Guest guest Posted May 19, 2005 Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 Dear All, As most of us know, there are three gunas or qualities - Tamas - quality of rest/ignorance/inertia Rajas - quality of action/restlessness Sattva - the balance of the above two. Most of us have preponderance towards one or more of the above qualities. The lucky few that are sattvic in nature seem to combine rest and action easily. They are able to balance out and are thus most suited for sadhana. So question is , how do we get to be more sattvic ? Any suggestions ? Any shared experiences ? I would love to know. Pretty sure that most of us would have heard the story of the three thieves representing the three gunas, and also would have read that one needs to go beyond the three gunas to realize God. This is great, but as an aspirant what I need right now is to learn how to prepare and purify myself for sustained sadhana, so looking forward to suggestions in this direction. Thank you all for your valuable input and thoughtful suggestions. Jai GURU Nanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2005 Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 Great (and timely to me) question, I have no answers that I have implemented yet. . I look forward to hearing from others. , "Nanda" <chandimaakijai> wrote: > Dear All, > As most of us know, there are three gunas or qualities - > Tamas - quality of rest/ignorance/inertia > Rajas - quality of action/restlessness > Sattva - the balance of the above two. > > Most of us have preponderance towards one or more of the above qualities. > The lucky few that are sattvic in nature seem to combine rest and action > easily. They are able to balance out and are thus most suited for sadhana. > > So question is , how do we get to be more sattvic ? Any suggestions ? Any > shared experiences ? I would love to know. > > Pretty sure that most of us would have heard the story of the three thieves > representing the three gunas, and also would have read that one needs to go > beyond the three gunas to realize God. This is great, but as an aspirant what I > need right now is to learn how to prepare and purify myself for sustained > sadhana, so looking forward to suggestions in this direction. > > Thank you all for your valuable input and thoughtful suggestions. > > Jai GURU > Nanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2005 Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 Satva is not the balance of the other two gunas, that would make them sit on a line. In fact they are each corners of a triangle, the goal is to balance all three -- to be the bindu in the middle of the triangle yantra. Satva makes it easier to reach the step before the roof, but as Ramakrishna said, "you must cast off satva to step onto the roof." So desiring satva is good so far as it gets you to that last step, but don't become attached to it. Its as useless to you as Roger and Thomas once you get to that last step. Rajas is necessary for if we didn't have him, we'd not climb the steps. Tamas is necessary for if we didnt' have him, we'd not know how to relax and rest. A balance of all three is necessary for true peace. As for cultivating Satva at the expense of Rajas and Tamas (because satva is so foreign to our way of thinking these days), here are things I do: 1. Don't react to anything. When you feel a button pressed, acknowledge it and give it to (S)he who takes away. 2. Failing that -- and we all do -- don't react to your failure to not react. In other words, do not be upset, self deprecating or self justifying after a reaction has occured. Let go of the reaction as soon as you become aware of it. When you have a reaction and recognize it, beg and plead with mother to take it away. 3. Be truthful. Truth by my understanding always causes as much good for everyone as possible. Truth should only be used as a weapon where Asuras are involved. Self Truth is the most important truth. If you can find Self Truth, you have found God(des). 4. Since we must have thoughts, we are not yet masters, we must be in charge of them, not the other way around (who do ya think causes those reactions?). So make sure you are commander-in-chief of the thoughts running around in your head, and make sure you own the feelings you feel in your heart as well, because ultimately they are your children and your responsibility. This is the step that gets the Goddess' attention. 5. When you aren't peaceful inside, FAKE IT on the outside. What ever it takes to do what you know is RIGHT, force yourself to FAKE the actions and feelings necessary to accomplish it. Maa really likes it when we force a peaceful action out of a non-peaceful mind. It shows Her we identify with Her and not with the mind and that we want Her more than we want the DRAMA. 