Guest guest Posted June 24, 2004 Report Share Posted June 24, 2004 Dear sweet Yogaman, You wrote: The reason for this is not to do with impurity or anything - this is difficult and trying time for women and the aura is weakened. At this time doing any severe sadhanas, one is easily subject to the influence of malefic entities. Are there more "malefic entities" in the temples in India than elsewhere? Is that why one can't go there? Anyway this applies not only to women but also to men. Men are also not recommended to visit temples when they have a large injury/severe loss of blood etc for the same reasons mentioned above. In the western view (at least the church I grew up in) anyone suffering in any way would be MOST welcome in church. The God of the west can handle infirmity and "weakened auras." I can just see those lovely ladies in our church rushing to comfort those with "weakened auras," had they but KNOWN! (ha, ha.) Love, Jyotsna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2004 Report Share Posted June 24, 2004 On the contrary, menstruating women are considered very powerful. Their power is so great that it is widely believed to be destroy men's rituals and that is why women are asked to stay away from homa, puja or temple during their periods. People in ancient times knew that the power was there in the mensturating women but did not know how to contain it or direct it. That's why you can see completely opposite practices during menstruation. In one culture, the women could not touch the earth. In another, they were required to touch the earth. In one culture they couldn't touch food. In another, they had to feed everyone special food. Menstruation is very mysterious because it is bleeding that takes place without a wound. Since women were known to have powerful visions during their periods, in many ancient and modern cultures you can see parallel menstrual rites among men in order to evoke visions. These include cutting or piercing practices so that blood flows from the men's bodies. One of my sister scholars who studies Black Madonnas in Southern Italy showed us photographs of such a men's practice done for a feast of Our Lady in a Catholic Church in Southern Italy.They cut their legs so that blood flows down them and parade to the door of the church where they leave bloody handprints aside the doorway. Do these men remember that this was a parallel menstrual rite? Probably not. Since learning about this, I've wondered whether all voluntarily inflicted injury by men could fall into the category of parallel menstrual ritual. I think of the men's austerities, clearly in expectation of vision, during Thai Pusam. What about military service and war when it's a volunteer army. Military service is clearly a spiritual initiation for men. Aikya Ammachi, "E. Lamb" <jyotsna2> wrote: > Dear sweet Yogaman, > > You wrote: > > The reason for this is not to do with impurity or anything - > this is difficult and trying time for women and the aura is weakened. > At this time doing any severe sadhanas, one is easily subject to the > influence of malefic entities. > > Are there more "malefic entities" in the temples in India than elsewhere? Is that why one can't go there? > > > Anyway this applies not only to women but also to men. Men are also > not recommended to visit temples when they have a large injury/severe > loss of blood etc for the same reasons mentioned above. > > In the western view (at least the church I grew up in) anyone suffering in any way would be MOST welcome in church. The God of the west can handle infirmity and "weakened auras." I can just see those lovely ladies in our church rushing to comfort those with "weakened auras," had they but KNOWN! (ha, ha.) > > Love, > > Jyotsna > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2004 Report Share Posted June 24, 2004 Dear Jyotsna, Unlike churches, temples in India are not meant for community gathering. You go to a temple, pray, meditate, and go home! A church is a place for worship as well as for social gathering. Indians do the socializing in their homes and in community, and they are very good in taking care of their friends and family members, who need help. In fact, temples have no business in someone's personal and family matters, while churches play a big role in people's lives. Sid Ammachi, "E. Lamb" <jyotsna2> wrote: > Dear sweet Yogaman, > > You wrote: > > The reason for this is not to do with impurity or anything - > this is difficult and trying time for women and the aura is weakened. > At this time doing any severe sadhanas, one is easily subject to the > influence of malefic entities. > > Are there more "malefic entities" in the temples in India than elsewhere? Is that why one can't go there? > > > Anyway this applies not only to women but also to men. Men are also > not recommended to visit temples when they have a large injury/severe > loss of blood etc for the same reasons mentioned above. > > In the western view (at least the church I grew up in) anyone suffering in any way would be MOST welcome in church. The God of the west can handle infirmity and "weakened auras." I can just see those lovely ladies in our church rushing to comfort those with "weakened