Guest guest Posted July 21, 2004 Report Share Posted July 21, 2004 Hi all and Swamiji, Here is a question for Swamiji. It is something I have been thinking about for a while, how to ask. As so often is the case, the time comes up and there is that feeling, 'do it now' in the midst of whatever chaos or lack of preparation there is in life. OK. 12-15 years ago I took some time off work to do some sadhana. I had no incarnated Guru at the time. My task was, to find out, "what is the one thing in common to all the ways?" I desired something very specific, something I could practice, something I could DO. Prior to the time off, I read everything I could find in English on Advaita, Buddhism, writings of various saints and sages, etc. The conclusion was, to transcend the mind by "stopping" the mind. This was in common to all ways that were esoteric and inclined to realization and freedom from ego as the goal. One sadhu in particular was very aggressive on this topic, and would practice for long hours simply making this effort quite directly. He also studied Ramana. At any rate, his method seemed the most direct. My only worry was, he did indicate a Guru must be present at the moment of transition as the ego-mind "dies" and awareness re-centers in the heart. I decided to proceed anyway. So this I did making as much effort as I was capable of. I found indeed, like Ramana said, there is a phase in which one must become "airborne" or take off like a rocket. You must fight to acquire enough lift-off to begin to transcend the normal egoic state. At a certain point, the "guru" takes over. So, I found with consistent effort, there were moments with an abrupt shift, and then there was a beingness that moved me, moved my head, moved my eyes, everything. This same beingness moved the cars and the clouds. Sometimes the change was very abrupt, and it was accompanied by a fast falling sensation. One day I was working very hard in this direction, meditating in our back room. Suddenly I was "in" a very intense environment, as if I had stuck my head into a burning oven. This, and the movements of mind down into the heart, made me realize, or think ... that there is a physical danger here, maybe I would not survive this transition. The swami said it was a very real possibility. I could "see" how the network that is our normal experiencing was capable of collapse. During this process there was a lot of bliss and awareness as well, as a matter of course, contemplation on I Am That, etc. The question is ... Swamiji! Is this a path to take? Is our goal transcendence of mind? What is the fastest way? What do you make of all this? Svahaa Swamiji! Thank you for any thoughts you can share on this! I hope is all makes some sense and is useful to someone! Steve C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2004 Report Share Posted July 21, 2004 If you read Jay Dayal's posts on Faith, Steve, you will witness a very different path. Ramakrishna said that the best path for the Kali Yuga was devotion. In your entire post, it seems like you are trying to attain some "state". In my life, devotion, faith and surrender are the way. In my first Chandi homa, Swamiji asked me to tell Mother what I wanted for my boon. My spontaneous answer was "I want to be as You want me to be." Nothing more and nothing less. That is my goal. I am not capable of envisioning what She wants for me. Only She knows. Jai Maa! Jai Durge! I surrender to Your Will. Steve Connor <sconnor Jul 21, 2004 5:32 AM Question for Swamiji re: Ultimate Goal <html><body> <tt> Hi all and Swamiji,<BR> <BR> Here is a question for Swamiji. It is something I have been thinking <BR> about for a while, how to ask. As so often is the case, the time <BR> comes up and there is that feeling, 'do it now' in the midst of <BR> whatever chaos or lack of preparation there is in life. OK.<BR> <BR> 12-15 years ago I took some time off work to do some sadhana. I had <BR> no incarnated Guru at the time. My task was, to find out, "what is <BR> the one thing in common to all the ways?" I desired something very <BR> specific, something I could practice, something I could DO.<BR> <BR> Prior to the time off, I read everything I could find in English on <BR> Advaita, Buddhism, writings of various saints and sages, etc.<BR> <BR> The conclusion was, to transcend the mind by "stopping" the mind. <BR> This was in common to all ways that were esoteric and inclined to <BR> realization and freedom from ego as the goal.