Organizing life for devotion: Narad and Vishnu story

[Guest guest]

Namaste Steve,

To maximize your time with God, try to remember her with every

action no matter where you are, what you are doing, or what time of

day it is.

 

Here is a little story that Swamiji has told on many times:

NARAD AND VISHNU: THE FARMER IS MY DEVOTEE

Narad Muni was a great devotee. He used to sing the God's name

twenty-four hours a day. One time he fell into egotism, thinking: I

must certainly be God't greatest devotee. I am singing His name

twenty four hours a day."

Narad asked Vishnu, "Oh Lord, am I not your greatest devotee? Do

you have any devotee who sings your name as much as I do?"

Then Vishnu, the Lord of Universal Consciousness replied,"No,

you are not my greatest devotee. Come with me to the earth, and I

will show you who is my greatest devotee."

When Vishnu and Narad went to the earth, they came to a farmer's

house. The farmer got up in the morning and said, "Oh Vishnu."

picked up his plow and went out to the field. He labored all day

long, and at evening went home, took his meal, said, "Oh Vishnu,"

and went to sleep."

Narad was astounded when he saw the behavior of the Lord's

greatest devotee. "What kind of devotion is that?" thought

Narad. "He said God's name once and then worked all day, and he said

it again and slept all night."

Then Vishnu said, "Narad, walk around this field while carrying

this glass of milk. Make sure not to spill even one drop. If one

drop spills, I won't drink it."

Then very carefully, very slowly, Narad began to walk around

the field. Carefully watching his steps, he walked around the field.

After some time he returned and said, "Here is your milk, Lord."

Vishnu asked,"Did you spill any?"

"No, Lord."

"How many times did you say my name?"

"Well, Lord, I was concentrating on the milk to be sure that I

didn't spill any."

"How many times?"

"I didn't say your name at all."

"You mean that you were carrying one glass of milk around a

field and you couldn't say my name once, while that farmer who is

taking care of a wife and family and is performing my work in the

world managed to say it twice! That is why he is my greatest

devotee!"

 

 

-- In , "bingo_ridley" <sconnor@a...>

wrote:

> Hi all.

>

> The efficient sadhu ... this I aspire to be, like a li'l acorn

wishes

> to be a mighty oak.

>

> Before Swamiji, this idea was introduced to me via the recorded

talks

> of Shivapuri Baba. He called it "Right Life." Life was all about

> doing one's physical and moral duties efficiently so you could

> "spend maximum time on God." How practical is that! And wondrous,

as

> of course, God is not simply practical, but the Ultimate.

>

> My own life has certain challenges, as 1. I have a job that spans

> hours from early in the morning to late at night, making regular

> hours impossible, 2. My wife and I care for a disabled daughter

that

> wakes up in the middle of the night often and 3. There are my own

> personal liabilities and tendency to be an intellectual bohemian.

>

> My question is, has anyone had success with meditation or other

> devotions in the middle of the night?

>

> My own experience is, the meditations at those hours are often very

> beneficial, but I pay dearly for them in terms of mental alertness

> for life matters the following day.

>

> Also looking for any general attitudes and experiences around this

> topic of finding maximum time for God.

>

> Love to all and pranams,

>

> Steve C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Replies Name/Email ID Date

2942 Re: Organizing Life for Devotion bingo_ridley bingo_ridley

Tue 3/9/2004

 

 

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[Guest guest]

hmm ... so it is the mindful and loving doing of our duties that is

important? in the spirit of shree maa, with as much care and

devotion as we can manifest? and there should be no sense of

conflict between sadhana and personal responsibilities? that is most

excellent, i will strive to do this, if i understand this corectly.

 

parvati, and am studying the guru gita and listening to the online

class now. this is very inspiring stuff. i am learning more clearly

about the nature of guru seva, and the 3 degrees of it.

 

santi, santi,

 

steve c.

 

, "parvati_saraswati108"

<parvati_saraswati108> wrote:

> Namaste Steve,

> To maximize your time with God, try to remember her with every

> action no matter where you are, what you are doing, or what time

of

> day it is.

>

> Here is a little story that Swamiji has told on many times:

> NARAD AND VISHNU: THE FARMER IS MY DEVOTEE

> Narad Muni was a great devotee. He used to sing the God's name

> twenty-four hours a day. One time he fell into egotism, thinking:

I

> must certainly be God't greatest devotee. I am singing His name

> twenty four hours a day."

