Religion

[Guest guest]

Memo: To All Affirmation Members

From: All the Moderators

Re: Religion

The moderators have discussed this issue in more depth, and we've come to the

following conclusion and suggestion for all affirmation members. See below:

1) The group members (any of you), have the ability and the right to hit the

delete button should the information not be in line with your beliefs.

2) In fact, an option is to put a " heading " in the subject line, like:

" CHRISTIAN:Whatever the topic is "

or " WICCAN:Whatever the topic is " .

In this way, if someone personally does not want to read anything pertaining to

Wiccan, they can delete it without opening the email and just move on. No harm,

No foul.

Same thing goes for Christian thoughts or emails. If someone personally doesn't

want to read anything regarding Christianity, they can also just hit the delete

button.

3) The place where we would draw the line would be anything involving Satan or

Satanism. That topic is not allowed in the affirmations to de-stress group. If

that is what you want to talk about, please discuss that somewhere else.

Hope this gives added clarification to all the members as to what is allowed and

what is not allowed. We are not here to push or suggest or entice anyone to do

anything or to believe anything that they don't want to. To each his own. Live

and let live!!

Peace,

PJ, Charlene, and Nola

[Guest guest]

I can agree to this one and dont worry I dont do the satanic thing.

Re: religion

Memo: To All Affirmation Members

From: All the Moderators

Re: Religion

The moderators have discussed this issue in more depth, and we've come to the

following conclusion and suggestion for all affirmation members. See below:

1) The group members (any of you), have the ability and the right to hit the

delete button should the information not be in line with your beliefs.

2) In fact, an option is to put a " heading " in the subject line, like:

" CHRISTIAN:Whatever the topic is "

or " WICCAN:Whatever the topic is " .

In this way, if someone personally does not want to read anything pertaining

to Wiccan, they can delete it without opening the email and just move on. No

harm, No foul.

Same thing goes for Christian thoughts or emails. If someone personally

doesn't want to read anything regarding Christianity, they can also just hit the

delete button.

3) The place where we would draw the line would be anything involving Satan

or Satanism. That topic is not allowed in the affirmations to de-stress group.

If that is what you want to talk about, please discuss that somewhere else.

Hope this gives added clarification to all the members as to what is allowed

and what is not allowed. We are not here to push or suggest or entice anyone to

do anything or to believe anything that they don't want to. To each his own.

Live and let live!!

Peace,

PJ, Charlene, and Nola

[Guest guest]

Thanks Girl!! You are the greatest. Hugs, PJ

Lady Amethyst Unicorn wrote:I can agree to

this one and dont worry I dont do the satanic thing.

Re: religion

Memo: To All Affirmation Members

From: All the Moderators

Re: Religion

The moderators have discussed this issue in more depth, and we've come to the

following conclusion and suggestion for all affirmation members. See below:

1) The group members (any of you), have the ability and the right to hit the

delete button should the information not be in line with your beliefs.

2) In fact, an option is to put a " heading " in the subject line, like:

" CHRISTIAN:Whatever the topic is "

or " WICCAN:Whatever the topic is " .

In this way, if someone personally does not want to read anything pertaining

to Wiccan, they can delete it without opening the email and just move on. No

harm, No foul.

Same thing goes for Christian thoughts or emails. If someone personally

doesn't want to read anything regarding Christianity, they can also just hit the

delete button.

3) The place where we would draw the line would be anything involving Satan

or Satanism. That topic is not allowed in the affirmations to de-stress group.

If that is what you want to talk about, please discuss that somewhere else.

Hope this gives added clarification to all the members as to what is allowed

and what is not allowed. We are not here to push or suggest or entice anyone to

do anything or to believe anything that they don't want to. To each his own.

Live and let live!!

Peace,

PJ, Charlene, and Nola

[Guest guest]

Thanks Girl!! You are the greatest. Hugs, PJ

Lady Amethyst Unicorn wrote:I can agree to

this one and dont worry I dont do the satanic thing.

Re: religion

Memo: To All Affirmation Members

From: All the Moderators

Re: Religion

The moderators have discussed this issue in more depth, and we've come to the

following conclusion and suggestion for all affirmation members. See below:

1) The group members (any of you), have the ability and the right to hit the

delete button should the information not be in line with your beliefs.

2) In fact, an option is to put a " heading " in the subject line, like:

" CHRISTIAN:Whatever the topic is "

or " WICCAN:Whatever the topic is " .

In this way, if someone personally does not want to read anything pertaining

to Wiccan, they can delete it without opening the email and just move on. No

harm, No foul.

Same thing goes for Christian thoughts or emails. If someone personally

doesn't want to read anything regarding Christianity, they can also just hit the

delete button.

3) The place where we would draw the line would be anything involving Satan

or Satanism. That topic is not allowed in the affirmations to de-stress group.

If that is what you want to talk about, please discuss that somewhere else.

Hope this gives added clarification to all the members as to what is allowed

and what is not allowed. We are not here to push or suggest or entice anyone to

do anything or to believe anything that they don't want to. To each his own.

Live and let live!!

Peace,

PJ, Charlene, and Nola

[Guest guest]

How come so many seem to be drowning or barely floating? ine

N wrote:

God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse them.

- Aughey

[Guest guest]

ine, I believe it is because we are born and sent here for an

education about life. We are each given our " free agency " or responsibility to

make choices for ourselves, and to learn our own way. In my opinion, if God did

it all for us, that would be Satan's way, and not God's. God's way is much

better because it is through opposition, through living our lives that we learn

and overcome, and become better people. It is up to us how we choose to live

our lives, what we choose to believe, and what actions we do -- and it is

through this, that we grow! Yes, growth can be hard and very challenging.

[These are just my personal beliefs, but since you asked, this is my response to

your question].

Hugs, PJ

ine Tague wrote:

How come so many seem to be drowning or barely floating? ine

N wrote:

God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse them.

