Wendy Maa and family-What is a sprititual practice?

[Guest guest]

Namaste Wendy Maa: I remember when Bharti and I spoke to Maa

privately the first time. We were conflicted about how to handle our

" spiritual practices " and still keep our commitments to family, work,

etc.-the " material " part of life. The 2 seemed completely opposed to

each other. In order to practice spiritual disciplines, one had to

give up material focus. Not a good idea when one is raising a child

and working full time.

Well, Maa went right to the heart of the matter and proposed a life

altering suggestion.

Maa said to Bharati: " take care of your son and husband. That is your

job. Help and support them always. That is your sadhana " .

Bharati took that advice to heart, and has been our shakti- giving us

her love, support, great food cooked with love and mantras, clean

clothes, helping us when we were ill, and loving us when we were

confused. Her sadhana has been " Mothering " us. Being the Divine

Mother to us, she has learned the power of the great spiritual

practices of surrender, selfless action, working selflessly without

regard for the fruits of her actions, and loving without attachment.

She has learned to see the divine is all beings, and in all facets of

life.

I share this story of my life with Bharati because I see Divine Mother

in you. You are a great soul, bringing light where ever your go and I

remember a post you sent us long ago. You said that you finally felt

comfortable with your name. You realized that you were Wendy, the

Divine Mother, here to take care of the Lost Boys.

What a wonder-ful insight, it is the TRUTH.

 

Jai Maa Jai Swami

 

love

 

vishweshwar

[Guest guest]

Namaste Beloved Brother,

 

Your post has brought tears to my eyes. Just this morning I woke up

feeling like all the bhava was out of my life. That I am doing my

practices only from a place of discipline, and yes, I have to admit

it, ego (Isn't it cool that I meditate, pray, do pujas, etc.). But

the heart behind it all seemed to be drifting further away, rather

than getting stronger.

I was thinking about Eric's tornado story, and what would I have done

in that scenario. Of course, I can't really say as it is only

hypothetical for me. But it brought to mind the Orthodox Jews I know,

who are very strict about observing the Sabbath, with one exception:

if there is a life-threatening emergency, they will get in a car and

drive, or pick up the phone to call a doctor ...an example of family

and life trumping all.

 

Swamiji has also said the same thing that you wrote about Bharati's

conversation with Shree Maa. During class once I asked Him about the

next generation and how to guide them. I will quote part of His

response:

" It is incumbent upon us to be an example to them... To actually

inculcate... that supreme devotion, with the greatest of intensity,

and love them, and love God, and make our homes a temple, and you are

the priestess of your ashram, and let Sam realize you as the

priestess, not just his mom, but his Divine Mother, you are the

deity, and you are the priestess, and you are the guru as well.

...Give a little more, take a little less, put a little more joy

into the family, put a little more smile into the household, put

another song in the kitchen, and enjoy life. "

 

I believe it is important to remember (and thank you for the

reminder) that we do all of these practices so we can lead a

spiritual life. If we don't see the changes reflected in our life,

than something is not working. And for the householders, we are faced

with additional challenges. But through those challenges, we are also

given the opportunity to experience incredible joy.

 

And so, to increase the bhav of my " Maa Sankalpa " I am going to

work on not only feeling that Shree Maa is with me all the time, but

that I am also here to emulate her and to follow her example.

 

It is a lot easier to type it, I'm sure, but I know I have the

support of my satsang here. If there are others out there that are

going through similar experiences, perhaps we can all continue to

share them -- how do we balance and incorporate our family and our

work obligations with our spiritual lives? What challenges have we

faced? And how do we express the " bhav " in our everyday life?

 

Thank you, all, for your love and support. This is a truly remarkable

family.

 

Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!

 

love

wendy

 

 

 

, " inspectionconnection108 "

<inspectionconnection108 wrote:

>

> Namaste Wendy Maa: I remember when Bharti and I spoke to Maa

> privately the first time. We were conflicted about how to handle our

> " spiritual practices " and still keep our commitments to family,

work,

> etc.-the " material " part of life. The 2 seemed completely opposed to

> each other. In order to practice spiritual disciplines, one had to

> give up material focus. Not a good idea when one is raising a child

> and working full time.

> Well, Maa went right to the heart of the matter and proposed a life

> altering suggestion.

> Maa said to Bharati: " take care of your son and husband. That is

your

> job. Help and support them always. That is your sadhana " .

