Guest guest Posted December 10, 2003 Report Share Posted December 10, 2003 How did the feet of the guru come to be seen as lotuses, specifically? Curious, Iswari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 10, 2003 Report Share Posted December 10, 2003 I wonder if it has to do with the fact that the Lotus is considered sacred in many different cultures and religions (as are the feet of the SatGuru). I read that the Egyptians also used the Lotus in religious rituals. I believe it is perceived as a symbol of immortality and resurrection, which would make it quite a fitting symbol for the Guru. I'd love to hear from those who are more knowledgable about this subject! "Worshipping the Guru's feet is symbolic of worshipping Knowledge and Truth. The Guru's feet represent the platform on which they stand, or the ground in which they are established. This platform is Atma Jnana or knowledge of the Supreme Self. Thus, when we worship Amma's feet, we are actually worshipping the Truth that supports the whole creation, which is our own Self." http://www.amritavarsham.org/program/padapuja/padapuja.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 10, 2003 Report Share Posted December 10, 2003 I know that lotuses are sacred...but the "lotus feet" thing has never been an image that's come to me naturally. Maybe because I usually think of flowers as relating to the heart, hands and crown, rather than the feet (I always think of the bottom half of the body as more root-ish. Ah, who knows why my mind pictures what it does!?! =) Iswari Ammachi, <khd5@c...> wrote: > I wonder if it has to do with the fact that the Lotus is considered sacred in many different cultures and religions (as are the feet of the SatGuru). I read that the Egyptians also used the Lotus in religious rituals. I believe it is perceived as a symbol of immortality and resurrection, which would make it quite a fitting symbol for the Guru. I'd love to hear from those who are more knowledgable about this subject! > > "Worshipping the Guru's feet is symbolic of worshipping Knowledge and Truth. The Guru's feet represent the platform on which they stand, or the ground in which they are established. This platform is Atma Jnana or knowledge of the Supreme Self. Thus, when we worship Amma's feet, we are actually worshipping the Truth that supports the whole creation, which is our own Self." > > http://www.amritavarsham.org/program/padapuja/padapuja.htm > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2003 Report Share Posted December 11, 2003 Dear sister Iswari, The lotus feet reference, for me at least, illustrates that even Amma's feet are sacred. Even the dust on the bottom of the Guru's feet is sacred, and should be treated as such. Even her feet are beautiful like flowers. The lotus also symbolizes knowledge and the true self. As I know you know, the feet are considered very dirty in Eastern cultures. Most people will apologize if they accidently bump you with their feet/shoes. When I'm in a "holy" environment (ie, not at home) I do not touch my shoes with my hands at all, even when I take them off. I especially will not touch them with my right hand. Most people, too, will not point their feet at anyone. For example, we won't put our pictures of Amma on the table that is near the end of the bed (it's on the other wall, across the walkway, and off to the side!), because our feet would point at her all night. So, it's a sign of respect and humbleness, as well as showing that we love even Amma's feet. With love, Niseema Ammachi, "ammasiswari" <iswari@n...> wrote: > I know that lotuses are sacred...but the "lotus feet" thing has never been an image > that's come to me naturally. Maybe because I usually think of flowers as relating to > the heart, hands and crown, rather than the feet (I always think of the bottom half of > the body as more root-ish. Ah, who knows why my mind pictures what it does!?! =) > > Iswari > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2003 Report Share Posted December 11, 2003 Om Namah Shivaya I attend Yoga classes. My master once referred to the lotus pose which most of us know as Padmasan. He said the exposed underneath of the feet, when the each of the feet is put on the opposite thigh resembles the petal of a lotus. FWIW. Love -ganesh Ammachi, "ammasiswari" <iswari@n...> wrote: > I know that lotuses are sacred...but the "lotus feet" thing has never been an image > that's come to me naturally. Maybe because I usually think of flowers as relating to > the heart, hands and crown, rather than the feet (I always think of the bottom half of > the body as more root-ish. Ah, who knows why my mind pictures what it does!?! =) > > Iswari > > Ammachi, <khd5@c...> wrote: > > I wonder if it has to do with the fact that the Lotus is considered sacred in many > different cultures and religions (as are the feet of the SatGuru). I read that the > Egyptians also used the Lotus in religious rituals. I believe it is perceived as a symbol > of immortality and resurrection, which would make it quite a fitting symbol for the > Guru. I'd love to hear from those who are more knowledgable about this subject! > > > > "Worshipping the Guru's feet is symbolic of worshipping Knowledge and Truth. The > Guru's feet represent the platform on which they stand, or the ground in which they > are established. This platform is Atma Jnana or knowledge of the Supreme Self. Thus, > when we worship Amma's feet, we are actually worshipping the Truth that supports > the whole creation, which is our own Self." > > > > http://www.amritavarsham.org/program/padapuja/padapuja.htm > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2003 Report Share Posted December 11, 2003 Namah Shivaya, To me, the satgurus feet represent the grounding of the Transcendent. It is Mother's feet which ground Her for us so that we may experience Her in the physical. Her feet carry Her body around. Also, isn't there something about all the nerves in the body meeting at the soles of the feet, and a Satguru's nervous system being divine? I think there it is also part of the practice of surrender to worship the Satguru's feet. To see Her feet as divine helps us feel humility. Remember the scene in the Bible where a woman lovingly washes Jesus' feet with her tears and hair? Gabriela --- Erica <sugarandbrine wrote: > Dear sister Iswari, > > The lotus feet reference, for me at least, > illustrates that even > Amma's feet are sacred. Even the dust on the bottom > of the Guru's > feet is sacred, and should be treated as such. Even > her feet are > beautiful like flowers. The lotus also symbolizes > knowledge and the > true self. > > As I know you know, the feet are considered very > dirty in Eastern > cultures. Most people will apologize if they > accidently bump you with > their feet/shoes. When I'm in a "holy" environment > (ie, not at home) > I do not touch my shoes with my hands at all, even > when I take them > off. I especially will not touch them with my right > hand. Most > people, too, will not point their feet at anyone. > For example, we > won't put our pictures of Amma on the table that is > near the end of > the bed (it's on the other wall, across the walkway, > and off to the > side!), because our feet would point at her all > night. > > So, it's a sign of respect and humbleness, as well > as showing that we > love even Amma's feet. > > With love, > Niseema > > Ammachi, "ammasiswari" > <iswari@n...