Guest guest Posted November 30, 2004 Report Share Posted November 30, 2004 Swamiji, Namaste. During the last tour retreat I attended, Mother said something about how we (she was speaking to the group, but I felt she was speaking to me) are too selfish in our sadhana. This idea has been buzzing around in my mind ever since, but I have not been able to come to a clear sense of what she meant, or how to do it. My thought at the time was, essentially that I was not qualified, not prepared, to serve yet. It seemed my highest duty was to prepare myself so that I could, eventually, serve God by serving the world. Yet her assertion remained. In essence, I felt, and still feel to some degree, that it is the nature of most sadhana that it is self-focused. It's goal is, after all, self-realization. This brings me to this business of "fruits." Fruits are at once concrete -- the paycheck at the end of the workweek, and an attitude: the paycheck doesn't disappear if you work only for God. So fruits are both material and subtle, and important enough that they are mentioned fairly often in scripture. But I do not understand, really, what the rules are. On a concrete level, if I give someone my paycheck, I will not have anything for myself. I'm not sure it is the same on a subtle level, but I have no real basis for reference. If it is the same, how do I give away the fruits of my practice without leaving myself in the muck? As you said to me recently, "I cannot advance without you," but on a purely practical level, you have... I mean, it is not a linear thing, is it? I am still neck deep in it, and you are at the surface basking in the warmth of the sun. I am assuming it is true that one can dedicate the fruits of one's sadhana to another, and they will receive them. Can you give me some guidance on this? I seems a good thing, but I wish to progress, myself, too. Could you also suggest how best to do it? I will appreciate any light you can shed on this subject for me. I am at your feet, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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