> Bharati took that advice to heart, and has been our shakti- giving

us

> her love, support, great food cooked with love and mantras, clean

> clothes, helping us when we were ill, and loving us when we were

> confused. Her sadhana has been " Mothering " us. Being the Divine

> Mother to us, she has learned the power of the great spiritual

> practices of surrender, selfless action, working selflessly without

> regard for the fruits of her actions, and loving without

attachment.

> She has learned to see the divine is all beings, and in all facets

of

> life.

> I share this story of my life with Bharati because I see Divine

Mother

> in you. You are a great soul, bringing light where ever your go and

I

> remember a post you sent us long ago. You said that you finally felt

> comfortable with your name. You realized that you were Wendy, the

> Divine Mother, here to take care of the Lost Boys.

> What a wonder-ful insight, it is the TRUTH.

>

> Jai Maa Jai Swami

>

> love

>

> vishweshwar

>

[Guest guest]

Wendy Maa

A friend and I have been having Satsang all weekend. Three hours each

on Friday, Sat and Sun. This was happening, from my perspective,

because I needed to get right with God, with my self, with life and

she heard it in my voice and stepped up to help out a spiritual friend.

 

Sometimes life is hard, busy, challenging. One thing I have to be

aware of is this voice that says, " God, I have done everything you

asked me to, my puja, my meditation, kept to my diet, listed to those

that need to talk, helped my family, etc., etc, and now why are you

not holding up your end of the bargain? " That is shorthand for at very

subtle process that I usually do not catch until I am resentful, or

afraid, or somehow otherwise off center or disconnected from the bhava

as you say.

 

Just a little of one of the ways I get off track. Not sure it is

meaningful to anyone else....The RX for me in this situation is

Satsang. Maa says Satsang is the single most important ingredient to

spiritual progress/growth. When I slip away from it, because I am too

busy or whatever reasons I have for retreat, I am vulnerable to the

little voices from Ahamakara (ego) and without support Mahat or Buddhi

(intellect/wisdom mind) can get drowned out a bit by all the noise of ego.

 

If it were always easy and fun, everyone would do it. Even Jesus and

the Buddha had their deserts to cross, their dark nights of the soul

to survive.

 

Sending love and compassion born of experience. Walk through your dry

spell, the bhava will return and will be sweeter for your having had

this experience, I believe, and you will be better able to help

another get through the same challenge.

Om

[Guest guest]

Vish,

I see this, and how beautiful Bharati Maa's love is. How beautiful

that you all see your selves as a family a unit working together to

accomplish the three aims; artha, karma, and moksha. It is really

inspiring to watch.

 

I so looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Love to Bharati as well.

Sadhu Maa

 

 

, " inspectionconnection108 "

<inspectionconnection108 wrote:

>

> Namaste Wendy Maa: I remember when Bharti and I spoke to Maa

> privately the first time. We were conflicted about how to handle our

> " spiritual practices " and still keep our commitments to family, work,

> etc.-the " material " part of life. The 2 seemed completely opposed to

> each other. In order to practice spiritual disciplines, one had to

> give up material focus. Not a good idea when one is raising a child

> and working full time.

> Well, Maa went right to the heart of the matter and proposed a life

> altering suggestion.

> Maa said to Bharati: " take care of your son and husband. That is your

> job. Help and support them always. That is your sadhana " .

> Bharati took that advice to heart, and has been our shakti- giving us

> her love, support, great food cooked with love and mantras, clean

> clothes, helping us when we were ill, and loving us when we were

> confused. Her sadhana has been " Mothering " us. Being the Divine

> Mother to us, she has learned the power of the great spiritual

> practices of surrender, selfless action, working selflessly without

> regard for the fruits of her actions, and loving without attachment.

> She has learned to see the divine is all beings, and in all facets of

> life.

> I share this story of my life with Bharati because I see Divine Mother

> in you. You are a great soul, bringing light where ever your go and I

> remember a post you sent us long ago. You said that you finally felt

> comfortable with your name. You realized that you were Wendy, the

> Divine Mother, here to take care of the Lost Boys.

> What a wonder-ful insight, it is the TRUTH.