6. When you get to the boon granting parts of the pujas, ask for peace for yourself and ask for it NOW not at some holy future moment. > Dear All, > As most of us know, there are three gunas or qualities - > Tamas - quality of rest/ignorance/inertia > Rajas - quality of action/restlessness > Sattva - the balance of the above two. > > Most of us have preponderance towards one or more of the above qualities. > The lucky few that are sattvic in nature seem to combine rest and action > easily. They are able to balance out and are thus most suited for > sadhana. > > So question is , how do we get to be more sattvic ? Any suggestions ? Any > shared experiences ? I would love to know. > > Pretty sure that most of us would have heard the story of the three > thieves > representing the three gunas, and also would have read that one needs to > go > beyond the three gunas to realize God. This is great, but as an aspirant > what I > need right now is to learn how to prepare and purify myself for sustained > sadhana, so looking forward to suggestions in this direction. > > Thank you all for your valuable input and thoughtful suggestions. > > Jai GURU > Nanda Links > > / > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2005 Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 ok nanda here you go! first, give up drinking and pot. second, give up anger. third, give up cussin'. give up negative thinking. replace with positive thoughts, thoughts of calmness, resolution. do a puja. do a mantra. think about hanuman. meditate on the question: what is truth? fix yourself where you err. give up negative associations, take up good associations. spent quality time alone. that will do change tamas/rajas more to the sattvic side of things. but remember life is all qualities, even every color has shades. , "Nanda" <chandimaakijai> wrote: > Dear All, > As most of us know, there are three gunas or qualities - > Tamas - quality of rest/ignorance/inertia > Rajas - quality of action/restlessness > Sattva - the balance of the above two. > > Most of us have preponderance towards one or more of the above qualities. > The lucky few that are sattvic in nature seem to combine rest and action > easily. They are able to balance out and are thus most suited for sadhana. > > So question is , how do we get to be more sattvic ? Any suggestions ? Any > shared experiences ? I would love to know. > > Pretty sure that most of us would have heard the story of the three thieves > representing the three gunas, and also would have read that one needs to go > beyond the three gunas to realize God. This is great, but as an aspirant what I > need right now is to learn how to prepare and purify myself for sustained > sadhana, so looking forward to suggestions in this direction. > > Thank you all for your valuable input and thoughtful suggestions. > > Jai GURU > Nanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2005 Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 i especially take note of step 5. this will also alleviate creating further karma, also known as aggravating the situation. peace. , "Brian McKee" <brian@s...> wrote: > Satva is not the balance of the other two gunas, that would make them sit > on a line. In fact they are each corners of a triangle, the goal is to > balance all three -- to be the bindu in the middle of the triangle yantra. > > Satva makes it easier to reach the step before the roof, but as > Ramakrishna said, "you must cast off satva to step onto the roof." > > So desiring satva is good so far as it gets you to that last step, but > don't become attached to it. Its as useless to you as Roger and Thomas > once you get to that last step. > > Rajas is necessary for if we didn't have him, we'd not climb the steps. > > Tamas is necessary for if we didnt' have him, we'd not know how to relax > and rest. > > A balance of all three is necessary for true peace. > > As for cultivating Satva at the expense of Rajas and Tamas (because satva > is so foreign to our way of thinking these days), here are things I do: > > 1. Don't react to anything. When you feel a button pressed, acknowledge it > and give it to (S)he who takes away. > > 2. Failing that -- and we all do -- don't react to your failure to not > react. In other words, do not be upset, self deprecating or self > justifying after a reaction has occured. Let go of the reaction as soon as > you become aware of it. When you have a reaction and recognize it, beg and > plead with mother to take it away. > > 3. Be truthful. Truth by my understanding always causes as much good for > everyone as possible. Truth should only be used as a weapon where Asuras > are involved. Self Truth is the most important truth. If you can find Self > Truth, you have found God(des). > > 4. Since we must have thoughts, we are not yet masters, we must be in > charge of them, not the other way around (who do ya think causes those > reactions?). So make sure you are commander-in-chief of the thoughts > running around in your head, and make sure you own the feelings you feel > in your heart as well, because ultimately they are your children and your > responsibility. This is the step that gets the Goddess' attention. > > 5. When you aren't peaceful inside, FAKE IT on the outside. What ever it > takes to do what you know is RIGHT, force yourself to FAKE the actions and > feelings necessary to accomplish it. Maa really likes it when we force a > peaceful action out of a non-peaceful mind. It shows Her we identify with > Her and not with the mind and that we want Her more than we want the > DRAMA. > > 6. When you get to the boon granting parts of the pujas, ask for peace for > yourself and ask for it NOW not at some holy future moment. > > > Dear All, > > As most of us know, there are three gunas or qualities - > > Tamas - quality of rest/ignorance/inertia > > Rajas - quality of action/restlessness > > Sattva - the balance of the above two. > > > > Most of us have preponderance towards one or more of the above qualities. > > The lucky few that are sattvic in nature seem to combine rest and action > > easily. They are able to balance out and are thus most suited for > > sadhana. > > > > So question is , how do we get to be more sattvic ? Any suggestions ? Any > > shared experiences ? I would love to know. > > > > Pretty sure that most of us would have heard the story of the three > > thieves > > representing the three gunas, and also would have read that one needs to > > go > > beyond the three gunas to realize God. This is great, but as an aspirant > > what I > > need right now is to learn how to prepare and purify myself for sustained > > sadhana, so looking forward to suggestions in this direction. > > > > Thank you all for your valuable input and thoughtful suggestions. > > > > Jai GURU > > Nanda > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Links > > > > / > > > > > > Terms of Service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2005 Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 Nanda, I wish I had some comforting words for you...a simple answer to your question, a solution to your dilemma, that would allow you to infuse your mind and heart with purity and abundance of energy, but I do not. I have been praying for sattwa for years. I have come to the conclusion that (for me at least) spiritual life is very difficult; it is a struggle and a disappiontment, in the very deep places of the heart. But it can be equally rewarding and full, given the proper food of satsanga, and sadhana. But the struggle remains, nevertheless. But there is a day, one special day, in the life of every spiritual aspirant, when the clouds part, the thunder claps, and the sun of glory bursts forth, bathing the mind and heart in such abundance of purity that you are never the same again. That is a day of happiness such that all pain is forgotten, as a mother (or so I've heard) forgets the pain of labor. I pray for that day; we all of us, pray for that day. There is no other choice, We must wait for the sun to come up. What else can we do? Until then we prepare, to ease its rising. There is great hope in Swamiji's words that realization is not just for priests and pandits and special people, but for everyone. Jai Maa! Chris , "Nanda" <chandimaakijai> wrote: > Dear All, > As most of us know, there are three gunas or qualities - > Tamas - quality of rest/ignorance/inertia > Rajas - quality of action/restlessness > Sattva - the balance of the above two. > > Most of us have preponderance towards one or more of the above qualities. > The lucky few that are sattvic in nature seem to combine rest and action > easily. They are able to balance out and are thus most suited for sadhana. > > So question is , how do we get to be more sattvic ? Any suggestions ? Any > shared experiences ? I would love to know. > > Pretty sure that most of us would have heard the story of the three thieves > representing the three gunas, and also would have read that one needs to go > beyond the three gunas to realize God. This is great, but as an aspirant what I > need right now is to learn how to prepare and purify myself for sustained > sadhana, so looking forward to suggestions in this direction. > > Thank you all for your valuable input and thoughtful suggestions. > > Jai GURU > Nanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 swamiji said it is a battle. so we might have victories, but battle is battle; the fight itself becomes the thing for peace warriors, fighting inner battles. RAJ TARWAL , "Chris Kirner" <chriskirner1956> wrote: > Nanda, > > I wish I had some comforting words for you...a simple answer to your > question, a solution to your dilemma, that would allow you to infuse > your mind and heart with purity and abundance of energy, but I do not. > > I have been praying for sattwa for years. > > I have come to the conclusion that (for me at least) spiritual life is > very difficult; it is a struggle and a disappiontment, in the very > deep places of the heart. But it can be equally rewarding and full, > given the proper food of satsanga, and sadhana. But the struggle > remains, nevertheless. > > But there is a day, one special day, in the life of every spiritual > aspirant, when the clouds part, the thunder claps, and the sun of > glory bursts forth, bathing the mind and heart in such abundance of > purity that you are never the same again. That is a day of happiness > such that all pain is forgotten, as a mother (or so I've heard) > forgets the pain of labor. > > I pray for that day; we all of us, pray for that day. There is no > other choice, We must wait for the sun to come up. What else can we > do? Until then we prepare, to ease its rising. > > There is great hope in Swamiji's words that realization is not just > for priests and pandits and special people, but for everyone. > > Jai Maa! > Chris > > > > , "Nanda" <chandimaakijai> wrote: > > Dear All, > > As most of us know, there are three gunas or qualities - > > Tamas - quality of rest/ignorance/inertia > > Rajas - quality of action/restlessness > > Sattva - the balance of the above two. > > > > Most of us have preponderance towards one or more of the above > qualities. > > The lucky few that are sattvic in nature seem to combine rest and > action > > easily. They are able to balance out and are thus most suited for > sadhana. > > > > So question is , how do we get to be more sattvic ? Any suggestions > ? Any > > shared experiences ? I would love to know. > > > > Pretty sure that most of us would have heard the story of the three > thieves > > representing the three gunas, and also would have read that one > needs to go > > beyond