Faith is Beyond Intelligence! By PARAMAHAMSA SRI NITHYANANDA

Dear Pam, Many thanks for a quick welcome, which helps me in coming back to this website daily.

It is great to learn about your spritual journeys to India. May I include a small story by Bhagwan Nityanandji?
On other two matters you asked, I will come separately. But first this great message, especially as we all in India celebrated GURU POORNIMA (Poornima= full moon day of 9th month of Hindu caendar).

Jay Gurudev,

Deepak

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Extracts from a short article in the Economic Times daily newspaper, 18^th July, 2008)

“Our thoughts have a lot of power. Be clear about one thing: if you believe in a particular god or guru, believe with all your might. Do not bother about whether he has power or not. Your faith has the power. Ramakrishna used to narrate this beautiful parable to his devotees.

A learned scholar, a great pundit, had his home on one bank of a river. All provisions for his home used to come from the other bank. A milkmaid used to bring him fresh milk every morning.

One morning she was late, very late. The pundit was very angry with her. “My morning prayers have been delayed because of you,” he ranted, “don’t you have any responsibility?” She apologized profusely. “Master, the river was in spate and the boats refused to ply. That’s why I was late.”

“Don’t give me excuses” roared the pundit, “if the boats couldn’t come you should have walked on water. How can you make the gods wait? Have faith and cross the river.” The milkmaid meekly listened and went away. She was never late again. A month later it rained profusely for a week and no boats could ply. Yet, the milkmaid came on time and delivered the milk.

The pundit asked the milkmaid how she managed to come at all. She simply said, “you told me how to do it. I believed in you and walked on the water ever since that day!” The pundit was shocked. Disbelieving her, he took her to the riverbank and told her to cross the river, which she did with ease. “If this milkmaid can do it believing in me, I should have greater powers” thought the pundit. Lifting his dhoti with one hand he stepped into the water and promptly sank.         ( dhoti= rectangular piece of unstitched cloth, usually around 5 yards long, wrapped about the waist and the legs, and knotted at the waist)

“Oh! Master! What faith do you have? How can you cross the river if you believe your dhoti would get wet?” You do not need an enlightened master to liberate you. All you need is absolute trust. A stone can liberate you. Ramakrishna was enlightened through his unshakeable faith in the statue of Mother Kali.

When you live with such trust and surrender your mind, body and senses to the entity you trust in, you are automatically enlightened!”

Dear pam,

Hi,, Pam, and thanks for your comment on my page.  Seems we do have significant things in common!  you were asking aobut Dawna Markova -- here is the url for her website.  Her books are great.  http://www.dawnamarkova.com/

I'm just stepping into an online art-journal project with artist Lani Gerity, called The Heroine's Journey.  It is delicious and perfect for a summer of ongoing self-discovery through creativity.  http://www.lanipuppetmaker.com/

As for media, my favourite is my newest zone of learning: oil painting.  I've tried and enjoyed most that cross my path, including s little calligraphy this spring.  Anything that comes up through Artella's website or through my local Spark of Brilliance group (mental health healing through the arts) delights me.  Love music and hope that in my next life I will be able to carry a tune myself! 

I've been meditating daily for 30 years, and just last year enriched my silent practice by adding chanting. 

Given your love of medical mysteries, you'd likely enjoy the recent outstanding tv series ReGenesis currently re-running on either Showcase or Bravo.

Take it from one who knows:  Retirement Rocks!!  I finished my career years at age 58, and the past five have been a splendid entry to the closing phase of this colourful lifetime!

Merrikate

Hi,

I'd like to invite you to join The Prayers and Answers group which is under the head group Spirituality.
Within the sacred space of this group, we can request prayers and/or request guidance and assistance with matters concerning ourselves or our loved ones.
I'd be honoured if you would join us there.

Love,
Shamila

Hi Pam! Thank you so much for joining our new community! It's wonderful to have you here!  ~Valerie