Guest guest Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 Dear Holy Family, Among the nations of world, India has always been a thousand points of spiritual light. As a citizen of another part of the world, one might ask-with a little suppressed envy-why that country has been so blessed with saints, seers, sages; teachers, prophets and avataras, descending like the incessent strikes of monsoon lightning, throughout its history. One answer might be that, in the western world, we have been very disciplined and scientific in the realm of the physical, while India has chosen to be equally disciplined and scientific in the realm of the Spirit. It is a simple division of labor. And, as long as each is willing to share, and mutual respect prevails, everyone can benefit. Nowhere in our history or sciences can I recall hearing a discussion-even a reference-to, for instance, the three gunas as outlined in the Gita and in so many other teachings in Indian spiritual culture. They include: tamas-darkness, rest, inertia, inaction, the unevolved state of anything, as well as the qualities consistent with that; Rajas, the quality of intense activity, heat, desire creativity, etc.; and sattva, a state of perfect balance between the two. A practical, working knowledge of the effect of these forces (sometimes substances) in one's life has always been one of the prerequisites for successful sadhana in India. One poignant and prevailing image of the balance required is the upanishadic metaphor of "treading the razor-edged path", and, another, the entire Buddhist tradition based on the "Middle path" [Well---even though official western history doesn't mention the gunas overtly, She has occasionally slipped Herstory subtly into our culture in seemingly innocuous ways. I can remember my first sleepy-eyed days in this lifetime, listening to the story of Goldilocks and the three gunas-pardon me-bears. It was Momma bear's "just right" bed into which Gauri of the golden locks-Sutraamaa-chose to descend for a nice rest.] There is a sphinx guarding the entrance to every effective sadhana. In the Chandi, the drama begins with a challenge to the sadhaka to pass between the two guardians: too much and too little (with a little divine help, of course, from the reflected Perfection within) ie. to move into a perfectly balanced-or Sattvic-state of life and psyche in order for the Chandi path to be effective. And why is balance so important in spiritual life? Sri Ramakrishna described the Divine Descent into his body and soul as being like water rushing down the drainpipe which carries the excessive rain downward from the roof of a house in the monsoon season. If the segments of the pipe have not been alligned correctly, of have come apart, the water cannot descend. And that perfect allignment is the requisite sattva, balance, the middle path--in the adventure of "one's own path to enlightenment". Respectfully, Tanmaya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 Namaste Tanmaya, as always, I appreciate your thoughtful and beautifully written observations very much. I would just like to say that in Western esoteric traditions, particularly alchemy, we do seem to find ideas that are very similar to Indian teachings. According to some authors, the salt, sulphur and mercury of the alchemists are the equivalent of the three gunas. And, in the light of what I am learning here, sayings from alchemical workds like 'Equilibrium is the basis of the Great Work', suddenly make perfect sense. with love, henny , "ty_maa" <ds.james wrote: > > > Dear Holy Family, > > Among the nations of world, India has always been a thousand points of > spiritual light. As a citizen of another part of the world, one might > ask-with a little suppressed envy-why that country has been so blessed > with saints, seers, sages; teachers, prophets and avataras, descending > like the incessent strikes of monsoon lightning, throughout its history. > > One answer might be that, in the western world, we have been very > disciplined and scientific in the realm of the physical, while India has > chosen to be equally disciplined and scientific in the realm of the > Spirit. It is a simple division of labor. And, as long as each is > willing to share, and mutual respect prevails, everyone can benefit. > > Nowhere in our history or sciences can I recall hearing a > discussion-even a reference-to, for instance, the three gunas as > outlined in the Gita and in so many other teachings in Indian spiritual > culture. They include: tamas-darkness, rest, inertia, inaction, the > unevolved state of anything, as well as the qualities consistent with > that; Rajas, the quality of intense activity, heat, desire creativity, > etc.; and sattva, a state of perfect balance between the two. > > A practical, working knowledge of the effect of these forces (sometimes > substances) in one's life has always been one of the prerequisites for > successful sadhana in India. One poignant and prevailing image of the > balance required is the upanishadic metaphor of "treading the > razor-edged path", and, another, the entire Buddhist tradition based on > the "Middle path" > > [Well---even though official western history doesn't mention the gunas > overtly, She has occasionally slipped Herstory subtly into our culture > in seemingly innocuous ways. I can remember my first sleepy-eyed days > in this lifetime, listening to the story of Goldilocks and the three > gunas-pardon me-bears. It was Momma bear's "just right" bed into which > Gauri of the golden locks-Sutraamaa-chose to descend for a nice rest.] > > There is a sphinx guarding the entrance to every effective sadhana. In > the Chandi, the drama begins with a challenge to the sadhaka to pass > between the two guardians: too much and too little (with a little divine > help, of