yoga – An Autonomous Agent

The Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo – Interview with Debashish Banerji and Jeffrey Mishlove

anautonomousagent — Fri, 20 May 2016 01:36:26 +0000

Part 1: The Revolutionary Yogi

Part 2: The Spiritual Empiricist

Part 3: Future Evolution of Humanity

Inner Worlds, Outer Worlds (2012)

anautonomousagent — Thu, 12 May 2016 14:23:53 +0000

Compilation of various ideas on mysticism and science.

The Adventure of Self-Discovery – Stanislav Grof

anautonomousagent — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 02:49:08 +0000

The Adventure of Self-Discovery by Stanislav Grof is a fascinating book which introduces readers to the inner healing potential of their sub-conscious. The first half of the book builds on themes from Realms of the Human Unconscious. In the second half of the book, Grof explains the rather profound, yet simple, exercise of holotropic breathing. Holotropic breathing allows people access to the ancient tradition of entering non-ordinary states of consciousness without any recourse to the ingestion or smoking of plant material. Please read the entire book if you are interested in performing the breathing without the aid of an experienced holotropic guide. Do not attempt without a sitter.

I put together a music playlist based on Grof’s recommendations for your benefit. The songs are in random order. Let me know if I should add/remove any:

Holotropic Breathing – Beginning

Holotropic Breathing – Middle

Holotropic Breathing – End

Also, informative interview with Grof:

Prometheus Rising – Robert Anton Wilson

anautonomousagent — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 01:45:31 +0000

Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton Wilson describes the human mind with the eight-circuit model of Leary. Wilson explains how tunnel-realities are formed:

“Whatever the Thinker thinks, the Prover proves”

And he makes it clear that his book is itself a tunnel-reality written in English to appeal to the third circuit semantic logic of the reader. It is a book to help the reader escape tunnel-realities which is itself a tunnel-reality. That is meta! Meta-programming the reader’s own mental software to become aware of infinity is the subject of chapter 14. Topics include everything from physics to strange loops to Leary to UFOs to evolution to yoga.

Attempting to elevate the reader’s awareness to a higher state with verbal or written language is like trying to “fit a camel through the eye of a needle.” Hence the studying of Koans by students of Zen, religious fasting to deprive the mind, etc… Read Alan Watt’s The Way of Zen for more on that. This book was written by Wilson, who, in his terminology might be a thinker on a higher circuit, trying to communicate to the vast mass of humanity living on the 1st – 3rd circuits. Once a critical mass of humanity becomes aware, society will under-go a quantum leap in development. With that being said, the book is only an introduction, a starting point for a new perspective to grasp human psychology and human existence as “domesticated primates” on Earth. What is left is for the reader to explore the exercises at the end of each chapter and spread the word.

But some may argue that Wilson is himself subject to the same principals he outlines in his book; yes indeed, perhaps the entire book is the ramblings of a man attempting to brainwash his readers into having thoughts of freedom and liberty…

TianChi

anautonomousagent — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 16:23:10 +0000

TianChi is a good herbal supplement for overall health and to maintain the energy centers of the body, i.e. the adrenal glands. I have had a really pleasant experience and a noticeable improvement in wellness and mental clarity. I didn’t try it because I was having any difficulties or problems with my health. Rather, I find herbs and their influence on human chemistry to be worth experiencing. Even if you are not interested in it, I would research any of the herbs it contains and perhaps add some of them to your diet. Roger Drummer is the formulator of the blend.

Here is the list of herbs which are contained in TianChi:

Albizzia (Albizzia julibrissin)
Anemerrhna
Ashwagandha (Sensoril)
Astragalus
Cistanche
Clubmoss (Huperzia serrata)
Cocoa
Ecklonia Bicyclis (Arame)
Eluthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
Epimedium
Eucommia
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
Green Tea (Soy Lecithin)
He Shou Wu (Fallopia multiflora)
Licorice Root
Lycium
Polygala Root
Reishi (Lingzhi mushroom)
Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)
Schizandra (Schisandra chinensis)
Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)

Kumbh Mela

anautonomousagent — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 02:01:19 +0000

Depending on your country of birth or religion, you may be surprised to know that, up until last week, I had never heard of one of the largest and oldest religious ceremonies in human history – the Kumbh Mela. After watching the films below, I am determined to attend the Kumbh Mela as part of my own spiritual pilgrimage. If you watch and listen to the teachings, ceremonies, and philosophies of the Yogis and Sadhus you may begin to see a deeper connection between all religions.

Kings with Straw Mats – Ira Cohen

Shortcut to Nirvana – Mela Films (also on Hulu – Shortcut to Nirvana)

Breathe, You Are Alive: The Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing – Thich Nhat Hanh

anautonomousagent — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 19:55:00 +0000

In his book Breathe, You Are Alive: The Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing, Thich Nhat Hanh supplies a commentary on the Anapanasati Sutta. I would recommend the book to anyone interested in learning how to achieve a state of well-being and health.

Light on Yoga – B.K.S. Iyengar

anautonomousagent — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 19:15:00 +0000

Great illustrated book on Yoga:

Light on Yoga by B. K. S. Iyengar.

Every asana contains several pictures and a detailed description. Some of the asanas are literally impossible!