How we met ... Part - XIX ... with Vishuddhanandji and Amar Jyoti Ji

Guru – destroyer of our beliefs and mental barriers

I had been to many a part of Himachal Pradesh from 11^th to 18^th of July.  It was a fascinating experience – ever changing mountain panorama and much more.

First day we stayed in a Circuit House in Narkanda.  It is in deep forests – very tranquil.  Cooks prepare delicious cuisines for the guests.  Next morning we rose in our beds and as usual me and my wife started meditating – the experience was deep – perhaps an effect of peace of deep forests and may be something mysterious likely in a place which has been a place of sadhana of large number of seekers.  Before breakfast we went to a beautiful temple (Hatu) on the top of a nearby (8 Kms) mountain.  It is neat and clean and has beautiful carvings of many a deity.  Its beauty is further enhanced by the beautiful view of thick forests and mountains all around.

On way to Sangla, we had our lunch at Sarahan and visited ancient Bhadrakaali temple located there.  Sangla again is beautiful valley and from there we went to Chitkul – last village on Indian side and then proceeded to Kalpa near Recang Peo.  Recang Peo is the headquarter of district Kinnaur.  It is surrounded by snow clad Himalyan peaks and if one is lucky one can see a 30-40 feet long Shivling (known as kinner Kailash) located on a distant mountain (these peaks are normally covered with clouds) across a deep valley.  We had the fortune of beholding beautiful view of Kinner Kailash.

Next on our itinerary were Nako, Tabo and Kaza – these places are situated in almost barren mountains with different colours and textures and offer a rare scenic beauty.  In the morning we went to Komic village – highest village (14,700 feet) with a population of 114 and a nearby village Langza – highest polling station in Asia.

Near Kaza, there is Key – a Buddhist monastery headed by 19^th incarnation of a master.  We had the fortune of having his blessings (he had returned to the monastery only a day before), photographs with him and had lunch in the monastery.  In the night we stayed at Losar (at a height of about 13,500 feet).

Road from Losar to Rohtang paas is very rough and flowing mountain streams with large stones cross the road at about a dozen places – it was a difficult day accompanied with light drizzle from time to time.

The best was yet to come. 

We reached Palampur on 18^th evening and straight away drove to an Ashram as the saint there does not give durshan after 4 pm – we reached there at about 3.45 pm.  This is the Ashram where a 137 year old saint, Sri Sri 1008 Sri Vishuddhanand Saraswati lives.  At this age (though he appears quite old) he prepares Khir as a prasad for his devotees every day.  People say that this Prasad is not exhausted irrespective of number of devotees visiting him and that the patra in which it is kept is an akshay patra.  He does not talk much and when time was up and his assistants asked us to rise, he indicated to us to sit for some time more.  Me and my wife sitting just in front of him had eye contact with him for quite some time.  We must have surely been purified by his glance – a rare grace.

That evening we then went to Baidyanaath temple.  Elaborate pooja was performed by the priest.  We were sitting around the Shivlinga in the Garbha Graha.  The priest also narrated to us the legend behind this temple.  He explained that the place where I was sitting, Ravana did his tapasya sitting there for 1200 years.  When Shiva did not give him darshan, considering no use of such a body, he cut his head and offered it to Shiva.  It got joined again.  Since such surgery can be done only by a Vaidya, this temple came to be known as Baidyanaath.  Since Shiva did not give him darshan even after that, he continued cutting his head and offering it and that is how he came to have 10 heads and became dashanan.  On the request of devatas then Shiva gave him darshan.  He requested Shiva to go with him to Lanka.  He agreed with the condition that on way to Lanka he should not keep him down.  And as the legend goes, as he was on his way to Lanka, devatas conspired to create strong urge for urination in him and he had to request someone to hold the Shivlinga for a while.  And as he could not come back within agreed time, the person kept the Shivlinga down at Deoghar, Bihar and Ravana could not then lift it from there.  That is how Baidyanath temple came to be established at Deoghar as well.

