When a Woman Loves a Man
by David Lehman
When she says margarita she means daiquiri.
When she says quixotic she means mercurial.
And when she says, "I'll never speak to you again,"
she means, "Put your arms around me from behind
as I stand disconsolate at the window."
He's supposed to know that.
When a man loves a woman he is in New York and she is in Virginia
or he is in Boston, writing, and she is in New York, reading,
or she is wearing a sweater and sunglasses in Balboa Park and he
is raking leaves in Ithaca
or he is driving to East Hampton and she is standing disconsolate
at the window overlooking the bay
where a regatta of many-colored sails is going on
while he is stuck in traffic on the Long Island Expressway.
When a woman loves a man it is one ten in the morning
she is asleep he is watching the ball scores and eating pretzels
drinking lemonade
and two hours later he wakes up and staggers into bed
where she remains asleep and very warm.
When she says tomorrow she means in three or four weeks.
When she says, "We're talking about me now,"
he stops talking. Her best friend comes over and says,
"Did somebody die?"
When a woman loves a man, they have gone
to swim naked in the stream
on a glorious July day
with the sound of the waterfall like a chuckle
of water rushing over smooth rocks,
and there is nothing alien in the universe.
Ripe apples fall about them.
What else can they do but eat?
When he says, "Ours is a transitional era,"
"that's very original of you," she replies,
dry as the martini he is sipping.
They fight all the time
It's fun
What do I owe you?
Let's start with an apology
Ok, I'm sorry, you dickhead.
A sign is held up saying "Laughter."
It's a silent picture.
"I've been fucked without a kiss," she says,
"and you can quote me on that,"
which sounds great in an English accent.
One year they broke up seven times and threatened to do it
another nine times.
When a woman loves a man, she wants him to meet her at the
airport in a foreign country with a jeep.
When a man loves a woman he's there. He doesn't complain that
she's two hours late
and there's nothing in the refrigerator.
When a woman loves a man, she wants to stay awake.
She's like a child crying
at nightfall because she didn't want the day to end.
When a man loves a woman, he watches her sleep, thinking:
as midnight to the moon is sleep to the beloved.
A thousand fireflies wink at him.
The frogs sound like the string section
of the orchestra warming up.
The stars dangle down like earrings the shape of grapes.
posted by sarfun, 7:55 AM | link | 1 comments |
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somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond
somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond
by E. E. Cummings
somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond
any experience,your eyes have their silence:
in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which i cannot touch because they are too near
your slightest look will easily unclose me
though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skilfully,mysteriously)her first rose
or if your wish be to close me, i and
my life will shut very beautifully ,suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending;
nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals
the power of your intense fragility:whose texture
compels me with the color of its countries,
rendering death and forever with each breathing
(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens;only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody,not even the rain,has such small hands
posted by sarfun, 7:50 AM | link | 0 comments |
How Do I Love Thee?
How Do I Love Thee?
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
posted by sarfun, 7:49 AM | link | 0 comments |
posted by sarfun, 7:48 AM | link | 0 comments |
Poems for Weddings
Poems for Weddings
The "blessed bond of board and bed" is how Shakespeare once described marriage. "It is leviathan," wrote Denise Levertov on the same subject, "and we in its belly looking for joy." Or frantic Gregory Corso, imagining his own nervous wedding, described it this way:
I kiss the bride all those corny men slapping me on the backShe's all yours, boy! Ha-ha-ha! And in their eyes you could see some obscene honeymoon going on--Then all that absurd rice and clanky cans and shoesNiagara Falls! Hordes of us! Husbands! Wives! Flowers! Chocolates!
What occasion calls for poetry--or inspires the writing of poetry--more than a wedding? Indeed, there is a long and rich tradition linking poetry to the marriage ceremony, beginning with the Greeks, who invented a form known as the epithalamium. This was a song in praise of the bride and bridegroom, sung at the door of the nuptial chamber on the wedding night. The song blessed the couple and predicted their happiness, often alluding to various nymphs, gods, and goddesses. The epithalamium was employed as a literary form for the first time by Sappho, who wrote:
Raise up the roof-tree--a wedding song! High up, carpenters--a wedding song! The bridegroom is coming, the equal of Ares, much bigger than a big man.
The form was popular with Roman writers such as Ovid, Catullus, and Claudian, but it was lost until the Renaissance, when it was revived by poets like Edmund Spenser, John Donne, Ben Jonson, Pierre Ronsard, and Torquato Tasso. Spenser's "Epithalamion" is among the finest examples of English wedding poems. Written for the author's own wedding, the poem consists of 23 stanzas meant to represent each hour of the wedding day.
posted by sarfun, 7:47 AM | link | 0 comments |
JESUS WORD'S
We Don't Have To Feel Bad
From a "New Age" perspective:
Sometimes we slip into "always" or "never" attitudes, where things seem black or white ("never" grey) and we are either high on the wings of hope or deep in the gulf of hopelessness. Beware! If you find yourself thinking something "always" or "never" happens, it cannot be true. Yet the certainty of "always" is preferred because it does away with the anxiety of uncertainty. Remember that uncertainty is movement and change .... the very stuff and source of creativity. Embrace the uncertainty and watch the anxiety melt away. — Linda Peterson at Life By Design.
By changing your thinking,
You change your beliefs;
When you change your beliefs,
You change your expectations;
When you change your expectations,
You change your attitude;
When you change your attitude,
You change your behavior;
When you change your behavior,
You change your performance;
When you change your performance;
You Change Your Life!
— Stuart Levy
I don't have to think/feel ...
because ...
I'm too tired
Jesus Christ said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
I can't go on
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.“ Therefore, “boast all the more gladly” about your weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on you.
I'm not smart enough
“Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace.”
I'm not able
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.”
I'm not getting better
“He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
I can't compete
“If God be for me, who can be against me.”
I'm all alone
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” —Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5 “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
I don't know what to do
“A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?” Proverbs 20:24 “God gives wisdom to all men generously and without reproach who ask Him for it.”
I feel trapped
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” 1Corinthians 3:17 and “It was for freedom that Christ set me free.”
I can't stand it
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
I never get a break
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, who have been called according to his purpose.”
I'm afraid
“God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, and love and a sound mind.” 2nd Timothy 1:7 “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul.”
I'm worried
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
It's impossible
“What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
I have lost everything
Christ will “provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”
I don't have enough faith
“think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” I am a failure “In all things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”
I'm not strong enough
“The Lord is the strength of my life.” —Psalm 27:1 “Though the fig tree should not blossom, And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail, And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold, And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places.”
People are getting away with murder
“For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and will then recompense everyone according to his deeds.”
I can't forgive myself
“There is no condemnation for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:1 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
I am useless
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”
Nobody loves me
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
There is no hope for me
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.”
My Tears
By Prince
Let my tears flow like the river
And Let my heart ache
I will write an elegy of suffering
I am lost and broken lover.
Let the heart break
Let my ribs break into parts
Who cares, let my body grow numb
And Let me lie among the deads.
Let the storm blow
Let the sea waves wash me away
Let the eagle pick my eyes
And let the hyenas tears me apart
What is life without you?
Let me be graved into the bog
Where my bones and flesh will rot
Let my veins never carry blood
And Let my eyes be plucked up
I don’t want to live this life.
Woe, Woe to me
That I love
Woe to me that I gave my heart
Woe to me that I am born
And I am down and broken?
Oh love! Precious love!
Don’t mock at my downfall
Enjoy and Enjoy clap your hands
For you know not my body and mind groans
For the lost love,
Be in peace, be in love
Let me be reject and lost
Never will I come to your door
With my begging bowl
Be in peace my loveThough I suffer in this painful sore.
posted by sarfun, 10:41 PM | link | 0 comments |
Live your life like the wind
Live your life like the wind.
Speed up when necessary,
And know when to slow down.
Slow down when life pushes so hard and fast,
You cannot consume anymore air.
Slow down when you can't see
Where you're going Or where
you're coming from.
Take time to stop and realize
What you have right in front of you
When you cannot find what you're looking for.
When you cannot find what you want in someone else,
Look inside of yourself.
Don't sweat the small things,
And make the best of the big things.
Cherish the experiences you've had,
And use the lessons you've learned.
Our lives are rubber bands,
Bending and stretching to fit
Even the most awkward situations.
You can adapt to anything,
Regardless of its size or shape.
You just have to realize and use
What you have in your own hands.
Friday, July 8, 2011
who i am-just joking
Extracts from Nadigrantha
These are extracts from the book „Nadigrantha“ written by Shantaram Athvale. The author
provides information about several so-called Nadigranthas, which are great, ancient books
on astrology e.g. Bhrigu Samhita, Satya Nadi, Kak Nadi and others. In these particular
extracts the author refers to the scripture of Kak Nadi written by Kakayyar Bhujander who
was a great astrologer and seeker and lived nearly 2000 years ago.
"While Jupiter is in Pisces a great Yogi will incarnate on the Earth. By 1990 it
will have become quite evident to many people that a new era will have started.
Kaliyuga will end and Krutayuga will start. The axis of the Earth will depress and the
Earth's orbit will come closer and closer to the Sun. Human life will undergo a
complete revolution. A great Yogi will incarnate at this time. This Yogi will be the
Incarnation of Parabrahma and will have all the divine powers.
Until this time a yogi or devotee could achieve the bliss of Moksha and find the
ultimate meaning of his live only by following the path of devotion, knowledge and
Pantanjali Yoga. But he would have to go through severe penance in order to
awaken the sleeping powers of various chakras of his body and finally enlighten the
Kundalini Power.
By the new method of yoga devised by the great Yogi, human beings will be
able to attain the joy of Moksha within one lifetime. It would no longer be necessary
to sacrifice one's body or to die in order to achieve Moksha. The Brahmananda which
so far only great saints had been able to experience and then only by entering into
the Samadhi state at the point of death, due to his new type of yoga could be
achieved by ordinary human beings without entering Samadhi state while dying.
In the beginning it would be possible for one person in crores to attain this
Yoga and Moksha. However, after some time the whole human race with the help of
this Yoga will be able to defeat itself. People won't have to worry about food, shelter
or clothing. While living ordinary lives people will achieve Yoga - Union with God.
There will be no necessity for hospitals as there will be no diseases.
In the beginning the great Yogi will be able to heal diseases with a mere
touch. Old age with it's destruction of the body will not exist and people will possess
heavenly bodies.
The world will have to suffer the consequences of a third world war. This
world war would end by interference of the Great Yogi. In the end all the nations of
the world will come together with the feeling of oneness. They will agree on the
destructiveness of war. There will be a great international conference in a big city of
the world. Yogis will lead this conference rather than intellectuals or politicians. Then
the world will recover from the aftermath of war. The whole of the humanity will
understand the importace of prayer and all the nations will unite together.
Due to new scientific discoveries science and religions would become one.
With the help of the science the existence of God and the Soul could be proved. The
veil of ignorance and Maya would be drawn aside and Brahmananda, Moksha which
could previously only be attained by yogis as a result of very hard work and severe
penance would become easily available to many human beings.
In this new era every person would have his position in the system
according to his individual qualities and merit. It will be possible to fulfill people's
needs and desires and so it will no longer be necessary to accumulate money.
Without poverty and diseases society will be healthy and carefree
These are extracts from the book „Nadigrantha“ written by Shantaram Athvale. The author
provides information about several so-called Nadigranthas, which are great, ancient books
on astrology e.g. Bhrigu Samhita, Satya Nadi, Kak Nadi and others. In these particular
extracts the author refers to the scripture of Kak Nadi written by Kakayyar Bhujander who
was a great astrologer and seeker and lived nearly 2000 years ago.
"While Jupiter is in Pisces a great Yogi will incarnate on the Earth. By 1990 it
will have become quite evident to many people that a new era will have started.
Kaliyuga will end and Krutayuga will start. The axis of the Earth will depress and the
Earth's orbit will come closer and closer to the Sun. Human life will undergo a
complete revolution. A great Yogi will incarnate at this time. This Yogi will be the
Incarnation of Parabrahma and will have all the divine powers.
Until this time a yogi or devotee could achieve the bliss of Moksha and find the
ultimate meaning of his live only by following the path of devotion, knowledge and
Pantanjali Yoga. But he would have to go through severe penance in order to
awaken the sleeping powers of various chakras of his body and finally enlighten the
Kundalini Power.
By the new method of yoga devised by the great Yogi, human beings will be
able to attain the joy of Moksha within one lifetime. It would no longer be necessary
to sacrifice one's body or to die in order to achieve Moksha. The Brahmananda which
so far only great saints had been able to experience and then only by entering into
the Samadhi state at the point of death, due to his new type of yoga could be
achieved by ordinary human beings without entering Samadhi state while dying.
In the beginning it would be possible for one person in crores to attain this
Yoga and Moksha. However, after some time the whole human race with the help of
this Yoga will be able to defeat itself. People won't have to worry about food, shelter
or clothing. While living ordinary lives people will achieve Yoga - Union with God.
There will be no necessity for hospitals as there will be no diseases.
In the beginning the great Yogi will be able to heal diseases with a mere
touch. Old age with it's destruction of the body will not exist and people will possess
heavenly bodies.
The world will have to suffer the consequences of a third world war. This
world war would end by interference of the Great Yogi. In the end all the nations of
the world will come together with the feeling of oneness. They will agree on the
destructiveness of war. There will be a great international conference in a big city of
the world. Yogis will lead this conference rather than intellectuals or politicians. Then
the world will recover from the aftermath of war. The whole of the humanity will
understand the importace of prayer and all the nations will unite together.
Due to new scientific discoveries science and religions would become one.
With the help of the science the existence of God and the Soul could be proved. The
veil of ignorance and Maya would be drawn aside and Brahmananda, Moksha which
could previously only be attained by yogis as a result of very hard work and severe
penance would become easily available to many human beings.
In this new era every person would have his position in the system
according to his individual qualities and merit. It will be possible to fulfill people's
needs and desires and so it will no longer be necessary to accumulate money.
Without poverty and diseases society will be healthy and carefree
siddhasram 2
Day and night might be divisions for those who dwell on the lower octaves of a mundane existence, but for a Guru whose spiritual vibrance touches the highest level of enlightenment every second remains devoted to the spiritual upliftment of the disciple as he steers their lives through the labyrinthine lanes of Sadhanas and Dikshas to the envious heights of Total Awakenment. This beautiful heart-warming truth dawned on me when suddenly severed from the gross world by virtue of a very auspicious Diksha, I was transported to the land of the Ancient Savants and Yogi’s i.e. Siddhashram. And with it also came the amazing realisation that Dr. Narayan Dutt Shrimali, the simple looking Guru whom I had known for so many years is in fact a great and highly revered Yogi of Siddhashram where he is famous by the sacred name Paramhans Swami Nikhileshwaranand.
It was one of those strange days when for no particular reason the nature appears to be in her full glory, the heart joyfully throbs with a unique exuberance and beautiful thoughts assuming verbal form, all of a sudden spurt forth from the lips even before one is aware what one is speaking.
"Gurudev! Please tell me something about Siddhashram. How can one get there?"
Much, much later I had stumbled across the truth that the thought had in fact been planted in my mind by the Benevolent Master. In fact all along he had been subtly preparing me for the divine excursion and when the right moment suddenly (for me of course!) manifested he promptly set my mind working to ask the right question. And thus was initiated a chain of events which seemingly in the twinkling of an eye culminated in the Supreme Boon.
For several golden minutes I kept hanging on to the divine words that poured out of the Master’s lips as he introduced me to the Celestial Land. And then abruptly he stopped speaking!
In the next few seconds it all happened in a flash. I remember raising my eyes and looking at the Master’s face and the mysterious smile that quivered on his lips. Very slowly he raised his right hand and as his fingers approached my forehead I heard the wondrous spell ring clearly in my ears -
"And this, my son, is the Siddhashram I was telling you about."
The words confused me but I had no time to reflect on them as his thumb contacted the spot over my Third Eye. The next moment everything swam before my eyes and for what seemed like eternity I seemed suspended in a state of subconsciousness. It looked as if one world was fading out and another fading in.
When I fully returned to my senses I found myself enveloped in twilight. It was an altogether different place and as I adjusted my vision to the scene around, I was left bewildered by the natural beauty of the place. Beautiful, handsome Yogis, Yoginis, Sadhaks and Sadhikas went along with their tasks unbothered by the presence of a stranger in their midst. Being new to the place, for perhaps a few seconds I felt uncomfortable but a wonderful feeling of love and cordiality hung in the air that in no time permeated my senses and made me feel as if I had always been a part of this landscape.
In whichever direction my eyes ventured they were greeted with the most pleasant natural vistas. Besides the silvery moonlight that seemed to pour out of nowhere in particular, the tall trees of Deodar and the endless carpet of flower shrubs in full blossom, what left me the most enthralled was the singular, sweet bouquet of Ashtgandh.
As I stood taking in the beauty a sudden urge pushed me in a particular direction and giving in to it I walked on, only to come upon a huge congregation of Yogis seated before a raised dais decked with the choicest of blooms. Casual inquiry revealed that they were there to celebrate the festival of Guru Poornima.
Guru Poornima? O My God! How could I have forgotten? No wonder I had felt so powerfully drawn to Gurudev. I had even forgotten to greet him and pay special obeisance that is the first duty of a disciple on this day. And yet he had not forsaken his duty and had transported me here!
My deep reverie was suddenly broken by the chants of Jai Gurudev and looking at the stage I saw several great Yogis climbing onto the dais. Yogiraj Arvind announced them - Paramhans Vigyeshvaranand, Paramhans Bhriguram, Paramhans Trijata Aghori, Swami Achyutanand, Paramhans Swami Nikhileshwaranand and above all Paramhans Poojyapaad Swami Sachidanand!
It was for the first time that I was before such a distinguished group of highly enlightened Spiritual Savants. As they took their respective seats - with the Great Paramhans Swami Sachidanand, assuming the central seat and others occupying places on either side - Yogiraj Arvind performed the worship ritual of these Divine Gurus on behalf of the whole of Siddhashram and all races of the universe. This was followed by divine hymns of Gannpati and Sarasvati sung most melodiously by the Sadhikas. Next Yogiraj Arvind started a divine discourse and finding his elucidations beyond my mental faculties I let my eyes and mind concentrate on the central figure on the podium.
The Supreme Master Swami Sachidanand looked like an ocean of compassion and his handsome, radiant physique seemed to belittle even the majesty of the Himalayas. For several moments I let my gaze linger on his celestial form and an amazing catharsis seemed to occur deep in my soul as all earthly sorrows, pains, passions were simply wiped out to be replaced by love and compassion.
Next I riveted my gaze on my own loved Master Paramhans Swami Nikhileshwaranand. He sat there, a perfect epitome of true disciplehood, in the feet of the Supreme One. Like a coruscating drop of dew he looked ready at the slightest cue to jump and fuse in the Marvellous Ocean of Supreme Enlightenment that is his Guru.
Very soon everything seemed to blur and once again I was transported across time and space, now back to the earth. I returned to my physical self and saw amazedly that it was midnight! I had been gone for no less than twelve hours although it seemed no more than a few seconds. Gurudev sat there smiling before me as I had left him. I bowed before him and let tears of my gratitude wash his holy feet...
The next day he revealed that he had initiated me in the Manobhaaven Diksha, the first stage in the Sadhana of gaining access to Siddhashram, after the final culmination of which one can at will visit the divine land and stay there. A remarkable metamorphosis has occurred in me since and at times I feel myself spiritually drifting back to that ethereal plane. Now a subliminal armour seems to protect me from all lies, deceits, evils of this mundane world and now I well know where my final destination lies once I have dispensed with my duties on this planet. I feel short of words to express my gratefulness to Gurudev Dr. Narayan Dutt Shrimali for having blessed me with the wondrous Manobhaaven Diksha, and I have nothing but tears of gratitude to offer in his feet for his kindness!
It was one of those strange days when for no particular reason the nature appears to be in her full glory, the heart joyfully throbs with a unique exuberance and beautiful thoughts assuming verbal form, all of a sudden spurt forth from the lips even before one is aware what one is speaking.
"Gurudev! Please tell me something about Siddhashram. How can one get there?"
Much, much later I had stumbled across the truth that the thought had in fact been planted in my mind by the Benevolent Master. In fact all along he had been subtly preparing me for the divine excursion and when the right moment suddenly (for me of course!) manifested he promptly set my mind working to ask the right question. And thus was initiated a chain of events which seemingly in the twinkling of an eye culminated in the Supreme Boon.
