Guest guest Posted October 31, 2003 Report Share Posted October 31, 2003 What is Puja, why do we do Puja and what is your experience from Puja? Dig as deep as you can. Jai Maa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2003 Report Share Posted October 31, 2003 , "Sarada" <sarada_saraswati> wrote: > What is Puja, why do we do Puja and what is your experience from > Puja? Dig as deep as you can. Jai Maa! Repeated Puja is deep digging away of all that we have ever been, and finding ourselves. It can make us into a rich treasure trove of something we never imagined. As it progresses each day becomes as a new life. As thoughts die away the sadu is born. It is renewal and much emerges from it. It is so wonderful to have a Maa to bring us along in this process. It is a great treat as I see myself leave the tricks to others. It is sad to see people even in high places emesh themselves in their own undoing. Some would tie themselves in knots before admitting a mistake. If they were to come clean and return to the rightful owner all that was snatched, things would work out. Knowing the truth of things can open a window to self correction. Not doing this can bring down even the most powerful in the nation. A cover up would only make a lump under his carpet on which to trip over. I hope he comes clean before it is too late. This raven of odin, scavenger as he is, will wait nine days at the tree of yagsdrasil. Return to me all contents what is to me my little palace. Failing to do this, he might have to join me on the can trail as a mere bagman. He has all my puja books too, save one. An empire can fall on a pebble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2003 Report Share Posted October 31, 2003 Namaste, Puja is a means to an end. The means is dependant upon the level of the aspirant and upon the desire of the aspirant. The end is Devi, no matter if the puja is for adoration, magic, or meditation. I have found that puja quiets the mind and Devi (satcitananda) is real, when puja is all over and I must return to the world, Devi is still there. Jai Maa! , "Sarada" <sarada_saraswati> wrote: > What is Puja, why do we do Puja and what is your experience from > Puja? Dig as deep as you can. Jai Maa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2003 Report Share Posted October 31, 2003 If I remember correctly Maa once said that She wanted to "build temples" in everyone's homes and in everyone's hearts. Puja is worship, a ritual to connect us with the All-connected. I do puja because it's a discipline. I have a specific way to get in contact with my higher self, with Siva, Durga, Kali. I get different experiences with different pujas, but mostly I feel grateful and happy to have learned such a wonderful ritual. Recently I began establishing a pot every day. That means that I "establish" Siva on my altar every mrning and "let Him go" every night. It's an incredible feeling...dressing Him up, offering Him food, water, ornaments. When He's all made up and covered with flowers, I almost always sit back and chuckle. He looks so cute and I feel so blessed! Thank you Maa and Swami for the wonderful instruction! Thank you Siva for being there! Jai Maa , "Sarada" <sarada_saraswati> wrote: > What is Puja, why do we do Puja and what is your experience from > Puja? Dig as deep as you can. Jai Maa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2003 Report Share Posted November 1, 2003 What is Puja, why do we do Puja and what is your experience from Puja? Dig as deep as you can. Jai Maa!To from this group, send an email to:Your use of Groups is subject to the Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2003 Report Share Posted November 1, 2003 What is Puja, why do we do Puja and what is your experience from Puja? Dig as deep as you can. Jai Maa!To from this group, send an email to:Your use of Groups is subject to the Mail - o melhor webmail do Brasil. Saiba mais! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2003 Report Share Posted November 1, 2003 Jai Maa... Puja is a purifying grace given by the Guru to the student, which allows the student to have a form in which to direct their heart and mind, so that the wisdom placed within the puja by the Master can unfold, and wear-down the disciple's layers of conceptual bondage. Puja is a vessel, in which the Guru manifests, indeed the Guru manifests first as the instructional grace and empowerment, then as the puja mantra, and finally as the Devata. This is why the Tibetan teachers give the "vase" initiation. Because of the real-symbol-activity of pouring liquid (liberating) wisdom energy (amrita) into the disciple's mindstream. Puja is also a vow... somewhat like the salmon returning to the source of it's birth, in order to lay it's own eggs. A vow to return again. Puja is a gift to the