Guest guest Posted May 23, 2004 Report Share Posted May 23, 2004 That World of Brahman belongs to those who realise It by means of continence (brahmacharya)-for them there is freedom in all the worlds. Sama Veda, Chandogya Upanishad ---------- ----------- In the discussion that is taking place on the list we can see two aspects that need to be better understood. (a) Is it really the preservation of physical 'semen' that is important or is that just the physical consequence of the severe mental discipline one imposes? Women cannot preserve 'semen' and yet they too can be firmly established in celibacy. (b) Can one really gain spiritual experience without celibacy? Swami Ashokananda says something like: The Sex act is so physical and so intense that it strongly shackles us to the idea that we are the body. While spirituality is the process of distancing ourselves form this idea of being the body/mind complex. We are the spirit and that is something that has to be experienced. While the sex act confirms to us that we are the body. jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2004 Report Share Posted May 23, 2004 Dear Friends, --- Vivekananda Centre <vivekananda wrote: SNIP > In the discussion that is taking place on the list > we can see two aspects that need to be better > understood. > > (a) Is it really the preservation of physical > 'semen' that is important SNIP > (b) Can one really gain spiritual experience without > celibacy? One can most definitely " gain " spiritual experience without the practice of celibacy. I know this for a fact. There is a " spiritual essence or energy that is present in the sexual fluids. And it is the power of this " essence " that allows us to actually experience the Supreme Brahman, hence the presence of the " lingam/yoni " in nearly every Hindu Temple. But it is not necessary to be celibate to attain this experience. This I know. In fact, natural functions, shouldn't be prohibited; but moderated. What is necessary is to discard rules, ideas, and preconceptions and take up whole hearted, unwavering devotion to your spiritual ideal. And this devotion needs to be accompanied by effective spiritual practice. Cry to God with a longing heart and you will most definitely experience the object of your devotion. SNIP Warmest regards, michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2004 Report Share Posted May 24, 2004 Om Namah Sivaya Dear Michael You said : " There is a " spiritual essence or energy that is present in the sexual fluids. And it is the power of this " essence " that allows us to actually experience the Supreme Brahman, hence the presence of the " lingam/yoni " in nearly every Hindu Temple. " You are definitely wrong here.If you really what to understand the real reasons why we worship Siva-Linga, please read the followings: " The Siva-Linga A Symbol Which Points To An Inference The popular belief among foreigners is that the Siva-Linga represents the phallus or the virile organ, the emblem of the generative power or principle in nature. This is not only a serious mistake, but a grave blunder. In the post-Vedic period, the Linga became symbolical of the generative power of Lord Siva. Linga is the differentiating mark. It is certainly not the sex mark. You will find in the Linga Purana: Pradhanam Prakritim Tatcha Yadahur-lingamuttamam Gandhavarnarasairhinam Sabda-sparsadi-varjitam. The foremost Linga which is primary and is devoid of smell, colour, taste, hearing, touch, etc., is spoken of as Prakriti (Nature). Linga means a mark, in Sanskrit. It is a symbol which points to an inference. When you see a big flood in a river, you infer that there had been heavy rains the previous day. When you see smoke, you infer that there is fire. This vast world of countless forms is a Linga of the omnipotent Lord. The Siva-Linga is a symbol of Lord Siva. When you look at the Linga, your mind is at once elevated and you begin to think of the Lord. Lord Siva is really formless. He has no form of His own; and yet, all forms are His forms. All forms are pervaded by Lord Siva. Every form is the form or Linga of Lord Siva. A Powerful Aid To Concentration There is a mysterious power or indescribable Sakti in the Linga to induce concentration of the mind. Just as the mind is focussed easily in crystal gazing, so also the mind attains one-pointedness when it looks at the Linga. That is the reason why the ancient Rishis of India and the seers have prescribed Linga for being installed in the temples of Lord Siva. Linga Represents The Formless Siva Siva-Linga speaks to you in unmistakable language of silence: “I am one without a second. I am formless.” Pure, pious souls only can understand this language. A curious, passionate, impure foreigner of little understanding or intelligence says sarcastically: “Oh! The Hindus worship the phallus or sex-organ. They are ignorant people. They have no philosophy.” When a foreigner tries to learn the Tamil or Hindi language, he first tries to pick up some vulgar words. This is his curiosity-nature. Even so, the curious foreigner tries to find out some defect in the worship of symbols. Linga is only the outward symbol of the formless being, Lord Siva, who is the indivisible, all-pervading, eternal, auspicious, ever-pure, immortal essence of this vast universe, who is the undying soul seated in the chambers of your heart, who is your Indweller, innermost Self or Atman and who is identical with the Supreme Brahman. Sphatikalinga—A Symbol Of The Nirguna Brahman Sphatikalinga is also a symbol of Lord-Siva. This is prescribed for Aradhana or worship of Lord Siva. It is made up of quartz. It has no colour of its own, but takes on the colour of the substances which come in contact with it. It represents the Nirguna Brahman or the attribute-less Supreme Self, or the formless and attributeless Siva. The Mystic Sakti In The Block Of Stone For a sincere devotee, the Linga is not a block of stone. It is all radiant Tejas or Chaitanya. The Linga talks to him, makes him shed profuse tears, produces horripilation and melting of heart, raises him above body-consciousness, and helps to commune with the Lord and attain Nirvikalpa Samadhi. Lord Rama worshipped the Siva-Linga at Ramesvar. Ravana, a learned scholar, worshipped the golden Linga. What a lot of mystic Sakti there should be in the Linga! May you all attain the formless Siva through the worship of the Linga, the symbol of Lord Siva which helps concentration of mind and which serves as a prop for the mind to lean upon, in the beginning, for the neophytes. " By Sri Swami Sivananda Sri Ramakrishnaya Namah Vivekananda Centre London http://www.vivekananda.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2004 Report Share Posted May 24, 2004 This was an excellent explanation of Sivalinga. Unfortunately, it's not only Europeans who have misunderstood the meaning of this very important symbol in the Hindu religion, but Indians too, even some among them priests, have accepted their viewpoint. Could the sender of message tell me who exactly this " Sri Swami Sivananda " is, and where does this reference occur? Umesh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Ramakrishna , umeshgulati@a... wrote: > Could the sender of message tell me who exactly this " Sri > Swami Sivananda " is, and where does this reference occur? > Umesh Umesh, Not sure if someone answered your question or not, but check out these two sites for more info on the great Swami. http://www.divinelifesociety.org http://www.dlshq.org/home.html There is a wealth of information on the Swami and his ashram. Jai Ma! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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