the three gunas to realize God. This is great, but as an > aspirant what I > > need right now is to learn how to prepare and purify myself for > sustained > > sadhana, so looking forward to suggestions in this direction. > > > > Thank you all for your valuable input and thoughtful suggestions. > > > > Jai GURU > > Nanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Nanda, Reading through the other's responses and thinking about your question some more, there are a couple things I want to add to my earlier response, which, though true, I think, was not very helpful. First, I can feel you chomping at the bit of your tendencies, wanting to be free... I wish I could help you... The only positive suggestions I can make are to keep pushing through every obstacle (keeping in mind Sadhvi's comment about relaxing into the love), and (most important) drink the water that flows from the feet of the Guru. The grace of the guru is the prasad of our efforts. If you can be one with the Guru, when the time is ripe, you will have your sattwa (and you will ripen more quickly). BTW: Sattwa is much much more than mere balance for the other gunas. Going beyond the gunas is going beyond everything, even knowledge. There is a lot of value to the aspirant in between. May God bless your Great Desire. Jai Maa! Chris , "Nanda" <chandimaakijai> wrote: > Dear All, > As most of us know, there are three gunas or qualities - > Tamas - quality of rest/ignorance/inertia > Rajas - quality of action/restlessness > Sattva - the balance of the above two. > > Most of us have preponderance towards one or more of the above qualities. > The lucky few that are sattvic in nature seem to combine rest and action > easily. They are able to balance out and are thus most suited for sadhana. > > So question is , how do we get to be more sattvic ? Any suggestions ? Any > shared experiences ? I would love to know. > > Pretty sure that most of us would have heard the story of the three thieves > representing the three gunas, and also would have read that one needs to go > beyond the three gunas to realize God. This is great, but as an aspirant what I > need right now is to learn how to prepare and purify myself for sustained > sadhana, so looking forward to suggestions in this direction. > > Thank you all for your valuable input and thoughtful suggestions. > > Jai GURU > Nanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 >So question is , how do we get to be more sattvic ? Any suggestions ? Any shared experiences ? I would love to know. Another of my teachers, Dr. David Frawley says that "Sattva is the balance of Rajas and Tamas, combining the energy of Rajas with the stability of Tamas. By increasing Sattva, one gains peace and harmony, and returns to primordial nature and Pure Spirit, in which is liberation. To have Sattva predominant in our nature is the key to health, creativity, and spirituality. Those who are predominantly Sattvic strive towards balance, are considerate of others and take care of themselves. They see all life as a learning experience and look for the good in all things. We must develop love and awareness as universal forces and learn to transcend the limitations of the human condition to our higher spiritual nature. Inner peace must become our dominant force. We should no longer seek to overcome our pain but to develop our joy. We should no longer be centered in our personal or collective problems but in developing communion with the greater universe and the Divine power at work within it." From 'Ayurveda and the Mind' Personally, I suspect that since we are here Sattva is already a dominant quality for most, if not all, of us. Doing sadhana and eating food that is fresh, organic and didn't live in suffering are Sattvic, as well as allowing our hearts to open to love and compassion. Performing Seva and yoga, as well as singing the names of God, meditation, and devotional practices also lead us there. As I write this it occurs to me that remembering all faces and forms are God is the most simple answer. JAI MAA OM Shanti Morningsong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Very nice to see you, Morningsong. It's been a while Jai Maa! Chris , "CYNKAY MORNINGSONG" <morngsong@p...> wrote: > >So question is , how do we get to be more sattvic ? Any suggestions ? Any > shared experiences ? I would love to know. > > Another of my teachers, Dr. David Frawley says that "Sattva is the balance > of Rajas and Tamas, combining the energy of Rajas with the stability of > Tamas. By increasing Sattva, one gains peace and harmony, and returns to > primordial nature and Pure Spirit, in which is liberation. > > To have Sattva predominant in our nature is the key to health, creativity, > and spirituality. Those who are predominantly Sattvic strive towards > balance, are considerate of others and take care of themselves. They see > all life as a learning experience and look for the good in all things. > > We must develop love and awareness as universal forces and learn to > transcend the limitations of the human condition to our higher spiritual > nature. Inner peace must become our dominant force. We should no longer > seek to overcome our pain but to develop our joy. We should no longer be > centered in our personal or collective problems but in developing communion > with the greater universe and the Divine power at work within it." From > 'Ayurveda and the Mind' > > Personally, I suspect that since we are here Sattva is already