universe, as it generates meritorious karmas, which can then be offered up to all beings... without judgement or direction... for their own sake. Puja is a trap for those who would stay locked into conceptual duality, ritually following the tradition without understanding its meaning. Puja is a mystery because it actually exists beyond time and space, beyond all name and form. Jesse Arana (Kailash) www.meditationinfocus.com Sarada [sarada_saraswati ] Friday, October 31, 2003 3:50 PMSubject: Question from Shree MaaWhat is Puja, why do we do Puja and what is your experience from Puja? Dig as deep as you can. Jai Maa!To from this group, send an email to:Your use of is subject to the Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2003 Report Share Posted November 1, 2003 , "Sarada" <sarada_saraswati> wrote: > What is Puja, why do we do Puja and what is your experience from > Puja? Dig as deep as you can. Jai Maa! Puja is someting to continue with, for even while in a pit it is something with which to make things better. I'm really dug in, yet with Puja I can still conture things. Puja even causes me to feel as if things will break for the up side. Puja always makes things better. When wounded, Puja can heal a wound. When hurting Puja can transport out of the perception of injury. So victory to Puja. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 2, 2003 Report Share Posted November 2, 2003 , "Sarada" <sarada_saraswati> wrote:> What is Puja, why do we do Puja and what is your experience from > Puja? Dig as deep as you can. Jai Maa! Puja is someting to continue with, for even while in a pit it is something with which to make things better. I'm really dug in, yet with Puja I can still conture things. Puja even causes me to feel as if things will break for the up side. Puja always makes things better. When wounded, Puja can heal a wound. When hurting Puja can transport out of the perception of injury. So victory to Puja.To from this group, send an email to:Your use of is subject to the Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 2, 2003 Report Share Posted November 2, 2003 , "Sarada" <sarada_saraswati> wrote: > What is Puja, why do we do Puja and what is your experience from > Puja? Dig as deep as you can. Jai Maa! Jai Maa, I believe the most practical and tangible way to make a connection to the Divine is by creating a personal relationship. Puja allows do just that. By offering each article of worhip, flowers, light, incence, etc., with all of our love and purity, we culitvate devotion. What we give, love and purity is what we receive in return. Jai Maa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 3, 2003 Report Share Posted November 3, 2003 We could begin to understand the profundity of puja by looking at the meaning of the word, which is, loosely, "giving birth to merit" (pu = from punya, merit, and ja = birth). Moving more deeply into myself, in puja, in the bhav or attitude of puja, I am focusing intently on that which I love, all my attention, my care, how I place things, what I offer, the detail, the sound of my voice, all a reflection of how dear She is to me, how dear God is to me. This bhav has to give birth--again, and again, to greater depth in me to make room for the greater love which expands with this focused attention towards my Beloved. And what I offer to Her---matters a great deal, as to what it means to me; for instance, offering milk I offer purity and sustenance; offering light I open my self to her Divine light of wisdom; offering cloth I offer protection to the Divine that is being born within me; offering honey I give sweetness to the relationship; offering water, I offer cleansing and refreshing; and so on. but even if I have only dried leaves to offer, what they mean to me in that moment--that is, all that I have I offer to Her--that too gives birth to greater love and openness to Her. Sometimes I think of puja as making a work of art--when you put focus, concentration, heart and mind towards your task, you are worshipping the divine in you, and you are creating beauty in that action. , "Sarada" <sarada_saraswati> wrote: > What is Puja, why do we do Puja and what is your experience from > Puja? Dig as deep as you can. Jai Maa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2003 Report Share Posted November 4, 2003 Puja is defined as the action which gives birth to merit. Puja is also a compendium of knowledge of spiritual practices. Performing puja seems to amour the Deity within to battle the negative thoughts and emotions. The offerings - preparation, purity, nourishment, light, japa, love, devotion, constancy, etc - appear to become weapons to the negatives. Thoughts are replaced by selfless acts of love and devotion. The heart seems always ready to sing and smile with the universe. In performing