RE: BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD/Alan

[Guest guest]

Dear Alan,

 

Thank you for these wonderful posts from Swami Sadasivananda. Is

he reading the list on a regular basis? Also, where does he spend his time in

the U.S. when he is here?

 

Namaste and love to all

 

Yours in Bhagavan

Harsha

 

 

 

 

On Behalf Of Alan Jacobs

Sunday, February 22, 2009 11:11 AM

 

Re: BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE

LORD

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another informative and useful posting from Swamiji.

 

--- On Sun, 22/2/09, Swami sadasivananda <sadasivananda

wrote:

Swami sadasivananda

<sadasivananda

BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Question:

" Experience shows me that the practice of mantra japa is a central

aspect of sadhana, at one time or another, for the majority of those

following Sanatana Dharma. Further understanding of Bhagavan affirms that his

teaching accentuated the foundations of this eternal religion. However, I

have been lead to believe that the teachings of Bhagavan regarding japa state

that this practice was prescribed only for those of weak (lacking maturity)

minds. Is this assumption true? "

A common misunderstanding regarding the teachings of Sri

Ramana Maharshi is the belief that he never advised his disciples to take up

a practice that involved mantra japa (continuous repetition of one of many

sound formulas representing a Name of God). The truth is that such advice was

given, though rarely, and even given to some of those in the innermost

circle. In the memoirs of one of Bhagavan's close disciples such an

occurrence is recorded:

" Though Bhagavan rarely gave out

mantras, when he did, he generally recommended " Siva, Siva'. Muruganar

himself was given this mantra by Bhagavan, as were several other devotees

including Annamalai Swami, the brother of Rangan (who was one of Bhagavan's

childhood friends), and an unknown harijan. " 1

Muruganar continues, making special note of Bhagavan's teachings regarding

the use of mantras:

" Through grace, Padam (Muruganar's epithet for Bhagavan) ensures

that there is never any danger to those who remain in their heart, meditating

'Sivaya Nama'. "

 

" The mantra 'Sivaya Nama " on which you meditate will reveal

itself within your heart to be your father and mother. "

(In this verse the father implies Siva, who is Sat [being], while the mother

denotes Sakti, who is Chit [consciousness].)

 

" The mind that does japa, 'Siva, Siva,' will later automatically

lose itself in ajapa (samadhi). " 2

Though grace is always there, it is natural and simply human to

pray to Bhagavan for a physical support of grace. We know that in Bhagavan's

physical presence a glance was enough. Though many have come to love him,

there are those who feel " born out of time " , lacking that heartfelt

devotion produced by the power of his presence even though he assured us

that:

 

 

" They say that I am dying but I am not going away. Where could I

go? I am here. " 3

 

Through our abhyasa (repeated spiritual practice) and devotion we will

experience him and thus know that he is eternally with us. He is for all a jagat

guru (world teacher) who even today for many, through their love of him,

is still a physical support of grace. He declared that if we " put his

teaching into practice " our qualifing ripeness would be even his very

embrace! For those of u whose love for him is still ripening we live with the

assurance he gave:

 

 

" Mount

Kailas is the abode of Siva but Arunachala is Siva Himself. " " He

saw the sacred hill as the form assumed by pure Spirit for the support and

guidance of men. Now that the physical body of Bhagavan - the most precious

of all supports of Grace has been withdrawn from us, the Hill emits power and

Grace for his devotees even more than before. " 4

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

 

1.

Padamalai, Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi Recorded by Muruganar,

Avadhuta Foundation 2004, p. 224 - 225.

2. Ibid.

3. Ramana Maharshi and the Path of Self-Knowledge, Arthur Osborne,

Sri Ramanashramam 2006, p. 222.

4. Be Still, It Is The Wind That Sings, Arthur Osborne, Sri

Ramanashramam 2000, p. 78-79.