Then it was time for us to visit another saint, Swami Amar Jyoti, who is said to be 148 years old.  When we went in an exquisitely built hall a little after 6.00 pm, havan, which is a daily practice there, was being performed by five persons.  The hall is adorned with a painting of legendry Mahaavtar Baba with beautiful garland over it.  Swamiji is one of the disciple of Mahaavtar baba (many others initiated by Mahaavtar baba or his disciples include Lahiri Mahshaya referred to in the Autobiography of a Yogi and Shri ‘M’, a saint living at a place 3 hours drive from Bangalore on Andhra border).

A little while later a stoutly built agile tall man in white choga (looked around 55 years of age) entered the hall – a breathtaking spectacle.  There was no mistaking that he was Swami Amar Jyoti.  We offered pranam and charan sparsh to him.  He did not allow any of us to bow down fully and touch his feet, instead he took us in his arms and kissed our foreheads – an unusual and rare way to bless.

He took me by hand and made me sit by the side of the main persons performing havan and asked him to make me participate in the performing havan.  Rest of us were taken by him outside the hall in a beautiful verandah overlooking beautiful landscape and mountain ranges.  After performing havan, I joined others sitting in chairs with him in the verandah.  We had nice tea, dry fruits and biscuits and got back into the hall as it was dark by then and mosquitoes started troubling a few of us.  We sat on the floor in front of him.  Sensing that my wife may have problem in sitting on the floor for long, he asked her to take a moodha.

At that time one Sardarji came to visit him in connection with creation of a statue of Nandi to be mounted on a 45 foot high pole in Gaushala.  Swamiji has been offered about 100 acres of land in district Hoshiarpur by a devotee.  He has plans to plant mango trees on that land and have a Gaushala in shades around a 100x100 meter lawn.  He showed us the outlay.  Swamiji elaborately discussed the deficiencies in the cast for the statue prepared by Sardarji and asked me to visit his Gaushala where truly beautiful cows and a bull were there.  He also asked one of his foreign devotees who is an artist to make a sketch of Nandi from the photograph of the young bull in his Gaushala to assist Sardarji.  He was discussing all this for long as a normal businessman would do.

No preaching.  Conducts himself like anyone else.  Great.

When I was performing havan, others were chit chatting with Swamiji outside.  Later, my wife narrated some of this to me. 

Around 1938 he lived in Amarnath cave for about 5 years.  His passport, for many years, bore that address.  He also told my wife and others that earlier he was not wearing his present white robe, had very long hairs and that he used to keep half of them in front part of the body and other half on the back and tied them with a rope.

He also shared one incident when he was proceeding towards a forest.  People around told him not to venture into that forest as a ferocious lioness kills everyone who goes that side.  On being asked about the reason, they told him that one shepherd had taken her two cubs.  He asked for the cubs and wanted to proceed with the cubs towards the forest.  People around were apprehensive but he told them not to feel concerned as he is going there to return the cubs and that no harm will come to him.  He went to the forest and was confronted with the lioness in an aggressive posture.  He let one of the cubs go towards her.  She was calmed.  He then let another cub go.  Both started having her milk.  Swamiji also joined in and had her milk.  Later the thought of taking one of her cubs arose in his mind.  Sensing that, the lioness threw one of her cubs towards him like a football.  He took the cub and proceeded back.  He and the lioness were turning around from time to time to see and continued departing till they could no longer see each other.

Swamiji brought up the cub on milk and vegetarian eatables.  Once he had to leave for some pilgrimage and left the cub with army personnel with the request to give him milk and vegetarion food only, but they started giving him meat.  Soon, the cub grew large and started hunting for goats and sheep from the nearby villages.  When Swamiji was back, on complaint from the villagers about the attacks of young lion, he got gold rings and silver kadas made for him.  Rings were put in his ears and kadas in his feet (Nath sampradaya has this kind of tradition) before Swamiji took him back to the forest and left him there.

