Guest guest Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Dear Narasimhaji, What does self identification with a deity means? When somebody says me to self identify with Shiva what exactly I have to do ? Thank you, Manish Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Go to http://messenger./invite/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Dear Manish, > What does self identification with a deity means? Who are *you*? Are you really this body? One normally identifies with a body, a name and a limited identity that goes with that body. This identification is very very strong. You are actually Brahman, the all-pervading, all-knowing and all-being essence of the universe. The same essence manifests as various beings, including various deities and various people, including your own body. And *you* really are that essence and not the body. Still you identify only with the body. It is possible to destroy this self identification with the body and identify with another object such as a deity. When you identify with a deity, your consciousness is in communion with that of the deity. Your will, thoughts and actions are those of the deity. * * * > When somebody says me to self identify with Shiva what exactly I have to > do ? First I can tell you what exactly you have to avoid: Do NOT tell yourself that you will now identify with Shiva, because Shiva is great and you want to be great. In other words, this is not for ego satisfaction. In fact, until ego completely goes, it is not even possible. Before you can self-identify with any deity, first your false self-identification with body has to cease. You should absolutely not think of your body as " I " . Your will, thoughts and actions should be those of Shiva. Will Shiva think of a specific physical body as " I " ? No. If a specific physical body has good or bad things happening to it, will Shiva feel pleasure or pain? No. If people are praising a specific person, will Shiva feel proud? No. If people are attacking and criticizing a specific person, will Shiva feel angry? No. The first step is to overcome attachment to the body, name etc. Reach a state where you are not very sensitive to pleasure and pain to the body and praise and criticism of your thoughts and actions by other people. Reach a state where equanimity of mind can be maintained in all circumstances. WHEN you reach that state, meditate with a mantra of Shiva while thinking of Shiva. * * * Ramakrishna Paramahamsa could self-identify with not only deities, but pretty much any object of the universe. Once he went into deep meditation while admiring the beauty of grass in the lawn with dew on it. As he was absorbed in deep meditation, a bird came and walked on the grass. His sishyas observed that some bruises appeared on his body suddenly then! Best regards, Narasimha Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpana Spirituality: Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.net Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.org Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org - " manish gour " <manishgo_in Thursday, March 05, 2009 8:14 PM Self Identification > Dear Narasimhaji, > > What does self identification with a deity means? > > When somebody says me to self identify with Shiva what exactly I have to > do ? > > Thank you, > Manish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 namaste,"Reach a state where you are not very sensitive to pleasure and pain to the body and praise and criticism of your thoughts and actions by other people. Reach a state where equanimity of mind can be maintained in all circumstances."we have read / heard this so many times but we forget it. let this thought should always be with us..--- On Fri, 6/3/09, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr wrote:Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr Re: Self Identification Date: Friday, 6 March, 2009, 8:43 AM Dear Manish, > What does self identification with a deity means? Who are *you*? Are you really this body? One normally identifies with a body, a name and a limited identity that goes with that body. This identification is very very strong. You are actually Brahman, the all-pervading, all-knowing and all-being essence of the universe. The same essence manifests as various beings, including various deities and various people, including your own body. And *you* really are that essence and not the body. Still you identify only with the body. It is possible to destroy this self identification with the body and identify with another object such as a deity. When you identify with a deity, your consciousness is in communion with that of the deity. Your will, thoughts and actions are those of the deity. * * * > When somebody says me to self identify with Shiva what exactly I have to > do ? First I can tell you what exactly you have to avoid: Do NOT tell yourself that you will now identify with Shiva, because Shiva is great and you want to be great. In other words, this is not for ego satisfaction. In fact, until ego completely goes, it is not even possible. Before you can self-identify with any deity, first your false self-identification with body has to cease. You should absolutely not think of your body as "I". Your will, thoughts and actions should be those of Shiva. Will Shiva think of a specific physical body as "I"? No. If a specific physical body has good or bad things happening to it, will Shiva feel pleasure or pain? No. If people are praising a specific person, will Shiva feel proud? No. If people are attacking and criticizing a specific person, will Shiva feel angry? No. The first step is to overcome attachment to the body, name etc. Reach a state where you are not very sensitive to pleasure and pain to the body and praise and criticism of your thoughts and actions by other people. Reach a state where equanimity of mind