a dominant > quality for most, if not all, of us. Doing sadhana and eating food that is > fresh, organic and didn't live in suffering are Sattvic, as well as allowing > our hearts to open to love and compassion. Performing Seva and yoga, as > well as singing the names of God, meditation, and devotional practices also > lead us there. > > As I write this it occurs to me that remembering all faces and forms are God > is the most simple answer. > > JAI MAA > OM Shanti > Morningsong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2005 Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 Dear All, Thank you for your responses to the question... A little recap ... Brian wrote :Maa really likes it when we force a peaceful action out of a non-peaceful mind." Steve said "meditate on the question: what is truth?" Chris, who has been chanting and meditating and absorbing the Guru gita , said , true to form :The grace of the guru is the prasad of our efforts" Gentle Morningsong ventured a beautiful comment - " We should no longer be centered in our personal or collective problems but in developing communion with the greater universe and the Divine power at work within it" And a long time practitioner of sadhana whose name reflects sadhana - Sadhvi, gleaned from her experience "much of that preparation is learning how to let go of trying to control the process so much and, instead, relaxing into the pure love of the practices" Thank you all for your thoughtful responses... So I asked Maa when I saw her last week..."Maa, how can I be more sattvic.." Maa stopped, looked at me thoughtfully and asked "you are not sattvic ?". and I said "No Maa" And Maa said "Do your Karma, and tell Chandi Maa that everything is Her doing" So Simple - given knowing the heart of devotee. I sent an email to Swamiji too, with the same question... and He didnt answer. I suppose He knew that I knew the answer almost as soon as I sent the question to Him " JUST KEEP AT THE SADHANA !!!! " JAI MAA Nanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2005 Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 Nanda, I was wondering if you would be willing to share what that means to you (what Maa said). Was it very meaningful? I don't know about you, but I have a hard time accepting or understanding the things Maa says sometimes. It's like her sense of things, her vision of truth, is so far beyond mine, that I lack a proper frame of reference. Not always, but sometimes... In this case, maybe it's because I don't really get that all my actions are Mother's. I can understand that it's true, but it's one of those things that is not part of my experience yet, so I have a hard time "feeling it". I suppose that's the point, though, isn't it? It's like her saying, as she wrote to me once, "Respect your actions all the time and you will feel closer to God. Ultimately you will become God." For the longest time I had no idea what she meant at all. Now I do. She's saying I need to see all my actions as divine offerings, or as divine activity. I still don't "see" it, but perhaps I'm getting closer. Jai Maa! Chris , "Nanda" <chandimaakijai> wrote: > Dear All, > Thank you for your responses to the question... A little recap ... > > Brian wrote :Maa really likes it when we force a peaceful action out > of a non-peaceful mind." > > Steve said "meditate on the question: what is truth?" > > Chris, who has been chanting and meditating and absorbing the Guru > gita , said , true to form :The grace of the guru is the prasad of > our efforts" > > Gentle Morningsong ventured a beautiful comment - " We should no > longer be centered in our personal or collective problems but in > developing communion with the greater universe and the Divine power > at work within it" > > And a long time practitioner of sadhana whose name reflects sadhana - > Sadhvi, gleaned from her experience "much of that preparation is > learning how to let go of trying to control the process so much and, > instead, relaxing into the pure love of the practices" > > Thank you all for your thoughtful responses... > > So I asked Maa when I saw her last week..."Maa, how can I be more > sattvic.." > > Maa stopped, looked at me thoughtfully and asked "you are not > sattvic ?". > > and I said "No Maa" > > And Maa said "Do your Karma, and tell Chandi Maa that everything is > Her doing" > > So Simple - given knowing the heart of devotee. > > I sent an email to Swamiji too, with the same question... and He > didnt answer. I suppose He knew that I knew the answer > > almost as soon as I sent the question to Him " JUST KEEP AT THE > SADHANA !!!! " > > JAI MAA > Nanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2005 Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 nanda thanks as always for your tireless efforts to share your experience at the mandir with us, it is very beneficial to peek thru this window. talwar , "Nanda" <chandimaakijai> wrote: > Dear All, > Thank you for your responses to the question... A little recap ... > > Brian wrote :Maa really likes it when we force a peaceful action out > of a non-peaceful mind." > > Steve said "meditate on the question: what is truth?" > > Chris, who has been chanting and meditating and absorbing the Guru > gita , said , true to form :The grace of the guru is the prasad of > our efforts" > > Gentle Morningsong ventured a beautiful comment - " We should no > longer be centered in our personal or collective problems but in > developing communion