Guest guest Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 This morning, as I was trying to figure out how to explain to one of the prisoners whos photograph was under Amma's feet, I had some more thoughts about pada puja. In hot countries, where people wear open shooes because of the heat, such as the countries where Jesus, Mohammed and Amma come from, washing the feet as you enter a home is a necessary part of health and hygeine to avoid bringing into the home dirt and germs that can affect children and everyone in the home. If a special visitor was coming from far away, a good host might try to make their foot bath especially nice by adding perfume to the water, or providing a soft towel or soft cloth underfoot, and maybe even a decorated chair. The Pada Puja ritual, the full long ritual with the guru sitting on a decorated chair, has gotten so far away from the normal hygeine event and special welcoming additions for special people from far away, that we get stuck on why are we worshipping feet. Mainly we got away from the idea of a loving welcome. Aikya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 well... its actually much more than that .. the feet are what we stand upon- and the Guru's feet symbolises the supreme Truth which is what the Guru 'stands' upon.. pada puja also symbolises the offering of one's ego and surrender. This morning, as I was trying to figure out how to explain to one of the prisoners whos photograph was under Amma's feet, I had some more thoughts about pada puja. In hot countries, where people wear open shooes because of the heat, such as the countries where Jesus, Mohammed and Amma come from, washing the feet as you enter a home is a necessary part of health and hygeine to avoid bringing into the home dirt and germs that can affect children and everyone in the home. If a special visitor was coming from far away, a good host might try to make their foot bath especially nice by adding perfume to the water, or providing a soft towel or soft cloth underfoot, and maybe even a decorated chair. The Pada Puja ritual, the full long ritual with the guru sitting on a decorated chair, has gotten so far away from the normal hygeine event and special welcoming additions for special people from far away, that we get stuck on why are we worshipping feet. Mainly we got away from the idea of a loving welcome. Aikya Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Ammachi/ Ammachi Mail Stay connected, organized, and protected. Take the tour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 Blessed soul Bala Thank you so much for this simple explaination. People have often asked me "What's up with the feet?" and I usually try and formulate a shortened answer. The Guru stands upon the supreme Truth... I love it! Thank you again. Erica Ammachi, balakrishnan Shankar <balakrishnan_sh> wrote: > well... its actually much more than that .. the feet are what we stand upon- and the Guru's feet symbolises the supreme Truth which is what the Guru 'stands' upon.. > > pada puja also symbolises the offering of one's ego and surrender. This morning, as I was trying to figure out how to explain to one of > the prisoners whos photograph was under Amma's feet, I had some more > thoughts about pada puja. > > In hot countries, where people wear open shooes because of the heat, > such as the countries where Jesus, Mohammed and Amma come from, > washing the feet as you enter a home is a necessary part of health > and hygeine to avoid bringing into the home dirt and germs that can > affect children and everyone in the home. If a special visitor was > coming from far away, a good host might try to make their foot bath > especially nice by adding perfume to the water, or providing a soft > towel or soft cloth underfoot, and maybe even a decorated chair. > > The Pada Puja ritual, the full long ritual with the guru sitting on > a decorated chair, has gotten so far away from the normal hygeine > event and special welcoming additions for special people from far > away, that we get stuck on why are we worshipping feet. Mainly we > got away from the idea of a loving welcome. > > Aikya > > > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > > > Links > > > Ammachi/ > > > Ammachi > > Terms of Service. > > > > > Mail > Stay connected, organized, and protected. Take the tour > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 Namah shivaya Erica, Nice hearing from you .. i do pray you get to see Amma sometime during the tour...it is heartbreaking to hear of so many sincere devotees who are unable to go to see Amma because of health/finance or other reasons. Thinking of this makes me so much more grateful for whatever time I can get near Amma.. gratitude- thats the only thing we can ever ofer Amma.... bala Erica <sugarandbrine wrote: Blessed soul Bala Thank you so much for this simple explaination. People have often asked me "What's up with the feet?" and I usually try and formulate a shortened answer. The Guru stands upon the supreme Truth... I love it! Thank you again. Erica Ammachi, balakrishnan Shankar <balakrishnan_sh> wrote: > well... its actually much more than that .. the feet are what we stand upon- and the Guru's feet symbolises the supreme Truth which is what the Guru 'stands' upon.. > > pada puja also symbolises the offering of one's ego and surrender. This morning, as I was trying to figure out how to explain to one of > the prisoners whos photograph was under Amma's feet, I had some more > thoughts about pada puja. > > In hot countries, where people