valaya

Best thing that can happen to a country is losing a war with the U.S.A. Look at Japan and Germany! Went to Siddha's group tonight wearing my `Don't Mess With The U.S.` T-shirt. Not appropriate, sorry to say...maybe I should have gone to the pitiful half-hearted anti-war demo at the U.S. Consulate, just round the corner from where I live. Gollee, mighta made it on T.V.! [This message has been edited by valaya (edited 10-07-2001).]

If you're expecting honest self-evaluation here, good luck! Now, if you changed the name of this thread to `Role-call`...RR

Be a real `bummer` if Osama's ass ended up in your fridge...but seriously, folks, does this belong with `Spiritual Discussions`?

But then my remote control would be useless!

Atma already posted this joke some time ago.

Copied from another board: Crisis As A Means To Awakening ASHOK ARORA NY crisis -- be it emotional, physical or financial -- can be turned into a stepping stone to attain spiritual growth. Crisis is the time or state when we are out of slumber that this body makes us fall into. This body has a tendency or habit of sleeping without our being aware of it. How many of us are aware of what is going on within and without? Even a fraction of a second of awakening can make us aware of the difference. How do we go about rousing ourselves from this sleeping condition, this `maya' of our bodily nature? A crisis offers that opportunity. In a crisis when our emotions are all stirred up, chemical and electrical charges that flow through our body are at their peak. A right combination of these charges can open the doors to the other side of sleep -- that is the awakened state. That is what happens in bhakti yoga. A bhakta or devotee pours all of his or her emotions into God. A stage comes when they are completely in harmony with the law of consciousness and that is when doors open. Our spiritual heritage is full of examples of how people got transformed into more evolved persons, like Buddha, Mahavira, Meera and Tulsidas. When you study the lives of these `awakened' persons you will find that they all went through a crisis. The greater the intensity or momentum of the crisis, the deeper the understanding and experience of the truth. In Sufism, feelings and emotions for another person are turned inward. This leads to the higher self. Lao Tse used to adopt such techniques to transform emotional turmoil into energy to reach higher realms. What are those tools needed for transformation? How can we go about it? Is it worth all the pain and effort? First one must realise, no salvation or solution lies outside of oneself. It is easy to say this but very hard to realise it. In reality, how many of us even dare to look inside? Our ego finds a thousand and one excuses for not doing so. That is why the scriptures call the play of nature, body or ego an illusion or maya. The world, the body or the ego play the game of illusion with you. Only after realising this, can you look inwards. What do you find when you go in? You find all the garbage which you have accumulated. You may not like it but you have to face it. Churning this garbage will prove to be useful. Remember the story of Samudra Manthan. Bad and ugly things will come out. So will good and beautiful things. Constantly observe. Do not be a chooser. Just observe. Because the moment you start choosing you will fall in the trap. When everything which has to come out has appeared, a calm or peace will descend upon you. This stage is what our sages have called the grace of God. Your journey has just begun. The door has opened. Take the first step -- go in. The moment you take that first step, you die -- metaphysically. You change radically. A new you is born. That is when you become twice born. The pain and agony that you go through before you are reborn is identical to the labour of child birth. So this path is not for cowards. It is only for brave souls who dare to tread on it. This change seems spontaneous. But in fact it happens only after a long period of repeated attempts. When you will follow this inner path, there will be lots of temptations -- in the form of siddhis, extra-sensory powers -- that come of out of body experiences. Most people get hooked on to these. But the true seeker keeps following the inner path. We must keep in mind that this body is asleep, our consciousness is asleep and this sleep is like the numbness of a body-part that has gone to sleep. We must use the pain of turmoil as catharsis and awaken our consciousness to its natural state. E J Gold said, ``So be brave, be courageous. You will experience your imprisonment in a dead body, but soon the dead body will begin to awaken. Then the situation will take a new turn; people around you will seem dead but not everybody -- as you look around, you will see some whose eyes are a little bit open or very much open. Work with your pains, using them to reawaken the circulation in this lifeless body, this sleeping machine.''

For one who goes by the name `supercow`, you sure know how to make an `ass` of yourself...

