Expanding Your Alter

October 2, 2003

Since Swami mentions to expand our alter, I was wondering what

some of you have come up with? I always love to hear how people

chose to see the divine in ways other than the the norm, so

if you have any good ones, let me know. I'm always open for more

ways..

Thanks,

Kelly

PS When is Swami going to ask another question? I look forward to

coming home and reading the next one and love to hear all the answers:)

This is very fun.

The New with improved product search

October 2, 2003

namaste,

i found this tiny little flute at a market near my home town, it is brass and it

actually works, but is is only about 5 inches long. i had to have it! i have it

standing up near my krishna/rhada murtis.

i also found a brass statuette of nag, well i don't think they ment it to be

nag, but that's what i'm using it as!ha

this too, i found at a local market, i had a bonsi tree wtih a tiny buddha, but

the tree didn't make it, i think it should have been outside.

my home shrine is always evolving, changing, just like our lives. ever growing.

hari om

om shanti

t

October 2, 2003

Namaste and Jai Ma!

Since I commute two hours a day, Mother has graced me with a lot of

car sadhana. Naturally, one has to be very careful about staying

aware while driving, and not drifting off into trance states--

fortunately it's highway and not bumper-to-bumper urban traffic, in

which case I probably wouldn't be able much of this--

but in a way these practices have taught me that I can be in a

blissfully _aware_ state, without zoning out completely. Ultimately

I think that will help with all kinds of karma yoga.

what do I do? it's really simple--Kali-Ma taught me early on that

any love song on the radio was really about Her, so just listening

to Dusty Springfield sing "I only want to be with you" has now taken

on a deep meaning. Send Her your waves of love while you listen to

the radio! of course I listened to Maa's Ramprasad CD (_Everything

Is Your Desire_) EVERY DAY on the way to work for a couple of

years...still do from time to time but I've moved more to saying

mantras.

Also singing--as corny as it sounds, John Denver's "Annie's Song" is

a great one to sing to Ma (can you tell I'm ancient??)...but try it.

the Gayatri Mantra is great, of course, esp. if you imagine that the

light suffusing the clouds and shining off the leaves and pavement

is the light of the Gods...the Gayatri is good, I've found, for

developing gratitude. sing bhajans--there are some great tapes/CDs

out there.

the great thing about the cell-phone era is that anyone driving past

and seeing me do any of this just assumes I'm talking on the phone.

I guess in a way I am! And again, I'm trying to stay aware--to love

Her right here, right now and really see Her in the buzzard flying

over the road and in the dead deer, too (note: this is South

Carolina)

I read in some Krishna bhakti text--Krishna bhaktas have some

wonderful practices--that you should feel your feet touching the

ground as caressing the Lord and feel the breeze on your face as the

Lord caressing you...this is a good meditation to do when walking.

I've already gone on too long--Mother will bless you with more of

these practices the more of them you do. It's really true as most of

you know that if you take a step towards Her, She takes a thousand

steps towards you.

thank you, Kelly--I'm curious to hear about other people's expanded

altars--and thank you, Mother, for everything!

HH

October 2, 2003

I like to keep a miniature picture of Lalita Mahatripurasundari with

all of the attending deities (Sadasiva, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Brahma,

Vishnu, Rudra, Maheshvara, Ganesha, and Karrtikeya) in a little

notebook along with a miniaturized text of the Lalita Trishati. This

way I always have my Goddess with me, and I can set up an altar

whenever I have the time and space. There have been some curious looks

sent my way at the local Starbucks!

AUM

, "kalibhakta" <dr_hampton@h...>

wrote:

> Namaste and Jai Ma!

>

> Since I commute two hours a day, Mother has graced me with a lot of

> car sadhana. Naturally, one has to be very careful about staying

> aware while driving, and not drifting off into trance states--

> fortunately it's highway and not bumper-to-bumper urban traffic, in

> which case I probably wouldn't be able much of this--

>

> but in a way these practices have taught me that I can be in a

> blissfully _aware_ state, without zoning out completely. Ultimately

> I think that will help with all kinds of karma yoga.

