Preety_India

Just say you don't want sex/romance/relationship. I usually tell that I already have a boyfriend even if I don't. That kinda works at least some of the time. Other times I say that I'm not exactly ready or mentally prepared for a relationship. Yesterday I was on a dating site, and I rejected 10 dudes. Told them I'm looking for something better It's easier to reject strangers. But if the guy is a friend, he's gonna be a bit butthurt. I can't help with it if he is hurt. His moral responsibility to act like a man and take rejection. And if the guy is offended by my rejection and holds a grudge, chances are he isn't going to be a good friend anyway, so losing him is no big deal A good friend understands and cares. I don't need to walk on eggshells to please him ?! He just wasn't meant to be a good friend if he makes a big deal out of something that I'm not ready for. Sayonara to such people.

Who says that men can't have standards? Of course. The real problem is that men don't get women even after having zero standards.

They need something that they can relate to. The images of Gods aren't real. I would say those who think these images are real are kinda deluded..but some people simply need a personified representations of Gods to be able to relate to something that also has human/animal traits and qualities. This facilitates the process of spiritual communication. For example if someone told me to stand next to a tree and consider it as God and pray to it, it would simply be impossible for me to do it I won't be able to pray and my spiritual communication would be left incomplete. So as a way to support my imagination, I can use a statue, an idol, a picture that has either Human/animal traits so it appears like there is someone there I'm talking to and communicating with . In reality it's nothing more than that. Also most Gods in polytheistic religions with pantheon of Gods are simply archetypes of some quality/event/phenomenon or state For example you could have a God that represents Justice and you pray to that Deity for justice or peace/resolution. This is a way of finding one's own inner peace through spiritual venting or communication. That's the whole essense of idol worship, pagan religions and polytheistic religions like Greek, Hinduism. Islam is one religion that does not have symbolic representation or idol worship.. However most religions have a personified character that the religion followers pray to. It's almost people following pop stars or celebrities because those celebrities represent a certain character/aura or ethos to the public that people fall in love with. If taken positively it can be a source of motivation in life where you learn valuable life lessons from mythological stories surrounding different Gods or if taken negatively it can turn into a cult where people blindly worship without true intention and empty chanting or not embodying the sentiment of the deities. For example a man who worships a diety that is about justice yet goes and commits injustices against the vulnerable then he is simply blind worshipping an idol . I believe that such invocations of deities can be either a powerful psychological transformation through motivation or it can turn into nothing more than words from the mouth. Depends on how a person chooses to use it in his life.

Hey just wanted to let you know that you're doing a great job man. sei un brav'uomo Salute sir

I'm going to include chants, naats, hymns, poems, verses and songs in my prayers

Hindu/Hindi spiritual songs part 3 Post number 16

Hindu spiritual songs continued....part 2 Post number 15

Another spiritual poem by Jigar Moradabadi Muslim Naat written by Jigar Moradabadi Post number 14

My favourite Muslim Naat Mera dil tadap raha hai Urdu poet spiritual poem ghazal but not naat by Allama Iqbal Post number 12

Hindu spiritual songs Post number 11

Post number 10

Buddhist chant Post number 9

Chants that I'll include in my daily prayer habit Post number 8

I will have 7 sets of prayers Protective Hindu prayers to protective/(destruction of evil/protection from evil) to Protective Hindu Gods(listed above in post number 4 ) Gentleness prayers to Gods listed in post number 6. These prayers would be to seek guidance and to pray for love and cultivation of gentleness. Christian prayers to Christ Islamic Prayers to Allah General Buddhist prayers of compassion Separate prayer for Shree Ram Separate prayer for Shree Krishna Separate prayer for Sai Baba Post number 7

The Gods who I'll consider as embodiment of goodness and peace and grace/character and gentleness (not protective versions like above) are Shree Ram Sai Baba (shirdi -unity of Hindus and Muslims ) Shri Krishna Post number 6

Inspiration for my prayers is this Mahakal music Post number 5

List of male Gods I'll include in my prayers Shiva Hanuman Krishna Ganesh Kaala Bhairava (version of Shiva) Mahakaal (version of Shiva) List of female Gods I'll include in my prayers Kali Mahakali Santoshi Maa Bhavani Lakshmi, Saraswati, Parvati - combined into Santoshi Maa Post number 4

