A Group Statement of Purpose ... (is it what you want?)

[Guest guest]

One of the elements that has somewhat alienated and isolated the

Shakta belief system from mainstream Hinduism is the mistaken belief

that its practitioners seek not spiritual liberation (moksha), but

merely the accumulation of occult powers (siddhis).

 

One of the primary purposes of this Group is to counterbalance this

incorrect perception by providing accurate, detailed and truthful

information about Shaktism. In fact, almost all spiritual systems

are expected to fetch siddhis. Shaktas are simply supposed to get

them easier and faster. In Shaktism also, the basic concept is

merger with the absolute even while living in the world, without

renunciation. In fact it is said this is the ONLY path that offers

both Bhukti (worldly happiness) and Mukti (spirtual liberation).

 

Those with narrower approaches to Shakta systems have sometimes

disagreed with our efforts in this Group, saying that we reveal too

much that should remain secret, or that we allow the discussion to

stray too far from (their) standard interpretations. Our response is

always the same: Theirs is only one possible understanding of

Shaktism -- even within the SriVidya system itself. It is an

excellent and admirable understanding, but it is still only one of

many valid possibilities.

 

Our goal is to encourage open debate and discussion of Shaktism,

whether positive or negative, in the belief that the best cure for

ignorance, misunderstanding, and -- above all -- misinformation, is

a frank discourse between people who truly love Devi, and have

chosen to approach the Ultimate Divine through Her myriad forms.

Moreover, and fundamentally, we want to provide the tools necessary

for those who want not merely to discuss Shaktism, but to actually

PRACTICE it in a manner appropriate to their circumstances and

development.

 

The transcripts, translations and other source materials we offer at

Shakti Sadhana are our prime building blocks. They will help you to

practice what we discuss. The photos, paintings and essays in the

Group and on our Homepage are auxiliary materials to deepen

understanding, provide food for thought and visualizations for

worship; and perhaps provoke debate. The exchanges in this Group are

(obviously!) the lifeblood of our satsang (gathering). The newspaper

and magazine articles occasionally posted here encourage us to

understand Shaktism as a living, vital force in the world; and also

to test our convictions and apply them to real-life scenarios and

dilemmas.

 

That's the idea anyway. We would appreciate any and all feedback as

to how we can make this Group more useful to you. We'd like to know

what you'd like to see here. What you've sought and not yet found.

Ask questions and those that know will answer if they can. And if

you'd like to get more involved, let us know. There's always plenty

to do!

 

As always, thank you for your continuing interest in and support for

this group. We are honored that you have chosen to dwell among us.

 

Aum Maatangyai Namahe

[Guest guest]

Namast DB,

 

I like this. It's loving and straight forward.

 

Blessings,

 

pr

 

, "Devi Bhakta"

<devi_bhakta> wrote:

> One of the elements that has somewhat alienated and isolated the

> Shakta belief system from mainstream Hinduism is the mistaken

belief

> that its practitioners seek not spiritual liberation (moksha), but

> merely the accumulation of occult powers (siddhis).

>

> One of the primary purposes of this Group is to counterbalance this

> incorrect perception by providing accurate, detailed and truthful

> information about Shaktism. In fact, almost all spiritual systems

> are expected to fetch siddhis. Shaktas are simply supposed to get

> them easier and faster. In Shaktism also, the basic concept is

> merger with the absolute even while living in the world, without

> renunciation. In fact it is said this is the ONLY path that offers

> both Bhukti (worldly happiness) and Mukti (spirtual liberation).

>

> Those with narrower approaches to Shakta systems have sometimes

> disagreed with our efforts in this Group, saying that we reveal too

> much that should remain secret, or that we allow the discussion to

> stray too far from (their) standard interpretations. Our response

is

> always the same: Theirs is only one possible understanding of

> Shaktism -- even within the SriVidya system itself. It is an

> excellent and admirable understanding, but it is still only one of

> many valid possibilities.

>

> Our goal is to encourage open debate and discussion of Shaktism,

> whether positive or negative, in the belief that the best cure for

> ignorance, misunderstanding, and -- above all -- misinformation, is

> a frank discourse between people who truly love Devi, and have

> chosen to approach the Ultimate Divine through Her myriad forms.

> Moreover, and fundamentally, we want to provide the tools necessary

> for those who want not merely to discuss Shaktism, but to actually

> PRACTICE it in a manner appropriate to their circumstances and

> development.

>

> The transcripts, translations and other source materials we offer

at

> Shakti Sadhana are our prime building blocks. They will help you to

> practice what we discuss. The photos, paintings and essays in the

> Group and on our Homepage are auxiliary materials to deepen

> understanding, provide food for thought and visualizations for

> worship; and perhaps provoke debate. The exchanges in this Group

are

> (obviously!) the lifeblood of our satsang (gathering). The

newspaper

> and magazine articles occasionally posted here encourage us to

> understand Shaktism as a living, vital force in the world; and also

> to test our convictions and apply them to real-life scenarios and

> dilemmas.

>

> That's the idea anyway. We would appreciate any and all feedback as

> to how we can make this Group more useful to you. We'd like to know

> what you'd like to see here. What you've sought and not yet found.

> Ask questions and those that know will answer if they can. And if

> you'd like to get more involved, let us know. There's always plenty

> to do!

>

> As always, thank you for your continuing interest in and support

for

> this group. We are honored that you have chosen to dwell among us.

>

> Aum Maatangyai Namahe

[Guest guest]

OM Devi Bhakta

 

You say, "One of the elements that has somewhat alienated and

isolated the Shakta belief system from mainstream Hinduism is

the mistaken belief that its practitioners seek not spiritual

liberation (moksha), but merely the accumulation of occult

powers (siddhis).