>

> what do I do? it's really simple--Kali-Ma taught me early on that

> any love song on the radio was really about Her, so just listening

> to Dusty Springfield sing "I only want to be with you" has now taken

> on a deep meaning. Send Her your waves of love while you listen to

> the radio! of course I listened to Maa's Ramprasad CD (_Everything

> Is Your Desire_) EVERY DAY on the way to work for a couple of

> years...still do from time to time but I've moved more to saying

> mantras.

>

> Also singing--as corny as it sounds, John Denver's "Annie's Song" is

> a great one to sing to Ma (can you tell I'm ancient??)...but try it.

>

> the Gayatri Mantra is great, of course, esp. if you imagine that the

> light suffusing the clouds and shining off the leaves and pavement

> is the light of the Gods...the Gayatri is good, I've found, for

> developing gratitude. sing bhajans--there are some great tapes/CDs

> out there.

>

> the great thing about the cell-phone era is that anyone driving past

> and seeing me do any of this just assumes I'm talking on the phone.

> I guess in a way I am! And again, I'm trying to stay aware--to love

> Her right here, right now and really see Her in the buzzard flying

> over the road and in the dead deer, too (note: this is South

> Carolina)

>

> I read in some Krishna bhakti text--Krishna bhaktas have some

> wonderful practices--that you should feel your feet touching the

> ground as caressing the Lord and feel the breeze on your face as the

> Lord caressing you...this is a good meditation to do when walking.

>

> I've already gone on too long--Mother will bless you with more of

> these practices the more of them you do. It's really true as most of

> you know that if you take a step towards Her, She takes a thousand

> steps towards you.

>

> thank you, Kelly--I'm curious to hear about other people's expanded

> altars--and thank you, Mother, for everythin

October 2, 2003

That is beautiful, Rolando. I, too, have a small notebook I use

frequently for work/diary-keeping, and Kali Daksineswari's image is in

there, along with an image of Kali and Ramakrishna. Have altar, will

travel.

HH

, "Rolando Santos" <sivadancer>

wrote:

> I like to keep a miniature picture of Lalita Mahatripurasundari with

> all of the attending deities (Sadasiva, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Brahma,

> Vishnu, Rudra, Maheshvara, Ganesha, and Karrtikeya) in a little

> notebook along with a miniaturized text of the Lalita Trishati. This

> way I always have my Goddess with me[[cut]]

October 2, 2003

If I have big alter or lots of deities, since each picture image

reflect certain energy - don't we have to address (pray) each image in

the alter? Praying to main deity is always enough - I guess [is that

true?]. Can we serve whole heartedly many at the the same time ....

or its just that praying to many would be consoling / satisfying /

convincing my own Ego or senses?

I'm confused .... I have Devi (Mahishasur Mardini) in the center

and on one side Shiva/Vishnu and on other side Budha....

What's your advice?

Jai Maa

Kelly Leeper <blissnout > wrote:

Hi Everyone,

Since Swami mentions to expand our alter, I was wondering what

some of you have come up with? I always love to hear how people

chose to see the divine in ways other than the the norm, so

if you have any good ones, let me know. I'm always open for more

ways..

Thanks,

Kelly

PS When is Swami going to ask another question? I look forward to

coming home and reading the next one and love to hear all the answers:)

This is very fun.

The New with improved product search

To from this group, send an email

to:Your use of

is subject to the

The New with improved product search

October 2, 2003

So nice to hear someone else signs 'secular' songs to Ma. We can turn

the secular into the sacred:) I studied opera for 12 years and one

day, since I love to sign love songs, I decided all love songs were

to be sung to Kali. I'm so glad I'm not the only devotee who does

this:)

As a matter of fact all songs can be sung to her and Her singing back... I love to

hear your an ancient one. I too love the sings of the 60's and 70's even though I am

only 33. I love music and anyway I can sing to Ma and She can sing a duet back

to me I am so uplifted. Thank you for the songs, I will check them out.

