Guest guest Report post Posted December 15, 2006 Namaste >From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page 198, Swami says: "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. Consciousness never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there can't be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. Consciousness and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is exactly the same as the space outside the container. The only difference between the two is the definition that is created by the container. The energy of that container will move into a new container. And the space within the container will move into a new container. The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now here comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with that soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new container of that same consciousness. Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a certain way. Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to lifetime. As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our life, prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then naturally our mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are the thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. Jai Maa Jai Swami love vishweshwar Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 15, 2006 Namaste: Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen die did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the case one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, so to speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before losing consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be responsible for.... Bill inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 > wrote: Namaste >From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page 198, Swami says: "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. Consciousness never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there can't be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. Consciousness and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is exactly the same as the space outside the container. The only difference between the two is the definition that is created by the container. The energy of that container will move into a new container. And the space within the container will move into a new container. The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now here comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with that soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new container of that same consciousness. Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a certain way. Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to lifetime. As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our life, prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then naturally our mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are the thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. Jai Maa Jai Swami love vishweshwar Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 15, 2006 Yep, I think you are right about that. Certainly, as Vish suggested in his recent post, if we have spent our lives in worship and meditation, then thoughts of God will never be far from us, no matter our condition, but most people are not so fortunate. Everyone hopes for a "good" death. For some that might mean dieing in sleep, totally unconscious of the fact; for others, a death with a clear mind and a little time to say goodbye and prepare to meet God is what they hope for. I hope for the latter. Jai Maa! Chris , Bill Smith <biggerblat wrote: > > Namaste: > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen die did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the case one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, so to speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before losing consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be responsible for.... > > Bill > > inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 wrote: > Namaste > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page 198, > Swami says: > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. Consciousness > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there can't > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. Consciousness > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is exactly > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > between the two is the definition that is created by the container. > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. And the > space within the container will move into a new container. > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now here > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with that > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > container of that same consciousness. > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > certain way. > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to lifetime. > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our life, > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then naturally our > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are the > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > love > > vishweshwar > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 16, 2006 Namaste Bill I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he will post directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. Jai Maa Jai Swami love vishweshwar , Bill Smith <biggerblat wrote: > > Namaste: > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen die did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the case one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, so to speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before losing consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be responsible for.... > > Bill > > inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 wrote: > Namaste > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page 198, > Swami says: > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. Consciousness > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there can't > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. Consciousness > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is exactly > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > between the two is the definition that is created by the container. > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. And the > space within the container will move into a new container. > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now here > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with that > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > container of that same consciousness. > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > certain way. > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to lifetime. > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our life, > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then naturally our > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are the > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > love > > vishweshwar > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 16, 2006 Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a question I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough environment in which to be composed. I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you for taking trouble with this for me. Bill inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 > wrote: Namaste Bill I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he will post directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. Jai Maa Jai Swami love vishweshwar , Bill Smith wrote: > > Namaste: > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen die did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the case one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, so to speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before losing consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be responsible for.... > > Bill > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > Namaste > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page 198, > Swami says: > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. Consciousness > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there can't > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. Consciousness > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is exactly > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > between the two is the definition that is created by the container. > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. And the > space within the container will move into a new container. > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now here > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with that > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > container of that same consciousness. > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > certain way. > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to lifetime. > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our life, > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then naturally our > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are the > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > love > > vishweshwar > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 16, 2006 Namaste Bill. good morning, You are welcome. This question is important for us all. Swami will help us. In our tradition, there are prayers the family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest planes of consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The experience was very profound. As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing soul to send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our evolution in greater. In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are interested, in the future. I hope this helps. Jai Maa Jai Swami love vishweshwar Vishweshwar, Bill Smith <biggerblat wrote: > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a question I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough environment in which to be composed. > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you for taking trouble with this for me. > > Bill > > inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 wrote: > Namaste Bill > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he will post > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > love > > vishweshwar > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > Namaste: > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen die > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the case > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, so to > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before losing > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > responsible for.... > > > > Bill > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > Namaste > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page 198, > > Swami says: > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. Consciousness > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there can't > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. Consciousness > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is exactly > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > between the two is the definition that is created by the container. > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. And the > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now here > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with that > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > > certain way. > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to lifetime. > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our life, > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then naturally our > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are the > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > love > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 16, 2006 Hi: Yes, it does indeed help. Now, where do I find the prayers you mention? Bill inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 > wrote: Namaste Bill. good morning, You are welcome. This question is important for us all. Swami will help us. In our tradition, there are prayers the family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest planes of consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The experience was very profound. As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing soul to send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our evolution in greater. In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are interested, in the future. I hope this helps. Jai Maa Jai Swami love vishweshwar Vishweshwar, Bill Smith wrote: > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a question I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough environment in which to be composed. > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you for taking trouble with this for me. > > Bill > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > Namaste Bill > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he will post > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > love > > vishweshwar > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > Namaste: > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen die > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the case > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, so to > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before losing > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > responsible for.... > > > > Bill > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > Namaste > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page 198, > > Swami says: > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. Consciousness > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there can't > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. Consciousness > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is exactly > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > between the two is the definition that is created by the container. > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. And the > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now here > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with that > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > > certain way. > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to lifetime. > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our life, > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then naturally our > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are the > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > love > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 16, 2006 Hi again. I am sorry if I am beating this to a pulp....I just looked over the FAQ's at the website and under General Philosophical Things there was a note from Swami saying that if one slips into coma for some reason, and does so while meditating on the Divine Mother, then you stay in that meditation. Since I do not know any reason for doubting that, I shall take his word for it. The point seems to be that we are to focus on the Divine every waking moment. The other side of this coin comes from a prayer by the English St Richard of Chichester, who, before going into battle, prayed as follows: "Dear Lord, I am going to be very busy this day. If I should have occasion, while fighting, to forget Thee, pray do not Thou forget me." Richard seems to have covered all the bases, and I am not being facetious when I say that. The issue is too important for that. Warmly Bill inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 > wrote: Namaste Bill. good morning, You are welcome. This question is important for us all. Swami will help us. In our tradition, there are prayers the family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest planes of consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The experience was very profound. As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing soul to send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our evolution in greater. In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are interested, in the future. I hope this helps. Jai Maa Jai Swami love vishweshwar Vishweshwar, Bill Smith wrote: > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a question I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough environment in which to be composed. > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you for taking trouble with this for me. > > Bill > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > Namaste Bill > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he will post > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > love > > vishweshwar > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > Namaste: > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen die > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the case > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, so to > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before losing > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > responsible for.... > > > > Bill > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > Namaste > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page 198, > > Swami says: > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. Consciousness > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there can't > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. Consciousness > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is exactly > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > between the two is the definition that is created by the container. > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. And the > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now here > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with that > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > > certain way. > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to lifetime. > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our life, > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then naturally our > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are the > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > love > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 16, 2006 At the end of this post, you mentioned specific prayers. I wasn't sure if you meant the daily ones or the ones for the recently departed. But it doesn't matter, really, because I am very interested in knowing both. I especially would like to be able to have the prayers (and the procedure for chanting them) for the recently departed at the ready for immediate use. I would be so very appreciative if we could learn about these. Love, Karen , "inspectionconnection108" <inspectionconnection108 wrote: > >In our tradition, there are prayers the > family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately > after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific > amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest planes of > consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family > members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The > experience was very profound. > As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, > helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing soul to > send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the > soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our > evolution in greater. > In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, > especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the > ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the > place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on > Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. > We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are > interested, in the future. > > I hope this helps. > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > love > > vishweshwar > > > Vishweshwar, Bill Smith > biggerblat@ wrote: > > > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a question > I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds > (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all > know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many > machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough environment > in which to be composed. > > > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you > for taking trouble with this for me. > > > > Bill > > > > inspectionconnection108 inspectionconnection108@ wrote: > > Namaste Bill > > > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he will post > > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > love > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > Namaste: > > > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are > > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have > > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen die > > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any > > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how > > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the case > > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, so to > > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before losing > > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > > responsible for.... > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > Namaste > > > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page 198, > > > Swami says: > > > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. Consciousness > > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there can't > > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. Consciousness > > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is exactly > > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > > between the two is the definition that is created by the container. > > > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. And the > > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now here > > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. > > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with that > > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > > > certain way. > > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to lifetime. > > > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our life, > > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then naturally our > > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are the > > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > love > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 17, 2006 NAMASTE Bill, I do have the answers for you from Swami. These are the prayers and process to follow when one passes. I posted the following questions to Swami and he answered each one. Vish question: Is there value in chanting mantras, reading texts aloud?, for an unconscious person as they are dying? even before? Swami : Absolutely. So much we can charge the atmosphere and environment with spiritual energy, so great is the benefit to the soul in transition. Just as we prefer a spiritual environment for meditation because it is more conducive to a materially charged environment, in the same way we will want to make the environment conducive for one's transition. > Vish question: Will this help them transition? What is best mantra? text? > Swami: The best mantra is Gayatri. Also Mahamrityunjaya is recommended. There is no circumstance in which greater wisdom will not be regarded. > Vish question: Also, need help in describing the practice of the Shraddha, ceremony. How many days performing the mantra? What is best mantra? When to have the final celebration? Swami: The Shraddha is a memorial ceremony in honor of the departed. It can be celebrated for 10, 12, 15, or 30 days after the transition, and thereafter three times a year for life: on the anniversary of passing, at the time of Mahalaya, and at Diwali. Again Gayatri mantra is the customary japa. Bill, if you need those mantras, I can type them out. Let me know. They are in the Chandi, and Advanced Shiva Puja books. Also, Shree