C
Cause
- Being "at cause" in your experience is the direct opposite
of being "at Effect";
it is to intentionally create your life, to make it happen consciously,
i.e., by commission rather than omission. If and when we are the cause
of our lives, then we create our own reality and cannot be at its effect
(or be victimized, or powerless). This is a principle that once realized
and lived gives you incredible power over your own life. [LMT]
Causality
- The inherent behind-the-scenes cause of things as they are presenting
themselves to be; the Action
that causes an effect, or the underlying ability to cause an effect.
There is constantly
this modifying Change
occurring both in and of the sum and form of things and circumstances
seen and experienced in Time and Space; also a steady change occurring in the substance of all
that appears in or on the field and ground of being, or in these two
apparently real and existing concepts. These apparent changes in form,
substance and circumstances are usually summed up in the language of
science and philosophy as causality or causation, or as the workings
of cause and effect.
In this stream
of apparent universal movement of events occurring in manifestation,
the antecedent state seems to be the cause of the subsequent state,
or else the subsequent state seems to be the result of the previous
causal actions of persons, objects or forces. However, what we call
"the cause" may very well be only the prevailing circumstances
in or of the moment, with no reference or connection at all to the previous
events, or as having a preceding cause.
Change
- To make different, to replace, substitute or exchange something for
or into something else; to alter, vary or modify the results, routine
or pattern of something; to shift from one state, stage or phase to
another.
It is an alteration
of something in the physical universe, being primarily an alteration
in form (as opposed to Transformation),
which is an alteration in the substance of a thing, or transubstantiation,
which actually is more to the point of what AHAM and its teaching is
really all about. [LMT]
Chatter
- is the ceaseless activity or noise of your mind; the constant inner
voices that direct your life from such non-experiential knowledge as
beliefs, opinions, concepts, etc., which impose judgments and decisions
- "Considerations"
- on things and which distort or put up Barriers
to experience. Also called " Yapitty-Yapitty.
[LMT]
Chit
(Consciousness) - Chit, Divine Consciousness, is not our mere
mental self-awareness, which on investigation we find is only a mind-form,
a lower and limited mode or mental movement, it is instead our Existence
itself.
When we progressively
awaken to the true spirit alive in us, the Self,
we realize that all is consciousness, that there is also consciousness
in plants, trees, minerals, in the elements, in the atoms of matter,
and in all manifested things in nature, which is of a lower nature than
the pure Conscious Awareness of the Self. Consciousness or Chit (Sanskrit)
is the very substance and essence of the Self, while everything else,
including so-called "inanimate" things are also manifestations
in and of consciousness, though less evolved in intelligence - being
mere mind-forms.
Choice;
Choose - Being "at choice" in your experience is
much higher on the scale of freedom of expression than deciding. When
you are living "at choice," you have an infinite number of
options at any time, as opposed to perception based on "decision"
that limits you, by reducing your available options to only one of two
apparent or seeming possibilities, which is often the lesser of two
evils. [LMT] (See: It's not "I have to," but "I choose
to").
Christ
- The universal principle of love, truth and wisdom. On attaining pure
Christ Consciousness, you can be said to be, "the only true Son
of God," the one pure Consciousness that solely expresses the All-encompassing
Being of Real God. This pure Consciousness, being our true Self-nature,
is Itself the true Son of God, which even now lies dormant in the Heart
or core of each one of us only awaiting the moment or instant of its
Awakening
and Realization.
Christ
Consciousness - Awakening to the very Self and Truth that it
is the Son of God; Realizing that God lives in us all, as us all; spiritually
Awakening and expressing the very Self at all times.
Jesus' uniqueness
was not that he was the Son of God, but that he actually knew or realized
this Divine Fact, and consciously lived in and from this Realization.
We are all Sons and Daughters of God. The majority of people are caught
in spiritual ignorance and are unknowingly going through the apparently
painful process of Awakening spiritually and Realizing this truth.
Clear
- As in "getting clear," or "clarifying an issue."
It is removing the debris that prevents you from seeing something cleanly
and sharply; free from doubt, restriction, and obstruction; cloudless.
