Guest guest Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 The quote said: "I think that I am acting selflessly, but I actually have lots of desires." If you are pursuing name, gain, and fame, you cannot be free from desire.: Ramakrishna I often struggle with this issue in that I do not WANT to be working in the world, at least that is what I think, but life circumstance put me here. It seems that if we are working in the world we should try to do a good job. Should I not take career paths that might bring name, gain, etc.? Should I forfeit use of my God given talents in favor of an annonymous job doing construction, or landscaping or something else...all great jobs but perhaps not what I would be best at. Is this making sense? I am familiar with karma yoga, but still find this whole issue challenging...how to work in the world well but not get caught up in the worldly issues...especially when some are required on the job. Others have thoughts? Sadhu Maa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2006 Report Share Posted March 8, 2006 Dear Sadhu Maa, I work in the world at a job which is demanding and challenging. The attitude that I have learned to embrace in my work environment is to serve God in mankind. I believe that it doesn't matter what environment we serve in, whether spiritual or otherwise, our mind is the instrument that has to be purified. The mind can be our friend or enemy. If we spiritualize our everyday life by serving God in humanity, the mind becomes our friend. My work environment is my puja room, and those I come in daily contact with are the murtis which I serve as deities in which ever way is appropriate. I am glad to have the opportunity to serve. What I would like to also say is that it really doesn't matter what we do. it's all in the mind. I believe that if you have God given talents, it is better to use those talents. Desires and egos will appear even in the most menial work. Sadhana is the art of spiritualizing our daily life whatever it may be. With Love, Kumari , "sadumaa" <sadumaa wrote: > > The quote said: > "I think that I am acting selflessly, but I actually have lots of > desires." If you are pursuing name, gain, and fame, you cannot be free > from desire.: Ramakrishna > > I often struggle with this issue in that I do not WANT to be working in > the world, at least that is what I think, but life circumstance put me > here. It seems that if we are working in the world we should try to do > a good job. Should I not take career paths that might bring name, gain, > etc.? Should I forfeit use of my God given talents in favor of an > annonymous job doing construction, or landscaping or something > else...all great jobs but perhaps not what I would be best at. Is this > making sense? I am familiar with karma yoga, but still find this whole > issue challenging...how to work in the world well but not get caught up > in the worldly issues...especially when some are required on the job. > > Others have thoughts? > Sadhu Maa > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2006 Report Share Posted March 8, 2006 , "ty_maa" <ds.james wrote: "My work environment is my puja room, and those I come in daily contact with are the murtis which I serve as deities in which ever way is appropriate. I am glad to have the opportunity to serve." Jai Maa, beloved Kumariji! This is the Bhava we should all aspire to! Expanding our Puja Rooms until it includes the whole world, and every being we come across is a beautiful murti that we are being given the opportunity and privilege to serve. Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji! Jai Thakur Ramakrishna Deva! muktimaa > > Dear Sadhu Maa, > > I work in the world at a job which is demanding and challenging. The > attitude that I have learned to embrace in my work environment is to > serve God in mankind. > > I believe that it doesn't matter what environment we serve in, whether > spiritual or otherwise, our mind is the instrument that has to be > purified. The mind can be our friend or enemy. If we spiritualize our > everyday life by serving God in humanity, the mind becomes our friend. > > My work environment is my puja room, and those I come in daily contact > with are the murtis which I serve as deities in which ever way is > appropriate. I am glad to have the opportunity to serve. > > What I would like to also say is that it really doesn't matter what we > do. it's all in the mind. > > I believe that if you have God given talents, it is better to use > those talents. Desires and egos will appear even in the most menial > work. Sadhana is the art of spiritualizing our daily life whatever it > may be. > > > With Love, > Kumari > > > > > , "sadumaa" <sadumaa@> wrote: > > > > The quote said: > > "I think that I am acting selflessly, but I actually have lots of > > desires." If you are pursuing name, gain, and fame, you cannot be free > > from desire.: Ramakrishna > > > > I often struggle with this issue in that I do not WANT to be