INDIASPIRITUALITY

Wishing You Merry Christmas And Happy New Year

2011-12-24T23:04:00.000+05:30

Wishing You Merry Christmas
And
A Prosperous New Year

We all celebrate religious occasions. Do we know the real meaning of Religion?

What is Religion?

Religion has become an integral part of human civilization. Religion is also known as faith. The English word 'religion' has Latin Origin, from the word 'religare'. Religare means 'reunion'. So the original root of religion is 'union'. If religion is 'reunion'; in the beginning there must have been a union, but many people have forgotten this meaning. The foundation of religion is to be united. The question is with whom to be united.

In religious thought people want to be united with a holy way of life, with the goal of life, and ultimately, with God. Different religions have different names of God. The concept of God is also in the philosophy of Yog. The root meaning of Yog is 'to be united with'. Yog, like religion, seeks reunion. Freedom from misery can only be achieved by reuniting with the source.

Ultimately all religions presuppose that we were once united with God, absorbed in God consciousness, but now we are separate from this divine consciousness. This separation arose in ignorance, because of our forgetfulness. Our minds play a mischievous role to create this separateness. Separation is also caused by the free will given to every human being.

Free will can take us away from God. It can be thought of as the play of Maya, as the Hindus describe it. Maya is the illusive power that prevents people from experiencing reality. Union was the beginning, in the middle there was separation, but this separation is not real, it is only apparent. The end must be reunification.

Consider Ocean and the wave. Are waves ever separate from the ocean? The answer is no. The waves remind us of the ocean; the waves are born on the lap of ocean, live there and ultimately merge into the ocean. The ocean is the reality. As waves appear and disappear, ordinary people are fascinated; they notice only the waves without comprehending the vastness of ocean. The ocean and the waves are creator and creation. When you live with the consciousness of wave (individuality) and forget ocean (totality), you are ignorant, mistaking the apparent reality for the ultimate one. In life this kind of ignorance creates illusion, comparison, ego, emotion and as a result, many negative situation arise.

When you want to unite with the source again, this is the realm of religion - reunion. Reunion is possible by transforming our minds and our lives.

Swami Vivekananda defined religion beautifully. He said, "Religion is the manifestation of the perfection that already exists in man." Thus, perfection is just the experience of divinity or godhood, which is already there, but we are separated from these divine qualities. If we try consciously, intelligently, to go back to the source, we will be united with God.

On this holy occasion, I humbly pray, may we all be reunited with the source, with God.

Namaste

INDIASPIRITUALITY

Extracted from: Spirit of Religions - Paramhansa Hariharananda, p:7-9

Why has God put us in the world?

2011-12-22T14:16:00.001+05:30

About nine o'clock in the morning Sri Ramakrishna was seated in his room with Rakhal, M., and a few other devotees. It was the day of the new moon. As usual with him on such days, Sri Ramakrishna entered again and again into communion with the Divine Mother. He said to the devotees: "God alone exists, and all else is unreal. The Divine Mother has kept all deluded by Her maya. Look at men. Most of them are entangled in worldliness. They suffer so much, but still they have the same attachment to 'woman and gold'. The camel eats thorny shrubs, and blood gushes from its mouth; still it will eat thorns. While suffering pain at the time of delivery, a woman says, 'Ah' I shall never go to my husband again.' But afterwards she forgets.

"The truth is that no one seeks God. There are people who eat the prickly leaves of the pineapple and not the fruit."

Devotee: "Revered Sir, why has God put us in the world?"

Sri Ramakrishna: "The world is the field of action. Through action one acquires knowledge. The guru instructs the disciple to perform certain works and refrain from others. Again, he advises the pupil to perform action without desiring the result. The impurity of the mind is destroyed through the performance of duty. It is like getting rid of a disease by means of medicine, under the instruction of a competent physician.

"Why doesn't God free us from the world? Ah, He will free us when the disease is cured. He will liberate us from the world when we are through with the enjoyment of 'woman and gold'. Once a man registers his name in the hospital, he cannot run away. The doctor will not let him go away unless his illness is completely cured."

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

Sannyasi is a world teacher

2011-12-22T14:00:00.001+05:30

Looking at Nityagopal, the Sri Ramakrishna said to the devotees, "He is in a lofty mood.

(To Nityagopal) "Don't go there too often (to a middle aged female devotee, who treated Nityagopal as her son). You may go once in a while. She may be a devotee, but she is a woman too. Therefore I warn you.

"The sannyasi must observe very strict discipline. He must not look even at the picture of a woman. But this rule doesn't apply to householders. An aspirant should not associate with a woman, even though she is very much devoted to God. A sannyasi, even though he may have subdued his passions, should follow this discipline to set an example to householders.

"Worldly people learn renunciation by seeing the complete renunciation of a monk; otherwise they sink more and more. A sannyasi is a world teacher."

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

Real Self is waiting

2011-11-21T13:05:00.001+05:30

For, the moment you get into the quest for the Self and begin to go deeper, the real Self is waiting there to receive you and then whatever is to be done is done by something else and you, as an individual, have no hand in it. In this process all doubts and discussions are automatically given up, just as one who sleeps forgets all his cares for the time being.

- Sri Ramana Maharshi

Seat of Arunachala Ramana

2011-11-21T13:01:00.001+05:30

When the skull was sealed I experienced a brilliant light, like that of an arc lamp, and an indescribable joy and coolness filled my being. This light and joy continued for several hours. During this time I didn't move about and I was unconscious of what was going on around me. You may have seen a light focused on to a concave mirror. Its light is reflected with a single beam onto a point. Well, sometime about midnight all the light, like a concave mirror, was focussed onto the Heart. Then all the light drained into the Heart. The Kundalini was completely sucked into the Heart and the Heart was opened - that is the seat of Arunachala Ramana.