My colleague who is in contact with him also told me that he has been going to Kailash Mansarover twice a year since 1902 and that he has visited it from every possible rout.  One of his disciple showed me one of his photographs sitting on the frozen Mansarover lake in his usual white robe (choga).  He also said that he does not eat anything and also does not take water – consequently no need for toilet.  When we were there with him and were taking tea, dry fruits and biscuits; my wife offered these things to him also, he declined saying in lighter vein that there should be someone to see also when others are taking – no assertion and no pretensions.

My wife asked him for allowing us to take a photograph with him, again in a lighter vein he gracefully declined by saying that if he did so, we will not visit him next morning.  While departing, he asked us to have prasad in the Ashram.  We took prasad and came back. 

I obviously have strong desire to visit him as many times as possible before I leave Chandigarh on my retirement this December.

Whenever I meet a saint, I usually narrate my experience to my Guruji, Shri G V Mungale.  To share the truth, I had a little doubt if he really does not take any food or water.  When I told Guruji about it, sensing my doubt, he said people have doubts or get surprised when they hear something like this.  And setting my doubts to rest, he said that the fact is that saints (yogis) like these have everything directly from Panch Mahabhootas and have no such needs as we have.

On coming back I also reflected on one of the happenings – he took me alone by hand and made me take part in havan.  Many years back (sometime in 2006 or so), I was asked by Nithyanandji to take part in three day long Yagnas (havan) at Salem.  I went there but left the place in half a day.  Swami Virajeshwaraji used to celebrate three events in his Ashram (Ram Navami, Guru Poornima and Geeta Jayanti) and elaborate havan was part of each of these functions as well.  There appears to be an indication for me in these exposures / happenings.  When Gurus in such exalted states find havan to be necessary, how long can my resistance last?  In fact I come from a family of Arya Samajis and performing havan was common happening in our house when I was a child.

In my earlier posts I have shared my experiences as to how my reservations / resistance to japa and writing Ram Nam had to give way to these useful practices.  Performing Havan may be next in line.

Real freedom (moksha) is when we are free of all beliefs and mental barriers.  In a subtle way (even without our knowledge) and with infinite patience Guru alone does it to us! He is the destroyer of ignorance!!  His compassion is boundless!!!

Immerge in HIS remembrance and dissolve Satvic Ahankaar

In my last post I had mentioned that Swami Satyamitranandji was to come to Shimla for opening of one of his temples on 6^th June. On being prompted about it by my wife (even though she was out of Chandigarh at that time), I got in touch with Swamiji. I got to know that he was to stay on seventh evening in the house of one of the devotees of his disciple (Swami Awadheshnandji).  

Immediately on reaching the house of the devotee that evening, I was ushered into the room where he was staying.  I was offered a chair near him. After Charan Sparsh, I sat in the chair.  

It was a great day for me.  I had the fortune of being alone with Swamiji for about 50 minutes.  By that time, it was time for dinner and when food was offered to God (a photograph of a deity – Rama or Krishna), Swamiji asked me to have prasad with him.  I grabbed the offer and was with him for another 30 minutes on the dining table.  After dinner, he partook small portion of a Pan and offered the rest to me which I gratefully took as a part of his blessings.

Being with him that day, I could have further glimpses of his greatness.  He, like a lover, shared his insights into mechanics of his own mind which are invaluable lessons for me and many a sadhakas.  

He first started by telling me about his recent visit to Ahmedabad in connection with setting up of a facility of dialysis for kidney patients.  Some money was to be raised for the facilities.  Guruji announced donation of Rs. One lakh and was expecting announcement by business persons.  In lighter vein he told me that God tells him about black money kept by others and if he makes use of that information, he can earn reward of crores of rupees every month.  Soon, when that thought crossed his mind, one such businessman announced donation of Rs.  50 lakhs.  

While he was in Ahmedabad, Shri Narendra Modi won the elections with vast majority.  Modiji is in contact with Swamiji for last about 30 years and Swamiji was invited to his oath taking ceremonies as PM as also as Chief Minister earlier.

