Tarun, Rasaraja-ji & Braja-ji have received DIKSHA - Ananta das Babaji's Shelter

You guys are giving me a desire for taking shelter of Baba.

Can I also get the mercy and shelter of someone so sweet,sublime and beautiful (Hari-bhajan) as entrance into Sri Vraja Dhama by receiving special mantra and istha from a siddha?

Seems that the mercy is available for those who pray and sincerely desire.

Dear Student:
Radhe Radhe!

You can join those of us lusting after the shelter of Baba.

If you have not done so, go to loibazaar.com and buy the AdB bundle. Best $13 you will spend

The mercy is there, but remember, God helps those that help themselves. Baba has stated that those seeking diksha should first try to understand the philosophy. Those three books are your first steps in that direction.

Jai Sriiiiiiiiiiiiiii Radheeeeeeeeee !


Your experience sounds promising:

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Around this time I found the GD website and lurked for several months. I came across a posting from Madhava about the trials of getting some books printed in India. I thought that since he worked so hard getting these printed, I owed them at least a look, so I ordered the Ananta Dasa Babaji bundle offered at loibazaar.com

Getting & reading the books was a life altering experience. Here, finally was all of the things I had been reading about, but spelled out so simply, so sweetly, and with scriptural authority. Things started to make sense. So, I have been reading these books & some other recommended books, and we will see where things go. I have to say that I am eternally grateful to Madhava & all the other devotees here on GD for the wonderful sadhu-sanga they provide!

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I'll shall try to delve deeper to realize the wonders of sadhu-sanga.

Dandavats. All glories to the Vaisnavas.

Radhe Radhe!

Getting Baba's books is definetley a first step in the process. I would recommend that next you start communicating with baba via letter. Submit any questions you have to him and when you receive the answers it will go a long way in cementing what your relationship with Baba is. Remember it isn't "one size fit's all". We may encounter many devotees that touch our heart but there is a unique touch that comes from one's Guru. The reason that I think the exchanges between the Guru and perspective disciple is so important is that it is one thing to hear philosophy and feel a connection and to see the beauty of that individual’s realization. The key is that they can ease the areas where your faith is troubled. There isn't always a very obvious difference between how one sadhu answers verse another. The key is that one may soothe your heart and mind in a way that the other didn't.

So be patient and correspond with Baba. Pray to Sri Radhe and Krishna, Sri Gauranga and the Vaisnavas that they make this path clear for you and lead you to Sri Guru.

I wish you well.

Aspiring to serve the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

I'm not sure it is useful to take shelter from a 'spiritual' authority. When you give up your mind you become like a mushball. You cease to grow as the individual that you were created to be. You take on someone else's dreamworld in exchange for the reality that god created for you.

Dandavats. All glories to the Vaisnavas.

Why would you equate taking shelter of a spiritaul authority with giving up your mind? The very premise of the Guru and Disciple relationship is about service, inquiry and instruction. Of course one could surrender without using their mind or as a way to escape the world but by doing so they aren't being a Disciple.

Aspiring to serve the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

Sounds like you're a real personalist devotee who places a high priority on one's continually evolving relationship with Sri Krsna (rasa); hence yoour name 'Rasaraja'. Yes I need the soothing balm of a sadhu's words to assuge the burning affliction of my heart.

I pray for the krpa of a Gouranga bhakta to touch my atma so that I too can join you in Gaura's lila of kirtan rasa.

I have a little present for the three dIkSits. Enjoy!

Dandavats. All glories to the Vaisnavas.

Why would you equate taking shelter of a spiritaul authority with giving up your mind? The very premise of the Guru and Disciple relationship is about service, inquiry and instruction. Of course one could surrender without using their mind or as a way to escape the world but by doing so they aren't being a Disciple.

Aspiring to serve the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

[/quote]

The uniqueness of approacing a siddha on matters of spiritual love and the art of Hari-bhajan - this is what beckons me here.

You do indeed get a glimpse by reading and discussing but only a glimpse and not the full experience that one would get in approaching Baba in person and recieving the particular mantras and siksa in real time.

To live in the love dalliance of the Lord's lila and rasa must be the goal and purpose of going all the way to Radha-kunda to meet him and receive diksa. When will this dream become a transcendental reality?

[quote=student,Feb 11 2005, 07:42 AM]
Dandavats. All glories to the Vaisnavas.

