What would you do if Maa give you advice?

June 14, 2009

Namaste all family: Over the years I have known Maa and Swami, I have heard Maa

give very specific advice to devotees. For example, a male devotee 50 years

old, and single, who has raised children, and whose marriage has ended, Maa has

suggested that it is time to focus on the final stage of life: meditation,

service, and most importantly-staying single- and focusing on God.

The devotee appears very clear that following Maa's advice will bring great

benefits, yet, shortly, they find a woman, and pursue a relationship. As a

result, they leave Maa's presence and go back into the world.

I have observed this exact situation several times, and Maa has told me of many

other devotees who have ignored her advice on different topics and left her.

My question to you all is: what would you do? and why would you do it?

I pose these questions because I have been thinking deeply lately about

surrender to the Guru, and following the Guru's advice-even when it counters my

own desires.

I hope we can discuss this so I can learn how other devotees deal with the ego's

attempts to control our lives.

Jai Ma Jai Swamii

vishweshwar

June 15, 2009

Dear Vishweshwar,Surrender to the Guru is in itself the Guru's Will. It is a painful process but I feel pain is the mother of bliss. Ofcourse this does not include all kinds of pain. (Dear Swamiji, Can you please shed light on this?). But I feel there is a certain specific kind of pain that the Guru alone can give, and that creates progress, leads to bliss. And there is a slight will power to exercise that comes from the love and reverence for the Guru, faith in the Guru, trust in the Guru and most of all the Guru's love - that even if the giving that happens through you by adhering to the Guru's instruction to the very letter causes one's being (not body) to burn, one has to stick to the word of the Guru. Pray that the Guru allows us to take refuge at the Lotus Feet of the Guru,Prasana--- On Sat,

6/13/09, inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 wrote:inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108[www.ShreeMaa.org] What would you do if Maa give you advice? Date: Saturday, June 13, 2009, 10:44 PM

Namaste all family: Over the years I have known Maa and Swami, I have heard Maa give very specific advice to devotees. For example, a male devotee 50 years old, and single, who has raised children, and whose marriage has ended, Maa has suggested that it is time to focus on the final stage of life: meditation, service, and most importantly- staying single- and focusing on God.

The devotee appears very clear that following Maa's advice will bring great benefits, yet, shortly, they find a woman, and pursue a relationship. As a result, they leave Maa's presence and go back into the world.

I have observed this exact situation several times, and Maa has told me of many other devotees who have ignored her advice on different topics and left her.

My question to you all is: what would you do? and why would you do it?

I pose these questions because I have been thinking deeply lately about surrender to the Guru, and following the Guru's advice-even when it counters my own desires.

I hope we can discuss this so I can learn how other devotees deal with the ego's attempts to control our lives.

Jai Ma Jai Swamii

vishweshwar

June 15, 2009

Blessings, Vish!!!!

I know so many peole like that and always wonder...just what is it these people

are looking for?

Mother's advice is very, very, VERY simple!!!

Meditation (centering yourself in God), service (which in its purest form brings

joy), and focusing on God, which means staying centered in joy. Lovely and

complete circle.

(I'm not so sure about the staying single part, because staying centered in joy

attracts amazing relationships that one would not otherwise enjoy and cherish if

one were not so happy all the time. One just has to appreciate the gift.)

Everything then falls into place...everything...once you CHOOSE to be happy and

centered in joy, no matter what life throws at you.

Anyday, I'd rather choose happy....

love to all!

sal.

, " inspectionconnection108 "

<inspectionconnection108 wrote:

>

> Namaste all family: Over the years I have known Maa and Swami, I have heard

Maa give very specific advice to devotees. For example, a male devotee 50 years

old, and single, who has raised children, and whose marriage has ended, Maa has

suggested that it is time to focus on the final stage of life: meditation,

service, and most importantly-staying single- and focusing on God.

> The devotee appears very clear that following Maa's advice will bring great

benefits, yet, shortly, they find a woman, and pursue a relationship. As a

result, they leave Maa's presence and go back into the world.

> I have observed this exact situation several times, and Maa has told me of

many other devotees who have ignored her advice on different topics and left

her.

> My question to you all is: what would you do? and why would you do it?

> I pose these questions because I have been thinking deeply lately about

surrender to the Guru, and following the Guru's advice-even when it counters my

own desires.

> I hope we can discuss this so I can learn how other devotees deal with the

ego's attempts to control our lives.

>

> Jai Ma Jai Swamii

>

> vishweshwar

>

June 15, 2009

I have not received advice from Maa, so I cannot say how I would react. I have asked Swamiji questions and his final word to me at this time is: Stay simple, stay free and keep worshipping.

That is enough for me to keep me busy for the rest of this life or for many lifetimes! Especially the simple part. Oh, how I love to complicate things. I will strive to do those things as well as I possibly can! Shree Maa and Swamiji help me, please! Keep me steady on this path.

Jai Ma Kali, Jai Shiva!

Kumari

--- On Mon, 6/15/09, sal. <salpaulsen wrote:

sal. <salpaulsen[www.ShreeMaa.org] Re: What would you do if Maa give you advice? Date: Monday, June 15, 2009, 8:47 AM