with the greater universe and the Divine power > at work within it" > > And a long time practitioner of sadhana whose name reflects sadhana - > Sadhvi, gleaned from her experience "much of that preparation is > learning how to let go of trying to control the process so much and, > instead, relaxing into the pure love of the practices" > > Thank you all for your thoughtful responses... > > So I asked Maa when I saw her last week..."Maa, how can I be more > sattvic.." > > Maa stopped, looked at me thoughtfully and asked "you are not > sattvic ?". > > and I said "No Maa" > > And Maa said "Do your Karma, and tell Chandi Maa that everything is > Her doing" > > So Simple - given knowing the heart of devotee. > > I sent an email to Swamiji too, with the same question... and He > didnt answer. I suppose He knew that I knew the answer > > almost as soon as I sent the question to Him " JUST KEEP AT THE > SADHANA !!!! " > > JAI MAA > Nanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2005 Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 In a message dated 5/25/05 7:32:43 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time, chriskirner1956 writes: I suppose that's the point, though, isn't it? It's like her saying, asshe wrote to me once, "Respect your actions all the time and you willfeel closer to God. Ultimately you will become God." For the longesttime I had no idea what she meant at all. Now I do. She's saying Ineed to see all my actions as divine offerings, or as divine activity. I still don't "see" it, but perhaps I'm getting closer. Namaste Chris, You are doing through the light of the divine, through the mind and body you call you. Om Namah Sivaya Kanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2005 Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 In a message dated 5/25/05 11:22:13 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time, brian (AT) soulspark (DOT) org writes: 1. Stand in front of a Mirror (best is full length mirror and be nude).2. Stare at your face, looking at all details, see imperfections. Namaste Brian, A day or so ago, when standing in front of the mirror ( not full length ) and looking at my face a twelve year old me was looking back. The light in the eyes a pure bright light, then it was me today and the same pure bright light in the eyes. Om Namah Sivaya With Love Kanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2005 Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 A method I developed for myself a few years ago for recognizing divinity within myself goes like this: 1. Stand in front of a Mirror (best is full length mirror and be nude). 2. Stare at your face, looking at all details, see imperfections. 3. Notice details, make faces at yourself, notice attitudes and reactions. Notice feelings. 4. Then take hold of all those thoughts and feelings and squeeze them by looking directly into your eyes. 5. Stare deeply into your eyes. Stare into one then stare into the other. Are there feelings coming up? Grab hold of them by staring more deeply into your eyes. 6. Let whatever happens, happen. Let whatever thoughts come up, come up, but always keep staring at the depth and breadth of the reality behind your eyes. 7. Then, when the intensity makes you feel like you're going crazy repeat this magical mantra, "I love you." 8. If feelings and reactions come up, let them be, but keep focusing into your eyes. Notice the depth of compassion found in the light within those eyes. 9. Say it again, "I love you." 10. Repeat 8 and 9 until there is peacefulness or if nothing else a sense of wonder and amazement. This process shows you that there's more to you than your body, mind and senses. The eyes are truly the gateway to who you are. The Soul cannot hide behind your eyes for long without being seen, especially when you call to Her by saying, "I love You." "I love you" is Her loving you, and its you loving Her, its the acknowledgement of the relationship, the acceptance of Her into your life, and an expression of your desire to know Her. Remember one fact: every thought and every feeling you experience while performing this simple exercize is your mind's way of trying to get you to try to identify with it instead of She Who Lies Hidden Within Our Eyes. And every thought which you let go will pass into the consciousness of She Who Tears Apart Thought becoming a sacrifice you give to Her so you may be peaceful. An admission of self love is not vanity, it is acknowledgement of who we truly are. One last thing: the harder it is to do this, the more likely you are to succeed. The more you feel the struggle in your mind, the closer She is. Goddess bless. > Nanda, > > I was wondering if you would be willing to share what that means to > you (what Maa said). Was it very meaningful? > > I don't know about you, but I have a hard time accepting or > understanding the things Maa says sometimes. It's like her sense of > things, her vision of truth, is so far beyond mine, that I lack a > proper frame of reference. Not always, but sometimes... > > In this case, maybe it's because I don't really get that all my > actions are Mother's. I can understand that it's true, but it's one of > those things that is not part of my experience yet, so I have a hard > time "feeling it". > > I suppose that's the point, though, isn't it? It's like her saying, as > she wrote to me once, "Respect your actions all the time and you > will > feel closer to God. Ultimately you will become