- Aughey

[Guest guest]

Well put!!! I have to agree with you PJ!! Nola

-- Re: Religion

ine, I believe it is because we are born and sent here for an

education about life. We are each given our " free agency " or responsibility

to make choices for ourselves, and to learn our own way. In my opinion, if

God did it all for us, that would be Satan's way, and not God's. God's way

is much better because it is through opposition, through living our lives

that we learn and overcome, and become better people. It is up to us how we

choose to live our lives, what we choose to believe, and what actions we do

-- and it is through this, that we grow! Yes, growth can be hard and very

challenging. [These are just my personal beliefs, but since you asked, this

is my response to your question].

Hugs, PJ

ine Tague wrote:

How come so many seem to be drowning or barely floating? ine

N wrote:

God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse them.

- Aughey

[Guest guest]

Why does the Lord test us when we have a mental illness and it is obvious we

can't do it? Or if he keeps testing us and we fail..........we are a failure to

him and to ourselves....ine

PJ wrote:ine, I believe it is because we are born

and sent here for an education about life. We are each given our " free agency "

or responsibility to make choices for ourselves, and to learn our own way. In my

opinion, if God did it all for us, that would be Satan's way, and not God's.

God's way is much better because it is through opposition, through living our

lives that we learn and overcome, and become better people. It is up to us how

we choose to live our lives, what we choose to believe, and what actions we do

-- and it is through this, that we grow! Yes, growth can be hard and very

challenging. [These are just my personal beliefs, but since you asked, this is

my response to your question].

Hugs, PJ

ine Tague wrote:

How come so many seem to be drowning or barely floating? ine

N wrote:

God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse them.

- Aughey

[Guest guest]

Why does the Lord test us when we have a mental illness and it is obvious we

can't do it? Or if he keeps testing us and we fail..........we are a failure to

him and to ourselves....ine

PJ wrote:ine, I believe it is because we are born

and sent here for an education about life. We are each given our " free agency "

or responsibility to make choices for ourselves, and to learn our own way. In my

opinion, if God did it all for us, that would be Satan's way, and not God's.

God's way is much better because it is through opposition, through living our

lives that we learn and overcome, and become better people. It is up to us how

we choose to live our lives, what we choose to believe, and what actions we do

-- and it is through this, that we grow! Yes, growth can be hard and very

challenging. [These are just my personal beliefs, but since you asked, this is

my response to your question].

Hugs, PJ

ine Tague wrote:

How come so many seem to be drowning or barely floating? ine

N wrote:

God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse them.

- Aughey

[Guest guest]

ine, here again is my opinion. I'm certainly not a 'know it all'. In

my opinion, you will be judged by Christ (just like everyone else) -- however,

because He practices unconditional love and compassion and wants us all to

succeed -- I think that He will also keep in mind what circumstances or trials

or debilities that we faced, and take all of that in consideration, as He is a

just God. At least in my book.

ine, all we can do each day is " our " very best. That is all God asks of

us. And, what is your best, and someone else's best will vary greatly due to

health problems, etc. We are also told that if we do our best, that God will

make up the difference. So, that is taken care of!

If you need to talk about religion much more, you might write me or the

other moderators off group. I'm not sure that anyone else is getting anything

out of our discussion. Thanks, PJ

ine Tague wrote:

Why does the Lord test us when we have a mental illness and it is obvious we

can't do it? Or if he keeps testing us and we fail..........we are a failure to

him and to ourselves....ine

PJ wrote:ine, I believe it is because we are born

and sent here for an education about life. We are each given our " free agency "

or responsibility to make choices for ourselves, and to learn our own way. In my

opinion, if God did it all for us, that would be Satan's way, and not God's.

God's way is much better because it is through opposition, through living our

lives that we learn and overcome, and become better people. It is up to us how

we choose to live our lives, what we choose to believe, and what actions we do

-- and it is through this, that we grow! Yes, growth can be hard and very

challenging. [These are just my personal beliefs, but since you asked, this is

my response to your question].

Hugs, PJ

ine Tague wrote:

How come so many seem to be drowning or barely floating? ine

N wrote:

God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse them.

- Aughey

[Guest guest]

I wish I could keep in mind that God can provide, God will provide,

and God does provide.

--Mane. Gubbels

Relying on God for the guidance to deal with our problems seems

much too simple. We probably spent decades looking to alcohol, other

drugs, and relationships for the solution to the ache that never left. We

didn't know then that God was waiting in the wings for our prayers.

Even knowing it, as we do now, hasn't prevented us from looking for

help elsewhere, time and again. It has never been our nature to keep our

lives simple.

We may need to choose, daily, to believe that God can, will, and does

provide for our every need. Because most of us haven't had a life

changing spiritual experience, we must decide every day to look to

God. Fortunately, a moment of quiet and a tiny prayer is all that we

need to do. God is never more than a thought away.

[Guest guest]

You are right. thanks. I don't want that. ine

http://www.coffeefirst.com/coffee/members/t.php?rid=2413

http://www.10DollarMachine.com/cgi-bin/main.cgi?ine

Kassandra Viscovich wrote:

ine,

I was raped too. I understand. Really I do. But you know what...and

you probably don't want to hear this is by continuing to play the

victim, the martyr, the rapist wins. He always will, and he continues

to rape you each and every day that you feel bad about yourself. I

know this from first hand experience. Did I go into a psych ward from

my rape, no but in all honesty I should have. What I did was feel

sorry for myself, and let men continue to abuse me and use me because

that is what I believed should happen to me. Then I woke up. I

realized I did not want to continue living my life in fear, and in

the shadow of a rapist that did not deserve the air he breathed. I

refused to let him win.

It's hard, it's difficult but it's your choice. Pick yourself up.

Gather that deep strength that all women possess, you know the one

and use it for determination that he will not win. Every day you cry,

every day you fear, every day you're depressed because he raped you

means he wins. Now, do you want him to win? I don't but I can't fix

you. All I can do is sympathize and tell you how I dealt with my own

rape. The rest is up to you my friend.