For several golden minutes I kept hanging on to the divine words that poured out of the Master’s lips as he introduced me to the Celestial Land. And then abruptly he stopped speaking!
In the next few seconds it all happened in a flash. I remember raising my eyes and looking at the Master’s face and the mysterious smile that quivered on his lips. Very slowly he raised his right hand and as his fingers approached my forehead I heard the wondrous spell ring clearly in my ears -
"And this, my son, is the Siddhashram I was telling you about."
The words confused me but I had no time to reflect on them as his thumb contacted the spot over my Third Eye. The next moment everything swam before my eyes and for what seemed like eternity I seemed suspended in a state of subconsciousness. It looked as if one world was fading out and another fading in.
When I fully returned to my senses I found myself enveloped in twilight. It was an altogether different place and as I adjusted my vision to the scene around, I was left bewildered by the natural beauty of the place. Beautiful, handsome Yogis, Yoginis, Sadhaks and Sadhikas went along with their tasks unbothered by the presence of a stranger in their midst. Being new to the place, for perhaps a few seconds I felt uncomfortable but a wonderful feeling of love and cordiality hung in the air that in no time permeated my senses and made me feel as if I had always been a part of this landscape.
In whichever direction my eyes ventured they were greeted with the most pleasant natural vistas. Besides the silvery moonlight that seemed to pour out of nowhere in particular, the tall trees of Deodar and the endless carpet of flower shrubs in full blossom, what left me the most enthralled was the singular, sweet bouquet of Ashtgandh.
As I stood taking in the beauty a sudden urge pushed me in a particular direction and giving in to it I walked on, only to come upon a huge congregation of Yogis seated before a raised dais decked with the choicest of blooms. Casual inquiry revealed that they were there to celebrate the festival of Guru Poornima.
Guru Poornima? O My God! How could I have forgotten? No wonder I had felt so powerfully drawn to Gurudev. I had even forgotten to greet him and pay special obeisance that is the first duty of a disciple on this day. And yet he had not forsaken his duty and had transported me here!
My deep reverie was suddenly broken by the chants of Jai Gurudev and looking at the stage I saw several great Yogis climbing onto the dais. Yogiraj Arvind announced them - Paramhans Vigyeshvaranand, Paramhans Bhriguram, Paramhans Trijata Aghori, Swami Achyutanand, Paramhans Swami Nikhileshwaranand and above all Paramhans Poojyapaad Swami Sachidanand!
It was for the first time that I was before such a distinguished group of highly enlightened Spiritual Savants. As they took their respective seats - with the Great Paramhans Swami Sachidanand, assuming the central seat and others occupying places on either side - Yogiraj Arvind performed the worship ritual of these Divine Gurus on behalf of the whole of Siddhashram and all races of the universe. This was followed by divine hymns of Gannpati and Sarasvati sung most melodiously by the Sadhikas. Next Yogiraj Arvind started a divine discourse and finding his elucidations beyond my mental faculties I let my eyes and mind concentrate on the central figure on the podium.
The Supreme Master Swami Sachidanand looked like an ocean of compassion and his handsome, radiant physique seemed to belittle even the majesty of the Himalayas. For several moments I let my gaze linger on his celestial form and an amazing catharsis seemed to occur deep in my soul as all earthly sorrows, pains, passions were simply wiped out to be replaced by love and compassion.
Next I riveted my gaze on my own loved Master Paramhans Swami Nikhileshwaranand. He sat there, a perfect epitome of true disciplehood, in the feet of the Supreme One. Like a coruscating drop of dew he looked ready at the slightest cue to jump and fuse in the Marvellous Ocean of Supreme Enlightenment that is his Guru.
Very soon everything seemed to blur and once again I was transported across time and space, now back to the earth. I returned to my physical self and saw amazedly that it was midnight! I had been gone for no less than twelve hours although it seemed no more than a few seconds. Gurudev sat there smiling before me as I had left him. I bowed before him and let tears of my gratitude wash his holy feet...
The next day he revealed that he had initiated me in the Manobhaaven Diksha, the first stage in the Sadhana of gaining access to Siddhashram, after the final culmination of which one can at will visit the divine land and stay there. A remarkable metamorphosis has occurred in me since and at times I feel myself spiritually drifting back to that ethereal plane. Now a subliminal armour seems to protect me from all lies, deceits, evils of this mundane world and now I well know where my final destination lies once I have dispensed with my duties on this planet. I feel short of words to express my gratefulness to Gurudev Dr. Narayan Dutt Shrimali for having blessed me with the wondrous Manobhaaven Diksha, and I have nothing but tears of gratitude to offer in his feet for his kindness!
siddhasram
Siddhashram is a boon, bestowed upon mankind, from our ancestors, saints, sages & Yogis of high order. This is synonymous to a paradise on the earth and finds its mention in "Rigveda", the oldest scripture of human civilization. A saint, revealing his expressions in Rigvedic hymns says, "Sometime or the other, when the most auspicious moment of my life arrives, I will certainly be able to enter Siddhashram and to perform the Sadhna practices of high order by sitting on its sacred ground". Not only in Rigveda but also in Samveda, Maharishi Yogandharwa, while expliciting his sentiments says, "Where the soil is worth applying on the forehead just like sandal wood paste, where each and every particle is replete with penance and the wind is pious and melodious, the same abode of the blessed is the final destination of a human being where just by sitting, the real bliss of the life can be attained".
Siddhashram has been described in hundreds of ancient scriptures. Maharishi Vashistha called it the fortune of man whereas Vishwamitra termed it as the real beauty of life. According to Maharishi Chyavan, there is a natural characteristic in the soil of Siddhashram to eliminate spontaneously the ailments of the body. Maharishi Pulastya says it is the dream of life and Kanad praising it says,"Only one or two among a thousand saints are fortunate enough to get the privilege of entering into Siddhashram". Bhishma, lying on the bed of arrows expressed his last wish before Lord Krishna that he wanted to go to Siddhashram with his mortal body. Yudhistir also, after the end of Mahabharat war, requested, Lord Krishna with joined palms, "If some of the virtues of my life are left and if you bestow your grace upon me, I wish to spend some part of my life in Siddhashram". Gorakhnath, addressing his disciples said, "The ultimate of Tantra and Sadhnas is the entrance into Siddhashram". At one place, Bhagvatpad Shankaracharya has said, "The fulfillment of human life can only be attained when one goes to Siddhashram and takes a holy dip in Siddhyoga lake".
Indeed this Siddhashram has been a dream for thousands of Yogis and aspirants. Their last wish has been to spend some moments in Siddhashram where each and every particle is pious due to the penance done by high ordered Yogis, where the sacred, pure and divine "Siddhayoga lake" shimmers continuously. It has unique therapeutic properties and therefore a mere dip in it, not only cures all ailments but also confers divinity upon that person by thoroughly cleansing the mind of impure, negative thoughts and consequently the person attains a higher elevation. The weather in this Ashram remains exhilaratingly pleasant throughout the year and this divine Ashram is free from the cycles of age, time and death. No ailment of any kind can prevail here and every moment of it is full of joy, delight, beauty and bliss.
The management of this Siddhashram is under the guidance of the universally venerated Yogiraj Swami Satchidanandji, who even after having attained the age of several thousand years is still full of eternal Youth and whose eyes are oceans of mercy. The divine rays of penance, emanating from his body intermingle with the atmosphere of Siddhashram and the mere sight of his divine body is keenly wished even by the Gods, to make their lives supremely blessed. Inspite of having the age of several thousand years only three disciples have received Dikshas from him.
In this Ashram, the Yogis, ascetics and aspirants aged thousands of years are engaged in penance. Even today the great seers like Maharishi Vashishtha, Vishwamitra, Kanad, Pulastya, Atri, Bheesma, Kripacharya, Gorakhnath and Shankaracharya can be seen wondering there in physical form and also one can have the privilege of listening to their sermons. The mere touch of their divine hands initiates the flow of a divine current into the body and due to this Shaktipaat (energizing process) the entire body of the aspirant turns sacred and full of radiance.
All the time heavenly maidens wander here and the nymphs of heaven like Rambha, Menaka and Urvashi consider themselves fortunate on performing their dance at this place, where each moment is full of ecstasy, bliss, joy and enthusiasm.
It is not possible to get an aerial view of this Ashram from an aeroplane. This Ashram occupying an area of several hundred kilometres is situated in the north-east of Mansarowar and is an abode of unique Yogis. At some places, Yogis are engaged in penance and at other places, Yogis are teaching the intricacies and minute points of Sadhna to their disciples. Some Yogis are seen entranced and also some some celibates are performing Yagya. Somewhere else, the recitation of Vedas by learned Maharishis is going on and the sermons of Brahmarishis is enjoyed by thousands of Yogis. The heavenly maidens fully ornamented are seen wandering and at some places, various young and beautiful heavenly dancers are presenting their outstanding dances and Yogis are seen doing Sandhya Vandana in Siddhyoga Lake at some distance from them. Pretty maidens are seen bathing and throwing water on each other and frolicking in the pure and sparkling water of the lake. Aspirants are seen enjoying boating in the boats of rock crystal. Few maidens are engrossed in conversation and the entire atmosphere is enveloped by enthusiasm, joy, bliss and delight. There is no pain and suffering of any kind and each aspirant's face is devoid of any expression of tension. No one has any sorrow and this way, there is eternal ecstasy, bliss and joy all around in this Ashram.
The weather remains exhilaratingly pleasant in Siddhashram as it is free from the cycles of the seasons. The rain comes with pleasant drizzling. Roses of hundred varieties and also other flowers of different kinds keep blooming here all around the year. Due to a protective shield set up by the powers of penance, there is no entrance of death, consequently no flower gets withered or plucked from its stalk. The green velvety grass covering the ground of Siddhashram appears like a green carpet. There are thousands of varieties of fruit bearing trees and it is hard to believe that there can be so many innumerable fruits. Chirping sound of the birds creates a lovely atmosphere in itself.
At some distance from the hermitage of Paramhans Swami Satchidanandji, the world famous 'Kalp Vriksha' stands bloomed to its full maturity, sitting beneath which, fulfils immediately every wish and any materialistic article can be obtained within the blinking of an eye. Several straw huts constructed near by this hermitage gives an idea of the appearance of hermitages of our ancient sages. In these straw huts, the Yogis of high order sit in the state of Samadhi or remain fully absorbed in their Sadhna practices. Since three or four hundred years some Yogis are entranced and are lost in inexhaustible bliss. The beating hearts of such Yogis is the only evidence of their being alive. Even the sight of these Yogis is inaccessible and it is quite enthrilling to have a glimpse of their radiant faces and bodies which are full of serenity.
There are no prohibitions or restrictions in this Ashram. Each aspirant is free and at liberty. Nevertheless every one seems to be bound by some unknown law, therefore, each one keeping within his limits is engrossed in his duties. There is no malice, illwill, jealousy or hypocrisy. All are lost in themselves and are busy in meditating to reach the heights of Sadhna. Inspite of being at liberty all are under the control of some unsaid law and regulation.
It is very arduous to enter Siddhashram as there are five eligibility criteria which are essential for gaining entrance into this Ashram.
1. The aspirant must have awakened his Kundalini upto 'Sahastrar' , (thousand petalled lotus inside the brain which is the seat of infinite consciousness).
2.. Must have mastered at least two Mahavidyas and also have thorough knowledge of the remaining eight Mahavidyas.
3. Must have acquired the methodical knowledge of Tantra as well as of Mantra.
4. Must be noble, simple and must have totally adopted the Indian culture.
5. Must be the disciple of such a Guru, Yogi, ascetic or person, who himself has entered Siddhashram.
After attaining all these five criteria, the aspirant can gain entrance into Siddhashram. For this purpose, it is also essential that the aspirant while being excellent in the field of Sadhna practices, must also have great devotion and faith for his Guru. A Guru can't take his disciple with him into this Ashram unless he himself has entered Siddhashram and also has got permission from the senior Yogis of Siddhashram to take his disciple along with him. Certainly, a person by obeying the rules mentioned before can enter Siddhashram but only few of the Yogis are fortunate enough to return back to this materialistic world after entering Siddhashram and then to go back again to this Ashram. The aspirants who have got the privilege of returning again to the mundane sphere from Siddhashram are as follow-
1. Yogiraj Shankaranand
2. Swami Paramdeva
3. Sadhwi Tejomayi
4. Shankaracharya
5. Mahatapa Brigraj
6. Gorakhnath
7. Lama Hegang
8. Datia Baba
9. Maa Bharavi
10. Mahavatra Baba
11. Kinkar Swami
12. Baba Tejavatar
13. Parvati Bai
14. Dhima Bhai Chiman Bhai
15. Raghuvar Barotkar
16. Uria Baba
17. Yogiraj Arvind
18. Swami Vishuddhanandji
19. Trijata Aghori
20. Householder Viran Ganguli
21. Girdhar Pattiyar
22. Swami Vishveshwaranandji
23. Maa Anandmayi
24. Swami Gunatitanandji
25. Swami Nikhileshwaranandji (who as a householder is known as Poojya Narayan Dutt Shrimaliji)
As I have told earlier that hitherto only three disciples have been initiated by Mahayogi Swami Satchidanandji, who is the founder of this Siddhashram and Swami Nikhileshwaranandji is also among these three disciples, and it is our great fortune that his immense knowledge and thoughts are available to us.
Only after becoming a disciple of any one of these competent Gurus an aspirant can get entrance into Siddhashram due to the efforts of his Guru and thus he, by abiding at that divine place can view these saints of high order and also can learn the intricacies of Sadhna practices.
Although an ordinary person cannot enter Siddhashram but owing to the special efforts of Swami Nikhileshwaranandji, some important personalities, who were of highly materialistic mind and thoughts were allowed to enter Siddhashram for a few hours. This is a revolutionary change in the history of Siddhashram as the central Brahmarishi committee does not permit this entrance but in this changing modern era, it was felt that such materialistic persons should be allowed to have a glimpse of Siddhashram only if for a few hours. During previous days, some scientists, doctors and a group of persons from western countries were taken to Siddhashram through Yogic power, to make them understand that this Ashram is not imaginary but is a real truth. Those persons were enthrilled by its sight and they realised that it is a place on the earth which controls the entire universe. In this adverse environment when a mania of violence and war is prevailing in the world and the entire world is sitting on a heap of gunpowder the credit for survival of mankind goes only to Siddhashram.
The high ordered Yogis of this place, due to their powers of penance are responsible for the protection of the mankind. It is owing to their herculean efforts that the atomic war is delayed again and again, and thus the human civilization is prevented from becoming extinct.
That fortunate group included persons who are excellent in their own fields. Among them, the famous atomic scientist of America Mr. Jeff and renowned doctors of Brazil, Dr. Puling and Dr. Yulee were present. Scientist Emerson and astronomer Mr. Paharich; the famous fashion model of Hollywood, Miss Beeli; scientist from London, Mr. Bruooji were also among them. The group also included scientist Sirang who designed space travelling to moon and scientist Hori, who was the inventor of computer science. all these great personalities admitted unanimously that this divine place is astonishing to the mind; where the nature is beautiful, bountiful and gay all the time, where innumerable flowers are blooming, where the Yogis having the age of several hundred years are engaged in their Sadhna practices and where there is no sign of death.
Indeed this is a great fortune for India to have such a divine and unique place of penance and we all aspirants have the opportunity to make ourselves competent for gaining entrance into Siddhashram by accomplishing various Sadhna practices. Undoubtedly, those aspirants are blessed, who in their life time, are able to get entrance into this exquisite Ashram and such mothers are fortunate who are blessed with such sons, who by performing higher Sadhna practices and by attaining those elevations are able to acquire totality in their lives.
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Siddhashram has been described in hundreds of ancient scriptures. Maharishi Vashistha called it the fortune of man whereas Vishwamitra termed it as the real beauty of life. According to Maharishi Chyavan, there is a natural characteristic in the soil of Siddhashram to eliminate spontaneously the ailments of the body. Maharishi Pulastya says it is the dream of life and Kanad praising it says,"Only one or two among a thousand saints are fortunate enough to get the privilege of entering into Siddhashram". Bhishma, lying on the bed of arrows expressed his last wish before Lord Krishna that he wanted to go to Siddhashram with his mortal body. Yudhistir also, after the end of Mahabharat war, requested, Lord Krishna with joined palms, "If some of the virtues of my life are left and if you bestow your grace upon me, I wish to spend some part of my life in Siddhashram". Gorakhnath, addressing his disciples said, "The ultimate of Tantra and Sadhnas is the entrance into Siddhashram". At one place, Bhagvatpad Shankaracharya has said, "The fulfillment of human life can only be attained when one goes to Siddhashram and takes a holy dip in Siddhyoga lake".
Indeed this Siddhashram has been a dream for thousands of Yogis and aspirants. Their last wish has been to spend some moments in Siddhashram where each and every particle is pious due to the penance done by high ordered Yogis, where the sacred, pure and divine "Siddhayoga lake" shimmers continuously. It has unique therapeutic properties and therefore a mere dip in it, not only cures all ailments but also confers divinity upon that person by thoroughly cleansing the mind of impure, negative thoughts and consequently the person attains a higher elevation. The weather in this Ashram remains exhilaratingly pleasant throughout the year and this divine Ashram is free from the cycles of age, time and death. No ailment of any kind can prevail here and every moment of it is full of joy, delight, beauty and bliss.
The management of this Siddhashram is under the guidance of the universally venerated Yogiraj Swami Satchidanandji, who even after having attained the age of several thousand years is still full of eternal Youth and whose eyes are oceans of mercy. The divine rays of penance, emanating from his body intermingle with the atmosphere of Siddhashram and the mere sight of his divine body is keenly wished even by the Gods, to make their lives supremely blessed. Inspite of having the age of several thousand years only three disciples have received Dikshas from him.
In this Ashram, the Yogis, ascetics and aspirants aged thousands of years are engaged in penance. Even today the great seers like Maharishi Vashishtha, Vishwamitra, Kanad, Pulastya, Atri, Bheesma, Kripacharya, Gorakhnath and Shankaracharya can be seen wondering there in physical form and also one can have the privilege of listening to their sermons. The mere touch of their divine hands initiates the flow of a divine current into the body and due to this Shaktipaat (energizing process) the entire body of the aspirant turns sacred and full of radiance.
All the time heavenly maidens wander here and the nymphs of heaven like Rambha, Menaka and Urvashi consider themselves fortunate on performing their dance at this place, where each moment is full of ecstasy, bliss, joy and enthusiasm.
It is not possible to get an aerial view of this Ashram from an aeroplane. This Ashram occupying an area of several hundred kilometres is situated in the north-east of Mansarowar and is an abode of unique Yogis. At some places, Yogis are engaged in penance and at other places, Yogis are teaching the intricacies and minute points of Sadhna to their disciples. Some Yogis are seen entranced and also some some celibates are performing Yagya. Somewhere else, the recitation of Vedas by learned Maharishis is going on and the sermons of Brahmarishis is enjoyed by thousands of Yogis. The heavenly maidens fully ornamented are seen wandering and at some places, various young and beautiful heavenly dancers are presenting their outstanding dances and Yogis are seen doing Sandhya Vandana in Siddhyoga Lake at some distance from them. Pretty maidens are seen bathing and throwing water on each other and frolicking in the pure and sparkling water of the lake. Aspirants are seen enjoying boating in the boats of rock crystal. Few maidens are engrossed in conversation and the entire atmosphere is enveloped by enthusiasm, joy, bliss and delight. There is no pain and suffering of any kind and each aspirant's face is devoid of any expression of tension. No one has any sorrow and this way, there is eternal ecstasy, bliss and joy all around in this Ashram.
The weather remains exhilaratingly pleasant in Siddhashram as it is free from the cycles of the seasons. The rain comes with pleasant drizzling. Roses of hundred varieties and also other flowers of different kinds keep blooming here all around the year. Due to a protective shield set up by the powers of penance, there is no entrance of death, consequently no flower gets withered or plucked from its stalk. The green velvety grass covering the ground of Siddhashram appears like a green carpet. There are thousands of varieties of fruit bearing trees and it is hard to believe that there can be so many innumerable fruits. Chirping sound of the birds creates a lovely atmosphere in itself.
