Suffering

[Guest guest]

Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel better...Is

this my Karma?

Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to turn.

Hari OM

[Guest guest]

Om Namah Shivaya!

 

Everyone feels pain at one stage or the other. And the pain

gives us hint to where we have to grow and it urges us to wake up.

You can surrender this pain to the Holy Mother (who is always there

inside you) and She will guide you. At the sametime, you can feel

your pain to the full. Ask yourself what choice you like to make at

this stage. You will get guidance from within. Without putting

pressure on you, you follow that guidance. You will find way. Also

know that pain in life is temporary. Day follows night and spring

follows winter.

 

The good thing you are able to do is you have expressed you

are feeling pain and that also at the right place.

 

I have got my own share of pain as became both a widower and a

divorcee. But I am seeing the God's message in the turn of events.

 

Our Holy Mother minimises the effects of Karma also. I may be

able to give more help if you can send me personal email.

 

Cheers and Enjoy your life,

 

Mahadevan Venkitaraman

 

 

, "quickfoxjumped"

<quickfoxjumped wrote:

>

> Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel better...Is

> this my Karma?

> Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to turn.

> Hari OM

>

[Guest guest]

It may be that we all ask ourselves this question. It seems that if we can keep doing our sadhana, it makes the suffering - well, not go away, but just be in the background. In the case of this being, if I fall from doing sadhana, the bliss of God and Guru fades away, and suffering rushes back to the forefront, to fill this one up with suffering. It's really just self pity, but yet it's easy to justify. "Oh why did I come to this world to suffer, etc. etc........" But spiritual practice shines a bright light into the darkness, and the shadows just dissapear like they were never even there. Then it's like....."wow, what was I so bummed out about, anyway"?

When the suffering is in the foreground, it's impossible to see. But when sadhana is strong, it all but dissapears in the light. When we suffer, we're just burning through the karmas. I'm going to resolve to keep the fire of sadhana burning bright, and burn through the karmas while staying in the bliss of surrender. It gets hard. At first the path of a sadhu is so blissful and one is so in love. After a few years it gets HARD ! That's when you and I will need to surrender to God so totally, and become an instrument in His/Her hands.

May Divine Mother bless you with the bliss of Her Grace! May happiness rule your days!

Jai Maa !!!!

 

quickfoxjumped <quickfoxjumped > wrote: Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel better...Is

this my Karma?

Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to turn.

Hari OM

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

I don't know if this helps..but if we read Indian epics we see that

even Lord Rama had to suffer despite being an avatar of Vishnu. That

is a part of mortality. And when we read about Buddha's life we

learn that a soothsayer had predicted that once Prince Siddhartha

sees the 4 sights he will give up his kingdom and the 4 sights were

1. beggar 2. old man 3. sick man 4. Dead body. The prediction came

true and the Prince gave up his kingdom and went on to become

Gautama Buddha. All of us have to pay some price for this human body

or human form. And suffering is the price we pay till we reach that

stage when we can transcend the cycle of birth and rebirth.

Anyway, every cloud has a silver lining and similarly nothing lasts.

Suffering is as transient as pleasure. With time everything passes

and so will suffering. What counts is attaining a state when we can

remain unchanged by conditions. Hope that helps.

Love Mimi

 

, "quickfoxjumped"

<quickfoxjumped wrote:

>

> Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel

better...Is

> this my Karma?

> Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to turn.

> Hari OM

>

[Guest guest]

Namaste:

 

You are not being a bother. If it helps any, you are not alone. Lots of us have loads of problems.

 

I think it depends on the type of suffering that you are experiencing. We all have a variety of karma, but we choose how we are going to deal with our karma. We all get handed some type of struggle, but the question is: What do we do with what we are handed?

 

I think meditation brings clarity to any sort of problem. It's first better to calm the mind, no matter what is happening. You might start with this peace mantra that everyone is saying. It's great because there's a group of people saying the same mantra, and that gives is a special power. http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/

 

The peace sankalpa is right on the front page of Shree Maa and Swamiji's homepage.

 

 

Shanti Om,

Shankari Kali

quickfoxjumped <quickfoxjumped > wrote: Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel better...Is

this my Karma?

Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to turn.

Hari OM

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Hi,

 

I'm very sorry for your pain.

 

Pain in life can be the result of karma, both personal and collective,

or it can result from our own habits of mind, from desires and

attachments born of desires, from the loss or failure to obtain the

objects of our desires.

 

It has been said that a little baby, when it feels pain, experiences

it totally, intensely, because they have no ability to separate

themselves from it. It is as if they become their pain. As we grow

older we learn to accept a certain amount of pain in life, we have

learned to separate ourselves from it, and pains that at one time

would have made us cry, might go almost unnoticed.

 

Even in adults there is wide variability in the ability to separate

oneself from pain. I speak here of emotional pain. There are those who

are metaphorically "older" than most of us, who have learned to limit

their desires, and limit their attachment to those desires they do

have. They pursue contentment in life, rather than the attainments

most of us pursue. If they have a goal, they place it in the hands of

Providence, and being content to do their best without attachment to

the outcome, are not disappointed or exalted.

 

Pain is nature's way of leading us to the Divine life. When it is

finally discovered that, without direct experience of the indwelling

divinity, all of the pleasures of life eventually lead to suffering,

one learns to follow one's divine inner promptings toward a better way

of life. One who pursues a system of sadhana (spiritual discipline),

who follows the teachings of a gurudeva, who opens her heart to God,

eventually becomes pure and strong, and when that happens nothing

negative can move them from their equilibrium. They are free to enjoy

the objects of this life, or not.

 

It is not a matter of a few days, months, or perhaps even years of

effort to achieve this stability. It is difficult, but it is the only

game in town. But even a little practice will yield some benefits,

some strength, some stability. Faith has great power in difficult times.

 

Whatever your external circumstances, your experience of pain can be

helped through faith, devotion, and spiritual discipline appropriate

to your ability. Do not despair.

 

Look for some kind of support, a satsanga you can attend, someone you

can talk to about your difficulties, perhaps counseling. I think I can

say with assurance that the prayers of everyone in this list will be

with you.

 

Jai Maa! (Victory to Divine Mother Over Our Negativities)

Chris

 

 

 

, "quickfoxjumped"

<quickfoxjumped wrote:

>

> Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel better...Is

> this my Karma?

> Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to turn.

> Hari OM

>

[Guest guest]

Chris, your discourse on pain is very good, particularly this part:

There are those who are metaphorically "older" than most of us, who

have learned to limit their desires, and limit their attachment to

those desires they do have. They pursue contentment in life, rather

than the attainments most of us pursue. If they have a goal, they

place it in the hands of Providence, and being content to do their

best without attachment to the outcome, are not disappointed or

exalted. Thanks for elevating my day, Karen

 

 

, "Chris Kirner"

<chriskirner1956 wrote:

>

> Hi,

>

> I'm very sorry for your pain.

>

> Pain in life can be the result of karma, both personal and

collective,

> or it can result from our own habits of mind, from desires and

> attachments born of desires, from the loss or failure to obtain the

> objects of our desires.

>

> It has been said that a little baby, when it feels pain, experiences

> it totally, intensely, because they have no ability to separate

> themselves from it. It is as if they become their pain. As we grow

> older we learn to accept a certain amount of pain in life, we have

> learned to separate ourselves from it, and pains that at one time

> would have made us cry, might go almost unnoticed.

>

> Even in adults there is wide variability in the ability to separate

> oneself from pain. I speak here of emotional pain. There are those

who

> are metaphorically "older" than most of us, who have learned to

limit

> their desires, and limit their attachment to those desires they do

> have. They pursue contentment in life, rather than the attainments

> most of us pursue. If they have a goal, they place it in the hands

of

> Providence, and being content to do their best without attachment to

> the outcome, are not disappointed or exalted.

>

> Pain is nature's way of leading us to the Divine life. When it is

> finally discovered that, without direct experience of the indwelling

> divinity, all of the pleasures of life eventually lead to

suffering,

> one learns to follow one's divine inner promptings toward a better

way

> of life. One who pursues a system of sadhana (spiritual discipline),

> who follows the teachings of a gurudeva, who opens her heart to God,

> eventually becomes pure and strong, and when that happens nothing

> negative can move them from their equilibrium. They are free to

enjoy

> the objects of this life, or not.

>

> It is not a matter of a few days, months, or perhaps even years of

> effort to achieve this stability. It is difficult, but it is the

only

> game in town. But even a little practice will yield some benefits,

> some strength, some stability. Faith has great power in difficult

times.

>

> Whatever your external circumstances, your experience of pain can be

> helped through faith, devotion, and spiritual discipline appropriate

> to your ability. Do not despair.

>

> Look for some kind of support, a satsanga you can attend, someone

you

> can talk to about your difficulties, perhaps counseling. I think I

can

> say with assurance that the prayers of everyone in this list will be

> with you.

>

> Jai Maa! (Victory to Divine Mother Over Our Negativities)

> Chris

>

>

>

> , "quickfoxjumped"

> <quickfoxjumped@> wrote:

> >

> > Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel

better...Is

> > this my Karma?

> > Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to turn.

> > Hari OM

> >

>

[Guest guest]

You're so sweet, Karen! Thank YOU!

 

Jai Maa!

Chris

 

 

, "Karen" <forall10q wrote:

>

> Chris, your discourse on pain is very good, particularly this part:

> There are those who are metaphorically "older" than most of us, who

> have learned to limit their desires, and limit their attachment to

> those desires they do have. They pursue contentment in life, rather

> than the attainments most of us pursue. If they have a goal, they

> place it in the hands of Providence, and being content to do their

> best without attachment to the outcome, are not disappointed or

> exalted. Thanks for elevating my day, Karen

>

>

> , "Chris Kirner"

> <chriskirner1956@> wrote:

> >

> > Hi,

> >

> > I'm very sorry for your pain.

> >

> > Pain in life can be the result of karma, both personal and

> collective,

> > or it can result from our own habits of mind, from desires and

> > attachments born of desires, from the loss or failure to obtain the

> > objects of our desires.

> >

> > It has been said that a little baby, when it feels pain, experiences

> > it totally, intensely, because they have no ability to separate

> > themselves from it. It is as if they become their pain. As we grow

> > older we learn to accept a certain amount of pain in life, we have

> > learned to separate ourselves from it, and pains that at one time

> > would have made us cry, might go almost unnoticed.

> >

> > Even in adults there is wide variability in the ability to separate

> > oneself from pain. I speak here of emotional pain. There are those

> who

> > are metaphorically "older" than most of us, who have learned to

> limit

> > their desires, and limit their attachment to those desires they do

> > have. They pursue contentment in life, rather than the attainments

> > most of us pursue. If they have a goal, they place it in the hands

> of

> > Providence, and being content to do their best without attachment to

> > the outcome, are not disappointed or exalted.