(( hugs ))

~ Kassandra

> > God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse

> them.

> >

> > - Aughey

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

You are right. thanks. I don't want that. ine

http://www.coffeefirst.com/coffee/members/t.php?rid=2413

http://www.10DollarMachine.com/cgi-bin/main.cgi?ine

Kassandra Viscovich wrote:

ine,

I was raped too. I understand. Really I do. But you know what...and

you probably don't want to hear this is by continuing to play the

victim, the martyr, the rapist wins. He always will, and he continues

to rape you each and every day that you feel bad about yourself. I

know this from first hand experience. Did I go into a psych ward from

my rape, no but in all honesty I should have. What I did was feel

sorry for myself, and let men continue to abuse me and use me because

that is what I believed should happen to me. Then I woke up. I

realized I did not want to continue living my life in fear, and in

the shadow of a rapist that did not deserve the air he breathed. I

refused to let him win.

It's hard, it's difficult but it's your choice. Pick yourself up.

Gather that deep strength that all women possess, you know the one

and use it for determination that he will not win. Every day you cry,

every day you fear, every day you're depressed because he raped you

means he wins. Now, do you want him to win? I don't but I can't fix

you. All I can do is sympathize and tell you how I dealt with my own

rape. The rest is up to you my friend.

(( hugs ))

~ Kassandra

> > God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse

> them.

> >

> > - Aughey

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Nola, thanks for the sweet reminder! Even I, forget this occasionally.

Hugs, PJ

N wrote:

I wish I could keep in mind that God can provide, God will provide,

and God does provide.

--Mane. Gubbels

Relying on God for the guidance to deal with our problems seems

much too simple. We probably spent decades looking to alcohol, other

drugs, and relationships for the solution to the ache that never left. We

didn't know then that God was waiting in the wings for our prayers.

Even knowing it, as we do now, hasn't prevented us from looking for

help elsewhere, time and again. It has never been our nature to keep our

lives simple.

We may need to choose, daily, to believe that God can, will, and does

provide for our every need. Because most of us haven't had a life

changing spiritual experience, we must decide every day to look to

God. Fortunately, a moment of quiet and a tiny prayer is all that we

need to do. God is never more than a thought away.

[Guest guest]

Nola, thanks for the sweet reminder! Even I, forget this occasionally.

Hugs, PJ

N wrote:

I wish I could keep in mind that God can provide, God will provide,

and God does provide.

--Mane. Gubbels

Relying on God for the guidance to deal with our problems seems

much too simple. We probably spent decades looking to alcohol, other

drugs, and relationships for the solution to the ache that never left. We

didn't know then that God was waiting in the wings for our prayers.

Even knowing it, as we do now, hasn't prevented us from looking for

help elsewhere, time and again. It has never been our nature to keep our

lives simple.

We may need to choose, daily, to believe that God can, will, and does

provide for our every need. Because most of us haven't had a life

changing spiritual experience, we must decide every day to look to

God. Fortunately, a moment of quiet and a tiny prayer is all that we

need to do. God is never more than a thought away.

[Guest guest]

And I thought I knew you! Nola, my goodness -- you've been through a lot

in your lifetime. No wonder that you are so resilient and able to handle a lot

that life throws your way. My hat goes off to you - you have my admiration and

respect. Thanks for sharing, I really didn't know. PJ

N wrote:Kassandra and ine,

I too, as a child was raped and beaten repeatedly from a family member, my

father. I lived with this experience and head trauma non-stop throughout my

young childhood years until I finally was kicked out onto the street at

thirteen in St Louis, MO. I am from Minnesota and that was a long way from

home, and a very frightening one, however, the best trip I have ever taken.

Although, this put me on the streets for three years without anyone to help

me out, I knew in my heart that someone would watch over me and get me

through the next stages of my life. You see, I had left the worse behind me

the only thing left was ahead. You must go forward, even if you are on the

streets and have no one to love and care for you, you still must pull

yourself together and stop feeling sorry for yourself and like Kassandra

says " Don't allow them to be the winner " . It's all about choices and

thoughts that we bring our lives together again. No matter what happens to

any or us at any age, we must take care of ourselves because no one else can

" fix it " for you.

Start now! Make good choices in your life and practice your affirmations

daily, no matter what, its ALL for YOU! You are the special one here that

will benefit from all of this. It doesn't matter how old we are, we still

can make it better through affirmations, positive thinking and our belief in

our higher good.

I will be fifty very soon, maybe too soon for me LOL However, I still

believe that the path I was lead down was the correct path for me! I have

lived my entire life helping others because of it and many people live their

whole lives trying to figure out why they are here on this earth! I know

mine because I opened my eyes and I thought positively no matter what trials

and tribulations I went through.

At 19 yrs old, I found my newborn baby dead and seven months later I found

my recently wed husband dead also. Starting over? Yes, I started over. If

it doesn't work for you, start over! I could have looked at this as my

entire life was ruined, my entire childhood was filled with disaster but I

chose not to. I chose to keep fighting and going forward no matter what

happened. We can only look to others for support. Other people cannot take

care of it for you. You must take responsibility for everything that

happens in your life and pick yourself up and go forward. I say all the

time, I have spent my life, starting over!! However, I wouldn't change too

much about myself right now, because I formed myself and didn't sit back and

wait for someone to form me, or fix my life or feel sorry for me. I just

started over!

Many hugs to you both, believe me when I say, I know how it all feels but

who wants to remember that? LOL I chose to go on. I hope you all have a

wonderful Sunday! Nola

-- Re: Religion

ine,

I was raped too. I understand. Really I do. But you know what...and

you probably don't want to hear this is by continuing to play the

victim, the martyr, the rapist wins. He always will, and he continues

to rape you each and every day that you feel bad about yourself. I

know this from first hand experience. Did I go into a psych ward from

my rape, no but in all honesty I should have. What I did was feel

sorry for myself, and let men continue to abuse me and use me because

that is what I believed should happen to me. Then I woke up. I

realized I did not want to continue living my life in fear, and in

the shadow of a rapist that did not deserve the air he breathed. I

refused to let him win.