If someone tries to shove something down another's throat (`Debate This!`), they can expect to be vomited on. Intentional provocation inspires reaction in kind. Then, of course, the usual cries of offensive, abusive, etc. ring out self-righteously. All this is always done in the name of loving service to Sri Guru and Gauranga! We've been here before, on other forums, with the same individuals who seem adamantly locked in the past, while continuing to viciously lash out at others rather than face their own obvious shortcomings. The only solution, albeit temporary, remains avoidance. Perhaps all they have to teach us is self-control...though not by their own examples. For those to whom Srila Prabhupada, as THEY understand him, continues to be their all-in-all and the sole personification of absolute truth, other forums are available. In fact, many of us here are not welcome there, so a certain `intolerance` might be expected on the part of some of us. If so-called `Prabhupadanugas` actually were that, their fruits of devotion would be apparent to everyone. As for those who continue to identify themselves as initiated disciples after abandoning their vows... Give us a break, eh? valaya RR

The topic of this thread is not being addressed, "Who is the Soul of Radha?" Kripalu Maharaja will not discuss manjari bhava, therefore all that Jayasriradhe can quote refers to Krsna's soul as Radha. As previously stated by me on another thread, the soul of Sri Radha is Her girlfriends, especially Radha-dasi manjaris who are exclusively devoted to Her alone. The pastimes of Radha and Krsna are actually created by these same manjaris. Indeed, the whole purpose behind acintya-bhedabheda-tattva is to provide pleasure to the devotees, specifically the gopis. Krsna repeatedly states that He cannot repay their devotion, thus he is continually attempting to do so. That's what keeps the nectar flowing! Lord Caitanya's appearance in the mood of Sri Radha allows us the rare opportunity to engage directly in Her service by assisting Him in His sankirtan movement. Those who insist on relating to Mahaprabhu as Krsna, or are unable to distinguish the individual personality and supreme position of Srimati Radharani as distinct from Sri Krsna, are simply missing the point entirely. Our connection is not through Radha, it is to Radha! That is why all the gurus in our parampara are manjaris. Although everything has been written by the six goswamis of Vrndavana under the direct guidance of Lord Caitanya Himself, still this previously unavailable knowledge remains hidden to most. Why anyone would continue to regurgitate all the same old stuff and keep reaching for some personal/impersonal relationship with Krsna is quite beyond me. As part and parcels of the internal potency, Radhika is immediately available to us all. Krsna Himself tells us how he prefers to see His devotee glorified! As you always say, Satyaraja prabhu, what to do? valaya RR [This message has been edited by valaya (edited 10-05-2001).]

While I agree for the most part with what you've said here, Satyaraja prabhu, I can't go along with the `peaceful contemplation`. The urgency of our desire seems most important to me. This can be expressed by giving up all our attachments to physical comforts, including mental and emotional stability, particularly home and family. The association of advanced souls with similar spiritual goals can be a major inspiration and even a moment in their presence can light the necessary fire in one's heart. Then, by prayerful chanting of the Holy Names, that fire of devotional longing can leap into flames that quickly consume all our attachments in this world. Eventually, everyone will be blessed by His Divine Grace and, possibly after numerous lifetimes, reach spititual perfection of some sort. The question for each of us as individuals with our own free will is simply how long are we willing to wait `patiently`. Sri Ramakrishna threatened to commit suicide before Mother Kali granted him her vision...so long as we maintain any comfort in our lives here, we will be delaying our spiritual progress. For a `fortunate` few, there actually is no choice... valaya RR

Those of us within this not-so-exclusive group obviously are not all being offered the luxury of choice that you apparently enjoy. I might therefore suggest that moderation of this particular forum be left to the moderator. Perhaps a select few of us may be found worthy of your more `genteel` association at some future time. Guess that's something most of us can only aspire to, eh prabhus? valaya RR [This message has been edited by valaya (edited 10-04-2001).]

Note the difference between `my` (in response to Satyaraja's previous question, using the words your Radha, and my. It is Krsna who does not belong to us, however, not Radha. She belongs to Her girlfriends. As usual, you remain not only confused, but also jumping to wrong conclusions. Only Jayasriradhey has some idea of what RR indicates, so you might want/care to ask her. Unfortunately, she believes herself to actually be Srimati Radharani as do you and so many others due to the desire of enjoying Krsna independently from Her. Actually, there is only one ROMANCE and it is between Radhika and Krsna. Our position is either to attempt to imitate that as part of our relationships with each other within the perverted reflection of this world, or to enter into transcendental Goloka Vrndavan and assist the Divine Couple in their relationship, as a manjari. Thanks for reminding me of my place, Bhaktavasya prabhu. valaya RR [This message has been edited by valaya (edited 10-03-2001).]

