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RE: Welcome to Bhakti-List

From the Bhakti List Archives

GODSCHILDONEARTH • March 14, 2001 


Wednesday, 14 March 2001

Dear Mani -

   Thank you for your e-mail welcoming me as a new member of the Bhakti-List. 
 A brief background description follows.

   When I read Yogananda's Autobiography Of A Yogi in 1994, the tears just 
streamed from my eyes and my heart.  I knew I was once again on the path 
homeward/Godward.  I began the SRF "Lessons" - and initiated regular morning 
and evening meditation sessions - the same year, received the SRF kriya yoga 
(AKA pranayama) initiation during 1996, and continue twice-daily meditation 
sessions to this day.

   More recently, I have begun to peruse multiple translations of the 
Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana, and 
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.  So, too, when I read Natalia Isayeva's book 
entitled Shankara And Indian Philosophy, I felt the most attunement or 
resonance with the sections concerning Ramanuja.  I recall a sense of inner 
knowing to the effect that "This guy knows about bhakti!"

   Where I am now can be summed-up as follows.  While jnana yoga, karma yoga, 
and raja/kriya yoga can help one get to the threshold of God-realization, 
only bhakti yoga - and the Guru's grace, of course - will help one to cross 
it successfully.  (N.B.: Krishna is my sat-guru.)  

   I am presently enrolled in a two-year seminary training program and expect 
to be ordained in the spring of next year.  And even while they do deliver a 
respectable program of instruction, it so far lacks devotion.  Not only to 
remediate this lack, but also to enhance my own practical devotion to God and 
all of God's children are what motivate me to seek out Ramanuja's bhakti. 
Perhaps the Bhakti-List will help me to do this.

   I hope that this introduction is sufficient; please let me know if you 
need further details and/or clarification.  And thank you very much!

   Aum Mani Padme Hum - Thomas Ayers.














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