srini_sadhu: Om Sang Saraswatyai Namaha!
srini_sadhu: We are so glad to chat with you all
srini_sadhu: Any questions before we begin our discussion?
Sarada Devi: just happy to be here
srini_sadhu: Ok Lets begin!!
srini_sadhu: Today is Sutra 2
srini_sadhu: It says: Kamabandham jivabhavam
srini_sadhu: Kama means desire
srini_sadhu: Bandham is bound by
srini_sadhu: Jiva is the individual soul
srini_sadhu: Bhavam is his existence
srini_sadhu: The existence of every individual soul is bound by desires.
srini_sadhu: What does this to mean to us all?
Sarada Devi: without desires "I" would not exist
Sarada Devi: or rather the many "I"s
Ramya: What is this "I" and what are "desires" in your view, Usha?
srini_sadhu: Please share
Sarada Devi: Normally in the west we would say the Ego i think - and also the many different I's all wanting, wanting
srini_sadhu: The Sutra says the soul is bound by desires
Ramya: Thanks Usha!
Alphansa DSouza: having desires is not wrong, as long as they bring us closer to God.
srini_sadhu: But sometimes we read that the Soul is pure and eternal. How can it be touched by desires
Sarada Devi: also sometimes called the " false personality"
Ramya: So are we learning here that without desires "we" would not exist?
forall10q: "Desire is not negative."
lokesh lokesh: so how to discriminate between desires
srini_sadhu: Swamiji says there are two types of desires: pure an impure
forall10q: fulfill or transcend negative desires
Sarada Devi: when we have fixed our goal then we can distinguish between so called good desires and " bad desires (away from our goal)
srini_sadhu: How do we discern that we have an impure desire
Sarada Devi: pure - toward God impure - away from God
Ramya: forall10q - does this map with what you are saying - negative desire - would that be an impure desire?
forall10q: those which bind us to lower forms of activity
forall10q: ones we don't like or respect in ourselves
Sarada Devi: initially - faith in the Guru ?
srini_sadhu: How do we feel when we have a pure versus an impure desire?
Ramya: Thanks forall10q
Alphansa DSouza: I see the soul like a glass of ice (desires). As we surrender to God he melts away our worldly desires to make them pure and holy.
Sarada Devi: that is b a beautiful image
Ramya: Wow! Alphanso that is soooo great!!! So beautiful!
Ramya: Thank you!
srini_sadhu: I some time think that the soul is pure light and desires are the hazy smoke that envelope it
Ramya: I am a bit confused about what is the soul and what is the ego - So is ego the ice?
srini_sadhu: so the soul does not shine forth
Sarada Devi: both effort and surrender necessary - ??
Alphansa DSouza: I ego = ice
srini_sadhu: In the text, Swamiji also classifies desires into Sattwic, Rajasic, and Tamasic
Ramya: Thanks! I pray for the sunshine of God's grace to melt it away!
Sarada Devi: so sattwic desires are the one's to cultivate
srini_sadhu: How can we set up cues to understand when we have sattwic desires, rajasic, tamasic etc
Ramya: Maybe we can define what are sattwic, Tamasic and Rajasic desires first.
srini_sadhu: Anyone?
srini_sadhu: Can you all see me?
Sarada Devi: laziness stupor - tams anger - rajas equanimity- sattwa
srini_sadhu: Thanks Usha!
Ramya: Swamiji's definition is saatvic is associated with truth, light. Rajasic is desire, activity, while tamasic is darkness
Sarada Devi: but even sattwa has to go , but it opens the door
srini_sadhu: Thanks Ramya
srini_sadhu: Swamiji talks about the nature of desire
srini_sadhu: He describes Raktabija, the seed of desire
Ramya: Sattva is doing action with discrimination – actions which help free us from bonds.
srini_sadhu: In Chapter 8 of the Chandi, Raktabija is the Asura
srini_sadhu: When a drop of blood from his body touches the ground another raktabija pops up
Sarada Devi: just like our desires never ending
srini_sadhu: So Swamiji says that when we fulfill a desire another equally strong desire manifests in our mind
Sarada Devi: this we can observe
Ramya: So what is the solution? Is it not to fulfill desires?
srini_sadhu: For example I want to have a cup of tea
srini_sadhu: I made the tea and drank it
srini_sadhu: What does that do to my mind?
