Guest guest Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Dear friends, a question which comes to mind: how do you know who is looking back at you when you gaze in your mirror? Mahisasura can take many shapes, but the energy is still the same, isn't it? It's not that I want to criticize the practice, but I am a little worried that you can be tricked easily by what is sometimes called 'the glamour of the astral plane' or, in other words, the false ego parading as something it is not. I have often been warned about this, so that is why I ask. Please, please, please don't think I am suggesting that you are only seeing Mahisasura looking back. I just want to know how you know what's what, with love, Henny In , "Chris Kirner" <chriskirner1956> wrote: > 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 > > > > > > / > > > > > > > > > Terms of Service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Hi Henny, You asked, "How do you know who is looking back at you when you gaze in your mirror?" That is fear talking. Remember you are looking toward the depths of your soul. You aren't looking at eyes, a face or a body -- or a mind, a personality, or a shadow. This exercize is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. When I first forced myself to do it, I did not want to see just how afraid I was of seeing into the depths of who I am. I was afraid of what I might discover. I was afraid that I might find out just how worthless I truly am. I was afraid that all the thoughts that told me I wasn't worth the molecules I'm made of were correct and I couldn't look into my own eyes for fear of having that fear validated. That fear came from self deprecation. He's a powerful asura, to be sure. But ultimately, the more imperfection I saw, the more I realized exactly how perfect the imperfection is. It enables us to experience life, to live it, to play in the universe of opposites. It is through our apparent imperfection that we may become perfected by Her grace. It enables us to be who we are and become who we are at the same time. That is the duality of growth. Mother has nothing but love for us and looking into her eyes can never ever be bad, as long as our intentions are pure. If we desire sidhis we shall surely get them and be tempted by them. But if we desire her and she gives us sidhis then we will shall say, "Gee thanks Mom, but I want you: not sidhis." "I just want to see everything for what it truly is," I tell Her over and over again. "Please show me everything as it truly is." Facing ourselves in the mirror, shows us how small we are. It shows us how unhealthy we are. It shows us how troubled we are. We must do that before we look to Her, because to see Her we have to look through ourselves. Once we accept our apparent imperfection, we can look to our perfect eyes. Eyes have to be perfect to function, thus genetics has made them perfect (or as close to perfect as is possible on this plane). Behind them lying it wait is the Consciousness of Full Goodness. But if we catch a glimpse of Her, She will say, "Aha! Here is a worthy disciple!" And then she will begin to dig deeper into her bag of tricks and try to prevent us from seeing her. She may make us afraid of death, She may try to lure us with psychic ability. She could make us wealthy beyond our wildest dreams. She will, absolutely draw on our every desire and fear to keep us from catching sight of Her again. That is Her job, to make sure that we are truly ready for awareness. That we are true devotees of Her and of nothing else. Maybe that's what the bible meant when it said, "Thou shall not put false gods before me." When you feel a reaction, a fear, a desire or whatever in front of a framed glass mirror, in front of the mirror of reality, or in the mirror of a loved one, remember what it indicates: you almost caught a glimpse of She Who is All Goodness and She's trying to trick you into forgetting! First She offers you boons to satisfy your desire. Then She tries to scare you with Her terrible appearance. Then She threatens to destroy your ego. Then She offers you power beyond your wildest fantacies. And on and on She goes doing Her job, to keep you wrapped up in her warm blanket of Maha Maya. The mirror exercize is a practice to expand our relationship with Her. Once the relationship is established, its just a game of temptation until She finaly gives in, and gives us what we want: to know Her as she truly is. Love, Brian > Dear friends, > > a question which comes to mind: how do you know who is looking back at > you when you gaze in your mirror? Mahisasura can take many shapes, but > the energy is still the same, isn't it? It's not that I want to > criticize the practice, but I am a little worried that you can be > tricked easily by what is sometimes called 'the glamour of the astral > plane' or, in other words, the false ego parading as something it is > not. I have often been warned about this, so that is why I ask. > Please, please, please don't think I am suggesting that you are only > seeing Mahisasura looking back. I just want to know how you know > what's what, > > with love, > Henny > > In , "Chris Kirner" > wrote: > > 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" > 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 > > > > > > > > / > > > > > > > > > > > > Terms of > Service. Links > > / > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Thank you, Brian, for taking the time to answer my question so honestly and completely. I understand what you are saying and you are right. There is fear; fear of looking and fear of what She may have in Her bag of tricks. Fear disappears with understanding, so thank you. I bow to He who dares to stand naked, I bow to He who asks for nothing but Truth, with love, Henny , "Brian McKee" <brian@s...