Philosophy of The Natural Path
The Natural Path is a timeless science which provides tools to assist people in understanding themselves and their relation to the Universe. It is a technical system of personal development based on eternal principles. It is important to note that the discipline studied at the Institute of Sri Ramchandra Consciousness is in total consonance with that of traditions through the world and is Sanatana Dharma. The Natural Path refers to a living art. It cannot be simply outlined or defined, but must be profoundly experienced and comprehended through everyday life. Natural Path is not a religion, political, or traditional cultural knowledge, but a practical and profound teaching. Its study emphasizes discovering the true meaning behind every aspect of one’s life, including morality, consciousness, spirituality, freedom, energy management, knowing oneself, and communication with others. This approach allows one to solve daily problems and to answer life’s most pressing questions – not through book learning or ready-made formulas, but by using one’s hard-won life experience. What one gains through this process can never be taken away. Master has clearly stated certain fundamental principles and in this article I state them with the anticipation that the readers will read the original works of the Master Sri Ramchandraji Maharaj of Shahjahanpur, India. 1. The Principle of Consciousness. “THE ALL” IS Consciousness. The Universe is of the nature of Consciousness. This principle refers to the Natural understanding that everything in the universe, matter and energy, is a form of consciousness. Rocks, trees, people, planets and constellations are all Consciousness at different levels of density. This suggests the unity of all things, as well as the latent power of the human mind. 2. The Principle of Correspondence “As above, so below, as below, so above.” In one sense, this law states that the “whole” of a body is reflected in one “part.” This has been referred to in physics as the holographic nature of the Universe. This law describes many natural relationships, such as a cell of an organism containing the entire genetic information of the whole body. In spiritual life we understand as in the microcosm so in the macrocosm. 3. The Principle of Vibration “Nothing is in a state of rest; everything moves; everything vibrates.” Everything vibrates, and its vibratory rate determines its quality and place in the world. A person, for example, can have a high vibration (peace, happiness, confidence, esteem) or a low vibration (depression, hate, greed, jealousy, fear, etc). Through methods of the Natural Path, one can change a low vibration to a high vibration, and move steadily in spiritual life. 4. The Principle of Invertendo The flow of consciousness through vibrations inverts itself as it moves from the higher levels to lower levels and vice-versa. This inversion is the basis for formation of knots and consequent concentration of power within the knots. 5. The Principle of Parallelism. The Divinity is the base of everything. It is self contained and is in a state of dynamic balance. It is found in everything as an active principle. Divinity when it manifested created an outward expression of itself which reached its Zenith in the human beings. Master calls the former ie. The presence of Divinity in everything is a function of the Line of Divinity. The manifestation of the Divinity is called by him as the Line of humanity. Since they are from the same source and of the nature of consciousness they are parallel. But nature of the Line of humanity is towards manifestation and activity while that of the Line of divinity is self contentedness and balance. Therefore though they are parallel the Line of humanity runs apparently in the opposite direction. All sadhana has to be to reduce the activity of the Line of humanity and bring it in consonance with the nature of divinity or balance 6. The Principle of Polarity “Everything is Dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites; like and unlike are the same; opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree; extremes meet; all truths are but half-truths; all paradoxes may be reconciled.” The law of polarity teaches us to see things as localized on a continuum between two opposite “poles”, or extremes. Good and Evil are two poles within which we place every form of conduct or nature and are essentially relative. Among other things, this law aids us to see a grander, more unified view of all that exists. 7. The Principle of Rhythm “Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall; the pendulum-swing manifests in everything; the measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates.” The law of rhythm helps us to see the patterns that are an inextricable part of life as it relates to time. Days, nights, breaths, sleep, and wake cycles, the birth and death of nations, people, and solar systems all follow the law of rhythm. By being aware of these rhythms, we are able to make decisions, form and break habits, and see the possible outcomes of actions, and understand the world in which we live. 8. The Principle of Cause and Effect “Every Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause; everything happens according to Law; Chance is but a name for Law not recognized; there are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the Law.” We learn through this that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. There are no phenomena which do not have a cause or which is not the effect of something else. By carefully studying life with this law in mind, we come to be more aware of our actions and ourselves. 9. The Principle of Gender ”Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles; Gender manifests on all planes.” The law of gender states that in the creation of anything, two forces are necessary: an active (masculine) force, and a passive (feminine) force. It is to be noted that this law is not limited to biological events. These Principles describe the laws of nature as expressed in the Philosophy of Natural Path. Their breadth is wide enough to illustrate phenomena as diverse as electricity, emotions, cosmology, ecology, etc. Understanding these laws allows one to use them to act in a manner harmonious with Nature and life. Though simply stated, the principles are extraordinarily profound in meaning, and one’s comprehension of these laws increases as one attains higher levels of awareness. |