Blessings, Vish!!!!I know so many peole like that and always wonder...just what is it these people are looking for?Mother's advice is very, very, VERY simple!!!Meditation (centering yourself in God), service (which in its purest form brings joy), and focusing on God, which means staying centered in joy. Lovely and complete circle.(I'm not so sure about the staying single part, because staying centered in joy attracts amazing relationships that one would not otherwise enjoy and cherish if one were not so happy all the time. One just has to appreciate the gift.)Everything then falls into place...everything. ..once you CHOOSE to be happy and centered in joy, no matter what life throws at you.Anyday, I'd rather choose happy....love to all!sal., "inspectionconnecti on108" <inspectionconnecti on108 > wrote:>> Namaste all family: Over the years I have known Maa and Swami, I have heard Maa give very specific advice to devotees. For example, a male devotee 50 years old, and single, who has raised children, and whose marriage has ended, Maa has suggested that it is time to focus on the final stage of life: meditation, service, and most importantly- staying single- and focusing on God.> The devotee appears very clear that following Maa's advice will bring great benefits, yet, shortly, they find a woman, and pursue a relationship. As a result, they leave Maa's presence and go back into the world.> I have observed this exact situation several times, and Maa has told me of many other devotees who have ignored her advice on different topics and left her.> My question to you all

is: what would you do? and why would you do it?> I pose these questions because I have been thinking deeply lately about surrender to the Guru, and following the Guru's advice-even when it counters my own desires.> I hope we can discuss this so I can learn how other devotees deal with the ego's attempts to control our lives.> > Jai Ma Jai Swamii> > vishweshwar>

June 16, 2009

Namaste Kumari, Sal, and Prasana: I agree with each of your responses. In my own

life, I have chosen to adhere to Maa's wishes as closely as possible and to

surrender to her. Yet, so many times, I fall due to being tired, lazy, bored,

or think I am smarter, I know better. I take the short cut, instead of the road

well traveled-the path which Maa has set out for me.

Then, I pick myself up, and get back on the path. Yes, Maa is always ready to

offer support and love. No matter what, she is always there to catch me when I

fall.

Jai Ma Jai Swami

vishweshwar

, " sal. " <salpaulsen wrote:

>

> Blessings, Vish!!!!

>

> I know so many peole like that and always wonder...just what is it these

people are looking for?

>

> Mother's advice is very, very, VERY simple!!!

>

> Meditation (centering yourself in God), service (which in its purest form

brings joy), and focusing on God, which means staying centered in joy. Lovely

and complete circle.

>

> (I'm not so sure about the staying single part, because staying centered in

joy attracts amazing relationships that one would not otherwise enjoy and

cherish if one were not so happy all the time. One just has to appreciate the

gift.)

>

> Everything then falls into place...everything...once you CHOOSE to be happy

and centered in joy, no matter what life throws at you.

>

> Anyday, I'd rather choose happy....

>

> love to all!

>

> sal.

>

, " inspectionconnection108 "

<inspectionconnection108@> wrote:

> >

> > Namaste all family: Over the years I have known Maa and Swami, I have heard

Maa give very specific advice to devotees. For example, a male devotee 50 years

old, and single, who has raised children, and whose marriage has ended, Maa has

suggested that it is time to focus on the final stage of life: meditation,

service, and most importantly-staying single- and focusing on God.

> > The devotee appears very clear that following Maa's advice will bring great

benefits, yet, shortly, they find a woman, and pursue a relationship. As a

result, they leave Maa's presence and go back into the world.

> > I have observed this exact situation several times, and Maa has told me of

many other devotees who have ignored her advice on different topics and left

her.

> > My question to you all is: what would you do? and why would you do it?

> > I pose these questions because I have been thinking deeply lately about

surrender to the Guru, and following the Guru's advice-even when it counters my

own desires.

> > I hope we can discuss this so I can learn how other devotees deal with the

ego's attempts to control our lives.

> >

> > Jai Ma Jai Swamii

> >

> > vishweshwar

> >

>

June 17, 2009

Dear Vish and All;

At times Maa advice is so simple that one gets the feeling that She is just kidding. I say this because it has happened to me, I was having a bad time with an employer years ago, where I worked for almost 4 years with no holiday or holiday pay, it was an international organization and exempted from the labour laws of this country. You can imagine how tired the body was, the tiredness turned to anger and I sought Maa's advice. She very sweetly said, "maybe he needs a sweet, give him a sweet".

Instead of following Maa's advice, the i-go started to debate how could I just give him a sweet? What would I tell him? Etc, etc. The thoughts debate continued inwardly and the anger continued to grow then I felt, surely Maa was joking with me. I eventually got a job with another agency within the same organization and moved on thinking well this is the opportunity to start over which I did, but each time I reach a certain level I find that something happens and its back to square one.

I did not understand the advice or the importance of Beloved Maa's words but I can say today, I wish I had the opportunity to offer the sweet because my conditions of work have not been very good since then and my level of responsibly (and needless to say, compensation) has diminished considerably over the years.

Before being married, I sought Maa's advice and received Her blessing, by that time, i had understood enough to know that if Maa had said no, then that would have been my answer. My husband likes Maa very much and is very respectful of Her, he always creates an atmosphere to encourage my sadhana. He follows the orthodox worship and I observe him worshipping very much since our union and I believe that one day he will join me in sadhana. He never dwells on the negative but can find the most minute good out of the worst situation.

We see with worldly eyes, Maa sees with eyes of purity and divinity and She never puts Her children wrong. A teaspoon of humility can prevent years of pain and hardship.

Beloved Mother I pray for wisdom and understanding never again to disobey Your words and though my physical being seems to in the world that You would take Your home in my heart so that my soul and mind will ever be with you. Please Maa do not ever let me go, instead make a chakra of this union and reel it into Thee.

Jai Maa

Love,

Kalia , "inspectionconnection108" <inspectionconnection108 wrote:>> Namaste all family: Over the years I have known Maa and Swami, I have heard Maa give very specific advice to devotees. For example, a male devotee 50 years old, and single, who has raised children, and whose marriage has ended, Maa has suggested that it is time to focus on the final stage of life: meditation, service, and most importantly-staying single- and focusing on God.> The devotee appears very clear that following Maa's advice will bring great benefits, yet, shortly, they find a woman, and pursue a relationship. As a result, they leave Maa's presence and go back into the world.> I have observed this exact situation several times, and Maa has told me of many other devotees who have ignored her advice on different topics and left her.> My question to you all is: what would you do? and why would you do it?> I pose these questions because I have been thinking deeply lately about surrender to the Guru, and following the Guru's advice-even when it counters my own desires.> I hope we can discuss this so I can learn how other devotees deal with the ego's attempts to control our lives.> > Jai Ma Jai Swamii> > vishweshwar>

June 20, 2009

Dear Kalinanda,

I read your mail with deep interest, and believe me I spent considerable time

thinking about it.

