Guest guest Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 Hari Om Yes, Maa's love conquers all and gives us the strength to rise above. Om, Brindavanshakti Nanda <chandimaakijai Sent: Tuesday, 2 June, 2009 9:35:59 AM[www.ShreeMaa.org] Swamiji asks us a question Dear AllSwamiji has been helping answer so many of our questions, and now He has one for us. Hope we can go within and come back with intuitive and thoughtful responses.Thanks and loveNanda-======================Swamiji asks:Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling well?=============================== Email slow, clunky, unreliable? Switch to Xtra Mail, New Zealand's new email address. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 most certainly, I always feel better after doing puja. Of course if one has fever and can not sit there is no need to feel obligated to do ritual worship. Japa and remembering God are also fine if the ritual worship must be missed. From: chandimaakijaiDate: Mon, 1 Jun 2009 21:35:59 +0000[www.ShreeMaa.org] Swamiji asks us a question Dear AllSwamiji has been helping answer so many of our questions, and now He has one for us. Hope we can go within and come back with intuitive and thoughtful responses.Thanks and loveNanda-======================Swamiji asks:Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling well?=============================== Windows Live helps you keep up with all your friends, in one place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 YES! Absolutely...if I waited for my body to feel well, I might never worship. Love, Karen > -====================== > Swamiji asks: > Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling > well? > > =============================== > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 Swamiji asks: Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling well? =============================== Have heard it is not good to meditate when ill. But it makes me better when I do. Have heard not to worship when ill. But is heals me and teaches me I can do anything. My theory is if God/Goddess is all things then She/He is the illness as well and the best way to deal with it is to go in and ask what can be learned from this experience what better way to do this than in worship. Would be wonderful to worship at all times. I think that is doing the different mantras while we go through our day. She is with us, always in us, always is us, ALWAYS. Had an experience last week when talking with Siva after puja that might explain thoughts better. It was stormy and the trees around were dancing in the wind. It was as if Mother was saying see I have fits of madness, illness, (storms, showers,etc) everything does. But you still love me, so why would I not still love you. Except this and move on. Deal with it. Grow from it. Learn from it. We all have ups and downs but must hold to Mother tightly as Swamiji has said. From that I gathered the the illness I was fighting was just normal, ok, everything is temperary, this always gets me through. Worship at all times, in all things just seems to make since to me. I can understand how it would be bad to spread germs so do at home. I understand we want positive energy in the temple even of our homes but is not the worship even in illness positive. Is not everything actually positive or at least has the potential to be if we allow it. I think that is the key. It's what we make it. AS long as we are able to do the worship & not harm others or distract them by throwing up and such as that it seems ok. Like I said above we can always do it at home in private so as not to disturb others. Once I was too ill to rise from the bed so was reciting Siva puja in my mind and by the time I was done and apologizing for not knowing all his names by heart I felt well enough to get up so asked forgiveness and rose to go to altar and read them from book and finished there. Look forward to hearing what everyone has to say. Wonderful Question Love Love Love Jai Maa Jai Swamiji Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 Namaste Swamiji! How appropriate! I have been contemplating just this question today. I must as a woman deal with this each month. My practice at this time is to close my temple and not do formal worship with actual offerings. However I continue reciting the Chandi Path, the worship for the day and, japa. If I am actually too ill to get up from bed, I continue to recite japa, lying in bed and try to picture Shiva and Mother close by me. There have been times in the past, when I really felt their presence comforting me as I lay with my eyes closed. Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji! Jai Kali Ma! Jai Shiva! Kumari--- On Mon, 6/1/09, Nanda <chandimaakijai wrote: Nanda <chandimaakijai[www.ShreeMaa.org] Swamiji asks us a question Date: Monday, June 1, 2009, 4:35 PM Dear AllSwamiji has been helping answer so many of our questions, and now He has one for us. Hope we can go within and come back with intuitive and thoughtful responses.Thanks and loveNanda-=========== ========= ==Swamiji asks:Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling well?