Guest guest Posted February 23, 2007 Report Share Posted February 23, 2007 OM NAMAH SIVAYA something i haven't read in this discussion is that one may also choose to look at the issue from the perspective of efficiency and Love for Divine Mother rather than just our own personal reasons. meat consumption is extremely taxing to our Earth's resources, from a standpoint of land usage, water pollution, energy usage, and even global warming. the lower we eat on the food chain the better. Below are a few relevant statistics; water needed to produce one pound of wheat: 25 gallons water needed to produce one pound of meat: 2,500 gallons! acres of forest cleared to create cropland to feed livestock: 260 million!!!!!! years the world's petroleum reserves would last if everyone was non-vegetarian: 13 years the world's petroleum reserves would last if everyone was vegetarian: 260 Livestock account for 12% of methane gas emissions due to belching and flatulation. one molecule of methane traps 25 times as much solar heat as one molecule of CO2. No joke! percentage of U.S. agricultural land used to produce beef: 56 percentage of U.S. topsoil loss associated with livestock raising: 85 pounds of potatoes that can be grown on one acre of land: 20,000 pounds of beef that can be produced on one acre of land: 165 amount of people who could be fed by grain eaten by U.S. livestock: 1.3 billion HOW FREQUENTLY A CHILD DIES OF STARVATION: EVERY 2 SECONDS!!!!!!!!!!!! JAI MA , "Mahamuni Das" <mahamuni wrote: > > I have read many of the posts people have put forth. I have not eaten any non-vegetarian foods, from eggs up, for over 20 years. I normally have plenty of energy and more muscle than most non-vegetarians. But I want to state that you can't eat your way to God. Also it seems that some people for a variety of reasons, need to eat some non-veg foods for their health. While there might be a way for them to not do this, there also may not be. Some do better with fish. Also some of the most horrible adharmic people in history have been vegetarian, like Adolf Hitler. So lets not get too stuck on this. It can also become an attachment. Better than simply be a veg, is finding a simple diet that supports a good state of health and allows us to go forward in our sadhana. This will be different for different people and even for those people it might change at different times. > > As Christ said, its more important what comes out of your mouth than what goes in. > > As far as names, Vish said it clearly and plainly. While identifying with a Sanskrit name may help us, it can also hinder us and become an obstacle that supports out ego instead. A rose still smells as sweet despite what name you give it. Water is still as refreshing regardless of what you call it. If you are given a spiritual name by your Teacher, then use it as an ideal to aspire to. Ultimately what name can describe who you really are? None. You are the same regardless of what anyone, including yourself, calls you. You are the same wherever you go. > > So enjoy the simple things that propel you forward, but don't get stuck on them and attached to them. Rise above it all! > > Jai Maa! > > Surya > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2007 Report Share Posted February 23, 2007 Namaste, Thank you for these comments, Surya. In reading the recent postings, although I am in complete agreement with most all that has been said, I also felt that something more was needed, a slightly higher point of view that would balance it all out. Your posting is helpful in that way, at least for me, so thank you. The hardest thing in spititual life is not merely to take up a practice--and even to be quite successful at it for some time--but to carry it forward, faithfully and persistently, year after year for a lifetime, without getting sidetracked--and without losing a kind of balance in one's views and in one's relationship with the "outside". A disciple once said, "I've been at this spiritual business for ten years now!". The Guru, replied, "You haven't even gotten your feet wet yet." ---So, its the long haul that counts. I am hearing "-isms" being used in these postings from time to time; and, although these are perfectly appropriate and useful terms to use, there is also something powerful and gripping about them for the human personality and ego. Look at the present state of the world with unbiased vision, and then also look carefully at how "-isms" play into the mix, and maybe you will see what I mean. Day before yesterday, I turned to my dictionery to see how it defined "-ism". I found that an "ism" is "a distinctive doctrine, system or theory". From that I was able to understand that it is man who makes isms, not God. God, the Avataras, and the Shruti, have never, to my knowledge, spoken in terms of isms. Rather, they bring pure