- Sri Ramana Maharshi

Is it not possible to have the vision of God without the help of a guru?

2011-11-20T15:50:00.001+05:30

Mr. Choudhury: "Revered Sir, is it not possible to have the vision of God without the help of a guru?"

Sri Ramakrishna: "Satchidananda Himself is the Guru. At the end of the sava-sadhana, just when the vision of the Ishta is about to take place, the guru appears before the aspirant and says to him, 'Behold! There is your Ishta.' Saying this, the guru merges in the Ishta. He who is the guru is also the Ishta. The guru is the thread that leads to God. Women perform a ritualistic worship known as the 'Ananta-vrata', the object of worship being the Infinite. But actually the Deity worshipped is Vishnu. In Him are the 'infinite' forms of God.

(To Ram and the other devotees) "If you asked me which form of God you should meditate upon, I should say: Fix your attention on that form which appeals to you most; but know for certain that all forms are the forms of one God alone.

"Never harbour malice toward anyone. Siva, Kali, and Hari are but different forms of that One. He is blessed indeed who has known all as one.

"The body does not endure without a trace of lust, anger, and the like. You should try to reduce them to a minimum."
Looking at Kedar, the Master said: "He is very nice. He accepts both the Absolute and the Relative. He believes in Brahman, but he also accepts the gods and Divine Incarnations in human form."

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

Sri Ramakrishna on Devotees and Devotion

2011-11-08T18:23:00.001+05:30

Sri Ramakrishna (to Ram and the other devotees): "Devotees like Rakhal, Narendra, and Bhavanath may be called nityasiddha. Their spiritual consciousness has been awake since their very birth. They assume human bodies only to impart spiritual illumination to others.

"There is another class of devotees, known as kripasiddha, that is to say, those on whom the grace of God descends all of a sudden and who at once attain His vision and Knowledge. Such people may be likened to a room that has been dark a thousand years, which, when a lamp is brought into it, becomes light immediately, not little by little.

"Those who lead a householder's life should practise spiritual discipline; they should pray eagerly to God in solitude. (To Mr. Choudhury) God cannot be realized through scholarship. Who, indeed, can understand the things of the Spirit through reason? No, all should strive for devotion to the Lotus Feet of God.

"Infinite are the glories of God! How little can you fathom them! Can you ever find out the meaning of God's ways?

"Bhishma was none other than one of the eight Vasus, but even he shed tears on his bed of arrows. He said: 'How astonishing! God Himself is the companion of the Pandava brothers, and still there is no end to their troubles and sorrows!' Who can ever understand the ways of God?

"A man thinks, 'I have practised a little prayer and austerity; so I have gained a victory over others.' But victory and defeat lie with God. I have seen a prostitute dying in the Ganges and retaining consciousness to the end."

Mr. Choudhury: "How can one see God?"

Sri Ramakrishna: "Not with these eyes. God gives one divine eyes; and only then can one behold Him. God gave Arjuna divine eves so that he might see His Universal Form. (An allusion to the eleventh chapter of the Bhagavad Gita).

"Your philosophy is mere speculation. It only reasons. God cannot be realized that way.

"God cannot remain unmoved if you have raga-bhakti, that is, love of God with passionate attachment to Him. Do you know how fond God is of His devotees' love? It is like the cow's fondness for fodder mixed with oil-cake. The cow gobbles it down greedily.

"Raga-bhakti is pure love of God, a love that seeks God alone and not any worldly end. Prahlada had it. Suppose you go to a wealthy man every day, but you seek no favour of him; you simply love to see him. If he wants to show you favour, you say: 'No, sir. I don't need anything. I came just to see you.' Such is love of God for its own sake. You simply love God and don't want anything from Him in return."
Saying this, Sri Ramakrishna sang:

Though I am never loath to grant salvation,
I hesitate indeed to grant pure love.
Whoever wins pure love surpasses all;
He is adored by men;
He triumphs over the three worlds. . . .

He continued, "The gist of the whole thing is that one must develop passionate yearning for God and practise discrimination and renunciation."

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

I Want Happiness

2011-10-26T12:41:00.000+05:30

A devotee asked God "I want Happiness"

God replied. Remove 'I', that is EGO

'Want' is a DESIRE, which is the cause of SUFFERING. Remove it as well

What is left is 'HAPPINESS'

Happy Deepavali (Diwali) and Peaceful New Year

2011-10-22T13:30:00.001+05:30

Wishing You And Your Family A Very Happy Deepavali

And

A Peaceful & Prosperous New Year

Importance of 'Goal of life', it's Necessity and Benefits

Have a permanent 'GOAL of Life'

If you live a spiritual life, having a Goal of Self Realization or to have divine vision of God is very important. How can you keep traveling directionless without any destination?

Destination (Goal) is very important. The next thing is to get a road map. Road map gives you clarity and right direction. Guru, Shastras, saints are road map.

Always ask the question WHY? Why am I doing this activity and HOW will it benefit my spiritual progress. Goal will give you clarity. You will observe that what ever you do is now more meaningful. All spiritual or religious activities including meditation will be more beneficial if they are done with one goal - Self Realization or to have divine vision of God. Goal will not allow you to get side-tracked & give undue importance to useless activities.

What should NOT be the goal of life.

Many sadhaks or spiritual aspirants, when asked about their goal of life, find it difficult to answer spontaneously. Some have goals like spreading their master's or Guru's words / work, increasing the strength of foundation in members i.e. devotees and financially, some think that serving their Guru is the only goal of life (without understanding the true meaning of 'serving a Guru'), some want to teach shastras or some yogic kriyas, asanas, pranayams, etc, etc. Some of them want peace of mind, some want to stay fit and healthy. These cannot be THE GOAL of life. The Goal of Life is only one - SELF REALIZATION or to have Divine vision of God.

