Free Yoga Articles Dictionary

Absolution (from Latin ab away + solvere to set free, loosen, dissolve)

Release; in Christian usage, mainly Roman Catholic, remission of sins, the setting free by a priest of a person from guilt, the penalties of guilt, divine punishment, or the censure of the church.

In the Greek, remission (of sins) meant sending away, the intent being that the disciples and the assembled believers together were able to work a change of heart in the sinner so that he would sin no more (James 5:16), not a remission of the karmic penalty due. Only much later was the power of remission taken over by the priest. Moreover, for a thousand years the formula used was "May Christ absolve thee," superseded by "I absolve thee." While clearly a priest may release one from the penalties imposed by his church, he cannot release anyone from the natural consequences of his acts; yet Christians have attached extreme importance to death-bed absolution by a priest. Such death-bed repentance had its origin in the fact that the last thoughts of a dying person color his afterdeath experiences, and even his next incarnation. But though well-wishers and people of high attainment can help with their counsel and example, they cannot set aside the laws of nature. Real absolution must be emancipation from error and wrongdoing, not an escape from the demands of justice or karma.

Absolution also coveys the mystical significance of the Sanskrit moksha and mukti. When one's whole being has been turned upwards and inwards to a more or less perfect union with the god within, one is absolved, released, or set free from the entanglements of the lower nature and, in this sense, one has absolution or freedom.

See also ABSOLUTE.

(See also: Absolution , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Dancing : Dream Interpretation Dictionary - Dream: I am flying, swimming or dancing joyfully

Dream: I am flying, swimming or dancing joyfully

Description: You are flying, feeling free. Your flight may evolve as an escape from some bad situation. In an alternate version, you may be moving freely through water or dancing with abandon.

Frequency: Although the frequency of this dream varies widely, those who have experienced it often remember it as a favorite dream.

Usual meanings: You feel great, able to soar as high as you wish, you feel as though your possibilities are limitless and that you can transcend anything. Flying dreams can also be tied to spiritual aspirations. Swimming may suggest the feeling that you can explore your depths confidently, and dancing may reflect joy in your body, an increasing sensuality.

Questions to ask yourself:

• What restrictions do you feel you've overcome?
• What successes have been yours recently in waking life?
• Have you recently felt a spiritual connection?

Source: http://health.discovery.com

(See also: Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation Dancing , Dream Dictionary Dancing )

Immaculate Conception

A Roman Catholic doctrine about Mary's sinlessness, declared as a divinely revealed dogma by Pope Pius IX (1854) that she was from conception, by the singular grace of God, free from all stain of original sin. The feast day is celebrated December 8.

(See also: Immaculate Conception , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

A Theosophical definition of Moksha :

Moksha

(Sanskrit) This word comes from moksh, meaning "to release," "to set free," and is probably a desiderative of the root much, from which the word mukti also comes.

The meaning of this word is that when a spirit, a monad, or a spiritual radical, has so grown in evolution that it has first become a man, and is set free interiorly, inwardly, and from a man has become a planetary spirit or dhyan-chohan or lord of meditation, and has gone still higher, to become interiorly a Brahman, and from a Brahman the Parabrahman for its hierarchy, then it is absolutely perfected, relatively speaking, free, released  - perfected for that great period of time which to us seems almost an eternity so long is it, virtually incomputable by the human intellect.

Now this also is the real meaning of the much abused word Absolute (q.v.), limited in comparison with things still more immense, still more sublime; but so far as we can think of it, released or freed from the chains or bonds of material existence. One who is thus released or freed is called a jivanmukta. (See also Nirvana)

See also: Moksha , Mysticism, Body Mind and Soul

Transport : Dream Interpretation Dictionary - Dream: I have missed a boat or a plane

Dream: I have missed a boat or a plane

Description: You are rushing to catch a bus, train, ship, airplane or other public transport, only to miss it, usually by a fraction of a second. The dream may involve various misadventures en route to the transport. You often feel frustrated rather than afraid in these dreams. You may be lacking vital papers, such as tickets, passport or visa. In a variation of this theme, you arrive too late for a performance in which you are supposed to participate and find that the play, musical production, sports competition or other event has already begun. (Dreams in which you are having trouble during a performance are classified with "I fail on a test or perform poorly.")

Frequency: Missing the boat dreams are moderately common. Some people have them often, others rarely. They usually arise when you feel anxious about making an important connection to one of your waking goals.