> >

> > Pain is nature's way of leading us to the Divine life. When it is

> > finally discovered that, without direct experience of the indwelling

> > divinity, all of the pleasures of life eventually lead to

> suffering,

> > one learns to follow one's divine inner promptings toward a better

> way

> > of life. One who pursues a system of sadhana (spiritual discipline),

> > who follows the teachings of a gurudeva, who opens her heart to God,

> > eventually becomes pure and strong, and when that happens nothing

> > negative can move them from their equilibrium. They are free to

> enjoy

> > the objects of this life, or not.

> >

> > It is not a matter of a few days, months, or perhaps even years of

> > effort to achieve this stability. It is difficult, but it is the

> only

> > game in town. But even a little practice will yield some benefits,

> > some strength, some stability. Faith has great power in difficult

> times.

> >

> > Whatever your external circumstances, your experience of pain can be

> > helped through faith, devotion, and spiritual discipline appropriate

> > to your ability. Do not despair.

> >

> > Look for some kind of support, a satsanga you can attend, someone

> you

> > can talk to about your difficulties, perhaps counseling. I think I

> can

> > say with assurance that the prayers of everyone in this list will be

> > with you.

> >

> > Jai Maa! (Victory to Divine Mother Over Our Negativities)

> > Chris

> >

> >

> >

> > , "quickfoxjumped"

> > <quickfoxjumped@> wrote:

> > >

> > > Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel

> better...Is

> > > this my Karma?

> > > Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to turn.

> > > Hari OM

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Namaste'

 

I am by no means an authority on this subject but would like to offer

my thoughts on the topic of suffering. Like so many of you I've also

thought about suffering, particularly in my role as an addiction

counselor. I see so many people doing the same behaviors over and

over again, knowing they are suffereing, yet unable to break those

old patterns. In thinking about the question of why we suffer for

the past many years, I began with Buddha's first Noble Truth -

Suffering Exists. From that it doesn't even sound like something to

question, it simply is, like oxygen, or carbon, or wind currents.

 

But living in bodies we experience this suffering first hand. And

when we are in the middle of it we find it very difficult to think of

anything but "how do I get out of this fiery hell". At that moment

our suffering becomes a gift. At this point we may find that there

is nothing left for us but to surrender, bring our forehead to the

floor and ask Maa to take over.

 

Our suffering exists because of our thoughts. We know that we have a

choice regarding how we will respond to any given situation, and

given that choice we can chant the Chandi, and remind ourselves that

every time we remember our Divine Mother in times of distress She

will appear for us without a doubt, and relieve us of our suffering.

 

So given all of this, I have come to believe that our suffering is

Maa calling us to Wake Up! and to know that we are not alone and that

She is here with us in every moment. She is our choice to have a

different experience. Suffering is a belief in separation, and

therefore has no truth. I know that all of this is easier said then

done, so we just keep practicing and looking to our gurus and our

satsang to remind us of who we really are.

 

Chandi Maa ki JAI

 

OM Shanti

Morningsong

 

 

, "mahadevanv" <mahadevanv

wrote:

>

> Om Namah Shivaya!

>

> Everyone feels pain at one stage or the other. And the pain

> gives us hint to where we have to grow and it urges us to wake up.

> You can surrender this pain to the Holy Mother (who is always there

> inside you) and She will guide you. At the sametime, you can feel

> your pain to the full. Ask yourself what choice you like to make at

> this stage. You will get guidance from within. Without putting

> pressure on you, you follow that guidance. You will find way. Also

> know that pain in life is temporary. Day follows night and spring

> follows winter.

>

> The good thing you are able to do is you have expressed you

> are feeling pain and that also at the right place.

>

> I have got my own share of pain as became both a widower and

a

> divorcee. But I am seeing the God's message in the turn of events.

>

> Our Holy Mother minimises the effects of Karma also. I may

be

> able to give more help if you can send me personal email.

>

> Cheers and Enjoy your life,

>

> Mahadevan Venkitaraman

>

>

> , "quickfoxjumped"

> <quickfoxjumped@> wrote:

> >

> > Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel

better...Is

> > this my Karma?

> > Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to turn.

> > Hari OM

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Jai Maa!

 

Thank you for this post Morningsong.

As you say, it's difficult to think about what to do when the suffering is going on. It's seems like the real trick is, to remember our spirituality in the midst of dificulty. It's easier to remember Maa, and Chandi, and our Sadhana, etc, when things are going well. But, to remember during the times of darkness is the really hard part. Perhaps if, when things are going well and our sadhana is on a good roll, we will remind ourselves then - "it won't always be this good, so I must remind myself now, that when it gets dark, then is when I will REALLY turn to Mother, and Shiva, and sadhana, and REALLY surrender."

Bright blessings to All

Namaste!

 

c_morningsong <shaktimaa (AT) comcast (DOT) net> wrote: Namaste'

 

I am by no means an authority on this subject but would like to offer

my thoughts on the topic of suffering. Like so many of you I've also

thought about suffering, particularly in my role as an addiction

counselor. I see so many people doing the same behaviors over and

over again, knowing they are suffereing, yet unable to break those

old patterns. In thinking about the question of why we suffer for

the past many years, I began with Buddha's first Noble Truth -

Suffering Exists. From that it doesn't even sound like something to

question, it simply is, like oxygen, or carbon, or wind currents.

 

But living in bodies we experience this suffering first hand. And

when we are in the middle of it we find it very difficult to think of

anything but "how do I get out of this fiery hell". At that moment

our suffering becomes a gift. At this point we may find that there

is nothing left for us but to surrender, bring our forehead to the

floor and ask Maa to take over.

 

Our suffering exists because of our thoughts. We know that we have a

choice regarding how we will respond to any given situation, and

given that choice we can chant the Chandi, and remind ourselves that

every time we remember our Divine Mother in times of distress She

will appear for us without a doubt, and relieve us of our suffering.

 

So given all of this, I have come to believe that our suffering is

Maa calling us to Wake Up! and to know that we are not alone and that

She is here with us in every moment. She is our choice to have a

different experience. Suffering is a belief in separation, and

therefore has no truth. I know that all of this is easier said then

done, so we just keep practicing and looking to our gurus and our

satsang to remind us of who we really are.

 

Chandi Maa ki JAI

 

OM Shanti

Morningsong

 

, "mahadevanv" <mahadevanv

wrote:

>

> Om Namah Shivaya!

>

> Everyone feels pain at one stage or the other. And the pain

> gives us hint to where we have to grow and it urges us to wake up.

> You can surrender this pain to the Holy Mother (who is always there

> inside you) and She will guide you. At the sametime, you can feel

> your pain to the full. Ask yourself what choice you like to make at

> this stage. You will get guidance from within. Without putting

> pressure on you, you follow that guidance. You will find way. Also

> know that pain in life is temporary. Day follows night and spring

> follows winter.

>

> The good thing you are able to do is you have expressed you

> are feeling pain and that also at the right place.

>

> I have got my own share of pain as became both a widower and

a

> divorcee. But I am seeing the God's message in the turn of events.

>

> Our Holy Mother minimises the effects of Karma also. I may

be

> able to give more help if you can send me personal email.

>

> Cheers and Enjoy your life,

>

> Mahadevan Venkitaraman

>

>

> , "quickfoxjumped"

> <quickfoxjumped@> wrote:

> >

> > Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel

better...Is

> > this my Karma?

> > Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to turn.

> > Hari OM

> >

>

 

 

 

 

 

Want to start your own business? Learn how on Small Business.

[Guest guest]

Namaste --

 

In honor of today being my birthday (yes, the 131 in my email address

is nothing more profound than my birth date!), I decided to post my

first email to the group -- I have been reading these posts since the

first week of January, after I visited the Devi Mandir with my Gita

class. It was an extraordinary visit for me and I am STILL walking

around with the afterglow (which I no longer consider an afterglow

but rather, who I am now!)

 

Like most of us, I, too, have experienced a lot of suffering -- both

physical and emotional -- and I have found that, true to the laws of

Yin/Yang, however deep I have gone into my suffering, I have always

been able to rise that high in my capacity to experience love. In

fact, it is that very love which often pulls me out of the suffering.

Perhaps they serve as a balance of some sort, each one giving us the

strength to live life to the fullest.

 

Today's passage in Swami Satchidananda's book "The Golden Present"

had the following story, which sheds some more light on suffering:

 

"When Tirunavukarasar, one of the well-known Saiva saints, was

suffering from a stomachache, he said, "Lord, I know You gave me this

stomachache. I don't know what l did to deserve it. Certainly I did

something; but I don't remember what it is. Maybe it was even in a

previous birth. But one thing I do know: You want me to trust You

completely. Probably this is the only way You can make me do that.

You are very kind to make me think of You. If You didn't love me, why

would You even bother to give me this problem? You wouldn't even be

thinking of me. The very fact that You thought of me makes me happy;

because this has made me remember to think of you. When I experience

pleasure, I may forget You; but when I experience pain, I can never

forget You.

 

I am not asking You to get rid of it right away. Please just give me

strength and continue to give me this problem until I completely

purge out my karma. I know You are merciful. You want to bring out

the beauty, the pure part of me, so You are simply rubbing and

scrubbing me. It hurts sometimes, but I know that You would not

unnecessarily hurt me. If there were another more simple way, You

would certainly have done it that way. Probably my problem is too

tough. So go ahead; do what You must. All I request is that You give

me the strength and the understanding to accept it."

 

Thank you all for your wonderful writing on this site. I am enjoying

it every day and look forward to remaining part of it.

 

Jai Maa

 

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

wendy

 

 

, "c_morningsong" <shaktimaa

wrote:

>

> Namaste'

>

> I am by no means an authority on this subject but would like to

offer

> my thoughts on the topic of suffering. Like so many of you I've

also

> thought about suffering, particularly in my role as an addiction

> counselor. I see so many people doing the same behaviors over and

> over again, knowing they are suffereing, yet unable to break those

> old patterns. In thinking about the question of why we suffer for

> the past many years, I began with Buddha's first Noble Truth -

> Suffering Exists. From that it doesn't even sound like something

to

> question, it simply is, like oxygen, or carbon, or wind currents.

>

> But living in bodies we experience this suffering first hand. And

> when we are in the middle of it we find it very difficult to think

of

> anything but "how do I get out of this fiery hell". At that moment

> our suffering becomes a gift. At this point we may find that there

> is nothing left for us but to surrender, bring our forehead to the

> floor and ask Maa to take over.

