Guest guest Posted November 25, 2004 Report Share Posted November 25, 2004 The Woodcutter and the Geni There once was a tired, old woodcutter. Every day he cut and gathered wood, carried it into town and sold it. He earned just enough to sustain himself. But as the years passed, the woodcutter's strength began to fade and he was afraid of not being able to carry on his work and chores and to support himself. The woodcutter had been a deeply religious man all of his life and he finally decided to ask his God for one favour. He prayed that his God might help him to continue his work by sending him a helper. He prayed many times without success but never felt abandoned and remained true to his God. One day God answered the woodcutter and said, "My humble servant, your wish shall be granted. I will give you a genie who will do all that you ask. He is capable of doing anything. You must, however, keep him busy all the time. If you do not, the genie will destroy you. Do you accept this genie?" The woodcutter replied eagerly, "Oh, thank you, Lord. Yes, I accept your gift and will keep the genie busy all the time." The woodcutter then proceeded to put the genie to work. "Clean my house, genie", he ordered. "Yes, master", the genie replied and in 15 minutes had the woodcutter's shack spotless. "Very good work", observed the woodcutter. "Now, tidy the garden. Pull out the weeds and fix the fences". Again the genie simply replied, "Yes, master" and went to work. In half an hour the garden was beautiful and the fences were like new. "How wonderful", thought the woodcutter. "Now my life will be so much easier". The genie was next sent to the town some ten miles away to buy some rice. "That should keep him busy for a while", thought the woodcutter. But within one hour the genie was back with the rice and asking for something to do. The woodcutter asked the genie to cut and gather a day's supply of wood and take to town and sell it. Soon the genie was back asking for more instructions. But the woodcutter was slow to reply and the genie advanced threateningly toward him. The woodcutter finally told the genie to cut and gather more wood and then more and more wood. The poor woodcutter was now beginning to panic for there was less and less wood left to cut and he was barely able to keep up to the genie's demands for work. In desperation, the woodcutter ordered the geni to accompany him to a local sage. The woodcutter explained his predicament to the sage and pleaded for a solution. The sage pondered for a while and at last replied, "Ask your genie to bring the tallest tree that he can find in the country. Within an hour the genie returned bearing a mighty tree. "Now", instructed the sage, "Tell him to plant that tree in your backyard and to climb up to the top and then to climb down to the bottom of the tree. Tell him to continue to do that until you tell him to stop and perform another chore for you. When he has finished the chore, simply tell him to continue climbing up and down the tree until such time as you need him again." Upon receiving these orders, the genie obeyed them and climbed up and down the tree endlessly, stopping only to perform chores for the woodcutter. After some time, the genie accepted the futility of his position and fell on his knees before the woodcutter. "Master", he cried, "Please free me from this endless task. I promise not to threaten or destroy you and will continue meet your every wish." The woodcutter gladly agreed and resumed his life as freer and wiser man. The woodcutter, of course, represents Man. The genie is the Unsteady Mind, that constantly disturbs the tranquilty of Man. The tree is your Mala and climbing up and down the tree is Japa. Through Japa, the unsteady mind is controlled and finally gives up resistance, accepts a new reality and becomes an active ally in the meditator's quest for spiritual reaalization. As the mind and man become increasingly tranquil, the objects of the senses become less important until finally spiritual recognition occurs. Omprem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 26, 2004 Report Share Posted November 26, 2004 Japa is an act of sowing the seed so as to cultivate new habit in our subconsious. In the begining days of starting Japa, we find that our mind is not stable ,we will be thinking of other external things.But after sometime (monnths or years) we will be thinking of Japa when we are doing other things. It is a signal that devine has taken root in us. Keshava , "omprem" <omprem> wrote: > > The Woodcutter and the Geni > > There once was a tired, old woodcutter. Every day he cut and > gathered wood, carried it into town and sold it. He earned just > enough to sustain himself. But as the years passed, the > woodcutter's strength began to fade and he was afraid of not > being able to carry on his work and chores and to support > himself. > > The woodcutter had been a deeply religious man all of his life > and he finally decided to ask his God for one favour. He prayed > that his God might help him to continue his work by sending him > a helper. He prayed many times without success but never felt > abandoned and remained true to his God. One day God > answered the woodcutter and said, "My humble servant, your > wish shall be granted. I will give you a genie who will do all that > you ask. He is capable of doing anything. You must, however, > keep him busy all the time. If you do not, the genie will destroy > you. Do you accept this genie?" > > The woodcutter replied eagerly, "Oh, thank you, Lord. Yes, I > accept your gift and will keep the genie busy all the time." The > woodcutter then proceeded to put the genie to work. "Clean my > house, genie", he ordered. > "Yes, master", the genie replied and in 15 minutes had the > woodcutter's shack spotless. > > "Very good work", observed the woodcutter. "Now, tidy the > garden. Pull out the weeds and fix the fences". > > Again the genie simply replied, "Yes, master" and