Guest guest Posted February 16, 2005 Report Share Posted February 16, 2005 Dear Family (if I may state that) I am new to the site and the Mandir. I live in Michigan, and don't know where to start? Could someone offer me the basics on how to become Shree Maa's Disciple? Also Do we have a Type of Tilak that we wear? Any advice and guidence from those that are knowledgeable would be most welcome. Jai Maa, Jeffrey Harris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2005 Report Share Posted February 17, 2005 Hi Jeffrey, One of the first things taught to me by Swami Satyananda was about the root of the word disciple. It comes from the word discipline. And when I think on the word discipline, I think, "oh crap, did I do something wrong?" Because when I was a kid and I heard the word discipline I thought I was being punished. But disciple doesn't mean that. And now I don't believe discipline means that. Disciple means self discipline. And if you've ever put any thought to what self discipline really is, you know its not an easy thing. That's why it gets Maa's attention and why self discipline makes us good devotees. And devotee is also another interesting word. When we are devoted to something we in effect worship it. In this case we are worshiping Maa, worshiping God or if you prefer, Goddess. We are devoted to Goddess or to use yet another word we are devoted to consciousness. And that's what this path is all about, consciousness. Shree Maa is an incarnation of consciousness, a realized and aware, present and understanding embodiment of unity. She knows everything about each and every one of us. Think about that for a moment. She knows you inside and out, knows all your misdeeds, all your mistakes, all the trouble and strife you've faced and loves you completely and without condition. That also makes her the highest example of pure love that I can imagine. She knows everything. knows all our foibles. knows all our dreams and nightmares. And loves us totally, completely and without reservation. Imagine if we could love each other that way. Imagine what peace there would be. To be a disciple of Shree Maa, one only needs to be a disciple of truth. One does not need to be perfect, but one must have perfect intention. We may not be capable of being who we want to be, but we want to be who we believe she is and we can intend to be her, to follow her example, and strive to be that. We question our actions and our reactions. We desire a state of peace. We desire knowledge of truth. We desire understanding of self. We seek to project and feel Her love at all times. The path of a disciple is the path of self discipline and devotion to consciousness. A path to rise above the attributes of these minds, bodies, and souls, and to become beacons of Her presence, here in her playground of thought, feeling, and senses. My recommendation for anyone who considers himself novice is to start reading about Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda. And to read about Ramakrishna, and the dozens of other powerful masters who have set examples for us by the way they lived, loved, and brought joy and peace to those whose lives they touched. There are two basic paths to Maa, one path is the path of knowledge and the other path is the path of devotion. Personally I like dipping my big toe in each as often as possible. One foot on the shore, one in the waters of infinite knowledge. That way I can be here and be her. So the books about the saints is a good start for the path of knowledge. The path of devotion can be started right here and right now. Say a prayer to Goddess and ask with pure devotion, "Will you please teach me the truth about myself? I want to know: Who Am I?" If you find one path suits you better than the other, then devote yourself to that path and you will make it to your destination. Goddess bless you Jeffrey Harris wrote: > > > Dear Family (if I may state that) > > I am new to the site and the Mandir. I live in Michigan, and > don't know where to start? Could someone offer me the basics on how > to become Shree Maa's Disciple? Also Do we have a Type of Tilak that > we wear? Any advice and guidence from those that are knowledgeable > would be most welcome. > > Jai Maa, > > Jeffrey Harris > * Sponsor* > > > > ------ > * Links* > > * > / > > * > > <?subject=Un> > > * Terms of > Service <>. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2005 Report Share Posted February 17, 2005 In a message dated 2/17/05 7:24:38 A.M. Mountain Standard Time, brian (AT) soulspark (DOT) org writes: when I was a kid and I heard the word discipline I thought I was being punished Namaste Brian, Very thoughtful post. There are many words that carry a different meaning based on past experience. Control and self control, and the previously discussed surrender. Om Namah Sivaya Kanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2005 Report Share Posted February 17, 2005 Dear Jeffrey, Yes, of course this is a family - an online extension of Shree Maa and Swamiji, so you definitely may state that. Welcome to the family ! And feel free to ask any questions that you want ! Re being a disciple, here are two questions that have been asked of Swamiji and his responses. They are found in http://www.shreemaa.org/faq.htm ============================================================ 52. How important is Diksha in a spiritual practice? Definitely diksha is preferred in every spiritual practice. The Guru is the example of the way you want to worship, someone whose behavior you want to emulate, whose attitudes you want to reflect, whose being you want to become. Diksha is the solemnization, the confirmation, of that relationship. Without an image it is impossible to perform visualization. The activities of the guru become the image that we visualize. There is a lot that can be done to prepare for diksha. First comes siksha, then comes diksha. First, make yourself ready to become a disciple. Learn as much as you can about the example you wish to follow. What does he or she do to cultivate a relationship with God? Why do they do it? In what tradition is it being done? Who were their examples? Only through knowledge can we honestly devote ourselves to a path and a practice. Then we become a part of that tradition. Then we become authorized to practice in that tradition. Then we can actually become disciples. I recommend that you read the Guru Gita. It is in the book titled Shree Maa, the Guru and the Goddess. 