I think you have adopted a negative approach both to Maa's advise as well as the

events that took place later. Well ofcourse, I may be wrong because you know

your circumstances best.

I think the spirit of Maa's advise is that be sweet to your boss even if he is

mean and unkind. Remember your own goals and don't let some creep undermine you.

Return the nastiness with tactful sweetness but firmness regarding your rights.

I think that perhaps this attitude would serve you well even in future jobs.

Stay firm about your leave, raises and vacations. But be absolutely sweet to the

boss.

I have been through your circumstances and probably its one of the reasons why I

sympathise with your situation so deeply.

Jai Maa!

Lots of Love

Manjusha

, " kaliananda_saraswati "

<kaliananda_saraswati wrote:

>

> Dear Vish and All;

>

> At times Maa advice is so simple that one gets the feeling that She is

> just kidding. I say this because it has happened to me, I was having a

> bad time with an employer years ago, where I worked for almost 4 years

> with no holiday or holiday pay, it was an international organization and

> exempted from the labour laws of this country. You can imagine how

> tired the body was, the tiredness turned to anger and I sought Maa's

> advice. She very sweetly said, " maybe he needs a sweet, give him a

> sweet " .

>

> Instead of following Maa's advice, the i-go started to debate how

> could I just give him a sweet? What would I tell him? Etc, etc. The

> thoughts debate continued inwardly and the anger continued to grow then

> I felt, surely Maa was joking with me. I eventually got a job with

> another agency within the same organization and moved on thinking well

> this is the opportunity to start over which I did, but each time I reach

> a certain level I find that something happens and its back to square

> one.

>

> I did not understand the advice or the importance of Beloved Maa's

> words but I can say today, I wish I had the opportunity to offer the

> sweet because my conditions of work have not been very good since then

> and my level of responsibly (and needless to say, compensation) has

> diminished considerably over the years.

>

> Before being married, I sought Maa's advice and received Her

> blessing, by that time, i had understood enough to know that if Maa had

> said no, then that would have been my answer. My husband likes Maa very

> much and is very respectful of Her, he always creates an atmosphere to

> encourage my sadhana. He follows the orthodox worship and I observe him

> worshipping very much since our union and I believe that one day he will

> join me in sadhana. He never dwells on the negative but can find the

> most minute good out of the worst situation.

>

> We see with worldly eyes, Maa sees with eyes of purity and divinity and

> She never puts Her children wrong. A teaspoon of humility can prevent

> years of pain and hardship.

>

> Beloved Mother I pray for wisdom and understanding never again to

> disobey Your words and though my physical being seems to in the world

> that You would take Your home in my heart so that my soul and mind will

> ever be with you. Please Maa do not ever let me go, instead make a

> chakra of this union and reel it into Thee.

>

> Jai Maa

>

> Love,

>

> Kalia

>

> , " inspectionconnection108 "

> <inspectionconnection108@> wrote:

> >

> > Namaste all family: Over the years I have known Maa and Swami, I have

> heard Maa give very specific advice to devotees. For example, a male

> devotee 50 years old, and single, who has raised children, and whose

> marriage has ended, Maa has suggested that it is time to focus on the

> final stage of life: meditation, service, and most importantly-staying

> single- and focusing on God.

> > The devotee appears very clear that following Maa's advice will bring

> great benefits, yet, shortly, they find a woman, and pursue a

> relationship. As a result, they leave Maa's presence and go back into

> the world.

> > I have observed this exact situation several times, and Maa has told

> me of many other devotees who have ignored her advice on different

> topics and left her.

> > My question to you all is: what would you do? and why would you do it?

> > I pose these questions because I have been thinking deeply lately

> about surrender to the Guru, and following the Guru's advice-even when

> it counters my own desires.

> > I hope we can discuss this so I can learn how other devotees deal with

> the ego's attempts to control our lives.

> >

> > Jai Ma Jai Swamii

> >

> > vishweshwar

> >

>

June 20, 2009

Namaste Dear Kalia and all: thanks for sharing you intimate experience, and the

lesson learned. I too have had similar experiences, and yet, " i " still resist.

" i " think " i " know what is best, or it seems too much effort to follow her

advice, or " i " simply want " my own way " . Why do " i " do this?

Understanding and following Maa's advice, regardless of how " i " " feel " about it

and regardless of whether it resonates with my ego, is a test of how " in-tune "

with her " i " really am.

" In-tune " means to me: how much " i " have surrendered to her, how much faith " i "

have that she is right, and " i " am not. Faith that where she is taking me is

better than where " i " would go.

So what does surrender mean? What have " i " surrendered, and to whom or what?

Can " i " control how much " i " surrender, or does she control it?

A short story I heard from a Master many years ago may help to clarify my

thoughts on faith and surrendering.

A poor man was living in an old hut. It was drafty and cold in the winter and

hot in the summer. He suffered terribly and wished for better, but he had no

means to improve his life. This was his home. One day a rich benevolent Prince

came along, and seeing the poor man's plight, took pity on him. He offered to

bring him to live in his beautiful mansion, where he could live comfortably in

peace. But the old man was attached to his hut, and fearful that he would lose

it. So he stayed in the hut living the life he knew,continuing to suffer, all

the while thinking over and over: " My hut, My hut, I don't want to lose my

hut. "

Maa and the Universal Self, God, Unbounded Absolute Bliss Consciousness, Sat,

Chit, Ananda-these are the source and goal of " me " . As the scriptures say: " I am

That, Thou are That, All This is That. "

So what do " i " fear, why do " I " resist, why do " i " think " i " know what is best?

