Stories, yoga, philosophy - Oh what a weekend!

Ha Dear Kamala, what a delight to read your response! There is no question of offense, especially between friends and you will believe if I say I am only thrilled to read your response! It made me think, made me understand where I come from and also in a way allowed me to understand where I want to go! So thank you for that. You do certainly know that I never write from a know it all perspective but to know as much as I can perspective and that can be achieved only if I am willing to listen - to all perspectives

I did start off by saying that I believe sometimes understanding attachment will in a way show us detachment! While you felt why would God give us the ability to create these materialistic things, I felt "I wish Sukh Dev had learnt to enjoy what was around him, practically - that would have truly showed him the value of the two items he was carrying. Having not had anything else, having not known anything else has made him more attached to the two objects he has had for ever!" I am yet to meet a person who has advised that I need to give up everything. If anything, I have been advised to stay put, especially more so by my grandmother!

If we take our own examples, what we were attached to as children is not an object of attachment as adults and they change and vary as we grow and change. That in its own way is not only teaching us detachment (from that object) but also teaching us to be accepting of where we are at that point! It is a different story that we get attached to other different things at different times, but we also learn to get detached with change! When we are truly attached to something for its utility/the joy it brings at that point in time, it will be easier for us to let go when needed - for we know and understand that it has served its purpose!

Incidentally, getting exposed and hearing different views on various philosophies especially the last few months, the thought that comes to mind when I think of Sandal wood is that of God - for the essence of who he/she is may not be fully understood, but an essence that is not repulsive to anyone (almost anyways) around it! Come to think of it, I do not know how sandal wood is useful other than for it's aroma (we know only the presence of God but really cannot point out and say this is his purpose alone, can we?) Yes, we can be proud and tall and even detached or content like a bamboo in the understanding that we are serving our purpose (even if we think, as intended by God by creation) or be like other beings around that tree, who are also serving their purpose yet, absorbing the essence. Neither of them is wrong - it simply is a choice! I think that by absorbing that essence we do tend to spread it further, (imagine substituting that essence as human values) - at least that is the way I see it!

From that perspective, I am sure the intention was not to question the worthiness of the bamboo at all, at least that is the way I saw it when she spoke of the story, as I understood! And Kamala, the first thought that came to my mind when I read your response especially about the bamboo was "I never questioned the utility of either of them, neither approved or disapproved (and frankly, I am surprised that I did not look that way!)." I come from a place of acceptance and belief that everything has a purpose to serve. The only question to me personally and always is just that while doing that how do we progress? That's all was on my mind.

I hope Cheeniya sir will not mind if I quote him here from the FP forum.

That is all my intention truly is and selfishly, I am happy to see the possibilities, to get the views not to form a view myself but for better understanding, as a student, if you know what I mean! So your response is truly appreciated and taken in the right spirit it is meant to be!

I have to say that I do feel like I have penned another snippet especially with all the thinking that went in! sorry about the very long response, hope you understand!

 

hope fully relaxing and enjoying. May I say?

Absolutely I am with you on that. It was refreshing to hear another perspective and I am sure my fellow students had a similar view especially when they drew a blank trying to understand what a sandalwood tree, especially having known a bamboo!

No body has ever doubted that Kelly! Easiest thing is to preach no doubt about that and your thought on the king did bring a smile to my face for I did read in some versions of the story that the king could walk away because he thought "God will take care of him" and when I read your response, I substituted God with servants but either ways I am amazed at the confidence of the king that it will (his needs) be taken care of! That certainly is a good place to be at, attached or not. Would you agree?

Thank you Kelly for you response as always!

 

And Dear Cheeniya sir, just as I finished acknowledging to Kamala that I did not know other values of sandal wood, you give me all the information! That was a nice write up about Ganesha, tusks and human hair and tonsure! Very interesting! You are right Cheeniya sir, how can we ever imagine Krishna without his bamboo flute? Like I said in response to Kamala, I was not at all looking at the purpose of either the bamboo or the sandal! In a sense I wish I had but then, on second thoughts I would not have understood what was going on in my mind!

Thank you Cheeniya sir for your response, your presence is always always appreciated!

 

Kamala thank you and thank you for a different feed back and thank you for feeling confident that you could do that with me Let me hasten to add that i am in the same boat as you as far as attachment is concerned, the difference being you are wondering as to why we should be detached where as i am fascinated by the whole idea for i do believe it is so complex.

Thank you kamala for your assurance and your feedback.

 

Thank you Kottravai for your lovely feedback! I am in a way happy to hear that you take some time out to read and then mull over as well befor eyou respond - that means a world to me! For I seem to the same thing. I cannot for the life me just sit down and pen down unless something has been on my mind for quite some time :-( Then when I put it down here, it helps shape my own opinion!

Loved, loved your example of baby monkey and kitten and I also fluctuate between the two - in a way it is very comforting to know there are possibilities and everything is ok! Thank you for sharing that example, I have already used it many times since yesterday

It is heartening to note that reading the snippet and responses allows you mull on them just as penning down and getting responses allows me to - that is the intent anyways. Thank you again for your feed back.

And how can this

not leave with a wide smile on my face? Thank you!