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~ No Experience Necessary ~

Experience the power of sound and silence to uplift and enrich spiritual growth.

Every culture uses song or music to complement its forms of worship. On one level this is aesthetically pleasing. From a deeper perspective, vocal and musical tones are potent spiritual tools. They help raise energy from lower chakras and open the heart. As Paramhansa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi put it:

“Sound or vibration is the most powerful force in the universe. Music is a divine art, to be used not only for pleasure but as a path to God-Realization. Vibrations resulting from devotional singing lead to attunement with the Cosmic Vibration or the Word”.

Focus on chanting – devotional singing from soul to Spirit – followed by guided meditation.

Schedule through July: June 26 / July 10, 24
Time: 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: St. Paul Yoga Center – Corner Studio – 1162 Selby Ave, St. Paul 55104
Fee: $10 – Pay at the door.
Info: Alan L Pritz @ (612) 721-4100 or AlanPritz@q.com

“In the past I tried various meditation techniques but never truly adopted the practice as I found it difficult to sit still for very long. Chanting changed that for me. Chanting opens up a world of meditation and spiritual devotion. After 20 to 30 minutes of singing to God/Spirit, of opening my heart in deep calling – using the vibrations of my voice and heart to reach out towards the Divine – I find myself transported; gently, and effortlessly, into a deep and peaceful meditation. Afterwards I leave the Center glowing.” L. Jones

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…will offer down–to–earth guidance for anyone wanting to build a clear, well–defined spiritual practice. Its universal principles, distilled from the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda (author of the best–selling Autobiography of a Yogi), are applicable to a wide range of seekers, from the hatha yoga enthusiast to the mainstream religionist, from the explorer of alternative traditions to those who have not yet committed to a clear spiritual identity. The book’s personable narrative, accessible presentation of information, and universal application make it enjoyable to read and life–enhancing to apply.

Where the mini Pocket Guide to Meditation left off, Meditation and the Spiritual Life picks up to provide the reader with more complete, detailed advice for crafting a fulfilling spiritual life, including:

• A model for establishing a spiritual practice
• Exercises for increasing energy
• Benefits of using affirmations
• Instructions for mantra practice & meditation on Inner Sound
• Techniques that make prayer effective
• Guidelines to measure inner progress

Book Excerpt:

The Inner Life

Like siblings, spirituality and religion share common parentage, a concept called the Inner Life. The term may evoke unappealing images of austere renunciation, but the Inner Life is the essence of spirituality and the basis for all genuine religious activity. It comes from the fact that every religion has two sets of teachings; outer doctrine (dogma and ritual) and inner tradition (mystical or spiritual), both of which exist simultaneously. To clarify the distinctions I use the analogy of a walnut: Outer teachings – called exoteric – are like a walnut’s shell. Its hardness is ideal for protective purposes and withstands the rigors of time to guard prized contents. This shell satisfies those for whom surface teachings and vague concepts of God are acceptable without looking deeper. Others starve from such topical fare and want to crack the shell for its inner meat; the mystical or spiritual teachings – called esoteric – that foster Enlightenment.

Yet how exactly does ‘inner’ differ from ‘outer?’ The inner life is based on direct experience – a point so vital that I emphasize it repeatedly. Looking at a photo of fire isn’t the same as feeling its heat. Likewise, knowing Spirit by personal realization is far different from reading or hearing about it. St. Thomas Aquinas understood this point very well. He was the Christian scholar of his era but had a mystical experience while celebrating Mass on December 6, 1273, after which he stopped writing his great work, the Summa Theologiae. When asked why he had discontinued, Aquinas replied,

“I cannot go on…All that I have written seems to me like so much straw compared to what I have seen and what has been revealed to me…”

The inner life isn’t the intellectual life. It strives to uplift soul awareness above ego identification and induce recollection of its divine origin in Spirit. Worshiper and Worshiped reunite in a holy bond, a state hard for the ordinary person to understand.

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700 Twelve Oaks Center Drive
Suite 734
Minnetonka, MN 55391

Situated in a cozy setting amidst wetlands, the sights and sounds of nature form a soothing complement for the services I provide.

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These Sunday morning services are not sermon-oriented but emphasize personal, direct communion with Spirit through meditation: “Seek the Kingdom within.”

The format is simple, inclusive, and consistent:

• Prayer Invocation
• Body / Mind Centering
• Devotional Chanting
• Guided Meditation
• Inspirational Message
• Healing Transmission

Goal: To Deepen Inner-Experience and Unity with the Divine.

