How we came to Devi Mandir: Was: Very Belated Introduction

[Guest guest]

Thank you for sharing your stories Michelle and Linda. I know there is some

introductory material in the files, but I would appreciate it if other members

would tell the story of how they came to Devi Mandir, Shree Maa and Swami

Satyananda. Personally I love to hear stories like this. It reaffirms my

interest and involvement and gives me insight into why this is so very important

to us.

 

This is my story (I will try to make it as short as I can):

 

This journey I am taking started a very long time ago. I was restless and

unsatisfied with the religion I was born in after I got to be a certain age. It

seemed unfair and as if it was being shoved down my throat. I had a good sense

of karma, even though I didn't know the term. I could see that there is

punishment for mistakes and sins right in this life. Why would we be punished

forever after death as well? What if we just couldn't believe the things the

church taught? Honestly? Why would a person be punished for that?

 

Then much later I was involved with a Vedanta center. I learned a tiny bit of

Sanskrit and watched rituals. I loved the Goddess and the rituals right from

the start. At first I thought I wanted a formless universal deity, but I soon

realized I was in love with the Goddess in many forms. Kali was a little

intimidating to me, though. I thought Durga was wonderful and so protective and

strong. The atmosphere in rituals held me in a spell. I loved to watch the

Swami offer all these beautiful items and gracefully perform mudras all to

please Mother and the other Gods. I took initiation there. But a part of me

was unhappy. I wanted to do the rituals and it was very hard to find any

information on performing them. I was learning Sanskrit but I was not putting

it to use. Also, I was young and had no patience. I had wonderful spiritual

experiences there and I treasure that time. I still feel Maa protects me and

guides me to keep me safe. I have utmost respect for Sri Ramakrishna, Sri

Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda.

 

Then I broke away and followed Wicca for a time. I still wanted to do rituals

and I wanted to be creative, so this was good for me in the meantime. I never

forgot the teachings I got from Vedanta and the love of Sanskrit, but it went

dormant for a short while until a new opportunity came.

 

After some years,I started to realize that my love for India, for Shakti and

Shiva was reawakening. The richness and depth of Hinduism called to me. There

was a place there for everybody and beauty and unlimited horizons. Two things

happened. I purchased a statue of Dakshineswar Kali and I started looking again

and found devotees of Kali. Just about a year ago I went on pilgrimage to a

Kali puja in California. I am no longer young and it was a difficult trip for

me, but I wanted so much to see Kali worshipped with all rites and to be in the

atmosphere of worship. It was a fantastic three day experience. It was like a

tiny trip to India. I came hope elated, tired in body and slightly ill.

 

I met a woman devotee at the puja who told me to check out Devi Mandir. I did

look at it briefly when I got back, but didn't get what it was about. But I

kept going back to the website. I was still searching. I did not think the

Kali Temple was the whole answer yet.

 

I looked at the book lists and checked out the videos and teachings on the Devi

Mandir website. Was what I was seeing correct? This Swami Satyananda was

laying out everything I wanted to learn in books and most shocking for free on

the website. I could learn to worship Mother? I could learn in depth about the

Devi Mahatmya (the Chandi)? I could chant in Sanskrit and understand what I was

chanting? I could worship any of the Deities? The mantras were right there for

me, as much as I could hold, as far as I wanted to go. I was totally blown

away. I knew from my small knowledge of philosophy that they are the real deal.

It is so hard to believe in this day and age that anyone would lay their

treasured knowledge out for anyone to pick up and not expect certain and

definite payment. Of course I learned from Swamiji and Shree Maa that

spirituality means giving more than you take, so of course I am going to want to

give back. I don't know if I will ever be able to repay them for the knowledge

and spirituality they are offering to me, but I know I must at least try.

Anyway, I bought all the books I could and am going through the classes as fast

as I am able. I am unable to make a trip out there in person, perhaps one day

that will happen. My life now has a new dimension. I won't say anything is

lost, I have simply gained so much more.