>

> Our suffering exists because of our thoughts. We know that we have

a

> choice regarding how we will respond to any given situation, and

> given that choice we can chant the Chandi, and remind ourselves

that

> every time we remember our Divine Mother in times of distress She

> will appear for us without a doubt, and relieve us of our suffering.

>

> So given all of this, I have come to believe that our suffering is

> Maa calling us to Wake Up! and to know that we are not alone and

that

> She is here with us in every moment. She is our choice to have a

> different experience. Suffering is a belief in separation, and

> therefore has no truth. I know that all of this is easier said

then

> done, so we just keep practicing and looking to our gurus and our

> satsang to remind us of who we really are.

>

> Chandi Maa ki JAI

>

> OM Shanti

> Morningsong

>

>

> , "mahadevanv" <mahadevanv@>

> wrote:

> >

> > Om Namah Shivaya!

> >

> > Everyone feels pain at one stage or the other. And the pain

> > gives us hint to where we have to grow and it urges us to wake

up.

> > You can surrender this pain to the Holy Mother (who is always

there

> > inside you) and She will guide you. At the sametime, you can feel

> > your pain to the full. Ask yourself what choice you like to make

at

> > this stage. You will get guidance from within. Without putting

> > pressure on you, you follow that guidance. You will find way.

Also

> > know that pain in life is temporary. Day follows night and spring

> > follows winter.

> >

> > The good thing you are able to do is you have expressed

you

> > are feeling pain and that also at the right place.

> >

> > I have got my own share of pain as became both a widower

and

> a

> > divorcee. But I am seeing the God's message in the turn of events.

> >

> > Our Holy Mother minimises the effects of Karma also. I may

> be

> > able to give more help if you can send me personal email.

> >

> > Cheers and Enjoy your life,

> >

> > Mahadevan Venkitaraman

> >

> >

> > , "quickfoxjumped"

> > <quickfoxjumped@> wrote:

> > >

> > > Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel

> better...Is

> > > this my Karma?

> > > Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to turn.

> > > Hari OM

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

This is great. I want to thank "quickfoxjumped" for starting this thread. There has been so much good discussion here on this topic. His/Her question must have had a lot of juice behind it, hehe.

 

 

way131 <wendy131 (AT) aol (DOT) com> wrote: Namaste --

 

In honor of today being my birthday (yes, the 131 in my email address

is nothing more profound than my birth date!), I decided to post my

first email to the group -- I have been reading these posts since the

first week of January, after I visited the Devi Mandir with my Gita

class. It was an extraordinary visit for me and I am STILL walking

around with the afterglow (which I no longer consider an afterglow

but rather, who I am now!)

 

Like most of us, I, too, have experienced a lot of suffering -- both

physical and emotional -- and I have found that, true to the laws of

Yin/Yang, however deep I have gone into my suffering, I have always

been able to rise that high in my capacity to experience love. In

fact, it is that very love which often pulls me out of the suffering.

Perhaps they serve as a balance of some sort, each one giving us the

strength to live life to the fullest.

 

Today's passage in Swami Satchidananda's book "The Golden Present"

had the following story, which sheds some more light on suffering:

 

"When Tirunavukarasar, one of the well-known Saiva saints, was

suffering from a stomachache, he said, "Lord, I know You gave me this

stomachache. I don't know what l did to deserve it. Certainly I did

something; but I don't remember what it is. Maybe it was even in a

previous birth. But one thing I do know: You want me to trust You

completely. Probably this is the only way You can make me do that.

You are very kind to make me think of You. If You didn't love me, why

would You even bother to give me this problem? You wouldn't even be

thinking of me. The very fact that You thought of me makes me happy;

because this has made me remember to think of you. When I experience

pleasure, I may forget You; but when I experience pain, I can never

forget You.

 

I am not asking You to get rid of it right away. Please just give me

strength and continue to give me this problem until I completely

purge out my karma. I know You are merciful. You want to bring out

the beauty, the pure part of me, so You are simply rubbing and

scrubbing me. It hurts sometimes, but I know that You would not

unnecessarily hurt me. If there were another more simple way, You

would certainly have done it that way. Probably my problem is too

tough. So go ahead; do what You must. All I request is that You give

me the strength and the understanding to accept it."

 

Thank you all for your wonderful writing on this site. I am enjoying

it every day and look forward to remaining part of it.

 

Jai Maa

 

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

wendy

 

, "c_morningsong" <shaktimaa

wrote:

>

> Namaste'

>

> I am by no means an authority on this subject but would like to

offer

> my thoughts on the topic of suffering. Like so many of you I've

also

> thought about suffering, particularly in my role as an addiction

> counselor. I see so many people doing the same behaviors over and

> over again, knowing they are suffereing, yet unable to break those

> old patterns. In thinking about the question of why we suffer for

> the past many years, I began with Buddha's first Noble Truth -

> Suffering Exists. From that it doesn't even sound like something

to

> question, it simply is, like oxygen, or carbon, or wind currents.

>

> But living in bodies we experience this suffering first hand. And

> when we are in the middle of it we find it very difficult to think

of

> anything but "how do I get out of this fiery hell". At that moment

> our suffering becomes a gift. At this point we may find that there

> is nothing left for us but to surrender, bring our forehead to the

> floor and ask Maa to take over.

>

> Our suffering exists because of our thoughts. We know that we have

a

> choice regarding how we will respond to any given situation, and

> given that choice we can chant the Chandi, and remind ourselves

that

> every time we remember our Divine Mother in times of distress She

> will appear for us without a doubt, and relieve us of our suffering.

>

> So given all of this, I have come to believe that our suffering is

> Maa calling us to Wake Up! and to know that we are not alone and

that

> She is here with us in every moment. She is our choice to have a

> different experience. Suffering is a belief in separation, and

> therefore has no truth. I know that all of this is easier said

then

> done, so we just keep practicing and looking to our gurus and our

> satsang to remind us of who we really are.

>

> Chandi Maa ki JAI

>

> OM Shanti

> Morningsong

>

>

> , "mahadevanv" <mahadevanv@>

> wrote:

> >

> > Om Namah Shivaya!

> >

> > Everyone feels pain at one stage or the other. And the pain

> > gives us hint to where we have to grow and it urges us to wake

up.

> > You can surrender this pain to the Holy Mother (who is always

there

> > inside you) and She will guide you. At the sametime, you can feel

> > your pain to the full. Ask yourself what choice you like to make

at

> > this stage. You will get guidance from within. Without putting

> > pressure on you, you follow that guidance. You will find way.

Also

> > know that pain in life is temporary. Day follows night and spring

> > follows winter.

> >

> > The good thing you are able to do is you have expressed

you

> > are feeling pain and that also at the right place.

> >

> > I have got my own share of pain as became both a widower

and

> a

> > divorcee. But I am seeing the God's message in the turn of events.

> >

> > Our Holy Mother minimises the effects of Karma also. I may

> be

> > able to give more help if you can send me personal email.

> >

> > Cheers and Enjoy your life,

> >

> > Mahadevan Venkitaraman

> >

> >

> > , "quickfoxjumped"

> > <quickfoxjumped@> wrote:

> > >

> > > Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel

> better...Is

> > > this my Karma?

> > > Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to turn.

> > > Hari OM

> > >

> >

>

 

 

 

 

 

Never miss an email again!

Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. Check it out.

[Guest guest]

Namaste,

 

In the latter part of last year, a problem which afflicts this body

from time to time arose, the pain seemed much more intense than any

other time previous and went on for about 5 weeks before what can be

termed "ease" was felt. Some days I would be forced to lie in bed to

recite worship. I have followed this thread with much interest from

the start learning much from what has been posted - Chris, Vish,

Nirmal and many other dear sisters and brothers, even drafting

responses along the way which were not posted for one reason or the

other.

 

Yesterday, the post from Wendy (belated birthday greetings to you)

hit a personal chord as it seems to have explained something for me

which I way trying to fully understand since sometime during the last

pain experience.

 

During the time of the intense pain, it was a task to focus on

worship having to take strong medicines that daze the mind making the

body sleepy and lethargic, but having taken a sankalpa worship had to

be done. I kept praying and asking Mother to ease the pain enough

for me to do worship and be able to do simple tasks like raising the

body from the bed unassisted and then one morning, the mind zoomed

into a verse in the Siva samkalpa strotam which says "May our waking

consciousness replace pain with divinity...... filling our minds with

light." And though not having a full grasp of its meaning, I

started offering the pain and would try to visualize the spine (pain

area) being straight like that of Lord Shiva. The story offered by

Wendy has for me "exposed" the meaning of this verse and though the

story appears to speak of physical pain, it is relative to all areas

of pain. I do not want to be repetitive here but this is the area

which really grabs me –

 

"I am not asking You to get rid of it right away. Please just give me

strength and continue to give me this problem until I completely

purge out my karma. I know You are merciful. You want to bring out

the beauty, the pure part of me, so You are simply rubbing and

scrubbing me. It hurts sometimes, but I know that You would not

unnecessarily hurt me. If there were another more simple way, You

would certainly have done it that way. Probably my problem is too

tough. So go ahead; do what You must. All I request is that You give

me the strength and the understanding to accept it."

 

This is truly a golden gift and I pray that through Guru's grace

there would be enough clarity of our minds when in pain to remember

these words and know that Guru/Mother/Siva is with us every step of

the way in and out of pain and when we make one step towards Them, in

turn They make ten towards us.

 

Many, many thanks to you all.

 

 

Pranams

Jai Maa Jai Swamiji

 

Kalia

 

 

, Nirmalananda Saraswati

<nirmalananda1008 wrote:

>

> This is great. I want to thank "quickfoxjumped" for starting this

thread. There has been so much good discussion here on this topic.

His/Her question must have had a lot of juice behind it, hehe.

>

>

> way131 <wendy131 wrote:

Namaste --

>

> In honor of today being my birthday (yes, the 131 in my email

address

> is nothing more profound than my birth date!), I decided to post

my

> first email to the group -- I have been reading these posts since

the

> first week of January, after I visited the Devi Mandir with my

Gita

> class. It was an extraordinary visit for me and I am STILL walking

> around with the afterglow (which I no longer consider an afterglow

> but rather, who I am now!)

>

> Like most of us, I, too, have experienced a lot of suffering --

both

> physical and emotional -- and I have found that, true to the laws

of

> Yin/Yang, however deep I have gone into my suffering, I have

always

> been able to rise that high in my capacity to experience love. In

> fact, it is that very love which often pulls me out of the

suffering.

> Perhaps they serve as a balance of some sort, each one giving us

the

> strength to live life to the fullest.

