Articles

Avatars

AVATAR is a word that is commonly heard but rarely understood. In English, the word has come to mean "an embodiment, a bodily manifestation of the Divine." However, the Sanskrit word Avatara means "the descent of God" or simply "incarnation." Here is the definition based on India's ancient Vedas, the oldest and most comprehensive spiritual literature known to man:

The Avatara, or incarnation of Godhead, descends from the kingdom of God for [creating and maintaining the] material manifestation. And the particular form of the Personality of Godhead who so descends is called an incarnation, or Avatara.  Such incarnations are situated in the spiritual world, the kingdom of God.  When They descend to the material creation, They assume the name Avatara.
(Chaitanya-caritamrita 2.20.263 -264)

Avataras exhibit God's essential features: They are eternally existent and free from the laws of the matter, time and space. Although They have no obligation to come into contact with the material energy, the Avataras descend into this world for our own protection, instruction and redemption. Although They may potray human weaknesses such as grief and anger, They are never to be considered ordinary people. Human beings act out of earthly desire, fear and anger. The Avatar, however, acts out of His own blissfully divine nature performing exhuberant pastimes for the pleasure of His pure devotees.

God is one, yet He manifests Himself in innumerable forms within this world. There is the Darling Krishna Avatar whose beauty enchants the hearts of all; and the awesome Narasimha (the Man- Lion Avatar) who outwitted an ingenious demonic tyrant; and the regal form of Lord Rama Avatar whose example of truth and virtue is emulated even today. Each and every one of those forms has a particular mission; each Avatar being a unique revelation of the Absolute Truth.

Although the Avatars appear in different forms at different times, places and circumstances, They are the Selfsame Supreme Lord and Their purpose is one: to reveal the Absolute Truth in this world and remind its inhabitants of their eternal lives of blissful service to God in their original homeland, the spiritual world. This divine purpose is eloquently expressed by Lord Krishna in the world-famous Bhagavad-gita (4.7-8):

Whenever there is a decline in religious practice and a predominant rise of irreligion--at that time I descend Myself.  To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to establish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium.

The ultimate mission of incarnations is to arouse love of God everywhere.

Avatars Today

  Derek O'Neill

Derek P. O'Neill, DHP, MIAH, D PSYCH, is in private practice as a Psychotherapist, Hypnotherapist, Emotional Freedom and Meridian Therapist, Spiritual Counselor and Teacher, and Master Healer. He is a Reiki Grandmaster, Yogi in the lineage of Kriya Yoga, Master Teacher of the Rising Star Healing System and an Olympic Qualifier in Martial Arts. Derek is also a teacher in the healing arts of Reiki, Aura Reading, Dream Analysis, and Contacting Guides and Angels.

Derek's presence, humor, unconventional leadership, charm, spontaneity and unconditional love are forces to be experienced. A profound example of the Divine human potential, Derek is a way-shower of love, light, healing and truth in an era of need. His timely message prepares us for the next phase of human and planetary evolution, by enabling us to access the wisdom of the heart.
www.sq-wellness.com
  Sathya Sai Baba

Sathya Sai Baba is one of the most revered spiritual teachers in the world today whose life and message are inspiring millions of people throughout the world to turn God-ward and to lead more purposeful and moral lives. He is quietly transforming the world by re-establishing the eternal values of Truth (Sathya), Peace (Shanti), Love (Prema), Right Conduct (Dharma) and Non-violence (Ahimsa) in everyday living. His timeless and universal teachings, along with the manner in which he leads his own life, are attracting seekers of Truth from all the religions of the world. Yet, he is not seeking to start a new religion. Nor does he wish to direct followers to any particular religion.

At the age of fourteen, he announced that his name was Sathya Sai Baba and proclaimed his mission: to bring about the spiritual regeneration of humanity by demonstrating and teaching the highest principles of Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love and Non-violence. With that announcement, he left his childhood home and began his Mission.

http://www.sathyasai.org
  Ammachi

‘Amma’ as she is known all over the world today, has inspired and started innumerable humanitarian services. She has earned international recognition for her outstanding contributions to the world community. She is recognized as an extraordinary spiritual leader by the United Nations and by the people all over the world.

Though Amma makes no claims herself, those who watch her closely notice that she is the greatest example of her teaching. Her disciples and believers imbibe her teachings by just watching her.

For the past 30 years Amma has dedicated her life to the uplifting of suffering humanity through the simplest of gestures – an embrace. In this intimate manner Amma had blessed and consoled more than 21 million people throughout the world.

www.ammachi.com/index.html