God." For the longest > time I had no idea what she meant at all. Now I do. She's saying I > need to see all my actions as divine offerings, or as divine activity. > > I still don't "see" it, but perhaps I'm getting closer. > > Jai Maa! > Chris > > > > > , "Nanda" wrote: > > Dear All, > > Thank you for your responses to the question... A little recap ... > > > > Brian wrote :Maa really likes it when we force a peaceful action out > > of a non-peaceful mind." > > > > Steve said "meditate on the question: what is truth?" > > > > Chris, who has been chanting and meditating and absorbing the Guru > > gita , said , true to form :The grace of the guru is the prasad of > > our efforts" > > > > Gentle Morningsong ventured a beautiful comment - " We should no > > longer be centered in our personal or collective problems but in > > developing communion with the greater universe and the Divine power > > at work within it" > > > > And a long time practitioner of sadhana whose name reflects sadhana - > > Sadhvi, gleaned from her experience "much of that preparation is > > learning how to let go of trying to control the process so much and, > > instead, relaxing into the pure love of the practices" > > > > Thank you all for your thoughtful responses... > > > > So I asked Maa when I saw her last week..."Maa, how can I be more > > sattvic.." > > > > Maa stopped, looked at me thoughtfully and asked "you are not > > sattvic ?". > > > > and I said "No Maa" > > > > And Maa said "Do your Karma, and tell Chandi Maa that everything > is > > Her doing" > > > > So Simple - given knowing the heart of devotee. > > > > I sent an email to Swamiji too, with the same question... and He > > didnt answer. I suppose He knew that I knew the answer > > > > almost as soon as I sent the question to Him " JUST KEEP AT THE > > SADHANA !!!! " > > > > JAI MAA > > Nanda > > > > > > Links > > / > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2005 Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 I share the sentiments expressed by Steve. Parnams and may Mother continue to sustain and direct you. KaliaSteve Connor <sconnor (AT) austin (DOT) rr.com> wrote: nanda thanks as always for your tireless efforts to share yourexperience at the mandir with us, it is very beneficial to peek thruthis window.talwar, "Nanda" <chandimaakijai>wrote:> Dear All,> Thank you for your responses to the question... A little recap ...> > Brian wrote :Maa really likes it when we force a peaceful actionout > of a non-peaceful mind."> > Steve said "meditate on the question: what is truth?"> > Chris, who has been chanting and meditating and absorbing the Guru > gita , said , true to form :The grace of the guru is the prasad of > our efforts"> > Gentle Morningsong ventured a beautiful comment - " We should no > longer be centered in our personal or collective problems but in > developing communion with the greater universe and the Divine power > at work within it"> > And a long time practitioner of sadhana whose name reflects sadhana-> Sadhvi, gleaned from her experience "much of that preparation is > learning how to let go of trying to control the process so muchand, > instead, relaxing into the pure love of the practices"> > Thank you all for your thoughtful responses...> > So I asked Maa when I saw her last week..."Maa, how can I be more > sattvic.."> > Maa stopped, looked at me thoughtfully and asked "you are not > sattvic ?". > > and I said "No Maa"> > And Maa said "Do your Karma, and tell Chandi Maa that everything is > Her doing"> > So Simple - given knowing the heart of devotee.> > I sent an email to Swamiji too, with the same question... and He > didnt answer. I suppose He knew that I knew the answer > > almost as soon as I sent the question to Him " JUST KEEP AT THE > SADHANA !!!! "> > JAI MAA> NandaDo You ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2005 Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 I have seen past faces, I have seen many places and many many races. The pupils change color, the hair comes and goes, the gender flips back and forth, but the energy within the guise is always the same light behind my eyes. Seeing in the mirror that child staring hence is the best reminder of all for our innocence. > > In a message dated 5/25/05 11:22:13 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time, > brian writes: > > 1. Stand in front of a Mirror (best is full length mirror and be nude). > 2. Stare at your face, looking at all details, see imperfections. > > > > Namaste Brian, > > A day or so ago, when standing in front of the mirror ( not full length ) > and looking at my face a twelve year old me was looking back. The light > in the > eyes a pure bright light, then it was me today and the same pure bright > light in the eyes. > > Om Namah Sivaya > > With Love > > Kanda > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2005 Report Share Posted May 26, 2005 Brian, Thanks for this personal example of your experience. I have practiced this myself, on occasion (without the naked part, though ) It is a very good practice, I think. In general, for whatever it's worth, this practice of gazing is known as tratak, and, if you are very advanced, may be done on anything to discern everything there is to know about it (requires samadhi). It is also used to develop psychic siddhis. However, it does have a downside. It is very easy to overdo this practice, as it is very subtle and very intense. Overdoing can damage the nadis and prematurely intensify whatever emotional complexes may exist. The effect is probably temporary, but can be extremely disruptive. It's good to keep this in mind when you practice. Jai Maa! Chris , "Brian McKee" <brian@s...