<BR> <BR> One sadhu in particular was very aggressive on this topic, and would <BR> practice for long hours simply making this effort quite directly. He <BR> also studied Ramana. At any rate, his method seemed the most direct. <BR> My only worry was, he did indicate a Guru must be present at the <BR> moment of transition as the ego-mind "dies" and awareness re-centers <BR> in the heart. I decided to proceed anyway.<BR> <BR> So this I did making as much effort as I was capable of. I found <BR> indeed, like Ramana said, there is a phase in which one must <BR> become "airborne" or take off like a rocket. You must fight to <BR> acquire enough lift-off to begin to transcend the normal egoic <BR> state. At a certain point, the "guru" takes over.<BR> <BR> So, I found with consistent effort, there were moments with an <BR> abrupt shift, and then there was a beingness that moved me, moved my <BR> head, moved my eyes, everything. This same beingness moved the cars <BR> and the clouds.<BR> <BR> Sometimes the change was very abrupt, and it was accompanied by a <BR> fast falling sensation.<BR> <BR> One day I was working very hard in this direction, meditating in our <BR> back room. Suddenly I was "in" a very intense environment, as if I <BR> had stuck my head into a burning oven.<BR> <BR> This, and the movements of mind down into the heart, made me <BR> realize, or think ... that there is a physical danger here, maybe I <BR> would not survive this transition. The swami said it was a very real <BR> possibility. I could "see" how the network that is our normal <BR> experiencing was capable of collapse.<BR> <BR> During this process there was a lot of bliss and awareness as well, <BR> as a matter of course, contemplation on I Am That, etc.<BR> <BR> The question is ... Swamiji! Is this a path to take?<BR> <BR> Is our goal transcendence of mind?<BR> <BR> What is the fastest way?<BR> <BR> What do you make of all this?<BR> <BR> Svahaa Swamiji! Thank you for any thoughts you can share on this! I <BR> hope is all makes some sense and is useful to someone!<BR> <BR> Steve C.<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> </tt> <br> <!-- |**|begin egp html banner|**| --> <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2> <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC> <td align=center><font size="-1" color=#003399><b> Sponsor</b></font></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor=#FFFFFF> <td align=center width=470><table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0> <tr> <td align=center><font face=arial size=-2></font><br><a href="http://us.ard./SIG=1297jv4t2/M=295196.4901138.6071305.3001176/D=g\ roups/S=1705075991:HM/EXP=1090508769/A=2128215/R=0/SIG=10se96mf6/*http://compani\ on." alt=""><img src="http://us.a1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/a/ya/_companion/lrec_companion_04300\ 4.gif" alt="click here" width="300" height="250" border="0"></a></td></tr></table> </td> </tr> <tr><td><img alt="" width=1 height=1 src="http://us.adserver./l?M=295196.4901138.6071305.3001176/D=groups/S=\ :HM/A=2128215/rand=202175791"></td></tr> </table> <!-- |**|end egp html banner|**| --> <!-- |**|begin egp html banner|**| --> <br> <tt><hr width="500"> <b> Links</b><br> <ul> <li><br><a href="/">\ /</a><br> <li><br><a href="?subject=Un">Devi_M\ andir</a><br> <li><a href=""> Terms of Service</a>. </ul> </tt> </br> <!-- |**|end egp html banner|**| --> </body></html> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2004 Report Share Posted July 21, 2004 Dear Ardis/Steve/All, IMHO, we are all students and we all have different mental, intellectual and emotional make-ups . All we can do is share our understanding and provide a support structure and encouragement for our spiritual practices to grow . We realize that each person has their own path and only people much wiser than us - like Maa and Swamiji can actually advise based on each individual's requirement. Steve, I will forward your question to Swamiji. JAI MAAAAAAAAAAAAA Latha , Ardis Jackson <anandamama@e...> wrote: > If you read Jay Dayal's posts on Faith, Steve, you will witness a very different path. Ramakrishna said that the best path for the Kali Yuga was devotion. In your entire post, it seems like you are trying to attain some "state". In my life, devotion, faith and surrender are the way. In my first Chandi homa, Swamiji asked me to tell Mother what I wanted for my boon. My spontaneous answer was "I want to be as You want me to be." Nothing more and nothing less. That is my goal. I am not capable of envisioning what She wants for me. Only She knows. Jai Maa! Jai Durge! I surrender to Your Will. > > > Steve Connor <sconnor@a...