============ ========= ========= = Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 Beloved Swamiji, Namaste. Thanks for the question. Yes, it is appropriate to perform worship while the body is not feeling well. Sir Ramahrishna never stopped worship. Pranam , " Nanda " <chandimaakijai wrote: > > Dear All > Swamiji has been helping answer so many of our questions, and now He has > one for us. Hope we can go within and come back with intuitive and > thoughtful responses. > Thanks and love > Nanda > -====================== > Swamiji asks: > Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling > well? > > =============================== > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 So long as there is acceptance, why should an ill body prevent one from surrendering entire life as an offering to the divine. In short, the answer is Yes. --- On Mon, 6/1/09, Nanda <chandimaakijai wrote: Nanda <chandimaakijai[www.ShreeMaa.org] Swamiji asks us a question Date: Monday, June 1, 2009, 2:35 PM Dear AllSwamiji has been helping answer so many of our questions, and now He has one for us. Hope we can go within and come back with intuitive and thoughtful responses.Thanks and loveNanda-=========== ========= ==Swamiji asks:Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling well?============ ========= ========= = Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 Most honoured Swamiji, Personally I think it all depends on the kind of worship. In certain holy places illness (like menstruation) might be perceived as polluting. So for instance formal worship was not made in Antiquity unless one was in good health. On the other hand, I think that one is always allowed to perform simple pujas and most certainly do japa. Illness can actually be a reminder of our frailty and of our need to surrender to the feet of the divine Mother, who is the source of all illness, illness itself and also the cure. " Saravadevamaayimdevim sarvarogabayapahaam Brahmesavishnunamitaam pranamaami sadaa Shivaam " Love, Sergio > Dear All > Swamiji has been helping answer so many of our questions, and now He has > one for us. Hope we can go within and come back with intuitive and > thoughtful responses. > Thanks and love > Nanda > -====================== > Swamiji asks: > Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling > well? > > =============================== > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 Pranams, Swamiji. I feel we should worship to the best of our ability. We can always chant the Mantra even from sick bed. I do. But it is difficult to meditate when one is not feeling well. Some times when I am not feeling all that well early in the morning, I swallow a pain killer so that my meditation goes through smoothly. I trundle to the temple and have MAA's dharshan. I am afraid my response is neither intuitive nor thoughtful. It is what I do. If I do not worship, what do I do? Jai MAA !!! , " Nanda " <chandimaakijai wrote: > > Dear All > Swamiji has been helping answer so many of our questions, and now He has > one for us. Hope we can go within and come back with intuitive and > thoughtful responses. > Thanks and love > Nanda > -====================== > Swamiji asks: > Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling > well? > > =============================== > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 There are several things to consider in this question. There is the idea of pollution, which does not enter into the equation as far as I am concerned. The menstrual taboos were originally put in place in order to allow women to have a quiet time alone to rest and contemplate their life instead of forcing them to be outwardly active when they may not be feeling their best and in pain. It is a good time for women to go inward. This is part of the rhythms of nature. This teaches us that just as there are stages of life where certain activities are practiced, there are stages in consciousness that should be respected. This varies woman by woman on how active they feel they can be. For me, I have to slow down and be a little quieter. Illness resembles the menstruation question. I am not a polluting influence, but I might not feel up to a full-blown ritual with 16 offerings, or whatever. So I will guage how much I will be able to do. I agree with posters who say that meditation and ritual makes them feel better and I might find that I can do more in my ordinary life as well as ritually if I do a little bit. But I can always at least do japa or at the very very least, think of Ma. Jai Swamiji, Jai Ma, Jai Kali, Jai Shiva Kumari --- On Tue, 6/2/09, Sergio Knipe <sergio.knipe wrote: Sergio Knipe <sergio.knipeRe: [www.ShreeMaa.org] Swamiji asks us a question Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 6:12 AM Most honoured Swamiji,Personally I think it all depends on the kind of worship. Incertain holy places illness (like menstruation) might be perceived aspolluting. So for instance formal worship was not made in Antiquity unlessone was in good health.On the other hand, I think that one is always allowed to perform simplepujas and most certainly do japa. Illness can actually be a reminder ofour frailty and of our need to surrender to the feet of the divine Mother,who is the source of all illness, illness itself and also the cure."Saravadevamaayimdevim sarvarogabayapahaamBrahmesavishnunamitaam pranamaami sadaa Shivaam"Love,Sergio> Dear All> Swamiji has been helping answer so many of our questions, and now He has> one for us. Hope we can go within and come back with intuitive and> thoughtful responses.> Thanks and love> Nanda> -======================> Swamiji asks:> Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling> well?