went to work. > In half an hour the garden was beautiful and the fences were like > new. > > "How wonderful", thought the woodcutter. "Now my life will be so > much easier". The genie was next sent to the town some ten > miles away to buy some rice. "That should keep him busy for a > while", thought the woodcutter. > > But within one hour the genie was back with the rice and asking > for something to do. The woodcutter asked the genie to cut and > gather a day's supply of wood and take to town and sell it. Soon > the genie was back asking for more instructions. But the > woodcutter was slow to reply and the genie advanced > threateningly toward him. The woodcutter finally told the genie to > cut and gather more wood and then more and more wood. The > poor woodcutter was now beginning to panic for there was less > and less wood left to cut and he was barely able to keep up to > the genie's demands for work. > > In desperation, the woodcutter ordered the geni to accompany > him to a local sage. The woodcutter explained his predicament > to the sage and pleaded for a solution. The sage pondered for a > while and at last replied, "Ask your genie to bring the tallest tree > that he can find in the country. Within an hour the genie returned > bearing a mighty tree. "Now", instructed the sage, "Tell him to > plant that tree in your backyard and to climb up to the top and > then to climb down to the bottom of the tree. Tell him to continue > to do that until you tell him to stop and perform another chore for > you. When he has finished the chore, simply tell him to continue > climbing up and down the tree until such time as you need him > again." > > Upon receiving these orders, the genie obeyed them and > climbed up and down the tree endlessly, stopping only to > perform chores for the woodcutter. After some time, the genie > accepted the futility of his position and fell on his knees before > the woodcutter. "Master", he cried, "Please free me from this > endless task. I promise not to threaten or destroy you and will > continue meet your every wish." The woodcutter gladly agreed > and resumed his life as freer and wiser man. > > The woodcutter, of course, represents Man. The genie is the > Unsteady Mind, that constantly disturbs the tranquilty of Man. > The tree is your Mala and climbing up and down the tree is Japa. > Through Japa, the unsteady mind is controlled and finally gives > up resistance, accepts a new reality and becomes an active ally > in the meditator's quest for spiritual reaalization. As the mind > and man become increasingly tranquil, the objects of the > senses become less important until finally spiritual recognition > occurs. > > > Omprem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2004 Report Share Posted November 27, 2004 Thank you Keshava. I am not sure weather I should post this for I am told it is actually true for FEW. Hahhaaaa. We are Kaulikas I'm further reminded, so it should be okay. LOLLLLLL. I think, Japa becomes imbeded in us as we progresses along. We unconsciously doing it even without thinking about it while doing other things. Make sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2004 Report Share Posted November 27, 2004 I agree with your statements. Problems could occur when Japa is not done initailly with Bhava. Then it is mere rote repetition and I wonder whether the automatic Japa that you mention will be actually a signal that the Divine has taken root or whether it is just the continuation of a habit. But even then the rote repetition is still having an effect but how much is unknown and whether that effect is offset by the effect of the ego thinking that it has taken root in the Divine is also unknown. Omprem , "kesava Prasaad" <keshavaprasadkh> wrote: > > > Japa is an act of sowing the seed so as to cultivate new habit in our > subconsious. In the begining days of starting Japa, we find that our > mind is not stable ,we will be thinking of other external things.But > after sometime (monnths or years) we will be thinking of Japa when we > are doing other things. It is a signal that devine has taken root in > us. > > Keshava > > > > , "omprem" <omprem> wrote: > > > > The Woodcutter and the Geni > > > > There once was a tired, old woodcutter. Every day he cut and > > gathered wood, carried it into town and sold it. He earned just > > enough to sustain himself. But as the years passed, the > > woodcutter's strength began to fade and he was afraid of not > > being able to carry on his work and chores and to support > > himself. > > > > The woodcutter had been a deeply religious man all of his life > > and he finally decided to ask his God for one favour. He prayed > > that his God might help him to continue his work by sending him > > a helper. He prayed many times without success but never felt > > abandoned and remained true to his God. One day God > > answered the woodcutter and said, "My humble servant, your > > wish shall be granted. I will give you a genie who will do all > that > > you ask. He is capable of doing anything. You must, however, > > keep him busy all the time. If you do not, the genie will destroy > > you. Do you accept this genie?" > > > > The woodcutter replied eagerly, "Oh, thank you, Lord. Yes, I > > accept your gift and will keep the genie busy all the time." The > > woodcutter then proceeded to put the genie to work. "Clean my > > house, genie", he ordered. > > "Yes, master", the genie replied and in 15 minutes had the > > woodcutter's shack spotless. > > > > "Very good work", observed the woodcutter. "Now, tidy the > > garden. Pull out the weeds and fix the fences". > > > > Again the genie simply replied, "Yes, master" and went to work. > > In half an hour the garden was beautiful and the fences were like > > new. > > > > "How wonderful", thought the woodcutter. "Now my life will be so > > much easier". The genie was next sent to the town some ten > > miles away to buy some rice. "That should