Is anyone here familiar with the Baha'i Faith?

[sky]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

Here is Yoganananda's written account in "Autobiography of a Yogi" about a woman who never eats.

https://inscribedonthebelievingmind..../15/giri-bala/

At the Khumba Mela in Haridwar, India, in 1998, I met a yogi who reportedly never eats as confirmed by his long-time disciples. However, I cannot personally certify that as being true.

Having met extraordinary beings throughout the world, my sense is that virtually anything is possible but that "miracles" are not necessarily a sign of wisdom/spirituality.

I keep an open mind that Science doesn't know everything under the sun. Just because we personally haven't experienced a certain thing doesn't mean that it doesn't exist...
Never say never....

[sky]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

During my own NDE many years ago, iI could "see" beyond the range of the five senses so the physical senses are not the critical factor.

Also, when I came out of my NDE, I was completely symptom-free despite the fact that the doctors had predicted severe brain/organ damage in the unlikely event of surviving the "irreversible coma".

The process of the mind-body-spirit connection healing is indeed fascinating.

You are certainly blessed
Now the Scientists would have dismissed what happened to you as impossible, that's why I always say, one never knows what's possible.

[Altair]

Originally Posted by sky123

I keep an open mind that Science doesn't know everything under the sun.

You don't say...

[Altair]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

Here is Yoganananda's written account in "Autobiography of a Yogi" about a woman who never eats.

https://inscribedonthebelievingmind..../15/giri-bala/

At the Khumba Mela in Haridwar, India, in 1998, I met a yogi who reportedly never eats as confirmed by his long-time disciples. However, I cannot personally certify that as being true.

Having met extraordinary beings throughout the world, my sense is that virtually anything is possible but that "miracles" are not necessarily a sign of wisdom/spirituality.

These are stories and anecdotes.
I don't believe ''anything is possible''. There are limitations as to what is possible in this world.

You can get a robe and cover it on a one-legged chair and people will believe you are levitating. I reckon it is very easy to become a millionaire there; just know how to play with words, learn scripture, get some trusted followers, and start presenting yourself as ''self-realized''. It is all about you having the right personality, and a clever mind. How you use words and what questions you ask people is important too. If a culture says there are ''self-realized'' people that have ''access to infinite knowledge'', and you get the whole ''karma'' thing around it, then you end up with spiritual figures becoming huge authorities that not many followers will doubt. You stay *respectful* towards the Master, because he KNOWS, whereas you are just a little ignorant ego-mind...

Over the years I've seen and followed plenty of 'guru's' on YouTube. I keep them 'on hold' to check on them years later. Often some scandal happened, usually rape. One was involved in sex trafficking. Or their ''radiant happiness'' was by students discovered to be due to addiction to mushrooms or drugs. Then other supposed ''enlightened'' guru made statements that are bogus, such as people living on Jupiter, a gas giant.

In the end they always turn out to be just people like you and me. They know some things, and then many other things they do not, or make or do very questionable things. I have not found a single person that couldn't be demystified.

[sky]

Originally Posted by Altair

You don't say...

Yes I do say

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by sky123

I keep an open mind that Science doesn't know everything under the sun. Just because we personally haven't experienced a certain thing doesn't mean that it doesn't exist...
Never say never....

You disappoint me .... as I thought you knew everything !

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by Altair

These are stories and anecdotes.
I don't believe ''anything is possible''. There are limitations as to what is possible in this world.

You can get a robe and cover it on a one-legged chair and people will believe you are levitating. I reckon it is very easy to become a millionaire there; just know how to play with words, learn scripture, get some trusted followers, and start presenting yourself as ''self-realized''. It is all about you having the right personality, and a clever mind. How you use words and what questions you ask people is important too. If a culture says there are ''self-realized'' people that have ''access to infinite knowledge'', and you get the whole ''karma'' thing around it, then you end up with spiritual figures becoming huge authorities that not many followers will doubt. You stay *respectful* towards the Master, because he KNOWS, whereas you are just a little ignorant ego-mind...

Over the years I've seen and followed plenty of 'guru's' on YouTube. I keep them 'on hold' to check on them years later. Often some scandal happened, usually rape. One was involved in sex trafficking. Or their ''radiant happiness'' was by students discovered to be due to addiction to mushrooms or drugs. Then other supposed ''enlightened'' guru made statements that are bogus, such as people living on Jupiter, a gas giant.

In the end they always turn out to be just people like you and me. They know some things, and then many other things they do not, or make or do very questionable things. I have not found a single person that couldn't be demystified.

Seeing is believing. Your skepticism unfortunately is indeed supported by the large numbers of problematic "gurus" out there. They seem to far outnumber the truly self-realized beings who are rarely in the public spotlight as they are relatively quiet with only a small number of real disciples.

I have been fortunate to have had the wherewithal to travel throughout the remote regions of the world where I have met some truly outstanding beings. Having said that, however, my two primary teachers were ones whom I actually met in my home city (NYC). I too have experienced many disappointments in some of those who presented as "gurus".

In any case, I am convinced that this manifestation is truly a "play of consciousness" in which anything is literally possible and I was not easily convinced.

There is a saying that I love to repeat: "When the student is ready, the teacher appears. When the student is really ready, the teacher disappears."

[sky]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

You disappoint me .... as I thought you knew everything !

I didn't disappoint you, you caused it yourself for having expectations of me

I do know everything, everything I need to know for now and when the time is right the rest will be revealed


Now down to business....
When you had your NDE did you hear what was going on around you ?

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

Seeing is believing. Your skepticism unfortunately is indeed supported by the large numbers of problematic "gurus" out there. They seem to far outnumber the truly self-realized beings who are rarely in the public spotlight as they are relatively quiet with only a small number of real disciples.

I have been fortunate to have had the wherewithal to travel throughout the remote regions of the world where I have met some truly outstanding beings. Having said that, however, my two primary teachers were ones whom I actually met in my home city (NYC). I too have experienced many disappointments in some of those who presented as "gurus".

In any case, I am convinced that this manifestation is truly a "play of consciousness" in which anything is literally possible and I was not easily convinced.

There is a saying that I love to repeat: "When the student is ready, the teacher appears. When the student is really ready, the teacher disappears."

As for me:

Teacher....... maybe.

Guru........... not for me.

[sky]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

As for me:

Teacher....... maybe.

Guru........... not for me.

Guru is a Sanskrit term for a "teacher, guide, expert, or master