course, from the reflected Perfection within) ie. to move into > a perfectly balanced-or Sattvic-state of life and psyche in order for > the Chandi path to be effective. > > And why is balance so important in spiritual life? Sri Ramakrishna > described the Divine Descent into his body and soul as being like water > rushing down the drainpipe which carries the excessive rain downward > from the roof of a house in the monsoon season. If the segments of the > pipe have not been alligned correctly, of have come apart, the water > cannot descend. And that perfect allignment is the requisite sattva, > balance, the middle path--in the adventure of "one's own path to > enlightenment". > > Respectfully, > > Tanmaya > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Dear Henny, Indeed! And Jung, who considered himself one of the last great alchemical doctors of the soul, traces his linage back to the Gnostic Greeks, and to a time when China, India, Alexandria, Greece and the Celts were in constant communication. The world was smaller then, and more monolithic. I believe that even now, in India, alchemy is pursued; and that they do strange things with gold, silver and mercury. But it is a subject that goes beyond both my knowledge and my interest. What really does capture my interest, however, is the fact that our beloved old Chandi is a living example of an alchemical work (particularly as Swami interprets it), with an unbroken history extending back through the Vedic age, to be lost in the primeval mists of an unknown and magical world: the age of the Mother Goddess. By now, It has so much accumulated power, both as an embodiment of the Mother Shakti, as well as the accumulated intent of millions of shakta sadhus, that it may someday leap off the shelf and chase you around the room. Please send me a picture it that happens. Respectfully, Tanmaya , "henny_v_i" <henny_v_i wrote: > > Namaste Tanmaya, > > as always, I appreciate your thoughtful and beautifully written > observations very much. I would just like to say that in Western > esoteric traditions, particularly alchemy, we do seem to find ideas > that are very similar to Indian teachings. According to some authors, > the salt, sulphur and mercury of the alchemists are the equivalent of > the three gunas. And, in the light of what I am learning here, sayings > from alchemical workds like 'Equilibrium is the basis of the Great > Work', suddenly make perfect sense. > > with love, > henny > > > > , "ty_maa" <ds.james@> wrote: > > > > > > Dear Holy Family, > > > > Among the nations of world, India has always been a thousand points > of > > spiritual light. As a citizen of another part of the world, one > might > > ask-with a little suppressed envy-why that country has been so > blessed > > with saints, seers, sages; teachers, prophets and avataras, > descending > > like the incessent strikes of monsoon lightning, throughout its > history. > > > > One answer might be that, in the western world, we have been very > > disciplined and scientific in the realm of the physical, while India > has > > chosen to be equally disciplined and scientific in the realm of the > > Spirit. It is a simple division of labor. And, as long as each is > > willing to share, and mutual respect prevails, everyone can benefit. > > > > Nowhere in our history or sciences can I recall hearing a > > discussion-even a reference-to, for instance, the three gunas as > > outlined in the Gita and in so many other teachings in Indian > spiritual > > culture. They include: tamas-darkness, rest, inertia, inaction, the > > unevolved state of anything, as well as the qualities consistent > with > > that; Rajas, the quality of intense activity, heat, desire > creativity, > > etc.; and sattva, a state of perfect balance between the two. > > > > A practical, working knowledge of the effect of these forces > (sometimes > > substances) in one's life has always been one of the prerequisites > for > > successful sadhana in India. One poignant and prevailing image of > the > > balance required is the upanishadic metaphor of "treading the > > razor-edged path", and, another, the entire Buddhist tradition based > on > > the "Middle path" > > > > [Well---even though official western history doesn't mention the > gunas > > overtly, She has occasionally slipped Herstory subtly into our > culture > > in seemingly innocuous ways. I can remember my first sleepy-eyed > days > > in this lifetime, listening to the story of Goldilocks and the three > > gunas-pardon me-bears. It was Momma bear's "just right" bed into > which > > Gauri of the golden locks-Sutraamaa-chose to descend for a nice > rest.] > > > > There is a sphinx guarding the entrance to every effective sadhana. > In > > the Chandi, the drama begins with a challenge to the sadhaka to pass > > between the two guardians: too much and too little (with a little > divine > > help, of course, from the reflected Perfection within) ie. to move > into > > a perfectly balanced-or Sattvic-state of life and psyche in order > for > > the Chandi path to be effective. > > > > And why is balance so important in spiritual life? Sri Ramakrishna > > described the Divine Descent into his body and soul as being like > water > > rushing down the drainpipe which carries the excessive rain downward > > from the roof of a house in the monsoon season. If the segments of > the > > pipe have not been alligned correctly, of have come apart, the water > > cannot descend. And that perfect allignment is the requisite sattva, > > balance, the middle path--in the adventure of "one's own path to > > enlightenment". > > > > Respectfully, > > > > Tanmaya > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Dear Tanmaya, it is precisely because, as you say, "our beloved old Chandi is a living example of an alchemical