Step 3… We Vow

Written By Rev Dinah Pemberton

Blessings, Dear Friends,

Welcome to Step 3… We Vow

Where we will take the next step into the 7th chakra, known as the crown chakra, the sahasrara chakra, often symbolised as the thousand petaled lotus. This sacred centre represents the Divine Godhead or God Realisation. Through this journey, we will rise and unite in perfect oneness with the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. As we humbly prepare ourselves to take our vows.

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

2 Corinthians 13:14

It is from this sacred and reverent place of God Realisation that we will stand together, united and take our sacred Vow.

“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

John 20:21-22

I have lived a vowed way of living for six years now, a dedicated practice that has greatly helped me to remain steadfast in my commitments and to deepen my personal relationship with God. Throughout this time, the vows I have faithfully upheld and followed with sincerity are ...

  • I vow to Abstain from Alcohol

  • I vow to Abstain from Sex with a person

  • I vow to Remain Single

  • I vow to commit to my Discipleship Vow to the best of my ability (It has been four years since I have been committed to this vow)

  • I vow to commit to the Pilgrimage Vow to the best of my ability (It has been four years since I have been committed to this vow)

100. Demand to the Holy Trinity

O heavenly Trinity — ‌Om, Tat, Sat — ‌: God the transcendent Father, God the immanent Christ consciousness, and God the Holy, Creative, Vibratory Force of all Creation! Grant me the wisdom to know Thy truth! Through my self-effort and my knowing acceptance of the law, help me up the golden ladder of realization, to stand at last on the shining summit of attainment, face to face with the One Spirit: Perfect, Everlasting Bliss!

I have decided to carry out the same vows for another year… And add on the Brahmacharya vow from the Nayaswami Order, by Swami Kriyananda. Here are my vows.

  • I vow to Abstain from Alcohol

  • I vow to Abstain from Sex with a Person

  • I vow to Remain Single

  • I vow to commit to my Discipleship Vow to the best of my ability (It has been four years since I have been committed to this vow)

  • I vow to commit to the Brahmacharya Vow to the best of my ability.

    Psalm 61:1-8

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint;  lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.  For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Increase the days of the king’s life, his years for many generations.  May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;  appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him. Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day.“

During this important step into Step 3… We Vow

Together, we will thoughtfully and carefully create a beautiful and meaningful online sacred space, where we can come together to hold a deeply heartfelt vow ceremony. This shared virtual sacred space will allow each one of us to connect reverently and intimately, no matter the physical distance that separates us. If you feel truly called to take part in this special and unique ceremony, please contact me at your earliest convenience to express your interest in receiving further details.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” John 15:9

I and the Father are one. John 10:30

Below are some sacred and uplifting words to help us prepare for our ceremony… With Jesus Christ as our guide.

  • Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

    15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

  • 201. I vow never again to turn my Gaze from Thee

    I take this sacred vow: Never will I lower my love’s gaze below the eyebrow-horizon of my constant thoughts of Thee! Never will I turn my uplifted inner sight away from Thee! Never will I let my mind dwell on anything that reminds me not of Thee! I will disdain the nightmare of ignorant behavior. I will court all dreams of noble achievement: those of love, kindness, and understanding, for they are Thy dreams.

    Though I dream many dreams, wakefully I will ever think of Thee. In the sacred fire of constant remembrance, kept ever alight on my soul’s altar, I will ever behold Thy presence with the watchful eyes of devotional love.

    Thy grace has shown me that the dualities of health and sickness, life and death, joy and sorrow are but passing fantasies. I am finished with those eternally self-canceling delusions! I am persuaded at last that there is but one abiding reality: Thy eternal, ever-conscious, ever-new, ever-thrilling, infinite Bliss.

  • He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.

  • Psalm 56:12

    I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you.

    Psalm 116:18

    I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.

  • Affirmation: I Vow

  • After spending some time in reading, reflection and journaling … Refer to the Visualisation & meditation and when you have finished, if you feel too… You can offer your gratitude and devotion to Jesus Christ by drawing art or writing poetry or finding your own meaningful hearts way.

Yamas & Niyamas

  • Brahmacharya normally connotes a rigid control over sexual urge. An unmarried man who shuns sex is called a Brahmachari.

    According to Gandhiji, however, this is a very narrow meaning of the word. 'Brahmacharya' really means 'Moving towards, Brahma' that is, towards truth. For such a person, a control over all senses is necessary. So also, it is necessary to keep himself away from attachment to social connections. In achieving this end, control of sex is perhaps most helpful, because sex is one of the strongest temptations to cause one to stray from the narrow path of truth. Again marital relations are the cause of the strongest social bond, that of the family. Hence the importance attached to the control of sex, which became synonymous with Brahmacharya. Control of sex, can also help the Sadhaka to gain control over his other senses.

    Gandhiji believed that a celibate life was most congenial for the pilgrim to truth. However, married couples could also tread that path by subtracting sex from their marital life. Such a step would free them from undue attachment for each other and free them for service of mankind.