~ All Welcome ~

Where: Om Collective 3350 Lyndale Ave. S, Mpls., MN 55408
Time: Sundays, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Donation: Pay What You Can (Suggest $5 – $20)

Schedule Through September, 2013:
June 30 / July 7, 21 / August 4, 11, 18 / Sept. 1, 8, 15, 29

Rev. Alan L. Pritz
Awake-In-Life Interfaith Ministry

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By Alan L. Pritz

Years ago when training in and teaching martial arts, I found myself squirming in a movie theatre while a young, uncoordinated, and rather inept Ralph Maccio portrayed a klutz–transformed–to–boy–wonder in “The Karate Kid”. Nobody asked me then, so I’ve patiently waited all this time to finally vent and say, PHOOEY!!! Maybe it’s just me, but there’s nothing that rankles quite so much as seeing something valuable misrepresented to a less knowledgeable public.

The same thing is now occurring with yoga. In April, Time Magazine dazzled all with a cover photo showing a young–lovely in a tricky yoga pose. They also had an inside story discussing various styles of yoga and how mainstream it’s become in the west. Part of me was glad to see this; after all, I’ve been involved with yoga for years and know its value. However, then the purist rankle–factor set in. According to the Time article there are as many different varieties of yoga as personality types to practice it. Some emphasize soothing & centering, others “shake and bake”. Yet these are but niche–marketing forms of one method of yoga, hatha, and the teachers who have generated these expressions.

Western audiences, by and large, like externals. They want quick results, trendy sweat, and glitzy, sexy representations of anything. Ironically, hatha yoga is a minor aspect in the broader science of yoga. I don’t mean to say it has no value, it does. However, many advanced yogis may not practice it at all. Here’s a story to emphasize my point:

A proud hatha teacher once took his most advanced disciple to a nearby Master. After the disciple demonstrated his skillful attainment, the teacher announced, “Now he is ready for seclusion to gain enlightenment.” The Master, who patiently watched the performance replied, “Of what benefit is all this? Even a snake or cat is as limber!”

When Time did their yoga bit they were selling magazines, not attending to details nor philosophic accuracy. Yoga derives from the Sanskrit, yuj, which means “union”. This doesn’t just mean body/mind integration. That’s almost insulting. Rather, it refers to the union of the soul with Spirit through scientific methods of meditation. Quite a difference!

In Hindu philosophy, Yoga is but one of six orthodox systems. It hosts various methods such as Hatha, Mantra, Laya, Karma, Jnana, Bhakti, and Raja. The last, Raja, means “royal” or complete yoga and integrates all the different systems for the singular purpose of attaining Divine union. In the holy Hindu Bhagavad Gita, the Lord as Krishna extols Raja Yoga to the spiritual seeker personified as Arjuna:

”The yogi is greater than body–disciplining ascetics, greater even than the followers of the path of wisdom or of the path of action; be thou, O’ Arjuna, a yogi!“ — BG, VI:46, (“Yogi” here refers to anyone practicing a scientific method of meditation.)
In our sometimes crass, “firm–butt” culture, hatha is the most widely known and taught system of yoga because of its health and appearance benefits. But these are mere by–products of practice and not the ultimate goal. “Hatha” literally means “sun/moon” and refers to the flow of subtle energies within the body. It is the control of these energies that matters in yoga, not a contortionist’s flexibility. Here’s why.

In yoga the soul is known to be an individualized aspect of Spirit. Like the prodigal child in the Christian parable, it left the home of Spirit/Father in Cosmic Consciousness and descended into the limitation of form and ego, i.e. identification with a physical body and seeming separation from Spirit. That descent occurred sequentially through the seven chakras, centers of life energy and consciousness in the body and brain that radiate vital force to the astral and physical bodies. Thus the chakras and their energetic pathways are also the metaphysical route by which the soul must reascend to Cosmic Consciousness.

“In its conscious upward passage through the seven opened or ’awakened’ cerebrospinal centers, the soul travels the highway to the Infinite, the true path by which the soul must retrace its course to reunite with God.” — Man’s Eternal Quest, Paramhansa Yogananda

So the real essence of yoga is its definitive understanding of how to re–unite with God by scientific methods. Obviously this is a tad deeper than the hatha class taught at a nearby health club! Now that I’ve set the record straight, let me re–iterate that hatha yoga is wonderfully therapeutic, healthful, and spiritually beneficial. I’ve been certified to teach it, practice it to a certain degree, and regularly use it in my meditation workshops and retreat activities. However, I simply couldn’t abide by the popular misconception that this is all of what yoga is about. Without proper information people could spend much of their time practicing “the trees without seeing the forest.” The heart of yoga is meditation, plain and simple. Even those who practice the systems that emphasize devotion, service, and wisdom must ultimately incorporate meditation for greatest benefit. Communion with the Divine is the sole goal. As one saint put it, “God Alone”. The great gift of yoga is that it can facilitate this end regardless of ones religious or spiritual orientation.