Why would you equate taking shelter of a spiritaul authority with giving up your mind? The very premise of the Guru and Disciple relationship is about service, inquiry and instruction. Of course one could surrender without using their mind or as a way to escape the world but by doing so they aren't being a Disciple.

Aspiring to serve the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

[/quote]

The uniqueness of approacing a siddha on matters of spiritual love and the art of Hari-bhajan - this is what beckons me here.

You do indeed get a glimpse by reading and discussing but only a glimpse and not the full experience that one would get in approaching Baba in person and recieving the particular mantras and siksa in real time.

To live in the love dalliance of the Lord's lila and rasa must be the goal and purpose of going all the way to Radha-kunda to meet him and receive diksa. When will this dream become a transcendental reality?

[/quote]



Never, because dreams are not real

Thanks God conventional reality is not our only option!

very, very wrong my friend.
believe me, SOME dreams are true.
right, Rasaraja?

Real Dreams vs Dreamy Reality

I want the dream to be a reality

because the so-caled reality is really a mere pipe dream

that is based in maya's neverland.


The spiritual preceptor has the the key to the spirit reality

but they are so many detractors who insist that he doesn't because they

too dazed by the 'real' world of evanescence.

Good one! Best wishes and Grace!

you may think that if you believe in something then it will come true. that is not the case. that is called a delusion. that is an escape from what is. that is fear and desperately seeking a solution by giving up your identity to an authority (who, incidently, knows no more than you about life except that he knows how to trick you).

and get used to the reality that is here and will always be with you. you have to live with it until you pass away and no amount of fantasy will kill it.

Dandavats. All glories to the Vaisnavas.

I assume from the quality of your posts that you find yourself to be a rather witty person however I can assure you that no one here is all that interested in your clumsy little posts. Maybe, just maybe, someone would take your advice in regards to spiritual life seriously if your biography showed more depth than "wine, women and song" and "Jesus, Prabhupada and Krsna" and your posts weren't simply meant as a way to amuse yourself. For you maybe there is nothing to hope for but for the rest of us our hearts desire is there in front of us.

Aspiring to serve the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

Thank you Riggs for your mayic reply.

Your doing valuable service as one who is filled with envy and spite like you

can make one practice patience and tolerance in the face your wicked provocation.

Nevermind that your drunk as a skunk in heat,

your service is mucho appreciated in the negative realm of vikarma.

Radhe!

you also follow an authority:
your negative mind.

i rather follow the authority of my Gurudeva.

by the way, why you are posting here?
what a sad concept of life.

and even if it would be a "dream" like you say that we believe in, it would still be better than the reality you believe in.

such wicked, envious posts should be ignored and such members should not be allowed to post here.

this is the lowest level of offensive posting.
low and VERY sad.

and if you think you shatter "our dreams" , you are WRONG.

oh man, am i happy that escaped your rigged reality!

One to One

Krishna One to one

Me little next to none
In search of One to one
Contact with the source of continual love,acceptance and compassion.

To sit in front of Sri guru is to make that divine contact
where Krishna meets you here in this world
From His side to my side
and shakes hands.

I desire for that transformative spirit soul existance
Where every breath if imbued with devotion
Every step is a purposeful pilgrimage to the Holy Dham
Every hankering is pining for Radha Krishna bhakti.

I pray to sit in front of the eternal preceptor
and hear to die
And die to hear.

"Nevertheless what is imagined with enough intensity has a claim to be real enough." (Lawrence Durrell, Monsieur)

I just wanted to post Ananta das Babji's analogy on the guidance of the guru here. (a little paraphrasing... I don't have any books here in front of me) I've taken a lot of inspiration from this analogy.

In order to cross the ocean of material life, you need an expert guidesman, the Guru. Under his guidance, you can reach the opposite shore. You may even get the mercy of the Lord in the form of wind to help push you towards that shore. But ultimately, you are captain of the ship, and control the course you take. If you chose not to aim for that distant shore, then no amount of guidance or mercy is ever going to get you there.

Hope this helps move you a little closer to understanding the real dynamic of the guru/disciple relationship.

Ahhh,

I see that my little post has stirred up a hornets nest!

I was just wondering if our belief in something makes that same belief come true in real life.

I think that many people on some unconsciousness level think that by believing very strongly in things like heaven or reincarnation or streets paved in gold, that these things will actually come true by dint of belief.