Sarada Devi: seems ok as long as not in middle of puja
srini_sadhu: I am trying to understand
srini_sadhu:
Ramya: he!he!he!
forall10q: real solution? to establish clear goals?
Ramya: forall10q - how will the goals help us with desires - it is so interesting you say this!
forall10q: i am reading the text...
Sarada Devi: it seems to be a real quest to understand - again perhaps examine their nature, i.e. sattwa??
Ramya: Good reading!
Ramya: So we first set goals and then examine our desires - are they sattvic? Are they pure?
Sarada Devi: will it lead me to my goal or not
Ramya: Does this make sense?
srini_sadhu: So would my goal be: To not drink tea at all"
srini_sadhu: Tea-totaller?
Sarada Devi: to tea or not to t
forall10q: chuckles in amusement
Ramya: I think the goal should be something larger - more encompassing - e.g. I want to be healthy so I can do more sadhana and more seva and make a better contribution to the world
Ramya: Then within that you can make sub-goals, for eating, exercising etc....just my two cents!
Sarada Devi: learning to discriminate - or we could drive ourselves crazy
Sarada Devi: what is important??
Ramya: Swamiji says if your goal is not clearly defined, you can easily go off on a tangent.
srini_sadhu: As we go through our daily lives we see desires manifest themselves in a myriad of forms
srini_sadhu: As they arise, what should we do?
Sarada Devi: when do i really need to examine and when just to let go
Ramya: Should we not examine and make a conscious choice each time?
srini_sadhu: Pause and breathe and remember
Sarada Devi: again the quest to be awake
srini_sadhu: Why do I forget, so often?
Sarada Devi: Mahamaya
srini_sadhu: Maa says that when we chant the Chandi, in chapter 8, we should pray to Divine Mother
Sarada Devi: we used to put pebbles in our shoes to try and keep awake during the day and other such things
Sarada Devi: still fall asleep
srini_sadhu: I keep my goal on a paper just next to my bed so that I can remember
srini_sadhu: My prayer is
srini_sadhu: Lord, may we understand better why we are here
srini_sadhu: May we do better what we have to do here
srini_sadhu: May we be what we ought to become here
srini_sadhu: So that thy will may be fulfilled harmoniously
Ramya: Maa said that as we keep praying to God, in our heart there will arise unconditional love.
Ramya: That love will lead to pure desires
Sarada Devi: pure desire will dissolve the ego
Ramya: If we don't keep that prayer and connection with God - we will be enmeshed in lots of other desires - which are endless
Ramya: Still i am wondering what is a pure desire?
Ramya: Alphanso, forall10q, Usha, Lokesh, Srini - what do you think?
srini_sadhu: Is the thought about me, or thee?
Alphansa DSouza: If your desire to know God on a deeper level has waned, let Him steer you back on course. Ask God to show you what stands in the way of your desire for Him. Fully surrender everything in your life to the Lord.
Sarada Devi: for me whatever keeps me in connection inner and outer - with Mother
Alphansa DSouza: re-structure our priorities
Ramya: How can we fully surrender everything - all the saints tell us this.
Ramya: Thanks Alphanso - maybe that is a step in surrendering - Making God a priority!
Alphansa DSouza: Ask God to give you His love. As you study and meditate , your understanding and faith will grow-enabling you to live out God's best for your life.
Sarada Devi: grace is the only way - it seems to me
Alphansa DSouza: The enemy will tempt you with worldly charms, but God's power within you is greater than what the world has to offer.
Ramya: Thanks so much Alphanso - so it seems surrender relates to making a goal to make God center in my life.
srini_sadhu: Swamiji talks about nine steps of devotion
Ramya: Then even if the world is tempting, i stick to my goal and God's Grace will help.
