Guest guest Posted August 9, 2004 Report Share Posted August 9, 2004 Namah Shivayah all... For the first time in my life, I am feeling as if I want to have some sort of daily practice. I wasn't ready for it before, but now I am drawn to it very strongly. How would you suggest I start a daily sadhna? What are the first steps, or should I dive in, head-first? I have trouble making and keeping positive habits. With love, Niseema Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2004 Report Share Posted August 9, 2004 Namah Shivaya In the book "Racing along the Razors edge" Swami Ramakrishnananda gives a set of seven things to be followed on the 7 days of a week.I found it a good guideline to follow.I found the book in amma's Toronto program. Rajan New and Improved Mail - Send 10MB messages! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2004 Report Share Posted August 9, 2004 Dear Erica, If you aren't already doing this, I would begin by chanting your mantra 108 times on a mala in the AM if possible, however you were instructed to do it. It might also be easy to sing a bhajan at dusk. When you are used to the 108 rounds, you could gradually add in other practices, such as chanting Amma's 108 names or the Ma-Om meditation technique as shown on the video. You could so extra practices one day a week, such as Sunday. Amma suggests keeping a diary at night, writtng what we could have done better, & logging how much time we spent doing spiritual practices. I plan to start logging my sadhanas, then gradually increase the practices. Since I've read that it takes 2 weeks to form a new habit, maybe it makes sense to add one practice every 2 weeks. With love, Sweta Erica <sugarandbrine wrote: Namah Shivayah all... For the first time in my life, I am feeling as if I want to have some sort of daily practice. I wasn't ready for it before, but now I am drawn to it very strongly. How would you suggest I start a daily sadhna? What are the first steps, or should I dive in, head-first? I have trouble making and keeping positive habits. With love, Niseema Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Ammachi/ Ammachi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2004 Report Share Posted August 9, 2004 Ammachi, "Erica" <sugarandbrine> wrote: > Namah Shivayah all... > > For the first time in my life, I am feeling as if I want to have some > sort of daily practice. I wasn't ready for it before, but now I am > drawn to it very strongly. > > How would you suggest I start a daily sadhna? What are the first > steps, or should I dive in, head-first? I have trouble making and > keeping positive habits. > Niseema: I think the top of the list is to do japa at a FIXED TIME AND PLACE preferably early in the morning. This should be started off at a pace that is convenient (eg waking up at 6 am, 3 months later waking up at 5.30 am etc.. and eventually waking up at 3 or 4 in the morning). This is the master key, and everything else will follow. I will be grateful if someone could post the 7 things to do as Sri Rajan mentioned. -yogaman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2004 Report Share Posted August 9, 2004 Namah Shivaya, Here are daily practices listed on the Amritapuri website: http://www.amritapuri.org/cultural/daily/practice.htm Erica <sugarandbrine wrote: Namah Shivayah all... For the first time in my life, I am feeling as if I want to have some sort of daily practice. I wasn't ready for it before, but now I am drawn to it very strongly. How would you suggest I start a daily sadhna? What are the first steps, or should I dive in, head-first? I have trouble making and keeping positive habits. With love, Niseema Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Ammachi/ Ammachi Mail is new and improved - Check it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2004 Report Share Posted August 9, 2004 Yogaman: Ugh. Waking so early has NEVER been easy for me. I am not getting to bed until after midnight, because I have to drive my husband home from his part-time job a few nights a week. This makes it nearly impossible for me to do japa so early! Can I do it before bed? Do I need to shower before japa or afterwards? This child is whining!!!!! Early morning hours --- it's just toooooo much. With love, Baby Niseema > > > Niseema: > > I think the top of the list is to do japa at a FIXED TIME AND PLACE > preferably early in the morning. This should be started off at a pace > that is convenient (eg waking up at 6 am, 3 months later waking up at > 5.30 am etc.. and eventually waking up at 3 or 