 

Jai Shree Maa! Jai Swamiji!

 

Kumari

 

 

 

, " weeshe83 " <weeshe83 wrote:

>

> Namaste everyone!

>

> I joined the group a few months back and haven't supplied a proper

introduction yet. And seeing as how I have some spare internet time, I thought

I'd finally get on task!

>

> My name is Michelle Schurko and I'm from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. I was

born October 3rd, 1983. I had the blessing of a pilgrimage to the Devi Mandir

back in May where Shree Maa gave me the name of Manya. I've had a long and

winding spiritual journey that really started when I left the Christian church I

had attended for the first 18 years of my life. I was fascinated by paganism

and Buddhism but was at a loss for how they could make sense with each other. A

few years back I finally started seriously studying Hinduism and yoga and all

the pieces fell together. And I've been in love ever since.

>

> It was an absolute fluke that I stumbled upon Swamiji and his teachings. I

was searching for commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita and found a video with the

name Swami Satyananda Saraswati, who is also a Swami in India with a fairly

large organization. However, THAT video wasn't the Swami I was expecting. But

I was immediately drawn in by Swamiji's passion for his subject. He reminded me

of one of those high school science teachers who were very boisterous and

absolutely loved science. But Swamiji was teaching what I absolutely loved. I

gobbled up all the information I could find.

>

> I got the chance to take a trip down and it was a defining experience in my

life. First of all, everything fell into place perfectly in a very short amount

of time. I was able to get a flight and a passport so easily and it felt as

though I wasn't actually the one doing any of the arranging. We've all taken

enough trips to know there's usually something forgotten or a late plane or

trouble in customs. I was blessed with a flawless trip. In fact the only

single thing that went wrong was me forgetting to leave my car insurance with

the right people!

>

> When I met Swamiji, I felt like one of those stuttering high school boys who

suddenly found themselves being spoken to by the most popular girl in school.

But at the same time, it was like finding a long lost family member who knew and

loved me since long before we met in person. And Shree Maa was so regal and

beautiful and so funny. It's hard not to just stare at her when she's in the

room.

>

> Since getting home, I've been watching more of the lectures, especially the

Chandi class. And I've been enjoying this group and all of the extraordinary

souls connected to it. I look forward every day to reading these messages and I

never fail to be inspired in some way by the individuals in this group. I hope

to one day be as spiritually advanced and wise as the rest of the international

Devi Mandir family.

>

> Much love and respect to all,

> Manya

>

[Guest guest]

Namaste and thank you, Kumari, for sharing. Your story reminds me much of my

own. I left my birth religion, because of serious objections to its teachings,

when I was 20. For a while I flirted with Judaism, loving the stories about the

Hasidic teachers. I was a hippie living on the edge of the Haight-Ashbury during

the Summer of Love, in 1967. At that time I read something in the San Francisco

Oracle (a hippie newspaper) about the chakra system, and it interested me very

much. Soon I was doing yoga and studying Sanskrit. I explored many different

flavors of Hinduism during the next seven years or so. At some point in that

time I read The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna (the unabridged version), and found

his bhakti contagious. As things developed, though, I went through a political

period and various other things, getting married and, like you, following Wicca

for a while (about 17 years, actually). I was, by that time, very

Goddess-oriented. I've been doing

hatha yoga for over 40 years, but while I was a Wiccan I tried not to do it too

much, because it always pulled me back in the direction of Hinduism. For several

years I was a r to Hinduism Today, and it was through that magazine

that I first heard of Shree Maa, Swamiji, and the Devi Mandir. I was entranced

by their story, and much attracted to Shree Maa, whose picture has remained on

my wall ever since. For a while I was put off by some criticism I had read

concerning one of Swamiji's translations, but I now realize that he is teaching

and interpreting on a higher level. Anyway, the bottom line is that I still find

excuses for not becoming more involved. At 66 (almost 67) I am still a

householder, I am shy and not terribly social, I can find many " reasons " for not

being more involved, though I am fortunate in living less than an hour away from

the Devi Mandir at this time. I am making my approach to the Chandi though, and

as far as I'm

concerned, it's in the hands of the Goddess, which is where it should be.