Ramya: Did i understand you correctly?
Alphansa DSouza: I guess so!
Sarada Devi: i loved those five steps
Sarada Devi: sorry nine
Alphansa DSouza: nine steps?
Ramya: Thanks very much Alphanso - this really helped me@
Ramya: oops
srini_sadhu: Alphansa Nine steps to devotion
Ramya: Nine ways to increase devotion in our life.
srini_sadhu: Step 1, Associate with Saintly people
forall10q: (p. 29)
srini_sadhu: Step 2 Enjoy stories of Gods and Saints
Ramya: 2. Enjoy stories of God and saints
srini_sadhu: Many of the Puranas are now in the internet, like Devi Bhagavatam and Srimad Bhagavatam
srini_sadhu: Step 3: Perform Selfless service
Ramya: 3. Do seva 4. Sing to Go 5. Chant mantras 6. Perform all activities with tranquility
Ramya: 7. Regard company of saints as greater even than seeing God
srini_sadhu: 4 is Sing to God
Ramya: 8. Be content and don't find faults
Ramya: 9. Be simple and take delight in God.
Ramya: All good, fun things to do!!!!
Alphansa DSouza: WOW ...commitment and delight in the Lord I guess!
Sarada Devi: it opens my heart just to hear them
srini_sadhu: Any discussion, thoughts on these? Please share!
Ramya: We want to fill our lives with these activities -- how to do that?
Sarada Devi: letting go what does not fit
Alphansa DSouza: Regard company of saints as greater even than seeing God !!!! ?
Sarada Devi: thru them we will see God
forall10q: a person could kind of keep the nine steps in one's spiritual journal and kind of keep a daily check of them
Ramya: forall10q - that's such a great idea!!!
forall10q: answering ramya's?
Alphansa DSouza: ok ..Usha.
srini_sadhu: One thing we could do is take stock of our life
Ramya: So it seems like we need to let go of stuff that takes us away and find ways to add these type of Godly-Fun activities!
Ramya: Following what forall10q said!
Sarada Devi: daily
srini_sadhu: What are things that drive us and make us happy
srini_sadhu: We were thinking we could do a project
Ramya: project -- little activity during this week
srini_sadhu: Would you be interested?
Alphansa DSouza: depends ?
srini_sadhu:
srini_sadhu: Here goes:
srini_sadhu: Worksheet: What are Raktabijas in our life?
srini_sadhu: 1. Think of some people who inspire you and what are the qualities in them that inspire you.
Sarada Devi: great project, but bigger than one week
srini_sadhu: 2. What are objects you need and want to possess – e.g. car, TV, house, toys.
Sarada Devi: ongoing !!!
Ramya: We are each free to do as much or as little as we like!
srini_sadhu: 3. What are activities you like to do – dancing, cooking, playing tennis
srini_sadhu: Qualities you want to get, objects you want to possess, and activities you like to do
srini_sadhu: This would be one way of classifying your Raktabijas
Ramya: 4. Which of these activities, possessions is in line with your goals.
Ramya: It is just to help us contemplate -- where we want to go, what are we doing to get there and what are we doing that is taking us away!
srini_sadhu: Help learn about ourselves better
srini_sadhu: What do you think?
Alphansa DSouza: I am sorry I have to leave... I will read the rest later on.
Ramya: it is personal and voluntary - so no pressure - just nice to use the class as a reason to think more deeply and move closer to God - closer together!
srini_sadhu: Namaste Alphansa!
Alphansa DSouza has left the conference.
Sarada Devi: this is an ongoing project for me
srini_sadhu: For all of us Usha!
Ramya: Thanks Usha, Lokesh and forall10q for coming and sharing!!