> > Jul 21, 2004 5:32 AM > > Question for Swamiji re: Ultimate Goal > > <html><body> > > > <tt> > Hi all and Swamiji,<BR> > <BR> > Here is a question for Swamiji. It is something I have been thinking <BR> > about for a while, how to ask. As so often is the case, the time <BR> > comes up and there is that feeling, 'do it now' in the midst of <BR> > whatever chaos or lack of preparation there is in life. OK.<BR> > <BR> > 12-15 years ago I took some time off work to do some sadhana. I had <BR> > no incarnated Guru at the time. My task was, to find out, "what is <BR> > the one thing in common to all the ways?" I desired something very <BR> > specific, something I could practice, something I could DO.<BR> > <BR> > Prior to the time off, I read everything I could find in English on <BR> > Advaita, Buddhism, writings of various saints and sages, etc.<BR> > <BR> > The conclusion was, to transcend the mind by "stopping" the mind. <BR> > This was in common to all ways that were esoteric and inclined to <BR> > realization and freedom from ego as the goal.<BR> > <BR> > One sadhu in particular was very aggressive on this topic, and would <BR> > practice for long hours simply making this effort quite directly. He <BR> > also studied Ramana. At any rate, his method seemed the most direct. <BR> > My only worry was, he did indicate a Guru must be present at the <BR> > moment of transition as the ego-mind "dies" and awareness re- centers <BR> > in the heart. I decided to proceed anyway.<BR> > <BR> > So this I did making as much effort as I was capable of. I found <BR> > indeed, like Ramana said, there is a phase in which one must <BR> > become "airborne" or take off like a rocket. You must fight to <BR> > acquire enough lift-off to begin to transcend the normal egoic <BR> > state. At a certain point, the "guru" takes over.<BR> > <BR> > So, I found with consistent effort, there were moments with an <BR> > abrupt shift, and then there was a beingness that moved me, moved my <BR> > head, moved my eyes, everything. This same beingness moved the cars <BR> > and the clouds.<BR> > <BR> > Sometimes the change was very abrupt, and it was accompanied by a <BR> > fast falling sensation.<BR> > <BR> > One day I was working very hard in this direction, meditating in our <BR> > back room. Suddenly I was "in" a very intense environment, as if I <BR> > had stuck my head into a burning oven.<BR> > <BR> > This, and the movements of mind down into the heart, made me <BR> > realize, or think ... that there is a physical danger here, maybe I <BR> > would not survive this transition. The swami said it was a very real <BR> > possibility. I could "see" how the network that is our normal <BR> > experiencing was capable of collapse.<BR> > <BR> > During this process there was a lot of bliss and awareness as well, <BR> > as a matter of course, contemplation on I Am That, etc.<BR> > <BR> > The question is ... Swamiji! Is this a path to take?<BR> > <BR> > Is our goal transcendence of mind?<BR> > <BR> > What is the fastest way?<BR> > <BR> > What do you make of all this?<BR> > <BR> > Svahaa Swamiji! Thank you for any thoughts you can share on this! I <BR> > hope is all makes some sense and is useful to someone!<BR> > <BR> > Steve C.<BR> > <BR> > <BR> > <BR> > </tt> > > > <br> > > <!-- |**|begin egp html banner|**| --> > > <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2> > <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC> > <td align=center><font size="-1" color=#003399><b> Sponsor</b></font></td> > </tr> > <tr bgcolor=#FFFFFF> > <td align=center width=470><table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0> <tr> <td align=center><font face=arial size=- 2></font><br><a href="http://us.ard./SIG=1297jv4t2/M=295196.4901138.6071305. 3001176/D=groups/S=1705075991:HM/EXP=1090508769/A=2128215/R=0/SIG=10s e96mf6/*http://companion." alt=""><img src="http://us.a1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/a/ya/_companion/lrec_comp anion_043004.gif" alt="click here" width="300" height="250" border="0"></a></td></tr></table> </td> > </tr> > <tr><td><img alt="" width=1 height=1 src="http://us.adserver./l? M=295196.4901138.6071305.3001176/D=groups/S=:HM/A=2128215/rand=202175 791"></td></tr> > </table> > > <!-- |**|end egp html banner|**| --> > > > > <!-- |**|begin egp html banner|**| --> > > <br> > <tt><hr width="500"> > <b> Links</b><br> > <ul> > <li><br><a href="/">http://groups. ..com/</a><br> > <li><br><a href="? subject=Un"></a><br> > <li><a href=""> Terms of Service</a>. > </ul> > </tt> > </br> > > <!