RE: Getting back to basics of Puja: Deepam

[Guest guest]

"...I don't think

we're going to find straightforward correspondences, but rather,

levels of meaning and correspondence. As Swamiji said to Ardis, we

have to look deeper...."

 

Dear Chris,

Thanks for your great post. I think you're right that we won't

find straightforward correspondences. Some of the meanings seem to

change depending on the puja but it's really wonderful to hear

people's personal reponses to how they are working with the elements

of puja, as well as the symbolic things that may or may not "line

up" every time

Yesterday I was thinking of something someone said to me a while

ago, "when the pujari understands the deeper meaning of puja, he/she

will understand that each time we do puja, we re-enact the creation

of the Universe". It's so deep...just something like the light

symbolizing the fire element and that element being one of the five

elements of creation, existing in every part of creation, including

our own bodies. It's really something to offer the light and be

aware of the inner light and the fire element and then think about

the Siddha Kunjika Stotram: "Jvalaya jvalaya, jvala jvala, prajvala

prajvala" and then the next part (as Swami translates it), "and this

Illumination is the Divine I in all manifested beings"!!!!!

AWESOME!!!

The other thing, for me, is this feeling of the entire puja

being an offering for the planet. It's talked about alot in relation

to yagna or homa: that the specific ingredients used have a healing

effect on the environment. I used to feel kind of "selfish" in this

weird way, when I was doing puja...because I loved it so much and,

maybe it would be more "useful" if I did dishwashing seva or

whatever. But this was before I began to understand the connection

between what we do in our own individual pujas and the world around

us. It is really a service...a kind of invisible "binding together"

and "healing" of things through our intention. This has made puja

much more connected for me...alot of why I am interested in the

elements, for instance, has to do with this. The same fire is in

every sentient being and by offering it, I am connecting and

blessing with my intention.I am really interested in this "hidden"

aspect of puja.

Thanks so much everybody for your contributions...this is just

really great to hear how people are feeling about puja.

sadhvi

[Guest guest]

Sadhvi,

 

Though I am not so much in love with ceremony as you, I definately

understand your yearning to know the hidden aspects of our actions

and intentions as they relate to the rest of creation. After all,

this is the stuff of deep relationship with Divine Mother. Until we

achieve that we will always feel separated to some degree, no matter

how many sweet gifts She gives us.

 

I am really hoping the Chandi Paath will prove to be the key to

unlock that door for me.

 

Chris

 

 

 

, "nityashakti" <sadhvi@p...> wrote:

> "...I don't think

> we're going to find straightforward correspondences, but rather,

> levels of meaning and correspondence. As Swamiji said to Ardis, we

> have to look deeper...."

>

> Dear Chris,

> Thanks for your great post. I think you're right that we won't

> find straightforward correspondences. Some of the meanings seem to

> change depending on the puja but it's really wonderful to hear

> people's personal reponses to how they are working with the

elements

> of puja, as well as the symbolic things that may or may not "line

> up" every time

> Yesterday I was thinking of something someone said to me a

while

> ago, "when the pujari understands the deeper meaning of puja,

he/she

> will understand that each time we do puja, we re-enact the creation

> of the Universe". It's so deep...just something like the light

> symbolizing the fire element and that element being one of the five

> elements of creation, existing in every part of creation, including

> our own bodies. It's really something to offer the light and be

> aware of the inner light and the fire element and then think about

> the Siddha Kunjika Stotram: "Jvalaya jvalaya, jvala jvala, prajvala

> prajvala" and then the next part (as Swami translates it), "and

this

> Illumination is the Divine I in all manifested beings"!!!!!

> AWESOME!!!

> The other thing, for me, is this feeling of the entire puja

> being an offering for the planet. It's talked about alot in

relation

> to yagna or homa: that the specific ingredients used have a healing

> effect on the environment. I used to feel kind of "selfish" in this

> weird way, when I was doing puja...because I loved it so much and,

> maybe it would be more "useful" if I did dishwashing seva or

> whatever. But this was before I began to understand the connection

> between what we do in our own individual pujas and the world around

> us. It is really a service...a kind of invisible "binding together"

> and "healing" of things through our intention. This has made puja

> much more connected for me...alot of why I am interested in the

> elements, for instance, has to do with this. The same fire is in

> every sentient being and by offering it, I am connecting and

> blessing with my intention.I am really interested in this "hidden"

> aspect of puja.

> Thanks so much everybody for your contributions...this is just

> really great to hear how people are feeling about puja.

> sadhvi