Sarada Devi: thank you for putting it so clearly once again to keep discrimination alive
forall10q: It is wonderful, and I thank you all.
srini_sadhu: Tomorrow evening Swamiji will be giving a class on Guru Gita at 6:30 PM via webcam
srini_sadhu: Please join us
Sarada Devi: i will so very gladly
forall10q: one of these days...but still dial-up here
srini_sadhu:
forall10q: you bet
Ramya: Hope to see you next week! Thank you for all your wonderful ideas!
srini_sadhu: Jai Maa!
forall10q: Jai Maa!
Sarada Devi: Jai Maa
srini_sadhu: I pray for our continued friendship!
Ramya: I am happy you can come for this class, forall10q!
Sarada Devi: blessing to you all
Ramya: Thank you!
Ramya: Jai Maa!

srini_sadhu: Om Sang Saraswatyai Namaha!
srini_sadhu: Today is Sutra 2
srini_sadhu: It says: Kamabandham jivabhavam
srini_sadhu: Kama is Desire
srini_sadhu: Bandham means bound
srini_sadhu: Jivam: individual soul
srini_sadhu: Bhavam: His existence
srini_sadhu: The existence of every individual soul is bound by desires.
srini_sadhu: What does this mean to you all?
Alan: The word "bound" has a little bit of a negative connotation. Our desires restrict us.
marsha lange: Desire is the glue that binds us together as a family, as species it helps to continue our physical as well as spiritual life.
Cynkay Morningsong: that desires are like ropes that hold us in our bodies and in the world. Without these desires we would be free
Tara Boyce: I can relate this to my week, how my desires keep bringing me more work, and that takes away from time I could be giving to sadhana
kaliananda_saraswati: that our desire makes us attached to the lives we are living
srini_sadhu: I think of the soul as the center of my body and desires as the smoke or glue that covers it and hence it does not shine forth
Ramya: wow!!! So much food for thought! You are all so insightful
Tara Boyce: the keep us from the experience of god
srini_sadhu: Next Swamiji says that desires are of two kinds
srini_sadhu: Pure desires and Impure desires
srini_sadhu: It was nice to read your thoughts!
marsha lange: Desire also brings us to God isn't the seed letter Aim for Saraswati Devi "desire" ? Desire for knowledge of God?
Ramya: Marsha - that sounds like a pure desire!
Tara Boyce: sometimes it is easy for me to tell the difference, and sometimes not, any words of wisdom on how to discriminate?
srini_sadhu: Marsha, Swamiji says Goddess Saraswati is the Energy of Desire, Iccha Sakthi
Nanda Krishnamurthi: Namaste to all
srini_sadhu: The question is how can we differentiate Pure desires from impure desires?
Ramya: Marsha, i see Swamiji's translation of "Aim" as Creation, Rajo Guna, Energy of Desire, Mahasaraswati
Janitri Rybacki: Pure desires are ones that bring us closer to God realization...impure ones take us further away from the Goal.
marsha lange: Yes I also think of Saraswati Devi as attraction also.
Tara Boyce: that's right! the simple question to myself-will this action take me closer or further away from god? thank you janitri
srini_sadhu: What are examples of pure desires?
Alan: The desire for sadhana must be a pure desire.
srini_sadhu: I think of desire as a thought that arises and propels you to action
Ramya: Is desire to serve our Guru a pure desire?
Janitri Rybacki: yes, Seva for the Guru
Alan: Serving Guru is sadhana, and I think would be pure.
kaliananda_saraswati: It is through unfinished karma that we take a body (i think). Do we leave the body with the desire to return or is it an automatic process?
Tara Boyce: yes, but sometimes the desire for recognition slips into my mind...
marsha lange: Pure desire is time spent that doesn't seem as though it has been spent.
srini_sadhu: How does one feel when one has a pure desire?
Ramya: Kali - i heard that whatever desires are unfulfilled - we return in a body that will be a suitable vehicle to fulfill them.
Tara Boyce: full
srini_sadhu: I am trying to figure what would be cues that tell us "Hey that was pure desire"
kaliananda_saraswati: thanks Ramya.
marsha lange: In balance. Blame and praise are the same.