I am just asking if this is the case. If it is the case then I will start believeing very soon. And with much vigor. I will be able to make all of these fancys happen.

I am just raising the question and wonder if anyone has thought about it. Or if any of the gurus have spoken of this. Because it occured to me that that is what many are doing.

It was not meant to sound so negative. I am just trying to be a little objective and questioning if that is allowed, I am not sure.

Thank you

In my humble opinion, it is best not to speak to one who is inimical to your spiritual life. I am so grateful for the ignore user's post feature of this site. I humbly recommend the same for all the great people here. A flippant and cynical attitude under the guise of free enquiry and friendly debate is nothing but harmful to all concerned.

"All are Narayana and worthy of worship, no doubt, but the tiger Narayana should be worshipped from afar with folded hands".
-Sri Ramakrsna

Yes, certainly our consciousness molds the reality we experience. As far as molding our spiritual destinations goes, the principle only applies to those who approach the multi-faceted absolute under the guardianship of a genuine guru and in allegiance to the revealed scriptures.

Thank you.

Then do I understand that it is our effort (strong belief or opinion) that is the determining factor in what happens to us in the afterlife?

In other words, if I choose to believe in Krishna, I will go to his heaven.

And if I choose to believe in Islam, I will have many virgins?

Or in Jesus and have a place there?

I hope I am clear on this. I have never heard people talk about it. It just has been occuring to me lately. And I like to have my wonderings answered if possible.

The reality of the multiple goals in the world's diverse religions is debatable, at least inasmuch as their paths for attaining the goals are concerned. With mere belief devoid of concrete self-surrender, not much is attained. Through actual dedication to a particular path, dedication that molds our minds, destinations may be attained.

We are created in the image of God which is God has imagination so we have imagination so why is it so hard to understand that we create Heaven? Belief is not the inactivation or reality but ignorance as one predisposes oneself to static content and not the active play of tangibles and intangibles to create what is reality and so yes, Riggedveda is correct and beliefs are very much the walls that keep us from percieving Heaven. Bhakti yoga is not a path of beliefs as many believe it is but one of a poetic passionate devotion and romance with the Infinite. Please do not mistake mythos for fact. One is real and the other is illusion, delusion.

Thank you, babu

God's imagination is infinite. He will create an infallible heaven. Finite jivas will create heavens that fall off the sky, as did one of those sages of the yore, Vishvamitra in one of his adventures if memory serves, who created a second heaven for a shudra who was barred from Indra's kingdom.

The finite jivas' heavens will be falling left and right along with their respective residents. Only in conjunction with the mercy-potency of Bhagavan, which flows to this world through the channel of the bhagavat-bhaktas, will the jIvas' heavens hold together. Such heavens, needless to say, follow the model of the saintly and realized predecessors.

If we take the words of our realized predecessors as being worth anything, we would do well to heed their instructions in the matter of bhajana instead of producing so many concoctions. Belief is there, yes, as the framework into which realization descends. Through belief you connect yourself with a particular model of worship, particular flavors of perfection and particular role-models, the residents of our worshipable heaven. If we intend to reach that abode, we'd better learn to come in terms with the guidance of its residents.

Radhe!

After reading this post I thought I must have missed one of your prior posts so I reread the entire thread. Even after a quick re-read I could not find where you ever asked these questions or any questions for that matter. All I found were statements which pointed to you not having any such questions rather a tone that you have the answers and all others, who follow a Guru, are being swindled. I think if you spend a moment to read back your own posts you will agree with such an assessment.

Now on to your questions…

The answer is No. Just because one believes something doesn’t make it true. Are there people that believe such? Yes. Does it require faith for us to believe in Sri Radhika and Yugala Kishora if we have not personally felt their touch? Yes.

There is always a risk involved in faith. It is the nature of the “business”. So in developing faith we have to keep our eyes open and think discriminately. At the same time we all know well that our perception and ability to understand the complexities of the World, the Universe and all aspects of being are beyond what our minds can comprehend. So we simply have a choice to make. We can say “How will I ever know for sure?” and just stand in the same place for ever or we can invest ourselves in what we find to initially be an intriguing possibility.

It is a process. As one starts to build more and more faith they will naturally accept a Guru who can help them understand. As one develops further faith in both the theology and ones Guru they will naturally follow that persons instruction on how to proceed in matters of bhajana. Even though initially the whole thing is a matter of faith it needs to be molded and focused on a specific result as it isn’t just a matter of believe and it will come true.