4 in the morning). > This is the master key, and everything else will follow. > > I will be grateful if someone could post the 7 things to do as Sri > Rajan mentioned. > > -yogaman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2004 Report Share Posted August 10, 2004 Erica: Night is generally not a good time for sadhana unless you are doing some Kali Sadhana. Swami Amritaswaroopananda suggests the best time is from 2 to 7 am. But it is important to keep a FIXED TIME and PLACE and stick to it regardless of whether you did not sleep the previous night, there was an earthquake:-) or whatever else. After a while, you will automatically start doing japa at the fixed time even if you are asleep (the subconscious mind can work as a great clock if correctly programmed). The time should be such that it is not extremely convenient nor should it be too hard (after all you are doing a yajna so there should be some hardship). There is a classic text on Mantra Sadhana called Mantra Mahodadhi(can be purchased with an excellant English translation from www.indousplaza.com); the author of this book states "worship of IstaDevata WITHOUT any aim in mind gives health, wealth, good wife (good husband), progeny and MOKSHA" and the best way is to do "incessant japa". So there you go, esp.for those who are going through hardships, doing sadhana is a must not an option. -yogaman Ammachi, "Erica" <sugarandbrine> wrote: > Yogaman: > > Ugh. Waking so early has NEVER been easy for me. I am not getting to > bed until after midnight, because I have to drive my husband home > from his part-time job a few nights a week. This makes it nearly > impossible for me to do japa so early! Can I do it before bed? Do I > need to shower before japa or afterwards? > > This child is whining!!!!! Early morning hours --- it's just toooooo > much. > > With love, > Baby Niseema > > > > > > > > Niseema: > > > > I think the top of the list is to do japa at a FIXED TIME AND PLACE > > preferably early in the morning. This should be started off at a > pace > > that is convenient (eg waking up at 6 am, 3 months later waking up > at > > 5.30 am etc.. and eventually waking up at 3 or 4 in the morning). > > This is the master key, and everything else will follow. > > > > I will be grateful if someone could post the 7 things to do as Sri > > Rajan mentioned. > > > > -yogaman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2004 Report Share Posted August 10, 2004 Hi all, With all due respect I have always done my sadhana at night (being a natural "night person") and have had very satisfactory results. (Of course in SRF we do morning and night meditation, but night is my favorite.) There seems to be a tendency on this list to recommend ritualistic practices, which are not my way, so I offer this verse from the great master Kabir for those not inclined to ritual: O SERVANT, where dost thou seek Me? Lo! I am beside thee. I am neither in temple nor in mosque: I am neither in Kaaba nor in Kailash: Neither am I in rites and ceremonies, nor in Yoga and renunciation. If thou art a true seeker, thou shalt at once see Me: thou shalt meet Me in a moment of time. Kabîr says, "O Sadhu! God is the breath of all breath." And from the Christian Bible: "Not by might, not by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord." In Amma's love, Jyotsna childofdevi <childofdevi wrote: Erica: Night is generally not a good time for sadhana unless you are doing some Kali Sadhana. Swami Amritaswaroopananda suggests the best time is from 2 to 7 am. But it is important to keep a FIXED TIME and PLACE and stick to it regardless of whether you did not sleep the previous night, there was an earthquake:-) or whatever else. After a while, you will automatically start doing japa at the fixed time even if you are asleep (the subconscious mind can work as a great clock if correctly programmed). The time should be such that it is not extremely convenient nor should it be too hard (after all you are doing a yajna so there should be some hardship). There is a classic text on Mantra Sadhana called Mantra Mahodadhi(can be purchased with an excellant English translation from www.indousplaza.com); the author of this book states "worship of IstaDevata WITHOUT any aim in mind gives health, wealth, good wife (good husband), progeny and MOKSHA" and the best way is to do "incessant japa". So there you go, esp.for those who are going through hardships, doing sadhana is a must not an option. -yogaman Ammachi, "Erica" <sugarandbrine> wrote: > Yogaman: > > Ugh. Waking so early has NEVER