spirituality, universal Love, Peace, and depth of Understanding into Reality. It is always man who, after some time, begins to find too little drama in all this simplicity, and desires to thicken the plot by beginning to systematise, generalize, organize, theorize, and doctrinize the simple and pure inspiration which had descended from Spirit. A perfect example of Simplicity of Spirit is Shree Maa's life. And there is a perfect description of Her Simplicity just a few postings above this, as well as in many other postings. In the 12 or 13 years which I have had the blessing of knowing Shree Maa, I can not remember Her using an "ism" word even once. I can, however, remember Her saying "All are my own; all are my children". It may be that is because the very concept of doctrinizing, systemizing and theorizing are foreign to Her Nature. Nor can I recall Sri Ramakrishna using any such terms or concepts...and, someone said that when the Guru looks into the mirror of the disciple, He should see only His own Self. Although it may be that true spiritually is very simple, nevertheless, just as one can overlook the "Pearl of great price" thinking it to be just another pebble in one's dusty pathway, one can also let the simplest little concept slip into one's thinking, attitudes, relationships, and actions, without a clue as to where it may eventually lead. And that is why the Guru is so important. Or, if not a Guru, then a Shruti text to live by and to continually to check oneself against. Or a Mantra...also just above this posting is a great description of how the Peace Mantra, given by Shree Maa, is able to act as a Guru in one's practical life, checking "disturbances before they become hostility". The sense I have is that recently this group-so diverse, and so scattered all around the world- has jelled into a true sanga, an ashram. Its a new concept, made possible by technology, and, I am sure, would have been laughed at even a short time ago by those who live in small enclaves separate from the world. They would have said that true spiritual learning and growth could not be conducted in virtual space. But then, maybe all time and space are really only virtual---or-perhaps-even time and space themselves were never really necessary after all. Respectfully, Tanmaya , "Mahamuni Das" <mahamuni wrote: > > I have read many of the posts people have put forth. I have not eaten any non-vegetarian foods, from eggs up, for over 20 years. I normally have plenty of energy and more muscle than most non-vegetarians. But I want to state that you can't eat your way to God. Also it seems that some people for a variety of reasons, need to eat some non-veg foods for their health. While there might be a way for them to not do this, there also may not be. Some do better with fish. Also some of the most horrible adharmic people in history have been vegetarian, like Adolf Hitler. So lets not get too stuck on this. It can also become an attachment. Better than simply be a veg, is finding a simple diet that supports a good state of health and allows us to go forward in our sadhana. This will be different for different people and even for those people it might change at different times. > > As Christ said, its more important what comes out of your mouth than what goes in. > > As far as names, Vish said it clearly and plainly. While identifying with a Sanskrit name may help us, it can also hinder us and become an obstacle that supports out ego instead. A rose still smells as sweet despite what name you give it. Water is still as refreshing regardless of what you call it. If you are given a spiritual name by your Teacher, then use it as an ideal to aspire to. Ultimately what name can describe who you really are? None. You are the same regardless of what anyone, including yourself, calls you. You are the same wherever you go. > > So enjoy the simple things that propel you forward, but don't get stuck on them and attached to them. Rise above it all! > > Jai Maa! > > Surya > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2007 Report Share Posted February 23, 2007 Maa has said that attention is respect. To pay attention. To respect ourselves, our thoughts, our actions, others. Whether it is health, what food we eat, what we read, what sadhana we do, what higher respect than to pay attention....does this thing, or food, or action or thought move energy toward the goal or away. Swamiji says that all actions and thoughts do one or the other. What moves us forward differs for each of us and for each over time. Jesus (yes?) said judge not lest ye be judged. It seems that directive includes judging ourselves and the stage at which we are. Also ahimsa includes thoughts and actions towards ourselves. What is wanting to be said is, let us walk gently and treat ourselves gently. This journey is of many lifetimes