Aspiring to serve the Vasnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

OK Rasaraja,

You are saying ( after your loving, devotee like putdown ) that what the spiritual person seeks is really out there already.

You say that the spiritual sky or heaven is already out there, right now. And my belief has nothing to do with its existence. Ok, that is what you believe.

But I think that you and many others really, unconscisously, believe and hope that what you believe comes true. That it comes true because you create it out of belief.

In other words, does belief create the destiny for the believer? Say for a moment that there is no spiritual sky or heaven in reality. But because you create that image in your mind (for one reason or another) and give that image the energy of belief---then presto---it actually is created in reality. Is that what happens? Do we as humans have that power? Is that what the authorities over your life teach?

Good post and answer to a challenging question from questionable motivation!?

What is that specific result? Prema!
Or even the shadow or tiny ray of bhava for the Lord. We are all doing this Krishna bhajan or attempting to -so that I can become dear to Him, so that He may take me to Him in this life or some near future life. Or that He may reveal to me in the here and now His mercy,the transcendental attributes of His Holy Names:Hare Krishna Rama ,His arca-vigraha form,His qualites and lila ,sweet loving pastimes .

Who are we to deny or challenge Krishna is appear before us on a whim?

There's that verse from the Bhagavat which comes to mind 'as one feels satisfied as one eats and feels satisfied similarly one who practces bhakti gains realization of spirit and detachment from mater.'

Radhe Radhe!

I think I clearly pointed out in my last post that there is indeed a sense of hope that what I have stumbled upon is true. Am I convinced 100% through and through that it is? Of course not. If I were then nothing would be of any substance but service to Guru, Sri Gauranga, Sri Radhika and her Yugal Kishora and their splendid devotees!

So yes faith and hope are very much a part of my life and practice. However that doesn’t mean that I am under the illusion that wishing for something makes it real. The "authorities" in my life, or as I prefer to call them my Guardians, who have experienced what I desire, teach me in matters of bhajan and cultivating the correct mindset, humility and focus to allow those same aspects that are now faith to enter into my heart. I do not doubt that if I manage to follow my Guru that I will indeed be blessed with the darshana and service of Sri Gauranga, Sri Radhika and her Yugal Kishora and their splendid devotees! Why? Because it is through service to Guru that we are given this access. Why? Ones Guru has bound Sri Radhika and her dear Yugal Kishora with love and because of that relationship they receive us with open arms.

The realization of this reality comes as a result of the grace of Guru and ones sincere practice in following the directions of Guru. This is where some get confused. We don't just think or create some kind of an identity and it magically appears. Rtaher the Guru instructs one in their identity and as you contemplate on both your identity, service and such during sadhana your faith will increase and the intangible becomes tangible. This is the process.

Aspring tos erve the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

Adau zraddha - In the beginning comes faith. The whole thing is based on faith.

Radhe Radhe!



No, that is not what "our authorities over our lives" teach.
They teach that the realization of our true eternal form in the true spiritual world is an ongoing process.

Yep, it starts with faith. Faith can move mountains, but it cannot create already existing eternal things, like for example the spiritual world.

Srila Rupa Goswami writes in his work "Bhakti -rasamrita-sindhu"

adau sraddha tatah sadhu-
sango 'tha bhajana-kriya
tato 'nartha-nivrttih syat
tato nistha rucis tatah

athasaktis tato bhavas
tatah premabhyudancati
sadhakanam ayam premnah
pradurbhave bhavet kramah

"In the beginning one must have a preliminary desire for self-realization. This will bring one to the stage of trying to associate with persons who are spiritually elevated. In the next stage one becomes initiated by an elevated spiritual master, and under his instruction the neophyte devotee begins the process of devotional service. By execution of devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master, one becomes free from all material attachment, attains steadiness in self-realization, and acquires a taste for hearing about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna. This taste leads one further forward to attachment for Krsna consciousness, which is matured in bhava, or the preliminary stage of transcendental love of God. Real love for God is called prema, the highest perfectional stage of life." (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.4.15-16)

When the conditioned soul (we) becomes transformed/spiritualized, at the stage of bhava, the identification with this material body vanishes and the identification with the spiritual body becomes real.

Sure, we believe in that process, like many thousands before us.
But you can realize little things of intense spirituality right now in the here and now.