Usual meanings: You feel you've missed some opportunity in your waking life; you're too late; you can't make a connection, that you need to pull yourself together to make the connections you desire.

Questions to ask yourself:

If missing the boat or performance variation:

• Where are you going in your dream?
• Why are you going there?
• What is it that makes you feel you are "too late" or that you don't have what you need to take your part on the stage of life? If missing documents variation:
• What are you currently trying to accomplish in your waking life?
• What's missing for you to do your job properly or to get what you want?
• How can you better prepare yourself for what you want to do?

Source: http://health.discovery.com

(See also: Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation Transport , Dream Dictionary Transport )

proprioceptive

"From within", a meditational writing practice with roots in stream-of-consciousness, free writing

(See also: Proprioceptive , Body Mind and Soul)

monk: A celibate man wholly dedicated to religious life, either cenobitic (residing with others in a monastery) or anchoritic (living alone, as a hermit or mendicant). Literally, "one who lives alone" (from the Greek monos, "alone").

Through the practice of yoga, the control and transmutation of the masculine and feminine forces within himself, the monk is a complete being, free to follow the contemplative and mystic life toward realization of the Self within. Benevolent and strong, courageous, fearless, not entangled in the thoughts and feelings of others, monks are affectionately detached from society, defenders of the faith, kind, loving and ever-flowing with timely wisdom. A synonym for monastic. Its feminine counterpart is nunk.

See: monastic, sannyasin, nunk.

(See also: Monk , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor (H. B. of L.) A spurious "esoteric" society started about 1884 in England, which later spread to America before it was exposed as a fraud in Yorkshire by theosophists around 1887. This society "pretended to give to its members occult teaching free. In August, 1887, Mr. (T. H.)

Burgoyne, styling himself 'Private secretary,' issued to the members a secret circular, the essence of which was that he had studied Chaldean Astrology for eighteen years, but could not communicate the 'lessons' in it and Occultism without a payment to him of $60; that his teachings had the full approval of the Masters; and that the $60 subscription was a necessity to Initiation" (Ec from Or 2:183). He was 28 years old at the time. He later published the same material in a book, The Light of Egypt, sold for $3.00.

(See also: Hermetic Axiom , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Bardesanes or Bardaisan. A Syrian Gnostic, erroneously regarded as a Christian theologian, born at Edessa (Edessene Chronicle) in 155 of our era (Assemani Bibl.. Orient. i. 389).

He was a great astrologer following the Eastern Occult System. According to Porphyry (who calls him the Babylonian, probably on account of his Chaldeeism or astrology), "Bardesanes . . . . held intercourse with the Indians that had been sent to the Cesar with Damadamis at their head" (De Abst. iv. 17), and had his information from the Indian gymnosophists.

The fact is that most of his teachings, however much they may have been altered by his numerous Gnostic followers, can be traced to Indian philosophy, and still more to the Occult teachings of the Secret System. Thus in his Hymns he speaks of the creative Deity as "Father-Mother", and elsewhere of "Astral Destiny" (Karma) of "Minds of Fire" (the Agni-Devas) &c. He connected the Soul (the personal Manas) with the Seven Stars, deriving its origin from the Higher Beings (the divine Ego); and therefore "admitted spiritual resurrection but denied the resurrection of the body", as charged with by the Church Fathers. Ephraim shows him preaching the signs of the Zodiac, the importance of the birth-hours and "proclaiming the seven".

Calling the Sun the "Father of Life" and the Moon the "Mother of Life", he shows the latter "laying aside her garment of light (principles) for the renewal of the Earth". Photius cannot understand how, while accepting "the Soul free from the power of genesis (destiny of birth)" and possessing free will, he still placed the body under the rule of birth (genesis). For "they (the Bardesanists) say, that wealth and poverty and sickness and health and death and all things not within our control are works of destiny" (Bibl. Cod. 223, p.221 - f). This is Karma, most evidently, which does not preclude at all free-will. Hippolytus makes him a representative of the Eastern School.

Speaking of Baptism, Bardesanes is made to say (loc. cit. pp. 985-ff "It is not however the Bath alone which makes us free, but the Knowledge of who we are, what we are become, where we were before, whither we are hastening, whence we are redeemed; what is generation (birth), what is re-generation (re.birth)". This points plainly to the doctrine of re-incarnation.