It's hard, it's difficult but it's your choice. Pick yourself up.

Gather that deep strength that all women possess, you know the one

and use it for determination that he will not win. Every day you cry,

every day you fear, every day you're depressed because he raped you

means he wins. Now, do you want him to win? I don't but I can't fix

you. All I can do is sympathize and tell you how I dealt with my own

rape. The rest is up to you my friend.

(( hugs ))

~ Kassandra

> > God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse

> them.

> >

> > - Aughey

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

And I thought I knew you! Nola, my goodness -- you've been through a lot

in your lifetime. No wonder that you are so resilient and able to handle a lot

that life throws your way. My hat goes off to you - you have my admiration and

respect. Thanks for sharing, I really didn't know. PJ

N wrote:Kassandra and ine,

I too, as a child was raped and beaten repeatedly from a family member, my

father. I lived with this experience and head trauma non-stop throughout my

young childhood years until I finally was kicked out onto the street at

thirteen in St Louis, MO. I am from Minnesota and that was a long way from

home, and a very frightening one, however, the best trip I have ever taken.

Although, this put me on the streets for three years without anyone to help

me out, I knew in my heart that someone would watch over me and get me

through the next stages of my life. You see, I had left the worse behind me

the only thing left was ahead. You must go forward, even if you are on the

streets and have no one to love and care for you, you still must pull

yourself together and stop feeling sorry for yourself and like Kassandra

says " Don't allow them to be the winner " . It's all about choices and

thoughts that we bring our lives together again. No matter what happens to

any or us at any age, we must take care of ourselves because no one else can

" fix it " for you.

Start now! Make good choices in your life and practice your affirmations

daily, no matter what, its ALL for YOU! You are the special one here that

will benefit from all of this. It doesn't matter how old we are, we still

can make it better through affirmations, positive thinking and our belief in

our higher good.

I will be fifty very soon, maybe too soon for me LOL However, I still

believe that the path I was lead down was the correct path for me! I have

lived my entire life helping others because of it and many people live their

whole lives trying to figure out why they are here on this earth! I know

mine because I opened my eyes and I thought positively no matter what trials

and tribulations I went through.

At 19 yrs old, I found my newborn baby dead and seven months later I found

my recently wed husband dead also. Starting over? Yes, I started over. If

it doesn't work for you, start over! I could have looked at this as my

entire life was ruined, my entire childhood was filled with disaster but I

chose not to. I chose to keep fighting and going forward no matter what

happened. We can only look to others for support. Other people cannot take

care of it for you. You must take responsibility for everything that

happens in your life and pick yourself up and go forward. I say all the

time, I have spent my life, starting over!! However, I wouldn't change too

much about myself right now, because I formed myself and didn't sit back and

wait for someone to form me, or fix my life or feel sorry for me. I just

started over!

Many hugs to you both, believe me when I say, I know how it all feels but

who wants to remember that? LOL I chose to go on. I hope you all have a

wonderful Sunday! Nola

-- Re: Religion

ine,

I was raped too. I understand. Really I do. But you know what...and

you probably don't want to hear this is by continuing to play the

victim, the martyr, the rapist wins. He always will, and he continues

to rape you each and every day that you feel bad about yourself. I

know this from first hand experience. Did I go into a psych ward from

my rape, no but in all honesty I should have. What I did was feel

sorry for myself, and let men continue to abuse me and use me because

that is what I believed should happen to me. Then I woke up. I

realized I did not want to continue living my life in fear, and in

the shadow of a rapist that did not deserve the air he breathed. I

refused to let him win.

It's hard, it's difficult but it's your choice. Pick yourself up.

Gather that deep strength that all women possess, you know the one

and use it for determination that he will not win. Every day you cry,

every day you fear, every day you're depressed because he raped you

means he wins. Now, do you want him to win? I don't but I can't fix

you. All I can do is sympathize and tell you how I dealt with my own

rape. The rest is up to you my friend.

(( hugs ))

~ Kassandra

> > God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse

> them.

> >

> > - Aughey

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Dear Anchita,

I go a little further....

When I see GOD I don't mean literally.

Its those near miss situations and out of nowhere help we get in some situations

is what I see as GOD's manifestations rather than mere coincidences.

That truth eventually prevails and Good always wins over evil is not mere

coincidence...there has to be a force that ensures this...

As we get older more and more situations accumulate where hind sight is 20/20

and you are thankful that a particular wish didn't come true and that GOD knows

what's best for you !

Der hai Ander nahi comes true again and again.

GOD does not exist in material form as anything that exists in material form and

is living is corruptible.....

And there are those unanswered questions - that why bad things are happening to

a good person....why a loved one is taken away prematurely...

Now if everything was so predictable....then we would be machines / robots...may

be on some other planet )

I don't believe in rebirth / afterlife ...lifeso I can't conveniently explain

that you are suffering in this precious life because of past janam karma- this

doesn't make any sense ???

In my scheme of things you are forgiven the moment you realize your sin and

begin repentance....otherwise a murderer could just not look forward to anything

positive and be anxious all his life even though he realizes his sin and wants

to make ammends and desires forgiveness.....

If you commit a sin which we all do at some or the other point in our lives

would we be waiting for the rest of our lives waiting to be punished ??

Destiny / Fate / Life inflicts.....GOD delivers..... always helps one who is

willing to be helped.....there is NO negativity with GOD !

I do have some theories other than past janam karma to explain misery and grief

inflicted upon good people or for that matter anybody......but these ideas have

to mature...

If you did get to the bottom of this page thanks for your interest.