> wrote: > > I know that lotuses are sacred...but the "lotus > feet" thing has > never been an image > > that's come to me naturally. Maybe because I > usually think of > flowers as relating to > > the heart, hands and crown, rather than the feet > (I always think of > the bottom half of > > the body as more root-ish. Ah, who knows why my > mind pictures what > it does!?! =) > > > > Iswari > > > > > Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now http://companion./ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2003 Report Share Posted December 12, 2003 Namah Shivaya, I've always understood that part of the symbolism of the lotus is that, while rooted deep in the mud below the water, the flower is above it all, so to speak, either above or floating on the water. Such a lovely symbolism.... Love, Jyotsna --- Shara_Feldman <shara_feldman wrote: > To be clear...I totally understand the guru's feet > as holy...I was just saying that I never > quite was able to connect it with the image of > lotuses! =) I actually really like the > symbolism of the feet and humility. Love, Iswari > > Ammachi, Miranda Soliz > <msoliz2000> wrote: > > Namah Shivaya, > > > > To me, the satgurus feet represent the grounding > of > > the Transcendent. It is Mother's feet which ground > Her > > for us so that we may experience Her in the > physical. > > Her feet carry Her body around. Also, isn't there > > something about all the nerves in the body meeting > at > > the soles of the feet, and a Satguru's nervous > system > > being divine? I think there it is also part of > the > > practice of surrender to worship the Satguru's > feet. > > To see Her feet as divine helps us feel humility. > > > > Remember the scene in the Bible where a woman > lovingly > > washes Jesus' feet with her tears and hair? > > > > Gabriela > > > > > > Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now > > http://companion./ > > > New Photos - easier uploading and sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2003 Report Share Posted December 12, 2003 Deities are always portrayed as standing on lotuses. As divine beings, they never actually touch the earth's surface. Gurus are manifestations of the divine, so they also have "lotus feet." Their feet are as soft and fragrant as lotuses. The foot is the lowest, basest part of the body, but a Guru's divinity is represented by taking the dust of his/her feet (touching the Guru's feet and then touching your third eye). On Thu, 11 Dec 2003 06:28:18 -0000 "ammasiswari" <iswari writes: > I know that lotuses are sacred...but the "lotus feet" thing has never > been an image > that's come to me naturally. Maybe because I usually think of > flowers as relating to > the heart, hands and crown, rather than the feet (I always think of > the bottom half of > the body as more root-ish. Ah, who knows why my mind pictures what > it does!?! =) > > Iswari > > Ammachi, <khd5@c...> wrote: > > I wonder if it has to do with the fact that the Lotus is > considered sacred in many > different cultures and religions (as are the feet of the SatGuru). I > read that the > Egyptians also used the Lotus in religious rituals. I believe it is > perceived as a symbol > of immortality and resurrection, which would make it quite a fitting > symbol for the > Guru. I'd love to hear from those who are more knowledgable about > this subject! > > > > "Worshipping the Guru's feet is symbolic of worshipping Knowledge > and Truth. The > Guru's feet represent the platform on which they stand, or the > ground in which they > are established. This platform is Atma Jnana or knowledge of the > Supreme Self. Thus, > when we worship Amma's feet, we are actually worshipping the Truth > that supports > the whole creation, which is our own Self." > > > > http://www.amritavarsham.org/program/padapuja/padapuja.htm > > > > > > > ------------------------ Sponsor > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > Ammachi > > > Your use of is subject to > > > > ______________ The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2003 Report Share Posted December 13, 2003 Namaste, Just a thought, My ex once told me that some devotees do not feel "worthy" enough to look there guru in the face so they adore their feet. :-) As a show of respect for their guru. At Amma's Feet, Robin Shara_Feldman <shara_feldman wrote: To be clear...I totally understand the guru's feet as holy...I was just saying that I never quite was able to connect it with the image of lotuses! =) I actually really like the symbolism of the feet and humility. Love, Iswari Ammachi, Miranda Soliz <msoliz2000> wrote: > Namah Shivaya, > > To me, the satgurus feet represent the grounding of > the Transcendent. It is Mother's feet which ground Her > for us so that we may experience Her in the physical. > Her feet carry Her body around. Also, isn't there > something about all the nerves in the body meeting at > the soles of the feet, and a Satguru's nervous system > being divine? I think there it is also part of the > practice of surrender to worship the Satguru's feet. > To see Her feet as divine helps us feel humility. > > Remember the scene in the Bible where a woman lovingly > washes Jesus' feet with her tears and hair? > > Gabriela > > > Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now > http://companion./ Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Ammachi New Photos - easier uploading and sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2003 Report Share Posted December 13, 2003 Oh, that is a wonderful way of envisioning. Thank you =) Namah sivaya, Iswari Ammachi, kalipadma@j... wrote: > Deities are always portrayed as standing on lotuses. As divine beings, > they never actually touch the earth's surface. Gurus are manifestations > of the divine, so they also have "lotus feet." Their feet are as soft > and fragrant as lotuses... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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