Introduction

[Guest guest]

Namaste to All-

 

My name is Devi Spring, and I am a universalist Shakta bhakta from

Toronto, Ontario, Canada. My ishtadevata are Ganesha, Durga-Kali, and

Lakshmi. I came to my path around 6 years ago, when I was introduced

to the Sanatana Dharma while pursuing my Relgious Studies degree

program at the University of Toronto. I took the introductory class in

Hinduism out of curiosity, because I knew nothing of it, and ended up

specializing in the Hindu Relgious Tradition and becoming a devotee. I

have not found real place for me to pursue my worship, and so for the

most part have been practicing alone. I find that the teachings of

Shree Ma and Swami Satyananda Saraswati of the Devi Mandir are of

great inspiration to me, as is the life and gospel of Sri Ramakrishna.

I have several friends who suggested that I learn more about Amma, and

that is why I have joined this group. I am looking forward to learning

from everyone here and expanding my knowledge and practice.

 

Blessings,

~Devi~

[Guest guest]

--- Devi Spring <prana_devi wrote:

 

> Namaste to All-

>

> My name is Devi Spring, and I am a universalist

> Shakta bhakta from

> Toronto, Ontario, Canada. My ishtadevata are

> Ganesha, Durga-Kali, and

> Lakshmi. I came to my path around 6 years ago, when

> I was introduced

> to the Sanatana Dharma while pursuing my Relgious

> Studies degree

> program at the University of Toronto. I took the

> introductory class in

> Hinduism out of curiosity, because I knew nothing of

> it, and ended up

> specializing in the Hindu Relgious Tradition and

> becoming a devotee. I

> have not found real place for me to pursue my

> worship, and so for the

> most part have been practicing alone.

 

Welcome to the group..hard to believe that you can't

find a place to worship in this town. Toronto is

literally crawling with Hindu temples..don't need to

make a long trek into Scarberia or the 905 burbs, as

there are several temples in mid-town accessible by

public transit..if you need directions to a particular

temple in your 'hood, e-mail me off-list.

 

Amma's summer tour stop is tentatively scheduled for

July 23, give or take a day..visit the Toronto Amma

satsang web site http://www.ammacanada.ca/toronto/ we

have weekly satsangs (click on 'schedule') at

devotee's homes..usually deep into the 905 burbs.

 

Keval

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

So good to see you here, Devi. I have followed your posts on the Devi

Mandir and enjoyed your contributions. There are a number

of us here who love Shree Maa and Swamiji and also revere Amma as an

avatar and Divine Mother. Please try to take her darshan the next time

that she is in Toronto. It is beyond this plane.

 

Your sister,

 

Pahari Maa

 

 

On Feb 15, 2006, at 11:33 AM, Devi Spring wrote:

 

> Namaste to All-

>

> My name is Devi Spring, and I am a universalist Shakta bhakta from

> Toronto, Ontario, Canada. My ishtadevata are Ganesha, Durga-Kali, and

> Lakshmi. I came to my path around 6 years ago, when I was introduced

> to the Sanatana Dharma while pursuing my Relgious Studies degree

> program at the University of Toronto. I took the introductory class in

> Hinduism out of curiosity, because I knew nothing of it, and ended up

> specializing in the Hindu Relgious Tradition and becoming a devotee. I

> have not found real place for me to pursue my worship, and so for the

> most part have been practicing alone. I find that the teachings of

> Shree Ma and Swami Satyananda Saraswati of the Devi Mandir are of

> great inspiration to me, as is the life and gospel of Sri Ramakrishna.

> I have several friends who suggested that I learn more about Amma, and

> that is why I have joined this group. I am looking forward to learning

> from everyone here and expanding my knowledge and practice.

>

> Blessings,

> ~Devi~

>

Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha!

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Mata amritanandamayi

>

>

>

>

>

> ▪  Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web.

>  

> ▪  

>  Ammachi

>  

> ▪   Terms of

> Service.

>

>

>

>

 

 

[Guest guest]

>

> Welcome to the group..hard to believe that you can't

> find a place to worship in this town. Toronto is

> literally crawling with Hindu temples

>

 

 

Namaste-

 

It's not that I haven't found any temples. I know there are plenty

around. It's just that at the few that I have attempted to go to I

was received either lukewarmly or rather coldly. They seemed

suspicious of a non-Indian being there. I understand that it must be

relatively uncommon, but it made an already new (and therefore

anxious) experiences that much more uncomfortable.

 

The only temple I found downtown that was welcoming was the ISKCON

temple, which I did attend for about 6 months. Eventually though I

decided it was not the right enviornment for me. I have recently been

in touch with the Devi Mandir in Pickering, however, and they say

that their doors are wide open to everyone. The gave me the name of

several people to "find" if I attended and felt uncomfortable, so

that they could show me around and introduce me and provide any info

that I needed. I am very much looking forward to going there, as they

have a whole host of wonderful programs including Indian Dance,

tabla, Hindustani singing, and Hindi language classes. But, Pickering

is difficult to get to without transportation - and the Mandir is a

cab ride away from the GO Train station...which makes getting there

and back pretty pricey.

 

Within the next 18 months my spouse and I will be buying a new home

and finally getting a car. Then I'll be able to drive out there. He

even said he'd like to come along for the tabla classes!

 

Blessings,

~Devi~