Egoism

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/1/01 9:25:26 AM Eastern Standard Time, rpodury

writes:

 

 

> When I subsequently mentioned to a very learned man about the above

> statement by the devotee and Sri Bhagavan" remark to the same, the learned

> man stated that there was nothing wrong with the prayers of the above

> devotee and wondered why Sri Bhagavan remarked in a discouraging way.

> When we were discussing the same another senior devotee joined us and he

> stated that Sri Bhagavan's replies or remarks to the questions of devotees

> vary from devotee to devotee and are not uniform to all and depend upon the

> devotee's sincerity/seriousness with which questions are asked or remarks

> made. In the given case Sri Bhagavan must have noticed display of ego by the

> devotee when he made the statement which Sri Bhagavan wanted to cut.

>

>

 

 

 

This is a very interesting statement, observation.Yet, I find it so true, now

that I stop for a moment to really think about it.

 

Certainly, it doesn't really hurt for one to think that they can mediate for

someone with God. Yet, in a way, the intent of our actions become very

important, don't they? For if I attempt this mediation with a profound

*seriousness* about it, believing that I have the power to do this, I in a

way encourage others to think this way too. I might effect them with my

belief, and if my *position* in life is that I have been granted the status

of a highly developed spiritual person, then I would need to feel a

responsibility for what *beliefs* I might subtly encourage others to hold. I

may actually be encouraging a helplessness in them, that they do not have it

in their power to do this alone.

 

And, yet, I could still perform this mediation but with a humility. I might

say, "Now I don't know if I have any clout with Divinity, and I certainly

know that the Divine listens to you just as well as he listens to me; but let

me simply offer my voice, along with yours, in asking for what it is that is

needed in order to make this marriage holy, to make all our relationships

holy. May our eyes be opened to our shortcomings, to our blindnesses. May

we find the courage to look beyond our eyes, hear beyond our ears, and feel

beyond our senses in order to discover the true meaning of Love. May we all

ask for this together."

 

The "behavior" would be the same (asking for divine intervention) but the

intent, the manner, what stands behind the behavior would make all the

difference in the world; hence, how one would speak to this spiritual person

would depend on whatever it is that stands behind the behavior.

 

Thanks for a very worthwhile post.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

That was wonderful. Only Bhagavan could react like that. It reminded me of

one similar remark from Sri Bhagavan

 

On one occasion one devotee mentioned to Sri Bhagavan that whenever he

attends any marriage he would pray to God invoking His blessings to the

couple.

 

Bhagavan's reply to this remark was something similar to the following ( I

do not exactly remember the words I read)

 

"God doesn't require you mediation for blessing"

 

When I subsequently mentioned to a very learned man about the above

statement by the devotee and Sri Bhagavan" remark to the same, the learned

man stated that there was nothing wrong with the prayers of the above

devotee and wondered why Sri Bhagavan remarked in a discouraging way.

When we were discussing the same another senior devotee joined us and he

stated that Sri Bhagavan's replies or remarks to the questions of devotees

vary from devotee to devotee and are not uniform to all and depend upon the

devotee's sincerity/seriousness with which questions are asked or remarks

made. In the given case Sri Bhagavan must have noticed display of ego by the

devotee when he made the statement which Sri Bhagavan wanted to cut.

 

Ramana Sarma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Devotee :

 

Please don't put any appreciative reference about me

in the Telugu translation of "Ramana Gita".

 

Bhagavan :

 

Why do you worry ?

To ask for the omission of your name is

as much egoism as to desire its inclusion :

So let it be.