Ashok 1984

" Dr.Bhushan Patil " wrote:

I agree with u on hinduism. And my grandfather used to say exactly that -

Hinduism is not a religion, it is a way of life. In fact he has written a book

on it. I tried to go thru' it when i was in 11th, but it was too philosophical

for me.

For me God is nothing but faith. When all seems to fail, this is the crutch we

lean on. Does He exist? I don't know. But the faith in this Something seems to

work when nothing else does. And that's enough to make me believe in Him.

Anchita (93)

On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 Ashok Bhaskar wrote :

>Hi Venkat,

>

>This is my 3rd year at Chinmaya Mission. I consider it GOD's blessing that I

started going to the mission. It is not a cult as the person who started has

passed away.

>

>One has to be watchful as it is easy to get carried away when you set on the

path of spirituality and religion. Then places like Rajneesh Ashram and david

Koresh ( Texas) happen. Nonbelievers get even more distanced from spirituality

and religion.

>

>Once one of my friends quoted Karl Marx " Religion is the opiate for the masses

" While I first rejected this opinion as scoffed at the plight of Russia as I

have thought about it I think it is true statement. But I think it is a

necessary opiate fot the well being of any society...can be likened to medical

marijuana.

>

>It seems in the vedic period when science had not yet developed intellectuals

would drift towards forests / mountaions like Himalayas and meditate on the

meaning of life, purpose of our existence etc etc ....i.e., embark on these

spiritual journeys.

>

>It is in that period from where vedas originated. Science was not developed

yet....and hence it took form of mythology.....must have been mere imagination

of our forefathers....this imagination is central to all religions and basic

principles of all religions are the same.

>

>Russia's experiment of a GOD less society has failed miserably. America which

prides as " One nation under GOD " believes in freedom and equality and tries

its best to be a altruistic society has relatively been more successful.

>

>Moral of the story is " Just follow path of truth ( to the best of one's

understanding )...listen to the voice of your conscience...if you think what you

are doing is wrong...don't do it ...don't justify it "

>

>Time and again....history has been testimony that good wins over

evil... " Satyamave jayate "

>

>Why justice is delayed in GOD's court is what I have not understood completely.

But then I have lot of questions. There will always be gaps in our understanding

....that doesn't mean it doesn't exist......just like in science.

>

>Religion doesn't claim to have all the answers....it just attempts to prescribe

a way of life for happy living...which is the ultimate goal of every man.

>

>Nobody ...nobody is in pursuit of " unhappiness " .

>

>Hinduism was coined by the colonial British.....for all their sins they did pay

heavily in World War II.

>

>Our religion is simply " a way of living " ....hence we never have religious

wars where we tried to convert someone forcefully...........the single most

important difference of which I am so proud.

>

>Coming back to what the mission is doing for us.

>

>People like Renuka don't need it as her extended family was what the mission is

to me today. Her maternal grandma who she quotes often was instrumental in her

relatively better understanding than me.

>

>Religion leads to peaceful living at the personal level. If you are

completefully peaceful, have no conflicts and are totally happy and your

happiness is not dependent on material or worldly things then you don't need

religion.

>

>A psychiatrist colleague once funningly remarked in response to my query " Why

in America is their so much consumption of psychiatric services ? (Its nicKnamed

Prozac nation ) "

>

>His answer was " In America the therapist is rented extended family ? "

>

>The educated here are moving farther and farther away from religion as they

want crystal clear evidence like science does for the most part.

>

>What we need to do is contemporarize religion in the light of our current and

changing scientific knowledge ?

>

>I don't believe that at the end of your spiritual journey you become one with

GOD or a godman....you surely become a good man.

>

>We intellectuals from the scientific community who have blessed should make an

effort to reinvent religion for the benefit of the masses rather than shying

away from it or having our own private beliefs about GOD ...each individual

having his own concept of GOD and his own version of right and wrong !!!

>

>Lets try to seperate fact from fiction. Personally at this stage I don't

believe in after birth and reincarnation. I am not sure if soul is different

than the body...I mean if there is something like a soul or is it all our

imagination.... then you might question isn't GOD our imagination too. Now I

have seen evidence for his / her / its existence but I have not seen the same

for the soul. So lets see.

>

>Just like colleges and schools are necessary for education a religious

framework is necessary for us to benefit from our belief in GOD.

>

>Now if you are an atheist and happy you don't need religion. If you are an

atheist and unhappy give religion a chance.

>

>Coming back to the topic of Chinmaya mission....as you can see it is helping to

clear my confusion.

>

>As far as the kids...its giving them effortlessly....something we struggle to

give....our culture...foster religious beliefs....and give them a clear sense of

right and wrong which we all imbibed from our extended family consisting of

wise elders who have see and experienced life. As our kids mature they will

still have to do their sorting out but we would have provided them the best

teaching they can have which we confused adults cannot do at home.

>

>Ashok Bhaskar 1984

>

>Venkat Yerrabolu wrote:

>Ashok,

>

>Thanks for sharing the family news. Satya (4th grade) and Guna (2nd grade)

>started school. Life is cool. Are you going to Chinmaya this year. It's

>tough for us to go every week. We may go to Lemont Temple classes since they

>have classes every alternative week. Talk to you soon. We should meet soon.

>

>- Venkat, Pontiac

>Home:

>

>

> >From: Ashok Bhaskar

> >To: mgims@...

> >CC: Anil Bhaskar-PanHealth , ashutosh & anita

> >, chandrashekhar kulkarni ,

> >jbtdrc_wda , Latha ,

> >Madhavi Yellapragada , Mahesh

> >Makam , mohan krishna

> >, saket sinha , uncle

> >, Venkat Yerrabolu

> >Subject: Special Moments !

> >Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2004 16:09:39 -0700 (PDT)

> >

> >Thought will share with my friends here at the group some special moments !

