Online-class: PUJA - some questions for you!

[Guest guest]

Namaste Everybody,

 

We had a fun discussion on puja this weekend and hope you will all join so we can share

and learn together!

 

Can you please share your thoughts about these issues:

 

(a) Do you do puja - what type of puja and how do you feel doing puja or after the puja?

 

(b) If you had extra time (e.g. 1/2 hour more in a day!) -- what would you add to your

puja?

 

Thank you very much! Looking forward to hearing from all of you!

 

Jai Maa!

 

ramya

[Guest guest]

Namaste Ramya,

 

thank you (and Sriniji, of course) for the wonderful class we had. I

am looking forward to Saturday!

 

Ok, the questions:

 

(a) I do the Enhanced Shiva Puja as taught by Parvatiji last year and

I have added Bhuta Shuddi and Shiva Sankalpa Stotram. It takes me

about an hour to complete. I do this in the morning before breakfast

and sometimes I get up singing the mantra and sometimes I have to drag

myself to my puja corner:). Sometimes I have to postpone till the

evening, but then I feel 'not right' all day. Sometimes I skip a day

and then I feel positively bad.

I find that the way I feel during puja differs: sometimes I get

distracted easily (thoughts all over the place) and make

mistakes/forget the words of a mantra I knew the day before, sometimes

I feel stressed because I have to go somewhere and don't know what

time at is, sometimes I feel an hour is a very long time, and

sometimes...something 'other' comes to visit and takes over. These are

very precious occasions to me, and when this happens there is peace,

and light and silence.

After the puja I always feel wonderful; in part because I feel pleased

I have done what I promised to do, and in part because the puja puts

me on the right track for the rest of the day, or, in other words, it

brightens my day. Having asked the Consciousness of Infinite Goodness

to come into my heart, I find that it becomes easier to remain

centered and remember God during the day's activities. And I do so

love doing puja; it is so beautiful with the lights and the flowers

and the beautiful Sanskrit. I use water instead of the milk etc. and I

don't have real flowers every day, but still it is beautiful.

When I started doing puja, I ordered a small lingam/yoni via the

internet. After a week or so I received the parcel, opened it with

eager anticipation, only to find that this was a very small lingam

indeed. To me, it looked like a pebble. But I put it on my altar and

started learning the puja. And now, I would not trade my pebble for

anything in the world. It has become something else entirely and is

very dear to me because it has graciously absorbed all the love and

devotion I can muster. So when I say that sometimes I have to drag

myself to my puja-corner, this is only half true, because the moment I

sit down in front of my altar I feel welcomed and no matter what goes

wrong in the procedure, at that time there is no place I would rather

be. And I am very very grateful to Shree Maa and Swamiji, and to

Parvatiji and to you for teaching me the value of puja.

 

(b) I wanted very much to add the prana pratishta to my puja, but I

got very confused when I consulted the Advanced Shiva Puja book. As I

understand, I can use the prana pratishta mantras that are used for

the establishment of the pot also for the lingam.

In the book, the establishment of the pot comes after the pushpa

shuddi and dhyanam, and before the kara/anga nyasas (which in Enhanced

Shiva Puja immediately follows pushpa shuddi). It starts with many

offerings and then the sthiri karana and prana pratishta. So I thought

perhaps I could add that part, ending with the prana pratishtam

stotram. But then I don't know how I should proceed. I don't

understand what you should do when you do prana pratishta on the

lingam: should you just read the offering mantra's without offering

anything physically? Because, otherwise, what do you do for the puja

naivedya if you have already made offerings? And also, in the Shiva

Advanced Book, there is a second prana pratishta for the establishment

within and then there is the stapana upon the altar. So now, I don't

know what to add and what to leave out, what the correct order would

be and if it is even possible to add this without the instruction of a

qualified guru who could show me. But I do love the mantras of the

prana pratishta stotram.

Anyway, these are many words to tell you I don't really know what to

add best. I would be very grateful if Swamiji would be so kind to

advise me.

 

Sorry for going on a bit, it is so nice to be able to talk about what

has become a part of me,

 

with love,

Henny

 

 

 

 

, "n_ramya108" <n_ramya108

wrote:

>

> Namaste Everybody,

>

> We had a fun discussion on puja this weekend and hope you will all

join so we can share

> and learn together!

