Redsox

I think according to advaita, Love is a feeling of attachment within the mind . Sex is simply a physical act that leads to a physical result. They are both mental and physical actions, they are not causes of suffering within themselves, but attachment to such actions causes bondage to the material world, which causes suffering.

From Yoga Vashista: Vashista said, "O Rama, listen to what I am about to say: the instruction is sure to remove the darkness of ignorance. In this world whatever is gained is only gained by self-effort; where failure is encountered, it is seen that there has been slackness in effort. This is obvious, but what is called fate is fictitious and is not seen. Self effort, Rama, is that mental, verbal and physical action...It is only by such effort that Indra became the king of Heaven, that Brahma became the creator, and other dieties earned their place. Self effort is of two categories: that of past births and that of this birth...fate is none other than self effort of past incarnation... One who says "Fate is directing me toward this" is brainless, and goddess of fortune abandons him. Hence by self effort acquire wisdom and then realize that this self-effort is not without its own end, in the direct realization of the truth. [O Rama], If this dreadful source of evil named laziness is not found on earth, who will ever be illiterate and poor? It is because laziness is found on earth that people live the life of animals, miserable and poverty-stricken". More of what Sage Vashista says to Jewel of the Raghus (Sri Rama) " Sometimes it happens that without effort someone makes a great gain. For example, a state elephant chooses (in accordance to an ancient practice) a medicant as a ruler of a country whose king suddenly died without leaving an heir: this is neither an accident nor a divine act, but the fruit of medicant's self-effort in the past birth. Sometimes it happens that a farmer's efforts are made fruitless by a hailstorm. Surely, the hailstorms power was greater than the farmer's effort, and the farmer should put forth greater effort now. He should not grieve over such inevitable loss. If such grief is justified, Why should he not weep daily over the inevitability of death? The wise man should know ofcourse what is capable of attainment by self-effort and what is not. It is ignorance to attribute all this to an outside agency and say God sends me to heaven or hell or that an outside agency makes me do this or that-such an ignorant person should be shunned. Rama, the tendencies brought forward from past incarnations is of two kinds- pure and impure.The pure ones lead toward liberation, and impure ones invite trouble. You are not impelled to action by anything other than yourself. Hence you are free to strengthen pure tendencies in preference to the impure ones. The holy ones emphasize: persistently tread the path that leads to the eternal good. And the wise seeker knows: the fruit of my endeavors will be commensurate with the intensity of my self effort. " More of Sage Vashista's words of wisdom and instruction to Rama , "Indeed, such self-effort alone is responsible for whatever a man gets here. When he is sunk in unhappiness, to console him people suggest that it is his fate. This is obvious: one goes abroad and one appeases one's hunger, by undertaking a journey and by eating food- not on account of fate. No one has seen such fate, but everyone has experienced how an action (good or evil) leads to a result (good or evil). " JAI SRI RAMA!

We should all agree that it is our dharma to shower all comforts on children and try to provide them with a happy childhood. Janaka, obviously a great bhakta of Rama and a jnani, showered all the comforts on Sita. Same with Vishnuchitta, who showered all his love over Andal and tried to provide her with a happy childhood in whatever little he had. All children need happiness and a playful childhood and what people like JNdas are doing should be appreciated. If possible, emulated. Ofcourse, when talking about children in America, it is only God who could satisfy all their desires, but we can only show the door, it is them who have to walk through it. They should atleast have the opportunity to choose, without it, how can they hope to grow in the spiritual sphere?

Well atleast jnanis/mayavadis don't discriminate between "This krishna" and "that krishna", nor do they classify one form of God as superior to the other. God is God according to them and he is everywhere in all his might and power. They see that, and concentrate and surrender to Him. They certainly don't see vaishnavas as the treaders of the wrong path and them as the treaders of a greater or even a different path and they certainly don't draw artificial lines or distinctions. With that said, goodluck with your devotion to krishna.

In the end we all agree that we are all after the samething- Krishna- and in effect those who follow their wishes and go after the impersonal brahman are not doomed, because how can one who goes after krishna be doomed? when krishna is that impersonal brahman?

:smash: Sage on the left, World on the right.

Now i am not as knowledgeable in this matter and quite frankly, it seems to confuse me, but I think in this case, I see how what you are saying is the same as the other philosophy you label as 'mayavadi'. hear me out. I think the mind of brahman causes the world to appear. All this is happening in brahman's mind, in this sense, brahman is the Sun and not the sun's rays in your analogy. The sun's rays is the mind that projects the illusion of world objects. Hence, Brahman is just another name for Krishna. The idea "Tat tvam Asi" or "I am that" or "Aham Brahmasmi = I am brahman" is not wrong either if you look at it this way, because you are obviously a part of krishna, which equals brahman. They disagree with that too. Their focus is on the whole, they do not care for the details of the small ego. As your focus is on krishna, their focus is also on krishna except , it is on krishna as brahman. No this is not the dividing line because brahman too is independent. Obviously, brahman is pure, he is not tainted with the world appearance because it is an illusion, hence He is also independent of it. Personally, i don't understand how one form of krishna is superior while the other form is not, because when everything is Krishna then how can you claim that one form of krishna is 'superior' to krishna... that makes no sense. Krishna is krishna, how can he be inferior? to Whom? to Himself? why even state that?

