Guest guest Posted December 23, 2006 Report Share Posted December 23, 2006 Respected Devotees, When I found this community I was basicly familiar with the "Hari Krishna" school of the Vedic tradition, and, more extensively, with Buddhism. Over time I've begun to understand that the Devi Mandir Tradition is in the great Tradition of Shree Adi Shankaracharya's Smarta lineage. I have a general question about the individual Ishta-Devata. Is it proper for the individual seeker to chose a personal Ista-Devata based on a personal sense of inner attraction to that deity, or should the seeker be given the Ishta-Devata by the Guru, like a Doctor prescribes medicine to a patient? I have an interest in Surya Deva, because He goes all the way back to the RgVeda, which appeals to my hunger to connect with the most ancient Tradition. Then again, my Jyotish chart indicates that I have a severly debilitated Sun, which should be remedied by Surya worship. So I have personal reasons for being "interested" in Surya, but I'm not at all sure if my "personal reason" are a valid means of entering to a devotionl commitment to an Ishta_Devata. Can anyone help with this?? Thanks! Ken Shaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2006 Report Share Posted December 23, 2006 All I can say is Surya rocks. He was assimiliated into both the Shaivite and Vaishnava traditions. He works perfectly as an Ishta Dev and was a major source of worship in India, and many other places, for many thousands of years. At the Devi Mandir, there is a big Surya Dev adorning the wall behind Swamiji. He is always shining on the altar, the homa pit and all who gather inside the temple. He is the light of Wisdom, amongst other things, so how can you go wrong. All the forms are put masks of the One that is beyond form, so how can you go wrong anyway? But of course, I am a little partial and biased towards Surya, for reasons that should be obvious. A last thought though...why feel the need to put such finalization on things? Don't worry about who your Istha Dev is. Just worship whatever you feel an inclination to worship and if and when you fall in love with just one, it will be obvious. I feel you should absolutely apply yourself seriously, but you will know over time if it is THE path for you. You can't go wrong with devotion. Its all good. Don't get caught up in the small temporal stuff of names and forms in a way that is limiting and finite. They are all just names and forms of the One form. In Truth, there is only One Ishta Devata. Jai Aditya Surya Narayan Mahadev! Surya - kenshaw007 (AT) comcast (DOT) net Friday, December 22, 2006 7:42 PM [www.ShreeMaa.org] Surya as Ishta-Devta Respected Devotees, When I found this community I was basicly familiar with the "Hari Krishna" school of the Vedic tradition, and, more extensively, with Buddhism. Over time I've begun to understand that the Devi Mandir Tradition is in the great Tradition of Shree Adi Shankaracharya's Smarta lineage. I have a general question about the individual Ishta-Devata. Is it proper for the individual seeker to chose a personal Ista-Devata based on a personal sense of inner attraction to that deity, or should the seeker be given the Ishta-Devata by the Guru, like a Doctor prescribes medicine to a patient? I have an interest in Surya Deva, because He goes all the way back to the RgVeda, which appeals to my hunger to connect with the most ancient Tradition. Then again, my Jyotish chart indicates that I have a severly debilitated Sun, which should be remedied by Surya worship. So I have personal reasons for being "interested" in Surya, but I'm not at all sure if my "personal reason" are a valid means of entering to a devotionl commitment to an Ishta_Devata. Can anyone help with this?? Thanks! Ken Shaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2006 Report Share Posted December 23, 2006 Hi Ken, In general, people choose their own ishta, from their own attraction, as you said. This doesn't, of course, mean that you can't love and worship other forms of the One, too. Sun is very beautiful... Jai Maa! Chris , kenshaw007 wrote: > > Respected Devotees, > When I found this community I was basicly familiar with the "Hari Krishna" school of the Vedic tradition, and, more extensively, with Buddhism. > Over time I've begun to understand that the Devi Mandir Tradition is in the great Tradition of Shree Adi Shankaracharya's Smarta lineage. > I have a general question about the individual Ishta-Devata. Is it proper for the individual seeker to chose a personal Ista-Devata based on a personal sense of inner attraction to that deity, or should the seeker be given the Ishta-Devata by the Guru, like a Doctor prescribes medicine to a patient? > I have an interest in Surya Deva, because He goes all the way back to the