    It is obvious that Brahmacharya, like truth and Non-violence, should be adhered to not only at the physical level, but also at the level of thought. To harbour a passion in the mind, while practicing physical control of the senses is not really Brahmacharya.

    On one point, however, Gandhiji differed radically from the orthodox believers in Brahmacharya - he did not believe that a Brahmachari should shun the company of women. He wanted the Brahmachari of his Ashram to live a life of service to society; so it was inevitable that he would come into contact with women social workers. In Gandhiji's opinion a Brahmachari should keep his public contact with women workers and learn to look upon them as sisters and mothers. If someone could adhere to Brahmacharya only when there were no women around, according to Gandhiji, he was not a real Brahmachari.

    While laying all this stress on Brahmacharya, Gandhiji was not unmindful of the difficulty experienced by the Ashramites in its day to day observance.. We are told by persons near to Gandhiji that he was completely aware that a number of the Ashramites were only partially successful in their attempts at Brahmacharya. Since Gandhiji himself never claimed complete success, he was satisfied that the Ashramites sincerely tried their best.

  • Verse 14

    praśāntātmā vigatabhīr brahmacārivrate sthitaḥ manaḥ saṁyamya maccitto yukta āsīta matparaḥ

    With serenity and fearlessness, with steadfastness in brahmacharya, with mind controlled, with the thoughts centered on Me, the yogi should sit, meditating on Me as the Final Goal.

    He who is steadfast in brahmacharya is defined as a celibate student who is faithful in living a holy life, engaging in sacred study and self discipline. In the prescribed Vedic plan, this was basically the beginning of the spiritual life for all aspirants. “Brahmacharivrate” has also a deeper meaning here: literally, “one whose sphere of action or act of devotion (vrata) is practicing (chāra) Aum (brahma: the sacred sound, shabda-brahman).” The accomplished brahmachari, then, is one who by the practice of meditating on Aum roams or progresses in the realm of Brahman manifested as the Creator or Holy Vibration: the Aum, Amen, or Holy Ghost.

    God manifests in creation as the Cosmic Vibration, which expresses itself as Cosmic Sound and Cosmic Light. The Cosmic Sound or Aum is the synthesis of all the sounds of the highly vibrating life forces (lifetrons), electrons, protons, and atoms. By listening to Aum, the yogi becomes a true brahmachari or one who is attuned to Brahman. By deep concentration the devotee can hear Aum at any time and in any place.

  • Read Here

    Listen Here

Visualisation & Meditation (7th Chakra - Crown - Sahasrara) by Prashanti

As we consciously align our faith, trust, and speech with the eternal words of God, let us intentionally direct our faith towards the crown chakra. This sacred centre is the true dwelling place of the House of the Lord, where divine union and perfect oneness with the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are sought. In this space, we open ourselves fully, tuning in deeply to their infinite divine light and presence, allowing their grace to illuminate every aspect of our being.

Let’s take a quiet moment to spend some time simply gazing at the image before us, gently connecting with the deep, calming colour violet that represents the chakra… Now, let us focus our full attention on the crown chakra, taking a moment to observe the vibrant and radiant light that is softly emanating from the image before us. With each gentle breath, calm and steady, we begin to slowly close our eyes, maintaining the focus of the crown chakra within ourselves.

We begin to feel a warm, soothing light filling our entire body with a deep, calming and restorative energy. As this gentle warmth spreads, we notice sensations of soft waves flowing gently up and down our spine. These waves move smoothly, effortlessly, and gracefully, continuing their peaceful and serene journey upward until they come to rest in the tranquil stillness of the crown chakra….

And now let’s affirm silently the sacred words from the Psalms together, from the true dwelling place of the House of the Lord, where divine union and perfect oneness is with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.

I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you.

I will fulfil my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.

I vow, I vow, I vow…

Aum Peace Amen

  • Listen Here

Sacred Music & Mantras

Book References

Ghandhi, M. (N.D) The Eleven Vows of Mahatma Gandhi-Their Observances and Relevance

https://www.gandhi-manibhavan.org/educational-resources/the-eleven-vows-of-gandhiji.html

New International Version. (2025). BibleGateway.com. https://www.biblegateway.com/

Yogananda, P. (1952). Metaphysical Meditations. 1952 Edition. Crystal Clarity Publishers.

Yogananda, P. (2007). How to Love and Be Loved: Wisdom of Yogananda. Crystal Clarity Publishers.

Yogananda, P. (2021). God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita. Ebook Edition. International Publications Council of Self-Relization Fellowship.

Yogananda, P. (2021). Scientific Healing Affirmations: Theory and Practice of Concentration. International Publications Council of Self-Relization Fellowship.

Yogananda, P. (N.D) Whispers From Eternity. https://www.ananda.org/free-inspiration/books/whispers-from-eternity/

Rev Dinah Pemberton
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Step 2… We Have Faith