srini_sadhu: We had planned on discussing Sutras 10,11, and 12, but in the interests of time we will probably discuss only sutras 10 and 11. How does that sound?
lokesh green: sounds good
forall10q: fine!
Janitri Rybacki has joined the conference.
srini_sadhu: Welcome Janitri!
Janitri Rybacki: hello! Jai Maa.
lokesh green: read them once
srini_sadhu: Very good!
srini_sadhu: Janitri, we are planning to discuss Sutras 10 and 11
Janitri Rybacki: thank you
vish108weshwar has joined the conference.
vish108weshwar: Jai Maa, Namaste all brothers and sisters
Janitri Rybacki: hi, Vish! Namaste
srini_sadhu: Namaste Vish!
srini_sadhu: It would good if we go deep into one sutra, to the extent possible.
srini_sadhu: So please share all your wisdom and questions as we go along!
srini_sadhu: Om Sang Saraswatyai Namaha!
srini_sadhu: Sutra 10 is brief but cryptic
Sarada Devi has joined the conference.
srini_sadhu: Namaste Usha!
srini_sadhu: Sutra 10 says: Victory destroys pain
Sarada Devi: Jaya - to All!
srini_sadhu: Victory over what is the question?
vish108weshwar: what kind of pain? One devotee says pain because he did not finish Ph.D., another says he misses being in the Army?
Sarada Devi: i can only ever have victory over myself (little self or ego )
srini_sadhu: Swamiji describes this pain as the pain of separation or the lack of completeness
vish108weshwar: my ego seems to bring me the greatest pain
Sarada Devi: something was wrong i did not get the writing
Sarada Devi: now seems ok
Janitri Rybacki: i don't think it has to be physical pain...it could be a pain that brings one to tears when thinking of missing another...pain of separation / completeness
vish108weshwar: separation from what? incomplete from what?
srini_sadhu: This pain of separation may actually be good since it makes you strive to become complete
vish108weshwar: suffering is next to Godliness?
Sarada Devi: the ego needs to separate from itself to become an individual - then it embarks on the journey back to itself
srini_sadhu: Swamiji described his experience of Samadhi a few days ago
Sarada Devi: i remember - dual samadhi
srini_sadhu: He said He felt like He was united with every atom of the Universe
srini_sadhu: Perhaps, till then we will feel separation, incompleteness, pain
Sarada Devi: it seems to me that everything we do is either avoiding that pain or engaging in actions to dull it
gauri_108 has joined the conference.
vish108weshwar: then what is our highest mission, our goal as human beings? why have we been born?
srini_sadhu: Usha, could you explain "actions to dull it"
Sarada Devi: pleasures that act as panacea
srini_sadhu: Thanks Usha!
gauri_108: highest mission is self realization, says Ramakrishna
srini_sadhu: I was reading about Shivapuri Baba
srini_sadhu: He lived in solitude for 40 + years
srini_sadhu: He says "Once you find God, all problems are solved"
Sarada Devi: a great teacher once said to me " don't ask why " , Vish
vish108weshwar: ok, then what did he say to do?
gauri_108: great, let's find God!
vish108weshwar: i think it is important to know why we were born, so we can make a plan to achieve our ultimate goal, whatever it is.
Sarada Devi: to persist in sadhana and it will be revealed - so much is beyond the ordinary mind - that’s what i understood . vish
Janitri Rybacki: vish, I’ve been wondering today, why here, why be born. all i can say is that this journey is good with all of you.
vish108weshwar: beyond the ordinary mind, that is the key to this whole discussion. if we stay in the ordinary mind, and the ego, we are lost, separate, lacking wholeness
srini_sadhu: I have struggled with this question and always find myself at a dead end (Why was I born)
vish108weshwar: if we stay in the ordinary mind, we are lost
srini_sadhu: I find Usha's answer helpful. Sadhana and faith and persistence,
Sarada Devi: yes - and that does not mean not to ask why - since the mind always does it anyway
gauri_108: we are born to finish off old karma and hopefully not add anymore
srini_sadhu: Swamiji gave us a very nice positive path.