> >

> >2 weeks ago Renuka started as a consultant / attending pathologist and

> >hematopathologist at Mac neal Hospital....45' drive ....a Chicago suburb

> >east of us.

> >

> >Last week Aishwarya started middle school - 6th grade.

> >

> >Bacche kab bade ho jaate hai patha hi nahi chalta !

> >

> >Thats why we all need to slow down...take time out of our hectic schedules

> >and savour these special moments !

> >

> >This morning I was really excited....Puccho kyon.......Any guesses ?

> >

> >Scroll down....

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >Ditto ( Aaditya ) our little guy became a big boy !!!!!!

> >

> >He started PRESCHOOL _ PRE K )

> >

> >He looked cho cute with his bag and the look of anticipation mixed with

> >apprehension...

> >I got it all on video and can't wait to get home to hear his report !!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >Zindagi isi ka naam hi.....may GOD bless us all !

> >

> >Ashok '84

>

>_________________________________________________________________

>On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to

>get there! http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=Retirement

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Anchita,

I go a little further....

When I see GOD I don't mean literally.

Its those near miss situations and out of nowhere help we get in some situations

is what I see as GOD's manifestations rather than mere coincidences.

That truth eventually prevails and Good always wins over evil is not mere

coincidence...there has to be a force that ensures this...

As we get older more and more situations accumulate where hind sight is 20/20

and you are thankful that a particular wish didn't come true and that GOD knows

what's best for you !

Der hai Ander nahi comes true again and again.

GOD does not exist in material form as anything that exists in material form and

is living is corruptible.....

And there are those unanswered questions - that why bad things are happening to

a good person....why a loved one is taken away prematurely...

Now if everything was so predictable....then we would be machines / robots...may

be on some other planet )

I don't believe in rebirth / afterlife ...lifeso I can't conveniently explain

that you are suffering in this precious life because of past janam karma- this

doesn't make any sense ???

In my scheme of things you are forgiven the moment you realize your sin and

begin repentance....otherwise a murderer could just not look forward to anything

positive and be anxious all his life even though he realizes his sin and wants

to make ammends and desires forgiveness.....

If you commit a sin which we all do at some or the other point in our lives

would we be waiting for the rest of our lives waiting to be punished ??

Destiny / Fate / Life inflicts.....GOD delivers..... always helps one who is

willing to be helped.....there is NO negativity with GOD !

I do have some theories other than past janam karma to explain misery and grief

inflicted upon good people or for that matter anybody......but these ideas have

to mature...

If you did get to the bottom of this page thanks for your interest.

Ashok 1984

" Dr.Bhushan Patil " wrote:

I agree with u on hinduism. And my grandfather used to say exactly that -

Hinduism is not a religion, it is a way of life. In fact he has written a book

on it. I tried to go thru' it when i was in 11th, but it was too philosophical

for me.

For me God is nothing but faith. When all seems to fail, this is the crutch we

lean on. Does He exist? I don't know. But the faith in this Something seems to

work when nothing else does. And that's enough to make me believe in Him.

Anchita (93)

On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 Ashok Bhaskar wrote :

>Hi Venkat,

>

>This is my 3rd year at Chinmaya Mission. I consider it GOD's blessing that I

started going to the mission. It is not a cult as the person who started has

passed away.

>

>One has to be watchful as it is easy to get carried away when you set on the

path of spirituality and religion. Then places like Rajneesh Ashram and david

Koresh ( Texas) happen. Nonbelievers get even more distanced from spirituality

and religion.

>

>Once one of my friends quoted Karl Marx " Religion is the opiate for the masses

" While I first rejected this opinion as scoffed at the plight of Russia as I

have thought about it I think it is true statement. But I think it is a

necessary opiate fot the well being of any society...can be likened to medical

marijuana.

>

>It seems in the vedic period when science had not yet developed intellectuals

would drift towards forests / mountaions like Himalayas and meditate on the

meaning of life, purpose of our existence etc etc ....i.e., embark on these

spiritual journeys.

>

>It is in that period from where vedas originated. Science was not developed

yet....and hence it took form of mythology.....must have been mere imagination

of our forefathers....this imagination is central to all religions and basic

principles of all religions are the same.

>

>Russia's experiment of a GOD less society has failed miserably. America which

prides as " One nation under GOD " believes in freedom and equality and tries

its best to be a altruistic society has relatively been more successful.

>

>Moral of the story is " Just follow path of truth ( to the best of one's

understanding )...listen to the voice of your conscience...if you think what you

are doing is wrong...don't do it ...don't justify it "

>

>Time and again....history has been testimony that good wins over

evil... " Satyamave jayate "

>

>Why justice is delayed in GOD's court is what I have not understood completely.

But then I have lot of questions. There will always be gaps in our understanding

....that doesn't mean it doesn't exist......just like in science.

>

>Religion doesn't claim to have all the answers....it just attempts to prescribe

a way of life for happy living...which is the ultimate goal of every man.

>

>Nobody ...nobody is in pursuit of " unhappiness " .

>

>Hinduism was coined by the colonial British.....for all their sins they did pay

heavily in World War II.

>

>Our religion is simply " a way of living " ....hence we never have religious

wars where we tried to convert someone forcefully...........the single most

important difference of which I am so proud.

>

>Coming back to what the mission is doing for us.

>

>People like Renuka don't need it as her extended family was what the mission is

to me today. Her maternal grandma who she quotes often was instrumental in her

relatively better understanding than me.

>

>Religion leads to peaceful living at the personal level. If you are

completefully peaceful, have no conflicts and are totally happy and your

happiness is not dependent on material or worldly things then you don't need

religion.

>

>A psychiatrist colleague once funningly remarked in response to my query " Why

in America is their so much consumption of psychiatric services ? (Its nicKnamed

Prozac nation ) "

>

>His answer was " In America the therapist is rented extended family ? "

>

>The educated here are moving farther and farther away from religion as they

want crystal clear evidence like science does for the most part.