 

One of the primary purposes of this Group is to counterbalance

this incorrect perception by providing accurate, detailed and

truthful information about Shaktism. In fact, almost all spiritual

systems are expected to fetch siddhis. Shaktas are simply

supposed to get them easier and faster. In Shaktism also, the

basic concept is merger with the absolute even while living in the

world, without renunciation. In fact it is said this is the ONLY path

that offers both Bhukti (worldly happiness) and Mukti (spirtual

liberation)."

 

 

Yes, all authentic spiritual paths are expected "to fetch" sidddis

but siddhis arise naturally as part of the spiritual unfolding

process as the obstacles to the various pranas flowing to the

chakras are dissolved. The danger of siddhis is that the aspirant

will stop his/her sadhana to play with the siddhis thus inflating

the ego and perhaps falling back farther along the spiritual path

than if he/she had never undertaken sadhana at all. Good

advice, it seems to me, is to not use the siddhis at all, but to

treat them as one treats any distracting thought and that is to

ignore it and continually bring one's concentration back to

sadhana and Brahman.

 

Also, is not the statement that shaktas get siddhis easier and

faster an expression of ego. Most people like to think that their

spiritual path is the best, the most efficacious. Of those that do,

some are so convinced of the supremacy of their religion that

they embark on aggressive campaigns of conversion or

destruction to impose their religion on others.

 

It does not seem to be useful to make the statement that

shaktas obtain siddhis easier and faster. First, because it

inflates the importance of siddhis and makes their obtainment

into a goal instead of a characteristic. Second, because it

inflates the importance of the Shakta belief system over others

 

All that can be said is that Shaktism is the best system for some

people because of their karma. For others, other spirtual paths

will be most efficacious for them.

 

To say anything else about Shaktism in terms of its being the

best for this or that only serves to fuel the useless debate over

which path is best and does nothing to bring about the

understanding of Shaktism that is your expressed purpose.

 

Do we not need to remember always that "Cosmic Reality is

One. The Wise perceive it in many ways"?

 

 

OM Namo 'stute Mahayogin Prapannamanusadhi Mam

Yatha Twachcharanam Bhoje Ratih Syadanapayini

 

Omprem

[Guest guest]

Om Devi Bhakta and other fellow travellers

 

You made the following comments, Shaktism feels "somewhat

alienated and isolated... from mainstream Hinduism "

 

"One of the primary purposes of this Group is to

counterbalance... incorrect perception by providing accurate,

detailed and truthful information about Shaktism."

 

"Our goal is to encourage open debate and discussion of

Shaktism, whether positive or negative, in the belief that the best

cure for ignorance, misunderstanding, and -- above all --

misinformation, is a frank discourse between people who truly

love Devi, and have chosen to approach the Ultimate Divine

through Her myriad forms."

 

You mention that there are perceived differences within the

Shakta community in addition to the perceived differences

between Shaktism and other spiritual paths.

 

The great poet, Rabindranath Tagore, addressed this issue of

apparent differences with the following poem:

 

 

Two shores

 

To me, the sand beach of

My river is very dear

Where in the autumn sun

the curlew birds rear.

 

Where around the banks

Catkins grow in number

And in the winter foreign

Ducks come to slumber.

 

Slowly the tortoises come

For basking in the sun

In the dusk a boat or two

Rests when fishing's done.

 

To me, the sand beach of

My river is very dear

Where in the autumn sun

The curlew birds rear.

 

You love your wooded forest

On the other shore

Where dense leaves cast

Dark shadows on the floor.

 

Where the meandering lane

Leads to the river,

And the overhanging reeds

Clasp each other.

 

In the morn and eve on the quay

Young wives gather.

The boys swim and send their floats

Far down the river.

 

You love your wooded forest

On the other shore

Where dense leaves cast

Dark shadows on the floor.

 

Between you and me there is

Only one river,

She sings the same song to

the banks forever.

 

I listen lying on the

Solitary sand,

You listen setting down the

Pitcher from your hand.

You give one meaning to the

Song of the river

Another meaning comes

To me and strikes my ear.

 

Between you and me there is

Only one river,

She sings the same song to

The banks forever.

 

 

 

Perhaps we can all remember to listen to the Song of the river

as it sings to the banks instead of how we think it sings to us.

 

Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundaye Viche Namaha

 

Omprem

[Guest guest]

, "omprem" <omprem> wrote:

> Om Devi Bhakta and other fellow travellers

>

> You made the following comments, Shaktism feels "somewhat

> alienated and isolated... from mainstream Hinduism "

 

 

Can u plz explain why they feel alienated and isolated?

Is that ur perception that they feel so? Or did somebody

knowledgable about shakta system or did any shakta historian

said that? May be some examples(situations where they

feel alienated and isolated) will help.

 

If u wrote about that b4 I appreciate any reference regarding

the same

 

Thank You,

SA.

[Guest guest]

Hi SA

 

*** Can u plz explain why they feel alienated and isolated? ***

 

I'd just like to clarify that my statement was not a psychological

analysis. I do not believe that individual followers of the Shakta

path "feel alienated and isolated." I would say that -- like any

legitimate path -- Shaktism leads its followers to an ever-greater

feeling of both being part of and one with an infinitely greater

Whole.

 

My original statement was meant to be one of empirical fact: Shaktism

is the numerically smallest of the four major schools of Hinduism.

Also, I observed that, in my own perception and belief, the nature of

the Shakta path is often distorted or misrepresented by those -- even

other Hindus -- who are not familiar with it.

 

Aum Maatangyai Namahe