-- |**|end egp html banner|**| --> > > > </body></html> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2004 Report Share Posted July 21, 2004 thanks ardis ... yes these sure are different paths ... i wonder though, about the overlap ... steve , Ardis Jackson <anandamama@e...> wrote: > If you read Jay Dayal's posts on Faith, Steve, you will witness a very different path. Ramakrishna said that the best path for the Kali Yuga was devotion. In your entire post, it seems like you are trying to attain some "state". In my life, devotion, faith and surrender are the way. In my first Chandi homa, Swamiji asked me to tell Mother what I wanted for my boon. My spontaneous answer was "I want to be as You want me to be." Nothing more and nothing less. That is my goal. I am not capable of envisioning what She wants for me. Only She knows. Jai Maa! Jai Durge! I surrender to Your Will. > > > Steve Connor <sconnor@a...> > Jul 21, 2004 5:32 AM > > Question for Swamiji re: Ultimate Goal > > <html><body> > > > <tt> > Hi all and Swamiji,<BR> > <BR> > Here is a question for Swamiji. It is something I have been thinking <BR> > about for a while, how to ask. As so often is the case, the time <BR> > comes up and there is that feeling, 'do it now' in the midst of <BR> > whatever chaos or lack of preparation there is in life. OK.<BR> > <BR> > 12-15 years ago I took some time off work to do some sadhana. I had <BR> > no incarnated Guru at the time. My task was, to find out, "what is <BR> > the one thing in common to all the ways?" I desired something very <BR> > specific, something I could practice, something I could DO.<BR> > <BR> > Prior to the time off, I read everything I could find in English on <BR> > Advaita, Buddhism, writings of various saints and sages, etc.<BR> > <BR> > The conclusion was, to transcend the mind by "stopping" the mind. <BR> > This was in common to all ways that were esoteric and inclined to <BR> > realization and freedom from ego as the goal.<BR> > <BR> > One sadhu in particular was very aggressive on this topic, and would <BR> > practice for long hours simply making this effort quite directly. He <BR> > also studied Ramana. At any rate, his method seemed the most direct. <BR> > My only worry was, he did indicate a Guru must be present at the <BR> > moment of transition as the ego-mind "dies" and awareness re- centers <BR> > in the heart. I decided to proceed anyway.<BR> > <BR> > So this I did making as much effort as I was capable of. I found <BR> > indeed, like Ramana said, there is a phase in which one must <BR> > become "airborne" or take off like a rocket. You must fight to <BR> > acquire enough lift-off to begin to transcend the normal egoic <BR> > state. At a certain point, the "guru" takes over.<BR> > <BR> > So, I found with consistent effort, there were moments with an <BR> > abrupt shift, and then there was a beingness that moved me, moved my <BR> > head, moved my eyes, everything. This same beingness moved the cars <BR> > and the clouds.<BR> > <BR> > Sometimes the change was very abrupt, and it was accompanied by a <BR> > fast falling sensation.<BR> > <BR> > One day I was working very hard in this direction, meditating in our <BR> > back room. Suddenly I was "in" a very intense environment, as if I <BR> > had stuck my head into a burning oven.<BR> > <BR> > This, and the movements of mind down into the heart, made me <BR> > realize, or think ... that there is a physical danger here, maybe I <BR> > would not survive this transition. The swami said it was a very real <BR> > possibility. I could "see" how the network that is our normal <BR> > experiencing was capable of collapse.<BR> > <BR> > During this process there was a lot of bliss and awareness as well, <BR> > as a matter of course, contemplation on I Am That, etc.<BR> > <BR> > The question is ... Swamiji! Is this a path to take?<BR> > <BR> > Is our goal transcendence of mind?<BR> > <BR> > What is the fastest way?<BR> > <BR> > What do you make of all this?<BR> > <BR> > Svahaa Swamiji! Thank you for any thoughts you can share on this! I <BR> > hope is all makes some sense and is useful to someone!<BR> > <BR> > Steve C.<BR> > <BR> > <BR> > <BR> > </tt> > > > <br> > > <!