His conversation (Dialogue) with Awida and Barjamina on Destiny and Free Will shows it. "What is called Destiny, is an order of outflow given to the Rulers (Gods) and the Elements, according to which order the Intelligences (Spirit-Egos) are changed by their descent into the Soul, and the Soul by its descent into the body". (See Treatise, found in its Syriac original, and published with English translation in 1855 by Dr. Cureton, Spicileg. Syriac. in British Museum.)

(See also: Bardesanes, Bardaisan , Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary,)

Falling : Dream Interpretation Dictionary - Falling or drowning

Falling or drowning

Falling is one of the most common nightmares among people of all ages, and may be a reflection of feeling insecure, helpless or of having no support or solid grounding. Some people may actually fall from their beds during this dream.

Dreaming about drowning is less frequent, and often occurs when a person feels overwhelmed.

Both scenarios involve life-or-death situations and can be traced to prehistoric origins. Garfield says that dreams of falling reflect a time when our ancestors took risks when climbing trees. Falling dreams of modern day often take place from high buildings, elevators and rooftops.

Likewise, dreams of drowning go to our inborn need to breathe for survival.

People often awake to "escape'' the danger in the dreams.

A person's age and medical circumstances can influence these dreams. Toddlers and young children, as well as older people, are prone to more falls in waking life. People with heart conditions that cause fluid buildup in the lungs or those with severe colds may dream of drowning.

Have you had that feeling of zooming through the air, feeling free, unhindered?

Flying often becomes a person's favorite dream. These can inspire the dreamer, lifting him to spiritual heights or filling him with creative notions. Pleasurable swimming may mean freely exploring your depths; dreams of dance may be a metaphor for moving freely through your life.

(See also: Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation Falling , Dream Dictionary Falling )

A Theosophical definition of Death :

Death

Death occurs when a general break-up of the constitution of man takes place; nor is this break-up a matter of sudden occurrence, with the exceptions of course of such cases as mortal accidents or suicides. Death is always preceded, varying in each individual case, by a certain time spent in the withdrawal of the monadic individuality from an incarnation, and this withdrawal of course takes place coincidently with a decay of the seven-principle being which man is in physical incarnation. This decay precedes physical dissolution, and is a preparation of and by the consciousness-center for the forthcoming existence in the invisible realms. This withdrawal actually is a preparation for the life to come in invisible realms, and as the septenary entity on this earth so decays, it may truly be said to be approaching rebirth in the next sphere.

Death occurs, physically speaking, with the cessation of activity of the pulsating heart. There is the last beat, and this is followed by immediate, instantaneous unconsciousness, for nature is very merciful in these things. But death is not yet complete, for the brain is the last organ of the physical body really to die, and for some time after the heart has ceased beating, the brain and its memory still remain active and, although unconsciously so, the human ego for this short length of time, passes in review every event of the preceding life. This great or small panoramic picture of the past is purely automatic, so to say; yet the soul-consciousness of the reincarnating ego watches this wonderful review incident by incident, a review which includes the entire course of thought and action of the life just closed. The entity is, for the time being, entirely unconscious of everything else except this. Temporarily it lives in the past, and memory dislodges from the akasic record, so to speak, event after event, to the smallest detail: passes them all in review, and in regular order from the beginning to the end, and thus sees all its past life as an all-inclusive panorama of picture succeeding picture.

There are very definite ethical and psychological reasons inhering in this process, for this process forms a reconstruction of both the good and the evil done in the past life, and imprints this strongly as a record on the fabric of the spiritual memory of the passing being. Then the mortal and material portions sink into oblivion, while the reincarnating ego carries the best and noblest parts of these memories into the devachan or heaven-world of postmortem rest and recuperation. Thus comes the end called death; and unconsciousness, complete and undisturbed, succeeds, until there occurs what the ancients called the second death.

The lower triad (prana, linga-sarira, sthula-sarira) is now definitely cast off, and the remaining quaternary is free. The physical body of the lower triad follows the course of natural decay, and its various hosts of life-atoms proceed whither their natural attractions draw them. The linga-sarira or model-body remains in the astral realms, and finally fades out. The life-atoms of the prana, or electrical field, fly instantly back at the moment of physical dissolution to the natural pranic reservoirs of the planet.

This leaves man, therefore, no longer a heptad or septenary entity, but a quaternary consisting of the upper duad (atma-buddhi) and the intermediate duad (manas-kama). The second death then takes place.