 

Jai Maa!

 

--Devidas T

 

 

 

Kumari wrote:

>

> Thank you for sharing your stories Michelle and Linda. I know there is some

> introductory material in the files, but I would appreciate it if other members

> would tell the story of how they came to Devi Mandir, Shree Maa and Swami

> Satyananda. Personally I love to hear stories like this. It reaffirms my

> interest and involvement and gives me insight into why this is so very

important

> to us.

>

> This is my story (I will try to make it as short as I can):

>

> This journey I am taking started a very long time ago. I was restless and

> unsatisfied with the religion I was born in after I got to be a certain age.

It

> seemed unfair and as if it was being shoved down my throat. I had a good

sense

> of karma, even though I didn't know the term. I could see that there is

> punishment for mistakes and sins right in this life. Why would we be punished

> forever after death as well? What if we just couldn't believe the things the

> church taught? Honestly? Why would a person be punished for that?

>

> Then much later I was involved with a Vedanta center. I learned a tiny bit of

> Sanskrit and watched rituals. I loved the Goddess and the rituals right from

> the start. At first I thought I wanted a formless universal deity, but I soon

> realized I was in love with the Goddess in many forms. Kali was a little

> intimidating to me, though. I thought Durga was wonderful and so protective

and

> strong. The atmosphere in rituals held me in a spell. I loved to watch the

> Swami offer all these beautiful items and gracefully perform mudras all to

> please Mother and the other Gods. I took initiation there. But a part of me

> was unhappy. I wanted to do the rituals and it was very hard to find any

> information on performing them. I was learning Sanskrit but I was not putting

> it to use. Also, I was young and had no patience. I had wonderful

spiritual

> experiences there and I treasure that time. I still feel Maa protects me and

> guides me to keep me safe. I have utmost respect for Sri Ramakrishna, Sri

> Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda.

>

> Then I broke away and followed Wicca for a time. I still wanted to do rituals

> and I wanted to be creative, so this was good for me in the meantime. I never

> forgot the teachings I got from Vedanta and the love of Sanskrit, but it went

> dormant for a short while until a new opportunity came.

>

> After some years,I started to realize that my love for India, for Shakti and

> Shiva was reawakening. The richness and depth of Hinduism called to me.

There

> was a place there for everybody and beauty and unlimited horizons. Two things

> happened. I purchased a statue of Dakshineswar Kali and I started looking

again

> and found devotees of Kali. Just about a year ago I went on pilgrimage to a

> Kali puja in California. I am no longer young and it was a difficult trip for

> me, but I wanted so much to see Kali worshipped with all rites and to be in

the

> atmosphere of worship. It was a fantastic three day experience. It was like

a

> tiny trip to India. I came hope elated, tired in body and slightly ill.

>

> I met a woman devotee at the puja who told me to check out Devi Mandir. I did

> look at it briefly when I got back, but didn't get what it was about. But I

> kept going back to the website. I was still searching. I did not think the

> Kali Temple was the whole answer yet.

>

> I looked at the book lists and checked out the videos and teachings on the

Devi

> Mandir website. Was what I was seeing correct? This Swami Satyananda was

> laying out everything I wanted to learn in books and most shocking for free on

> the website. I could learn to worship Mother? I could learn in depth about

the

> Devi Mahatmya (the Chandi)? I could chant in Sanskrit and understand what I

was

> chanting? I could worship any of the Deities? The mantras were right there

for

> me, as much as I could hold, as far as I wanted to go. I was totally blown

> away. I knew from my small knowledge of philosophy that they are the real

> deal. It is so hard to believe in this day and age that anyone would lay

their

> treasured knowledge out for anyone to pick up and not expect certain and

> definite payment. Of course I learned from Swamiji and Shree Maa that

> spirituality means giving more than you take, so of course I am going to want

to

> give back. I don't know if I will ever be able to repay them for the

knowledge

> and spirituality they are offering to me, but I know I must at least try.

