IFAST On-Line Mini-Courses
By Akrura dasa
INTRODUCTORY
COURSE 10 Principles of Higher Consciousness Leadership (HCL)
The
principles listed here are simple yet profound tools that you may want to
incorporate into your leadership / management style. To reap the greatest
benefit from these principles, you can include a meditation on these ten
essential principles of excellent leadership in your daily regimen. Also,
as you read each chapter, you can reflect on these ten essential
principles as a way to enhance your understanding. In addition, the first
exercise in each Course refers back to these principles as a reminder.
10
Higher Consciousness Leadership (HCL) Principles
1.
What of It? What For? So What?
This
meditation is designed to help us realize that many illusions can
influence or enslave us. Leo Tolstoy once wrote about a transition in his
life when he began to question everything, despite his great success.
Following Tolstoy's example, in this meditation envision yourself as
possessing great material abundance such as exorbitant wealth, worldwide
fame, vast knowledge, or dazzling beauty. Consider each of these areas in
turn, and others if you wish, realizing that it cannot be the ultimate
goal of life. Ask yourself the questions, "What of it?"
"What for?" "So what?"
2.
Not This Body
This
reflection helps us realize that we are more than just the physical body.
Therefore, we should not overreact or be overly attached to material
stimuli. The exercise consists of saying attentively: "I have a body
- but I am not this body"; "I have a mind - but I am not this
mind"; "I have a job - but I am not this job"; or "I
have a house - but I am not this house." Insert any problem into this
meditation to help yourself release any attachment to temporary phenomena.
3.
The Other Person's Point of View
This
practice helps us become more sensitive to another person's perception of
the situation, particularly during interpersonal conflicts. Choose a
conflict that has been troubling you. Write a letter to yourself as if you
were the opposing party trying to convince yourself of the opposite point
of view. Employ this letter-writing technique for any conflict.
4.
Seeing God Everywhere
This
contemplation helps us give more of ourselves to others and receive more
love from people in general. Practice seeing everyone as an energy of God.
5.
Everything Has a Purpose
There
are no coincidences. Because the universe is controlling higher agencies,
each encounter has come to us for a particular reason. We are subject to a
spiritual law similar to a law of physics: every action produces a
corresponding reaction. Therefore, we can try to discover the lesson in
every occurrence. The exercise is to turn negative events into positive
ones and positive events into even better ones. If we learn from all
events, then everything that happens can become a positive occurrence
because we have become wiser.
6.
Accountability
The
knowledge that we are monitored by the Supreme and His angelic hosts will
encourage us to live more righteously in order to be rewarded rather than
punished. The exercise is to imagine that we are always being monitored by
God's all-seeing eyes.
7.
Call for Love
This
practice helps us appreciate the many forms in which a call for help can
come and reminds us to always examine ourselves to see how we have helped
others. The exercise is to see all interactions as either a giving of love
or a call for love.
8.
Love in Action
This
technology helps us shower everyone and everything in our environment with
vibrant love. The exercise is to see ourselves as embodiments of love in
action.
9.
Near Death
Imagine
that your doctor has just informed you that you have a serious case of
cancer or AIDS, and that you are going to die in three months. If this
were your fate, how would you live each of your last days differently?
This reflection helps remind us that we can never be certain how much
longer we will remain in this material body. Therefore, we must not
procrastinate or have a weak list of priorities. Important things -
essential things - must be done now!
10.
A Second Chance
We
must live each day in readiness to depart if our appointment with death
arrives. The exercise is to imagine that you are dying right now, and can
see what you are leaving behind and the effect that your death will have
on others. What are your last thoughts? What are your regrets? What things
have you left undone? You should do these things today.
©
2000 The Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology
Part
I Raising Consciousness
Course
1: The Phenomenon of Love
1.
Refer to the ten HCL Principles in the Introductory Course, working with
numbers 7 and 8 in particular. Practice being the embodiment of love in
all your interactions, and consider the actions of others as either
expressions of love or calls for help.
2.
Lust and love are two eternal forces, two currents of energy constantly
swirling around us. Visualize yourself in the center of an ocean. If you
swim to the left you will be carried by a current of lust; if you swim to
the right you will enter a current of love. Make your choice. Appreciate
how this is analogous to your daily experiences, in which each moment you
can choose which current to follow.
3.
Although love may be painful when it is experienced in the form of
truthfulness and knowledge, remind yourself that you will not deviate from
acting with integrity, even if you are misunderstood. This reminder will
serve to strengthen your resolve and reinforce the positive energy around
you.
4.
