Dharma Journal - May 28th, 2007
Dr. Frank Morales
Authentic Dharma for Today's World
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May 28th, 2007 - Founded in 1998
The Teachings of the Bhagavad Gita
Marks of a Self-Realized Person
Lord Krishna said: When one is completely free from all desires of
the mind and is satisfied with the Supreme Being by the joy of
Supreme Being, then one is called an enlightened person, O Arjuna.
(2.55)
A person whose mind is unperturbed by sorrow, who does not crave
pleasures, and who is completely free from attachment, fear, and
anger, is called an enlightened sage of steady intellect. (2.56)
The mind and intellect of a person become steady who is not attached
to anything, who is neither elated by getting desired results, nor
perturbed by undesired results. (2.57)
When one can completely withdraw the senses from the sense objects as
a tortoise withdraws its limbs into the shell for protection from
calamity, then the intellect of such a person is considered steady.
(2.58)
The desire for sensual pleasures fades away if one abstains from
sense enjoyment, but the craving for sense enjoyment remains in a
very subtle form. This subtle craving also completely disappears from
the one who knows the Supreme Being. (2.59)
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Overcoming Depression with Meditation
by Dr. Frank Morales, Ph.D.
(Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya)
Modern America is a land of many interesting, and often painfully
ironic, contradictions. On the one hand, we supposedly enjoy more
prosperity, longevity, comforts, and conveniences in the United
States than any other civilization has even dreamed of in previous
history. Supposedly.
On the other hand, however, America is currently going through one of
the biggest mental health crises that any nation in history has ever
experienced. Various forms of depression, anxiety disorders and
neuroses are affecting millions of Americans. Depressive disorders
affect approximately 18.8 million American adults, or about 9.5% of
the U.S. population age 18 and older in any given year. For those
cases of depression that are reported, many more remain unreported,
and thus unknown. This current mental health crisis includes such
ailments as major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and
bipolar disorder.
What is especially disturbing is that depression is increasingly a
common occurrence among the nation's young, a demographic that should
be enjoying the fun and carefree life usually associated with
childhood. Pre-schoolers are the fastest-growing market for
antidepressants. At least four percent of preschoolers -- over a
million! -- are considered clinically depressed. CNN recently
reported on a study that revealed that as many as 3 million teenagers
contemplated suicide in 2006. The rate of increase of depression
among children is an astounding 23%.
30% of women are depressed. Men's figures were previously thought to
be half that of women, but new estimates show that the actual figures
are higher than at first suspected.
Depression will be the second largest killer after heart disease by
2020 -- and medical studies have shown that depression is a
contributory factor to fatal coronary disease.
Depression results in more absenteeism and loss of employment than
almost any other physical disorder, and costs employers more than
US$51 billion per year in absenteeism and lost productivity, not
including high medical and pharmaceutical bills.
The treatment modalities often used in the attempt to combat
depression are diverse and have varied results. Some of these
treatments include talk therapy and anti-depression medications.
Currently, several million Americans are on various anti-depressants,
including Prozac, Lexapro, and Amitriptyline. Many of these anti-
depression medications have had only mixed results.
Antidepressants work for 35% to 45% of the depressed population,
while more recent figures suggest as low as 30%. Standard
antidepressants, SSRIs such as Prozac, Paxil (Aropax) and Zoloft,
have recently been revealed to have serious risks, and are linked to
suicide, violence, psychosis, abnormal bleeding, and brain tumors.
Though most doctors advise a combination of therapy and
antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has an 80%
relapse rate in the long term.
While medication and therapy can often take the edge off of the
experience of depression, they are far from successful in all
instances. The only truly effective cure lies in going to the root
of depression. That root is ultimately spiritual in nature.