RgVeda, which appeals to my hunger to connect with the most ancient Tradition. Then again, my Jyotish chart indicates that I have a severly debilitated Sun, which should be remedied by Surya worship. > So I have personal reasons for being "interested" in Surya, but I'm not at all sure if my "personal reason" are a valid means of entering to a devotionl commitment to an Ishta_Devata. > Can anyone help with this?? > > Thanks! > Ken Shaw > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 25, 2006 Report Share Posted December 25, 2006 Dear Ken, I am very attracted to Divine Mother in Her form as Goddess Kali. This attraction came while with another spirtual group in my native land. During that time the group leader was giving us a series of talks on the Eastern Dieties and hearing of Kali just triggerred something deep within. I believe that is it the deep longing to learn more of this Goddess that brought me to the Devi Mandir. At that time of learning and longing for Goddess Mother, I had absolutely no knowledge of the Vedas, Jyotish charts or Adi Shankaracharya's lineage. Hope this helps you in some small way. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Jai Maa Kalia , kenshaw007 wrote: > > Respected Devotees, > When I found this community I was basicly familiar with the "Hari Krishna" school of the Vedic tradition, and, more extensively, with Buddhism. > Over time I've begun to understand that the Devi Mandir Tradition is in the great Tradition of Shree Adi Shankaracharya's Smarta lineage. > I have a general question about the individual Ishta-Devata. Is it proper for the individual seeker to chose a personal Ista-Devata based on a personal sense of inner attraction to that deity, or should the seeker be given the Ishta-Devata by the Guru, like a Doctor prescribes medicine to a patient? > I have an interest in Surya Deva, because He goes all the way back to the RgVeda, which appeals to my hunger to connect with the most ancient Tradition. Then again, my Jyotish chart indicates that I have a severly debilitated Sun, which should be remedied by Surya worship. > So I have personal reasons for being "interested" in Surya, but I'm not at all sure if my "personal reason" are a valid means of entering to a devotionl commitment to an Ishta_Devata. > Can anyone help with this?? > > Thanks! > Ken Shaw > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 26, 2006 Report Share Posted December 26, 2006 Kalia, Thank you so much for your kind and helpful words. I've been on a long and confusing journey, trying to sort out the many threads of religious ideas I was exposed to growing up in a little Mormon town in rural Idaho. When I was just a boy of 10 or so I happened to pick up a little book on the Upanishads while visiting an Aunt and Uncle. I can't imagine that they had any idea what it was, and I have no ideas of how it came to be in their home. I remember that reading the description of Atman, and how it seemed to enter right into my heart like a shining "Spark". Then in my teenage years, about 1970, I read my first book on Yoga. That lead to some experiences trying to "stop my mind". All this didn't mix very well with the Mormon religion that I was raised in. It has been a long deliberate process of deconstructing first Mormonism, then Christianity, and then the Abrahamic faiths. It has been kind of intellectual process. Ken Shaw -------------- Original message -------------- "kaliananda_saraswati" <kaliananda_saraswati > Dear Ken, I am very attracted to Divine Mother in Her form as Goddess Kali. This attraction came while with another spirtual group in my native land. During that time the group leader was giving us a series of talks on the Eastern Dieties and hearing of Kali just triggerred something deep within. I believe that is it the deep longing to learn more of this Goddess that brought me to the Devi Mandir. At that time of learning and longing for Goddess Mother, I had absolutely no knowledge of the Vedas, Jyotish charts or Adi Shankaracharya's lineage. Hope this helps you in some small way. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Jai Maa Kalia , kenshaw007 wrote: > > Respected Devotees, > When I found this community I was basicly familiar with the "Hari Krishna" school of the Vedic tradition, and, more extensively, with Buddhism. > Over time I've begun to understand that the Devi Mandir Tradition is in the great Tradition of Shree Adi Shankaracharya's Smarta lineage. > I have a general question about the individual Ishta-Devata. Is it proper for the individual seeker to chose a personal Ista-Devata based on a personal sense of inner attraction to that deity, or should the seeker be given the Ishta-Devata by the Guru, like a Doctor prescribes medicine to a patient? > I have an interest in Surya Deva, because