Imagine scenarios of yourself succumbing to lust, which, you may recall,
is misdirected love. Let these images serve as a strong deterrent to
prevent yourself from ever behaving in such a manner.
5.
As an exercise in loving yourself as a soul, speak to your soul each day.
Honor it and thank it because it is a part of God. Remember that if you do
not love yourself with proper self-esteem, you cannot love others deeply.
6.
You are a warrior. Visualize yourself attacking negative energy with your
weapon of knowledge, your shield of compassion and your armor of love.
This is especially useful when you are negotiating with those of a
different mindset, when you are being attacked by opponents, or when you
feel that your efforts are misunderstood or unappreciated.
7.
Keep taking inventory of your thoughts, words, and actions to see if you
love your neighbor as yourself or even more than yourself. Be honest. To
the extent that your thoughts are misaligned, focus on bringing them into
accord with the power of love.
8.
Always see yourself as a caretaker of God's property, treating everything
in your care with greater respect than you would if it were your own.
9.
In ancient times a leader was considered both a representative of God and
an administrator whose beneficial actions increased people's love. See
yourself as such a leader, and practice constantly to maintain this level
of consciousness. In your role as a representative of God, accept
everything that is offered, passing everything on to God without claiming
proprietorship. Give God the credit for your achievements and express
gratitude for your willingness to share your abundance with those in your
charge.
10.
See yourself as a vehicle for contagious love that spreads to others
wherever you go. Everyone around you then becomes a carrier, radiating the
same selfless love to still others.
©
2000 The Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology
Course
2: The Source of True Happiness
1.
Review the ten HCL Principles given in the Introductory Course,
concentrating on numbers 2 and 4. Happiness on earth is knowing that as
you learn to be in this world but not of it - in control of your senses
and not overly attached - you will soon be released to return home. Be
aware throughout your daily activities of your level of attachment, and to
what degree you identify with your own body and the bodies of others. Also
notice how often you see another person as an energy of God.
2.
Do the following exercise with a small child, or even with an adult. Ask
the person to point to different body organs and limbs. Then ask,
"But where are you?" and witness the bewilderment that ensues.
Notice how we are so aware of what we use or own but are unaware of our
own essence - the spirit soul.
3.
Look at pictures of yourself, or of a child of yours, at different ages.
Reflect on how your body and personality, or your child's body and
personality, have been constantly changing. Remind yourself that, although
the body has changed so much and continues to change, the actual person -
the soul in the body - remains the same.
4.
Many people, especially in Western countries, have never seen a dead human
body. Remedy this situation by going to a funeral home just to observe the
bodies there. Notice how each body is just an outward shell. As soon as
the soul is gone, life ceases. We say the person has "died"
when, in reality, the body has been discarded and the soul has left.
5.
Sometimes we can perceive immediately that we "reap what we
sow," because the karmic reaction is not delayed. Reflect on periods
in your life when many things seemed to be going wonderfully. You may
notice that at those times you were treating others very favorably. Such
treatment produces reciprocation in kind. Now notice the opposite.
6.
Have you ever met someone for the first time whom you felt you already
knew? Have you ever visited a place for the first time and come away
feeling you had been there before? On some occasions, perhaps you have
even been able to describe certain aspects of a place before you
physically went there. Be aware that these experiences may be a result of
past-life memories.
7.
Evaluate your own activities in terms of the three modes of material
nature. What modes seem to be governing your life at different times?
Which mode generally predominates? Study some of your associates and try
to identify which modes they are expressing in different situations.
8.
Whenever you feel lonely, forsaken and misunderstood, talk to the Lord in
the heart and feel solace in knowing that He cares and is always with you.
9.
Recall a time when you had a very high fever, or were otherwise ill, and
were not conscious of your body. Or notice upon awakening each morning
that when you were asleep you experienced a reality separate from your
physical body.
10.
Meditate daily on your real home, which is in the kingdom of God where
there is full knowledge, eternity and bliss. Know that you will be totally
satisfied there, because you will be in full connection with the soul
rather than with these cumbersome material bodies.
©
2000 The Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology
Course
3: Activating Higher Energies
1.
As you review the ten HCL Principles mentioned in the Introductory Course,
note how each of them can help you remain calm during your daily
activities and give you a clearer sense of direction. Pay special
attention to number 5, and practice transmuting negative energy into
positive energy in all your leadership endeavors.
2.
Monitor your thoughts carefully. As you think of someone lovingly, angrily
or lustfully, note how that person becomes unconsciously affected by your
energies.
3.
Read from spiritual texts for half an hour or so before going to bed. Try
to reflect on the subject matter as you fall asleep. Also listen to
relaxing, spiritually-oriented music. These measures will create a
protective climate during the night.
