RE: why we do puja: from Rosie

[Guest guest]

Namaste,

Thank you for all of the post regarding puja. Being someone who

loves puja very much, I was interested in reading the different

points of view.

"Any change is always resisted due to inherent lethargy- tamas.

Therefore one has to force the mind if need be in the begining to do

what one has decided to do..." To me, this brings up a point that,

after many years of practice, really needs to be considered and that

is: one's inherent "nature" and what one might have learned about

one's tendencies. So, if someone has a tendency towards tamas, then

the issue of discipline is critical. Whereas, if someone has a

strong tendency towards rajas, then forcing can very easily

become "doership" and all of the issues that plagued you in "wordly"

life can appear, disguised, in "spiritual life"...especially when

you see the two "lives" as separate from one another. You can be

just as grasping and self-punishing and guilty and feeling unworthy

when you are doing puja as when you are working at your job. I

totally agree with the gentleman who described puja as a "channel of

communication" with the Divine...the mantras and mudras and

materials, themselves, are imbued with a real power of "opening".

But, in my opinion, it's also very important to have a clear

understanding of your personal samskaras in relation to "doership"

or you can wind up simply creating another "should" in your life,

instead of an opportunity for real communication with god.

It's a very complex issue, I think, in that you really do NEED to

establish the patterns of discipline but, at the same time, you need

to be aware of your own tendencies towards laziness or doership,

without judging and with compassion.Especially in the US, where the

entire culture is so oriented towards "doing". Finding a balance

becomes very important.

just a thought,

sadhvi

[Guest guest]

That is such an insightful post. Thank you, Sadvi. I have often

thought about this issue. The effect of tamas on my sadhana which

leads to lethargy and lack of discipline. But I see rajas as

actually helping me because it is the passion that propels me into

the divine love affair with the deity. The puja itself inspires the

sattwa, the simplicity and peace. Getting everything into balance

and observing with compassion is the key. Namaste, Ardis

"nityashakti" <sadhvi (AT) prodigy (DOT) net>

Tue, 10 Feb 2004 16:26:25 -0000

RE: why we do puja: from Rosie

Namaste,

Thank you for all of the post regarding puja. Being someone who

loves puja very much, I was interested in reading the different

points of view.

"Any change is always resisted due to inherent lethargy- tamas.

Therefore one has to force the mind if need be in the begining to do

what one has decided to do..." To me, this brings up a point that,

after many years of practice, really needs to be considered and that

is: one's inherent "nature" and what one might have learned about

one's tendencies. So, if someone has a tendency towards tamas, then

the issue of discipline is critical. Whereas, if someone has a

strong tendency towards rajas, then forcing can very easily

become "doership" and all of the issues that plagued you in "wordly"

life can appear, disguised, in "spiritual life"...especially when

you see the two "lives" as separate from one another. You can be

just as grasping and self-punishing and guilty and feeling unworthy

when you are doing puja as when you are working at your job. I

totally agree with the gentleman who described puja as a "channel of

communication" with the Divine...the mantras and mudras and

materials, themselves, are imbued with a real power of "opening".

But, in my opinion, it's also very important to have a clear

understanding of your personal samskaras in relation to "doership"

or you can wind up simply creating another "should" in your life,

instead of an opportunity for real communication with god.

It's a very complex issue, I think, in that you really do NEED to

establish the patterns of discipline but, at the same time, you need

to be aware of your own tendencies towards laziness or doership,

without judging and with compassion.Especially in the US, where the

entire culture is so oriented towards "doing". Finding a balance

becomes very important.

just a thought,

sadhvi

Sponsor

/

<?subject=Un>

Terms of Service

<> .