Guest guest Posted August 21, 2003 Report Share Posted August 21, 2003 Namah Shivaya, Padmakshi, Hope you don't mind my second reply! Last night while I was thinking about all of this, I felt a little embarrassed that I may not be using the proper terms. There are Samskaras and Vasanas, I think, and one might mean inherited tendencies and one might mean bad habits, so if anyone on the list wants to clear that up, that would be helpful, I'm sure. But anyway, Padmakshi, I came across this this morning, and thought to offer it to you as well. It's from MSoliz in a recent post: "From The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism: One of the4 demons Durga fought in the Devi Mahatmayam was called Raktabija, which means "drop of blood." Whenever she attacked him, each drop of Raktabija's blood turned into a clone of himself as soon as it touched teh ground. This was the only demon actually capapble of holding his own against the Mother of the Universe. For one moment the Divine Power frowned. From her knit forehead leapt the most terrifying Goddess ever: Kali! Kali stuck out her long tongue and drank up every drop of Raktabija's blood before it could touch the eart. And then she ate him! The battles being described here are purely internal. Your guru will help you understand that Raktabija is the mind's ability to keep generating negative thoughts and bad habits without end. If you invoke her, Kali will help you clean out the garbage stored in the basement of your subconscious. The process is full of grace, but it's not always pleasant!" So, another suggestion is to sincerely pray to Kali for help. (I did want to thank MSoliz for that post)! Mother does say that action arises from thought. Perhaps addictions arise from the subtlest thoughts? In any case, changing the thought patterns seems to be the way to start, especially since Mother suggests we study the inherent results of an action before doing it. Of course overcoming the habits of our minds is THE task of this birth, so, best wishes for all who are taking on this goal! One more perhaps helpful source would be the story of Natchiketas (sorry I don't know how to spell it), the young boy who is given to death by his perturbed father. The boy waits for Yama at the gates of death for 3 days and is granted a discussion with Yama, who grants him boons for his surrender and persistence in waiting for death.... The discussion which ensues is one of the classical Indian scripture stories about "The Charriotteer"-- which is really the secret to immortality, or the life that has no death and rebirth. I am sure someone on this list has access to this beautiful illustration for how one can lead a spiritual life and learn to "control his horses!" Thanks Everyone, and, again, Best Wishes for Mother's Grace Karen Om Amriteshwaryai Namaha >"karen koerber" <kerbie66 >Ammachi >Ammachi >Re: Addiction >Thu, 21 Aug 2003 02:41:57 +0000 > >Om Namah Shivaya, >I do not know of any specific advice Mother has regarding addictions, but >Mother may have uttered something you'd find helpful at this year's retreat >in Rhode Island. The subject of sex was addressed to Mother at the Q & A, >and Mother was very relaxed with the topic. She said that people definitely >have to learn how to deal with their desires, but they usually put it off >and say they'll start to try to control them "tomorrow." Mother suggested >we >not wait to try to conquer those desires anymore. she very calmly suggested >we all try to bite the bullet. She only offers a solution, it's up to us to >try to take her advice or not. She's not attached. But She does wish we >would all make spiritual progress. Also, Mother says that to change any >habit, we should always look at the harm of that habit, whether it's the >financial or health costs of smoking, for example, where we could donate >the >new-found money from a renounced addiction... > >Also, several years ago I witnessed a sweet scene at one of Mother's >programs, where two young (teenage) boys decided to quit smoking, and >offered Mother their cigarrettes during darshan. > >I think if we all tried to give Mother our addictions for Her birthday, She >would be very happy. She wants to help us all, She wants only our spiritual >growth, that is the only reason She is here among us. I have something in >mind I'd like to renounce on Mother's birthday. I'll share with the group >how it's going after I see Mother and do it! > >P.S. Mother also states that we have usually inherited our vasanas from the >previous birth, and all vasanas are very very hard to uproot. Only God's >grace can remove the root of the habit, but we must earn the Grace with our >sincere efforts to change. > >May Mother Bless all of our efforts and give us the perseverence we need! >Om Amriteshwaryai Namaha >karen > > > >Erica <sugarandbrine > >Ammachi > >Ammachi > > Addiction > >Tue, 19 Aug 2003 12:15:36 -0700 (PDT) > > > >Namaste to all... _/\_ > > > >I was wondering if anyone knew of any quotes from Amma > >on dealing with addictions. How does She suggest we > >handle addictions? Any words of advice or > >encouragement would be helpful. > > > >With love, > >Padmakshi > > > > > > > > > > > >_______________ ><b>MSN 8:</b> Get 6 months for $9.95/month >http://join.msn.com/?page=dept/dialup > _______________ <b>Get MSN 8</b> and help protect your children with advanced parental controls. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/parental Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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