4.
If you feel that a place is occupied by negative energy, you can light
incense, sing spiritual songs, chant or put on a tape of prayers to God as
soon as you enter. You may also use pictures of saints or other divine
beings to purify the atmosphere, especially if you are going to sleep
there. Since every environment absorbs the energy of those who frequent
it, in both gross and subtle forms, take these measures in all new
environments. Such purifying activities will also raise the energy in the
atmosphere in general.
5.
Instead of worrying, replace your worries with a visual image of the
outcome you want to create. Help that image manifest, rather than feeding
emotional energy into the thought form you fear.
6.
As you develop the habit of energizing only positive mental images, your
thoughts, words, and deeds will automatically reflect a higher state of
being. Notice the changes in your life that occur as a result.
7.
Always use methods such as forgiveness, prayer, meditation, or energy
transmutation to release the low vibrations of anger, resentment, or envy.
Otherwise, these negative energies will produce serious blockages that can
eventually lead to mental or physical illness.
8.
Make the effort to become a more well-rounded and whole person,
maintaining a healthy balance between your masculine and feminine
energies. In such a state you will uplift consciousness wherever you go.
9.
Spend some time recharging yourself by getting away for self-rejuvenation.
Being close to nature and associating with the elements can be very
refreshing. It brings out creativity and lets you shed some of the weight
you normally carry.
10.
Practice raising the consciousness of those who try to attack you. First,
remember there is no attack unless you accept it. See these attacks as
calls for help, and review what you will do or say the next time to help
your would-be attackers. This will protect you and help them as well.
©
2000 The Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology
Course
4: Expanded Realities for the Mind
1.
Meditate on the ten HCL Principles listed in the Introductory Course each
night before going to sleep. From them, select a theme or question and
request a dream to help deepen your understanding and give you guidance.
2.
Be aware of the relationship between your state of mind and your physical
condition. Through self-examination, discover negative thoughts and
feelings that may be harming your health, and take steps to release or
transmute them. Refer to the preceding chapter for suggestions about how
to do this.
3.
Try not to go to bed on a full stomach. Eat several hours before sleeping
so your food will have time to digest. Observe the effects for yourself.
One night, go to sleep immediately after a full meal and notice how you
feel in the morning. Another time, wait several hours after eating before
you retire. You will probably feel the difference the next day.
4.
If you want to remember your dreams better, keep a tape recorder or
notebook at your bedside. Immediately upon awakening, before you begin
moving around, reflect on your dream experiences. Then record them.
5.
Assess your attitude toward psychic phenomena. Do you scoff at them or
consider them irrelevant to your work? Take some time to consider the
importance that paranormal abilities might have to you as a leader, either
in your own actions or in understanding the actions of others.
6.
Try rising at 4:00 or 5:00 a.m. to write, reflect, meditate, chant, pray,
study or engage in other productive activities. These are the most potent
hours of the entire day. If you are not excessively tired from staying up
late the previous night, you will notice an increased quality in your work
or spiritual practice. You can also use these hours to make more
thoughtful and effective decisions.
7.
Explore the potential of suggestology or superlearning to enhance your own
ability to absorb large amounts of information quickly, and encourage
others to do so.
8.
Take some quiet time each day to listen to the voice of your own
intuition. In the silence, ask for general or specific guidance and then
allow thoughts and images to emerge. You may want to write them down.
Trust that they have meaning for you, and heed their messages.
9.
Make an effort to get to know individuals who have special healing powers
or other paranormal abilities. Speak with them about their work, and learn
from them. Find ways to apply your learning in your leadership role.
10.
In your daily life, pay attention to hunches, unexplainable feelings, or
ideas that seem to come unbidden. Consider that these may be valuable
sources of guidance, and do not discount them. At the same time, monitor
your motivations and use your common sense to validate these hunches,
feelings and ideas to ensure that they are not based on illusion.
©
2000 The Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology
Part
II Developing Skills
Course
1: Patience, Tolerance and Empathy: Keys to Effective Leadership
1.
Read over the ten HCL Principles in the Introductory Course, concentrating
on numbers 1, 3, 4 and 7. Practice applying these in everyday life.
Whenever you are disturbed, try to put the situation in perspective by
reminding yourself about the ultimate goal of life. In the midst of a
conflict, remember to see your would-be opponent as an energy of God, and
to consider the problem from that person's point of view. Keep in mind
that disruptive behavior is actually a call for love.
2.
Patience does not mean tolerating someone from a superior vantage point,
considering the other as an inferior or foolish person. Instead, patience
means extending yourself and trying to understand the other's position.
