If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

As a practitioner of New Thought, I have reflected many times upon the “feared and dreaded” Bible passage about Satan and how his number is “666″. I have thought to myself, “what does this really mean?” Well, after considerable reflection, I think I have formulated something quite unique, and I hope you will find similar interest in this viewpoint.

Mathematically, “666″ is another way of saying 2000 divided by 3000, because if you divide 2 by 3, you get as a result .6666 (ongoing). So, really what we are looking at here is the relationship of 2 “over” or “divided by” three.

If you take the Abraham Maslow “Hierarchy of Needs” chart and divide it into three sections, addressing the most fundamental needs of the individual: physical survival needs, socialization needs, and spiritual needs, soon we can see the self-evident correlation.

“666″ simply means that man is, at this time in history, mostly concerned about only two-thirds of his total needs. He is addressing, for the most part, needs that are on the levels of physical wellness and social wellness. However, there is alot of neglect in the third section of needs: spiritual needs.

So, like the above diagram shows us, the bottom two sections of human needs, according to Maslow, are being addressed. However, the third, is either not being addressed in certain parts of the world or it is being done with major flaws, hence the great differences between people of different belief systems. So, we can safely conclude, within this limited model of reflection, that “666″ really implies that man is leading a somewhat materialistic life, focused mostly on worldly concerns and failing to address and meet spiritual needs - and this is most unfortunate since, according to the Hindu Vedas and other related schools of thought like Theosophy, that we are spiritual beings right now experiencing human life and its challenges.

So, there you have it: 666, at least within this limited new-thought model, is not about devils or demons or anything like that. Rather, it is a number that suggests we are only focusing on the first two of three major needs we all have: physical, social, and spiritual. Let’s see what we can do to address all, and in this way we can leave behind us, collectively, all concerns and false beliefs associated with this infamous number in the Bible’s Book of Revelation.

Written by Keith Johnson September 4th, 2008 Add Comment »

One of the greatest concerns of modern man is personal freedom. Indeed, this is a noble and great concept. However, from the perspective of both medical science and traditional eastern yoga schools, one needs to understand the reality that lies behind the appearance of youth and wellness.

Our physical senses can only stand a certain amount of sensory input or gratification. If we go beyond such levels, then pleasure and happiness turns into pain and suffering. For example, I eat a modest meal and tea or water leaving about 20% of my stomach empty. Some people will say I have denied myself. OK, now let’s consider this. I eat to the point of 100% capacity. Very soon, I will feel like I have actually poisoned myself, and will soon expel the food, in one of two highly painful ways (you can imagine what these are).

So, the lesson here is that moderation with respect to sense gratification allows us to enjoy, but only if we consume with this awareness in mind. This is the first step to freedom: understanding the limitations of the physical body. So, if you were to ask your medical doctor and or yoga instructor, both will tell you that the less you abuse your physical body, the more you are allowing a natural and spontaneous “inner freedom” to take place.

Meditation is just that. You are sitting or walking and just observing. You are not consuming anything nor are you trying to prove anything to anybody. You are just experiencing the moment and what it feels like “to be”. This reminds me greatly of the Beatles’ song “Let It Be”. I am sure they had this idea in mind of meditation as an expression of true inner freedom that we cannot “produce” but rather we must allow for a state of relaxation to manifest that does not depend upon the exertion of force on the senses in any way. If anything, we are giving the senses a rest in meditation.

So, there you have it. Freedom is the experience of “being”. It is the ability to really enjoy the moment and it is a letting go of all anxiety about the past and future. Like Buddha once said “if you can really live in the present moment, then you will achieve Buddhahood.” It is indeed nice to know that millions of dollars or euros cannot buy me freedom. Rather, just by sitting down or walking somewhere, totally absorbed in the present moment, I can experience a freedom that is truly unparalleled. Indeed, this is a spiritual truth to be cherished, and really good for us when we are experiencing physical stress and anxiety.

Meditation is the greatest way to inner freedom and relaxation.

Written by Keith Johnson September 2nd, 2008 Add Comment »

As children, we grow up listening to stories of great men and women. We are also introduced to mythological figures who we say we can count on in times of trouble. I personally feel this is a great injustice to children and to all who are forced into such indoctrinations. Let me explain why.

