If after death we go into the astral world…can we see other astral beings? Our loved ones? Can we communicate with them? If yes then how?. If I love someone with all my heart and she feels the same…will I meet her in next birth or astral world? Because if my love has passed the test of time (If I still love her at 90 yrs of age)…is there really a separation after death? Or just renew of body and you meet him/her again? is it wrong to love someone and maybe have a moha maya(delusion) for her…Is it bad to intend or try to live with her forever..here or in astral world or in next birth?..Because I don’t have any wish to come out of life and death or anything like it…so can I do it consciously I mean me and her together if we both agree..? Please answer these questions, they have been bothering my mind for so long.

I took the Weekend Within Retreat and started my meditation practice, I just finished the 21 day meditation challenge. I still have a hard time doing the second meditation of the day. My job and other factors make it hard, then I feel guilty, like I am not doing it right because I didn’t do the second one. Any suggestions ?

I have always believed in God, and also in Karma. But now my beliefs are severely challenged. I sincerely doubt everything I have believed in up till now. My mother had a stroke almost three years ago, with all the attendant horrors that go with it—-being paralyzed, unable to speak properly and so on. She has had to give up her home in order to go into care, and her dignity and privacy, and has faced it all with a brave and courageous spirit. But now, after all this hell, her eyes are going and she suddenly can’t keep her eyelids open. We have given her Botox injections, and these worked for a few months, but now they are not. As she also has macular degeneration, this means she may be unable to see as well as all the other disabilities she has. It’s too much. If there was a God, why would he inflict this sheer torture on my mother, who simply doesn’t deserve it? To make it worse, her mind is clear and she knows completely what is happening. I feel tortured watching her suffer. Is there any way you can help me understand why this is happening—–I would very much appreciate your help.

Taking the 21-day meditation challenge inspired me to read the Bhagavad Gita and the Dhammapada. I am trying to make the teachings practical so I can apply them in my daily life. Here is an example from my wife that will illustrate the dilemma between the teachings and daily life.

My wife has shared with me her frustration with helping colleagues at work on their projects but not getting any recognition for her help in front of senior decision makers. She helps them create the program, solves problems and then they fail to acknowledge any of her support. I understand that her ego drives the need for recognition and her lack of desire to continue to help people that do not recognize her help. Her actions and their actions put her in a less favorable position to get raises, promotions, bonus, etc. that we need to support our kids and pay for college.
How do I reconcile the laws of Karma with and my desire to integrate selfless action into my daily work when dealing with people who seem to have different motivations? Do I help without regard to the implications for me even if it may be a disadvantage for me to do so?

How did you realize what your Dharma is and how did you know that it was not just a feel good thought?