Once again, remember that each action is either a gift of love or a call
for love.
3.
See yourself as a co-creator with the Supreme Lord, and be careful what
you create or draw to you.
4.
Try to have several important projects so that you will not become too
impatient with any particular one that may not be progressing at your
desired speed.
5.
Do your best, but do not be overly attached to the results of any
endeavor. The ultimate outcome is up to the Creator. If you think you are
the sole controller, you will become a serious failure in the long run.
6.
Practice laughing at situations that are causing you anxiety, realizing
that the problem is temporary and that you have the power to make a
change. In particular, learn to laugh at negative dictates from your mind.
Establish that you are different from your mind and that you have the
ability to accept or reject its offerings.
7.
Be in the world but not of it. The present highly mechanized impersonal
structure of modern society encourages impatience, intolerance and erratic
behavior.
8.
Practice being unaffected by the envy of others. You will gradually learn
to be concerned about their welfare but undisturbed by their behavior.
Bless those who wish you misfortune. This blessing reduces their ability
to harm you, because your positive energy counteracts their negative
energy. Remember to apply the science of love in all circumstances.
9.
Check your thoughts and actions constantly to ensure that you are not
exploiting or abusing others. Remember that a leader is a servant and not
a special person who deserves privileges unavailable to most people.
10.
Make a report to God every night about your day's performance. Note those
areas that need improvement and make commitments to make specific changes.
©
2000 The Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology
Course
2: Exercising Careful Scrutiny
1.
Refer to the ten HCL Principles listed in the Introductory Course,
focusing especially on numbers 1 and 5. Remember to examine each situation
carefully to discover the truth beneath any appearances that may exist on
the surface. Also, because there are no coincidences, seek the positive
lessons inherent in apparently negative events.
2.
Try to appreciate the essence, or intimate nature, of situations. Look for
the universal principles to help you establish bridges, develop better
communications, and build genuine unity.
3.
As you seek the common denominator, look for how a higher good can come
out of each situation, and take steps to make it happen.
4.
Continue your practice of seeing everyone as an energy of God, and
appreciate how we are all lovingly connected. Use this approach even with
your so-called enemies. Everyone will benefit.
5.
Visualize the connection between your life force and the life force
throughout the universe. Since you have access to universal reservoirs of
power, intelligence, and love, do not think small. Instead, as you purify
yourself, think of yourself as also purifying the world, positively
affecting the collective world consciousness. Everything is available to
you if you connect properly.
6.
Reflect in a way that keeps you in a constant state of meditation even
with your eyes open. Always examine each situation carefully in order to
gain the maximum benefit from each interaction.
7.
As you observe beauty in the world, consider how exquisite the source of
all beauty must be. Allow this awareness to increase your interest in
contacting the Godhead itself, the Creator and Reservoir of beauty and
pleasure.
8.
Remember that the ideal is neither to let your senses run wild through
superficial attractions nor to suppress your desires. Instead, you can
learn to replace lower desires with higher ones.
9.
By nature, human beings are seekers of altered states of consciousness.
However, using drugs, alcohol, or other artificial means to experience
deeper states of consciousness will ultimately do nothing but increase
frustration. Such temporary stimulation can be replaced with ecstasy from
natural consciousness-raising activities.
10.
Because there is nothing but God, practice seeing everything as alive -
inanimate objects as well as animate beings. This attitude will help you
to approach everything in a more open and respectful way.
©
2000 The Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology
Course
3: Resolving Conflict for the Benefit of All
1.
Review the ten HCL Principles in the Introductory Course, all of which are
directly relevant to conflict resolution. Select two or three that strike
you the most, and consider how they can help you resolve your own
conflicts and facilitate others to resolve theirs.
2.
Reflect upon the conflicts in your life. For each one, list your secondary
needs as defined in this chapter. Now, go more deeply into each situation
and discover your primary needs. Write them down as well. Based upon your
primary needs, can you find alternative ways of getting what you want?
3.
Whenever you experience conflict with another person, consider how that
person may be reflecting back to you traits that you do not want to
acknowledge in yourself. Probe beneath the surface to identify the essence
of those characteristics you have in common, which may not be readily
apparent. For example, perhaps someone constantly interrupts you, a
behavior in which you do not engage. Yet, are there other ways that you
interfere with people, do not listen, seek to dominate, or are impatient?
4.
Examine some of your inner conflicts. In a spirit of honest self-inquiry,
seek to discover the types of material attachments that are causing the
difficulty. With compassion for you, practices letting these attachments
go. Monitor other areas of your life where the same attachments may be
creating problems.
5.