>

> Today's passage in Swami Satchidananda's book "The Golden Present"

> had the following story, which sheds some more light on suffering:

>

> "When Tirunavukarasar, one of the well-known Saiva saints, was

> suffering from a stomachache, he said, "Lord, I know You gave me

this

> stomachache. I don't know what l did to deserve it. Certainly I

did

> something; but I don't remember what it is. Maybe it was even in a

> previous birth. But one thing I do know: You want me to trust You

> completely. Probably this is the only way You can make me do that.

> You are very kind to make me think of You. If You didn't love me,

why

> would You even bother to give me this problem? You wouldn't even

be

> thinking of me. The very fact that You thought of me makes me

happy;

> because this has made me remember to think of you. When I

experience

> pleasure, I may forget You; but when I experience pain, I can

never

> forget You.

>

> I am not asking You to get rid of it right away. Please just give

me

> strength and continue to give me this problem until I completely

> purge out my karma. I know You are merciful. You want to bring out

> the beauty, the pure part of me, so You are simply rubbing and

> scrubbing me. It hurts sometimes, but I know that You would not

> unnecessarily hurt me. If there were another more simple way, You

> would certainly have done it that way. Probably my problem is too

> tough. So go ahead; do what You must. All I request is that You

give

> me the strength and the understanding to accept it."

>

> Thank you all for your wonderful writing on this site. I am

enjoying

> it every day and look forward to remaining part of it.

>

> Jai Maa

>

> Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

> wendy

>

> , "c_morningsong" <shaktimaa@>

> wrote:

> >

> > Namaste'

> >

> > I am by no means an authority on this subject but would like to

> offer

> > my thoughts on the topic of suffering. Like so many of you I've

> also

> > thought about suffering, particularly in my role as an addiction

> > counselor. I see so many people doing the same behaviors over

and

> > over again, knowing they are suffereing, yet unable to break

those

> > old patterns. In thinking about the question of why we suffer

for

> > the past many years, I began with Buddha's first Noble Truth -

> > Suffering Exists. From that it doesn't even sound like

something

> to

> > question, it simply is, like oxygen, or carbon, or wind

currents.

> >

> > But living in bodies we experience this suffering first hand.

And

> > when we are in the middle of it we find it very difficult to

think

> of

> > anything but "how do I get out of this fiery hell". At that

moment

> > our suffering becomes a gift. At this point we may find that

there

> > is nothing left for us but to surrender, bring our forehead to

the

> > floor and ask Maa to take over.

> >

> > Our suffering exists because of our thoughts. We know that we

have

> a

> > choice regarding how we will respond to any given situation, and

> > given that choice we can chant the Chandi, and remind ourselves

> that

> > every time we remember our Divine Mother in times of distress

She

> > will appear for us without a doubt, and relieve us of our

suffering.

> >

> > So given all of this, I have come to believe that our suffering

is

> > Maa calling us to Wake Up! and to know that we are not alone and

> that

> > She is here with us in every moment. She is our choice to have

a

> > different experience. Suffering is a belief in separation, and

> > therefore has no truth. I know that all of this is easier said

> then

> > done, so we just keep practicing and looking to our gurus and

our

> > satsang to remind us of who we really are.

> >

> > Chandi Maa ki JAI

> >

> > OM Shanti

> > Morningsong

> >

> >

> > , "mahadevanv" <mahadevanv@>

> > wrote:

> > >

> > > Om Namah Shivaya!

> > >

> > > Everyone feels pain at one stage or the other. And the

pain

> > > gives us hint to where we have to grow and it urges us to wake

> up.

> > > You can surrender this pain to the Holy Mother (who is always

> there

> > > inside you) and She will guide you. At the sametime, you can

feel

> > > your pain to the full. Ask yourself what choice you like to

make

> at

> > > this stage. You will get guidance from within. Without putting

> > > pressure on you, you follow that guidance. You will find way.

> Also

> > > know that pain in life is temporary. Day follows night and

spring

> > > follows winter.

> > >

> > > The good thing you are able to do is you have expressed

> you

> > > are feeling pain and that also at the right place.

> > >

> > > I have got my own share of pain as became both a

widower

> and

> > a

> > > divorcee. But I am seeing the God's message in the turn of

events.

> > >

> > > Our Holy Mother minimises the effects of Karma also. I

may

> > be

> > > able to give more help if you can send me personal email.

> > >

> > > Cheers and Enjoy your life,

> > >

> > > Mahadevan Venkitaraman

> > >

> > >

> > > , "quickfoxjumped"

> > > <quickfoxjumped@> wrote:

> > > >

> > > > Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel

> > better...Is

> > > > this my Karma?

> > > > Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to

turn.

> > > > Hari OM

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Never miss an email again!

> Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. Check it

out.

>

[Guest guest]

Jai Maa! and Welcome Wendy!

 

Thanks so much for joining us and posting your thoughts. Your

quotation was a really beautiful story of how a pure soul surrenders

at the feet of his Lord. I wish I were so pure...

 

Happy birthday! May Divine Mother fill your heart with love every day

of the coming year.

 

Jai Maa!

Chris

 

 

, "way131" <wendy131 wrote:

>

> Namaste --

>

> In honor of today being my birthday (yes, the 131 in my email address

> is nothing more profound than my birth date!), I decided to post my

> first email to the group -- I have been reading these posts since the

> first week of January, after I visited the Devi Mandir with my Gita

> class. It was an extraordinary visit for me and I am STILL walking

> around with the afterglow (which I no longer consider an afterglow

> but rather, who I am now!)

>

> Like most of us, I, too, have experienced a lot of suffering -- both

> physical and emotional -- and I have found that, true to the laws of

> Yin/Yang, however deep I have gone into my suffering, I have always

> been able to rise that high in my capacity to experience love. In

> fact, it is that very love which often pulls me out of the suffering.

> Perhaps they serve as a balance of some sort, each one giving us the

> strength to live life to the fullest.

>

> Today's passage in Swami Satchidananda's book "The Golden Present"

> had the following story, which sheds some more light on suffering:

>

> "When Tirunavukarasar, one of the well-known Saiva saints, was

> suffering from a stomachache, he said, "Lord, I know You gave me this

> stomachache. I don't know what l did to deserve it. Certainly I did

> something; but I don't remember what it is. Maybe it was even in a

> previous birth. But one thing I do know: You want me to trust You

> completely. Probably this is the only way You can make me do that.

> You are very kind to make me think of You. If You didn't love me, why

> would You even bother to give me this problem? You wouldn't even be

> thinking of me. The very fact that You thought of me makes me happy;

> because this has made me remember to think of you. When I experience

> pleasure, I may forget You; but when I experience pain, I can never

> forget You.

>

> I am not asking You to get rid of it right away. Please just give me

> strength and continue to give me this problem until I completely

> purge out my karma. I know You are merciful. You want to bring out

> the beauty, the pure part of me, so You are simply rubbing and

> scrubbing me. It hurts sometimes, but I know that You would not

> unnecessarily hurt me. If there were another more simple way, You

> would certainly have done it that way. Probably my problem is too

> tough. So go ahead; do what You must. All I request is that You give

> me the strength and the understanding to accept it."

>

> Thank you all for your wonderful writing on this site. I am enjoying

> it every day and look forward to remaining part of it.

>

> Jai Maa

>

> Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

> wendy

>

>

> , "c_morningsong" <shaktimaa@>

> wrote:

> >

> > Namaste'

> >

> > I am by no means an authority on this subject but would like to

> offer

> > my thoughts on the topic of suffering. Like so many of you I've

> also

> > thought about suffering, particularly in my role as an addiction

> > counselor. I see so many people doing the same behaviors over and

> > over again, knowing they are suffereing, yet unable to break those

> > old patterns. In thinking about the question of why we suffer for

> > the past many years, I began with Buddha's first Noble Truth -

> > Suffering Exists. From that it doesn't even sound like something

> to

> > question, it simply is, like oxygen, or carbon, or wind currents.

> >

> > But living in bodies we experience this suffering first hand. And

> > when we are in the middle of it we find it very difficult to think

> of

> > anything but "how do I get out of this fiery hell". At that moment

> > our suffering becomes a gift. At this point we may find that there

> > is nothing left for us but to surrender, bring our forehead to the

> > floor and ask Maa to take over.

> >

> > Our suffering exists because of our thoughts. We know that we have

> a

> > choice regarding how we will respond to any given situation, and

> > given that choice we can chant the Chandi, and remind ourselves

> that

> > every time we remember our Divine Mother in times of distress She

> > will appear for us without a doubt, and relieve us of our suffering.

> >

> > So given all of this, I have come to believe that our suffering is

> > Maa calling us to Wake Up! and to know that we are not alone and

> that

> > She is here with us in every moment. She is our choice to have a

> > different experience. Suffering is a belief in separation, and

> > therefore has no truth. I know that all of this is easier said

> then

> > done, so we just keep practicing and looking to our gurus and our

> > satsang to remind us of who we really are.

> >

> > Chandi Maa ki JAI

> >

> > OM Shanti

> > Morningsong

> >

> >

> > , "mahadevanv" <mahadevanv@>

> > wrote:

> > >

> > > Om Namah Shivaya!

> > >

> > > Everyone feels pain at one stage or the other. And the pain

> > > gives us hint to where we have to grow and it urges us to wake

> up.

> > > You can surrender this pain to the Holy Mother (who is always

> there

> > > inside you) and She will guide you. At the sametime, you can feel

> > > your pain to the full. Ask yourself what choice you like to make

> at

> > > this stage. You will get guidance from within. Without putting

> > > pressure on you, you follow that guidance. You will find way.

> Also

> > > know that pain in life is temporary. Day follows night and spring

> > > follows winter.

> > >

> > > The good thing you are able to do is you have expressed

> you

> > > are feeling pain and that also at the right place.

> > >

> > > I have got my own share of pain as became both a widower

> and

> > a

> > > divorcee. But I am seeing the God's message in the turn of events.

> > >

> > > Our Holy Mother minimises the effects of Karma also. I may

> > be

> > > able to give more help if you can send me personal email.

> > >

> > > Cheers and Enjoy your life,

> > >

> > > Mahadevan Venkitaraman

> > >

> > >

> > > , "quickfoxjumped"

> > > <quickfoxjumped@> wrote:

> > > >

> > > > Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel

> > better...Is

> > > > this my Karma?

> > > > Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to turn.

> > > > Hari OM

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Jai Maa,

Namastes and brotherly greetings to one and all as we reseach the truer meaning of what we feelingly call as "our sufferings". In fact there is the older schoool of thought, we clarify the emotional search that Gautam the prince of yesteryears( circa 336 BC !!) felt when analyzing the effects of the predictions and the sad events that stood before his innocence.