I don't know the guy who made this by the way, but the introduction seemed interesting... he said "supreme brahman". Can someone explain the concept of brahman, parabrahman and prakriti to me, this is a fairly complicated , confusing matter and it seems that each spiritual person I meet tells me something different, just like each website on the internet.

May Krishna give us the ability to appreciate those who serve others so willingly. May He fill us with love for another fellow human being, may He free us from the samsara, may Harinama allow us all, including poor children become free from our binding prarabdha karma.

Being the doer rocks , too bad we are never the one. I admit that there are problems with some assumptions that we make in research, but these assumptions are based on evidence. You are right though that presuppositions like "male and female brains are the same" OR "Kids who include toys in their playtime are less imaginative than kids who do not have access to toys" have the tendency to be wrong, when such things are not based on evidence-based study.

Sure, its very funny. I don't have the patience to do it, if you want extensive literature on this subject , i suggest you contact someone who does this research or go google it or something. Peace!

It is not a philosophy, it is modern medical science. It is up to you if you agree or not, the research and evidence supporting this science is overwhemling whether you agree or not. Also, suicide, autism, depression and drug abuse are more rampant in countries like India than here. The media is more pervasive here in the west, so you hear about it more often in the news.

Are you child psychologist? What makes you think that toys hinder imagination? Learning for kids happens through play, they grow in their understanding of the world that way. If you provide them a safe and positive environment where this can happen then thats perfect. A child's brain is not capable of making complex choices like an adult, their brain is still growing, it is best to let it be that way. Donate the extra toys. or better choice would be to make them donate their toys. Teach them about compassion for those who are less fortunate, turn it into a lesson in itself. Please see my earlier point where their brains are still growing and they are unable to process the information like an adult. therefore, it is best to let them develop and face the dissapointment when they are fully prepared for it.

now now, be nice . I agree with you sreeram ,but vedas are also subject to various interpretations by many enlightened sages who may have grasped the truth of God in different ways. anyway, that would be my $.02 cents on this subject. It doesn't matter for us, we are all beginners anyway.

I got this interpretation. OM Bhuh- the physical realm or earth, realm of being or food OM Bhuvah - the vital plane or atmosphere, realm of becoming or breath OM Suvah - the mental plane, space or heaven, realm of illumination OM Mahah - the sphere of cosmic mind, realm of Dharma OM Janah - the realm of creation or bliss OM Tapah - the realm of consciousness-force OM Satyam- the realm of absolute truth. Tat Savitur= That Sun (ie Krishna, God, Higher self) Varenyam= I adore. Bhargo Devasya Dimahi = I meditate upon that sin destroying light. Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayat= Please illuminate my intellect(so that you will direct me unto the right path). There is also a closing statement to the Gayatri mantra- Om Apo Jyothi Rasomritam Brahma Bhur Bhuvah Suvar Om. Apo - the Cosmic Waters Jyoti - the Cosmic Light Rasomritam - the Immortal Essence Brahma - the Absolute Bhur - the physical Bhuvas - the atmospheric Suvar OM- the realm of space is Om. But I understand now, that we are meditating on Srimati Radharani with this because she is the internal potency of the lord. Thank you to beggar (err, thats your sc name), that makes alot of sense.

Oh my god, Alright, this will take some time for me to read and ponder.

yea, I know there are more than one... I was talking about Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah , Tat Savitur varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dimahi Diyo Yonah Prachodayat.

The gayatri is said to be the most powerful mantras or thats what I heard it says in the vedas. Hare krishna maha mantra is also very powerful according to vedas. But which is it? Or are these both the same? Hare krishna Mahamantra = Gayatri? or Is Gayatri > Hare krishna Mahamantra? or Is Hare krishna Mahamantra > Gayatri?

good answer, but what about prarabdha karma? Lets talk about this : "Those who always worship Me with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form – to them I carry what they lack, and I preserve what they have."-BG

Krishna , being the supreme personality of the Godhead certainly protects His devotees, but can someone explain the nature of such a protection? what is this protection from? From our prarabdha karmas? their results? or from the results of others' karmas?

May she have krishna's grace and get well.

Amazing! thank you. haha:P

I agree. The karma from the living entity's desire has to have a result and it needs to enjoy the good or bad results it reaps.

I understand what you are saying, but I don't think surrendering to a guru is for me. I have already surrendered to the guru in my heart, so i will just wait for Him to arrive as kalki, if that takes millions of extra births , so be it.

And also the choice of option 1 or option 2 is also dependent on krishna.