You may be interested in watching ABC news nightline at 11:35pm EDST tonight. Oh, guess you don't have a T.V., do you? Well, guess you could just look in the mirror and use your obviously fertile imagination! Then you can share your wishful thinking here, unless of course someone hurts your feelings somehow... From : Nightline <listeditor@abcnews.go.com> Reply-To : Nightline <listeditor@abcnews.go.com> To : "Nightline Mailing List" <nightlinemail-l@alist0.starwave.com> Subject : NIGHTLINE: Watch What You Say Date : Wed, 03 Oct 2001 14:31:49 -0700 Reply Reply All Forward Delete Printer Friendly Version TONIGHT'S SUBJECT: We are living in sober times, where words matter even more than before September 11. Whether it's news reports compromising troop movements (as in "loose lips sink ships") or simply being politically incorrect in this pre-war period, tonight we'll address the questions of what to say and how to say it. As this email goes out, we've just obtained newly released New York City police and fire department tapes from September 11. You'll hear those tonight. But our main focus will be political dissent at a time of crisis. ---- Is dissent in wartime unpatriotic? It's a perennial question with no easy answers. While there's been no official war declaration, President Bush has described the terrorist attacks as an act of war. One writer who's been critical of Osama bin Laden still worries that a prevailing "pseudo-unity" will, as the CHICAGO TRIBUNE noted, "choke off the spirit of dissenting individualism crucial to defeating" what he calls "Islamic fascism." Put another way, does fear trump constitutional rights? It's a question some citizens are asking after losing their jobs for what they've written or said in the wake of the September 11 horror. The OREGON DAILY COURIER columnist, the University of New Mexico professor and the host of the ABC program POLITICALLY INCORRECT (which follows NIGHTLINE in many cities) all know what it's like to be stung after their words ruffled feathers. The first two were fired. POLITICALLY INCORRECT'S Bill Maher has had some advertisers abandon his broadcast. Some would say the marketplace of ideas is working. But others argue free speech is taking a hit during this difficult time for the country. Tonight, in another special one-hour NIGHTLINE, Ted Koppel will speak with people who have different perspectives on White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer's misunderstood admonition that in times like these, people "need to watch what they say, watch what they do. . ." Among them writer Susan Sontag, who asked in THE NEW YORKER, "Where is the acknowledgement that this (the Sept. 11 terrorist attack) was not a 'cowardly' attack on 'civilization' or 'liberty' or 'humanity' or 'the free world' but an attack on the world's self-proclaimed superpower, undertaken as a consequence of specific American alliances and actions? Strong words. Not popular, especially in these times. But does she have the right to speak her mind? Or the TEXAS CITY SUN editor who was fired for writing a column critical of the President following the terrorist attack? Or Republican political operative Ed Gillespie who says "the events of 9/11 cause all of us to reevaluate. And I think we see a reevaluation of moral relativism." Lots of food for thought. We hope you'll partake. Wednesday, October 3, 2001 Richard Harris Senior Producer NIGHTLINE OFFICES Washington, D.C. ----------- If you have questions or comments regarding this message or a recent "Nightline" broadcast, please do not hit reply; simply click on this link to send your message directly to the "Nightline" staff: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/nightline/Nightline/Nightline_email_form.html Or log on to the new "Nightline" Message Board: http://boards.go.com/cgi/abcnews/request.dll?LIST&room=nightline Chat with "Nightline" guests and find articles, transcripts and video excerpts on our Web site at: http://abcnews.go.com/Sections/Nightline/ You can to the "Nightline" e-mail at: http://login.mailpref.go.com/ Ask your friends to sign up! Send them this link: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/nightline/DailyNews/nightline_login.html

Yes, `my` Radha is His Divine Grace and we are all part and parcel of Her. She is also known as the `internal potency` which is the basis of all other potencies, including Brahman. In other words, while God has both personal and impersonal aspects, the most intimate relationship is a personal one. Religion, on the other hand, tends towards the impersonal. RR

Tarun, Have you ever considered writing a book of crossword puzzles related to Krsna-conciousness? That might be a worthy challenge, prabhu.

No, DON'T come again!

Hey, he might never return! We want weekly updates at the very least! My prayers and blessings come at a cost, prabhu! RR [This message has been edited by valaya (edited 10-01-2001).]