We can become the immutable "jhatam" or like the stony faced statuettes and avoid the pangs of separation of this "self" from this body, which suffers often due to pain, sickness, deformity or this mind, which plays "games" while we suffer its menagerie of built up mayas.When we can see the effects of Shree Maa and Swamiji on our self-created paths of internal strifes, we can only take courage from the action of Arjun at the Kurushetra battlefields, as he is being commanded and encouraged by Krishna to go ahead and kill his own kith and kin. There are also the effects of built in karmas past and present the

sufferings may look more undefeatable. which also are based on the effects of our mayas, in our minds. Take the extra step to awaken the internal touch of Shree Maa, who is always

willing and supporting our quests. Jago Jago and Jagan Mata will create the Jagran within.

There is no shortcut but only continued sadhana, without looking into the results. This might help, but surely the efforts are truly perosnal and perseverance.

Good Luck on the sadhanas.

Namastes and Jai MAA

Babu krishnan

[Guest guest]

Jai Maa, Kalia.

 

This is very insightful. Thank you. It's easy enough for us to talk about suffering when we're not in the very thick of it. But during suffering, it's a real fire.

 

May Lord Shiva and Divine Mother bless you !

 

p.s. During all of this discussion, I'm wondering - what has become of Linda/Nierika? She was struggling with the body. May Lord Shiva and Maa bless her also.

 

kaliananda_saraswati <kaliananda_saraswati > wrote: Namaste,

 

In the latter part of last year, a problem which afflicts this body

from time to time arose, the pain seemed much more intense than any

other time previous and went on for about 5 weeks before what can be

termed "ease" was felt. Some days I would be forced to lie in bed to

recite worship. I have followed this thread with much interest from

the start learning much from what has been posted - Chris, Vish,

Nirmal and many other dear sisters and brothers, even drafting

responses along the way which were not posted for one reason or the

other.

 

Yesterday, the post from Wendy (belated birthday greetings to you)

hit a personal chord as it seems to have explained something for me

which I way trying to fully understand since sometime during the last

pain experience.

 

During the time of the intense pain, it was a task to focus on

worship having to take strong medicines that daze the mind making the

body sleepy and lethargic, but having taken a sankalpa worship had to

be done. I kept praying and asking Mother to ease the pain enough

for me to do worship and be able to do simple tasks like raising the

body from the bed unassisted and then one morning, the mind zoomed

into a verse in the Siva samkalpa strotam which says "May our waking

consciousness replace pain with divinity...... filling our minds with

light." And though not having a full grasp of its meaning, I

started offering the pain and would try to visualize the spine (pain

area) being straight like that of Lord Shiva. The story offered by

Wendy has for me "exposed" the meaning of this verse and though the

story appears to speak of physical pain, it is relative to all areas

of pain. I do not want to be repetitive here but this is the area

which really grabs me –

 

"I am not asking You to get rid of it right away. Please just give me

strength and continue to give me this problem until I completely

purge out my karma. I know You are merciful. You want to bring out

the beauty, the pure part of me, so You are simply rubbing and

scrubbing me. It hurts sometimes, but I know that You would not

unnecessarily hurt me. If there were another more simple way, You

would certainly have done it that way. Probably my problem is too

tough. So go ahead; do what You must. All I request is that You give

me the strength and the understanding to accept it."

 

This is truly a golden gift and I pray that through Guru's grace

there would be enough clarity of our minds when in pain to remember

these words and know that Guru/Mother/Siva is with us every step of

the way in and out of pain and when we make one step towards Them, in

turn They make ten towards us.

 

Many, many thanks to you all.

 

Pranams

Jai Maa Jai Swamiji

 

Kalia

 

, Nirmalananda Saraswati

<nirmalananda1008 wrote:

>

> This is great. I want to thank "quickfoxjumped" for starting this

thread. There has been so much good discussion here on this topic.

His/Her question must have had a lot of juice behind it, hehe.

>

>

> way131 <wendy131 wrote:

Namaste --

>

> In honor of today being my birthday (yes, the 131 in my email

address

> is nothing more profound than my birth date!), I decided to post

my

> first email to the group -- I have been reading these posts since

the

> first week of January, after I visited the Devi Mandir with my

Gita

> class. It was an extraordinary visit for me and I am STILL walking

> around with the afterglow (which I no longer consider an afterglow

> but rather, who I am now!)

>

> Like most of us, I, too, have experienced a lot of suffering --

both

> physical and emotional -- and I have found that, true to the laws

of

> Yin/Yang, however deep I have gone into my suffering, I have

always

> been able to rise that high in my capacity to experience love. In

> fact, it is that very love which often pulls me out of the

suffering.

> Perhaps they serve as a balance of some sort, each one giving us

the

> strength to live life to the fullest.

>

> Today's passage in Swami Satchidananda's book "The Golden Present"

> had the following story, which sheds some more light on suffering:

>

> "When Tirunavukarasar, one of the well-known Saiva saints, was

> suffering from a stomachache, he said, "Lord, I know You gave me

this

> stomachache. I don't know what l did to deserve it. Certainly I

did

> something; but I don't remember what it is. Maybe it was even in a

> previous birth. But one thing I do know: You want me to trust You

> completely. Probably this is the only way You can make me do that.

> You are very kind to make me think of You. If You didn't love me,

why

> would You even bother to give me this problem? You wouldn't even

be

> thinking of me. The very fact that You thought of me makes me

happy;

> because this has made me remember to think of you. When I

experience

> pleasure, I may forget You; but when I experience pain, I can

never

> forget You.

>

> I am not asking You to get rid of it right away. Please just give

me

> strength and continue to give me this problem until I completely

> purge out my karma. I know You are merciful. You want to bring out

> the beauty, the pure part of me, so You are simply rubbing and

> scrubbing me. It hurts sometimes, but I know that You would not

> unnecessarily hurt me. If there were another more simple way, You

> would certainly have done it that way. Probably my problem is too

> tough. So go ahead; do what You must. All I request is that You

give

> me the strength and the understanding to accept it."

>

> Thank you all for your wonderful writing on this site. I am

enjoying

> it every day and look forward to remaining part of it.

>

> Jai Maa

>

> Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

> wendy

>

> , "c_morningsong" <shaktimaa@>

> wrote:

> >

> > Namaste'

> >

> > I am by no means an authority on this subject but would like to

> offer

> > my thoughts on the topic of suffering. Like so many of you I've

> also

> > thought about suffering, particularly in my role as an addiction

> > counselor. I see so many people doing the same behaviors over

and

> > over again, knowing they are suffereing, yet unable to break

those

> > old patterns. In thinking about the question of why we suffer

for

> > the past many years, I began with Buddha's first Noble Truth -

> > Suffering Exists. From that it doesn't even sound like

something

> to

> > question, it simply is, like oxygen, or carbon, or wind

currents.

> >

> > But living in bodies we experience this suffering first hand.

And

> > when we are in the middle of it we find it very difficult to

think

> of

> > anything but "how do I get out of this fiery hell". At that

moment

> > our suffering becomes a gift. At this point we may find that

there

> > is nothing left for us but to surrender, bring our forehead to

the

> > floor and ask Maa to take over.

> >

> > Our suffering exists because of our thoughts. We know that we

have

> a

> > choice regarding how we will respond to any given situation, and

> > given that choice we can chant the Chandi, and remind ourselves

> that

> > every time we remember our Divine Mother in times of distress

She

> > will appear for us without a doubt, and relieve us of our

suffering.

> >

> > So given all of this, I have come to believe that our suffering

is

> > Maa calling us to Wake Up! and to know that we are not alone and

> that

> > She is here with us in every moment. She is our choice to have

a

> > different experience. Suffering is a belief in separation, and

> > therefore has no truth. I know that all of this is easier said

> then

> > done, so we just keep practicing and looking to our gurus and

our

> > satsang to remind us of who we really are.

> >

> > Chandi Maa ki JAI

> >

> > OM Shanti

> > Morningsong

> >

> >

> > , "mahadevanv" <mahadevanv@>

> > wrote:

> > >

> > > Om Namah Shivaya!

> > >

> > > Everyone feels pain at one stage or the other. And the

pain

> > > gives us hint to where we have to grow and it urges us to wake

> up.

> > > You can surrender this pain to the Holy Mother (who is always

> there

> > > inside you) and She will guide you. At the sametime, you can

feel

> > > your pain to the full. Ask yourself what choice you like to

make

> at

> > > this stage. You will get guidance from within. Without putting

> > > pressure on you, you follow that guidance. You will find way.

> Also

> > > know that pain in life is temporary. Day follows night and

spring

> > > follows winter.

> > >

> > > The good thing you are able to do is you have expressed

> you

> > > are feeling pain and that also at the right place.

> > >

> > > I have got my own share of pain as became both a

widower

> and

> > a

> > > divorcee. But I am seeing the God's message in the turn of

events.

> > >

> > > Our Holy Mother minimises the effects of Karma also. I

may

> > be

> > > able to give more help if you can send me personal email.

> > >

> > > Cheers and Enjoy your life,

> > >

> > > Mahadevan Venkitaraman

> > >

> > >

> > > , "quickfoxjumped"

> > > <quickfoxjumped@> wrote:

> > > >

> > > > Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel

> > better...Is

> > > > this my Karma?

> > > > Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to

turn.

> > > > Hari OM

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Never miss an email again!

> Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. Check it

out.

>

 

 

 

 

 

Get your own web address.

Have a HUGE year through Small Business.

[Guest guest]

Namaste Nirmalanda,

 

Thanks for your wonderful blessing.

 

I too was wondering about Linda but mails to her were returned to my

inbox so i am unsure what is happening i too wish her Mother's

blessing.

 

Jai Maa

 

, Nirmalananda Saraswati

<nirmalananda1008 wrote:

>

> Jai Maa, Kalia.

>

> This is very insightful. Thank you. It's easy enough for us to talk

about suffering when we're not in the very thick of it. But during

suffering, it's a real fire.

>

> May Lord Shiva and Divine Mother bless you !

>

> p.s. During all of this discussion, I'm wondering - what has become

of Linda/Nierika? She was struggling with the body. May Lord Shiva

and Maa bless her also.

>

> kaliananda_saraswati <kaliananda_saraswati

wrote: Namaste,

>

> In the latter part of last year, a problem which afflicts this

body

> from time to time arose, the pain seemed much more intense than

any

> other time previous and went on for about 5 weeks before what can

be

> termed "ease" was felt. Some days I would be forced to lie in bed

to

> recite worship. I have followed this thread with much interest

from

> the start learning much from what has been posted - Chris, Vish,

> Nirmal and many other dear sisters and brothers, even drafting

> responses along the way which were not posted for one reason or

the

> other.