Practice addressing with honesty, firmness, and compassion the conflicts
among those you lead. Create a safe, impartial environment in which the
parties can communicate their concerns openly and directly, with the
confidence that their differences can be fairly resolved. Remember that
unacknowledged or unresolved conflicts create a negative atmosphere and
sap energy.
6.
As you perform your duties, notice how every word you hear and every
action you witness is either an expression of love or a call for love.
Remember to respond to the calls for love with love, regardless of
whatever outer action is necessary. Practice being a loving presence for
everyone, and observe any changes that occur.
7.
Be careful to consider cultural factors when helping to resolve conflicts,
and notice other superficial differences that may give rise to disputes.
Help the parties discover their commonalities beneath these differences.
8.
Find ways to demonstrate to all parties in a conflict that not only are
they actually requesting the same thing, using different expressions, but
that as one party is helped, the other benefits. Help them be creative in
seeking solutions that are productive to everyone involved. Encourage them
to view the conflict as an opportunity for mutual problem solving.
9.
Remember that universal, primary human needs cannot be compromised.
Therefore, any room for negotiation will exist in the area of secondary
needs, which provide a number of alternative ways to fulfill these
universal, primary needs.
10.
Practice preventive maintenance. Create opportunities for those you lead
to communicate with you and with one another on a regular basis, in an
environment that promotes honest, friendly, supportive airing of concerns.
Encourage everyone to engage in mutual creative problem solving at an
early stage to prevent small problems from developing into larger, more
complex conflicts later on.
©
2000 The Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology
Course
4: Managing Time in Relationship to Reality
1.
Reread the ten HCL Principles in the Introductory Course, paying special
attention to numbers 9 and 10. Use these reflections as reminders not to
procrastinate, but to complete important priorities now. Also, examine
your current priorities and reorganize them if necessary.
2.
Work more efficiently, with emphasis on improving quality over quantity in
all of your endeavors.
3.
Each day, reflect on your short-term and long-term goals.
4.
View your time not as your own but as belonging to those you lead and to
God. If you have one hour, multiply it by the number of people for whom
you are responsible. For example, if you have 200 people under your
management-or 200 million-and you waste one hour, then you will waste
200-or 200 millionhours of their valuable time.
5.
Be clever with transitional time. Always keep a small pad with you to
write down ideas, information, and realizations. Do not have periods in
your day when you are doing nothing; it is God's time.
6.
If you work with people of different cultures, pay attention to their
perceptions of time and space. This awareness will establish more
harmonious communications. Especially in the Third World, create alternate
plans, always considering that the original plan may not work out.
7.
Practice maintaining a state of equipoise, not being overly affected by
happiness or distress. When something apparently bad happens to you, study
it closely to see what you can learn from it. Also, take the attitude that
you deserved worse. Consider that God in His mercy gave you only a token
of what you deserved, and this only for your personal growth. When
something good happens to you, practice seeing yourself as unworthy but
blessed by the mercy of the Supreme.
8.
Get a better quality of sleep and sleep less. Also feed questions to your
higher self and spiritual helpers before going to sleep so that you
receive guidance to assist you in your waking state.
9.
Avoid small talk or gossip; such activity not only wastes time but also
depletes your energy and increases sexual agitation.
10.
Do things right the first time. Mistakes weaken everyone's morale and
waste valuable time that cannot ever be recovered.
©
2000 The Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology
Course
5: Reducing Stress for Greater Health and Productivity
1.
Refer to the ten HCL Principles in the Introductory Course, asking
yourself which of them can help you the most to reduce the stress in your
life. Select one or two and work with them each day.
2.
As a leader, you run an extremely high risk of encountering stress-related
problems. Determine whether or not you have been experiencing some of the
psychological and physiological complications of stress mentioned in this
chapter. If you have, take steps to remedy the situation.
3.
Be honest and straightforward in your dealings with others. Too much
duplicity and dishonesty can cause stress-related problems.
4.
The conveniences of modern life are causing us to amuse, enjoy, and relax
ourselves to death. Explore ways in which you can create a more natural
lifestyle.
5.
Encourage those you are responsible for to engage in healthy exercise and
to eat properly. Do the same yourself.
6.
See that your employees do not have to take work home often. If they
usually do, arrange for more vacation time for them.
7.
Engage in regular meditation, especially in chanting or meditating on the
holy names of God.
8.
Regulation minimizes stress. Organize and regulate your life, and
encourage others to do the same.
9.
Your body and mind have interesting ways of speaking to you. Listen to
them. Do not wait until it is too late. Make adjustments in your
consciousness and in your lifestyle as soon as you experience any sign of
stress.
10.
A weak, conflicted or faulty belief system can cause agonizing stress. If
your belief system is value-based, strong, grounded and mature, you will
experience few, if any, stress-related problems. However, if you are
experiencing constant stress, or if you want to help others who have such
problems, then examine the underlying beliefs. Ask some of the following
questions: Who am I? What is my aim in life? What is important? What do I
believe in?
©
2000 The Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology
PartIII
Taking Action
Course
1: Providing Protection and Freedom from Fear
1.
Review the ten HCL Principles in the Introductory Course, especially
numbers 3 and 7. Make efforts to understand the feelings and perceptions
of those you lead, and behave as if God were watching your every action.
2.
Remind yourself and those who work for you that the more others feel
protected and secure, the more they will automatically offer support,
cooperation and love.
3.
In order to minimize fear and uncertainty among those whom you lead, make
sure that your policies are clearly explained and communicated.
4.
As much as possible, tend to the basic needs of those for whom you are
responsible, providing adequate income, shelter, education, food, and
medical care. If you cannot provide these, you are forcing them to seek
relief elsewhere.
5.
Now that the world has become one global village, remember that tribal,
civil, or religious wars anywhere affect everyone and can even be the
catalyst for a world war. Be aware that when you resolve local conflicts,
you are helping create world peace, and that if you allow these conflicts
to continue, you are endangering the planet.
6.
Because criminals can undermine the authority of any government or
organization, creating a climate of fear and anxiety, you must deal with
them efficiently and effectively. If people know that their leader is
honest and genuine, they will be less likely to engage in crimes
themselves. Everyone is affected by the tone set by the chief, and will
follow a leader's example. Therefore, be sure to provide a positive role
model.
7.
Publicly reward those who display altruistic concern, whether these be
other leaders, officials, employees, family members or unknown
individuals. In addition, encourage other departments or organizations to
do this regularly, in order to support such behavior as the norm. To
create greater awareness of altruism, invite as many people as possible to
participate in selecting the award-winners. Place pictures of the winners
in prominent places, and do whatever else is needed to make these awards a
very popular yet serious process.
8.
As funds become available that were formerly spent on defense, you will
have more opportunities to invest in health and educational programs. Be
careful to balance these areas effectively so that one does not suffer
because of the other.
9.
Show by clear example that you will neither take advantage of others nor
tolerate any exploitation of the people by your representatives. If
someone does exploit others, deal with that person quickly and firmly.
10.
Make it a matter of pride to be fair and respectful in all your dealings
with others, and encourage others to follow your example.
©
2000 The Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology
Course
2: The Dangers of Overconsumption and Misdirected Development
1.
Reread the ten technologies in the Introductory Course. Consider how each
of them can assist you in caring for this earth and making wise
environmental decisions. Select one or two to keep in mind as you make
decisions that affect the well-being of this planet's resources and
ecosystems.
2.
Look closely at your own lifestyle and notice areas where you are
excessive or overindulgent. Make a list of these areas and what you plan
to do about each. As you make an actual change, cross out that category
until you have eliminated all areas.
3.
When is the last time you took a simple camping trip, spent some time in a
village or in the country, or just went for a walk in a forest or park?
Try to make this a weekly or at least a monthly affair. Admiring nature
and simple villages, or communing with the elements, can raise your
consciousness tremendously. Such rejuvenating activities are essential for
your well-being.
4.
Note your own leadership style. Where are you emphasizing monetary
concerns and minimizing quality of life? See how many improvements you can
make before the year is over. Arrange your future planning to consider the
effects of your policies.
5.
Educate those you lead. Use the motto "simple living with high
thinking" in your conversations and speeches. Avoid over-corrupted,
complicated living and whimsical, selfish, exploitative thinking.
6.
Do not hesitate to study all of your major projects to see if the plans
meet the practical needs of your people. Leaders in the developing world
should use local and national resources and appropriate technology as much
as possible, even to the point of occasionally sacrificing quality.
Self-sufficiency can go hand-in-hand with material and spiritual
development.
7.
Become familiar with limited growth and 'small is beautiful' approaches to
development. Study recent literature or contact such groups as the
Intermediate Technology Society of England and others. Use the material
and expertise available to you to plan healthy, effective development.
8.
Observe the birds, squirrels, insects, fish and other forms of life.
Notice how simply they live and how God provides for them so nicely. These
reflections will help you release many fears and attachments.
9.
Be aware of the impact of all decisions you make as a leader. Think
carefully about their short-term and long-term effects on your family,
your immediate community, your nation and your world, and about their
influence on future generations. If you discover potentially harmful
consequences, reconsider your decisions and make new, more constructive,
choices. Encourage others to do the same.