NECESSITY of Self Realization as the ONLY Goal of life.

If you want to teach anything, you first need to read it, understand it, apply it and master it. Without understanding Gita, how can say that Gita is the best and very valuable and so I am distributing it for free. In order to teach meditation, you should know what is mediation and what is the final state of meditation and when the process of meditation ends permanently. Study the lives of great saints and avatars. Lord Buddha, Adi Shankaracharya, Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Maa, Swami Vivekananda, Lord Swaminarayan, or Lord Mahavir. All of them had something in common in their lives. First they isolated themselves, meditated without caring for samsara (society), realized their true nature, established themselves in Atma Sthiti and then started to preach or teach the world.

Take the e.g. of Swami Vivekananda: Narendranath did not do anything for society, he followed his Guru Sri Ramakrishna's instructions, meditated, and experienced samadhi. Then Sri Ramakrishna gave him his siddhis and ordered him to take care of rest of his spiritual brothers and then complete the work which his Guru gave him. He than took the name of Swami Vivekananda and we all know what has he done to Hindu Dharma and to the world. All other examples given above also lived in similar way. In short, Swami Vivekananda did not do anything for society on his own, but after Self realization, Swami Vivekanada (a totally different identity) got instructions from his Guru Sri Ramakrishna and served the world.

In the same way, doing pranayama or asana is good for health and can be the first step in Yog, but cannot lead to you self realization.

Similarly for spreading teachings or giving discourses can be helpful but cannot bring you or others salvation. Remember, a patient CANNOT treat a patient. One who is not realized, cannot make others realize their true nature.

I do not say, serving or teaching or giving discourses is not beneficial, it definitely is, but it should not be the goal of life. You cannot accept students and become yourself a Guru. Giving discourses on Guru's instruction, helping others solving doubts is a different issue and taking responsibility is another.

Sri Ramakrishna says, "One cannot teach men without a direct command from God"

An Excerpt:

"A man's ego is destroyed after three croaks, as it were, if he gets into the clutches of a real teacher. But if the teacher is an 'unripe' one, then both the teacher and the disciple undergo endless suffering. The disciple cannot get rid either of his ego or of the shackles of the world. If a disciple falls into the clutches of an incompetent teacher, he doesn't attain liberation.".

Lives of saints are an example of what a realized saint is capable of doing after Self Realization and getting direct orders for God. When God assigns you any work, he also gives you the ability to complete the given work. In case of Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ramakrishna transferred his Siddhis to Swami Vivekananda so that Swami Vivekananda can accomplish the given task.

BENEFITS of having Self Realization as the ONLY goal of life

There are many benefits. Just the point a few, here are some:

You will always be focused on your Goal. As a result, sooner or later, you will definitely meet (Self Realized) Guru and thereby increasing chances of getting realized in the present life.
Gradually, you will gain Clarity. Clarity in thought and in meditation. Due to clarity, you will not be trapped or get distracted or give undue importance to any useless or unnecessary activities like promotion, marketing of so-called spiritual goods, appealing for donation and doing door-to-door marketing for your foundation to raise money (in the form of donation) for any good looking project like building of schools, hospitals, etc. In these activities adarsh is ucchatam but Tatva Jnana is of nimnatar kaksha. (These activities may look to be highly moral and ethical, but the spiritual knowledge or spiritual essence is of very low grade). There are ever so many Gurus in the world who rob the wealth of their disciples. But I consider that Guru a rare one among Gurus who removes the afflictions of the disciple's heart. (Sri Guru Gita - 162).
Ensures and accelerates spiritual progress. Actually, reverse is true. Not having self realization as the only goal in life will delay or slow down or some times stop your spiritual progress.
Lesser dependence on human beings and only dependence on God, who is permanent and the most near and dear to you.
Vairagya is an ananda. Vairagya is the absence of Bhogya padarth (worldly ojbects) in mind. Since you do not have any demand, you will also feel deep peace and bliss flowing through you throughout the day.
Finally, you will reach your Destination. You will realize your true nature

Think . Realize . Awaken Yourself . & Act

It is time to take a decision.

Give your life a direction.

Let this New Year be the beginning of new life.

What is the root cause of bondage?

2011-10-20T17:23:00.001+05:30

Question: What is the root cause of bondage?

Swami Ramsukhdasji: In true worship, one does not consider things to be their own, and does not expect any reward for him self. Where a desire exists to get comfort, respect, praise, or any other personal gain, there is bondage. Several years passed by in giving discourses, yet I did not know the root cause of bondage. It was much later that I came to the understanding that desire to get anything from anyone is bondage. If you want others to be favorable towards you, it means you are inviting sorrow. It is all a desire for pleasure and enjoyment. Therefore Beware!! Of them. Desires only lead to bondage, and not love. Those who wish to get something from another are cheats and pleasure seeking and they get entangled in worldly bondage.

Therefore to get rid of bondage, give up your desire and serve others. This is the real Art of Living in this world. It is God Realization through selfless, unattached action. We should totally give up the idea of getting anything from others.

Sri Ramana Maharshi on Death

2011-10-11T21:29:00.001+05:30

Condt from How long is the interval between death and re-birth?

Bhagavan would never admit that differences in mode of expression or formulation of doctrine between the various religions signified real contradiction, since the Truth to which
they point is One and Immutable.

