"...depictions of Gods and Goddesses can seem strange..." Steven Newmark

March 22, 2005

Chapter 8 titled "Why All This Indian Stuff?" from Before Becoming

This answers a lot of questions that you might have. It really

helped me. One thing Swamiji says in this chapter is, "Any form you

choose. It's all God." Sometimes I do a full Catholic mala, oops,

rosary at the altar with my puja. I have Jesus and Mary and St.

Therese and St. Francis and others all mingling together with Shiva

and Lakshmi and Durga and Vishnu. What's in my heart is on my altar

and in my puja.

henny_v_i <HvI (AT) SoftHome (DOT) net> wrote:

What still puzzles me is what to do when you are used to working with

another system of worship, other symbolism, other images, which,

because you have worked with them and meditated on them for some time

deeply resonate within. Should you just put that aside as you start

delving in the Indian Stuff? Or can you mix a little as you recognize

the essence of the one in the other, albeit in different form? Any

ideas, anyone?with love,Henny with love--- In

, "Karen Borak" <karenborak@e...> wrote:>

Swami, why should a Westerner follow a spiritual path that originates

from the East? Doesn't it make more sense to create our own spiritual

systems that are congruent with the culture we live in?> > (Swamiji

answers.) All known religions come from the East, including

Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism. The forms of worship that we

are using that have emanated from the East are traditions that have

worked for people who attained the goal. We are studying and

practicing them because they are systems that have worked. They put

the body, mind, and consciousness into harmony and allow absorption

into total divinity. Therefore, we are not trying to create a new

system. Why reinvent the wheel? If it works, use it.> > from Before

Becoming This Conversations with Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda about

Life, Love, and the Cosmic Play by Steven Newmark, Ph.D. (Available

at the bookstore at www.shreemaa.org.)

Jai Maa! Jai Shiva! Jai Swamiji!

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