Appropriate response to the Guru and the Goddess

May 24, 2006

During Kirtan that evening, Maa suddenly stopped and asked us. "Why are you here today?"

When Maa asked us this question "because we love you" was the first thought that entered my mind. Because of my shyness I didn't say anything though.

I had written :

My mind was furiously working overtime. "What is the right answer?

Dear Morningsong,

It was a pleasure to meet you again that day. It is wonderful when a few of our group members get to experience first hand, the occassions that I try to describe in my posts.

The experience that we faced that day - the "inability" to answer Maa's question reminds me of something that Swamiji says often.

In the 13th chapter of the Chandi, when the Goddess appears and asks us for a boon - Swamiji says we have to be ready with our answer. He says the minute that we stop to think about what we want to have, the Goddess says (and I paraphrase) "Keep thinking, see ya next time" and disappears . Thats why Swamiji has his answer ready "Give me Pure Devotion to you Mother"

Why does this happen - our inability to have the response ready?

Swamiji says, it is because we do not have clear goals. If we had a clear goal, we know immediately and instinctively the right thing to say at the right time. We have the power of discrimination.

I would venture a guess, and this is only my opinion , that on that day, Maa was really seeing how many of us had clear goals. And like the Goddess, She didnt wait for us to stop and think, but told us the response right away.

The good news is - the situation will change once we are clear why we want to see Maa and how She will help us to attain our goals. Once we are clear that She is the source of nourishment and that is why we gravitate to her. Once we are crystal clear that She can hold our hands and take us to God. Until then ... we will keep trying and learning from ours and others experiences ...

Jai Maa

Nanda