Guest guest Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 Namaste all: Sivakumar asked the following questions of Swami. Swami has responded as follows: SIVAKUMAR'S QUESTION: > Pranams ! I request your perspective on the following: > How does one convert raw Bhakti emotion into ecstasy or into the dignified devotion of Saints and Sages ? Isn't there a difference > between the two (Bhakti and Ecstacy) ? Some experience Bhakti as love coupled with a yearning for the God Experience and this yearning is often accompanied by restlessness and helplessness (or even desperation ). SWAMI'S RESPONSE: Ecstasy is a heightened intensity of devotion. We begin with inspiration, which is cultivated by the search for knowledge. When we put the knowledge in to practice, we find devotion. As the devotion becomes more intense, the reality of the relationship with the deity becomes more succinct. It become perceptible. That conscious awareness sends us in to ecstasy. > SIVAKUMAR'S QUESTION: > Yearning for the Divine is not the end. Yearning does not result in > satisfaction,and can result in pain of separation. How does one go > from here to a state of ecstasy? > What does one do to channelize this emotion (raw/ unrefined bhakti) in a meaningful way towards the divine so that there is an eventual God/Godess experience? SWAMI'S RESPONSE: The answer is sadhana. When we fall in love, we begin to learn about our beloved. The more we learn, the greater is our appreciation. More appreciation gives greater attention, until we come into union. > SIVAKUMAR'S QUESTION: > What Sadhana does one have to do at this stage? What is the attitude > adjustment needed. SWAMI'S RESPONSE: The sadhana will be inspired by the example you choose to follow. There are some ingredients which will be common to all forms of sadhana: Ashtanga Yoga, yama, niyam, asana, pranayama, etc. So that is a very important place to start, regardless of which Guru you will choose to follow. > > Jai Maa Jai Swami vishweshwar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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