> Anyway, I bought all the books I could and am going through the classes as

fast

> as I am able. I am unable to make a trip out there in person, perhaps one day

> that will happen. My life now has a new dimension. I won't say anything is

> lost, I have simply gained so much more.

>

> Jai Shree Maa! Jai Swamiji!

>

> Kumari

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your story, Devidas! I think if we are meant for this path, even

though we may be born in the West, and it is difficult to find information (I

remember at about the age of 18 going to the library and requesting a search for

the Vedas and getting only an English translation of selected parts) the link

with Sanatana Dharma remains through the years until we can make some real

progress in the path.

 

Yes, Sri Ramakrishna is very inspiring. He speaks so clearly and directly and

is full of Divine Mother's energy. Swami Vivekananda is also inspiring in his

own way, urging everyone to stand on their own feet, straight and tall. I know

this was probably meant to encourage people in India who had become demoralized

after the British rule, but it speaks to me as well.

 

We do sound very alike. I went through my hippie phase, fortunately some of the

good parts of that have stayed with me, and I didn't get involved with drugs.

 

I do believe Mother is guiding us gently, letting us evolve from where we are.

Jai Maa!

 

Kumari

 

, DT <exolinguist wrote:

>

> Namaste and thank you, Kumari, for sharing. Your story reminds me much of my

own. I left my birth religion, because of serious objections to its teachings,

when I was 20. For a while I flirted with Judaism, loving the stories about the

Hasidic teachers. I was a hippie living on the edge of the Haight-Ashbury during

the Summer of Love, in 1967. At that time I read something in the San Francisco

Oracle (a hippie newspaper) about the chakra system, and it interested me very

much. Soon I was doing yoga and studying Sanskrit. I explored many different

flavors of Hinduism during the next seven years or so. At some point in that

time I read The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna (the unabridged version), and found

his bhakti contagious. As things developed, though, I went through a political

period and various other things, getting married and, like you, following Wicca

for a while (about 17 years, actually). I was, by that time, very

Goddess-oriented. I've been doing

> hatha yoga for over 40 years, but while I was a Wiccan I tried not to do it

too much, because it always pulled me back in the direction of Hinduism. For

several years I was a r to Hinduism Today, and it was through that

magazine that I first heard of Shree Maa, Swamiji, and the Devi Mandir. I was

entranced by their story, and much attracted to Shree Maa, whose picture has

remained on my wall ever since. For a while I was put off by some criticism I

had read concerning one of Swamiji's translations, but I now realize that he is

teaching and interpreting on a higher level. Anyway, the bottom line is that I

still find excuses for not becoming more involved. At 66 (almost 67) I am still

a householder, I am shy and not terribly social, I can find many " reasons " for

not being more involved, though I am fortunate in living less than an hour away

from the Devi Mandir at this time. I am making my approach to the Chandi though,

and as far as I'm

> concerned, it's in the hands of the Goddess, which is where it should be.

>

> Jai Maa!

>

> --Devidas T

>

>

>

> Kumari wrote:

> >

> > Thank you for sharing your stories Michelle and Linda. I know there is some

> > introductory material in the files, but I would appreciate it if other

members

> > would tell the story of how they came to Devi Mandir, Shree Maa and Swami

> > Satyananda. Personally I love to hear stories like this. It reaffirms my

> > interest and involvement and gives me insight into why this is so very

important

> > to us.

> >

> > This is my story (I will try to make it as short as I can):

> >

> > This journey I am taking started a very long time ago. I was restless and

> > unsatisfied with the religion I was born in after I got to be a certain age.