> Narad asked Vishnu, "Oh Lord, am I not your greatest devotee?

Do

> you have any devotee who sings your name as much as I do?"

> Then Vishnu, the Lord of Universal Consciousness replied,"No,

> you are not my greatest devotee. Come with me to the earth, and I

> will show you who is my greatest devotee."

> When Vishnu and Narad went to the earth, they came to a

farmer's

> house. The farmer got up in the morning and said, "Oh Vishnu."

> picked up his plow and went out to the field. He labored all day

> long, and at evening went home, took his meal, said, "Oh Vishnu,"

> and went to sleep."

> Narad was astounded when he saw the behavior of the Lord's

> greatest devotee. "What kind of devotion is that?" thought

> Narad. "He said God's name once and then worked all day, and he

said

> it again and slept all night."

> Then Vishnu said, "Narad, walk around this field while

carrying

> this glass of milk. Make sure not to spill even one drop. If one

> drop spills, I won't drink it."

> Then very carefully, very slowly, Narad began to walk around

> the field. Carefully watching his steps, he walked around the

field.

> After some time he returned and said, "Here is your milk, Lord."

> Vishnu asked,"Did you spill any?"

> "No, Lord."

> "How many times did you say my name?"

> "Well, Lord, I was concentrating on the milk to be sure that

I

> didn't spill any."

> "How many times?"

> "I didn't say your name at all."

> "You mean that you were carrying one glass of milk around a

> field and you couldn't say my name once, while that farmer who is

> taking care of a wife and family and is performing my work in the

> world managed to say it twice! That is why he is my greatest

> devotee!"

>

>

> -- In , "bingo_ridley" <sconnor@a...>

> wrote:

> > Hi all.

> >

> > The efficient sadhu ... this I aspire to be, like a li'l acorn

> wishes

> > to be a mighty oak.

> >

> > Before Swamiji, this idea was introduced to me via the recorded

> talks

> > of Shivapuri Baba. He called it "Right Life." Life was all about

> > doing one's physical and moral duties efficiently so you could

> > "spend maximum time on God." How practical is that! And wondrous,

> as

> > of course, God is not simply practical, but the Ultimate.

> >

> > My own life has certain challenges, as 1. I have a job that spans

> > hours from early in the morning to late at night, making regular

> > hours impossible, 2. My wife and I care for a disabled daughter

> that

> > wakes up in the middle of the night often and 3. There are my own

> > personal liabilities and tendency to be an intellectual bohemian.

> >

> > My question is, has anyone had success with meditation or other

> > devotions in the middle of the night?

> >

> > My own experience is, the meditations at those hours are often

very

> > beneficial, but I pay dearly for them in terms of mental

alertness

> > for life matters the following day.

> >

> > Also looking for any general attitudes and experiences around

this

> > topic of finding maximum time for God.

> >

> > Love to all and pranams,

> >

> > Steve C.

>

>

Replies Name/Email ID Date

> 2942 Re: Organizing Life for Devotion bingo_ridley bingo_ridley

> Tue 3/9/2004

>

>

> Message 2941 of 2942 | Previous | Next [ Up Thread ] Message

> Index Msg #

>

> Reply | Forward | View Source | Unwrap Lines

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[Guest guest]

Swamiji often speaks of "holistic spirituality".

"bingo_ridley" <sconnor (AT) austin (DOT) rr.com>

Tue, 09 Mar 2004 22:29:13 -0000

Re: Organizing life for devotion: Narad and Vishnu story

hmm ... so it is the mindful and loving doing of our duties that is

important? in the spirit of shree maa, with as much care and

devotion as we can manifest? and there should be no sense of

conflict between sadhana and personal responsibilities? that is most

excellent, i will strive to do this, if i understand this corectly.

parvati, and am studying the guru gita and listening to the online

class now. this is very inspiring stuff. i am learning more clearly

about the nature of guru seva, and the 3 degrees of it.

santi, santi,

steve c.

, "parvati_saraswati108"

<parvati_saraswati108> wrote:

> Namaste Steve,

> To maximize your time with God, try to remember her with every

> action no matter where you are, what you are doing, or what time

of

> day it is.