In the story of my life, " i " know that the benevolent Prince is always watching

me, always taking care of me, always, now, and forever. And He is always giving

me exactly what " i " need to move towards the Mansion of Eternal Peace and Joy.

And that Peace and Joy is MY OWN NATURE, MY SELF. " i " only have to give up my

hut, to gain MYSELF.

But " i " continue to cry: " Oh, my hut, my hut. "

Dear family, know that " i " am not sad, not suffering terribly, but, " i " am

holding onto my hut. " i " know that Maa and Swami, the living embodiments of My

Highest Ideal of Perfection, will not stop until " i " have reached the Mansion,

and that no matter how hard " i " hold on, or how long it takes for " me " to relax

my grip on my hut, they will wait. And they will not rest until " i " am HOME.

Jai Maa Jai Swami

vishweshwar

-- In , " kaliananda_saraswati "

<kaliananda_saraswati wrote:

>

> Dear Vish and All;

>

> At times Maa advice is so simple that one gets the feeling that She is

> just kidding. I say this because it has happened to me, I was having a

> bad time with an employer years ago, where I worked for almost 4 years

> with no holiday or holiday pay, it was an international organization and

> exempted from the labour laws of this country. You can imagine how

> tired the body was, the tiredness turned to anger and I sought Maa's

> advice. She very sweetly said, " maybe he needs a sweet, give him a

> sweet " .

>

> Instead of following Maa's advice, the i-go started to debate how

> could I just give him a sweet? What would I tell him? Etc, etc. The

> thoughts debate continued inwardly and the anger continued to grow then

> I felt, surely Maa was joking with me. I eventually got a job with

> another agency within the same organization and moved on thinking well

> this is the opportunity to start over which I did, but each time I reach

> a certain level I find that something happens and its back to square

> one.

>

> I did not understand the advice or the importance of Beloved Maa's

> words but I can say today, I wish I had the opportunity to offer the

> sweet because my conditions of work have not been very good since then

> and my level of responsibly (and needless to say, compensation) has

> diminished considerably over the years.

>

> Before being married, I sought Maa's advice and received Her

> blessing, by that time, i had understood enough to know that if Maa had

> said no, then that would have been my answer. My husband likes Maa very

> much and is very respectful of Her, he always creates an atmosphere to

> encourage my sadhana. He follows the orthodox worship and I observe him

> worshipping very much since our union and I believe that one day he will

> join me in sadhana. He never dwells on the negative but can find the

> most minute good out of the worst situation.

>

> We see with worldly eyes, Maa sees with eyes of purity and divinity and

> She never puts Her children wrong. A teaspoon of humility can prevent

> years of pain and hardship.

>

> Beloved Mother I pray for wisdom and understanding never again to

> disobey Your words and though my physical being seems to in the world

> that You would take Your home in my heart so that my soul and mind will

> ever be with you. Please Maa do not ever let me go, instead make a

> chakra of this union and reel it into Thee.

>

> Jai Maa

>

> Love,

>

> Kalia

>

> , " inspectionconnection108 "

> <inspectionconnection108@> wrote:

> >

> > Namaste all family: Over the years I have known Maa and Swami, I have

> heard Maa give very specific advice to devotees. For example, a male

> devotee 50 years old, and single, who has raised children, and whose

> marriage has ended, Maa has suggested that it is time to focus on the

> final stage of life: meditation, service, and most importantly-staying

> single- and focusing on God.

> > The devotee appears very clear that following Maa's advice will bring

> great benefits, yet, shortly, they find a woman, and pursue a

> relationship. As a result, they leave Maa's presence and go back into

> the world.

> > I have observed this exact situation several times, and Maa has told

> me of many other devotees who have ignored her advice on different

> topics and left her.

> > My question to you all is: what would you do? and why would you do it?

> > I pose these questions because I have been thinking deeply lately

> about surrender to the Guru, and following the Guru's advice-even when

> it counters my own desires.

> > I hope we can discuss this so I can learn how other devotees deal with

> the ego's attempts to control our lives.

> >

> > Jai Ma Jai Swamii

> >

> > vishweshwar

> >

>

June 20, 2009

Just like Divine Mother in the Chandi, chapter 5 when she answers Shumba's demands for Her to come to him. Thoughtfully, tranquily, gently smiling! Boy, is that hard to do!

Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!

Kumari--- On Sat, 6/20/09, misra_manjusha <misra_manjusha wrote:

misra_manjusha <misra_manjusha[www.ShreeMaa.org] Re: What would you do if Maa give you advice? Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 12:38 AM

Dear Kalinanda,I read your mail with deep interest, and believe me I spent considerable time thinking about it.I think you have adopted a negative approach both to Maa's advise as well as the events that took place later. Well ofcourse, I may be wrong because you know your circumstances best. I think the spirit of Maa's advise is that be sweet to your boss even if he is mean and unkind. Remember your own goals and don't let some creep undermine you. Return the nastiness with tactful sweetness but firmness regarding your rights.I think that perhaps this attitude would serve you well even in future jobs. Stay firm about your leave, raises and vacations. But be absolutely sweet to the boss. I have been through your circumstances and probably its one of the reasons why I sympathise with your situation so deeply.Jai Maa!Lots of LoveManjusha, "kaliananda_ saraswati" <kaliananda_ saraswati@ ...> wrote:>> > Dear Vish and All;> > > > At times Maa advice is so simple that one gets the feeling that She is> just kidding. I say this because it has happened to me, I was having a> bad time with an employer years ago, where I worked for almost 4 years> with no holiday or holiday pay, it was an international organization and> exempted from the labour laws of this country. You can imagine how> tired the body was, the tiredness turned to anger and I sought Maa's> advice. She very sweetly said, "maybe he needs a sweet, give him a> sweet".> > > > Instead of following Maa's advice, the i-go