-- |**|begin egp html banner|**| --> > > <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2> > <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC> > <td align=center><font size="-1" color=#003399><b> Sponsor</b></font></td> > </tr> > <tr bgcolor=#FFFFFF> > <td align=center width=470><table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0> <tr> <td align=center><font face=arial size=- 2></font><br><a href="http://us.ard./SIG=1297jv4t2/M=295196.4901138.6071305.3 001176/D=groups/S=1705075991:HM/EXP=1090508769/A=2128215/R=0/SIG=10se9 6mf6/*http://companion." alt=""><img src="http://us.a1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/a/ya/_companion/lrec_compa nion_043004.gif" alt="click here" width="300" height="250" border="0"></a></td></tr></table> </td> > </tr> > <tr><td><img alt="" width=1 height=1 src="http://us.adserver./l? M=295196.4901138.6071305.3001176/D=groups/S=:HM/A=2128215/rand=2021757 91"></td></tr> > </table> > > <!-- |**|end egp html banner|**| --> > > > > <!-- |**|begin egp html banner|**| --> > > <br> > <tt><hr width="500"> > <b> Links</b><br> > <ul> > <li><br><a href="/">http://groups.. com/</a><br> > <li><br><a href="? subject=Un">-@ groups.com</a><br> > <li><a href=""> Terms of Service</a>. > </ul> > </tt> > </br> > > <!-- |**|end egp html banner|**| --> > > > </body></html> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2004 Report Share Posted July 21, 2004 Yes, Steve, It is only natural to want to understand your previous practices and experiences within the context of your present situation. Also there is the question, "Am I making any progress?" If you have a synthetic turn of mind, as I do, you constantly search for the connections between different ideas or systems in an effort to enrich them both. None of these paths are completely exclusive, they cannot possibly be, but too, there is a limit to how far words and concepts can take us. I often think about asking the same kind of question, myself. Chris , "Steve Connor" <sconnor@a...> wrote: > thanks ardis ... yes these sure are different paths ... i wonder > though, about the overlap ... > > steve > > > , Ardis Jackson <anandamama@e...> > wrote: > > If you read Jay Dayal's posts on Faith, Steve, you will witness a > very different path. Ramakrishna said that the best path for the > Kali Yuga was devotion. In your entire post, it seems like you are > trying to attain some "state". In my life, devotion, faith and > surrender are the way. In my first Chandi homa, Swamiji asked me to > tell Mother what I wanted for my boon. My spontaneous answer was "I > want to be as You want me to be." Nothing more and nothing less. > That is my goal. I am not capable of envisioning what She wants for > me. Only She knows. Jai Maa! Jai Durge! I surrender to Your Will. > > > > > > Steve Connor <sconnor@a...> > > Jul 21, 2004 5:32 AM > > > > Question for Swamiji re: Ultimate Goal > > > > <html><body> > > > > > > <tt> > > Hi all and Swamiji,<BR> > > <BR> > > Here is a question for Swamiji. It is something I have been > thinking <BR> > > about for a while, how to ask. As so often is the case, the time > <BR> > > comes up and there is that feeling, 'do it now' in the midst of <BR> > > whatever chaos or lack of preparation there is in life. OK.<BR> > > <BR> > > 12-15 years ago I took some time off work to do some sadhana. I had > <BR> > > no incarnated Guru at the time. My task was, to find out, "what is > <BR> > > the one thing in common to all the ways?" I desired something very > <BR> > > specific, something I could practice, something I could DO.<BR> > > <BR> > > Prior to the time off, I read everything I could find in English on > <BR> > > Advaita, Buddhism, writings of various saints and sages, etc.<BR> > > <BR> > > The conclusion was, to transcend the mind by "stopping" the mind. > <BR> > > This was in common to all ways that were esoteric and inclined to > <BR> > > realization and freedom from ego as the goal.<BR> > > <BR> > > One sadhu in particular was very aggressive on this topic, and > would <BR> > > practice for long hours simply making this effort quite directly. > He <BR> > > also studied Ramana. At any rate, his method seemed the most > direct. <BR> > > My only worry was, he did indicate a Guru must be present at the > <BR> > > moment of transition as the ego-mind "dies" and awareness re- > centers <BR> > > in the heart. I decided to proceed anyway.<BR> > > <BR> > > So this I did making as much effort as I was capable of. I found > <BR> > > indeed, like Ramana said, there is a phase in which one must <BR> > > become "airborne" or take off like a rocket. You must fight to <BR> > > acquire enough lift-off to begin to transcend the normal egoic <BR> > > state. At a certain point, the "guru" takes over.<BR> > > <BR> > > So, I found with consistent effort, there were moments with an <BR> > > abrupt shift, and then there was a beingness that moved me, moved > my <BR> > > head, moved my eyes, everything. This same beingness moved the cars > <BR> > > and the clouds.