Guest guest Posted April 23, 2005 Report Share Posted April 23, 2005 Dear Nanda, as I am also one of those who find it easier to "follow" when I can recognize the Supreme Divinity in a human being, I agree with what you're saying. It is the lack of 'living examples' of the teachings that drove me from my practice within the Western Mystery Tradition to Eastern shores, and I have been looking for a long time for a 'living example' who would demonstrate that IT CAN BE DONE: that it is possible to live a spiritual life, to overcome anger, fear, jealousy, desire for this, that and the other, and be established in truth. If I could find such a being in physical form, I felt,it would not only mean that doubts would be eliminated about the possibility of selflessness and the efficiency of the teachings/methods taught, but also that I would have found a path to be followed, because obviously the teachings/methods taught by such a being would have worked, not in theory, but verifiably so. Now, the fact that so far I had not found such an example put me in a comfortable position, because I could nurse the idea that even though there may have been such persons in the past, they were certainly hard to come by today, and that meant that I could maintain the attitude that, sure, I wanted to follow a spiritual path and practice meditation etc., but if I slipped up once in a while, that was ok too, because who never fails, and there is always an excuse: work, tired, tv, no inspiration, and who was going to tell me otherwise? The 'problem' I am now faced with is this: if I have found true Gurus in Shree Maa and Swamiji, what excuse is there not to try my utmost to follow their example (you robbed me of my excuse of distance, thank you). To find the Guru in physical form rather puts you on the spot: are you going to do what they recommend or aren't you? And if not, why not? I imagine that this is the 'pressure-cooker' effect you mentioned, which must be that much more noticeable when you are actually in their vicinity. Already the thought that Shree Maa and Swamiji never skip their sadhana makes me get up in the morning to practice Shiva-puja. The more I become convinced that I have found a true Guru, not in one, but in two physical forms, the more I want to practice and learn. And the more I practice and learn, the more I become convinced.It is a rather bewildering experience. The other thing you mentioned was the importance of 'learning by observation.' I feel that this is very true and unfortunately that is what those of us who live further away physically and/or have never met Maa and Swamiji in person are not able to do. So even small things like you told us about Swamiji's computer can help. For example, the first book I ordered was the book with Shree Maa's favorite recipes (yes, I like my food and I thought it would be a good place to start!) and when I am cooking from it I try to imagine how Maa would do this, but of course I can't. So that's why I want to know things about life in the Mandir, just practical, every day things, like the one about Swamiji's organized office. It helps, because now I have placed one of those lovely little cards with his picture on it next to my computer to remind me to be efficient. So please, Lieve Nanda, from time to time, be my eyes and provide me with little bits of information I can use in a practical sense (at least untill I move to California, lol). I am beginning to think that I was wrong when I thought that the Guru in physical form is hard to find. You must be prepared to be found. JAI to the PHYSICAL GURU, with love, Henny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2005 Report Share Posted April 23, 2005 Dear Henny, It is so beautiful to watch the growth of your faith and closeness to the Gurus. I'll try to add "stories" from time to time to add to your feeling of closeness. Pahari Maa On Apr 23, 2005, at 7:45 AM, henny_v_i wrote: > > > Dear Nanda, > > as I am also one of those who find it easier to "follow" when I can > recognize the Supreme Divinity in a human being, I agree with what > you're saying. > > It is the lack of 'living examples' of the teachings that drove me > from my practice within the Western Mystery Tradition to Eastern > shores, and I have been looking for a long time for a 'living example' > who would demonstrate that IT CAN BE DONE: that it is possible to live > a spiritual life, to overcome anger, fear, jealousy, desire for this, > that and the other, and be established in truth. If I could find such > a being in physical form, I felt,it would not only mean that doubts > would be eliminated about the possibility of selflessness and the > efficiency of the teachings/methods taught, but also that I would have > found a path to be followed, because obviously the teachings/methods > taught by such a being would have worked, not in theory, but > verifiably so. > Now, the fact that so far I had not found such an example put me in a > comfortable position, because I could nurse the idea that even though > there may have been such persons in the past, they were certainly hard > to come by today, and that meant that I could maintain the attitude > that, sure, I wanted to follow a spiritual path and practice > meditation etc., but if I slipped up once in a while, that was ok too, > because who never fails, and there is always an excuse: work, tired, > tv, no inspiration, and who was going to tell me otherwise? > > The 'problem' I am now faced with is this: if I have found true Gurus > in Shree Maa and Swamiji, what excuse is there not to try my utmost to > follow their example (you robbed me of my excuse