A funny story, and a question: LS stotram vs. namavali?

[Guest guest]

The second time I went to see Amma, I have to admit that, well...I tested Her.

 

Among the questions I asked was one about what my daily spiritual practice

should be.

Any time I had heard this asked publicly, or had read about such questions being

asked in

books of Her dialogues with devotees and bramacharis, She would always tell

people to

chant, in addition to their mantra, Lalita Sahasranama. However, I thought to

myself, "I am

never going to do that. If She tells me to do that, I won't do it, and I'll know

She doesn't

know me at all!" So, when I asked the question, She surprised me, by saying, "Do

some

spiritual practice, any practice, that gives you joy for at least a few minutes

every day." Her

answer to me was so perfect, both in its not requiring anything specific (at

that time, I was

involved with multiple traditions), or lengthy. It was so spacious, that I

couldn't object! ;-)

 

And yet, She is having the last laugh on me....because what does my heart now

desire, so

deeply, after my time with Her last week? I want to learn Lalita Sahasranama.

Heh. It only

took me, what...six years? Very funny, Amma! ;-P

 

Because of time constraints, it'd be most practical for me to chant the stotram

version...but I'm wondering...is there considered to be much of a difference, on

any level,

between the stotram format and the namavali? Any thoughts would be

appreciated...

 

Namah Shivaya,

Iswari