puja the "I want or I need" is soon replaced by "Mother, let it be according to Your Will." Jai Maa , "Sarada" <sarada_saraswati> wrote: > What is Puja, why do we do Puja and what is your experience from > Puja? Dig as deep as you can. Jai Maa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2003 Report Share Posted November 5, 2003 There can be many reasons for performing puja. It can be for sattwic, rajasic or tamasic purposes. It may be with the intention of demonstrating to the deity(s) and the various others who adorn your altar, how much you love them. It may be done for the purpose of attaining something for yourself, or the desire may be to gain mastery over a power in order to defeat your enemies. I perform puja daily in order to establish a relationship with my chosen deity, or that aspect(s) of God that I feel most aligned with. I also do it so I can remember who I am. Oh, I am frequently reminded of who this personality of Siddhananda is, (my condolences to those of you who have to put up with it), but I am looking for the divine being that lives eternally inside. When I find him/her to be available on a permanent basis I will let you all know. Sidd --- kaliananda_saraswati <kaliananda_saraswati wrote: > Puja is defined as the action which gives birth to > merit. Puja is > also a compendium of knowledge of spiritual > practices. > > Performing puja seems to amour the Deity within to > battle the > negative thoughts and emotions. The offerings - > preparation, purity, > nourishment, light, japa, love, devotion, constancy, > etc - appear to > become weapons to the negatives. Thoughts are > replaced by selfless > acts of love and devotion. The heart seems always > ready to sing and > smile with the universe. > > In performing puja the "I want or I need" is soon > replaced > by "Mother, let it be according to Your Will." > > Jai Maa > > > > > , "Sarada" > <sarada_saraswati> > wrote: > > What is Puja, why do we do Puja and what is your > experience from > > Puja? Dig as deep as you can. Jai Maa! > > > Protect your identity with Mail AddressGuard http://antispam./whatsnewfree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 6, 2003 Report Share Posted November 6, 2003 Dearest Nitya Ma, I so loved this post. I did print it out to read again and again--so inspiring. When I have done puja (I use the beginner's Durga puja)I sometimes feel a little "shaky" in the physical body and a little "off-balance". I understand this to be due to energy movement, but sometimes it is somewhat disconcerting. Has this ever happened to you? Maybe Swamiji could answer: am I doing something wrong? Thank you so much! Jai Maa! Sweet Blessings, Lynne - nitya_ma Monday, November 03, 2003 2:18 AM Re: Question from Shree Maa We could begin to understand the profundity of puja by looking at the meaning of the word, which is, loosely, "giving birth to merit" (pu = from punya, merit, and ja = birth). Moving more deeply into myself, in puja, in the bhav or attitude of puja, I am focusing intently on that which I love, all my attention, my care, how I place things, what I offer, the detail, the sound of my voice, all a reflection of how dear She is to me, how dear God is to me. This bhav has to give birth--again, and again, to greater depth in me to make room for the greater love which expands with this focused attention towards my Beloved. And what I offer to Her---matters a great deal, as to what it means to me;for instance, offering milk I offer purity and sustenance; offering light I open my self to her Divine light of wisdom; offering cloth I offer protection to the Divine that is being born within me; offering honey I give sweetness to the relationship; offering water, I offer cleansing and refreshing; and so on. but even if I have only dried leaves to offer, what they mean to me in that moment--that is, all that I have I offer to Her--that too gives birth to greater love and openness to Her.Sometimes I think of puja as making a work of art--when you put focus, concentration, heart and mind towards your task, you are worshipping the divine in you, and you are creating beauty in that action., "Sarada" <sarada_saraswati> wrote:> What is Puja, why do we do Puja and what is your experience from > Puja? Dig as deep as you can. Jai Maa!To from this group, send an email to:Your use of is subject to the Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2003 Report Share Posted November 7, 2003 I love it when people talk about experiences. Thank you for posting yours. Yes, shaking or off balance is normal. Your dealing with Shakti and she moves. As the prana moves thru the nadi's and subtle bodies purify, the body will do all sorts of things, quiver, chills, heat flashes, shaking, temporary paralysis, tetny, vertigo - you name it the prana can do it. If one resists the