I think it's wonderful to keep your ears open for any song Ma can sign

back to you. Celene Dion, 'I Need You To Need Me'... this is when Ma

sings back to me. Imagine Ma being this passionate for you, so

beautiful to feel that. Barry White can keep you laughing down the

freeway. Now, Barry White songs can be very innocent.. 'Your the

first, the last, My Everything, and the answer to all my dreams'. I

too had a 3 hour commute from Sacramento to SF every day and THANK

God for the variety.

See, when you feel that maybe Ma is aloof, you can put on a love song

and just imagine she is singing to you and then you can sing a duet.

Here are some more:

Jefferson Starship "With Your LoveYou Count On Me"

Barry Manilow "Could It Be Magic", "Somewhere In The Night" = for

those who are up all night with their Ma. "This Ones For You".

Celene Dion "Because You Loved Me" For MahaGuru!

Heart "Dog and Butterfly" I used to listen that over and over at 7

yrs old. I wanted to meet the old man... Hense, My Guru.

Fleetwood Mac "Songbird"

Some of these are delicate songs and some will make you belly laugh - like Barry White.

Don't worry, Ma laughs with you..

On my way to work, but will read more when I come home tonight. I

really enjoy talking with devotee's about Ma. Makes me so happy.

Jai Ma.

Kelly

Ok, I can go and on, but that is really cool. kalibhakta <dr_hampton (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote:

Namaste and Jai Ma!Since I commute two hours a day, Mother has graced

me with a lot of car sadhana. Naturally, one has to be very careful

about staying aware while driving, and not drifting off into trance

states--fortunately it's highway and not bumper-to-bumper urban

traffic, in which case I probably wouldn't be able much of this--but

in a way these practices have taught me that I can be in a blissfully

_aware_ state, without zoning out completely. Ultimately I think that

will help with all kinds of karma yoga. what do I do? it's really

simple--Kali-Ma taught me early on that any love song on the radio

was really about Her, so just listening to Dusty Springfield sing "I

only want to be with you" has now taken on a deep meaning. Send Her

your waves of love while you listen to the radio! of course I

listened to Maa's

Ramprasad CD (_Everything Is Your Desire_) EVERY DAY on the way to

work for a couple of years...still do from time to time but I've

moved more to saying mantras. Also singing--as corny as it sounds,

John Denver's "Annie's Song" is a great one to sing to Ma (can you

tell I'm ancient??)...but try it. the Gayatri Mantra is great, of

course, esp. if you imagine that the light suffusing the clouds and

shining off the leaves and pavement is the light of the Gods...the

Gayatri is good, I've found, for developing gratitude. sing

bhajans--there are some great tapes/CDs out there.the great thing

about the cell-phone era is that anyone driving past and seeing me do

any of this just assumes I'm talking on the phone. I guess in a way I

am! And again, I'm trying to stay aware--to love Her right here,

right now and really see Her in the buzzard flying over the road and

in the dead deer, too (note: this is South

Carolina)I read in some Krishna bhakti text--Krishna bhaktas have some

wonderful practices--that you should feel your feet touching the

ground as caressing the Lord and feel the breeze on your face as the

Lord caressing you...this is a good meditation to do when walking.

I've already gone on too long--Mother will bless you with more of

these practices the more of them you do. It's really true as most of

you know that if you take a step towards Her, She takes a thousand

steps towards you. thank you, Kelly--I'm curious to hear about other

people's expanded altars--and thank you, Mother, for everything!HHTo

from this group, send an email

to:Your use of

is subject to the

The New with improved product search

October 2, 2003

Hi there. Namaste.

You mentioned convincing your own ego and senses and this is a big point.

