Re: tilak chart

Dandavat Nava thank you very much. Just what I needed. I have other books on vaisnava etiquette but not as good as this.
 

with effection from

lowerthanarat

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Re: tilak chart

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krsna!

you can download the Manual of Vaishnava Etiquette, from mybloop account here: mybloop.com/go/W5XX3n

page 36 of the pdf has the diagram you need.

 

y.s. Nava.

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tilak chart

Danadavat respected Maharajs and vaisnaas.

Does any one have a picture of a Tilak Chart as I had one but now for some reason I cannot find it.

 

kind regards

lowerthanarat

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Healthy spirituality - Transcendence and Integration of Experience

Sectarianism in Spirituality

by Shrila Sacchidananda Bhaktivinoda
 Thakura in Shri Krishna Samhita

Sectarianism is a natural byproduct of the Absolute Truth. When acaryas first ascertain and instruct the Truth, it is not polluted with sectarianism. But the rules and regulations received through disciplic succession regarding the goal and the method of achieving it are changed in due course of time according to the mentality and locale of the people. A rule that is followed by one society is not necessarily accepted in another society. That is why one community is different from another. As a community gradually develops more respect for its own standards, it develops hatred towards other communities and considers their standards inferior. These sectarian symptoms are seen in all countries since time immemorial. This is prominent amongst neophytes and found to some extent amongst madhyama-adhikaris. Amongst uttama-adhikaris, however, there is no trace of sectarianism.

Adherence to a particular standard is the prominent symptom of a society. There are three types of standards—alocakagata, alocanagata and alocyagata. Alocakagata is when sectarianists accept some external signs. Examples of alocakagata are tilaka, neck beads, saffron robes, and the baptism that is practiced abroad. The different activities practiced in the process of worship are called alocanagata. Examples of alocanagata are sacrifices, austerities, fire sacrifices, vows, studying scriptures, deity worship, constructing temples, respecting the purity of various trees and rivers, dressing like sannyasis, acting like acaryas, dressing like brahmacaris or grhasthas, closing one's eyes, respecting particular types of books, rules and regulations in eating, and respecting the purity of particular times and places. The examples of alocyagata are attributing personalism or impersonalism on the Supreme Lord, installing deities, exhibiting the mood of an incarnation of the Lord, speculating on heaven and hell, and describing the future destination of the soul.

The different forms of these spiritual activities create divisions of sectarianism. Differences that arise from places, times, languages, behaviors, foods, dresses, and natures of various communities are incorporated within people's spiritual practices and gradually make one community so completely different from another community that even the consideration that everyone is a human being may cease to exist. Due to these differences there is disagreement, cessation of social intercourse, and fighting, even up to the point of killing on another. When an ass-like mentality becomes prominent within the kanishta-adhikaris, they certainly indulge in these things. But if they develop a swanlike mentality, then they do not take part in quarrels; rather, they endeavor to attain a higher level. Madhyama-adhikaris do not quarrel so much about external standards, but they are always attacked by philosophical disagreements. Sometimes they condemn the standards of neophytes and establish their own standards as superior. They condemn the neophytes' deity worship in order to establish the worship-able Lord as formless. In such cases, they are also considered ass-like people.

Otherwise, if they had a swanlike mentality and a desire to attain a higher level, they would respect others' practices and inquire about higher topics. Contradictions actually arise only due to ass-like mentality. Swanlike persons consider the necessity for different practices to one's qualification, so they are naturally detached from sectarian quarrels. In this regard, it should be understood that both ass-like and swanlike people are found amongst the kanishta-adhikaris and madhyama-adhikaris.

Transcendence and Integration of Experience:

At some point we may reach a stage of transcendent consciousness. In this new awareness ritual and religion (and mundane aspects of spirituality) may no longer hold such a deep significance for our conscious living. It is as if the living entity now has her feet in two worlds - the transcendent and the mundane - (madhyama - middle platform).

The devotee who now resides in these two worlds begins to gradually integrate all experiences, within and without her conscious awareness. Rather than tear down that which exists in the lower world, she integrates it (and applies it); knowing well that ritual and religion serves its purpose for those who have not yet risen.

The danger for the newly arrived who exists in these two dimensions is a potential for a kind of psychosis (or religious intolerance) - which is infact caused by the perverted reflection of spiritual substance; ie the living entities own conditioned experience of perverted truths (dogmatic religion) - which remain in the mind as scars.

In that immature stage of god consciousness on the madhyama platform (lack of integration of experience), the living entity will often attack all things that exist in the lower realm - which she sees as false spirituality (religion). The cause of this is simply, the inability of the living entity to integrate her minds experiences and heal.

Religion has become for her the cause of intolerant madness. Such can be the existential crisis for the conscious entity who has found herself consciously aware in two worlds. This is unhealthy (asslike) religion.

In another case, an ass-like neophyte can be harmful in behaviour. She falsely believes that her experience is transcendental. When infact all that is known is 'non self-realized knowledge' from books. And an inflated sense of superiority (the opposite of smallness, humility, and service).

The neophyte needs to raise herself to the madhyama platform. And then by some good fortune may gradually integrate all things and become uttama (topmost) in behaviour.

These are some thoughts that have developed in my contemplation of the above article over time; from my own internal development, and also observing conflict within others of spiritual/religious ilk and inclination. Even to the point of war and killing, over the course of history.

This is also my rebuttal of dogmatic fundamentalism which is prevalent and growing in todays societies. This intolerant fundamentalism is the shadow and putana of true religious experience. The pitfall for many on the path. A nurse maid which seeks to poison the newly appeared baby Krsna.

y.s Nava

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Re: Krishna Naama Tava Dhare Kata Bala

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!
Dandavats and obeissances.

Everything is working fine now. The links work and the nitaai.net opening page is back.
Thank you very much.

Aspiring to forever leave this world of birth and death,
Jagannatha Gauranga dasa

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Happiness and Devotion

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krsna!

here is a simple realization of the nature of 'mercy and love' that entered my heart at some point in God realization...

   

'Wondering what the world lacked I looked around,
    and saw the world needed happy people.
    In gratitude my load did lighten,
    I smiled and the world began to brighten.'

    'Devotion became not a burden pervaded by guilt and lack,
    but joy to know that love is simply love...
    The world is in need of happy people...come along!'

  
    y.s Nava.

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