Guest guest Posted April 3, 2005 Report Share Posted April 3, 2005 Can regular people become enlightened or liberated? What is enlightenment? There are so many elaborate systems developed to lead one to God, but where's God? I see lots of seekers but I personally don't know any finders. For all my years of trying and all the detailed systems designed to help, why aren't enlightened people among the common herd. I just get so confused. Even puja, which seems so benign on the surface, when studied becomes this complex system of learning and doing with tons and tons of rules or ways for doing everything. My search is based on distant learning through books and passed-on information, a dash of faith, a lot of hope, a trust that there must be a higher power but it sure is inscrutable. And all the wishing, praying, hoping, dreaming, planning doesn't bring forth any surety. Either I am a total rock impervious to God's ten footsteps (you know, you take one S/he takes ten), blind to the divinity around me or what? Am I too low, too stupid, too cynical? What am I? And where is God (besides everywhere)? What I know for sure--- Maa is right. Earth is a tough planet. Better first dates. More second dates. Personals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 3, 2005 Report Share Posted April 3, 2005 Hey, beautiful One. You are God. Nourish that faith. Everyone (and everything) contains the Divine Light. We just need to focus on it and use the tools that our Beloved Gurus give us to "grow it". It takes great dedication and devotion and perseverance to reach the Goal. Oneness with God is why we are here. I send you my deepest love and prayers. (As for Earth being a tough planet, please read Swamiji's post from yesterday in answer to Steve). Ardis On Apr 3, 2005, at 7:37 AM, Loving Maa wrote: > Can regular people become enlightened or liberated? What is > enlightenment? There are so many elaborate systems developed to lead > one to God, but where's God? I see lots of seekers but I personally > don't know any finders. For all my years of trying and all the > detailed systems designed to help, why aren't enlightened people among > the common herd. I just get so confused. Even puja, which seems so > benign on the surface, when studied becomes this complex system of > learning and doing with tons and tons of rules or ways for doing > everything. My search is based on distant learning through books and > passed-on information, a dash of faith, a lot of hope, a trust that > there must be a higher power but it sure is inscrutable. And all the > wishing, praying, hoping, dreaming, planning doesn't bring forth any > surety. Either I am a total rock impervious to God's ten footsteps > (you know, you take one S/he takes ten), blind to the divinity around > me or what? Am I too low, too stupid, too cynical? What am I? And > where is God (besides everywhere)? > > What I know for sure--- > Maa is right. Earth is a tough planet. > > > Better first dates. More second dates. Personals > > > 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...
Guest guest Posted April 3, 2005 Report Share Posted April 3, 2005 It is post 338 of Q&A with Swamiji. Jai Maa On Apr 3, 2005, at 7:37 AM, Loving Maa wrote: > Can regular people become enlightened or liberated? What is > enlightenment? There are so many elaborate systems developed to lead > one to God, but where's God? I see lots of seekers but I personally > don't know any finders. For all my years of trying and all the > detailed systems designed to help, why aren't enlightened people among > the common herd. I just get so confused. Even puja, which seems so > benign on the surface, when studied becomes this complex system of > learning and doing with tons and tons of rules or ways for doing > everything. My search is based on distant learning through books and > passed-on information, a dash of faith, a lot of hope, a trust that > there must be a higher power but it sure is inscrutable. And all the > wishing, praying, hoping, dreaming, planning doesn't bring forth any > surety. Either I am a total rock impervious to God's ten footsteps > (you know, you take one S/he takes ten), blind to the divinity around > me or what? Am I too low, too stupid, too cynical? What am I? And > where is God (besides everywhere)? > > What I know for sure--- > Maa is right. Earth is a tough planet. > > > Better first dates. More second dates. Personals > > > 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...
Guest guest Posted April 3, 2005 Report Share Posted April 3, 2005 And... welcome to our group. I don't remember seeing you post before. Your questions and your search are common to many. Your honesty is just what we need. Take Steve's advice and don't self-deprecate. Look for the Love. Live the Love. Ardis On Apr 3, 2005, at 7:37 AM, Loving Maa wrote: > Can regular people become enlightened or liberated? What is > enlightenment? There are so many elaborate systems developed to lead > one to God, but where's God? I see lots of seekers but I personally > don't know any finders. For all my years of trying and all the > detailed systems designed to help, why aren't enlightened people among > the common herd. I just get so confused. Even puja, which seems so > benign on the surface, when studied becomes this complex system of > learning and doing with tons and tons of rules or ways for doing > everything. My search is based on distant learning through books and > passed-on information, a dash of faith, a lot of hope, a trust that > there must be a higher power but it sure is inscrutable. And all the > wishing, praying, hoping, dreaming, planning doesn't bring forth any > surety. Either I am a total rock impervious to God's ten footsteps > (you know, you take one S/he takes ten), blind to the divinity around > me or what? Am I too low, too stupid, too cynical? What am I? And > where is God (besides everywhere)? > > What I know for sure--- > Maa is right. Earth is a tough planet. > > > Better first dates. More second dates. Personals > > > 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...
Guest guest Posted April 3, 2005 Report Share Posted April 3, 2005 Dear friend, thank you for your honesty about your questions and doubts. I know the feeling you describe well. I am new to this group, like you, and I also get confused. Like you, I also learned a lot from books, and, being used to that approach, was disappointed when from the books I ordered, I concluded that puja was just not for me. Too complex, too 'exotic' if you will, and who said that these two persons in California were really bona fide gurus? But then the puja class started, and Swamiji was there every step of the way, answering questions and encouraging me to just 'do the best you can'. And I thought that it was pretty special for a guru to take the time to answer a beginner's questions and that the least I could do in return was try it. So I did, and found that every day it gets a little (and I emphasize a little) easier and also that somehow the meaning of it all becomes clearer and I feel a little less confused. I cannot explain it, but it is true. So, if 'guru' means 'the means to attainment', I think the only way to find out what kind of being he/she is, or what enlightenment means, is to practice what he/she preaches, to just do it and see what happens. Dear friend, in spite of your doubts, take all your hope, put in that dash of faith and trust your trust: see if you can take a baby-step. Along this path there are many pilgrims like you and me, afraid that we're not good enough or bright enough or what have you. But little steps at a time will teach us how to walk and become steady on our feet and before you know it, we may even run, straight into the arms of the One we long for. with love, Henny > > > Better first dates. More second dates. Personals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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