He goes all the way back to the RgVeda, which appeals to my hunger to connect with the most ancient Tradition. Then again, my Jyotish chart indicates that I have a severly debilitated Sun, which should be remedied by Surya worship. > So I have personal reasons for being "interested" in Surya, but I'm not at all sure if my "personal reason" are a valid means of entering to a devotionl commitment to an Ishta_Devata. > Can anyone help with this?? > > Thanks! > Ken Shaw > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 26, 2006 Report Share Posted December 26, 2006 Namaste Thanks for that story about meeting Kali. It reminds me meeting Shiva. I was with another spiritual group who traced their lineage to Shankaracharaya. However, in that group, we never discussed Shiva or any Gods or Goddesses. I had never even heard the name Shiva. One day I was at an Indian store in Chicago, and saw a poster of this man who I thought was Shararacharaya. I loved the painting, bought it, went home, and put it in the closet. After 5 years or so, I met Shree Maa when she came to our small town in Iowa. She talked so lovingly of Lord Shiva, sang beautiful songs to Him, and we all chanted His mantra at the sacred homa. Then, She suggested learning puja to Him, as He is the Guru of all Gurus. She and Swami taught us the puja. I started because I trusted Maa and have never stopped since, 10 years later. That poster was of Lord Shiva and because of Maa, I met my Ishta-Devtah. Jai Maa Jai Swami love vishweshwar. Well, , "kaliananda_saraswati" <kaliananda_saraswati wrote: > > Dear Ken, > > I am very attracted to Divine Mother in Her form as Goddess Kali. > This attraction came while with another spirtual group in my native > land. During that time the group leader was giving us a series of > talks on the Eastern Dieties and hearing of Kali just triggerred > something deep within. I believe that is it the deep longing to > learn more of this Goddess that brought me to the Devi Mandir. At > that time of learning and longing for Goddess Mother, I had > absolutely no knowledge of the Vedas, Jyotish charts or Adi > Shankaracharya's lineage. > > Hope this helps you in some small way. > > Merry Christmas to you and your family. > > Jai Maa > Kalia > > > , kenshaw007@ wrote: > > > > Respected Devotees, > > When I found this community I was basicly familiar with the "Hari > Krishna" school of the Vedic tradition, and, more extensively, with > Buddhism. > > Over time I've begun to understand that the Devi Mandir Tradition > is in the great Tradition of Shree Adi Shankaracharya's Smarta > lineage. > > I have a general question about the individual Ishta-Devata. Is > it proper for the individual seeker to chose a personal Ista-Devata > based on a personal sense of inner attraction to that deity, or > should the seeker be given the Ishta-Devata by the Guru, like a > Doctor prescribes medicine to a patient? > > I have an interest in Surya Deva, because He goes all the way back > to the RgVeda, which appeals to my hunger to connect with the most > ancient Tradition. Then again, my Jyotish chart indicates that I > have a severly debilitated Sun, which should be remedied by Surya > worship. > > So I have personal reasons for being "interested" in Surya, but > I'm not at all sure if my "personal reason" are a valid means of > entering to a devotionl commitment to an Ishta_Devata. > > Can anyone help with this?? > > > > Thanks! > > Ken Shaw > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 26, 2006 Report Share Posted December 26, 2006 Namaste Ken: If you are attracted to that deity, then there is a reason for it. I personally have Gayatri on my altar. Gayatri is the sister to Surya, and she is depicted as being all of the gods including Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. She is considered the female aspect of the sun. When we begin yoga practice, we first salute the sun. It is a very helpful practice, and helps to loosen the body before meditation. Blessings, Shankari Kali > Respected Devotees, > > When I found this community I was basicly familiar with the "Hari > Krishna" school of the Vedic tradition, and, more extensively, with > Buddhism. > > Over time I've begun to understand that the Devi Mandir Tradition > is in the great Tradition of Shree Adi Shankaracharya' s Smarta > lineage. > > I have a general question about the individual Ishta-Devata. Is > it proper for the individual seeker to chose a personal Ista-Devata > based on a personal sense of inner attraction to that deity, or > should the seeker be given the Ishta-Devata by the Guru, like a > Doctor prescribes medicine to a patient? > > I have an interest in Surya Deva, because He goes all the way back > to the RgVeda, which appeals to my hunger to connect with the most > ancient