The Ten Commandments

                                 The Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments are considered by many old-fashioned and out-dated; even some theologians support this view. There is a fundamental flaw in this sort of thinking as it can only lead to a lawless society. Perhaps, this is the reason the world is in the state of chaos, as we experience it today.

Can we in our current era have freedom without rules, joy without living responsibly?

All major religions tell us of the need for rules as a foundation of a sound society, and the discovering of our spiritual nature.

The Ten Commandments might have been more correctly named the Ten Eternal Rules of Happiness.

Catholic: Deuteronomy 5:7-21 Protestant: Exodus 20:3-17 I.[7] You shall not have other gods besides me.  [8] You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth;  [9] you shall not bow down before them or worship them. For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishments for their fathers' wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation  [10] but bestowing mercy, down to the thousandth generation, on the children of those who love me and keep my commandments.  I.[3] You shall not have other gods besides me.   II. [4] You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth;  [5] you shall not bow down before them or worship them. For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their fathers' wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation;  [6] but bestowing mercy down to the thousandth generation, on the children of those who love me and keep my commandments II. [11] You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain. For the LORD will not leave unpunished him who takes his name in vain. III. [7] You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain. For the LORD will not leave unpunished him who takes his name in vain.  III.[12]  Take care to keep holy the sabbath day as the LORD, your God, commanded you.  [13] Six days you may labour and do all your work; [14] but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD, your God. No work may be done then, whether by you, or your son or daughter, or your male or female slave, or your ox or ass or any of your beasts, or the alien who lives with you. Your male and female slave should rest as you do.  [15] For remember that you too were once slaves in Egypt, and the LORD, your God, brought you from there with his strong hand and outstretched arm. That is why the LORD, your God, has commanded you to observe the sabbath day.   IV.[8] Remember to keep holy the sabbath day.  [9] Six days you may labour and do all your work, [10] but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD, your God. No work may be done then either by you, or your son or daughter, or your male or female slave, or your beast, or by the alien who lives with you.  [11] In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. IV. [16]  Honour your father and your mother, as the LORD, your God, has commanded you, that you may have a long life and prosperity in the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you.   V. [12] Honour your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you.   V. [17] You shall not kill.     VI.[13]  You shall not kill.   VI. [18]  You shall not commit adultery.  VII. [14] You shall not commit adultery.  VII. [19] You shall not steal.  VIII.[15]  You shall not steal.   VIII. [20] You shall not bear dishonest witness against your neighbour.    IX. [16] You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.   IX. [21a] You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife.   X. [17] You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass, nor anything else that belongs to him. X. [21b] You shall not desire your neighbour’s [goods] house or field, nor his male or female, slave, nor his ox or ass, nor anything that belongs to him.

Commandments of Jesus.

 

Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind.

Love thy neighbour as thyself.

      As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in and my love.

      If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love.

     These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

     This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

                                                                       John 15: 9-12

 

"The Golden Rule"

So in everything, do unto others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

Yama and Niyama is the first and second limb of the eightfold path of yoga as outlined in the Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

                                                                                      

                               Yama:   Precepts of Social Discipline

Ahimsa - Non-violence.  

 Not harming other people or other sentient beings.

Not harming one-self.

Not harming the environment.

Tolerance even for that which we dislike.  

Not speaking that which, even though truthful, would injure others.

Satya -- Truthfulness.   Note that sometimes we may know our words are literally true, but do not convey what we know to be truthful. 

Satya means not intending to deceive others in our thoughts, as well as our words and actions.

Asteya -- Non-stealing.   Not taking that which is not given.

Brahmacarya -- Sexual responsibility  regarding others as human beings rather than as male and female bodies.  

The spirit of this precept is conservation of vital energy for the purpose of spiritual practice.   This includes not only sexual restraint, but conserving our energy by avoiding endless chattering with no clear purpose.

Aparigraha -- Abstention from greed.    

Not coveting that which is not ones own.  

Avoidance of acquisition of objects not essential to maintaining life or spiritual study.

Niyama:   Precepts of Individual Discipline

Sauca - Cleanliness. Not only external cleanliness of the body, but attending to internal cleanliness such as avoiding the impurities of the mind, such as anger, lust, greed and egoism.  

Moderation in diet.

Santosa -- Contentment. Not spiritual complacency, but acceptance of the external situation we are allotted in this life.

Tapas – Austerity, with deep commitment to spiritual yoga practice.  

Svadhyaya --Study.

Spiritual self-education.  

Contemplation and application of the scriptures or sacred texts of our chosen path.

Isvara pranidhana -- Surrender of the self or ego to God.   Acknowledgement that there is a higher principle in the universe than one's own small self.

 Modesty and Humility.

                                  

The Ten Commandments of Buddhism

1.  Do not destroy life.

2.  Do not take what is not given you.

3.  Do not commit adultery.

4.  Tell no lies and deceive no one.

5.  Do not become intoxicated.

6.  Eat temperately and not at all in the afternoons.

7.  Accept no gold or silver.

8.  Do not watch dancing, nor listen to singing or plays.

9.  Wear no garlands, perfumes or any adornments.

10.              Sleep not in luxurious beds.

Introduction

I give thanks to my teachers who over the years have guided me on a path of inner growth, peace and joy. My journey was one of continuous search for the meaning of life, and a quest for answers as to why we are here and what happens when our journey on this plane has come to an end.

I feel blessed to have been led to the way of Self-knowledge and Self-realization which I see as a light illuminating my Christian heritage, as it affords me a greater insight into the teachings of Christ. It has also provided me with insight into the great teachings of the masters from the East.

I have learned to acknowledge that there is more than one way that leads to God, and this has expanded my appreciation for all spiritual and religious thought. I have also become aware that through persistent effort, love and grace, we can all have a relationship with God. If you are searching for a fuller understanding and appreciation of life, I invite you to join me.

I am an ordained minister in the Kriya Yoga tradition and have instructed students in meditation, Kriya Yoga and matters pertaining to consciousness and spirituality for over 40 years.

Namaste.