umandi

Judging by the posts I've read on this board, many possess theoretical knowledge. Once the essence of this theoretical knowledge is absorbed from any source, whether from the Gita or Upanishads or from the gospel of any enlightened master (Ramakrishna or Aurobindo or whoever), how much ever comfort and enjoyment is derived from the reading, as we well know, it really doesn't take you any closer to the goal. I suspect that many of those finding this message board are in the same boat- seekers without a guru. The purpose of my beginning this thread is to ask active participants and lurkers-- (a) Where are you in your search thus far? (b) What experiences have you had and to what method do you ascribe for it? To get things started, I'll throw in my 2 cents worth- (a) I possess theoretical knowledge only -- and I've gradually come to accept that jnana and bhakti both valid. I stopped my attempts a while back to take the path of jnana because it really didn't lead anywhere beyond book knowledge (with one exception detailed in b) Bhakti comes easier and feels good. (b) I did experience a prolonged vision of sorts wherein a creature (she looked human) guided me through some fantastic realms. No words were exchanged. I was half awake and quite aware of the happenings both within and without, which is why I categorize it under vision and not dream. Anyway it was marvelous but never to be repeated even though I tried simulating the same conditions for months afterwards. It happened as I recall after a simple stint of meditation when I was utterly calm. It has been so long that it would be easy to dismiss as imagined, except for the unbelievable vividness of these places I was shown. So pray share, where are you in your journey and what experiences have you had?

I take back the comment that I didn't glean much from this thread...Careful re-reading shows that everything I mentioned in my earlier post has already been said on here... peace.

Faithless, I managed to find this thread looking for answers to precisely the same question - how to cultivate faith and devotion. Can't say I really gleaned much from the thread so far. What I've read generally and taken away from books is that certain people are "born" with it (according to Ramakrishna), others find it when undergoing tremendous suffering (Kunti for example said so to Krishna and asked for suffering because only under extreme duress could she cry out to Krishna with real feeling). Associating with good and holy people, chanting the glories of a personal God, and trying to keep a personal God in your heart at all times are conscious methods of gaining faith and devotion. But that is what I've read. On occasion, I have felt faith and devotion but I can't honestly claim to have it absolutely. Was hoping someone else would. BTW, the facile comment that someone made early on in this thread that reasoning should be thrown out of the window was roundly criticized. But that is the only way according to as great an authority as Ramakrishna Paramahansa.