been easy for me. I am not getting to > bed until after midnight, because I have to drive my husband home > from his part-time job a few nights a week. This makes it nearly > impossible for me to do japa so early! Can I do it before bed? Do I > need to shower before japa or afterwards? > > This child is whining!!!!! Early morning hours --- it's just toooooo > much. > > With love, > Baby Niseema > > > > > > > > Niseema: > > > > I think the top of the list is to do japa at a FIXED TIME AND PLACE > > preferably early in the morning. This should be started off at a > pace > > that is convenient (eg waking up at 6 am, 3 months later waking up > at > > 5.30 am etc.. and eventually waking up at 3 or 4 in the morning). > > This is the master key, and everything else will follow. > > > > I will be grateful if someone could post the 7 things to do as Sri > > Rajan mentioned. > > > > -yogaman Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Ammachi/ Ammachi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2004 Report Share Posted August 10, 2004 Namah Shivaya Yogaman, In the matter of sadhana in the night, i have to agree with Jyotsna- because Amma clearly says in Awaken children Vol2 that the 'The yogis love the night .. night is an ideal time for meditaton' etc... Amma recommends the silent hours of the night also. Of course, Amma does recommend the early morning hours but She has also said that sadhana in the night is good too... i guess sadhana is good in itself, regardless of the time.... last year someone had told us that Amma said the Sahasranama should be said only in the morning and that if we do it in the night we should do it in the stotra format ( srimata srimaharajni format ) rather than in the namavali format( Om namaha format). I went up to Amma and asked Her that question-"Amma is it correct that people say that we should not chant the sahasranama with Om namaha in the night?".. She looked at me as if I had gone mad and said " Which idiot told you that?!" I said "Amma , some people told me that YOU said that!" Amma said " What! I never said such a thing .. you can do it at any time! will you call your Mother 'amma' in the morning and 'Ma' in the night? " She went on to say more- the essence of what She said was that we can call out to God at any time and any place.. bala "E. Lamb" <jyotsna2 wrote: Hi all, With all due respect I have always done my sadhana at night (being a natural "night person") and have had very satisfactory results. (Of course in SRF we do morning and night meditation, but night is my favorite.) There seems to be a tendency on this list to recommend ritualistic practices, which are not my way, so I offer this verse from the great master Kabir for those not inclined to ritual: O SERVANT, where dost thou seek Me? Lo! I am beside thee. I am neither in temple nor in mosque: I am neither in Kaaba nor in Kailash: Neither am I in rites and ceremonies, nor in Yoga and renunciation. If thou art a true seeker, thou shalt at once see Me: thou shalt meet Me in a moment of time. Kabîr says, "O Sadhu! God is the breath of all breath." And from the Christian Bible: "Not by might, not by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord." In Amma's love, Jyotsna childofdevi wrote: Erica: Night is generally not a good time for sadhana unless you are doing some Kali Sadhana. Swami Amritaswaroopananda suggests the best time is from 2 to 7 am. But it is important to keep a FIXED TIME and PLACE and stick to it regardless of whether you did not sleep the previous night, there was an earthquake:-) or whatever else. After a while, you will automatically start doing japa at the fixed time even if you are asleep (the subconscious mind can work as a great clock if correctly programmed). The time should be such that it is not extremely convenient nor should it be too hard (after all you are doing a yajna so there should be some hardship). There is a classic text on Mantra Sadhana called Mantra Mahodadhi(can be purchased with an excellant English translation from www.indousplaza.com); the author of this book states "worship of IstaDevata WITHOUT any aim in mind gives health, wealth, good wife (good husband), progeny and MOKSHA" and the best way is to do "incessant japa". So there you go, esp.for those who are going through hardships, doing sadhana is a must not an option. -yogaman Ammachi, "Erica" wrote: > Yogaman: > > Ugh. Waking so early has NEVER been easy for me. I am not getting to > bed until after midnight, because I have to drive my husband home > from his part-time job a