Question for Swamiji -- Chandi Recitation

[Guest guest]

Swamiji,

 

This is not a new topic so please forgive the asking for a

review ...

 

If one is doing a number of recitations of a particular chapter, and

one is relatively new to the material, can you give any advice or

guidelines into:

 

The percentage of time in the beginning devoted to reading the

English for comprehension [for example, in the devyatharvasirsam];

 

The percentage of time listening or chanting with the CD for

pronunciation/shakti/insight.

 

Also, any thoughts on visualizing the Chandi Goddess or Durga within

one's heart, or as if before one, while reciting, as acknowleding

and activating, the feeling the recitation is for her?

 

The general thrust of the question: very few words [such as Om,

bramovaca]] do I have an immediate connection or grasp of in terms

of meaning. Others [like Shrim] emerge very slowly. Most is a

beautiful cluster of abstract sounds and syllables with a general

linked meaning. A person's devotional awareness seems to emerge

without a 'translation.' Is it best to let this grow at its own

pace. Can we stay out of intellectual/analytical mind and let this

unfold.

 

Is there anything we can take from your own experience learning; did

your Guru instruct you to recite without meaning, or desire that

you know all meaning [in terms of translation, not necessarily inner

meaning] at the start? Or was the process completely organic?

 

Thank you,

 

steve c.