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At a recent dinner gathering, a friend and his wife heard I was writing about the nature of Mindfulness. Perhaps to be polite — or out of genuine curiosity — they asked for a brief explanation. Unfortunately, my explanations are seldom brief. Were I a vaudeville act, my wife would be the one to pull me from stage with a cane if I overstayed my welcome. However, the die was cast and I stepped into my pontificating role. What I relayed that evening served as the model for this article.

Many people have heard of Mindfulness but may not understand its various layers of meaning or diverse applications. Its initial popularity in the West arose after Bill Moyers interviewed Jon Kabat–Zinn for the TV special, “Healing and the Mind.” Kabat–Zinn used classic Buddhist mindfulness techniques with select medical patients to help treat their chronic pain, or rather, patterns of perceiving only pain. With the help of specific breathing and concentration practices, he taught them how to pay attention to the moment. Rather than view life’s drama as a pain–filled horror show, they learned to see that “the now” is a field of rich potential; a medley of perceptions fashioned by attentive, incremental awareness. This first level of mindfulness is most often associated with becoming alert and engaged in even the smallest of things. It produces an even–minded calmness unruffled by gusts of mental restlessness and frees one from anxiety about the past or worries for the future. When applied to activities it leads to a paradoxical state of active stillness.

As we go deeper into mindfulness, the mind becomes completely still. The breath can stop, thoughts cease, but perception continues. At this point the nature of awareness itself comes under scrutiny. A realization arises that consciousness exists apart from the body; that we are consciousness. From this experience the ego takes a beating. It/we can no longer fully identify with the body and all its nasty little habits. These are viewed more accurately as superficial decorations on a more enduring part of ourselves, the Self or Soul. This forms the second layer of mindfulness.

Progressing further, we observe a connection between our individual power of perception and the underlying consciousness that sponsors it. The boundaries of awareness become permeable. Rather than being limited to a single form – our body, we feel a subtle expansion of awareness extend outward in an increasingly inclusive manner. At this juncture people often experience an enlightening sense of connectedness to all life. This third level of mindfulness is not merely poetic metaphor, but reality on a grander scale.

These experiences all come from a root cause, stillness of mind. Such stillness can only arise from focused concentration. That focus, however, is achieved in many ways. Buddhists developed Zen and Vipassana meditation to induce such states. The modern work of Shunryu Suzuki, S.N. Goenka, and Thich Nat Han, are perhaps most notable in this arena. What is advantageous about these methods is their clarity of process and recognition of outcomes. That said other religions also tap into mindfulness albeit from different orientations.

In Catholic tradition saying the rosary is very similar to what’s known in Hindu faiths as japa — repetition of a name of God. And “practicing the Presence” is akin to karma yoga. In the former, reciting a divine name or prayer leads the mind to inner states of increased focus and ultimately, stillness. In the latter, perceptions are oriented around feeling the presence of Christ or God…however termed, as constantly with you in thought, word, and deed. This enhances awareness of the mysterious consciousness that imbues and directs us all. There are Jewish and Muslim meditative practices that produce similar ends, but unfortunately I’m not sufficiently versed in these doctrines to do them justice.

Lastly comes what I deem the highest application of mindfulness, attunement to the cosmic intelligence of Spirit. Mindfulness is most valuable in context of uniting the individual mind with universal mind or Ultimate Truth. Through proper technique one is able to feel and identify with the subtle vibration called the “Word” or Om, the Prime Force of creation. When able to do this proficiently, individual awareness becomes linked to cosmic perception. At that juncture the tiny drop of personal awareness expands into the ocean of infinite consciousness. We reclaim identification with our Source and know ourselves as Its children. With this realization we gain release from the roller coaster drama of creation and unite in ecstasy with the Creator. Jelaluddin Rumi put it this way in “The Worms Waking”:

This is how a human being can change:
there’s a worm addicted to eating grape leaves.
Suddenly, he wakes up, call it grace, whatever,
something wakes him, and he’s no longer a worm.
He’s the entire vineyard, and the orchard too, the fruit, the trunks,
a growing wisdom and joy that doesn’t need to devour.