few nights a week. This makes it nearly > impossible for me to do japa so early! Can I do it before bed? Do I > need to shower before japa or afterwards? > > This child is whining!!!!! Early morning hours --- it's just toooooo > much. > > With love, > Baby Niseema > > > > > > > > Niseema: > > > > I think the top of the list is to do japa at a FIXED TIME AND PLACE > > preferably early in the morning. This should be started off at a > pace > > that is convenient (eg waking up at 6 am, 3 months later waking up > at > > 5.30 am etc.. and eventually waking up at 3 or 4 in the morning). > > This is the master key, and everything else will follow. > > > > I will be grateful if someone could post the 7 things to do as Sri > > Rajan mentioned. > > > > -yogaman Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Ammachi/ Ammachi Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2004 Report Share Posted August 10, 2004 Namah Shivayah Bala -- Thank you for this. I was going to pose the question: is "night" sadhna better than NO sadhna at all? I sure hope so. This child is a night owl (by nature as well as circumstance). I hope that Ma hears my sincerity in any practice and forgives me for any transgressions. When I was a child, my birth mother would love when I helped to do the dishes, even if she had to go behind me and redo them all. I guess it made her happy that I was sincere in my efforts and tried to help and please her. JAI MA!! With love, Niseema P.S. To Bala: I am saying prayers that your project goes along just fine! Ammachi, balakrishnan Shankar <balakrishnan_sh> wrote: > Namah Shivaya Yogaman, > > In the matter of sadhana in the night, i have to agree with Jyotsna- because Amma clearly says in Awaken children Vol2 that the 'The yogis love the night .. night is an ideal time for meditaton' etc... Amma recommends the silent hours of the night also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2004 Report Share Posted August 10, 2004 In the biography of Amma by Big Swami, it is clear that Mother performed a great deal of her sadhana late at night after she had completed her many, many household tasks. Jai Maa! Aravind --- Erica <sugarandbrine wrote: > Namah Shivayah Bala -- > > Thank you for this. I was going to pose the > question: is "night" > sadhna better than NO sadhna at all? I sure hope so. > This child is > a night owl (by nature as well as circumstance). I > hope that Ma hears > my sincerity in any practice and forgives me for any > transgressions. > > When I was a child, my birth mother would love when > I helped to do > the dishes, even if she had to go behind me and redo > them all. I > guess it made her happy that I was sincere in my > efforts and tried to > help and please her. > > JAI MA!! > > With love, > Niseema > > P.S. To Bala: I am saying prayers that your project > goes along just > fine! > > Ammachi, balakrishnan Shankar > > <balakrishnan_sh> wrote: > > Namah Shivaya Yogaman, > > > > In the matter of sadhana in the night, i have to > agree with > Jyotsna- because Amma clearly says in Awaken > children Vol2 that > the 'The yogis love the night .. night is an ideal > time for > meditaton' etc... Amma recommends the silent hours > of the night also. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2004 Report Share Posted August 10, 2004 Well you are right- but then everything Amma did She did with Her mind on God... remember even during the day She used to tend the cows, collect the grass, cook food etc all the while chanting Sri Krishna's name- also Amma was born enlightened and Her entire sadhana was a leela- either way Amma's whole life , every minute was/is spent in communion with God- for such a one there is no preffered time or place .... bala Jami Blakeley <jami108 wrote: In the biography of Amma by Big Swami, it is clear that Mother performed a great deal of her sadhana late at night after she had completed her many, many household tasks. Jai Maa! Aravind --- Erica <sugarandbrine wrote: > Namah Shivayah Bala -- > > Thank you for this. I was going to pose the > question: is "night" > sadhna better than NO sadhna at all? I sure hope so. > This child is > a night owl (by nature as well as circumstance). I > hope that Ma hears > my sincerity in any practice and forgives me for any > transgressions. > > When I was a child, my birth mother would love when > I helped to do > the dishes, even if she had to go behind me and redo > them all. I > guess it made her happy that I was sincere in my > efforts and tried to > help and please her. > > JAI MA!! > > With