wear open shooes because of the heat, > such as the countries where Jesus, Mohammed and Amma come from, > washing the feet as you enter a home is a necessary part of health > and hygeine to avoid bringing into the home dirt and germs that can > affect children and everyone in the home. If a special visitor was > coming from far away, a good host might try to make their foot bath > especially nice by adding perfume to the water, or providing a soft > towel or soft cloth underfoot, and maybe even a decorated chair. > > The Pada Puja ritual, the full long ritual with the guru sitting on > a decorated chair, has gotten so far away from the normal hygeine > event and special welcoming additions for special people from far > away, that we get stuck on why are we worshipping feet. Mainly we > got away from the idea of a loving welcome. > > Aikya > > > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > > > Links > > > Ammachi/ > > > Ammachi > > Terms of Service. > > > > > Mail > Stay connected, organized, and protected. Take the tour > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Ammachi/ Ammachi Discover Find restaurants, movies, travel & more fun for the weekend. Check it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 Namah Shivaya, Similarily, Swamini Krishanamrita Prana's new book says, "Amma says that the real meaning of pada puja is to worship the Supreme Truth embodied in the Guru's form. By worshipping the Guru's feet, we are expressing our humilty & complete self-surrender." Although I think Amma wants for me to be grateful for everything in all situations, I'm not there, yet. So, in the mean time, I want to give Her everything ... my thoughts, the fruits of my actions, & even my vasanas. This is helping me want think better thoughts & perform better actions, since I don't want to give Her anything distasteful. Since She takes on our karma, we could cause Her pain. I want to aim for always giving thanks to Her. sweta balakrishnan Shankar <balakrishnan_sh wrote: Namah shivaya Erica, Nice hearing from you .. i do pray you get to see Amma sometime during the tour...it is heartbreaking to hear of so many sincere devotees who are unable to go to see Amma because of health/finance or other reasons. Thinking of this makes me so much more grateful for whatever time I can get near Amma.. gratitude- thats the only thing we can ever ofer Amma.... bala Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2005 Report Share Posted June 16, 2005 Namah Shivayah Bala I am grateful for every time I have glimpsed Amma's form. This experience has (already) made me realize how much I took that for granted! Even though I am sad (I don't want to pretend that I am not!), I am learning to remember that ALL is Amma's grace...even missing the chance to see her on the tour. Next time I do see her, it will be even more sweet. It is nice to hear from you too Bala. Hopefully I will be able to see you on the tour this summer -- some time, somewhere. With love, Erica Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2005 Report Share Posted June 16, 2005 Dear Balakrishnan, I did read the beautiful explanation fo pada puja we are all given who will perform the rite. It says just about what you said. If someone has no idea what is "Supreme Truth"--and I dare say that would be everyone save a lone jnani here and there--the explanation might not have meaningful content. Aikya Ammachi, balakrishnan Shankar <balakrishnan_sh> wrote: > well... its actually much more than that .. the feet are what we stand upon- and the Guru's feet symbolises the supreme Truth which is what the Guru 'stands' upon.. > > pada puja also symbolises the offering of one's ego and surrender. This morning, as I was trying to figure out how to explain to one of > the prisoners whos photograph was under Amma's feet, I had some more > thoughts about pada puja. > > In hot countries, where people wear open shooes because of the heat, > such as the countries where Jesus, Mohammed and Amma come from, > washing the feet as you enter a home is a necessary part of health > and hygeine to avoid bringing into the home dirt and germs that can > affect children and everyone in the home. If a special visitor was > coming from far away, a good host might try to make their foot bath > especially nice by adding perfume to the water, or providing a soft > towel or soft cloth underfoot, and maybe even a decorated chair. > > The Pada Puja ritual, the full long ritual with the guru sitting on > a decorated chair, has gotten so far away from the normal hygeine > event and special welcoming additions for special people from far > away, that we get stuck on why are we worshipping feet. Mainly we > got away from the idea of a loving welcome. > > Aikya > > > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > > > Links > > > Ammachi/ > > > Ammachi > > Terms of Service. > > > > > Mail > Stay connected, organized, and protected. Take the tour > > [Non-text portions of this message have been Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 "gratitude- thats the only thing we can ever ofer Amma...." While pondering this, it occurred that when we surrender everything to Amma, all we'll have left to offer is our gratitude. On the way to seeing Amma, a devotee said that gratefulness expands our hearts, so I guess that means by giving thanks, we're giving Amma our pure love. Sports Rekindle the Rivalries. Sign up for Fantasy Football Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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