Dr. Svoboda shares the cosmic and internal lessons to be learned from the layered Indian myth – The Churning of the Ocean of Milk.
In this special episode of Living With Reality, Dr. Svoboda—through the blessing of his mentor, the Aghori Vimalananda—invites us into a lively telling of the richly layered Indian myth: The Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Grokking this sweet and useful story from both the external cosmic vantage, as well as the microcosmic internal perspective, Dr. Svoboda lifts the veil to a holographic understanding of this astronomy-steeped foundational Vedic story.
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Indian Myths // Microcosm & Macrocosm
Welcoming you into another story-time style episode, Dr. Svoboda offers wisdom from his mentor, the Aghori Vimalananda, pertaining to the layered, holographic nature of good Indian myths. Through the vantages of both the cosmic-external and the personal-internal, Dr. Svoboda dives into a unique and memorable retelling of the pivotal Vedic story of The Churning of the Ocean of Milk.
“The Churning of the Ocean of Milk—as Vimalananda was fond of commenting, all Indian myths have many layers of meaning. The really important myths, he used to like to say, have at least 7 different perspectives from which they can be interpreted—this is certainly one of those myths.” – Dr. Robert Svoboda
Indra & Rishi Durvasa // Devas & Asuras (6:30)
After outlining some astronomy, Dr. Svoboda begins by setting the cosmic stage, introducing Indra (King of the God’s, representing the senses) encountering the irritable Rishi Durvasa (representing tamas) in a karmic exchange which left Indra and the other Devas (Gods, representing good thoughts) powerless at the hands of King Bali and the Asuras (sibling rivals of the Devas, representing selfish thoughts). From here, he translates what this means internally in your body and personality.
“So on the inside, in the microcosm, what has happened is: you have done not so good karmas, which has caused tamas to increase in you, and you have become selfish. And you now need to conquer your heaven (heaven is in the head). You need to conquer that back from your selfish self and return to a self that is more open to being transformed into something celestial.” – Dr. Robert Svoboda
Learn the story of Rishi Durvasa’s brother, Dattatreya, & their mother, Anasuya, on Ep. 20 of Living With Reality
The Churning of the Ocean of Milk // Lord Shiva & Halahala Poison (17:30)
Having lost their power to the Asuras, Indra and the Devas look to Vishnu for advice. Disclaiming that time was not yet again in their favor, Vishnu suggested making peace with the Asuras—working together by ‘churning the sea of milk’ to produce amrita (nectar of immortality) for them all to share. Describing the mystical churning of this cosmic milk of creation, and how Shiva saved the universe from poison which sprang from it, Dr. Svoboda sheds light on the compelling metaphors for inner yogic work hidden within this story.
“Vimalananda would say, when you become a serious sadhaka—someone who is serious about spirituality—you’ve got to keep the outside world outside, you’ve got to cultivate interiority, otherwise you get poisoned. You have to stop identifying with the external world, not just your limited ego personality, but the Kundalini Shakti in particular. Which remember, Ahamkara & Kundalini; same thing.” – Dr. Robert Svoboda
Dr. Svoboda shares meaningful stories of the auspicious Lord Shiva, on Ep. 15 of Living With Reality
Amrita, Vishnu, & Personal Sadhana (29:00)
After depicting the various glories which sprang forth from the great churning, Dr. Svoboda shares the rather ingenious (yet still karma-creating) plan enacted by Vishnu—transforming into the Enchantress Mohini to ensure only the Devas, not the Asuras, were able to drink of the amrita (except for one tricky Asura, whom when found out was chopped in half, becoming lunar nodes Rahu & Ketu.) To close, Dr. Svoboda uncovers the internal, microcosmic meaning of the Devas victory in obtaining amrita.
“When the amrita is produced—when there is clarity of mind, and alertness, and intelligence—all of the selfish aspects of your personality want their share, but if you’re doing good sadhana, your spirit will delude your personality. Eventually your personality will realize, ‘What are you doing?’ and it will fight back. But hopefully by that time that amrita will have strengthened the good parts of your personality.” – Dr. Robert Svoboda
Dr. Robert Svoboda focuses on lunar node Rahu – a celestial body that causes eclipses, on Ep. 12 of Living With Reality