<BR> > > <BR> > > Sometimes the change was very abrupt, and it was accompanied by a > <BR> > > fast falling sensation.<BR> > > <BR> > > One day I was working very hard in this direction, meditating in > our <BR> > > back room. Suddenly I was "in" a very intense environment, as if I > <BR> > > had stuck my head into a burning oven.<BR> > > <BR> > > This, and the movements of mind down into the heart, made me <BR> > > realize, or think ... that there is a physical danger here, maybe I > <BR> > > would not survive this transition. The swami said it was a very > real <BR> > > possibility. I could "see" how the network that is our normal <BR> > > experiencing was capable of collapse.<BR> > > <BR> > > During this process there was a lot of bliss and awareness as well, > <BR> > > as a matter of course, contemplation on I Am That, etc.<BR> > > <BR> > > The question is ... Swamiji! Is this a path to take?<BR> > > <BR> > > Is our goal transcendence of mind?<BR> > > <BR> > > What is the fastest way?<BR> > > <BR> > > What do you make of all this?<BR> > > <BR> > > Svahaa Swamiji! Thank you for any thoughts you can share on this! I > <BR> > > hope is all makes some sense and is useful to someone!<BR> > > <BR> > > Steve C.<BR> > > <BR> > > <BR> > > <BR> > > </tt> > > > > > > <br> > > > > <!-- |**|begin egp html banner|**| --> > > > > <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2> > > <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC> > > <td align=center><font size="-1" color=#003399><b> > Sponsor</b></font></td> > > </tr> > > <tr bgcolor=#FFFFFF> > > <td align=center width=470><table border=0 cellpadding=0 > cellspacing=0> <tr> <td align=center><font face=arial size=- > 2></font><br><a > href="http://us.ard./SIG=1297jv4t2/M=295196.4901138.6071305.3 > 001176/D=groups/S=1705075991:HM/EXP=1090508769/A=2128215/R=0/SIG=10se9 > 6mf6/*http://companion." alt=""><img > src="http://us.a1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/a/ya/_companion/lrec_compa > nion_043004.gif" alt="click here" width="300" height="250" > border="0"></a></td></tr></table> </td> > > </tr> > > <tr><td><img alt="" width=1 height=1 > src="http://us.adserver./l? > M=295196.4901138.6071305.3001176/D=groups/S=:HM/A=2128215/rand=2021757 > 91"></td></tr> > > </table> > > > > <!-- |**|end egp html banner|**| --> > > > > > > > > <!-- |**|begin egp html banner|**| --> > > > > <br> > > <tt><hr width="500"> > > <b> Links</b><br> > > <ul> > > <li><br><a > href="/">http://groups.. > com/</a><br> > > <li><br><a > href="? > subject=Un">-@ > groups.com</a><br> > > <li><a > href=""> Terms of Service</a>. > > </ul> > > </tt> > > </br> > > > > <!-- |**|end egp html banner|**| --> > > > > > > </body></html> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2004 Report Share Posted July 21, 2004 I remember one time at the Devi Mandir, someone was discussing the advantage of jnani versus bhakti. (Inquiry/wisdom versus devotion). I found myself wrapping my first two fingers of my left hand around each other and saying "they are inextricably joined". "Chris Kirner" <chriskirner1956 > Service</a>. > > </ul> > > </tt> > > </br> > > > > <!-- |**|end egp html banner|**| --> > > > > > > </body></html> Sponsor / <?subject=Un> Terms of Service <> . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2004 Report Share Posted July 21, 2004 yes, they can hardly be said to be in conflict. it appears really, that in jnani, bhakti appears, and the reverse is also true. s > Service</a>. > > > </ul> > > > </tt> > > > </br> > > > > > > <!-- |**|end egp html banner|**| --> > > > > > > > > > </body></html> > > > > Sponsor > > > > > Links > > / > > > > <? subject=Un> > > Terms of Service > <> . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2004 Report Share Posted July 22, 2004 Dear Ardis JAI DURGE! I read your mail below......what do you find different in my path in my posting on Faith? Is that of devotion? JAI DURGE! JAY. Ardis Jackson [anandamama] Thursday, July 22, 2004 4:26 AM Re: Question for Swamiji re: Ultimate Goal If you read Jay Dayal's posts on Faith, Steve, you will witness a very different path. Ramakrishna said that the best path for the Kali Yuga was devotion. In your entire post, it seems like you are trying to attain some "state". In my life, devotion, faith and surrender are the way. In my first Chandi homa, Swamiji asked me to tell Mother what I wanted for my boon. My spontaneous answer was "I want to be as You want me to be." Nothing more and nothing less. That is my goal. I am not capable of envisioning what She wants for me. Only She knows. Jai Maa! Jai Durge! I surrender to Your Will. Steve Connor <sconnor Jul 21, 2004 5:32 AM Question for Swamiji re: Ultimate Goal <html><body> <tt> Hi all and Swamiji,<BR> <BR> Here is a question for Swamiji. It is something I have been thinking <BR> about for a while, how to ask. As so often is the case, the time <BR> comes up and there is that feeling, 'do it now' in the midst of <BR> whatever chaos or lack of preparation there is in life. OK.