At some distance from the hermitage of Paramhans Swami Satchidanandji, the world famous 'Kalp Vriksha' stands bloomed to its full maturity, sitting beneath which, fulfils immediately every wish and any materialistic article can be obtained within the blinking of an eye. Several straw huts constructed near by this hermitage gives an idea of the appearance of hermitages of our ancient sages. In these straw huts, the Yogis of high order sit in the state of Samadhi or remain fully absorbed in their Sadhna practices. Since three or four hundred years some Yogis are entranced and are lost in inexhaustible bliss. The beating hearts of such Yogis is the only evidence of their being alive. Even the sight of these Yogis is inaccessible and it is quite enthrilling to have a glimpse of their radiant faces and bodies which are full of serenity.
There are no prohibitions or restrictions in this Ashram. Each aspirant is free and at liberty. Nevertheless every one seems to be bound by some unknown law, therefore, each one keeping within his limits is engrossed in his duties. There is no malice, illwill, jealousy or hypocrisy. All are lost in themselves and are busy in meditating to reach the heights of Sadhna. Inspite of being at liberty all are under the control of some unsaid law and regulation.
It is very arduous to enter Siddhashram as there are five eligibility criteria which are essential for gaining entrance into this Ashram.
1. The aspirant must have awakened his Kundalini upto 'Sahastrar' , (thousand petalled lotus inside the brain which is the seat of infinite consciousness).
2.. Must have mastered at least two Mahavidyas and also have thorough knowledge of the remaining eight Mahavidyas.
3. Must have acquired the methodical knowledge of Tantra as well as of Mantra.
4. Must be noble, simple and must have totally adopted the Indian culture.
5. Must be the disciple of such a Guru, Yogi, ascetic or person, who himself has entered Siddhashram.
After attaining all these five criteria, the aspirant can gain entrance into Siddhashram. For this purpose, it is also essential that the aspirant while being excellent in the field of Sadhna practices, must also have great devotion and faith for his Guru. A Guru can't take his disciple with him into this Ashram unless he himself has entered Siddhashram and also has got permission from the senior Yogis of Siddhashram to take his disciple along with him. Certainly, a person by obeying the rules mentioned before can enter Siddhashram but only few of the Yogis are fortunate enough to return back to this materialistic world after entering Siddhashram and then to go back again to this Ashram. The aspirants who have got the privilege of returning again to the mundane sphere from Siddhashram are as follow-
1. Yogiraj Shankaranand
2. Swami Paramdeva
3. Sadhwi Tejomayi
4. Shankaracharya
5. Mahatapa Brigraj
6. Gorakhnath
7. Lama Hegang
8. Datia Baba
9. Maa Bharavi
10. Mahavatra Baba
11. Kinkar Swami
12. Baba Tejavatar
13. Parvati Bai
14. Dhima Bhai Chiman Bhai
15. Raghuvar Barotkar
16. Uria Baba
17. Yogiraj Arvind
18. Swami Vishuddhanandji
19. Trijata Aghori
20. Householder Viran Ganguli
21. Girdhar Pattiyar
22. Swami Vishveshwaranandji
23. Maa Anandmayi
24. Swami Gunatitanandji
25. Swami Nikhileshwaranandji (who as a householder is known as Poojya Narayan Dutt Shrimaliji)
As I have told earlier that hitherto only three disciples have been initiated by Mahayogi Swami Satchidanandji, who is the founder of this Siddhashram and Swami Nikhileshwaranandji is also among these three disciples, and it is our great fortune that his immense knowledge and thoughts are available to us.
Only after becoming a disciple of any one of these competent Gurus an aspirant can get entrance into Siddhashram due to the efforts of his Guru and thus he, by abiding at that divine place can view these saints of high order and also can learn the intricacies of Sadhna practices.
Although an ordinary person cannot enter Siddhashram but owing to the special efforts of Swami Nikhileshwaranandji, some important personalities, who were of highly materialistic mind and thoughts were allowed to enter Siddhashram for a few hours. This is a revolutionary change in the history of Siddhashram as the central Brahmarishi committee does not permit this entrance but in this changing modern era, it was felt that such materialistic persons should be allowed to have a glimpse of Siddhashram only if for a few hours. During previous days, some scientists, doctors and a group of persons from western countries were taken to Siddhashram through Yogic power, to make them understand that this Ashram is not imaginary but is a real truth. Those persons were enthrilled by its sight and they realised that it is a place on the earth which controls the entire universe. In this adverse environment when a mania of violence and war is prevailing in the world and the entire world is sitting on a heap of gunpowder the credit for survival of mankind goes only to Siddhashram.
The high ordered Yogis of this place, due to their powers of penance are responsible for the protection of the mankind. It is owing to their herculean efforts that the atomic war is delayed again and again, and thus the human civilization is prevented from becoming extinct.
That fortunate group included persons who are excellent in their own fields. Among them, the famous atomic scientist of America Mr. Jeff and renowned doctors of Brazil, Dr. Puling and Dr. Yulee were present. Scientist Emerson and astronomer Mr. Paharich; the famous fashion model of Hollywood, Miss Beeli; scientist from London, Mr. Bruooji were also among them. The group also included scientist Sirang who designed space travelling to moon and scientist Hori, who was the inventor of computer science. all these great personalities admitted unanimously that this divine place is astonishing to the mind; where the nature is beautiful, bountiful and gay all the time, where innumerable flowers are blooming, where the Yogis having the age of several hundred years are engaged in their Sadhna practices and where there is no sign of death.
Indeed this is a great fortune for India to have such a divine and unique place of penance and we all aspirants have the opportunity to make ourselves competent for gaining entrance into Siddhashram by accomplishing various Sadhna practices. Undoubtedly, those aspirants are blessed, who in their life time, are able to get entrance into this exquisite Ashram and such mothers are fortunate who are blessed with such sons, who by performing higher Sadhna practices and by attaining those elevations are able to acquire totality in their lives.
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secret
hapter Fourteen, "Oak Tree"
For the eight Indians -- six from the Indian air force, two from the Intelligence Bureau -- even a van ride had become an abject lesson in the finer points of tradecraft. Sent to Washington in mid- March 1963, they were to be the cadre for the covert airlift cell conjured earlier by Biju Patnaik and Bob Marrero. For the first two weeks, Marrero, who was playing host, arranged for briefings at a row of CIA buildings near the Tidal Basin.
By the beginning of April, the venue was set to change. A van pulled up to their Washington hotel in the dead of night, and the eight Indians plus Marrero piled into the back. All the windows were sealed, and the Indians soon lost their bearings as the vehicle drove for an hour. When they finally stopped, the rear doors opened nearly flush against a second set of doors. Hurried through, they took seats in another windowless cabin tucked inside the belly of an aircraft.
Landing at an undisclosed airfield -- only years later would they learn that it was inside Camp Peary -- the Indians were taken to an isolated barracks. Over the next month, a steady stream of nameless officers lectured on the full gamut of intelligence and paramilitary topics. There were surreal touches throughout: their meals were prepared by unseen cooks, and they would return to their rooms to find clothes pressed by unseen launderers.
The leader of the eight Indians, Colonel Laloo Grewal, had a solid reputation as a pioneer within the air force. A turbaned Sikh, he had been commissioned as a fighter pilot in 1943 and flew over 100 sorties during World War II in the skies over Burma. Immediately after independence in 1947, he was among the first transport pilots to arrive at the combat zone when India and Pakistan came to blows over Kashmir. And in 1952, he was in the first class of Indian aviators selected to head to the United States for transition training on the C-119 transport. When the call went out for a dynamic air force officer to manage a secret aviation unit under the auspices of the Intelligence Bureau and CIA, Grewal was the immediate choice.
Following the training stint at Peary, six of the students returned to New Delhi. The two most senior members, Grewal included, remained for several additional weeks of specialized aviation instruction. Marrero, meanwhile, made arrangements in May to head for India to conduct the comprehensive air survey broached with Biju Patnaik in their December 1962 meeting. Joining Marrero would be the same CIA air operations officer who had been involved with the earliest drops into Tibet, Gar Thorsrud.
Much had happened to Thorsrud since his last involvement with Tibet. In the spring of 1961, he was briefly involved in Latin America. Later that summer he shifted to Phoenix, Arizona, and was named president of a new CIA front, Intermountain Aviation.
Among CIA air proprietaries, Intermountain was in the forefront of innovation. With its main operational base at Marana Air Park near Tucson, Arizona, the company specialized in developing new aerial support techniques. It was Intermountain, for example, that worked at perfecting the Fulton Skyhook, a recovery method that whisked agents from the ground using an aircraft with a special yoke on its nose. Intermountain experts also experimented with the Timberline parachute configuration (a resupply bundle with extra-long suspension lines to allow penetration of tall jungle canopy) and the Ground Impact system (a parachute with a retainer ring that did not blossom until the last moment, allowing for pinpoint drops on pinnacle peaks).
The CIA's Secret War in Tibet
by Kenneth Conboy and James Morrison
University Press of Kansas
It was this eye for innovation that Thorsrud carried with him to India. For three months, he and Marrero were escorted from the Himalayan frontier to the airborne school at Agra to the Tibetan training site at Chakrata. Much of their time was spent near the weathered airstrip at Charbatia, where they were feted by the affable Patnaik. He offered use of Charbatia as the principal site for a clandestine air support operation and immediately secured funds from the prime minister for reconstruction of the runway. Patnaik also donated steel furniture from one of his factories, cleared out his Kalinga Air Lines offices to serve as a makeshift officers' quarters, and even loaned two of his Kalinga captains. "He was Nehru's fix-it guy," said Thorsrud. "He got things done."
Returning to New Delhi after nearly three months, the two CIA men were directed to a hotel room for a meeting with a representative of the Intelligence Bureau, T. M. Subramanian. Known for his Hindu piety and strict vegetarian diet, Subramanian had been serving as the bureau's liaison officer at Agra since November, where he had been paymaster for amenities offered to the USAF crewmen rushing military gear to India. He was also one of the two intelligence officers who had been trained at Camp Peary during April.
In the ensuing discussions between the CIA aviators and Subramanian, both sides spoke in general terms about the best options for building India's covert aviation capabilities. In one area the American officers stood firm: the United States would not assist with the procurement of spare parts, either directly or indirectly, for the many Soviet aircraft in the Indian inventory.
A subject not discussed was which U.S. aircraft would be the backbone for the envisioned covert unit. Earlier in the spring, this had been the subject of serious debate within the CIA. Wayne Sanford, the senior paramilitary officer in New Delhi, had initially proposed selection of the C-119. This made sense for several reasons. First, more than fifty C-119 airframes had been in the Indian inventory since 1952; it was therefore well known to the Indian pilots and mechanics. Second, beginning in November 1962, the Indians had ordered special kits to add a single turbojet atop the center wing section of half their C-119 fleet. The added thrust from this turbojet, tested in the field over the previous months, allowed converted planes to operate at high altitudes and fly heavy loads out of small fields. The United States pledged in May 1963 to send another two dozen Flying Boxcars to India from reserve USAF squadrons.
Other CIA officials in Washington, however, were keen to present the Indians with the C-46 Commando. A workhorse during World War II, the C-46 had proved its ability to surmount the Himalayas while flying the famed "Hump" route between India and China. More important, other CIA operations in Asia -- primarily in Laos -- were making use of the C-46, and the agency had a number of airframes readily available.
There were drawbacks with the C-46, however. It was notoriously difficult to handle. Moreover, the Indians did not operate the C-46 in their fleet, which meant that the pilots and mechanics would need a period of transition. When CIA headquarters sent over a USAF officer to sing the praises of the C-46 in overly simplistic terms, Grewal cut the conversation short. Recalls Sanford, "He flatly told the U.S. officer that he had been around C-46s longer than the American had been in the air force."
In the end, however, the Indians could not protest CIA largesse too loudly. When Marrero and Thorsrud had their meeting with Subramanian, selection of the C-46 was an unstated fait accompli. The next day, Subramanian returned to the two CIA officers with a verbatim copy of the hotel discussion. "Either he had a photographic memory," said Thorsrud, "or somebody was listening in and taking notes." Both Americans signed the aide-memoire as a working basis for cooperation.
As a final order of business, Marrero asked for an audience with Mullik. With the Charbatia air base -- now code-named Oak Tree 1 -- still in the midst of reconstruction, the first aircraft deliveries would not take place until early autumn. This did not dampen Marrero's enthusiasm as he recounted the list of possible cooperative ventures over the months ahead. The aloof Mullik replied with an indifferent stare. "Bob, we will call you when we need you."
Despite Mullik's lack of warmth, efforts to create the covert air unit went ahead on schedule. On 7 September 1963, the Intelligence Bureau officially created the Aviation Research Centre (ARC) as a front to coordinate aviation cooperation with the CIA. Colonel Grewal was named the first ARC operations manager at the newly completed Charbatia airfield. He was given full latitude to handpick his pilots, all of whom would take leave from the military and belong -- both administratively and operationally -- to the ARC for the period of their assignment.
In New Delhi, veteran intelligence officer Rameshwar Nath Kao took the helm as the first ARC director. A Kashmiri Brahman like Nehru, forty-five-year-old Kao was a spy in the classic sense. Tall and fair skinned, he was a dapper dresser with impeccable schooling; he was a Persian scholar and spoke fluent Farsi. Dignified and sophisticated, he had long impressed the officers at the CIA's New Delhi station. "I had the opportunity to drive with him from Kathmandu back to India," recalled one CIA official. "At each bridge we crossed, he would recount its technical specifications in comparison to its ability to support the heaviest tank in the Chinese inventory."
To assist Kao and Grewal, the CIA dispatched Edward Rector to Charbatia in the role of air operations adviser. Qualified as a U.S. Navy dive-bomber pilot in 1940, Rector had joined Claire Chennault's famed Flying Tigers the following year. He would later score that unit's first kill of a Japanese aircraft and go on to become an ace. After switching to the U.S. Army Air Forces (later the U.S. Air Force), he retired as a colonel in January 1962.
Rector came to Oak Tree with considerable Indian experience. During his Flying Tigers days, he had transited the subcontinent. And in late 1962, following his retirement from military service, he had gone to India on a Pentagon contract to coordinate USAF C-130 flights carrying emergency assistance to the front lines during the war with China.
Now serving with the CIA, Rector was on hand for the initial four aircraft deliveries within a week of ARC's creation. First to arrive at Oak Tree was a pair of C-46D Commandos; inside each was a disassembled U-10 Helio Courier. A five-seat light aircraft, the Helio Courier had already won praise for its short takeoff and landing (STOL) ability in the paramilitary campaign the CIA was sponsoring in Laos. Without exaggeration, it could operate from primitive runways no longer than a soccer field. More aircraft deliveries followed, totaling eight C-46 transports and four Helio Couriers by early 1964.
Under Rector's watch, the CIA arranged for the loan of some of the best pilots from its Air America roster to act as instructors for the ARC crews. Heading the C-46 conversion team was Bill Welk, a veteran of the Tibet overflights. For the Helio Courier, Air America Captain James Rhyne was dispatched to Oak Tree for a four-month tour. During this same period, T. J. Thompson, who had been assisting with the Tibetans' jump training at Agra, began work on a major parachute facility -- complete with dehumidifiers, drying towers, and storage space at Charbatia. "By the time it was finished," said Thompson, "it was larger than the facilities used by the U.S. Army in Germany."
Under the tutelage of the Air America pilots, the ARC aircrew contingent, including two captains on a one-year loan from Kalinga Air Lines, proved quick studies. By the close of 1963, transition training was nearly complete. For a graduation exercise, a demonstration was planned at Charbatia for 2 January 1964. Among the attendees would be Nehru himself.
Arriving on the assigned day, the prime minister took center seat in a rattan chair with a parasol shading his head. On cue, a silver C-46 (ARC planes bore only small tail numbers and Indian civil markings) materialized over Charbatia and dropped bags of rice and a paratrooper. Then a Helio Courier roared in and came to a stop in an impossibly small grassy patch in front of the reviewing stand. An "agent," hiding in nearby bushes with a bag of "documents," rushed aboard the Helio. Showcasing its STOL ability, the plane shot upward from the grass and over the stands. Nehru, at once impressed and confused, turned to the ARC and CIA officials in attendance and asked, "What was that?"
Revision History :
[v1.0] - [06.Jun.2005] - First Upload
[v1.1] - [09.Jan.2009] - Two new pictures added
Brigadier Sujan Singh Uban, IG SFF
Portrait of Major General Sujan Singh Uban, Inspector General (IG) of Special Frontier Force (SFF) code named "Establishment 22". The commando badge of a winged dagger has since been replaced by usual Indian Army insignia.
© Elite Forces of India and Pakistan.
Special Frontier Force SFF in 1971
Tibetan troops of SFF after victory in Chittagong where they conducted clandestine operations during 1971 war. They are equipped with Bulgarian variants of AK-47 and M-1 Garand rifles supplied by the USA.
© Elite Forces of India and Pakistan
214 KB
The Dalai Lama and Maj Gen Uban inspect the SFF at Chakrata - June 1972
(The CIA's Secret War in Tibet)
168 KB
T.J. Thompson with two Tibetan student riggers - Agra AF Stn in 1963. In the background is a C-47 Dakota and two C-119 Packet aircraft.
T.J. Thompson (The CIA's Secret War in Tibet)
158 KB
A Twin Helio STOL plane during USAF trials in 1961; this aircraft was later turned over to ARC
Harry Aderholt (The CIA's Secret War in Tibet)
Twin Courier N8745R
Twin Courier N8745R in flight. Only a handful of this type were ever built, and two of them ended up in India.
Twin Courier [90336] photographed possibly at Hulburt, Florida in 1962. This aircraft was transferred to ARC.
Another photo of the same aircraft
For the eight Indians -- six from the Indian air force, two from the Intelligence Bureau -- even a van ride had become an abject lesson in the finer points of tradecraft. Sent to Washington in mid- March 1963, they were to be the cadre for the covert airlift cell conjured earlier by Biju Patnaik and Bob Marrero. For the first two weeks, Marrero, who was playing host, arranged for briefings at a row of CIA buildings near the Tidal Basin.
By the beginning of April, the venue was set to change. A van pulled up to their Washington hotel in the dead of night, and the eight Indians plus Marrero piled into the back. All the windows were sealed, and the Indians soon lost their bearings as the vehicle drove for an hour. When they finally stopped, the rear doors opened nearly flush against a second set of doors. Hurried through, they took seats in another windowless cabin tucked inside the belly of an aircraft.
Landing at an undisclosed airfield -- only years later would they learn that it was inside Camp Peary -- the Indians were taken to an isolated barracks. Over the next month, a steady stream of nameless officers lectured on the full gamut of intelligence and paramilitary topics. There were surreal touches throughout: their meals were prepared by unseen cooks, and they would return to their rooms to find clothes pressed by unseen launderers.
The leader of the eight Indians, Colonel Laloo Grewal, had a solid reputation as a pioneer within the air force. A turbaned Sikh, he had been commissioned as a fighter pilot in 1943 and flew over 100 sorties during World War II in the skies over Burma. Immediately after independence in 1947, he was among the first transport pilots to arrive at the combat zone when India and Pakistan came to blows over Kashmir. And in 1952, he was in the first class of Indian aviators selected to head to the United States for transition training on the C-119 transport. When the call went out for a dynamic air force officer to manage a secret aviation unit under the auspices of the Intelligence Bureau and CIA, Grewal was the immediate choice.
Following the training stint at Peary, six of the students returned to New Delhi. The two most senior members, Grewal included, remained for several additional weeks of specialized aviation instruction. Marrero, meanwhile, made arrangements in May to head for India to conduct the comprehensive air survey broached with Biju Patnaik in their December 1962 meeting. Joining Marrero would be the same CIA air operations officer who had been involved with the earliest drops into Tibet, Gar Thorsrud.
Much had happened to Thorsrud since his last involvement with Tibet. In the spring of 1961, he was briefly involved in Latin America. Later that summer he shifted to Phoenix, Arizona, and was named president of a new CIA front, Intermountain Aviation.
Among CIA air proprietaries, Intermountain was in the forefront of innovation. With its main operational base at Marana Air Park near Tucson, Arizona, the company specialized in developing new aerial support techniques. It was Intermountain, for example, that worked at perfecting the Fulton Skyhook, a recovery method that whisked agents from the ground using an aircraft with a special yoke on its nose. Intermountain experts also experimented with the Timberline parachute configuration (a resupply bundle with extra-long suspension lines to allow penetration of tall jungle canopy) and the Ground Impact system (a parachute with a retainer ring that did not blossom until the last moment, allowing for pinpoint drops on pinnacle peaks).