Tradition. Then again, my Jyotish chart indicates that I > have a severly debilitated Sun, which should be remedied by Surya > worship. > > So I have personal reasons for being "interested" in Surya, but > I'm not at all sure if my "personal reason" are a valid means of > entering to a devotionl commitment to an Ishta_Devata. > > Can anyone help with this?? > > > > Thanks! > > Ken Shaw > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Actually I believe you mean Savitri. Gayatri is a name and form of Saraswati, Consort of Brahma. They are often confused. Jai Maa! Surya - Shankari Kali Tuesday, December 26, 2006 10:57 AM Re: [www.ShreeMaa.org] Re: Surya as Ishta-Devta Namaste Ken: If you are attracted to that deity, then there is a reason for it. I personally have Gayatri on my altar. Gayatri is the sister to Surya, and she is depicted as being all of the gods including Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. She is considered the female aspect of the sun. When we begin yoga practice, we first salute the sun. It is a very helpful practice, and helps to loosen the body before meditation. Blessings, Shankari Kali > Respected Devotees, > > When I found this community I was basicly familiar with the "Hari > Krishna" school of the Vedic tradition, and, more extensively, with > Buddhism. > > Over time I've begun to understand that the Devi Mandir Tradition > is in the great Tradition of Shree Adi Shankaracharya' s Smarta > lineage. > > I have a general question about the individual Ishta-Devata. Is > it proper for the individual seeker to chose a personal Ista-Devata > based on a personal sense of inner attraction to that deity, or > should the seeker be given the Ishta-Devata by the Guru, like a > Doctor prescribes medicine to a patient? > > I have an interest in Surya Deva, because He goes all the way back > to the RgVeda, which appeals to my hunger to connect with the most > ancient Tradition. Then again, my Jyotish chart indicates that I > have a severly debilitated Sun, which should be remedied by Surya > worship. > > So I have personal reasons for being "interested" in Surya, but > I'm not at all sure if my "personal reason" are a valid means of > entering to a devotionl commitment to an Ishta_Devata. > > Can anyone help with this?? > > > > Thanks! > > Ken Shaw > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Namaste Ken If you have a desire to worship the divine, Shree Maa recommends starting with worship of Lord Shiva, the Guru of all Gurus. If you have a desire to learn about that worship, many of us perform Shiva puja and would help you get started. Also, at www.shreemaa.org the book "SHIVA PUJA FOR BEGINNERS" AND A CD of Swami chanting it, are available. Jai Maa Jai Swami Vishweshwar , kenshaw007 wrote: > > Kalia, > > Thank you so much for your kind and helpful words. I've been on a long and confusing journey, trying to sort out the many threads of religious ideas I was exposed to growing up in a little Mormon town in rural Idaho. When I was just a boy of 10 or so I happened to pick up a little book on the Upanishads while visiting an Aunt and Uncle. I can't imagine that they had any idea what it was, and I have no ideas of how it came to be in their home. I remember that reading the description of Atman, and how it seemed to enter right into my heart like a shining "Spark". > > Then in my teenage years, about 1970, I read my first book on Yoga. That lead to some experiences trying to "stop my mind". > > All this didn't mix very well with the Mormon religion that I was raised in. It has been a long deliberate process of deconstructing first Mormonism, then Christianity, and then the Abrahamic faiths. It has been kind of intellectual process. > > Ken Shaw > > -------------- Original message -------------- > "kaliananda_saraswati" <kaliananda_saraswati > Dear Ken, > > I am very attracted to Divine Mother in Her form as Goddess Kali. > This attraction came while with another spirtual group in my native > land. During that time the group leader was giving us a series of > talks on the Eastern Dieties and hearing of Kali just triggerred > something deep within. I believe that is it the deep longing to > learn more of this Goddess that brought me to the Devi Mandir. At > that time of learning and longing for Goddess Mother, I had > absolutely no knowledge of the Vedas, Jyotish charts or Adi > Shankaracharya's lineage. > > Hope this helps you in some small way. > > Merry Christmas to you and your family. > > Jai Maa > Kalia > > , kenshaw007@ wrote: > > > > Respected Devotees, > > When I found this community I was basicly familiar with the "Hari > Krishna" school of the Vedic tradition, and, more extensively, with > Buddhism. > > Over time I've begun to understand that the Devi Mandir Tradition > is in the