10.
Read some of the newest information about recycling and about conserving
energy. See how your organization, community, or country can be more
efficient and less wasteful.
©
2000 The Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology
Course
3: Agricultural Development and Basic Nutrition
1.
Reread the ten HCL Principles in the Introductory Course, concentrating on
numbers 3, 4, and 8. Imagine that an animal awaiting slaughter could speak
to you; what might it say? Remember that animals, too, are energies of
God. Keeping in mind that your role as a leader is to be an example of
love in action, reconsider your attitude about killing animals for food.
2.
If you eat meat, reflect on the direct role your meat-eating plays in
maintaining world hunger. Because of meat-eating, the world has 10 to 20
times less land for agricultural development and about 16 times less grain
available for human consumption. If you have not already done so, make the
sacrifice to become a vegetarian for the benefit of humanity and for your
own health and consciousness.
3.
Realize that by being a vegetarian you are inspiring others to follow your
example. Take specific steps to encourage vegetarianism among those you
lead. Aside from its other benefits, vegetarianism will help reduce heart
disease and cancer, two of the most devastating diseases on the planet.
4.
The next time you are tempted to partake of meat, imagine the inhumane
environment in which many animals are raised and slaughtered. Do you want
to support such practices? Do you want the energy of suffering, terrorized
animals as part of your diet?
5.
Visualize the last time you encountered the body of a dead animal on the
streetÑhow it had already started to rot and had such an intense odor.
Remember that such decay happens to the human body as well. Consider
whether you actually want decomposing flesh inside your stomach.
6.
If you need additional encouragement to become vegetarian, here are some
graphic reflections for you. Every time you eat flesh, you are making your
body a graveyard, because you are taking a corpse into your system.
Realize as you eat the animal's heart, breast, neck, back, legs and even
feet - along with its blood - that some might perceive your behavior as
cannibalistic.
7.
As a powerful reconditioning practice, spend a few moments observing some
pigs. Notice how they eat anything: rats, worms, even stool. Then, if you
eat pork, consider that you are also indirectly partaking of the same
abominable diet. Also, if you like the idea of tapeworms eating your
insides, then continue with your meat diet. Tapeworms thrive on dead
flesh.
8.
Visit a slaughterhouse or an area where animals are lined up, awaiting
slaughter. You may be surprised to notice how desperately they cry out;
indeed, some cry out all day long and sound like small children.
9.
As you know, according to karmic law, violence breeds violence, and the
slaughter of animals can increase hostility among human beings even to the
point of war. Be happy to see yourself contributing to world peace as you
abstain from eating meat. Whenever you are tempted to eat flesh, affirm to
yourself that you are an agent of world peace and not of destruction.
10.
Be mindful to eat foods in the mode of goodness; pay attention to who
prepares your food; and be careful when eating in public.
©
2000 The Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology
Course
4: Harnessing Sexual Energy for World Peace
1.
Refer to the ten HCL Principles in the Introductory Course, paying special
attention to numbers 6 and 8. Assess your sexual behavior and attitudes in
terms of accountability and love. Do you act in ways for which you are
willing to be accountable to God? Do you express love in action?
2.
Be aware of the climate you establish in your family, organization or
nation. Create an environment of respect and love that does not condone
promiscuity or sexual exploitation of others.
3.
Remember that your personal life has an impact upon your effectiveness as
a leader. Evaluate your sexual habits to discover any inconsistencies
between what you say publicly and what you do privately. If you find
discrepancies, take steps to align your private behavior with your desire
to lead and serve others.
4.
Examine your ability and willingness to regulate all of your senses in
order to bring your life more into harmony with divine will. To the extent
that you serve your senses, you are unavailable to serve others or God.
5.
Develop and implement policies to minimize the spread of sexually
transmitted diseases. Remember that an important preventive measure is a
climate that does not condone sexual excesses.
6.
Rather than avoiding the issue, take some time to consider deeply your
attitudes and feelings about abortion. Remember that every living being is
an energy of God and that the Supreme is monitoring all your actions. Do
these considerations have an impact upon your point of view?
7.
Monitor attitudes toward sexual abuse and sexual harassment within
yourself and among those you lead. Create an environment that does not
tolerate abuse and harassment in any form.
8.
Cultivate the higher pleasures of the senses by developing your awareness
of the more subtle levels of existence and opening yourself to the
possibility of spiritual ecstasy. Encourage others to do the same.
9.
Ensure that women are taken seriously and treated with respect, and be
vigilant for subtle forms of sexual exploitation or condescension. Bring
these into the open and make it clear that they are not acceptable.