>> ===============================>>---Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 When the body is not feeling well, it's a sign of imbalance, which can take the appearance of mental or physical afflictions as a result of disturbed flow of vital pranas. Aren't the Aksharas of the Sanskrit Alphabet, that comprise every mantra, the very units of consciousness which ignite the charge of prana within the nexi of the 72000(some say more) nadi system? and don't they restore the quality of sattva to the pranamaya and manomaya koshas if especially when recited in pure devotion? If every sheath is interrelated with the other then they also have the capacity to influence anamaya kosha, just as the quality of food and the consciousness with which it is digested in anamaya kosha can potentialy offset the pranic equilibrium of the other koshas. In Dr. Benson's Timeless Healing he summarised the results of recent studies which suggest that 15 minutes per day of the relaxation response results in enhanced wellness, hightened immune function, decreased blood pressure and seems to have numerous other health benefits which extend well beyond the perks or potential deficits of taking a daily asprin. Does worship not put us into a deep state of relaxation of communion with our trancendental nature, a place where we can feel safe and let go of external pressures to come home to ourSelves? Is feeling unwell not a symptom of our bodies confusion about its identity with forces of worldly division or divine unity, ego and the Divine Shakti? Is worship not taking a purifying bath in the mindstreams of the ganga, yamuna and saraswati? Are health and balance not inherent properties of the Divine? Worship performed at any time, in any state, anywhere, with as much devotion as possible, like to a marriage vow, whether in sickness or in health is most appropriate. --- On Mon, 6/1/09, Nanda <chandimaakijai wrote: Nanda <chandimaakijai[www.ShreeMaa.org] Swamiji asks us a question Received: Monday, June 1, 2009, 5:35 PM Dear AllSwamiji has been helping answer so many of our questions, and now He has one for us. Hope we can go within and come back with intuitive and thoughtful responses.Thanks and loveNanda-=========== ========= ==Swamiji asks:Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling well?============ ========= ========= = The new Internet Explorer® 8 - Faster, safer, easier. Optimized for Get it Now for Free! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 Namaste Swamiji,Namaste Maa, Namaste all family, I remember reading a joke once about a person asking a priest whether it was Ok to smoke while praying. Of Course NOT!!! And how about praying while smoking... well, its possible! Well, Our Gurus have shown us that all life can be worship - whatever the physical condition. Our gross body may not be well but the subtle (intellectual) body and casual (spiritual ) body may not be affected by the physical condition and can therefore exercise their privilege to worship. I humbly bow to you in appreciation of your teaching. Lots of love manjushri , " Nanda " <chandimaakijai wrote: > > Dear All > Swamiji has been helping answer so many of our questions, and now He has > one for us. Hope we can go within and come back with intuitive and > thoughtful responses. > Thanks and love > Nanda > -====================== > Swamiji asks: > Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling > well? > > =============================== > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 Namaste,Most definitely...how else am I going to forget i'm feeling unwell. With love,Gyandesh.--- On Mon, 6/1/09, Nanda <chandimaakijai wrote:Nanda <chandimaakijai[www.ShreeMaa.org] Swamiji asks us a question Date: Monday, June 1, 2009, 2:35 PM Dear AllSwamiji has been helping answer so many of our questions, and now He has one for us. Hope we can go within and come back with intuitive and thoughtful responses.Thanks and loveNanda-=========== ========= ==Swamiji asks:Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling well?============ ========= ========= = Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 Swamiji asks: > Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling > well? Dear All I have been reading all the responses with great interest.My answer to Swamiji's question is a little different. IMHO,if one falls sick, then one's priority is to do what one can to get better.While Japa is necessary as much as possible, I would do a formal puja etc only if I had a sankalpa to keep doing so despite my illness. If I didnt have a long term sankalpa, then I would keep up japa while focussing on taking the rest or treatment to get better. I think Japa is something that can be maintained regardless of outer purity, but for formal worship - I would need to observe a certain niyama, like having a bath and dressing in clean clothes before sitting for puja/path. And if I were sick, I dont know if I would have the energy to perform the necessary purification steps before the puja... Just my thoughts, and I welcome further discussion.. Jai Swamiji Nanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 I guess the merit in your answer is in being reasonable and practical, and in the distinction you make between japa and Puja. But then worship could be either, if the term is used in the larger context. I guess one would need to go back to Swamiji's question to ask ourselves what did he mean. It is interesting that there have been as many interpretations as responses. Your response reminds me of the month of Ramazan in this part of the world where I live. All devout Muslims think it is their moral obligation to fast. Some fast despite physical problems like diabetes, or stomach ulcers where fasting can be deadly. In recent years the Ulema have been coming forward to tell people that it is a sin to fast if one is ill and that neither