great Tradition of Shree Adi Shankaracharya's Smarta > lineage. > > I have a general question about the individual Ishta-Devata. Is > it proper for the individual seeker to chose a personal Ista-Devata > based on a personal sense of inner attraction to that deity, or > should the seeker be given the Ishta-Devata by the Guru, like a > Doctor prescribes medicine to a patient? > > I have an interest in Surya Deva, because He goes all the way back > to the RgVeda, which appeals to my hunger to connect with the most > ancient Tradition. Then again, my Jyotish chart indicates that I > have a severly debilitated Sun, which should be remedied by Surya > worship. > > So I have personal reasons for being "interested" in Surya, but > I'm not at all sure if my "personal reason" are a valid means of > entering to a devotionl commitment to an Ishta_Devata. > > Can anyone help with this?? > > > > Thanks! > > Ken Shaw > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Vishweshwar, Thank you for your kind and auspicious guidance. As it turns out, yesturday I send an email inquiry to the Hindu Mandir of Lake County here in Greys Lake, Illinois, and asked to be instructed in the Shiva Puja. Thank you for your generous kindness. Jai Maa! Ken Shaw -------------- Original message -------------- "inspectionconnection108" <inspectionconnection108 > Namaste Ken If you have a desire to worship the divine, Shree Maa recommends starting with worship of Lord Shiva, the Guru of all Gurus. If you have a desire to learn about that worship, many of us perform Shiva puja and would help you get started. Also, at www.shreemaa.org the book "SHIVA PUJA FOR BEGINNERS" AND A CD of Swami chanting it, are available. Jai Maa Jai Swami Vishweshwar , kenshaw007 wrote: > > Kalia, > > Thank you so much for your kind and helpful words. I've been on a long and confusing journey, trying to sort out the many threads of religious ideas I was exposed to growing up in a little Mormon town in rural Idaho. When I was just a boy of 10 or so I happened to pick up a little book on the Upanishads while visiting an Aunt and Uncle. I can't imagine that they had any idea what it was, and I have no ideas of how it came to be in their home. I remember that reading the description of Atman, and how it seemed to enter right into my heart like a shining "Spark". > > Then in my teenage years, about 1970, I read my first book on Yoga. That lead to some experiences trying to "stop my mind". > > All this didn't mix very well with the Mormon religion that I was raised in. It has been a long deliberate process of deconstructing first Mormonism, then Christianity, and then the Abrahamic faiths. It has been kind of intellectual process. > > Ken Shaw > > -------------- Original message -------------- > "kaliananda_saraswati" <kaliananda_saraswati > Dear Ken, > > I am very attracted to Divine Mother in Her form as Goddess Kali. > This attraction came while with another spirtual group in my native > land. During that time the group leader was giving us a series of > talks on the Eastern Dieties and hearing of Kali just triggerred > something deep within. I believe that is it the deep longing to > learn more of this Goddess that brought me to the Devi Mandir. At > that time of learning and longing for Goddess Mother, I had > absolutely no knowledge of the Vedas, Jyotish charts or Adi > Shankaracharya's lineage. > > Hope this helps you in some small way. > > Merry Christmas to you and your family. > > Jai Maa > Kalia > > , kenshaw007@ wrote: > > > > Respected Devotees, > > When I found this community I was basicly familiar with the "Hari > Krishna" school of the Vedic tradition, and, more extensively, with > Buddhism. > > Over time I've begun to understand that the Devi Mandir Tradition > is in the great Tradition of Shree Adi Shankaracharya's Smarta > lineage. > > I have a general question about the individual Ishta-Devata. Is > it proper for the individual seeker to chose a personal Ista-Devata > based on a personal sense of inner attraction to that deity, or > should the seeker be given the Ishta-Devata by the Guru, like a > Doctor prescribes medicine to a patient? > > I have an interest in Surya Deva, because He goes all the way back > to the RgVeda, which appeals to my hunger to connect with the most > ancient Tradition. Then again, my Jyotish chart indicates that I > have a severly debilitated Sun, which should be remedied by Surya > worship. > > So I have personal reasons for being "interested" in Surya, but > I'm not at all sure if my "personal reason" are a valid means of > entering to a devotionl commitment to an Ishta_Devata. > > Can anyone help with this?? > > > > Thanks! > > Ken Shaw > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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