auras," had they but KNOWN! (ha, ha.) > > Love, > > Jyotsna > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2004 Report Share Posted June 24, 2004 This is so odd to me that this subject has come up. I was going to ask Amma about it this summer when I see her! As a Western woman married to an Indian, I am very much conflicted about this subject. On one hand, the body is simply shedding something that is not needed when a woman has her periods. It is not something holy nor unholy, but purely a function of the body. On the other hand, I know better. This is something that all women share, and we can all relate to symptoms of PMS and cramps and all. However, does it weaken my aura? I hardly think so. When is a woman more feminine than when she is menstruating? It is perhaps only second to when she is pregnant. Yes, it is true that women sometimes act differently during their period, but there are times when EVERYONE acts differently. None of us is perfect. I, for sure, know that my Sanskrit is not even close! But I try, and do my best, and ask forgiveness for my transgressions. I do not believe that women should be forced to stay out of temples, etc when they are menstruating. HOWEVER, I generally do stay out of temples/holy places/ashram at this time for the same reason that I avoid going to temple after eating meat: other people believe that my presence there is "contaminating" the pureness of the place, and I respect their views. However, sometimes I will *forget* that I had a chicken sandwich for lunch and make way to the temple at night. It is completely unintentional, and I always ask for forgiveness. But, as I once said to my husband, who knows when a woman is having her period? Who knows what I ate before coming to temple? I respect the views because they are traditional, but do not think that they are *right*. However, I sometimes play the card myself, when I don't want to cook. "But honey...I'm not supposed to cook!" hee. With love, Oh-so-excitedly waiting for Mother's visit, Niseema Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2004 Report Share Posted June 24, 2004 Dear Jyotsna, Unlike churches, temples are not meant for community gathering and socializing. When you go to a temple, you pray, meditate, and go home. Indians socialize in their communities and at home, and they take care of their friends and family in need. In fact, temples normally have no business in people's personal lives or issues, as you see in churches. Sid Ammachi, "E. Lamb" <jyotsna2> wrote: > Dear sweet Yogaman, > > You wrote: > > The reason for this is not to do with impurity or anything - > this is difficult and trying time for women and the aura is weakened. > At this time doing any severe sadhanas, one is easily subject to the > influence of malefic entities. > > Are there more "malefic entities" in the temples in India than elsewhere? Is that why one can't go there? > > > Anyway this applies not only to women but also to men. Men are also > not recommended to visit temples when they have a large injury/severe > loss of blood etc for the same reasons mentioned above. > > In the western view (at least the church I grew up in) anyone suffering in any way would be MOST welcome in church. The God of the west can handle infirmity and "weakened auras." I can just see those lovely ladies in our church rushing to comfort those with "weakened auras," had they but KNOWN! (ha, ha.) > > Love, > > Jyotsna > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2004 Report Share Posted June 24, 2004 Ammachi, "E. Lamb" <jyotsna2> wrote: Respected Jyotsna-ji, I was told by Gabriela that you were there at the Seattle retreat and you were probably there at San Ramon; I guess i missed you out these two times. Perhaps I will have the good fortune to meet you in one of the upcoming retreats. Going to a church is like going to a satsang with bhajans. Of course it is an uplifting experience for all, especially for those who are suffering. A temple is somewhat different - esp. temples in Kerala follow the Tantric procedure of worship (as opposed to Agamic in rest of India), which is really powerful. If someone has not prepared well enough to visit the temple, it could end up being a bad experience. For the same reason, Amma is against people chanting mantras with beejas like Hrim, Eyeim etc without initation. Chanting of powerful mantras when infirm or weak could draw negative beings. Also powerful mantras and temples open up the subconscious much more quickly so that in the vast majority of the cases, the conscious mind has a tough time dealing with the hidden vasanas, repression etc. Restrictions are not only on women but also on men. People who have lost a lot of blood/had an operation etc are recommended not to go to a temple. -yogaman > In the western view (at least the church I grew up in) anyone suffering in any way would be MOST welcome in church. The God of the west can handle infirmity and "weakened auras." I can just see those lovely ladies in our church rushing to comfort those with "weakened auras," had they but KNOWN! (ha, ha.) > > Love, > > Jyotsna > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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