10.
Be aware of the types of sexual stimulation to which those you lead are
exposed. Help reduce the amount of sexual overtones in the media, and
encourage those who produce movies, television programs and advertisements
to consider the impact of what they present to the public. Develop
incentives for more constructive programming.
©
2000 The Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology
Course
5: Mind Control and Manipulation: Keys to Progress or Destruction?
1.
Revisit the ten HCL Principles in the Introductory Course, considering how
each of them in turn can help your mind avoid manipulation and control by
others. Select one or two of the most powerful ones for you, and work with
them whenever you feel the need for protection.
2.
Envision the mind as a clown constantly trying to harass you, and
visualize yourself as unaffected by its attempts.
3.
Be mindful of your associations. Seek out people of higher energy levels
and avoid those who drain you. If you find yourself in the presence of
someone emitting negative energy, remember to use the energy of love to
upgrade that personÕs state and protect yourself.
4.
Be careful about the sounds you hear as well as those you emit. Sound has
a powerful influence upon the mind. Play different types of music and
notice how you are stimulated differently by each style.
5.
Keep in mind the importance of mantras and affirmations that call on the
name of God. Whenever you feel vulnerable, remember that these are a
powerful defense. Use them.
6.
Avoid alcohol and drugs, because they can make you more susceptible to
lower vibrations, psychic attacks and intrusions.
7.
As discussed earlier, change to a vegetarian diet if you have not already
done so. You are harming yourself by eating meat, which after all is part
of a dead body.
8.
Do not enslave your mind by gambling. It makes you susceptible to control
by negative influences.
9.
Avoid illicit sex. Pursue true love, not lust. Negativity, psychic attack,
and mind control feed on lust.
10.
Assess your mind's strengths and weaknesses, and make a list of your
vulnerabilities. Then write down steps you can take to improve. Take those
steps, knowing that every improvement is an additional protection against
mind control and manipulation by others.
©
2000 The Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology
Course
6: Encouraging Religious Tolerance
1.
Reread the ten HCL Principles in the Introductory Course, with a view to
understanding how many different religions address each of these concerns.
Make an effort to grasp the universality of these themes across all forms
of religious practice.
2.
Meditate on different examples of the way in which all activities are a
form of service, involving one person serving another. Consider how the
essence of religion is service and love of God.
3.
If other religions make you insecure or if you find them intolerable, then
it is time to examine your own religious system much more deeply. If you
are unable to do so, at least consider a change in attitude. Sectarianism
on your part means you have chosen to limit your reality, and therefore
you can only be a leader of a narrow sect rather than of all people. A
good leader seeks to achieve unity in diversity, and any serious endeavors
toward local and world peace must be based upon this approach.
4.
Remember the three universal truths given by many prophets:
-Love
God with all your heart and soul and put nothing before God. -Love your
neighbor as yourself. -Seek the kingdom of God because this world is not
your home.
Let
these common threads help you see the universality of all bona fide
prophets and religious traditions.
5.
Use the following three-way check system to validate the genuineness of
religious systems. A healthy religion is supported by:
-
bona fide scriptures - bona fide present-day saints - bona fide
self-realized individuals of the past and present who have transcendental
contact, such as sons of God, ascended masters, saints or gurus
When
a religion meets all of these criteria, you can feel secure about its
validity. In addition, each of the three criteria themselves should be
validated by the other two.
6.
Make it a practice to remind those you lead that although God has many
names, there is only one Supreme Being, the Mother-Father of us all.
Remind yourself that you, as the leader, play the role of an earthly
parent. Check to see that you treat your people with a parental loving
spirit.
7.
A dynamic leader enjoys working with powerful individuals, and people who
have made religious commitments can manifest tremendous strength. Do not
try to deny or suppress such strength, but instead guide it properly for
the unity of your nation, organization or family, and for the higher good
of humankind.
8.
In order to create more unity among those in your charge, and to
counteract negative influences, encourage them collectively to call on the
sacred names of God according to their own traditions. For instance,
during celebrations or calamities, or at regular weekly or monthly
gatherings, invite people to chant and meditate profoundly on the LordÕs
holy names.
9.
Help create more unity by periodically visiting the major religious
festivals of each tradition, or by finding some other way to honor the
religious traditions of those you lead. Constantly remind people about the
need for unity and religious tolerance, and encourage everyone to make
their religious commitments manifest through service, helping to improve
the quality of life in all areas for all people.
10.
Take a moment to study your own religious feelings and commitments. Do
your beliefs tolerate the faith of others? How long has it been since you
had an interfaith dialogue?
©
2000 The Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology
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