vish108weshwar: the ego will certainly keep us busy asking why, why, why. that is its job, to keep us separated, so it can keep control
gauri_108: and find our way Home
srini_sadhu: Love the Guru, after awhile, you will love your Sadhana, and after a while you will love God
Sarada Devi: but to realize that the real solutions are sooo vast so infinite and beyond thought
vish108weshwar: according to this sutra, the greatest desire is to realize that we are one with God
srini_sadhu: Thanks Vish!
vish108weshwar: the thanks goes to Maa / Swami, they keep reminding us, less we forget and the ego takes us over and we goes to the movies rather than chant the Chandi
Sarada Devi: well - back to our baby steps from last week ??
Sarada Devi:
srini_sadhu:
srini_sadhu: Could we discuss Sutra 11?
vish108weshwar: great
srini_sadhu: This Sutra is about Pranayama and Japa
srini_sadhu: Could we first pool all our questions about the practice of pranayama and japa and weave the discussion around these questions
vish108weshwar: what is the value of pranayama?
srini_sadhu: Other questions?
srini_sadhu: or topics for discussion?
Sarada Devi: i have some - in breath out breath and holding during chanting
srini_sadhu: Vish, Sutra 11 answers your question.
gauri_108: what if holding breath feels uncomfortable?
srini_sadhu: It says: The attainment of perfection of breath or the life force gives one an abundance of peace; makes one a source of peace; makes one distribute peace.
vish108weshwar: sign me up
srini_sadhu: There are 3 areas for discussion
Sarada Devi: since prana is the connecting medium between the gross and subtle it is so important how do we hold during chanting and still say mantra
srini_sadhu: One is pranayama as a separate practice
Sarada Devi: i mean if we recite Chandi
srini_sadhu: Second, is Pranayama when doing japa of a single mantra
srini_sadhu: Third is pranayama when chanting a scripture
srini_sadhu: Shree Maa tells us that if we do pranayama as a separate practice everyday, you will become very peaceful and mind will be calm
srini_sadhu: She suggests using the classical formula 1:4:2
Sarada Devi: yes - single mantra is relatively easy - silently during in breath and holding - loud during out breath - but what about scripture ?
gauri_108: how do we do it as separate practice?
gauri_108: no mantra?
srini_sadhu: 1 for the in breath (puraka); 4 for the retention (khumbaka); 2 for outbreath (rechaka)
gauri_108: how does it differ from second?
Sarada Devi: same
srini_sadhu: I agree somewhat Usha.
Sarada Devi: during chanting of scripture there is no silent chanting ??
Sarada Devi: or can one add single mantra ??
Sarada Devi: tell us srini
srini_sadhu: Sometimes here at the Mandir we chant a Mantra like "Om Namah Shivayah" 10 times, and then take an in breath, then 10 mantras again. So we wont be using 1:4:2 then.
srini_sadhu:
srini_sadhu: Does that make sense?
Sarada Devi: so no silent chanting no holding /
Janitri Rybacki: yes, this makes sense
Sarada Devi: yes - i do that , too thanks
srini_sadhu: Yes Usha, except there might be a slight pause between the inhalation and the audible chanting
srini_sadhu: Back to Gauri’s question , what if we feel uncomfortable with holding the breath?