> wrote: > A method I developed for myself a few years ago for recognizing divinity > within myself goes like this: > > 1. Stand in front of a Mirror (best is full length mirror and be nude). > 2. Stare at your face, looking at all details, see imperfections. > 3. Notice details, make faces at yourself, notice attitudes and reactions. > Notice feelings. > 4. Then take hold of all those thoughts and feelings and squeeze them by > looking directly into your eyes. > 5. Stare deeply into your eyes. Stare into one then stare into the other. > Are there feelings coming up? Grab hold of them by staring more deeply > into your eyes. > 6. Let whatever happens, happen. Let whatever thoughts come up, come up, > but always keep staring at the depth and breadth of the reality behind > your eyes. > 7. Then, when the intensity makes you feel like you're going crazy repeat > this magical mantra, "I love you." > 8. If feelings and reactions come up, let them be, but keep focusing into > your eyes. Notice the depth of compassion found in the light within those > eyes. > 9. Say it again, "I love you." > 10. Repeat 8 and 9 until there is peacefulness or if nothing else a sense > of wonder and amazement. > > This process shows you that there's more to you than your body, mind and > senses. The eyes are truly the gateway to who you are. The Soul cannot > hide behind your eyes for long without being seen, especially when you > call to Her by saying, "I love You." > > "I love you" is Her loving you, and its you loving Her, its the > acknowledgement of the relationship, the acceptance of Her into your life, > and an expression of your desire to know Her. > > Remember one fact: every thought and every feeling you experience while > performing this simple exercize is your mind's way of trying to get you to > try to identify with it instead of She Who Lies Hidden Within Our Eyes. > And every thought which you let go will pass into the consciousness of She > Who Tears Apart Thought becoming a sacrifice you give to Her so you may be > peaceful. > > An admission of self love is not vanity, it is acknowledgement of who we > truly are. > > One last thing: the harder it is to do this, the more likely you are to > succeed. The more you feel the struggle in your mind, the closer She is. > > Goddess bless. > > > Nanda, > > > > I was wondering if you would be willing to share what that means to > > you (what Maa said). Was it very meaningful? > > > > I don't know about you, but I have a hard time accepting or > > understanding the things Maa says sometimes. It's like her sense of > > things, her vision of truth, is so far beyond mine, that I lack a > > proper frame of reference. Not always, but sometimes... > > > > In this case, maybe it's because I don't really get that all my > > actions are Mother's. I can understand that it's true, but it's one of > > those things that is not part of my experience yet, so I have a hard > > time "feeling it". > > > > I suppose that's the point, though, isn't it? It's like her saying, as > > she wrote to me once, "Respect your actions all the time and you > > will > > feel closer to God. Ultimately you will become God." For the longest > > time I had no idea what she meant at all. Now I do. She's saying I > > need to see all my actions as divine offerings, or as divine activity. > > > > I still don't "see" it, but perhaps I'm getting closer. > > > > Jai Maa! > > Chris > > > > > > > > > > , "Nanda" wrote: > > > Dear All, > > > Thank you for your responses to the question... A little recap ... > > > > > > Brian wrote :Maa really likes it when we force a peaceful action out > > > of a non-peaceful mind." > > > > > > Steve said "meditate on the question: what is truth?" > > > > > > Chris, who has been chanting and meditating and absorbing the Guru > > > gita , said , true to form :The grace of the guru is the prasad of > > > our efforts" > > > > > > Gentle Morningsong ventured a beautiful comment - " We should no > > > longer be centered in our personal or collective problems but in > > > developing communion with the greater universe and the Divine power > > > at work within it" > > > > > > And a long time practitioner of sadhana whose name reflects sadhana - > > > Sadhvi, gleaned from her experience "much of that preparation is > > > learning how to let go of trying to control the process so much and, > > > instead, relaxing into the pure love of the practices" > > > > > > Thank you all for your thoughtful responses... > > > > > > So I asked Maa when I saw her last week..."Maa, how can I be more > > > sattvic.." > > > > > > Maa stopped, looked at me thoughtfully and asked "you are not > > > sattvic ?". > > > > > > and I said "No Maa" > > > > > > And Maa said "Do your Karma, and tell Chandi Maa that everything > > is > > > Her doing" > > > > > > So Simple - given knowing the heart of devotee. > > > > > > I sent an email to Swamiji too, with the same question... and He > > > didnt answer. I suppose He knew that I knew the answer > > > > > > almost as soon as I sent the question to Him " JUST KEEP AT THE > > > SADHANA !!!! " > > > > > > JAI MAA > > > Nanda > > > > > > > > > > > > Links > > > > / > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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