>

> Can you please share your thoughts about these issues:

>

> (a) Do you do puja - what type of puja and how do you feel doing

puja or after the puja?

>

> (b) If you had extra time (e.g. 1/2 hour more in a day!) -- what

would you add to your

> puja?

>

> Thank you very much! Looking forward to hearing from all of you!

>

> Jai Maa!

>

> ramya

>

[Guest guest]

Namaste Ramya and all,

 

Swamiji tells a story ... and that story is so true for me.

 

The story is about a Rishi that visits a small village. The villagers

treat him with the greatest of reverence and hospitality. In turn they

are blessed by the Rishi. There is a wonderful feeling of love , warmth

and mutual respect that prevails in the entire village during his visit.

When the Rishi prepares to depart, the villagers gather around him and

ask for a token from him - something that they could hold onto and

continue to feel the bliss even in his absence. The Rishi sculpts a

murti and asks the villagers to feed/ adorn the murti as if they were

actually taking care of him. In this way they would continue to feel his

presence in the village always.

 

.....

 

This is a story .... but it could very well be my story ! In the

presence of Maa and Swamiji and/or any other great souls it is so easy

to feel a sense of bliss ( the warm fuzzies) but how to maintain this

feeling during all other times?

 

Shree Maa started me off with a beginner Shiva puja a few years ago and

it has helped me tremendously. I still remember the day She made me sit

next to Her and walked me through the steps of the puja and marked a few

points on my book. Then She gifted me with a Shiva linga and had Swamiji

energize the deity for me. It occupies the center of my altar.

 

To answer the questions (a) Do you do puja - what type of puja and how

do you feel doing puja or after the puja

 

For me the puja is all about starting from where I am at this moment

(however frenzied and stressed out I may be) and go to a place where I

would like to be (peaceful and in tune with the Gurus) ... and the steps

are effortless and gradual.

 

The steps start in the physical plane - preparation, purification and

gradually takes me inward - from the loving offering of flowers , bath

offerings, to meditation.

 

My most favorite step in the entire puja is the offerings section. It is

all about bathing the deity, clothing and adorning him (or her) and deck

with flowers and colored powder and finally offer food and water. It is

like feeding an honored guest that has come home or getting a child

ready for school (however you look at it [] ) and for me, is the

most loving portion of the puja.

 

 

(b) If you had extra time (e.g. 1/2 hour more in a day!) -- what would

you add to your puja?

 

I would add more offerings and also chant the expanded offerings from

the Advanced Shiva Puja. Swamiji has talked about the different

"upacharas" and that anything over 16 offerings is considered

"rajopachara" - ie a welcome fit for the kings. If I had extra time I

would do rajopachara to the murti everyday.

 

Jai Shiva

Nanda

[Guest guest]

namste Henny!

 

Everything you wote was wonderful to read, as one always gets

inspiration from each other in these matters....but the real pearl in

your post was

"Sorry for going on a bit, it is so nice to be able to talk about

what has become a part of me"

 

That's it! That is why we are here!

 

Jaaaaaaaaaaaai Maa,

gauri

[Guest guest]

Namaste Ramya and all.

 

I really enjoyed the online class. There is always so much useful

information that one learns or gets reminded and plus it energizes the

resolve when we all share. Thank God for this Satsangh!!!

 

I have done different pujas over the years. I started with a beginner

Siva puja. It felt so fantstic to be there making offerings to Siva.

I have done the beginner Durga until I had memorized it. This way,

anytime, anywhere a manas puja can be going on.

Now I do Cosmic Puja, but not every single module....definitely the

bhutta shuddhi, both Ganesh pujas, Siva, Durga (adding a couple of

element from the beginner that are not in the Cosmic). Some days are

longer than others.

The feeling after any puja is one of exhilaration and an empowering

sense of accomplishment. Sometimes, during the puja, Too Much and Too

Little really get in the way and it's hard to maintain.

 

If I had extra time I would do the Cosmic cover to cover...it's

complete, it's pure Swamiji and it's a great set-up for then chanting

the Chandi!

 

Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaai Maa,

Gauri

> puja?

[Guest guest]

Dear Henny,

 

Namaste!

 

It would be best to learn about the Prana Pratishta when in the physical presence of

someone who knows.

 

I will share the little I know.