Maa has made a CD of Her chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, over and over. It is also on the web site. Also, you can call me at 707 255 3383 from 8-110 pm daily, Pacific time, and I can read them aloud for you if you cannot find them on the web site. NOTE: MAA HAS SAID IT IS VERY POWERFUL TO PLAY THE CD OVER AND OVER. IT PURIFIES AND PROTECTS THE HOME AND ITS OCCUPANTS. Jai Maa Jai Swami love vishweshwar , Bill Smith <biggerblat wrote: > > Hi again. I am sorry if I am beating this to a pulp....I just looked over the FAQ's at the website and under General Philosophical Things there was a note from Swami saying that if one slips into coma for some reason, and does so while meditating on the Divine Mother, then you stay in that meditation. Since I do not know any reason for doubting that, I shall take his word for it. The point seems to be that we are to focus on the Divine every waking moment. > > The other side of this coin comes from a prayer by the English St Richard of Chichester, who, before going into battle, prayed as follows: > > "Dear Lord, I am going to be very busy this day. If I should have occasion, while fighting, to forget Thee, pray do not Thou forget me." > > Richard seems to have covered all the bases, and I am not being facetious when I say that. The issue is too important for that. > > Warmly > > Bill > > inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 wrote: > Namaste > > Bill. good morning, You are welcome. This question is important for > us all. Swami will help us. In our tradition, there are prayers the > family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately > after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific > amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest planes of > consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family > members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The > experience was very profound. > As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, > helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing soul to > send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the > soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our > evolution in greater. > In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, > especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the > ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the > place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on > Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. > We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are > interested, in the future. > > I hope this helps. > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > love > > vishweshwar > > > Vishweshwar, Bill Smith > wrote: > > > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a question > I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds > (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all > know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many > machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough environment > in which to be composed. > > > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you > for taking trouble with this for me. > > > > Bill > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > Namaste Bill > > > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he will post > > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > love > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > Namaste: > > > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are > > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have > > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen die > > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any > > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how > > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the case > > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, so to > > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before losing > > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > > responsible for.... > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > Namaste > > > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page 198, > > > Swami says: > > > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. Consciousness > > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there can't > > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. Consciousness > > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is exactly > > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > > between the two is the definition that is created by the container. > > > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. And the > > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now here > > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. > > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with that > > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > > > certain way. > > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to lifetime. > > > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our life, > > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then naturally our > > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are the > > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > love > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 17, 2006 NAMASTE KAREN After Bill requested this data, I posted a message to Swami asking for specifics for prayers prior to, and post death. He sent a response and I have posted it. I have completed the process several times for loved one who passed, and performed the ceremony on the anniversary of their death, etc., and it is very powerful. The incredible thing about this tradition is that Maa and Swami want us to be self sufficient and perform these ceremonies for ourselves, our families, and friends. Swami has said many times how fortunate it is that we can pray for others. It is a real blessing. I am committed to helping spread this knowledge in every way possible. If I can be of further help, let me know. Jai Maa Jai Swami love vishweshwar , "Karen" <forall10q wrote: > > > At the end of this post, you mentioned specific prayers. I wasn't sure > if you meant the daily ones or the ones for the recently departed. But > it doesn't matter, really, because I am very interested in knowing both. > I especially would like to be able to have the prayers (and the > procedure for chanting them) for the recently departed at the ready for > immediate use. I would be so very appreciative if we could learn about > these. Love, Karen > > > , "inspectionconnection108" > <inspectionconnection108@> wrote: > > > >In our tradition, there are prayers the > > family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately > > after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific > > amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest planes of > > consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family > > members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The > > experience was very profound. > > As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, > > helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing soul to > > send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the > > soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our > > evolution in greater. > > In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, > > especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the > > ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the > > place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on > > Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. > > We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are > > interested, in the future. > > > > I hope this helps. > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > love > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > Vishweshwar, Bill Smith > > biggerblat@ wrote: > > > > > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a question > > I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds > > (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all > > know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many > > machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough environment > > in which to be composed. > > > > > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you > > for taking trouble with this for me. > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 inspectionconnection108@ wrote: > > > Namaste Bill > > > > > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he will > post > > > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > > > > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > love > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > > > Namaste: > > > > > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > > > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > > > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are > > > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have > > > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen > die > > > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any > > > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how > > > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the > case > > > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, so > to > > > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before > losing > > > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > > > responsible for.... > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > Namaste > > > > > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page > 198, > > > > Swami says: > > > > > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > > > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. > Consciousness > > > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > > > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there > can't > > > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. > Consciousness > > > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > > > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > > > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > > > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is > exactly > > > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > > > between the two is the definition that is created by the > container. > > > > > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. And > the > > > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > > > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > > > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now > here > > > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. > > > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with > that > > > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > > > > certain way. > > > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to > lifetime. > > > > > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our > life, > > > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > > > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then naturally > our > > > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are > the > > > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > > > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 17, 2006 Namaste Your kindness never fails to impress. Let me take a look at the website again and see what I can see on my own first. I have a cd of the Gayatra mantra but find the pronunciation difficult. At 58 and being slighly deaf, I wonder if I chant in English....is that acceptable? There are translations on the web....Or else I can write it out phonetically and hope for the best. Bill inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 > wrote: NAMASTE Bill, I do have the answers for you from Swami. These are the prayers and process to follow when one passes. I posted the following questions to Swami and he answered each one. Vish question: Is there value in chanting mantras, reading texts aloud?, for an unconscious person as they are dying? even before? Swami : Absolutely. So much we can charge the atmosphere and environment with spiritual energy, so great is the benefit to the soul in transition. Just as we prefer a spiritual environment for meditation because it is more conducive to a materially charged environment, in the same way we will want to make the environment conducive for one's transition. > Vish question: Will this help them transition? What is best mantra? text? > Swami: The best mantra is Gayatri. Also Mahamrityunjaya is recommended. There is no circumstance in which greater wisdom will not be regarded. > Vish question: Also, need help in describing the practice of the Shraddha, ceremony. How many days performing the mantra? What is best mantra? When to have the final celebration? Swami: The Shraddha is a memorial ceremony in honor of the departed. It can be celebrated for 10, 12, 15, or 30 days after the transition, and thereafter three times a year for life: on the anniversary of passing, at the time of Mahalaya, and at Diwali. Again Gayatri mantra is the customary japa. Bill, if you need those mantras, I can type them out. Let me know. They are in the Chandi, and Advanced Shiva Puja books. Also, Shree Maa has made a CD of Her chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, over and over. It is also on the web site. Also, you can call me at 707 255 3383 from 8-110 pm daily, Pacific time, and I can read them aloud for you if you cannot find them on the web site. NOTE: MAA HAS SAID IT IS VERY POWERFUL TO PLAY THE CD OVER AND OVER. IT PURIFIES AND PROTECTS THE HOME AND ITS OCCUPANTS. Jai Maa Jai Swami love vishweshwar , Bill Smith wrote: > > Hi again. I am sorry if I am beating this to a pulp....I just looked over the FAQ's at the website and under General Philosophical Things there was a note from Swami saying that if one slips into coma for some reason, and does so while meditating on the Divine Mother, then you stay in that meditation. Since I do not know any reason for doubting that, I shall take his word for it. The point seems to be that we are to focus on the Divine every waking moment. > > The other side of this coin comes from a prayer by the English St Richard of Chichester, who, before going into battle, prayed as follows: > > "Dear Lord, I am going to be very busy this day. If I should have occasion, while fighting, to forget Thee, pray do not Thou forget me." > > Richard seems to have covered all the bases, and I am not being facetious when I say that. The issue is too important for that. > > Warmly > > Bill > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > Namaste > > Bill. good morning, You are welcome. This question is important for > us all. Swami will help us. In our tradition, there are prayers the > family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately > after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific > amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest planes of > consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family > members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The > experience was very profound. > As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, > helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing soul to > send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the > soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our > evolution in greater. > In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, > especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the > ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the > place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on > Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. > We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are > interested, in the future. > > I hope this helps. > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > love > > vishweshwar > > > Vishweshwar, Bill Smith > wrote: > > > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a question > I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds > (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all > know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many > machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough environment > in which to be composed. > > > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you > for taking trouble with this for me. > > > > Bill > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > Namaste Bill > > > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he will post > > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > love > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > Namaste: > > > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are > > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have > > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen die > > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any > > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how > > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the case > > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, so to > > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before losing > > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > > responsible for.... > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > Namaste > > > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page 198, > > > Swami says: > > > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. Consciousness > > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there can't > > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. Consciousness > > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is exactly > > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > > between the two is the definition that is created by the container. > > > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. And the > > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now here > > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. > > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with that > > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > > > certain way. > > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to lifetime. > > > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our life, > > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then naturally our > > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are the > > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > love > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 17, 2006 Hi Karen, I'm sure there's probably more to this process, but I have some notes from a similar question Swamiji answered a couple of years ago. When the soul leaves the body the Vishnu Sahasranama is recited. After death for eleven days one places a candle and fresh flowers next to a picture of the departed and recites at least one mala of Gayatri Mantra. The sankalpa for that is "pitri shraddhamaham karishye." I don't know anything about the daily prayers... Jai Maa! Chris , "inspectionconnection108" <inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > NAMASTE KAREN > > After Bill requested this data, I posted a message to Swami asking for > specifics for prayers prior to, and post death. He sent a response > and I have posted it. I have completed the process several times for > loved one who passed, and performed the ceremony on the anniversary of > their death, etc., and it is very powerful. > The incredible thing about this tradition is that Maa and Swami want > us to be self sufficient and perform these ceremonies for ourselves, > our families, and friends. > Swami has said many times how fortunate it is that we can pray for > others. It is a real blessing. > I am committed to helping spread this knowledge in every way possible. > If I can be of further help, let me know. > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > love > > vishweshwar > > , "Karen" <forall10q@> wrote: > > > > > > At the end of this post, you mentioned specific prayers. I wasn't sure > > if you meant the daily ones or the ones for the recently departed. But > > it doesn't matter, really, because I am very interested in knowing both. > > I especially would like to be able to have the prayers (and the > > procedure for chanting them) for the recently departed at the ready for > > immediate use. I would be so very appreciative if we could learn about > > these. Love, Karen > > > > > > , "inspectionconnection108" > > <inspectionconnection108@> wrote: > > > > > >In our tradition, there are prayers the > > > family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately > > > after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific > > > amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest planes of > > > consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family > > > members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The > > > experience was very profound. > > > As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, > > > helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing soul to > > > send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the > > > soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our > > > evolution in greater. > > > In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, > > > especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the > > > ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the > > > place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on > > > Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. > > > We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are > > > interested, in the future. > > > > > > I hope this helps. > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > love > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > Vishweshwar, Bill Smith > > > biggerblat@ wrote: > > > > > > > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a question > > > I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds > > > (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all > > > know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many > > > machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough environment > > > in which to be composed. > > > > > > > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you > > > for taking trouble with this for me. > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 inspectionconnection108@ wrote: > > > > Namaste Bill > > > > > > > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he will > > post > > > > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > > > > > > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Namaste: > > > > > > > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > > > > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > > > > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are > > > > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have > > > > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen > > die > > > > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any > > > > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how > > > > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the > > case > > > > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, so > > to > > > > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before > > losing > > > > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > > > > responsible for.... > > > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > > Namaste > > > > > > > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page > > 198, > > > > > Swami says: > > > > > > > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > > > > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > > > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. > > Consciousness > > > > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > > > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > > > > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there > > can't > > > > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. > > Consciousness > > > > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > > > > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > > > > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > > > > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > > > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is > > exactly > > > > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > > > > between the two is the definition that is created by the > > container. > > > > > > > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. And > > the > > > > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > > > > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > > > > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > > > > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > > > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now > > here > > > > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. > > > > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with > > that > > > > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > > > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > > > > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > > > > > certain way. > > > > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to > > lifetime. > > > > > > > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our > > life, > > > > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > > > > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then naturally > > our > > > > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are > > the > > > > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > > > > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 17, 2006 Hi Vish, I'm afraid I got a little bit confused by the posts and sent a response to Karen before I got to this one. However, there seems to be a discrepancy in the number of days Swamiji recommends. I'm not sure whether he made a mistake, or if one of his answers perhaps includes the celebration day you mentioned. Here's the link: /message/4676 Can you clear this up for me? Jai Maa! Chris , "inspectionconnection108" <inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > NAMASTE > > Bill, I do have the answers for you from Swami. These are the prayers > and process to follow when one passes. > I posted the following questions to Swami and he answered each one. > > Vish question: Is there value in chanting mantras, reading texts > aloud?, for an unconscious person as they are dying? even before? > > > Swami : Absolutely. So much we can charge the atmosphere and > environment with spiritual energy, so great is the benefit to the soul > in transition. Just as we prefer a spiritual environment for > meditation because it is more conducive to a materially charged > environment, in the same way we will want to make the environment > conducive for one's transition. > > > Vish question: Will this help them transition? What is best mantra? > text? > > > Swami: The best mantra is Gayatri. Also Mahamrityunjaya is > recommended. There is no circumstance in which greater wisdom will not > be regarded. > > > Vish question: Also, need help in describing the practice of the > Shraddha, ceremony. How many days performing the mantra? What is > best mantra? When to have the final celebration? > > Swami: The Shraddha is a memorial ceremony in honor of the departed. > It can be celebrated for 10, 12, 15, or 30 days after the transition, > and thereafter three times a year for life: on the anniversary of > passing, at the time of Mahalaya, and at Diwali. > > Again Gayatri mantra is the customary japa. > > Bill, if you need those mantras, I can type them out. Let me know. > They are in the Chandi, and Advanced Shiva Puja books. Also, Shree > Maa has made a CD of Her chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, over and > over. It is also on the web site. Also, you can call me at 707 255 > 3383 from 8-110 pm daily, Pacific time, and I can read them aloud for > you if you cannot find them on the web site. > > NOTE: MAA HAS SAID IT IS VERY POWERFUL TO PLAY THE CD OVER AND OVER. > IT PURIFIES AND PROTECTS THE HOME AND ITS OCCUPANTS. > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > love vishweshwar > > > > > > > , Bill Smith <biggerblat@> wrote: > > > > Hi again. I am sorry if I am beating this to a pulp....I just > looked over the FAQ's at the website and under General Philosophical > Things there was a note from Swami saying that if one slips into coma > for some reason, and does so while meditating on the Divine Mother, > then you stay in that meditation. Since I do not know any reason for > doubting that, I shall take his word for it. The point seems to be > that we are to focus on the Divine every waking moment. > > > > The other side of this coin comes from a prayer by the English St > Richard of Chichester, who, before going into battle, prayed as follows: > > > > "Dear Lord, I am going to be very busy this day. If I should have > occasion, while fighting, to forget Thee, pray do not Thou forget me." > > > > Richard seems to have covered all the bases, and I am not being > facetious when I say that. The issue is too important for that. > > > > Warmly > > > > Bill > > > > inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108@> wrote: > > Namaste > > > > Bill. good morning, You are welcome. This question is important for > > us all. Swami will help us. In our tradition, there are prayers the > > family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately > > after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific > > amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest planes of > > consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family > > members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The > > experience was very profound. > > As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, > > helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing soul to > > send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the > > soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our > > evolution in greater. > > In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, > > especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the > > ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the > > place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on > > Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. > > We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are > > interested, in the future. > > > > I hope this helps. > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > love > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > Vishweshwar, Bill Smith > > wrote: > > > > > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a question > > I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds > > (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all > > know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many > > machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough environment > > in which to be composed. > > > > > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you > > for taking trouble with this for me. > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > Namaste Bill > > > > > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he will post > > > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > > > > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > love > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > > > Namaste: > > > > > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > > > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > > > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are > > > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have > > > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen die > > > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any > > > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how > > > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the case > > > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, so to > > > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before losing > > > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > > > responsible for.... > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > Namaste > > > > > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page 198, > > > > Swami says: > > > > > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > > > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. > Consciousness > > > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > > > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there can't > > > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. Consciousness > > > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > > > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > > > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > > > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is exactly > > > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > > > between the two is the definition that is created by the container. > > > > > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. And the > > > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > > > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > > > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now here > > > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. > > > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with that > > > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > > > > certain way. > > > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to > lifetime. > > > > > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our life, > > > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > > > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then > naturally our > > > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are the > > > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > > > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 18, 2006 Bill, I'm sure Vish will respond, but I would like to put my two-cents in too. All of the practices we learn at the feet of Shree Maa and Swamiji involve the use of Sanskrit mantras. There is a reason for this beyond simple tradition. All of these mantras have specific subtle vibrations that resonate with powers of spiritual activity and consciousness, both within and without. Certainly there is power in prayer of any kind, in any language, but with the use of mantra we get, not only the intentions of our heart and the results of the connection that creates, but an additional impetus toward divinity beyond what we are presently capable of alone. The use of mantra is kind of like downloading the library of divinity into your unconscious. You take your seat, repeat the mantras, and they slowly open up within like beautiful flowers smiling for God alone. All of the universe is present within each of us. This is the experience of the sages. Yet this is not our experience. There is so very much that is beyond us, not only in the sphere of action, but in the ability to grasp, to comprehend, even imagine. Mantras help us to accomplish that which we are incapable of at the moment. Where we cannot imagine, they Know, and they invariably bring us to that place where we will Know too. Believe me, I know how foreign and twisty and long and difficult, even Gayatri mantra seems at first. When I first learned Gayatri I thought I'd really accomplished something! Actually I had, though not in the limited way I'd imagined. Gayatri is one of the most powerful mantras there is, and it is accessible to everyone. Gayatri mantra is a part of me, and I am forever changed by what Gayatrimata (Mother Gayatri) has given me (not that I am aware, even yet, of all that is). Each time we repeat a mantra with faith we are changed in some way. Really, you can do this. Begin at the beginning; learn one mantra and practice it. Then learn another. There is a process that opens up with faith and practice. Most of the pujas (worship ceremonies) and other books published for the mandir have a guide to pronunciation in them somewhere. It's not too difficult to get the hang of. Soon you'll be working out the correct pronunciation of most things yourself. In the beginning the mantra seems like a collection of meaningless and difficult sounds. Soon, if one has faith in God and in the mantra, something happens beyond simple familiarity and the mantra becomes easy, soon, enjoyable. Then you begin to notice subtle changes in state when you practice; perhaps you become a little more loving, or perhaps a little more aware, perhaps your mind becomes a little less centered in yourself. Soon the mantra becomes a special friend, and there is enjoyment, as well as the feeling of discipline, in the recitation of it. As mantra shakti begins to open up within as the result of reciting one mantra it imparts the ability to learn and benefit from other mantras too. If you have faith in and love for a gurudeva the effects are multiplied. Sooner than you might think you will find even a large book filled from front to back with mantras, like the Chandi Path, within the realm of possibility for you. Really, you have only to make the effort and let God and guru do the rest. Mantra sadhana is really beautiful. Here is Gayatri written out: Om bhur bhuva svaha Tat Savitur varenyam Bargo devasya dimahi Diyo yo nah Prachodayat Here is a link to a video presentation of the folks at the Devi Mandir starting the Yajna fire. There is a good recording of a group repetition of Gayatri at the beginning when someone (who is that?) is trying to get fire with a stick. It might be better than the one you have (just in case). Here's the link: http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/node/339 Jai Maa! Chris , Bill Smith <biggerblat wrote: > > Namaste > > Your kindness never fails to impress. Let me take a look at the website again and see what I can see on my own first. I have a cd of the Gayatra mantra but find the pronunciation difficult. At 58 and being slighly deaf, I wonder if I chant in English....is that acceptable? There are translations on the web....Or else I can write it out phonetically and hope for the best. > > Bill > > inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 wrote: > NAMASTE > > Bill, I do have the answers for you from Swami. These are the prayers > and process to follow when one passes. > I posted the following questions to Swami and he answered each one. > > Vish question: Is there value in chanting mantras, reading texts > aloud?, for an unconscious person as they are dying? even before? > > > Swami : Absolutely. So much we can charge the atmosphere and > environment with spiritual energy, so great is the benefit to the soul > in transition. Just as we prefer a spiritual environment for > meditation because it is more conducive to a materially charged > environment, in the same way we will want to make the environment > conducive for one's transition. > > > Vish question: Will this help them transition? What is best mantra? > text? > > > Swami: The best mantra is Gayatri. Also Mahamrityunjaya is > recommended. There is no circumstance in which greater wisdom will not > be regarded. > > > Vish question: Also, need help in describing the practice of the > Shraddha, ceremony. How many days performing the mantra? What is > best mantra? When to have the final celebration? > > Swami: The Shraddha is a memorial ceremony in honor of the departed. > It can be celebrated for 10, 12, 15, or 30 days after the transition, > and thereafter three times a year for life: on the anniversary of > passing, at the time of Mahalaya, and at Diwali. > > Again Gayatri mantra is the customary japa. > > Bill, if you need those mantras, I can type them out. Let me know. > They are in the Chandi, and Advanced Shiva Puja books. Also, Shree > Maa has made a CD of Her chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, over and > over. It is also on the web site. Also, you can call me at 707 255 > 3383 from 8-110 pm daily, Pacific time, and I can read them aloud for > you if you cannot find them on the web site. > > NOTE: MAA HAS SAID IT IS VERY POWERFUL TO PLAY THE CD OVER AND OVER. > IT PURIFIES AND PROTECTS THE HOME AND ITS OCCUPANTS. > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > love vishweshwar > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > Hi again. I am sorry if I am beating this to a pulp....I just > looked over the FAQ's at the website and under General Philosophical > Things there was a note from Swami saying that if one slips into coma > for some reason, and does so while meditating on the Divine Mother, > then you stay in that meditation. Since I do not know any reason for > doubting that, I shall take his word for it. The point seems to be > that we are to focus on the Divine every waking moment. > > > > The other side of this coin comes from a prayer by the English St > Richard of Chichester, who, before going into battle, prayed as follows: > > > > "Dear Lord, I am going to be very busy this day. If I should have > occasion, while fighting, to forget Thee, pray do not Thou forget me." > > > > Richard seems to have covered all the bases, and I am not being > facetious when I say that. The issue is too important for that. > > > > Warmly > > > > Bill > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > Namaste > > > > Bill. good morning, You are welcome. This question is important for > > us all. Swami will help us. In our tradition, there are prayers the > > family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately > > after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific > > amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest planes of > > consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family > > members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The > > experience was very profound. > > As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, > > helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing soul to > > send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the > > soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our > > evolution in greater. > > In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, > > especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the > > ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the > > place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on > > Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. > > We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are > > interested, in the future. > > > > I hope this helps. > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > love > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > Vishweshwar, Bill Smith > > wrote: > > > > > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a question > > I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds > > (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all > > know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many > > machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough environment > > in which to be composed. > > > > > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you > > for taking trouble with this for me. > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > Namaste Bill > > > > > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he will post > > > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > > > > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > love > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > > > Namaste: > > > > > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > > > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > > > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are > > > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have > > > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen die > > > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any > > > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how > > > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the case > > > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, so to > > > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before losing > > > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > > > responsible for.... > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > Namaste > > > > > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page 198, > > > > Swami says: > > > > > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > > > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. > Consciousness > > > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > > > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there can't > > > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. Consciousness > > > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > > > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > > > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > > > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is exactly > > > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > > > between the two is the definition that is created by the container. > > > > > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. And the > > > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > > > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > > > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now here > > > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. > > > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with that > > > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > > > > certain way. > > > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to > lifetime. > > > > > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our life, > > > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > > > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then > naturally our > > > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are the > > > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > > > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 18, 2006 Namaste Bill I understand the pronunciation is difficult. It took me some time to get it right as I do not have a knack for any language but English. A suggestion: maybe let it play in the background for sometime, over and over, and sometimes just stop and listen with eyes closed. Let it just seep into your awareness. If I can help, do not hesitate to call. Having it play in the environment will certainly help you and your Mother and your home. SHree Maa has said playing CD's of these mantras certainly will have a positive effect on everyone. Jai Maa Jai Swami love vishweshwar. , Bill Smith <biggerblat wrote: > > Namaste > > Your kindness never fails to impress. Let me take a look at the website again and see what I can see on my own first. I have a cd of the Gayatra mantra but find the pronunciation difficult. At 58 and being slighly deaf, I wonder if I chant in English....is that acceptable? There are translations on the web....Or else I can write it out phonetically and hope for the best. > > Bill > > inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 wrote: > NAMASTE > > Bill, I do have the answers for you from Swami. These are the prayers > and process to follow when one passes. > I posted the following questions to Swami and he answered each one. > > Vish question: Is there value in chanting mantras, reading texts > aloud?, for an unconscious person as they are dying? even before? > > > Swami : Absolutely. So much we can charge the atmosphere and > environment with spiritual energy, so great is the benefit to the soul > in transition. Just as we prefer a spiritual environment for > meditation because it is more conducive to a materially charged > environment, in the same way we will want to make the environment > conducive for one's transition. > > > Vish question: Will this help them transition? What is best mantra? > text? > > > Swami: The best mantra is Gayatri. Also Mahamrityunjaya is > recommended. There is no circumstance in which greater wisdom will not > be regarded. > > > Vish question: Also, need help in describing the practice of the > Shraddha, ceremony. How many days performing the mantra? What is > best mantra? When to have the final celebration? > > Swami: The Shraddha is a memorial ceremony in honor of the departed. > It can be celebrated for 10, 12, 15, or 30 days after the transition, > and thereafter three times a year for life: on the anniversary of > passing, at the time of Mahalaya, and at Diwali. > > Again Gayatri mantra is the customary japa. > > Bill, if you need those mantras, I can type them out. Let me know. > They are in the Chandi, and Advanced Shiva Puja books. Also, Shree > Maa has made a CD of Her chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, over and > over. It is also on the web site. Also, you can call me at 707 255 > 3383 from 8-110 pm daily, Pacific time, and I can read them aloud for > you if you cannot find them on the web