I think if one sets up their altar in a disharmonius way to what appeals to the their

senses, then it would not work for them. If you were raised to believe that the alter

must be a certain way, then your mind might think you are betraying

the tradition and you might have a certain amount of guilt,

uneasiness of changing it. If your traditional altar gives you

peace, stay with it. I think changing the altar stretches me and

keeps me fluid. I've often changed my own alter completely for one

particular ritual. If I am doing Siva sadhana, I am very

'unorthodox' and I take down my altar (I say sorry to all the dieties

and tell them I will bring them out again, or make a separate altar)

and get minimal, just Yantra, Siva and Flame... very simple. Siva is

a renunciate so I make the later simple with no extraneous dieties...

just me and Siva... However my standard altar has many pictures of

Kali, Tara, Siva, Babaji, Swamiji, Crystal Sri Yantra, Kali Tantra

and rocks from my vision quests, my sacred native American pipe since

I am blanketed in that tradition as it is in my bloodline. I write

letters to the divine

and place them on my altar so the answer can come thru a person, life

or a dream. My altars are working altars because it keeps me engaged

always interacting.

All those Deities on your altar Love you and their Dharma is to assist

you and all others until we reach enlightenment. In no way would they

be displeased with you if you prayed as a whole. As long as in your

mind this does not stretch your comfort level with what is right for

you, all is good. The altar should feel good to you so you like

sitting in front

of it. Your God loves you if it's one flower or a flower for each

diety. Make God your own, and this also means your own altar:)

If the rules of creating alters work, then use them. As an exersize

you might want to change it do things differently and like a

scientist, document the results. Your altar is for you as God does

not need an Altar in Reality. Without the devotee, God doesn't

really matter, so make the altar for you. (meaning if we could not

percieve God, it wouldn't matter)..the altar is for you to worship

your beloved.

Jai Ma.Dilip Raheja <ekanath > wrote:

Hi,

If I have big alter or lots of deities, since each picture image

reflect certain energy - don't we have to address (pray) each image in

the alter? Praying to main deity is always enough - I guess [is that

true?]. Can we serve whole heartedly many at the the same time ....

or its just that praying to many would be consoling / satisfying /

convincing my own Ego or senses?

I'm confused .... I have Devi (Mahishasur Mardini) in the center

and on one side Shiva/Vishnu and on other side Budha....

What's your advice?

Jai Maa

Kelly Leeper <blissnout > wrote:

Hi Everyone,

Since Swami mentions to expand our alter, I was wondering what

some of you have come up with? I always love to hear how people

chose to see the divine in ways other than the the norm, so

if you have any good ones, let me know. I'm always open for more

ways..

Thanks,

Kelly

PS When is Swami going to ask another question? I look forward to

coming home and reading the next one and love to hear all the answers:)

This is very fun.

The New with improved product search

To from this group, send an email

to:Your use of

is subject to the

The New with improved product search

To from this group, send an email

to:Your use of

is subject to the

The New with improved product search

October 3, 2003

Jai Maa. Finding precious items for the alter is very cool. Who would of thought

a tiny flute would come your way for Radha Krisna? I wish I were more knowledgable

of Krisna. Why did he play his flute? Where did he get the flute? I

just know I like to sing his name alot:) What I don't understand is

why Krisna was fickle? With the Gopis one moment and back to Radha

the next? Anyone know? Of course this is due to my lack of knowing

his Lila.

Forgive me, I'm new to all the stories in Hinduism with the exception

of Maa. What is Nag?

Thanks for sharing this with us. Cweord1 (AT) aol (DOT) com wrote:

namaste,i found this tiny little flute at a market near my home town,

it is brass and it actually works, but is is only about 5 inches

long. i had to have it! i have it standing up near my krishna/rhada

murtis.i also found a brass statuette of nag, well i don't think they

ment it to be nag, but that's what i'm using it as!hathis too, i found

at a local market, i had a bonsi tree wtih a tiny buddha, but the tree

didn't make it, i think it should have been outside.my home shrine is

always evolving, changing, just like our lives. ever growing.hari

omom shantitTo from this group, send an email

to:Your use of

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October 3, 2003

In my humble opinion, it comes down to what you're attempting to

accomplish with your practice. Certainly praying to the "main diety"

is sufficient; the others will certainly not be offended, but I think

your understanding that the others represent their own particular

vibrations/qualities was right on. If you wish to develop

relationships and sensitivity to their energy, then I think spending

time with them is good.