the Koran recommends it nor would God be pleased with such fasting. Ramakrsna was very ill during the last years of his life, but never gave up worshiping. Devotees like Mira, Ramakrsna, Rumi, were lost in the love of God and crossed all social and physical barriers, and were absolutely unreasonable. I guess we have to find our answers ourselves. But for most of us, most of the time, Nanda's response would be the most practical course of action. , " Nanda " <chandimaakijai wrote: > > > Swamiji asks: > > Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling > > well? > > Dear All > I have been reading all the responses with great interest.My answer to > Swamiji's question is a little different. > > IMHO,if one falls sick, then one's priority is to do what one can to get > better.While Japa is necessary as much as possible, I would do a formal > puja etc only if I had a sankalpa to keep doing so despite my illness. > If I didnt have a long term sankalpa, then I would keep up japa while > focussing on taking the rest or treatment to get better. > > I think Japa is something that can be maintained regardless of outer > purity, but for formal worship - I would need to observe a certain > niyama, like having a bath and dressing in clean clothes before sitting > for puja/path. And if I were sick, I dont know if I would have the > energy to perform the necessary purification steps before the puja... > > Just my thoughts, and I welcome further discussion.. > > Jai Swamiji > Nanda > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 Dear Nanda, I think we first must define worship. "Worship itself means paying attention". Beloved Shree Maa and Swamiji Maharaj teaches us that whenever we perform any action with respectful attention, sincerity and devotion, then we are performing worship. The sadhana pancakam says – "Remain the same while undergoing all the pairs of opposites like hot and cold, pleasure and pain, and don't give expression to worthless speech. The Kasyapa Sutra teaches us techniques to take the mind away from any identifiable emotion – "duh" is the bija mantra that takes the mind from pain and focuses it on God. I believe that in giving our best regardless of the circumstance, Mother will accept the offering. If for instance we have a bad back and cannot stand in the shower, we clean our body to the best of our ability and with water and mantra and then offer worship (formal or informal) to the best the body is able. The mind is tricky and uses all means possible to have its own way, as soon as we give in the mind becomes the victor so we must always remember – I AM NOT THE BODY, I AM SHE. I am the silent witness in this divine play so let go and let God(dess), this is our only priority. With love, Kalia , "Nanda" <chandimaakijai wrote:>> > Swamiji asks:> > Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling> > well?> > Dear All> I have been reading all the responses with great interest.My answer to> Swamiji's question is a little different.> > IMHO,if one falls sick, then one's priority is to do what one can to get> better.While Japa is necessary as much as possible, I would do a formal> puja etc only if I had a sankalpa to keep doing so despite my illness.> If I didnt have a long term sankalpa, then I would keep up japa while> focussing on taking the rest or treatment to get better.> > I think Japa is something that can be maintained regardless of outer> purity, but for formal worship - I would need to observe a certain> niyama, like having a bath and dressing in clean clothes before sitting> for puja/path. And if I were sick, I dont know if I would have the> energy to perform the necessary purification steps before the puja...> > Just my thoughts, and I welcome further discussion..> > Jai Swamiji> Nanda> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 Carrying Kaliananda's argument further, we are not merely our Gross or physical body, but also our Subtle (intellectual) and Casual (Spiritual) bodies. We try to keep all the three levels in harmony and balance and often draw on one or the other levels for maintaining that balance. We can Worship at either of the three levels - but of course the best form of worship is when all three 'bodies' (Body, Mind and Soul) are in harmony. We worship when we are sad or happy. Sometimes our minds are disturbed and we cannot focus on our worship. Or our bodies are in pain and distract us from worship. But some of the most sincere prayers are said in times of distress, in physical pain or in sadness at some personal loss. , " kaliananda_saraswati " <kaliananda_saraswati wrote: > > > Dear Nanda, > > > > I think we first must define worship. " Worship itself means paying > attention " . > > > > Beloved Shree Maa and Swamiji Maharaj teaches us that whenever we > perform any action with respectful attention, sincerity and devotion, > then we are performing worship. > > > > The sadhana pancakam says – " Remain the same while undergoing > all the pairs of opposites like hot and cold, pleasure and pain, and > don't give expression to worthless speech. > > > > The Kasyapa Sutra teaches us techniques to take the mind away from any > identifiable emotion – " duh " is the bija mantra that takes > the mind from pain and focuses it on God. I believe that in giving our > best regardless of the circumstance, Mother will accept the offering. > > > > If for instance we have a bad back and cannot stand in the shower, we > clean our body to the best of our ability and with water and mantra and > then offer worship (formal or informal) to the best the body is able. > The mind is tricky and uses all means possible to have its own way, as > soon as we give in the mind becomes the victor so we must always > remember – I AM NOT THE BODY, I AM SHE. I am the silent witness in > this divine play so let go and let God(dess), this is our only priority. > > > > With love, > > Kalia > > > > > > , " Nanda " <chandimaakijai@> wrote: > > > > > > Swamiji asks: > > > Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling > > > well? > > > > Dear All > > I have been reading all the responses with great interest.My answer to > > Swamiji's question is a little different. > > > > IMHO,if one falls sick, then one's priority is to do what one can to > get > > better.While Japa is necessary as much as possible, I would do a > formal > > puja etc only if I had a sankalpa to keep doing so despite my illness. > > If I didnt have a long term sankalpa, then I would keep up japa while > > focussing on taking the rest or treatment to get better. > > > > I think Japa is something that can be maintained regardless of outer > > purity, but for formal worship - I would need to observe a certain > > niyama, like having a bath and dressing in clean clothes before > sitting > > for puja/path. And if I were sick, I dont know if I would have the > > energy to perform the necessary purification steps before the puja... > > > > Just my thoughts, and I welcome further discussion.. > > > > Jai Swamiji > > Nanda > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 i feel it is one of the most appropriate times to preform worship. actively working towards our healing. pranayama is a sure way to increase blood flow and healing to occur. so often when we are sick we choose to be a victim of the experience. but we have more capacity to heal ourselves than we allow. how beautiful a way of actively participating in our healing using prayer, pranic healing and meditation ! OM! Nanda <chandimaakijai Mon, 1 Jun 2009 5:35 pm [www.ShreeMaa.org] Swamiji asks us a question Dear All Swamiji has been helping answer so many of our questions, and now He has one for us. Hope we can go within and come back with intuitive and thoughtful responses. Thanks and love Nanda -====================== Swamiji asks: Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling well? =============================== Wanna slim down for summer? Go to America Takes it Off to learn how. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 This is so very true, Misra. It may be one of the few times we see the now you see it now you don't quality of Maya and turn our focus on the Eternal Source. But you are all right, worship should go on however incompletely or at what level no matter what is going on with the body. Why should I deprive myself of that pleasure and privilege when it can only make my day and life better? I bow to you all for your wisdom. Jai Ma! Jai Swamiji! Jail Kali! Jai Shiva! Kumari--- On Thu, 6/4/09, misra_manjusha <misra_manjusha wrote: misra_manjusha <misra_manjusha[www.ShreeMaa.org] Re: Swamiji asks us a question Date: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 3:24 PM Carrying Kaliananda's argument further, we are not merely our Gross or physical body, but also our Subtle (intellectual) and Casual (Spiritual) bodies. We try to keep all the three levels in harmony and balance and often draw on one or the other levels for maintaining that balance. We can Worship at either of the three levels - but of course the best form of worship is when all three 'bodies' (Body, Mind and Soul) are in harmony. We worship when we are sad or happy. Sometimes our minds are disturbed and we cannot focus on our worship. Or our bodies are in pain and distract us from worship. But some of the most sincere prayers are said in times of distress, in physical pain or in sadness at some personal loss. , "kaliananda_ saraswati" <kaliananda_ saraswati@ ...> wrote:>> > Dear Nanda,> > > > I think we first must define worship. "Worship itself means paying> attention".> > > > Beloved Shree Maa and Swamiji Maharaj teaches us that whenever we> perform any action with respectful attention, sincerity and devotion,> then we are performing worship.> > > > The sadhana pancakam says – "Remain the same while undergoing> all the pairs of opposites like hot and cold, pleasure and pain, and> don't give expression to worthless speech.> > > > The Kasyapa Sutra teaches us techniques to take the mind away from any> identifiable emotion – "duh" is the bija mantra that takes> the mind from pain and focuses it on God. I believe that in giving our> best regardless of the circumstance, Mother will accept the offering.> > > > If for instance we have a bad back and cannot stand in the shower, we> clean our body to the best of our ability and with water and mantra and> then offer worship (formal or informal) to the best the body is able.> The mind is tricky and uses all means possible to have its own way, as> soon as we give in the mind becomes the victor so we must always> remember – I AM NOT THE BODY, I AM SHE. I am the silent witness in> this divine play so let go and let God(dess), this is our only priority.> > > > With love,> > Kalia> > > > > > , "Nanda" <chandimaakijai@ > wrote:> >> >> > Swamiji asks:> > > Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling> > > well?> >> > Dear All> > I have been reading all the responses with great interest.My answer to> > Swamiji's question is a little different.> >> > IMHO,if one falls sick, then one's priority is to do what one can to> get> > better.While Japa is necessary as much as possible, I would do a> formal> > puja etc only if I had a sankalpa to keep doing so despite my illness.