Malas as Puja.

[Guest guest]

Namaste.

 

We have had some discussions the last couple of days pertaining to some

technical

aspects of mala making.

 

Whenever we do that, it has been shown in past postings it is a good idea

also to include remembrances of the spiritual aspect of this activity, this

seva, this yoga.

 

We have had discussions in the past and have had some beautiful sharings from

Babaji and Kirkiji in particular of how the actual wearing of rudraksha is

worship itself.

 

If one has the heart inclination to go one step further it as if one moves

from attending a puja and becoming pujari. !

 

One can have the same experiences while stringing a mala as one would have in

public worship, while using a mala for japa, or even the profound experiences

of deep meditation.

 

It is all a part of the Love play between us and Lord Shiva in the gifts he

has blessed us with of the rudraksha...this play, this delightful dance that

we are are actualizing as we grow spiritually and that we share with each

other here. The actual presence of God in such a concentrated, powerful gift

of love as the rudrasksha.

 

There is a sloka from the Bhagavad Gita that can be understood in so many

ways.

It is one of my favorites because of that. Lord Krishna says:

 

"Brahmapanam Brahma Havir

Brahmagnau Brahmanan Hutam

Brahmaiva tena gantavyam

Brahma Karma samadhina" (Bhagavad Gita 4:24)

 

One way we can look at these verses is that VasuDeva is teaching us isthat

the presence of God is in all activties . The presence of God is contained in

all acts of worship. The Presence of God not only receives the oblations of

praise and Love. But the fullness of the Godhead is contained in the act of

worship itself, that which is being offered and AS the devotee, the

worshiper.

 

Mala making is such a wonderful practice because it is work. There is a

technical knowledge that needs to be learned, (but that is actually quite

easy). It gives us the perfect training to allow this reality that Lord

Krishna imparts into a cognitive, relative act that has the potential to

become transcendental.

 

Once we have had such an experience, the entire relative field also changes

and then we have the opportunities to have the very same experience in all

activities we perform in the world.

 

One of the main ingredients is japa. Performing japa while stringing empowers

the action into Karma Yoga. Performing japa in the midst of any activity

spiritualizes the act.

Sri Bhagavan Haidakhan Wale Baba has taught that in Kali Yuga this is the

most effective practices in gaining enlightenment...Japa and Karma Yoga.

 

What is so wonderful about performing this work, and act of servicem and

devotion utilizing rudraksha is that you have the perfect synergy of

blessings and power that can move into areas of your life you could not

imagine. Dharma Devaji has demonstrated that to us in his Herculean effort of

constructing the Maha Mrityunjaya Kantha

 

So I urge any one who may have the inner inclination to string a mala. To do

so and not worry what the final result looks like because it can always be

restrung !

Or someone who wants a mala and is restricted by cost...make your own.

 

I remember the last time we had a discussion like this Babaji shared a vision

he had of Divine Mother Kali who was raising her hands in blessings to be

fearless. Let the Divine Shakti so fill your heart you over come any sort of

hesitation or concern over what the final product will look like. Just plunge

in to the devotional act.

 

I don't have any of my original malas because My skills improved. I remade

them . This is worship.

It is not stagnant. If we find that this is a spiritual practice or simply a

way to relax,

and receive enjoyment. We can break them apart and restring and worship all

over again. As we use them for japa and bond with them, retringing only

increases the Divine Light that emanates from them and from us.

 

Its what's in our hearts and consciousness.

 

We are approaching the very wonderful special festival of Navratri.

I was taught that the presence and the blessings of Sri Devi are so

accessible during these 9 days and that has been my experience.

 

So this would be a good time to embark on such an adventure if that is your

inclination.

 

With Great Respect and Love,

Kanti