>

> Here is a little story that Swamiji has told on many times:

> NARAD AND VISHNU: THE FARMER IS MY DEVOTEE

> Narad Muni was a great devotee. He used to sing the God's name

> twenty-four hours a day. One time he fell into egotism, thinking:

I

> must certainly be God't greatest devotee. I am singing His name

> twenty four hours a day."

> Narad asked Vishnu, "Oh Lord, am I not your greatest devotee?

Do

> you have any devotee who sings your name as much as I do?"

> Then Vishnu, the Lord of Universal Consciousness replied,"No,

> you are not my greatest devotee. Come with me to the earth, and I

> will show you who is my greatest devotee."

> When Vishnu and Narad went to the earth, they came to a

farmer's

> house. The farmer got up in the morning and said, "Oh Vishnu."

> picked up his plow and went out to the field. He labored all day

> long, and at evening went home, took his meal, said, "Oh Vishnu,"

> and went to sleep."

> Narad was astounded when he saw the behavior of the Lord's

> greatest devotee. "What kind of devotion is that?" thought

> Narad. "He said God's name once and then worked all day, and he

said

> it again and slept all night."

> Then Vishnu said, "Narad, walk around this field while

carrying

> this glass of milk. Make sure not to spill even one drop. If one

> drop spills, I won't drink it."

> Then very carefully, very slowly, Narad began to walk around

> the field. Carefully watching his steps, he walked around the

field.

> After some time he returned and said, "Here is your milk, Lord."

> Vishnu asked,"Did you spill any?"

> "No, Lord."

> "How many times did you say my name?"

> "Well, Lord, I was concentrating on the milk to be sure that

I

> didn't spill any."

> "How many times?"

> "I didn't say your name at all."

> "You mean that you were carrying one glass of milk around a

> field and you couldn't say my name once, while that farmer who is

> taking care of a wife and family and is performing my work in the

> world managed to say it twice! That is why he is my greatest

> devotee!"

>

>

> -- In , "bingo_ridley" <sconnor@a...>

> wrote:

> > Hi all.

> >

> > The efficient sadhu ... this I aspire to be, like a li'l acorn

> wishes

> > to be a mighty oak.

> >

> > Before Swamiji, this idea was introduced to me via the recorded

> talks

> > of Shivapuri Baba. He called it "Right Life." Life was all about

> > doing one's physical and moral duties efficiently so you could

> > "spend maximum time on God." How practical is that! And wondrous,

> as

> > of course, God is not simply practical, but the Ultimate.

> >

> > My own life has certain challenges, as 1. I have a job that spans

> > hours from early in the morning to late at night, making regular

> > hours impossible, 2. My wife and I care for a disabled daughter

> that

> > wakes up in the middle of the night often and 3. There are my own

> > personal liabilities and tendency to be an intellectual bohemian.

> >

> > My question is, has anyone had success with meditation or other

> > devotions in the middle of the night?

> >

> > My own experience is, the meditations at those hours are often

very

> > beneficial, but I pay dearly for them in terms of mental

alertness

> > for life matters the following day.

> >

> > Also looking for any general attitudes and experiences around

this

> > topic of finding maximum time for God.

> >

> > Love to all and pranams,

> >

> > Steve C.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Replies Name/Email ID Date

> 2942 Re: Organizing Life for Devotion bingo_ridley bingo_ridley

> Tue 3/9/2004

>

>

> Message 2941 of 2942 | Previous | Next [ Up Thread ] Message

> Index Msg #

>

> Reply | Forward | View Source | Unwrap Lines

>

>

>

>

>

> -

--

> -----------

/

<?subject=Un>

Terms of Service

<> .

[Guest guest]

ardis, hi,

 

integrating spiritual life with all life?

 

or, threading practice into many various moments of life?

 

someone once said, those little buddha toys, they are dolls with

round bottoms that always roll back to their upright "asana" ... the

body has its ups and downs, but then, boing, he springs back to the

center position ... something like that, returning to the center

again and again? and for you, shree maa and swamiji are there at

that center, pulling you in even farther?

 

s

 

, Ardis Jackson <anandamama@e...>

wrote:

> Swamiji often speaks of "holistic spirituality".

