Level 1, Lesson #6 Audio Assignment: Great Truths of SN chant
1) What are the main the main teachings brought out in the recording?
Neberdjer is the formless, genderless being that sustains and encompasses the totality of the universe and everything in it. Emanating from Neberdjer are the Neteru, or aspects of the divine that are represented as gods and goddesses. Unrighteous thoughts and actions create mental impurities such as anger, hatred, greed, and jealousy that cloud a person’s ability to perceive the Divine. Dedicating one’s life to the Divine serves to wash away these mental impurities. Through integrated practice of the Shedy disciplines, or Rech-Ab (Wisdom,) Ari (Righteous Action and Selfless Service), Uashu (Devotion,) and Uaa (Meditation,) a person will ultimately experience oneness with the Divine.
2) Are you currently implementing the teachings given in the book and lecture? If so which one(s)?
I am actively developing my practice of each of the 4 disciplines.
Study of the Wisdom teachings comes most naturally to me. I have always been interested in studying texts related to philosophy and mysticism, and I don’t find it takes a great deal of effort for me to spend some time studying the wisdom teachings every day.
3) If not then how will you implement the teachings you are not currently practicing, in your life and spiritual practice?
I have always been interested in Meditation, but have had difficulty sustaining a regular meditation practice. On about 60-65% of mornings I manage to meditate for 15-20 minutes. My morning meditation sessions are very helpful in terms of staying focused on the Divine throughout the day, instead of getting upset over or otherwise caught up in the details of daily existence. I think the key for me is being disciplined about setting my alarm and rising early. I have young children who often wake early, so I can’t get up any later than 4:30 am if I want to make sure I get a chance to meditate. Also, once I’m up, I have to make sure to do my morning worship & meditation immediately; sometimes I become side-tracked.
I practice Devotional Love through my 3-fold worship sessions. Currently, it can be difficult to get all 3 sessions in every day (arranging a noon prayer time is the most challenging.) I try to make sure to, if nothing else, watch one of the recorded worship sessions on the Egyptian yoga website or at least say some of the prayers and chants in my mind in the morning, around noon, and in the evening.
Until a few years ago, I felt good about the extent to which I practiced Righteous Action. But then, I became caught up in anger over things such as racism, sexism, and other unfair forms of treatment. As a result, I began to see everyone as the enemy, and became almost obsessed with trying to defend myself in every situation. I ended up causing a considerable amount of damage to my relationships with others. Having stumbled onto Shetaut Neter, my relations with others are becoming smoother again. Relating to the story of Hetheru feels very beneficial to me.