of distance, thank > you). To find the Guru in physical form rather puts you on the spot: > are you going to do what they recommend or aren't you? And if not, why > not? I imagine that this is the 'pressure-cooker' effect you > mentioned, which must be that much more noticeable when you are > actually in their vicinity. Already the thought that Shree Maa and > Swamiji never skip their sadhana makes me get up in the morning to > practice Shiva-puja. > The more I become convinced that I have found a true Guru, not in one, > but in two physical forms, the more I want to practice and learn. And > the more I practice and learn, the more I become convinced.It is a > rather bewildering experience. > > The other thing you mentioned was the importance of 'learning by > observation.' I feel that this is very true and unfortunately that is > what those of us who live further away physically and/or have never > met Maa and Swamiji in person are not able to do. So even small things > like you told us about Swamiji's computer can help. For example, the > first book I ordered was the book with Shree Maa's favorite recipes > (yes, I like my food and I thought it would be a good place to start!) > and when I am cooking from it I try to imagine how Maa would do this, > but of course I can't. So that's why I want to know things about life > in the Mandir, just practical, every day things, like the one about > Swamiji's organized office. It helps, because now I have placed one of > those lovely little cards with his picture on it next to my computer > to remind me to be efficient. So please, Lieve Nanda, from time to > time, be my eyes and provide me with little bits of information I can > use in a practical sense (at least untill I move to California, lol). > > I am beginning to think that I was wrong when I thought that the Guru > in physical form is hard to find. You must be prepared to be found. > > JAI to the PHYSICAL GURU, > > with love, > Henny > > > > > Links > > • > / > > • > > > • Terms of > Service. > > Attachment: (text/enriched) [not stored] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2005 Report Share Posted April 24, 2005 Dear Henny, Om Namah Shivayah! An example of efficiency. Once after a Homa that our beloved Swamiji led I started cleaning the surrounding area (wooden floor) with my hand (using my hand as the broom). Swamiji noticed this and quickly asked me to sweep with a broom. This was the more efficient way of cleaning. The power and benefit of being near Maa and Swamiji is that even seemingly small incidents became deeply ingrained in our being and serve both as a sweet memory and a lesson on how to live one's life. Just my two cents. with love and prayers, srini , "henny_v_i" <HvI@S...> wrote: > > > Dear Nanda, > > as I am also one of those who find it easier to "follow" when I can > recognize the Supreme Divinity in a human being, I agree with what > you're saying. > > It is the lack of 'living examples' of the teachings that drove me > from my practice within the Western Mystery Tradition to Eastern > shores, and I have been looking for a long time for a 'living example' > who would demonstrate that IT CAN BE DONE: that it is possible to live > a spiritual life, to overcome anger, fear, jealousy, desire for this, > that and the other, and be established in truth. If I could find such > a being in physical form, I felt,it would not only mean that doubts > would be eliminated about the possibility of selflessness and the > efficiency of the teachings/methods taught, but also that I would have > found a path to be followed, because obviously the teachings/methods > taught by such a being would have worked, not in theory, but > verifiably so. > Now, the fact that so far I had not found such an example put me in a > comfortable position, because I could nurse the idea that even though > there may have been such persons in the past, they were certainly hard > to come by today, and that meant that I could maintain the attitude > that, sure, I wanted to follow a spiritual path and practice > meditation etc., but if I slipped up once in a while, that was ok too, > because who never fails, and there is always an excuse: work, tired, > tv, no inspiration, and who was going to tell me otherwise? > > The 'problem' I am now faced with is this: if I have found true Gurus > in Shree Maa and Swamiji, what excuse is there not to try my utmost to > follow their example (you robbed me of my excuse of distance, thank > you). To find the Guru in physical form rather puts you on the spot: > are you going to do what they recommend or aren't you? And if not, why > not? I imagine that this is the 'pressure-cooker' effect you > mentioned, which must be that much more noticeable when you are > actually in their vicinity. Already the thought that Shree Maa and > Swamiji never skip their sadhana makes me get up in the morning to > practice Shiva-puja. > The more I become convinced that I have found a true Guru, not in one, > but in two physical forms, the more I want to practice and learn. And > the more I practice and learn, the more I become convinced.It is a > rather bewildering experience. > > The other thing you mentioned was the importance of 'learning by > observation.' I feel that this is very true and unfortunately that is > what those of us who live further away physically and/or have never > met Maa and Swamiji in person are not able to do. So even small things > like you told us about Swamiji's computer can help. For example, the > first book I ordered was the book with Shree Maa's favorite recipes > (yes, I like my food and I thought it would be a good place