Mythological indoctrinations give “indoctrinees” a false sense of hope and expectation, and then when things go wrong in life we are left to question the entire belief system that we were forced into or were encouraged into. As a boy, I was told that Jesus was born from a “virgin” birth and that after death he arose into heaven where he sits next to God The Father on some kind of throne, surrounded by angels, overlooking creation. Well, this Jesus mythology is not very comforting when you consider the vast amount of suffering that has transpired over the past two thousand years. To think that such a god sits in a throne, all comfortable in heaven, while nations of men threaten the very existence of the human race with ever-increasing destructive technologies is a terrible charade, the say the least. As a parent, if I were to watch passively as a child walked into the street only to get hit by an oncoming car, what would you call me if I saw the car coming but cared not to intercede and save the child? I personally believe I would be a cold and callous person. Now, what to say of such a mythological image of a god in a throne in heaven sitting there while man edges every day closer to worldwide destruction and self-destruction? All of this is the result of the mythological mentality that we are indoctrinated into. We are asked to believe in something that does not exist.

The message of the Himalayan yogis is simple: when you sit in meditation, what do you hear? The Cosmic Hum or OM, that is all! So, for these great and simple and virtuous men, that is what they want you to believe in - that which you can perceive firsthand in meditation, without any silly mythologies that set you up for a false belief and then let you down when life becomes overwhelming. Last night there was a program on 20/20 - an ABC News special Friday night program - where people more than ever are jumping to their death from San Francisco’s Golden Gate bridge. Surely, the reality of mythology has caused them at least in part to bring them to the point of self-collapse, where their god has seemingly abandoned them, or has not appeared to help, and thus they feel no more hope and thus have lost their will to live.

The opposite side of mythology is also prevalent in the Islamic faith. Fundamental Islamics are told they will go to heaven and men will gain seven virgins in heaven if they kill anyone who is not a professed Islamic. Such is the malevolent power of mythology.

In fundamentalist Christianity, whomever does not conform to a very strict doctrinal view that the Bible is the literal word of God and that not adhering to this viewpoint means eternal damnation in hellfire after death, is yet another monstrous manifestation of mythology that is forced on people and that forever shapes society and human beings.

False mythologies have moved man to the brink of self-destruction. There is only one hope: the experience of meditation and in meditation we see that there in no need to believe in anything. The “authority” of religionists, in my opinion, is completely bogus. They are more lost than the average person. They are conspirators in the near-destruction of people. The yogis are the saviors because they say “forget all that you have been taught. Just meditate and let the truth manifest directly to you, apart from the ignorance of those who profit from your non-awareness.”

Meditation is the path “beyond faith” and “beyond belief”. It is the path of direct experience, and what could possibly be better than that? I say nothing, absolutely nothing. We need to establish meditation centers across the world so that we can all have solidarity, unity, and oneness through a common life experience, not through false mythological beliefs which cause us to further subdivide.

Mythology is verily poison to the human being and human soul.

Meditation is its solution and definitive remedy and elixir.

Written by Keith Johnson August 30th, 2008 Add Comment »

Competition was the essence of my life experience through college. It was all about performance. Your personal, social, and societal status was totally based upon your membership in different organizations, clubs, sports, activities, not to mention school. If you failed to perform for one reason or another, you were simply “out” or considered “a loser” because you “failed to measure up to something”.

As an adult, nothing could be farther from the essence and truth of our human experience than competition. Competition creates and fosters hatred, separation and animosity, to just scratch the surface. Wars have come into being due to competition. Just look at Helen of Troy - ultimately two nations went to war to win Helen. Such is the incredible power of competition.

