Guest guest Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 Namaste Sivakumar and all: thanks for your message. As I was growing up, I attended Sunday school in the Christian tradition. Teachers taught us simple verses from the Bible, and had us memorize them. Most were too confusing for me, but I was glad I could memorize them easily and spout them back on command. The teachers tried to explain them to me, but I could not relate. When I was older, about 13, I took classes to prepare me to become a member of the church. I loved Jesus, but could not relate to the phrases, " being born again " , or " Christ died for my sins " . And, no one I met could explain them to me. So, my love for Jesus could not flower and grow. Without the intellectual understanding, my devotion could not grow. I was stuck and began a search for a Master Teacher, One who had realized the essence of the teachings. When I met my first Master, there was a tremendous emphasis on understanding and practicing meditation. And, the longer I meditated, and each new level unfolded, the Master provided deeper knowledge. It was a beautiful which helped thousands of devotees gain a deep understanding of Reality, while allowing their hearts to open and expand, through seva and teaching others. Then, many years later, I met Maa and Swami. And Dear Family, you know what happened then. This club, the Devi Mandir, world wide video outreach, divine seva: all came flowing from the Cosmic Hearts of Maa and Swami. So, we must count our blessing that we have direct contact with Masters who not only understand the nature of reality, and can explain it to us, but demonstrate that devotion and seva, coupled with intellectual understanding, can take us to Self realization. Jai Ma Jai Swami vishweshwar , Siva Kumar <sufi116 wrote: > > Namaste Vishweshwar /All, > > Every once in a while, well intentioned brothers and sisters on the path tell me that intellectual tendencies weaken spirituality in individuals but strengthen egocentric behavior instead. On introspection, I realised that (while I have an occassional swelling of the ego on such counts) I most of often experience devotion. > So when you say " Devotion and knowledge are 2 sides of the same coin. Both are important, " I feel a lot better. > > Thank you for pointing this out. > > Jai Maa > > Regards > > Sivakumar > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 wrote: Namaste all: With great respect, I would like to respond to your > statement about intellectual and devotional tendencies. Swami and Maa > have stated that it is important to understand what one is chanting. > For example: I meet and fall in love with my Guru. Now, I want to > know what pleases her, what makes her happy, what food she likes, how > to serve her, how to worship her. > So, once I have this knowledge and understanding, my relationship with > Her can grow and expand and deepen. And, as my devotion grows, I will > have more questions, and so it goes. > Likewise, if I can understand what that Chandi represents, what the > text means on many different levels, then my relationship with Chandi, > and MySelf, can grow and expand and deepen. > Devotion and knowledge are 2 sides of the same coin. Both are > important. At the Devi Mandir, we are blessed to have Swami and Maa > to directly interpret and explain the many facets of the Chandi. > Then, we can sit at the homa and chant with them. We can feel their > bhava and experience their enthusiasm and devotion. > My own experience has grown 100% because I now understand what I have > been chanting for years. > > Jai Ma Jai Swami > > vishweshwar > > , " Sankar Viswanathan " > <sankarrukku@> wrote: > > > > Namashkar. As a Chandi Upasaka I would like to respond to your > questions. > > > > Navarana Viddhi is an essential part of reciting Sri Sri Chandi. > > Here we are discussing only that. > > > > What you have asked is about the Navarna mantra (Chandi Navakshari > > Mantra} and its Sadhana. > > > > Even before I start on my favourite subject, in my experience and > > advice received from my Gurus, intellectual discussions about the > > Sadhana Marga does not benefit the Sadhaka in his Sadhana. Sadhana is > > about practice and not about theory. > > > > Of course I do indulge in intellectual discussions. But then I have > > learnt to/trying to separate the role of an intellectual and a > > Sadhaka/Bhakta. > > > > Having said that I will try to answer your questions. I am not an > > expert on the subject. My answers are according to the limited > > knowledge I have. > > > > 1. Navarana Viddhi or Navarna Mantra is part of Sri Vidya. In the > > Krama (step by step) Diksha way of Sri Vidya, one is initiated into > > this Mantra and Upasana. > > > > 2. Some schools believe this to be the highest Mantra. > > > > 3. Please do not go by any classification regarding Acharas. > > > > Here in the Devi Mandir Kula Swamiji shows the easiest way and stands > > by you in your quest for spiritual progress. > > > > 4. Mantra Sadhana or any Sadhana for that matter requires continuous > > practice. > > > > About adding this to your present sadhana you can write to Swamiji > > with details of your present Sadhana. > > > > Jai MAA !!! > > > > , Siva Kumar <sufi116@> wrote: > > > > > > Namaste, > > > > > > Thank you, Srinivasan, for posting this topic. > > > > > > I have very superficial information about Navarana Viddhi so please > > pardon me for questions that would perhaps need long responses. > > > > > > The following are the questions about Navarana Puja Viddhi that have > > been on the top of my mind. > > > > > > 1. Is this puja a part of Sri Vidya Upasana? > > > 2. I have heard (again very superficially) that at an advanced stage > > Navarana Viddhi (as part of Sri Vidya Upasana) would involve some > > amount of Vamachara? 