Ramya: Marsha, that is a beautiful way to think of it - stillness!
Tara Boyce: pure desires don't create more impure desires???
Janitri Rybacki: maybe a pure desire is felt in the heart chakra as a warmth and love..
kaliananda_saraswati: A pure desire makes one oblivious to any other energy but the loving feeling of that purity.
Cynkay Morningsong: I think they would be pure desires when we are not looking to them to fulfill some need within us, but to fulfill the need of others
srini_sadhu: That’s nice Janitri, Kalia!
Ramya: Thanks Morning song - Maybe we can use that as a cue "Is this desire for me or for the world?"
srini_sadhu: Another classification of desires: Sattvic, Rajasic, Tamasic
Ramya: Maa said "Leave Selfishness. Be Free"
Janitri Rybacki: doesn't Maa say to pray for the world? So, our desires for a healthier, happier world are serving Mother.
srini_sadhu: Yes Janitri. She has told me that twice to pray for the world when I sit for Cosmic Puja
Ramya: Yes Janitri - many times She says "Pray for the Universe"
Janitri Rybacki: thank U
srini_sadhu: How do we distinguish Sattwic from Rajasic and Tamasic as we live our daily lives?
Tara Boyce: by being aware of how we feel, is there a drive-rajasic, or feeling lazy-tamo, or pure desire to help, serve, worship-sattwa
srini_sadhu: Thank you Tara!
srini_sadhu: I have read that it is good to observe oneself throughout the day and see the nature of our desires
marsha lange: Rajasic would leave you with a hurried feeling, simple reaction, fighting etc. Tamasic would be confusion & depression. Sattvic is usually how I feel after morning prayers - peace
srini_sadhu: Namaste Rik! That is myrikveda2
srini_sadhu: We are discussing the nature of desire.
myrikveda2: Namaste Sriniji and all!
marsha lange: Hi Rik
Ramya: Rik - we are talking about Sattva, Rajas and Tamas as related to desire
Cynkay Morningsong: Namaste' Rick
srini_sadhu: The next interesting thing comes from Chapter 8 of Chandi Path
kaliananda_saraswati: By being discriminate in all actions ... see if our actions would help or hinder
srini_sadhu: Raktabija
srini_sadhu: When you fulfill a desire, a new desire will be born with the same intensity to captivate us.
srini_sadhu: Is that true?
Janitri Rybacki: for me, it is true...
kaliananda_saraswati: yes
srini_sadhu: So is the solution not to fulfill desires
marsha lange: Yes it can be at times.
Tara Boyce: yes, i guess that is what keeps us going
srini_sadhu: I remember a quote by Neem Karoli Baba
Cynkay Morningsong: I find that anytime I start giving too much attention to my desires they multiply
kaliananda_saraswati: only pure desires.
srini_sadhu: He says if you want to reach God, kill desires
marsha lange: Sound like Babaji wants us to be one with God, no difference.
srini_sadhu: Swamiji says – make an inventory of your life.
srini_sadhu: See the raktabijas permeating your life and driving you to behavior you would never contemplate
srini_sadhu: How do we do that?
marsha lange: Or should I say living immersed in the divine?
Cynkay Morningsong: awareness and discrimination?
Janitri Rybacki: kill desires by reciting the Chandi to kill/slay the ego.
Tara Boyce: awareness
kaliananda_saraswati: By making an inventory of your life and clearly defining and analyzing your goal.
myrikveda2: Chapter 8 of the Chandi seems to say that worship of the Mothers prepares us to deal with the Seed of Desire. Once we get to that point, all our hope for victory over desires lies in the worship of Maa Kali, the Remover of Darkness.
srini_sadhu: Thank you all!
srini_sadhu: How about changing your physical environment
Alan: Also, changing your social environment.
Tara Boyce: creating a more sattvic environment
srini_sadhu: Like Kali said, when the goal becomes more clear, we are propelled to make changes in our environments so that we do not have impure desires
Alan: Is "rakta" in raktabija essentially the same kind of desire as the word "kama" in the sutra? Or is there some difference in meaning?
