Guest guest Posted March 7, 2005 Report Share Posted March 7, 2005 Daily Reflection: March 7 - Work Devotee: You mean we can do the work of the world and also contempate God? Ramakrishna: Yes, you will do them both. You have to perform the work of the world, but from time to time go into solitude and pray that you can perform those activities without personal desire. Then you will say, "Hey, God, reduce my worldly desires because when I see that there is so much work in front of me, I forget you. I think that I am acting selflessly, but I actually have lots of desires." If you are pursuing name, gain, and fame, you cannot be free from desire. from Ramakrishna The Nectar of Eternal Bliss Copyright 2005 Devi Mandir Publications First Edition www.shreemaa.org --Love and trust in God. Do not ask for anything else. --Shree Maa ----devoteeDo You ?Tired of spam? Mail has the best spam protection around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2005 Report Share Posted March 7, 2005 Devotee: As we fulfill our karmic desires, through completion or through sadhana, and both the pull of worldly achievement and our physical needs are reduced; how are we then to handle continued opportunity in the world of names and titles? What do we do with skills that are in demand by the world...when all we (I) want to do is Sadhana? Swamiji talks of the efficient ones, so are we then to do the work that supplies our material needs the quickest, so that more time can be set aside for sadhana and Seva? Or do we accept the invitations of the world and travel the long and difficult path of karma yoga as our sadhana and our Seva? Om , devotee <shree_maa_devotee> wrote: > Daily Reflection: > March 7 - Work > > Devotee: You mean we can do the work of the world and also contempate God? > > Ramakrishna: Yes, you will do them both. You have to perform the work of the world, but from time to time go into solitude and pray that you can perform those activities without personal desire. Then you will say, "Hey, God, reduce my worldly desires because when I see that there is so much work in front of me, I forget you. I think that I am acting selflessly, but I actually have lots of desires." If you are pursuing name, gain, and fame, you cannot be free from desire. > > from Ramakrishna The Nectar of Eternal Bliss > > Copyright 2005 Devi Mandir Publications > > First Edition > > www.shreemaa.org > > -- ------------ > Love and trust in God. Do not ask for anything else. --Shree Maa > -- ------------ > --devotee > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2005 Report Share Posted March 7, 2005 Dear Sherri, That is a very interesting question. I feel that the answer is different for different people and for different periods in one's life. I went through several years when I only worked intermittently (one-three years working full-time, six months off). I wanted to spend almost all my time in sadhana and solitude. I loved the times when I wasn't working and made the most of my evenings and weekends when I was working full-time. Many weekends I was blessed to be at the Devi Mandir. The last couple of years I have worked 35%-50% of full-time. I have reduced my physical needs to a minimum. (I own my mobile home and car outright; I have no debt.) I work mainly to be able to provide seva for others. My sadhana (thanks to Shree Maa and Swamiji) continues to be rich and expanding. I live in a tiny village at 6,200 ft elevation. I love being surrounded by mountains and forests. I enjoy my solitude. This would not work for everyone. I do not have anyone depending on me for their support. I don't have a spouse with his/her own agenda. I am not drawn to career or city life. I love my life of simplicity. I raised my daughter as a single mother, so I know what that's like. I know what it's like to be married or in a partnership. I have experienced the thrill of academic accomplishment and of building a successful career. Those times are behind me. I wouldn't trade my simple life of sadhana for anything. Well, there is one way of life I would trade for. If Shree Maa and Swamiji wanted me to live at the Devi Mandir, I'd be there in a flash. I'm sure that you understand. Namaste, Ardis On Mar 7, 2005, at 3:40 PM, Sherri wrote: > > > Devotee: > As we fulfill our karmic desires, through completion or through > sadhana, and both the pull of worldly achievement and our physical > needs are reduced; how are we then to handle continued opportunity in > the world of names and titles? What do we do with skills that are in > demand by the world...when all we (I) want to do is Sadhana? Swamiji > talks of the efficient ones, so are we then to do the work that > supplies our material needs the quickest, so that more time can be > set aside for sadhana and Seva? Or do we accept the invitations of > the world and travel the long and difficult path of karma yoga as our > sadhana and our Seva? > Om > > , devotee <shree_maa_devotee> > wrote: > > Daily Reflection: > > March 7 - Work > > > > Devotee: You mean we can do the work of the world and also > contempate God? > > > > Ramakrishna: Yes, you will do them both. You have to perform the > work of the world, but from time to time go into solitude and pray > that you can perform those activities without personal desire. Then > you will say, "Hey, God, reduce my worldly desires because when I see > that there is so much work in front of me, I forget you. I think > that I am acting selflessly, but I actually have lots of desires." > If you are pursuing name, gain, and fame, you cannot be free from > desire. > > > > from Ramakrishna The Nectar of Eternal Bliss > > > > Copyright 2005 Devi Mandir Publications > > > > First Edition > > > > www.shreemaa.org > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > ------------ > > Love and trust in God. Do not ask for anything else. --Shree Maa > > -- > ------------ > > --devotee > > > > > > > > > > Tired of spam? Mail has the best spam protection around > > > > > Sponsor > > > > Children International > > Would you give Hope to a Child in need? > > > <332170_011805_newchildforemail.jpg> > > · > Click Here to meet a Girl > And Give Her Hope > > · > Click Here to meet a Boy > And Change His Life > > Learn More > > <l.gif> > > Links > > • > / > > • > > > • Terms of > Service. > > Attachment: (text/enriched) [not stored] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.