working in > > the world, at least that is what I think, but life circumstance put me > > here. It seems that if we are working in the world we should try to do > > a good job. Should I not take career paths that might bring name, gain, > > etc.? Should I forfeit use of my God given talents in favor of an > > annonymous job doing construction, or landscaping or something > > else...all great jobs but perhaps not what I would be best at. Is this > > making sense? I am familiar with karma yoga, but still find this whole > > issue challenging...how to work in the world well but not get caught up > > in the worldly issues...especially when some are required on the job. > > > > Others have thoughts? > > Sadhu Maa > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2006 Report Share Posted March 8, 2006 Top of the morning, I love to hear about the nature of work (spiritual); I am reminded each day of Dharma, as my work in the field/world. The spiritual life is a beautiful life, indeed, and at times a challenging one at that, not that that's not ok or being detached from the pain, I wish! But, this for me, is the reminder that the physical body is taking us "there" and I am always in check as to the balance of the art of Dharma in the chosen pathway in the chosen body, in the chosen karmic familyNation. What we have come to accomplish, the inner work with the outer world is a reciprocal one for me. A give and take, in that all is good part of the Dharmic Principle, in reaching the ultimate in the world of duality. So, I look forward to walking for a new day, it that each day is always different and new, and what comes back to me is noticing how closer I am to that Dharma and realization of the one in all. This si truly, "shock and awe" in the spiritual sense of being. I love the spiritual life. Thank you for allowing me to share how I feel and sense about the world of work! Edward - muktimaa Wednesday, March 08, 2006 6:34 AM Re: Discussion of daily message on work , "ty_maa" <ds.james wrote:"My work environment is my puja room, and those I come in daily contactwith are the murtis which I serve as deities in which ever way isappropriate. I am glad to have the opportunity to serve."Jai Maa, beloved Kumariji!This is the Bhava we should all aspire to! Expanding our Puja Rooms until it includes the whole world, and every being we come across is a beautiful murti that we are being given the opportunity and privilege to serve.Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji! Jai Thakur Ramakrishna Deva! muktimaa>> Dear Sadhu Maa,> > I work in the world at a job which is demanding and challenging. The> attitude that I have learned to embrace in my work environment is to> serve God in mankind.> > I believe that it doesn't matter what environment we serve in, whether> spiritual or otherwise, our mind is the instrument that has to be> purified. The mind can be our friend or enemy. If we spiritualize our> everyday life by serving God in humanity, the mind becomes our friend.> > My work environment is my puja room, and those I come in daily contact> with are the murtis which I serve as deities in which ever way is> appropriate. I am glad to have the opportunity to serve.> > What I would like to also say is that it really doesn't matter what we> do. it's all in the mind.> > I believe that if you have God given talents, it is better to use> those talents. Desires and egos will appear even in the most menial> work. Sadhana is the art of spiritualizing our daily life whatever it> may be.> > > With Love,> Kumari> > > > > --- In , "sadumaa" <sadumaa@> wrote:> >> > The quote said:> > "I think that I am acting selflessly, but I actually have lots of > > desires." If you are pursuing name, gain, and fame, you cannot be free > > from desire.: Ramakrishna> > > > I often struggle with this issue in that I do not WANT to be working in > > the world, at least that is what I think, but life circumstance put me > > here. It seems that if we are working in the world we should try to do > > a good job. Should I not take career paths that might bring name, gain, > > etc.? Should I forfeit use of my God given talents in favor of an > > annonymous job doing construction, or landscaping or something > > else...all great jobs but perhaps not what I would be best at. Is this > > making sense? I am familiar with karma yoga, but still find this whole > > issue challenging...how to work in the world well but not get caught up > > in the worldly issues...especially when some are required on the job.> > > > Others have thoughts?