>

> "bingo_ridley" <sconnor@a...>

>

> Tue, 09 Mar 2004 22:29:13 -0000

>

> Re: Organizing life for devotion: Narad and

Vishnu

> story

>

>

> hmm ... so it is the mindful and loving doing of our duties that is

> important? in the spirit of shree maa, with as much care and

> devotion as we can manifest? and there should be no sense of

> conflict between sadhana and personal responsibilities? that is

most

> excellent, i will strive to do this, if i understand this corectly.

>

> parvati, and am studying the guru gita and listening to the online

> class now. this is very inspiring stuff. i am learning more clearly

> about the nature of guru seva, and the 3 degrees of it.

>

> santi, santi,

>

> steve c.

>

> , "parvati_saraswati108"

> <parvati_saraswati108> wrote:

> > Namaste Steve,

> > To maximize your time with God, try to remember her with every

> > action no matter where you are, what you are doing, or what time

> of

> > day it is.

> >

> > Here is a little story that Swamiji has told on many times:

> > NARAD AND VISHNU: THE FARMER IS MY DEVOTEE

> > Narad Muni was a great devotee. He used to sing the God's

name

> > twenty-four hours a day. One time he fell into egotism, thinking:

> I

> > must certainly be God't greatest devotee. I am singing His name

> > twenty four hours a day."

> > Narad asked Vishnu, "Oh Lord, am I not your greatest devotee?

> Do

> > you have any devotee who sings your name as much as I do?"

> > Then Vishnu, the Lord of Universal Consciousness

replied,"No,

> > you are not my greatest devotee. Come with me to the earth, and I

> > will show you who is my greatest devotee."

> > When Vishnu and Narad went to the earth, they came to a

> farmer's

> > house. The farmer got up in the morning and said, "Oh Vishnu."

> > picked up his plow and went out to the field. He labored all day

> > long, and at evening went home, took his meal, said, "Oh Vishnu,"

> > and went to sleep."

> > Narad was astounded when he saw the behavior of the Lord's

> > greatest devotee. "What kind of devotion is that?" thought

> > Narad. "He said God's name once and then worked all day, and he

> said

> > it again and slept all night."

> > Then Vishnu said, "Narad, walk around this field while

> carrying

> > this glass of milk. Make sure not to spill even one drop. If one

> > drop spills, I won't drink it."

> > Then very carefully, very slowly, Narad began to walk around

> > the field. Carefully watching his steps, he walked around the

> field.

> > After some time he returned and said, "Here is your milk, Lord."

> > Vishnu asked,"Did you spill any?"

> > "No, Lord."

> > "How many times did you say my name?"

> > "Well, Lord, I was concentrating on the milk to be sure that

> I

> > didn't spill any."

> > "How many times?"

> > "I didn't say your name at all."

> > "You mean that you were carrying one glass of milk around a

> > field and you couldn't say my name once, while that farmer who is

> > taking care of a wife and family and is performing my work in the

> > world managed to say it twice! That is why he is my greatest

> > devotee!"

> >

> >

> > -- In , "bingo_ridley" <sconnor@a...>

> > wrote:

> > > Hi all.

> > >

> > > The efficient sadhu ... this I aspire to be, like a li'l acorn

> > wishes

> > > to be a mighty oak.

> > >

> > > Before Swamiji, this idea was introduced to me via the recorded

> > talks

> > > of Shivapuri Baba. He called it "Right Life." Life was all

about

> > > doing one's physical and moral duties efficiently so you could

> > > "spend maximum time on God." How practical is that! And

wondrous,

> > as

> > > of course, God is not simply practical, but the Ultimate.

> > >

> > > My own life has certain challenges, as 1. I have a job that

spans

> > > hours from early in the morning to late at night, making

regular

> > > hours impossible, 2. My wife and I care for a disabled daughter

> > that

> > > wakes up in the middle of the night often and 3. There are my

own

> > > personal liabilities and tendency to be an intellectual

bohemian.

> > >

> > > My question is, has anyone had success with meditation or other

> > > devotions in the middle of the night?

> > >

> > > My own experience is, the meditations at those hours are often

> very

> > > beneficial, but I pay dearly for them in terms of mental

> alertness

> > > for life matters the following day.

> > >

> > > Also looking for any general attitudes and experiences around

> this

> > > topic of finding maximum time for God.