Sarada Devi: thanks - now what about scripture - especially when the meter changes
vish108weshwar: when we do the
srini_sadhu
srini_sadhu: Good q
vish108weshwar: when we do the Chandi with Swami, we usually do 2 verses to the breath
srini_sadhu: Good question, Usha, can we get to that in a few minutes, please
Sarada Devi: i would shorten the time and then slowly increase with practice?
vish108weshwar: we breathe in the mantra, pause, then chant the 2 verses, the take a breath in again while chanting a mantra
srini_sadhu: Yes Usha.
srini_sadhu: I think when we are in a group, we try to follow the leader to the extent possible.
srini_sadhu: When we are alone, we start with what we are comfortable and try to expand
vish108weshwar: the group energy certainly helps one exceed one's normal limitations
srini_sadhu: Back to pranayama as a practice, I want to mention a few things
srini_sadhu: Maa told me to do it after I finish my Yoga in the morning
Sarada Devi: vish - do you mean scripture - breathe in what mantra?
gauri_108: after asanas?
vish108weshwar: when Chandi we usually recite "om aim hrim klim Chamundayai Vicche" on the in breath
srini_sadhu: Also, while the classical 1:4:2 is the ideal, Swamiji told me to Start with 1:1:1. This is very comfortable and makes it easy to focus
srini_sadhu: Yes Gauri
gauri_108: that sounds manageable
Sarada Devi: thanks vish - so this mantra is interjected with each in breath ?
vish108weshwar: yes, each in breath
vish108weshwar: also. try to sit with back straight and head erect, in a good asana while doing pranayama
srini_sadhu: When chanting a scripture like Chandi Path, we inhale and chant the mantra inside for the duration of the in breath.
srini_sadhu: Swamiji clarified today via email that we also chant the mantra for retention and then chant the verses
Sarada Devi: so different scripture - different breath mantra - like the 15 syllable for the 300 names??
vish108weshwar: srini, i do not understand what swami meant?
gauri_108: that would be a long in breath!
srini_sadhu: Example:
srini_sadhu: In breath: Om Namah Shivaya; Retention: Om Namah Shivayah; Out breath: Chant 1 or 2 or 3 verses
Sarada Devi: single mantra once - in - hold for four mantras - the recite verse ?
vish108weshwar: understood, thanks
Sarada Devi: great , thanks
srini_sadhu: Usha, you can choose whatever Mantra you want: Your Guru mantra for example.
srini_sadhu: Swamiji has said, that thoughts get in during the in breath, so we counter the thoughts with the Mantra
Sarada Devi: oh - this is so great - thanks srini
srini_sadhu: For me the most effective way to counter thoughts has been to chant with samput and sitting as erect as possible
vish108weshwar: Usha, i have found this practice to be incredibly helpful when chanting a long scripture, gives more energy, focus, and quiets the mind
Sarada Devi: of course - concentration vish
vish108weshwar: when you are focusing on all this different techniques, you do not have time for thoughts
vish108weshwar: has anyone else tires this? How has it helped you?
srini_sadhu: The goal of all this is to feel love
vish108weshwar: i love you srini
Sarada Devi:
srini_sadhu:
Janitri Rybacki: love all too
Sarada Devi: what about when the meter changes all of a sudden
srini_sadhu: One thing that helps me is to visualize the deity to the extent I can, this also counters the thoughts
vish108weshwar: Maa had us doing pranayama and mantra with eyes closed and visualize your deity in third eye or heart while breathing and reciting mantra with breath
srini_sadhu: Usha, Swamiji when he chants alone keeps it consistent (# of verses per out-breath) when He chants alone.
Sarada Devi: that’s usually what i do - but scripture is different unless one knows it by heart
srini_sadhu: When in a group, for the longer verses, he reduces the number of verses per breath from 2 to 1.
srini_sadhu: So I think you just do what feels right without getting two uncomfortable,
Sarada Devi: srini do you mean syllables?
srini_sadhu: too uncomfortable
vish108weshwar: Usha, if you do 1 verse per breath, would that make it work?
srini_sadhu: I meant verses per out-breath Usha
srini_sadhu: The other thing to strive for is to increase the number of verses per out breath. I found that when I move from 2 to 3, you have no time for thoughts
Sarada Devi: so when meter changes it would just be longer or shorter /
srini_sadhu: Yes Usha.
srini_sadhu: In the Rudri for example, it is changing all the time. Nothing one can do about it
Sarada Devi: finally i got it that was always a confusion for me
srini_sadhu: Janitri, forall10q, Lokesh, How is it going?