The CIA's Secret War in Tibet
by Kenneth Conboy and James Morrison
University Press of Kansas
It was this eye for innovation that Thorsrud carried with him to India. For three months, he and Marrero were escorted from the Himalayan frontier to the airborne school at Agra to the Tibetan training site at Chakrata. Much of their time was spent near the weathered airstrip at Charbatia, where they were feted by the affable Patnaik. He offered use of Charbatia as the principal site for a clandestine air support operation and immediately secured funds from the prime minister for reconstruction of the runway. Patnaik also donated steel furniture from one of his factories, cleared out his Kalinga Air Lines offices to serve as a makeshift officers' quarters, and even loaned two of his Kalinga captains. "He was Nehru's fix-it guy," said Thorsrud. "He got things done."
Returning to New Delhi after nearly three months, the two CIA men were directed to a hotel room for a meeting with a representative of the Intelligence Bureau, T. M. Subramanian. Known for his Hindu piety and strict vegetarian diet, Subramanian had been serving as the bureau's liaison officer at Agra since November, where he had been paymaster for amenities offered to the USAF crewmen rushing military gear to India. He was also one of the two intelligence officers who had been trained at Camp Peary during April.
In the ensuing discussions between the CIA aviators and Subramanian, both sides spoke in general terms about the best options for building India's covert aviation capabilities. In one area the American officers stood firm: the United States would not assist with the procurement of spare parts, either directly or indirectly, for the many Soviet aircraft in the Indian inventory.
A subject not discussed was which U.S. aircraft would be the backbone for the envisioned covert unit. Earlier in the spring, this had been the subject of serious debate within the CIA. Wayne Sanford, the senior paramilitary officer in New Delhi, had initially proposed selection of the C-119. This made sense for several reasons. First, more than fifty C-119 airframes had been in the Indian inventory since 1952; it was therefore well known to the Indian pilots and mechanics. Second, beginning in November 1962, the Indians had ordered special kits to add a single turbojet atop the center wing section of half their C-119 fleet. The added thrust from this turbojet, tested in the field over the previous months, allowed converted planes to operate at high altitudes and fly heavy loads out of small fields. The United States pledged in May 1963 to send another two dozen Flying Boxcars to India from reserve USAF squadrons.
Other CIA officials in Washington, however, were keen to present the Indians with the C-46 Commando. A workhorse during World War II, the C-46 had proved its ability to surmount the Himalayas while flying the famed "Hump" route between India and China. More important, other CIA operations in Asia -- primarily in Laos -- were making use of the C-46, and the agency had a number of airframes readily available.
There were drawbacks with the C-46, however. It was notoriously difficult to handle. Moreover, the Indians did not operate the C-46 in their fleet, which meant that the pilots and mechanics would need a period of transition. When CIA headquarters sent over a USAF officer to sing the praises of the C-46 in overly simplistic terms, Grewal cut the conversation short. Recalls Sanford, "He flatly told the U.S. officer that he had been around C-46s longer than the American had been in the air force."
In the end, however, the Indians could not protest CIA largesse too loudly. When Marrero and Thorsrud had their meeting with Subramanian, selection of the C-46 was an unstated fait accompli. The next day, Subramanian returned to the two CIA officers with a verbatim copy of the hotel discussion. "Either he had a photographic memory," said Thorsrud, "or somebody was listening in and taking notes." Both Americans signed the aide-memoire as a working basis for cooperation.
As a final order of business, Marrero asked for an audience with Mullik. With the Charbatia air base -- now code-named Oak Tree 1 -- still in the midst of reconstruction, the first aircraft deliveries would not take place until early autumn. This did not dampen Marrero's enthusiasm as he recounted the list of possible cooperative ventures over the months ahead. The aloof Mullik replied with an indifferent stare. "Bob, we will call you when we need you."
Despite Mullik's lack of warmth, efforts to create the covert air unit went ahead on schedule. On 7 September 1963, the Intelligence Bureau officially created the Aviation Research Centre (ARC) as a front to coordinate aviation cooperation with the CIA. Colonel Grewal was named the first ARC operations manager at the newly completed Charbatia airfield. He was given full latitude to handpick his pilots, all of whom would take leave from the military and belong -- both administratively and operationally -- to the ARC for the period of their assignment.
In New Delhi, veteran intelligence officer Rameshwar Nath Kao took the helm as the first ARC director. A Kashmiri Brahman like Nehru, forty-five-year-old Kao was a spy in the classic sense. Tall and fair skinned, he was a dapper dresser with impeccable schooling; he was a Persian scholar and spoke fluent Farsi. Dignified and sophisticated, he had long impressed the officers at the CIA's New Delhi station. "I had the opportunity to drive with him from Kathmandu back to India," recalled one CIA official. "At each bridge we crossed, he would recount its technical specifications in comparison to its ability to support the heaviest tank in the Chinese inventory."
To assist Kao and Grewal, the CIA dispatched Edward Rector to Charbatia in the role of air operations adviser. Qualified as a U.S. Navy dive-bomber pilot in 1940, Rector had joined Claire Chennault's famed Flying Tigers the following year. He would later score that unit's first kill of a Japanese aircraft and go on to become an ace. After switching to the U.S. Army Air Forces (later the U.S. Air Force), he retired as a colonel in January 1962.
Rector came to Oak Tree with considerable Indian experience. During his Flying Tigers days, he had transited the subcontinent. And in late 1962, following his retirement from military service, he had gone to India on a Pentagon contract to coordinate USAF C-130 flights carrying emergency assistance to the front lines during the war with China.
Now serving with the CIA, Rector was on hand for the initial four aircraft deliveries within a week of ARC's creation. First to arrive at Oak Tree was a pair of C-46D Commandos; inside each was a disassembled U-10 Helio Courier. A five-seat light aircraft, the Helio Courier had already won praise for its short takeoff and landing (STOL) ability in the paramilitary campaign the CIA was sponsoring in Laos. Without exaggeration, it could operate from primitive runways no longer than a soccer field. More aircraft deliveries followed, totaling eight C-46 transports and four Helio Couriers by early 1964.
Under Rector's watch, the CIA arranged for the loan of some of the best pilots from its Air America roster to act as instructors for the ARC crews. Heading the C-46 conversion team was Bill Welk, a veteran of the Tibet overflights. For the Helio Courier, Air America Captain James Rhyne was dispatched to Oak Tree for a four-month tour. During this same period, T. J. Thompson, who had been assisting with the Tibetans' jump training at Agra, began work on a major parachute facility -- complete with dehumidifiers, drying towers, and storage space at Charbatia. "By the time it was finished," said Thompson, "it was larger than the facilities used by the U.S. Army in Germany."
Under the tutelage of the Air America pilots, the ARC aircrew contingent, including two captains on a one-year loan from Kalinga Air Lines, proved quick studies. By the close of 1963, transition training was nearly complete. For a graduation exercise, a demonstration was planned at Charbatia for 2 January 1964. Among the attendees would be Nehru himself.
Arriving on the assigned day, the prime minister took center seat in a rattan chair with a parasol shading his head. On cue, a silver C-46 (ARC planes bore only small tail numbers and Indian civil markings) materialized over Charbatia and dropped bags of rice and a paratrooper. Then a Helio Courier roared in and came to a stop in an impossibly small grassy patch in front of the reviewing stand. An "agent," hiding in nearby bushes with a bag of "documents," rushed aboard the Helio. Showcasing its STOL ability, the plane shot upward from the grass and over the stands. Nehru, at once impressed and confused, turned to the ARC and CIA officials in attendance and asked, "What was that?"
Revision History :
[v1.0] - [06.Jun.2005] - First Upload
[v1.1] - [09.Jan.2009] - Two new pictures added
Brigadier Sujan Singh Uban, IG SFF
Portrait of Major General Sujan Singh Uban, Inspector General (IG) of Special Frontier Force (SFF) code named "Establishment 22". The commando badge of a winged dagger has since been replaced by usual Indian Army insignia.
© Elite Forces of India and Pakistan.
Special Frontier Force SFF in 1971
Tibetan troops of SFF after victory in Chittagong where they conducted clandestine operations during 1971 war. They are equipped with Bulgarian variants of AK-47 and M-1 Garand rifles supplied by the USA.
© Elite Forces of India and Pakistan
214 KB
The Dalai Lama and Maj Gen Uban inspect the SFF at Chakrata - June 1972
(The CIA's Secret War in Tibet)
168 KB
T.J. Thompson with two Tibetan student riggers - Agra AF Stn in 1963. In the background is a C-47 Dakota and two C-119 Packet aircraft.
T.J. Thompson (The CIA's Secret War in Tibet)
158 KB
A Twin Helio STOL plane during USAF trials in 1961; this aircraft was later turned over to ARC
Harry Aderholt (The CIA's Secret War in Tibet)
Twin Courier N8745R
Twin Courier N8745R in flight. Only a handful of this type were ever built, and two of them ended up in India.
Twin Courier [90336] photographed possibly at Hulburt, Florida in 1962. This aircraft was transferred to ARC.
Another photo of the same aircraft
reli view on m-wikipedia
Religious views on masturbation
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Masturbation
Techniques
Anal masturbation · Autoeroticism
Autofellatio · Erotic electrostimulation
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Religious views (Islam)
v • d • e
Among the world's religions, views on masturbation vary widely. Some religions view it as a spiritually detrimental practice, some see it as not spiritually detrimental and others take a situational view. Among these latter religions, some view masturbation as allowable if used as a means towards sexual self-control, or as part of healthy self-exploration, but disallow it if it is done with wrong motives or as an addiction.
Contents
[hide]
* 1 Buddhism
* 2 Christianity
o 2.1 Roman Catholicism
o 2.2 Eastern Orthodox Christianity
o 2.3 Protestantism
+ 2.3.1 Evangelical Protestantism
+ 2.3.2 Adventism
o 2.4 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
* 3 Hinduism
* 4 Islam
o 4.1 Shi'a view
o 4.2 Sunni view
* 5 Judaism
o 5.1 Orthodox and Conservative Judaism
o 5.2 Kabbalah
o 5.3 Other movements
o 5.4 Spilling semen in vain
o 5.5 Other texts
* 6 Taoism
* 7 Wicca
* 8 Bibliography
* 9 See also
* 10 References
[edit] Buddhism
The most common formulation of Buddhist ethics are the Five Precepts and the Eightfold Path, which say that one should neither be attached to nor crave sensual pleasure. These precepts take the form of voluntary, personal undertakings, not divine mandate or instruction. The third of the Five Precepts is "To refrain from committing sexual misconduct.[1] However, the "sexual misconduct" is such a broad term, and is subjected to interpretation relative to the social norms of the followers. In fact, Buddhism in its fundamental form, does not define what is right and what is wrong in absolute terms for lay followers. Therefore the interpretation of what kinds of sexual activity is acceptable for a layperson, is not a religious matter as far as Buddhism is concerned.
Therefore, although Buddhism does not regard masturbation judgmentally (compared to say Roman Catholicism which regards masturbation as 'grave matter'), nonetheless, from the point of view of realizing the fruits of the path in this very life, masturbation is at the very least a distraction and an overall obstacle (an attachment) that must eventually be overcome (let go of) if one is to attain the final goal. It can also be argued that even for a layperson, excessive focus on sexual pleasure by any means can be said to be not following the middle path.
[edit] Christianity
[edit] Roman Catholicism
The Catholic Church teaches that the deliberate use of the sexual faculty outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its primary purpose of procreation and unification of the husband and wife within the sacrament of marriage.[2] In addition, the Church teaches that all other sexual activity—including masturbation, homosexual acts, acts of sodomy, and sex outside of or before marriage (fornication), and the use of any form of contraception or birth control— is gravely disordered, as it frustrates the natural order, purpose, and ends of sexuality.[3] Natural family planning is permitted, being not a form of artificial contraception.[4] To form an equitable judgment about the subjects' moral responsibility and to guide pastoral action, one must take into account the affective immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety or other psychological or social factors that lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability.[5]
Although "[i]t is said that psychology and sociology show that [masturbation] is a normal phenomenon of sexual development, especially among the young," this does not change the fact that it "is an intrinsically and seriously disordered act" and "that, whatever the motive for acting this way, the deliberate use of the sexual faculty outside normal conjugal relations essentially contradicts the finality of the faculty. For it lacks the sexual relationship called for by the moral order, namely the relationship which realizes 'the full sense of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love.'"[6]
The Catholic view of masturbation has been consistent for all of the Catholic Church's 2,000-year history[citation needed]. Early Catholic theologians universally condemned both masturbation and contraception as sinful. One such example is St. Clement of Alexandria, considered a saint and a Church Father, who said of masturbation, "Because of its divine institution for the propagation of man, the seed is not to be vainly ejaculated, nor is it to be damaged, nor is it to be wasted."[7].
[edit] Eastern Orthodox Christianity
The Eastern Orthodox Church or Orthodox Christian Church views sexuality as a gift from God that finds its fulfillment in the marital relationship. The Orthodox Church does not view sex as a sin, but the misuse of the gift of human sexuality as sinful. Because the act of masturbation is self-directed, and by its nature is incapable of expressing love and concern for another person, it is viewed as a distortion of the use of the gift of sexuality. This is especially apparent when masturbation becomes an addiction. In the least, the practice of self-pleasure is not viewed as honoring the purpose of God's gift of sexuality.[8]
From the bishops and theologians of the early Christian church, Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Basil the Great (330 AD) to modern-day Orthodox Christian theologians, such as Stanley Harakas, Alexander Schmemann and Thomas Hopko, the Orthodox teaching on sexual morality remains consistent.
The sexual sins of fornication and adultery, masturbation and cyber sex as well as hatred, jealousy, drunkenness and other sins are considered to be sins of the heart as much as the body. It is thought that turning away from sexual sin is turning away from self indulgence for the purpose of self gratification. Instead of turning to the desires of the flesh, the Orthodox Christian claims to turn to the Holy Spirit, whose fruit is believed to be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.[9]
[edit] Protestantism
Theologians toward the middle of the 20th century began revising previous teachings, and some today even take pro-masturbation viewpoints. Most conservative denominations view it as an act of self-indulgence and a sin of the flesh and believe that the practice is principally considered a sin because of its invitation to lust.[10]. Those who view it within the range of allowable sexual behavior encourage it as guard against adultery, pre-marital sex, or other forms of non-allowable sexual behavior, and as a method of balancing differing libidos between spouses.[11]
[edit] Evangelical Protestantism
James Dobson, chairman of the board of Focus on the Family, a nonprofit Christian organization, considers it part of normal adolescent exploration and strongly urges parents not to shame their children over the act lest they have marital difficulties later because of shame over their sexuality. At the same time, he believes that it becomes an addiction and an escape from intimacy for some and argues against it in that case. Richard Dobbins Teaching Your Children the Truth About Sex takes a similar approach. His overall approach is one of "neither condemn nor condone" the act. He looks at it multifactorally to determine its ethics. He gives a lot of advice to parents in the matter.
Herbert J. Miles in Sexual Understanding Before Marriage also takes a similar approach. He views the act as a controlled tool of sexual self-control for single males and advises them in that way, while also pointing males to nocturnal emissions. His view toward single females in the matter is different per their biology and lack of semen buildup, and he urges young women to wait to experience their first orgasm with their husband, while not making it a sin if they masturbate. Both Dobson and Miles go so far as to discuss what they feel in their opinion is Biblically permissible for people to imagine while masturbating. Dobson says fathers should urge their sons, if they masturbate, to imagine their future wife, and never some girl they may know[citation needed]. These opinions, however, may not reflect the views of conservative Evangelical denominations.
[edit] Adventism
Ellen G. White, one of the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in the mid-19th century claimed to have spiritual visions from God that gave her guidance on the Christian life. She warned against overly-stimulating foods, sex, and masturbation, which she referred to as "solitary vice." She warned her followers of her visions of disfigured humans and the consequences of masturbation not only destroying one's life, but preventing access to Heaven in the afterlife. She made claims that masturbation was the cause of many sicknesses in adults from cancer to lung disease. White even stated that masturbation claimed many sinners' lives prematurely. She believed that one's diet had a direct correlation with one's urge to masturbate. She claimed that a healthy diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, wheat breads, and water would lead to a diminished urge to masturbate and thus would lead to a healthier and more fulfilling life. To ultimately produce a guide for future generations she claimed solitary vice was the cause of hereditary insanity, cancer, and other deadly diseases; clearly appealing to parents to protect their children by not engaging in solitary vice.[12]
[edit] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Spencer W. Kimball, the twelfth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strongly urged the Saints (Mormons) to abandon the habit before going on a mission, receiving the holy priesthood, or going into the temple for blessings. He taught that masturbation indicated "slavery to the flesh, not the mastery of it and the growth toward godhood which is the object of our mortal life".[13] “Masturbation … is not approved of the Lord nor of His Church, regardless of what may be said by others whose ‘norms’ are lower. Latter-day Saints are urged to avoid this practice” (President Kimball Speaks Out [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1981], p. 10).[14]
Similar to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Jehovah's Witnesses teach that masturbation is a habit that is a "form of uncleanness", one that "fosters attitudes that can be mentally corrupting"[15].
[edit] Hinduism
Main article: Brahmacharya
According to Hinduism, life begins at the Brahmacharya or "student" stage, in which they are directed to chastely advance themselves educationally and spiritually to prepare themselves for a life of furthering their dharma (societal, occupational, parental, etc. duties) and karma (right earthly actions); only once they reach the Grihastya or "householder" stage can they seek kama (physical pleasure) and artha (worldly achievement, material prosperity) through their vocations. Sexual pleasure is part of kama, one of the four goals of life. On the matter of masturbation, Hindu scriptures are silent, neither labeling bad nor encouraging the practice.
The ancient Hindu treatise on sex Kama Sutra doesn't condemn masturbation at all and moreover explains in detail the best procedure to masturbate; "Churn your instrument with a lion's pounce: sit with legs stretched out at right angles to one another, propping yourself up with two hands planted on the ground between in them, and it between your arms".[16]
However, sexual purity/discipline (Brahmacharya) is one of the foundations of Hinduism and masturbation is one of the impediments to sexual purity during Brahmacharya. The word brahmacharya tends to take on a connotation of disciplining the use of and preserving sexual energy and is also understood broadly in yoga as "sexual continence," which can be understood as being applicable as appropriate in different contexts (e.g. faith in marriage, celibacy for spiritual aspirants etc), in more extreme terms (complete celibacy full stop) or in more specific terms in relation to preserving and sublimating male sexual energy rather than losing it through ejaculation.
In Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Brahmacharya is one of the 5 Yamas, the foundational commitments for the practice of yoga and the end-result or fruit of Brahmacharya practised to perfection is unbounded energy or vitality.
Many yogic techniques, such as meditation and asanas (e.g. shirsasana) can help one to achieve Brahmacharya interpreted as celibacy or strict control of sexual desires.
Many conservative Hindus see masturbation as impure and addictive, while seeing it as a distraction from the goal of self-realization and the pursuit of their vocations. Brahmacharya, which is an essential factor for religious advancement in Hinduism, condemns masturbation and illicit sex life.
Many books have been written on the subject of Brahmacarya by famous Hindu scholars like Swami Sivananda [17], Asaram Bapu [18], Sivaya Subramuniyaswami [19], Sri Vidyaprakasananda Giri, Stephen Knapp [20], etc.
[edit] Islam
Main article: Islam and masturbation
Masturbation (istimna [استمناء] in Arabic) is not forbidden in the Qur'an or the Sunni Sahih hadith. Nevertheless, it is frowned upon by some scholars, who maintain that it should only be done if one fears of committing illicit sex (fornication or adultery); even then alternatives such as getting married or fasting are preferred, as suggested in hadith.
Istimna
Scholars of Islam do not generally approve of masturbation, except in extenuating circumstances. There is a statement in Quran "And those who guard their chastity, Except from their wives for then, they are free from blame; But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are transgressors." (23:5-7)
In Islam, sexual engagement outside of marriage is a major sin, which cause the doer to be punished in this life and the Qiyama. Yet if one's desire is so overwhelming one might perform a greater wrong by having sex outside marriage, masturbation becomes permissible as a necessity but in that case it will be like eating the flesh of pig to survive from major hunger or starvation when no other food is available. So Quran says "And those who are not married should try to live in chastity, until God enriches them with His Grace" (Qur'an, 24:33)
Masturbation, like any form of sex in which seminal or vaginal fluids have been released, breaks one's fast if performed during the daylight hours and requires a major ablution if any seminal or vaginal fluids were released.
According to Sheikh Hamed Al-Ali: "Masturbation during the daytime of Ramadan breaks the fast, based on the Hadith that a fasting Muslim gives up eating, drinking, and sexual desire for the sake of Allah. Since masturbation is a kind of sexual desire, a fasting Muslim must avoid it. Therefore, masturbation invalidates the fast as does food and as it is one of the sins that if someone does it he or she would be violating the sanctity of this month."
[edit] Shi'a view
Masturbation is forbidden altogether in the Shi'a sect. The Qur'an says, "The believers are... those who protect their sexual organs except from their spouses... Therefore, whosoever seeks more beyond that [in sexual gratification], then they are the transgressors." (23:5-6) [21]
[edit] Sunni view
The four Sunni schools of jurisprudence (known as Madhaahib - the Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali schools of Fiqh) have differing stances on the issue. Some see it forbidden in certain cases (i.e. if it leads a man/woman to ignore their spouse sexually) but recommended it when they see it as a lesser evil to illicit sex. It is generally prohibited according to the Hanafi and Hanbali Mazhabs, unless one fears adultery or fornication, or is under the desire pressure, in which case, it is permissible to seek a relief through masturbation. It is prohibited all the time according to the Maliki and Shafi`i Mazhabs.[22]
[edit] Judaism
[edit] Orthodox and Conservative Judaism
Masturbation is not explicitly prohibited in the Hebrew Bible. However a passage in the Torah states "Do not give from your seed, to pass, or pour out to Molech". Seed here can be interpreted as either semen or offspring. This passage has been argued to be a prohibition against human child-sacrifice, and religious masturbation to foreign deities.[citation needed] For example, in ancient Egypt the Pharaoh would annually masturbate into the Nile, as a fertility rite.[citation needed] The Talmud forbids male masturbation, as it leads to unnecessary spilling of semen, or the impure thoughts of women other than the man's lawful wife. This prohibition is derived from the Biblical narrative of Onan (Talmud Niddah 13a). The Talmud (ibid) likens the act to murder and idolatry. The wrath displayed by God toward Onan was invoked not through the act of spilling semen, but through disobedience to God's command for Onan to impregnate his brother's widow (see the story in Genesis 38:8-10). Others consider the death sentence excessive for failure to properly follow the laws of Levirate marriage — the Biblical punishment for refusing a Levirate marriage was to be spit on, in public, by the woman who was refused. Because Onan's punishment was so much more severe, they argue that the spilling of semen was the relevant offense. Onan was not masturbating, but practising birth control by withdrawal.
According to the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, "It is forbidden to discharge semen in vain. This is a graver sin than any other in the Torah".[23] However, Beis Shmuel expounds that this is not literal, but rather serves to frighten man into avoiding the sin.[24]
There is disagreement among the poskim, decisors of Jewish law, whether masturbation is an acceptable way of procuring semen for artificial insemination or in vitro fertilisation.[25]
Judaism in general neither prohibits nor discourages female masturbation, although some authorities consider female masturbation as necessarily involving "impure thoughts".[26]
[edit] Kabbalah
The Zohar takes a very dim view of male masturbation: "Whoever emits his seed fruitlessly is called evil" [27] and "There is nothing in the world for which one cannot repent, except for this." [28] It is considered a worse sin than murder[29] and that all other men will ascend from Gehinnom after the cleansing of their sins, where for those guilty of masturbation "All of them ascend, whereas this one does not." [30] Based on passages in the Tanakh, the Zohar equates "one who fornicates with his hands"[31] to one who "has killed his children - his very own children!" [32]
[edit] Other movements
Rabbis from the Progressive movements (i.e., the Reform and Reconstructionist movements) have come to more liberal conclusions. Reconstructionist Rabbi Alexis Roberts maintains that masturbation is "harmless, natural and healthy. It may provide release and pleasure, as well as self-knowledge that is useful for pleasurable sex with a partner. It may make it easier for young people to have sexual release in the years when they are too young for a mature, committed, loving relationship."[33] Reform Rabbi Jonathan Stein, in a proposed schema for normative Reform evaluation of different sexual activities, proposed that masturbation be considered "mutar", a term generally translated as "permissible", but which he renders as "tolerable".[34] Rabbi Walter Jacob, writing on behalf of the Reform responsa committee, asserts, "Although the statements of tradition are very clear, we would take a different view of masturbation, in the light of current psychological thought. Masturbation should be discouraged, but we would not consider it harmful or sinful."[35]
[edit] Spilling semen in vain
Sperm in vain (or Semen in vain or Seed in vain; Hebrew: זרע לבטלה, pronounced: Zerah Le-Batalah or Zera Levatala) is a Talmudic term and concept that refers to any sexual act in which a male's sperm is being "wasted", as an act not for the purpose of procreation, which would turn the sexual act to be not in accordance with the Halakha [36]:
"But why all these precautions? — Because otherwise one might emit semen in vain, and R. Johanan stated: Whosoever emits semen in vain deserves death, for it is said in Scripture."
—Babylon Talmud, Tractate Niddah, p. 13a
Prior to the 20th century, it was a Jewish term usually (but not only) referring to masturbation. In Shulchan Aruch, on "Yoreh Deah", it is stated that wasting sperm, not for the purpose of procreation, is considered to be a sin greater than any sin in the Torah. However, in some forms, the Halakha permits intercourse with pregnant, infertile, and elderly women for the purpose of fulfilling the "Onah" Mitzvah-commandment, in which the husband is obliged to fulfill his marital obligations.
Homosexual intercourse is also considered an act of sperm in vain; as for masturbation, despite not having been explicitly prohibited in the Torah, the Halkha and the Oral Torah views masturbation as an Halakhaic prohibition and a great sin. The attitude towards a male sperm is one of a potential future living human being, and thus masturbation, as an act of sperm in vain, is referred as a murder, in which the masturbator is exterminating his potential offspring's. Even marital sexual acts in which the sperm is not aimed at the vagina (and should it be spilled), is considered an act of sperm in vain.
The Halakhic attitude towards a female masturbation is more of a moderate approach. Despite two rabbinical opinions of R. Ben Ish Chai and R. Moshe Feinstein, comparing it to an act of a male's masturbation, all other rabbinical statements favor such an act, and does not view it as an act of "Sperm in vain".
In modern days, the Halakhic question on whether taking a male sperm for the purpose of medical examinations or insemination remains open.
[edit] Other texts
Leviticus chapter 15 in the Law of Moses states that any male having a "flow" is ceremonially defiled, and that after a period of seven days (v. 13), he must wash in spring water to be considered cleansed, then sacrifice two pigeons or doves on the 8th day. This "flow" refers to ejaculation of semen (verse 32), whether through masturbation or nocturnal emission. However, verse 3 states that he is rendered unclean even if the flow is "blocked", i.e. even if he stops himself short of ejaculation.
Other than this 7-day ceremonial defilement (which is actually quite similar to the Taoist concept of "diminished Qi" as detailed below), there are no consequences or punishments specified for masturbation or mere ejaculation to be found in Mosaic Law. However, the Temple Scroll, used by the sect responsible for the Dead Sea Scrolls, states that a man may not enter the holy grounds of the Future Temple in the New Jerusalem for a period of seven days after ejaculating.
[edit] Taoism
Some teachers and practitioners of Traditional Chinese medicine, Taoist meditative and martial arts say that masturbation can cause a lowered energy level in men. They say that ejaculation in this way reduces "origin qi" from dantian, the energy center located in the lower abdomen. Some maintain that sex with a partner does not do this because the partners replenish each other's qi. Some practitioners therefore say that males should not practice martial arts for at least 48 hours after masturbation while others prescribe up to six months, because the loss of Origin Qi does not allow new qi to be created for this kind of time.
Taoists strongly discouraged female masturbation. Women were encouraged to practice massaging techniques upon themselves, but were also instructed to avoid thinking sexual thoughts if experiencing a feeling of pleasure. Otherwise, the woman's "labia will open wide and the sexual secretions will flow." If this happened, the woman would lose part of her life force, and this could bring illness and shortened life.[37]
[edit] Wicca
Wicca, like other religions, has adherents with a spectrum of views ranging from conservative to liberal. Wicca is generally undogmatic, and nothing in Wiccan philosophy prohibits masturbation. On the contrary, Wiccan ethics, summed up in the Wiccan Rede "And it harm none, do as thou wilt", are interpreted by many as endorsing responsible sexual activity of all varieties. This is reinforced in the Charge of the Goddess, a key piece of Wiccan literature, in which the Goddess says, "all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals
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Masturbation
Techniques
Anal masturbation · Autoeroticism
Autofellatio · Erotic electrostimulation
Phone sex
Instruments
Anal beads · Artificial vagina
Automated erotic stimulation device
(Sybian · Venus 2000 · Vibrator)
Ben Wa balls
Dildo (double penetration)
Love pillow · Sex doll (RealDoll)
Events
Masturbate-a-thon · Wank Week
History and status
History of masturbation · Onan
Religious views (Islam)
v • d • e
Among the world's religions, views on masturbation vary widely. Some religions view it as a spiritually detrimental practice, some see it as not spiritually detrimental and others take a situational view. Among these latter religions, some view masturbation as allowable if used as a means towards sexual self-control, or as part of healthy self-exploration, but disallow it if it is done with wrong motives or as an addiction.
Contents
[hide]
* 1 Buddhism
* 2 Christianity
o 2.1 Roman Catholicism
o 2.2 Eastern Orthodox Christianity
o 2.3 Protestantism
+ 2.3.1 Evangelical Protestantism
+ 2.3.2 Adventism
o 2.4 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
* 3 Hinduism
* 4 Islam
o 4.1 Shi'a view
o 4.2 Sunni view
* 5 Judaism
o 5.1 Orthodox and Conservative Judaism
o 5.2 Kabbalah
o 5.3 Other movements
o 5.4 Spilling semen in vain
o 5.5 Other texts
* 6 Taoism
* 7 Wicca
* 8 Bibliography
* 9 See also
* 10 References
[edit] Buddhism
The most common formulation of Buddhist ethics are the Five Precepts and the Eightfold Path, which say that one should neither be attached to nor crave sensual pleasure. These precepts take the form of voluntary, personal undertakings, not divine mandate or instruction. The third of the Five Precepts is "To refrain from committing sexual misconduct.[1] However, the "sexual misconduct" is such a broad term, and is subjected to interpretation relative to the social norms of the followers. In fact, Buddhism in its fundamental form, does not define what is right and what is wrong in absolute terms for lay followers. Therefore the interpretation of what kinds of sexual activity is acceptable for a layperson, is not a religious matter as far as Buddhism is concerned.
Therefore, although Buddhism does not regard masturbation judgmentally (compared to say Roman Catholicism which regards masturbation as 'grave matter'), nonetheless, from the point of view of realizing the fruits of the path in this very life, masturbation is at the very least a distraction and an overall obstacle (an attachment) that must eventually be overcome (let go of) if one is to attain the final goal. It can also be argued that even for a layperson, excessive focus on sexual pleasure by any means can be said to be not following the middle path.
[edit] Christianity
[edit] Roman Catholicism
The Catholic Church teaches that the deliberate use of the sexual faculty outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its primary purpose of procreation and unification of the husband and wife within the sacrament of marriage.[2] In addition, the Church teaches that all other sexual activity—including masturbation, homosexual acts, acts of sodomy, and sex outside of or before marriage (fornication), and the use of any form of contraception or birth control— is gravely disordered, as it frustrates the natural order, purpose, and ends of sexuality.[3] Natural family planning is permitted, being not a form of artificial contraception.[4] To form an equitable judgment about the subjects' moral responsibility and to guide pastoral action, one must take into account the affective immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety or other psychological or social factors that lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability.[5]
Although "[i]t is said that psychology and sociology show that [masturbation] is a normal phenomenon of sexual development, especially among the young," this does not change the fact that it "is an intrinsically and seriously disordered act" and "that, whatever the motive for acting this way, the deliberate use of the sexual faculty outside normal conjugal relations essentially contradicts the finality of the faculty. For it lacks the sexual relationship called for by the moral order, namely the relationship which realizes 'the full sense of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love.'"[6]
The Catholic view of masturbation has been consistent for all of the Catholic Church's 2,000-year history[citation needed]. Early Catholic theologians universally condemned both masturbation and contraception as sinful. One such example is St. Clement of Alexandria, considered a saint and a Church Father, who said of masturbation, "Because of its divine institution for the propagation of man, the seed is not to be vainly ejaculated, nor is it to be damaged, nor is it to be wasted."[7].
[edit] Eastern Orthodox Christianity
The Eastern Orthodox Church or Orthodox Christian Church views sexuality as a gift from God that finds its fulfillment in the marital relationship. The Orthodox Church does not view sex as a sin, but the misuse of the gift of human sexuality as sinful. Because the act of masturbation is self-directed, and by its nature is incapable of expressing love and concern for another person, it is viewed as a distortion of the use of the gift of sexuality. This is especially apparent when masturbation becomes an addiction. In the least, the practice of self-pleasure is not viewed as honoring the purpose of God's gift of sexuality.[8]
From the bishops and theologians of the early Christian church, Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Basil the Great (330 AD) to modern-day Orthodox Christian theologians, such as Stanley Harakas, Alexander Schmemann and Thomas Hopko, the Orthodox teaching on sexual morality remains consistent.
The sexual sins of fornication and adultery, masturbation and cyber sex as well as hatred, jealousy, drunkenness and other sins are considered to be sins of the heart as much as the body. It is thought that turning away from sexual sin is turning away from self indulgence for the purpose of self gratification. Instead of turning to the desires of the flesh, the Orthodox Christian claims to turn to the Holy Spirit, whose fruit is believed to be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.[9]
[edit] Protestantism
Theologians toward the middle of the 20th century began revising previous teachings, and some today even take pro-masturbation viewpoints. Most conservative denominations view it as an act of self-indulgence and a sin of the flesh and believe that the practice is principally considered a sin because of its invitation to lust.[10]. Those who view it within the range of allowable sexual behavior encourage it as guard against adultery, pre-marital sex, or other forms of non-allowable sexual behavior, and as a method of balancing differing libidos between spouses.[11]
[edit] Evangelical Protestantism
James Dobson, chairman of the board of Focus on the Family, a nonprofit Christian organization, considers it part of normal adolescent exploration and strongly urges parents not to shame their children over the act lest they have marital difficulties later because of shame over their sexuality. At the same time, he believes that it becomes an addiction and an escape from intimacy for some and argues against it in that case. Richard Dobbins Teaching Your Children the Truth About Sex takes a similar approach. His overall approach is one of "neither condemn nor condone" the act. He looks at it multifactorally to determine its ethics. He gives a lot of advice to parents in the matter.
Herbert J. Miles in Sexual Understanding Before Marriage also takes a similar approach. He views the act as a controlled tool of sexual self-control for single males and advises them in that way, while also pointing males to nocturnal emissions. His view toward single females in the matter is different per their biology and lack of semen buildup, and he urges young women to wait to experience their first orgasm with their husband, while not making it a sin if they masturbate. Both Dobson and Miles go so far as to discuss what they feel in their opinion is Biblically permissible for people to imagine while masturbating. Dobson says fathers should urge their sons, if they masturbate, to imagine their future wife, and never some girl they may know[citation needed]. These opinions, however, may not reflect the views of conservative Evangelical denominations.
[edit] Adventism
Ellen G. White, one of the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in the mid-19th century claimed to have spiritual visions from God that gave her guidance on the Christian life. She warned against overly-stimulating foods, sex, and masturbation, which she referred to as "solitary vice." She warned her followers of her visions of disfigured humans and the consequences of masturbation not only destroying one's life, but preventing access to Heaven in the afterlife. She made claims that masturbation was the cause of many sicknesses in adults from cancer to lung disease. White even stated that masturbation claimed many sinners' lives prematurely. She believed that one's diet had a direct correlation with one's urge to masturbate. She claimed that a healthy diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, wheat breads, and water would lead to a diminished urge to masturbate and thus would lead to a healthier and more fulfilling life. To ultimately produce a guide for future generations she claimed solitary vice was the cause of hereditary insanity, cancer, and other deadly diseases; clearly appealing to parents to protect their children by not engaging in solitary vice.[12]
[edit] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Spencer W. Kimball, the twelfth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strongly urged the Saints (Mormons) to abandon the habit before going on a mission, receiving the holy priesthood, or going into the temple for blessings. He taught that masturbation indicated "slavery to the flesh, not the mastery of it and the growth toward godhood which is the object of our mortal life".[13] “Masturbation … is not approved of the Lord nor of His Church, regardless of what may be said by others whose ‘norms’ are lower. Latter-day Saints are urged to avoid this practice” (President Kimball Speaks Out [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1981], p. 10).[14]
Similar to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Jehovah's Witnesses teach that masturbation is a habit that is a "form of uncleanness", one that "fosters attitudes that can be mentally corrupting"[15].
[edit] Hinduism
Main article: Brahmacharya
According to Hinduism, life begins at the Brahmacharya or "student" stage, in which they are directed to chastely advance themselves educationally and spiritually to prepare themselves for a life of furthering their dharma (societal, occupational, parental, etc. duties) and karma (right earthly actions); only once they reach the Grihastya or "householder" stage can they seek kama (physical pleasure) and artha (worldly achievement, material prosperity) through their vocations. Sexual pleasure is part of kama, one of the four goals of life. On the matter of masturbation, Hindu scriptures are silent, neither labeling bad nor encouraging the practice.
The ancient Hindu treatise on sex Kama Sutra doesn't condemn masturbation at all and moreover explains in detail the best procedure to masturbate; "Churn your instrument with a lion's pounce: sit with legs stretched out at right angles to one another, propping yourself up with two hands planted on the ground between in them, and it between your arms".[16]
However, sexual purity/discipline (Brahmacharya) is one of the foundations of Hinduism and masturbation is one of the impediments to sexual purity during Brahmacharya. The word brahmacharya tends to take on a connotation of disciplining the use of and preserving sexual energy and is also understood broadly in yoga as "sexual continence," which can be understood as being applicable as appropriate in different contexts (e.g. faith in marriage, celibacy for spiritual aspirants etc), in more extreme terms (complete celibacy full stop) or in more specific terms in relation to preserving and sublimating male sexual energy rather than losing it through ejaculation.
In Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Brahmacharya is one of the 5 Yamas, the foundational commitments for the practice of yoga and the end-result or fruit of Brahmacharya practised to perfection is unbounded energy or vitality.
Many yogic techniques, such as meditation and asanas (e.g. shirsasana) can help one to achieve Brahmacharya interpreted as celibacy or strict control of sexual desires.
Many conservative Hindus see masturbation as impure and addictive, while seeing it as a distraction from the goal of self-realization and the pursuit of their vocations. Brahmacharya, which is an essential factor for religious advancement in Hinduism, condemns masturbation and illicit sex life.
Many books have been written on the subject of Brahmacarya by famous Hindu scholars like Swami Sivananda [17], Asaram Bapu [18], Sivaya Subramuniyaswami [19], Sri Vidyaprakasananda Giri, Stephen Knapp [20], etc.
[edit] Islam
Main article: Islam and masturbation
Masturbation (istimna [استمناء] in Arabic) is not forbidden in the Qur'an or the Sunni Sahih hadith. Nevertheless, it is frowned upon by some scholars, who maintain that it should only be done if one fears of committing illicit sex (fornication or adultery); even then alternatives such as getting married or fasting are preferred, as suggested in hadith.
Istimna
Scholars of Islam do not generally approve of masturbation, except in extenuating circumstances. There is a statement in Quran "And those who guard their chastity, Except from their wives for then, they are free from blame; But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are transgressors." (23:5-7)
In Islam, sexual engagement outside of marriage is a major sin, which cause the doer to be punished in this life and the Qiyama. Yet if one's desire is so overwhelming one might perform a greater wrong by having sex outside marriage, masturbation becomes permissible as a necessity but in that case it will be like eating the flesh of pig to survive from major hunger or starvation when no other food is available. So Quran says "And those who are not married should try to live in chastity, until God enriches them with His Grace" (Qur'an, 24:33)
Masturbation, like any form of sex in which seminal or vaginal fluids have been released, breaks one's fast if performed during the daylight hours and requires a major ablution if any seminal or vaginal fluids were released.