work, with an unbroken history extending back through the Vedic age", that I find myself sitting at the feet of Swamiji and Shree Maa. It is interesting to read about processes of inner transformation, it is something else to learn directly from those who know what they are talking about, and to strive to practice what they teach. I'll be sure to send you a picture when Chandi Maa takes a leap and starts to chase me around the room:) I hope you won't see me running, but bowing at Her feet, with love, Henny In , "ty_maa" <ds.james wrote: > > > Dear Henny, > > Indeed! And Jung, who considered himself one of the last great > alchemical doctors of the soul, traces his linage back to the Gnostic > Greeks, and to a time when China, India, Alexandria, Greece and the > Celts were in constant communication. The world was smaller then, and > more monolithic. > > I believe that even now, in India, alchemy is pursued; and that they > do strange things with gold, silver and mercury. But it is a subject > that goes beyond both my knowledge and my interest. > > What really does capture my interest, however, is the fact that our > beloved old Chandi is a living example of an alchemical work > (particularly as Swami interprets it), with an unbroken history > extending back through the Vedic age, to be lost in the primeval mists > of an unknown and magical world: the age of the Mother Goddess. > > By now, It has so much accumulated power, both as an embodiment of the > Mother Shakti, as well as the accumulated intent of millions of shakta > sadhus, that it may someday leap off the shelf and chase you around > the room. > > Please send me a picture it that happens. > > Respectfully, > > Tanmaya > > > > , "henny_v_i" <henny_v_i@> wrote: > > > > Namaste Tanmaya, > > > > as always, I appreciate your thoughtful and beautifully written > > observations very much. I would just like to say that in Western > > esoteric traditions, particularly alchemy, we do seem to find ideas > > that are very similar to Indian teachings. According to some authors, > > the salt, sulphur and mercury of the alchemists are the equivalent of > > the three gunas. And, in the light of what I am learning here, sayings > > from alchemical workds like 'Equilibrium is the basis of the Great > > Work', suddenly make perfect sense. > > > > with love, > > henny > > > > > > > > , "ty_maa" <ds.james@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > Dear Holy Family, > > > > > > Among the nations of world, India has always been a thousand points > > of > > > spiritual light. As a citizen of another part of the world, one > > might > > > ask-with a little suppressed envy-why that country has been so > > blessed > > > with saints, seers, sages; teachers, prophets and avataras, > > descending > > > like the incessent strikes of monsoon lightning, throughout its > > history. > > > > > > One answer might be that, in the western world, we have been very > > > disciplined and scientific in the realm of the physical, while India > > has > > > chosen to be equally disciplined and scientific in the realm of the > > > Spirit. It is a simple division of labor. And, as long as each is > > > willing to share, and mutual respect prevails, everyone can benefit. > > > > > > Nowhere in our history or sciences can I recall hearing a > > > discussion-even a reference-to, for instance, the three gunas as > > > outlined in the Gita and in so many other teachings in Indian > > spiritual > > > culture. They include: tamas-darkness, rest, inertia, inaction, the > > > unevolved state of anything, as well as the qualities consistent > > with > > > that; Rajas, the quality of intense activity, heat, desire > > creativity, > > > etc.; and sattva, a state of perfect balance between the two. > > > > > > A practical, working knowledge of the effect of these forces > > (sometimes > > > substances) in one's life has always been one of the prerequisites > > for > > > successful sadhana in India. One poignant and prevailing image of > > the > > > balance required is the upanishadic metaphor of "treading the > > > razor-edged path", and, another, the entire Buddhist tradition based > > on > > > the "Middle path" > > > > > > [Well---even though official western history doesn't mention the > > gunas > > > overtly, She has occasionally slipped Herstory subtly into our > > culture > > > in seemingly innocuous ways. I can remember my first sleepy-eyed > > days > > > in this lifetime, listening to the story of Goldilocks and the three > > > gunas-pardon me-bears. It was Momma bear's "just right" bed into > > which > > > Gauri of the golden locks-Sutraamaa-chose to descend for a nice > > rest.] > > > > > > There is a sphinx guarding the entrance to every effective sadhana. > > In > > > the Chandi, the drama begins with a challenge to the sadhaka to pass > > > between the two guardians: too much and too little (with a little > > divine > > > help, of course, from the reflected Perfection within) ie. to move > > into > > > a perfectly balanced-or Sattvic-state of life and psyche in order > > for > > > the Chandi path to be effective. > > > > > > And why is balance so important in spiritual life? Sri Ramakrishna > > > described the Divine Descent into his body and soul as being like > > water > > > rushing down the drainpipe which carries the excessive rain downward > > > from the roof of a house in the monsoon season. If the segments of > > the > > > pipe have not been alligned correctly, of have come apart, the water > > > cannot descend. And that perfect allignment is the requisite sattva, > > > balance, the middle path--in the adventure of "one's own path to > > > enlightenment". > > > > > > Respectfully, > > > > > > Tanmaya > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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