Compassion, on the other hand, is a feeling of unconditional connection with others that is not based upon performance in any way. Rather, this connection is the simple result of “being”. Compassion is a powerful spiritual energy that allows for healing to take place. In the late 1990s, I had the opportunity to meet a very prominent Tibetan Lama who listened with great attention to my questions and concerns about life. It brought me to tears, because I had experienced compassion for the first time in my life - true spiritual compassion. His listening was the greatest act of love I had ever experienced, and he had no self-interest to get in the way of true listening. For this reason, I ask you to consider the place of compassion in your life. Do you feel disconnected with others? Then practice some compassion. It will change your life for the better - forever. Here are ten reasons to practice:

1. Conversation. People will be glad to know that you are really listening to them.

2. Work. Co-workers will be glad to know that you are working with collaboration in mind.

3. School. Teachers will be glad to see students paying attention to their lessons.

4. Family. Family members will be glad to see you helping in group activities around the house.

5. Morale. Compassion boosts morale greatly when there is great stress and tension.

6. Mental Health. Compassion allows the mind to heal knowing that a friendly presence is nearby.

7. Physical Health. Compassion allows the physical body to heal.

8. Creativity. Compassion allows the mind to once again tap into its innate creative forces.

9. Relationships. People with compassion are generally more able to reciprocate in relationships.

10. Peace. Compassion gives one the inner power to change things for the better, just by small acts of kindness. This generates within the practitioner a great sense of inner peace.

Written by Keith Johnson August 27th, 2008 Add Comment »

For those of you familiar with the current presidential election here in the United States, the democratic (meaning “liberal”) candidate is Senator Barach Obama and the republican (meaning “conservative’) candidate is Senator John McCain. Each of them are trying to become president of the United States of America by politicizing themselves with major power-brokers in both the world of politics and business. It seems to me that Barach Obama appeals more to the younger crowd, whereas John McCain appeals more to the older crowd, for the most part. Obama believes that we should end the war in Iraq immediately, whereas John McCain says that the USA should withdraw troops from Iraq slowly so that we don’t abandon Iraq out of a successful transition into democratic autonomy. What has upset me the most about both candidates is that they “flounder” on so many topics that they really have no definitive position. This is the upsetting thing about politics - there is no real hope for stability within the world of politics - it is really a campaign of “words” to get votes.

It is my hope, dear readers, that Vedanta Philosophy becomes more popular throughout the world. Why? What does this have to do with the world of politics? Let me explain. Most people today know about well-known spiritual teachers like Dr. Wayne Dyer and Dr. Deepak Chopra. When they talk, people listen. People buy their books and use their advice to create a better life for themselves. Well, Vedanta Philosophy is actually the very strength of both these great men. Wayne Dyer is sometimes more, externally, centered in the Chinese Tao Philosophy - of the “yin” and “yang” where there are always two “seemingly opposing” forces that need to be harmonized so that there is peace and happiness. But ultimately, Dr. Wayne Dyer also believes in the concept of “The One” which is what Vedanta Philosophy is all about. There is only ONE universal energy that prevails and that we are all part of IT. So, whatever we do to others, we do to ourselves. There is no “other”. Dr. Deepak Chopra also is well rooted in Vedanta Philosophy because he says that the core root of suffering is that we don’t know our true spiritual nature. Hence - the cause of suffering. When we can awaken to our true nature (Divine Spirit) then suffering will diminish drastically.

So, what does this have to do with politics? Eventually, politicians will not be able to deny the truth of Vedanta Philosophy and they then must create and back-up policies that help EVERYONE. At the same time, collaboration is required for such an overhaul. A case in point? UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE. One bad health crisis in the hospital can leave a family or individual with a bill well over one million dollars, and most Americans do not have that amount of money. Even if they are financing a one million dollar home, perhaps their equity is only one-hundred thousand dollars, so that means a total negative impact of $900,000. So, with Vedanta Philosophy understood and accepted as being true, just like Mathematics, Sciences, Psychology, and other established mainstream ways of thinking, there can be political policies implemented that will really help the United States, and can also be implemented in other parts of the world. The idea that one man is better than another is folly and completely wrong from the perspective of Vedanta. All parts of a machine are important, even a tiny spring! So, surely some parts of the economic and financial “empires” might seem more important that others, ultimately, we all matter and it is time that politicians stop putting special interests first and start putting people first. It is the people of America, alias, the world, who get up and work every day and pay their taxes that deserve not only health care, but also dignity and the legislative support of their governments around the world.

This, I believe, can be achieved, by a real and thorough understanding of Vedanta Philosophy.