By associating with spiritual guardians, meaning with exalted people, by living in the Holy Places, by chanting the Holy Name in sadhu-sanga, ...
This is not just believe. Experience follows.
Of course if you dont believe in the existence of spiritual things or Krishna and His inner energy, then it is very difficult to enter the path.
Faith is required.

As human beings it seems that we can create things by believing in it. And it may to a small amount be true. But to make this happen, lots of other factors play different roles.
Like for example, a poor man believes in his becoming rich.
If the karma is right and his believe therefore strong enough, including the endeavours to achieve, then maybe he can become rich.
But by believing alone only the right direction is focused.

So, check it out.
Try to experience the spirituality. Its there. Its up to us if we want it.
Krishna lets you decide. nothing by force.

And by the way, i, as the authority of my life, place my life in the hands of my chosen loving, guarding well-wishers. I, nobody else.

And by the way, my authorities only provide spiritual guidance by their unlimited grace. Its not that i am now brain-less zombie number one.
Maybe you have experience with other spiritual authorities (ISKCON/GM) where the authorities decide marriages, friendships, what dress to wear, haircuts, which shoe to bind first...

Honestly, i am a working man in the so-called "real world". And my (our) real world is much more tangible and much more fullfilling.

Yeah, the believe thing is a tough nut to crack.

Riggedveda, following the spirit at the root of these forums (which you may study here), we accept our spiritual predecessors and the revealed scriptures as the ultimate evidence which prevails over varieties of theories and fascinating mental concoctions. I would feel very obliged if you respected that.

Tarun Govinda, I believe I've mentioned this to you in private several times. I'll just make the suggestion here, then. If your shift-key is broken, I volunteer to sponsor you a new keyboard so as to help you start all sentences with a capital letter.

Dear friend, my goodness.
NOW i realize what you mean. I always write small letters at the beginning of the sentence. Moni and me just laughed us off our chairs. I am really very clever.

Riggedveda,

The practice of Bhakti yoga is very much about your life here and now - it is not focused on what will happen at death. Bhakti is about transforming your heart and living a life of fulfillment. It is about giving - and mystically - through giving we get.

You have heard that it is better to give than recieve - this is based on a very deep understanding of life and how to live a contented and happy life.

There is so much wisdom to be had and through the practice of giving and right living you will become a happy and more balanced person. Controlling your senses and mind and living without attachment will lead to knowledge which cannot be had through mere study.

This is what I'm eager to taste and appreciate by diksa and Hari-bhajan.
A rasa of sweet loving reciprocal exchanges with Rasamayi Krishna and His pure divine servitors.
Otherwise why do what we're doing?
Let the voidists and impersonalists eat dry oil cakes :I desire the sweetrice remanants of the Vaisnavas.

I just can't see accepting something that someone else has dreamed up and then devoting so much time to a dead end.

I have to work and I have responsibilites. I don't have so much time to waste on far out religious adventures unless I am sure it is true. If it is not true then why spend the time after it? Only if it satisfies my ego in some way. Or if I feel gulity and look to religion to make it worse.

If there is concrete proof of something then I can pursue. Even reincarnation seems not to be true to me or at least the concept does not matter. What difference does it make if we take another body or not? One can not prove in the concept so why believe in it. If I do then I may believe in it all of my life and still be wrong unless my belief creates it to happen.

I know that you people on this forum are really trying to understand about this Hindu religion. But I feel that unless I can understand how my mind operates first then what is the benefit of religion? Like understanding belief and why we believe in the first place. Like understanding mental images and our response to them and our conflicts and where they come from.

If I knew the answers to that I maybe would look into Hindi. I need the basic answers first and maybe some of you have these answers and would share them with me. I need to start from the bottom and go up. I need to understand the basic things before a guru can ask me to believe in fairy tale like religious things which some people like to study and think about. I am just not as far along as some of you, probably all of you.

How can you expect me to give my time to a guru who is really a stranger, when I don't even know why I believe what he is telling me?

So that is my low position and I am looking here and other places for some real answers if they are out there.

Riggedveda, I think we need to find a starting point somewhere. Forget gurus for now, I would like to ask: do you believe in a God?

Perhaps, Riggedveda, you could just start one topic where you outlined all those questions of yours instead of posting to a number of topics about things you don't believe in. With all due respect, it is a bit disruptive to the flow of conversations here. If you outlined all those pertinent questions of yours, we could perhaps try to address them, and you could see whether there is anything worthwhile here to be gained for you.

