To Devi about Question from Swamiji for the group

[Guest guest]

Devi wrote:

>> ...I try to keep the Goddess in mind as much as possible, although

often >> illness restricts me from performing the formal daily

practice that I >> hope for. This often makes me feel somewhat a

failure. However, >> looking at it from the joyful perspective of

lemonade, I can see that >> my illness is simply a lemon that I have

been given to work with..

Dear Devi ~ I am not sure I was aware of your illness. I'm pretty sure

everyone on the digest is aware of mine, since it has been such a

frustration for me. So, I understand how you feel, and the lemonade

metaphor struck a deep chord with me as well. I have repeated this a

number of times, but will do so again. When our group was doing the

Chandi Path sankalpa, I wrote to Swamiji and asked him if I could

chant reclining in bed as I do not have the ability to sit for very

long. I was somewhat surprised when he wrote back and said, "yes." So

our beloved gurus understand our limitations and even help us turn

those lemons into lemonade for God/dess. How many times have I felt

like a failure? Countless. How many times have I "run away" because I

felt so far behind and so unequipped physically to do what most of the

group is doing? Many. Each time, I may be gone for a day or two or

three, but I always feel this magnetic pull to return. I know it is

Swamiji. So now I say, "Okay, I give up. I accept my limitations. I

offer them to you. I will do what I can and offer my daily activities

to God/dess." For me, this is the beginning of devotion. Jai Maa , Jai

Swamiji ~ Linda