Guest guest Posted May 27, 2006 Report Share Posted May 27, 2006 ONS While reading Awaken Children One last night, Amma shares that it is better for a spiritual aspirant not to use incense while meditating, as it can keep one's mind on sense desires. I tend to enjoy incense at the beginning of a meditation as I feel it brings me into that place....especially the Nam Champa of Sai Baba. I have also bought many different kinds from Amma's shop. Does anyone have any insight on this? Has Amma changed her view on using it in Meditation..... It only lasts for the first 15-20 minutes of so, usually... ONS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2006 Report Share Posted May 27, 2006 I do have a thought on that.... Many masters, including Amma, discourage using incense, music and other "props" during meditation for the reason that they stimulate the senses. In meditation, obviously, we try to withdraw from the senses and go within, they call it "Pratyahara" in yogic science, withdrawing the mind from sensory input. On the other hand, incense can be a valuable tool during ritual worship, as it does tend to invoke that devotional mood. Incense is a little too smokey for me, but I do like to burn essential oils when I sing kirtan and bhajans at home in the evening with my family. I like francincense the best, but cedarwood, rose and clove are all great, very grounding. I try to stay away from lavender because it's too ethereal, but it can be great for people who have a hard time trancending the mental. I think Amma's advice is very sensible, and totally in line with the yogic scriptures. love, Prajna Stacee Kramer <stacee.kramer (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote: ONS While reading Awaken Children One last night, Amma shares that it is better for a spiritual aspirant not to use incense while meditating, as it can keep one's mind on sense desires. I tend to enjoy incense at the beginning of a meditation as I feel it brings me into that place....especially the Nam Champa of Sai Baba. I have also bought many different kinds from Amma's shop. Does anyone have any insight on this? Has Amma changed her view on using it in Meditation..... It only lasts for the first 15-20 minutes of so, usually... ONS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 28, 2006 Report Share Posted May 28, 2006 Ammachi, Prajna - Brianna <prajnaji> wrote: > > I do have a thought on that.... Many masters, including Amma, discourage using incense, music and other "props" during meditation for the reason that they stimulate the senses. How about Bhajans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 28, 2006 Report Share Posted May 28, 2006 Hi, This question is on page 144, and it is in response to a question by a Bramacharin, specifically for meditation. (So I do not think it is a no no for Bhajans) Temba and I were wondering if it might be in relation to the immediate situation, i.e. Amma and this Bramacharin. In my case, as a westerner, (ignorant to the details of Hindu spiritual practice) who lives in a very crowded and noisy (difficult energy - part of the city) a little incense seems to cleanse the atmosphere... I think Amma has said that she honors all spiritual paths....and we were also thinking that if this can get you to that Place of surrender and Love....than....maybe it is not such a bad thing in this context. Ultimately, what I gleaned from our conversation was that I had to listen within and see what Amma says to me about it.... And if she feels it is a distraction from the Path then so be it. ONS --- eknathkoh <eknathkoh > wrote: Ammachi, Prajna - Brianna <prajnaji> wrote: > > I do have a thought on that.... Many masters, including Amma, discourage using incense, music and other "props" during meditation for the reason that they stimulate the senses. How about Bhajans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 28, 2006 Report Share Posted May 28, 2006 Hi Prajna, ONS, "Also, I don't know if you meditate with the I AM technique, but if you do, you could always e-mail the MA Center and and ask Ramaa Devi about the use of incense during I AM practice. And there is always the option of asking Amma herself! She is the ultimate authority on what is best for her children's spiritual growth! " Thank you so much for all of the information you have brought to this discussion. Temba and I spoke of the dependancy thing too...I do not need to use the incense to get me to the place of surrender, as I can meditate without it. When I came upon this statement in Awaken Children, I was confused, as a Westerner, I did not know of the possible danger.... So this is the reason for all of the questions...as it is important for me to follow Amma's teachings. Have not yet taken the I AM Course. I know why I use the incense, and that is to create a sacred space for the meditation. And in a way, because I live in the inner-city...it is not possible for me to get away from the public-ness of my living situation... But if I had to give it up...then by all means I would. There are many ways to reach God...mystics of all traditions have had to find their way...and many did not have an external Guru, but their resolve was so strong that they did find God.... Since I do have Amma, I would like to honor her wishes for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2006 Report Share Posted May 29, 2006 Bhajans ARE meditation. And Amma says in many places what value they provide for the spiritual aspirant. Ammachi, "eknathkoh" <eknathkoh> wrote: > > Ammachi, Prajna - Brianna <prajnaji@> wrote: > > > > I do have a thought on that.... Many masters, including Amma, > discourage using incense, music and other "props" during meditation > for the reason that they stimulate the senses. > > How about Bhajans? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2006 Report Share Posted May 29, 2006 Ammachi, "n2amma" <a1driane> wrote: > > Bhajans ARE meditation. And Amma says in many places what value they > provide for the spiritual aspirant. > > Ammachi, "eknathkoh" <eknathkoh@> wrote: > > > > Ammachi, Prajna - Brianna <prajnaji@> wrote: > > > > > > I do have a thought on that.... Many masters, including Amma, > > discourage using incense, music and other "props" during meditation > > for the reason that they stimulate the senses. > > > > How about Bhajans? > > >>>>>>> there are always exceptions ! what may be distracting for one, may be a path for taking the mind from the head into the heart bhajans are a perfect example of this as our arsenal of spiritual practices expands and we begin to see Amma in everything everything will be a meditation but, we need to start someplace; one thing at a time and ask Amma if not sure when I received my mantra from Amma, I did not receive any instructions except the pronounciation when Samarpana got her mantra, the hooded swami gave her a beautiful set of instructions ~ including 108 names of Amma, bowing down, ma-om, 108 mantras, om, meditation on SILENCE, corpse position for resting ~ amma bless, amarnath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2006 Report Share Posted May 29, 2006 Ammachi, "amarnath" <anatol_zinc> wrote: > > Ammachi, "n2amma" <a1driane@> wrote: > > > > Bhajans ARE meditation. And Amma says in many places what value they > > provide for the spiritual aspirant. > > > > Ammachi, "eknathkoh" <eknathkoh@> wrote: > > > > > > Ammachi, Prajna - Brianna <prajnaji@> wrote: > > > > > > > > I do have a thought on that.... Many masters, > >including Amma, > > > discourage using incense, music and other "props" during > meditation > > > for the reason that they stimulate the senses. > > > > > > How about Bhajans? > > > >>>>>>> > > there are always exceptions ! > what may be distracting for one, may be a path > for taking the mind from the head into the heart > bhajans are a perfect example of this > > as our arsenal of spiritual practices expands > and we begin to see Amma in everything > everything will be a meditation > > but, we need to start someplace; > one thing at a time > and ask Amma if not sure > > when I received my mantra from Amma, I did not receive any > instructions except the pronounciation > > when Samarpana got her mantra, > the hooded swami gave her a beautiful set of instructions ~ > including 108 names of Amma, bowing down, ma-om, 108 mantras, om, > meditation on SILENCE, corpse position for resting ~ > > amma bless, > amarnath > >>>> clarification on bhajans: bhajans may be distracting for some one who favors meditating on silence in a silent environment; of course, eventually, one should be able to meditate even in a noisy environment; but for others, bhajans may be the thing that takes them into the inner silence i remember listening to some quite dynamic soul singing on TV; and one of the singers, who was quite dynamic not only vocally but physically, was aked her experience? she replied inner silence, peace, love Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2006 Report Share Posted May 29, 2006 Bhajan is the focus of my sadhana, but for me the deepest point of connection is the silence between bhajans. But it is true that what enables each of us to transcend is unique to that individual. Again, I would refer anyone with questions about their personal sadhana to Amma herself. And how fortunate we are that she is so near! love, Prajna amarnath <anatol_zinc > wrote: Ammachi, "amarnath" <anatol_zinc> wrote: > > Ammachi, "n2amma" <a1driane@> wrote: > > > > Bhajans ARE meditation. And Amma says in many places what value they > > provide for the spiritual aspirant. > > > > Ammachi, "eknathkoh" <eknathkoh@> wrote: > > > > > > Ammachi, Prajna - Brianna <prajnaji@> wrote: > > > > > > > > I do have a thought on that.... Many masters, > >including Amma, > > > discourage using incense, music and other "props" during > meditation > > > for the reason that they stimulate the senses. > > > > > > How about Bhajans? > > > >>>>>>> > > there are always exceptions ! > what may be distracting for one, may be a path > for taking the mind from the head into the heart > bhajans are a perfect example of this > > as our arsenal of spiritual practices expands > and we begin to see Amma in everything > everything will be a meditation > > but, we need to start someplace; > one thing at a time > and ask Amma if not sure > > when I received my mantra from Amma, I did not receive any > instructions except the pronounciation > > when Samarpana got her mantra, > the hooded swami gave her a beautiful set of instructions ~ > including 108 names of Amma, bowing down, ma-om, 108 mantras, om, > meditation on SILENCE, corpse position for resting ~ > > amma bless, > amarnath > >>>> clarification on bhajans: bhajans may be distracting for some one who favors meditating on silence in a silent environment; of course, eventually, one should be able to meditate even in a noisy environment; but for others, bhajans may be the thing that takes them into the inner silence i remember listening to some quite dynamic soul singing on TV; and one of the singers, who was quite dynamic not only vocally but physically, was aked her experience? she replied inner silence, peace, love Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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