>

> Jai Maa Jai Swami

>

> love

>

> vishweshwar

>

[Guest guest]

Wendy Maa, I saw your post, and as I was clearing some other post, I read yours, and I think that as you dive into the realm of practice, like a mystic artist, let the drawing or painting "bleed" into you, creating what may come. At times, when I have a chance to, anyway, to sketch or paint or draw, I am seeing the portrait draw me...it's a mystical thing... then life comes to a new light! Wow! Like practice, let the practice "bleed" into you...With love and peace, all is good, I send my greeting to the Samster, too!Brother Edward Francis, SP Monk in the Society of PilgrimsAKA: Plain old Edwardway131 <wendy131 Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2007 5:47:18 AM[www.ShreeMaa.org] Re: Wendy Maa and family-What is a sprititual practice?

 

Namaste Beloved Brother,

 

Your post has brought tears to my eyes. Just this morning I woke up

feeling like all the bhava was out of my life. That I am doing my

practices only from a place of discipline, and yes, I have to admit

it, ego (Isn't it cool that I meditate, pray, do pujas, etc.). But

the heart behind it all seemed to be drifting further away, rather

than getting stronger.

I was thinking about Eric's tornado story, and what would I have done

in that scenario. Of course, I can't really say as it is only

hypothetical for me. But it brought to mind the Orthodox Jews I know,

who are very strict about observing the Sabbath, with one exception:

if there is a life-threatening emergency, they will get in a car and

drive, or pick up the phone to call a doctor ...an example of family

and life trumping all.

 

Swamiji has also said the same thing that you wrote about Bharati's

conversation with Shree Maa. During class once I asked Him about the

next generation and how to guide them. I will quote part of His

response:

"It is incumbent upon us to be an example to them... To actually

inculcate... that supreme devotion, with the greatest of intensity,

and love them, and love God, and make our homes a temple, and you are

the priestess of your ashram, and let Sam realize you as the

priestess, not just his mom, but his Divine Mother, you are the

deity, and you are the priestess, and you are the guru as well.

....Give a little more, take a little less, put a little more joy

into the family, put a little more smile into the household, put

another song in the kitchen, and enjoy life."

 

I believe it is important to remember (and thank you for the

reminder) that we do all of these practices so we can lead a

spiritual life. If we don't see the changes reflected in our life,

than something is not working. And for the householders, we are faced

with additional challenges. But through those challenges, we are also

given the opportunity to experience incredible joy.

 

And so, to increase the bhav of my "Maa Sankalpa" I am going to

work on not only feeling that Shree Maa is with me all the time, but

that I am also here to emulate her and to follow her example.

 

It is a lot easier to type it, I'm sure, but I know I have the

support of my satsang here. If there are others out there that are

going through similar experiences, perhaps we can all continue to

share them -- how do we balance and incorporate our family and our

work obligations with our spiritual lives? What challenges have we

faced? And how do we express the "bhav" in our everyday life?

 

Thank you, all, for your love and support. This is a truly remarkable

family.

 

Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!

 

love

wendy

 

, "inspectionconnecti on108"

<inspectionconnecti on108 > wrote:

>

> Namaste Wendy Maa: I remember when Bharti and I spoke to Maa

> privately the first time. We were conflicted about how to handle our

> "spiritual practices" and still keep our commitments to family,

work,

> etc.-the "material" part of life. The 2 seemed completely opposed to

> each other. In order to practice spiritual disciplines, one had to

> give up material focus. Not a good idea when one is raising a child

> and working full time.

> Well, Maa went right to the heart of the matter and proposed a life

> altering suggestion.

> Maa said to Bharati: "take care of your son and husband. That is

your

> job. Help and support them always. That is your sadhana".

> Bharati took that advice to heart, and has been our shakti- giving

us

> her love, support, great food cooked with love and mantras, clean

> clothes, helping us when we were ill, and loving us when we were

> confused. Her sadhana has been "Mothering" us. Being the Divine

> Mother to us, she has learned the power of the great spiritual

> practices of surrender, selfless action, working selflessly without

> regard for the fruits of her actions, and loving without

attachment.

> She has learned to see the divine is all beings, and in all facets

of

> life.

> I share this story of my life with Bharati because I see Divine

Mother

> in you. You are a great soul, bringing light where ever your go and

I

> remember a post you sent us long ago. You said that you finally felt

> comfortable with your name. You realized that you were Wendy, the

> Divine Mother, here to take care of the Lost Boys.

> What a wonder-ful insight, it is the TRUTH.

>

> Jai Maa Jai Swami

>

> love

>

> vishweshwar

>

 

 

 

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