energy moving, one will break, so go with the flow. Let her rock and you roll. Go with the flow and enjoy Her:) All is perfect in what you are experiencing - Have No Fear! She is with you and it's working :)Namaste,KellyLynne McKinnon <omgirl (AT) patmedia (DOT) net> wrote: Dearest Nitya Ma, I so loved this post. I did print it out to read again and again--so inspiring. When I have done puja (I use the beginner's Durga puja)I sometimes feel a little "shaky" in the physical body and a little "off-balance". I understand this to be due to energy movement, but sometimes it is somewhat disconcerting. Has this ever happened to you? Maybe Swamiji could answer: am I doing something wrong? Thank you so much! Jai Maa! Sweet Blessings, Lynne - nitya_ma Monday, November 03, 2003 2:18 AM Re: Question from Shree Maa We could begin to understand the profundity of puja by looking at the meaning of the word, which is, loosely, "giving birth to merit" (pu = from punya, merit, and ja = birth). Moving more deeply into myself, in puja, in the bhav or attitude of puja, I am focusing intently on that which I love, all my attention, my care, how I place things, what I offer, the detail, the sound of my voice, all a reflection of how dear She is to me, how dear God is to me. This bhav has to give birth--again, and again, to greater depth in me to make room for the greater love which expands with this focused attention towards my Beloved. And what I offer to Her---matters a great deal, as to what it means to me;for instance, offering milk I offer purity and sustenance; offering light I open my self to her Divine light of wisdom; offering cloth I offer protection to the Divine that is being born within me; offering honey I give sweetness to the relationship; offering water, I offer cleansing and refreshing; and so on. but even if I have only dried leaves to offer, what they mean to me in that moment--that is, all that I have I offer to Her--that too gives birth to greater love and openness to Her.Sometimes I think of puja as making a work of art--when you put focus, concentration, heart and mind towards your task, you are worshipping the divine in you, and you are creating beauty in that action., "Sarada" <sarada_saraswati> wrote:> What is Puja, why do we do Puja and what is your experience from > Puja? Dig as deep as you can. Jai Maa!To from this group, send an email to:Your use of is subject to the To from this group, send an email to:Your use of is subject to the Protect your identity with Mail AddressGuard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2003 Report Share Posted November 8, 2003 Dear Lynne, Yes, it has happened to me. I like to think of Shree Maa's advice at such times: just go forward! It is shakti, yes, but it's probably important not to give it too much mind, just continue the dancing and your witnessing, and even more, the focus. Mother is Shakti, but our puja to Her is not to experience that--it is to offer love, to offer attention, to offer ourselves. Maybe this is a reminder that She is there with you--you could stop and feel her in your heart, and bring your breath to Her, with gratitude. Without Her, after all, you would not be there. To me, sometimes going forward is to breathe--we may sometimes forget to do even that, and be distracted by various experiences, but offering breath, and controlled breath, meditative mind and intensity of heart towards the One you love brings you back to your purpose, sometimes even more strongly. I don't think you are doing anything "wrong" at all. You might want to ask your question of Swamiji, just send it to Sarada--it would be fun to hear what Swamiji has to say. Nitya , "Lynne McKinnon" <omgirl@p...> wrote: > Dearest Nitya Ma, > > I so loved this post. I did print it out to read again and again--so inspiring. When I have done puja (I use the beginner's Durga puja)I sometimes feel a little "shaky" in the physical body and a little "off-balance". I understand this to be due to energy movement, but sometimes it is somewhat disconcerting. Has this ever happened to you? Maybe Swamiji could answer: am I doing something wrong? > Thank you so much! Jai Maa! > Sweet Blessings, > Lynne > - > nitya_ma > > Monday, November 03, 2003 2:18 AM > Re: Question from Shree Maa > > > We could begin to understand the profundity of puja by looking at the > meaning of the word, which is, loosely, "giving birth to merit" (pu = from punya, > merit, and ja = birth). > > Moving more deeply into myself, in puja, in the bhav or attitude of puja, I am > focusing intently on that which I love, all my attention, my care, how I place > things, what I offer, the detail, the sound of my voice, all a reflection of how > dear She is to me, how dear God is to me. > This bhav has to give birth--again, and again, to greater depth in me to > make