> > Sadhu Maa> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2006 Report Share Posted March 8, 2006 -This is a very interesting discussion and so timely. At my work I am dealing with a manager who is unreasonable and mean. She is a person I have to deal with everyday. I do not like some of the assumptions she makes about me and yet I am spending 8-9 hours everyday in this work environment. I keep wondering about what to do about it. How do you bring God into a situation like this. Ruchi -- In , "muktimaa" <muktimaa wrote: > > , "ty_maa" <ds.james@> wrote: > > "My work environment is my puja room, and those I come in daily > contact > with are the murtis which I serve as deities in which ever way is > appropriate. I am glad to have the opportunity to serve." > > Jai Maa, beloved Kumariji! > This is the Bhava we should all aspire to! Expanding our Puja Rooms > until it includes the whole world, and every being we come across is > a beautiful murti that we are being given the opportunity and > privilege to serve. > > Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji! Jai Thakur Ramakrishna Deva! > muktimaa > > > > > > > > > > > > Dear Sadhu Maa, > > > > I work in the world at a job which is demanding and challenging. > The > > attitude that I have learned to embrace in my work environment is to > > serve God in mankind. > > > > I believe that it doesn't matter what environment we serve in, > whether > > spiritual or otherwise, our mind is the instrument that has to be > > purified. The mind can be our friend or enemy. If we spiritualize > our > > everyday life by serving God in humanity, the mind becomes our > friend. > > > > My work environment is my puja room, and those I come in daily > contact > > with are the murtis which I serve as deities in which ever way is > > appropriate. I am glad to have the opportunity to serve. > > > > What I would like to also say is that it really doesn't matter what > we > > do. it's all in the mind. > > > > I believe that if you have God given talents, it is better to use > > those talents. Desires and egos will appear even in the most menial > > work. Sadhana is the art of spiritualizing our daily life whatever > it > > may be. > > > > > > With Love, > > Kumari > > > > > > > > > > , "sadumaa" <sadumaa@> wrote: > > > > > > The quote said: > > > "I think that I am acting selflessly, but I actually have lots of > > > desires." If you are pursuing name, gain, and fame, you cannot > be free > > > from desire.: Ramakrishna > > > > > > I often struggle with this issue in that I do not WANT to be > working in > > > the world, at least that is what I think, but life circumstance > put me > > > here. It seems that if we are working in the world we should try > to do > > > a good job. Should I not take career paths that might bring name, > gain, > > > etc.? Should I forfeit use of my God given talents in favor of an > > > annonymous job doing construction, or landscaping or something > > > else...all great jobs but perhaps not what I would be best at. Is > this > > > making sense? I am familiar with karma yoga, but still find this > whole > > > issue challenging...how to work in the world well but not get > caught up > > > in the worldly issues...especially when some are required on the > job. > > > > > > Others have thoughts? > > > Sadhu Maa > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2006 Report Share Posted March 8, 2006 "Perform your duties in an unselfish spirit. Always try to perform your duties without desiring any result. All, without exception, perform work. Even to chant the name and glories of God is work, as is the meditation of the non-dualist on 'I am He'. Breathing is also an activity. There is no way of renouncing work altogether. So do your work, but surrender the result to God." Sri Ramakrishna , "sadumaa" <sadumaa wrote: > > The quote said: > "I think that I am acting selflessly, but I actually have lots of > desires." If you are pursuing name, gain, and fame, you cannot be free > from desire.: Ramakrishna > > I often struggle with this issue in that I do not WANT to be working in > the world, at least that is what I think, but life circumstance put me > here. It seems that if we are working in the world we should try to do > a good job. Should I not take career paths that might bring name, gain, > etc.? Should I forfeit use of my God given talents in favor of an > annonymous job doing construction, or landscaping or something > else...all great jobs but perhaps not what I would be best at. Is this > making sense? I am familiar with karma yoga, but still find this whole > issue challenging...how to work in the world well but not get caught up > in the worldly issues...especially when some are required on the job. > > Others have thoughts? > Sadhu Maa > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 Dear Ruchi, It has been said, by those who are holy enough to know, that the greatest and most effective tapas that human beings have, whether in an ashram or in the worldly world, is simply to get along well together. We have three powerful tools in our spiritual tool-chest. Kumari eloquently described the first. That is, to relate to others, not as body, mind or ego, but as the living divine reality which indwells every human being. The mood of that relationship then becomes one of genuine worship of the divine in man, instead of strife and competition as egos battle for predominance. A