Depression is itself only a direct symptomatic manifestation of the
radical secularization of human society. Previous to secular
modernity, depression was a much less prevalent phenomenon. And when
it was experienced, the reasons were more clearly environmental and
causal than they are now. In the past, depression was directly
associated with a specific event or occurrence in the person's life
that directly caused the depression. Today, however, an increasing
number of depressed persons are experiencing more generalized
depression, a type of general existential angst, the exact cause of
which it is difficult for them to pinpoint. Some of the leading
causes of depression today include a sense of meaninglessness;
consuming and generalized fear; spiritual crises, and the high
degrees of stress and anxiety that has become accepted as normal in
modern, radically secularized, everyday life.
For younger people, especially, when asked why they are experiencing
deep depression, many youth will point to a complete sense of
meaninglessness in their lives. The don't know why they are here,
what their purpose in life is, why they are bothering to learn and
work hard, and why our present-day, materialistic society is geared
in such a way as to provide them with no real answers to their quest
for meaning. While pop culture, technology, and the youth scene
serves as a temporary outlet for many teens, more often than not it
only serves to tremendously exacerbate the problem of depression.
Secular modernity presents us with a social-philosophical construct
that is artificial, anti-natural, and ultimately destructive and
unhealthy in nature. In our society, we have been deprived of the
age-tested, fundamental vehicles through which we can excel
spiritually, intellectually, and culturally. Spirituality and
Dharma, which form the basis of all meaningful human growth and
progress, has been systematically and viciously erased from modern
secular societies to such a radical extent that hundreds of millions
of persons worldwide are vividly feeling the ill effects of a life
devoid of meaning, value, nobility, goodness, heroism, and the quest
for Truth.
The search for truth has been replaced in the lives of billions with
the search for entertainment.
Rather than encouraging such spiritual values as courage, nobility,
and heroism, the modern world today encourages the coldly
unsatisfying propaganda of radical egalitarianism. Rather than
encouraging the nurturing of the inner life of the spirit, and the
natural joy, peace and fulfillment that results from a healthy
spiritually-centered life, today it is only selfish economic
advancement and the value of purchasing power that is advocated.
Rather than a lifestyle of mental, physical and spiritual health,
today lifestyles of selfish hedonism, consumerism, greed, fame, and
lust are upheld as the ideal course of behavior, and the values
toward which all should aspire.
Dharma, the principle of living one's life in accordance with Natural
Law and God's will in a manner that is healthy, fulfilling,
nurturing, and truly progressive, has now been replaced with an
artificial and life-denying lifestyle that only produces a profound
sense of meaninglessness and anxiety.
The ultimate cure for society's present crisis of depression and
meaninglessness is to re-embrace a life of meaning, a life of
Dharma. Dharma, by its very definition, denotes the sustaining
foundation of all reality. Dharma is the concept that all that we
experience in this world is based upon a higher, spiritual reality
that provides the ordering principles necessary for the proper
function of the world. To understand Dharma is to understand the
world, and the natural laws behind all things that make life a
meaningful and beautiful expression of the Divine in spacial-temporal
reality. To know Dharma is to know life's ultimate meaning. And the
way to fully know Dharma is through the process of meditation.
For millennia, a spiritually based practice of meditation has been
shown to be very effective in combating such problems as stress,
anxiety, fear, and feelings of meaninglessness. Because meditation
addresses the root causes of depression and anxiety, the time honored
techniques of meditation can be a much more effective cure for
depression than either talk-therapy or medication.
Meditation is a natural, easy and proven method that has been shown
in hundreds of clinical studies to bring about deep states of peace,
calm and mental clarity. In addition, a specifically spiritual
regimen of daily meditation can help to foster a deep sense of
meaning and spiritual comfort.
Meditation has been shown to work on two distinct levels: a) the
cognitive level, and b) the spiritual level. On the cognitive level,
meditation helps to bring about a deep equipoise and a calming relief
to one's overactive mind. Today, especially, the mind is constantly
bombarded with an unending stream of diverse information - some
valuable, most useless. As a direct result of such information
bombardment, the mind is in an almost constant state of agitation and
confusion. Meditation serves to calm the mind, allowing our
attention to shift from the storm of external stimuli to the deep
inner peace that is the natural state of the soul. As a consequence
of having a calm mind, we then find that we can think and make
important decisions with much more clarity, insight, and power. We
are now able to process information in a way that serves us, rather
than merely being the victims of myriad sensory impressions and
information overload.
On the more spiritual level, meditation has the ability to provide us
with deep levels of self-realization and God-realization that, up
till now, may have seemed to be impossible attainments to many of
us. By meditating with the expressed goal of making spiritual
progress, and knowing God and self, we then traverse beyond the
merely cognitive and mental, and begin to penetrate the inner realms
of eternal spirit. When we have self-realization, we now experience
the transcendent peace and calm that is the natural result of living
in spirit. When we have God-realization, we are now in communion
with the very source of our being, the eternal, loving Absolute who
is our very best of friends, and greatest of well-wishers. In such a
transcendent state of spiritual attainment, no anxiety, stress,
depression, or fear can ever burden our minds or hearts again. For
we have now, through the process of spiritual meditation, realized
the infinite well of spiritual peace that lies naturally within.
The root cause of most depression today, then, is the pervasive sense
of meaninglessness that naturally accompanies life in a radically
secularized, materialistic society. The cure to such existential
meaninglessness is to partake profoundly in the spiritual nature of
our true selves and the spiritual foundations underlying our everyday
concerns. The artificial construct of materialism needs to be
replaced with Dharma, and the natural lifestyle and spiritual way of
being that Dharma teaches us to embrace. The most effective way of
accessing the spiritual reality that is our true self, and thus to
over-come the unnatural state of depression, is God-centered
meditation as taught in the ancient tradition of Sanatana Dharma.
For further information about overcoming depressing and learning to
embrace happiness again through meditation, please contact the
International Sanatana Dharma Society:
www.dharmacentral.com
info@...
(608) 280-8375
The Author:
Dr. Frank Morales, Ph.D. (Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya) is an
American who has been practicing Sanatana Dharma for over 30 years.
He has a Ph.D. in Religious Studies and is recognized by the global
Hindu community as one of the leading Hindu Acharyas (Spiritual
Preceptors) in the nation. With a large international following of
both Indian and Western students, Sri Acharya Ji is especially
renowned for his highly authentic approach to Dharmic spirituality,
his authoritative and scholarly approach to teaching, and his clear
emphasis on serious spiritual practice and direct experience of self-
realization and knowledge of God. He has lectured on Sanatana Dharma
at such prestigious institutions as Harvard University, Columbia,
Rutgers, Cornell, Northwestern, as well as for such companies as Ford
Motor Corporation and Lucent Technology. He is the Founder and
President of the International Sanatana Dharma Society. To contact
Sri Acharya-ji, email him at: info@....
His primary websites are:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/drmoraleslist/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yoga-spirituality/
http://www.drfrankmorales.sulekha.com/
http://www.cafepress.com/supportstore
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=DharmaNation
___________________________________________________________
"We must preserve Vedic culture and secure a future for Hindu
children."
- Dr. Frank Morales
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Announcements:
1) YouTube Success!: http://www.youtube.com/profile?
user=DharmaNation
Dharma Sun Media, the multi-media arm of Dr. Morales' teaching
mission, has recently created four videos for YouTube. In the last
two weeks alone, over 2200 people have watched these Dharma videos!
Previous to this, there were very few high quality videos on Sanatana
Dharma available on YouTube. These are only the first of what will
soon be dozens of Dharma videos that we'll make available free-of-
charge to the general public.
You Can Help!
If you have video editing skills, digital video/audio equipment you
would like to donate, or any other related media production skills
that can help us produce more highly professional video presentations
on Sanatana Dharma, please contact Dharma Sun Media at:
heatherlim7@....
2) Major National Seminar "Experiencing the Bliss Within":
Dr. Frank Morales (Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya) will be conducting
a major national seminar at the Omaha Healing Arts Center. Sunday
July 8, between 2PM - 5PM. $25 advance $30 at the door
1216 Howard St.
Omaha, NE 68102
402.345.5078
www.omahahealingarts.com
Experiencing the Bliss Within
A Journey into the Depths of Spirit
Your life is filled with a profound spiritual meaning deeper than you
may presently know. You were meant from the very moment of your own
birth to know intimately the happiness, contentment, peace, and bliss
that naturally radiates from your true self. You are a child born of
overflowing spiritual nectar, born of God's love, and who is destined
to taste the sweet bliss of Spirit.
In this one of a kind spiritual event, you will be introduced to the
reality of self-realization and God-realization as preserved and
powerfully taught in the world's most ancient spiritual traditions.
You will learn firsthand about the profound depths of being that you
presently possess, and the powerful tools you own to manifest the
happiness and spiritual enlightenment you have always sought. More
than merely knowing, you will be provided a rare opportunity of
personally experiencing the bliss within that is your gift from God.
You will experience the empowerment of Spirit.
This seminar is being offered for the very first time ever in Omaha.
It is led by Dr. Frank Morales, Ph.D., one of the nation's leading
teachers of spirituality, meditation, self-realization, Yoga
spirituality, and Dharma. With over 33 years of unparalleled study,
teaching and experience, Dr. Morales is one of the most qualified
spiritual teachers in America today. With a Ph.D. from the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, author of several books on
spirituality, a world-recognized Yoga master, and serves as a
spiritual guide to thousands globally.
This seminar will include: dynamic meditation, guided visualization,
Dharma teachings, kirtan, and Spiritual Bliss.
3) "Dharma Ascending: A Revolutionary New Vision for Global
Transformation" Out in August:
Dharma Ascending Press is proud to announce a soon to be released,
brand new book by Dr. Frank Morales. "Dharma Ascending" is the most
important and revolutionary writing Dr. Morales has ever produced up
to today. In this historically ground-breaking work, Dr. Morales
explains the nature, meaning, and teachings of Dharma in more depth
than has ever been attempted before by any author in history.
According to Dr. Morales, Dharma is the most important philosophical
principle, and the most spiritually meaningful way of living, that
the world has ever known. The universal tradition of Dharma has seen
a decline for the last 2000 years, leaving us today with only a
shadow of this once powerful ideological global force. In "Dharma
Ascending", we read how this important principle has become more
relevant and important now than at any other time in history, and how
Dharma is now in the process of rapid ascent once again, potentially
leading to the most revolutionary global transformation the world has
ever seen.
Dr. Morales brings the principle of Dharma from the domain of mere
theory and myth, to the dynamic realm of practical life. This book
is designed to introduce you to Dharma as a living force, as well as
how you can personally live a healthy, prosperous, and joyous Dharma
lifestyle today. Bring Dharma to life for yourself, with "Dharma
Ascending: A Revolutionary New Vision for Global Transformation". US
$14.95. Dharma Ascending Press. Out in August.
Stay tuned to Dharma Journal for further announcements.
4) "How I Became a Hindu":
Dharma Sun Media has created and placed a new Video by Sri Dharma
Pravartaka Acharya on YouTube. "How I Became a Hindu" explores
Acharya Ji's personal journey from the streets of Brooklyn to the
feet of God, and how he became a follower of Sanatana Dharma. To see
this fascinating video, please visit here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXPBtRPqclo
5) Dharma Nation Blogspot: http://dharmanation.blogspot.com/
Yet another web site has been recently created dedicated to Sanatana
Dharma and the writings of Dr. Frank Morales. Called "Dharma
Nation", visit often to see the latest writings of Dr. Morales.
http://dharmanation.blogspot.com/
6) Yoga Spirituality:
Our new Yoga Spirituality Yahoo! Group is designed to be an
informative and fun place where people can freely discuss the
spiritual aspects of Yoga. With over 255 active members, it is
currently the fastest growing Yoga discussion list on Yahoo Groups!!