started to debate how> could I just give him a sweet? What would I tell him? Etc, etc. The> thoughts debate continued inwardly and the anger continued to grow then> I felt, surely Maa was joking with me. I eventually got a job with> another agency within the same organization and moved on thinking well> this is the opportunity to start over which I did, but each time I reach> a certain level I find that something happens and its back to square> one.> > > > I did not understand the advice or the importance of Beloved Maa's> words but I can say today, I wish I had the opportunity to offer the> sweet because my conditions of work have not been very good since then> and my level of responsibly (and needless to say, compensation) has> diminished considerably over the years.> > > > Before being married, I sought Maa's advice and

received Her> blessing, by that time, i had understood enough to know that if Maa had> said no, then that would have been my answer. My husband likes Maa very> much and is very respectful of Her, he always creates an atmosphere to> encourage my sadhana. He follows the orthodox worship and I observe him> worshipping very much since our union and I believe that one day he will> join me in sadhana. He never dwells on the negative but can find the> most minute good out of the worst situation.> > > > We see with worldly eyes, Maa sees with eyes of purity and divinity and> She never puts Her children wrong. A teaspoon of humility can prevent> years of pain and hardship.> > > > Beloved Mother I pray for wisdom and understanding never again to> disobey Your words and though my physical being seems to in the world> that You would

take Your home in my heart so that my soul and mind will> ever be with you. Please Maa do not ever let me go, instead make a> chakra of this union and reel it into Thee.> > > > Jai Maa> > Love,> > Kalia> > , "inspectionconnecti on108"> <inspectionconnecti on108@> wrote:> >> > Namaste all family: Over the years I have known Maa and Swami, I have> heard Maa give very specific advice to devotees. For example, a male> devotee 50 years old, and single, who has raised children, and whose> marriage has ended, Maa has suggested that it is time to focus on the> final stage of life: meditation, service, and most importantly-

staying> single- and focusing on God.> > The devotee appears very clear that following Maa's advice will bring> great benefits, yet, shortly, they find a woman, and pursue a> relationship. As a result, they leave Maa's presence and go back into> the world.> > I have observed this exact situation several times, and Maa has told> me of many other devotees who have ignored her advice on different> topics and left her.> > My question to you all is: what would you do? and why would you do it?> > I pose these questions because I have been thinking deeply lately> about surrender to the Guru, and following the Guru's advice-even when> it counters my own desires.> > I hope we can discuss this so I can learn how other devotees deal with> the ego's attempts to control our lives.> >> > Jai Ma Jai Swamii> >> >

vishweshwar> >>

June 20, 2009

Oh this is wonderfully helpful Vish. Have been reading some of the posts and been frozen.Then went back to old blogs clearing them out and found something interesting.This is obviously an on going thing in my life as well.Here I have just made notes of my thoughts while talking to Swamji,sort of like a diary.A good point here is that the answers are already given.I know Chandi path is what I need to bite into and chew and digest every word but excuses are what I create instead.Your letter is such a comfort Vish. It gives hope.As Swamiji says: (and i paraphrase) when you fall just get up and brush yourself off and begin again.Guess what I have to do now is just do it.Even the questions have become excuses that distract from doing.So many times the answers are there but in asking there is

the hope for an easy way out. Ego, laziness, we are many things. Time and practice is the answer but to get the action is the job at hand.Thanks again VIsh.Blogger Post:Swamiji,How do I get past my ego?It keeps me from asking the questions I need to ask to grow.It causes me to desire to be seen as perfect when I am not.How do I humble myself?What makes me think I am so great, or is it that I think I am so little and I am trying to hide that from

others?Help me Swamiji to understand, to ask, to grow, to be.Is it insecurity? Wanting to be accepted? Fear of being thought of as being stupid?How do I get past this great ego I have created?I know! I'll make myself ask the questions. What does it matter what others think of me?If I can't ask I can't learn and I'll never change.I'll continue as I am. In the dark.Only

I can make the decision to step out of the illusion I have created.

Only I can type the quesitons and send them out asking for help. I'll

have to be brave and trust that all happens for the best.Here goes.__________________________

tana mamavatu, tada vaktaramavatu

avatu mam, avatu vaktaram--- On Sat, 6/20/09, inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 wrote:inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108[www.ShreeMaa.org] Re: What would you do if Maa give you advice? Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 3:15 AM

Namaste Dear Kalia and all: thanks for sharing you intimate experience, and the lesson learned. I too have had similar experiences, and yet, "i" still resist. "i" think "i" know what is best, or it seems too much effort to follow her advice, or "i" simply want "my own way". Why do "i" do this?

Understanding and following Maa's advice, regardless of how "ifeel" about it and regardless of whether it resonates with my ego, is a test of how "in-tune" with her "i" really am.

"In-tune" means to me: how much "i" have surrendered to her, how much faith "i" have that she is right, and "i" am not. Faith that where she is taking me is better than where "i" would go.

So what does surrender mean? What have "i" surrendered, and to whom or what? Can "i" control how much "i" surrender, or does she control it?

A short story I heard from a Master many years ago may help to clarify my thoughts on faith and surrendering.

A poor man was living in an old hut. It was drafty and cold in the winter and hot in the summer. He suffered terribly and wished for better, but he had no means to improve his life. This was his home. One day a rich benevolent Prince came along, and seeing the poor man's plight, took pity on him. He offered to bring him to live in his beautiful mansion, where he could live comfortably in peace. But the old man was attached to his hut, and fearful that he would lose it. So he stayed in the hut living the life he knew,continuing to suffer, all the while thinking over and over: "My hut, My hut, I don't want to lose my hut."