One's Belief Systems are often the debris or obstructions that prevent people
from "getting clear." [LMT]
"Clear
space" - An infinite expanse, or extended area or domain
in consciousness that is free of anything that dims, obscures, darkens
or hinders, either by doubt, confusion, fear, qualification or limitation;
it is free from burden, obligation, guilt, concepts, opinions and beliefs.
It means plain and intelligible, empty, free of blemishes, obstructions
or impurities of the mind. [LMT]
Commitment;
dedication; resolve; vigilance - Respectively these are terms
- as they pertain to oneself or one's spiritual practice - collectively
meaning to commit oneself to a specific thing, objective, or course
of action; or, making a promise, pledge or covenant to oneself or others
regarding a thing, which implies sticking with it to completion, or
until which time you have been agreeably or willingly relieved, discharged
or dismissed.
Communication - The exchange of information between
you and another, particularly the effective use of words to convey your
Thoughts,
Ideas,
Position,
perspective and/or Point of View. It is important to be consciously aware of and intentionally
"mean what you say, and say what you mean,," and that you
are not sending conflicting or contradictory messages or meanings by
other signs or methods of communication, such as body language, gestures,
or inflections in your voice as you speak.
Completing it all
in this lifetime - The Commitment
made to oneself to living in and from the Self,
or attaining Enlightenment
in this lifetime. It is a conscious intention and felt obligation to
oneself to remain vigilant - i.e., loyal, watchful, alert, attentive,
careful and dedicated - to this purposeful intention and resolving to
carry it through to final completion.
Completion
- is gathering or calling up all needed or necessary parts, ingredients
or aspects of a situation, or condition, so as to terminate, fulfill
or bring it to conclusion or closure. It means precise, thorough and
total involvement of all needed aspects or parts of a situation in order
to finalize, fulfill, resolve or make it whole.
Compulsive
tendencies - Patterns of behavior from the past, often unconscious,
that now propel one to act in a certain way or manner; being required,
constrained, inclined or induced to behave, act or move in a certain
direction, or formal way based on a necessary urging that conforms to
one's past, which often indicates apparent lack of choice or control
in the matter.
Concept
- A general idea derived from particular instances; a Thought,
notion, Idea,
theory that is held and/or believed in the mind that is not necessarily
a fact, or what's true.
Conscious
- Conventionally it means being awake and responsive to stimuli; it
is to be aware of something and attaching importance to it; it's aware
of issues relating to a particular topic, idea or concept as having
importance. It is "being concerned with." It relates to that
part of the mind that is capable of thinking, choosing or perceiving.
In AHAM, it is
aware of one's own existence and environment, being aware of one's self
and the world. It is aware of "I" and "not I," being
fully awake, aware and alert; capable of Thought
or perception; having the power to will or Choose.
Conscious
awareness - It is fully alert attention given to any state,
issue, situation or thing.
Conscious
Connection - is being fully aligned and in tune with a person,
place, thing, or situation.
Conscious
Curriculum - In AHAM, a system of learning or a course of study
created from Enlightenment to produce Enlightenment;
designed to quicken the consciousness of the student, producing spiritual
awakening or direct, Conscious Awareness of the true Self; a description of AHAM's courses, workshops
and seminars.
Conscious
Intention - A steady and alert plan, aim, purpose or objective
to which you are consciously dedicated.
Conscious
and Subconscious Mind - Mind, even though in each entity it
is one, it actually functions through two major aspects: the conscious
and the subconscious. The conscious aspect is the acting or perceiving
subject, but which has become an apparent object due to its identification
with the body and with objectivity - it being that aspect that is objectively
aware. It is the personal aspect, or "I." You might think
of it as masculine, or the male part.
The subconscious
aspect of mind, even in its apparently objective form, is impersonal
and entirely subjective. It is not objectively aware of objects in the
usual sense, being not even aware of itself. Yet, it contains within
itself both the subjective "I" (or objective "me")
as well as all that we are objectively aware of that is "not-I,"
or not "me." You might think of it as feminine, or the female
aspect.