While in Ahmedabad, Swamiji also met mother of Modiji and felt as if she were an avtar of Sabri.  Lives in such a simple manner.  She told Swamiji that she always told her sons not to use any ill gotten money.  When after winning elections her son came to take her blessings, she gave him hundred rupees.  Swamiji took her blessings and she gave him one thousand rupees. Swamiji asked her that when she had given only one hundred rupees to her son, why has she given one thousand rupees to him?  She responded by saying that at that time she had only one hundred rupees and she gave all of that to him.  But while leaving, her son gave her five thousand rupees saying that after becoming PM he will get much higher salary.  It is out of that that she has given him one thousand rupees.

After sharing about a few more of his interactions with Shri Narendra Modiji, he switched over to spiritual matters.  

On being asked, I told him about the practices I am following.  While appreciating my endeavours, he said when a sadhaka slowly gets over external attractions, satvic ahankaar still remains.  Giving an illustration, he said that when during the course of his pravachans, there is repeated clapping from the devotees, he feels very nice and there is a tingling sensation (gudgudi) in his chest.  

Every sadhaka will continue to have it.  For example, when I draft a letter or report and feel that it is excellent, I feel so joyous and have urge to share it with others.

He went on to tell that there is no way one can get over this satvic ahankaar on one’s own.  One has to pray to HIM alone to take this away.  Then he shared that he tries to loudly sing bhajans and chant his name while alone in his room and that he is waiting for the day when he will be fully immerged in HIS remembrance.

That is the way – getting lovingly immerged in HIS remembrance all the time!

How we met ... Part - XVIII ... with Vithalji and Satyamitranandji

On 19^th April, I had to attend a marriage reception in my family at Haridwar.  While I was planning for that, I received a message from Supeji that Shri Vithalji would be there in Rishikesh on 18^th morning.  Besides, 18^th, 19^th and 20^th were closed holidays.  Things fell in place and I planned my visit to Rishikesh and Haridwar.

On 18^th, we were the first to reach the bungalow in the Rama Mandir compound in Rishikesh where Supeji and family of his Gurubhai, Shri Kishore Rao lives.  This is an architectural marvel – so beautiful.  Supeji later explained that it has been designed so as to have all the five elements in it. 

Many a people were initiated by Guruji.  This was followed by chanting of “Hare Krishna … Hare Hare” and question answer sessions.  Supeji has e-mailed these questions and answers to us – obviously they are profound for seekers – I will try to put them on the blog.  I am, therefore, not repeating them here.

Answer to one of the questions particularly struck me.  I have the temptation to mention it here.  The question was something like, “Is not manav seva and madhava seva same?”  Answer was something like (for exact question and answer readers may refer to the e-mail which I would put on the blog soon), “If service is done with the realization that the person served is madhav, manav seva would be madhava seva.  But if it is done to alleviate poverty or suffering of someone, it is just giving alms and would not be a step forward in one’s spiritual evolution.” 

I had always thought so and could not appreciate organizations built by Gurus for service – they should stick to their area of core competence – spiritual evolution of their disciples, I thought. 

Of course, even service without considering the person served as madhava, would be good karma and would unfold in the form of some reward.  But, on a higher plane, any karma including a good karma is not good inasmuch as a good karma brings with it power and position (and consequent ahankaar) which provides wider opportunities for doing bad karmas.  And cycle of life and death caused by karmas (good and bad) goes on and on.

Another purpose behind service set-ups created by Gurus is that many a disciple has strong rajasik guna and they are made to work for dissipation of this guna – before they can be led towards their evolution.  Service provides an opportunity for that.

After taking prasad at Rishikesh, we came back to Haridwar in the afternoon on 18^th.  Marriage reception was in the evening on 19^th and I had free time on 19^th morning.  We (I and my wife) had earlier (a couple of years back) met Satyamitranandji in Mumbai – our experience with him was a wonderful one and I had a desire to be with him again.  He is having an Ashram and a Mandir with the name Bharat Mata Mandir in Haridwar.  I thought of making a good use of this time – to meet him, if he were there.  Fortunately he was there and I got an appointment for next morning.