> > >

> > > Love to all and pranams,

> > >

> > > Steve C.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Replies Name/Email ID Date

> > 2942 Re: Organizing Life for Devotion bingo_ridley bingo_ridley

> > Tue 3/9/2004

> >

> >

> > Message 2941 of 2942 | Previous | Next [ Up Thread ]

Message

> > Index Msg #

> >

> > Reply | Forward | View Source | Unwrap Lines

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > --------------------------------

--

> --

> > -----------

Links

>

> /

>

>

>

> <?

subject=Un>

>

> Terms of Service

> <> .

[Guest guest]

I just don't see any separation at all anymore. It is all energy, it

is all divine. Shree Maa and Swamiji are just part of the flow...

always giving, always loving, always teaching. And you are also a

beautiful being who is part of the flow, spreading your sweet

vulnerable heart wherever you go.

Ardis

"bingo_ridley" <sconnor (AT) austin (DOT) rr.com>

Wed, 10 Mar 2004 00:39:27 -0000

Re: Organizing life for devotion: Narad and Vishnu story

ardis, hi,

integrating spiritual life with all life?

or, threading practice into many various moments of life?

someone once said, those little buddha toys, they are dolls with

round bottoms that always roll back to their upright "asana" ... the

body has its ups and downs, but then, boing, he springs back to the

center position ... something like that, returning to the center

again and again? and for you, shree maa and swamiji are there at

that center, pulling you in even farther?

s

, Ardis Jackson <anandamama@e...>

wrote:

> Swamiji often speaks of "holistic spirituality".

>

> "bingo_ridley" <sconnor@a...>

>

> Tue, 09 Mar 2004 22:29:13 -0000

>

> Re: Organizing life for devotion: Narad and

Vishnu

> story

>

>

> hmm ... so it is the mindful and loving doing of our duties that is

> important? in the spirit of shree maa, with as much care and

> devotion as we can manifest? and there should be no sense of

> conflict between sadhana and personal responsibilities? that is

most

> excellent, i will strive to do this, if i understand this corectly.

>

> parvati, and am studying the guru gita and listening to the online

> class now. this is very inspiring stuff. i am learning more clearly

> about the nature of guru seva, and the 3 degrees of it.

>

> santi, santi,

>

> steve c.

>

> , "parvati_saraswati108"

> <parvati_saraswati108> wrote:

> > Namaste Steve,

> > To maximize your time with God, try to remember her with every

> > action no matter where you are, what you are doing, or what time

> of

> > day it is.

> >

> > Here is a little story that Swamiji has told on many times:

> > NARAD AND VISHNU: THE FARMER IS MY DEVOTEE

> > Narad Muni was a great devotee. He used to sing the God's

name

> > twenty-four hours a day. One time he fell into egotism, thinking:

> I

> > must certainly be God't greatest devotee. I am singing His name

> > twenty four hours a day."

> > Narad asked Vishnu, "Oh Lord, am I not your greatest devotee?

> Do

> > you have any devotee who sings your name as much as I do?"

> > Then Vishnu, the Lord of Universal Consciousness

replied,"No,

> > you are not my greatest devotee. Come with me to the earth, and I

> > will show you who is my greatest devotee."

> > When Vishnu and Narad went to the earth, they came to a

> farmer's

> > house. The farmer got up in the morning and said, "Oh Vishnu."

> > picked up his plow and went out to the field. He labored all day

> > long, and at evening went home, took his meal, said, "Oh Vishnu,"

> > and went to sleep."

> > Narad was astounded when he saw the behavior of the Lord's

> > greatest devotee. "What kind of devotion is that?" thought

> > Narad. "He said God's name once and then worked all day, and he

> said

> > it again and slept all night."

> > Then Vishnu said, "Narad, walk around this field while

> carrying

> > this glass of milk. Make sure not to spill even one drop. If one

> > drop spills, I won't drink it."

> > Then very carefully, very slowly, Narad began to walk around

> > the field. Carefully watching his steps, he walked around the

> field.

> > After some time he returned and said, "Here is your milk, Lord."

> > Vishnu asked,"Did you spill any?"

> > "No, Lord."

> > "How many times did you say my name?"

> > "Well, Lord, I was concentrating on the milk to be sure that

> I

> > didn't spill any."

> > "How many times?"