According to Sheikh Hamed Al-Ali: "Masturbation during the daytime of Ramadan breaks the fast, based on the Hadith that a fasting Muslim gives up eating, drinking, and sexual desire for the sake of Allah. Since masturbation is a kind of sexual desire, a fasting Muslim must avoid it. Therefore, masturbation invalidates the fast as does food and as it is one of the sins that if someone does it he or she would be violating the sanctity of this month."
[edit] Shi'a view
Masturbation is forbidden altogether in the Shi'a sect. The Qur'an says, "The believers are... those who protect their sexual organs except from their spouses... Therefore, whosoever seeks more beyond that [in sexual gratification], then they are the transgressors." (23:5-6) [21]
[edit] Sunni view
The four Sunni schools of jurisprudence (known as Madhaahib - the Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali schools of Fiqh) have differing stances on the issue. Some see it forbidden in certain cases (i.e. if it leads a man/woman to ignore their spouse sexually) but recommended it when they see it as a lesser evil to illicit sex. It is generally prohibited according to the Hanafi and Hanbali Mazhabs, unless one fears adultery or fornication, or is under the desire pressure, in which case, it is permissible to seek a relief through masturbation. It is prohibited all the time according to the Maliki and Shafi`i Mazhabs.[22]
[edit] Judaism
[edit] Orthodox and Conservative Judaism
Masturbation is not explicitly prohibited in the Hebrew Bible. However a passage in the Torah states "Do not give from your seed, to pass, or pour out to Molech". Seed here can be interpreted as either semen or offspring. This passage has been argued to be a prohibition against human child-sacrifice, and religious masturbation to foreign deities.[citation needed] For example, in ancient Egypt the Pharaoh would annually masturbate into the Nile, as a fertility rite.[citation needed] The Talmud forbids male masturbation, as it leads to unnecessary spilling of semen, or the impure thoughts of women other than the man's lawful wife. This prohibition is derived from the Biblical narrative of Onan (Talmud Niddah 13a). The Talmud (ibid) likens the act to murder and idolatry. The wrath displayed by God toward Onan was invoked not through the act of spilling semen, but through disobedience to God's command for Onan to impregnate his brother's widow (see the story in Genesis 38:8-10). Others consider the death sentence excessive for failure to properly follow the laws of Levirate marriage — the Biblical punishment for refusing a Levirate marriage was to be spit on, in public, by the woman who was refused. Because Onan's punishment was so much more severe, they argue that the spilling of semen was the relevant offense. Onan was not masturbating, but practising birth control by withdrawal.
According to the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, "It is forbidden to discharge semen in vain. This is a graver sin than any other in the Torah".[23] However, Beis Shmuel expounds that this is not literal, but rather serves to frighten man into avoiding the sin.[24]
There is disagreement among the poskim, decisors of Jewish law, whether masturbation is an acceptable way of procuring semen for artificial insemination or in vitro fertilisation.[25]
Judaism in general neither prohibits nor discourages female masturbation, although some authorities consider female masturbation as necessarily involving "impure thoughts".[26]
[edit] Kabbalah
The Zohar takes a very dim view of male masturbation: "Whoever emits his seed fruitlessly is called evil" [27] and "There is nothing in the world for which one cannot repent, except for this." [28] It is considered a worse sin than murder[29] and that all other men will ascend from Gehinnom after the cleansing of their sins, where for those guilty of masturbation "All of them ascend, whereas this one does not." [30] Based on passages in the Tanakh, the Zohar equates "one who fornicates with his hands"[31] to one who "has killed his children - his very own children!" [32]
[edit] Other movements
Rabbis from the Progressive movements (i.e., the Reform and Reconstructionist movements) have come to more liberal conclusions. Reconstructionist Rabbi Alexis Roberts maintains that masturbation is "harmless, natural and healthy. It may provide release and pleasure, as well as self-knowledge that is useful for pleasurable sex with a partner. It may make it easier for young people to have sexual release in the years when they are too young for a mature, committed, loving relationship."[33] Reform Rabbi Jonathan Stein, in a proposed schema for normative Reform evaluation of different sexual activities, proposed that masturbation be considered "mutar", a term generally translated as "permissible", but which he renders as "tolerable".[34] Rabbi Walter Jacob, writing on behalf of the Reform responsa committee, asserts, "Although the statements of tradition are very clear, we would take a different view of masturbation, in the light of current psychological thought. Masturbation should be discouraged, but we would not consider it harmful or sinful."[35]
[edit] Spilling semen in vain
Sperm in vain (or Semen in vain or Seed in vain; Hebrew: זרע לבטלה, pronounced: Zerah Le-Batalah or Zera Levatala) is a Talmudic term and concept that refers to any sexual act in which a male's sperm is being "wasted", as an act not for the purpose of procreation, which would turn the sexual act to be not in accordance with the Halakha [36]:
"But why all these precautions? — Because otherwise one might emit semen in vain, and R. Johanan stated: Whosoever emits semen in vain deserves death, for it is said in Scripture."
—Babylon Talmud, Tractate Niddah, p. 13a
Prior to the 20th century, it was a Jewish term usually (but not only) referring to masturbation. In Shulchan Aruch, on "Yoreh Deah", it is stated that wasting sperm, not for the purpose of procreation, is considered to be a sin greater than any sin in the Torah. However, in some forms, the Halakha permits intercourse with pregnant, infertile, and elderly women for the purpose of fulfilling the "Onah" Mitzvah-commandment, in which the husband is obliged to fulfill his marital obligations.
Homosexual intercourse is also considered an act of sperm in vain; as for masturbation, despite not having been explicitly prohibited in the Torah, the Halkha and the Oral Torah views masturbation as an Halakhaic prohibition and a great sin. The attitude towards a male sperm is one of a potential future living human being, and thus masturbation, as an act of sperm in vain, is referred as a murder, in which the masturbator is exterminating his potential offspring's. Even marital sexual acts in which the sperm is not aimed at the vagina (and should it be spilled), is considered an act of sperm in vain.
The Halakhic attitude towards a female masturbation is more of a moderate approach. Despite two rabbinical opinions of R. Ben Ish Chai and R. Moshe Feinstein, comparing it to an act of a male's masturbation, all other rabbinical statements favor such an act, and does not view it as an act of "Sperm in vain".
In modern days, the Halakhic question on whether taking a male sperm for the purpose of medical examinations or insemination remains open.
[edit] Other texts
Leviticus chapter 15 in the Law of Moses states that any male having a "flow" is ceremonially defiled, and that after a period of seven days (v. 13), he must wash in spring water to be considered cleansed, then sacrifice two pigeons or doves on the 8th day. This "flow" refers to ejaculation of semen (verse 32), whether through masturbation or nocturnal emission. However, verse 3 states that he is rendered unclean even if the flow is "blocked", i.e. even if he stops himself short of ejaculation.
Other than this 7-day ceremonial defilement (which is actually quite similar to the Taoist concept of "diminished Qi" as detailed below), there are no consequences or punishments specified for masturbation or mere ejaculation to be found in Mosaic Law. However, the Temple Scroll, used by the sect responsible for the Dead Sea Scrolls, states that a man may not enter the holy grounds of the Future Temple in the New Jerusalem for a period of seven days after ejaculating.
[edit] Taoism
Some teachers and practitioners of Traditional Chinese medicine, Taoist meditative and martial arts say that masturbation can cause a lowered energy level in men. They say that ejaculation in this way reduces "origin qi" from dantian, the energy center located in the lower abdomen. Some maintain that sex with a partner does not do this because the partners replenish each other's qi. Some practitioners therefore say that males should not practice martial arts for at least 48 hours after masturbation while others prescribe up to six months, because the loss of Origin Qi does not allow new qi to be created for this kind of time.
Taoists strongly discouraged female masturbation. Women were encouraged to practice massaging techniques upon themselves, but were also instructed to avoid thinking sexual thoughts if experiencing a feeling of pleasure. Otherwise, the woman's "labia will open wide and the sexual secretions will flow." If this happened, the woman would lose part of her life force, and this could bring illness and shortened life.[37]
[edit] Wicca
Wicca, like other religions, has adherents with a spectrum of views ranging from conservative to liberal. Wicca is generally undogmatic, and nothing in Wiccan philosophy prohibits masturbation. On the contrary, Wiccan ethics, summed up in the Wiccan Rede "And it harm none, do as thou wilt", are interpreted by many as endorsing responsible sexual activity of all varieties. This is reinforced in the Charge of the Goddess, a key piece of Wiccan literature, in which the Goddess says, "all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals
chromology
Colour Therapy
By Walter Last
Colour has a powerful influence on our body chemistry. The strongest effect is through the eyes, but good results are also achieved by treating the skin areas over certain organs or the spine.
Colour can be used in various ways: as direct coloured light, or indirect light from the colours of walls, curtains and clothes; in foods, and by treating drinking water with coloured lights; by visualising colours with closed eyes; or by visualising that the inhaled breath or directed energy is coloured. For treatment you should be careful to select bright, clear colours; murky colours usually have unpleasant effects.
Coloured Lights
Light may be coloured by using coloured light bulbs, by filtering sunlight through coloured glass or cellophane, even by wrapping coloured cloth around a lamp. Drinking water may be treated by exposing it to sunlight in coloured-glass containers or in containers covered with coloured cellophane, or coloured light bulbs may be used. This water is beneficial for drinking, gargling in the case of throat infections, washing wounds or bathing the eyes.
Preferably, stimulating colours should be used in the morning and sedating colours in the evening. If a sequence of coloured lights is used, start with stimulating colours, proceed to blue and finish with green. When treating internal organs, shine the light at close range on to the skin area covering the organ, possibly also on to the spinal reflex area. For general treatment and especially to improve eye conditions, you may look at a brilliant, reflecting surface of the desired colour, exposed to sunlight or a strong electric light.
To treat specific parts of the body, you may cover them with a single or double layer of cellophane of the desired colour and expose them to mild sunlight or strong electric light. If using sunlight you should be careful not to over-expose as cellophane does not absorb the UV radiation. As a general tonic, you may cover the back with cellophane in the colours of the rainbow: red at the base, orange over the lower back, yellow in the middle, green at the shoulder blades, blue at the neck and violet over the head. These are also the regional chakra energy colours
Green is the general healing colour, representing harmony and balanced body polarities. In disease, there may be over-stimulation, with too much red in the system - fever, inflammation, irritability, skin rash, red eyeballs, pink fingernails; or there may be under-stimulation with too much blue - pale skin, sluggishness, bluish eyeballs, bluish nails. The over-stimulated condition needs blue colour treatment, while the under-stimulated condition requires red or orange.
The following list shows the conditions for which the different colours may be used. You may also use muscle testing or a pendulum for individual colour selection. Different parts of the body may need different colours. If you are in doubt about which area to treat, irradiate 'systemically' - over the whole body. When irradiating the back, lie on one side, not on the stomach. For best effects or professional treatments, use colour slides with a strong projector in a dark room, and irradiate for one hour or longer at a time.
The Curative Properties of Colours
RED (BRIGHT RED) - Warm and stimulating. Use in anaemia, or whenever you are feeling cold and pale, with chilled extremities; also useful for ultraviolet and X-ray burns and frostbite; red is a liver stimulant and counter-irritant (to bring internal inflammations to the surface). Nutrients: vitamin B12, acidity.
ORANGE - A respiratory stimulant; useful for weak lungs, asthma, consumption, emphysema; also for overweight and under-active people with an under-active thyroid (energises thyroid, sedates parathyroids). Orange relieves spasms and cramps; increases milk secretion; corrects rickets and soft bones, osteoporosis; stimulates stomach and digestion, and relieves flatulence and distension; also stimulates the bladder, kidneys, liver and pancreas, try with epilepsy. It is valuable for chronic kidney disease and gallstones; arthritis, gout and rheumatism during non-painful periods. Minerals: boron, calcium, copper, selenium, silicon.
YELLOW - The most luminous colour. A strong stimulant and energiser for muscles and nerves: use in all cases of paralysis and muscle disorders, for nerve building, and in nervous exhaustion. Yellow energises the alimentary tract and stimulates digestion, flow of bile, gastric juices, pancreas activity, lymphatic system, heart, eyes and ears. It generally activates all bodily functions except those of the spleen, which is sedated; use for indigestion, constipation, diabetes, depression, for skin cleansing and to destroy intestinal worms. Minerals: magnesium, molybdenum, sodium.
LEMON (YELLOW-GREEN) - Stimulates brain activity and activates the thymus. It is a mild laxative and expectorant (expels mucus): use in respiratory problems involving phlegm, asthma, coughs. Lemon is useful for dry, scaly skin disorders and bone building. It neutralises overacidity, and is indicated for chronic disorders in general, including cancer (systemic), diabetes and dwarfism. Minerals: gold, iodine, iron, phosphorus, silver, sulphur.
GREEN - Stimulates pituitary gland, encourages muscle and tissue building, and breaks up hardened cell masses and clots. It is anti-congestive, germicidal, disinfectant, purifying: use for heart problems, ulcers, cancer, wound healing, skin improvement, burn pains, glaucoma, headaches, neuralgia. Elements: chlorine, nitrogen.
TURQUOISE (BLUE-GREEN) - Normalising for acute disorders. It is calming, and therefore useful for headaches, for soothing inflammations, sunburn and itching. It improves, rebuilds and tones the skin: use for moist- or weeping-skin disorders. It is also valuable for acute childhood diseases and infections, acute venereal diseases, and hyperactivity. Minerals: chromium, zinc.
BLUE - Cooling, strongly anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, stops bleeding; reduces fever, pain. Use to treat all conditions marked by redness, swelling and heat, and acute phases of arthritis, gout and rheumatism. Blue is relaxing and calming, slows the pulse, can reduce high blood pressure, and is valuable for underweight and overactive people. Use to treat itching, irritation, irritability, insomnia, throbbing headaches, speedy brain; sore throat, loss of voice, burns, bruises; diarrhoea, dysentery, colitis, neuralgia, sciatica, earache, biliousness and jaundice. Also good for treating tumour areas and red or infected skin disorders. Element: oxygen.
INDIGO (BLUE-VIOLET) - Sedative, pain relieving, arrests discharges and bleeding, astringent. Use for piles and varicose veins. Indigo improves the immune system during infections: use to irradiate swollen lymph glands; in whooping cough with fever and other acute lung disorders; for convulsions and nervous irritation. It stimulates the parathyroids and sedates the thyroid; use locally for goitre.
VIOLET - Relaxing and soothing. It also stimulates the spleen and builds white blood cells. Violet sedates heart and muscle activity, and calms hyperactive people. It is useful for overactive kidneys and bladder; bed-wetting; nerve disorders and overactive mental disorders; epilepsy; insomnia. It also suppresses appetite.
PURPLE (BLUE AND RED) - Dilates blood vessels and reduces blood pressure: slows the pulse as with palpitations (irradiate heart area). Purple lowers body temperature, and is excellent for high fevers; it stimulates the activity of veins; is a good sleep inducer for insomnia; decreases sexual desire and pain; is antimalarial; sedates the kidneys.
MAGENTA (RED AND VIOLET) - Energising; improves and normalises the emotions, the aura and the sexual system. Magenta energises the adrenal glands and the heart muscle, normalises the heart and blood pressure, improves the circulation. It is diuretic; useful for kidney stones; complementary to green. Mineral: potassium.
SCARLET (2 PARTS RED AND I PART VIOLET) - arrows the arteries and raises the blood pressure; energises kidneys (diuretic); use as a sexual stimulant or for frigidity, and for suppressed menstruation. Scarlet accelerates the birth process and expels the placenta.
Photo-chromo therapy
Absent individuals may be treated (with their consent) by exposing their photographs or even a sample of hair or hand-writing to suitably coloured lights. Following is an arrangement that reportedly gave especially good results: line a box with crumpled and partly restraightened aluminium foil. Place the photo on the bottom, covered with a glass plate to prevent heat damage. Suspend from the top a small coloured light bulb, as used in Christmas decorations or similar ways. Cover the top with more aluminium foil treated in the same way.
Another possibility is to cover the aluminium-foil-lined box with cellophane of the desired colour and expose the box to moderate sunlight. Exposure time may range from one hour to several hours, depending on the severity of the condition and the reaction of the patient. A pendulum may possibly be used for assessing colours and exposure times.
By Walter Last
Colour has a powerful influence on our body chemistry. The strongest effect is through the eyes, but good results are also achieved by treating the skin areas over certain organs or the spine.
Colour can be used in various ways: as direct coloured light, or indirect light from the colours of walls, curtains and clothes; in foods, and by treating drinking water with coloured lights; by visualising colours with closed eyes; or by visualising that the inhaled breath or directed energy is coloured. For treatment you should be careful to select bright, clear colours; murky colours usually have unpleasant effects.
Coloured Lights
Light may be coloured by using coloured light bulbs, by filtering sunlight through coloured glass or cellophane, even by wrapping coloured cloth around a lamp. Drinking water may be treated by exposing it to sunlight in coloured-glass containers or in containers covered with coloured cellophane, or coloured light bulbs may be used. This water is beneficial for drinking, gargling in the case of throat infections, washing wounds or bathing the eyes.
Preferably, stimulating colours should be used in the morning and sedating colours in the evening. If a sequence of coloured lights is used, start with stimulating colours, proceed to blue and finish with green. When treating internal organs, shine the light at close range on to the skin area covering the organ, possibly also on to the spinal reflex area. For general treatment and especially to improve eye conditions, you may look at a brilliant, reflecting surface of the desired colour, exposed to sunlight or a strong electric light.
To treat specific parts of the body, you may cover them with a single or double layer of cellophane of the desired colour and expose them to mild sunlight or strong electric light. If using sunlight you should be careful not to over-expose as cellophane does not absorb the UV radiation. As a general tonic, you may cover the back with cellophane in the colours of the rainbow: red at the base, orange over the lower back, yellow in the middle, green at the shoulder blades, blue at the neck and violet over the head. These are also the regional chakra energy colours
Green is the general healing colour, representing harmony and balanced body polarities. In disease, there may be over-stimulation, with too much red in the system - fever, inflammation, irritability, skin rash, red eyeballs, pink fingernails; or there may be under-stimulation with too much blue - pale skin, sluggishness, bluish eyeballs, bluish nails. The over-stimulated condition needs blue colour treatment, while the under-stimulated condition requires red or orange.
The following list shows the conditions for which the different colours may be used. You may also use muscle testing or a pendulum for individual colour selection. Different parts of the body may need different colours. If you are in doubt about which area to treat, irradiate 'systemically' - over the whole body. When irradiating the back, lie on one side, not on the stomach. For best effects or professional treatments, use colour slides with a strong projector in a dark room, and irradiate for one hour or longer at a time.
The Curative Properties of Colours
RED (BRIGHT RED) - Warm and stimulating. Use in anaemia, or whenever you are feeling cold and pale, with chilled extremities; also useful for ultraviolet and X-ray burns and frostbite; red is a liver stimulant and counter-irritant (to bring internal inflammations to the surface). Nutrients: vitamin B12, acidity.
ORANGE - A respiratory stimulant; useful for weak lungs, asthma, consumption, emphysema; also for overweight and under-active people with an under-active thyroid (energises thyroid, sedates parathyroids). Orange relieves spasms and cramps; increases milk secretion; corrects rickets and soft bones, osteoporosis; stimulates stomach and digestion, and relieves flatulence and distension; also stimulates the bladder, kidneys, liver and pancreas, try with epilepsy. It is valuable for chronic kidney disease and gallstones; arthritis, gout and rheumatism during non-painful periods. Minerals: boron, calcium, copper, selenium, silicon.
YELLOW - The most luminous colour. A strong stimulant and energiser for muscles and nerves: use in all cases of paralysis and muscle disorders, for nerve building, and in nervous exhaustion. Yellow energises the alimentary tract and stimulates digestion, flow of bile, gastric juices, pancreas activity, lymphatic system, heart, eyes and ears. It generally activates all bodily functions except those of the spleen, which is sedated; use for indigestion, constipation, diabetes, depression, for skin cleansing and to destroy intestinal worms. Minerals: magnesium, molybdenum, sodium.
