Taking up a Firm Individual Stand as regards Religion

[Guest guest]

Grand indeed is your firm stand, as regards your attitude and approach to God!

 

It needs a rare courage (uncommon to the surface mentality of mankind, that is

beset with innumerable kinds of fears, longings for security etc.,) to

(a) stand up,

(b) consciously assume, and

© affirm,

one's specific attitude and method of approach to God, in accordance with one's

nature, that has reached a partcular level of evolution, by the Will of God,

during the course of transmigratory existence, .

 

It is this strong individuality for which Jesus is known. It is true that He

was the son of God and we are ordinary mortals. Nevertheless, the human element

in Him is so predominant, that we can hardly afford to ignore it, except by

paying the exorbitant price of missing the sweetness of His priceless human

element.

 

It is also true that even 'groups' (whether of a religous nature,-like

churches,- or otherwise) do undergo evolution, that somehow remains,-

(a) undiscernible, and

(b) if by chance happens to be discerned, unintelligible,

to the ordinary mentality of mankind.

 

But, the evolution, that is-

(a) of 'groups' proceeds normally through 'evolutionary general progression'

(EGP) (occult in the 'Old Testament' of the Christians and 'Holy Quran' of the

Muslims) that is too slow, while(b) of 'individuals' proceeds through

'revolutionary individual effort' (RIE), which is relatively faster.

 

We can see in the history of the nations (which is explicit in the 'Old

Testament' of the Christians and 'Holy Quran' of the Muslims), that 'nations'

(which are only larger 'groups' arising with regard to physical and cultural

territories), began taking longer strides in their usually slow 'EGP' , when the

individuals became alive, by,-

(a) disengaging themselves from the 'Not-inevitable-and-unalterable'

subjection to 'EGP', and (b) started proceeding rapidly, by consciously

choosing to have recourse to 'RIE'.

 

The extreme examples of such individuals (although it is not certain, whether

these extraordinary personages, had individuality or not) are those who are

called as 'Incarnations or Sons of God'.

 

 

Jayanti <jayanti

Ramakrishna <Ramakrishna >

Friday, September 10, 1999 11:48 PM

Re: [ramakrishna] Doubts

 

 

>Jayanti <jayanti

>

>This calls to mind the reaction I encountered when I withdrew my membership

>from the Protestant church my family belonged to. I received letters and

>was in other ways entreated " not to give up my faith. "

>

>I found this very odd. For rather than giving up my faith I was certain I

>was claiming it! By my faith in God I was ready to follow the path He laid

>before me, going on alone.

>

>I asked my Mother, " If my faith is in God, how am I giving THIS up? " She

>had no answer -- and I drew the notion that Christianty has been so married

>to church loyalty throughout its history that the meaning of true faith

>in God has been replaced by church membership.

>

>I waz blessed at the time to have a minister who knew what true faith

>was. Learning how I was being accousted, he stood up for me before the

>membership!

>It had been during our talks together that I had found courage to stand on

>my own faith..

>

>Hence the key is in focus: If one's focus is on God, however conceived,

>religion can be the path to liberation.

>

>Jayanti

>

>At 8:25 PM -0600 on 9/9/99, JAIRAM SESHADRI wrote:

>

>

>> " JAIRAM SESHADRI " <seshadri

>>

>>

>> sorry to be going back in time ...but i really enjoyed this post..

>> it is so true...

>> as Swamiji Himself said..' if there is anything in this world that

>> strengthens you embrace it...if it weakens you...let it go! " or words

>> to that effect. It is true that our Ishta must strengthen

>> us...otherwise there would be no point in worship..

>>

>> everything that we do must make us feel stronger...must make us feel

>> energized...that alone would add to our spiritual growth

>> namaskar and pranams'

>> jairam

>>

>> > Dr C S Shah <drcssha

>> >

>> > Dear friends,

>> > If the person (or sect, or religion, or organization) you believe in

>> > fails to infuse strength in your life and outlook, it is better to drop

>> > him (or her, or it) an start searching for the new source of strength

>> > and energy.

>> > It would not be seen as 'wavering of mind, for search for Truth includes

>> > research also.

>> > BUT, it is futile to find or expect anyone as Complete Ideal. For it is

>> > not the defect in the 'Ideal' but in our own personality that is the

>> > source of doubt.

>> > Doubts would linger till one realizes the truth for himself (or

>> > herself).

>> > Other person's satisfaction of hunger can never give you the feeling of

>> > satiety for yourself.

>> > As Swami Vivekananda said 'Only Self Realization can allay every doubt.

>> > Only another Vivekananda can understand this Vivekananda in full.'

>> > Sadhana is an attempt to reach near Swamiji.

>> >

>> > dr c s shah

>> >

>> > --

>> > ====================================

>> > E-magazine on science and spirituality. Visit:

>> > http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Styx/1704/index.html

>> > http://members.xoom.com/drcsshah/neovedanta/index.html

>> > ====================================

>> >

>> >

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>> > ------

>> > Sri Ramakrishnaye Namah

>> > Vivekananda Centre London

>> > http://www.btinternet.com/~vivekananda/

>> >

>>

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>> ------

>> Sri Ramakrishnaye Namah

>> Vivekananda Centre London

>> http://www.btinternet.com/~vivekananda/

>

>

>

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>Vivekananda Centre London

>http://www.btinternet.com/~vivekananda/

>

[Guest guest]

Shankar,

 

these words of yours touched my heart. we are all at different points

and come from different cultures, and natures. you remind us all not to

back down from our own truth, (while at the same time, recognizing other

paths for other natures):

 

You wrote:

Grand indeed is your firm stand, as regards your attitude and approach

to God! It needs a rare courage (uncommon to the surface mentality of

mankind, that is beset with innumerable kinds of fears, longings for

security etc.,) to(a) stand up,(b) consciously assume, and©

affirm,one's specific attitude and method of approach to God, in

accordance with one's nature, that has reached a partcular level of

evolution, by the Will of God, during the course of transmigratory

existence, .

 

Namaste,

 

Karen

[Guest guest]

Dear Karen

 

All of us know that Thakur was perhaps the first one to practise all religions

individually and attain the same realisation! We can only 'unite' in His Name,

for it is He who is 'pervading' every method and mood!

 

Thanks and kind regards.

Westend Ashram at Colorado Springs <urbanashram

Ramakrishna <Ramakrishna >

Sunday, September 12, 1999 8:43 PM

Re: [ramakrishna] Taking up a Firm Individual Stand as regards

Religion

 

 

Shankar,

these words of yours touched my heart. we are all at different points and

come from different cultures, and natures. you remind us all not to back down

from our own truth, (while at the same time, recognizing other paths for other

natures):

 

You wrote:

Grand indeed is your firm stand, as regards your attitude and approach to

God! It needs a rare courage (uncommon to the surface mentality of mankind, that

is beset with innumerable kinds of fears, longings for security etc.,) to(a)

stand up,(b) consciously assume, and© affirm,one's specific attitude and

method of approach to God, in accordance with one's nature, that has reached a

partcular level of evolution, by the Will of God, during the course of

transmigratory existence, .

 

Namaste,

 

Karen