> > "I didn't say your name at all."

> > "You mean that you were carrying one glass of milk around a

> > field and you couldn't say my name once, while that farmer who is

> > taking care of a wife and family and is performing my work in the

> > world managed to say it twice! That is why he is my greatest

> > devotee!"

> >

> >

> > -- In , "bingo_ridley" <sconnor@a...>

> > wrote:

> > > Hi all.

> > >

> > > The efficient sadhu ... this I aspire to be, like a li'l acorn

> > wishes

> > > to be a mighty oak.

> > >

> > > Before Swamiji, this idea was introduced to me via the recorded

> > talks

> > > of Shivapuri Baba. He called it "Right Life." Life was all

about

> > > doing one's physical and moral duties efficiently so you could

> > > "spend maximum time on God." How practical is that! And

wondrous,

> > as

> > > of course, God is not simply practical, but the Ultimate.

> > >

> > > My own life has certain challenges, as 1. I have a job that

spans

> > > hours from early in the morning to late at night, making

regular

> > > hours impossible, 2. My wife and I care for a disabled daughter

> > that

> > > wakes up in the middle of the night often and 3. There are my

own

> > > personal liabilities and tendency to be an intellectual

bohemian.

> > >

> > > My question is, has anyone had success with meditation or other

> > > devotions in the middle of the night?

> > >

> > > My own experience is, the meditations at those hours are often

> very

> > > beneficial, but I pay dearly for them in terms of mental

> alertness

> > > for life matters the following day.

> > >

> > > Also looking for any general attitudes and experiences around

> this

> > > topic of finding maximum time for God.

> > >

> > > Love to all and pranams,

> > >

> > > Steve C.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Replies Name/Email ID Date

> > 2942 Re: Organizing Life for Devotion bingo_ridley bingo_ridley

> > Tue 3/9/2004

> >

> >

> > Message 2941 of 2942 | Previous | Next [ Up Thread ]

Message

> > Index Msg #

> >

> > Reply | Forward | View Source | Unwrap Lines

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > --------------------------------

--

> --

> > -----------

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Links

>

> /

>

>

>

> <?

subject=Un>

>

> Terms of Service

> <> .

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[Guest guest]

oh you, ardis. and here i thought i was one tough cookie. here, have

a bite of me. we are all food on this plate here.

 

om tat sat! yes this is such a joy. where have i been for so long?

 

, Ardis Jackson <anandamama@e...>

wrote:

> I just don't see any separation at all anymore. It is all energy,

it is all

> divine. Shree Maa and Swamiji are just part of the flow... always

giving,

> always loving, always teaching. And you are also a beautiful

being who is

> part of the flow, spreading your sweet vulnerable heart wherever

you go.

>

> Ardis

>

> "bingo_ridley" <sconnor@a...>

>

> Wed, 10 Mar 2004 00:39:27 -0000

>

> Re: Organizing life for devotion: Narad and

Vishnu

> story

>

>

> ardis, hi,

>

> integrating spiritual life with all life?

>

> or, threading practice into many various moments of life?

>

> someone once said, those little buddha toys, they are dolls with

> round bottoms that always roll back to their upright "asana" ...

the

> body has its ups and downs, but then, boing, he springs back to the

> center position ... something like that, returning to the center

> again and again? and for you, shree maa and swamiji are there at

> that center, pulling you in even farther?

>

> s

>

> , Ardis Jackson <anandamama@e...>

> wrote:

> > Swamiji often speaks of "holistic spirituality".

> >

> > "bingo_ridley" <sconnor@a...>

> >

> > Tue, 09 Mar 2004 22:29:13 -0000

> >

> > Re: Organizing life for devotion: Narad

and

> Vishnu

> > story

> >

> >

> > hmm ... so it is the mindful and loving doing of our duties that

is

> > important? in the spirit of shree maa, with as much care and

> > devotion as we can manifest? and there should be no sense of

> > conflict between sadhana and personal responsibilities? that is

> most

> > excellent, i will strive to do this, if i understand this

corectly.

> >

> > parvati, and am studying the guru gita and listening to the

online

> > class now. this is very inspiring stuff. i am learning more

clearly

> > about the nature of guru seva, and the 3 degrees of it.

> >

> > santi, santi,

> >

> > steve c.