He started by telling me about how he started his spiritual quest.  I am putting here what I can recall now (not exact reproduction of what he said).

"As a young boy I was told by my father, a Vanprasthi, to read literature of Vivekanandji.  Few years of reading and desire to become a Sanyasi arose in me.  I asked for permission to go.  Initially my father suggested that there is no need to leave worldly life to pursue one's spiritual quest.  But being a Vanprasthi himself, he did not insist much and allowed me to go my way.  While parting, he gave me 100 rupees (his savings of about 6 months).  I kept the money inside a spiritual book and boarded a train.

After a while, a TC asked me to show ticket and I had none to show.  He told me that being an educated man are you not ashamed of travelling without a ticket (I had done my MA by that time)! I told him that though I have money with me, I have kept it for some emergency.  I told him that I am going on a spiritual quest and at this stage do not have that much of trust so as to believe that HE will take care of my needs.  In case I do not get anything for my survival at some point of time, I would use this money.  Anyway, you can issue me a ticket - I will pay for it.  He said OK, leave it!

At the next station the TC brought me milk in a big Kulhad and some Jalebis.  He also told me that after a while train will reach Nemisaranya and that he will see me out of station.  He also gave me name of an Ashram and a Swamyji who could perhaps help me.

I went to the Ashram and met Swamyji.  I told him that I have not done any Sadhana and have no other attainments to qualify for being in the Ashram but I do have a sincere desire for search.  He was kind and told me that I could teach some students in a Gurukul run by his trust for about 4 hours a day and that I can be in the Ashram and pursue my Sadhana.  I could not have asked for more.  At that stage, I also thought that I should be earning my living.  Within three hours of leaving my home, God provided me what I needed then. 

I started teaching in the Gurukul and did Japa for 6 hours standing in Gomti River every day.  I used to sleep on the ground and used brick for pillow.

After some days my grandfather came to know that I had left.  He scolded my father and said that he should have told him and that he could have stopped me from leaving.  My father responded by saying that I would not have gone far off and that he could search for me in Allahabad, Varanasi or Nemisaranya.  And soon my grandfather found me in Nemisaranya.  He asked me to go back with him.  I requested him to be with me for a few days and that thereafter I will do his bidding.  After a few days I told him that I would do what he said but I would not be of any use to the family and that when they get me married to someone, the girl will unnecessarily suffer as I have no interest in worldly life.  He saw me doing Japa for 6 hours standing in water and sleeping on the ground.  He was convinced of my determination and of everything I said and left me there to pursue my calling."

Thereafter, as he had told us (my wife was also with me) in our last meeting in Mumbai a couple of years ago, that he was appointed as Shankaracharya – he did not elaborate and I did not ask as to how he rose to that position.  While in that position, he wanted to visit a few African countries.  He was told by the group of priests around him that he cannot do so as a Shankaracharya is not supposed to cross the sea.  And that in that position he was also supposed not to eat food prepared or offered by a person other than a Brahimin.  Swamyji gave up the position saying that he cannot accept these restrictions – and if were true, saints like Paramhamsa Yoganand and Vivekanandji would be put to eternal hell.  He added that if he had to do that, what was wrong with the life as a householder and a worldly man (they too have so many restrictions which prevent their lives from blossoming).  He was also threatened about the consequences of a fall from that position.  But that did not deter him from leaving.

In that meeting, I was mentioning to him about the way Mungale Sir and Swamy Vrijeshwaraji conducted themselves (I have written about them in earlier posts).  He remarked that they have reached a stage of Akarma (a stage where Rajo Guna is gone and person reaches a stage of realisation that life in this universe unfolds as per HIS Sankalpa and that none in this world can do or really does anything) but his mind still tricks him into believing that he should use God given gift of power of expression and knowledge of scriptures to the benefit of public at large and makes him sit before TV camera everyday (he regularly appears on TV Channels – may be this power of expression and knowledge of scriptures elevated him to the position of Shankaracharya earlier).  And he had the humility to add that he would try to give up this temptation in a year or so.