Janitri Rybacki: fine. I’m learning here..
forall10q: Fine, I'm listening!
lokesh green: great to read and learn thanks
srini_sadhu: One more thing that Maa told us that might be helpful.
vish108weshwar: have you all tried these techniques? With japa, or chanting verses?
Janitri Rybacki: i haven't tried it as i have been ignorant
Sarada Devi: not with the single mantra in-between this is soo wonderful ! - can't wait to try it !
vish108weshwar: janitri: do you feel ready to give it a try? Other folks?
Janitri Rybacki: YES!!
lokesh green: will try tonight
srini_sadhu: Maa says to pray to Chandi Maa in the beginning of each Chapter.
vish108weshwar: great, can we all make a sankalpa to do it 10 minutes per day, japa? with you favorite mantra?
lokesh green: yes
Janitri Rybacki: okay...10 minutes for a start!
srini_sadhu: Shree Maa told us that sometimes it is good to do japa without mala for a certain period of time
Sarada Devi: pray to Chandi ma ? in our own way ?
vish108weshwar: great, me too; srini what do you mean?
srini_sadhu: Yes Usha!
srini_sadhu: I will share my own experience
gauri_108: do you have to be sitting down or can you do japa while doing other things?
srini_sadhu: When I use a mala, I am always checking whether i finished the mala
srini_sadhu: Today I used a timer, and set it to 10 minutes.
vish108weshwar: i understand, so count on fingers instead of mala?
vish108weshwar: oh, that is what you mean
srini_sadhu: I don’t even count,
vish108weshwar: i agree, when doing 10 minutes, no need to count number of mantras, just do for 10 minutes
srini_sadhu: Just my experience. Other folks would prefer mala
srini_sadhu: Gauri, I was reading about your question today.
srini_sadhu: This saint says something like this
srini_sadhu: He says its preferred to sit and do the japa in the same time and same place everyday. Especially same time.
vish108weshwar: to keep as simples as possible when beginning new technique, just sit upright, close eyes, take a breath in, say a mantra inside, when breath is full, hold, say mantra 4 times, then exhale saying mantra 2 times. do this for 10 minutes.
srini_sadhu: The mantra permeates the consciousness then.
srini_sadhu: Of course it is good to say the mantra as much as possible when we are doing our work
vish108weshwar: good example of this is the Temple at Mandir. HOLY SPOT FILLED WITH DIVINE VIBES
srini_sadhu: I am excited about this!
Sarada Devi: don't forget mantra right NOW!
Janitri Rybacki: me too!
srini_sadhu: A commitment to do japa for ten minutes every morning, no matter what
vish108weshwar: i am too, thanks for the knowledge. Great discussion.
srini_sadhu: Maa and Swamiji do japa first thing as soon as they get up (see Before Becoming this)
vish108weshwar: the goal is the mantra goes all the time, by itself. Just think, all actions permeated by the mantra. What a goal. Let's get started.
Sarada Devi: go to sleep with mantra and wake up with mantra - then keep it by your side all day
vish108weshwar: it is most valuable possession, the greatest tool we have in our sadhu toolbox
Janitri Rybacki: You are all very inspirational 2night!
Sarada Devi: can't imagine life without it!
srini_sadhu: Please share your thoughts about japa and mantra on the club.
vish108weshwar: sometimes talking to clients on phone, when i say goodbye, i almost say: om Namah shivaya
lokesh green: thanks all namaste
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Sarada Devi: namaste All !
srini_sadhu: Pray to God for pure love in all our hearts
vish108weshwar: love to all, thanks for sharing your love and support. see you on the club nightly. don't be late. see you on - line live every night 6:30 pm with Swamiji chanting
Janitri Rybacki: namaste thank you!
forall10q: good night everyone and thank you
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vish108weshwar: good night srini, love
srini_sadhu: Jai Maa!
vish108weshwar: so long, farewell
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srini_sadhu: Good Morning Marsha!
marsha lange: Good morning
srini_sadhu: Welcome Morningsong!