>

> Yesterday, the post from Wendy (belated birthday greetings to you)

> hit a personal chord as it seems to have explained something for

me

> which I way trying to fully understand since sometime during the

last

> pain experience.

>

> During the time of the intense pain, it was a task to focus on

> worship having to take strong medicines that daze the mind making

the

> body sleepy and lethargic, but having taken a sankalpa worship had

to

> be done. I kept praying and asking Mother to ease the pain enough

> for me to do worship and be able to do simple tasks like raising

the

> body from the bed unassisted and then one morning, the mind zoomed

> into a verse in the Siva samkalpa strotam which says "May our

waking

> consciousness replace pain with divinity...... filling our minds

with

> light." And though not having a full grasp of its meaning, I

> started offering the pain and would try to visualize the spine

(pain

> area) being straight like that of Lord Shiva. The story offered by

> Wendy has for me "exposed" the meaning of this verse and though

the

> story appears to speak of physical pain, it is relative to all

areas

> of pain. I do not want to be repetitive here but this is the

area

> which really grabs me –

>

> "I am not asking You to get rid of it right away. Please just give

me

> strength and continue to give me this problem until I completely

> purge out my karma. I know You are merciful. You want to bring out

> the beauty, the pure part of me, so You are simply rubbing and

> scrubbing me. It hurts sometimes, but I know that You would not

> unnecessarily hurt me. If there were another more simple way, You

> would certainly have done it that way. Probably my problem is too

> tough. So go ahead; do what You must. All I request is that You

give

> me the strength and the understanding to accept it."

>

> This is truly a golden gift and I pray that through Guru's grace

> there would be enough clarity of our minds when in pain to

remember

> these words and know that Guru/Mother/Siva is with us every step

of

> the way in and out of pain and when we make one step towards Them,

in

> turn They make ten towards us.

>

> Many, many thanks to you all.

>

> Pranams

> Jai Maa Jai Swamiji

>

> Kalia

>

> , Nirmalananda Saraswati

> <nirmalananda1008@> wrote:

> >

> > This is great. I want to thank "quickfoxjumped" for starting

this

> thread. There has been so much good discussion here on this topic.

> His/Her question must have had a lot of juice behind it, hehe.

> >

> >

> > way131 <wendy131@> wrote:

> Namaste --

> >

> > In honor of today being my birthday (yes, the 131 in my email

> address

> > is nothing more profound than my birth date!), I decided to

post

> my

> > first email to the group -- I have been reading these posts

since

> the

> > first week of January, after I visited the Devi Mandir with my

> Gita

> > class. It was an extraordinary visit for me and I am STILL

walking

> > around with the afterglow (which I no longer consider an

afterglow

> > but rather, who I am now!)

> >

> > Like most of us, I, too, have experienced a lot of suffering --

> both

> > physical and emotional -- and I have found that, true to the

laws

> of

> > Yin/Yang, however deep I have gone into my suffering, I have

> always

> > been able to rise that high in my capacity to experience love.

In

> > fact, it is that very love which often pulls me out of the

> suffering.

> > Perhaps they serve as a balance of some sort, each one giving

us

> the

> > strength to live life to the fullest.

> >

> > Today's passage in Swami Satchidananda's book "The Golden

Present"

> > had the following story, which sheds some more light on

suffering:

> >

> > "When Tirunavukarasar, one of the well-known Saiva saints, was

> > suffering from a stomachache, he said, "Lord, I know You gave

me

> this

> > stomachache. I don't know what l did to deserve it. Certainly I

> did

> > something; but I don't remember what it is. Maybe it was even

in a

> > previous birth. But one thing I do know: You want me to trust

You

> > completely. Probably this is the only way You can make me do

that.

> > You are very kind to make me think of You. If You didn't love

me,

> why

> > would You even bother to give me this problem? You wouldn't

even

> be

> > thinking of me. The very fact that You thought of me makes me

> happy;

> > because this has made me remember to think of you. When I

> experience

> > pleasure, I may forget You; but when I experience pain, I can

> never

> > forget You.

> >

> > I am not asking You to get rid of it right away. Please just

give

> me

> > strength and continue to give me this problem until I

completely

> > purge out my karma. I know You are merciful. You want to bring

out

> > the beauty, the pure part of me, so You are simply rubbing and

> > scrubbing me. It hurts sometimes, but I know that You would not

> > unnecessarily hurt me. If there were another more simple way,

You

> > would certainly have done it that way. Probably my problem is

too

> > tough. So go ahead; do what You must. All I request is that You

> give

> > me the strength and the understanding to accept it."

> >

> > Thank you all for your wonderful writing on this site. I am

> enjoying

> > it every day and look forward to remaining part of it.

> >

> > Jai Maa

> >

> > Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

> > wendy

> >

> > , "c_morningsong"

<shaktimaa@>

> > wrote:

> > >

> > > Namaste'

> > >

> > > I am by no means an authority on this subject but would like

to

> > offer

> > > my thoughts on the topic of suffering. Like so many of you

I've

> > also

> > > thought about suffering, particularly in my role as an

addiction

> > > counselor. I see so many people doing the same behaviors

over

> and

> > > over again, knowing they are suffereing, yet unable to break

> those

> > > old patterns. In thinking about the question of why we

suffer

> for

> > > the past many years, I began with Buddha's first Noble Truth -

 

> > > Suffering Exists. From that it doesn't even sound like

> something

> > to

> > > question, it simply is, like oxygen, or carbon, or wind

> currents.

> > >

> > > But living in bodies we experience this suffering first

hand.

> And

> > > when we are in the middle of it we find it very difficult to

> think

> > of

> > > anything but "how do I get out of this fiery hell". At that

> moment

> > > our suffering becomes a gift. At this point we may find that

> there

> > > is nothing left for us but to surrender, bring our forehead

to

> the

> > > floor and ask Maa to take over.

> > >

> > > Our suffering exists because of our thoughts. We know that

we

> have

> > a

> > > choice regarding how we will respond to any given situation,

and

> > > given that choice we can chant the Chandi, and remind

ourselves

> > that

> > > every time we remember our Divine Mother in times of distress

> She

> > > will appear for us without a doubt, and relieve us of our

> suffering.

> > >

> > > So given all of this, I have come to believe that our

suffering

> is

> > > Maa calling us to Wake Up! and to know that we are not alone

and

> > that

> > > She is here with us in every moment. She is our choice to

have

> a

> > > different experience. Suffering is a belief in separation,

and

> > > therefore has no truth. I know that all of this is easier

said

> > then

> > > done, so we just keep practicing and looking to our gurus and

> our

> > > satsang to remind us of who we really are.

> > >

> > > Chandi Maa ki JAI

> > >

> > > OM Shanti

> > > Morningsong

> > >

> > >

> > > , "mahadevanv"

<mahadevanv@>

> > > wrote:

> > > >

> > > > Om Namah Shivaya!

> > > >

> > > > Everyone feels pain at one stage or the other. And

the

> pain

> > > > gives us hint to where we have to grow and it urges us to

wake

> > up.

> > > > You can surrender this pain to the Holy Mother (who is

always

> > there

> > > > inside you) and She will guide you. At the sametime, you

can

> feel

> > > > your pain to the full. Ask yourself what choice you like to

> make

> > at

> > > > this stage. You will get guidance from within. Without

putting

> > > > pressure on you, you follow that guidance. You will find

way.

> > Also

> > > > know that pain in life is temporary. Day follows night and

> spring

> > > > follows winter.

> > > >

> > > > The good thing you are able to do is you have

expressed

> > you

> > > > are feeling pain and that also at the right place.

> > > >

> > > > I have got my own share of pain as became both a

> widower

> > and

> > > a

> > > > divorcee. But I am seeing the God's message in the turn of

> events.

> > > >

> > > > Our Holy Mother minimises the effects of Karma also.

I

> may

> > > be

> > > > able to give more help if you can send me personal email.

> > > >

> > > > Cheers and Enjoy your life,

> > > >

> > > > Mahadevan Venkitaraman

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > , "quickfoxjumped"

> > > > <quickfoxjumped@> wrote:

> > > > >

> > > > > Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel

> > > better...Is

> > > > > this my Karma?

> > > > > Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to

> turn.

> > > > > Hari OM

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Never miss an email again!

> > Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. Check it

> out.

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Get your own web address.

> Have a HUGE year through Small Business.

>

[Guest guest]

Namaste Kalia:

 

I'll never forget the pain I experienced when I injured my leg, and I kept walking on it until I was completely crippled with arthritis. I literally was unable to walk.

 

I'm not sure what type of illness you have, but know that our hearts go out to you.

 

My doctor told me that as I age I will be sitting in a wheelchair, because of the severity of the arthritis. I am happy to tell you that I do not have symptoms anymore at all. I began with very simple yoga exercises, and I do recommend a very good yoga teacher when doing this. I very gradually began doing more and more complex yoga over time.

 

Be Well and Take Care,

 

Shankari Kali

 

kaliananda_saraswati <kaliananda_saraswati > wrote: Namaste,

 

In the latter part of last year, a problem which afflicts this body

from time to time arose, the pain seemed much more intense than any

other time previous and went on for about 5 weeks before what can be

termed "ease" was felt. Some days I would be forced to lie in bed to

recite worship. I have followed this thread with much interest from

the start learning much from what has been posted - Chris, Vish,

Nirmal and many other dear sisters and brothers, even drafting

responses along the way which were not posted for one reason or the

other.

 

Yesterday, the post from Wendy (belated birthday greetings to you)

hit a personal chord as it seems to have explained something for me

which I way trying to fully understand since sometime during the last

pain experience.

 

During the time of the intense pain, it was a task to focus on

worship having to take strong medicines that daze the mind making the

body sleepy and lethargic, but having taken a sankalpa worship had to

be done. I kept praying and asking Mother to ease the pain enough

for me to do worship and be able to do simple tasks like raising the

body from the bed unassisted and then one morning, the mind zoomed

into a verse in the Siva samkalpa strotam which says "May our waking

consciousness replace pain with divinity...... filling our minds with

light." And though not having a full grasp of its meaning, I

started offering the pain and would try to visualize the spine (pain

area) being straight like that of Lord Shiva. The story offered by

Wendy has for me "exposed" the meaning of this verse and though the

story appears to speak of physical pain, it is relative to all areas

of pain. I do not want to be repetitive here but this is the area

which really grabs me –

 

"I am not asking You to get rid of it right away. Please just give me

strength and continue to give me this problem until I completely

purge out my karma. I know You are merciful. You want to bring out

the beauty, the pure part of me, so You are simply rubbing and

scrubbing me. It hurts sometimes, but I know that You would not

unnecessarily hurt me. If there were another more simple way, You

would certainly have done it that way. Probably my problem is too

tough. So go ahead; do what You must. All I request is that You give

me the strength and the understanding to accept it."