Written by Keith Johnson August 23rd, 2008 Add Comment »

Dear Visitors and Blog Subscribers:

Today’s post is simply a summary of twenty reasons that you can take to heart and that, for me, are reason enough to incorporate OM meditation into your life. As I have mentioned countless times on this blog, OM is the sound symbol for perfect non-duality, which really means perfect peace, harmony and happiness. Therefore, OM meditation is a worthwhile endeavor to experience the Absolute firsthand, beyond all external props, lectures, dogmas, or mythologies.

1. OM, according to the Himalayan Yogis, was the first revelation of the Absolute to man.

2. OM, according to the Himalayan Yogis, honors all time: past, present and future.

3. OM, according to the Himalayan Yogis, honors all life: creation, preservation, and dissolution.

4. OM, according to the Himalayan Yogis, honors all masculine and feminine divinity.

5. OM, according to the Himalayan Yogis, is the timeless sound of the Absolute Divine Spirit.

6. OM, according to the Himalayan Yogis, is the essence of all nature.

7. OM, according to the Himalayan Yogis, is the essence of the Sun.

8. OM, according to the Himalayan Yogis, is the essence of the Moon.

9. OM, according to many Realized Masters, is the original sound of the Universe.

10. OM, according to Maha Avatar Babaji, is the goal of the Kriya Yoga path.

11. OM, according to Babaji’s disciple Lahiri Mahasaya, is the Transcendental Absolute Plane.

12. OM, according to Mahasaya’s disciple Swami Yukteswar, is the name of Brahman (Divine Spirit).

13. OM, according to Yukteswar’s disciple Paramahansa Yogananda, is the Holy Spirit of God.

14. OM, according to Krishna (who spoke the Hindu Gita) is the goal of Bhakti-Yoga.

15. OM, according to Paramahansa Ramakrishna, is the goal of all spiritual paths.

16. OM, according to Sankaracharya, is the perfect sound-symbol of non-duality.

17. OM, according to Paramahansa Yogananda, is the original sound-form of Amen and Amim.

18. OM, according to Paramahansa Yogananda, is the equivalent of “I AM”, as Jesus once spoke.

19. OM, according to the current Dalai Lama (XIV), is the sound representing Buddhahood.

20. OM, according to Paramahansa Nityananda, is the perfect sound union of Shiva and Shakti.

Written by Keith Johnson August 21st, 2008 1 Comment »

Numerology is the ancient spiritual practice of number analysis. According to established Numerology experts, numbers can tell us alot about ourselves and our lives. Those in the pure sciences like Mathematics and Physics say that Numerology is only pseudo-science, but I beg to differ. Our lives are not just mechanical processes. Rather, our lives are a unique combination of physical reality and spiritual reality.

OM can be understood by adding two numbers: the letter “O” and the letter “M”. The numerology of the letter “O” is 15 and the numerology of the letter “M” is 13. To create an analysis of OM we must add these two numbers together. Doing so produces 15+13 to equal 28. Because Numerology usually focuses on numbers between zero (0) and ten (10), let us continue one step further. Adding 2 + 8 gives us ten (10). In numerology, ten is a perfect number of perfect qualities, according to diverse numerology websites I consulted over the web. Even still, if numerological analysis must be limited to numbers between zero (0) and nine (9), or single digits only, then adding 1 + 0 (the two digits of ten) gives us “1″, which is the supreme number of oneness or non-duality.

So, from the perspective of Numerology, whether you accept a final answer of 10 or 1 for “OM”, you are observing a presence that is perfect, as in a perfect ten, or one, which is the true symbol and number for spiritual oneness or non-duality. In either viewpoint, “OM” has an absolutely incredible profile from within the spiritual science of Numerology.

Written by Keith Johnson August 20th, 2008 Add Comment »

In Chapter Sixteen (16) of the Hindu Bhagavad Gita (literally “The Song of God”), Krishna, who is speaking as God tells us what constitutes “the divine”. Here is what Krishna tells us:

“Fearlessness, purification of one’s existence, cultivation of spiritual knowledge, charity, self-control, performance of sacrifice, study of the Vedas, austerity and simplicity; nonviolence, truthfulness, freedom from anger; renunciation, tranquility, aversion to faultfinding, compassion and freedom from covetousness; gentleness, modesty and steady determination; vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, cleanliness, freedom from envy and the passion for honor-these transcendental qualities, belong to godly men endowed with divine nature.”