The subconscious
is the source and receptacle of all manifestation, yet is itself unmanifested.
It is unmanifested, as the source, yet all manifestation is its expression.
The conscious aspect,
or "I," is the personal aspect of mind and is identified with
the body. It considers itself to be the body, and the body to be the
"self." It sees the world and all objects in the world - all
"other" phenomena or manifestation - as "not I,"
and postulates some power outside itself as the cause and creator of
all that it sees, including itself. It usually conceives, projects and
names this separate creator as "God."
The subconscious
aspect of mind is what contains all that the conscious aspect names
as "not-I." All is contained in the subconscious aspect of
mind, for it is the impersonal phase of mind, and is man's link with
Universal Mind, being the direct connection with Infinite Being, or
Real God.
An analogy describing
these two phases of mind is the comparison of the mind with an iceberg
floating in the ocean. The portion that is visible above the surface,
the tip of the iceberg, represents the conscious phase; that portion
that is invisible or below the surface is the subconscious phase. Like
the floating iceberg, only a very small part of the mind in comparison
to the whole is above the surface. The subconscious includes far more
than the conscious phase, for the conscious is identified with the body
and visible world only, while the subconscious has a relationship with
all of creation - seen and unseen, known and unknown.
The conscious aspect
is that phase that says "I," or "I am," when you
say "I am going," "I am doing," "I am poor,"
"I am prosperous," "I am happy," or "I am unhappy."
Any statement or remark that implies that "you are," and that
you are aware of some particular state of being or experience, is the
function of your Conscious Mind. (Pages 109-110, Handbook to Perpetual
Happiness)
Consciousness
- The one fundamental substance and essence of everything;
that which everything is, and of which it is made. It is the energy,
motion, movement, or current that created and sustains the universe
and all that is in it. Both the macrocosm and the microcosm are nothing
but consciousness arranging and/or rearranging itself. When pure, still
and unconditioned, it is "I
AM," the pure reflection of pure Awareness,
before the arising of mind and the thought "I am the body"
or the appearance of form. Ordinarily, it is awareness of a particular
state of being. Also, it is special awareness of or sensitivity to a
particular issue or situation. With a small "c," it is the
sense of one's personal and/or collective identity after the rising
of mind.
Conscious
Process - A deliberate, purposeful learning experience. It
is looking at and experiencing - in an expanded state of awareness,
and without judgment - all that is actually so with regard to a specific
situation or area in your life, by uncovering or bringing into the light
of Conscious Awareness your fixed or unconscious notions and Attitudes
about it.
In a Conscious
AHAM
Training
Process, such as Re-Vision™, the Truth Process, the AHAM Completion
Process™, or I
AM Centering Process™, you intentionally bring up all these
areas, bringing them into your consciousness in order for them to be
seen, accepted and released, or dissolved, neutralized or transformed,
resulting in a clear and spontaneous release into freedom, peace and
joy. [LMT]
Consciousness
speaking to Consciousness - Most of AHAM's teaching, including its
authorized training programs, its various publications, tracts, pamphlets,
articles, etc., have been developed by A. Ramana, or have been approved
by him for inclusion in AHAM's Conscious Curriculum. This includes even
the articles used from the writing or words of other enlightened teachers.
AHAM's teaching, therefore, is not based on speculation, concepts, theories,
beliefs or mere points of view, but rather is what the Self or pure
Being has directly revealed. It is from the pure Consciousness of the
Self being spoken or conveyed to your own consciousness. And, if you
are open to receive it, it deeply stirs the Truth lying dormant or silently
within you, whether you know or realize it at the time or not, or even
whether you believe it or not.
To the extent that
you are open and receptive, it plants a seed in your consciousness that
in time will eventually germinate and begin to grow as your own experience
- even if it's in a future lifetime. In the Bible, it says "The
spirit of truth in man bears witness to the truth." When you are
open and receptive to AHAM's teaching, and not defending long held beliefs,
positions or points of view, but are willing to surrender your beliefs
to a higher understanding, you will feel the stirring of the Truth within
you, testifying to the truth of AHAM's Conscious Teaching.
