to Rickji: Some Thoughts On Making Japa Faster

[Guest guest]

, "rikzinger" <rikveda wrote:

"

I am chanting to grow in love with the divine within me"

 

Jai Maa, my dear, dear "twin" brother Rickji!

i really can understand why beloved Shree Maa called you "Her

Rick/Rik Veda!" Every word i have ever heard you utter is in Praise

of the Divine...every post--a love letter in praise of Maa. One can

feel your loving devotion so deeply...you are a most fragrant flower,

dearest brother, permeating the Galaxies with the intoxicating scent

of your pure, sweet love. May this holy love continue to blossom and

grow with each new breath...i bow to you, dear, a thousand times,for

you truly are one of the blessed souls who are constantly making this

world a better place.

 

Your friend and sister beyond forever,

Muktimaa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

>

> I first learned to chant Sanskrit mantras when I joined ISKCON in

> 1970. My first teacher taught me that there were three ways to

chant –

> the same three that were so wonderfully explained by Chris and

> Russell. I was also taught that the method depends on the purpose.

If

> I am chanting to grow in love with the divine within me, then

chanting

> in silence is usually the best method. I would use "sub-vocal" chant

> in times where I wanted to infuse a space with divine energy but

true

> verbal chanting would be distracting, even offensive to some present

> (such as chanting as I walk through a store or office). I chant

> verbally at various volumes and rates when I want to be immersed in

> the sound energy of Maa. The sound waves I create with my vocal

> apparatus are used by Her to charge the atmosphere and raise

> consciousness in a very powerful way. But all three can be used at

> other times as well. It is good to follow inner guidance regarding

the

> method.

>

> I had an amazing experience at work today due to this sankalpa. At

> noon I go to a nearby temple to meditate and pray. As I returned to

my

> office today, a staff manager who has always been hostile toward me

> was standing outside smoking. This time he was looking at me as if

he

> was waiting for me, and as I approached he asked me if I could teach

> him to meditate right now. I asked him what was going on that made

him

> want to learn with such immediacy. He told me that this was the

worst

> day he has ever had. Everything was going wrong at work as well as

at

> home. He felt the stress was too much to bear. I listened as he

talked

> for a good while, and when he finished he commented on how much he

> appreciated me helping him meditate! I gave him a healing bangle

> (that's what I call the bangles I collect after pujas at the temple,

> and I am known for giving them out in the office when there is a

need

> for healing), and he joked that it did not match his outfit. Maybe

it

> didn't match, but it sure did its healing work. All hostility he

once

> had for me melted away in those moments. I am so very grateful for

the

> new friend I have been given by the grace of our divine Mother. I am

> watching as disturbances and hostilities subside. Blessed be our

> gurus! Jai Shree Maa! Jai Swamiji!

>

> In love,

>

> Rick Veda

>