and we cannot be in tomorrow without first living today....so we look to the example of the Guru and look to our own experience and make decisions in the day, in that lifetime, that are conducive to that time. Jai Maa , "ty_maa" <dsjames wrote: > > > Namaste, > > Thank you for these comments, Surya. In reading the recent postings, > although I am in complete agreement with most all that has been said, I > also felt that something more was needed, a slightly higher point of > view that would balance it all out. Your posting is helpful in that way, > at least for me, so thank you. > > The hardest thing in spititual life is not merely to take up a > practice--and even to be quite successful at it for some time--but to > carry it forward, faithfully and persistently, year after year for a > lifetime, without getting sidetracked--and without losing a kind of > balance in one's views and in one's relationship with the "outside". > > A disciple once said, "I've been at this spiritual business for ten > years now!". The Guru, replied, "You haven't even gotten your feet wet > yet." ---So, its the long haul that counts. > > I am hearing "-isms" being used in these postings from time to time; > and, although these are perfectly appropriate and useful terms to use, > there is also something powerful and gripping about them for the human > personality and ego. Look at the present state of the world with > unbiased vision, and then also look carefully at how "-isms" play into > the mix, and maybe you will see what I mean. > > Day before yesterday, I turned to my dictionery to see how it defined > "-ism". I found that an "ism" is "a distinctive doctrine, system or > theory". From that I was able to understand that it is man who makes > isms, not God. God, the Avataras, and the Shruti, have never, to my > knowledge, spoken in terms of isms. > > Rather, they bring pure spirituality, universal Love, Peace, and depth > of Understanding into Reality. It is always man who, after some time, > begins to find too little drama in all this simplicity, and desires to > thicken the plot by beginning to systematise, generalize, organize, > theorize, and doctrinize the simple and pure inspiration which had > descended from Spirit. > > A perfect example of Simplicity of Spirit is Shree Maa's life. And there > is a perfect description of Her Simplicity just a few postings above > this, as well as in many other postings. > > In the 12 or 13 years which I have had the blessing of knowing Shree > Maa, I can not remember Her using an "ism" word even once. I can, > however, remember Her saying "All are my own; all are my children". It > may be that is because the very concept of doctrinizing, systemizing > and theorizing are foreign to Her Nature. > > Nor can I recall Sri Ramakrishna using any such terms or concepts...and, > someone said that when the Guru looks into the mirror of the disciple, > He should see only His own Self. > > Although it may be that true spiritually is very simple, nevertheless, > just as one can overlook the "Pearl of great price" thinking it to be > just another pebble in one's dusty pathway, one can also let the > simplest little concept slip into one's thinking, attitudes, > relationships, and actions, without a clue as to where it may eventually > lead. And that is why the Guru is so important. > > Or, if not a Guru, then a Shruti text to live by and to continually to > check oneself against. > > Or a Mantra...also just above this posting is a great description of how > the Peace Mantra, given by Shree Maa, is able to act as a Guru in one's > practical life, checking "disturbances before they become hostility". > > The sense I have is that recently this group-so diverse, and so > scattered all around the world- has jelled into a true sanga, an ashram. > Its a new concept, made possible by technology, and, I am sure, would > have been laughed at even a short time ago by those who live in small > enclaves separate from the world. They would have said that true > spiritual learning and growth could not be conducted in virtual space. > > But then, maybe all time and space are really only > virtual---or-perhaps-even time and space themselves were never really > necessary after all. > > Respectfully, > > Tanmaya > > > , "Mahamuni Das" <mahamuni@> wrote: > > > > I have read many of the posts people have put forth. I have not eaten > any non-vegetarian foods, from eggs up, for over 20 years. I normally > have plenty of energy and more muscle than most non-vegetarians. But I > want to state that you can't eat your way to God. Also it seems that > some people for a variety of reasons, need to eat some non-veg foods for > their health. While there might be a way for them to not do this, there > also may not be. Some do better with fish. Also some of the most > horrible adharmic