RE- Shri Somayaji unsubscribing/Sastriji's sadness

[Guest guest]

Om Namo Narayanaya.

I am a relatively new member of this 'advaitin' group although I have been a

member of the advaita-L list for quite sometime. I find the discussions in

this advaitin forum very interesting especially because some of the

contributors explain concepts simply, giving nice practical illustrations

and that to a beginner on the spiritual path is of immense help. My humble

thanks for that. I especially applaud the recent posts on 'sadhana' and

'living in the present instance'. More than a discussion of the advaithic

concepts, it is the discussion of how to go about realizing those concepts

in our daily lives that is of most importance and the posts in the last few

days are very valuable in this regard.

 

I am sorry that some members have suffered much sadness recently and hope

and pray that your faith and trust will provide the much needed strength in

these difficult times. I decided to write this mail especially for two

reasons: one was after reading Sastriji's mail about his loss and a recent

sad news from one of my friends at my previous university in Virginia. This

graduate student I knew went on a canoeing trip this Sunday, the 3rd; his

canoe overturned and he drowned. He must have been 24/25 years of age, just

finished his Masters in computer science and was getting ready to start a

job and a better life. I received this mail today about his death from my

friend. I also received another email which informed me that a friend back

in Pune had delivered a baby boy on Sept 3rd. I was struck by the

contrasting events, the same day. And I recalled something from Christopher

Isherwoods "Vedanta for the west" (recommended by Shyamji or Subbuji in one

of their recent posts)-- he describes the law of karma--in the words of a

Vedantist "...it may sound much more brutal but it is much more consistent"

and then I came home and re-read what he says...also that "the individual

can escape from Karma at any given moment, as soon as he realizes that he is

the Atman"..and again "human life has a peculiarity: it is the only

condition in which one can create fresh karma" (pp.19-21). I think this is

what most of us seekers are striving towards..........or need to strive

towards.......to be able to clear our debts (incurred Karma) in this life,

to ensure we do not incur any fresh debts (new Karmas), and further to build

up credit for ourselves so that the number of births we need, to realize

that we are the Atman, may be few or not at all. And living in the present

instance is one important way in which one can achieve this.

 

Sastriji did convey that he does not feel much happiness that his

translation of the "Siddhantabindu" was being released. I think you have

been truly blessed that you are able to undertake works of such immense

value. I must tell you that I am a Malayalee born and brought up in Pune. My

mother, alongwith her group of friends reads the Narayaneeyam, the first

Sunday of every month, at our Krishna temple back home. Although I speak

Malayalam fairly fluently I don't read or write it. I would go frequently to

drive my mother back from the temple and sometimes sat through the final

dashakas of the Narayaneeyam. It always sounded so melodious, I wanted to be

able to read it and so acquired, Sastriji, your English translation of the

Narayaneeyam published through the Chinmaya mission. I value my copy of the

Narayaneeyam as much as I value my copy of Swami Chinmayananda's Gita. I too

can enjoy Bhattathiri's bhakti because you took the trouble to translate it

and I am sure so do lots of other people; and the same will happen with your

offering of the translation of Madhusudhan Shastri's work. My sashtang

namaskar to you.

 

I am very glad that some members have emphasized on the need for simplicity

and the focus on "how to..?" I know meditation is the key, how do I go about

it? I know detachment is the key, how do I go about it? How do I persist in

my attempts for an Advaithic living while dealing with my duties as a human

being without being an escapist? I am sure our rishis set out simple,

achievable ways to do this and every posting in this regard will be highly

appreciated. Like Harshaji mentioned in her posting on the list's birthday,

this online group is a virtual satsangh, and I look forward to the postings

eagerly every day. Let not the fact that most of us are silent spectators

deter the wiser folks from posting; we read the mails with as much interest

and dedication as you devote to writing them.

 

This is a long post, but it comes from the heart and I hope members will

bear with me if I have digressed somewhat.

Pranams.

Veena.

 

 

On 9/6/06, Peter <not_2 (AT) btinternet (DOT) com> wrote:

>

> Dear Sri Sastri-ji,

>

> I am so sorry to hear of the death of your daughter and the affect it has

> had on you and your wife - likewise my sincere condolences to Sri Somayaji

> and his family. I too have lost a child, a long time ago, in his first few

> years of life. It is a hard blow to the heart to lose one of our own

> children.

>

> Its ironic that we all argue so much over ideas and words, so often

> divided

> by our beliefs (thoughts) and too often the desire to be right (or at

> least

> show the other person is wrong).

>

> Yet we are all united in our frailty as human beings who suffer and also

> in

> our one-ness with all life. Both are beyond speech and words and clever

> ideas.

>

> If only 'we' could recognise that underlying frailty and/or one-ness with

> each other and perhaps bring a little more gentleness into our exploring

> together these great truths of Advaita Vedanta. Perhaps we might build

> more

> bridges in thought that unite us and less walls that divide us.

>

> sincerely and with warm regards,

>

> Peter

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

advaitin, "Veena Nair" <nairvee wrote:

>

 

And living in the present

> instance is one important way in which one can achieve this.

>

 

 

I am sure our rishis set out simple,

> achievable ways to do this and every posting in this regard will

be highly

> appreciated.

 

Namaste,

 

What greater pillar of strength can we look for than the

Bhagavad-Gita - whose refrain is mA shuchaH ? [do not grieve].

 

Can anyone imagine the grief of Kunti, Draupadi, Gandhari,

Arjuna? What did they ask of Krishna? Kunti said "Give me more grief

so that I may never forget you?" (Ref. Pandava Gita)

 

sarve bhavantu sukhinaH.......... [May all be happy.....]

 

 

Regards,

 

Sunder