Digest Number 423

[Guest guest]

Dear Gina Sala,

 

Yiu wrote:

How do I know when I am just allowing feelings and when I am indulging

inthem?When is transcending "denial"?Obviously I could use some

clarity on this. The good news is, that often inpresence, the

question just vanishes.Is the answer just to keep going to presence

(witness).

It was Freud, I believe, who said religion is the opiate of the

masses. Poof on that, I say! For many people, including myself, it is

an illness, an uncomfortable situation, or some severe lacking in

their lives that turns their hearts inward. I don't think going to

God can ever be a mistake, whatever the reason. And, as you said,

once in the presence, the question vanishes. And make no mistake

about it, there is a definite "feeling" to being in the presence or

the witness state. It is impossible to describe, but people have used

words like bliss to define it. I believe that being in the witness

state helps balance and ground our everyday emotions, not to put them

in the denial drawer. None of us truly wants denial. We want

connection to that ONE and to connect to that ONE in each other and

all things. At least that is what I believe.

 

I have never heard Shree Maa or Swami talk about the witness state, so

perhaps I have missed out on it, but Ammachi speaks of it often, and

in one of Her books there is an entire chapter devoted to it. It is

not a nothingness, I think, but a detached, enlivened involvement. I

would like to share a song that came to me. I did not write it.

Spirit wrote it because I needed to hear it. That is often the way

the writing of my songs goes. But it speaks in metaphors, which is

all we humans really have, to describe, the presence of the One. Jai

Maa ~ Linda

 

Mind of the One

 

1.

What is in the Mind of the One?

It’s the Wind that lifts your sail

when the journey has begun.

It’s the Water that holds you safe

and carries you home,

and you never will come to any harm.

 

2.

What is in the Mind of the One?

It’s the Center

in the middle of the storm.

And even though your little boat

is tattered and worn,

you never will come to any harm.

 

First Chorus

You are held in the Mind of the One;

you are rocked in cradle of loving concern.

And all your nightmares will

vanish in the dawn;

they will vanish in the dawn.

 

3.

What is in the Mind of the One?

It’s the Shore that beckons;

it’s the Waves you sail upon.

It’s everything you’ve left behind and

all that calls you home,

and you never will come to any harm.

 

4.

What do you see when you’re sailing along?

Do you only see the darkness,

or the promise of the dawn?

You don’t know where you’re going,

so you cling to where you’ve gone,

but you never will come to any harm.

 

First Chorus

You are held in the Mind of the One;

you are rocked in cradle of loving concern.

And all your nightmares will

vanish in the dawn;

they will vanish in the dawn.

 

Second Chorus (optional)

Oh they will vanish

when the morning comes,

with the first golden rays of the Sun.

So lift your voice in joyful song,

you are held in the Mind of the One.

 

5.

What is in the Mind of the One?

It’s the Star the guides you

until the morning comes.

It’s the song your heart sings

That says you’re not alone,

and you never will come to any harm.

 

6.

What is in the Mind of the One?

It’s the Harbor you return to

when the journey is done.

And even when it’s ending, oh

it’s only just begun,

and you never will come to any harm.

 

Chorus

You are held in the Mind of the One;

you are rocked in cradle of loving concern.

And all your nightmares will

vanish in the dawn,

they will vanish in the dawn.

 

Oh, they’ll vanish in the dawn,

yes they will vanish in the dawn.

 

© Linda Talbott 1988(Rev. 6/2004)

[Guest guest]

Dear Latha,

 

You wrote:

The latest counts are in and here are the stats as of end of day Sunday

This relates to having one person each chant a chapter of the Chandi

this week, Yes? If so, I will do Chapter 5, so add me to the list. If

I am misunderstanding what is going on, please set me straight. Thanks

you dear moderator, organizer, and general all 'round enthusiaser

(yes, I know this isn't a real word). Jai Maa ~ Linda