Shutting out the world of contradictions
Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:02:06 -0700
From: kvnarayanmurti@yahoo.com
Jayasree,
An excellent piece.
When you close your eyes, you are shutting out the world of contradictions, the phenominal universe, which causes pain and pleasure, good and bad and all pairs of opposites that deny us peace of mind. That is why, when you sleep SOUNDLY, these experiences of opposites disappear, You are in a state of bliss, which is the characteristic of Brahman. The only thing is, you are not aware of this bliss when it is actually on, but only realise in the past tense when you wake up. See Mantra 5 of the MAANDUKYA UPANISHAD for confirmation.
When you are not asleep, but only close your eyes, physically you withdraw from the phenomenal universe. To complete the exercise, you engage your mind thinking of the beauty of the Goddess, you engage your tongue into murmuring the names of the Goddess and you engage your hands in prayer. So, you have the same experience of bliss that you have in deep sleep stage. However, this is only temporary experience, so by practice you can make it perfect and long lasting. Good going.
Appa
From: Jayasree Mohan
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2012 5:00 AM
Just sharing personal experience, not preaching.
When Appa taught me Lalitha sasranamam at a very young age, at "Sahasra dalapadmastha sarvavarnobhi sobhitha', he used to pause, close the eyes in meditation, before proceeding further. He was mentally enjoying the beauty of the Divine mother, seated on a multi-petalled lotus, wearing gorgeous apparel and jewels. I learned about it much later when he explained the meaning of the hymn. Since then whenever I get an opportunity of worshiping in a temple, I enjoy the beauty of each mantram, though unknowingly at the deeparadhana time, I shut my eyes for a moment internally enjoying the beuaty of the idol illumined by the arati.
I do close my eyes while reciting, hymns like,"Kamkrodathi shad varga naasanayai namo namah," wondering how the 'kamkrodathi shad vargas had blotted my character at various stages.
Teach children the meaning of slokas, mantras, and significance of various poojas and upasanas. It helps them in the long run. If you do not have the habit of doing pooja or going to temples, better start now, for the sake of your kids..It is never late. It does no harm. When they grow up, they might leave the practice as unworthy but at some stage or other, hey will come back . I do not know anything about their role, beyond this life, but my experience is that such practices give immense mental satisfaction and even give you a strong support to hang on, during your difficult days.
Just sharing personal experience, not preaching.