site. > > NOTE: MAA HAS SAID IT IS VERY POWERFUL TO PLAY THE CD OVER AND OVER. > IT PURIFIES AND PROTECTS THE HOME AND ITS OCCUPANTS. > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > love vishweshwar > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > Hi again. I am sorry if I am beating this to a pulp....I just > looked over the FAQ's at the website and under General Philosophical > Things there was a note from Swami saying that if one slips into coma > for some reason, and does so while meditating on the Divine Mother, > then you stay in that meditation. Since I do not know any reason for > doubting that, I shall take his word for it. The point seems to be > that we are to focus on the Divine every waking moment. > > > > The other side of this coin comes from a prayer by the English St > Richard of Chichester, who, before going into battle, prayed as follows: > > > > "Dear Lord, I am going to be very busy this day. If I should have > occasion, while fighting, to forget Thee, pray do not Thou forget me." > > > > Richard seems to have covered all the bases, and I am not being > facetious when I say that. The issue is too important for that. > > > > Warmly > > > > Bill > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > Namaste > > > > Bill. good morning, You are welcome. This question is important for > > us all. Swami will help us. In our tradition, there are prayers the > > family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately > > after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific > > amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest planes of > > consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family > > members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The > > experience was very profound. > > As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, > > helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing soul to > > send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the > > soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our > > evolution in greater. > > In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, > > especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the > > ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the > > place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on > > Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. > > We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are > > interested, in the future. > > > > I hope this helps. > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > love > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > Vishweshwar, Bill Smith > > wrote: > > > > > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a question > > I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds > > (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all > > know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many > > machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough environment > > in which to be composed. > > > > > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you > > for taking trouble with this for me. > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > Namaste Bill > > > > > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he will post > > > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > > > > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > love > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > > > Namaste: > > > > > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > > > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > > > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are > > > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have > > > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen die > > > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any > > > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how > > > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the case > > > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, so to > > > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before losing > > > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > > > responsible for.... > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > Namaste > > > > > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page 198, > > > > Swami says: > > > > > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > > > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. > Consciousness > > > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > > > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there can't > > > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. Consciousness > > > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > > > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > > > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > > > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is exactly > > > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > > > between the two is the definition that is created by the container. > > > > > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. And the > > > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > > > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > > > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now here > > > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. > > > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with that > > > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > > > > certain way. > > > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to > lifetime. > > > > > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our life, > > > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > > > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then > naturally our > > > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are the > > > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > > > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 18, 2006 Namaste Chris: I have e mailed Swami asking the number of days to chant after death. I will forward his response when I have it. Jai Maa Jai Swami vish , "Chris Kirner" <chriskirner1956 wrote: > > Hi Vish, > > I'm afraid I got a little bit confused by the posts and sent a > response to Karen before I got to this one. > > However, there seems to be a discrepancy in the number of days Swamiji > recommends. I'm not sure whether he made a mistake, or if one of his > answers perhaps includes the celebration day you mentioned. > > Here's the link: > /message/4676 > > Can you clear this up for me? > > Jai Maa! > Chris > > > > > > , "inspectionconnection108" > <inspectionconnection108@> wrote: > > > > NAMASTE > > > > Bill, I do have the answers for you from Swami. These are the prayers > > and process to follow when one passes. > > I posted the following questions to Swami and he answered each one. > > > > Vish question: Is there value in chanting mantras, reading texts > > aloud?, for an unconscious person as they are dying? even before? > > > > > > Swami : Absolutely. So much we can charge the atmosphere and > > environment with spiritual energy, so great is the benefit to the soul > > in transition. Just as we prefer a spiritual environment for > > meditation because it is more conducive to a materially charged > > environment, in the same way we will want to make the environment > > conducive for one's transition. > > > > > Vish question: Will this help them transition? What is best mantra? > > text? > > > > > Swami: The best mantra is Gayatri. Also Mahamrityunjaya is > > recommended. There is no circumstance in which greater wisdom will not > > be regarded. > > > > > Vish question: Also, need help in describing the practice of the > > Shraddha, ceremony. How many days performing the mantra? What is > > best mantra? When to have the final celebration? > > > > Swami: The Shraddha is a memorial ceremony in honor of the departed. > > It can be celebrated for 10, 12, 15, or 30 days after the transition, > > and thereafter three times a year for life: on the anniversary of > > passing, at the time of Mahalaya, and at Diwali. > > > > Again Gayatri mantra is the customary japa. > > > > Bill, if you need those mantras, I can type them out. Let me know. > > They are in the Chandi, and Advanced Shiva Puja books. Also, Shree > > Maa has made a CD of Her chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, over and > > over. It is also on the web site. Also, you can call me at 707 255 > > 3383 from 8-110 pm daily, Pacific time, and I can read them aloud for > > you if you cannot find them on the web site. > > > > NOTE: MAA HAS SAID IT IS VERY POWERFUL TO PLAY THE CD OVER AND OVER. > > IT PURIFIES AND PROTECTS THE HOME AND ITS OCCUPANTS. > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > love vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith <biggerblat@> wrote: > > > > > > Hi again. I am sorry if I am beating this to a pulp....I just > > looked over the FAQ's at the website and under General Philosophical > > Things there was a note from Swami saying that if one slips into coma > > for some reason, and does so while meditating on the Divine Mother, > > then you stay in that meditation. Since I do not know any reason for > > doubting that, I shall take his word for it. The point seems to be > > that we are to focus on the Divine every waking moment. > > > > > > The other side of this coin comes from a prayer by the English St > > Richard of Chichester, who, before going into battle, prayed as follows: > > > > > > "Dear Lord, I am going to be very busy this day. If I should have > > occasion, while fighting, to forget Thee, pray do not Thou forget me." > > > > > > Richard seems to have covered all the bases, and I am not being > > facetious when I say that. The issue is too important for that. > > > > > > Warmly > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108@> wrote: > > > Namaste > > > > > > Bill. good morning, You are welcome. This question is important for > > > us all. Swami will help us. In our tradition, there are prayers the > > > family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately > > > after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific > > > amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest planes of > > > consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family > > > members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The > > > experience was very profound. > > > As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, > > > helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing soul to > > > send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the > > > soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our > > > evolution in greater. > > > In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, > > > especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the > > > ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the > > > place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on > > > Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. > > > We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are > > > interested, in the future. > > > > > > I hope this helps. > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > love > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > Vishweshwar, Bill Smith > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a question > > > I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds > > > (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all > > > know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many > > > machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough environment > > > in which to be composed. > > > > > > > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you > > > for taking trouble with this for me. > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > Namaste Bill > > > > > > > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he > will post > > > > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > > > > > > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Namaste: > > > > > > > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > > > > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > > > > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are > > > > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have > > > > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever > seen die > > > > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any > > > > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how > > > > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe > the case > > > > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, > so to > > > > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before > losing > > > > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > > > > responsible for.... > > > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > > Namaste > > > > > > > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page > 198, > > > > > Swami says: > > > > > > > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > > > > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > > > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. > > Consciousness > > > > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > > > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > > > > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there > can't > > > > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. > Consciousness > > > > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > > > > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > > > > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > > > > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > > > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is > exactly > > > > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > > > > between the two is the definition that is created by the > container. > > > > > > > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. > And the > > > > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > > > > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > > > > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > > > > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > > > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. > Now here > > > > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that > soul. > > > > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with > that > > > > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > > > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > > > > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > > > > > certain way. > > > > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to > > lifetime. > > > > > > > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our > life, > > > > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > > > > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then > > naturally our > > > > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those > are the > > > > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > > > > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 18, 2006 Namaste Bill, Chris's statement about mantras are correct. I would add this: the mantras are in Sanskrit. This language is the closest representation of the real nature of the aspect of Divinity which they represent. According to Shree Maa and Swami, and countless language experts, Sanskrit is the purest language available. Thus, using this language, one can get the best results, the most power, and blessings, available from the sounds one produces in prayer. There is much written about this is the Kasyapa Sutras, within the book: "Shree Maa, The Guru and the Goddess", by Swami, and available from the Devi Mandir. Kasyapa Sutra 12 has some excellent information about the value of mantras. Jai Maa vish , "Chris Kirner" <chriskirner1956 wrote: > > Bill, > > I'm sure Vish will respond, but I would like to put my two-cents in too. > > All of the practices we learn at the feet of Shree Maa and Swamiji > involve the use of Sanskrit mantras. There is a reason for this beyond > simple tradition. All of these mantras have specific subtle vibrations > that resonate with powers of spiritual activity and consciousness, > both within and without. > > Certainly there is power in prayer of any kind, in any language, but > with the use of mantra we get, not only the intentions of our heart > and the results of the connection that creates, but an additional > impetus toward divinity beyond what we are presently capable of alone. > > The use of mantra is kind of like downloading the library of divinity > into your unconscious. You take your seat, repeat the mantras, and > they slowly open up within like beautiful flowers smiling for God alone. > > All of the universe is present within each of us. This is the > experience of the sages. Yet this is not our experience. There is so > very much that is beyond us, not only in the sphere of action, but in > the ability to grasp, to comprehend, even imagine. Mantras help us to > accomplish that which we are incapable of at the moment. Where we > cannot imagine, they Know, and they invariably bring us to that place > where we will Know too. > > Believe me, I know how foreign and twisty and long and difficult, even > Gayatri mantra seems at first. When I first learned Gayatri I thought > I'd really accomplished something! Actually I had, though not in the > limited way I'd imagined. Gayatri is one of the most powerful mantras > there is, and it is accessible to everyone. Gayatri mantra is a part > of me, and I am forever changed by what Gayatrimata (Mother Gayatri) > has given me (not that I am aware, even yet, of all that is). Each > time we repeat a mantra with faith we are changed in some way. > > Really, you can do this. Begin at the beginning; learn one mantra and > practice it. Then learn another. There is a process that opens up with > faith and practice. Most of the pujas (worship ceremonies) and other > books published for the mandir have a guide to pronunciation in them > somewhere. It's not too difficult to get the hang of. Soon you'll be > working out the correct pronunciation of most things yourself. > > In the beginning the mantra seems like a collection of meaningless and > difficult sounds. Soon, if one has faith in God and in the mantra, > something happens beyond simple familiarity and the mantra becomes > easy, soon, enjoyable. Then you begin to notice subtle changes in > state when you practice; perhaps you become a little more loving, or > perhaps a little more aware, perhaps your mind becomes a little less > centered in yourself. Soon the mantra becomes a special friend, and > there is enjoyment, as well as the feeling of discipline, in the > recitation of it. > > As mantra shakti begins to open up within as the result of reciting > one mantra it imparts the ability to learn and benefit from other > mantras too. If you have faith in and love for a gurudeva the effects > are multiplied. Sooner than you might think you will find even a large > book filled from front to back with mantras, like the Chandi Path, > within the realm of possibility for you. Really, you have only to make > the effort and let God and guru do the rest. Mantra sadhana is really > beautiful. > > Here is Gayatri written out: > > Om bhur bhuva svaha > Tat Savitur varenyam > Bargo devasya dimahi > Diyo yo nah > Prachodayat > > Here is a link to a video presentation of the folks at the Devi Mandir > starting the Yajna fire. There is a good recording of a group > repetition of Gayatri at the beginning when someone (who is that?) is > trying to get fire with a stick. It might be better than the one you > have (just in case). > > Here's the link: > http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/node/339 > > Jai Maa! > Chris > > > > > > > , Bill Smith <biggerblat@> wrote: > > > > Namaste > > > > Your kindness never fails to impress. Let me take a look at the > website again and see what I can see on my own first. I have a cd of > the Gayatra mantra but find the pronunciation difficult. At 58 and > being slighly deaf, I wonder if I chant in English....is that > acceptable? There are translations on the web....Or else I can write > it out phonetically and hope for the best. > > > > Bill > > > > inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108@> wrote: > > NAMASTE > > > > Bill, I do have the answers for you from Swami. These are the prayers > > and process to follow when one passes. > > I posted the following questions to Swami and he answered each one. > > > > Vish question: Is there value in chanting mantras, reading texts > > aloud?, for an unconscious person as they are dying? even before? > > > > > > Swami : Absolutely. So much we can charge the atmosphere and > > environment with spiritual energy, so great is the benefit to the soul > > in transition. Just as we prefer a spiritual environment for > > meditation because it is more conducive to a materially charged > > environment, in the same way we will want to make the environment > > conducive for one's transition. > > > > > Vish question: Will this help them transition? What is best mantra? > > text? > > > > > Swami: The best mantra is Gayatri. Also Mahamrityunjaya is > > recommended. There is no circumstance in which greater wisdom will not > > be regarded. > > > > > Vish question: Also, need help in describing the practice of the > > Shraddha, ceremony. How many days performing the mantra? What is > > best mantra? When to have the final celebration? > > > > Swami: The Shraddha is a memorial ceremony in honor of the departed. > > It can be celebrated for 10, 12, 15, or 30 days after the transition, > > and thereafter three times a year for life: on the anniversary of > > passing, at the time of Mahalaya, and at Diwali. > > > > Again Gayatri mantra is the customary japa. > > > > Bill, if you need those mantras, I can type them out. Let me know. > > They are in the Chandi, and Advanced Shiva Puja books. Also, Shree > > Maa has made a CD of Her chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, over and > > over. It is also on the web site. Also, you can call me at 707 255 > > 3383 from 8-110 pm daily, Pacific time, and I can read them aloud for > > you if you cannot find them on the web site. > > > > NOTE: MAA HAS SAID IT IS VERY POWERFUL TO PLAY THE CD OVER AND OVER. > > IT PURIFIES AND PROTECTS THE HOME AND ITS OCCUPANTS. > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > love vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > Hi again. I am sorry if I am beating this to a pulp....I just > > looked over the FAQ's at the website and under General Philosophical > > Things there was a note from Swami saying that if one slips into coma > > for some reason, and does so while meditating on the Divine Mother, > > then you stay in that meditation. Since I do not know any reason for > > doubting that, I shall take his word for it. The point seems to be > > that we are to focus on the Divine every waking moment. > > > > > > The other side of this coin comes from a prayer by the English St > > Richard of Chichester, who, before going into battle, prayed as follows: > > > > > > "Dear Lord, I am going to be very busy this day. If I should have > > occasion, while fighting, to forget Thee, pray do not Thou forget me." > > > > > > Richard seems to have covered all the bases, and I am not being > > facetious when I say that. The issue is too important for that. > > > > > > Warmly > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > Namaste > > > > > > Bill. good morning, You are welcome. This question is important for > > > us all. Swami will help us. In our tradition, there are prayers the > > > family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately > > > after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific > > > amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest planes of > > > consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family > > > members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The > > > experience was very profound. > > > As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, > > > helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing soul to > > > send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the > > > soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our > > > evolution in greater. > > > In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, > > > especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the > > > ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the > > > place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on > > > Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. > > > We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are > > > interested, in the future. > > > > > > I hope this helps. > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > love > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > Vishweshwar, Bill Smith > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a question > > > I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds > > > (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all > > > know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many > > > machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough environment > > > in which to be composed. > > > > > > > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you > > > for taking trouble with this for me. > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > Namaste Bill > > > > > > > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he > will post > > > > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > > > > > > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Namaste: > > > > > > > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > > > > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > > > > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are > > > > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have > > > > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever > seen die > > > > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any > > > > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how > > > > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe > the case > > > > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, > so to > > > > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before > losing > > > > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > > > > responsible for.... > > > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > > Namaste > > > > > > > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page > 198, > > > > > Swami says: > > > > > > > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > > > > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > > > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. > > Consciousness > > > > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > > > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > > > > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there > can't > > > > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. > Consciousness > > > > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > > > > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > > > > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > > > > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > > > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is > exactly > > > > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > > > > between the two is the definition that is created by the > container. > > > > > > > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. > And the > > > > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > > > > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > > > > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > > > > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > > > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. > Now here > > > > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that > soul. > > > > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with > that > > > > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > > > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > > > > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > > > > > certain way. > > > > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to > > lifetime. > > > > > > > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our > life, > > > > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > > > > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then > > naturally our > > > > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those > are the > > > > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > > > > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 18, 2006 Thank you for you reply. As I stated in a previous posting, I have mantras on cd and listen to them, and believe I can find them phonetically on the net. There are lots of sites. As for having to get the pronunciation exactly right, I shall do the best I can. There is a Hindu monastery in California with whom I correspond once in a while, and I asked them this same question about pronunciation and they said that God speaks English too, and not to worry about it. The point seemed to be to chant, and not dither around about it, which is easy enough to do. I have, of course, chanted for years, using the Jesus Prayer and following the breathing techniques as taught by the monks on Mt Athos in the Hesychist tradition. Bill Chris Kirner <chriskirner1956 > wrote: Bill, I'm sure Vish will respond, but I would like to put my two-cents in too. All of the practices we learn at the feet of Shree Maa and Swamiji involve the use of Sanskrit mantras. There is a reason for this beyond simple tradition. All of these mantras have specific subtle vibrations that resonate with powers of spiritual activity and consciousness, both within and without. Certainly there is power in prayer of any kind, in any language, but with the use of mantra we get, not only the intentions of our heart and the results of the connection that creates, but an additional impetus toward divinity beyond what we are presently capable of alone. The use of mantra is kind of like downloading the library of divinity into your unconscious. You take your seat, repeat the mantras, and they slowly open up within like beautiful flowers smiling for God alone. All of the universe is present within each of us. This is the experience of the sages. Yet this is not our experience. There is so very much that is beyond us, not only in the sphere of action, but in the ability to grasp, to comprehend, even imagine. Mantras help us to accomplish that which we are incapable of at the moment. Where we cannot imagine, they Know, and they invariably bring us to that place where we will Know too. Believe me, I know how foreign and twisty and long and difficult, even Gayatri mantra seems at first. When I first learned Gayatri I thought I'd really accomplished something! Actually I had, though not in the limited way I'd imagined. Gayatri is one of the most powerful mantras there is, and it is accessible to everyone. Gayatri mantra is a part of me, and I am forever changed by what Gayatrimata (Mother Gayatri) has given me (not that I am aware, even yet, of all that is). Each time we repeat a mantra with faith we are changed in some way. Really, you can do this. Begin at the beginning; learn one mantra and practice it. Then learn another. There is a process that opens up with faith and practice. Most of the pujas (worship ceremonies) and other books published for the mandir have a guide to pronunciation in them somewhere. It's not too difficult to get the hang of. Soon you'll be working out the correct pronunciation of most things yourself. In the beginning the mantra seems like a collection of meaningless and difficult sounds. Soon, if one has faith in God and in the mantra, something happens beyond simple familiarity and the mantra becomes easy, soon, enjoyable. Then you begin to notice subtle changes in state when you practice; perhaps you become a little more loving, or perhaps a little more aware, perhaps your mind becomes a little less centered in yourself. Soon the mantra becomes a special friend, and there is enjoyment, as well as the feeling of discipline, in the recitation of it. As mantra shakti begins to open up within as the result of reciting one mantra it imparts the ability to learn and benefit from other mantras too. If you have faith in and love for a gurudeva the effects are multiplied. Sooner than you might think you will find even a large book filled from front to back with mantras, like the Chandi Path, within the realm of possibility for you. Really, you have only to make the effort and let God and guru do the rest. Mantra sadhana is really beautiful. Here is Gayatri written out: Om bhur bhuva svaha Tat Savitur varenyam Bargo devasya dimahi Diyo yo nah Prachodayat Here is a link to a video presentation of the folks at the Devi Mandir starting the Yajna fire. There is a good recording of a group repetition of Gayatri at the beginning when someone (who is that?) is trying to get fire with a stick. It might be better than the one you have (just in case). Here's the link: http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/node/339 Jai Maa! Chris , Bill Smith wrote: > > Namaste > > Your kindness never fails to impress. Let me take a look at the website again and see what I can see on my own first. I have a cd of the Gayatra mantra but find the pronunciation difficult. At 58 and being slighly deaf, I wonder if I chant in English....is that acceptable? There are translations on the web....Or else I can write it out phonetically and hope for the best. > > Bill > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > NAMASTE > > Bill, I do have the answers for you from Swami. These are the prayers > and process to follow when one passes. > I posted the following questions to Swami and he answered each one. > > Vish question: Is there value in chanting mantras, reading texts > aloud?, for an unconscious person as they are dying? even before? > > > Swami : Absolutely. So much we can charge the atmosphere and > environment with spiritual energy, so great is the benefit to the soul > in transition. Just as we prefer a spiritual environment for > meditation because it is more conducive to a materially charged > environment, in the same way we will want to make the environment > conducive for one's transition. > > > Vish question: Will this help them transition? What is best mantra? > text? > > > Swami: The best mantra is Gayatri. Also Mahamrityunjaya is > recommended. There is no circumstance in which greater wisdom will not > be regarded. > > > Vish question: Also, need help in describing the practice of the > Shraddha, ceremony. How many days performing the mantra? What is > best mantra? When to have the final celebration? > > Swami: The Shraddha is a memorial ceremony in honor of the departed. > It can be celebrated for 10, 12, 15, or 30 days after the transition, > and thereafter three times a year for life: on the anniversary of > passing, at the time of Mahalaya, and at Diwali. > > Again Gayatri mantra is the customary japa. > > Bill, if you need those mantras, I can type them out. Let me know. > They are in the Chandi, and Advanced Shiva Puja books. Also, Shree > Maa has made a CD of Her chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, over and > over. It is also on the web site. Also, you can call me at 707 255 > 3383 from 8-110 pm daily, Pacific time, and I can read them aloud for > you if you cannot find them on the web site. > > NOTE: MAA HAS SAID IT IS VERY POWERFUL TO PLAY THE CD OVER AND OVER. > IT PURIFIES AND PROTECTS THE HOME AND ITS OCCUPANTS. > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > love vishweshwar > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > Hi again. I am sorry if I am beating this to a pulp....I just > looked over the FAQ's at the website and under General Philosophical > Things there was a note from Swami saying that if one slips into coma > for some reason, and does so while meditating on the Divine Mother, > then you stay in that meditation. Since I do not know any reason for > doubting that, I shall take his word for it. The point seems to be > that we are to focus on the Divine every waking moment. > > > > The other side of this coin comes from a prayer by the English St > Richard of Chichester, who, before going into battle, prayed as follows: > > > > "Dear Lord, I am going to be very busy this day. If I should have > occasion, while fighting, to forget Thee, pray do not Thou forget me." > > > > Richard seems to have covered all the bases, and I am not being > facetious when I say that. The issue is too important for that. > > > > Warmly > > > > Bill > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > Namaste > > > > Bill. good morning, You are welcome. This question is important for > > us all. Swami will help us. In our tradition, there are prayers the > > family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately > > after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific > > amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest planes of > > consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family > > members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The > > experience was very profound. > > As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, > > helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing soul to > > send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the > > soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our > > evolution in greater. > > In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, > > especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the > > ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the > > place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on > > Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. > > We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are > > interested, in the future. > > > > I hope this helps. > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > love > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > Vishweshwar, Bill Smith > > wrote: > > > > > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a question > > I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds > > (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all > > know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many > > machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough environment > > in which to be composed. > > > > > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you > > for taking trouble with this for me. > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > Namaste Bill > > > > > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he will post > > > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > > > > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > love > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > > > Namaste: > > > > > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > > > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > > > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are > > > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have > > > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen die > > > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any > > > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how > > > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the case > > > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, so to > > > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before losing > > > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > > > responsible for.... > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > Namaste > > > > > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page 198, > > > > Swami says: > > > > > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > > > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. > Consciousness > > > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > > > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there can't > > > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. Consciousness > > > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > > > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > > > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > > > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is exactly > > > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > > > between the two is the definition that is created by the container. > > > > > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. And the > > > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > > > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > > > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now here > > > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. > > > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with that > > > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > > > > certain way. > > > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to > lifetime. > > > > > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our life, > > > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > > > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then > naturally our > > > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are the > > > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > > > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 18, 2006 Dear Chris, Thanks so very much for this information. I am making a file of the information that I can collect about honoring the recently departed so that I have it at the ready. My mother's life is melting, a long, slow, agonizing decline, and when I was doing a puja for her yesterday, I felt a strong awareness to be more prepared than usual. It's a comfort to know what to do (to have a plan) when the time comes. BTW, I want to commend you for your excellent seva regarding this group. Your postings never cease to uplift and amaze both my husband and me. Michael's refrain, after reading the posts, is always, "That Chris KNOWS so much!" Thanks not only for sharing what you know, but for sharing in a detailed way. You have the teacher's ability to read minds and know what remains unasked yet needed for the student's growth and development. Love, Karen , "Chris Kirner" <chriskirner1956 wrote: > > Hi Karen, > > I'm sure there's probably more to this process, but I have some notes > from a similar question Swamiji answered a couple of years ago. > > When the soul leaves the body the Vishnu Sahasranama is recited. After > death for eleven days one places a candle and fresh flowers next to a > picture of the departed and recites at least one mala of Gayatri > Mantra. The sankalpa for that is "pitri shraddhamaham karishye." > > I don't know anything about the daily prayers... > > Jai Maa! > Chris > > > > , "inspectionconnection108" > inspectionconnection108@ wrote: > > > > NAMASTE KAREN > > > > After Bill requested this data, I posted a message to Swami asking for > > specifics for prayers prior to, and post death. He sent a response > > and I have posted it. I have completed the process several times for > > loved one who passed, and performed the ceremony on the anniversary of > > their death, etc., and it is very powerful. > > The incredible thing about this tradition is that Maa and Swami want > > us to be self sufficient and perform these ceremonies for ourselves, > > our families, and friends. > > Swami has said many times how fortunate it is that we can pray for > > others. It is a real blessing. > > I am committed to helping spread this knowledge in every way possible. > > If I can be of further help, let me know. > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > love > > > > vishweshwar > > > > , "Karen" <forall10q@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > At the end of this post, you mentioned specific prayers. I wasn't > sure > > > if you meant the daily ones or the ones for the recently departed. > But > > > it doesn't matter, really, because I am very interested in knowing > both. > > > I especially would like to be able to have the prayers (and the > > > procedure for chanting them) for the recently departed at the > ready for > > > immediate use. I would be so very appreciative if we could learn > about > > > these. Love, Karen > > > > > > > > > , "inspectionconnection108" > > > <inspectionconnection108@> wrote: > > > > > > > >In our tradition, there are prayers the > > > > family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately > > > > after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific > > > > amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest > planes of > > > > consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family > > > > members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The > > > > experience was very profound. > > > > As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, > > > > helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing > soul to > > > > send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the > > > > soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our > > > > evolution in greater. > > > > In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, > > > > especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the > > > > ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the > > > > place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on > > > > Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. > > > > We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are > > > > interested, in the future. > > > > > > > > I hope this helps. > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > Vishweshwar, Bill Smith > > > > biggerblat@ wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a > question > > > > I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds > > > > (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all > > > > know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many > > > > machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough > environment > > > > in which to be composed. > > > > > > > > > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you > > > > for taking trouble with this for me. > > > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 inspectionconnection108@ wrote: > > > > > Namaste Bill > > > > > > > > > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he will > > > post > > > > > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > > > > > > > > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > Namaste: > > > > > > > > > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > > > > > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > > > > > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes > we are > > > > > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, > have > > > > > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen > > > die > > > > > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who > has any > > > > > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? > And how > > > > > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the > > > case > > > > > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper > death, so > > > to > > > > > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before > > > losing > > > > > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > > > > > responsible for.... > > > > > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > > > Namaste > > > > > > > > > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page > > > 198, > > > > > > Swami says: > > > > > > > > > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > > > > > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > > > > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. > > > Consciousness > > > > > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > > > > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die > and the > > > > > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there > > > can't > > > > > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. > > > Consciousness > > > > > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small > when you > > > > > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will > leave this > > > > > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. > What > > > > > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > > > > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is > > > exactly > > > > > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > > > > > between the two is the definition that is created by the > > > container. > > > > > > > > > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. And > > > the > > > > > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > > > > > > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the > space. The > > > > > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body > dissolves, the > > > > > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > > > > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now > > > here > > > > > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that > soul. > > > > > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with > > > that > > > > > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > > > > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > > > > > > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest > in a > > > > > > certain way. > > > > > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to > > > lifetime. > > > > > > > > > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our > > > life, > > > > > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we > have > > > > > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then > naturally > > > our > > > > > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are > > > the > > > > > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we > begin our > > > > > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > > > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 18, 2006 Fair enough. But as I am growing deafer by the day, and learning ASL in order to communicate, what then? How do ASL people chant? I am not being facetious, where I live there are all kinds of deaf people who have no idea what spoken language sounds like. As my proficiency in ASL grows, and their patience at my slowness continues, I shall want to tell them more, possibly, about the Divine Mother and so forth. (Not all of them have access to the internet, they wil rely on me, at least at first.) So how does one chant in sign language? Bill inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 > wrote: Namaste Bill, Chris's statement about mantras are correct. I would add this: the mantras are in Sanskrit. This language is the closest representation of the real nature of the aspect of Divinity which they represent. According to Shree Maa and Swami, and countless language experts, Sanskrit is the purest language available. Thus, using this language, one can get the best results, the most power, and blessings, available from the sounds one produces in prayer. There is much written about this is the Kasyapa Sutras, within the book: "Shree Maa, The Guru and the Goddess", by Swami, and available from the Devi Mandir. Kasyapa Sutra 12 has some excellent information about the value of mantras. Jai Maa vish , "Chris Kirner" wrote: > > Bill, > > I'm sure Vish will respond, but I would like to put my two-cents in too. > > All of the practices we learn at the feet of Shree Maa and Swamiji > involve the use of Sanskrit mantras. There is a reason for this beyond > simple tradition. All of these mantras have specific subtle vibrations > that resonate with powers of spiritual activity and consciousness, > both within and without. > > Certainly there is power in prayer of any kind, in any language, but > with the use of mantra we get, not only the intentions of our heart > and the results of the connection that creates, but an additional > impetus toward divinity beyond what we are presently capable of alone. > > The use of mantra is kind of like downloading the library of divinity > into your unconscious. You take your seat, repeat the mantras, and > they slowly open up within like beautiful flowers smiling for God alone. > > All of the universe is present within each of us. This is the > experience of the sages. Yet this is not our experience. There is so > very much that is beyond us, not only in the sphere of action, but in > the ability to grasp, to comprehend, even imagine. Mantras help us to > accomplish that which we are incapable of at the moment. Where we > cannot imagine, they Know, and they invariably bring us to that place > where we will Know too. > > Believe me, I know how foreign and twisty and long and difficult, even > Gayatri mantra seems at first. When I first learned Gayatri I thought > I'd really accomplished something! Actually I had, though not in the > limited way I'd imagined. Gayatri is one of the most powerful mantras > there is, and it is accessible to everyone. Gayatri mantra is a part > of me, and I am forever changed by what Gayatrimata (Mother Gayatri) > has given me (not that I am aware, even yet, of all that is). Each > time we repeat a mantra with faith we are changed in some way. > > Really, you can do this. Begin at the beginning; learn one mantra and > practice it. Then learn another. There is a process that opens up with > faith and practice. Most of the pujas (worship ceremonies) and other > books published for the mandir have a guide to pronunciation in them > somewhere. It's not too difficult to get the hang of. Soon you'll be > working out the correct pronunciation of most things yourself. > > In the beginning the mantra seems like a collection of meaningless and > difficult sounds. Soon, if one has faith in God and in the mantra, > something happens beyond simple familiarity and the mantra becomes > easy, soon, enjoyable. Then you begin to notice subtle changes in > state when you practice; perhaps you become a little more loving, or > perhaps a little more aware, perhaps your mind becomes a little less > centered in yourself. Soon the mantra becomes a special friend, and > there is enjoyment, as well as the feeling of discipline, in the > recitation of it. > > As mantra shakti begins to open up within as the result of reciting > one mantra it imparts the ability to learn and benefit from other > mantras too. If you have faith in and love for a gurudeva the effects > are multiplied. Sooner than you might think you will find even a large > book filled from front to back with mantras, like the Chandi Path, > within the realm of possibility for you. Really, you have only to make > the effort and let God and guru do the rest. Mantra sadhana is really > beautiful. > > Here is Gayatri written out: > > Om bhur bhuva svaha > Tat Savitur varenyam > Bargo devasya dimahi > Diyo yo nah > Prachodayat > > Here is a link to a video presentation of the folks at the Devi Mandir > starting the Yajna fire. There is a good recording of a group > repetition of Gayatri at the beginning when someone (who is that?) is > trying to get fire with a stick. It might be better than the one you > have (just in case). > > Here's the link: > http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/node/339 > > Jai Maa! > Chris > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > Namaste > > > > Your kindness never fails to impress. Let me take a look at the > website again and see what I can see on my own first. I have a cd of > the Gayatra mantra but find the pronunciation difficult. At 58 and > being slighly deaf, I wonder if I chant in English....is that > acceptable? There are translations on the web....Or else I can write > it out phonetically and hope for the best. > > > > Bill > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > NAMASTE > > > > Bill, I do have the answers for you from Swami. These are the prayers > > and process to follow when one passes. > > I posted the following questions to Swami and he answered each one. > > > > Vish question: Is there value in chanting mantras, reading texts > > aloud?, for an unconscious person as they are dying? even before? > > > > > > Swami : Absolutely. So much we can charge the atmosphere and > > environment with spiritual energy, so great is the benefit to the soul > > in transition. Just as we prefer a spiritual environment for > > meditation because it is more conducive to a materially charged > > environment, in the same way we will want to make the environment > > conducive for one's transition. > > > > > Vish question: Will this help them transition? What is best mantra? > > text? > > > > > Swami: The best mantra is Gayatri. Also Mahamrityunjaya is > > recommended. There is no circumstance in which greater wisdom will not > > be regarded. > > > > > Vish question: Also, need help in describing the practice of the > > Shraddha, ceremony. How many days performing the mantra? What is > > best mantra? When to have the final celebration? > > > > Swami: The Shraddha is a memorial ceremony in honor of the departed. > > It can be celebrated for 10, 12, 15, or 30 days after the transition, > > and thereafter three times a year for life: on the anniversary of > > passing, at the time of Mahalaya, and at Diwali. > > > > Again Gayatri mantra is the customary japa. > > > > Bill, if you need those mantras, I can type them out. Let me know. > > They are in the Chandi, and Advanced Shiva Puja books. Also, Shree > > Maa has made a CD of Her chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, over and > > over. It is also on the web site. Also, you can call me at 707 255 > > 3383 from 8-110 pm daily, Pacific time, and I can read them aloud for > > you if you cannot find them on the web site. > > > > NOTE: MAA HAS SAID IT IS VERY POWERFUL TO PLAY THE CD OVER AND OVER. > > IT PURIFIES AND PROTECTS THE HOME AND ITS OCCUPANTS. > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > love vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > Hi again. I am sorry if I am beating this to a pulp....I just > > looked over the FAQ's at the website and under General Philosophical > > Things there was a note from Swami saying that if one slips into coma > > for some reason, and does so while meditating on the Divine Mother, > > then you stay in that meditation. Since I do not know any reason for > > doubting that, I shall take his word for it. The point seems to be > > that we are to focus on the Divine every waking moment. > > > > > > The other side of this coin comes from a prayer by the English St > > Richard of Chichester, who, before going into battle, prayed as follows: > > > > > > "Dear Lord, I am going to be very busy this day. If I should have > > occasion, while fighting, to forget Thee, pray do not Thou forget me." > > > > > > Richard seems to have covered all the bases, and I am not being > > facetious when I say that. The issue is too important for that. > > > > > > Warmly > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > Namaste > > > > > > Bill. good morning, You are welcome. This question is important for > > > us all. Swami will help us. In our tradition, there are prayers the > > > family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately > > > after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific > > > amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest planes of > > > consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family > > > members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The > > > experience was very profound. > > > As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, > > > helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing soul to > > > send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the > > > soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our > > > evolution in greater. > > > In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, > > > especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the > > > ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the > > > place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on > > > Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. > > > We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are > > > interested, in the future. > > > > > > I hope this helps. > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > love > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > Vishweshwar, Bill Smith > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a question > > > I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds > > > (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all > > > know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many > > > machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough environment > > > in which to be composed. > > > > > > > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you > > > for taking trouble with this for me. > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > Namaste Bill > > > > > > > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he > will post > > > > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > > > > > > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Namaste: > > > > > > > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > > > > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > > > > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are > > > > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have > > > > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever > seen die > > > > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any > > > > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how > > > > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe > the case > > > > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, > so to > > > > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before > losing > > > > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > > > > responsible for.... > > > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > > Namaste > > > > > > > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page > 198, > > > > > Swami says: > > > > > > > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > > > > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > > > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. > > Consciousness > > > > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > > > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > > > > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there > can't > > > > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. > Consciousness > > > > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > > > > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > > > > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > > > > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > > > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is > exactly > > > > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > > > > between the two is the definition that is created by the > container. > > > > > > > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. > And the > > > > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > > > > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > > > > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > > > > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > > > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. > Now here > > > > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that > soul. > > > > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with > that > > > > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > > > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > > > > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > > > > > certain way. > > > > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to > > lifetime. > > > > > > > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our > life, > > > > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > > > > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then > > naturally our > > > > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those > are the > > > > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > > > > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 18, 2006 Thanks. I do play the mantra cds a lot of the time and do find them seeping into my awareness. The difficulty is that I grow progessively deaf and belong to a group of people who are learning how to cope with deafness before we lose our hearing completely. That means learning American Sign Language with a Canadian accent of course (yes, sign language has different accents). Now, at fifty eight, learning an entirely new language is a tough assignment. I am not eighteen anymore and the old brain is getting a bit tired. So I plug along, slowly, and those who are faster are patient, thank God. Now, here is an issue: at my present rate, I shall lose my hearing completely in a couple of years. How do I chant then? How do I teach others, those who have never heard a sound in their lives? They have no sense of rhythm, for example, for Indian music, never having heard it. I am not being stubborn here or inventing difficulties, but how do those of us who are deaf to manage chanting and all the rest of it? Society ignores us a lot as it is, do not tell me that there is nothing in this group for us either. Bill inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 > wrote: Namaste Bill I understand the pronunciation is difficult. It took me some time to get it right as I do not have a knack for any language but English. A suggestion: maybe let it play in the background for sometime, over and over, and sometimes just stop and listen with eyes closed. Let it just seep into your awareness. If I can help, do not hesitate to call. Having it play in the environment will certainly help you and your Mother and your home. SHree Maa has said playing CD's of these mantras certainly will have a positive effect on everyone. Jai Maa Jai Swami love vishweshwar. , Bill Smith wrote: > > Namaste > > Your kindness never fails to impress. Let me take a look at the website again and see what I can see on my own first. I have a cd of the Gayatra mantra but find the pronunciation difficult. At 58 and being slighly deaf, I wonder if I chant in English....is that acceptable? There are translations on the web....Or else I can write it out phonetically and hope for the best. > > Bill > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > NAMASTE > > Bill, I do have the answers for you from Swami. These are the prayers > and process to follow when one passes. > I posted the following questions to Swami and he answered each one. > > Vish question: Is there value in chanting mantras, reading texts > aloud?, for an unconscious person as they are dying? even before? > > > Swami : Absolutely. So much we can charge the atmosphere and > environment with spiritual energy, so great is the benefit to the soul > in transition. Just as we prefer a spiritual environment for > meditation because it is more conducive to a materially charged > environment, in the same way we will want to make the environment > conducive for one's transition. > > > Vish question: Will this help them transition? What is best mantra? > text? > > > Swami: The best mantra is Gayatri. Also Mahamrityunjaya is > recommended. There is no circumstance in which greater wisdom will not > be regarded. > > > Vish question: Also, need help in describing the practice of the > Shraddha, ceremony. How many days performing the mantra? What is > best mantra? When to have the final celebration? > > Swami: The Shraddha is a memorial ceremony in honor of the departed. > It can be celebrated for 10, 12, 15, or 30 days after the transition, > and thereafter three times a year for life: on the anniversary of > passing, at the time of Mahalaya, and at Diwali. > > Again Gayatri mantra is the customary japa. > > Bill, if you need those mantras, I can type them out. Let me know. > They are in the Chandi, and Advanced Shiva Puja books. Also, Shree > Maa has made a CD of Her chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, over and > over. It is also on the web site. Also, you can call me at 707 255 > 3383 from 8-110 pm daily, Pacific time, and I can read them aloud for > you if you cannot find them on the web site. > > NOTE: MAA HAS SAID IT IS VERY POWERFUL TO PLAY THE CD OVER AND OVER. > IT PURIFIES AND PROTECTS THE HOME AND ITS OCCUPANTS. > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > love vishweshwar > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > Hi again. I am sorry if I am beating this to a pulp....I just > looked over the FAQ's at the website and under General Philosophical > Things there was a note from Swami saying that if one slips into coma > for some reason, and does so while meditating on the Divine Mother, > then you stay in that meditation. Since I do not know any reason for > doubting that, I shall take his word for it. The point seems to be > that we are to focus on the Divine every waking moment. > > > > The other side of this coin comes from a prayer by the English St > Richard of Chichester, who, before going into battle, prayed as follows: > > > > "Dear Lord, I am going to be very busy this day. If I should have > occasion, while fighting, to forget Thee, pray do not Thou forget me." > > > > Richard seems to have covered all the bases, and I am not being > facetious when I say that. The issue is too important for that. > > > > Warmly > > > > Bill > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > Namaste > > > > Bill. good morning, You are welcome. This question is important for > > us all. Swami will help us. In our tradition, there are prayers the > > family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately > > after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific > > amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest planes of > > consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family > > members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The > > experience was very profound. > > As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, > > helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing soul to > > send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the > > soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our > > evolution in greater. > > In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, > > especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the > > ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the > > place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on > > Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. > > We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are > > interested, in the future. > > > > I hope this helps. > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > love > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > Vishweshwar, Bill Smith > > wrote: > > > > > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a question > > I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds > > (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all > > know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many > > machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough environment > > in which to be composed. > > > > > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you > > for taking trouble with this for me. > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > Namaste Bill > > > > > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he will post > > > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > > > > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > love > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > > > Namaste: > > > > > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > > > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > > > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes we are > > > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, have > > > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever seen die > > > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who has any > > > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? And how > > > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe the case > > > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, so to > > > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before losing > > > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > > > responsible for.... > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > Namaste > > > > > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page 198, > > > > Swami says: > > > > > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go away. > > > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. > Consciousness > > > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die and the > > > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there can't > > > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. Consciousness > > > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small when you > > > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will leave this > > > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. What > > > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is exactly > > > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > > > between the two is the definition that is created by the container. > > > > > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. And the > > > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the space. The > > > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body dissolves, the > > > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. Now here > > > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that soul. > > > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with that > > > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest in a > > > > certain way. > > > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to > lifetime. > > > > > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our life, > > > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we have > > > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then > naturally our > > > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those are the > > > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we begin our > > > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 18, 2006 Dear Bill, I do almost all my chanting subvocally or silently. Would that work for you as your hearing diminishes? All my love and blessings, Karen , Bill Smith <biggerblat wrote: > > Fair enough. But as I am growing deafer by the day, and learning ASL in order to communicate, what then? How do ASL people chant? I am not being facetious, where I live there are all kinds of deaf people who have no idea what spoken language sounds like. As my proficiency in ASL grows, and their patience at my slowness continues, I shall want to tell them more, possibly, about the Divine Mother and so forth. (Not all of them have access to the internet, they wil rely on me, at least at first.) So how does one chant in sign language? > > Bill > > > > inspectionconnection108 inspectionconnection108 wrote: > Namaste Bill, > > Chris's statement about mantras are correct. I would add this: the > mantras are in Sanskrit. This language is the closest representation > of the real nature of the aspect of Divinity which they represent. > According to Shree Maa and Swami, and countless language experts, > Sanskrit is the purest language available. Thus, using this language, > one can get the best results, the most power, and blessings, available > from the sounds one produces in prayer. > There is much written about this is the Kasyapa Sutras, within the > book: "Shree Maa, The Guru and the Goddess", by Swami, and available > from the Devi Mandir. Kasyapa Sutra 12 has some excellent information > about the value of mantras. > > Jai Maa > > vish > > , "Chris Kirner" > wrote: > > > > Bill, > > > > I'm sure Vish will respond, but I would like to put my two-cents in too. > > > > All of the practices we learn at the feet of Shree Maa and Swamiji > > involve the use of Sanskrit mantras. There is a reason for this beyond > > simple tradition. All of these mantras have specific subtle vibrations > > that resonate with powers of spiritual activity and consciousness, > > both within and without. > > > > Certainly there is power in prayer of any kind, in any language, but > > with the use of mantra we get, not only the intentions of our heart > > and the results of the connection that creates, but an additional > > impetus toward divinity beyond what we are presently capable of alone. > > > > The use of mantra is kind of like downloading the library of divinity > > into your unconscious. You take your seat, repeat the mantras, and > > they slowly open up within like beautiful flowers smiling for God > alone. > > > > All of the universe is present within each of us. This is the > > experience of the sages. Yet this is not our experience. There is so > > very much that is beyond us, not only in the sphere of action, but in > > the ability to grasp, to comprehend, even imagine. Mantras help us to > > accomplish that which we are incapable of at the moment. Where we > > cannot imagine, they Know, and they invariably bring us to that place > > where we will Know too. > > > > Believe me, I know how foreign and twisty and long and difficult, even > > Gayatri mantra seems at first. When I first learned Gayatri I thought > > I'd really accomplished something! Actually I had, though not in the > > limited way I'd imagined. Gayatri is one of the most powerful mantras > > there is, and it is accessible to everyone. Gayatri mantra is a part > > of me, and I am forever changed by what Gayatrimata (Mother Gayatri) > > has given me (not that I am aware, even yet, of all that is). Each > > time we repeat a mantra with faith we are changed in some way. > > > > Really, you can do this. Begin at the beginning; learn one mantra and > > practice it. Then learn another. There is a process that opens up with > > faith and practice. Most of the pujas (worship ceremonies) and other > > books published for the mandir have a guide to pronunciation in them > > somewhere. It's not too difficult to get the hang of. Soon you'll be > > working out the correct pronunciation of most things yourself. > > > > In the beginning the mantra seems like a collection of meaningless and > > difficult sounds. Soon, if one has faith in God and in the mantra, > > something happens beyond simple familiarity and the mantra becomes > > easy, soon, enjoyable. Then you begin to notice subtle changes in > > state when you practice; perhaps you become a little more loving, or > > perhaps a little more aware, perhaps your mind becomes a little less > > centered in yourself. Soon the mantra becomes a special friend, and > > there is enjoyment, as well as the feeling of discipline, in the > > recitation of it. > > > > As mantra shakti begins to open up within as the result of reciting > > one mantra it imparts the ability to learn and benefit from other > > mantras too. If you have faith in and love for a gurudeva the effects > > are multiplied. Sooner than you might think you will find even a large > > book filled from front to back with mantras, like the Chandi Path, > > within the realm of possibility for you. Really, you have only to make > > the effort and let God and guru do the rest. Mantra sadhana is really > > beautiful. > > > > Here is Gayatri written out: > > > > Om bhur bhuva svaha > > Tat Savitur varenyam > > Bargo devasya dimahi > > Diyo yo nah > > Prachodayat > > > > Here is a link to a video presentation of the folks at the Devi Mandir > > starting the Yajna fire. There is a good recording of a group > > repetition of Gayatri at the beginning when someone (who is that?) is > > trying to get fire with a stick. It might be better than the one you > > have (just in case). > > > > Here's the link: > > http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/node/339 > > > > Jai Maa! > > Chris > > > > > > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > Namaste > > > > > > Your kindness never fails to impress. Let me take a look at the > > website again and see what I can see on my own first. I have a cd of > > the Gayatra mantra but find the pronunciation difficult. At 58 and > > being slighly deaf, I wonder if I chant in English....is that > > acceptable? There are translations on the web....Or else I can write > > it out phonetically and hope for the best. > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > NAMASTE > > > > > > Bill, I do have the answers for you from Swami. These are the prayers > > > and process to follow when one passes. > > > I posted the following questions to Swami and he answered each one. > > > > > > Vish question: Is there value in chanting mantras, reading texts > > > aloud?, for an unconscious person as they are dying? even before? > > > > > > > > > Swami : Absolutely. So much we can charge the atmosphere and > > > environment with spiritual energy, so great is the benefit to the soul > > > in transition. Just as we prefer a spiritual environment for > > > meditation because it is more conducive to a materially charged > > > environment, in the same way we will want to make the environment > > > conducive for one's transition. > > > > > > > Vish question: Will this help them transition? What is best mantra? > > > text? > > > > > > > Swami: The best mantra is Gayatri. Also Mahamrityunjaya is > > > recommended. There is no circumstance in which greater wisdom will not > > > be regarded. > > > > > > > Vish question: Also, need help in describing the practice of the > > > Shraddha, ceremony. How many days performing the mantra? What is > > > best mantra? When to have the final celebration? > > > > > > Swami: The Shraddha is a memorial ceremony in honor of the departed. > > > It can be celebrated for 10, 12, 15, or 30 days after the transition, > > > and thereafter three times a year for life: on the anniversary of > > > passing, at the time of Mahalaya, and at Diwali. > > > > > > Again Gayatri mantra is the customary japa. > > > > > > Bill, if you need those mantras, I can type them out. Let me know. > > > They are in the Chandi, and Advanced Shiva Puja books. Also, Shree > > > Maa has made a CD of Her chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, over and > > > over. It is also on the web site. Also, you can call me at 707 255 > > > 3383 from 8-110 pm daily, Pacific time, and I can read them aloud for > > > you if you cannot find them on the web site. > > > > > > NOTE: MAA HAS SAID IT IS VERY POWERFUL TO PLAY THE CD OVER AND OVER. > > > IT PURIFIES AND PROTECTS THE HOME AND ITS OCCUPANTS. > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > love vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > > > Hi again. I am sorry if I am beating this to a pulp....I just > > > looked over the FAQ's at the website and under General Philosophical > > > Things there was a note from Swami saying that if one slips into coma > > > for some reason, and does so while meditating on the Divine Mother, > > > then you stay in that meditation. Since I do not know any reason for > > > doubting that, I shall take his word for it. The point seems to be > > > that we are to focus on the Divine every waking moment. > > > > > > > > The other side of this coin comes from a prayer by the English St > > > Richard of Chichester, who, before going into battle, prayed as > follows: > > > > > > > > "Dear Lord, I am going to be very busy this day. If I should have > > > occasion, while fighting, to forget Thee, pray do not Thou forget me." > > > > > > > > Richard seems to have covered all the bases, and I am not being > > > facetious when I say that. The issue is too important for that. > > > > > > > > Warmly > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > Namaste > > > > > > > > Bill. good morning, You are welcome. This question is important for > > > > us all. Swami will help us. In our tradition, there are prayers the > > > > family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately > > > > after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific > > > > amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest > planes of > > > > consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family > > > > members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The > > > > experience was very profound. > > > > As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, > > > > helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing > soul to > > > > send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the > > > > soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our > > > > evolution in greater. > > > > In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, > > > > especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the > > > > ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the > > > > place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on > > > > Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. > > > > We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are > > > > interested, in the future. > > > > > > > > I hope this helps. > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > Vishweshwar, Bill Smith > > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a > question > > > > I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds > > > > (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all > > > > know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many > > > > machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough > environment > > > > in which to be composed. > > > > > > > > > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you > > > > for taking trouble with this for me. > > > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > > Namaste Bill > > > > > > > > > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he > > will post > > > > > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > > > > > > > > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > Namaste: > > > > > > > > > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > > > > > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > > > > > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes > we are > > > > > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, > have > > > > > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever > > seen die > > > > > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who > has any > > > > > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? > And how > > > > > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe > > the case > > > > > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, > > so to > > > > > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before > > losing > > > > > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > > > > > responsible for.... > > > > > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > > > Namaste > > > > > > > > > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page > > 198, > > > > > > Swami says: > > > > > > > > > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go > away. > > > > > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > > > > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. > > > Consciousness > > > > > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > > > > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die > and the > > > > > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there > > can't > > > > > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. > > Consciousness > > > > > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small > when you > > > > > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will > leave this > > > > > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. > What > > > > > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > > > > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is > > exactly > > > > > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > > > > > between the two is the definition that is created by the > > container. > > > > > > > > > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. > > And the > > > > > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > > > > > > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the > space. The > > > > > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body > dissolves, the > > > > > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > > > > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. > > Now here > > > > > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that > > soul. > > > > > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with > > that > > > > > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > > > > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > > > > > > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest > in a > > > > > > certain way. > > > > > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to > > > lifetime. > > > > > > > > > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our > > life, > > > > > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we > have > > > > > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then > > > naturally our > > > > > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those > > are the > > > > > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we > begin our > > > > > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > > > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 18, 2006 Dear Bill, It is interesting that while the multitude of sadhus are struggling, with more or less intensity and enthusiasm, to "go beyond the senses", and thus realize God, you, whose sense of hearing is gradually diminishing, are wondering how sadhana can continue. Is it possible that when hearing becomes silent-along with the mind itself, which is often considered the "sixth sense" in Indian literature-there will be no sadhana, because there will be no need for it? The yogis retreat to the cave of Silence-whether it be a literal mountain cave, or the "cave of the Heart"-because in that Silence they experience the uninterrupted Presence of God: "Lord, Thy Name is Silence" according to the Shruti. "I shall become a yogi and dwell in Love's mountain cave". Both bhaktas and jnanis chant Om (AUM). A is the waking state, U is the dream state, M is the dreamless state. And the Silence which follows is the transcendent state of God realization. "How can one 'sign' to one who has been deaf from birth, the meaning of Silence"? Probably no more difficult than the meaning of Presence, or Divine Love. In any case it is an interesting question for one who is the Mother's servant and minester is this lifetime. Respectfully, Tanmaya , Bill Smith <biggerblat wrote: > > Fair enough. But as I am growing deafer by the day, and learning ASL in order to communicate, what then? How do ASL people chant? I am not being facetious, where I live there are all kinds of deaf people who have no idea what spoken language sounds like. As my proficiency in ASL grows, and their patience at my slowness continues, I shall want to tell them more, possibly, about the Divine Mother and so forth. (Not all of them have access to the internet, they wil rely on me, at least at first.) So how does one chant in sign language? > > Bill > > > > inspectionconnection108 inspectionconnection108 wrote: > Namaste Bill, > > Chris's statement about mantras are correct. I would add this: the > mantras are in Sanskrit. This language is the closest representation > of the real nature of the aspect of Divinity which they represent. > According to Shree Maa and Swami, and countless language experts, > Sanskrit is the purest language available. Thus, using this language, > one can get the best results, the most power, and blessings, available > from the sounds one produces in prayer. > There is much written about this is the Kasyapa Sutras, within the > book: "Shree Maa, The Guru and the Goddess", by Swami, and available > from the Devi Mandir. Kasyapa Sutra 12 has some excellent information > about the value of mantras. > > Jai Maa > > vish > > , "Chris Kirner" > wrote: > > > > Bill, > > > > I'm sure Vish will respond, but I would like to put my two-cents in too. > > > > All of the practices we learn at the feet of Shree Maa and Swamiji > > involve the use of Sanskrit mantras. There is a reason for this beyond > > simple tradition. All of these mantras have specific subtle vibrations > > that resonate with powers of spiritual activity and consciousness, > > both within and without. > > > > Certainly there is power in prayer of any kind, in any language, but > > with the use of mantra we get, not only the intentions of our heart > > and the results of the connection that creates, but an additional > > impetus toward divinity beyond what we are presently capable of alone. > > > > The use of mantra is kind of like downloading the library of divinity > > into your unconscious. You take your seat, repeat the mantras, and > > they slowly open up within like beautiful flowers smiling for God > alone. > > > > All of the universe is present within each of us. This is the > > experience of the sages. Yet this is not our experience. There is so > > very much that is beyond us, not only in the sphere of action, but in > > the ability to grasp, to comprehend, even imagine. Mantras help us to > > accomplish that which we are incapable of at the moment. Where we > > cannot imagine, they Know, and they invariably bring us to that place > > where we will Know too. > > > > Believe me, I know how foreign and twisty and long and difficult, even > > Gayatri mantra seems at first. When I first learned Gayatri I thought > > I'd really accomplished something! Actually I had, though not in the > > limited way I'd imagined. Gayatri is one of the most powerful mantras > > there is, and it is accessible to everyone. Gayatri mantra is a part > > of me, and I am forever changed by what Gayatrimata (Mother Gayatri) > > has given me (not that I am aware, even yet, of all that is). Each > > time we repeat a mantra with faith we are changed in some way. > > > > Really, you can do this. Begin at the beginning; learn one mantra and > > practice it. Then learn another. There is a process that opens up with > > faith and practice. Most of the pujas (worship ceremonies) and other > > books published for the mandir have a guide to pronunciation in them > > somewhere. It's not too difficult to get the hang of. Soon you'll be > > working out the correct pronunciation of most things yourself. > > > > In the beginning the mantra seems like a collection of meaningless and > > difficult sounds. Soon, if one has faith in God and in the mantra, > > something happens beyond simple familiarity and the mantra becomes > > easy, soon, enjoyable. Then you begin to notice subtle changes in > > state when you practice; perhaps you become a little more loving, or > > perhaps a little more aware, perhaps your mind becomes a little less > > centered in yourself. Soon the mantra becomes a special friend, and > > there is enjoyment, as well as the feeling of discipline, in the > > recitation of it. > > > > As mantra shakti begins to open up within as the result of reciting > > one mantra it imparts the ability to learn and benefit from other > > mantras too. If you have faith in and love for a gurudeva the effects > > are multiplied. Sooner than you might think you will find even a large > > book filled from front to back with mantras, like the Chandi Path, > > within the realm of possibility for you. Really, you have only to make > > the effort and let God and guru do the rest. Mantra sadhana is really > > beautiful. > > > > Here is Gayatri written out: > > > > Om bhur bhuva svaha > > Tat Savitur varenyam > > Bargo devasya dimahi > > Diyo yo nah > > Prachodayat > > > > Here is a link to a video presentation of the folks at the Devi Mandir > > starting the Yajna fire. There is a good recording of a group > > repetition of Gayatri at the beginning when someone (who is that?) is > > trying to get fire with a stick. It might be better than the one you > > have (just in case). > > > > Here's the link: > > http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/node/339 > > > > Jai Maa! > > Chris > > > > > > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > Namaste > > > > > > Your kindness never fails to impress. Let me take a look at the > > website again and see what I can see on my own first. I have a cd of > > the Gayatra mantra but find the pronunciation difficult. At 58 and > > being slighly deaf, I wonder if I chant in English....is that > > acceptable? There are translations on the web....Or else I can write > > it out phonetically and hope for the best. > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > NAMASTE > > > > > > Bill, I do have the answers for you from Swami. These are the prayers > > > and process to follow when one passes. > > > I posted the following questions to Swami and he answered each one. > > > > > > Vish question: Is there value in chanting mantras, reading texts > > > aloud?, for an unconscious person as they are dying? even before? > > > > > > > > > Swami : Absolutely. So much we can charge the atmosphere and > > > environment with spiritual energy, so great is the benefit to the soul > > > in transition. Just as we prefer a spiritual environment for > > > meditation because it is more conducive to a materially charged > > > environment, in the same way we will want to make the environment > > > conducive for one's transition. > > > > > > > Vish question: Will this help them transition? What is best mantra? > > > text? > > > > > > > Swami: The best mantra is Gayatri. Also Mahamrityunjaya is > > > recommended. There is no circumstance in which greater wisdom will not > > > be regarded. > > > > > > > Vish question: Also, need help in describing the practice of the > > > Shraddha, ceremony. How many days performing the mantra? What is > > > best mantra? When to have the final celebration? > > > > > > Swami: The Shraddha is a memorial ceremony in honor of the departed. > > > It can be celebrated for 10, 12, 15, or 30 days after the transition, > > > and thereafter three times a year for life: on the anniversary of > > > passing, at the time of Mahalaya, and at Diwali. > > > > > > Again Gayatri mantra is the customary japa. > > > > > > Bill, if you need those mantras, I can type them out. Let me know. > > > They are in the Chandi, and Advanced Shiva Puja books. Also, Shree > > > Maa has made a CD of Her chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, over and > > > over. It is also on the web site. Also, you can call me at 707 255 > > > 3383 from 8-110 pm daily, Pacific time, and I can read them aloud for > > > you if you cannot find them on the web site. > > > > > > NOTE: MAA HAS SAID IT IS VERY POWERFUL TO PLAY THE CD OVER AND OVER. > > > IT PURIFIES AND PROTECTS THE HOME AND ITS OCCUPANTS. > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > love vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > > > Hi again. I am sorry if I am beating this to a pulp....I just > > > looked over the FAQ's at the website and under General Philosophical > > > Things there was a note from Swami saying that if one slips into coma > > > for some reason, and does so while meditating on the Divine Mother, > > > then you stay in that meditation. Since I do not know any reason for > > > doubting that, I shall take his word for it. The point seems to be > > > that we are to focus on the Divine every waking moment. > > > > > > > > The other side of this coin comes from a prayer by the English St > > > Richard of Chichester, who, before going into battle, prayed as > follows: > > > > > > > > "Dear Lord, I am going to be very busy this day. If I should have > > > occasion, while fighting, to forget Thee, pray do not Thou forget me." > > > > > > > > Richard seems to have covered all the bases, and I am not being > > > facetious when I say that. The issue is too important for that. > > > > > > > > Warmly > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > Namaste > > > > > > > > Bill. good morning, You are welcome. This question is important for > > > > us all. Swami will help us. In our tradition, there are prayers the > > > > family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately > > > > after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific > > > > amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest > planes of > > > > consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family > > > > members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The > > > > experience was very profound. > > > > As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, > > > > helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing > soul to > > > > send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the > > > > soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our > > > > evolution in greater. > > > > In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, > > > > especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the > > > > ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the > > > > place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on > > > > Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. > > > > We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are > > > > interested, in the future. > > > > > > > > I hope this helps. > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > Vishweshwar, Bill Smith > > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a > question > > > > I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds > > > > (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all > > > > know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many > > > > machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough > environment > > > > in which to be composed. > > > > > > > > > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you > > > > for taking trouble with this for me. > > > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > > Namaste Bill > > > > > > > > > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he > > will post > > > > > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > > > > > > > > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > Namaste: > > > > > > > > > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > > > > > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > > > > > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes > we are > > > > > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, > have > > > > > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever > > seen die > > > > > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who > has any > > > > > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? > And how > > > > > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe > > the case > > > > > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, > > so to > > > > > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before > > losing > > > > > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > > > > > responsible for.... > > > > > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > > > Namaste > > > > > > > > > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page > > 198, > > > > > > Swami says: > > > > > > > > > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go > away. > > > > > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > > > > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. > > > Consciousness > > > > > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > > > > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die > and the > > > > > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there > > can't > > > > > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. > > Consciousness > > > > > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small > when you > > > > > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will > leave this > > > > > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. > What > > > > > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > > > > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is > > exactly > > > > > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > > > > > between the two is the definition that is created by the > > container. > > > > > > > > > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. > > And the > > > > > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > > > > > > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the > space. The > > > > > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body > dissolves, the > > > > > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > > > > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. > > Now here > > > > > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that > > soul. > > > > > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with > > that > > > > > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > > > > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > > > > > > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest > in a > > > > > > certain way. > > > > > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to > > > lifetime. > > > > > > > > > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our > > life, > > > > > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we > have > > > > > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then > > > naturally our > > > > > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those > > are the > > > > > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we > begin our > > > > > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > > > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 18, 2006 Hi: Many thanks. ISKCON demanded that their people chant out loud, so I thought this was the norm. Silently, as with the Hesychists, works much better as far as I am concerned. Why? Because as I grow deafer, I tend to shout in order to hear myself, and that can be very distracting to others! LOL They tend to look at me funny..........as though I have lost my mind. Someday, maybe, but not quite yet. Bill Karen <forall10q > wrote: Dear Bill, I do almost all my chanting subvocally or silently. Would that work for you as your hearing diminishes? All my love and blessings, Karen , Bill Smith wrote: > > Fair enough. But as I am growing deafer by the day, and learning ASL in order to communicate, what then? How do ASL people chant? I am not being facetious, where I live there are all kinds of deaf people who have no idea what spoken language sounds like. As my proficiency in ASL grows, and their patience at my slowness continues, I shall want to tell them more, possibly, about the Divine Mother and so forth. (Not all of them have access to the internet, they wil rely on me, at least at first.) So how does one chant in sign language? > > Bill > > > > inspectionconnection108 inspectionconnection108 wrote: > Namaste Bill, > > Chris's statement about mantras are correct. I would add this: the > mantras are in Sanskrit. This language is the closest representation > of the real nature of the aspect of Divinity which they represent. > According to Shree Maa and Swami, and countless language experts, > Sanskrit is the purest language available. Thus, using this language, > one can get the best results, the most power, and blessings, available > from the sounds one produces in prayer. > There is much written about this is the Kasyapa Sutras, within the > book: "Shree Maa, The Guru and the Goddess", by Swami, and available > from the Devi Mandir. Kasyapa Sutra 12 has some excellent information > about the value of mantras. > > Jai Maa > > vish > > , "Chris Kirner" > wrote: > > > > Bill, > > > > I'm sure Vish will respond, but I would like to put my two-cents in too. > > > > All of the practices we learn at the feet of Shree Maa and Swamiji > > involve the use of Sanskrit mantras. There is a reason for this beyond > > simple tradition. All of these mantras have specific subtle vibrations > > that resonate with powers of spiritual activity and consciousness, > > both within and without. > > > > Certainly there is power in prayer of any kind, in any language, but > > with the use of mantra we get, not only the intentions of our heart > > and the results of the connection that creates, but an additional > > impetus toward divinity beyond what we are presently capable of alone. > > > > The use of mantra is kind of like downloading the library of divinity > > into your unconscious. You take your seat, repeat the mantras, and > > they slowly open up within like beautiful flowers smiling for God > alone. > > > > All of the universe is present within each of us. This is the > > experience of the sages. Yet this is not our experience. There is so > > very much that is beyond us, not only in the sphere of action, but in > > the ability to grasp, to comprehend, even imagine. Mantras help us to > > accomplish that which we are incapable of at the moment. Where we > > cannot imagine, they Know, and they invariably bring us to that place > > where we will Know too. > > > > Believe me, I know how foreign and twisty and long and difficult, even > > Gayatri mantra seems at first. When I first learned Gayatri I thought > > I'd really accomplished something! Actually I had, though not in the > > limited way I'd imagined. Gayatri is one of the most powerful mantras > > there is, and it is accessible to everyone. Gayatri mantra is a part > > of me, and I am forever changed by what Gayatrimata (Mother Gayatri) > > has given me (not that I am aware, even yet, of all that is). Each > > time we repeat a mantra with faith we are changed in some way. > > > > Really, you can do this. Begin at the beginning; learn one mantra and > > practice it. Then learn another. There is a process that opens up with > > faith and practice. Most of the pujas (worship ceremonies) and other > > books published for the mandir have a guide to pronunciation in them > > somewhere. It's not too difficult to get the hang of. Soon you'll be > > working out the correct pronunciation of most things yourself. > > > > In the beginning the mantra seems like a collection of meaningless and > > difficult sounds. Soon, if one has faith in God and in the mantra, > > something happens beyond simple familiarity and the mantra becomes > > easy, soon, enjoyable. Then you begin to notice subtle changes in > > state when you practice; perhaps you become a little more loving, or > > perhaps a little more aware, perhaps your mind becomes a little less > > centered in yourself. Soon the mantra becomes a special friend, and > > there is enjoyment, as well as the feeling of discipline, in the > > recitation of it. > > > > As mantra shakti begins to open up within as the result of reciting > > one mantra it imparts the ability to learn and benefit from other > > mantras too. If you have faith in and love for a gurudeva the effects > > are multiplied. Sooner than you might think you will find even a large > > book filled from front to back with mantras, like the Chandi Path, > > within the realm of possibility for you. Really, you have only to make > > the effort and let God and guru do the rest. Mantra sadhana is really > > beautiful. > > > > Here is Gayatri written out: > > > > Om bhur bhuva svaha > > Tat Savitur varenyam > > Bargo devasya dimahi > > Diyo yo nah > > Prachodayat > > > > Here is a link to a video presentation of the folks at the Devi Mandir > > starting the Yajna fire. There is a good recording of a group > > repetition of Gayatri at the beginning when someone (who is that?) is > > trying to get fire with a stick. It might be better than the one you > > have (just in case). > > > > Here's the link: > > http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/node/339 > > > > Jai Maa! > > Chris > > > > > > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > Namaste > > > > > > Your kindness never fails to impress. Let me take a look at the > > website again and see what I can see on my own first. I have a cd of > > the Gayatra mantra but find the pronunciation difficult. At 58 and > > being slighly deaf, I wonder if I chant in English....is that > > acceptable? There are translations on the web....Or else I can write > > it out phonetically and hope for the best. > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > NAMASTE > > > > > > Bill, I do have the answers for you from Swami. These are the prayers > > > and process to follow when one passes. > > > I posted the following questions to Swami and he answered each one. > > > > > > Vish question: Is there value in chanting mantras, reading texts > > > aloud?, for an unconscious person as they are dying? even before? > > > > > > > > > Swami : Absolutely. So much we can charge the atmosphere and > > > environment with spiritual energy, so great is the benefit to the soul > > > in transition. Just as we prefer a spiritual environment for > > > meditation because it is more conducive to a materially charged > > > environment, in the same way we will want to make the environment > > > conducive for one's transition. > > > > > > > Vish question: Will this help them transition? What is best mantra? > > > text? > > > > > > > Swami: The best mantra is Gayatri. Also Mahamrityunjaya is > > > recommended. There is no circumstance in which greater wisdom will not > > > be regarded. > > > > > > > Vish question: Also, need help in describing the practice of the > > > Shraddha, ceremony. How many days performing the mantra? What is > > > best mantra? When to have the final celebration? > > > > > > Swami: The Shraddha is a memorial ceremony in honor of the departed. > > > It can be celebrated for 10, 12, 15, or 30 days after the transition, > > > and thereafter three times a year for life: on the anniversary of > > > passing, at the time of Mahalaya, and at Diwali. > > > > > > Again Gayatri mantra is the customary japa. > > > > > > Bill, if you need those mantras, I can type them out. Let me know. > > > They are in the Chandi, and Advanced Shiva Puja books. Also, Shree > > > Maa has made a CD of Her chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, over and > > > over. It is also on the web site. Also, you can call me at 707 255 > > > 3383 from 8-110 pm daily, Pacific time, and I can read them aloud for > > > you if you cannot find them on the web site. > > > > > > NOTE: MAA HAS SAID IT IS VERY POWERFUL TO PLAY THE CD OVER AND OVER. > > > IT PURIFIES AND PROTECTS THE HOME AND ITS OCCUPANTS. > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > love vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > > > Hi again. I am sorry if I am beating this to a pulp....I just > > > looked over the FAQ's at the website and under General Philosophical > > > Things there was a note from Swami saying that if one slips into coma > > > for some reason, and does so while meditating on the Divine Mother, > > > then you stay in that meditation. Since I do not know any reason for > > > doubting that, I shall take his word for it. The point seems to be > > > that we are to focus on the Divine every waking moment. > > > > > > > > The other side of this coin comes from a prayer by the English St > > > Richard of Chichester, who, before going into battle, prayed as > follows: > > > > > > > > "Dear Lord, I am going to be very busy this day. If I should have > > > occasion, while fighting, to forget Thee, pray do not Thou forget me." > > > > > > > > Richard seems to have covered all the bases, and I am not being > > > facetious when I say that. The issue is too important for that. > > > > > > > > Warmly > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > Namaste > > > > > > > > Bill. good morning, You are welcome. This question is important for > > > > us all. Swami will help us. In our tradition, there are prayers the > > > > family member, or friend, performs for the departed soul immediately > > > > after they leave the body. The prayers are performed for a specific > > > > amount of days, in order to help the soul reach the highest > planes of > > > > consciousness. I have performed them for several friends and family > > > > members who have passed. I performed them daily for 9 days. The > > > > experience was very profound. > > > > As Swami has reported, the soul is given a boost by our prayers, > > > > helping them rise high. In addition, we also ask the departing > soul to > > > > send divine energy back to Earth to help us evolve. The higher the > > > > soul rises, the more powerful the energy, so the effect on our > > > > evolution in greater. > > > > In our tradition, we maintain our relationship with the departed, > > > > especially the ancestors, daily. In our daily prayers, we thank the > > > > ancestors for their sacrifices, as their efforts brought us to the > > > > place we are today, and we ask them to send their energy to us on > > > > Earth. Our energy, helps them, and their energy helps us. > > > > We can discuss the specific prayers, and other details if you are > > > > interested, in the future. > > > > > > > > I hope this helps. > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > Vishweshwar, Bill Smith > > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Wow! Many thanks for your kindness in this regard. It is a > question > > > > I have long wondered about since I have been at some many deathbeds > > > > (not to be dramatic) over the years. And in our society, as we all > > > > know, most of us die in hospital, hooked up to who knows how many > > > > machines, with lots of distractions and no peace. A tough > environment > > > > in which to be composed. > > > > > > > > > > I await the swami's thoughts with keen interest. Again, thank you > > > > for taking trouble with this for me. > > > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > > Namaste Bill > > > > > > > > > > I sent a copy of your e mail to Swami for a reply. Either he > > will post > > > > > directly, or I will forward to you upon receipt. > > > > > > > > > > It is a powerful question, one which needs Swami's response. > > > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > , Bill Smith wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > Namaste: > > > > > > > > > > > > Ok, here goes with question number one. I have heard, for a long > > > > > time now, all about the importance of one's last, dying thoughts > > > > > before we depart this body. It seems to me that this assumes > we are > > > > > reasonably conscious when we do the departing, that is to say, > have > > > > > some control over our minds. But almost everyone I have ever > > seen die > > > > > did so after a long period of unconsciousness and coma. Who > has any > > > > > idea of what, if anything, was going on in their minds then? > And how > > > > > can I, if I am the one in that situation, which likely willbe > > the case > > > > > one day, be told to form the proper thoughts for a proper death, > > so to > > > > > speak? It would seem to me that the last thoughts I had before > > losing > > > > > consciousness and going into coma are the only ones I can be > > > > > responsible for.... > > > > > > > > > > > > Bill > > > > > > > > > > > > inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > > > > > Namaste > > > > > > > > > > > > From the Devi Mandir publication: "Before Becoming This", page > > 198, > > > > > > Swami says: > > > > > > > > > > > > "We all come back each lifetime. In fact, we don't even go > away. > > > > > > Energy never dies; it only changes form. Kinetic energy becomes > > > > > > potential energy, and potential energy becomes kinetic. > > > Consciousness > > > > > > never dies. Consciousness is eternal. Each individual is made of > > > > > > consciousness and energy. If the consciousness doesn't die > and the > > > > > > energy doesn't die, what dies? If there is not a death, there > > can't > > > > > > be a rebirth. There is one continuous transformation. > > Consciousness > > > > > > and energy are constantly changing forms. You were small > when you > > > > > > were a young child, now you are older, someday you will > leave this > > > > > > form, and the energy and consciousness will leave this form. > What > > > > > > dies? What was born? The Atma, individual soul, is one with the > > > > > > Paramatma, universal soul. The space inside the container is > > exactly > > > > > > the same as the space outside the container. The only difference > > > > > > between the two is the definition that is created by the > > container. > > > > > > > > > > > > The energy of that container will move into a new container. > > And the > > > > > > space within the container will move into a new container. > > > > > > > > > > > > The soul never had a form. The soul is the same as the > space. The > > > > > > space is the same inside and outside. When the body > dissolves, the > > > > > > container dissolves. The awareness is one with the universal > > > > > > awareness, the world soul, the Paramatma, the Supreme soul. > > Now here > > > > > > comes a new container that encompasses another piece of that > > soul. > > > > > > Certainly, all the samskaras, all of the tendencies laden with > > that > > > > > > soul and that container, are coming into manifestation as a new > > > > > > container of that same consciousness. > > > > > > > > > > > > Samkaras are tendencies, attitudes, a propensity to manifest > in a > > > > > > certain way. > > > > > > Those tendencies maintain some continuity from lifetime to > > > lifetime. > > > > > > > > > > > > As Swami has stated, all the sadhana we have performed in our > > life, > > > > > > prepares us for the last thoughts we have in our body. If we > have > > > > > > been chanting the Holy Names of God for many years, then > > > naturally our > > > > > > mind will dwell on those mantras as we leave the body. Those > > are the > > > > > > thoughs we want to have as we leave the body. Then as we > begin our > > > > > > next life, we will begin from that lofty plateau. > > > > > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > > > > > love > > > > > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit us online at http://www.ShreeMaa.org > > > > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