D.: Is the Buddhist view that there is no continuous entity answering to the idea of the individual soul right or not? Is this consistent with the Hindu doctrine of a reincarnating ego? Is the soul a continuous entity which reincarnates again and again, according to the Hindu doctrine, or is it a mere conglomeration of mental tendencies?

B.: The real Self is continuous and unaffected. The reincarnating ego belongs to a lower plane, that of thought. It is transcended by Self-realisation.

Reincarnations are due to a spurious offshoot of Being and are therefore denied by the Buddhists. The human state is due to a mingling of the sentient with the insentient.

Sometimes it was not a question of reincarnation but grieving over the death of a loved one. A lady who had come from North India asked Bhagavan whether it was possible to know
the posthumous state of an individual.

B.: It is possible, but why try. Such facts are only as real as the person who seeks them.
L.: The birth of a person and his life and death are real to us.
B.: Because you wrongly identify yourself with the body, you think of the other also as a body. Neither you nor he is the body.

L.: But from my own level of understanding, I regard myself and my son as real.

B.: The birth of the 'I'-thought is a person's birth and its death is his death. After the 'I'-thought has arisen, the wrong identification with the body rises. Identifying yourself with the body makes you falsely identify others also with their bodies. Just as your body was born and grows and will die, so you think the other also was born, grew and died. Did you think of your son before he was born? The thought came after his birth and continues even after his death. He is your son only in so far as you think of him. Where has he gone? To the source from which he sprang. So long as you continue to exist, he does too. But if you cease to identify yourself with the body and realise the true Self, this confusion will vanish. You are eternal and others also will be found to be eternal. Until this is realised there will always be grief due to false values which are caused by wrong knowledge and wrong identification.

On the death of King George V, two devotees were discussing the matter in the hall and seemed upset.

Bhagavan said: What is it to you who dies or is lost? Die yourself and be lost, becoming one with the Self of all (on the ego's extinction).

And finally, about the importance of death. Religions stress the importance of the frame of mind in which a person dies and his last thoughts at death. But Bhagavan reminded people that it is necessary to be well prepared beforehand; if not, undesirable tendencies will rise up at death, too powerful to be controlled.

D.: Even if I cannot realise in my lifetime, let me at least not forget on my death-bed. Let me have a glimpse of Reality at least at the moment of death, so that it may stand me in good stead in the future.

B.: It is said in the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter VIII, that whatever is a person's last thought at death determines his next birth. But it is necessary to experience Reality now, in this life, in order to experience it at death. Consider whether this present moment is any different from the last one at death and try to be in the desired state.

Source: Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi in his own words by Arthur Osborne, Chapter Two.

Peaceful Protest at Malthouse Theatre (Melbourne) continues

2011-10-09T21:23:00.000+05:30

Namaste,

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about a play 'Ganesh versus the Third Reich' played at Malthouse Theatre (Melbourne) form Oct 6, 2011. After watching the play, Hindus are very upset. Peaceful protest was conducted by Forum for Hindu Awakening. Media representative of the Play is not giving any response when contacted over telephone.

While, we Hindus, prefer to leave at peace with other religions, we certainly cannot accept anything that hurt our sentiment and degeneration of our God. There are repeated attempts, in the name of freedom of speech and expression, to hurt Hindu Sentiment. While violence is not a preferable way to protest, Peaceful demonstration definitely is.

As a Hindu, I wish 'Forum for Hindu Awakening', my support and pray to God, that the ojbective of peacefull educative demonstration, is successful.

For latest news please visit here.

To here Protest interview audio recording (in Hindi) on SBS Radio visit:

http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/hindi/highlight/page/id/187947/t/Ganesh-versus-the-Third-Reich/

Namaste

Hari Aum

INDIASPIRITUALITY

We are sinners. What will happen to us?

2011-10-06T22:10:00.001+05:30

Neighbour: "Revered Sir, we are sinners. What will happen to us?"

Sri Ramakrishna: "All the sins of the body fly away if one chants the name of God and sings His glories. The birds of sin dwell in the tree of the body. Singing the name of God is like clapping your hands. As, at a clap of the hands, the birds in the tree fly away, so do our sins disappear at the chanting of God's name and glories.

"Again, you find that the water of a reservoir dug in a meadow is evaporated by the heat of the sun. Likewise, the water of the reservoir of sin is dried up by the singing of the name and glories of God.

"You must practice it every day. The other day, at the circus, I saw a horse running at top speed, with an Englishwoman standing on one foot on its back. How much she must have practiced to acquire that skill!

"Weep at least once to see God.

"These, then, are the two means: practice and passionate attachment to God, that is to say, restlessness of the soul to see Him."

On other occasion during discussion with a devotee named Sub-Judge, Sri Ramakrishna said,

One must have such faith that one can say: 'I have uttered the name of God; I have repeated the name of Rama or Hari. How can I be a sinner?' One must have faith in the glory of God's name."

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

Change in the format of posts received by Email Subscription

2011-10-06T21:32:00.001+05:30

Recently, I have made some change in the way posts are delivered through Feedburner email subscriptions.

I have changed the default email ID from indianspirituality@gmail.com to indiaspirituality@gmail.com. Incase you have setup a filter, kindly change it accordingly.
Change in title of subject. Earlier, the subject of email consisted of only one word 'INDIASPIRITUALITY'. I found this less informative, hence, I changed it. New subject contains title of newest / latest post. Incase, just more than one post is published, subject line gets modified to title of latest post plus m more. 'm' is the number of post(s) excluding the one post, whose title is displayed in the subject line.

Recently, there was a mass email titled 'URGENT - Protesting Malthouse Theatre in Melbourne, Australia on 06 OCT (Thurs)'.

