I dunno... I feel empty and conflicted.

It started a few days ago and came to a head yesterday: a feeling of emptiness. I don't believe God tests us, so that can't be it. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday morning and rushed through my puja and aarti. For the past few days puja and aarti have been hit or miss.

I've been trying to make everything I eat prasad, but it doesn't always work out. I eat some stuff at my job's cafeteria; they prepare all sorts of dishes, so I don't know how sattvic the kitchen is. When I cook at home, often I can offer the food to Krishna then eat. Actually I cook for sustenance, I don't care what something tastes like (yeah, you don't get to 220 lbs being a picky eater), so I don't think it violates B.G. 3.13 when I eat something that hasn't been offered.

But yesterday, for example, I made rice, beans and vegs. in the rice cooker and put it aside. Before I could get to it, my partner dived into the pot. I don't know if it's right to say "hey, you can't eat that yet". My opinion is, that is abiding by "the letter of the law and not the spirit of it", as Jesus commented. I could take my portion and offer it first. Maybe I'm confused and not knowledgeable about what naivedhya and prasadam actually are, getting caught up in that letter of the law thing.

On top of that, I am carb intolerant and insulin resistant. I'm eating way too much carbohydrate. It's been rice and beans; quinoa and beans; pasta and beans; pasta; veg. burgers and meatless chili (not bad, really) but those are soy which I am not supposed to have (hypothyroid and on medication); oatmeal; whole grain bread; more vegs in the past two weeks than I've probably eaten in my whole life (which is not a bad thing by any means).

My doctor recommended yesterday that I lose 30-40 lbs. Exercise is part of it, but I don't know where to go with diet. I haven't had any animal flesh or eggs in about two weeks; since I put on my tulsi kantha. I've got to cut down on the carbs. My health and weight always improved when I ate a paleo diet, but I'm not looking for permission to go back to eating meat, leaves and berries, especially wearing Tulasidevi.

OK, so I'm whining here but also looking for some direction or maybe even a :slap:

TouchedbytheLord said:

It started a few days ago and came to a head yesterday: a feeling of emptiness. I don't believe God tests us, so that can't be it. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday morning and rushed through my puja and aarti. For the past few days puja and aarti have been hit or miss.

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Do what you can. God is not the author of you must do this or fail. If you rush through an arati, then your heart may not be in it. That's why you can always worship Krishna through your mind, and offer it to him when you're in the doctor's office (manasa-puja.... you offer puja to Krishna utilising your mind instead).

I've been trying to make everything I eat prasad, but it doesn't always work out. I eat some stuff at my job's cafeteria; they prepare all sorts of dishes, so I don't know how sattvic the kitchen is. When I cook at home, often I can offer the food to Krishna then eat. Actually I cook for sustenance, I don't care what something tastes like (yeah, you don't get to 220 lbs being a picky eater), so I don't think it violates B.G. 3.13 when I eat something that hasn't been offered.

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If you feel that whatever it is in the cafeteria is vegetarian enough, just offer it to Krishna in your mind... quickly mutter the Mahamantra, say, "Krishna, please accept these fries." and partake. At least, that's what I do.

But yesterday, for example, I made rice, beans and vegs. in the rice cooker and put it aside. Before I could get to it, my partner dived into the pot. I don't know if it's right to say "hey, you can't eat that yet". My opinion is, that is abiding by "the letter of the law and not the spirit of it", as Jesus commented. I could take my portion and offer it first. Maybe I'm confused and not knowledgeable about what naivedhya and prasadam actually are, getting caught up in that letter of the law thing.

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I hate that expression... not the letter of the law but the spirit of the law... but it's as equally applicable. If your partner dives in, just offer it in your mind, and let him eat. Just chant the Mahamantra, or "Sri Vishnu, Sri Vishnu, Sri Vishnu" or "Sri Krishna, Sri Krishna, Sri Krishna" and let him eat. I don't think it would be so wonderful for Krishna to see anyone fumbling to be fanatical over something that should be joyous as honouring prasadam.

Prasadam just means food that is offered with love and devotion to Krishna, prior to partaking... whatever the ritual, mantra, or saying, it does not matter. What is most important is the consciousness, that you're doing this out of love for Him, and to share these spiritual blessings with others.