second tool is the Chandi. About the time you were writing the post below, Kumari, through no fault of her own, encountered two very threatening and incorrigible situations at her work. With commute added, her job keeps her away from before sunrise till well after sunset, so someone else read the Chandi in her behalf, and by the next day both situations had turned around, one in remarkable ways by a complete reversal, and the other was softened considerably. The Mother promises in the Chandi that its reading is the best way to neutralize oppressive people in high positions, and to bring harmony to relationships of all kinds. The third tool is nothing more than to recognize when an unpleasent situation is really a blessing in disguise. Divine Providence sometimes presents those of us, who can't go to India and climb mountains, with the opportunity to do real serious and effective tapas at home. It has been said by those same holy people who should know, that to endure with titiksha---that is, with evenness of mind, and with no desire to redress---the oppression of other people in positions of power, and who can make our life miserable, is the most effective tapas of all, and can yield great spiritual benifits. There are no doubt many other wonderful spiritual tools, which others can share, but these are three that we know. Most affectionately, Tanmaya , "ruchibabbar" <ruchibabbar wrote: > > -This is a very interesting discussion and so timely. > At my work I am dealing with a manager who is unreasonable and mean. > She is a person I have to deal with everyday. I do not like some of > the assumptions she makes about me and yet I am spending 8-9 hours > everyday in this work environment. I keep wondering about what to do > about it. How do you bring God into a situation like this. > > Ruchi > > -- In , "muktimaa" muktimaa@ wrote: > > > > , "ty_maa" <ds.james@> wrote: > > > > "My work environment is my puja room, and those I come in daily > > contact > > with are the murtis which I serve as deities in which ever way is > > appropriate. I am glad to have the opportunity to serve." > > > > Jai Maa, beloved Kumariji! > > This is the Bhava we should all aspire to! Expanding our Puja Rooms > > until it includes the whole world, and every being we come across > is > > a beautiful murti that we are being given the opportunity and > > privilege to serve. > > > > Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji! Jai Thakur Ramakrishna Deva! > > muktimaa > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Dear Sadhu Maa, > > > > > > I work in the world at a job which is demanding and challenging. > > The > > > attitude that I have learned to embrace in my work environment is > to > > > serve God in mankind. > > > > > > I believe that it doesn't matter what environment we serve in, > > whether > > > spiritual or otherwise, our mind is the instrument that has to be > > > purified. The mind can be our friend or enemy. If we spiritualize > > our > > > everyday life by serving God in humanity, the mind becomes our > > friend. > > > > > > My work environment is my puja room, and those I come in daily > > contact > > > with are the murtis which I serve as deities in which ever way is > > > appropriate. I am glad to have the opportunity to serve. > > > > > > What I would like to also say is that it really doesn't matter > what > > we > > > do. it's all in the mind. > > > > > > I believe that if you have God given talents, it is better to use > > > those talents. Desires and egos will appear even in the most > menial > > > work. Sadhana is the art of spiritualizing our daily life > whatever > > it > > > may be. > > > > > > > > > With Love, > > > Kumari > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > , "sadumaa" <sadumaa@> wrote: > > > > > > > > The quote said: > > > > "I think that I am acting selflessly, but I actually have lots > of > > > > desires." If you are pursuing name, gain, and fame, you cannot > > be free > > > > from desire.: Ramakrishna > > > > > > > > I often struggle with this issue in that I do not WANT to be > > working in > > > > the world, at least that is what I think, but life circumstance > > put me > > > > here. It seems that if we are working in the world we should > try > > to do > > > > a good job. Should I not take career paths that might bring > name, > > gain, > > > > etc.? Should I forfeit use of my God given talents in favor of > an > > > > annonymous job doing construction, or landscaping or something > > > > else...all great jobs but perhaps not what I would be best at. > Is > > this > > > > making sense? I am familiar with karma yoga, but still find > this > > whole > > > > issue challenging...how to work in the world well but not get > > caught up > > > > in the worldly issues...especially when some are required on > the > > job. > > > > > > > > Others have thoughts? > > > > Sadhu Maa > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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