It was repeated again the next day. I have configured feedburner to deliver post(s) in a single email on the next day, the post(s) are published.This was not a spam, and was done by me. First one was send one urgent basis, as a mass mail to all subscribers. Email received next day was a regular copy of post published on the blog.

I request you to kindly add both the email id's to safe list and add to contact to ensure that email lands in your inbox or in the filter.

In case you have subscribed and did not get this post in your inbox, then, probably it has landed in spam. This may have happened due to the fact that I mass emailed to all the subscribers. Email also bounced from some id's. Please take necessary action.

We are sorry for the Inconvenience caused to you.

Hope you benefit from INDIASPIRITUALITY.

Namaste

INDIASPIRITUALITY

URGENT - Protesting Malthouse Theatre in Melbourne, Australia on 06 OCT (Thurs)

2011-10-05T10:36:00.001+05:30

Namaste, dear supporters of Hinduism.

The Melbourne Festival organisers and the Back to Back Theatre are continuing with the play 'Ganesh Versus the Third Reich', which has denigration of Lord Ganesh, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

Our volunteers have observed denigrations in the play as follows :

Lord Ganesh is shown captured by the Nazis and is shown a knife
Lord Ganesh is trivialised as He is shown talking about His relationship where He ate and drank wine
He is compared with fictitious comic characters such as 'Spiderman' and 'King Kong'
The character within the play (Brian) who plays Lord Ganesh, frequently takes off the Ganesh mask and utters obscenities like suck my d**k
The play has an obscene innuendo surrounding Lord Ganesh, wherein one character asks another, whether the length of Lord Ganesh's trunk is long enough, and the audience laughs
A man with board shorts, no shirt and a garland plays Lord Vishnu in the play
Lord Shiva is portrayed in poor taste and there is a scene where he plucks a human being into two

Forum for Hindu Awakening strongly believes that the very theme of this play is flawed, as it denigrates Hindu Deities by humanising them. The play uses descriptions of Hindu Deities that are contrary to those in Hindu Scriptures.

Hence, Forum for Hindu Awakening has urged the play's organisers to cancel the play immediately. In the event of non-cancellation of the play, Hindus will stage protests in front of the Malthouse Theatre in Melbourne from 6 Oct 2011 (Vijayadashami). We appeal to supporters of Hinduism to continue their peaceful protests against this play and to join us at the Malthouse Theatre for the protest. For details about the protest demonstration, please write to us at Melbourne@ForumforHinduAwakening.org

Dharmo rakshati rakshitaha !
Kind regards,

Seekers at Forum for Hindu Awakening

www.HinduAwakening.org

Source: Email from Shri Gauravbhai, Member of Forum for Hindu Awakening.

Garba

2011-09-30T12:29:00.001+05:30

The word Garba comes from the Sanskrit word for gestation or pregnancy. Traditionally, the dance is performed around a clay lantern with a light inside, called a 'Garbha Deep'. This lantern represents life, and the fetus in the womb in particular. The dancers thus honor Durga, the feminine form of divinity.

Garba is performed in a circle as a symbol of the Hindu view of time. The rings of dancers revolve in cycles, as time in Hinduism is cyclical. As the cycle of time revolves, from birth, to life, to death and again to rebirth, the only thing that is constant is the Goddess, that one unmoving symbol in the midst of all of this unending and infinite movement. The dance symbolizes that God, represented in feminine form in this case, is the only thing that remains unchanging in a constantly changing universe (jagat).

The Garbha Deep has another symbolic interpretation. The vessel itself is a symbol of the body, within whom Divinity (in the form of the Goddess) resides. Garba is danced around this symbol to honor the fact that all humans have the Divine energy of Devi within them.

Source: Wikipedia

Sri Ramakrishna on Jnana and Bhakti

2011-09-29T13:18:00.001+05:30

Sri Ramakrishna arrived at Govinda Mukherji's house at Belgharia, near Calcutta. Besides Narendra, Ram, and other devotees, some of Govinda's neighbours were present. The Master first sang and danced with the devotees. After the kirtan they sat down. Many saluted the Master. Now and then he would say, "Bow before God."

"It is God alone", he said, "who has become all this. But in certain places - for instance, in a holy man - there is a greater manifestation than in others. You may say, there are wicked men also. That is true, even as there are tigers and lions; but one need not hug the 'tiger God'. One should keep away from him and salute him from a distance. Take water, for instance. Some water may be drunk, some may he used for worship, some for bathing, and some only for washing dishes."

A neighbour: "Revered sir, what are the doctrines of Vedanta?"

Sri Ramakrishna: 'The Vedantist says, 'I am He.' Brahman is real and the world illusory. Even the 'I' is illusory. Only the Supreme Brahman exists.

"But the 'I' cannot be got rid of. Therefore it is good to have the feeling, 'I' am the servant of God, His son, His devotee.'

"For the Kaliyuga the path of bhakti is especially good. One can realize God through bhakti too. As long as one is conscious of the body, one is also conscious of objects. Form, taste, smell, sound, and touch - these are the objects. It is extremely difficult to get rid of the consciousness of objects. And one cannot realize 'I am He' as long as one is aware of objects.

"The sannyasi is very little conscious of worldly objects. But the house-holder is always engrossed in them. Therefore it is good for him to feel, 'I am the servant of God.'"

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

Today's protest CANCELLED | Lord Ganesha play at the Malthouse theatre, Southbank on the 29th of September

2011-09-29T10:38:00.001+05:30

w.r.f to Degeneration of Lord Ganesh at Melbourne

|| Sree ||

Dear Supporter of Hinduism,

This is an update to my earlier email to you about holding a protest rally outside the Malthouse theatre on the 29th September ( Thursday ).