On top of that, I am carb intolerant and insulin resistant. I'm eating way too much carbohydrate. It's been rice and beans; quinoa and beans; pasta and beans; pasta; veg. burgers and meatless chili (not bad, really) but those are soy which I am not supposed to have (hypothyroid and on medication); oatmeal; whole grain bread; more vegs in the past two weeks than I've probably eaten in my whole life (which is not a bad thing by any means).

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You got to eat more fruits and vegetables, and lay down on the carbs. I would just find a way to eat quinoa and make vegetable dishes that don't utilise beans or rice. If you know how or you can purchase, panir is one of the greatest replacements for soy and tofu products... you can put it in your sabjis or pasta dishes, fry or spice it up with your sabjis or vegetable sides, and even make panir steaks with a barbecue sauce.

Rice and pasta...way too much. XD Quinoa is good though.

My doctor recommended yesterday that I lose 30-40 lbs. Exercise is part of it, but I don't know where to go with diet. I haven't had any animal flesh or eggs in about two weeks; since I put on my tulsi kantha. I've got to cut down on the carbs. My health and weight always improved when I ate a paleo diet, but I'm not looking for permission to go back to eating meat, leaves and berries, especially wearing Tulasidevi.

OK, so I'm whining here but also looking for some direction or maybe even a :slap:

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Just do what you can. If you have to eat a little meat, then do so, but understand that it is only for your health. I think you've started to replace your meat-eating with carbs as a filler, but I don't know; I could be completely wrong.

Quinoa and beans can become your staple. Nuts, dairy and vegetables and fruit are at your disposal. Being a vegetarian also means eating alot more than a normal meat-eater.

Maybe it's being a product of Filipino Canadianness, but beans and rice has to be the weirdest combination of food ever... I could never eat rice, which is starchy, with beans, which is beany. I consider beans somewhat of a staple, not something alongside rice, lol.

If you can't improve by a week, or two... consider having meat back into your diet. It's just too much to have a person suffer because of dietary issues.

Gaura Priya said:

Do what you can. God is not the author of you must do this or fail. If you rush through an arati, then your heart may not be in it. That's why you can always worship Krishna through your mind, and offer it to him when you're in the doctor's office (manasa-puja.... you offer puja to Krishna utilising your mind instead).

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The bold part... you hit it dead on. I often think of Krishna throughout the day and mentally recite the Mahamantra and His gayatri (Om devkinandanaye vidmahi Vasudevaya dimahi tanno Krishna prachodayat), as well as throwing in a bunch of Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya several times a day.

I guess I've gotten caught up in the practice of ritual, thinking it's of paramount importance. Better to not do it than do it half-arsed.

If you feel that whatever it is in the cafeteria is vegetarian enough, just offer it to Krishna in your mind... quickly mutter the Mahamantra, say, "Krishna, please accept these fries." and partake. At least, that's what I do.

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Oh, there's lots of veg stuff. The salad bar is not blow-out huge, but they have greens, olives, 'matoes, grilled vegs, etc.

I hate that expression... not the letter of the law but the spirit of the law... but it's as equally applicable. If your partner dives in, just offer it in your mind, and let him eat. Just chant the Mahamantra, or "Sri Vishnu, Sri Vishnu, Sri Vishnu" or "Sri Krishna, Sri Krishna, Sri Krishna" and let him eat. I don't think it would be so wonderful for Krishna to see anyone fumbling to be fanatical over something that should be joyous as honouring prasadam.

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I'm still a recovering Christian you understand. I guess I don't understand Lord Krishna as much as I say or think I do, thinking that ritual is what He's all about. :no:

Prasadam just means food that is offered with love and devotion to Krishna, prior to partaking... whatever the ritual, mantra, or saying, it does not matter. What is most important is the consciousness, that you're doing this out of love for Him, and to share these spiritual blessings with others.

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Ohhhh, OK! I've now been awared! :clap

You got to eat more fruits and vegetables, and lay down on the carbs. I would just find a way to eat quinoa and make vegetable dishes that don't utilise beans or rice. If you know how or you can purchase, panir is one of the greatest replacements for soy and tofu products... you can put it in your sabjis or pasta dishes, fry or spice it up with your sabjis or vegetable sides, and even make panir steaks with a barbecue sauce.

Rice and pasta...way too much. XD Quinoa is good though.

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I'm making an effort to sneak vegs in more. I've taken to V8 once or twice a day; I get Sylvia's or Allen's Mixed Seasoned Greens, Mustard, or Collards; sauteed spinach.