Cynkay Morningsong: I think that making changes is helpful, but ultimately it comes down to whether the changes are able to move within so that your heart changes
srini_sadhu: I find in many cases, environment, the company I keep is more powerful than my will power in tackling desires
Janitri Rybacki: being here immersed in this environment is very helpful with the sharing and growing that helps manifest a higher environment
srini_sadhu: I agree Morningsong, the subtle seeds of desire are always there and the change has to happen within.
kaliananda_saraswati: Jai Maa
srini_sadhu: I have read that we should not fulfill desires, or suppress them but we should transform them. Puzzles me a bit. What do you think?
kaliananda_saraswati: transform them by offering them at the Feet of Mother and asking Her to take them away.
Janitri Rybacki: with Kali and Shiva as the "Transformers", give them the desires?
myrikveda2: Giving them to Maa is the sure way to transform them.
Tara Boyce: like rephrase them, track them back to the source, then put that energy towards god
Cynkay Morningsong: if we fulfill or suppress we will just create more. Maybe the ideal would be to recognize them and transform them into pure desire, recognizing that desire is really desire for God
srini_sadhu: Thank you!
srini_sadhu: I was thinking how can we make an inventory of our raktabijas?
Ramya: Rik - how do we give them to Maa? Thanks for helping me!
marsha lange: Yes, Mother is the one to handle them. I usually visualize what I give as a hibiscus flower offered at her feet.
Tara Boyce: i am a bit confused about why we give our ugly stuff to Maa, i feel the feeling, but wonder why
kaliananda_saraswati: You can also pray to a picture of Maa
Janitri Rybacki: marsha , that's beautiful, a hibiscus
Ramya: Tara - i have felt that way too! But you know what -- everything is Hers!!!
srini_sadhu: I say Mother, I am bad, but I am your son, please accept me and give me wisdom and strength
Ramya: There is an expression "Theraa tujhko arpan" -- Yours i give to You -- Everything, the good, the bad the ugly -- my mind, body, atma!
srini_sadhu: She is the fount of unconditional love
Ramya: One of the names of Durga is "ahamkar" Ego and we asked Swamiji why it is that - Swamiji said She makes ego Divine Ego.
Tara Boyce: that helps Ramya-thank you!
kaliananda_saraswati: Maa knows our shortcomings, she understands and loves her children so just offering Her make that ugly stuff makes it become beautiful
srini_sadhu: But like a Mom, She is proud of us when we make changes and love Her back
kaliananda_saraswati: sorry - offering her that ugly stuff makes it become beautiful
Ramya: Thanks Kali, Marsha, Tara, Janitri, Rik ---- so beautiful!
srini_sadhu: We have an idea for an activity for this Sutra
srini_sadhu: Would you like to hear?
Tara Boyce: yes
Janitri Rybacki: yes!!!!
Cynkay Morningsong: yes!
kaliananda_saraswati: yes, please!
srini_sadhu: 1. Think of some people who inspire you and what are the qualities in them that inspire you.
srini_sadhu: 2. What are objects you need and want to possess – e.g. car, TV, house, toys.
srini_sadhu: 3. What are activities you like to do – dancing, cooking, playing tennis
srini_sadhu: These three lists would give us an idea about the desires that drive our lives.
srini_sadhu: Then we can ask ourselves which of these are in line with our goals and our inspiration.
srini_sadhu: Does this make sense, do you think this will help understand ourselves?
kaliananda_saraswati: i think it will.
Janitri Rybacki: yes
Tara Boyce: yes
Cynkay Morningsong: yes
Ramya: Anything else we can add -- please feel free to share now or on yahoo group. this is just to help us contemplate more deeply!
kaliananda_saraswati: ok
Ramya: Maa sings a song "Bhavile Bhava udhay hoi" -- From our attitude (bhava), our bhava grows -- so if we list our activities,desires - we will get an idea
Ramya: an idea where we are -- and help chart - where we are likely to go with these activities/desires.