3. Is Navarana Viddhi something that an initiate > > would have to practice continuously to obtain the relevant results? > > Can one add this to his/her sadhana tools? > > > > > > Thank you for your time. > > > > > > Sivakumar > > > 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 March 14, 2008 Report Share Posted March 14, 2008 Namaste Vishweshwar /All,I have personally been inspired when I understood (knowledge) the profound intent of scripture and ritual. I experienced more devotion as I performed seemingly "mere ritual".I agree,Guru Bhakti is a sure path to MokshaNa Guror Adhikam TatwamNa Guror Adhikam TapahaTatwa Gnyaanaat Param NaastiTasmai Sri Gurave Namaha. There no greater principle than the Guru;there is no greater penance than the Guru;There is no greater knowledge than meditation on such a Guru.I salute such a Guru. Jai MaaSivakumar Jai MaaSivakumarinspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 wrote: Namaste Sivakumar and all: thanks for your message. As I was growing up, I attended Sunday school in the Christian tradition. Teachers taught us simple verses from the Bible, and had us memorize them. Most were too confusing for me, but I was glad I could memorize them easily and spout them back on command. The teachers tried to explain them to me, but I could not relate. When I was older, about 13, I took classes to prepare me to become a member of the church. I loved Jesus, but could not relate to the phrases, "being born again", or "Christ died for my sins". And, no one I met could explain them to me. So, my love for Jesus could not flower and grow. Without the intellectual understanding, my devotion could not grow. I was stuck and began a search for a Master Teacher, One who had realized the essence of the teachings. When I met my first Master, there was a tremendous emphasis on understanding and practicing meditation. And, the longer I meditated, and each new level unfolded, the Master provided deeper knowledge. It was a beautiful which helped thousands of devotees gain a deep understanding of Reality, while allowing their hearts to open and expand, through seva and teaching others. Then, many years later, I met Maa and Swami. And Dear Family, you know what happened then. This club, the Devi Mandir, world wide video outreach, divine seva: all came flowing from the Cosmic Hearts of Maa and Swami. So, we must count our blessing that we have direct contact with Masters who not only understand the nature of reality, and can explain it to us, but demonstrate that devotion and seva, coupled with intellectual understanding, can take us to Self realization. Jai Ma Jai Swami vishweshwar , Siva Kumar <sufi116 wrote: > > Namaste Vishweshwar /All, > > Every once in a while, well intentioned brothers and sisters on the path tell me that intellectual tendencies weaken spirituality in individuals but strengthen egocentric behavior instead. On introspection, I realised that (while I have an occassional swelling of the ego on such counts) I most of often experience devotion. > So when you say " Devotion and knowledge are 2 sides of the same coin. Both are important," I feel a lot better. > > Thank you for pointing this out. > > Jai Maa > > Regards > > Sivakumar > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 wrote: Namaste all: With great respect, I would like to respond to your > statement about intellectual and devotional tendencies. Swami and Maa > have stated that it is important to understand what one is chanting. > For example: I meet and fall in love with my Guru. Now, I want to > know what pleases her, what makes her happy, what food she likes, how > to serve her, how to worship her. > So, once I have this knowledge and understanding, my relationship with > Her can grow and expand and deepen. And, as my devotion grows, I will > have more questions, and so it goes. > Likewise, if I can understand what that Chandi represents, what the > text means on many different levels, then my relationship with Chandi, > and MySelf, can grow and expand and deepen. > Devotion and knowledge are 2 sides of the same coin. Both are > important. At the Devi Mandir, we are blessed to have Swami and Maa > to directly interpret and explain the many facets of the Chandi. > Then, we can sit at the homa and chant with them. We can feel their > bhava and experience their enthusiasm and devotion. > My own experience has grown 100% because I now understand what I have > been chanting for years. > > Jai Ma Jai Swami > > vishweshwar > > , "Sankar Viswanathan" > <sankarrukku@> wrote: > > > > Namashkar. As a Chandi Upasaka I would like to respond to your > questions. > > > > Navarana Viddhi is an essential part of reciting Sri Sri Chandi. > > Here we are discussing only that. > > > > What you have asked is about the Navarna mantra (Chandi Navakshari > > Mantra} and its Sadhana. > > > > Even before I start on my favourite subject, in my experience and > > advice received from my Gurus, intellectual discussions about the > > Sadhana Marga does not benefit the Sadhaka in his Sadhana. Sadhana is > > about practice and not about theory. > > > > Of course I do indulge in intellectual discussions. But then I have > > learnt to/trying to separate the role of an intellectual and a > > Sadhaka/Bhakta. > > > > Having said that I will try to answer your questions. I am not an > > expert on the subject. My answers are according to the limited > > knowledge I have. > > > > 1. Navarana Viddhi or Navarna Mantra is part of Sri Vidya. In the > > Krama (step by step) Diksha way of Sri Vidya, one is initiated into > > this Mantra and Upasana. > > > > 2. Some schools believe this to be the highest Mantra. > > > > 3. Please do not go by any classification regarding Acharas. > > > > Here in the Devi Mandir Kula Swamiji shows the easiest way and stands > > by you in your quest for spiritual progress. > > > > 4. Mantra Sadhana or any Sadhana for that matter requires continuous > > practice. > > > > About adding this to your present sadhana you can write to Swamiji > > with details of your present Sadhana. > > > > Jai MAA !!! > > > > , Siva Kumar <sufi116@> wrote: > > > > > > Namaste, > > > > > > Thank you, Srinivasan, for posting this topic. > > > > > > I have very superficial information about Navarana Viddhi so please > > pardon me for questions that would perhaps need long responses. > > > > > > The following are the questions about Navarana Puja Viddhi that have > > been on the top of my mind. > > > > > > 1. Is this puja a part of Sri Vidya Upasana? > > > 2. I have heard (again very superficially) that at an advanced stage > > Navarana Viddhi (as part of Sri Vidya Upasana) would involve some > > amount of Vamachara? 3. Is Navarana Viddhi something that an initiate > > would have to practice continuously to obtain the relevant results? > > Can one add this to his/her sadhana tools? > > > > > > Thank you for your time. > > > > > > Sivakumar > > > > > > > > > > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. > 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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