I like Quinoa, I tried it on your recommendation. I made it in the rice cooker. It was slammin'.

I've had panir at a company luncheon (half our warehouse employees are Indian). It was very good. I can't find it anywhere, but I can get Spanish frying cheese.

Just do what you can. If you have to eat a little meat, then do so, but understand that it is only for your health. I think you've started to replace your meat-eating with carbs as a filler, but I don't know; I could be completely wrong.

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No, you're absolutely right. That's what I've done.

Quinoa and beans can become your staple. Nuts, dairy and vegetables and fruit are at your disposal. Being a vegetarian also means eating alot more than what you're normally capable of.

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See, I can easily eat and enjoy all that stuff. I just have to drop the rice and wheat; I may also be gluten intolerant. I'm so messed up I'm going to make an appointment with a really good firm that will cure me in "one shot"... they're a pretty "bang on" professional group... Beretta, Colt, Glock, Smith & Wesson. :biglaugh:

Maybe it's being a product of Filipino Canadianness, but beans and rice has to be the weirdest combination of food ever... I could never eat rice, which is starchy, with beans, which is beany. I consider beans somewhat of a staple, not something alongside rice, lol.

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We're Guido Goya... I'm Italian, he's Puerto Rican. Beans, rice and pasta abound.

If you can't improve by a week, or two... consider having meat back into your diet. It's just too much to have a person suffer because of dietary issues.

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I'm going to make a concerted effort now to do veg the right way, with those other suggestions. I may have dived into it too fast without proper planning. I may be having some nutrient imbalance (yeah, too much starch ). I will give it as much time as I can, then play it by ear.

Thanks. :namaste

I have to make this quick because I have to go Vancouver to get something done, but anyways...

I'm not sure what the American Food Guide looks like, but here's our new Canadian Food Guide that we now try to follow:

As you can see in the image, the largest amount of food in our diet should be vegetables and fruits. Then, grains and alternatives (basically, staple foods here). I think this can be replaced with beans and quinoa. I'm sure things like sweet potatoes or yams or whatnot can also help as another fare, even if starchy.

Then, the third comes in with dairy products, and then meat-and-alternatives come last. We used to have 'fats, oils and sweets' as part of that food pyramid; it's completely eliminated now.

Anyways, gotta go!

Yep, the USDA has a "My Pyramid" scheme similar to that, but tweaked based on some general lifestyles and health. I'm telling ya, Canada and the US should merge. We might learn something from y'all.

From a health perspective and being insulin resistant and pre-diabetic myself, I can only say that what you're eating right now is not helping. Carbs and sugars are not our friends, unfortunately!

I've adopted a low-carb Paleolithic diet, which tries to imitate what our ancestors used to eat. And as a result, I've lost twenty five pounds since the start of the summer! My energy levels have definitely stabilized and I feel great. I really recommend you look into it.

It seems like you already know starches are bad news. I should add, its good watch out for starches in vegetables, especially potatoes and carrots. Also fruit should be avoided because of its high sugar content. Fruits over time have been genetically modified to be more sweet, and it can cause huge spikes in insulin in the blood stream. Fat is a very important part of the diet contrary to what USDA and apparently Canada thinks. Without eating fat, our bodies will not be able to absorb nutrients.

Just to give you an idea, my diet is around 40% fats, 40% protein, and 20% vegetable carbs/sugars.

Are you vegetarian? Aside from religions reasons, I must stress that you should seriously reconsider being an vegetarian for the sake of your health. Animals are wonderfully nutrient dense, containing all the essential vitamins that humans need. They have huge amounts of protein and fat, as well as essential nutrients in organ meats, and gelatin in bones. And no carbs!

If you still wish to continue vegetarianism, its important to note that its difficult to get protein. For instance, beans offer only incomplete proteins, so its necessary to eat it with something else to make it complete, otherwise your body will not absorb that protein at all. And make sure you eat your health saturated fats, no trans fats or poly unsaturates. I cook with a lot of ghee and coconut oil! It keeps you full longer, and its so much healthier.

I know a lot of what I'm saying probably goes against "conventional wisdom" and what you've read about, but speaking from my own experience, it works. Just look into Paleolithic Lifestyle, I believe you will not regret it!

Yeah, I'm trying to be/stay vegetarian for the religious and ethical reasons. I've always toyed with the idea of vegetarianism but never did it. This is the first time. The irony is that I know how non-veg carbs affect me, but I always keep trying. Seems I'll never learn.

I've done the paleo diet before and had success in losing weight and getting my blood lipids in line. I am actually a proponent of it. I've even done two-hour mountain bike rides using it. No lack of energy because the body uses fat for fueI. A big health problem is when you combine high fat and high carb.

If I do stay veg, I'll use whey protein. I've always used it for weight training (former powerlifter). If I don't stay veg, and the next week or two will tell if I can clean up my diet and stay veg, I'll probably do pesco-ovo-lacto-, or whatever order they're in. Beef, veal, bison are definitely :no: for the religious principles.

Going back to the "empty feeling", and focusing on ritual, I read a little blurb about bidhi bhakti v. raganuga bhakti (I may have misspelled), and how bidhi bhakti is wrong because it's done from fear. None of our deities should be worshipped out of fear; They don't want that.

Ardhanariswar said:

If you still wish to continue vegetarianism, its important to note that its difficult to get protein.

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Wow. I didn't think that myth was still there. The average American diet gets about 400% of their daily protein requirement. Two glasses of milk will basically do it for the day. Although its true that beans are not as complete as meat, its not that they are totally incomplete. You need an equal amount of all the amino acids, and beans have all of them, just a more unequal distribution. Of course I'm talking lacto-vegetarian here. But even with vegans its not that hard to get protein. I honestly believe it is a myth perpetrated by the beef industry. Here;s a scholarly link: http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio104/compprot.htm scroll down and have a look at the NPU chart.

The real problem with vegetarianism is iron and B12. These can be gained from supplements, and use of correct foods like greens and raisins.

Vegetarians need to be asking meat eaters where they get their vitamins and minerals.

TouchedbytheLord said:

It started a few days ago and came to a head yesterday: a feeling of emptiness. I don't believe God tests us, so that can't be it. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday morning and rushed through my puja and aarti. For the past few days puja and aarti have been hit or miss.

I've been trying to make everything I eat prasad, but it doesn't always work out. I eat some stuff at my job's cafeteria; they prepare all sorts of dishes, so I don't know how sattvic the kitchen is. When I cook at home, often I can offer the food to Krishna then eat. Actually I cook for sustenance, I don't care what something tastes like (yeah, you don't get to 220 lbs being a picky eater), so I don't think it violates B.G. 3.13 when I eat something that hasn't been offered.

But yesterday, for example, I made rice, beans and vegs. in the rice cooker and put it aside. Before I could get to it, my partner dived into the pot. I don't know if it's right to say "hey, you can't eat that yet". My opinion is, that is abiding by "the letter of the law and not the spirit of it", as Jesus commented. I could take my portion and offer it first. Maybe I'm confused and not knowledgeable about what naivedhya and prasadam actually are, getting caught up in that letter of the law thing.

On top of that, I am carb intolerant and insulin resistant. I'm eating way too much carbohydrate. It's been rice and beans; quinoa and beans; pasta and beans; pasta; veg. burgers and meatless chili (not bad, really) but those are soy which I am not supposed to have (hypothyroid and on medication); oatmeal; whole grain bread; more vegs in the past two weeks than I've probably eaten in my whole life (which is not a bad thing by any means).

My doctor recommended yesterday that I lose 30-40 lbs. Exercise is part of it, but I don't know where to go with diet. I haven't had any animal flesh or eggs in about two weeks; since I put on my tulsi kantha. I've got to cut down on the carbs. My health and weight always improved when I ate a paleo diet, but I'm not looking for permission to go back to eating meat, leaves and berries, especially wearing Tulasidevi.

OK, so I'm whining here but also looking for some direction or maybe even a :slap:

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ASk Krishna to play a couple of jokes on you so you cheer up

I agree with Gaura in that Krishna would surely not want you to get this stressed out about it. Probably tenderly laughing at you when he sees you stressing out on those little things.

I know little abouty Krishna and more of if compared to you surely, but for the little I can gather from the phrases I´ve seen around of him, the intention and honesty of heart is everything to him. I like a lot your sig, and think you put it there because is the thing you need to be reminded the most .

Most of us have stuff that we got to get over in our spiritual journeys.