to start!) > and when I am cooking from it I try to imagine how Maa would do this, > but of course I can't. So that's why I want to know things about life > in the Mandir, just practical, every day things, like the one about > Swamiji's organized office. It helps, because now I have placed one of > those lovely little cards with his picture on it next to my computer > to remind me to be efficient. So please, Lieve Nanda, from time to > time, be my eyes and provide me with little bits of information I can > use in a practical sense (at least untill I move to California, lol). > > I am beginning to think that I was wrong when I thought that the Guru > in physical form is hard to find. You must be prepared to be found. > > JAI to the PHYSICAL GURU, > > with love, > Henny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2005 Report Share Posted April 24, 2005 Dear Srini, thank you very much for your two cents, they are greatly appreciated! may we all become most efficient, with love, Henny , "ammasmkd" <r_srinivasan@e...> wrote: > > > Dear Henny, > > Om Namah Shivayah! An example of efficiency. Once after a Homa that > our beloved Swamiji led I started cleaning the surrounding area > (wooden floor) with my hand (using my hand as the broom). Swamiji > noticed this and quickly asked me to sweep with a broom. This was the > more efficient way of cleaning. > > The power and benefit of being near Maa and Swamiji is that even > seemingly small incidents became deeply ingrained in our being and > serve both as a sweet memory and a lesson on how to live one's life. > > Just my two cents. > > with love and prayers, > srini > > > , "henny_v_i" <HvI@S...> wrote: > > > > > > Dear Nanda, > > > > as I am also one of those who find it easier to "follow" when I can > > recognize the Supreme Divinity in a human being, I agree with what > > you're saying. > > > > It is the lack of 'living examples' of the teachings that drove me > > from my practice within the Western Mystery Tradition to Eastern > > shores, and I have been looking for a long time for a 'living > example' > > who would demonstrate that IT CAN BE DONE: that it is possible to > live > > a spiritual life, to overcome anger, fear, jealousy, desire for > this, > > that and the other, and be established in truth. If I could find > such > > a being in physical form, I felt,it would not only mean that doubts > > would be eliminated about the possibility of selflessness and the > > efficiency of the teachings/methods taught, but also that I would > have > > found a path to be followed, because obviously the > teachings/methods > > taught by such a being would have worked, not in theory, but > > verifiably so. > > Now, the fact that so far I had not found such an example put me in > a > > comfortable position, because I could nurse the idea that even > though > > there may have been such persons in the past, they were certainly > hard > > to come by today, and that meant that I could maintain the attitude > > that, sure, I wanted to follow a spiritual path and practice > > meditation etc., but if I slipped up once in a while, that was ok > too, > > because who never fails, and there is always an excuse: work, > tired, > > tv, no inspiration, and who was going to tell me otherwise? > > > > The 'problem' I am now faced with is this: if I have found true > Gurus > > in Shree Maa and Swamiji, what excuse is there not to try my utmost > to > > follow their example (you robbed me of my excuse of distance, thank > > you). To find the Guru in physical form rather puts you on the > spot: > > are you going to do what they recommend or aren't you? And if not, > why > > not? I imagine that this is the 'pressure-cooker' effect you > > mentioned, which must be that much more noticeable when you are > > actually in their vicinity. Already the thought that Shree Maa and > > Swamiji never skip their sadhana makes me get up in the morning to > > practice Shiva-puja. > > The more I become convinced that I have found a true Guru, not in > one, > > but in two physical forms, the more I want to practice and learn. > And > > the more I practice and learn, the more I become convinced.It is a > > rather bewildering experience. > > > > The other thing you mentioned was the importance of 'learning by > > observation.' I feel that this is very true and unfortunately that > is > > what those of us who live further away physically and/or have never > > met Maa and Swamiji in person are not able to do. So even small > things > > like you told us about Swamiji's computer can help. For example, > the > > first book I ordered was the book with Shree Maa's favorite recipes > > (yes, I like my food and I thought it would be a good place to > start!) > > and when I am cooking from it I try to imagine how Maa would do > this, > > but of course I can't. So that's why I want to know things about > life > > in the Mandir, just practical, every day things, like the one about > > Swamiji's organized office. It helps, because now I have placed one > of > > those lovely little cards with his picture on it next to my > computer > > to remind me to be efficient. So please, Lieve Nanda, from time to > > time, be my eyes and provide me with little bits of information I > can > > use in a practical sense (at least untill I move to California, > lol). > > > > I am beginning to think that I was wrong when I thought that the > Guru > > in physical form is hard to find. You must be prepared to be found. > > > > JAI to the PHYSICAL GURU, > > > > with love, > > Henny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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