At the outset I would like to thank all of you who have shown solidarity in protesting against this denigration.

Recent developments

In the past few hours, there have been various developments that have transpired which i would like to apprise you of.

On Wednesday (28th of September ) at 3.00 PM, five representatives ( a representative of the Hindu Community Council of Victoria, 2 VHP youth leaders, a member of the Hindu society of Victoria) of the Hindu community on the invitation of the Victorian Multicultural Council met with the organisers of the play " Ganesh versus the Third Reich" to express the various objections of the Hindu community.

After hearing all the objections, the organisers of the play were apologetic and have promised to remove the objectionable content from the websites of the Malthouse theatre, Back to Back theatre and the Melbourne festival. The objectionable content that will be removed includes, the denigratory images of Lord Ganesh and the disrespectful writings on the website about Lord Ganesh.

They have requested that the Hindu leaders in victoria see the play and then assess the play for any denigratory references to Lord Ganesh.

After the meeting. there was a joint statement issued in which Back to Back theatre has offered to remove in appropriate references with in the website and promotional material will be amended or removed if not removed.

Protest on hold

In view of these developments, and to respect the outcome of the meeting, Forum for Hindu Awakening has decided to put on hold the protest which was organised for the 29th of September at the Malt House theatre at 7.30 PM.

Proposed further action

1. Based on the request of the organisers of the play, we will be sending a representative to view the play on the 29th of September. The representative will make notes throughout the play and will watch out for any denigration and trivialisation of Lord Ganesh.

2. If we find any objectionable material in the play, On the 30th of September (Friday) we will inform the play organisers along with the Multicultural Council of Victoria with a view to cancel the play. If this request is turned down by the organisers, we will be left with no option other than going ahead with the protest.This has been tentatively scheduled for the 1st of October (Saturday) at the Malthouse theatre at 7.30 PM.

We will keep you informed of any further developments after we view the play.To lear about the latest developments, please visit our website at http://www.forumforhinduawakening.org/articles/id/preserving/hindu-deity-trivialised-in-melbourne-festival-play

With Kind Regards,
Gaurav Kathuria

Volunteer Member,

Forum For Hindu Awakening

Info by Shri Gauravbhai of Hindu Awakening through e-mail.

What is the meaning of the worship of the Personal God and God without Form?

2011-09-26T15:57:00.001+05:30

Marwari* Devotee: "Revered Sir, what is the meaning of the worship of the Personal God? And what is the meaning of God without form or attribute?"

Sri Ramakrishna: "As you recall your father by his photograph, so likewise the worship of the image reveals in a flash the nature of Reality.

"Do you know what God with form is like? Like bubbles rising on an expanse of water, various divine forms are seen to rise out of the Great Akasa of Consciousness. The Incarnation of God is one of these forms. The Primal Energy sports, as it were, through the activities of a Divine Incarnation.

"What is there in mere scholarship? God can be attained by crying to Him with a longing heart. There is no need to know many things.
"He who is an acharya has to know different things. One needs a sword and shield to kill others; but to kill oneself, a needle or a nail-knife suffices.

"One ultimately discovers God by trying to know who this 'I' is. Is this 'I' the flesh, the bones, the blood, or the marrow? Is it the mind or the buddhi? Analysing thus, you realize at last that you are none of these. This is called the process of 'Neti, neti', 'Not this, not this'. One can neither comprehend nor touch the Atman. It is without qualities or attributes.

"But, according to the path of devotion, God has attributes. To a devotee Krishna is Spirit, His Abode is Spirit, and everything about Him is Spirit."

The Marwari devotees saluted the Master and took their leave.
At the approach of evening Sri Ramakrishna went out to look at the sacred river. The lamp was lighted in his room. The Master chanted the hallowed name of the Divine Mother and meditated on Her. Then the evening worship began in the various temples. The sound of gongs, floating on the air, mingled with the murmuring voice of the river. Peace and blessedness reigned everywhere.

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

*Marwari: Marwari Language speaking business community.

Degeneration of Lord Ganesh at Melbourne

2011-09-25T13:56:00.001+05:30

||Shree||

Dear supporter of Hinduism,

Namaskar
We have received a complaint from a Hindu about a play 'Ganesh versus the third Reich'. This play will premiere as part of the 2011 Melbourne Festival. It will be performed at the Malthouse Theatre from 29 September to 9 October 2011, in Melbourne, Australia. The website of the play shows a picture of a man with elephant head in Sumo like dress posing behind Hitler which is not in accordance to the Scriptural description. Portrayal of Sree Ganesh is contrary to the way Hindu Scriptures describe His form and as depicted in Hindu temples and shrines. It is highly objectionable to Hindu religious sentiments that the revered Deity is being used in the fictitious context. You can learn more about this denigration at: http://forumforhinduawakening.org/articles/id/preserving/hindu-deity-trivialised-in-melbourne-festival-play

We protested this denigration by writing to the producer & director of the play, organisers of the Melbourne Festival as well as the management of the Malthouse Theatre where the play will be performed, requesting them to cancel the performance of this play (Please see below e-mail trail). However, the producer of the play and organiser of Melbourne Festival responded by saying that a meeting will be held next week with representatives from the Hindu Community Council, facilitated by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, representatives from Back to Back Theatre, Melbourne Festival, Malthouse Theatre and the Indian High Consul in Melbourne.

Below are details of the avenues where supporters of Hinduism can express and register their peaceful protest, to all the involved organisations of the play against this blatant denigration of our revered deity Lord Ganesh.