people in history have been vegetarian, like Adolf > Hitler. So lets not get too stuck on this. It can also become an > attachment. Better than simply be a veg, is finding a simple diet that > supports a good state of health and allows us to go forward in our > sadhana. This will be different for different people and even for those > people it might change at different times. > > > > As Christ said, its more important what comes out of your mouth than > what goes in. > > > > As far as names, Vish said it clearly and plainly. While identifying > with a Sanskrit name may help us, it can also hinder us and become an > obstacle that supports out ego instead. A rose still smells as sweet > despite what name you give it. Water is still as refreshing regardless > of what you call it. If you are given a spiritual name by your Teacher, > then use it as an ideal to aspire to. Ultimately what name can describe > who you really are? None. You are the same regardless of what anyone, > including yourself, calls you. You are the same wherever you go. > > > > So enjoy the simple things that propel you forward, but don't get > stuck on them and attached to them. Rise above it all! > > > > Jai Maa! > > > > Surya > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2007 Report Share Posted February 24, 2007 Sadhu Maa "What moves us forward differs for each of us and for each over time." so well said. what thing i learned from Swamiji, and my own experience; pay attention to not only words, but also one's actions: Be kind and supportive of others; be ruthless with yourself. LOVE ALL! gain a foothold in morality [love, kindness] then proceed to no-mind and realization. scriptures contain the instruction, you have to Do [to do and to get.] LOVE! don't judge, this transcends conventional morality, but is greater, the heart fills all. a hint is, when you love your guru, you will find, you love yourself, and when you love yourself you will find, you love everyone and everything else as well. s , "Sadhu Maa" <sadumaa wrote: > > Maa has said that attention is respect. To pay attention. To respect > ourselves, our thoughts, our actions, others. > > Whether it is health, what food we eat, what we read, what sadhana we > do, what higher respect than to pay attention....does this thing, or > food, or action or thought move energy toward the goal or away. > Swamiji says that all actions and thoughts do one or the other. What > moves us forward differs for each of us and for each over time. > > Jesus (yes?) said judge not lest ye be judged. It seems that directive > includes judging ourselves and the stage at which we are. Also ahimsa > includes thoughts and actions towards ourselves. > > What is wanting to be said is, let us walk gently and treat ourselves > gently. This journey is of many lifetimes and we cannot be in tomorrow > without first living today....so we look to the example of the Guru > and look to our own experience and make decisions in the day, in that > lifetime, that are conducive to that time. > > Jai Maa > > , "ty_maa" <dsjames@> wrote: > > > > > > Namaste, > > > > Thank you for these comments, Surya. In reading the recent postings, > > although I am in complete agreement with most all that has been said, I > > also felt that something more was needed, a slightly higher point of > > view that would balance it all out. Your posting is helpful in that way, > > at least for me, so thank you. > > > > The hardest thing in spititual life is not merely to take up a > > practice--and even to be quite successful at it for some time--but to > > carry it forward, faithfully and persistently, year after year for a > > lifetime, without getting sidetracked--and without losing a kind of > > balance in one's views and in one's relationship with the "outside". > > > > A disciple once said, "I've been at this spiritual business for ten > > years now!". The Guru, replied, "You haven't even gotten your feet wet > > yet." ---So, its the long haul that counts. > > > > I am hearing "-isms" being used in these postings from time to time; > > and, although these are perfectly appropriate and useful terms to use, > > there is also something powerful and gripping about them for the human > > personality and ego. Look at the present state of the world with > > unbiased vision, and then also look carefully at how "-isms" play into > > the mix, and maybe you will see what I mean. > > > > Day before yesterday, I turned to my dictionery to see how it defined > > "-ism". I found that an "ism" is "a distinctive doctrine, system or > > theory". From that I was able to understand that it is man who makes > > isms, not God. God, the Avataras, and the Shruti, have never, to my > > knowledge, spoken in terms of isms. > > > > Rather, they bring pure spirituality, universal Love, Peace, and depth > > of Understanding