 

1. Swamiji demonstrates how to do Prana Pratishta to the Fire in the VCD "Sadhana at the

Jyotir LIngams"

 

2. In Advanced Shiva Puja, Kalasa Stapana is from 98-111, Prana Pratishta is page 112

-113.

 

For Kalasa Stapana, follow the instructions imagining the rice, pot, pouring of water etc.

For Prana Pratishta, imagine a flower in front of you. Pick it up with your right hand. As

you pick it up bring it up in front of you, then touch your forehead with it and then your

heart, in a circular motion. You are chanting "Om Am Aam, hrim, etc" as you do this. After

that, blow air out of your mouth into the object you are establishing life in. Repeat for the

four verses.

 

Later in Puja Naivedhya you can make the actual offerings to your Lingam.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Sincerely

srini

 

 

 

 

, "henny_v_i" <henny_v_i wrote:

>

> Namaste Ramya,

>

> thank you (and Sriniji, of course) for the wonderful class we had. I

> am looking forward to Saturday!

>

> Ok, the questions:

>

> (a) I do the Enhanced Shiva Puja as taught by Parvatiji last year and

> I have added Bhuta Shuddi and Shiva Sankalpa Stotram. It takes me

> about an hour to complete. I do this in the morning before breakfast

> and sometimes I get up singing the mantra and sometimes I have to drag

> myself to my puja corner:). Sometimes I have to postpone till the

> evening, but then I feel 'not right' all day. Sometimes I skip a day

> and then I feel positively bad.

> I find that the way I feel during puja differs: sometimes I get

> distracted easily (thoughts all over the place) and make

> mistakes/forget the words of a mantra I knew the day before, sometimes

> I feel stressed because I have to go somewhere and don't know what

> time at is, sometimes I feel an hour is a very long time, and

> sometimes...something 'other' comes to visit and takes over. These are

> very precious occasions to me, and when this happens there is peace,

> and light and silence.

> After the puja I always feel wonderful; in part because I feel pleased

> I have done what I promised to do, and in part because the puja puts

> me on the right track for the rest of the day, or, in other words, it

> brightens my day. Having asked the Consciousness of Infinite Goodness

> to come into my heart, I find that it becomes easier to remain

> centered and remember God during the day's activities. And I do so

> love doing puja; it is so beautiful with the lights and the flowers

> and the beautiful Sanskrit. I use water instead of the milk etc. and I

> don't have real flowers every day, but still it is beautiful.

> When I started doing puja, I ordered a small lingam/yoni via the

> internet. After a week or so I received the parcel, opened it with

> eager anticipation, only to find that this was a very small lingam

> indeed. To me, it looked like a pebble. But I put it on my altar and

> started learning the puja. And now, I would not trade my pebble for

> anything in the world. It has become something else entirely and is

> very dear to me because it has graciously absorbed all the love and

> devotion I can muster. So when I say that sometimes I have to drag

> myself to my puja-corner, this is only half true, because the moment I

> sit down in front of my altar I feel welcomed and no matter what goes

> wrong in the procedure, at that time there is no place I would rather

> be. And I am very very grateful to Shree Maa and Swamiji, and to

> Parvatiji and to you for teaching me the value of puja.

>

> (b) I wanted very much to add the prana pratishta to my puja, but I

> got very confused when I consulted the Advanced Shiva Puja book. As I

> understand, I can use the prana pratishta mantras that are used for

> the establishment of the pot also for the lingam.

> In the book, the establishment of the pot comes after the pushpa

> shuddi and dhyanam, and before the kara/anga nyasas (which in Enhanced

> Shiva Puja immediately follows pushpa shuddi). It starts with many

> offerings and then the sthiri karana and prana pratishta. So I thought

> perhaps I could add that part, ending with the prana pratishtam

> stotram. But then I don't know how I should proceed. I don't

> understand what you should do when you do prana pratishta on the

> lingam: should you just read the offering mantra's without offering

> anything physically? Because, otherwise, what do you do for the puja

> naivedya if you have already made offerings? And also, in the Shiva

> Advanced Book, there is a second prana pratishta for the establishment

> within and then there is the stapana upon the altar. So now, I don't

> know what to add and what to leave out, what the correct order would

> be and if it is even possible to add this without the instruction of a

> qualified guru who could show me. But I do love the mantras of the

> prana pratishta stotram.