Ramya: If we don't want to go there too much, we can change now!
srini_sadhu: I started doing this yesterday and it helped clarify my mind.
Ramya: Alan, Nanda, Rik, Marsha - what do you think?
Nanda Krishnamurthi: I think this is a great discussion, and I am still pondering the first question on "Pure Desire"
kaliananda_saraswati: good for you Srini.
srini_sadhu: Swamiji talks about the nine steps of devotion - these are all examples of pure desires
Tara Boyce: can you share more Srini
srini_sadhu: I used to think that these 9 steps comes one after the other, but when I read it again
srini_sadhu: i discovered that once can do all of them
srini_sadhu: Share about what Tara?
Tara Boyce: the nine steps
srini_sadhu: The first step is associate with saintly people
Ramya: 2. Enjoy stories of God and saints
srini_sadhu: 3. Perform selfless service
Ramya: 4. Sing to God! ....sooooo fun!
srini_sadhu: 5. Chant mantras with full faith
marsha lange: Yes making friends with our mind, for it is the way we perceive the universe and come to know God.
Ramya: 6. Perform all actions with tranquility -- Sounds like it is not the action itself but our state of mind that makes it an act of devotion
srini_sadhu: 7. See the world as equal to God and regard the company of saints as greater than the perception of God
Ramya: Thanks Marsha!
Ramya: 8. Be content and not find fault with others
srini_sadhu: 9. Be simple, unselfish and delight in God
srini_sadhu: Those are the nine steps.
marsha lange: Judge not lest ye be judged.
Ramya: How do we make friends with our mind, Marsha?
srini_sadhu: The other thought I had is to watch what I do, as my actions would give me a clue about what my desires are.
Cynkay Morningsong: definitely!
Ramya: Seems like the more we can fill our days with these activities - the closer we will be to God.
marsha lange: Buy knowing it's limitations and being at peace with that. Knowing that there is mystery in life and we can't solve everything. We still strive and try to be the best we can and make our corner of the universe a better place
Ramya: That really helps me. Thank you! Thank you!
Tara Boyce: that is beautiful Marsha, thank you
srini_sadhu: There is a famous Upanishadic saying
marsha lange: Also living with cats. That really teaches me about impermanence.
kaliananda_saraswati: Yes, thanks Marsha. Great food for thought.
srini_sadhu: As is my desire, so is my deed
srini_sadhu: As is my deed, so is my character
srini_sadhu: As is my character, so is my destiny
Janitri Rybacki: Srini, where is this from?
srini_sadhu: Its one of the Upanishads, I will track it down and post on club, Janitri
Ramya: So this week - we can think about what is my aspiration
Ramya: what are my desires?
Nanda Krishnamurthi: This question on "pure desire" and all your responses made me think a lot. I also discussed it with someone and thanks to this person for helping me come up with my definition of pure desire. This is my definition - " Any desire that seeks the Grace of God/Guru, and the only Grace sought is pure devotion, is a pure desire."
Ramya: Are my desires and activities in line with my aspirations?
srini_sadhu: I enjoyed talking to you all.
Ramya: Thanks so much Nanda - may She grant us the boon of Eternal Pure Devotion!
srini_sadhu: Please share on the club your thoughts on the nature of desire and how we can transcend them
kaliananda_saraswati: this class was the best. Thank you pure souls
Tara Boyce: This is so helpful and sweet-thank you all, Namaste!
myrikveda2: Namaste to all. Thank you Srini.
Ramya: Thank you very much! Jai Maa!!
Nanda Krishnamurthi: Namaste. Jai Maa
Janitri Rybacki: Thank U soooo much...Jai Maa
Cynkay Morningsong: Namaste' all ...thank you
srini_sadhu: I pray for our clarity, wisdom love and continued friendship!
marsha lange: Thank you everyone. Great satsang.
Alan: Thank you! Namaste.