 

This is truly a golden gift and I pray that through Guru's grace

there would be enough clarity of our minds when in pain to remember

these words and know that Guru/Mother/Siva is with us every step of

the way in and out of pain and when we make one step towards Them, in

turn They make ten towards us.

 

Many, many thanks to you all.

 

Pranams

Jai Maa Jai Swamiji

 

Kalia

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. Ask your question on Answers.

[Guest guest]

May God bless you, dear one...

 

Jai Maa!

Chris

 

 

 

, "kaliananda_saraswati"

<kaliananda_saraswati wrote:

>

> Namaste,

>

> In the latter part of last year, a problem which afflicts this body

> from time to time arose, the pain seemed much more intense than any

> other time previous and went on for about 5 weeks before what can be

> termed "ease" was felt. Some days I would be forced to lie in bed to

> recite worship. I have followed this thread with much interest from

> the start learning much from what has been posted - Chris, Vish,

> Nirmal and many other dear sisters and brothers, even drafting

> responses along the way which were not posted for one reason or the

> other.

>

> Yesterday, the post from Wendy (belated birthday greetings to you)

> hit a personal chord as it seems to have explained something for me

> which I way trying to fully understand since sometime during the last

> pain experience.

>

> During the time of the intense pain, it was a task to focus on

> worship having to take strong medicines that daze the mind making the

> body sleepy and lethargic, but having taken a sankalpa worship had to

> be done. I kept praying and asking Mother to ease the pain enough

> for me to do worship and be able to do simple tasks like raising the

> body from the bed unassisted and then one morning, the mind zoomed

> into a verse in the Siva samkalpa strotam which says "May our waking

> consciousness replace pain with divinity...... filling our minds with

> light." And though not having a full grasp of its meaning, I

> started offering the pain and would try to visualize the spine (pain

> area) being straight like that of Lord Shiva. The story offered by

> Wendy has for me "exposed" the meaning of this verse and though the

> story appears to speak of physical pain, it is relative to all areas

> of pain. I do not want to be repetitive here but this is the area

> which really grabs me –

>

> "I am not asking You to get rid of it right away. Please just give me

> strength and continue to give me this problem until I completely

> purge out my karma. I know You are merciful. You want to bring out

> the beauty, the pure part of me, so You are simply rubbing and

> scrubbing me. It hurts sometimes, but I know that You would not

> unnecessarily hurt me. If there were another more simple way, You

> would certainly have done it that way. Probably my problem is too

> tough. So go ahead; do what You must. All I request is that You give

> me the strength and the understanding to accept it."

>

> This is truly a golden gift and I pray that through Guru's grace

> there would be enough clarity of our minds when in pain to remember

> these words and know that Guru/Mother/Siva is with us every step of

> the way in and out of pain and when we make one step towards Them, in

> turn They make ten towards us.

>

> Many, many thanks to you all.

>

>

> Pranams

> Jai Maa Jai Swamiji

>

> Kalia

>

>

> , Nirmalananda Saraswati

> <nirmalananda1008@> wrote:

> >

> > This is great. I want to thank "quickfoxjumped" for starting this

> thread. There has been so much good discussion here on this topic.

> His/Her question must have had a lot of juice behind it, hehe.

> >

> >

> > way131 <wendy131@> wrote:

> Namaste --

> >

> > In honor of today being my birthday (yes, the 131 in my email

> address

> > is nothing more profound than my birth date!), I decided to post

> my

> > first email to the group -- I have been reading these posts since

> the

> > first week of January, after I visited the Devi Mandir with my

> Gita

> > class. It was an extraordinary visit for me and I am STILL walking

> > around with the afterglow (which I no longer consider an afterglow

> > but rather, who I am now!)

> >

> > Like most of us, I, too, have experienced a lot of suffering --

> both

> > physical and emotional -- and I have found that, true to the laws

> of

> > Yin/Yang, however deep I have gone into my suffering, I have

> always

> > been able to rise that high in my capacity to experience love. In

> > fact, it is that very love which often pulls me out of the

> suffering.

> > Perhaps they serve as a balance of some sort, each one giving us

> the

> > strength to live life to the fullest.

> >

> > Today's passage in Swami Satchidananda's book "The Golden Present"

> > had the following story, which sheds some more light on suffering:

> >

> > "When Tirunavukarasar, one of the well-known Saiva saints, was

> > suffering from a stomachache, he said, "Lord, I know You gave me

> this

> > stomachache. I don't know what l did to deserve it. Certainly I

> did

> > something; but I don't remember what it is. Maybe it was even in a

> > previous birth. But one thing I do know: You want me to trust You

> > completely. Probably this is the only way You can make me do that.

> > You are very kind to make me think of You. If You didn't love me,

> why

> > would You even bother to give me this problem? You wouldn't even

> be

> > thinking of me. The very fact that You thought of me makes me

> happy;

> > because this has made me remember to think of you. When I

> experience

> > pleasure, I may forget You; but when I experience pain, I can

> never

> > forget You.

> >

> > I am not asking You to get rid of it right away. Please just give

> me

> > strength and continue to give me this problem until I completely

> > purge out my karma. I know You are merciful. You want to bring out

> > the beauty, the pure part of me, so You are simply rubbing and

> > scrubbing me. It hurts sometimes, but I know that You would not

> > unnecessarily hurt me. If there were another more simple way, You

> > would certainly have done it that way. Probably my problem is too

> > tough. So go ahead; do what You must. All I request is that You

> give

> > me the strength and the understanding to accept it."

> >

> > Thank you all for your wonderful writing on this site. I am

> enjoying

> > it every day and look forward to remaining part of it.

> >

> > Jai Maa

> >

> > Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

> > wendy

> >

> > , "c_morningsong" <shaktimaa@>

> > wrote:

> > >

> > > Namaste'

> > >

> > > I am by no means an authority on this subject but would like to

> > offer

> > > my thoughts on the topic of suffering. Like so many of you I've

> > also

> > > thought about suffering, particularly in my role as an addiction

> > > counselor. I see so many people doing the same behaviors over

> and

> > > over again, knowing they are suffereing, yet unable to break

> those

> > > old patterns. In thinking about the question of why we suffer

> for

> > > the past many years, I began with Buddha's first Noble Truth -

> > > Suffering Exists. From that it doesn't even sound like

> something

> > to

> > > question, it simply is, like oxygen, or carbon, or wind

> currents.

> > >

> > > But living in bodies we experience this suffering first hand.

> And

> > > when we are in the middle of it we find it very difficult to

> think

> > of

> > > anything but "how do I get out of this fiery hell". At that

> moment

> > > our suffering becomes a gift. At this point we may find that

> there

> > > is nothing left for us but to surrender, bring our forehead to

> the

> > > floor and ask Maa to take over.

> > >

> > > Our suffering exists because of our thoughts. We know that we

> have

> > a

> > > choice regarding how we will respond to any given situation, and

> > > given that choice we can chant the Chandi, and remind ourselves

> > that

> > > every time we remember our Divine Mother in times of distress

> She

> > > will appear for us without a doubt, and relieve us of our

> suffering.

> > >

> > > So given all of this, I have come to believe that our suffering

> is

> > > Maa calling us to Wake Up! and to know that we are not alone and

> > that

> > > She is here with us in every moment. She is our choice to have

> a

> > > different experience. Suffering is a belief in separation, and

> > > therefore has no truth. I know that all of this is easier said

> > then

> > > done, so we just keep practicing and looking to our gurus and

> our

> > > satsang to remind us of who we really are.

> > >

> > > Chandi Maa ki JAI

> > >

> > > OM Shanti

> > > Morningsong

> > >

> > >

> > > , "mahadevanv" <mahadevanv@>

> > > wrote:

> > > >

> > > > Om Namah Shivaya!

> > > >

> > > > Everyone feels pain at one stage or the other. And the

> pain

> > > > gives us hint to where we have to grow and it urges us to wake

> > up.

> > > > You can surrender this pain to the Holy Mother (who is always

> > there

> > > > inside you) and She will guide you. At the sametime, you can

> feel

> > > > your pain to the full. Ask yourself what choice you like to

> make

> > at

> > > > this stage. You will get guidance from within. Without putting

> > > > pressure on you, you follow that guidance. You will find way.

> > Also

> > > > know that pain in life is temporary. Day follows night and

> spring

> > > > follows winter.

> > > >

> > > > The good thing you are able to do is you have expressed

> > you

> > > > are feeling pain and that also at the right place.

> > > >

> > > > I have got my own share of pain as became both a

> widower

> > and

> > > a

> > > > divorcee. But I am seeing the God's message in the turn of

> events.

> > > >

> > > > Our Holy Mother minimises the effects of Karma also. I

> may

> > > be

> > > > able to give more help if you can send me personal email.

> > > >

> > > > Cheers and Enjoy your life,

> > > >

> > > > Mahadevan Venkitaraman

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > , "quickfoxjumped"

> > > > <quickfoxjumped@> wrote:

> > > > >

> > > > > Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel

> > > better...Is

> > > > > this my Karma?

> > > > > Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to

> turn.

> > > > > Hari OM

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Never miss an email again!

> > Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. Check it

> out.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, Mother and Swamiji offer a lot of help in trying times. They are

also excellent examples of how beings fully identified with their

divinity deal with their own pain and weakness. As Ramya (I think..)

said recently, Maa says, "I am not this five element body." She is

able to know herself as different than the body and therefore

experiences herself as separate from it, and its pain. The same is

true for Swamiji as he demonstrates in his various tapasyas, where he

deprives himself of food and water, movement, speech, and enjoyments

for various periods of time.

 

For most of us pain is a real obstacle to sadhana. It is difficult

even to think of God when you are in pain. My wife lives with almost

constant pain and/or fatigue. She has a tiny spark of desire for God,

but, I think because of the pain, cannot fan it to flame. It is hard

to focus on anything when the body fills the mind with its demands.

 

To be realized is to be unbound by the pains of physicality. It is

certainly something to look forward to, and to strive for, but for

most of us, all we can do is surrender our pain at the feet of our

Lord, as that wonderful sadhu did in the story Wendy shared, with full

faith. Such surrender requires not only great faith, but a strong

will. One must NEED God, to be able to let it all go to Her, and to be

able to accept her grace.

 

I thank God I do not have to endure it.

 

Jai Maa!

