இலண்டன் சைவ மாநாடு (சிறப்புமலர்)

7வது சைவ மாநாடு I had to confront. Thanks for everything!'? If you can say 'yes' to this self-search too, you can well tell yourself that you're indeed a Saivite. 3) Whenever you are alone, and are neither doing anything nor thinking of anything else purposeful, and whenever you do remember, do you silently repeat to yourself, 'Siva Siva... Siva Siva...' or 'Ohm...Ohm...Ohm' or 'Namasivaaya... Namasivaaya...' or similar equivalents, until you begin your next productive task in the normal run of your day? If so, I would boldly call you a real, practising Saivite. So could you. See, only three questions to ask yourself and answer honestly (again, only to yourself). Surely all this did not take you more than half an hour! That's all the time you need for your H-to-H-1, just as I said at the beginning. In case you could not say an honest 'yes' to one or more of the above questions, what does it matter? Not much really! You know the contents, meaning and purpose of each question. Just read them again and again a few times, and fix them in your mind. In a matter of mere days, weeks or months, I feel sure you will be able to say 'yes' to all three questions comfortably, during your H-to-H-2 or H-to-H-3 as you will yourself decide, and soon get back on track again, confident to consider yourself a Saivite, indeed one, and a practising one. By this time, those around you would have begun to notice a change in you. Your wife and children (only if you have such creatures!) would automatically follow your ways without your having to persuade them to. If and when they ask for any explanations, you'll be able to answer them without difficulty, from and out of your own experience. You will soon begin to develop more confidence in yourself. And your family, friends, and associates will also begin to trust and respect you more and more, as months and years pass by. Then, your Saiva life too will grow to be more pleasant and purposeful. Commonsense Answers Relating to Saiva Life, Prayers, Education, Temples, Etc: While I am sure you will gradually be able to answer yourself the many questions that will arise naturally in your mind from time to time, as you இலண்டன் 2004 re-live your life as a Saivite in the 21st Century West, I have picked up a few typical ones, from my own experience, and try to answer them below, from my intuitive thinking, as an open-minded Saivite. Do I Have to Attend Temples to be a Good Saivite? Which Temples Are Best? These are matters of personal choice. Others can only give you general guidance. On my part, I believe that in the modern context, especially in our extremely busy lives, it is best to simplify religious practices. Firstly it's helpful to believe in just one god. And for Saivites, it will be Lord Siva. Your worship could be mostly from your own home. A picture or a statue kept at a suitable place in the home will serve as a reminder even if you at times, happen to forget. But for certain functions in our lives, temples become obvious choices. For example: If there had been a death in the family, and we wish to bid the soul goodbye in the company of family, friends and well-wishers, with prayers and meals; To perform wedding ceremonies (most homes being unsuited for weddings in several ways); For joint prayer meetings, on special Saiva occasions such as Maha Sivaraaththiri; and so on. But a Saivite does not necessarily have to go in search of a Siva Temple for the above. Any nearby temple should serve your purpose, as long as a special pooja is also performed for the named deity of that temple. If there is no other apt spots, even Church Halls, and Community Halls would be convenient venues, if the owners would permit your type of function. As long as we are able to achieve, in alternative locations such as the home, objectives for which we normally seek temples, there is no need to inconvenience or endanger ourselves beyond our tolerance limits (e.g. by making journeys in public transport in rain or blizzards) or take undue risks (e.g. by long drives along congested roads, getting mugged, racially abused; parking in areas where burglars operate, etc), to attend temples as 'obligation'. We must not forget that the Lord does not force us or expect us to undergo hardships for His sake. What is the Best Way of Educating and Training Our Children to be Saivites? Example is better than precept. In this case example is the only fair way. Parents must themselves practise, and be seen to perform, all 147