Thank you for so kindly replying.
Very cool.


Honestly, why should anyone take you serious if you dont stop this kind of lousy
approach?

Yes, in union with Bhaggers Vance will the jiva create Heaven, lest it won't be Heaven. I am not sure where you got the idea in my understandings that one would try to create Heaven without God. Yes, the many saints have given us the keys to union with God so that we may create our Heaven.




I agree, the Residents of the Worshipable Abode have let me know that I'm right on track.

hey riggedveda I think that is a very real and normal doubt and concern you have. I would suggest looking into everyday practical applications of Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita for daily living. Maybe start with that. You talked about your job. The whole Gita is about dharma. See the verse "karmanyevaadhikaaraste maa phaleshu kadaachana." You have the right to do action- you have no control over the result of action. How practical! "maa karmaphalahetur bhu maa te sangostv'akarmani" Do not think of the fruit of action, do not let this be an excuse for inaction. This is such a practical instruction for daily life. We have to do our best in job, not give up when it seems futile. We have to take care of our work, our families, our kids... still we don't have any control over whether our efforts are sucessful or not.

Thus, we should not think of the fruit of action. That is for Krishna to give or not give. I remember Prema Pandurang said something like, when someone is running a race they don't think "Where is the medal? Who has the medal? What does the medal look like?" If they kept thinking all this they would lose their concentration and lose the race. Instead merely focus on running and running well. If you have done well, the medal comes on its own... That is renunciation; I do my best, Lord, for the sake of doing. The "medal" is yours to give or not to give.

See, so many of these practical things in Gita.

Also, the "karma and rebirth" thing makes sense in answering the old question, "Why are some people born with an advantage? Is that not unfair? Why are some people's lives so simple, while others are wrought with suffering?" The answer is that we always get back what we give- actions done in previous lives catch up with us. Of course we are always doing more karma and earning more karmic reactions for ourselves- its not as though we are condemned to a certain fate- it is an ever-evolving process.

So, that is the cycle. If you want to get off, dial Krishna's number.

The whole idea of a relationship with God is that it is meant to be a whirlwind romance beteen you and your beloved. There is no logic when it comes to love, as history testifies. The nature of love is that it defies rationality, it possesses you with its own passion, and the presence of that passion brings with it a torturous and burning feeling of emptiness in your heart when you are away from your beloved. It has to be experienced, it cannot be analysed intellectually.

Hey,that's almost a good definition for raganiga bhakti feeling:'The nature of love is that it defies rationality, it possesses you with its own passion...'

Good stuff!

I second that. More please, Gaurasundara! We stumble through life searching for this rasa, and when we hear it coming from the mouths of other devotees it feels like...

This is what I would like to happen if I ever mange to go back to Radha kunda one day:

From Madhava:

The two essential factors in diksha, according to Jiva Goswami, are bhagavat-svarupa-jnana and bhagavat-sambandha-visesa-jnana, or knowledge about the specific form of the Lord we worship, and knowledge about our specific relationship with him. Or, in the Gaudiya context, with them, as both Radha and Krishna are our beloved ishta-devatas. This information, says Jiva, is contained within the syllables of the mantras. The cultivation of this relationship is at the heart of bhajan, and it is done both through daily contemplation of diksha-mantras and subsequent instructions illuminating the specifics of this relationship. guru-pAdAzrayAt tasmAt kRSNa-dIkSAdi zikSAnAm. This is the quintessence of our taking shelter of a sad-guru, with his kind assistance we seek to mediate a loving relationship with Radha-Krishna and their associates, and a very specific and special relationship at that.

From Rasaraja:

As I was in Vraja when it was started I just found it and it is a topic very close to my heart these days.

I just finished my puja, diksa mantras and morning meditations. Midway through the chanting of my diksa mantras I was startled by just how engulfed I have become in the “whole package” since taking diksa. When I say whole package I mean the puja to my dear Thakurji, chanting my diksa mantras and the other aspects of my daily sadhana. Of course when things are new there is an enthusiasm that can be hard to carry over long periods of time so I am acutely aware that what I am feeling now is a byproduct of that enthusiasm. At the same time I also believe that the sadhana in which I have been given is very much an exciting aspect of my life because it encapsulates relationships which I may have been aware of (bhagavat-svarupa-jnana) in the past but which are now a bit more uncovered for me (bhagavat-sambandha-visesa-jnana). This is a very wonderful feeling as I know that due to my own hard heart, material desires and lack of humility I am only scratching the surface. Yet that very fact encourages me a I can’t imagine what the “real thing” tastes like and I want more than ever to have that taste.