> > If I didnt have a long term sankalpa, then I would keep up japa while> > focussing on taking the rest or treatment to get better.> >> > I think Japa is something that can be maintained regardless of outer> > purity, but for formal worship - I would need to observe a certain> > niyama, like having a bath and dressing in clean clothes before> sitting> > for puja/path. And if I were sick, I dont know if I would have the> > energy to perform the necessary purification steps before the puja...> >> > Just my thoughts, and I welcome further discussion..> >> > Jai Swamiji> > Nanda> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 During the Banares retreat with Sree Maa and Swamiji, I had Malaria. Started shivering on the first night there and knew it to be Malaria. Had bath in the morning and went for the morning programme. Bought and took the regular medicine for Malaria later. Did the thought of skipping the programme enter my mind? No Sir. It never did. After planning and dreaming about this retreat for months, I was not going to let a mosquito ruin my plans. During the retreat I did notice that almost everyone had some ailment or the other. But we never talked about it. Sree Maa and Swamiji showed us by example how the spirit can overcome the body. When I heard about their health problems my sickness paled into insignificance. Of course the only problem I had was a persistent cough, which did disturb others. But I could not take a cough medicine because that would have made me drowsy. Now in my more than 35 years as an executive in the corporate sector, I have never missed a meeting, seminar and other important commitment because of sickness. The basic rule was you do not get sick. That is all. So why should I miss my worship because I am not well? As you grow older it becomes more difficult. With a number of persistent ailments it becomes " Nithya Kandam Purna Ayush " (Daily danger but full life). You do have problems at times. Like falling asleep while meditating. But once you know what can happen you start watching out for the problems. , " Nanda " <chandimaakijai wrote: > > Dear All > Swamiji has been helping answer so many of our questions, and now He has > one for us. Hope we can go within and come back with intuitive and > thoughtful responses. > Thanks and love > Nanda > -====================== > Swamiji asks: > Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling > well? > > =============================== > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Namaste and pranams! It seems to me that any and all times are appropriate to make offerings to the divine. The circumstances afforded by the divine ought to dictate the most appropriate offerings. Thus, as caretaker of the body its needs should not be ignored (although its wants are a different story). Good health and rest are important parts of creating the proper circumstances for communion (not too much or too little ). In order to recover from any illness, right action is needed. We all can use puja to fix our minds, but most of us need medicine and rest to break a fever efficiently. The appropriateness depends on the capabilities of the individual, the seriousness of the illness, the type of worship to be offered, and possibly other circumstances related to dharma and artha. An advanced seeker could perhaps heal themselves through their meditations, whereas a beginner may be chasing unrealistic conceptions of how it is right now. Just as we must budget our time, we sometimes must also budget our energy too. For this we need maturity to properly understand how to reach our fullest capabilities, how to actually attain our goals and not just chase after them. Finally, a guru's guidance is most important, if the guru says, don't do japa of this mantra when you have a fever, then it would be most inappropriate to sit for japa with a fever, but you could sing a sweet bhajan! Similarly, if you simply cannot get out of bed, what a wonderful circumstance to take refuge in scripture, or manasa puja, or to do japa all day long. It is the remembrance of the divine which must not ever be abandoned, not necessarily a specific form of offering worship. just some reflections... namaste swamiji -Bandhu , " Nanda " <chandimaakijai wrote: > > Dear All > Swamiji has been helping answer so many of our questions, and now He has > one for us. Hope we can go within and come back with intuitive and > thoughtful responses. > Thanks and love > Nanda > -====================== > Swamiji asks: > Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling > well? > > =============================== > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 Dearest Swamiji, Sweet Holy Father, Namaste & Pranams. I offer you these scriptures as my humble oblation eventhough you know them and live them better than I. tasmad asaktah satatam karyam karma samacara asakto hy acaran karma param apnoti purushah Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty, for by working without attachment one attains the Supreme. , " Nanda " <chandimaakijai wrote: > > Dear All > Swamiji has been helping answer so many of our questions, and now He has > one for us. Hope we can go within and come back with intuitive and > thoughtful responses. > Thanks and love > Nanda > -====================== > Swamiji asks: > Is it appropriate to perform worship when your body is not feeling > well? > > =============================== > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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