Chris

 

 

, narayanan krishnan <babuk1008

wrote:

>

> Jai Maa,

> Namastes and brotherly greetings to one and all as we reseach the

truer meaning of what we feelingly call as "our sufferings". In fact

there is the older schoool of thought, we clarify the emotional search

that Gautam the prince of yesteryears( circa 336 BC !!) felt when

analyzing the effects of the predictions and the sad events that stood

before his innocence.

> We can become the immutable "jhatam" or like the stony faced

statuettes and avoid the pangs of separation of this "self" from this

body, which suffers often due to pain, sickness, deformity or this

mind, which plays "games" while we suffer its menagerie of built up

mayas.When we can see the effects of Shree Maa and Swamiji on our

self-created paths of internal strifes, we can only take courage from

the action of Arjun at the Kurushetra battlefields, as he is being

commanded and encouraged by Krishna to go ahead and kill his own kith

and kin. There are also the effects of built in karmas past and

present the

> sufferings may look more undefeatable. which also are based on the

effects of our mayas, in our minds. Take the extra step to awaken the

internal touch of Shree Maa, who is always

> willing and supporting our quests. Jago Jago and Jagan Mata will

create the Jagran within.

>

> There is no shortcut but only continued sadhana, without looking

into the results. This might help, but surely the efforts are truly

perosnal and perseverance.

> Good Luck on the sadhanas.

>

> Namastes and Jai MAA

>

> Babu krishnan

>

[Guest guest]

Linda has been on my heart lately, as well. I would ask everyone to

ask God's blessing for her and say a few mahamrityunjayas for her.

 

Jai Maa!

Chris

 

 

, Nirmalananda Saraswati

<nirmalananda1008 wrote:

>

> Jai Maa, Kalia.

>

> This is very insightful. Thank you. It's easy enough for us to talk

about suffering when we're not in the very thick of it. But during

suffering, it's a real fire.

>

> May Lord Shiva and Divine Mother bless you !

>

> p.s. During all of this discussion, I'm wondering - what has become

of Linda/Nierika? She was struggling with the body. May Lord Shiva and

Maa bless her also.

>

> kaliananda_saraswati <kaliananda_saraswati wrote:

Namaste,

>

> In the latter part of last year, a problem which afflicts this body

> from time to time arose, the pain seemed much more intense than any

> other time previous and went on for about 5 weeks before what can be

> termed "ease" was felt. Some days I would be forced to lie in bed to

> recite worship. I have followed this thread with much interest from

> the start learning much from what has been posted - Chris, Vish,

> Nirmal and many other dear sisters and brothers, even drafting

> responses along the way which were not posted for one reason or the

> other.

>

> Yesterday, the post from Wendy (belated birthday greetings to you)

> hit a personal chord as it seems to have explained something for me

> which I way trying to fully understand since sometime during the last

> pain experience.

>

> During the time of the intense pain, it was a task to focus on

> worship having to take strong medicines that daze the mind making the

> body sleepy and lethargic, but having taken a sankalpa worship had to

> be done. I kept praying and asking Mother to ease the pain enough

> for me to do worship and be able to do simple tasks like raising the

> body from the bed unassisted and then one morning, the mind zoomed

> into a verse in the Siva samkalpa strotam which says "May our waking

> consciousness replace pain with divinity...... filling our minds with

> light." And though not having a full grasp of its meaning, I

> started offering the pain and would try to visualize the spine (pain

> area) being straight like that of Lord Shiva. The story offered by

> Wendy has for me "exposed" the meaning of this verse and though the

> story appears to speak of physical pain, it is relative to all areas

> of pain. I do not want to be repetitive here but this is the area

> which really grabs me –

>

> "I am not asking You to get rid of it right away. Please just give me

> strength and continue to give me this problem until I completely

> purge out my karma. I know You are merciful. You want to bring out

> the beauty, the pure part of me, so You are simply rubbing and

> scrubbing me. It hurts sometimes, but I know that You would not

> unnecessarily hurt me. If there were another more simple way, You

> would certainly have done it that way. Probably my problem is too

> tough. So go ahead; do what You must. All I request is that You give

> me the strength and the understanding to accept it."

>

> This is truly a golden gift and I pray that through Guru's grace

> there would be enough clarity of our minds when in pain to remember

> these words and know that Guru/Mother/Siva is with us every step of

> the way in and out of pain and when we make one step towards Them, in

> turn They make ten towards us.

>

> Many, many thanks to you all.

>

> Pranams

> Jai Maa Jai Swamiji

>

> Kalia

>

> , Nirmalananda Saraswati

> <nirmalananda1008@> wrote:

> >

> > This is great. I want to thank "quickfoxjumped" for starting this

> thread. There has been so much good discussion here on this topic.

> His/Her question must have had a lot of juice behind it, hehe.

> >

> >

> > way131 <wendy131@> wrote:

> Namaste --

> >

> > In honor of today being my birthday (yes, the 131 in my email

> address

> > is nothing more profound than my birth date!), I decided to post

> my

> > first email to the group -- I have been reading these posts since

> the

> > first week of January, after I visited the Devi Mandir with my

> Gita

> > class. It was an extraordinary visit for me and I am STILL walking

> > around with the afterglow (which I no longer consider an afterglow

> > but rather, who I am now!)

> >

> > Like most of us, I, too, have experienced a lot of suffering --

> both

> > physical and emotional -- and I have found that, true to the laws

> of

> > Yin/Yang, however deep I have gone into my suffering, I have

> always

> > been able to rise that high in my capacity to experience love. In

> > fact, it is that very love which often pulls me out of the

> suffering.

> > Perhaps they serve as a balance of some sort, each one giving us

> the

> > strength to live life to the fullest.

> >

> > Today's passage in Swami Satchidananda's book "The Golden Present"

> > had the following story, which sheds some more light on suffering:

> >

> > "When Tirunavukarasar, one of the well-known Saiva saints, was

> > suffering from a stomachache, he said, "Lord, I know You gave me

> this

> > stomachache. I don't know what l did to deserve it. Certainly I

> did

> > something; but I don't remember what it is. Maybe it was even in a

> > previous birth. But one thing I do know: You want me to trust You

> > completely. Probably this is the only way You can make me do that.

> > You are very kind to make me think of You. If You didn't love me,

> why

> > would You even bother to give me this problem? You wouldn't even

> be

> > thinking of me. The very fact that You thought of me makes me

> happy;

> > because this has made me remember to think of you. When I

> experience

> > pleasure, I may forget You; but when I experience pain, I can

> never

> > forget You.

> >

> > I am not asking You to get rid of it right away. Please just give

> me

> > strength and continue to give me this problem until I completely

> > purge out my karma. I know You are merciful. You want to bring out

> > the beauty, the pure part of me, so You are simply rubbing and

> > scrubbing me. It hurts sometimes, but I know that You would not

> > unnecessarily hurt me. If there were another more simple way, You

> > would certainly have done it that way. Probably my problem is too

> > tough. So go ahead; do what You must. All I request is that You

> give

> > me the strength and the understanding to accept it."

> >

> > Thank you all for your wonderful writing on this site. I am

> enjoying

> > it every day and look forward to remaining part of it.

> >

> > Jai Maa

> >

> > Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

> > wendy

> >

> > , "c_morningsong" <shaktimaa@>

> > wrote:

> > >

> > > Namaste'

> > >

> > > I am by no means an authority on this subject but would like to

> > offer

> > > my thoughts on the topic of suffering. Like so many of you I've

> > also

> > > thought about suffering, particularly in my role as an addiction

> > > counselor. I see so many people doing the same behaviors over

> and

> > > over again, knowing they are suffereing, yet unable to break

> those

> > > old patterns. In thinking about the question of why we suffer

> for

> > > the past many years, I began with Buddha's first Noble Truth -

> > > Suffering Exists. From that it doesn't even sound like

> something

> > to

> > > question, it simply is, like oxygen, or carbon, or wind

> currents.

> > >

> > > But living in bodies we experience this suffering first hand.

> And

> > > when we are in the middle of it we find it very difficult to

> think

> > of

> > > anything but "how do I get out of this fiery hell". At that

> moment

> > > our suffering becomes a gift. At this point we may find that

> there

> > > is nothing left for us but to surrender, bring our forehead to

> the

> > > floor and ask Maa to take over.

> > >

> > > Our suffering exists because of our thoughts. We know that we

> have

> > a

> > > choice regarding how we will respond to any given situation, and

> > > given that choice we can chant the Chandi, and remind ourselves

> > that

> > > every time we remember our Divine Mother in times of distress

> She

> > > will appear for us without a doubt, and relieve us of our

> suffering.

> > >

> > > So given all of this, I have come to believe that our suffering

> is

> > > Maa calling us to Wake Up! and to know that we are not alone and

> > that

> > > She is here with us in every moment. She is our choice to have

> a

> > > different experience. Suffering is a belief in separation, and

> > > therefore has no truth. I know that all of this is easier said

> > then

> > > done, so we just keep practicing and looking to our gurus and

> our

> > > satsang to remind us of who we really are.

> > >

> > > Chandi Maa ki JAI

> > >

> > > OM Shanti

> > > Morningsong

> > >

> > >

> > > , "mahadevanv" <mahadevanv@>

> > > wrote:

> > > >

> > > > Om Namah Shivaya!

> > > >

> > > > Everyone feels pain at one stage or the other. And the

> pain

> > > > gives us hint to where we have to grow and it urges us to wake

> > up.

> > > > You can surrender this pain to the Holy Mother (who is always

> > there

> > > > inside you) and She will guide you. At the sametime, you can

> feel

> > > > your pain to the full. Ask yourself what choice you like to

> make

> > at

> > > > this stage. You will get guidance from within. Without putting

> > > > pressure on you, you follow that guidance. You will find way.

> > Also

> > > > know that pain in life is temporary. Day follows night and

> spring

> > > > follows winter.

> > > >

> > > > The good thing you are able to do is you have expressed

> > you

> > > > are feeling pain and that also at the right place.

> > > >

> > > > I have got my own share of pain as became both a

> widower

> > and

> > > a

> > > > divorcee. But I am seeing the God's message in the turn of

> events.

> > > >

> > > > Our Holy Mother minimises the effects of Karma also. I

> may

> > > be

> > > > able to give more help if you can send me personal email.

> > > >

> > > > Cheers and Enjoy your life,

> > > >

> > > > Mahadevan Venkitaraman

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > , "quickfoxjumped"

> > > > <quickfoxjumped@> wrote:

> > > > >

> > > > > Why am I suffering so much in this life? How can I feel

> > > better...Is

> > > > > this my Karma?

> > > > > Sorry to be a bother anybody. But, I do not know where to

> turn.

> > > > > Hari OM

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Never miss an email again!

> > Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. Check it

> out.

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Get your own web address.

> Have a HUGE year through Small Business.

>