some words from Swamiji on finding a guru, and art and spiritual practices

[Guest guest]

Dear Devotees,

 

I wanted to share with you responses that Swami made to inquiries

from me in the past, in the hopes that they might be helpful to you

too if you have a similar question. The parenthetical material is

what I added to help the reader understand his response given what I

had asked. Read on below!

 

Om Namah Shivaya,

e

 

ON A QUESTION ABOUT HOW TO BALANCE ART WITH SPIRITUAL PRACTICES, AND

WHETHER OR NOT TO GIVE UP ARTMAKING TO FOCUS MORE ON SPIRITUAL

PRACTICES:

 

"Your art is also a spiritual practice. Make it a puja, an offering

to

God, and you will accomplish both objectives (artmaking and

spiritual practice)."

 

"It (artwork) is the major part (of your spiritual practices). Do

not neglect the other parts (like service, pranayama, and

meditation), but spend time here as well."

 

 

 

IN RESPONSE TO MY QUESTIONS ABOUT FEARING GURUS AND HOW TO EVALUATE

THEM/FIND ONE'S GURU:

 

"One day you will see or hear someone who inspires you so much that

you

let your love, respect, and admiration supercede your fear. It's a

natural process. You can't force yourself to fall in love. All you

can

do is to create the circumstances conducive to being a lover"

 

"There is no word anyone could speak which will make you fall in

Love.

Neither can anyone describe for you how sweet is the taste of sugar,

nor exactly how beautiful is that beautiful flower.

 

How can anyone go beyond the mind, when they are so bound by

attachments to fears and doubts? Let go and let God. Be at Peace."

 

"It is not necessary for a teacher to be enlightened to teach you

something beneficial.

 

The issue of proclaiming one's self to be enlightened is comparable

to

proclaiming one's self to be the most humble or to have measured the

limits of infinity for all eternity.

 

No one who is not selfishly motivated would be so presumptuous as to

make such a proclamation. Neither would anyone not blinded by

foolish

gullibility be desirous to hear or believe such claims.

 

The real question, in my opinion, is whether or not such a

relationship

could bring growth in a positive direction. Do try to analyze the

qualifications of your Guru. Try to become a perfect disciple."

[Guest guest]

Jai Maa, dear Elizabeth!

Thank-you so much for sharing our dear Swamiji's answers to some very

important questions. i am sure they will be of great help to many

devotees.

Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji! Jai Thakur!

Your sister always,

muktimaa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

, "e_mars1133" <e_mars1133>

wrote:

> Dear Devotees,

>

> I wanted to share with you responses that Swami made to inquiries

> from me in the past, in the hopes that they might be helpful to you

> too if you have a similar question. The parenthetical material is

> what I added to help the reader understand his response given what

I

> had asked. Read on below!

>

> Om Namah Shivaya,

> e

>

> ON A QUESTION ABOUT HOW TO BALANCE ART WITH SPIRITUAL PRACTICES,

AND

> WHETHER OR NOT TO GIVE UP ARTMAKING TO FOCUS MORE ON SPIRITUAL

> PRACTICES:

>

> "Your art is also a spiritual practice. Make it a puja, an offering

> to

> God, and you will accomplish both objectives (artmaking and

> spiritual practice)."

>

> "It (artwork) is the major part (of your spiritual practices). Do

> not neglect the other parts (like service, pranayama, and

> meditation), but spend time here as well."

>

>

>

> IN RESPONSE TO MY QUESTIONS ABOUT FEARING GURUS AND HOW TO EVALUATE

> THEM/FIND ONE'S GURU:

>

> "One day you will see or hear someone who inspires you so much that

> you

> let your love, respect, and admiration supercede your fear. It's a

> natural process. You can't force yourself to fall in love. All you

> can

> do is to create the circumstances conducive to being a lover"

>

> "There is no word anyone could speak which will make you fall in

> Love.

> Neither can anyone describe for you how sweet is the taste of

sugar,

> nor exactly how beautiful is that beautiful flower.

>

> How can anyone go beyond the mind, when they are so bound by

> attachments to fears and doubts? Let go and let God. Be at Peace."

>

> "It is not necessary for a teacher to be enlightened to teach you

> something beneficial.

>

> The issue of proclaiming one's self to be enlightened is comparable

> to

> proclaiming one's self to be the most humble or to have measured

the

> limits of infinity for all eternity.

>

> No one who is not selfishly motivated would be so presumptuous as

to

> make such a proclamation. Neither would anyone not blinded by

> foolish

> gullibility be desirous to hear or believe such claims.

>

> The real question, in my opinion, is whether or not such a

> relationship

> could bring growth in a positive direction. Do try to analyze the

> qualifications of your Guru. Try to become a perfect disciple."