Cynkay Morningsong: Namaste' Srini
srini_sadhu: How are you all doing?
Cynkay Morningsong: I'm good... Francesca is here with me again this morning
srini_sadhu: Good Morning Francesca!
srini_sadhu: Welcome Henny!
marsha lange: Had a busy week at work and looking forward to our Saturday morning satsang
henny_v_i: namaste all!
srini_sadhu: I have been maintaining a diary of quotes on japa this week, so I really look forward to this week’s discussion on japa and pranayama
vish108weshwar: namaste
srini_sadhu: Welcome Vish!
vish108weshwar: Missed you all last week, computer problems
srini_sadhu: We have 3 sutras to cover: 10, 11, 12
srini_sadhu: It’s a lot of material, so we will probably discuss only parts of the text.
srini_sadhu: Are there some topics that anyone wants to spend more time on?
srini_sadhu: Please share!!
Cynkay Morningsong: I've been looking forward to discussing pranayam
henny_v_i: well, the combination of pranayama and japa still gives me trouble....keep losing count etc.
srini_sadhu: Me too! Let's share all our solutions!
srini_sadhu: Anybody anything?
henny_v_i: looking forward to that
srini_sadhu: Om Sang Saraswatyai Namaha!
BharatiMa: Jai Maa Bharati has arrived
srini_sadhu: Welcome Bharati!
srini_sadhu: I bow down to all of you from my heart
henny_v_i: me too
srini_sadhu: I appreciate your being here to share in this satsang!
srini_sadhu: I propose the following:
srini_sadhu: We will spend a few minutes on Sutra 10 and spend most of the time on Sutra 11 and 12
srini_sadhu: What says you?
marsha lange: Srini - Fine with me
srini_sadhu: Sutra 10
srini_sadhu: Victory destroys pain
srini_sadhu: The pain here is the feeling of separation.
srini_sadhu: Could we all share how this pain manifests, to get a better handle on it?
henny_v_i: It manifests in the feeling that there is something missing...
Cynkay Morningsong: I really like the sentence that every victory destroys the sense of lack
srini_sadhu: This feeling of lack - can it be described?
henny_v_i: restlessness
marsha lange: Striving to fill what you feel is missing in your life. Not being grateful for what you have.
BharatiMa: the feeling of lack makes us feel unloved
BharatiMa: so we collect things to replace that love
Cynkay Morningsong: and separate from those who have
srini_sadhu: We are searching for a feeling of pure love that makes us feel secure and complete
srini_sadhu: Sutras 11 and 12 gives us two paths to gain victory over the feeling of lack
Ramya: In eternal union with our soul - our very own Divine Mother, with God.
Cynkay Morningsong: f: and the search for acceptance
srini_sadhu: The path of breath and the path of sound, and the two are related
srini_sadhu: Shall we discuss Sutras 11 and 12?
henny_v_i: yes
marsha lange: yes
vish108weshwar: yes
BharatiMa: yes
srini_sadhu: Sutra 11 says by perfecting our breath we become a source of peace
henny_v_i: that's something to strive for
srini_sadhu: Now people make a distinction between prana and breath, prana being more subtle. But we will use the two interchangeably.
kaliananda_saraswati has joined the conference.
srini_sadhu: Namaste Kali!
kaliananda_saraswati: namaste dear ones
srini_sadhu: Some terminology
Ramya: Namaste Kali and welcome! We are talking about Sutra 11.
srini_sadhu: Five types of Prana
srini_sadhu: Prana: inhalation
srini_sadhu: Apana: Exhalation
srini_sadhu: Samana: Equalizing Breath
srini_sadhu: Vyana: Involuntary expulsion
srini_sadhu: Udana: Bringing up breath
srini_sadhu: Questions?
