476--Q&A WITH SWAMIJI-- Being in Stillness

[Guest guest]

me how to just be in the stillness? Swamiji's response: All of the

worship that we have shared teaches and trains our awareness to come

to the stillness, to be in the presence of God. But there is no

technique by which to make that quantum shift in consciousness by

which we just let go. That is called Grace. In part it is earned by

our actions. All the worship, meditation, prayer makes us worthy of

receiving that Grace. But also that Grace "descends from above" and

is granted to those She has "chosen," for reasons only She knows.

You can't practice being in the stillness. You can practice

approaching the stillness. That is why we teach techniques of

worship, how to sit, breathe, chant, and be silent -- all the things

we can do until She grants that Darshan. The rishis called it neti

neti - not this, not that; the Buddhists called it Sunya, the

absolute silence or Void; we call it

Nirvikalpa, beyond any idea. You are calling the Stillness. I believe they are all the same.

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[Guest guest]

Wow, great question, great answer. Thank you both.

 

, Nanda <chandimaakijai> wrote:

>

> Question from a devotee:

> For all of my years on this planet I have been inquisitive, have

searched for understanding and meaning and inspiration. I have a

bright mind, enjoy discussion and learning. I have been blessed by

introduction to scriptures and techniques and now am blessed with more

books and pujas from the Devi Mandir. Lately (the last year or so),

the options for worship seem too many, too much. I can see the

validity in them all. I know there are as many ways as there are

beings and inclinations. I know there are layers and layers of

energetic movement with each mantra and technique. What about just

sitting still and being with God? When is this approach appropriate?

When is it possible? Sometimes I wish I could just BE in my life and

stop striving so hard to wake up to this that is just out of reach. I

so wish I could be near you and Shree Maa for inspiration. It is hard

to know, to be so far away. Please, can you tell me how to just be in

the stillness?

>

> Swamiji's response:

> All of the worship that we have shared teaches and trains our

awareness to come to the stillness, to be in the presence of God. But

there is no technique by which to make that quantum shift in

consciousness by which we just let go. That is called Grace.

>

> In part it is earned by our actions. All the worship, meditation,

prayer makes us worthy of receiving that Grace. But also that Grace

"descends from above" and is granted to those She has "chosen," for

reasons only She knows.

>

> You can't practice being in the stillness. You can practice

approaching the stillness. That is why we teach techniques of worship,

how to sit, breathe, chant, and be silent -- all the things we can do

until She grants that Darshan. The rishis called it neti neti - not

this, not that; the Buddhists called it Sunya, the absolute silence or

Void; we call it Nirvikalpa, beyond any idea.

>

> You are calling the Stillness. I believe they are all the same.

>

>

>

> FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

>