LEMON (YELLOW-GREEN) - Stimulates brain activity and activates the thymus. It is a mild laxative and expectorant (expels mucus): use in respiratory problems involving phlegm, asthma, coughs. Lemon is useful for dry, scaly skin disorders and bone building. It neutralises overacidity, and is indicated for chronic disorders in general, including cancer (systemic), diabetes and dwarfism. Minerals: gold, iodine, iron, phosphorus, silver, sulphur.
GREEN - Stimulates pituitary gland, encourages muscle and tissue building, and breaks up hardened cell masses and clots. It is anti-congestive, germicidal, disinfectant, purifying: use for heart problems, ulcers, cancer, wound healing, skin improvement, burn pains, glaucoma, headaches, neuralgia. Elements: chlorine, nitrogen.
TURQUOISE (BLUE-GREEN) - Normalising for acute disorders. It is calming, and therefore useful for headaches, for soothing inflammations, sunburn and itching. It improves, rebuilds and tones the skin: use for moist- or weeping-skin disorders. It is also valuable for acute childhood diseases and infections, acute venereal diseases, and hyperactivity. Minerals: chromium, zinc.
BLUE - Cooling, strongly anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, stops bleeding; reduces fever, pain. Use to treat all conditions marked by redness, swelling and heat, and acute phases of arthritis, gout and rheumatism. Blue is relaxing and calming, slows the pulse, can reduce high blood pressure, and is valuable for underweight and overactive people. Use to treat itching, irritation, irritability, insomnia, throbbing headaches, speedy brain; sore throat, loss of voice, burns, bruises; diarrhoea, dysentery, colitis, neuralgia, sciatica, earache, biliousness and jaundice. Also good for treating tumour areas and red or infected skin disorders. Element: oxygen.
INDIGO (BLUE-VIOLET) - Sedative, pain relieving, arrests discharges and bleeding, astringent. Use for piles and varicose veins. Indigo improves the immune system during infections: use to irradiate swollen lymph glands; in whooping cough with fever and other acute lung disorders; for convulsions and nervous irritation. It stimulates the parathyroids and sedates the thyroid; use locally for goitre.
VIOLET - Relaxing and soothing. It also stimulates the spleen and builds white blood cells. Violet sedates heart and muscle activity, and calms hyperactive people. It is useful for overactive kidneys and bladder; bed-wetting; nerve disorders and overactive mental disorders; epilepsy; insomnia. It also suppresses appetite.
PURPLE (BLUE AND RED) - Dilates blood vessels and reduces blood pressure: slows the pulse as with palpitations (irradiate heart area). Purple lowers body temperature, and is excellent for high fevers; it stimulates the activity of veins; is a good sleep inducer for insomnia; decreases sexual desire and pain; is antimalarial; sedates the kidneys.
MAGENTA (RED AND VIOLET) - Energising; improves and normalises the emotions, the aura and the sexual system. Magenta energises the adrenal glands and the heart muscle, normalises the heart and blood pressure, improves the circulation. It is diuretic; useful for kidney stones; complementary to green. Mineral: potassium.
SCARLET (2 PARTS RED AND I PART VIOLET) - arrows the arteries and raises the blood pressure; energises kidneys (diuretic); use as a sexual stimulant or for frigidity, and for suppressed menstruation. Scarlet accelerates the birth process and expels the placenta.
Photo-chromo therapy
Absent individuals may be treated (with their consent) by exposing their photographs or even a sample of hair or hand-writing to suitably coloured lights. Following is an arrangement that reportedly gave especially good results: line a box with crumpled and partly restraightened aluminium foil. Place the photo on the bottom, covered with a glass plate to prevent heat damage. Suspend from the top a small coloured light bulb, as used in Christmas decorations or similar ways. Cover the top with more aluminium foil treated in the same way.
Another possibility is to cover the aluminium-foil-lined box with cellophane of the desired colour and expose the box to moderate sunlight. Exposure time may range from one hour to several hours, depending on the severity of the condition and the reaction of the patient. A pendulum may possibly be used for assessing colours and exposure times.
sun ray cure
Sun is easily accessible to all. Through the sun rays many ailments could be cured. This is an amazing system of cure in Ayurved. It is famous not only in India but all over the world. In ancient Rome this system was very popular and it was called Heliotherapy and Chromopathy.
The capital of Italy, Rome is a very ancient city. The foundation of the city was laid by the god Romulas who lives in the mountain of Peletain. It is on his name that the city gets its title Rome.
According to the famous physician of Rome, Dr. Tilani in ancient Rome there was no physician for almost 600 years. The reason was that there was no need of a physician. The ancient people of Rome used sun rays, exercises and fresh air and water to keep themselves hale and hearty. In those days Rome was a very powerful kingdom.
According to the natural physician Dr. Remson The nature has gifted us with so many boons to keep the body healthy and for attaining to longevity. But we have forgotten these divine natural boons and we keep consuming poisonous medicines with so many side effects. By using medicines we not only waste money rather also ruin our health further. Don't we need to reflect upon this?
In the Roman language Helio means sun and therapy means a system of cure. In ancient Rome Heliotherapy or rays of the sun and their various colours were used to remedy several diseases and ailments. The use of colours for cure is called Chromopathy. Chromo means colour and pathy means system of cure.
All things are coloured. The stars and planets too emit certain colours. When the animals and birds in the wild get ill they imbibe sun rays early in the morning in order to cure themselves. Through sun bathing one can effect a cure without having to resort to medicines. But the unfortunate thing is that today humans are failing to benefit from this science.
Sun rays have many colours which make the air pure and destroy the microbes present in the atmosphere and the water. This goes on naturally and all by itself. The ancient Rishis used to worship the sun and realised that sun rays could help one regain lost health. Through the sun rays even chronic and old ailments could be cured permanently.
In the most ancient of texts, the Vedas there are verses dedicated to the sun. Worship of the sun was very popular in those times. The Gayatri Mantra that appears in the Vedas is a prayer to the sun god. In this Mantra a worshipper prays to sun to bestow intelligence. The Mantra is also called Savita Mantra that means Mantra of sun.
In Rigved it is said -
Riju Marteshu Drijinaa Cha Pashchan.
i.e. The sun is a witness to all good and bad actions of humans,
In the ancient times people used to take oath with sun as a witness. They then used to fear committing any sins.
The sun has been called the soul of the living as well as the non living world. It is said - Soorya Aatmaa Jagatast- asthushashcha
In Rigved it is said -
Noonam Sooryenn Prasootaa Ayannarthaani Krinnavannpaansi
i.e. It is sun that wakes one up from sleep. It is due to the sun that all can work and are active.
Rigved also states - All living beings of the creation depend on the sun. The sun removes physical, mental and spiritual weaknesses and makes one healthy and long lived. For ailments of the heart, eyes, jaundice, leprosy and weak mind sun could be helpful.
Atharvaved states that there are seven names of the sun which represent the seven rays of the sun. One of the names of sun is Sapt Rashmi or seven rays. The Rishis in the ancient times did deep research and Sadhanas and revealed that the sun has seven rays.
The theory of the wheel of seven colours propounded by Newton has been borrowed from the Vedas. According to modern science if the seven colours namely violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red are painted on a wheel and if the wheel is then rotated fast then one gets to see the white colour. This is why we see that the sun is white.
The seven colours of the sun are very good and important for the health. If early morning one has a bath and after offering prayers to the Lord one has sun bath and allows the sun rays to fall on one's body then one could free the body of all ailments and increase one's intelligence.
Following are the gains of sun ray therapy.
1. Where sun rays are allowed to fall there cannot be any ailment.
2. The sun rays are free of side effects. By the use of sun rays in fact the body could be made active and healthy and one could enjoy life to the full.
Describing the benefits of sun bathing and the effect of the various colours of the sun rays it is said -
Sooryataapah Swedavahah Sarvarog-vinaashakah.
Medachhed-karashcheiv balotsaah-vivardhanah.
Dadruvisfotkushtthgrah Kaamlaashoth-naashakah.
Jwaraatisaarshoolaanaam Haarako Naatra Sanshayah.
Kafpittodbhavaan Rogaan Vaatrogaanst-theiv cha.
Tatsevanaanaro Jitva Jeevechch Sharadaam Shatam.
i.e. The heat from the sun increases perspiration and removes all ailments
The capital of Italy, Rome is a very ancient city. The foundation of the city was laid by the god Romulas who lives in the mountain of Peletain. It is on his name that the city gets its title Rome.
According to the famous physician of Rome, Dr. Tilani in ancient Rome there was no physician for almost 600 years. The reason was that there was no need of a physician. The ancient people of Rome used sun rays, exercises and fresh air and water to keep themselves hale and hearty. In those days Rome was a very powerful kingdom.
According to the natural physician Dr. Remson The nature has gifted us with so many boons to keep the body healthy and for attaining to longevity. But we have forgotten these divine natural boons and we keep consuming poisonous medicines with so many side effects. By using medicines we not only waste money rather also ruin our health further. Don't we need to reflect upon this?
In the Roman language Helio means sun and therapy means a system of cure. In ancient Rome Heliotherapy or rays of the sun and their various colours were used to remedy several diseases and ailments. The use of colours for cure is called Chromopathy. Chromo means colour and pathy means system of cure.
All things are coloured. The stars and planets too emit certain colours. When the animals and birds in the wild get ill they imbibe sun rays early in the morning in order to cure themselves. Through sun bathing one can effect a cure without having to resort to medicines. But the unfortunate thing is that today humans are failing to benefit from this science.
Sun rays have many colours which make the air pure and destroy the microbes present in the atmosphere and the water. This goes on naturally and all by itself. The ancient Rishis used to worship the sun and realised that sun rays could help one regain lost health. Through the sun rays even chronic and old ailments could be cured permanently.
In the most ancient of texts, the Vedas there are verses dedicated to the sun. Worship of the sun was very popular in those times. The Gayatri Mantra that appears in the Vedas is a prayer to the sun god. In this Mantra a worshipper prays to sun to bestow intelligence. The Mantra is also called Savita Mantra that means Mantra of sun.
In Rigved it is said -
Riju Marteshu Drijinaa Cha Pashchan.
i.e. The sun is a witness to all good and bad actions of humans,
In the ancient times people used to take oath with sun as a witness. They then used to fear committing any sins.
The sun has been called the soul of the living as well as the non living world. It is said - Soorya Aatmaa Jagatast- asthushashcha
In Rigved it is said -
Noonam Sooryenn Prasootaa Ayannarthaani Krinnavannpaansi
i.e. It is sun that wakes one up from sleep. It is due to the sun that all can work and are active.
Rigved also states - All living beings of the creation depend on the sun. The sun removes physical, mental and spiritual weaknesses and makes one healthy and long lived. For ailments of the heart, eyes, jaundice, leprosy and weak mind sun could be helpful.
Atharvaved states that there are seven names of the sun which represent the seven rays of the sun. One of the names of sun is Sapt Rashmi or seven rays. The Rishis in the ancient times did deep research and Sadhanas and revealed that the sun has seven rays.
The theory of the wheel of seven colours propounded by Newton has been borrowed from the Vedas. According to modern science if the seven colours namely violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red are painted on a wheel and if the wheel is then rotated fast then one gets to see the white colour. This is why we see that the sun is white.
The seven colours of the sun are very good and important for the health. If early morning one has a bath and after offering prayers to the Lord one has sun bath and allows the sun rays to fall on one's body then one could free the body of all ailments and increase one's intelligence.
Following are the gains of sun ray therapy.
1. Where sun rays are allowed to fall there cannot be any ailment.
2. The sun rays are free of side effects. By the use of sun rays in fact the body could be made active and healthy and one could enjoy life to the full.
Describing the benefits of sun bathing and the effect of the various colours of the sun rays it is said -
Sooryataapah Swedavahah Sarvarog-vinaashakah.
Medachhed-karashcheiv balotsaah-vivardhanah.
Dadruvisfotkushtthgrah Kaamlaashoth-naashakah.
Jwaraatisaarshoolaanaam Haarako Naatra Sanshayah.
Kafpittodbhavaan Rogaan Vaatrogaanst-theiv cha.
Tatsevanaanaro Jitva Jeevechch Sharadaam Shatam.
i.e. The heat from the sun increases perspiration and removes all ailments
taj
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal, the pinnacle of Mughal architecture, was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658), grandson of Akbar the great, in the memory of his queen Arjumand Bano Begum, entitled "Mumtaz Mahal".
Mumtaz Mahal was a niece of empress Nur Jahan and granddaughter of Mirza Ghias Beg I'timad-ud-Daula, wazir of emperor Jehangir. She was born in 1593 and died in 1631, during the birth of her fourteenth child at Burhanpur. Her mortal remains were temporarily buried in the Zainabad garden. Six months later, her body was transferred to Agra to be finally enshrined in the crypt of the main tomb of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is the mausoleum of both Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan.
The mausoleum is located on the right bank of the river Yamuna at a point where it takes a sharp turn and flows eastwards. Originally, the land where the Taj Mahal presently stands belonged to the Kachhwahas of Ajmer (Rajasthan). The land was acquired from them in lieu of four havelis as is testified by a court historian, Abdul Hamid Lahauri, in his work titled the Badshah-Namah and the firmans (royal decrees).
For construction, a network of wells was laid along the river line to support the huge mausoleum buildings. Masons, stonecutters, inlayers, carvers, painters, calligraphers, dome-builders and other artisans were requisitioned from the whole of the empire and also from Central Asia and Iran. While bricks for internal constructions were locally prepared, white marble for external use in veneering work was obtained from Makrana in Rajasthan. Semi-precious stones for inlay ornamentation were brought from distant regions of India, Ceylon and Afghanistan. Red sandstone of different tints was requisitioned from the neighbouring quarries of Sikri, Dholpur, etc. It took 17 years for the monument complex to be completed in 1648.
In all, the Taj Mahal covers an area of 60 bighas, as the terrain gradually sloped from south to north, towards the river, in the form of descending terraces. At the southern point is the forecourt with the main gate in front and tombs of Akbarabadi Begum and Fatehpuri Begum, two other queens of Shah Jahan, on its south-east and south-west corners respectively called Saheli Burj 1 and 2.
On the second terrace is a spacious square garden, with side pavilions. It is divided into four quarters by broad shallow canals of water, with wide walkways and cypress avenues on the sides. The water channels and fountains are fed by overhead water tanks. These four quarters are further divided into the smaller quarters by broad causeways, so that the whole scheme is in a perfect char-bagh.
The main tomb of the Taj is basically square with chamfered corners. The minarets here are detached, facing the chamfered angles (corners) of the main tomb on the main plinth. Red sandstone mosque on the western, and Mehman-Khana on the eastern side of the tomb provides aesthetically a clear colour contrast.
The Taj has some wonderful specimens of polychrome inlay art both in the interior and exterior on the dados, on cenotaphs and on the marble jhajjhari (jali-screen) around them.
Taj Mahal, the pinnacle of Mughal architecture, was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658), grandson of Akbar the great, in the memory of his queen Arjumand Bano Begum, entitled "Mumtaz Mahal".
Mumtaz Mahal was a niece of empress Nur Jahan and granddaughter of Mirza Ghias Beg I'timad-ud-Daula, wazir of emperor Jehangir. She was born in 1593 and died in 1631, during the birth of her fourteenth child at Burhanpur. Her mortal remains were temporarily buried in the Zainabad garden. Six months later, her body was transferred to Agra to be finally enshrined in the crypt of the main tomb of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is the mausoleum of both Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan.
The mausoleum is located on the right bank of the river Yamuna at a point where it takes a sharp turn and flows eastwards. Originally, the land where the Taj Mahal presently stands belonged to the Kachhwahas of Ajmer (Rajasthan). The land was acquired from them in lieu of four havelis as is testified by a court historian, Abdul Hamid Lahauri, in his work titled the Badshah-Namah and the firmans (royal decrees).
For construction, a network of wells was laid along the river line to support the huge mausoleum buildings. Masons, stonecutters, inlayers, carvers, painters, calligraphers, dome-builders and other artisans were requisitioned from the whole of the empire and also from Central Asia and Iran. While bricks for internal constructions were locally prepared, white marble for external use in veneering work was obtained from Makrana in Rajasthan. Semi-precious stones for inlay ornamentation were brought from distant regions of India, Ceylon and Afghanistan. Red sandstone of different tints was requisitioned from the neighbouring quarries of Sikri, Dholpur, etc. It took 17 years for the monument complex to be completed in 1648.
In all, the Taj Mahal covers an area of 60 bighas, as the terrain gradually sloped from south to north, towards the river, in the form of descending terraces. At the southern point is the forecourt with the main gate in front and tombs of Akbarabadi Begum and Fatehpuri Begum, two other queens of Shah Jahan, on its south-east and south-west corners respectively called Saheli Burj 1 and 2.
On the second terrace is a spacious square garden, with side pavilions. It is divided into four quarters by broad shallow canals of water, with wide walkways and cypress avenues on the sides. The water channels and fountains are fed by overhead water tanks. These four quarters are further divided into the smaller quarters by broad causeways, so that the whole scheme is in a perfect char-bagh.
The main tomb of the Taj is basically square with chamfered corners. The minarets here are detached, facing the chamfered angles (corners) of the main tomb on the main plinth. Red sandstone mosque on the western, and Mehman-Khana on the eastern side of the tomb provides aesthetically a clear colour contrast.
The Taj has some wonderful specimens of polychrome inlay art both in the interior and exterior on the dados, on cenotaphs and on the marble jhajjhari (jali-screen) around them.
word power
Apprehension (n) anxiety trepidation worry nervousness, capture detention
Apprehensive (adj.) anxious worried nervous angst-ridden
Apprehend (v) catch arrest detain take in for questioning
Apparent (a) obvious clear evident noticeable perceptible, seeming
Apparently (adv) evidently in fact it seems that actually, seemingly
Indeed (adv.) certainly really without a doubt
Intimidation threat bullying coercion
Intimate dear close
Intimidating (a) threatening unapproachable frightening daunting
Mandate go- head order consent
Mandatory compulsory set binding
Exasperate infuriate annoy frustrate
Infuriate madden making own blood boil
Wary suspicious
Bamboozle deceive dupe fool (v)
Deceive (v) mislead trick cheat swindle dupe delude
Deception (n) dishonesty cheating
Deceptive (adj.) misleading deceiving unreliable not to be trusted
Deceit (n) fraud
Disguise (n) mask cover, (v) conceal hide
Pretense (n) makes believe posing airs pretension
Charade (n) pretense fake
Façade (n) pretense fake
Veneer thin Covering surface
Juxtapose
Perceive (v) make out
Perception (n) opinion observation awareness
Perceptive (adj.) sensitive aware keen understanding
Perceptible (a) detectible discernible, (adv.) noticeable observable appreciable visible
Perspective (n) viewpoint perception (everyone’s perception) side, prospect angle
Intuitive (a) instinctive spontaneous, perceptive sensitive
Obtuse (a) simple-minded imperceptive insensitive thickheaded stupid slow
Preposterous outrageous
Absurd
Abate grow less halt
Halt
Wryly
Coercion compulsion force
Coercive
Cohesive consistent
Preconception presumption prejudice unfairness
Conceive imagine consider make up formulate
Preconceive
Concede (v) give in admit allow forfeit
Conceal (v) hide cover up obscure, (v) secret camouflage keep under wraps
Camouflage (v) disguise hide conceal, (n) concealment façade
Charred overcooked
Pertain relevant
Conspicuous noticeable eye- catching
Prominent well known
Oblivious unaware
Oblivion (n) forgetfulness, void
Conscious (a) aware cognizant, awake alert, deliberate intentional premeditated
Consciously (adv.) deliberately intentionally knowingly on purpose
Pecuniary financial fiscal economic monetary
Fortnight?
Consensus (n) agreement accord consent
Conscience
Conscientious careful painstaking hard working
Meticulous scrupulous thorough detailed
Comprehension (n) conception knowledge understanding
Comprehend (v) understand realize grasp
Comprehensive (a) all inclusive wide ranging
Grave critical serious
Demeanor behavior
Instigate prompt initiate
Assailant attacker goon
Wedge (v) lodge fix in place lock block, pack squeeze thrust push, (n) slice piece hunk wood block
Exhume dig up
Forfeit (n) surrender sacrifice be deprived of pay, (n) penalty
Quash nullify cancel
Procure acquire
Probe investigate
Evince prove demonstrate
Exaggerate overstate
Overhaul revamp renovate repair
Ramification outcome consequence
Reminisce recall
Reminiscence memory
Reminiscent (a) evocative suggestive redolent
Nostalgia (n) reminiscence homesickness
Nostalgic (a) longing homesick melancholy
Melancholy downhearted sadly
De-notification?
