Festival can remind us to keep our faith.Byline: From Heart to Heart by Sister Kiran For The Register-Guard TODAY, March 1, falls on the 14th day of the last month of the Indian calendar Indian calendar may refer to:
They are celebrating the festival of Maha Shivratri or the Great Night of Shiva, the Great God. This day of religious significance commemorates, as such festivals always do, someone great who once did something, something great that once occurred. Time's passage has left clues about this being and these events only in the form of legends. Such clues point, as do legends and scriptural stories of all faith traditions, to timeless and universal spiritual truths significant for all people everywhere. What significance might this festival hold for us, living in Eugene? Although space does not permit a full description of the legends, in essence they describe the advent of God. The name Shiva has three intrinsic meanings: Point, Seed, and the `One who benefits all.' The Upanishads describe Shiva as being `more minute than the minutest'; the One who, in the midst Adv. 1. in the midst - the middle or central part or point; "in the midst of the forest"; "could he walk out in the midst of his piece?" midmost of chaos re-creates the world; the Benevolent Being from whom everlasting peace is attained by those who know Him. This Great God appears at midnight, the time of greatest darkness - which symbolizes the darkness of ignorance, injustice, irreligiousness ir·re·li·gious adj. Hostile or indifferent to religion; ungodly. ir  re·li ,
chaos and violence. In one legend, He manifests as an endless form of
light, proving Himself to be more unlimited than any other being.
This corresponds to God's appearance as Light in virtually all faith traditions, and references His unlimited capacity for love, truth and wisdom. The legends indicate that He does wondrous things when He appears. He grants release from suffering to a soul who worships Him inadvertently, indicating how easy He is to please; He saves the world by drinking the poison which is about to engulf en·gulf tr.v. en·gulfed, en·gulf·ing, en·gulfs To swallow up or overwhelm by or as if by overflowing and enclosing: The spring tide engulfed the beach houses. it; He brings to a parched parch v. parched, parch·ing, parch·es v.tr. 1. To make extremely dry, especially by exposure to heat: The midsummer sun parched the earth. , senseless earth the life-giving waters of the Ganges, the river of wisdom. He weds Parvati, symbolizing God's reunion with souls who are regenerated following the destruction that ensued when irreligiousness and defamation of God reached their peak. We are living today - even in this relatively serene, lovely city - in dark, treacherous times. It is a good day to cleanse ourselves of selfishness and greed by inwardly cultivating simplicity and generosity; a very good day to count our blessings and fast from anger, arrogance and desire. Though the world seems close to being engulfed by poison, let us remember that the night is darkest just before the dawn. Let us meditate med·i·tate v. med·i·tat·ed, med·i·tat·ing, med·i·tates v.tr. 1. To reflect on; contemplate. 2. To plan in the mind; intend: meditated a visit to her daughter. on the redeeming Light of truth, love and mercy, pray for the advent of the Seed of wisdom and claim peace from the Benevolent Being - remembering that God rewards even inadvertent attempts of the sincere heart to stay `awake.' Sister Kiran teaches meditation locally on behalf of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) or Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya is a monastic, renunciate[1] Millenarian[2][3] new religious movement (NRM) of Indian origin. (www.bkwsu.com). "From Heart to Heart" is coordinated by the Two Rivers Two Rivers, city (1990 pop. 13,030), Manitowoc co., E Wis., on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Twin River; inc. 1878. Two Rivers is closely associated with its twin city, Manitowoc, both of which are highly industrialized. Interfaith Ministries, a network of faith communities in the Eugene-Springfield area. For more information, call 344-5693. |
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