It

> > seemed unfair and as if it was being shoved down my throat. I had a good

sense

> > of karma, even though I didn't know the term. I could see that there is

> > punishment for mistakes and sins right in this life. Why would we be

punished

> > forever after death as well? What if we just couldn't believe the things

the

> > church taught? Honestly? Why would a person be punished for that?

> >

> > Then much later I was involved with a Vedanta center. I learned a tiny bit

of

> > Sanskrit and watched rituals. I loved the Goddess and the rituals right

from

> > the start. At first I thought I wanted a formless universal deity, but I

soon

> > realized I was in love with the Goddess in many forms. Kali was a little

> > intimidating to me, though. I thought Durga was wonderful and so protective

and

> > strong. The atmosphere in rituals held me in a spell. I loved to watch the

> > Swami offer all these beautiful items and gracefully perform mudras all to

> > please Mother and the other Gods. I took initiation there. But a part of

me

> > was unhappy. I wanted to do the rituals and it was very hard to find any

> > information on performing them. I was learning Sanskrit but I was not

putting

> > it to use. Also, I was young and had no patience. I had wonderful

spiritual

> > experiences there and I treasure that time. I still feel Maa protects me

and

> > guides me to keep me safe. I have utmost respect for Sri Ramakrishna, Sri

> > Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda.

> >

> > Then I broke away and followed Wicca for a time. I still wanted to do

rituals

> > and I wanted to be creative, so this was good for me in the meantime. I

never

> > forgot the teachings I got from Vedanta and the love of Sanskrit, but it

went

> > dormant for a short while until a new opportunity came.

> >

> > After some years,I started to realize that my love for India, for Shakti and

> > Shiva was reawakening. The richness and depth of Hinduism called to me.

There

> > was a place there for everybody and beauty and unlimited horizons. Two

things

> > happened. I purchased a statue of Dakshineswar Kali and I started looking

again

> > and found devotees of Kali. Just about a year ago I went on pilgrimage to a

> > Kali puja in California. I am no longer young and it was a difficult trip

for

> > me, but I wanted so much to see Kali worshipped with all rites and to be in

the

> > atmosphere of worship. It was a fantastic three day experience. It was

like a

> > tiny trip to India. I came hope elated, tired in body and slightly ill.

> >

> > I met a woman devotee at the puja who told me to check out Devi Mandir. I

did

> > look at it briefly when I got back, but didn't get what it was about. But I

> > kept going back to the website. I was still searching. I did not think the

> > Kali Temple was the whole answer yet.

> >

> > I looked at the book lists and checked out the videos and teachings on the

Devi

> > Mandir website. Was what I was seeing correct? This Swami Satyananda was

> > laying out everything I wanted to learn in books and most shocking for free

on

> > the website. I could learn to worship Mother? I could learn in depth about

the

> > Devi Mahatmya (the Chandi)? I could chant in Sanskrit and understand what I

was

> > chanting? I could worship any of the Deities? The mantras were right there

for

> > me, as much as I could hold, as far as I wanted to go. I was totally blown

> > away. I knew from my small knowledge of philosophy that they are the real

> > deal. It is so hard to believe in this day and age that anyone would lay

their

> > treasured knowledge out for anyone to pick up and not expect certain and

> > definite payment. Of course I learned from Swamiji and Shree Maa that

> > spirituality means giving more than you take, so of course I am going to

want to

> > give back. I don't know if I will ever be able to repay them for the

knowledge

> > and spirituality they are offering to me, but I know I must at least try.

> > Anyway, I bought all the books I could and am going through the classes as

fast

> > as I am able. I am unable to make a trip out there in person, perhaps one

day

> > that will happen. My life now has a new dimension. I won't say anything is

> > lost, I have simply gained so much more.

> >

> > Jai Shree Maa! Jai Swamiji!

> >

> > Kumari

> >

>