Death and the adjective dead are mere words by which the human mind seeks to express thoughts which it gathers from a more or less consistent observation of the phenomena of the material world. Death is dissolution of a component entity or thing. The dead, therefore, are merely dissolving bodies  - entities which have reached their term on this our physical plane. Dissolution is common to all things, because all physical things are composite: they are not absolute things. They are born; they grow; they reach maturity; they enjoy, as the expression runs, a certain term of life in the full bloom of their powers; then they "die." That is the ordinary way of expressing what men call death; and the corresponding adjective is dead, when we say that such things or entities are dead.

Do you find death per se anywhere? No. You find nothing but action; you find nothing but movement; you find nothing but change. Nothing stands still or is annihilated. What is called death itself shouts forth to us the fact of movement and change. Absolute inertia is unknown in nature or in the human mind; it does not exist.

See also: Death , Mysticism, Body Mind and Soul

CARPOCRATES

A 2nd Century Gnostic, who advocated promiscuity and thereby earned the hatred of orthodox Xtianity, which in turn delighted in distorting his philosophy. What Carpocrates intended to show was that the flesh is of so little importance compared to the soul, that it can be used and abused for a higher purpose. Since the body is a prison, it is necessary to transcend the flesh through experiencing it and thereby free oneself of all desire. Any human experience missed will simply cause reincarnation in another body. If we do not break all the divine laws, we cannot free ourselves to return to the Unbegotten. Carpocrates is credited with having said, "Nothing is evil by nature" and his ideas can be traced to Plato and Pythagoras. Another thing that made Carpocratians unpopular with the orthodox Xtians was their idea of communal property, an early form of Communism.

(See also: CARPOCRATES , Magick, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul,)

A Christian theological definition of The Word of God according to CARM - The Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry:

"

The Word of God:

See also: The Word of God , Christianity, Body Mind and Soul

Flying : Dream Interpretation Dictionary - Flying

Flying

This is one dream symbol on which practically every source from Artemidorus on down agrees. It represents the dreamer's basic ambition, but the interpretation of flying (like a bird) is modified by the details of the flight and its conditions, so the surroundings, weather, etc., must be correlated with the action. As a general guide: If you successfully maintained your flight at a low to medium height, you can expect to achieve your goal without much difficulty. If you were trying (or straining) to reach a high altitude, the dream is telling you that your grasp is greater than your reach and you would be wise to alter your course.

Source: Dreaming@Swoon

(See also: Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation Flying , Dream Dictionary Flying )

Affirmation

Affirmations are positive statements that can be used to change the way you think about yourself and your health. Since the unconscious cannot tell the difference between a real or imagined idea, it responds to whatever suggestions you give it, eventually helping to create the reality that matches your most predominant beliefs, attitudes, and thoughts. By repeating positive affirmations each time a negative, self-defeating thought comes to mind, you can retrain your mind and learn to feel more confident, as well as improve your overall health. Over time, old, limited thoughts and mental patterns that contributed to anxiety, depression, or stress will lose their charge and eventually stop arising altogether.

 Using affirmations does not mean suppressing any thought that is not "good", however, Instead, affirmations are used a reshaping tool that you can call upon to rid yourself of thoughts that serve no positive purpose. For example, if your are prone to headaches and your thoughts keep informing you that you haven't had a headache in a while and are therefore due for one, instead of giving in and feeding such thoughts, you can overcome them by using an affirmation, such as "I am headache free and I deserve to stay that way." Initially, this may seem to be silly or an attempt to fool yourself, but if you pay attention and keep repeating the affirmation, before long you will stay it and mean it and the results you expect will follow.

 Affirmations can be used in any area of your life. To be most effective, choose one or two affirmations that feel most comfortable and memorize them, so that you can say them whenever a negative thought enters your mind. You might also consider mentally repeating your affirmation 10-20 times once or twice a day.

Useful affirmations include:

1. I am healthy, relaxed, and free of pain and disease
2. I love myself, and I deserve to feel healthy and alive
3. I approve of myself, and I'm safe to be who I am
4. Every day in every way, I am getting better and better
5. I am in the flow of life, and I am grateful for the gift of being alive
6. My life is my own and I easily resolve my conflicts

(See also: Affirmation , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Cause-awakened one

(Jpn.: engaku; Skt.: pratyekabuddha)

Also, self-awakened one. One who perceives the twelve-linked chain of causation, or the truth of causal relationship. Cause-awakened one also means those who, in an age when there is no Buddha, realize on their own the truth of impermanence by observing natural phenomena. Because their awakening is self-gained, cause-awakened ones are also called self-awakened ones. Together with voice-hearers, they constitute the persons of the two vehicles. Unlike bodhisattvas, they seek their own emancipation without thought of preaching for and instructing others.