Maa and the Universal Self, God, Unbounded Absolute Bliss Consciousness, Sat, Chit, Ananda-these are the source and goal of "me". As the scriptures say: "I am That, Thou are That, All This is That."

So what do "i" fear, why do "I" resist, why do "i" think "i" know what is best?

In the story of my life, "i" know that the benevolent Prince is always watching me, always taking care of me, always, now, and forever. And He is always giving me exactly what "i" need to move towards the Mansion of Eternal Peace and Joy. And that Peace and Joy is MY OWN NATURE, MY SELF. "i" only have to give up my hut, to gain MYSELF.

But "i" continue to cry: "Oh, my hut, my hut."

Dear family, know that "i" am not sad, not suffering terribly, but, "i" am holding onto my hut. "i" know that Maa and Swami, the living embodiments of My Highest Ideal of Perfection, will not stop until "i" have reached the Mansion, and that no matter how hard "i" hold on, or how long it takes for "me" to relax my grip on my hut, they will wait. And they will not rest until "i" am HOME.

Jai Maa Jai Swami

vishweshwar

-- In , "kaliananda_ saraswati" <kaliananda_ saraswati@ ...> wrote:

>

> Dear Vish and All;

>

> At times Maa advice is so simple that one gets the feeling that She is

> just kidding. I say this because it has happened to me, I was having a

> bad time with an employer years ago, where I worked for almost 4 years

> with no holiday or holiday pay, it was an international organization and

> exempted from the labour laws of this country. You can imagine how

> tired the body was, the tiredness turned to anger and I sought Maa's

> advice. She very sweetly said, "maybe he needs a sweet, give him a

> sweet".

>

> Instead of following Maa's advice, the i-go started to debate how

> could I just give him a sweet? What would I tell him? Etc, etc. The

> thoughts debate continued inwardly and the anger continued to grow then

> I felt, surely Maa was joking with me. I eventually got a job with

> another agency within the same organization and moved on thinking well

> this is the opportunity to start over which I did, but each time I reach

> a certain level I find that something happens and its back to square

> one.

>

> I did not understand the advice or the importance of Beloved Maa's

> words but I can say today, I wish I had the opportunity to offer the

> sweet because my conditions of work have not been very good since then

> and my level of responsibly (and needless to say, compensation) has

> diminished considerably over the years.

>

> Before being married, I sought Maa's advice and received Her

> blessing, by that time, i had understood enough to know that if Maa had

> said no, then that would have been my answer. My husband likes Maa very

> much and is very respectful of Her, he always creates an atmosphere to

> encourage my sadhana. He follows the orthodox worship and I observe him

> worshipping very much since our union and I believe that one day he will

> join me in sadhana. He never dwells on the negative but can find the

> most minute good out of the worst situation.

>

> We see with worldly eyes, Maa sees with eyes of purity and divinity and

> She never puts Her children wrong. A teaspoon of humility can prevent

> years of pain and hardship.

>

> Beloved Mother I pray for wisdom and understanding never again to

> disobey Your words and though my physical being seems to in the world

> that You would take Your home in my heart so that my soul and mind will

> ever be with you. Please Maa do not ever let me go, instead make a

> chakra of this union and reel it into Thee.

>

> Jai Maa

>

> Love,

>

> Kalia

>

> , "inspectionconnecti on108"

> <inspectionconnecti on108@> wrote:

> >

> > Namaste all family: Over the years I have known Maa and Swami, I have

> heard Maa give very specific advice to devotees. For example, a male

> devotee 50 years old, and single, who has raised children, and whose

> marriage has ended, Maa has suggested that it is time to focus on the

> final stage of life: meditation, service, and most importantly- staying

> single- and focusing on God.

> > The devotee appears very clear that following Maa's advice will bring

> great benefits, yet, shortly, they find a woman, and pursue a

> relationship. As a result, they leave Maa's presence and go back into

> the world.

> > I have observed this exact situation several times, and Maa has told

> me of many other devotees who have ignored her advice on different

> topics and left her.

> > My question to you all is: what would you do? and why would you do it?

> > I pose these questions because I have been thinking deeply lately

> about surrender to the Guru, and following the Guru's advice-even when

> it counters my own desires.

> > I hope we can discuss this so I can learn how other devotees deal with

> the ego's attempts to control our lives.

> >

> > Jai Ma Jai Swamii

> >

> > vishweshwar

> >

>

June 22, 2009

Namaste Devi and all: today I was speaking to an old dear friend. We were

discussing our experiences getting stuck in the ego. My friend is a very devout

Catholic with a very open mind and heart, and he has only a very slight working

knowledge of the Dharma as we know it. But he is very open and we regularly

discuss our search for the Divine in daily life.

He shared a story which reminded me of the universal nature of the struggle to

free ourselves from imprisonment by the Great Ego. I want to share it with

everyone because it spoke so eloquently to our recent discussions on the nature

of suffering and healing.

Here is the story.

His friend, Tony and he have worked together for years giving testimony about

the universal healing love of Lord Jesus to prisoners. Tony is also an ultra

devout Catholic and has devoted his life to helping others. So my friend was

surprised to find him berating himself, saying aloud, over and over, " I am the

worst sinner, I am the worst sinner. "

My friend was taken aback. This behavior was so out of character. He waited

and watched for several minutes, as his friend sunk deeper and deeper into the

depths of despair.

Finally, he could not hold contain himself any longer. He walked over to his

friend, and put his hand on his back to comfort him. When his friend raised his

head to meet his gaze, he said to him: " So, your ego is so great that you think

you are the biggest sinner? After all the men we have visited in jail, your ego

claims to be the biggest sinner? "

Well, Tony, the suffering soul, was taken aback, and his eyes grew wide.

Suddenly, he began to laugh and laugh. Huge belly laughs sprang up and burst

out of his mouth, laughing so hard that tears rolled down his face.