keep him busy for a > > while", thought the woodcutter. > > > > But within one hour the genie was back with the rice and asking > > for something to do. The woodcutter asked the genie to cut and > > gather a day's supply of wood and take to town and sell it. Soon > > the genie was back asking for more instructions. But the > > woodcutter was slow to reply and the genie advanced > > threateningly toward him. The woodcutter finally told the genie to > > cut and gather more wood and then more and more wood. The > > poor woodcutter was now beginning to panic for there was less > > and less wood left to cut and he was barely able to keep up to > > the genie's demands for work. > > > > In desperation, the woodcutter ordered the geni to accompany > > him to a local sage. The woodcutter explained his predicament > > to the sage and pleaded for a solution. The sage pondered for a > > while and at last replied, "Ask your genie to bring the tallest > tree > > that he can find in the country. Within an hour the genie returned > > bearing a mighty tree. "Now", instructed the sage, "Tell him to > > plant that tree in your backyard and to climb up to the top and > > then to climb down to the bottom of the tree. Tell him to continue > > to do that until you tell him to stop and perform another chore for > > you. When he has finished the chore, simply tell him to continue > > climbing up and down the tree until such time as you need him > > again." > > > > Upon receiving these orders, the genie obeyed them and > > climbed up and down the tree endlessly, stopping only to > > perform chores for the woodcutter. After some time, the genie > > accepted the futility of his position and fell on his knees before > > the woodcutter. "Master", he cried, "Please free me from this > > endless task. I promise not to threaten or destroy you and will > > continue meet your every wish." The woodcutter gladly agreed > > and resumed his life as freer and wiser man. > > > > The woodcutter, of course, represents Man. The genie is the > > Unsteady Mind, that constantly disturbs the tranquilty of Man. > > The tree is your Mala and climbing up and down the tree is Japa. > > Through Japa, the unsteady mind is controlled and finally gives > > up resistance, accepts a new reality and becomes an active ally > > in the meditator's quest for spiritual reaalization. As the mind > > and man become increasingly tranquil, the objects of the > > senses become less important until finally spiritual recognition > > occurs. > > > > > > Omprem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2004 Report Share Posted November 27, 2004 , "omprem" <omprem> wrote: > > I agree with your statements. Problems could occur when Japa > is not done initailly with Bhava. Then it is mere rote repetition and > I wonder whether the automatic Japa that you mention will be > actually a signal that the Divine has taken root or whether it is > just the continuation of a habit. But even then the rote repetition > is still having an effect but how much is unknown and whether > that effect is offset by the effect of the ego thinking that it has > taken root in the Divine is also unknown. > > Omprem Yes I think initially when spontaneous japa occurs it is a continuation of habit; it is not very difficult to achieve this. For 2-3 days do japa non-stop (esp. when doing trivial things - taking a bath, cutting vegetables) and then afterwards japa will be totally automatic. It even carries on to sleep and it is very interesting to have dream experiences with japa of the mantra running in the background. More advanced sadhaks will find immense joy, great energy (sometimes can dispense with food as well) and bright shining lights when the eye is closed, as "Ajapa Japa" occurs. -yogaman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2004 Report Share Posted November 27, 2004 The mantra actually arouses negative feelings in our minds in the beginning. This surprises many. But, as the monks of the Ramakrishna Order always say, the cleaning of ones mind by repeating a mantra is like cleaning an inkpot. At first a lot of dark ink comes out but later the colour fades slowly till only pure white water is washed out. I heard one interesting incident about japa,... "There is one incident where Holy Mother (Ma Sharada Devi)after initiating a devotee, asked him to repeat the ishta mantra only six to seven times twice a day. The devotee was surprised and protested but Mother would have none of it and made him promise he would not exceed that limit without taking her permission. The Guru understands our composition and so we must always obey him/her." , "childofdevi" <childofdevi> wrote: > > , "omprem" <omprem> wrote: > > > > I agree with your statements. Problems could occur when Japa > > is not done initailly with Bhava. Then it is mere rote repetition > and > > I wonder whether the automatic Japa that you mention will be > > actually a signal that the Divine has taken root or whether it is > > just the continuation of a habit. But even then the rote > repetition > > is still having an effect but how much is unknown and whether > > that effect is offset by the effect of the ego thinking that it has > > taken root in the Divine is also unknown. > > > > Omprem > > Yes I think initially when spontaneous japa occurs it is a > continuation of habit; it is not very difficult to achieve this. For > 2-3 days do japa non-stop (esp. when doing trivial things - taking a > bath, cutting vegetables) and then afterwards japa will be totally > automatic. It even carries on to sleep and it is very interesting to > have dream experiences with japa of the mantra running in the > background. More advanced sadhaks will find immense joy, great energy > (sometimes can dispense with food as well) and bright shining lights > when the eye is closed, as "Ajapa Japa" occurs. > > -yogaman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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