53. Can I consider you and Shree Maa also my Gurus even though I have not met you and have any instruction from (not counting the online classes and your emails)? Yes, if we present a source of inspiration to you, if you feel motivated to follow the example of our discipline, if you are directed to study our teachings, we can be gurus to you without being in physical proximity to you. Obviously we have met, because I am personally answering your question. But we will want to meet physically when the opportunity presents itself, because that will enhance our relationship. I bow to the pure disciple ==================================== Hope this helps Jai Guru Nanda , "Jeffrey Harris" <jhrrs3485@h...> wrote: > > > Dear Family (if I may state that) > > I am new to the site and the Mandir. I live in Michigan, and > don't know where to start? Could someone offer me the basics on how > to become Shree Maa's Disciple? Also Do we have a Type of Tilak that > we wear? Any advice and guidence from those that are knowledgeable > would be most welcome. > > Jai Maa, > > Jeffrey Harris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2005 Report Share Posted February 17, 2005 Thank you, Brian, for this very thoughtful response. --- Brian McKee <brian wrote: > > Hi Jeffrey, > > One of the first things taught to me by Swami Satyananda was > about the > root of the word disciple. It comes from the word discipline. > And when I [snipped] ===== Be Love, Berijoy http://www.egyirba.net ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You never miss your water 'til your well runs dry. Give thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2005 Report Share Posted February 17, 2005 Thanks Brian. This is so beautiful and well written. How are Krista and Debi doing? Keep us posted. Love, Ardis on 2/16/05 11:42 PM, Brian McKee at brian (AT) soulspark (DOT) org wrote: Hi Jeffrey, One of the first things taught to me by Swami Satyananda was about the root of the word disciple. It comes from the word discipline. And when I think on the word discipline, I think, "oh crap, did I do something wrong?" Because when I was a kid and I heard the word discipline I thought I was being punished. But disciple doesn't mean that. And now I don't believe discipline means that. Disciple means self discipline. And if you've ever put any thought to what self discipline really is, you know its not an easy thing. That's why it gets Maa's attention and why self discipline makes us good devotees. And devotee is also another interesting word. When we are devoted to something we in effect worship it. In this case we are worshiping Maa, worshiping God or if you prefer, Goddess. We are devoted to Goddess or to use yet another word we are devoted to consciousness. And that's what this path is all about, consciousness. Shree Maa is an incarnation of consciousness, a realized and aware, present and understanding embodiment of unity. She knows everything about each and every one of us. Think about that for a moment. She knows you inside and out, knows all your misdeeds, all your mistakes, all the trouble and strife you've faced and loves you completely and without condition. That also makes her the highest example of pure love that I can imagine. She knows everything. knows all our foibles. knows all our dreams and nightmares. And loves us totally, completely and without reservation. Imagine if we could love each other that way. Imagine what peace there would be. To be a disciple of Shree Maa, one only needs to be a disciple of truth. One does not need to be perfect, but one must have perfect intention. We may not be capable of being who we want to be, but we want to be who we believe she is and we can intend to be her, to follow her example, and strive to be that. We question our actions and our reactions. We desire a state of peace. We desire knowledge of truth. We desire understanding of self. We seek to project and feel Her love at all times. The path of a disciple is the path of self discipline and devotion to consciousness. A path to rise above the attributes of these minds, bodies, and souls, and to become beacons of Her presence, here in her playground of thought, feeling, and senses. My recommendation for anyone who considers himself novice is to start reading about Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda. And to read about Ramakrishna, and the dozens of other powerful masters who have set examples for us by the way they lived, loved, and brought joy and peace to those whose lives they touched. There are two basic paths to Maa, one path is the path of knowledge and the other path is the path of devotion. Personally I like dipping my big toe in each as often as possible. One foot on the shore, one in the waters of infinite knowledge. That way I can be here and be her. So the books about the saints is a good start for the path of knowledge. The path of devotion can be started right here and right now. Say a prayer to Goddess and ask with pure devotion, "Will you please teach me the truth about myself? I want to know: Who Am I?" If you find one path suits you better than the other, then devote yourself to that path and you will make it to your destination. Goddess bless you Jeffrey Harris wrote: > > > Dear Family (if I may state that) > > I am new to the site and the Mandir. I live in Michigan, and > don't know where to start? Could someone offer me the basics on how > to become Shree Maa's Disciple? Also Do we have a Type of Tilak that > we wear? Any advice and guidence from those that are knowledgeable > would be most welcome. > > Jai Maa, > > Jeffrey Harris > * Sponsor* > > > > ------ > * Links* > > * > / > > * > > <?subject=Un> > > * Terms of > Service <>. > > Sponsor document.write(' <http://us.ard./SIG=129bt0dki/M=298184.6018725.7038619.3001176/D=groups/S=1705075991:HM/EXP=1108736495/A=2532114/R=1/SIG=12kjbphfb/*http://clk.atdmt.com/NFX/go/yhxxxnfx0020000014nfx/direct/01/&time=1108650095976734> '); <http://us.ard./SIG=129bt0dki/M=298184.6018725.7038619.3001176/D=groups/S=1705075991:HM/EXP=1108736495/A=2532114/R=2/SIG=12kjbphfb/*http://clk.atdmt.com/NFX/go/yhxxxnfx0020000014nfx/direct/01/&time=1108650095976734> / <?subject=Un> Terms of Service <> . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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