love, > Niseema > > P.S. To Bala: I am saying prayers that your project > goes along just > fine! > > Ammachi, balakrishnan Shankar > > <balakrishnan_sh> wrote: > > Namah Shivaya Yogaman, > > > > In the matter of sadhana in the night, i have to > agree with > Jyotsna- because Amma clearly says in Awaken > children Vol2 that > the 'The yogis love the night .. night is an ideal > time for > meditaton' etc... Amma recommends the silent hours > of the night also. > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Ammachi/ Ammachi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2004 Report Share Posted August 10, 2004 Respected Jyotsna-ji, It is a glowing testimony of the fact that you are an advanced sadhak as a result of which you can meditate any time, dispense with rituals etc; for which we in this group are very grateful for your presence and guidance. On rituals I want to add: that rituals are very beneficial for beginner sadhaks. Flower, incense, fire... the five elements to be propitiated externally - this is a powerful bhutasuddhi practice, which the advanced sadhak eventually internalizes. Indeed Amma herself does the Bhutasuddhi ritual of worshipping the five elements before Atma puja (perhaps by way of setting an example, after all what need is there for Amma to worship). The true test is when the rubber meets the road - do a sadhana with and without external rituals and see the difference; personally for me it makes a big difference. I know an advanced sadhak who has pratyaksha darshan(visible appearance) of Devi and I asked him how to have darshan of Devi and he told me things like "talk to Devi like your mother and She will reply", "do japa whenever you like, after all Maa is listening all the time" and " take the royal approach of doing just 1 japa a day" LOL. From where he is, he can do all of these and thats all he needs. For beginners, I do not think that such suggestions will work out - there needs to be discipline, regularity and intensity in sadhana to see tangible effects. Saints like Kabir heal the world by their mere presence; their words are probably directed at advanced sisyas(as undoubtedly you are) who can see the true significance; that is what I love so much about Yogananda, he gave a practical plan of action to reach God, without merely theorizing and speculating as many pseudo- vedantists do. My pranaams to you, Humbly and respectfully, -yogaman Ammachi, "E. Lamb" <jyotsna2> wrote: > Hi all, > > With all due respect I have always done my sadhana at night (being a natural > "night person") and have had very satisfactory results. (Of course in SRF we > do morning and night meditation, but night is my favorite.) > > There seems to be a tendency on this list to recommend ritualistic practices, > which are not my way, so I offer this verse from the great master Kabir for > those not inclined to ritual: > > > O SERVANT, where dost thou seek Me? > Lo! I am beside thee. > I am neither in temple nor in mosque: I am neither in Kaaba nor in Kailash: > Neither am I in rites and ceremonies, nor in Yoga and renunciation. > If thou art a true seeker, thou shalt at once see Me: thou shalt meet Me in a moment of time. > Kabîr says, "O Sadhu! God is the breath of all breath." > > And from the Christian Bible: > > "Not by might, not by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2004 Report Share Posted August 10, 2004 Hey Bala, Amma's reference to 'yogis love the night' is clearly a reference to the shloka from the Bhagavad Gita where Krishna expounds "what is day to a normal person is night to the yogi and what is night to the normal person is day to the yogi"(or something to that effect). This could be interpreted to mean that where the average person lives in gross consciousness, the yogi lives in higher consciousness. At a more subtle and esoteric level, this is to mean that the average person sees darkness when he closes the eyes, but the yogi sees the LIGHT of God when he closes the eyes. The question is not as to when can we call out to God as without a doubt any time is good for that. The question is at what time is our prayer/sadhana most effective - to this I think Amma will answer that Brahmamuhurtha is the most effective time. Swami Amritaswaroopananda in talk said that sadhana is best done between 2 am and 7am (2 am could be night). The way to resolve would be to put it to the test - do japa for 3 hours at any one of 3am , 6 am, 9am... and see which is the best; personally the early morning hours are 10 TIMES more effective than other times. regards -yogaman