Dismay disappointment
Anguish (n) pain torment angst
Despair (n) misery depression hopelessness, (v) give up hope sees no light at the end
Despairing (adj.) hopeless miserable, pained withering
Disparaging (adj.) pained disapproving long-suffering
Verdict (n) decree diktat
Tribunal (n) court hearing trial committee
Obnoxious hateful intolerable
Discern tell the difference separate
Confine (v) detain incarcerate imprison, restrict narrow (down) limit
Confined restricted limited restrained curbed
Curb control restrain
Apathy indifference lack of concern ennui boredom
Prodigy genius sensation phenomenon
Weary tired
Indispensible can’t do without
Feud dispute
Lingering lasting enduring
Intrigue (n) deception conspiracy, (v) fascinate attract
Intriguing (adj.) fascinating captivating exciting
Incubate keep alive/warm protect develop brew up
Quip (n) clever remark, (v) joke
Retort (v) reply angrily
Subtle (adj.) slight delicate, clever cunning
Exude give-off display, radiate, secrete release
Whittle (v) carve cut shape
Vigilance (n) watchfulness care caution alertness
Vigilant (a) watchful on your guard attentive alert cautious
Bristle (v) rise stand up, brim overflow be packed with, bridle get angry become indignant/annoyed
Indignant (adj.) angry offended resentful
Indigenous (a) native
Pivotal (adj.) essential crucial, central
Vital (a) very important fundamental necessary
Fling (v) toss chuck throw
Tryst (n) assignation, meeting
Martyr (n) willing victim sacrificial victim
Amenities (n) facilities services
Conducive (a) favorable contributing to encouraging
Collate collect bring together
Lacunae
Rigorous (a) exact painstaking, hard severe harsh
Culpable (a) guilty blameworthy
Homicide (n) murder slaughter
Inflict (v) impose wreak cause
Induce (v) persuade encourage tempt, bring on provoke stimulate
Persuade (v) influence convince make somebody believe you
Inflation (n) price rise
Hiatus (n) pause interval gap
Disconcerting (a) disturbing alarming distressing perplexing
Perplex (v) bewilder confuse baffle bamboozle
Thrive (n) flourish prosper succeed
Stampede (n) charge mad dash, (v) rush dash
Requisite (a) necessary mandatory indispensible called for required obligatory essential
Requisition (v) demand call for, (n) request, (v) take over seize, (n) seizure
Flutter (v) wave quiver flicker, (n) excitement
Agitation (n) protest demonstration campaigning, anxiety nervousness
Frantic (a) anxious worried hysterical
Hullabaloo (n) noise hubbub uproar
Fragile (a) delicate breakable, weak, tenuous unstable
Wieldy
Absconding (n) running away
Dithering (a) irresolute indecisive of two minds
Outrage infuriate offend insult
Modesty (n) reticence diffidence reserve humility
Reticent (a) reserved quite restrained unforthcoming
Excruciating (a) unbearable painful awful
Strangulate (v) squeeze the life out of choke smother
Strangle (v) choke strangulate garrote, stifle repress suppress
Incompetent (a) useless inept lacking ability unskilled
Competent (a) capable able fit proficient
Audacious (a) daring bold brave overconfident impudent
Pummel (v) hit beat strike
Allure (n) attraction appeal fascination draw pull
Lure (v) entice allure attract, (n) bait trap pull appeal allure
Entice (v) lure attract persuade fascinate
Abode (n) residence house habitat domicile
Contrary (n) opposite converse, (a) opposing differing
Contrast (n) difference distinction, (v) distinguish, differ
Context (n) background situation perspective
Obstinate (a) stubborn fixed determined adamant unmoved headstrong
Adamant (a) immovable resolute fixed inflexible unwavering unyielding
Pervert?
Expedite (v) speed up accelerate advance
Impede (v) obstruct hinder slow down delay
Impediment (n) obstruction obstacle hindrance
Restrain (v) hold back control, confine detain, contain curb
Aperitif
Whammy
Anomaly (n) irregularity incongruity abnormality inconsistency
Discrepancy (n) inconsistency incongruity
Impose
Superimpose
Atrocious (a) terrible appalling fearful, (a) brutal vicious wicked evil
Confounding
Upwelling
Rig
Contender (n) candidate competitor contestant
Contend (v) compete vie, argue insist maintain assert
Vie (v) compete contend contest struggle fight rival
Contentious (a) controversial arguable litigious
Woo (v) persuade encourage entice attract
Woe (n) anguish despair affliction
Affliction (n) suffering difficulty hardship burden
Scout (v) explore investigate inspect reconnoiter
Tandem (n) bike cycle mountain/racing bike
Ratify (v) approve sanction endorse consent
Endorse (v) support back give your approval to
Comply (v) obey, meet the terms, act in accordance with
Compliance (n) fulfillment conformity, falling in line agreement
Delicacy (n) fragile, (n) gracefulness elegance charm, tact sensitivity, refinement fineness, precision dexterity
Diligent (a) hard-working meticulous conscientious thorough Industrious
Diligence (n) assiduousness meticulousness carefulness industry
Assiduous (a) diligent hard- working, persistent constant unremitting Industrious
Industrious (a) productive active
Cue (n) indication prompt
Surmise (v) guess deduce postulate, (n) guesswork theory
Refute (v) disprove rebut prove false counter
Allegation (n) accusation contention
Allege (v) claim charge (with) content
Allegedly (adv.) supposedly purportedly
Leap (v) jump dive fly, increase shoot up go up, (n) rise jump climb hike
Prosecute (v) put on trail act against impeach accuse
Prosecution (n) trail suit hearing tribunal
Vive
Contender (n) candidate competitor contestant
Contend (v) compete vie challenge
Contagious (a) infectious communicable transmittable
Outrageous (a) disgraceful shameful shocking offensive despicable
Reciprocate
Reconciliation
Ought
Depot
Conflagration
Recreational
Stimulant
Flawed
Indulge
Euphoria
Succumb
Tabloid
Obscure
Crave
Inciting
Indictment
Guile
Amiss
Legitimize
Wriggle
Hound
Odious
Tangible
Equitable
Adaptation
Communiqué
Enmeshed
Concerted
Decorously
Hippest
Cosmopolitan
Conservatism
Inextricably
Intertwine
Stellar
Dire
Terse
Spruce
Heist
Promulgation
Slain
Indemnity
Ordinance
Lapse
Condolence
Crevice
Abject
Moderate
Extremist
Tangle
Legit
Feminist
Caveat
Ruse
Ethics
Ethical
Aesthetic
Confide
Confine
Precariously
Vouch
Inhibition
Altercation
Pretext
Laced
Congressional
Aggrieved
Stodgy
Admonition
Retriever
Consolidate
Revival
Pillion
Misconstrue
Aegis
Concessionaire
Repatriating
Expatriates
Eclectic
Potent
Pert
Tethered
Bare- Boned
Martyrdom
Digress
Gracious
Grappled
Persisting
Reaffirmed
Assertive
Assertiveness
Flattering
Glue
Virulent
Expedite
Crockery
Imminent
Culinary
Ruckus
Foiled
Tribunal
Peripheral
Clogging
Intent
Statutory
Onus
Repercussions
Extravagant
Romance
Discourse
Juggernaut
Corporation
Sordid
Indiscretion
Indignation
Whip
Contemplating
Mull
Repatriation
Susceptible
Corroborated
Adverse
Mitigation
Ostensible
Titillation
Epitome
Devolution
Flux
Enthralled
Statuette
Crusader
Zionist
Resilience
Deprivation
Endeavored
Fudging
Smears (vaginal)
Sleuths
Austerity
Dignity
Imperative
Hopping
Scrutiny
Apron
Traversed
Punitive
Contentious
Contention
Coalition
Unscrupulous
Frivolous
Legitimate
Stipulate
Delinquent
Disenfranchise
Pervasive
Hypocrisy
Rued
Reiterated
Incursions
Insurgent
Shrieks
Ostentation and provocation (in practice of Islam)
Attic
Wreck
Hypocrite
Embattled
Mills
Radical
Concurred
Behest
Bona fide
Reverence
Etymology
Shrinks
Viability
Tinsel
Laud
Liaisons
Transgression
Arterial
Annuity
Blunt
Incentive
Dismay
Stubbornly
Referendum
Modesty
Bayonets
Stirred
Allusions
Monotheistic
Realm
Eminent
Accentuate
Irony
Misogynist-sm
Hailed
Contrasted
Resonance
Reciprocity
Populist
Muffled
Prevail
Apprehensive (adj.) anxious worried nervous angst-ridden
Apprehend (v) catch arrest detain take in for questioning
Apparent (a) obvious clear evident noticeable perceptible, seeming
Apparently (adv) evidently in fact it seems that actually, seemingly
Indeed (adv.) certainly really without a doubt
Intimidation threat bullying coercion
Intimate dear close
Intimidating (a) threatening unapproachable frightening daunting
Mandate go- head order consent
Mandatory compulsory set binding
Exasperate infuriate annoy frustrate
Infuriate madden making own blood boil
Wary suspicious
Bamboozle deceive dupe fool (v)
Deceive (v) mislead trick cheat swindle dupe delude
Deception (n) dishonesty cheating
Deceptive (adj.) misleading deceiving unreliable not to be trusted
Deceit (n) fraud
Disguise (n) mask cover, (v) conceal hide
Pretense (n) makes believe posing airs pretension
Charade (n) pretense fake
Façade (n) pretense fake
Veneer thin Covering surface
Juxtapose
Perceive (v) make out
Perception (n) opinion observation awareness
Perceptive (adj.) sensitive aware keen understanding
Perceptible (a) detectible discernible, (adv.) noticeable observable appreciable visible
Perspective (n) viewpoint perception (everyone’s perception) side, prospect angle
Intuitive (a) instinctive spontaneous, perceptive sensitive
Obtuse (a) simple-minded imperceptive insensitive thickheaded stupid slow
Preposterous outrageous
Absurd
Abate grow less halt
Halt
Wryly
Coercion compulsion force
Coercive
Cohesive consistent
Preconception presumption prejudice unfairness
Conceive imagine consider make up formulate
Preconceive
Concede (v) give in admit allow forfeit
Conceal (v) hide cover up obscure, (v) secret camouflage keep under wraps
Camouflage (v) disguise hide conceal, (n) concealment façade
Charred overcooked
Pertain relevant
Conspicuous noticeable eye- catching
Prominent well known
Oblivious unaware
Oblivion (n) forgetfulness, void
Conscious (a) aware cognizant, awake alert, deliberate intentional premeditated
Consciously (adv.) deliberately intentionally knowingly on purpose
Pecuniary financial fiscal economic monetary
Fortnight?
Consensus (n) agreement accord consent
Conscience
Conscientious careful painstaking hard working
Meticulous scrupulous thorough detailed
Comprehension (n) conception knowledge understanding
Comprehend (v) understand realize grasp
Comprehensive (a) all inclusive wide ranging
Grave critical serious
Demeanor behavior
Instigate prompt initiate
Assailant attacker goon
Wedge (v) lodge fix in place lock block, pack squeeze thrust push, (n) slice piece hunk wood block
Exhume dig up
Forfeit (n) surrender sacrifice be deprived of pay, (n) penalty
Quash nullify cancel
Procure acquire
Probe investigate
Evince prove demonstrate
Exaggerate overstate
Overhaul revamp renovate repair
Ramification outcome consequence
Reminisce recall
Reminiscence memory
Reminiscent (a) evocative suggestive redolent
Nostalgia (n) reminiscence homesickness
Nostalgic (a) longing homesick melancholy
Melancholy downhearted sadly
De-notification?
Dismay disappointment
Anguish (n) pain torment angst
Despair (n) misery depression hopelessness, (v) give up hope sees no light at the end
Despairing (adj.) hopeless miserable, pained withering
Disparaging (adj.) pained disapproving long-suffering
Verdict (n) decree diktat
Tribunal (n) court hearing trial committee
Obnoxious hateful intolerable
Discern tell the difference separate
Confine (v) detain incarcerate imprison, restrict narrow (down) limit
Confined restricted limited restrained curbed
Curb control restrain
Apathy indifference lack of concern ennui boredom
Prodigy genius sensation phenomenon
Weary tired
Indispensible can’t do without
Feud dispute
Lingering lasting enduring
Intrigue (n) deception conspiracy, (v) fascinate attract
Intriguing (adj.) fascinating captivating exciting
Incubate keep alive/warm protect develop brew up
Quip (n) clever remark, (v) joke
Retort (v) reply angrily
Subtle (adj.) slight delicate, clever cunning
Exude give-off display, radiate, secrete release
Whittle (v) carve cut shape
Vigilance (n) watchfulness care caution alertness
Vigilant (a) watchful on your guard attentive alert cautious
Bristle (v) rise stand up, brim overflow be packed with, bridle get angry become indignant/annoyed
Indignant (adj.) angry offended resentful
Indigenous (a) native
Pivotal (adj.) essential crucial, central
Vital (a) very important fundamental necessary
Fling (v) toss chuck throw
Tryst (n) assignation, meeting
Martyr (n) willing victim sacrificial victim
Amenities (n) facilities services
Conducive (a) favorable contributing to encouraging
Collate collect bring together
Lacunae
Rigorous (a) exact painstaking, hard severe harsh
Culpable (a) guilty blameworthy
Homicide (n) murder slaughter
Inflict (v) impose wreak cause
Induce (v) persuade encourage tempt, bring on provoke stimulate
Persuade (v) influence convince make somebody believe you
Inflation (n) price rise
Hiatus (n) pause interval gap
Disconcerting (a) disturbing alarming distressing perplexing
Perplex (v) bewilder confuse baffle bamboozle
Thrive (n) flourish prosper succeed
Stampede (n) charge mad dash, (v) rush dash
Requisite (a) necessary mandatory indispensible called for required obligatory essential
Requisition (v) demand call for, (n) request, (v) take over seize, (n) seizure
Flutter (v) wave quiver flicker, (n) excitement
Agitation (n) protest demonstration campaigning, anxiety nervousness
Frantic (a) anxious worried hysterical
Hullabaloo (n) noise hubbub uproar
Fragile (a) delicate breakable, weak, tenuous unstable
Wieldy
Absconding (n) running away
Dithering (a) irresolute indecisive of two minds
Outrage infuriate offend insult
Modesty (n) reticence diffidence reserve humility
Reticent (a) reserved quite restrained unforthcoming
Excruciating (a) unbearable painful awful
Strangulate (v) squeeze the life out of choke smother
Strangle (v) choke strangulate garrote, stifle repress suppress
Incompetent (a) useless inept lacking ability unskilled
Competent (a) capable able fit proficient
Audacious (a) daring bold brave overconfident impudent
Pummel (v) hit beat strike
Allure (n) attraction appeal fascination draw pull
Lure (v) entice allure attract, (n) bait trap pull appeal allure
Entice (v) lure attract persuade fascinate
Abode (n) residence house habitat domicile
Contrary (n) opposite converse, (a) opposing differing
Contrast (n) difference distinction, (v) distinguish, differ
Context (n) background situation perspective
Obstinate (a) stubborn fixed determined adamant unmoved headstrong
Adamant (a) immovable resolute fixed inflexible unwavering unyielding
Pervert?
Expedite (v) speed up accelerate advance
Impede (v) obstruct hinder slow down delay
Impediment (n) obstruction obstacle hindrance
Restrain (v) hold back control, confine detain, contain curb
Aperitif
Whammy
Anomaly (n) irregularity incongruity abnormality inconsistency
Discrepancy (n) inconsistency incongruity
Impose
Superimpose
Atrocious (a) terrible appalling fearful, (a) brutal vicious wicked evil
Confounding
Upwelling
Rig
Contender (n) candidate competitor contestant
Contend (v) compete vie, argue insist maintain assert
Vie (v) compete contend contest struggle fight rival
Contentious (a) controversial arguable litigious
Woo (v) persuade encourage entice attract
Woe (n) anguish despair affliction
Affliction (n) suffering difficulty hardship burden
Scout (v) explore investigate inspect reconnoiter
Tandem (n) bike cycle mountain/racing bike
Ratify (v) approve sanction endorse consent
Endorse (v) support back give your approval to
Comply (v) obey, meet the terms, act in accordance with
Compliance (n) fulfillment conformity, falling in line agreement
Delicacy (n) fragile, (n) gracefulness elegance charm, tact sensitivity, refinement fineness, precision dexterity
Diligent (a) hard-working meticulous conscientious thorough Industrious
Diligence (n) assiduousness meticulousness carefulness industry
Assiduous (a) diligent hard- working, persistent constant unremitting Industrious
Industrious (a) productive active
Cue (n) indication prompt
Surmise (v) guess deduce postulate, (n) guesswork theory
Refute (v) disprove rebut prove false counter
Allegation (n) accusation contention
Allege (v) claim charge (with) content
Allegedly (adv.) supposedly purportedly
Leap (v) jump dive fly, increase shoot up go up, (n) rise jump climb hike
Prosecute (v) put on trail act against impeach accuse
Prosecution (n) trail suit hearing tribunal
Vive
Contender (n) candidate competitor contestant
Contend (v) compete vie challenge
Contagious (a) infectious communicable transmittable
Outrageous (a) disgraceful shameful shocking offensive despicable
Reciprocate
Reconciliation
Ought
Depot
Conflagration
Recreational
Stimulant
Flawed
Indulge
Euphoria
Succumb
Tabloid
Obscure
Crave
Inciting
Indictment
Guile
Amiss
Legitimize
Wriggle
Hound
Odious
Tangible
Equitable
Adaptation
Communiqué
Enmeshed
Concerted
Decorously
Hippest
Cosmopolitan
Conservatism
Inextricably
Intertwine
Stellar
Dire
Terse
Spruce
Heist
Promulgation
Slain
Indemnity
Ordinance
Lapse
Condolence
Crevice
Abject
Moderate
Extremist
Tangle
Legit
Feminist
Caveat
Ruse
Ethics
Ethical
Aesthetic
Confide
Confine
Precariously
Vouch
Inhibition
Altercation
Pretext
Laced
Congressional
Aggrieved
Stodgy
Admonition
Retriever
Consolidate
Revival
Pillion
Misconstrue
Aegis
Concessionaire
Repatriating
Expatriates
Eclectic
Potent
Pert
Tethered
Bare- Boned
Martyrdom
Digress
Gracious
Grappled
Persisting
Reaffirmed
Assertive
Assertiveness
Flattering
Glue
Virulent
Expedite
Crockery
Imminent
Culinary
Ruckus
Foiled
Tribunal
Peripheral
Clogging
Intent
Statutory
Onus
Repercussions
Extravagant
Romance
Discourse
Juggernaut
Corporation
Sordid
Indiscretion
Indignation
Whip
Contemplating
Mull
Repatriation
Susceptible
Corroborated
Adverse
Mitigation
Ostensible
Titillation
Epitome
Devolution
Flux
Enthralled
Statuette
Crusader
Zionist
Resilience
Deprivation
Endeavored
Fudging
Smears (vaginal)
Sleuths
Austerity
Dignity
Imperative
Hopping
Scrutiny
Apron
Traversed
Punitive
Contentious
Contention
Coalition
Unscrupulous
Frivolous
Legitimate
Stipulate
Delinquent
Disenfranchise
Pervasive
Hypocrisy
Rued
Reiterated
Incursions
Insurgent
Shrieks
Ostentation and provocation (in practice of Islam)
Attic
Wreck
Hypocrite
Embattled
Mills
Radical
Concurred
Behest
Bona fide
Reverence
Etymology
Shrinks
Viability
Tinsel
Laud
Liaisons
Transgression
Arterial
Annuity
Blunt
Incentive
Dismay
Stubbornly
Referendum
Modesty
Bayonets
Stirred
Allusions
Monotheistic
Realm
Eminent
Accentuate
Irony
Misogynist-sm
Hailed
Contrasted
Resonance
Reciprocity
Populist
Muffled
Prevail
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