Guest guest Posted March 12, 2005 Report Share Posted March 12, 2005 Dear Elizabeth, Welcome to the group. I have forwarded your message to Swamiji and no doubt he will respond to you either via the forum or in his own way. I hope you dont mind if I give my own 2 cents in the meantime. I wanted to share something that I went through . Coupla years ago I went through some terrible times and I was just totally dejected and frustrated. I knew I "liked" Shree Maa and Swamiji but I considered myself a "well-wisher" not even a "devotee" or a "disciple". I too needed some reassurance - how do I know Maa that you are the Divine Mother ? How do I know Swamiji that you are the Guru ? And the dejected state that I was in fuelled the question. I have no doubt that if it werent for the despair that I was in I would have continued merrily along my path without wanting to know more about myself or God. As Maa put it (and I paraphrase) "Maybe all this is happening because God wants to come into your life." So in my despair I asked Maa outright "Maa , how do I know that you are the Divine Mother?" You are asking by email, Elizabeth, I asked in person. But your words "really only beginning on the spiritual path" could have been mine. Maa didnt give me any miracle or something out of this world to make me believe her. You know what Maa said ? She said "When you do sadhana, you will know who I am" I came away, not feeling like I got any answer but realizing the validity of the statement "It takes one to know one" So the question then arose - Shouldnt I TRUST them as my Gurus to do the sadhana that they prescribe ? And Swamiji had said, and I also remember reading this somewhere "Take it on faith. TRY IT OUT". So I thought to myself "Hey , they are not asking me to do something that requires a BIG leap of faith. They are not asking me to sell everything and move to a cave in Himalayas. In fact they are not asking anything BIG at all. All they are asking is FIFTEEN minutes or maybe HALF hour of my time to do a beginner Shiva Puja. Does allocating 30 minutes to do a puja require a BIG trust on my part ? What do I lose ? And what do I have to gain?" Yes I can certainly spare that half hour everyday and No I dont need to know or trust someone to do a puja. And that became my resolve , my sadhana to do a beginner puja every day. I can tell you in all honesty, after two years have passed, I still wish something miraculous would happen, but you know what ? I have seen so many changes in my own attitude . In my humble opinion that IS a miracle. I KNOW the value of Sadhana now. I KNOW what Swamiji means when he says "I WISH I could do it for you, but I can only point the way. YOU HAVE TO WALK" So what am I trying to say at the end of this long post ? By all means wait for Swamiji and Maa's answer to your question, and by all means keep asking them what you want , for are you not their child ? But , as Swamiji says, Shiksha comes before Diksha - therefore if I may humbly recommend - keep preparing for receiving their grace by doing some sadhana that they have published in so many books. Who is your beloved deity ? Find that book that worships your beloved deity. Swamiji has written them all. Or starting on one of the Beginner Shiva or Durga Pujas is an excellent way to try out their sadhana while you wait for their answer. Thank you for asking the question and I pray that you are not offended by my response. Welcome to our family. Jai Maa Nanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 12, 2005 Report Share Posted March 12, 2005 , "Nanda" <chandimaakijai> wrote: > Dear Elizabeth, > Welcome to the group. I have forwarded your message to Swamiji and > no doubt he will respond to you either via the forum or in his own > way. > I hope you dont mind if I give my own 2 cents in the meantime. I > wanted to share something that I went through . -------------- Nanda, Not sure what your post does for Elizabeth (good stuff I hope), but it was a blessing for me. Your personal sharing from LOVE is encouraging. Thank you. Jai Maa! Sherri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 12, 2005 Report Share Posted March 12, 2005 Dearest Nandaji, Thank you for your wonderful answer to Elizabeth. And welcome to Elizabeth. Nandaji has given you excellent advice. Your sister, Ardis On Mar 12, 2005, at 6:06 PM, Nanda wrote: > > > Dear Elizabeth, > > Welcome to the group. I have forwarded your message to Swamiji and > no doubt he will respond to you either via the forum or in his own > way. > > I hope you dont mind if I give my own 2 cents in the meantime. I > wanted to share something that I went through . > > Coupla years ago I went through some terrible times and I was just > totally dejected and frustrated. I knew I "liked" Shree Maa and > Swamiji but I considered myself a "well-wisher" not even a "devotee" > or a "disciple". > > I too needed some reassurance - how do I know Maa that you are the > Divine Mother ? How do I know Swamiji that you are the Guru ? > > And the dejected state that I was in fuelled the question. I have no > doubt that if it werent for the despair that I was in I would have > continued merrily along my path without wanting to know more about > myself or God. As Maa put it (and I paraphrase) "Maybe all this is > happening because God wants to come into your life." > > So in my despair I asked Maa outright "Maa , how do I know that you > are the Divine Mother?" > > You are asking by email, Elizabeth, I asked in person. But your > words "really only beginning on the spiritual path" could have been > mine. > > Maa didnt give me any miracle or something out of this world to make > me believe her. You know what Maa said ? > > She said "When you do sadhana, you will know who I am" > > I came away, not feeling like I got any answer but realizing the > validity of the statement "It takes one to know one" > > So the question then arose - Shouldnt I TRUST them as my Gurus to