<BR> <BR> 12-15 years ago I took some time off work to do some sadhana. I had <BR> no incarnated Guru at the time. My task was, to find out, "what is <BR> the one thing in common to all the ways?" I desired something very <BR> specific, something I could practice, something I could DO.<BR> <BR> Prior to the time off, I read everything I could find in English on <BR> Advaita, Buddhism, writings of various saints and sages, etc.<BR> <BR> The conclusion was, to transcend the mind by "stopping" the mind. <BR> This was in common to all ways that were esoteric and inclined to <BR> realization and freedom from ego as the goal.<BR> <BR> One sadhu in particular was very aggressive on this topic, and would <BR> practice for long hours simply making this effort quite directly. He <BR> also studied Ramana. At any rate, his method seemed the most direct. <BR> My only worry was, he did indicate a Guru must be present at the <BR> moment of transition as the ego-mind "dies" and awareness re-centers <BR> in the heart. I decided to proceed anyway.<BR> <BR> So this I did making as much effort as I was capable of. I found <BR> indeed, like Ramana said, there is a phase in which one must <BR> become "airborne" or take off like a rocket. You must fight to <BR> acquire enough lift-off to begin to transcend the normal egoic <BR> state. At a certain point, the "guru" takes over.<BR> <BR> So, I found with consistent effort, there were moments with an <BR> abrupt shift, and then there was a beingness that moved me, moved my <BR> head, moved my eyes, everything. This same beingness moved the cars <BR> and the clouds.<BR> <BR> Sometimes the change was very abrupt, and it was accompanied by a <BR> fast falling sensation.<BR> <BR> One day I was working very hard in this direction, meditating in our <BR> back room. Suddenly I was "in" a very intense environment, as if I <BR> had stuck my head into a burning oven.<BR> <BR> This, and the movements of mind down into the heart, made me <BR> realize, or think ... that there is a physical danger here, maybe I <BR> would not survive this transition. The swami said it was a very real <BR> possibility. I could "see" how the network that is our normal <BR> experiencing was capable of collapse.<BR> <BR> During this process there was a lot of bliss and awareness as well, <BR> as a matter of course, contemplation on I Am That, etc.<BR> <BR> The question is ... Swamiji! Is this a path to take?<BR> <BR> Is our goal transcendence of mind?<BR> <BR> What is the fastest way?<BR> <BR> What do you make of all this?<BR> <BR> Svahaa Swamiji! Thank you for any thoughts you can share on this! I <BR> hope is all makes some sense and is useful to someone!<BR> <BR> Steve C.<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> </tt> <br> <!-- |**|begin egp html banner|**| --> <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2> <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC> <td align=center><font size="-1" color=#003399><b> Sponsor</b></font></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor=#FFFFFF> <td align=center width=470><table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0> <tr> <td align=center><font face=arial size=-2></font><br><a href="http://us.ard./SIG=1297jv4t2/M=295196.4901138.6071305.300 1176/D=groups/S=1705075991:HM/EXP=1090508769/A=2128215/R=0/SIG=10se96mf6 /*http://companion." alt=""><img src="http://us.a1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/a/ya/_companion/lrec_compani on_043004.gif" alt="click here" width="300" height="250" border="0"></a></td></tr></table> </td> </tr> <tr><td><img alt="" width=1 height=1 src="http://us.adserver./l?M=295196.4901138.6071305.3001176/D=g roups/S=:HM/A=2128215/rand=202175791"></td></tr> </table> <!-- |**|end egp html banner|**| --> <!-- |**|begin egp html banner|**| --> <br> <tt><hr width="500"> <b> Links</b><br> <ul> <li><br><a href="/">http://groups..co m/</a><br> <li><br><a href="?subject=Un "></a><br> <li><a href=""> Terms of Service</a>. </ul> </tt> </br> <!-- |**|end egp html banner|**| --> </body></html> Links Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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