Malthouse Theater (where the play will be performed)

Postal Address: Merlyn Theatre, 113 Sturt Street, SOUTHBANK 3006.
E-mail: admin@malthousetheatre.com.au; Media Manager (mediamanager@malthousetheatre.com.au); Media Coordinator ( lucyforge@malthousetheatre.com.au)

Back to Back Theatre (management of the play)

Postal Address1: Alcoa Studio 3, Level 1, 75 Ryrie St, Geelong, Victoria, Australia 3220
Postal Address2: PO Box 1257, Geelong, Victoria, Australia 3220
Telephone: +613 5221 2029; Fax: +613 5229 0525
E-mail: Executive Producer (Alice Nash - alice@backtobacktheatre.com); Artistic Director (Bruce Gladwin - bruce@backtobacktheatre.com); Company Manager (Stacey Gladwin - admin@backtobacktheatre.com); Marketing and Relationships Manager (Alice Gerlach - aliceg@backtobacktheatre.com)

Organisers (MELBOURNE FESTIVAL)

Postal Address1: Street: Level 5, 180 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Postal Address2: PO Box 10, Flinders Lane, Melbourne Vic 8009
Phone: +61 3 9662 4242; +61 3 9652 8626; Fax: +61 3 9663 4141
E-mail: contact.us@melbournefestival.com.au; Head of Marketing & Communications (f.kelly@melbournefestival.com.au)

(Please do cc or inform us of your protest, as we strive to keep you updated about the progress of this protest by the Hindu Community)
"Dharmo rakshati rakshitaha | (Dharma or God protects those who protect Dharma !)"

Sincerely,
Sadhaks at Forum for Hindu Awakening (www.HinduAwakening.org)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-mail communication with Back to back theater:

To:<aliceg@backtobacktheatre.com>, bruce@backtobacktheatre.com

Subject: Denigration and trivialisation of Lord Ganesh | "GANESH VERSUS THE THIRD REICH"

|| Sree ||

Namaste Alice,
I came to know through a news article about your play involving one of the most revered deities in Hinduism Lord Ganesh. Accordingly I happened to go to your website to understand the nature of this play and I was disappointed to see the blatant trivialisation and denigration of Lord Ganesh, a deity who is revered by millions of Hindu's worldwide. Hindu's have temples of Lord Ganesh for Lord Ganesh devotees, there is one in Victoria in The basin. I would request you to visit the temple and understand the sentiment and the kind of reverence Hindu's hold towards Lord Ganesh. It will help creating some sensitiveness about Hindu beliefs and culture.

I do not oppose humour which is the intention behind your play, humour is an essential part of our life, but it can't be at the expense of hurting the sentiments of others. This blatant trivialisation and denigration of Lord Ganesh is against the taste of multiculturalism and tolerance towards others spiritual practices and beliefs. I would sincerely request you to please stop this play from premiering in Melbourne festival and kindly apologise to the Hindu community in Victoria for hurting the sentiments of Hindus.

In anticipation of your favourable response.

With Kind regards,
Volunteer member, Forum For Hindu Awakening.
www.hinduawakening.org

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Info by Shri Gauravbhai of Hindu Awakening through e-mail.

What is the difference between worldly happiness and transcendental Bliss?

2011-09-23T18:39:00.001+05:30

Question: What is the difference between worldly happiness and transcendental Bliss?

Swami Ramsukhdasji: Worldly happiness is with reference to worldly unhappiness / sorrow. In other words, along with worldly happiness, there is also worldly sorrow. But Bliss is neutral, it is not mixed with any sorrow. In worldly happiness there are changes (often changes for the worse, deterioration), but Bliss is changeless. Worldly happiness is related to sense-objects and through contact with these, but bliss has no connection with any external contact or objects. In worldly happiness, there is exhaustion after, but in bliss there is no such exhaustion, rather it is equanimity, stillness, continuous flow of nectar, and attributeless. The point is, not having any of the following - deterioration, sorrow, changes, feeling of inadequacy, turmoil, frenzy, lack of balance, favoritism etc. is "bliss".

Bliss is of two kinds, "Akhand" (Uninterrupted, Continuous) Bliss and "Anant" (Infinite, eternal) Bliss. The Bliss of Salvation is Uninterrupted, whereas the bliss of Divine Love is infinite. The Continuous bliss is equal, still, single continuous flow of nectar, whereas in Infinite Bliss, there is every moment, ever increasing. In other words, the bliss of Divine Love is far more extraordinary than the bliss of salvation. In salvation, only the worldly sorrows are wiped out and the self remains as is. But in divine love, the Self gravitates towards it's source (anshi) - Paramatma (Supreme Soul, Supreme Consciousness).

If a spiritual aspirant has no insistence of any sort, then he automically eases into silent uninterrupted bliss and continuous and infinite nectar filled transcendence.

What is the difference between pure Happiness, Peace and Bliss?

2011-09-23T12:21:00.001+05:30

Question: What is the difference between pure Happiness, Peace and Bliss?

Swami Ramsukhdasji: By associating with divinity (chinmaitaah) i.e. in chanting etc. one derives pure happiness. When one does not become the enjoyer of pure happiness, one attains Peace. On not becoming the consumer or enjoyer of even Peace, one attains Bliss.

In pure happiness there are qualities, but Peace and Bliss are beyond qualities and attributes. By detaching from the world, one attains Peace, and by realizing Paramatma (God), one attains Bliss.

How long is the interval between death and re-birth?

2011-09-20T12:05:00.001+05:30

D.: How long is the interval between death and re-birth?

B.: It may be long or short, but a Realised Man undergoes no such change; he merges into the Infinite Being, as is said in the Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad. Some say that those who, after death, take the path of light are not re-born; whereas those who take the path of darkness are born after they have reaped their karma (self-made destiny) in their subtle bodies.

