Repetition of Mantra & negative thoughts.

May 12, 2004

Dear Sister Amita,

Please accept my greetings.

What you have said is right in one way but not in the way you think it is. The

mantra actually arouses negative feelings in our minds in the beginning. This

surprises many. But, as the monks of the Ramakrishna Order always say, the

cleaning of ones mind by repeating a mantra is like cleaning an inkpot. At first

a lot of dark ink comes out but later the colour fades slowly till only pure

white water is washed out.

Another aspect is, repetation of mantra and spiritual practices causes the

kundalini (especially the Muladhara) to become active. This Muladhara contains

the bundle of our past samskaras. When this bundle opens we become thoroughly

confused at the resultant state of our mind. But these fade with time too. This

is why the beginners should not try to do too much of japa or meditation all of

a sudden. It has to be increased very slowly as per ones capacity.

There is one incident where Holy Mother after initiating a devotee, asked him to

repeat the ishta mantra only six to seven times twice a day. The devotee was

surprised and protested but Mother would have none of it and made him promise he

would not exceed that limit without taking her permission. The Guru understands

our composition and so we must always obey him/her.

Do not be too much worried about negative thoughts. In this kaliyuga it is very

difficult (almost impossible) to have a pure mind by birth. Moreover the Holy

Mother has assured us that in this kali yuga, wrong thoughts are not counted as

any sin. We should only be careful that they are not converted into action.

Talking on the subject I remember a devotee writing to Sri Ramana Maharshi that

he was tempted to do a certain thing. Sri Ramana forbade him but also told him

that he should not stop his spiritual practices even if he falls. We find the

same instruction echoed in the words of Swamiji, " We may fall a thousand times

but we must also have the courage to get up and continue everytime we fall " .

We should not actually entertain the concept of sin or pay too much attention to

the negative aspects in us. Rather we must remember and rejoice in the positive

aspects God has so graciously bestowed in us. This is the teaching of the

Ramakrishna Mission.

And again, as Thakur has said, only those who have practised devotion sincerely

and have good samskaras from previous births will come to him. So you must never

entertain the thought that you are just an ordinary devotee. It is only maya

that makes you think so. Overcome maya by surrendering to Mahamaya, the Holy

Mother, and you will one day know what you really are.

Love & Regards,

Jagannath.

Ps : Dear Shyamji, thank you for the compliments. But I would request you and my

other friends also not to kindly address me as Revered or Respected Sir etc. as

it embarasses me. Moreover what I write is the lessons I have learnt from my

association with the Ramakrishna Mission. It is also a reflection of what I have

read in the past. So nothing is really mine. I cannot and should not take credit

for anything. Regards.

Movies - Buy advance tickets for 'Shrek 2'

May 12, 2004

Jagannath Chatterjee <jagchat01 wrote:

Thank you Jagannath Bhai. Whatever we utter is already there. Nothing comes from

nothing. This is knowledge. We are silent witness in this universe. Human mind

is the root of all " feelings " . Control your mind through constant, continuous

recitation of mantra of your choice. Surrender yourself to " Rishikesha " that is

all. You are a temporary visitor in a temporary planet. You are " everything " and

yet you are " nothing " without His grace.

Jai Ramakrishna jagatguru.

Asis Bagchi

Movies - Buy advance tickets for 'Shrek 2'

May 12, 2004

Dear Mr. Chatterjee,

I enjoy your communication very much and I have learned a lot from you. I have

a lot of questions and some of them may sound illogical to people who have blind

faith in some ideas. In your letter to Amita you wrote -. " The Guru understands

our composition and so we must always obey him/her. " Why do we have so much

faith in a Guru and think that he/she knows the best? A Guru may be a novice, as

well as an expert. As we are in no position to determine that why don' we

choose our own path to realize God or self rather than following another human

being. I have been hearing repeatedly that one has to follow a Guru to reach God

like a pupil looks upon a teacher. I beg yo disagree, but would love to see

your comments on this.

Regards.

Jagannath Chatterjee <jagchat01 wrote:

The Guru understands our composition and so we must always obey him/her.

Love & Regards,

Jagannath.

Ps : Dear Shyamji, thank you for the compliments. But I would request you and my

other friends also not to kindly address me as Revered or Respected Sir etc. as

it embarasses me. Moreover what I write is the lessons I have learnt from my

association with the Ramakrishna Mission. It is also a reflection of what I have

read in the past. So nothing is really mine. I cannot and should not take credit

for anything. Regards.

Movies - Buy advance tickets for 'Shrek 2'

May 27, 2004

Princess ratna <rajraniran wrote: