Guest guest Posted August 1, 2004 Report Share Posted August 1, 2004 Jai Maa !!!! Purification in all its aspects - Inner and outer, mental and physical ... it is also one of the five steps in a Puja. Please share your inspiration on this topic - any verses, stories, thoughts , experiences that you feel motivated to say so that the others too could benefit. Jai Maa Latha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 1, 2004 Report Share Posted August 1, 2004 how strange i was thinking about this very word today. i guess i had "impure thoughts" like jimmy carter, hoho. is purity some sort of judgement? i hope so, or i would not be that interested. purity ... is the lack of ... mud ... clutter ... confusion ... etc. seeing ... clearly ... living ... fully. when there is confusion, pain, all that division, then purities appear to arise, but no doubt, there were latent or actually already present. always seem to be a step late on becoming aware of them. taking a more positive approach ... purity is ... an action ... an enactment of the divinity ... contemplation and caring. visualize shree maa tending to the temple. she is wiping some ishta statuette with a red, yellow, or orange cloth. it shines. she shines. this is purity in action. om om om om om!!!!! steve , "Latha Nanda" <lathananda> wrote: > Jai Maa !!!! > > Purification in all its aspects - Inner and outer, mental and > physical ... it is also one of the five steps in a Puja. > > Please share your inspiration on this topic - any verses, stories, > thoughts , experiences that you feel motivated to say so that the > others too could benefit. > > Jai Maa > Latha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 1, 2004 Report Share Posted August 1, 2004 Latha: thank you for the topic, and for Shivananda's barometer. Speaking personally, I need as many reality checks as I can get. In my experience, love for God is the most purifying thing there is. The greater the love, the more purification takes place. Here's a quote that's more about purity than purification, but should nonetheless be suggestive: "The vocabulary of an omniscient man would embrace words and images excluded from polite conversation. What would be base, or even obscene, to the obscene, becomes illustrious, spoken in a new connexion of thought." Ralph Waldo Emerson, "The Poet" Jai Ma!!! Kalibhakta , "Latha Nanda" <lathananda> wrote: > Jai Maa !!!! > > Purification in all its aspects - Inner and outer, mental and > physical ... it is also one of the five steps in a Puja. > > Please share your inspiration on this topic - any verses, stories, > thoughts , experiences that you feel motivated to say so that the > others too could benefit. > > Jai Maa > Latha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 1, 2004 Report Share Posted August 1, 2004 There is only one type of purification that is needed: purification of mind. If your mind is pure and surrendered all else associated with your self will be pure. Purity does not mean pure thoughts. It is nearly impossible to have pure thoughts all the time. Even the King in the Chandi found himself having bad thoughts and feelings about what his family had done to him, although it was mostly concern for their well being. His name is, "Good Thoughts," and yet he still had bad thoughts and feelings. I believe purity is an attitude, and purification is the process of deciding to have a pure attitude. And the way to overcome self aggrandizement and self deprecation (twins of opposite extreme) is to accept that we often feel, think or act impurely. We don't intend to do so but we do because of past impressions. That is our fault, but it is not something we could do anything about because we simply weren't conscious enough in the moment to prevent the feelings. So when we feel badly about a mistake in thought, feeling or action, we mustn't allow ourselves to feel badly about who we are. We aren't the mistake, the feeling or the thought, we are much more than that, we are beyond that. Self deprecation is a reaction to a reaction meant to further the vicious cycle of self abuse that human kind has been perpetuating for tens of thousands of year. Who started it? Who knows, but its that demon and his twin that keep us from realizing who we truly are. Maa incarnate. It isn't pure to harm ourselves and others, but it is pure to wish to stop and its very pure to slap self deprecation in the face by accepting our foibles and loving ourselves anyway. Its also a slap to self aggrandizement's face to admit mistakes, allow the reality of the mistake to manifest and accept the consequences for the mistake whole and open heartedly. Once we love ourselves anyway with full acceptance of the consequences, those two brothers, self deprecation and self aggrandizement have no power and Vishnu will cut their heads off with the discuss of revolving time. These bodies that we wear are the summation of millions of years of human existence. They are perfect for the task that Goddess has given them. To test us, to test consciousness and to allow us to experience the discuss of revolving time first hand until we too unite with oneness. To think of them as imperfect is not only unnecessary, it is inaccurate. The mind is -- by definition -- imperfect, otherwise it wouldn't exist. It too is a tool for divinity and is perfect in its imperfection because it is perfectly suited to teach us who we aren't. It is our inner desire to find ourselves that drives our mind to madness and enables us to break free from mind identity. So my suggestion for purification is not to purify your self. YOUR SELF IS ALREADY PERFECT. Instead purify your attitude that you may express your pure self into reality. Thanks for asking the question Latha. Love, Brian At 10:24 PM 7/31/2004, you wrote: >Jai Maa !!!! > >Purification in all its aspects - Inner and outer, mental and >physical ... it is also one of the five steps in a Puja. > >Please share your inspiration on this topic - any verses, stories, >thoughts , experiences that you feel motivated to say so that the >others too could benefit. > >Jai Maa >Latha > Links > > > > > > > >--- >Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). >Version: 6.0.732 / Virus Database: 486 - Release 7/29/2004 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.732 / Virus Database: 486 - Release 7/29/2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 Dear Brian, I read your post on purification of the mind with great interest. Here is what Swami Vivekananda had to say , in a similar vein ,... "Impurity is a mere superimposition under which your real nature has become hidden. But the real you is already perfect, already strong." That quote is said from a non-dualistic or Vedantic standpoint . But for the benefit of those mired in duality , here is what the same Swamiji to say on internal purification in his book Raja Yoga. "...Purification of the mind BY TRUTH, and by all the other virtues, is what is called internal purification...." and I remember reading elsewhere that we wash the impurities of the mind with the soap of Truth (wish I could remember the exact context). The greatest truths are so simple .... Jai Maa Latha PS:- I just realized you were a Vedantin :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 Vivekananda is powerful. As for me being Vedantic. I can see things from all perspectives, its a limitation sometimes, an advantage other times. I'm only Vedantic when it suits me. Vivekananda's quote reminded me of yet another perspective. We see ourselves as impure only because our minds label us as such. It is the mind's mis-interpretation of maya, judgement of our external conditions, and identification with those same conditions that makes us believe we are impure. In reality, as Swamiji said a few weeks ago, the consciousness is all the same, inside us and outside us there is no difference. The only difference is our perception of a container. The container gives us boundaries and ownership, and if the container is flawed then we feel like we are flawed. In reality, the consciousness in the container is perfect and pure and the container is not real. It is a projected reality in the universal video game we call, "The Universe." I've felt less than pure for several years now, because of my juvenile diabetes. I felt my body is imperfect and flawed due to the disease. But recently I've realized that the disease and the body that contains it is perfect for me, for the lessons, the experiences and the tests that Maha Maya wishes to give me. Who am I to say that juvenile diabetes is wrong, bad, or impure? Obviously Maa does not agree because she gave me the disease and through that made me who she wanted me to be. In the end, "diabetic" is just another stepping stone on my path to realization. Just like "divorcee,emotional hostage,nerd," "Husband," "father," and any of a thousand other identities I've worn. None of that is me. It still begs the question, "who am I?" And as Nandu said, "Just keep asking yourself that." So I do... Love, Brian At 11:22 PM 8/1/2004, you wrote: >Dear Brian, > >I read your post on purification of the mind with great interest. > >Here is what Swami Vivekananda had to say , in a similar vein ,... > >"Impurity is a mere superimposition under which your real nature has >become hidden. But the real you is already perfect, already strong." > >That quote is said from a non-dualistic or Vedantic standpoint . > >But for the benefit of those mired in duality , here is what the same >Swamiji to say on internal purification in his book Raja Yoga. > >"...Purification of the mind BY TRUTH, and by all the other virtues, >is what is called internal purification...." > >and I remember reading elsewhere that we wash the impurities of the >mind with the soap of Truth (wish I could remember the exact >context). > >The greatest truths are so simple .... > >Jai Maa >Latha > >PS:- I just realized you were a Vedantin :-) > Links > > > > > > > >--- >Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). >Version: 6.0.732 / Virus Database: 486 - Release 7/29/2004 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.732 / Virus Database: 486 - Release 7/29/2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 I thank you very much . Your post is wonderfull!! "purify your attitude that you may express your pure self into reality." Oh Mother please, remember us this, today and every day. Thanks Brian With love Kalachandra Brian McKee <brian (AT) soulspark (DOT) org> wrote: There is only one type of purification that is needed: purification of mind. If your mind is pure and surrendered all else associated with your self will be pure.Purity does not mean pure thoughts. It is nearly impossible to have pure thoughts all the time. Even the King in the Chandi found himself having bad thoughts and feelings about what his family had done to him, although it was mostly concern for their well being. His name is, "Good Thoughts," and yet he still had bad thoughts and feelings.I believe purity is an attitude, and purification is the process of deciding to have a pure attitude.And the way to overcome self aggrandizement and self deprecation (twins of opposite extreme) is to accept that we often feel, think or act impurely. We don't intend to do so but we do because of past impressions. That is our fault, but it is not something we could do anything about because we simply weren't conscious enough in the moment to prevent the feelings. So when we feel badly about a mistake in thought, feeling or action, we mustn't allow ourselves to feel badly about who we are. We aren't the mistake, the feeling or the thought, we are much more than that, we are beyond that. Self deprecation is a reaction to a reaction meant to further the vicious cycle of self abuse that human kind has been perpetuating for tens of thousands of year. Who started it? Who knows, but its that demon and his twin that keep us from realizing who we truly are. Maa incarnate.It isn't pure to harm ourselves and others, but it is pure to wish to stop and its very pure to slap self deprecation in the face by accepting our foibles and loving ourselves anyway. Its also a slap to self aggrandizement's face to admit mistakes, allow the reality of the mistake to manifest and accept the consequences for the mistake whole and open heartedly. Once we love ourselves anyway with full acceptance of the