ps. Hope things are going well on your project. Ammachi, balakrishnan Shankar <balakrishnan_sh> wrote: > Namah Shivaya Yogaman, > > In the matter of sadhana in the night, i have to agree with Jyotsna- because Amma clearly says in Awaken children Vol2 that the 'The yogis love the night .. night is an ideal time for meditaton' etc... Amma recommends the silent hours of the night also. > > Of course, Amma does recommend the early morning hours but She has also said that sadhana in the night is good too... i guess sadhana is good in itself, regardless of the time.... > > last year someone had told us that Amma said the Sahasranama should be said only in the morning and that if we do it in the night we should do it in the stotra format ( srimata srimaharajni format ) rather than in the namavali format( Om namaha format). > >> > Amma said " What! I never said such a thing .. you can do it at any time! will you call your Mother 'amma' in the morning and 'Ma' in the night? " > > She went on to say more- the essence of what She said was that we can call out to God at any time and any place.. > > bala > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2004 Report Share Posted August 10, 2004 Erica : I think any sadhana is better than NO sadhana, night or day. It is better to do sadhana being fully alert at night than half asleep in the morning, so... -yogaman Ammachi, "Erica" <sugarandbrine> wrote: > Namah Shivayah Bala -- > > Thank you for this. I was going to pose the question: is "night" > sadhna better than NO sadhna at all? I sure hope so. This child is > a night owl (by nature as well as circumstance). I hope that Ma hears > my sincerity in any practice and forgives me for any transgressions. > > When I was a child, my birth mother would love when I helped to do > the dishes, even if she had to go behind me and redo them all. I > guess it made her happy that I was sincere in my efforts and tried to > help and please her. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2004 Report Share Posted August 10, 2004 Namah Shivaya, Bala! Your message is an important reminder that what we *hear* from others that Amma said is not necessarily what She *actually* said! Also...Amma knows what's best for each of us, and that is not necessarily the same in every case! I've heard Amma give seemingly contradictory answers/advice to different people. I say "seemingly" because I trust that Her wisdom in situations such as these is infinitely greater than mine! When in doubt, when you have the opportunity, if you need to know...ask Her! =) (It's my experience that She answers in both direct and subtle ways.) Blessings, Iswari Ammachi, balakrishnan Shankar <balakrishnan_sh> wrote: > Namah Shivaya Yogaman, > > In the matter of sadhana in the night, i have to agree with Jyotsna- because Amma clearly says in Awaken children Vol2 that the 'The yogis love the night .. night is an ideal time for meditaton' etc... Amma recommends the silent hours of the night also. > > Of course, Amma does recommend the early morning hours but She has also said that sadhana in the night is good too... i guess sadhana is good in itself, regardless of the time.... > > last year someone had told us that Amma said the Sahasranama should be said only in the morning and that if we do it in the night we should do it in the stotra format ( srimata srimaharajni format ) rather than in the namavali format( Om namaha format). > > I went up to Amma and asked Her that question-"Amma is it correct that people say that we should not chant the sahasranama with Om namaha in the night?".. > > She looked at me as if I had gone mad and said " Which idiot told you that?!" > > I said "Amma , some people told me that YOU said that!" > > Amma said " What! I never said such a thing .. you can do it at any time! will you call your Mother 'amma' in the morning and 'Ma' in the night? " > > She went on to say more- the essence of what She said was that we can call out to God at any time and any place.. > > bala Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2004 Report Share Posted August 10, 2004 Honored Yogaman, Now I am humbly prostrate at your feet, embarrassed. <<It is a glowing testimony of the fact that you are an advanced sadhak>> No, no, just very much a bumbler in need of help and (yes) discipline. <<On rituals I want to add: that rituals are very beneficial for beginner sadhaks.