>

>What we need to do is contemporarize religion in the light of our current and

changing scientific knowledge ?

>

>I don't believe that at the end of your spiritual journey you become one with

GOD or a godman....you surely become a good man.

>

>We intellectuals from the scientific community who have blessed should make an

effort to reinvent religion for the benefit of the masses rather than shying

away from it or having our own private beliefs about GOD ...each individual

having his own concept of GOD and his own version of right and wrong !!!

>

>Lets try to seperate fact from fiction. Personally at this stage I don't

believe in after birth and reincarnation. I am not sure if soul is different

than the body...I mean if there is something like a soul or is it all our

imagination.... then you might question isn't GOD our imagination too. Now I

have seen evidence for his / her / its existence but I have not seen the same

for the soul. So lets see.

>

>Just like colleges and schools are necessary for education a religious

framework is necessary for us to benefit from our belief in GOD.

>

>Now if you are an atheist and happy you don't need religion. If you are an

atheist and unhappy give religion a chance.

>

>Coming back to the topic of Chinmaya mission....as you can see it is helping to

clear my confusion.

>

>As far as the kids...its giving them effortlessly....something we struggle to

give....our culture...foster religious beliefs....and give them a clear sense of

right and wrong which we all imbibed from our extended family consisting of

wise elders who have see and experienced life. As our kids mature they will

still have to do their sorting out but we would have provided them the best

teaching they can have which we confused adults cannot do at home.

>

>Ashok Bhaskar 1984

>

>Venkat Yerrabolu wrote:

>Ashok,

>

>Thanks for sharing the family news. Satya (4th grade) and Guna (2nd grade)

>started school. Life is cool. Are you going to Chinmaya this year. It's

>tough for us to go every week. We may go to Lemont Temple classes since they

>have classes every alternative week. Talk to you soon. We should meet soon.

>

>- Venkat, Pontiac

>Home:

>

>

> >From: Ashok Bhaskar

> >To: mgims@...

> >CC: Anil Bhaskar-PanHealth , ashutosh & anita

> >, chandrashekhar kulkarni ,

> >jbtdrc_wda , Latha ,

> >Madhavi Yellapragada , Mahesh

> >Makam , mohan krishna

> >, saket sinha , uncle

> >, Venkat Yerrabolu

> >Subject: Special Moments !

> >Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2004 16:09:39 -0700 (PDT)

> >

> >Thought will share with my friends here at the group some special moments !

> >

> >2 weeks ago Renuka started as a consultant / attending pathologist and

> >hematopathologist at Mac neal Hospital....45' drive ....a Chicago suburb

> >east of us.

> >

> >Last week Aishwarya started middle school - 6th grade.

> >

> >Bacche kab bade ho jaate hai patha hi nahi chalta !

> >

> >Thats why we all need to slow down...take time out of our hectic schedules

> >and savour these special moments !

> >

> >This morning I was really excited....Puccho kyon.......Any guesses ?

> >

> >Scroll down....

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >Ditto ( Aaditya ) our little guy became a big boy !!!!!!

> >

> >He started PRESCHOOL _ PRE K )

> >

> >He looked cho cute with his bag and the look of anticipation mixed with

> >apprehension...

> >I got it all on video and can't wait to get home to hear his report !!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >Zindagi isi ka naam hi.....may GOD bless us all !

> >

> >Ashok '84

>

>_________________________________________________________________

>On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to

>get there! http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=Retirement

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Anchita,

I go a little further....

When I see GOD I don't mean literally.

Its those near miss situations and out of nowhere help we get in some situations

is what I see as GOD's manifestations rather than mere coincidences.

That truth eventually prevails and Good always wins over evil is not mere

coincidence...there has to be a force that ensures this...

As we get older more and more situations accumulate where hind sight is 20/20

and you are thankful that a particular wish didn't come true and that GOD knows

what's best for you !

Der hai Ander nahi comes true again and again.

GOD does not exist in material form as anything that exists in material form and

is living is corruptible.....

And there are those unanswered questions - that why bad things are happening to

a good person....why a loved one is taken away prematurely...

Now if everything was so predictable....then we would be machines / robots...may

be on some other planet )

I don't believe in rebirth / afterlife ...lifeso I can't conveniently explain

that you are suffering in this precious life because of past janam karma- this

doesn't make any sense ???

In my scheme of things you are forgiven the moment you realize your sin and

begin repentance....otherwise a murderer could just not look forward to anything

positive and be anxious all his life even though he realizes his sin and wants

to make ammends and desires forgiveness.....

If you commit a sin which we all do at some or the other point in our lives

would we be waiting for the rest of our lives waiting to be punished ??

Destiny / Fate / Life inflicts.....GOD delivers..... always helps one who is

willing to be helped.....there is NO negativity with GOD !

I do have some theories other than past janam karma to explain misery and grief

inflicted upon good people or for that matter anybody......but these ideas have

to mature...

If you did get to the bottom of this page thanks for your interest.

Ashok 1984

" Dr.Bhushan Patil " wrote:

I agree with u on hinduism. And my grandfather used to say exactly that -

Hinduism is not a religion, it is a way of life. In fact he has written a book

on it. I tried to go thru' it when i was in 11th, but it was too philosophical

for me.

For me God is nothing but faith. When all seems to fail, this is the crutch we

lean on. Does He exist? I don't know. But the faith in this Something seems to

work when nothing else does. And that's enough to make me believe in Him.

Anchita (93)

On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 Ashok Bhaskar wrote :

>Hi Venkat,

>

>This is my 3rd year at Chinmaya Mission. I consider it GOD's blessing that I

started going to the mission. It is not a cult as the person who started has

passed away.

>

>One has to be watchful as it is easy to get carried away when you set on the

path of spirituality and religion. Then places like Rajneesh Ashram and david

Koresh ( Texas) happen. Nonbelievers get even more distanced from spirituality

and religion.