Ramya: i don't understand what is equalizing breath and what it means to bring up breath
srini_sadhu: Each of five types of prana perform different functions
srini_sadhu: Prana controls breathing, inhalation
vish108weshwar: prana controls breathing? what do you mean?
srini_sadhu: Samana: equalizing breath is that prana in our body that aids in the harmonious functioning of the organs
vish108weshwar: in the book it says is equalizing breath, staying still
srini_sadhu: Each type of prana takes care of certain body functions. Prana which is the first type of prana is related to inhalation
srini_sadhu: Harmony, staying still
Ramya: thanks!
srini_sadhu: I am not sure about the distinction between udana and apana: both involve movement of breath from inside the body to outside the body.
srini_sadhu: Any ideas?
kaliananda_saraswati: the Devi Gita says
kaliananda_saraswati: udana is rising
kaliananda_saraswati: and vyana is defusing
srini_sadhu: Just to clarify, our whole body is permeated with prana, life-force, and different forms of prana do different things
kaliananda_saraswati: sorry apana is exhalation
BharatiMa: srin Swami says to take a breath deep into the belly then let the breath come to the throat then say the mantra. is this udana?
marsha lange: I thought that since everything seems to travel downward in the body that when you meditate and such you didn't want the thoughts to travel only in a downward fashion.
Ramya: Yes - Bharati ma, i also thought that udana is movement of breath upwards inside the body -- Maybe we can ask Swamiji for clarification!
henny_v_i: perhaps it means that type of breathing where you imagine you take the air up along the spinal column so it seems to go up?
srini_sadhu: I will seek clarification on this.
henny_v_i: ok, thank you
srini_sadhu: Now we can just focus on the actual breathing process.
vish108weshwar: so how does breath take us to subtle states?
srini_sadhu: This has three stages: inhalation, retention, and exhalation
srini_sadhu: Vish, could we discuss this in a few minutes?
vish108weshwar: i not ice if i breath evenly, i feel calmer. how?
vish108weshwar: yes
srini_sadhu: There are two practices where being aware of these three stages is important.
srini_sadhu: One is japa and the other is chanting
srini_sadhu: Chanting a scripture
srini_sadhu: Could some one describe how we regulate our breathing when chanting a scripture?
henny_v_i: take a breath, chant a verse, take a breath, chant the next and keep this up till you are finished
vish108weshwar: when inhaling, we also chant a mantra
Ramya: henny - that is so clear! so we are exhaling when we chant?
marsha lange: Would this also include keeping the meter?
henny_v_i: well, that is what I do. I chant out loud, so you can't help exhaling
vish108weshwar: yes, we must keep the meter too
vish108weshwar: the structure of the chandi verses is designed for regular pranayama
srini_sadhu: So the mantra (om aim hrim klim chamundayai vicche, om namah shivaya, or your guru mantra, or any other mantra) is pronounced inauidbly for the duration of the inhalation
Ramya: What is meter and how do we keep it?
kaliananda_saraswati: inhale with the meter, hold the breathe while repeating the scripture and exhale while repeating the scripture?
henny_v_i: I often forget the mantra when inhaling, because thoughts about the verse before or after creep in...
vish108weshwar: srini, so clear
vish108weshwar: yes, i forget sometimes, that is the discipline
srini_sadhu: Digression: Meter refers to the number of syllables per verse. In general you don’t worry about meter, if you are inhaling the mantras and pronouncing all the syllables of the verse
BharatiMa: when i do japa sometime i inhale with the mantra and exhale with the mantra
srini_sadhu: You will be chanting in the same meter throughout the scripture
srini_sadhu: Bharati, hold on to that thought
srini_sadhu: You can chant the same mantra multiple times when inhaling depending on how long your inhalation is
Ramya: So -- when we inhale we say a mantra (in our mind), then we say a verse when we exhale - do we retain our breath?
srini_sadhu: That is a good question! Any one knows?