>> Yes, I agree. Regularity is to be sought after. It is important for all. <<Saints like Kabir heal the world by their mere presence; >> So true! their words are probably directed at advanced sisyas Don't know much about advanced sisyas, but even us little people can love Kabir! that is what I love so much about Yogananda, he gave a practical plan of action to reach God, without merely theorizing and speculating as many pseudo- vedantists do. Me, too, Yogaman! It was in SRF I learned that God is within. My pranaams to you, Most humbly and respectfully, Your sister Jyotsna (going to meditate now, like a good little sisya.) in SRF we > do morning and night meditation, but night is my favorite.) > > There seems to be a tendency on this list to recommend ritualistic practices, > which are not my way, so I offer this verse from the great master Kabir for > those not inclined to ritual: > > > O SERVANT, where dost thou seek Me? > Lo! I am beside thee. > I am neither in temple nor in mosque: I am neither in Kaaba nor in Kailash: > Neither am I in rites and ceremonies, nor in Yoga and renunciation. > If thou art a true seeker, thou shalt at once see Me: thou shalt meet Me in a moment of time. > Kabîr says, "O Sadhu! God is the breath of all breath." > > And from the Christian Bible: > > "Not by might, not by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord." Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Ammachi/ Ammachi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2004 Report Share Posted August 11, 2004 namah shivaya brothers and sisters. nice exchange on this subject. now i have a simple, little comment also: whether you're a beginner or an advanced sadhak: transform your every day life into an every day spiritual practice. remember amma constantly! chant your mantra while brushing teeth, making coffee, driving to work, ... pray before you eat: brahmaparnam .. and imagine when you eat you're feeding amma with every bite. this transfers the process of eating into a training of consciousness. you'd be really careful and loving while you put the food into your mouth. also remembering amma with the prayer makes you aware that SHE comes first; hunger second. . . work for her, dedicate your sleep to her. . . our whole life should be THE PRACTICE. personally i see my IAM meditation every morning as my personal appointment with amma. and hey! i don't want to miss it -- my date with my beloved! gotta go jai ma christiane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2004 Report Share Posted August 11, 2004 Namah Shivayah to all... Thank you all for the input on this subject. It is just not possible for me to do any practices early in the morning, due to several things, so I will start out with doing one round of japa every night at the same time. I will gradually increase it as time goes on. It is a good start, I think. According to what I've read about ayurveda, the second best time to do sadhna is between 8pm and 10pm. After 10pm, the body is working to finish the digestion and release the toxins from the day so it is not the best time. I am not claiming I know best, but this is just what I have read. I am not sure that only advanced sadhaks will benefit from doing some daily practice at night. We cannot venture to guess what each person has done in his/her previous incarnations. I am still young. By God's grace, I will have many years to 'perfect' my daily practice in this life. JAI MA! With love, Niseema Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2004 Report Share Posted August 11, 2004 Ammachi, "Erica" <sugarandbrine> wrote: > Namah Shivayah to all... > > Thank you all for the input on this subject. It is just not possible > for me to do any practices early in the morning, due to several > things, so I will start out with doing one round of japa every night > at the same time. I will gradually increase it as time goes on. It is > a good start, I think. Hello - I would agree that it is a good start. My personal feeling (and I could of course be wrong - it wouldn't be the first time) is that any sadhana that you do is better than none, and I know personally that if I set my sights too high (going from sleeping in to getting up at 4:30 to do the 1000 names) I tend to succeed only for a few days and then slip back to my old ways. If I set my sights lower (getting up a half hour earlier to do japa), I tend to be more successful. I think what I'm trying to say is if you try to do everything the exact 'right' way, it may not work out - if you do what you feel is realistic, that is much better because you may succeed in being consistent. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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