Jayanti, I am in agreement...although born a Christian, I am more comfortable with and find more reasonable the Hindu interpretations...it makes it difficult in my surroundings to find a place to worship...but God puts us where we are...born under the circumstances of his will...
Sister Rosemary: "...it makes it difficult in my surroundings to find a place to worship.."
Comment: I remember, about a year ago, we were discussing [in the Courtyard] your setting up a home shrine to the Holy Trio.
Just print out the photos that you prefer, pick up some inexpensive frames at Wal Mart & you are in business.
You can place the framed photos on your dresser, or on a book shelf, etc.
Pick up a little incense burner and some votive candles [be careful with these, use a safe receptacle and never leave burning candles unattended].
It is very easy to create a suitable environment for meditation and prayer.
Vedanta, in particular, the teachings of the Holy Trio, lends itself
very well to personal and private worship.
There is also this wonderful invention of the Internet, which allows
us to visit hundreds of different Vedanta websites [such as the one we are visiting at the moment], an inexhaustable supply of sublime inspiration.
So, even if we dwell in remote locations, far from large urban centres, we can still be very much in the 'World-Wide Vedanta Loop'.
Web Admin,
I remember this discussion about the home altar..etc...somehow one would like to observe the rituals of arati, etc...and have satsang in the physical form...however, I am very grateful for the satsang, here...very grateful....
I do appreciate your point of view in these matters;
but, as the Stones song goes: "....You can't always get..."
Anyway, I think you mentioned, that you don't have a sound
card on your computer. If you do decide to install one,
there os a nice Arati Wav file, recorded at Belur Math,
available HERE: members.rediff.com/srirk/images/arati.wav
Compliments of Shivaji Mitra
Visit his lovely site dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna HERE: members.rediff.com/srirk
Followed the discussion with interest. Some thoughts. 1. On Holy Mother's birth tithi in December, 1995, went with Sri Fhanindra to Ramakrishna Temple. There I met other friends. Noticed after a while Sri Fhanindra talking with a beggar women. Curious, went nearer. The lady was spouting the highest philosophy quoting Rabindranath Tagore among others. She said among other things that heaven and hell are here itself, my child. There is no joy (I would say real or lasting joy) in worldy enjoyments. If I am born again, I would prefer to be a Sannyasini, and other things. Sri Fhanindra touched her feet in parting. I sought to emulate him but she did not allow me. Anyway I bowed and felt a presence which has lingered in my memory. 2. Another lady once told me, to have an excessive ego, or unripe ego is to experience the travails of rowrowwai naraka, perhaps among the lowest of hells, 3. I cried to Mother to take me up in Her lap. Sri Fhanindra discerning my thoughts frowned. He explained afterwards. Suppose Mother does take you in Her lap but you then again have a desire for worldly enjoyments. What a tragedy that will be. So better to finish the experiences. And what has developed gradually will also disappear gradually, the diseased ego. Then you can repair for ever to Ma's lap. 4. Sri Fhanindra, a saint in my personal estimation lives till present in a small rented room, with a small kitchen. In the kitchen itself he has installed Devi Durga, his chosen ideal. And the shrine has become living through his tapasya and daily meditation. His worship is a worship of love, very little rituals. And on the small table he has He has put the Holy Trinity, Holy Mother, Ramakrishna and Swami ji. I felt that they are more happy there than even in my larger exclusive shrine room. Regards.
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Replying to:
Dear Sister Rosemary,
I do appreciate your point of view in these matters;
but, as the Stones song goes: "....You can't always get..."
Anyway, I think you mentioned, that you don't have a sound
card on your computer. If you do decide to install one,
there os a nice Arati Wav file, recorded at Belur Math,
available HERE: members.rediff.com/srirk/images/arati.wav
Compliments of Shivaji Mitra
Visit his lovely site dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna HERE: members.rediff.com/srirk