can be maintained in all circumstances. WHEN you reach that state, meditate with a mantra of Shiva while thinking of Shiva. * * * Ramakrishna Paramahamsa could self-identify with not only deities, but pretty much any object of the universe. Once he went into deep meditation while admiring the beauty of grass in the lawn with dew on it. As he was absorbed in deep meditation, a bird came and walked on the grass. His sishyas observed that some bruises appeared on his body suddenly then! Best regards, Narasimha ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - - "manish gour" <manishgo_in@ > <> Thursday, March 05, 2009 8:14 PM Self Identification > Dear Narasimhaji, > > What does self identification with a deity means? > > When somebody says me to self identify with Shiva what exactly I have to > do ? > > Thank you, > Manish Connect with friends all over the world. Get India Messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Dear Narasimhaji,Thank you for your reply.I "think" I can intellectually understand what you have written but somehow I do not get that feeling or in other words I cannot experience that state. I can although feel some of the symptoms that you have mentioned. And as per your writings I understand that this has to be permanent state.Can we have self identification with a deity for some time say some minutes or fraction of seconds since Vimalananda in his book Aghora mentions that when you do this(some action) then self identify with Shiva.Also I can understand that everything is Brahman but still "I" like to think of various deities like Shiva, Ganesha , Devi ma , Vishu ji etc while eating or before sleeping. Is this ok ? If not Ok then how can I get rid of such thinking ? Thank you,Manish--- On Fri, 6/3/09, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr wrote:Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr Re: Self Identification Date: Friday, 6 March, 2009, 3:13 AM Dear Manish, > What does self identification with a deity means? Who are *you*? Are you really this body? One normally identifies with a body, a name and a limited identity that goes with that body. This identification is very very strong.. You are actually Brahman, the all-pervading, all-knowing and all-being essence of the universe. The same essence manifests as various beings, including various deities and various people, including your own body. And *you* really are that essence and not the body. Still you identify only with the body. It is possible to destroy this self identification with the body and identify with another object such as a deity. When you identify with a deity, your consciousness is in communion with that of the deity. Your will, thoughts and actions are those of the deity. * * * > When somebody says me to self identify with Shiva what exactly I have to > do ? First I can tell you what exactly you have to avoid: Do NOT tell yourself that you will now identify with Shiva, because Shiva is great and you want to be great. In other words, this is not for ego satisfaction. In fact, until ego completely goes, it is not even possible. Before you can self-identify with any deity, first your false self-identification with body has to cease. You should absolutely not think of your body as "I".. Your will, thoughts and actions should be those of Shiva. Will Shiva think of a specific physical body as "I"? No. If a specific physical body has good or bad things happening to it, will Shiva feel pleasure or pain? No. If people are praising a specific person, will Shiva feel proud? No. If people are attacking and criticizing a specific person, will Shiva feel angry? No. The first step is to overcome attachment to the body, name etc. Reach a state where you are not very sensitive to pleasure and pain to the body and praise and criticism of your thoughts and actions by other people. Reach a state where equanimity of mind can be maintained in all circumstances. WHEN you reach that state, meditate with a mantra of Shiva while thinking of Shiva. * * * Ramakrishna Paramahamsa could self-identify with not only deities, but pretty much any object of the universe. Once he went into deep meditation while admiring the beauty of grass in the lawn with dew on it. As he was absorbed in deep meditation, a bird came and walked on the grass. His sishyas observed that some bruises appeared on his body suddenly then! Best regards, Narasimha ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - - "manish gour" <manishgo_in@ > <@ .. com> Thursday, March 05, 2009 8:14 PM Self Identification > Dear Narasimhaji, > > What does self identification with a deity means? > > When somebody says me to self identify with Shiva what exactly I have to > do ? > > Thank you, > Manish Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Invite them now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Namaste, If that can be experienced very easily, everyone in the world would be liberated. Yes, it is made a little difficult by design. Yes, it has to be a permanent state. However, if you can feel that way sometimes, it is a good start. Suddenly, you may fail in one situation and your equanimity may be broken. As you practice and improve self-control, the failure becomes less frequent. Eventually, you may reach a stage where you can maintain such a state of equanimity for very long periods of times. Finally, it can be permanent. Self-identification with a deity for even a second is not possible without the self-control over long periods of time. Only after one has been in a state of equanimity for a long time does one become worthy of being possessed by divine energy. As Vimalananda says, you can try to identify with Shiva. But, successful identification occurs only after ego has been demolished fully. Of course, it is ok. Thinking of divine manifestations of Brahman such as Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, Devi Ma etc is much much better than thinking of yourself or about your pleasures and your needs. Don't worry about it. For most people in this age, path to realizing Self as Brahman is thorugh a deity such as Vishnu and Shiva. Best regards,NarasimhaDo a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpanaSpirituality: Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org - manish gour Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:34 PM Re: Re: Self Identification Dear Narasimhaji,Thank you for your reply.I "think" I can intellectually understand what you have written but somehow I do not get that feeling or in other words I cannot experience that state. I can although feel some of the symptoms that you have mentioned. And as per your writings I understand that this has to be permanent state.Can we have self identification with a deity for some time say some minutes or fraction of seconds since Vimalananda in his book Aghora mentions that when you do this(some action) then self identify with Shiva.Also I can understand that everything is Brahman but still "I" like to think of various deities like Shiva, Ganesha , Devi ma , Vishu ji etc while eating or before sleeping. Is this ok ? If not Ok then how can I get rid of such thinking ? Thank you,Manish--- On Fri, 6/3/09, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr wrote: Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr Re: Self Identification Date: Friday, 6 March, 2009, 3:13 AM Dear Manish,> What does self identification with a deity means?Who are *you*? Are you really this body?One normally identifies with a body, a name and a limited identity that goes with that body. This identification is very very strong..You are actually Brahman, the all-pervading, all-knowing and all-being essence of the universe. The same essence manifests as various beings, including various deities and various people, including your own body. And *you* really are that essence and not the body. Still you identify only with the body.It is possible to destroy this self identification with the body and identify with another object such as a deity. When you identify with a deity, your consciousness is in communion with that of the deity. Your will, thoughts and actions are those of the deity.* * *> When somebody says me to self identify with Shiva what exactly I have to > do ?First I can tell you what exactly you have to avoid: Do NOT tell yourself that you will now identify with Shiva, because Shiva is great and you want to be great. In other words, this is not for ego satisfaction. In fact, until ego completely goes, it is not even possible.Before you can self-identify with any deity, first your false self-identification with body has to cease. You should absolutely not think of your body as "I"..Your will, thoughts and actions should be those of Shiva.Will Shiva think of a specific physical body as "I"? No. If a specific physical body has good or bad things happening to it, will Shiva feel pleasure or pain? No. If people are praising a specific person, will Shiva feel proud? No. If people are attacking and criticizing a specific person, will Shiva feel angry? No.The first step is to overcome attachment to the body, name etc. Reach a state where you are not very sensitive to pleasure and pain to the body and praise and criticism of your thoughts and actions by other people. Reach a state where equanimity of mind can be maintained in all circumstances.WHEN you reach that state, meditate with a mantra of Shiva while thinking of Shiva.* * *Ramakrishna Paramahamsa could self-identify with not only deities, but pretty much any object of the universe. Once he went into deep meditation while admiring the beauty of grass in the lawn with dew on it. As he was absorbed in deep meditation, a bird came and walked on the grass. His sishyas observed that some bruises appeared on his body suddenly then!Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - - "manish gour" <manishgo_in@ ><@ .. com>Thursday, March 05, 2009 8:14 PM Self Identification> Dear Narasimhaji,>> What does self identification with a deity means?>> When somebody says me to self identify with Shiva what exactly I have to > do ?>> Thank you,> Manish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Dear Kishore, Until you reach that state, you meditate with a mantra or do homas or do hatha yoga or do whatever you want to do. But, when you reach that state, you can meditate on Shiva to identify with Shiva. The question was how to identify with Shiva. So I said first reach a state of equanimity and then meditate on Shiva. Like a very light leaf can fly in the direction of the wind and go anywhere, consciousness of a person whose ego has been burnt fully can identify with deities. Best regards,NarasimhaDo a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpanaSpirituality: Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org - Kishore Chitrapu Narasimha P.V.R. Rao Friday, March 06, 2009 11:34 AM Re: Self Identification "The first step is to overcome attachment to the body, name etc. Reach a state where you are not very sensitive to pleasure and pain to the body and praise and criticism of your thoughts and actions by other people. Reach a state where equanimity of mind can be maintained in all circumstances.WHEN you reach that state, meditate with a mantra of Shiva while thinking of Shiva."- - -It could be as simple as you meant to write "Until you reach that state, meditate with a mantra ...". If not, here is a question:The state you defined is equanimity of mind in all circumstances. Sadhanais the tool to attain such state. Meditation is a sadhana. So, a mantra hasecho in ones mind and until this state is attained. Did I understand it right?-Kishore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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