> wrote: > Hi Henny, > > You asked, "How do you know who is looking back at you when you gaze in > your mirror?" > > That is fear talking. > > Remember you are looking toward the depths of your soul. You aren't > looking at eyes, a face or a body -- or a mind, a personality, or a > shadow. > > This exercize is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. When I first > forced myself to do it, I did not want to see just how afraid I was of > seeing into the depths of who I am. > > I was afraid of what I might discover. I was afraid that I might find out > just how worthless I truly am. I was afraid that all the thoughts that > told me I wasn't worth the molecules I'm made of were correct and I > couldn't look into my own eyes for fear of having that fear validated. > > That fear came from self deprecation. He's a powerful asura, to be sure. > > But ultimately, the more imperfection I saw, the more I realized exactly > how perfect the imperfection is. It enables us to experience life, to live > it, to play in the universe of opposites. It is through our apparent > imperfection that we may become perfected by Her grace. It enables us to > be who we are and become who we are at the same time. That is the duality > of growth. > > Mother has nothing but love for us and looking into her eyes can never > ever be bad, as long as our intentions are pure. If we desire sidhis we > shall surely get them and be tempted by them. But if we desire her and she > gives us sidhis then we will shall say, "Gee thanks Mom, but I want you: > not sidhis." > > "I just want to see everything for what it truly is," I tell Her over and > over again. "Please show me everything as it truly is." > > Facing ourselves in the mirror, shows us how small we are. It shows us how > unhealthy we are. It shows us how troubled we are. We must do that before > we look to Her, because to see Her we have to look through ourselves. Once > we accept our apparent imperfection, we can look to our perfect eyes. Eyes > have to be perfect to function, thus genetics has made them perfect (or as > close to perfect as is possible on this plane). Behind them lying it wait > is the Consciousness of Full Goodness. But if we catch a glimpse of Her, > She will say, "Aha! Here is a worthy disciple!" And then she will begin to > dig deeper into her bag of tricks and try to prevent us from seeing her. > She may make us afraid of death, She may try to lure us with psychic > ability. She could make us wealthy beyond our wildest dreams. She will, > absolutely draw on our every desire and fear to keep us from catching > sight of Her again. > > That is Her job, to make sure that we are truly ready for awareness. That > we are true devotees of Her and of nothing else. Maybe that's what the > bible meant when it said, "Thou shall not put false gods before me." > > When you feel a reaction, a fear, a desire or whatever in front of a > framed glass mirror, in front of the mirror of reality, or in the mirror > of a loved one, remember what it indicates: you almost caught a glimpse of > She Who is All Goodness and She's trying to trick you into forgetting! > First She offers you boons to satisfy your desire. Then She tries to scare > you with Her terrible appearance. Then She threatens to destroy your ego. > Then She offers you power beyond your wildest fantacies. And on and on She > goes doing Her job, to keep you wrapped up in her warm blanket of Maha > Maya. > > The mirror exercize is a practice to expand our relationship with Her. > > Once the relationship is established, its just a game of temptation until > She finaly gives in, and gives us what we want: to know Her as she truly > is. > > Love, > > Brian > > > Dear friends, > > > > a question which comes to mind: how do you know who is looking back at > > you when you gaze in your mirror? Mahisasura can take many shapes, but > > the energy is still the same, isn't it? It's not that I want to > > criticize the practice, but I am a little worried that you can be > > tricked easily by what is sometimes called 'the glamour of the astral > > plane' or, in other words, the false ego parading as something it is > > not. I have often been warned about this, so that is why I ask. > > Please, please, please don't think I am suggesting that you are only > > seeing Mahisasura looking back. I just want to know how you know > > what's what, > > > > with love, > > Henny > > > > In , "Chris Kirner" > > wrote: > > > 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" > > 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.& quot; 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& quot; > > 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 - & quot; 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 & quot;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 > > > > > > > > > > / > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Terms of > > Service. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Links > > > > / > > > > > > Terms of Service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Henny, When you pray, how do you know to whom you are speaking? If your motives are pure, you have nothing to worry about. Jai Maa! Chris , "henny_v_i" <HvI@S...> wrote: > Dear friends, > > a question which comes to mind: how do you know who is looking back at > you when you gaze in your mirror? Mahisasura can take many shapes, but > the energy is still the same, isn't it? It's not that I want to > criticize the practice, but I am a little worried that you can be > tricked easily by what is sometimes called 'the glamour of the astral > plane' or, in other words, the false ego parading as something it is > not. I have often been warned about this, so that is why I ask. > Please, please, please don't think I am suggesting that you are only > seeing Mahisasura looking back. I just want to know how you know > what's what, > > with love, > Henny > > In , "Chris Kirner" <chriskirner1956> > wrote: > > 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 > > > > > > > > / > > > > > > > > > > > > Terms of > Service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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