Ramya: Kali said something about it before...hey Kali, take away our r darkness!
kaliananda_saraswati: not sure of the question Srini
srini_sadhu: Ok
henny_v_i: listening to you all reciting at the fire, I don't think you retain the breath, since you're going very fast
vish108weshwar: i do not retain a breath in the chandi. too fast, inhale a mantra, exhale the verse
srini_sadhu: Normally, we inhale, retain, and then exhale. This is when we do pranayama
kaliananda_saraswati: What is the question?
henny_v_i: with japa, I retain
srini_sadhu: The question is do we retain our breath between inhaling the mantra and chanting the verse (exhalation). In general, we pause; but should this pause be deliberate and long?
vish108weshwar: in the scripture, it does not state that we retain during chanting. during japa, we do retain. there is a formula
vish108weshwar: in the scripture it does not state there is a pause between inhale and exhale while chanting
kaliananda_saraswati: for me it is a deliberate pause between verses to get the breath back. Say two verses to the breath ... pause for breath and continue
srini_sadhu: Actually, Swamiji says that the puraka (inhalation) and khumbaka (retention) grow proportionate to the rechaka (chanting of the verse), page 85 second Para
vish108weshwar: i do not understand that with my experience
srini_sadhu: I can ask Swamiji this.
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srini_sadhu: The second situation is japa
marsha lange: pg 85 paragraph # is what I strive for make you mantra the breath of life
srini_sadhu: Sorry Marsha, where is this?
marsha lange: pg 85 para # 2
marsha lange: Anata and ajapa
srini_sadhu: That's Sutra 12, Marsha, we will get there shortly.
vish108weshwar: srini, i get it now, the more breath we breath in with a mantra, the more we can hold-retain, then the more we can breath out with the mantra. it grows automatically as we practice
srini_sadhu: Different editions, different page numbers
marsha lange: Sorry I must have a different edition
srini_sadhu: Thanks Vish
srini_sadhu: A few things about japa with pranayama
srini_sadhu: Back to what Bharathi was saying
vish108weshwar: could we discuss the formula of breathing for japa?
srini_sadhu: The classical formula is 1:4:2
srini_sadhu: I have struggled with this and I am still struggling. Any ideas, thoughts from your experience?
Ramya: Inhalation -- say mantra one time. Retain - say mantra 4 times exhalation - say mantra 2 times. We can do the whole thing inaudibly
kaliananda_saraswati: it seems easier to breath if the back is erect when sitting
vish108weshwar: when you begin the practice, do not force or try too hard, just be easy. it will come automatically over time, but must begin easily
vish108weshwar: i agree kali, Swami too says this is best
srini_sadhu: One thing Swamiji told me to try is 1:1: 1
Ramya: It really helps me to do japa this way - it is easier to concentrate. also it is fun to count with both hands!
henny_v_i: one thing: it helps me, when counting on the fingers, to keep the numbers so that I come to the same place every time when starting anew; I do 3-12-6, which makes 21, but I count the last two i the same place, so I can start the inhalation at the beginning again (middle ring finger). I hope I make myself clear.
srini_sadhu: I found it easier to focus
Ramya: Yes Henny! Thanks for sharing!
gauri_108: I sometimes have trouble, with this, but when i did it while listening to Maa singing Navarna mantra, IT WAS SOOO EASY!
srini_sadhu: How about taking a sankalpa to do 10 minutes of japa everyday this week?