consequences, those two brothers, self deprecation and self aggrandizement have no power and Vishnu will cut their heads off with the discuss of revolving time.These bodies that we wear are the summation of millions of years of human existence. They are perfect for the task that Goddess has given them. To test us, to test consciousness and to allow us to experience the discuss of revolving time first hand until we too unite with oneness. To think of them as imperfect is not only unnecessary, it is inaccurate.The mind is -- by definition -- imperfect, otherwise it wouldn't exist. It too is a tool for divinity and is perfect in its imperfection because it is perfectly suited to teach us who we aren't. It is our inner desire to find ourselves that drives our mind to madness and enables us to break free from mind identity.So my suggestion for purification is not to purify your self. YOUR SELF IS ALREADY PERFECT. Instead purify your attitude that you may express your pure self into reality.Thanks for asking the question Latha.Love,BrianAt 10:24 PM 7/31/2004, you wrote:>Jai Maa !!!!>>Purification in all its aspects - Inner and outer, mental and>physical ... it is also one of the five steps in a Puja.>>Please share your inspiration on this topic - any verses, stories,>thoughts , experiences that you feel motivated to say so that the>others too could benefit.>>Jai Maa>Latha>>>>>>>> Groups Links>>>>>>>>--->Incoming mail is certified Virus Free.>Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).>Version: 6.0.732 / Virus Database: 486 - Release 7/29/2004---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.732 / Virus Database: 486 - Release 7/29/2004 Mail agora ainda melhor: 100MB, anti-spam e antivírus grátis! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 Namaste Lathaji, Thirukural has this sayings - in line with what u have written towards the end of ur message. " Puranthooimai neeran amayum, agamthooimai vaaimayaal kaanap padum." - thirukural 298. which means Water cleans off and keeps our body clean and tidy. Similarly VERACITY (truth) or (SAT) keeps our mind clean. OM TAT SAT. Jai Maa, aravind. --- Latha Nanda <lathananda wrote: > Dear Brian, > > I read your post on purification of the mind with > great interest. > > Here is what Swami Vivekananda had to say , in a > similar vein ,... > > "Impurity is a mere superimposition under which your > real nature has become hidden. But the real you is > already perfect, already strong." > > That quote is said from a non-dualistic or Vedantic > standpoint . > > But for the benefit of those mired in duality , here > is what the same Swamiji to say on internal > purification in his book Raja Yoga. > > "...Purification of the mind BY TRUTH, and by all > the other virtues, > is what is called internal purification...." > > and I remember reading elsewhere that we wash the > impurities of the > mind with the soap of Truth (wish I could remember > the exact > context). > > The greatest truths are so simple .... > > Jai Maa > Latha > > PS:- I just realized you were a Vedantin :-) > > > > ______________________ India Matrimony: Find your life partner online Go to: http://.shaadi.com/india-matrimony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 "Jum Sah, Jvalaya Jvalaya, Jvala, Jvala, Prajvala, Prajvala...Jvala, Ham, Sam, Lam, Phat, Svaha" (Pure Consciusness, Burning, blazing, shining, Begin to blaze forth, (and this)Illumination (is the) Divine In all manifested beings (to) the end of existence, without a doubt, I am One with God!!" (thank you Swamiji for this translation). When I first read this in Sanskrit and in translation, I felt I had found the key to everything I had been searching for since becoming "conscious" on this planet. It is the jeweled Sruti, buried in the Chandi Path (for me) and, in a way, it also describes what I have come to understand (as I can at this moment) the idea of purification and tapasya. When I first heard of tapasya, it seemed..."yes, you must do alot of seva, alot of practices and then there are the formal purification rites and, of course, I know, how my mind needs badly to be 'purified'". It seemed like an "outside/in" process. I would "do" things and then the "result" might be purification and the "process" is called "tapasya". The first hint I had that this may not be the best understanding was that I loved the practices so much. People around me would talk about how hard "tapasya" was but I felt differently about it. It seemed truly joyous . Later, I began to realize that I didn't really need to "do" anything except make the effort. The process of "purification" happens almost automatically when you sincerely make the effort to do sadhana. It's intrinsic to sadhana. You "automatically" find yourself not interested in watching things that are disturbing to the mind, instead of forcing yourself; you "automatically" find yourself eating a purer diet because your body can't tolerate the things you may have eaten in the past; you "automatically" find yourself reaching for a scripture in your spare time; you are "drawn to" the practices. You don't have to FORCE yourself to do these things; they become natural to you. So, lately, when I think of purification, I think that, as Brian suggested, we are,in truth, the Blazing Light shining forth in all beings! and purification is happening from the inside/out as a natural process of lifting the veils so that we will become more and more aware of this truth. I love the Siddha Kunjika Stotram because it affirm this so emphatically and so completely! It's so inspiring to chant it every morning and say the mantras with great confidence! best love, sadhvi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 OM NAMAH SHIVAYA In my opinion, purifucation would be working in communion with God to work out the deeds of the body. After one establishes the relationship with the Ishta Devata then purification can take place but then maybe is the other way around. Does it really matter to God if your purified or not? Purification can take place before or after, is all God's choice. OM NAMAH SHIVAYA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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