I liken it to a budding relationship one may have with a pen pal. In writing back and forth you may learn a lot about an individual (i.e. their likes, dislikes, activities, etc.) but upon meeting and living within the company of that same person you become even more aware of those very same aspects and more specifically those same aspects graduate from a theoretical understanding of the person to an affectionate understanding of that persons very being. I don’t know if I am articulating this point very well but I feel like I have finally met my beloved.

I found Nabadip’s following point to be very deep:

” In practical terms a relationship is always a two-way-street. I am relating to the Lord as he is relating to me. In my practice as a bhakta I have the immediate connection with the Lord in his/her holy names, and then his vigraha. I like to approach holy name and vigraha as much as possible as though it was my first time seeing or taking the name. It's like in a human love relationship; it can get habitual if I forget the uniqueness of the moment, that I am here and now approaching a union with my beloved. Thus taking the holy name with that full attention, that full awareness that the Lord is manifesting in me through the vibration of the name, being aware that in that very moment of smarana I am connecting to his reality existentially, that means for me: building a relationship actively.”

Again I accept that much of my enthusiasm may be a byproduct of how new my sadhana is to me but I strongly believe that more then the newness of the practice is the aspect of bhagavat-sambandha-visesa-jnan.

I remember when Baba gave me my Thakura he said that soon Thakura would talk to me. The challenge for me is to listen. I pray for that day and anticipate deepening my relationship with Thakura. That will come by the will of the Vaisnavas. So please pray that I receive the ability to hear him speak to me even if it is to just ask me for more sweet rice !

From Rasaraja:

As I was in Vraja when it was started I just found it and it is a topic very close to my heart these days.

I just finished my puja, diksa mantras and morning meditations. Midway through the chanting of my diksa mantras I was startled by just how engulfed I have become in the “whole package” since taking diksa. When I say whole package I mean the puja to my dear Thakurji, chanting my diksa mantras and the other aspects of my daily sadhana. Of course when things are new there is an enthusiasm that can be hard to carry over long periods of time so I am acutely aware that what I am feeling now is a byproduct of that enthusiasm. At the same time I also believe that the sadhana in which I have been given is very much an exciting aspect of my life because it encapsulates relationships which I may have been aware of (bhagavat-svarupa-jnana) in the past but which are now a bit more uncovered for me (bhagavat-sambandha-visesa-jnana). This is a very wonderful feeling as I know that due to my own hard heart, material desires and lack of humility I am only scratching the surface. Yet that very fact encourages me a I can’t imagine what the “real thing” tastes like and I want more than ever to have that taste.

I liken it to a budding relationship one may have with a pen pal. In writing back and forth you may learn a lot about an individual (i.e. their likes, dislikes, activities, etc.) but upon meeting and living within the company of that same person you become even more aware of those very same aspects and more specifically those same aspects graduate from a theoretical understanding of the person to an affectionate understanding of that persons very being. I don’t know if I am articulating this point very well but I feel like I have finally met my beloved.

I found Nabadip’s following point to be very deep:

” In practical terms a relationship is always a two-way-street. I am relating to the Lord as he is relating to me. In my practice as a bhakta I have the immediate connection with the Lord in his/her holy names, and then his vigraha. I like to approach holy name and vigraha as much as possible as though it was my first time seeing or taking the name. It's like in a human love relationship; it can get habitual if I forget the uniqueness of the moment, that I am here and now approaching a union with my beloved. Thus taking the holy name with that full attention, that full awareness that the Lord is manifesting in me through the vibration of the name, being aware that in that very moment of smarana I am connecting to his reality existentially, that means for me: building a relationship actively.”

Again I accept that much of my enthusiasm may be a byproduct of how new my sadhana is to me but I strongly believe that more then the newness of the practice is the aspect of bhagavat-sambandha-visesa-jnan.

I remember when Baba gave me my Thakura he said that soon Thakura would talk to me. The challenge for me is to listen. I pray for that day and anticipate deepening my relationship with Thakura. That will come by the will of the Vaisnavas. So please pray that I receive the ability to hear him speak to me even if it is to just ask me for more sweet rice !