If you haven't done so already, please feel free to join this
exciting new discussion group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yoga-spirituality/
7) "Dr. Frank Morales List" Now in Top 30:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/drmoraleslist/
The "Dr. Frank Morales List" Yahoo group, which includes Dharma
Journal, continues to be the fastest growing Hinduism Forum on all of
Yahoo Groups with over 837 members! Of over 4300 different Hindu
groups on Yahoo, Sri Acharyaji's list is now ranked #27 in size.
If you know of anyone who would like to join this list, please
forward their email addresses to: info@..., and we will
be happy to send them an invitation to join.
________________________________________________________________
Overcoming Materialism
" The only valid alternative to the destructiveness of materialism,
consumerism, and greed is authentic spirituality. Attempting to
fight these destructive tendencies with only further materialism,
such as in Marxism, atheism, capitalism, and socialism, is like
attempting to stop a fire by hurling matches into it. We can not
fight materialism with yet more materialism, but only with Dharma
spirituality. Dharma spirituality is the only effective and true
idealism of our age."
- Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya
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Recent Letters:
"Hari Om, I am a medical student in London, UK. I am a subscriber
to Dharma Central for a year. I appreciate the works of Dr. Frank
Morales. The uploading of the discussion on YouTube is fantastic. I
extend my ardent support to Dr. Morales' mission. Let me know how
can I be a part of this great global mission. Hare Rama."
Sachin Vijayan
"RESPECTED DR. MORALES, YOUR ARTICLE PROVED TO BE AN EYE OPENER AND I
PREY YOU DO CONTINUE PUBLISHING SUCH WORKS IN FUTURE TOO. WITH
DEEPEST REGARDS,
DR. SHRIKANT BHAVE
"Namaskar Dr. Morales, Thanks for the links provided. I watched two
of the videos. They are wonderful. Will definitely forward the link
to friends. Warm regards, In the service of Dharma."
Abhijit, Mumbai, India
"Hello Dr. Morales, Namaskar, I am so thankful to God (Krishna) for
sending you to earth to save hinduism (my religion). I did read
article on your website that talks about how all religions are not
equal and it is an excellent article. Also, I watched you on the
youtube videos which are excellent and I am very thankful to you for
saving our religion. My name is Shraddha, and I really liked it that
you mentioned the word Shraddha in one of your video and was very
happy to hear that word spoken by you. Thank you again Mr. Morales,
and I bow down to you for spreading the message of Sanatan Dharma."
Shraddha
"Dear Dr. Morales Guruji, Sadar Pranam, I seek from you the Dharma
so that I am in the path to fulfill my desires."
Rathindra Prasad Lahiri
"Thank you for your articles, they have clarified some things for
me. I look forward to reading more. Namaste."
Delphine
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For further information on the philosophy and path of Dharma, please
visit us on the web:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yoga-spirituality/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/drmoraleslist/
http://www.cafepress.com/supportstore
http://www.drfrankmorales.sulekha.com
http://www.dharmacentral.com/Store/Shakti_Principle.htm
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=DharmaNation
http://www.myspace.com/dharmapravartaka
http://dharmanation.blogspot.com/
Thank you to all our many members and readers for your enthusiastic
support and encouragement of Dharma Journal and the teaching efforts
of Dr. Frank Morales. We couldn't be able to accomplish anything
without your well-wishes.
Please feel free to forward this Dharma Journal newsletter to all
your friends, family, and discussion lists interested in Sanatana
Dharma, meditation, and Yoga spirituality.
(c) 2007, Dharma Journal. Volume 9, issue 8
Welcome to the Dharma Revolution!