I can combine Lakshmi, Saraswati, Parvati into one that is Santoshi Maa and worship her as a way of worshipping all of the goddesses. I have to offer The Santoshi Mata vrata or devotional fast is to be observed on 16 successive Fridays or until one's wish is fulfilled. I have to separately pray to Kali and Mahakali. And to Bhavani. Post number 3

GODDESS BHAVANI: In Hindu mythology, Goddess Bhavani is considered to be the violent incarnation of Goddess Shakti or Devi. Notwithstanding she is also Karunaswaropini and ‘karunai’means mercy. As such she is one filled with mercy in the shades of Durga and Kali’s sentiments over Her devotees. Adi Shankara’s says it all in his Bhavani Ashtakam in pure and simple words. Bhavani’s other names bring various meanings. Bhavani Devi also personifies Aadi Parashakti. The bhava of Bhavani is the internal power of Lord Shiva. In that sense Bhavani is Mother Parvathi. Bhavani is also the source of creative energy. She is also known as Tulaja, Turaja, Tvarita and Amba. In Gujarat she takes the form of Keshar Bhavani. Goddess Bhavani is also considered as swayambhu or self-born when venerated as Lord Siva’s consort. According to Adi Shankaracharya, devotees who recite Bhavani’s name everyday with true devotion, will not acquire sorrow, illness, unexpected death. Bhavani is the goddess invoked by women in labor. The ritual was to burn perfume in her honor. As Mother, Bhavani overseas the welfare of women and her children. DEVI BHAGAVATAM states that Bhavani Devi is the original form of Aadhi Parashakti. She is sister to Sri Krishna. Maha Vishnu does penance to seek Devi’s aid for to Krishna avatar. As a result, Devi is born to Yasodha as Krishna’s sister. In the Tamil tradition Bhavani Devi in her personification is known as Magamaaye. 'Maga' is the corruption 'Maha' meaning great. 'Ayi' means mother or grandmother. Thus she is the Great Mother. Goddess Bhavani symbolises her links with Vishnu and Krishna by holding a Sanghu – conch and Chakra. In all the implications are a brother-sister relationship with Sri Vishnu's avatars Sri Krishna. LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM: Also known as Rahsya Nama Sahasra, purports that Bhavani is the Deity that always helps devotees and gives Mukti.. Lalitha Sahasranamam Stotram appears in Brahmanda Purana in the chapter of discussion between Sage Agasthya and Hayagriva, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu with the horse head. At his request of sage Agastya, Hayagreeva taught him Lalita Sahasranamam Stotram or the most holy 1000 names of Goddess Lalitha, the Goddess of bliss. DEPICTION: The Goddess Bhavani has eight arms in which she holding weapons, bearing the head of the slain. The lowermost right hand holds a trident, the next one holds a dagger, above this an arrow and the uppermost right hand wields the chakra. The uppermost left hand holds a shankh, next one a bow, the third one carries a bowl and the lower most left band holds the granny knot of bare on the head of the asur. The right leg of Goddess Bhavani is planted firmly on the body of Mahishasur and left one is on the ground. Between these two legs, the head of the asur is gripped by lower left arm. The Vahana of Goddess Bhavani is a Lion and on the backrest carved the sun and the moon on left and right sides of the Devi. BHAVANI TEMPLE IN TULJAPUR: This is the second among the 'Shaktipeeths'. The Tulja Bhavani of Tuljapur contains the family deity of the Bhosale kings. Shivaji always visited the temple to seek her blessings. It is believed that the Goddess gifted him a sword - 'the Bhawani sword' - for success in his expeditions. Maurya warriors are from the Suryavansha or solar clan. Goddess Bhavani is their Kuadaivat or clan deity. The temple origins are traced back from mythology. The demon Matanga wreaked havoc upon devas and humans. They approach Brahma for relieving from this predicament. Brahma in turn approached Mother Goddess Shakti. As Bhavani, Mother takes the form of Destroyer. Together with the Sapta Maataas, Varahi, Brahmi, Vaishnavi, Kaumari, Indrani and Saambhavi, Mother vanquished the demon. Bhavani also vanquished Mahishasura who took the form of a wild buffalo. Thereafter she took abode on the Yamunachala hill. SKANDA PURANA: History of the Tuljapur Temple is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. There was a sage known as "Kardam" After his death his wife "Anubuti" had performed a penance at the banks of river "mandakini " for Bhavani mata to look after her infant child. While performing the penance the demon known "Kukur" tried to disturb her penance during which Mata Bhavani came to the aid of "Anubuti" and killed the demon "Kukur". From that day onwards the Goddess Bhavani came to be known as Tulja Bhavani. The Tuljapur Temple is on the slopes of the Sahadri range in Maharashtra near Sholapur. The temple has a history since the 12th century. Here Goddess Bhavani is depicted uniquely with a beautiful smiling face. It is said that the face of Sati had fallen in Tuljapur because of which the goddess is decorated in such a way that only her face is visible after