>

>Once one of my friends quoted Karl Marx " Religion is the opiate for the masses

" While I first rejected this opinion as scoffed at the plight of Russia as I

have thought about it I think it is true statement. But I think it is a

necessary opiate fot the well being of any society...can be likened to medical

marijuana.

>

>It seems in the vedic period when science had not yet developed intellectuals

would drift towards forests / mountaions like Himalayas and meditate on the

meaning of life, purpose of our existence etc etc ....i.e., embark on these

spiritual journeys.

>

>It is in that period from where vedas originated. Science was not developed

yet....and hence it took form of mythology.....must have been mere imagination

of our forefathers....this imagination is central to all religions and basic

principles of all religions are the same.

>

>Russia's experiment of a GOD less society has failed miserably. America which

prides as " One nation under GOD " believes in freedom and equality and tries

its best to be a altruistic society has relatively been more successful.

>

>Moral of the story is " Just follow path of truth ( to the best of one's

understanding )...listen to the voice of your conscience...if you think what you

are doing is wrong...don't do it ...don't justify it "

>

>Time and again....history has been testimony that good wins over

evil... " Satyamave jayate "

>

>Why justice is delayed in GOD's court is what I have not understood completely.

But then I have lot of questions. There will always be gaps in our understanding

....that doesn't mean it doesn't exist......just like in science.

>

>Religion doesn't claim to have all the answers....it just attempts to prescribe

a way of life for happy living...which is the ultimate goal of every man.

>

>Nobody ...nobody is in pursuit of " unhappiness " .

>

>Hinduism was coined by the colonial British.....for all their sins they did pay

heavily in World War II.

>

>Our religion is simply " a way of living " ....hence we never have religious

wars where we tried to convert someone forcefully...........the single most

important difference of which I am so proud.

>

>Coming back to what the mission is doing for us.

>

>People like Renuka don't need it as her extended family was what the mission is

to me today. Her maternal grandma who she quotes often was instrumental in her

relatively better understanding than me.

>

>Religion leads to peaceful living at the personal level. If you are

completefully peaceful, have no conflicts and are totally happy and your

happiness is not dependent on material or worldly things then you don't need

religion.

>

>A psychiatrist colleague once funningly remarked in response to my query " Why

in America is their so much consumption of psychiatric services ? (Its nicKnamed

Prozac nation ) "

>

>His answer was " In America the therapist is rented extended family ? "

>

>The educated here are moving farther and farther away from religion as they

want crystal clear evidence like science does for the most part.

>

>What we need to do is contemporarize religion in the light of our current and

changing scientific knowledge ?

>

>I don't believe that at the end of your spiritual journey you become one with

GOD or a godman....you surely become a good man.

>

>We intellectuals from the scientific community who have blessed should make an

effort to reinvent religion for the benefit of the masses rather than shying

away from it or having our own private beliefs about GOD ...each individual

having his own concept of GOD and his own version of right and wrong !!!

>

>Lets try to seperate fact from fiction. Personally at this stage I don't

believe in after birth and reincarnation. I am not sure if soul is different

than the body...I mean if there is something like a soul or is it all our

imagination.... then you might question isn't GOD our imagination too. Now I

have seen evidence for his / her / its existence but I have not seen the same

for the soul. So lets see.

>

>Just like colleges and schools are necessary for education a religious

framework is necessary for us to benefit from our belief in GOD.

>

>Now if you are an atheist and happy you don't need religion. If you are an

atheist and unhappy give religion a chance.

>

>Coming back to the topic of Chinmaya mission....as you can see it is helping to

clear my confusion.

>

>As far as the kids...its giving them effortlessly....something we struggle to

give....our culture...foster religious beliefs....and give them a clear sense of

right and wrong which we all imbibed from our extended family consisting of

wise elders who have see and experienced life. As our kids mature they will

still have to do their sorting out but we would have provided them the best

teaching they can have which we confused adults cannot do at home.

>

>Ashok Bhaskar 1984

>

>Venkat Yerrabolu wrote:

>Ashok,

>

>Thanks for sharing the family news. Satya (4th grade) and Guna (2nd grade)

>started school. Life is cool. Are you going to Chinmaya this year. It's

>tough for us to go every week. We may go to Lemont Temple classes since they

>have classes every alternative week. Talk to you soon. We should meet soon.

>

>- Venkat, Pontiac

>Home:

>

>

> >From: Ashok Bhaskar

> >To: mgims@...

> >CC: Anil Bhaskar-PanHealth , ashutosh & anita

> >, chandrashekhar kulkarni ,

> >jbtdrc_wda , Latha ,

> >Madhavi Yellapragada , Mahesh

> >Makam , mohan krishna

> >, saket sinha , uncle

> >, Venkat Yerrabolu

> >Subject: Special Moments !

> >Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2004 16:09:39 -0700 (PDT)

> >

> >Thought will share with my friends here at the group some special moments !

> >

> >2 weeks ago Renuka started as a consultant / attending pathologist and

> >hematopathologist at Mac neal Hospital....45' drive ....a Chicago suburb

> >east of us.

> >

> >Last week Aishwarya started middle school - 6th grade.

> >

> >Bacche kab bade ho jaate hai patha hi nahi chalta !

> >

> >Thats why we all need to slow down...take time out of our hectic schedules

> >and savour these special moments !

> >

> >This morning I was really excited....Puccho kyon.......Any guesses ?

> >

> >Scroll down....

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >Ditto ( Aaditya ) our little guy became a big boy !!!!!!

> >

> >He started PRESCHOOL _ PRE K )

> >

> >He looked cho cute with his bag and the look of anticipation mixed with

> >apprehension...

> >I got it all on video and can't wait to get home to hear his report !!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >Zindagi isi ka naam hi.....may GOD bless us all !

> >

> >Ashok '84

>

>_________________________________________________________________

>On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to

>get there! http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=Retirement

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>