA newsletter is an

accurate representation of what Lord Krishna taught Arjuna.

 

In fact because of space constraints, I can usually only draw from a few

references to support my position and that was also true in my discussion about

what what meditation is all about. There is actually a lot of material that

reveals what Krishna’s opinion is about meditation and it all indicates that if

it does not include the chanting of God’s Holy name, is not really very useful.

For example in chapter ten of the Gita entitled “The Oppulence of the Absolute”

Krishna clearly states that chanting Gods holy name is the recommended

sacrifice, (discipline) for a yogi.

 

“Of the great sages I am Bhrgu; of vibrations I am the transcendental om. Of

sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names [japa], and of immovable things

I am the Himalayas.” – Bhagavad Gita As It Is; Chapter.10, “The Oppulence of

The Absolute”, Text 25

 

Later Krishna also confirms that historically the brahmans have always

honored Him with the vibration of “Om, Tat Sat” and other Vedic Hymns. (That

always include the names of God.)

 

“From the beginning of creation, the three syllables--om tat sat--have been used

to indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth [brahman]. They were uttered by brahmanas

while chanting Vedic hymns and during sacrifices, for the satisfaction of the

Supreme”.- Bhagavad Gita As It Is; Chapter. 17. 23

 

If all this doesn’t make you think twice about the futility of “Silent

Meditation” then consider this;

 

“That sacrifice performed in defiance of scriptural injunctions, in which no

spiritual food is distributed, no hymns are chanted and no remunerations are

made to the priests, and which is faithless--that sacrifice if of the nature of

ignorance(!) - Bhagavad Gita As It Is; Chapter. 17 “The Divisions of Faith” -

Text13

 

There are also hundreds of references in the Srimad Bhagavata Purana,

considered to be the “Ripened Fruit of All Vedic Teachings,” by highly

realized sages that unambiguously declare the extraordinarily power of chanting

Gods Name. Here is just one of many:

 

"O my Lord, a person who is chanting Your holy name, although born of a low

family like that of a candala [dog-eater] is situated on the highest platform

of self-realization. Such a person must have performed all kinds of penances

and sacrifices according to Vedic rituals and studied the Vedic literatures

many, many times after taking his bath in all the holy places of pilgrimage.

Such a person is considered to be the best of the Aryan family." – Srimad

BhagavatPurana, Canto 3. Chapter 33. Text 7.

 

Finally there is the definitive proclamation in the Brhan-naradiya Purana, that

Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu based his world wide revolutionary Sankirtana

movement on 500 years ago. That sacred Purana (Truth) clearly states that in

the Kali-yuga (the present age) when people in general are short-lived, slow in

spiritual realization and always disturbed by various anxieties, the best means

of spiritual realization is chanting the holy name of the Lord.

 

harer nama harer nama · harer namaiva kevalam

kalau nasty eva nasty eva · nasty eva gatir anyatha

 

"In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is chanting

the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There

is no other way."

 

In every bar across America there is a drunk who will swear that they

are telling you the truth. Despite how insistent they may be, we both know

that they are just highly conditioned fools with their own distorted opinions.

It is therefore incumbent on each of us to carefully consider from whom we are

getting our information. If we fail to be vigilant about that one point, we

run the risk of sounding just as silly as the proverbial drunk on the corner.

 

It is my wish that this letter will inspire you to open your mind to the Vedic

siddhanta, which is what all or my AVA letters are based on including the one

entitled “Derailed by Silent Meditation.” Then I hope you will reconsider

joining the conversation that many throughout the Ventura county are

appreciating and gaining new insights from on the most important subjects which

are of interest to all of us.

 

I wish to remain your friend and well-wisher in the service of Lord Krishna.

 

William Roberts

American Vedic Association

Dispel the Darkness of Ignorance With the Torchlight of Knowledge! - Bg. 10.11

687 Villanova Road Ojai California, 93023 (805) 640-0405 ava @ jagannatha.com

 

Bhagavad Gita As It Is Sanskrit, Mantra, Kirtan, Prasadam

Charles Wray

[ojaichiro (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) net]Saturday, July 02, 2005 7:34Roberts,

William NAVSEARE: Apology

Bill, your comments on silent meditation was as far from the truth as you can get.

 

Roberts, William NAVSEA

[william.roberts (AT) navy (DOT) mil] Friday, July 01, 2005 9:42 AMTo:

ojaichiro (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) netSubject: Apology

 

Charles,

 

I was quite surprised to receive your recent request to be removed

from the AVA newsletter. From the conversations we have shared your name just

doesn't seem to fit on the same list as those who make up less then 2% of the

individuals who ask to from a list of hundreds. You may feel I am

misleading people, but for whatever it may be worth, you should also consider

that statistically you are in a very small minority.

 

I was under the impression that you had respect for Vedic art, culture and

philosophy. I though you would enjoy expanding your appreciation of that body

of knowledge. That is why you were invited to participate in the conversation

with other local people who respect the ancient teachings of India.

 

I apologize if that was a misunderstanding on my part but you name

has now been removed from the AVA mailing list as you requested.

 

Perhaps you simply have a different understanding then the one I am

sharing in regards to what the Vedas teach? If that is the case than I would

find it much more helpful if you would be more clear about what you feel I am

sharing with others that is so terribly misleading. Only then will I have the

opportunity to consider the merit of your observation and rethink my position

based on the legitimacy of your opinions.

 

Regardless of if you are willing to do that or not, I wish to remain you your

friend and well-wisher. Hoping this meets you in good health, and happy

spirits.

 

William Roberts, Director

American Vedic Association

687 Villanova Road

Ojai California, 93023

(805) 640-0405 ava @ jagannatha.com

Bhagavad Gita As It Is

Sanskrit, Mantra, Kirtan, Prasadam

 

Charles Wray

[ojaichiro (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) net]Thursday, June 30, 2005 21:51Roberts,

William NAVSEARE: Are We Independent? AVA Discussion Tue July 5th, Ojai

Ca. #2Please take me off your email list. I truly believe you are misleading

people.

Roberts, William NAVSEA

[william.roberts (AT) navy (DOT) mil] Thursday, June 30, 2005 11:40 AMTo:

ava (AT) jagannatha (DOT) comSubject: Are We Independent? AVA Discussion Tue July 5th,

Ojai Ca.

#2

 

(If you are unsure why you are receiving this newsletter please jump to the end

for clarification.)

This Issues Topic Of Discussion:

No-One is Independent!

Hari Bolo Friends of the Vedas!Please accept my respects. All glory to the

transcendental light of the Bhagavad-Gita as It Is!

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