covering her with sarees and ornaments. She has no clothes carved on her upper body. The goddess is asta-bhuja in the styles of Durga with eight hands. As Parvati, she has a self-manifested swayambhu Shiv-lingam in her crown with flowing from it. She has an arrow holder on her back. Her victory over Mahishasur represented by the sun and moon. The lion vahana stands near her. The idol is self manifested and movable. It is moved three times a year from its place to the bedroom of Maa Bhavani. Below the lion, sage Markandeya is chanting the durga-saptashati shlokas. NAVARATHRI: Goddess Shakti is worshipped in her nine forms. These Goddesses are also revered independently but Mother worship has its essence in Mother Shakti or Mother Aadhi Parashakti. Navarathri Goddesses: (1) Goddess Durga – Also known as Maa Durga is an embodiment of creative feminine force and is regarded as "the invincible" one. (2) Goddess Bhadrakali – Goddess Bhadra Kali is one of the most popular forms of the Goddess Shakti as mentioned in Devi Mahatmyam. (3) Goddess Amba - Also known as Jagadamba is another form of Goddess Shakti and is regarded as the Mother of the universe (4) Goddess Annapurna – Also known as Annapoorna is an avatar of the Divine Mother and is the Goddess of Harvests. Anna literally means food and grains and “Purna” means complete or full. Hence Goddess Annapurna is the one who bestows food in plenty. (5) Goddess Sarvamangala – Another form of Goddess Shakthi. As Sarvamangala, Devi bestows joy (mangal) to everything (sarva). (6) Goddess Bhairavi – Bhairavi is a fierce form of the Goddess. Devi took this avatar when she became the consort of the Bhairava.(7) Goddess Chandika – Also known as Chandi or Durga Sapthashati Chandika is the supreme Goddess of Devi Mahatmya. Goddess Chandi is described as the Supreme reality, who is a combination of Maha Lakshmi, Mahakali, and Maha Saraswati. (8) Goddess Lalita – Also known as Shodashi, Rajarajeshvari, or Tripura Sundari, Goddess Lalitha is one of the group of Ten Goddesses of Hindu belief, collectively called mahavidyas. (9) Goddess Bhavani - Bhavani literally means "giver of life" is a ferocious form of the Goddess Parvati Devi. (10) Goddess Mookambika - On the 10th day of Navarathri festival, Goddess Shakti is worshipped as Mookambika Devi, the manifestation of Goddess Shakti, Saraswathi and Mahalakshmi. BHAVANI BHUJANGAM: ‘Bujangam’ means body. Bhavani Bujangam is composed by Adi Shankaracharya praising the glorious beauty of Goddess Bhavani from ‘head to toe’. Shankara also stated that by repeating the holy names of Bhavani with pure devotion, one would attain salvation and get rid of sorrow, passion, sin and fear. BHAVANI ASHTAKAM composed by Adi Shakraracharya: Neither the mother nor the father, Neither the relation nor the friend, Neither the son nor the daughter, Neither the servant nor the husband, Neither the wife nor the knowledge, And neither my sole occupation, Are my refuges that I can depend, Oh, Bhavani, So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani. I am in this ocean of birth and death, I am a coward, who dare not face sorrow, I am filled with lust and sin, I am filled with greed and desire, And tied I am, by the this useless life that I lead, So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani. Neither do I know how to give, Nor do I know how to meditate, Neither do I know Thanthra, Nor do I know stanzas of prayer, Neither do I know how to worship, Nor do I know the art of yoga, So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani Know I not how to be righteous, Know I not the way to the places sacred, Know I not methods of salvation, Know I not how to merge my mind with God, Know I not the art of devotion, Know I not how to practice austerities, Oh, mother, So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani Perform I bad actions, Keep I company of bad ones, Think I bad and sinful thoughts, Serve I Bad masters, Belong I to a bad family, Immersed I am in sinful acts, See I with bad intentions, Write I collection of bad words, Always and always, So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani. Neither Do I know the creator, Nor the Lord of Lakshmi, Neither do I know the lord of all, Nor do I know the lord of devas, Neither do I know the God who makes the day, Nor the God who rules at night, Neither do I know any other Gods, Oh, Goddess to whom I bow always, So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani While I am in a heated argument, While I am immersed in sorrow, While I am suffering an accident, While I am travelling far off, While I am in water or fire, While I am on the top of a mountain, While I am surrounded by enemies, And while I am in a deep forest, Oh Goddess, I always bow before thee, So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani While being an orphan, While being extremely poor, While affected by disease of old age, While I am terribly tired, While I am in a pitiable state, While I am being swallowed by problems, And While I suffer serious dangers, I always bow before thee, So you are my refuge and only refuge, Bhavani Jai Maa Bhavani

