Guest guest Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 Dears: I am not answering the question or providing clarification in defense of the east. From what I have practiced about Yantra, Tantra, Mantra Shastras in their original context (un-adulterated by analytical brains of Western Society and eastern self-proclaimed teachers), all these writings by modern writers who call themself as Gurus, and Western researchers who try to paralyze themselves and rest of the readers through analysis will NEVER lead anyone to liberation or realization. Please let me know one soul in the past and present that has attained liberation or realization of God Consciousness through extensive scholarly study of spiritual/religious literature. I mean a soul similar to Krishna, Christ, Buddha, Vivekananda, Ramana Maharishi, Yogi Ramsurat Kumar, Vishwaamitra, Mohammed, Ragavendra, Shirdi SaiBaba, Sathya SaiBaba,..., all of whom(1) Did not have a Guru (2) Did not proclaim literary knowledge supremacy, yet were great spiritual personifications. This just proves to me that all the scholarly knowledge, literature research, paralysis by analysis of the so-called modern spiritual scientist is only as useful as colorful tinsels serving the purpose of decorating. That is, all this analysis, knowledge and readings are useful only for scholarly discussions and debates, but not for deliverance. Just look back and try to see what each one as achieved by these literary knowledge. Lord Buddha's life should be a clear indication that learning from a Guru or reading and mastering literature alone can't provide liberation and realization. He said, 'enough of all these teachings and learnings' and went on to the path of actively seeking the TRUTH on His Own and found IT. How many of us in today's world are ready to embark on such a journey? All of us are materialistic focused, including those who write books in the name of spreading it, but won't do it without profit of publishing. Marshal Govindan who claims that he had Dharshan of Maha Avataar Babaji, charges for his services on credit card. Did Babaji ask Marshal Govindan to " Sell " Kriya Yoga? Dan Brown writes DaVinci Code book and claims that Mary Magdalene was wife of Jesus. What good is it other than Dan Brown becoming famous by controversy and living on the fortune earned by his book and movie? People like June McDaniel writing about Ramakrishna is as insane and ill-founded as anyone writing about Christ's relationship with people around Him at that time. We are a pathetic society of mercilessly crucifying and cruelly killing a Great Spiritual Being like Christ and shamelessly proclaiming that He shed His blood for our sins. Go ahead keep researching, analying, writing books, making money and throwing dirt at other great spiritual beings and God Herself for all your materialistic gains. Ask yourself. Why should I have a reason or logical basis for offering rice or flower or any other thing to God during prayer (pooja)? Why should I ground myself to logical basis for learning what each mudra means, what power it offers? Why should I gain understanding of physical and etheral world to reach GOD - the Infinite Spirit. All that we need is to be infinite to unite with infinite. All the knowledge and writings will only be limit oneself to finiteness, whereas we need to be infinite to unit with infinite. There is no one true Yogi who has written books on their attainments. In India and elsewhere, true Yogis never travelled globally. They just lived and live a simple life on the streets without possessing any form of wealth including their own clothes. God Bless. Sakthi Thondan. --- IlluminatedCelestial wrote: > Namaste, > > I been reading the book " Offering Flowers, Feeding > Skulls " by June McDaniel. [....] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 You may also be interested in the following: Tantra: Sex, Secrecy, Politics, and Power in the Study of Religion by Hugh B. Urban ISBN-10: 0520236564 ISBN-13: 978-0520236561 From the description at Amazon: " Tracing the complex genealogy of Tantra as a category within the history of religions, Hugh B. Urban reveals how it has been formed through the interplay of popular and scholarly imaginations. Tantra emerges as a product of mirroring and misrepresentation at work between East and West--a dialectical category born out of the ongoing play between Western and Indian minds. Combining historical detail, textual analysis, popular cultural phenomena, and critical theory, this book shows Tantra as a shifting amalgam of fantasies, fears, and wish-fulfillment, at once native and Other, that strikes at the very heart of our constructions of the exotic Orient and the contemporary West. " book preview: http://books.google.com/books? hl=en & id=mmfkUb5whvgC & dq=hugh+urban+tantra & printsec=frontcover & source= web & ots=4svbuZIbKP & sig=CR8mSZ7-9dLFBFmGqZEgF8TBw04#PPR1,M1 or http://tinyurl.com/2ton8t , " msbauju " <msbauju wrote: > > You might consider writing to Dr. McDaniel if > you need clarification with regards to what she wrote. > > http://www.cofc.edu/~rels/mcdaniel.htm > > http://www.cofc.edu/~facfocus/FacultyArticles_spring06/mcdaniel.html > > , <IlluminatedCelestial@> wrote: > > > > I been reading the book " Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls " by June > McDaniel. [...] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 I have heard good things about Hugh Urban. I will put the book on my " to get " list for the future. Thank you for your feedback everyone. Jai Ma! Sincerely, Christina ---- msbauju <msbauju wrote: > You may also be interested in the following: > > Tantra: Sex, Secrecy, Politics, and Power in the Study of Religion > by Hugh B. Urban > > ISBN-10: 0520236564 > ISBN-13: 978-0520236561 > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 I understand that books can be limiting if we rely on solely them. It is part of why I asked for clarification. I was not trying to place any judgment at all. Sincerely, Christina ---- Sakthi Thondan <sakthithondan wrote: > [....] From what I have > practiced about Yantra, Tantra, Mantra Shastras in > their original context (un-adulterated by analytical > brains of Western Society and eastern self-proclaimed > teachers), all these writings by modern writers who > call themself as Gurus, and Western researchers who > try to paralyze themselves and rest of the readers > through analysis will NEVER lead anyone to liberation > or realization. [....] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 Its interesting... if you have ever read any biography of Sri Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansajee it describes in obscure detail the Master's guidance under Bhairavi Brahmani. She was his guru in Aghora sadhana. .... yet today his disciples, and devotees dont like to discuss his involvement in tantric practices. They seemed to me to be just as puritanical as Vaishnavas to me when I spent time near Belur Math in Clacutta. Rachel : IlluminatedCelestial: Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:48:57 -0500 Tantra: a few clarifications in terms of common practices. Namaste,I been reading the book " Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls " by June McDaniel. [....] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 Hi Rachel: " Interesting " is precisely the correct term for your observation: it's diverting; leads one to ponder, etc. You are quite correct to say that non-devotional biographies of Ramakrisha do in some cases indicate his involvement on the fairly extreme edge of Tantric practice (i.e. consumption of human flesh; consumption of human fecal matter; 5M's, all that good, subversive stuff). And you are also correct to say that many modern practitioners (beginning, in fact, immediately with Ramakrishna's direct disciple, Vivekananda) " don't like to discuss " these aspects of the great saint's practice. Why? Simply because these practices were never intended for detached, anthropological, biographical " discussion. " From the perspective of the tradition and its followers, they are secret, initiatory practices, handed down through the centuries from guru to shishya, and absolutely devoid of meaning or discernable significance outside the specific, given context in which they are prescribed and expanded upon. As the Tao Te Ching observed: " He who speaks, knows not. He who knows, speaks not. " Yes, I agree with you that there are sometimes " puritanical elements " involved. There certainly are reactionary " puritans " in Hindu neo- conservative circles; fr example, Rajiv Malhotra -- Hinduism's own Jerry Falwell -- who has made Jeffrey Kripal's bio, " Kali's Child: The Mystical and the Erotic in the Life and Teachings of Ramakrishna, " into the hated centerpiece of his campaign against Western academic explorations of Hinduism. Characters of his Malhotra's ilk sicken me as much as fundamentalists of any stripe. But that is not, I would suggest, the process at work in the silence of modern Kali devotees, Shakta devotees, Ramakrishna devotees, in choosing not to linger upon the saint's sometimes subversive Tantric practices, rather than the bulk of his written teachings. The fact are, they are devotees. One can practice Shaktism from within the tradition, one can forensically examine it from outside the tradition; but it is exceedingly difficult (and with no practical benefit to speak of) to achieve both perspectives at once. This group's topic is Shakti Sadhana, by and for followers of this living tradition -- some of whom, Rachel, are Tantric adepts at levels that would absolutely wilt your assumptions of " puritanism. " But these adepts are not speaking to this topic, and I can assure you that they will not speak to it -- because what does it accomplish? Unless you want to offer human-flesh or fecal matter sushi recipes, or tips on how to " try it at home " -- i.e., topics completely outside the reality of tradition and practice at any level -- what is the point of " discussing " these matters in a devotional forum? Believe me, I see your argument. Such extreme practices have existed within the purview of " Tantra " : Great! Scholars have written about these practices: Fantastic! You have read about these practices: Congratulations! The Hindus you met in Kolkata who would not discuss these aspects of Ramakrishna's sadhana with you are " puritans " whose reactions are anthropologically and sociologically " interesting " : Wonderful! Well said! But now what? What would you have us do with this information? I am really just curious. aim mAtangyai namaH , RACHEL GARCIA <omshantii wrote: > > Its interesting... if you have ever read any biography of Sri Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansajee it describes in obscure detail the Master's guidance under Bhairavi Brahmani. She was his guru in Aghora sadhana. .... yet today his disciples, and devotees dont like to discuss his involvement in tantric practices. They seemed to me to be just as puritanical as Vaishnavas to me when I spent time near Belur Math in Clacutta. > > Rachel > > > : IlluminatedCelestial: Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:48:57 -0500 Tantra: a few clarifications in terms of common practices. > > Namaste,I been reading the book " Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls " by June McDaniel. [....] > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 Okay, so all of that being said... what would be the point of having an internet forum on 'Shakti Sadhana'? It's true that the true devotees who are doing real sadhana would never discuss their practices! Much of what I see coming from this group are people trying to do sadhana without the guidance of a guru and so have to turn to the internet for clarifications on texts, mantras, and so on. It's like the blind leading the blind. I think it's not only interesting, but often hilarious. Of course I realize that people do not discuss these things. Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 The message archive speaks for itself. There are worthwhile things to be said. If you dig, you can find gems buried in all the chit-chat and cut-n-pastes. And there ARE practices that can be discussed. For example, see the recurring discussion of the Khadgamala Stotram. , RACHEL GARCIA <omshantii wrote: > > Okay, so all of that being said... > what would be the point of having an internet > forum on 'Shakti Sadhana'? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 Sometimes....... DEVI brings in the wrong to lure the right..... throw in the rubbish so that the GEM can shine. But again, to be able to identify the real GEM from the fake, it takes more than the books. You need the master to give you the pointers. Often when the masters tell them, they choose not to listen because they prefer to listen to people who like to brag and boast about their achievement. Not all that shine bright are the GEMS. Humility goes a long way.... one of the atributes of DEVI herself. She reveal herself to those who truly understand the virtue of patience. This group is meant for those who truely appreciate. If you think this group is just a waste of time, then please go.... We did not invite you here. You come on your own accord and youre to leave on your own. We will not show you the exit door. If you know how to get in, you should know how to get out. , " msbauju " <msbauju wrote: > > The message archive speaks for itself. > There are worthwhile things to be said. > > If you dig, you can find gems buried in > all the chit-chat and cut-n-pastes. > > And there ARE practices that can be discussed. > For example, see the recurring > discussion of the Khadgamala Stotram. > > , RACHEL GARCIA <omshantii@> > wrote: > > > > Okay, so all of that being said... > > what would be the point of having an internet > > forum on 'Shakti Sadhana'? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 do not be so harsh please. NMadasamy <nmadasamy wrote: Sometimes....... DEVI brings in the wrong to lure the right..... throw in the rubbish so that the GEM can shine. But again, to be able to identify the real GEM from the fake, it takes more than the books. You need the master to give you the pointers. Often when the masters tell them, they choose not to listen because they prefer to listen to people who like to brag and boast about their achievement. Not all that shine bright are the GEMS. Humility goes a long way.... one of the atributes of DEVI herself. She reveal herself to those who truly understand the virtue of patience. This group is meant for those who truely appreciate. If you think this group is just a waste of time, then please go.... We did not invite you here. You come on your own accord and youre to leave on your own. We will not show you the exit door. If you know how to get in, you should know how to get out. , " msbauju " <msbauju wrote: > > The message archive speaks for itself. > There are worthwhile things to be said. > > If you dig, you can find gems buried in > all the chit-chat and cut-n-pastes. > > And there ARE practices that can be discussed. > For example, see the recurring > discussion of the Khadgamala Stotram. > > , RACHEL GARCIA <omshantii@> > wrote: > > > > Okay, so all of that being said... > > what would be the point of having an internet > > forum on 'Shakti Sadhana'? > > > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 Why not! rememebr previous message.... before we all decide to go into hybernation........ being nice does not pay sometimes. Remember too the story about the sishya and the master walking pass the villages on the camel. Whatever you do.... people will talk. U do nice, they will condemn u for being a weakling. You being harsh, they say ure bad. Sula bula..........DB is good and IM the bad ones..... U see how we complement each other, so its a balance. LOL , sankara menon <kochu1tz wrote: > > do not be so harsh please. > > NMadasamy <nmadasamy wrote: Sometimes....... DEVI brings in the wrong to lure the right..... > throw in the rubbish so that the GEM can shine. But again, to be > able to identify the real GEM from the fake, it takes more than the books. You need the master to give you the pointers. Often when the masters tell them, they choose not to listen because they prefer to listen to people who like to brag and boast about their achievement. Not all that shine bright are the GEMS. > > Humility goes a long way.... one of the atributes of DEVI herself. > She reveal herself to those who truly understand the virtue of > patience. > > This group is meant for those who truely appreciate. If you think > this group is just a waste of time, then please go.... We did not > invite you here. You come on your own accord and youre to leave on > your own. We will not show you the exit door. If you know how to get in, you should know how to get out. > > , " msbauju " <msbauju@> wrote: > > > > The message archive speaks for itself. > > There are worthwhile things to be said. > > > > If you dig, you can find gems buried in > > all the chit-chat and cut-n-pastes. > > > > And there ARE practices that can be discussed. > > For example, see the recurring > > discussion of the Khadgamala Stotram. > > > > , RACHEL GARCIA <omshantii@> > > wrote: > > > > > > Okay, so all of that being said... > > > what would be the point of having an internet > > > forum on 'Shakti Sadhana'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 I heard it (in a longer version) from my great-grandmother a million years ago, and it still holds as true as anything I've ever read: A miller and his son were taking their donkey to sell at market, when they passed a group of girls, who laughed at how foolish the miller was to have an donkey and yet be walking. So the miller put his son on the donkey. Further down the road they passed some old people who scolded the miller for allowing his young son to ride, when he should be riding himself. So the miller removed his son and mounted the donkey himself. Further along the road, they passed some travelers who said that if he wanted to sell the donkey the two of them should carry him or he'd be exhausted and worthless. So the miller and his son bound the donkey's legs to a pole and carried him. When they approached the town the people laughed at the sight of them, so loud that the noise frightened the donkey, who kicked out and fell off a bridge into the river and drowned. The embarrassed miller and son went home with nothing, save the lesson that you will achieve nothing by trying to please everyone. DB P.S. Good?! Bad?! No comment! ;-) , " NMadasamy " <nmadasamy wrote: > > Why not! rememebr previous message.... before we all decide to go > into hybernation........ being nice does not pay sometimes. > > Remember too the story about the sishya and the master walking pass > the villages on the camel. Whatever you do.... people will talk. U > do nice, they will condemn u for being a weakling. You being harsh, > they say ure bad. > > Sula bula..........DB is good and IM the bad ones..... U see how we > complement each other, so its a balance. LOL > > , sankara menon <kochu1tz@> > wrote: > > > > do not be so harsh please. > > > > NMadasamy <nmadasamy@> wrote: Sometimes....... DEVI > brings in the wrong to lure the right..... > > throw in the rubbish so that the GEM can shine. But again, to be > > able to identify the real GEM from the fake, it takes more than > the books. You need the master to give you the pointers. Often when > the masters tell them, they choose not to listen because they prefer > to listen to people who like to brag and boast about their > achievement. Not all that shine bright are the GEMS. > > > > Humility goes a long way.... one of the atributes of DEVI herself. > > She reveal herself to those who truly understand the virtue of > > patience. > > > > This group is meant for those who truely appreciate. If you think > > this group is just a waste of time, then please go.... We did not > > invite you here. You come on your own accord and youre to leave on > > your own. We will not show you the exit door. If you know how to > get in, you should know how to get out. > > > > , " msbauju " <msbauju@> wrote: > > > > > > The message archive speaks for itself. > > > There are worthwhile things to be said. > > > > > > If you dig, you can find gems buried in > > > all the chit-chat and cut-n-pastes. > > > > > > And there ARE practices that can be discussed. > > > For example, see the recurring > > > discussion of the Khadgamala Stotram. > > > > > > , RACHEL GARCIA > <omshantii@> > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > Okay, so all of that being said... > > > > what would be the point of having an internet > > > > forum on 'Shakti Sadhana'? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 Ahhh, you are all such fiery Shaktas! Christina, I hope you are holding up under the fire! Devi Bhakta, I find your " snarkiness " refreshing and entertaining! I feel as if I were in a room with all of my beloved aunties and uncles. But I am just a child keeping quiet in the corner listening and learning. I was trained in Dakshinachara and all of you fiery ones are blazing up and revealing more about sadahna in your passion then you do when this forum is calm! There were 60mph wind gusts at my house last night-I wonder if there is a connection? There are storms and then there is calm-I hope that doesn't chase anyone away from diving into the sea for a good swim.... Love, Leela , sankara menon <kochu1tz wrote: > > what a group of wimps we are!! *smile " n'est ce pas DB? > > RACHEL GARCIA <omshantii wrote: God bless you, DB. You are a treasure. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 I mean a soul similar to Krishna, Christ, Buddha, Vivekananda, Ramana Maharishi, Yogi Ramsurat Kumar, Vishwaamitra, Mohammed, Ragavendra, Shirdi SaiBaba, Sathya SaiBaba,..., all of whom(1) Did not have a Guru I know Krishna had sandeepani Maharshi as Guru and Vivekananda had Ramakrishna Raghavendra had his predecesspor as Guru - I forget the name. Sakthi Thondan <sakthithondan wrote: Dears: I am not answering the question or providing clarification in defense of the east. From what I have practiced about Yantra, Tantra, Mantra Shastras in their original context (un-adulterated by analytical brains of Western Society and eastern self-proclaimed teachers), all these writings by modern writers who call themself as Gurus, and Western researchers who try to paralyze themselves and rest of the readers through analysis will NEVER lead anyone to liberation or realization. Please let me know one soul in the past and present that has attained liberation or realization of God Consciousness through extensive scholarly study of spiritual/religious literature. I mean a soul similar to Krishna, Christ, Buddha, Vivekananda, Ramana Maharishi, Yogi Ramsurat Kumar, Vishwaamitra, Mohammed, Ragavendra, Shirdi SaiBaba, Sathya SaiBaba,..., all of whom(1) Did not have a Guru (2) Did not proclaim literary knowledge supremacy, yet were great spiritual personifications. This just proves to me that all the scholarly knowledge, literature research, paralysis by analysis of the so-called modern spiritual scientist is only as useful as colorful tinsels serving the purpose of decorating. That is, all this analysis, knowledge and readings are useful only for scholarly discussions and debates, but not for deliverance. Just look back and try to see what each one as achieved by these literary knowledge. Lord Buddha's life should be a clear indication that learning from a Guru or reading and mastering literature alone can't provide liberation and realization. He said, 'enough of all these teachings and learnings' and went on to the path of actively seeking the TRUTH on His Own and found IT. How many of us in today's world are ready to embark on such a journey? All of us are materialistic focused, including those who write books in the name of spreading it, but won't do it without profit of publishing. Marshal Govindan who claims that he had Dharshan of Maha Avataar Babaji, charges for his services on credit card. Did Babaji ask Marshal Govindan to " Sell " Kriya Yoga? Dan Brown writes DaVinci Code book and claims that Mary Magdalene was wife of Jesus. What good is it other than Dan Brown becoming famous by controversy and living on the fortune earned by his book and movie? People like June McDaniel writing about Ramakrishna is as insane and ill-founded as anyone writing about Christ's relationship with people around Him at that time. We are a pathetic society of mercilessly crucifying and cruelly killing a Great Spiritual Being like Christ and shamelessly proclaiming that He shed His blood for our sins. Go ahead keep researching, analying, writing books, making money and throwing dirt at other great spiritual beings and God Herself for all your materialistic gains. Ask yourself. Why should I have a reason or logical basis for offering rice or flower or any other thing to God during prayer (pooja)? Why should I ground myself to logical basis for learning what each mudra means, what power it offers? Why should I gain understanding of physical and etheral world to reach GOD - the Infinite Spirit. All that we need is to be infinite to unite with infinite. All the knowledge and writings will only be limit oneself to finiteness, whereas we need to be infinite to unit with infinite. There is no one true Yogi who has written books on their attainments. In India and elsewhere, true Yogis never travelled globally. They just lived and live a simple life on the streets without possessing any form of wealth including their own clothes. God Bless. Sakthi Thondan. --- IlluminatedCelestial wrote: > Namaste, > > I been reading the book " Offering Flowers, Feeding > Skulls " by June McDaniel. [....] Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 That is okay. I have not left yet, and if I feel there is an issue, I always confront people about it - usually in private. ;-) And as I told someone last night, I would probably be just as fiery if someone came into this group and called Kali a demoness from Hell (lol!). Mind you, I asked a question, but still...I know how it is to be put on the defense. Jai Ma! Sincerely, Christina ---- deviloka <deviloka wrote: > Ahhh, you are all such fiery Shaktas! Christina, I hope you are > holding up under the fire! [....] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 Hi Rachel: You commented: " Okay, so all of that being said... what would be the point of having an internet forum on 'Shakti Sadhana'? " This statement seems to assumes that the relatively minute percentage of extreme practices that are not openly discussed are the only thing about Shakti Sadhana that is worth discussing. In fact, even serious, traditional practitioners in authentic Shakta lineages would not dream of venturing into these " razor's edge " techniques without the guidance of a truly qualified guru. And no real guru would ever prescribe such practices to any but the most qualified sadhakas under the most specific set of circumstances. So why encourage, as you put it, " the blind to lead the blind " in such matters? While it may help make the forum entertaining, even " hilarious " for some, it doesn't do much for the vast (and unfortunately mostly silent) majority of serious practitioners who actually comprise the invisible bulk of this group. Moreover, there is plenty that *can* and *should* be discussed, with practical and reliable benefit to many. And -- as Nora and Msbauju pointed out -- our six-plus years' worth of archives are full of good (and yeah, not-so-good :-p) examples. There is so much bad, unintentionally " hilarious " and potentially damaging misinformation out there; more every day. With all due respect to those who crave such stuff, I am not interested in having this group add to the cacophony. Best regards DB , RACHEL GARCIA <omshantii wrote: > > Okay, so all of that being said... what would be the point of having an internet forum on 'Shakti Sadhana'? > > It's true that the true devotees who are doing real sadhana would never discuss their practices! Much of what I see coming from this group are people trying to do sadhana without the guidance of a guru and so have to turn to the internet for clarifications on texts, mantras, and so on. It's like the blind leading the blind. > I think it's not only interesting, but often hilarious. > > Of course I realize that people do not discuss these things. > > Rachel > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 Namaste, I wanted to clear some things that I recently discovered. I addressed my concerns with Dr. McDaniel via e-mail, and it seems that I took what she said out of context myslf. She said it was only rumors spread about Ramakrishna, and she herself did not believe they were true. She also went into detail that there was one minor sect that is a minority that boasts about claiming to do certain things, but otherwise your average Tantrika in India are like your everyday person. I apologize for any confusion I may have created in my queries. It seems that what I read was different from what was meant to be expressed, or meant to be seen. So it seems I owe an apology to her, as well. In addition to addressing my concern, she spoke highly of authentic Tantra and dispelled the negative things that more or less has been said, that has been promoted by Western bias. Suffice to say, I am glad that she finally got back with me. It not only further supported what this group has supported about Tantra, but also further clarified what might have been taken out of context when I was reading the book " Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls. " I thank you all again for your patience. Jai Ma! Sincerely, Christina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 Hi DB, Are you saying that it is appropriate to discuss sadhana with strangers as long as you dont tell them exactly what you do? Anyway, what would be the benefit of that? You may not have noticed, but I am one of those who has long been a member, but is (until very recently) inclined to hold my tongue. I am somewhat confounded by all of this. The concept of kaula is very Tantric, and to have this online community does seem to make sense in a certain way... but I would guess it only feeds and encourages peoples misinformation. I wonder, why is hinduism SO appealing to so many westerners? Kindly, Rachel : devi_bhakta: Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:43:35 +0000 Re: Tantra: a few clarifications Hi Rachel:You commented: " Okay, so all of that being said... what would be thepoint of having an internet forum on 'Shakti Sadhana'? " This statement seems to assumes that the relatively minute percentageof extreme practices that are not openly discussed are the only thingabout Shakti Sadhana that is worth discussing.In fact, even serious, traditional practitioners in authentic Shaktalineages would not dream of venturing into these " razor's edge " techniques without the guidance of a truly qualified guru. And no realguru would ever prescribe such practices to any but the most qualifiedsadhakas under the most specific set of circumstances. So why encourage, as you put it, " the blind to lead the blind " in suchmatters? While it may help make the forum entertaining, even " hilarious " for some, it doesn't do much for the vast (andunfortunately mostly silent) majority of serious practitioners whoactually comprise the invisible bulk of this group. M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 , RACHEL GARCIA <omshantii wrote: > > Are you saying that it is appropriate to discuss sadhana with strangers as long as you dont tell them exactly what you do? No, he said there is much that can and should be discussed OTHER that which should be private. Please review his message. > to have this online community does seem to make sense in a certain way... Yes, it does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 Rachel, Don't be so hard on yourself. Even though your posts may not have been " remotely useful " still you have stimulated discussion here. Namaste, pr , RACHEL GARCIA <omshantii wrote: > > I admit that I do not recal any posting from this group that has been remotely useful... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 3, 2008 Report Share Posted February 3, 2008 thank you RACHEL GARCIA <omshantii wrote: I admit that I do not recal any posting from this group that has been remotely useful... Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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