Guest guest Posted July 22, 2002 Report Share Posted July 22, 2002 In a message dated 7/21/02 8:56:50 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Ammachi writes: > Another thought that comes to mind is that it¹s my understanding that in > ancient Vedic society, one lived with the Guru until age 25 and generally > attained enlightenment by that age, or at least Self Realization. Then one > was fit for marriage if that was one¹s dharma. Of course if our society > made > enlightenment the prerequisite to marriage, that would solve the population > explosion in a generation. In fact, the planet would soon be deserted. > > Dear Rick: How could this be, that people attained enlightenment or Self-Realization (what is the difference?) by age 25 and then got married? My understanding is that there are four stages. If people got enlightened by 25 then why would there be a fourth stage, in which one leaves the world for spiritual work, if one is enlightened already at 25, no less? I find this very confusing.Avram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2002 Report Share Posted July 22, 2002 In a message dated 7/21/02 8:56:50 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Ammachi writes: > I couldn't agree more. I also believe that Mother put my husband and me in > our > marriage, and that it is She who keeps us together. The bottom line is, > dispite all > of the "filler" (my husband's term for Maya or "dust") that distracts us, > the only > true thing in our lives is God/Mother, and our goal to merge in Her. > Everything > else is just "stuff". > Dear Ganesh: All this talk from married folk needing God's Grace to stay together speaks volumes! I didn't know it was that hard for people. What do I know. Avram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2002 Report Share Posted July 22, 2002 In a message dated 7/21/02 8:56:50 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Ammachi writes: > Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Sarada Devi (through > their entire married lives). Sorry. I thought that the two were celibate and had no children besides. How can this be a model of family life? Am I mistaken about this??Avram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2002 Report Share Posted July 22, 2002 > How could this be, that people attained enlightenment or Self-Realization > (what is the difference?) by age 25 and then got married? I¹m sure you realize I¹m no authority, but here goes: from what I¹ve learned over the years, Self-Realization means that that one has awakened to one¹s true nature as pure consciousness, but it does not mean that one perceives the world as pure consciousness. In fact, the world is seen as utterly distinct and separate from the Self. After further development, the world is also seen as pure consciousness and Upanishadic dictums such as ³That alone is² become meaningful. Everything is seen within the self and the Self alone exists no world. > My understanding > is that there are four stages. If people got enlightened by 25 then why > would there be a fourth stage, in which one leaves the world for spiritual > work, if one is enlightened already at 25, no less? > Because (if this understanding is correct) enlightenment has nothing to do with the role you play in the world. You may be a householder or a recluse, but inwardly, you are alone in the Self. Outwardly, it¹s natural for the body and invididual personality to go through different stages. An older person, enlightened or otherwise, isn¹t going to feel like running a business or raising a family. He¹ll just want to meditate. But a young, energetic person (enlightened or otherwise) may want to do those things. Look at King Janaka or Ram as examples. Both fully enlightened. Both fully engaged in worldly pursuits while young, yet retiring from those pursuits when older. (If I remember my Puranas and Itihasas correctly.) Of course, take all this with a grain of salt. It¹s only my understanding, and is very much subject to revision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2002 Report Share Posted July 23, 2002 "Enlightenment" a.k.a self-knowledge can occur at any age or stage. The body in the world still needs to complete its life cycle. Just think how cool it would be to have a mother or father who was enlightened! Aikya Ammachi, sprose1@a... wrote: > In a message dated 7/21/02 8:56:50 PM Pacific Daylight Time, > Ammachi writes: > > > > Another thought that comes to mind is that it¹s my understanding that in > > ancient Vedic society, one lived with the Guru until age 25 and generally > > attained enlightenment by that age, or at least Self Realization. Then one > > was fit for marriage if that was one¹s dharma. Of course if our society > > made > > enlightenment the prerequisite to marriage, that would solve the population > > explosion in a generation. In fact, the planet would soon be deserted. > > > > > > Dear Rick: > > How could this be, that people attained enlightenment or Self- Realization > (what is the difference?) by age 25 and then got married? My understanding > is that there are four stages. If people got enlightened by 25 then why > would there be a fourth stage, in which one leaves the world for spiritual > work, if one is enlightened already at 25, no less? I find this very > confusing.Avram > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.