If a man's merits and demerits are equal, he is re-born immediately on earth; if the merits outweigh the demerits, his subtle body goes first to heaven, while if the demerits outweigh the merits it goes first to hell. But in either case he is later re-born on earth. All this is described in the scriptures, but in fact there is neither birth nor death; one simply remains what one really is. That only is the truth.

Again, he would explain in terms of God's mercy.

B.: God in His mercy withholds this knowledge from people. If they knew that they had been virtuous they would grow proud, and in the other case they would be despondent. Both are bad. It is enough to know the Self.

He did, however, refer sometimes to a person's preparedness or maturity as being due to the achievements of a previous incarnation.

A competent person who has already, perhaps in a previous incarnation, qualified himself realises the truth and abides in peace as soon as he hears it told to him just once, whereas one who is not so qualified has to pass through the various stages
before attaining samadhi (direct, pure consciousness of being).

That is to say that a lifetime may be regarded as a day's journey upon the pilgrimage to Self-realisation. How far from the goal one starts depends on the effort or lack of effort made on the previous days; how far forward one advances depends on the effort of today.

A Science lecturer from a university asked whether the intellect survives a man's death and was told:

"Why think of death? Consider what happens in your sleep.What is your experience of that?"

D.: But sleep is transient, whereas death is not.

B.: Sleep is intermediate between two waking states, and in the same way death is intermediate between two births. Both are transient.

D.: I mean when the spirit is disembodied, does it carry the intellect with it?

B.: The spirit is not disembodied; the bodies differ. If not a gross body it will be a subtle one, as in sleep, dream or day-dream.

Source: Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi in his own words by Arthur Osborne, Chapter Three

Sri Ramana on Choice of Merit and Demerit after death

2011-09-19T13:03:00.001+05:30

Condt. From: Isn't our personality beginningless?

Bhagavan, indeed, discouraged preoccupation with such questions since they merely distract one from the real task of realising the Self here and now.

Devotee (D).: They say that we have the choice of enjoying merit or demerit after our death, that it depends on our choice which comes. Is that so?

Bhagawan Sri Ramana Maharshi (B): Why raise questions of what happens after death? Why ask whether you were born, whether you are reaping the fruits of your past karma, and so on? You will not raise such questions in a little while when you fall asleep. Why? Are you a different person now from the one you are when asleep? No, you are not. Find out why such questions do not occur to you when you are asleep.

On occasion, however, Bhagavan did admit of a lower, contingent point of view for those who could not hold to the doctrine of pure non-dualism.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna first says to Arjuna in Chapter II, that no one was born and then in Chapter IV, 'there have been numerous incarnations both of you and me. I know them but you do not.' Which of these two statements is true? The teaching varies according to the understanding of the listener. When Arjuna said that he would not fight against his relatives and elders in order to kill them and gain the kingdom, Sri Krishna said: 'Not that these, you or I, were not before, are not now, nor will be hereafter. None was born, none has died, nor will it be so hereafter'. He further developed this theme, saying that he had given instructions to the Sun and through him to Ikshvaku; and Arjuna queried how that could be, since he had been born only a few years back, while they lived ages ago. Then Sri Krishna saw his point of view and said: 'Yes, there
have been many incarnations of me and you. I know them all but you do not.'

Such statements appear contradictory, but they are true according to the viewpoint of the questioner. Christ also said "Before Abraham was, I am."

Just as in dreams, you wake up after several new experiences, so after death another body is found.

Just as rivers lose their individuality when they discharge their waters into the ocean, and yet the waters evaporate and return as rain on the hills and back again through the rivers to the ocean, so also individuals lose their individuality when they go to sleep but return again according to their previous innate tendencies. Similarly, in death also, being is not lost.

D.: How can that be?

B.: See how a tree grows again when its branches are cut off. So long as the life source is not destroyed, it will grow. Similarly, latent potentialities withdraw into the heart at death but do not perish. That is how beings are re-born.

Nevertheless, from the higher viewpoint he would say:

In truth there is neither seed nor tree, there is only Being.

Source: Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi in his own words by Arthur Osborne, Chapter Three

What is a way to Realize God?

2011-09-11T22:43:00.001+05:30

A Marwari* Devotee: "Revered sir, what is the way (to Realize God)?"

Sri Ramakrishna: "There are two ways. One is the path of discrimination, the other is that of love. Discrimination means to know the distinction between the Real and the unreal. God alone is the real and permanent Substance; all else is illusory and impermanent. The magician alone is real; his magic is illusory. This is discrimination.

"Discrimination and renunciation. Discrimination means to know the distinction between the Real and the unreal. Renunciation means to have dispassion for the things of the world. One cannot acquire them all of a sudden. They must be practiced every day. One should renounce 'woman and gold' mentally at first. Then, by the will of God, one can renounce it both mentally and outwardly. It is impossible to ask the people of Calcutta to renounce all for the sake of God. One has to tell them to renounce mentally.

"Through the discipline of constant practice one is able to give up attachment to 'woman and gold'. That is what the Gita says. By practice one acquires uncommon power of mind. Then one doesn't find it difficult to subdue the sense-organs and to bring anger, lust, and the like under control. Such a man behaves like a tortoise, which, once it has tucked in its limbs, never puts them out. You cannot make the tortoise put its limbs out again, though you chop it to pieces with an axe."

Marwari* Devotee: "Revered sir, you just mentioned two paths. What is the other path?"

Sri Ramakrishna: "The path of bhakti (unconditional love). Weep for God in solitude, with a restless soul, and ask Him to reveal Himself to you.

Cry to your Mother Syama with a real cry, O mind! And how can She hold Herself from you?"

*Marwari: Marwari Language Speaking community

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna