We have just completed our second Study Circle and we had a very serious and deep discussion this time. We also have some fabulous news. Bro Raju Samtani has graciously agree to take notes during the sessions that we can share on this blog. We would really like to thank him for taking up this seva that would help all of us to remember our discussion so that we may ruminate on it and put it into practice.The following is Bro. Rajus summary.
October 18,2016
Moderator: Sis. Roshini
CONTENTS ON THE TOPIC RELAYED BY MODERATOR
CHAPTER 3 - CHILD PARIKSHIT AND THE
PROPHECY
DOUBTS OF YUDISTHIRA:
Inauspicious
deaths-those whose deaths are such, become ghosts and have to suffer.
He is in
the fear on his injustices that may come to his newborn child.
THE BRAHMINS CONSOLED YUDISTHIRA:
Maharaja,
not to worry!
This is a
great child will never meet with such a tragedy.
His
horoscope - the positions of the planets, clearly notice two happy conjunctions;
Vajra (thunderbolt) Yoga and Bhakthi Yoga (path of dedication to God), both are
Shakti (powerful) & promising
He will
not be born again, for, through Bhakti Yoga, he will attain oneness with the
Lord of All, Purushothama.
During the naming ceremony - TURNING TO YUDISTHIRA LORD
KRIUSHNA SAID:
I did not
believe when I was told that this child stared at everyone who came before him
and examined their facial features. I thought it was a new explanation given by
these priests, to the usual prank and play of children. Now, this is really a
wonder. He has started examining even Me!
THEN THE
LORD TRIED USING TOYS TO DISTRACT THE ATTENTION OF THE CHILD, THE LORD WAS
HIDING FROM THE CHILD’S EYE VIEW. BUT
WITHOUT ANY DISTRACTION THE CHILD ADAMANTLY KEPT LOOKING ON THE LORD.
Krishna
declared; this is no ordinary child. He has won through My tests. So, the name “Parikshit”
is the most appropriate name for him.
This weeks study circle focused on chapter 3 and the following are the areas we discussed with the questions as our guide.:
1. If Krishna already knew that Parikshit was full of devotion why did he distract him or "test"him?
This was an interesting question to start off with. there were several thoughts from the discussion that arised. Firstly, some of us thought that Krishna was just testing Parikshit to see if he was focused enough or would he get easily distracted. Another point of view was that Krishna knew Parikshits devotion and was merely "testing: him to showcase the little babies devotion as a leela for everyone else to see. There was also a very divergent thought where some of the youth thought that this might also be positive conditioning. conditioning the baby that he was indeed divine and full of love and devotion for the Lord thus setting the course of his life on the right path.
2. When did you realise you fell in love with God or when did you feel that first connection with your higher self?
There was amazing sharing by everyone and we realised that everyone had felt an intense connection with God but in various forms and in various situations. NO 2 people are alike and hence we should never compare or judge.
3.What distracts you from this path we take towards God?
Here was where intense discussion happen. We spoke about trivial things that distracted us on our path but also went on to ask ourselves about deeper seeded distractions that stop us from believing we are divine, like self doubt, ego, believing that only we have all the answers,Knowledge.
Bro Suresh Saminathan explained the difference between knowing something and being so attached to that knowing that we do not experience anything. We discussed the life of saints and how from the outside it looked like they were suffering so much on this path of divinity, however Swami tells us like the life of Meera what we looked at a suffering was nothing but Joy and Bliss to Meera. So our preconceived notion of a difficult path to divinity might not be true. To each aspirant Swami carves out a specific path,and that is the path we take. The choice of how we go through life, our emotions and our feelings are our free will.
Post views- take home message:
1.
Don’t be distracted by the distractions,pray to Swami to change distractions to stepping stones for progress.
2.
This study circle is like a reminder to the TRUESELF - the
purpose we are born.
3. Sometimes we think why do good people have to suffer, but we do not know if a person is suffering or going through life situations in bliss accepting it as a prasadham from the lord.
4.
Swami keeps reminding us we are GOD, but we still do not
believe.We need to introspect and see what is stopping us from believing Swami.
Our study circle ended with 3 Oms and will resume next month with Chapter 5 and 6 .
Jai Sai Ram