As I was in Vraja when it was started I just found it and it is a topic very close to my heart these days.

I just finished my puja, diksa mantras and morning meditations. Midway through the chanting of my diksa mantras I was startled by just how engulfed I have become in the “whole package” since taking diksa. When I say whole package I mean the puja to my dear Thakurji, chanting my diksa mantras and the other aspects of my daily sadhana. Of course when things are new there is an enthusiasm that can be hard to carry over long periods of time so I am acutely aware that what I am feeling now is a byproduct of that enthusiasm. At the same time I also believe that the sadhana in which I have been given is very much an exciting aspect of my life because it encapsulates relationships which I may have been aware of (bhagavat-svarupa-jnana) in the past but which are now a bit more uncovered for me (bhagavat-sambandha-visesa-jnana). This is a very wonderful feeling as I know that due to my own hard heart, material desires and lack of humility I am only scratching the surface. Yet that very fact encourages me a I can’t imagine what the “real thing” tastes like and I want more than ever to have that taste.

I liken it to a budding relationship one may have with a pen pal. In writing back and forth you may learn a lot about an individual (i.e. their likes, dislikes, activities, etc.) but upon meeting and living within the company of that same person you become even more aware of those very same aspects and more specifically those same aspects graduate from a theoretical understanding of the person to an affectionate understanding of that persons very being. I don’t know if I am articulating this point very well but I feel like I have finally met my beloved.

I found Nabadip’s following point to be very deep:

” In practical terms a relationship is always a two-way-street. I am relating to the Lord as he is relating to me. In my practice as a bhakta I have the immediate connection with the Lord in his/her holy names, and then his vigraha. I like to approach holy name and vigraha as much as possible as though it was my first time seeing or taking the name. It's like in a human love relationship; it can get habitual if I forget the uniqueness of the moment, that I am here and now approaching a union with my beloved. Thus taking the holy name with that full attention, that full awareness that the Lord is manifesting in me through the vibration of the name, being aware that in that very moment of smarana I am connecting to his reality existentially, that means for me: building a relationship actively.”

Again I accept that much of my enthusiasm may be a byproduct of how new my sadhana is to me but I strongly believe that more then the newness of the practice is the aspect of bhagavat-sambandha-visesa-jnan.

I remember when Baba gave me my Thakura he said that soon Thakura would talk to me. The challenge for me is to listen. I pray for that day and anticipate deepening my relationship with Thakura. That will come by the will of the Vaisnavas. So please pray that I receive the ability to hear him speak to me even if it is to just ask me for more sweet rice  !

[/quote]

Bah, I'm a nobody, I'm not even initiated! I suppose some people might describe me as one of those bees who are licking the outside of the honey bottle.

But then again, it is upto me to make the commitment to jump into the honey bottle and avail myself of the 'ocean' of honey in there. I might 'die' in the process just like any bee, but who cares? How many bees get the lucky chance to die in a honey bottle, something that might be only dreamt of by the entire bee race? manuSyANAM sahasreSu etc...

There I go rambling again.

From Rasaraja dasa on taking diksa:


I have also been reflecting on my practices and the change in dynamics I have experienced since taking diksa. I have found that the diksa mantras and other practices have allowed me to bridge the gap between seeing sadhana as a practice to now seeing it as a means to develop my relationship with my Guru, my parampara, the Vaisnavas, Sri Gauranga and Sri Radhika and her Yugal Kishor.

The daily practice of chanting my diksa mantras and other aspects of my sadhana has added so much to the dynamic of understanding sadhana as a part of these relationships. Doing puja each morning is very much an exchange as opposed to a ritual. Outside of the diksa mantras nothing has changed in my life. I still have two children, a very demanding job and unlimited distractions. However it is much easier to be distracted from a discipline then it is a relationship and that is what I feel I have now. My early morning sadhana is such a joy and I have truly felt exchanges between myself and my dear Thakurji and loving Guardians.

So like you I have also experienced a definite jolt. I don’t believe that there was never any level of access before… just that I was too preoccupied or unmoved to see it and run for it. It is this very realization which I often think about... don;t take it for granted!

Aspiring to serve the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

Here is the explanation of the goal of diksa and receiving the diksa mantra from Sri Guru. What a spiritually surcharged experience it must be for those fortunate to take this 1st step in bhajan.