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for happiness. In the course of spiritual life, I observed that practicing dharma leads to the sacrificing of impurities and an even fuller inner freedom. This process leads us to a vision of inner divinity. Releasing tension within physical, social, and interpersonal levels has the effect of dissolving inner blocks to the flow of spiritual energy. When inner blocks are open, powerful inner energy begins to flow and we recognize that God is within us. Thus, there is a link between the external physical, social, and moral dimensions and the expanding of inner illumination. Realizing that the light is within me is the stage of qualified non-duality.
Recognizing Sai Baba Within Myself
My first inner experience with Swami was sensing his holiness and love. Then, experiencing his omnipresence gave vitality to the Soham mantra. As I practiced breathing him in with the “So” sound and releasing myself into his infinite expanse during the out breath “Ham” (pronounced hum) sound, I experienced a quieting of thought and a feeling of expansion. As I practiced Swami’s teaching about dharma and released tension from interpersonal conflicts, the inner love, expansiveness, and light associated with the Soham mantra intensified. I was beginning to experience the qualified non- dualistic stage of the light being within me.
When you meditate on the Soham principle, you will observe that the “So” comes in and “Ham” goes out with each inhalation and exhalation respectively. This process has to be watched carefully. Here “So” relates to the divine principle, and “Ham” to ego. While divinity enters our body, ego leaves us. That divine principle, which thus enters our body, should be held firmly in our system by the process of holding the breath. (SSB, Sanathana Sarathi, August 2003)
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