Digest Number 1062

[Guest guest]

Nanda poste:

>> Swamiji's question :>> "If we could find one extra hour every

day, what would you add to your present sadhana >> and why?"

Dear Nanda & all ~ this was a very provocative question to me. I'm not sure, at this point,

I even spending an hour a day on sadhana. Those times when I have done

so were most likely because I was participating in a group sadhana ...

which is a good reason to have them.

I have several mantras that have come to me on the backs of the little

cards with the pictures of Shree Maa and Swamiji on them. (and ... all

the pictures are lined up, tucked into the little edge of trim on the

closet next to my bed. I see Swamiji with his arms open wide

embracing the Universe; I see Shree Maa, sitting with eyes closed in

meditation, appearing very focused and Self-contained; I see Shree

Maa embracing the Vina; I see Swamiji with his mala in his hands with

a big smile on his face, like the best thing in the whole wide world

(even better than smarties ... if anyone doesn't know, ask me) is

mantra japa.

So ... surely, even though I am ill and even though, when I am feeling

the slightest bit well, I want to focus my time on my music or my art

or my writing. Then when I think of ald l Swamiji accomplishes, and

Shree Maa also, like all the translated books Swamiji has blessed us

with, I also know they are also spending the majority of their time

doing puja and devotional practices. So surely I can find an hour.

That is a good start for me ... it is manageable. I almost feel

Swamiji had me in mind when he gave that answer.

So what would I do with an hour ... I would do one of my mantras (my

favorite is the Durga mantra); I would do the Shri Lalitha

Sahasranama; and if there were any time left over after that, I would

listen to Shree Maa singing or I would resume my reciting of the

Chandi, this time listening with the tapes while I do it. I have

started this project many times, but then I get off of my focus, I

miss a day or two or three, and then I feel I have to begin all over

again.

So making that part of my hour, and making time for that hour every

day, would keep me going on the Chandi as well as making this hour of

sadhana regular.

Pranams to Swamiji, who understands the difficulties of those with limitations ~ Linda