into Reality. It is always man who, after some time, > > begins to find too little drama in all this simplicity, and desires to > > thicken the plot by beginning to systematise, generalize, organize, > > theorize, and doctrinize the simple and pure inspiration which had > > descended from Spirit. > > > > A perfect example of Simplicity of Spirit is Shree Maa's life. And there > > is a perfect description of Her Simplicity just a few postings above > > this, as well as in many other postings. > > > > In the 12 or 13 years which I have had the blessing of knowing Shree > > Maa, I can not remember Her using an "ism" word even once. I can, > > however, remember Her saying "All are my own; all are my children". It > > may be that is because the very concept of doctrinizing, systemizing > > and theorizing are foreign to Her Nature. > > > > Nor can I recall Sri Ramakrishna using any such terms or concepts...and, > > someone said that when the Guru looks into the mirror of the disciple, > > He should see only His own Self. > > > > Although it may be that true spiritually is very simple, nevertheless, > > just as one can overlook the "Pearl of great price" thinking it to be > > just another pebble in one's dusty pathway, one can also let the > > simplest little concept slip into one's thinking, attitudes, > > relationships, and actions, without a clue as to where it may eventually > > lead. And that is why the Guru is so important. > > > > Or, if not a Guru, then a Shruti text to live by and to continually to > > check oneself against. > > > > Or a Mantra...also just above this posting is a great description of how > > the Peace Mantra, given by Shree Maa, is able to act as a Guru in one's > > practical life, checking "disturbances before they become hostility". > > > > The sense I have is that recently this group-so diverse, and so > > scattered all around the world- has jelled into a true sanga, an ashram. > > Its a new concept, made possible by technology, and, I am sure, would > > have been laughed at even a short time ago by those who live in small > > enclaves separate from the world. They would have said that true > > spiritual learning and growth could not be conducted in virtual space. > > > > But then, maybe all time and space are really only > > virtual---or-perhaps-even time and space themselves were never really > > necessary after all. > > > > Respectfully, > > > > Tanmaya > > > > > > , "Mahamuni Das" <mahamuni@> wrote: > > > > > > I have read many of the posts people have put forth. I have not eaten > > any non-vegetarian foods, from eggs up, for over 20 years. I normally > > have plenty of energy and more muscle than most non-vegetarians. But I > > want to state that you can't eat your way to God. Also it seems that > > some people for a variety of reasons, need to eat some non-veg foods for > > their health. While there might be a way for them to not do this, there > > also may not be. Some do better with fish. Also some of the most > > horrible adharmic people in history have been vegetarian, like Adolf > > Hitler. So lets not get too stuck on this. It can also become an > > attachment. Better than simply be a veg, is finding a simple diet that > > supports a good state of health and allows us to go forward in our > > sadhana. This will be different for different people and even for those > > people it might change at different times. > > > > > > As Christ said, its more important what comes out of your mouth than > > what goes in. > > > > > > As far as names, Vish said it clearly and plainly. While identifying > > with a Sanskrit name may help us, it can also hinder us and become an > > obstacle that supports out ego instead. A rose still smells as sweet > > despite what name you give it. Water is still as refreshing regardless > > of what you call it. If you are given a spiritual name by your Teacher, > > then use it as an ideal to aspire to. Ultimately what name can describe > > who you really are? None. You are the same regardless of what anyone, > > including yourself, calls you. You are the same wherever you go. > > > > > > So enjoy the simple things that propel you forward, but don't get > > stuck on them and attached to them. Rise above it all! > > > > > > Jai Maa! > > > > > > Surya > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2007 Report Share Posted February 24, 2007 very well said surya! s , "Mahamuni Das" <mahamuni wrote: > > I have read many of the posts people have put forth. I have not eaten any non-vegetarian foods, from eggs up, for over 20 years. I normally have plenty of energy and more muscle than most non-vegetarians. But I want to state that you can't eat your way to God. Also it seems that some people for a variety of reasons, need to eat some non-veg foods for their health. While there might be a way for them to not do