Ramya: The main point is - when we inhale we say name of God and when we exhale we say name of God - As we keep doing it we strive to get an intuitive understanding of what we are chanting and feel God's presence -- Eternally!
vish108weshwar: nice ramya
gauri_108: fabulous -- I’m in
Ramya: Maa said that if we do 10 minutes in morning using 1:4:2 we will have calmness throughout the day.
vish108weshwar: Swami says after some time, the mantra goes by itself automatically, eternally
srini_sadhu: The other thing is I found that if I do japa without a mala for a predefined time, I am able to focus better on the mantra.
marsha lange: yes beautiful Ramya
BharatiMa: Sutra says mantra controls the mind by expanding the concept which the mind is conceiving
kaliananda_saraswati: yes, i will
srini_sadhu: Otherwise I am waiting for the mala to get over
Ramya: Count me in for 10 minutes Japa-sankalpa!
BharatiMa: if we are expanding the concept of god then what could be better
vish108weshwar: yes, i will join our sankalpa too
Cynkay Morningsong: I'm in
marsha lange: yes I will join the sankalpa
henny_v_i: and me
gauri_108: that is so true, srini, if i listen to the cd then i don't worry about counting
Cynkay Morningsong: f: me too
BharatiMa: calmness throughout the day is what i would love-so count me in
Ramya:
srini_sadhu: Let us share this sankalpa on the Yahoo Group!
srini_sadhu: We are running out of time, could we discuss more closing thoughts on pranayama and discuss sutra 12 next week?
henny_v_i: it would be great if more people joined in
vish108weshwar: yes, yes yes
marsha lange: Yes
henny_v_i: ok
kaliananda_saraswati: ok
BharatiMa: great idea
gauri_108: ok by me
srini_sadhu: One nice thing I read
Cynkay Morningsong: ok
srini_sadhu: Before we start Japa, it is good to pray to our Ishta that there will be no obstacle to our japa
Ramya: i read a quote from Sarada Maa - something like this -- God gave us fingers, so we can count when we do japa!!!
Ramya: There is a description of how to count using fingers when doing Japa in FAQ section in shreemaa.org - if anybody wants to know!
gauri_108: how do you know who your Ishta Deva is?
Ramya: How do you know whom you love? Your heart tells you
srini_sadhu: Good question, Gauri. Right now I love them all. Hanuman, Ganesh, Devi, Krishna, Rama.
Ramya: We can also pray to Guru to make our Japa smooth! They always help, isn't it?
gauri_108: me, too!
marsha lange: It does for me Ramya
kaliananda_saraswati: Kali Maa is my sweetheart
vish108weshwar: for me, there is a certain force which draws me, compels me to worship. but, as Swami has said, different forces will compel you at different times
srini_sadhu: Thank you all. I pray that we feel close to God as we strive to do 10 minutes of japa everyday!
Ramya: They are all the same - appearing in many beautiful forms - whichever form we love at that moment - that is our Ishta! At Hanuman puja time - it is Hanuman, when we dress Gopal, it is the little butter thief - when we sing Chandi - it is our Mother!
srini_sadhu: Please share your thoughts and ideas on how we can maintain our awareness while doing japa, on the Yahoo Group!
marsha lange: Jai Ma and thanks Srini and thank you to everyone for another great satsang. Blessings
BharatiMa: ram-said so beautifully thank you
vish108weshwar: nice ramya. i will join you all in posting that we are doing this on the club daily
Ramya: That is my understanding, Gauri - from asking Swamiji this question! He said to strive to be with God, in whatever name and form!! hope this helps you as it helped me!
gauri_108: jaaaaaaaaai Maa
kaliananda_saraswati: Thanks and Jai Maa. Blessed week to all.
srini_sadhu: I thank you for your patience and love.
vish108weshwar: jai maa jai swami, love vishweshwar
Cynkay Morningsong: f: namaste
BharatiMa: thank you everyone - good discussion. Jai Maa
vish108weshwar has left the conference.
henny_v_i: Thank you all, God bless you
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Ramya: Om Sang Saraswatyai Namaha!
BharatiMa: thank you Maa and Swamiji for your Divine blessings and knowledge.
Cynkay Morningsong: Namaste'
BharatiMa has left the conference.
Ramya has left the conference.
Cynkay Morningsong: thank you
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