Conscious
support - is wishing to see someone or some cause, policy,
procedure or organization succeed, and giving them your genuine encouragement,
backing and assistance. With people in AHAM, it means being responsible,
alert and On Purpose in aiding, confirming or supporting someone in his/her intention
to live the AHAM Teaching, or to be open, clear or complete in a given
area or aspect of his/her life. It is also giving support to AHAM itself
and to its Conscious Teaching being shared in the world, and assisting
in whatever way you can in carrying out AHAM's mission and purpose.
Conscious
Teacher - a Jnani;
an enlightened guide, trainer or Guru
who lives permanently in the true Self.
Considerations
- A person's conditioned system of values or Beliefs,
his/her conclusions and Assumptions,
which include judgments, conclusions, decisions, reasons, opinions,
etc. These are usually Barriers
to Truth
because they get in the way of seeing what's really happening now, or
in the present moment; they are a part of one's past which usually has
to be acknowledged before one chooses, and which often dictates why
or what one chooses; all of the things people use to "Be Right," to justify their positions, points of view and behavior.
[LMT]
Cosmic
Consciousness - is the vast, limitless consciousness of this
infinite universe, being the celestial spirit and infinite nature of
all the incalculable beings and forces contained in the cosmos; the
ordered system of all apparent manifestation. In the heavenly state
of cosmic consciousness, the limits, boundaries and borders of the personal
mind and body, the ego, are seemingly insignificant. One becomes aware
of the universal or cosmic vastness filling one's being, as well as
aware of the direct play of all the cosmic forces, i.e., universal mind,
life forces and all energies of matter, as being expressions of the
one cosmic Self.
Cosmic-Habit-Force,
The Principle of - Every phase of the creative process, as
it is expressing throughout the entire universe, operates according
to this repetitive Law of Habit. Every phase of the intelligent expression
of both personal and group creativity operates on the premise of this
Law of Cosmic-Habit-Force. This means that once a particular Thought
or Idea
is repeatedly embraced or entertained, it becomes formed as a pattern
in the mind. And once a pattern is formed and repeated enough times
for it to become well established, it will continually or automatically
operate in that field of expression and area of life - unless it is
consciously and intentionally neutralized or changed by revising it,
and a new choice, an entirely different thought pattern is selected
to fill the space left by its absence or removal. (Page 164, The Handbook
to Perpetual Happiness, by A. Ramana) (See: The Law of Reversibility).
Cosmos
- The manifested universe that is seen, considered or Thought
of as a universal, ordered and integrated whole. It is an ordered system,
containing a harmonious whole.
Creation
- In itself, creation is already finished or complete. So, what appear
to be "new creations" are not actually the making or building
of a new "something" - either out of one thing, or something
else, or out of "nothing," - but rather is a projection, a
reforming or fashioning of the one substance of Consciousness around
a new idea or new concept, as it appears as the present apparently new
condition now manifesting in space and time. This means "new creations"
are not in fact a process of "newly making," but rather is
a process of reforming or refashioning the one and only substance (consciousness)
that always, already is, in Itself (it being the single building block
or substance of the universe) into a new arrangement that appears in
matter. It is more of a "re-forming" or "re-applying"
or "becoming another different expression of itself" that
appears in time and space, being only a new appearance in the One existence.
Cult
- It is a group of people who share religious, spiritual or other Beliefs.
A secondary meaning is, an informal and transient system of beliefs
regarded by orthodox religionists as being misguided and unacceptable,
or that its members have extreme or excessive admiration for a person,
philosophy of life, or activity. It may include a body of organized
practices and beliefs supposed to involve interaction with and control
over supernatural powers. It is also a self-defined group of people
who share a specific, distinct or definite interest or perspective.
When you really
consider most of these established meanings of the word "cult,"
one outstanding example would be the Vatican, the Pope, and the Catholic
Church. Also included would be most if not all Protestant Churches,
especially those where the committed members have a very high regard
and loyalty to their charismatic pastor, and an "extreme or excessive
admiration" for the personage of Jesus Christ.
