Guest guest Posted January 21, 2006 Report Share Posted January 21, 2006 Namah Shivaya Bela, >From the changes you described, it sounds as if you're letting Amma do a lot of purification work on you. Where I work, we did an entire group on guilt. You can find the basic format for it, if you do a search on "guilt" at coping.org. (This is a great site!) It was amazing to hear individuals' realizations in our group, on how guilt was such a destructive force in their lives. A participant of the group said that failures can be used as stepping stones to success. Amma also said that. That was the 1st. of 3 times, that I heard or read that same message in 2-3 days! I believe that at best, guilt is a motivator for changing for the better. For the group, we read forgiveness quotes, that were intended to be directed towards ourselves. One of the quotes was Amma's, about how the past is like a can celled check. Then we did a beautiful exercise, in which our Higher Self, (for me, that was Amma) was sending love, compassion & forgiveness to our little selves. On the other hand, I've experienced a process similar to yours. I remember while flying back from Amritavarsham50, feeling a little guilty about watching a movie on the airline. My opinion, is that Amma has been working on gradually removing all of the vasanas that would keep me feeling separate from Her. These vasanas can be especially obvious during or after basking in the light of Amma's presence. So, I think it's part of our spiritual evolution to begin noticing what keeps us from fully reflecting Her light. And, that as we follow our conscience, our spiritual growth will be propelled. During a program, Amma said that She shows us our faults, so that we can work on them. Love, Sweta Ammachi, "Bela Gaytan" <bela.fela@g...> wrote:> > Namaste brothers & sisters, > > > > Lately I have been feeling a lot of guilt in my life, and I'd like to get > some ideas, feedback, and perhaps personal experiences regarding this > emotion. I'm not quite sure how to feel about the guilt, and I enjoy seeing > other people's perspectives on spiritual topics. > > > > I've been making a lot of progress in my life in the past several months. I > had my surgery and have been working on improving my health day by day. > I've completely given up drinking (whereas I was drinking perhaps 3- 4 times > per year on special occasions.) I've stopped swearing (profanity) and > talking negatively. I have increased compassion for people (which continues > to grow). I am such a better person overall, as I strive to continually > improve myself and become closer to the Divine. > > > > I have been feeling guilty lately, though, when I am partaking in any > activity where I "could be" doing something more related to worship or such. > I adore listening to bhajans, but I also like to listen to my non- bhajan > music. At times, I feel guilty� knowing that I am fully able to listen to > the bhajans but I am choosing to listen to music that won't help in my > spiritual advancement. It's not necessarily bad music, but it is pleasing > to my ears. I feel guilt at times when I choose to play games online, when > I could be doing japa or puja, praying or meditating, etc. > > > > It's many little things like this that are causing me to feel guilty. I > don't restrict myself from doing them though, even with the guilt. Up to > this point, I've viewed it in this manner � Amma, like any good mother, > understands that we need to grow gradually and learn to do what is right. I > feel as though she wants me to explore these feelings of guilt and duty, all > the while embracing me tightly as I am still her daughter. > > > > Have any of you dealt with this before? I'm assuming many of us have, in > dealing with detachment and letting go of our attachments in this world. I > know that most people can not become completely removed from attachments > overnight, that it takes time, practice, and many, many experiences and > lessons in life to bring us to that point. > > > > I'd enjoy learning how some of you have dealt with this, or how you have > viewed such feelings. Any input/feedback is gladly welcomed. Thank you so > much for being such an important group of people in my lives! I truly adore > our diversity, yet the strength, which is our dearest Amma, that binds us as > One! Jai Ma!!! > > > > �..� ���)) -:�:- > �.�� .����)) > ((��.�� ..�� -:�:- ..::Brightest Blessings::.. > -:�:- ((��.��.�..�` ..::Bela::.. > > > > "Like nectar in the fresh morning flower, let goodness fill you. The heart > that unfolds all its petals spreading the fragrance of goodness is the > choicest offering at the altar of God" - Amma > > > > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. Ammachi Photos Ring in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2006 Report Share Posted January 21, 2006 Namaste Dearest Sweta, Yes, I certainly feel as though Amma is helping to purify me. It’s such an exciting time in my life, as each day, I can see further blessings in my life, and ways that I am growing and improving. I feel like placing a bright and bold sticker on my chest, reading “BELA – NEW & IMPROVED!” (**) I agree with you on guilt being a motivator. I’ve never quite dealt well with guilt. It’s one of the reasons I am such an honest person. (Although at times my honesty gets me in trouble – as many people don’t want the truth… they want a candy-coated version of the truth to make them feel better about themselves.) Thank you for sharing your experience on the plane, with the movie. I’ve felt guilt doing such things, as well. Sometimes I think I am just being too harsh on myself, and being too hard on myself. I’m quite used to people being overly critical of me, stemming from me being a bit of a rebel and independent person when I was younger, getting into trouble, etc. At other times, I do feel that I am being reminded, gently, that I could be spending my time more wisely. I try not to dwell on it and just go with my gut feeling, as to whether I am being overly self-critical or being reminded of how I am spending my time! (**) ¸..• ´¨¨)) -:¦:- ¸.•´ .•´¨¨)) ((¸¸.•´ ..•´ -:¦:- ..::Brightest Blessings::.. -:¦:- ((¸¸.•´.¸..•` ..::Bela::.. "Like nectar in the fresh morning flower, let goodness fill you. The heart that unfolds all its petals spreading the fragrance of goodness is the choicest offering at the altar of God" - Amma _____ Ammachi [Ammachi] On Behalf Of Sweta Mitzel Saturday, January 21, 2006 10:52 AM Ammachi Re: Re: Feeling Guilt...(to Bela) Namah Shivaya Bela, >From the changes you described, it sounds as if you're letting Amma do a lot of purification work on you. Where I work, we did an entire group on guilt. You can find the basic format for it, if you do a search on "guilt" at coping.org. (This is a great site!) It was amazing to hear individuals' realizations in our group, on how guilt was such a destructive force in their lives. A participant of the group said that failures can be used as stepping stones to success. Amma also said that. That was the 1st. of 3 times, that I heard or read that same message in 2-3 days! I believe that at best, guilt is a motivator for changing for the better. For the group, we read forgiveness quotes, that were intended to be directed towards ourselves. One of the quotes was Amma's, about how the past is like a can celled check. Then we did a beautiful exercise, in which our Higher Self, (for me, that was Amma) was sending love, compassion & forgiveness to our little selves. On the other hand, I've experienced a process similar to yours. I remember while flying back from Amritavarsham50, feeling a little guilty about watching a movie on the airline. My opinion, is that Amma has been working on gradually removing all of the vasanas that would keep me feeling separate from Her. These vasanas can be especially obvious during or after basking in the light of Amma's presence. So, I think it's part of our spiritual evolution to begin noticing what keeps us from fully reflecting Her light. And, that as we follow our conscience, our spiritual growth will be propelled. During a program, Amma said that She shows us our faults, so that we can work on them. Love, Sweta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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