A prayer to Shiva and Kali and Ganesh Please help me become free from whatever I'm going through. Please help all those who feel trapped right now. Please show me the door. Please show me the way. I feel helpless. Please bring some light into my life. Show me the way to light. Free my soul. Please rescue my soul and body. Please hear the voices of the innocent who suffer in silence. Mahakali please save me. Please blind and punish those who do evil so they can never see, they can no longer hurt (Please punish the abuser) Invoking the following Hindu Gods in my prayers. Jai Shree Mahakaal Jai Bhawani maa Jai Kali Jai Mahakali Jai Santoshi Maa Jai Shiva Jai Ganesh Jai Bhairava Jai Shri Krishna Jai Hanuman Post number 2

I will say bipolar people just shouldn't have kids. The disease is too hard on family members and caregivers.

I'm facing active abuse from my family and it's very difficult to open up about it. I kinda feel shameful to admit that my family is treating me worse than an animal. And I don't have the resources to escape this situation. So I'm stuck and trapped. And my only solution is to pray to God to get me out of this. I feel like the walls are closing in on me and my last option would be suicide to escape this horrible mental destruction I'm facing. My mental state is declining everyday and my physical health is deteriorating rapidly I feel like I'm staring into darkness.

One day I'll be victorious and get out of this mess. She ruled my life since childhood. The trauma was pretty intense given that my heart rate would rapidly increase whenever she was around. My dad had suffered cardiac failure. He had been put through too much. I had always told myself that I would never do what he did I used to ask my dad - why don't you just divorce her ? She is a bipolar psycho. And when she goes in manic episodes, she turns into a beast and her face and everything Changes and she can really look like some dangerous serial killer. Her level of control can look pathological. It's insane and I go into freeze mode. Everytime she is not happy, that day is going to be an awful day. Her voice becomes very deep and intimidating Her meanness gets extreme. I cannot predict what can happen when she is going through a manic episode. She can turn into a devil, brutal and violent. She gets ginormous stamina in her body during her manic episodes. She will twist my arm so I can't escape and yank my body in different directions and throw me at the wall. Although she is shorter than me, her arms are very powerful. My arms are very timid and weak because I was born underweight and I had a host of health issues

@Eph75 both are very expensive.

@Eph75 thank you. I'm trying. I pay half the rent currently so I can't save enough Plus I have to pay an old debt. Once my debt is resolved and I save enough then I can think of what to do next. The housing prices have steadily increased the past year.