Seekernorth - 2007-07-16 3:19 PM
kulkarnn - 2007-07-16 9:32 AM
Spiritual Diksha is received ONLY from ONE master, never from many. Secular learning can be gotten from many teachers. Sometimes, there is a Diksha given in secular learning as well. For example Diksha of Indian Classical Dance, D of Indian Classical Music, etc. But, Spiritual? Only one. So, make sure you are comfortable with that. And, as for Swami Rama's story. That is not a standard, that is one particular instance. In particular instances many exceptions occur. For example, the spiritual world, there is ONLY one example in the UNIVERSE known where a married couple lived without intercourse and happily. And, that is Shree Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
Thank you so much.
I have some further questions and would like your views:
1. I myself and numerous friends and acquaintances have grown through contact with, and work with, a succession of "teachers" - some of whom may have empowered us in certain specific tangible ways. In other words, a process or empowerment on the "energetic" level may have taken place. But we have regarded these teachers, benefactors though they be, as milestones along the way. The "teachings" I'm speaking of are something more than theoretical or intellectual. The empowerment may have stuck with us. But... ?? In other words, is there not often a progression?
===> Yes one may learn from and also be affected essentially by many teachers or personalities on the way. Thus, there is a progression. But, all of them are not masters of that person. All of them can be respected or even worshipped. But, only the master is worshipped as a chosen Deity - Ishta Devata, almost like the Almighty God, even more than that!
2. What about when one recognizes that a particular teacher or master is highly evolved, and after sitting with such an individual one simply asks for his or her blessing on one's path. In what way is this similar to or different from true Diksha in the sense that you've used the term?
===> Asking for blessing in such a person's presence is not a problem. Blessing is different from asking to become a master. Blessing = a well wish of spiritual or higher order. Masterhood = taking full responsibility. Dikshaa in the secular sense means a student is accepted for a disciplined subject such as music, art, whatever. Dikshaa in the Spiritual Sense means the Student and Master have accepted each other in that sense and both of them are now one.
Spiritual Dikshaa is not received by asking from a master. And, also a real master gives it only when a student is ready, not because a student is zelous or financially well, etc. Most of the masters you see in the magazines today are not real masters, they are at best socially good leaders. Socially good leader is different from master.
In fact, the student does not have to worry about the master coming. Master comes when student is ready.
Thanks for bringing up this topic in the weeks of Shree Guru Pournima
(see my post in the General Thread above
).
Thanks.
Namaste,
Seekernorth