I agree with you in the fact that I wouldn´see as Krishna "testing" you, but even though I am sure he can help you and is doing so already. Sometimes the hardest times are the hardest because we are evolving. No, I don´t mean that we evolve in hard times (which is also often true) I mean that sometimes when we just feel bad for "no reason" is kind of something bad coming out of our auras/soul/selves/how-you-call-it so that after some time that it comes out you feel awesome after it. Like hum... spiritual enema or something :ninja:

About the losing weight, look it as ab lessing in diguise. Work out is great for releasing endorphines that makes us feel good.

Well, that only a little food for thought (hopefully satvic )but helpful or not, I do wish you the best in your spiritual journey, and may Krishna´s grace be upon you

Blessings! :namaste

Me Myself said:

ASk Krishna to play a couple of jokes on you so you cheer up

I agree with Gaura in that Krishna would surely not want you to get this stressed out about it. Probably tenderly laughing at you when he sees you stressing out on those little things.

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That made me chuckle (in the good way).

About the losing weight, look it as ab lessing in diguise. Work out is great for releasing endorphines that makes us feel good.

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Absolutely. I always felt great after a good hard workout. I dreaded Monday nights (legs night), but when I was done, and limping out of the gym, it was the best feeling.

Well, that only a little food for thought (hopefully satvic )but helpful or not, I do wish you the best in your spiritual journey, and may Krishna´s grace be upon you

Blessings! :namaste

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Yes, it was very helpful. Thank you. :namaste

TouchedbytheLord said:

That made me chuckle (in the good way).

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I tend to remind him when I am too troubled and the thought of him laughing does cheer me up, though I tend to imagine him as the actor that made him in the Mahabharat series of 1988 because that was may main (and almost only ) exposure to him.

Every time you talk about offering food to him that he probably wouldn´t enjoy I remember the part in the series were he ate the banana peal that was offered to him in devotion

That´s it! I am making an appreciation thread of that series right now! o.o

TouchedbytheLord said:

Absolutely. I always felt great after a good hard workout. I dreaded Monday nights (legs night), but when I was done, and limping out of the gym, it was the best feeling.

Yes, it was very helpful. Thank you. :namaste

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Glad I could help! ^_^

Not like this is related directly to the thread itself, but I found this inspiring, and I thought this would help you, TouchedbytheLord, as it has for me in my own spiritual path.

I am recently reading Jaiva-Dharma by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, and it is very inspiring. He is an acharya for Gaudiya Vaishnavas and an authoritative source back in the 19th century, during a time of Victorian ideals and literacy.

In Jaiva-Dharma, he explains in spiritual narrative, of what the essence of Vaishnava Dharma is, which is nitya Dharma, or the eternal religion of the soul (jaiva, relating to the soul, or jiva), and goes beyond prescriptions, even though such things are there. Our dharma, our constitutional position, is naturally as servants of the Lord.

Vaidhi-bhakti (loving devotion practised through rules and regulations according to shastra) should not be so cumbersome, because vaidhi bhakti naturally aids us to awaken our raganuga-bhakti (spontaneous and instantaneous devotion to Krishna).

"One may ask, What is vaishnava-dharma? The answer is that vaishnava-dharma is the jiva's nitya-dharma. When the Vaishnava -the jiva - is liberated from matter, he nurtures krishna-prema (pure love for Krishna) in his pure spiritual form. Before that stage, when the Vaishnava is still materially bound, although spiritually awakened, he only accepts objects and association that are favourable for his spiritual practice, and he rejects all that is unfavourable. Thus he never adheres blindly to the rules and prohibitions of the shastras. He accepts the instructions and prohibitions of the shastras graciously, but only when they are favourable to his practice of hari-bhajana (worship of Lord Krishna). When they are unfavourable, he immediately rejects them."

-- Chapter 3: Naimittika-Dharma is to be Relinquished, "Jaiva Dharma", Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

^ that seems to be similar to Madhva and Sri sampradaya. But those components is what Sri Madhvacharya derived from the theology of Vishishadvaita of Sri Ramanujacharya.

Me Myself said:

I tend to remind him when I am too troubled and the thought of him laughing does cheer me up, though I tend to imagine him as the actor that made him in the Mahabharat series of 1988 because that was may main (and almost only ) exposure to him.

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If it's this one, I love it!

[youtube]QHYcjmPE0cw[/youtube]
Mahabharat (English Subtitles) Episode - 74 - YouTube

Jump to about 24:00 and Krishna shows Arjuna His universal form. I get goosebumps.