The reason I have posted this quotation from the Hindu Gita is simple. There is much hypocrisy in the world today. Many people think that just by going to church, temple, ashram or synagogue and telling the resident pastor, priest, rabbi, swami, or lama about their faults and sins that everything is automatically rectified and that they are clear to go to heaven. Well, sorry to disappoint you, but life does not work that way! We are here to grow into totally divine beings like Krishna has told us. We are to live such that we do not offend or harm others and enhance their sense of wellness, happiness, and mutual respect with us. It is about unfoldment and growth, not about living an evil life and then just saying “I’ll get clearance from my priest and then I will still go to heaven.” This is making a mockery of Divine Love, Divine Compassion, and all that is Noble and Good. Yes, there is grace, but there is also the law. As the Dalai Lama has preached, OM is the sound that represents our regular body, speech and mind, however over time, as we live divine lives along with OM meditation, the purity of awareness grows within us until we are like butterflies that end up flying away.

So, let us honor the truly divine nature as Krishna has told us and also let us help others toward a life of peace, sanctity, honor, love, compassion and qualities like these. Namaste & OM Shanti, Keith

Written by Keith Johnson August 19th, 2008 Add Comment »

Here at 43 years old, with my Master’s Degree and around twenty-years of travel and work experiences behind me - I believe that I can accurately tell you something about faith. In short, faith is something that belongs to the realm of religion. Faith means “believing” in something. If you look into the word “believe” there is the word “lie”. Ironic isn’t it? Yes it is. In fact, the entire purpose of this blog is to help you transcend your own mind so that you can experience the Absolute directly. You do not need priests, pastors, rabbis, or any kind of religious “masters”. Quite the contrary. All you need to do is avail yourself to the practice of meditation - and in a short amount of time, you will experience, just as I have, the immanent sound of the Universe - which is “OM”. Therefore, there is no need to believe in OM. Do you need to believe in water or sunlight - of course not, they are direct experiences. And so is OM.

So, to make a long lecture or sermon short here, faith is something that is the “legacy” of religious belief and the efforts of the clergy to propagate a story or myth. Unfortunately, religious “myths” have caused humanity untold amounts of strife, difference and suffering, so as far as I am concerned, we need to start moving away from “faith” and into something that we can all deem as a common experience, hence a new way of seeing how we are all similar and connected.

I came down hard on Leo of Zen Habits Dot Net yesterday because he said in the title of his post that absolutely nothing is wrong with the world. Let me say this - there are indeed many things wrong from the perspective of perception - and this is what causes us pain and sorrow. When we can correct our perspective yes life is beautiful and phenomenal. For us not to admit that there is suffering in the world and that there are no problems is to proverbially stick our heads in the sand, like the “dodo” bird does (I think that is how you spell it, correct me if I am wrong).

Faith has helped humanity, at the same time has caused us lots of pain and hardship. Meditation is the way beyond faith and belief and experiencing the Absolute directly with no intermediary people or control figures. It is just you and the Absolute, perfectly one.

Written by Keith Johnson August 15th, 2008 1 Comment »

Dear OM Meditation Blog Subscribers:

Today I would like to address something which I believe cannot let pass without saying something. It is regarding today’s post by the Zen Habits Dot Net blog - which basically is an exposition about how “everything in the world really is alright” and that there are no problems. I personally and professionally find this highly offensive.

I don’t even know where to begin - but my feeling about life is simple - the goal of Vedanta Philosophy says that there is the One Universal Self and as we all awaken to this - then all of our problems eventually will be worked out. Currently, however, that is NOT the case. Saying “not a damn thing is wrong with the world” is making a mockery of all political prisoners, rape victims, war victims, victims of extortion, corruption, bribery, immorality, and violence. Nothing is wrong? OH REALLY!

It is unbelievable the courage that this blog has to call itself spiritual. A really spiritual blog, like mine here, will not write just anything just to get subscribers or to get readers. Quite the contrary. One who puts content on the web and represents the Holy Dharma has a responsibility, alias a big one, to present things that are accurate and also that help others, and that do not do any harm out of business self-interest.

Zen is a noble Buddhist path and those who use “Zen” in their web URL should honor this path by honoring all people, especially those who are suffering under oppressive political and economic forces.

Written by Keith Johnson August 14th, 2008 2 Comments »