Bhakti and Jnana .............Keep Swimming !

[Guest guest]

Satsanghis !

 

Christmas Season is approaching and my two grandkids are daily adding

a new wish to their wish list - the latest is 'Finding Nemo' A DVD !

 

Kids love anyhing that moves ... my younger grandson loves Trains ,

specially 'Thomas' trains - another Thomas we need to add to our list

of Thomases ! and now he wants 'Finding Nemo' - fishes that can swim!

 

Here is the story in a nutshell

 

Marlin is a father fish who searches for his missing son, Nemo, with

the assistance of the forgetful but relentlessly optimistic Dory. The

climax involves Marlin and Nemo teaming together to rescue Dory who

has become the catch-of-the-day with many other fish in a large net.

 

Marlin and Nemo encourage the captive fish to no longer resign

themselves to their fate but to strain against the net and swim

towards freedom. "Keep swimming," they demand. (Dory, of course,

happily converts this into a cheerful little song, "Just keep

swimming, swimming, swimming."

 

Yes ! Dear ones! in the path of both bhakti and jnana , there are

many obstacles that come in our way .... after all , it is big Ocean

out there ! Can we swim against the tide ? it is one thing to swim in

your own swimming pool where the temperature is controlled and there

are no 'waves' to struggle against and no crocodiles or sharks ! But

imagine swimming in an Ocean where the temperature is freezing , and

deadly sea animals are swimming along with you and may attack you any

minute and of course the ebb and flow of tides ! That is why Samsara

is called Sagara - compared to a ocean and we are all like fishes

caught in the Net ? what is the way out ?

 

THERE ARE four kinds of peole whom the GODDESS wll lead

to moksha or liberation.

 

THERE ARE four types of fish in a river in which a

fisherman casts his net.

 

The first type is called The *nitya sUri-s* they are like the fish

which do not et caught in the net - i.e., they do not fall for

the bait, and remain safely outside.

 

The *mukta jiva-s* are those who get caught in the net, but

with their best effort, succeed in getting out.

 

The* mumukshu-s* are like the fish which keep trying to

get out, even though they have not succeeded in

escaping.

 

the baddha jiva-s are like the fish who

enjoy the bait the fisherman has provided, and remain

happily in the net and become the food for the fisherman.

 

the spiritual aspirants are like these four types of fish,

 

and in order to know MOTHER kali, one must have the longing and the

yearning ...

 

Cry to your mother Shyama with a real cry, O MIND!

and how can SHe hold herself from you?

how can shyama stay away?

how can your MOTHER kali hold herself away?

 

O MIND! IF you are in earnest, bring Her an offering,

of bel leaves and hibiscus flowers

lay at her feet your offering

and with it mingle the fragrannt sandalpaste of LOVE.

 

SHRI RAMAKRISHNA SAYS....

 

"longing is like the rosy dawn. after the dawn, out comes the sun.

longing is followed by the vision of GOD/GODEESS. "

 

a QUESTION FOR ALL aDVAITINS ?

 

SHOULD WE ALL BE 100% MUMUKSHUS , DESIRING LIBERATION

 

OR AS nARADA SAYS IN HIS BHAKTI SUTRA -

 

26. Phalaruotuat

 

Narad says that the Bhakti is of the nature of the fruit or the

reward.

 

Love for love's sake ! HAVING SEEN THE FACE OF THE lORD, WOULD YOU

DESIRE ANYTHING ELSE ? eXCEPT TO GRANT YOU THAT VISION ALWAYS BIRTH

AFTER BIRTH?

 

I AM *LOVE*