Coming to the present meeting, he further narrated a few happenings in his life.  It was something like :

"In my younger days, somebody mentioned my name to Birlaji and he invited me.  I met him a few times.  In one of those meetings he mentioned it to me that he being a billionaire, every priest or saint coming to him asks for money for performing a marriage, constructing a house or for some project which they propose to undertake but you have not asked for anything so far.  I told him that after listening to what I am going to say, you may not invite me next time.  He asked me to go ahead and say whatever I wanted to say.  I told him that please tell me who is bigger, you or the God? God of course, he said.  That is why I pray to God every day that HE should not raise any Sankalpa in me and if he does so, HE has to arrange for resources – I am not going to arrange for any.

And God made me an instrument in creating 12 Mandirs, two of them abroad.  What is important for a Sadhaka is not have Apeksha (expectation) from anyone – HE provides for everyone."

I mentioned to him that I have a little glimpse of this state – not having expectation from anyone – wherever or to whichever post I have been posted in my career, I accepted that happily and never represented against that – enjoyed working in every place and post.  I came to believe that no one can help or harm anyone, whatever has to happen will happen.  To this he said, yes if this is not believed, very foundation of principle of Karma would be gone.  As Tulsidasji beautifully says in Ramcharitmanas, "Kahu na kou sukh dukh kar data, nij krit karam bhogu sabu bhrata (No one is the cause of happiness or sorrow of anyone, everyone undergoes consequences of one's own actions)."

During our meeting he also told me that one of the Mandirs is going to be opened in Shimla on 6th of June this year.  He has invited me to be there that day – such a blessing.  And he will be going to Seattle this July where my younger daughter lives.

 

Depression – how to come out of it

To a friend who sent me a SMS – “Owing to domestic reasons, I am depressed and have developed suicidal tendency ...”

First thing to understand is that depression is not caused by the circumstances but it manifests in us when our life energy (Pran Urja) is low – we wrongly attribute it to circumstances.

If we blame it on circumstances – changing circumstances not being solely in our hands – there will be no way out – one would be a helpless victim.
But fortunately, it is not so.  Even the word 'depression' is synonym with 'low level' of life energy.

If we understand that depression is a consequence of 'low level' of our 'energies', we can do something to 'raise' them.

This can be done by any activity involving fast and deep breathing – brisk walk (jogging by the young ones) for at least 40 minutes, Kapal Bati for about 10 minutes or any other similar activity. If we can do them twice a day, it will be still better.

Another thing to understand is that if we continue to brood over our circumstances – continue blaming persons concerned – it triggers feelings of anger, anxiety, depression, guilt etc. in us.  More we brood over the circumstances or blame others, these feelings are strengthened by the nourishment they get from our attention to them.

One has, therefore, to take off one's mind from them by engaging it in some kind of spiritual practice such as reading autobiographies of saints, reading spiritual texts like Ramcharitra Manas, Shrimadbhagwat etc.; doing japa of some mantras like "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare; Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare" or "Shri Rama Jai Rama Jai Jai Rama".

One needs to devote as much time on these activities (physical as also mental activities described above) as possible – one has to force oneself in doing them and not to give up if one does not feel like doing them – mun ko buddhi se control karane ki zarurat hai (mind has to be controlled through intellect).

And most important of all – Satsang, being with the Gurus and the Sadhakas, helps a lot in remaining on the path – it helps us to persevere (create and maintain motivation and continuity of efforts in us).

One may also consult a person practicing Batch Flower Remedies or refer to books on the subject (Google search will help find books).  These medicines available at big Homoeopathic Shops are very effective in dealing with such conditions.

How were we ... Part - XVII

About a couple of months back our Guruji (Mungale Sir) mentioned to us that Chandigarh will be good place for me as Tibetan saints move around in this area in their astral bodies and bless the Sadhakas in their spiritual quests.