room for the greater love which expands with this focused attention > towards my Beloved. > And what I offer to Her---matters a great deal, as to what it means to me; > for instance, offering milk I offer purity and sustenance; offering light I open my > self to her Divine light of wisdom; offering cloth I offer protection to the Divine > that is being born within me; offering honey I give sweetness to the > relationship; offering water, I offer cleansing and refreshing; and so on. > > but even if I have only dried leaves to offer, what they mean to me in that > moment--that is, all that I have I offer to Her--that too gives birth to greater love > and openness to Her. > > Sometimes I think of puja as making a work of art--when you put focus, > concentration, heart and mind towards your task, you are worshipping the > divine in you, and you are creating beauty in that action. > > > > > > , "Sarada" <sarada_saraswati> > wrote: > > What is Puja, why do we do Puja and what is your experience from > > Puja? Dig as deep as you can. Jai Maa! > > > > Sponsor > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2003 Report Share Posted November 10, 2003 Sweet Nitya Ma, Thanks so much for your insight and encouragement. So helpful. Blessings and love to you- Lynne - nitya_ma Saturday, November 08, 2003 2:44 AM Re: Question from Shree Maa Dear Lynne, Yes, it has happened to me. I like to think of Shree Maa's advice at such times: just go forward! It is shakti, yes, but it's probably important not togive it too much mind, just continue the dancing and your witnessing, and even more, the focus. Mother is Shakti, but our puja to Her is not to experience that--it is to offer love, to offer attention, to offer ourselves. Maybe this is a reminder that She is there with you--you could stop and feel her in your heart, and bring your breath to Her, with gratitude. Without Her, after all, you would not be there. To me, sometimes going forward is to breathe--we may sometimes forget to do even that, and be distracted by various experiences, but offering breath, and controlled breath, meditative mind and intensity of heart towards the One you love brings you back to your purpose, sometimes even more strongly. I don't think you are doing anything "wrong" at all. You might want to ask your question of Swamiji, just send it to Sarada--it would be fun to hear what Swamiji has to say.Nitya--- In , "Lynne McKinnon" <omgirl@p...> wrote:> Dearest Nitya Ma,> > I so loved this post. I did print it out to read again and again--so inspiring. When I have done puja (I use the beginner's Durga puja)I sometimes feel a little "shaky" in the physical body and a little "off-balance". I understand this to be due to energy movement, but sometimes it is somewhat disconcerting. Has this ever happened to you? Maybe Swamiji could answer: am I doing something wrong?> Thank you so much! Jai Maa!> Sweet Blessings,> Lynne> - > nitya_ma > > Monday, November 03, 2003 2:18 AM> Re: Question from Shree Maa> > > We could begin to understand the profundity of puja by looking at the > meaning of the word, which is, loosely, "giving birth to merit" (pu = from punya, > merit, and ja = birth). > > Moving more deeply into myself, in puja, in the bhav or attitude of puja, I am > focusing intently on that which I love, all my attention, my care, how I place > things, what I offer, the detail, the sound of my voice, all a reflection of how > dear She is to me, how dear God is to me.> This bhav has to give birth--again, and again, to greater depth in me to > make room for the greater love which expands with this focused attention > towards my Beloved.> And what I offer to Her---matters a great deal, as to what it means to me;> for instance, offering milk I offer purity and sustenance; offering light I open my > self to her Divine light of wisdom; offering cloth I offer protection to the Divine > that is being born within me; offering honey I give sweetness to the > relationship; offering water, I offer cleansing and refreshing; and so on.> > but even if I have only dried leaves to offer, what they mean to me in that > moment--that is, all that I have I offer to Her--that too gives birth to greater love > and openness to Her.> > Sometimes I think of puja as making a work of art--when you put focus, > concentration, heart and mind towards your task, you are worshipping the > divine in you, and you are creating beauty in that action.> > > > > > , "Sarada" <sarada_saraswati> > wrote:> > What is Puja, why do we do Puja and what is your experience from > > Puja? Dig as deep as you can. Jai Maa!> > > > Sponsor > > > > > > To from this group, send an email to:> > > > > Your use of Groups is subject to the To from this group, send an email to:Your use of is subject to the Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.