Guest guest Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 & nbsp; Hi Sergio, It is your great good fortune that you want to worship the Goddess and you do not need any qualifications for it. She is supremely compassionate and anything that you offer to her with love will be accepted by her. Chanting spiritual texts like the Lalita Sahasranama or the Devi Mahatmyam is a beautiful tool to praise and worship Her.Anyone can chant them and there are absolutely no restrictions. A mantra is a very potent and special tool to connect with the Devi and reciting it has very powerful effects.Every mantra has a different effect and vibration and connects you to a deity in different ways. That is why most people consult a Master before reciting a mantra. It is like consulting a physician before you take a strong medicine. Maybe that is why the people you consulted at the Ashram in Europe dissuaded you from using just any Mantra. I agree that there is a lot of crazy info out there and don't let it bother you. The mantra " Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicce " is perfectly safe to use. It connects you to the Goddess and is a great way to start. You can use a string of 108 beads - a Mala (Indian rosary ) and recite the mantra. When I first started worshipping the Goddess, I started with this mantra and the results were immediate and powerful. I had bought a mala with 108 red beads and used to offer 3 malas everyday in front of her picture. Initially it was tough to even pronounce it , but later it was just beautiful to offer the Mantra. If you have any difficulty you can always consult with Swamiji and Shree Maa. Enjoy the Mantra repetition and offer it to her with Faith.The Shakti will guide you further. Hope this helps, - LK On Fri, 21 Nov 2008 Sergio Knipe wrote : >Namaste. > >I have just joined the Devi Mandir list, following the kind advice of >Swamiji (who suggested I direct some of my questions to the list). It is >not my intention to clog everyone's mailbox with personal matters, but I >understand the purpose of this group is for people 'to exchange spiritual >knowledge'. I am seriously interested in Sanatana Dharma and am seeking >for some genuine guidance/advice. > >A little background first. I am European (I live in England), but have >started exploring the Indian tradition some three years ago. Since then, I >have been praying to the Devi (my ishtadevata), while trying to learn >Sanskrit and reading as much as I could. I have come upon a lot of >conflicting information though, and now am plagued with doubts. > >When I started praying to the Devi, I figured it might be easiest to do >japa to cultivate bhakti (an accessible path in this yuga, right?). So I >needed a mantra. After reading various mantras, I figured that 'safest' >one I could use was 'OM SHRI MATRE NAMAH'. I understand this is the Shakta >mahamantra and is open to all. Is this correct? > >I have recently visited a large ashram in Europe with a large mandir to >Shri Lalita (won't specify where), seeking further guidance. There I was >told that while mahamantras are theoretically open to all, they were not >going to give me any or encourage me to use them. > >I understand - and was told - that without initiation I cannot do proper >puja (which requires pranapratishstha), recite mantras or chant texts like >the Sri Lalita Sahasranama. > >I respect the value of orthodoxy, and don't want to do anything wrong. I >also realise I have no qualifications whatsoever. I do, however, wish to >pray to the Devi. What should I do? > >I would be happy to get in touch with other devotees who think they might >help me out, or point me in the right direction. Please feel free to write >to me if you wish. > >I hope my request does not come across as inappropriate or invasive. > >Thank you to Swamiji and Shree Maa for all their wonderful and inspiring >work - >Best regards to you all, > >Sergio > > > > >--- > >Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 Namaste Sergio and may I offer my welcome as well. The Goddess is our own. She is everybody's Mother. Start simply and treat Her as though She were a member of your family. As if She were somebody very special to you and She will respond and guide you to the right places. Hang with true, sincere devotees and you will pick up the bhava from them. I wish you everything good. Om Jai Kali Ma! Om Namah Shivaya Kumari > On Fri, 21 Nov 2008 Sergio Knipe wrote : > >Namaste. > > > >I have just joined the Devi Mandir list, following the kind advice of > >Swamiji (who suggested I direct some of my questions to the list). It is > >not my intention to clog everyone's mailbox with personal matters, but I > >understand the purpose of this group is for people 'to exchange spiritual > >knowledge'. I am seriously interested in Sanatana Dharma and am seeking > >for some genuine guidance/advice. > > > >A little background first. I am European (I live in England), but have > >started exploring the Indian tradition some three years ago. Since then, I > >have been praying to the Devi (my ishtadevata), while trying to learn > >Sanskrit and reading as much as I could. I have come upon a lot of > >conflicting information though, and now am plagued with doubts. > > > >When I started praying to the Devi, I figured it might be easiest to do > >japa to cultivate bhakti (an accessible path in this yuga, right?). So I > >needed a mantra. After reading various mantras, I figured that 'safest' > >one I could use was 'OM SHRI MATRE NAMAH'. I understand this is the Shakta > >mahamantra and is open to all. Is this correct? > > > >I have recently visited a large ashram in Europe with a large mandir to > >Shri Lalita (won't specify where), seeking further guidance. There I was > >told that while mahamantras are theoretically open to all, they were not > >going to give me any or encourage me to use them. > > > >I understand - and was told - that without initiation I cannot do proper > >puja (which requires pranapratishstha), recite mantras or chant texts like > >the Sri Lalita Sahasranama. > > > >I respect the value of orthodoxy, and don't want to do anything wrong. I > >also realise I have no qualifications whatsoever. I do, however, wish to > >pray to the Devi. What should I do? > > > >I would be happy to get in touch with other devotees who think they might > >help me out, or point me in the right direction. Please feel free to write > >to me if you wish. > > > >I hope my request does not come across as inappropriate or invasive. > > > >Thank you to Swamiji and Shree Maa for all their wonderful and inspiring > >work - > >Best regards to you all, > > > >Sergio > > > > > > > > > >--- > > > >Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org! Groups Links > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.