ChrisDilip Raheja <ekanath > wrote:

Hi,

If I have big alter or lots of deities, since each picture image

reflect certain energy - don't we have to address (pray) each image in

the alter? Praying to main deity is always enough - I guess [is that

true?]. Can we serve whole heartedly many at the the same time ....

or its just that praying to many would be consoling / satisfying /

convincing my own Ego or senses?

I'm confused .... I have Devi (Mahishasur Mardini) in the center

and on one side Shiva/Vishnu and on other side Budha....

What's your advice?

Jai Maa

Kelly Leeper <blissnout > wrote:

Hi Everyone,

Since Swami mentions to expand our alter, I was wondering what

some of you have come up with? I always love to hear how people

chose to see the divine in ways other than the the norm, so

if you have any good ones, let me know. I'm always open for more

ways..

Thanks,

Kelly

PS When is Swami going to ask another question? I look forward to

coming home and reading the next one and love to hear all the answers:)

This is very fun.

The New with improved product search

To from this group, send an email

to:Your use of

is subject to the

The New with improved product search

To from this group, send an email

to:Your use of

is subject to the

The New with improved product search

October 3, 2003

You know, coming as I have from a tradition that doesn't emphasize

external worship, my altar has always been within. Not being

particularly advanced myself, expanding my internal altar seems to be

largely a slow process, usually accompanied by learning and practicing

for a while a new mantra, or being touched by something I read or see

in the world that reminds me of the divine in some special way, again

and again over time.

Since being exposed to external worship through Maa and Swamiji I am

excited by interplay between inner and outer objects of devotion and

insight and the possibilities of discovery inherent within myself.

Pandit R. Tiguniat said that according to Tantra philosophy there is

no difference between inner and outer. I have very little realization

of that truth, yet I accept it and wait impatiently with great

anticipation for it.

The elegant beauty of an altar, the close proximity of birds about

their business of living, the subtle vibrations of mantra, the sun

against my face, all help.

I too, have had some powerful dream experiences that moulded my life.

I wonder where we go in those states...the astral? Perhaps even

svaha?

ChrisBrian McKee <brian (AT) soulspark (DOT) org> wrote:

When Swamiji mentioned expanding your alter, one of the thoughts that

I had was the alter we should expand is the alter of consciousness.To

me the gods and goddesses are representative of parts of me, the

divine parts, or the parts of god that can be expressed in me. As my

wife and I build our physical alter, each thing we put on it

represents something we aspire to. I have a unicorn bust that a

friend made for me which represents a dream I had as a much younger

man where I met some very powerful non-corporeal beings. In the dream

they manifested as nine foot tall (at the shoulder) unicorns (without

horns), but I think in reality that was just the best way for me to

see them at the time. That dream was one of the turning points in my

path, a real butt kicker if you know what I mean. The unicorn is on

my alter because it reminds me of them and how much I want to be like

them. The exuded pure power, love and energy, they make no

judgement, no criticism, and feel no fear.We also have pictures of

gods and goddesses, each one of them represents an aspect of divinity

we wish to grow within ourselves or an example that we wish to follow

and the whole physical alter is just a representation of the

consciousness we want to grow within or express outside of

ourselves.I think our alter should contain things of very personal

significance and when we move throughout the day we should keep a

copy of our physical alter in our mind and in our heart to remind us

of our mission.By the way I realized what the square is the the

Yantra at least this is what it represents for me at this

time.Circle: All of creationSquare: The four lower bodies, the things

through wich we interact with creation: phsycial, mental, emotional,

subtle.Triangle: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the first three

expressions of Goddess.Dot: OnenessThus the Yantra for me at this

time is a way for me to put

energy into the process of moving my consciousness out toward the

circle and inward toward the dot, a way to focus my desire to realize

Mother.*hugs*Brian

No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding.Introducing My Way -

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October 4, 2003

There seems to be a natural order, a law, if you will, regarding karma

that is not lightly set aside. The time of death is said to be fixed

for each of us at birth, and while it may be set aside through

willful action (it seems a price must be paid). Swami Rama describes

in Living With the Himalayan Masters how the time of his death as a

young man was set aside by his master, though at the price of a

near-mortal accident and injury. Another incident is described by

Pandit Tuganait in At The Eleventh Hour where a close student of

Swami Rama's was about to suffer a mortal accident (unknown to her).