The conventional
meaning of a cult is, that it depicts a religious group that holds opinions
and beliefs that are heretical. Heresy is defined as an opinion or belief
that contradicts established orthodox religious teaching, especially
one that is condemned by a religious authority. It is one that holds
an opinion or belief that does not coincide with established or traditional
theory, especially in philosophy, science or politics; it's holding
an unorthodox opinion that is in conflict with the established or traditionally
accepted religious theory, or orthodox fundamentalism.
When you really
consider this definition of heresy, the most noticeable personages that
qualify, or meet this standard definition and fall perfectly within
this traditional description of the term, is none other than Jesus Christ,
his disciples, and their group of dedicated followers, the early Christians.
Every aspect of the definition of heresy describes Jesus and his disciples
and the strong criticism of them by the Pharisees, i.e., the fundamentalists
or conservative elements of the so-called religious "right"
existing at that time.
Times change, but
people very often do not. The strong, dogmatic, even fanatical beliefs
of people strongly caught up in their own brand of religion, or their
own spiritual ideas and practices, which largely includes today's orthodox
religions, are very often held and defended as being the only "right"
way to think and believe. They even strongly guard against or protect
themselves from what they believe are the threatening views and teachings
of others that differ with their own. They especially defend their offspring,
relatives and friends, fearing that their lives might be subjected to
these "different beliefs" and become influenced or "corrupted"
by them. This is almost always with people who are in fact entirely
ignorant of the ideas, concepts or teachings of the group in question,
which they have already condemned. They are usually not the least bit
familiar with what the other group actually teaches.
This is the very
attitude and behavior of the Pharisees defending their Jewish religion
and tradition at the time, and is what historically happened to Jesus
and his disciples, and the members of the early Christian church. And,
it is what is also now happening today with many if not most so-called
Christians.
In those days,
as history reveals, these early adherents to the then new teaching of
Jesus did not fare so well. Many were put to death for their new and
different religious views. Today, in America, and certain other democracies,
we at least have religious freedom that protects us from being executed
for our different beliefs or spiritual views.
So, historically
speaking, Ramana and AHAM are "in good company" not unlike
Jesus and his followers, being in complete and full agreement, accord
and adherence with the actual message of Truth that was shared by Jesus,
and not any different than the primary principles and the purity of
Jesus' teaching - particularly that all of us are sons and daughters
of God, and heirs to God's kingdom.
Jesus said, "Seek
first the kingdom of God, and His Righteousness, and all else will be
added unto you" (or be yours as well) (Mathew 6:33). When Jesus
was asked about the location of God's kingdom, he said, "The kingdom
of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Lo,
here it is!' or 'There!' for behold the kingdom of God is within you,"
(Luke 17:20-21). (Italics added).
This is not different
than AHAM's Teaching, brought to the world by Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi,
which is to Inquire into the sense of "I" and follow it inward
until you locate the true Self, or the Heart of being, which is not
different from God. It is Itself Christ Consciousness, which is not
different than Jesus' own realization that God dwelled eternally within
him as the very Self of his own being. "He who has seen me has
seen the Father." (i.e., the Source) (John 14:9) for "I and
the Father are one." (John 10:30) He also said, "If you believe,
then the works that I do you will do also, and even greater works than
these will you do." (John 14:12)
And when you consider
that most if not all Roman Catholics have extreme or even excessive
admiration for and dedication to the Pope, and perhaps their local priest
as their preceptor and spiritual leader, just as most AHAM devotees
have for Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, and even for Arunachala Ramana,
AHAM's founder and spiritual director, then, being in the same category
as these prime examples, AHAM admittedly confesses and confirms that
it too is a spiritual cult, when used in the highest sense of the word.
Current
of Consciousness - is a subtle yet discernable flow of Conscious Awareness arising or issuing forth from the spiritual Heart
and circulating throughout one's entire inner and outer being. When
discerned, it is experienced vibrantly, continuously in and as oneself,
as "I-I-I." (See, Sphurana)
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