> Anyway, these are many words to tell you I don't really know what to

> add best. I would be very grateful if Swamiji would be so kind to

> advise me.

>

> Sorry for going on a bit, it is so nice to be able to talk about what

> has become a part of me,

>

> with love,

> Henny

>

>

>

>

> , "n_ramya108" <n_ramya108@>

> wrote:

> >

> > Namaste Everybody,

> >

> > We had a fun discussion on puja this weekend and hope you will all

> join so we can share

> > and learn together!

> >

> > Can you please share your thoughts about these issues:

> >

> > (a) Do you do puja - what type of puja and how do you feel doing

> puja or after the puja?

> >

> > (b) If you had extra time (e.g. 1/2 hour more in a day!) -- what

> would you add to your

> > puja?

> >

> > Thank you very much! Looking forward to hearing from all of you!

> >

> > Jai Maa!

> >

> > ramya

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Ramya,

 

Sorry for not responding right away. I read the first class transcript

(the file for the second wasn't available for some reason) and it was

great. You and Srini are doing a fine job of guiding the discussion

and illuminating devotion.

 

I have a hard time with puja, and honestly, I'm not sure why. I'm

really rather conflicted about it (but then, I'm conflicted a lot

these days, it seems). It is possible that I'm just lazy.

 

I get a lot out of path and japa and some kinds of pranayama and also

methods of practice like bhuta shuddhi and prana pratishta, and I

enjoy following a ceremonial system of practicing these various

activities of worship. What I seem to rebel against is the stuff, the

physical objects, and the time and resources it takes to gather and

maintain them (lazy, huh?).

 

I don't know....I have a hard time getting myself to do sadhana - even

when I'm involved in a regular, disciplined practice, there's always

this inner struggle that goes on before I finally get myself onto my

asana. When I finally do practice, it's always intense, in one way or

another, and I like it that way. It makes me feel I'm accomplishing

something.

 

When I practice puja with all the offerings, plates, cups, flowers,

etc., etc., it seems distracting, and not so intense. I admit, the

more mantras I include, the more intense the experience becomes, and I

do enjoy the spectacle of the altar all bedecked with lovely flowers,

and colorful cloth, and fresh kum kum and sandalwood on the lingam,

but still, it all seems almost superfluous.

 

 

Sometimes I feel really guilty about this because I see that

ceremonial puja is such an important part of this tradition, and I

feel I should be able to embrace it completely. I see Maa's example

and Swamiji's and recognize that there must be something to this

practice that I'm not really connecting with - something important.

 

I don't know...I probably just need to gird-up my faith and keep at

it, for the sake of their example, if for no other reason. I have a

sense that maybe the importance of these things will become apparent

with time and practice.

 

Please don't feel obligated to "help" just because I've posted this.

If you want to respond, offer advice, whatever, that's good, but

that's not why I posted. I just wanted to share, sort of let everyone

know where I'm at with this.

 

Jai Maa!

Chris

 

 

 

 

 

, "n_ramya108" <n_ramya108 wrote:

>

> Namaste Everybody,

>

> We had a fun discussion on puja this weekend and hope you will all

join so we can share

> and learn together!

>

> Can you please share your thoughts about these issues:

>

> (a) Do you do puja - what type of puja and how do you feel doing

puja or after the puja?

>

> (b) If you had extra time (e.g. 1/2 hour more in a day!) -- what

would you add to your

> puja?

>

> Thank you very much! Looking forward to hearing from all of you!

>

> Jai Maa!

>

> ramya

>

[Guest guest]

(a) Do you do puja - what type of puja and how do you feel doing puja or

after the puja?

Offering devotionally - in ritual or otherwise - seems to engender a state of

letting go, moving away from grasping and selfishness, toward a stronger

heart connection, and into the FLOW with surrender and faith.

 

With repeated practice, that state seems to progressively generalize to more

areas of life as an intention to honor the Divine presence in all and to turn

apparent obstacles into opportunities for enhancing heart connection (though

manifesting the intention is not always easy).

 

One of the places where we aim to bring this kind of intention is at the

kirtan we offer. As all get lost in the experience of devotion, a unity

consciousness seems to arise. It's fun.

 

Jai Maa!

 

Durga & Shubal