Dear Dr. Melvin, Thank you for speaking so honestly from the heart about your personal life and thoughts. The root of all dis-ease in this world is our separation from God. For a devotee of Krsna, this means disconnection from Srimati Radharani who is the personification of devotional service. It is obvious that you have been blessed by His Divine Grace and you should therefore know that you'll carry that blessing wherever you go to whoever you're with, always. Not everyone associated with Lord Caitanya's sankirtan movement is destined to become a preacher in their present lifetime. That does not mean they won't have a positive transcendental influence on others. All that is asked from us is to take the Holy Names as our life and soul. That means to accept them as non-different from our Eternal Beloved and learn to take full shelter emotionally through constant chanting. This need not be done only on japa mala beads or even out loud. One can repeat certain names to oneself, attentively or not, quite easily. In fact, this can become quite addictive. Leaning on the Holy Names will cause false pride and so many other negative things in our hearts to simply evaporate in a very short time. The names I suggest are: Nitai (Prabhu Nityananda), Nimai (Lord Caitanya), Radha and Krsna. You can also chant Jesus, if you feel so inclined. I've found it best though to concentrate on only one of the above two-syllable names at a time, repeating it over and over again, trying (if possible) to feel oneself meek and humble by admitting complete helplessness, here in this world all alone. There seems to be a natural `two-syllable` rhythm to our activities, such as walking left foot then right foot or breathing in and out, which this chanting can easily be synchronized with. After awhile you will probably find yourself attached to one name/personality in particular and repetition will become spontaneous. At first concentration will most likely come and go as you attend to your daily work routine, but soon you'll see how focusing on the Names can help accomplish whatever the task at hand is. Rather than attempting to drift off into some `spiritual` dreamland, this is an active meditation which brings Krsna and all His potencies to bear right here and now. My own experience has taught me that I simply am unable to function properly without Him/Her in the form of their Holy Names. Now the process is automatic for me, at least to some extent. I guess what I'm saying, prabhu, is that there's no need to believe you must choose to neglect medicine for devotion, indeed the two can be extremely complimentary. Rest assured that the power of Divine Love is with you always and will in time be fully revealed in the most personal way. Meanwhile, I would advise you to follow your heart in deciding what to do, including what books to read. Don't be rushed into accepting any particular guru or feel guilty because you're not all that you might think you should be as a devotee, doctor, husband, father, etc. Just keep on keeping on, somehow or other... Trust in God and believe in yourself as the servant of all and everything will ultimately come together. Maya-devi and your own mind will become your friends! I am very grateful for your association and contributions here. valaya RR

Dharma, I am in Toronto, Canada and would like to meet someone involved with this. Please share your own personal experiences here, also. My Email is: amanpeter@hotmail.com

One is motivated by divine loving compassion while the other is due to the desire to attain heavenly or earthly rewards and, no, I doubt if the difference can be appreciated in this case. RR

Try phoning the manufacturer of VCR or go to a store that sells the same make. Also, repair shop may help.

Guess my change of heart wasn't `true` enough for some here, although it certainly seems real to me and those who know me personally. Have we all assembled here to destroy faith in ourselves and each other in the name of service to Sri Gurudev, Guru-Gauranga and Radha-Krsna or is that just what's happening most of the time? Must one individual or group always gain at the expense of another? Isn't there enough of God and His Love to go around? Maitreya, please give us a means to contact you when you get to India, like a hotmail Email which you can access anywhere. Don't recommend you take a laptop with you though. Wish I was going with you, prabhu! valaya RR [This message has been edited by valaya (edited 09-29-2001).]

Haribol Audarya lila das! Nice try, prabhu. I trust that what you are attempting to deal with here, in your usual calm rational manner, is becoming increasingly clear. Whatever the input, it will eventually be used against you. The more passionate your reply, the more fuel you provide. Certainly there is no possibility of spontaneous discourse knowing that every word, inflection and who-knows-what-all will be picked apart to provide fuel for seemingly unlimited anger and frustration. An unfortunate but obviously hopeless situation. Guess it's up to the `victims` to work together on themselves. So sorry for all real or imagined offenses. It's evident that I have nothing further of any apparent value to offer here, nor do I expect to in the near future. Sincerely (I think...), valaya RR [This message has been edited by valaya (edited 09-29-2001).]

Haribol Bhakta Neal! Welcome to the fray...oops! I mean forum...!!!

Dear Faithless, I hope this forum answers your question whether anyone here might be able to help you. Actions really do speak louder than words, don't they? If you can possibly avoid this network of bewilderment in favor of educating yourself and establishing some solid foundation for the future, I'd highly recommend doing so. It's much easier while you're still young. Leave God realization to His Divine Grace, which may be provided more personally in the form of Sri Guru somewhere down the line. Meanwhile, try to believe in yourself, understanding that everything is already deep inside your heart-of-hearts and will be revealed as appropriate. Later you can return here and save us all from ourselves! HARIBOL! HARIBOL! valaya RR [This message has been edited by valaya (edited 09-28-2001).]