Every time you talk about offering food to him that he probably wouldn´t enjoy I remember the part in the series were he ate the banana peal that was offered to him in devotion

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I remember reading something like that.

Gaura Priya said:

Not like this is related directly to the thread itself, but I found this inspiring, and I thought this would help you, TouchedbytheLord, as it has for me in my own spiritual path.

I am recently reading Jaiva-Dharma by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, and it is very inspiring. He is an acharya for Gaudiya Vaishnavas and an authoritative source back in the 19th century, during a time of Victorian ideals and literacy.

In Jaiva-Dharma, he explains in spiritual narrative, of what the essence of Vaishnava Dharma is, which is nitya Dharma, or the eternal religion of the soul (jaiva, relating to the soul, or jiva), and goes beyond prescriptions, even though such things are there. Our dharma, our constitutional position, is naturally as servants of the Lord.

Vaidhi-bhakti (loving devotion practised through rules and regulations according to shastra) should not be so cumbersome, because vaidhi bhakti naturally aids us to awaken our raganuga-bhakti (spontaneous and instantaneous devotion to Krishna).

"One may ask, What is vaishnava-dharma? The answer is that vaishnava-dharma is the jiva's nitya-dharma. When the Vaishnava -the jiva - is liberated from matter, he nurtures krishna-prema (pure love for Krishna) in his pure spiritual form. Before that stage, when the Vaishnava is still materially bound, although spiritually awakened, he only accepts objects and association that are favourable for his spiritual practice, and he rejects all that is unfavourable. Thus he never adheres blindly to the rules and prohibitions of the shastras. He accepts the instructions and prohibitions of the shastras graciously, but only when they are favourable to his practice of hari-bhajana (worship of Lord Krishna). When they are unfavourable, he immediately rejects them."

-- Chapter 3: Naimittika-Dharma is to be Relinquished, "Jaiva Dharma", Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

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Actually I think it is relevant to the thread. Part of what I'm feeling is the blind adherence to rules. Even though I think they are to bering me to liberation and to Krishna, not at the expense of confusing me and running the risk of resentment, boredom and just going through the motions. Yes, that was very enlightening and yes, inspiring. Meditate on this, I will. Thanks for taking the time to post that. :namaste

Hope things have got a little better for you - have you thought about taking up Hatha Yoga - Im a yoga teacher and once you find the right style that suits you its great for mind body and soul

An acupuncturist I went to suggested a "senior's" yoga program (hearing "senior's" really hurt ). Like you, he said it would be beneficial. I need something like that to begin a regular stretching regimen. I'm as tight as a frog's arse. I have to look up in my area where I can find a class.

I'm doing better in the spiritual area. I was feeling overwhelmed, and as always, overthinking things. I didn't have time this morning to even light a lamp and say some prayers, so I took Gaura Priya's advice and have done

"manasa-puja.... you offer puja to Krishna utilising your mind instead"

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I'm further paring down my daily ritual. It never was a full-on puja with the bathing, and kumkum. It's more of a set of prayers and aarti. But it was too long. I feel like I was "kissing up" to Krishna, as well as the other deities. So I've made it a simpler set of prayers, with light and incense.

My diet is still under review. Though I did have 3 hard-cooked eggs today.

TouchedbytheLord said:

An acupuncturist I went to suggested a "senior's" yoga program (hearing "senior's" really hurt ). Like you, he said it would be beneficial. I need something like that to begin a regular stretching regimen. I'm as tight as a frog's arse. I have to look up in my area where I can find a class.

I'm doing better in the spiritual area. I was feeling overwhelmed, and as always, overthinking things. I didn't have time this morning to even light a lamp and say some prayers, so I took Gaura Priya's advice and have done
I'm further paring down my daily ritual. It never was a full-on puja with the bathing, and kumkum. It's more of a set of prayers and aarti. But it was too long. I feel like I was "kissing up" to Krishna, as well as the other deities. So I've made it a simpler set of prayers, with light and incense.

My diet is still under review. Though I did have 3 hard-cooked eggs today.

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Yoga sounds awesome! Successes on your goals! :namaste

Thanks.

TouchedbytheLord said:

I'm doing better in the spiritual area. I was feeling overwhelmed, and as always, overthinking things.

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This is so normal. You'd never know it the way some of us talk it up. Probably a common trend amongst all newcomers to any religion. As many have said, "the novelty wears off." Then where are you?