Expectations, Henny and all

[Guest guest]

-Namaste Henny: Great goal. Expect nothing, give everything. The

idea of no expectations, of expecting nothing when performing action,

is very hard to go beyond. Whenever I explore this notion, I come

back to the notion of " giving more than we take " , which means to me

the opposite of: " what's in it for me? "

 

Maa and Swami, as illuminated souls, are perfect examples of this

behavior. When they perform puja, they are so thankful for the chance

to offer thanks to God, and, to help this world become a peaceful

place. The do not think of themselves.

 

I aspire to that state of Being. Then all action is a prayer for

peace, and an offering of pure love, to pure love, by pure love.

 

In the meantime, we can have that goal, and pray each time we begin

puja, to let Maa and Swami perform the puja thru us, and to remove the

ego from the process. Ultimately, it will come to pass.

I have that faith because I have observed them in action.

 

They are here to demonstrate that highest level of being, to encourage

and help us understand the fullest measure of life here on Earth.

 

So fortunate we all are to know them.

 

Jai Maa Jai Swami

 

vishweshwar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-- In , " henny_v_i " <henny_v_i wrote:

>

> Namaste Nanda and Vish and all,

>

> thank you for these very useful recommendations. One that struck me as

> very important:

>

> 'do not expect anything'.

>

> The thought that if one offers something, something else (and most

> often, a particular something) should be received in return is very

> hard to get rid of and forms the root of feelings of disappointment

> and discouragement. Makes me wonder how much of my effort (in learning

> puja, watching classes etc.) is actually driven by expectation of

> something.

>

> 'do not expect any thing'

>

> seems to be the most excellent advice...

>

> thank you,

> with love,

> henny

>

>

>

>

>

> , " inspectionconnection108 "

> <inspectionconnection108@> wrote:

> >

> > Namaste: thanks for this post. I would add the following:

> >

> > 1. prepare yourself in every way: wear clean clothes, use the

> > bathroom prior so you can sit for the 2.5 hours, stretch prior to

> the

> > body is as flexible and comfortable as possible so you can sit as

> > still as possible for the entire Chandi, and eat enough food to be

> > comfortable and well fueled.

> > 2. prepare your heart and mind: remember your goal and purpose-why

> > are you here, and come prepared to give your best, and surrender to

> > the Guru's instructions, and example in every way.

> > 3. bring some offering to the Guru: food, flowers, etc., as an

> > expression of your love and thanks

> > 4. bring a coconut to offer at the end of the Chandi

> > 5. offer your ego and all your thoughts, emotions, desires to the

> > Divine Fire

> > 6. accept whatever Ma Chandi gives you as Her prasad, as a blessing

> > for your participation. Do not expect anything.

> > 7. give more than you get: help clean up and organize the Temple

> for

> > the next homa and worship service

> >

> >

> > Jai Maa Jai Swami

> >

> > vishweshwar

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > , " Nanda " <chandimaakijai@> wrote:

> > >

> > > Dear All,

> > > Here is an extract from the 'Inside Sutras'. Acknowledgement and

> thanks

> > > to Swamiji,Rami,Srini.

> > >

> > > " Guru: The most important thing we can do is to support the Guru's

> > > sadhana. The second most important thing is to keep doing our own

> > > sadhana. Now of course, as a Guru Ashram, the Guru will define

> what the

> > > appropriate sadhana is and who is qualified to perform what

> sadhana "

> > >

> > >

> > > Some thoughts on the above lines...

> > >

> > > We are sometimes lucky to stay at the Mandir and watch Maa and

> Swamiji

> > > as they perform their pujas in the morning. It is very important

> that

> > > we conduct ourselves so that we do not intrude on their bhava and

> > > sadhana . Sometimes we are also invited to participate in the

> sadhana,

> > > like the Sunday morning Chandi. Here are some of the etiquette

> rules

> > > followed for the Chandi.

> > >

> > > 1) Try to arrive punctually so as not to disturb the group once

> the

> > > chanting has commenced . If you do come in late, then sit behind

> and

> > > not try to push forward to the front.

> > > 2) Find out in advance (if possible) what will be chanted, so

> that we

> > > do not need to disturb our neighbor to know the page number during

> the

> > > sadhana.

> > > 3) Do not get up and walk around during the chanting , as we want

> to

> > > keep the focus and attention on Chandi.

> > > 4) If our legs fall asleep, and we need to shift, then do so

> > > unobtrusively so as not to disturb our neighbor.

> > > 5) Do not talk to the neighbor during the chanting .

> > > 6) If not seated close to the fire, then offer the masala to an

> empty

> > > bowl. All offerings will be given to the fire at the close of the

> > > Chandi. Swamiji will request everyone to come forward to offer

> them.

> > > 7) Chant in the same pace as Swamiji. Again, we are trying to

> chant

> > > along with Him and Maa, so we respect their pace. If we are unable

> to

> > > keep up, then we read along silently, but always always respect

> > > Swamiji's pace.

> > > 8) If you bring small children, then please ensure that they do

> not play

> > > around with the masala. Also you might want to sit towards the

> back of

> > > the hall so that the group's bhava is not disturbed.

> > > 9) Chanting IS meditation. So we try not to disturb the chanters

> in any

> > > way, as we would if they were sitting silent with their eyes

> closed.

> > >

> > > Hope Vish and the others might add to the above points based on

> their

> > > experience and observations over the years...

> > >

> > > Also, please post and write in your thoughts on the above topic. I

> would

> > > love to hear what you have to say ...

> > >

> > > JAI MAA

> > > Nanda

> > >

> >

>