do > the sadhana that they prescribe ? > > And Swamiji had said, and I also remember reading this > somewhere "Take it on faith. TRY IT OUT". > > > So I thought to myself "Hey , they are not asking me to do something > that requires a BIG leap of faith. They are not asking me to sell > everything and move to a cave in Himalayas. In fact they are not > asking anything BIG at all. All they are asking is FIFTEEN minutes > or maybe HALF hour of my time to do a beginner Shiva Puja. Does > allocating 30 minutes to do a puja require a BIG trust on my part ? > What do I lose ? And what do I have to gain?" > > Yes I can certainly spare that half hour everyday and No I dont need > to know or trust someone to do a puja. > > And that became my resolve , my sadhana to do a beginner puja every > day. > > I can tell you in all honesty, after two years have passed, I still > wish something miraculous would happen, but you know what ? > > I have seen so many changes in my own attitude . In my humble > opinion that IS a miracle. > > I KNOW the value of Sadhana now. > I KNOW what Swamiji means when he says "I WISH I could do it for > you, but I can only point the way. YOU HAVE TO WALK" > > So what am I trying to say at the end of this long post ? By all > means wait for Swamiji and Maa's answer to your question, and by all > means keep asking them what you want , for are you not their child ? > > But , as Swamiji says, Shiksha comes before Diksha - therefore if I > may humbly recommend - keep preparing for receiving their grace by > doing some sadhana that they have published in so many books. Who is > your beloved deity ? Find that book that worships your beloved > deity. Swamiji has written them all. Or starting on one of the > Beginner Shiva or Durga Pujas is an excellent way to try out their > sadhana while you wait for their answer. > > Thank you for asking the question and I pray that you are not > offended by my response. > > Welcome to our family. > > Jai Maa > Nanda > > > > Sponsor > > > <22305_0205_016_b_300250_a.gif> > <l.gif> > > Links > > • > / > > • > > > • Terms of > Service. > > Attachment: (text/enriched) [not stored] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2005 Report Share Posted March 13, 2005 Really sadhana give us this answer. I Thank you very very much Nandaji for this answer. Your words is mine words too.. With love Kalachandra Nanda <chandimaakijai > wrote: Dear Elizabeth,Welcome to the group. I have forwarded your message to Swamiji and no doubt he will respond to you either via the forum or in his own way.I hope you dont mind if I give my own 2 cents in the meantime. I wanted to share something that I went through .Coupla years ago I went through some terrible times and I was just totally dejected and frustrated. I knew I "liked" Shree Maa and Swamiji but I considered myself a "well-wisher" not even a "devotee" or a "disciple".I too needed some reassurance - how do I know Maa that you are the Divine Mother ? How do I know Swamiji that you are the Guru ?And the dejected state that I was in fuelled the question. I have no doubt that if it werent for the despair that I was in I would have continued merrily along my path without wanting to know more about myself or God. As Maa put it (and I paraphrase) "Maybe all this is happening because God wants to come into your life."So in my despair I asked Maa outright "Maa , how do I know that you are the Divine Mother?"You are asking by email, Elizabeth, I asked in person. But your words "really only beginning on the spiritual path" could have been mine.Maa didnt give me any miracle or something out of this world to make me believe her. You know what Maa said ? She said "When you do sadhana, you will know who I am"I came away, not feeling like I got any answer but realizing the validity of the statement "It takes one to know one"So the question then arose - Shouldnt I TRUST them as my Gurus to do the sadhana that they prescribe ?And Swamiji had said, and I also remember reading this somewhere "Take it on faith. TRY IT OUT".So I thought to myself "Hey , they are not asking me to do something that requires a BIG leap of faith. They are not asking me to sell everything and move to a cave in Himalayas. In fact they are not asking anything BIG at all. All they are asking is FIFTEEN minutes or maybe HALF hour of my time to do a beginner Shiva Puja. Does allocating 30 minutes to do a puja require a BIG trust on my part ? What do I lose ? And what do I have to gain?"Yes I can certainly spare that half hour everyday and No I dont need to know or trust someone to do a puja.And that became my resolve , my sadhana to do a beginner puja every day.I can tell you in all honesty, after two years have passed, I still wish something miraculous would happen, but you know what ?I have seen so many changes in my own attitude . In my humble opinion that IS a miracle.I KNOW the value of Sadhana now. I KNOW what Swamiji means when he says "I WISH I could do it for you, but I can only point the way. YOU HAVE TO WALK"So what am I trying to say at the end of this long post ? By all means wait for Swamiji and Maa's answer to your question, and by all means keep asking them what you want , for are you not their child ? But , as Swamiji says, Shiksha comes before Diksha - therefore if I may humbly recommend - keep preparing for receiving their grace by doing some sadhana that they have published in so many books. Who is your beloved deity ? Find that book that worships your beloved deity. Swamiji has written them all. Or starting on one of the Beginner Shiva or Durga Pujas is an excellent way to try out their sadhana while you wait for their answer.Thank you for asking the question and I pray that you are not offended by my response.Welcome to our family.Jai MaaNandaKalacandra dd Mail - Com 250MB de espaço. Abra sua conta! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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