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Raja Yoga Sutras (Chapter 2: Sadhana Pada – Spiritual Disciplines)
2.7. "Sukhanusayi Ragah"
➡️ Raga (Attraction) is the attachment that arises from dwelling on pleasure.
Commentary by Swami Vishnudevananda:
- Attachment to Pleasure Brings Suffering: While attraction to worldly pleasures may seem positive, it ultimately leads to pain due to the impermanence of the material world.
- The Trap of Desire: The endless pursuit of pleasure and the fear of losing it create restlessness and dissatisfaction.
- Yogic Detachment: By cultivating dispassion toward worldly pleasures, a yogi avoids disappointment, anger, and sorrow.
- True Contentment: The yogi, free from the cycle of craving and loss, remains happy and at peace by accepting things as they are.
Core Teaching:
Letting go of attachment to external pleasures leads to inner contentment and unshakable happiness.
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SEMAGLUTIDE X NAION
Recent studies have investigated the potential association between semaglutide—a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity—and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition leading to sudden vision loss due to reduced blood flow to the optic nerve.
Key Findings:
A matched cohort study involving 16,827 patients found that those prescribed semaglutide had a higher risk of developing NAION compared to those on non–GLP-1 RA medications. Specifically, the 36-month cumulative incidence of NAION was 8.9% in the semaglutide group versus 1.8% in the non–GLP-1 RA group among patients with type 2 diabetes. Similarly, among overweight or obese patients, the incidence was 6.7% for the semaglutide group compared to 0.8% for the non–GLP-1 RA group.
A Danish cohort study of 424,152 individuals reported that once-weekly semaglutide use doubled the five-year risk of developing NAION.
Conversely, a study published in the Ophthalmology journal suggested that semaglutide may not be associated with an increased risk of NAION in the general population.
Considerations:
While some studies indicate a potential increased risk of NAION with semaglutide use, the absolute risk remains low. For instance, in the Danish study, there were 32 cases of NAION among over 60,000 semaglutide users. Patients are advised to monitor any vision changes and consult healthcare providers to weigh the benefits and potential risks of semaglutide therapy.
Conclusion:
The association between semaglutide use and NAION is currently under investigation, with studies yielding varying results. Patients should be aware of this potential risk and discuss it with their healthcare providers to make informed decisions about their treatment options.
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NKB
quotes by Neem Karoli Baba, also known as Maharaj-ji, a beloved spiritual teacher known for his teachings on love, service, and devotion:
On Love and Compassion:
- "Love everyone, serve everyone, remember God."
- "The best form to worship God is every form."
- "When you see the world with the eyes of love, you will see God in everything."
On Service and Selflessness:
- "Feed everyone. Serve everyone."
- "A servant of God should be humble and not proud."
- "Always speak the truth."
On Faith and Surrender:
- "All is God’s will, but Maya prevents you from knowing it’s all God’s will."
- "Whatever may be Guru's wish, that is also my wish."
- "The heart never grows old."
On Simplicity and Devotion:
- "Keep God in your heart like you keep money in the bank."
- "Attachment is the strongest block to realization."
- "To see God everywhere, you must first see Him in yourself."
Neem Karoli Baba (Maharaj-ji) is known for many miraculous stories that his devotees have shared over the years. While he always emphasized love, service, and devotion over supernatural powers, many followers experienced profound and seemingly impossible events in his presence. Here are some of the most famous miracles attributed to Neem Karoli Baba:
1. Stopping a Train
When Neem Karoli Baba was a young man, he was reportedly thrown off a train for not having a ticket. After being removed, the train refused to move. The officials asked him to return, and once he did, the train immediately started moving again. This incident inspired many to believe in his divine presence.
2. Healing the Sick
Devotees frequently reported miraculous healings. For instance, Ram Dass (formerly Dr. Richard Alpert) shared how Maharaj-ji cured people of serious illnesses, including cancer and tuberculosis, simply by his blessings or by giving them prasad (blessed food).
3. Knowing the Unknown (Omniscience)
Neem Karoli Baba often demonstrated knowing intimate details about people’s lives without being told. Ram Dass was astonished when Maharaj-ji accurately described a deeply personal moment—his mother’s death—and even the thoughts in his mind.
4. Materializing Objects
Several accounts tell of Maharaj-ji producing fruits, sweets, and other items seemingly out of nowhere to share with visitors, especially when they were hungry or in need.
5. Controlling the Weather
Devotees recall how Maharaj-ji could stop storms or bring rain during droughts. In one instance, during a long dry spell, he blessed the ground, and rain came shortly after.
6. Protection from Danger
Maharaj-ji was known to protect his devotees from physical harm. There are stories of people surviving car accidents, snake bites, and other dangers after receiving his blessing or by calling on his name.
7. Appearing in Multiple Places
Many devotees claim to have seen Maharaj-ji in two or more places at the same time (a phenomenon known as bilocation). Even after his physical passing in 1973, followers continue to report visions of him in dreams and real life.
8. Changing Destiny
People believed that Maharaj-ji could alter the course of karma. He would tell devotees that sincere devotion and service could change their fate, and many reported miraculous shifts in their life circumstances after meeting him.
9. Reviving the Dead
A well-known story describes how Maharaj-ji revived a devotee’s dead child. After blessing the child and sprinkling water, the child reportedly came back to life.
10. Transforming Hearts
Perhaps Maharaj-ji’s most profound "miracle" was his ability to transform the hearts and minds of those who came to him. Skeptics, intellectuals, and seekers alike left his presence filled with love, humility, and a sense of the divine.
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