Such reunion is the mystical purpose of life. Instead of endlessly chasing bits of distracting desires — the illusory sensory mirage — we become eternally sated by drinking the “living waters” of liberating Truth. Such is the basis for Mindfulness and the pinnacle of its manifestation.

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By Alan L. Pritz

Recently I came under attack. It wasn’t from a crook or mugger. Rather it was from my own inner demons and temptations. In and of itself this isn’t surprising. Each of us has character flaws and it’s no crime to be tempted. Christ was. Buddha was. Paramahansa Yogananda was. Mahatma Gandhi, Sri Ramakrishna, and St. Francis were. So, we’re all in good company! Temptations surround us like bacteria. In fact, they are part of the nature of life to test and strengthen us. The problem comes if one gives in to them.

The nature of temptation is appearance. It imitates celestial bliss via intoxicatingly sweet yet poisonous sense lures. If seduced by the sweetness, a fall usually lay close behind. In Homer’s classic, The Odyssey, Odysseus purposely confronted temptation via the Sirens. What did they appeal to? The senses! He knew their power and was lashed to a ship mast to avoid leaping to his doom. This was wise because unless anchored in wisdom, feelings often overcome reason and cause people to plunge into error. This may sound melodramatic, but it’s true. How many divorces have been spawned by quick, seemingly irresistible trysts with passion? How many crooked deals have been made from easy but illegal financial opportunities? ‘Nuff said.

Suffice it to say there are times when each of us may be confronted by unique tests or temptation. My own episode was intense. I found that for a period my mind was in a fog and things I’d taken for granted seemed mutable. It was as though a blanket had been thrown over my head and the ability to see clearly was dimmed by the opaque nature of delusion. Fortunately I realized it was important to openly discuss my crisis with trusted people. Though not always the way to go, in this instance I felt that being mute was the last thing I needed — “…every one that doeth evil hateth the light..but he that doeth truth cometh to the light..” — John 3:20, 21.

Secondly, I recognized that current life interactions are a complex tapestry of past–life relations variously decorated with pre–natal and post–natal tendencies. In other words, we all come with “stuff”. It is the nature of conscious living to purify our weaknesses in the furnace of Truth. As long as we continue to seek lasting joy in things of the world, so long must we re–incarnate until the lesson of Spirit–fulfillment is gained. But this ain’t always easy!

It was during this episode that I began to appreciate Jesus’ comments to John the Baptist about His imminent baptism. He said, “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” ( — Matthew 3:15). Though not a New Testament scholar, what struck me about this passage was the adjoining of the term “suffer” with “righteousness”. Given my struggle, I could feel a palpable tension between pursuing my temptation with what I knew to be correct. There truly was a degree of suffering involved. Yet the end product, righteousness, was the only course of action I could truly get behind. And to a real degree it hurt to do so. However, once decided upon, the fogginess that beset me cleared up as did my perspective.

Retrospectively I could see that rightness shone throughout the trial like the Polestar for lost sailors. But, it could have easily been overlooked if too drunk on ignorance or blinded by desire. Now, lest pride set in, I did suffer inner bruises from unsettling revelations gained along the way. I also became aware of other individuals who weren’t as fortunate. Apparently simultaneously tested in their own weak areas, these persons succumbed. So, but for the Grace of God, there go I!

That said, how should one handle a fall? Well, get back up! As the saint Sri Yukteswar remarked, “Forget the past. The vanished lives of all men are dark with many shames. Human conduct is ever unreliable until man is anchored in the Divine. Everything in future will improve if you are making a spiritual effort now.” It isn’t error that should overly concern us, but growing in the Light. To label oneself a sinner and sink into self–pity serves no one, most especially oneself. Learn from mistakes and move forward. As Paramhansa Yogananda said, “A saint is a sinner that didn’t give up!” The real Self is taintless and pure. Once we experience this Self and become fully identified with it, our past errors are erased in the flame of wisdom. Just as darkness vanishes once a light is turned on, so too does the darkness of ignorance vanish once the Light of Illumination is attained.

What is the take–away from this article — to not mind falling into temptation? No. That is a reality that can happen, but not one to be sought after. Rather, learn to be vigilant and strong. Recognize that desire and temptation have their power. Part of it is appeal. What do you really want? Part of it is weakness. Where can you stand some character shaping? Recognize that caving in to temptation will not really provide satisfaction. Only by taking the high road, by suffering to fulfill righteousness in such circumstances can one truly feel good about oneself and at peace. Although painful at the time, the lasting gain is worth the sometimes–searing effort.

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