In the Stillness of the Devi Mandir

[Guest guest]

Namaste and Hello Manya/ and Everyone!

 

Reading about Manya's wondering " how much people knew about me and if they

could read my mind " , brought to my mind a memory of a beautiful moment with

Shree Maa one very quiet Saturday afternoon. Shree Maa called me into the small

trailer beside the running creek where she used to live on our Napa land.

Almost immediately after entering, she asked me " how were I and my 15-year old

teenage daughter getting along " ? Without hesitation, I had just begun to

explain my part of the difficulties, when I looked at Maa, and found myself

stopping in mid-sentence. Shree Maa proceed with directness and clarity to

explain the whole problem, and the simple root of this problem from her

perspective of Consciousness, and the resultant way in which this was affecting

my daughter. Needless to say, I was astounded! Not by the fact that Maa knew

what was going on with me, but by the wisdom and compassion and understanding

that was flowing from her. In this state I asked her, " Maa, why did you ask me?

You know everything " ! She simply responded, " I wanted to see if you would tell

me the truth " .

What I realized that day was that my own mind and heart was not quiet and at

peace. . . it was ruminating with so many thoughts and searching a solution. At

the same time, when looking at Maa and especially at her eyes, I " saw " a kind of

calm and quiet lake in which everything was a mirrored-reflection. I so wanted

my mind to be like that! And so she became my Guru.

What Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda are doing here at the Devi Mandir is

making this place a Dharmic atmosphere, giving inspiration, showing by example,

and sharing the age-old teachings of how to perform real sadhana and purifying

austerities in order to achieve internal harmony and a mind in tune with All

that is God.

We are so priviledged to be sharing in this Inner Wealth with them, and with

all of You old and new Ones on this chat Group.

Thank you for your interest, and vigilance, and dedication, especially as we

approach this upcoming Durga Puja and Navaratri season.

Sincerely,

Kamala

 

 

, " weeshe83 " <weeshe83 wrote:

>

> Is this the Kamala that I got to drink strawberry smoothies and learn about

the BART system with? After I got home, I realized I didn't have your e-mail or

anything and I wasn't certain where I could find you. I've missed you since

then! So many of my favourite memories from my visit have you in them. I

always point you out on the webcam to my friends and family whenever you happen

to pop on there. " That's Kamala. She's AWESOME! " This e-mail address is the

one I use for mailing lists, but my personal e-mail is mschurko I talked

with Swamiji and I'm hoping to get back down there when winter sets in up north

here so probably around February sometime. I'll be the crazy canuck in shorts

and a t-shirt when everyone else is in their jackets and toques!

>

> You're right about the name Maa gave me. Swamiji gave me the translation " she

who controls the mind, " but contemplative describes me better currently!

Controlling the mind is my goal. And now " contemplation " shows me the path.

I've never been anywhere else that made me constantly wonder how much people

knew about me and if they could read my mind. Being given a name was one of the

only real wishes I had for my trip. But I came away with so much more. I'm

quite sure after all was said and done, I even won over my dad.

>

> Much love,

> Manya

>

>

> , " kamalaji_india " <kamalaji_india@> wrote:

> >

> > Namaste and Welcome, Manya!

> >

> > Thanks for taking the time to introduce yourself; it was enjoyable

> > to hear more from you following your first visit to the Mandir. I found

> > the communication of your perceptions direct and refreshing. Everyday

> > during this month of Bhadrapad when we are chanting the Laxshmi

> > Sahashranam at the fire before the evening arati, I think of you when we

> > come to Laxshmi's name #814, " Om Manyayai " which translates as " She who

> > is contemplative " . See how beautifully Maa has noticed and is

> > continually nurturing this quality within you on your long and winding

> > spiritual journey. Your post reminded me of just how much is the wealth

> > of inspiration always pouring from Divine Mother to us in the forms of

> > Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda.

> > Sincerely,

> > Kamala

> >

> >

> > , " 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

> > >

> >

>