> >

> > , "parvati_saraswati108"

> > <parvati_saraswati108> wrote:

> > > Namaste Steve,

> > > To maximize your time with God, try to remember her with every

> > > action no matter where you are, what you are doing, or what

time

> > of

> > > day it is.

> > >

> > > Here is a little story that Swamiji has told on many times:

> > > NARAD AND VISHNU: THE FARMER IS MY DEVOTEE

> > > Narad Muni was a great devotee. He used to sing the God's

> name

> > > twenty-four hours a day. One time he fell into egotism,

thinking:

> > I

> > > must certainly be God't greatest devotee. I am singing His name

> > > twenty four hours a day."

> > > Narad asked Vishnu, "Oh Lord, am I not your greatest

devotee?

> > Do

> > > you have any devotee who sings your name as much as I do?"

> > > Then Vishnu, the Lord of Universal Consciousness

> replied,"No,

> > > you are not my greatest devotee. Come with me to the earth,

and I

> > > will show you who is my greatest devotee."

> > > When Vishnu and Narad went to the earth, they came to a

> > farmer's

> > > house. The farmer got up in the morning and said, "Oh Vishnu."

> > > picked up his plow and went out to the field. He labored all

day

> > > long, and at evening went home, took his meal, said, "Oh

Vishnu,"

> > > and went to sleep."

> > > Narad was astounded when he saw the behavior of the Lord's

> > > greatest devotee. "What kind of devotion is that?" thought

> > > Narad. "He said God's name once and then worked all day, and he

> > said

> > > it again and slept all night."

> > > Then Vishnu said, "Narad, walk around this field while

> > carrying

> > > this glass of milk. Make sure not to spill even one drop. If

one

> > > drop spills, I won't drink it."

> > > Then very carefully, very slowly, Narad began to walk

around

> > > the field. Carefully watching his steps, he walked around the

> > field.

> > > After some time he returned and said, "Here is your milk,

Lord."

> > > Vishnu asked,"Did you spill any?"

> > > "No, Lord."

> > > "How many times did you say my name?"

> > > "Well, Lord, I was concentrating on the milk to be sure

that

> > I

> > > didn't spill any."

> > > "How many times?"

> > > "I didn't say your name at all."

> > > "You mean that you were carrying one glass of milk around

a

> > > field and you couldn't say my name once, while that farmer who

is

> > > taking care of a wife and family and is performing my work in

the

> > > world managed to say it twice! That is why he is my greatest

> > > devotee!"

> > >

> > >

> > > -- In , "bingo_ridley"

<sconnor@a...>

> > > wrote:

> > > > Hi all.

> > > >

> > > > The efficient sadhu ... this I aspire to be, like a li'l

acorn

> > > wishes

> > > > to be a mighty oak.

> > > >

> > > > Before Swamiji, this idea was introduced to me via the

recorded

> > > talks

> > > > of Shivapuri Baba. He called it "Right Life." Life was all

> about

> > > > doing one's physical and moral duties efficiently so you

could

> > > > "spend maximum time on God." How practical is that! And

> wondrous,

> > > as

> > > > of course, God is not simply practical, but the Ultimate.

> > > >

> > > > My own life has certain challenges, as 1. I have a job that

> spans

> > > > hours from early in the morning to late at night, making

> regular

> > > > hours impossible, 2. My wife and I care for a disabled

daughter

> > > that

> > > > wakes up in the middle of the night often and 3. There are my

> own

> > > > personal liabilities and tendency to be an intellectual

> bohemian.

> > > >

> > > > My question is, has anyone had success with meditation or

other

> > > > devotions in the middle of the night?

> > > >

> > > > My own experience is, the meditations at those hours are

often

> > very

> > > > beneficial, but I pay dearly for them in terms of mental

> > alertness

> > > > for life matters the following day.

> > > >

> > > > Also looking for any general attitudes and experiences around

> > this

> > > > topic of finding maximum time for God.

> > > >

> > > > Love to all and pranams,

> > > >

> > > > Steve C.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Replies Name/Email ID Date

> > > 2942 Re: Organizing Life for Devotion bingo_ridley

bingo_ridley

> > > Tue 3/9/2004

> > >

> > >

> > > Message 2941 of 2942 | Previous | Next [ Up Thread ]

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> > >

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