The spell was broken, the ego was defeated, he remembered his Pure Soul.

This story gave me such hope and renewed my faith in salvation of the soul-the

victory over the Great Ego. It illuminated the universal truth of Maa Chandi's

words: that whenever we call out to her, whenever we are suffering, there she

will manifest to help. We may think that She will only appear in the form of

Chandi, but, She could be our best friend, or our lover, or our child-She can be

anyone, for She is the Universal Mother that lives in all of us: that

compassion, that urge to heal and bring balance to all Creation. She is our

innermost nature, and She only awaits our cries to spring forth.

Jai Maa Jai Swami

vishweswar

, devi <student61754 wrote:

>

> Oh this is wonderfully helpful Vish.

> Have been reading some of the posts and been frozen.

> Then went back to old blogs clearing them out and found something interesting.

> This is obviously an on going thing in my life as well.

> Here I have just made notes of my thoughts while talking to Swamji,

> sort of like a diary.

> A good point here is that the answers are already given.

> I know Chandi path is what I need to bite into and chew and digest every word

but excuses are what I create instead.

>

> Your letter is such a comfort Vish. It gives hope.

> As Swamiji says: (and i paraphrase) when you fall just get up and brush

yourself off and begin again.

>

> Guess what I have to do now is just do it.

> Even the questions have become excuses that distract from doing.

> So many times the answers are there but in asking there is the hope for an

easy way out. Ego, laziness, we are many things. Time and practice is the

answer but to get the action is the job at hand.

>

> Thanks again VIsh.

>

> Blogger Post:

>

> Swamiji,

> How do I get past my ego?

> It keeps me from asking the questions I need to ask to grow.

> It causes me to desire to be seen as perfect when I am not.

> How do I humble myself?

> What makes me think I am so great, or is it that I think I am so little and I

am trying to hide that from others?

> Help me Swamiji to understand, to ask, to grow, to be.

> Is it insecurity? Wanting to be accepted? Fear of being thought of as being

stupid?

> How do I get past this great ego I have created?

> I know! I'll make myself ask the questions.

> What does it matter what others think of me?

> If I can't ask I can't learn and I'll never change.

> I'll continue as I am. In the dark.

> Only

> I can make the decision to step out of the illusion I have created.

> Only I can type the quesitons and send them out asking for help. I'll

> have to be brave and trust that all happens for the best.

> Here goes.

>

> __________________________

>

> tana mamavatu, tada vaktaramavatu

>

> avatu mam, avatu vaktaram

>

> --- On Sat, 6/20/09, inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108

wrote:

>

> inspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108

> [www.ShreeMaa.org] Re: What would you do if Maa give you advice?

>

> Saturday, June 20, 2009, 3:15 AM

>

Namaste Dear Kalia and all: thanks for sharing you intimate experience,

and the lesson learned. I too have had similar experiences, and yet, " i " still

resist. " i " think " i " know what is best, or it seems too much effort to follow

her advice, or " i " simply want " my own way " . Why do " i " do this?

>

> Understanding and following Maa's advice, regardless of how " i " " feel " about

it and regardless of whether it resonates with my ego, is a test of how

" in-tune " with her " i " really am.

>

> " In-tune " means to me: how much " i " have surrendered to her, how much faith

" i " have that she is right, and " i " am not. Faith that where she is taking me is

better than where " i " would go.

>

> So what does surrender mean? What have " i " surrendered, and to whom or what?

Can " i " control how much " i " surrender, or does she control it?

>

> A short story I heard from a Master many years ago may help to clarify my

thoughts on faith and surrendering.

>

> A poor man was living in an old hut. It was drafty and cold in the winter and

hot in the summer. He suffered terribly and wished for better, but he had no

means to improve his life. This was his home. One day a rich benevolent Prince

came along, and seeing the poor man's plight, took pity on him. He offered to

bring him to live in his beautiful mansion, where he could live comfortably in

peace. But the old man was attached to his hut, and fearful that he would lose

it. So he stayed in the hut living the life he knew,continuing to suffer, all

the while thinking over and over: " My hut, My hut, I don't want to lose my

hut. "

>

> Maa and the Universal Self, God, Unbounded Absolute Bliss Consciousness, Sat,

Chit, Ananda-these are the source and goal of " me " . As the scriptures say: " I am

That, Thou are That, All This is That. "

>

> So what do " i " fear, why do " I " resist, why do " i " think " i " know what is

best?

>

> In the story of my life, " i " know that the benevolent Prince is always

watching me, always taking care of me, always, now, and forever. And He is

always giving me exactly what " i " need to move towards the Mansion of Eternal

Peace and Joy. And that Peace and Joy is MY OWN NATURE, MY SELF. " i " only have

to give up my hut, to gain MYSELF.

>

> But " i " continue to cry: " Oh, my hut, my hut. "

>

> Dear family, know that " i " am not sad, not suffering terribly, but, " i " am

holding onto my hut. " i " know that Maa and Swami, the living embodiments of My

Highest Ideal of Perfection, will not stop until " i " have reached the Mansion,

and that no matter how hard " i " hold on, or how long it takes for " me " to relax

my grip on my hut, they will wait. And they will not rest until " i " am HOME.

>

> Jai Maa Jai Swami

>

> vishweshwar

>

> -- In , " kaliananda_ saraswati " <kaliananda_

saraswati@ ...> wrote:

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > Dear Vish and All;

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > At times Maa advice is so simple that one gets the feeling that She is

>

> > just kidding. I say this because it has happened to me, I was having a

>

> > bad time with an employer years ago, where I worked for almost 4 years

>

> > with no holiday or holiday pay, it was an international organization and

>

> > exempted from the labour laws of this country. You can imagine how

>

> > tired the body was, the tiredness turned to anger and I sought Maa's

>

> > advice. She very sweetly said, " maybe he needs a sweet, give him a

>

> > sweet " .

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > Instead of following Maa's advice, the i-go started to debate how

>

> > could I just give him a sweet? What would I tell him? Etc, etc. The

>

> > thoughts debate continued inwardly and the anger continued to grow then

>

> > I felt, surely Maa was joking with me. I eventually got a job with

>

> > another agency within the same organization and moved on thinking well

>

> > this is the opportunity to start over which I did, but each time I reach

>

> > a certain level I find that something happens and its back to square

>

> > one.

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > I did not understand the advice or the importance of Beloved Maa's

>

> > words but I can say today, I wish I had the opportunity to offer the

>

> > sweet because my conditions of work have not been very good since then

>

> > and my level of responsibly (and needless to say, compensation) has

>

> > diminished considerably over the years.

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > Before being married, I sought Maa's advice and received Her

>

> > blessing, by that time, i had understood enough to know that if Maa had

>

> > said no, then that would have been my answer. My husband likes Maa very

>

> > much and is very respectful of Her, he always creates an atmosphere to

>

> > encourage my sadhana. He follows the orthodox worship and I observe him

>

> > worshipping very much since our union and I believe that one day he will

>

> > join me in sadhana. He never dwells on the negative but can find the

>

> > most minute good out of the worst situation.

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > We see with worldly eyes, Maa sees with eyes of purity and divinity and

>

> > She never puts Her children wrong. A teaspoon of humility can prevent

>

> > years of pain and hardship.

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > Beloved Mother I pray for wisdom and understanding never again to

>

> > disobey Your words and though my physical being seems to in the world

>

> > that You would take Your home in my heart so that my soul and mind will

>

> > ever be with you. Please Maa do not ever let me go, instead make a

>

> > chakra of this union and reel it into Thee.

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > Jai Maa

>

> >

>

> > Love,

>

> >

>

> > Kalia

>

> >

>

> > , " inspectionconnecti on108 "

>

> > <inspectionconnecti on108@> wrote:

>

> > >

>

> > > Namaste all family: Over the years I have known Maa and Swami, I have

>

> > heard Maa give very specific advice to devotees. For example, a male

>

> > devotee 50 years old, and single, who has raised children, and whose

>

> > marriage has ended, Maa has suggested that it is time to focus on the

>

> > final stage of life: meditation, service, and most importantly- staying

>

> > single- and focusing on God.

>

> > > The devotee appears very clear that following Maa's advice will bring

>

> > great benefits, yet, shortly, they find a woman, and pursue a

>

> > relationship. As a result, they leave Maa's presence and go back into

>

> > the world.

>

> > > I have observed this exact situation several times, and Maa has told

>

> > me of many other devotees who have ignored her advice on different

>

> > topics and left her.

>

> > > My question to you all is: what would you do? and why would you do it?

>

> > > I pose these questions because I have been thinking deeply lately

>

> > about surrender to the Guru, and following the Guru's advice-even when

>

> > it counters my own desires.

>

> > > I hope we can discuss this so I can learn how other devotees deal with

>

> > the ego's attempts to control our lives.

>

> > >

>

> > > Jai Ma Jai Swamii

>

> > >

>

> > > vishweshwar

>

> > >

>

> >

>

June 22, 2009

Namaste dear wonderful family,

Devi's comment `I was frozen by some of the responses' made me feel the need for

reflecting further on the question and on my own response, and to give it the

time and depth of thought that it deserves.

My current environment (Iran) and its ongoing events remind me of Swamiji's

wisdom in using caution in both selecting and following a Guru. A religious

leader wielding absolute (almost) power over a nation (Iran's 99% Shia, who

mostly believes in the need for a spiritual leader in the society –Imamat), has

decided to make use of that power to impose his will on the people.

This brings us to the question of `Following'. If we have accepted Maa as our

Guru, the understanding is that we have done so after taking into account all

the factors that Swamiji has explained so well and so often, always using the

scriptures to support his arguments. And that acceptance is a total commitment,

because we have `tested' our Guru. And in the circumstances I would say –

obviously I would follow Her advise to the best of my capability, to the letter.

Why have we chosen Maa as our Guru? Because of our faith in her Divinity, which

is what we ourselves aspire. We have not chosen Maa as our Guru for solving our

everyday problems, making our lives smoother, gaining material wealth….in short,

measuring Her with all the limitations of the scales of our mind. In our

expectations of Her we use our own yardstick.

The next question, therefore, is what advise are we seeking? Maa has the

capacity to enable us to enlarge our frameworks, our small mindedness, to help

us find our Divine Selves!!! Once we know ourselves better, we begin to use our

Capacities to solve our little problems, by defining our goals better,

understanding our lives and those around us better and being able to deal with

the issues of ego, too little and too much and so on, better…. Swamiji has been

telling us these things all the time, through the Chandi, the Shiva Puja, the

Ganesh Puja, his books, his life…….telling us why he worships Maa and why his

devotion never wanes.

How then, would I answer the question? I would say, are you crazy? Of course I

would follow Maa's advise.

But before I say that I would measure myself as to how capable am I for

following Maa's advise and how long would it take me to measure up to that

advise. Can I recite the Mantra as she has prescribed? Can I maintain the

devotion she expects? Can I leave everything else to do what she has asked me to

do – regularly, every day, without feeling lazy, without finding it a burden,

without thinking `How sweet of Maa, but then she can be so unreasonable'.

And to take the consequences of that advise. I don't blame all that happens to

me on Maa. I don't say that something terrible happened to me because I did not

follow Maa's advise. I ask myself what did I do wrong? Or what were the

circumstances? How best can I overcome my circumstances? How do the

circumstances bring me closer to my Goals.

Faith in Maa's advise means never having to say you are sorry. Maa will take you

through a journey that will eventually bring you to your Self.

Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!

Manjushri