this, there also may not be. Some do better with fish. Also some of the most horrible adharmic people in history have been vegetarian, like Adolf Hitler. So lets not get too stuck on this. It can also become an attachment. Better than simply be a veg, is finding a simple diet that supports a good state of health and allows us to go forward in our sadhana. This will be different for different people and even for those people it might change at different times. > > As Christ said, its more important what comes out of your mouth than what goes in. > > As far as names, Vish said it clearly and plainly. While identifying with a Sanskrit name may help us, it can also hinder us and become an obstacle that supports out ego instead. A rose still smells as sweet despite what name you give it. Water is still as refreshing regardless of what you call it. If you are given a spiritual name by your Teacher, then use it as an ideal to aspire to. Ultimately what name can describe who you really are? None. You are the same regardless of what anyone, including yourself, calls you. You are the same wherever you go. > > So enjoy the simple things that propel you forward, but don't get stuck on them and attached to them. Rise above it all! > > Jai Maa! > > Surya > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2007 Report Share Posted February 24, 2007 Sorry I haven't been very vocal; but this topic drew me in. On my own experience being raised Catholic, I almost became self abusive because of everything they were taught to deny and it was as you said Sadhu, there is more to come from our hearts. At almost 50 I am beginning to do self-care when for so many years I denied myself. I have health issues so now I can't even eat normal foods because of reactions; I can't eat fish, seafood raw veggies or even fruits because of my immune system. I'm learning how to balance myself which is a great feat these days but I'm learning. Since learning the mantras I can say I'm much calmer than I've ever been before. It is nudging me to self care and to be within, to know myself within. I sense a gentleness now and I am grateful. Peace and Blessings, Carie On 2/23/07, Sadhu Maa <sadumaa > wrote: > > Maa has said that attention is respect. To pay attention. To respect > ourselves, our thoughts, our actions, others. > > Whether it is health, what food we eat, what we read, what sadhana we > do, what higher respect than to pay attention....does this thing, or > food, or action or thought move energy toward the goal or away. > Swamiji says that all actions and thoughts do one or the other. What > moves us forward differs for each of us and for each over time. > > Jesus (yes?) said judge not lest ye be judged. It seems that directive > includes judging ourselves and the stage at which we are. Also ahimsa > includes thoughts and actions towards ourselves. > > What is wanting to be said is, let us walk gently and treat ourselves > gently. This journey is of many lifetimes and we cannot be in tomorrow > without first living today....so we look to the example of the Guru > and look to our own experience and make decisions in the day, in that > lifetime, that are conducive to that time. > > Jai Maa > > <%40>, > "ty_maa" <dsjames wrote: > > > > > > Namaste, > > > > Thank you for these comments, Surya. In reading the recent postings, > > although I am in complete agreement with most all that has been said, I > > also felt that something more was needed, a slightly higher point of > > view that would balance it all out. Your posting is helpful in that way, > > at least for me, so thank you. > > > > The hardest thing in spititual life is not merely to take up a > > practice--and even to be quite successful at it for some time--but to > > carry it forward, faithfully and persistently, year after year for a > > lifetime, without getting sidetracked--and without losing a kind of > > balance in one's views and in one's relationship with the "outside". > > > > A disciple once said, "I've been at this spiritual business for ten > > years now!". The Guru, replied, "You haven't even gotten your feet wet > > yet." ---So, its the long haul that counts. > > > > I am hearing "-isms" being used in these postings from time to time; > > and, although these are perfectly appropriate and useful terms to use, > > there is also something powerful and gripping about them for the human > > personality and ego. Look at the present state of the world with > > unbiased vision, and then also look carefully at how "-isms" play into > > the mix, and maybe you will see what I mean. > > > > Day before yesterday, I turned to my dictionery to see how it defined > > "-ism". I found that an "ism" is "a distinctive doctrine, system or > > theory". From that I was able to understand that it is man who makes > > isms, not God. God, the Avataras, and the Shruti, have never, to my > > knowledge, spoken in terms of isms. > > > > Rather, they bring pure spirituality, universal Love, Peace, and depth > > of Understanding into Reality. It is always man who, after some time, > > begins to find too little drama in all this simplicity, and desires to > > thicken the plot by beginning to systematise, generalize, organize, > > theorize, and doctrinize the simple and pure inspiration which had > > descended from Spirit. > > > > A perfect example of Simplicity of Spirit is Shree Maa's life. And there > > is a perfect description of Her Simplicity just a few postings above > > this, as well as in many other postings. > > > > In the 12 or 13 years which I have had the blessing of knowing Shree > > Maa, I can not remember Her using an "ism" word even once. I can, > > however, remember Her saying "All are my own; all are my children". It > > may be that is because the very concept of doctrinizing, systemizing > > and theorizing are foreign to Her Nature. > > > > Nor can I recall Sri Ramakrishna using any such terms or concepts...and, > > someone said that when the Guru looks into the mirror of the disciple, > > He should see only His own Self. > > > > Although it may be that true spiritually is very simple, nevertheless, > > just as one can overlook the "Pearl of great price" thinking it to be > > just another pebble in one's dusty pathway, one can also let the > > simplest little concept slip into one's thinking, attitudes, > > relationships, and actions, without a clue as to where it may eventually > > lead. And that is why the Guru is so important. > > > > Or, if not a Guru, then a Shruti text to live by and to continually to > > check oneself against. > > > > Or a Mantra...also just above this posting is a great description of how > > the Peace Mantra, given by Shree Maa, is able to act as a Guru in one's > > practical life, checking "disturbances before they become hostility". > > > > The sense I have is that recently this group-so diverse, and so > > scattered all around the world- has jelled into a true sanga, an ashram. > > Its a new concept, made possible by technology, and, I am sure, would > > have been laughed at even a short time ago by those who live in small > > enclaves separate from the world. They would have said that true > > spiritual learning and growth could not be conducted in virtual space. > > > > But then, maybe all time and space are really only > > virtual---or-perhaps-even time and space themselves were never really > > necessary after all. > > > > Respectfully, > > > > Tanmaya > > > > > > <%40>, > "Mahamuni Das" <mahamuni@> wrote: > > > > > > I have read many of the posts people have put forth. I have not eaten > > any non-vegetarian foods, from eggs up, for over 20 years. I normally > > have plenty of energy and more muscle than most non-vegetarians. But I > > want to state that you can't eat your way to God. Also it seems that > > some people for a variety of reasons, need to eat some non-veg foods for > > their health. While there might be a way for them to not do this, there > > also may not be. Some do better with fish. Also some of the most > > horrible adharmic people in history have been vegetarian, like Adolf > > Hitler. So lets not get too stuck on this. It can also become an > > attachment. Better than simply be a veg, is finding a simple diet that > > supports a good state of health and allows us to go forward in our > > sadhana. This will be different for different people and even for those > > people it might change at different times. > > > > > > As Christ said, its more important what comes out of your mouth than > > what goes in. > > > > > > As far as names, Vish said it clearly and plainly. While identifying > > with a Sanskrit name may help us, it can also hinder us and become an > > obstacle that supports out ego instead. A rose still smells as sweet > > despite what name you give it. Water is still as refreshing regardless > > of what you call it. If you are given a spiritual name by your Teacher, > > then use it as an ideal to aspire to. Ultimately what name can describe > > who you really are? None. You are the same regardless of what anyone, > > including yourself, calls you. You are the same wherever you go. > > > > > > So enjoy the simple things that propel you forward, but don't get > > stuck on them and attached to them. Rise above it all! > > > > > > Jai Maa! > > > > > > Surya > > > > > > > > -- Explore http://www.shreemaa.org and get enlightened!!! "Respect means to pay attention. The more we love the more we pay attention." from Gems of Wisdom from Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda Saraswati Copyright 1998 Devi Mandir Publications www.shreemaa.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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