The sage Nirvanji incarnated in a bird's egg. Swamiji himself cared

for the egg and the baby bird that soon emerged, for some days. One

day the woman dropped a heavy frying pan on her foot at the same

moment she heard Swamiji call for her. At the very moment the frying

pan had fallen on her foot, the little bird had run headlong onto a

radiator and broken its neck.

Swamiji also said that much of the karma that befalls us is group

karma, something I had not heard of before, but which makes a lot of

sense considering the extent to which we really are connected to one

another. Fatal accidents, muggings, riots, etc. may fall into this

category.

It seems that while the sages can set aside the laws of providence,

they do not, at least not without a sacrifice. It boggles my mind to

contemplate the possibility of the full realization of these

things--they are very profound.

Chris Brian McKee <brian (AT) soulspark (DOT) org> wrote:

Hi Chris,Its wonderful to meet like minded people.I too experienced

god outwardly most of my life. I had to, the catholic church teaches

that he's outside us and that we have to somehow through blind faith

get to him.I much prefer the concept that he's within and all we have

to do is admit he's there and poof, we are one.I have this idea that

when we deny our innner work, the shakt that is meant to fuel the

inner work pushes out into reality affecting our past present and

future. And what does she do while she's out there? The same thing

she would do if she were inside.I think its much faster and safer to

keep her inside me where I can keep an eye on her, so to speak. Then

when she has a morsel she wants me to see I'll jump up and say, "Yes

Maam!"Of course if I'm denying what she's showing me I'll be saying

things like, "what's that? I don't see anything, are you sure you

have something to show

me?"There's a balance right now between the inner and the outer. I get

some outside and some inside, and often they are confirmations of each

other. I guess karma literally is the energy we force into the

time-space continuum through denial and ignorance. If karma decides

to jump fifteen lifetimes into the future to show us its lesson, then

we have to be here fifteen lifetimes later, huh?Its a fun subject. I

thought a lot about Karma while I was writing my second novel. I

doubt I understand what's going on but it sure is fun playing with

the concepts. And life always seems to back up the things I get right

and shoot down the things I get wrong.As for dreams. I think we go

were we need to go. Most often we find ourselves in an area within

that needs worked on, or healed. I think that while we are asleep the

subconscious and the conscious mind are both at play, where as during

waking hours the subconscious mind is supressed by the conscious

mind. (this is

different than consciousness, its more related to the subconscious I

think).Sometimes we are blessed in dreams to go to places where there

are enlightened being. I think those are real places, not imagined in

our minds. In fact I think the entire dream realm is real even

thought it may only exist for us at the time we have it.Very

interesting subjects. Thanks for the conversation.Brian"In the

begining, the universe was created. This has made a lot of people

very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move." -- Douglas Adams,

The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy Radio Program.--- On Fri 10/03,

chris kirner < chriskirner1956 > wrote:

chris kirner [ chriskirner1956 ]To:

Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 04:53:42 -0700

(PDT)Re: Re: Expanding Your AlterHi Brian,You

know, coming as I have from a tradition that doesn't emphasize

external worship, my altar has always been within. Not being

particularly advanced myself, expanding my internal altar seems to be

largely a slow process, usually accompanied by learning and practicing

for a while a new mantra, or being touched by something I read or see

in the world that reminds me of the divine in some special way, again

and again over time.Since being exposed to external worship through

Maa and Swamiji I am excited by interplay between inner and outer

objects of devotion and insight and the possibilities of discovery

inherent within myself. Pandit R. Tiguniat said

that according to Tantra philosophy there is no difference between

inner and outer. I have very little realization of that truth, yet I

accept it and wait impatiently with great anticipation for it. The

elegant beauty of an altar, the close proximity of birds about their

business of living, the subtle vibrations of mantra, the sun against

my face, all help.I too, have had some powerful dream experiences

that moulded my life. I wonder where we go in those states...the

astral? Perhaps even svaha?ChrisBrian McKee wrote: