Guest guest Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 Maybe I'm out of touch, but I strongly suspect that the best approach would be to spend more time attending to one's sadhana per se, and less time worrying about its getting polluted by handshakes (as in this thread) or microwave ovens (as in another thread yesterday). Remember how, in the Gita, Krishna advised Arjuna that we should aspire to do our duty but not be attached to its fruits? But to me at least, all of this clinging and grasping to hold onto every last drop of the fruits of one's sadhana, and not to let any person, place or thing take any of it away from you -- well ... isn't that attachment too? Personally, if I've just done an hour of japa and I'm buzzing with the energy generated by that, why would I not want others to share in the vibe? Let them all shake hands with me and take all they like; may it bring them all good things. (Look at Ammachi hugging people!) As to microwave ovens, I am aware that their " healthiness " or otherwise is a subject of perennial debate. But to relate that to sadhana is just pseudo-science. The fact is, if you live in an even marginally modern society your body is getting bombarded with microwaves of various kinds 24/7 anyway; why single out microwave ovens as the enemy? Go live in a lead-sheathed cave. :-p Moreover, to associate handshakes and microwaves with a loss of the " good energy " associated with sadhana is not just bum physics; it's arguably an underestimation of God. Engaging in sadhana is not like winding up a clock, where x number of turns yields y amount of energy to make the clock tick for z number of hours. Because, in sadhana, there is yet another variable to consider -- the " wild card " of divine grace, which, I would argue, is quite impervious to the dire effects of handshakes and microwaves alike. aim mAtangyai namaH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 Jai Maa! , " Devi Bhakta " <devi_bhakta wrote: > > Maybe I'm out of touch, but I strongly suspect that the best approach > would be to spend more time attending to one's sadhana per se, and > less time worrying about its getting polluted by handshakes (as in > this thread) or microwave ovens (as in another thread yesterday). > > Remember how, in the Gita, Krishna advised Arjuna that we should > aspire to do our duty but not be attached to its fruits? But to me at > least, all of this clinging and grasping to hold onto every last drop > of the fruits of one's sadhana, and not to let any person, place or > thing take any of it away from you -- well ... isn't that attachment > too? > > Personally, if I've just done an hour of japa and I'm buzzing with > the energy generated by that, why would I not want others to share in > the vibe? Let them all shake hands with me and take all they like; > may it bring them all good things. (Look at Ammachi hugging people!) > > As to microwave ovens, I am aware that their " healthiness " or > otherwise is a subject of perennial debate. But to relate that to > sadhana is just pseudo-science. The fact is, if you live in an even > marginally modern society your body is getting bombarded with > microwaves of various kinds 24/7 anyway; why single out microwave > ovens as the enemy? Go live in a lead-sheathed cave. :-p > > Moreover, to associate handshakes and microwaves with a loss of > the " good energy " associated with sadhana is not just bum physics; > it's arguably an underestimation of God. Engaging in sadhana is not > like winding up a clock, where x number of turns yields y amount of > energy to make the clock tick for z number of hours. > > Because, in sadhana, there is yet another variable to consider -- > the " wild card " of divine grace, which, I would argue, is quite > impervious to the dire effects of handshakes and microwaves alike. > > aim mAtangyai namaH > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 Nanu Nanu! , " Devi Bhakta " <devi_bhakta wrote: Maybe I'm out of touch, but I strongly suspect that the best approach would be to spend more time attending to one's sadhana per se, and less time worrying about its getting polluted by handshakes (as in this thread) or microwave ovens (as in another thread yesterday). As to microwave ovens, I am aware that their " healthiness " or otherwise is a subject of perennial debate. But to relate that to sadhana is just pseudo-science. The fact is, if you live in an even marginally modern society your body is getting bombarded with microwaves of various kinds 24/7 anyway; why single out microwave ovens as the enemy? Go live in a lead-sheathed cave. :-p Moreover, to associate handshakes and microwaves with a loss of the " good energy " associated with sadhana is not just bum physics; it's arguably an underestimation of God. > aim mAtangyai namaH DB, Forgive me, I am responsible for reporting that I heard Ma Karunamayi say in a talk, " Don't use microwaves. " I found it rather unusual so I remembered it. It is hard to convey this in a message post, but for me, seeing Ma Karunamayi, sitting in a beautiful pink sari, with the homa fire burning before her, looking very motherly and speaking to a group of mostly white collar professionals, and saying, " Don't use microwaves " is a bit amusing. Frankly, I enjoyed the " squirming " energy that I felt from the listeners as they briefly contemplated their microwave oven usage. The post was simply reporting my experience with Ma Karunamayi rather than expecting SS members to follow her advice. I did not include a commentary or opinion on Ma Karunamayi's talk or on microwave ovens, and I have Certainly Not committed " pseudo-science " , " bum physics " , or even " microwave paranoia " although I probably underestimate God on a regular basis! " Go live in a lead-sheathed cave. :-p " Thank-you Devi Bhakta, for your kind advice, but isn't lead poisonous? Someday, God willing, perhaps we will shake hands! Until then, Nanu Nanu and Jai Kali Ma! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 Well, there are limits and guidelines! Here they have clearly been exceeded: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7237248.stm Assault rap for rough handshake A Florida lawyer has been charged with assault for over-vigorously shaking the hand of a fellow attorney. Kathy Brewer Rentas, 49, shook the hand of Assistant US Attorney Jennifer Keene so hard her arm was nearly ripped out of its socket, a court official said. Moments before, Ms Keene successfully prosecuted Ms Brewer Rentas' husband. Anthony Rentas was accused of violating the terms of a probation order for supplying cocaine, and sentenced to 90 days of house arrest. After the hearing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Mrs Brewer Rentas insisted on shaking the prosecuting lawyer's hand. In shaking it, she nearly floored Ms Keene with the vigour of her hand-action. The strong arm of the lawyer " With Keene in hand, Brewer made an upward, then a quick downward motion and pulled Keene toward the ground moving her forward, almost causing Keene to fall to the ground, " said a court security officer. Alicia Valle, a spokeswoman for the US Attorney's Office, said assaulting a federal officer was a serious matter and that Mrs Brewer Rentas would be prosecuted " vigorously " . " As a member of the bar, she should know better, " she said. Mrs Brewer Rentas was freed on Friday on $100,000 (£50,000) bail, after spending a night in solitary confinement, and ordered to undergo psychological examination. She was also ordered to stay away from Mrs Keene, and faces up to a year in prison if convicted of assault. Mrs Brewer Rentas says she did not intend to cause any harm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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