The Sanskrit term pratyekabuddha means "independently enlightened one" or "individually enlightened one." In the early Chinese translations of Buddhist scriptures, it was rendered cause-awakened one, which implies one enlightened through perceiving causal relation ship. The Treatise on the Meaning of the Mahayana, written by Hui-yŸan (523-592), describes pratyekabuddha as one who perceives the twelve-linked chain of causation or who awakens to the truth by observing natural phenomena such as the scattering of blossoms or the falling of leaves. Later the term was rendered as self-awakened one.

In The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra, T'ien-t'ai (538-597) distinguishes these two types of pratyekabud-dha-cause-awakened ones and self-awakened ones. Mahayana, which upholds practice to benefit others, referred to the vehicle of pratyekabuddha, or the teaching that leads one to the state of pratyekabuddha, as Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle), because it concerns only one's own salvation. The realm of cause-awakened ones is also viewed as a condition of life, in which one perceives the transience of life in the six paths and strives to free oneself from the six paths by seeking eternal truth through one's own effort. This realm or state constitutes the eighth of the Ten Worlds.

(See also: Cause-awakened one , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Aerobes and Anaerobes (from Greek aer air + bios life)

Bacteria which need free oxygen for their sustenance, and those which do not, respectively. Each division includes some forms which can adapt themselves to either condition. When free oxygen is not obtainable, oxygen is obtained by decomposition of the surrounding substance, and the bacteria become destructive -- destruction means recombination, as death is rebirth. Also connected with the processes of fermentation. Pasteur's researches in fermentation are mentioned by Blavatsky as showing how so-called vital processes shade off indistinguishably into so-called inorganic or chemical processes. These physical builders and destroyers are analogous to their prototypes on the higher planes.

(See also: Aerobes and Anaerobes , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Bateman Health System: Combination of Qigong and yoga developed by Allan Bateman and promoted by the Bateman Institute for Health Education, in Manhattan (New York City).

Be Set Free Fast» (BSFF): One of the tapping therapies. Larry Phillip Nims, Ph.D., developed it. According to BSFF theory, in adults any specific problem typically has 700 to 1,900 emotional roots. Each BSFF treatment series eliminates all of a problem's roots. (See energy therapies. )

(See also: Bateman Health System , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Dream Interpretation Urine, urinating

Excrement and other human waste products are a symbol of relief, of letting go and setting oneself free. When you dream about urinating, it may be an actual need to relieve yourself. If not, then it is a sign that you want to rid yourself of a difficult situation.

Source: Dream-Land, http://www.dream-land.info

(See also: Dream Archives, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Dream Dictionary - Urine, urinating , Meaning of Dreams about Urine, urinating , Dream Interpretation Urine, urinating )

Ladder : Dream Interpretation Dictionary - Ladder

Ladder

To dream of a ladder being raised for you to ascend to some height, your energetic and nervy qualifications will raise you into prominence in business affairs.

To ascend a ladder, means prosperity and unstinted happiness.

To fall from one, denotes despondency and unsuccessful transactions to the tradesman, and blasted crops to the farmer.

To see a broken ladder, betokens failure in every instance.

To descend a ladder, is disappointment in business, and unrequited desires.

To escape from captivity, or confinement, by means of a ladder, you will be successful, though many perilous paths may intervene.

To grow dizzy as you ascend a ladder, denotes that you will not wear new honors serenely. You are likely to become haughty and domineering in your newly acquired position.

Source: http://dreaminterpretationsguide.com

(See also: Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation Ladder , Dream Dictionary Ladder )

A Christian theological definition of Calvinism according to CARM - The Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry:

"

Calvinism

See also: Calvinism , Christianity, Body Mind and Soul

Love : Dream Interpretation Dictionary - Embrace or Love

Embrace or Love

The mirror opposite of dreams of fleeing from a dangerous pursuer are those in which the dreamer happily embraces another. These figures may be animal or human (celebrities, movie stars, politicians, royals), angels, imaginary people, or the boy or girl next door. The defining element of this category is pleasurable physical contact.

Source: Patricia Garfield, Ph.D., President of ASD

(See also: Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation Love , Dream Dictionary Love )