As if directed by the masters, last weekend we (me and my wife) happened to visit Shimla (we had no such intentions).  There at lunch time we had discussions touching spiritual matters.  One of the officers mentioned about his Guru (HH The Taklung Tsetrul Riponche), head of a Buddhist religious sect.  He is based in Shimla.  I showed interest in meeting his Guruji.  He enquired if I would be really interested as Guruji does not converse much (normally visitors to Gurus are interested in asking something or listening to spiritual discourse from them).  I told him that with God’s grace we have crossed that stage where there is need to converse with a Guru.  The officer was delighted to hear this and fixed up appointment for the next day.

The officer told us how there has been a revival of Buddhism and its spiritual practices in major areas in the state of Himachal Pradesh after Tibetan saints came here in 1950’s and 60’s.  He also talked about their strong belief in the principle of reincarnation which is foretold by the saints.  Followers from this state happily part with their children if they are told that one’s child is reincarnation of some saint.

About his Guruji, he said that he had a very good handwriting in previous birth and because of that fingers of his right hand were cut.  Guruji had told in that life that he will reincarnate and that he can be identified with very small fingers of his right hand.  And the Guruji has very small fingers of his right hand!

Back from lunch, we understood that we have come or have rather been sent to Shimla for meeting Guruji.  We felt very nice with the thought of meeting him.  Next day we reached the monastery at the appointed time and sat on chairs in front of Guruji.  He exudes love and love alone!

We were told that he will pray for our health and general well being.  He chanted some Mantras and blessed us with Akshat and some other seeds.  Towards the end of prayer he tapped our heads with something like a small cloth wrapped stick which he took from inside his apparel.  Our minds became blissful and no questions or thoughts crossed our minds.  There was no need for any conversation.  Even otherwise, no direct conversation was possible as He does not understand Hindi or English and we did not understand his language (Tibetan).

Soon we were out from his place and sat in other room inside the monastery and had tea.  There he sent us a beautiful statue of Bhagwan Buddha wrapped in a beautiful shining yellow cloth.  We felt blessed once more.  Thereafter, we meditated for about 20 minutes in a hall in the monastery where HH Dalai Lama was to visit two days later.  Again it was a good experience.

After being in the monastery for a little while more, we came to our guest house for lunch.  I took my usual after lunch short nap.  My wife also took rest and had very pleasant sensations in her entire body, finger tips etc.  She was blissful and did not feel like speaking for a while.

In the evening, I told my Guruji about this meeting.  He said something like, “You had started feeling joyous even before meeting him.  Unse milkar bahut anand hua.  Unki sadhana bahut achhi hai.  Unka photo liya?”  Initially I thought as if Guruji wanted to see his photograph – a foolish thought (Guruji had known everything about Him and our meeting).  I asked the officer to arrange a photograph for me which he happily brought next morning.

Next day while narrating this meeting to my son-in-law, I realized that Guruji had asked about the photograph as it would help me in my spiritual quest.  We continue to fondly remember Him and feel joyous!

 

Love and Moha

To a friend who lost his only son

Often what we consider as love for our family members, relatives, friends and even gurus is mere asakti or moha.  But, in fact, they are opposite to each other. 

Love is the nature of consciousness (purush) whereas moha is an attribute of the mind (prakriti).
Love has no object (it is universal – for everyone and everything around) whereas moha is directed towards identified persons, ideas or things. 
Love is beyond ego whereas moha is offspring of ego.

Love is an effortless expression of consciousness whereas the moha arises from the need for physical, emotional, material and even perceived spiritual needs which one expects to get fulfilled through others – a person under the spell of moha tries to use others for his own sake (sacrifice is also a device for getting something in return) – it makes a person beggar (being in needs, as aforesaid) though he often pretends to be otherwise.

Love is liberation (mukti) for the self as also for everyone around whereas moha results in possessiveness of the object of moha.

Moha, being offspring of ego, creates an illusion of responsibility (self worth) – concern for the welfare and well being of near and dear ones.  This concern causes anxiety, guilt etc. in the person and he suffers.  The concern also causes a need to control and guide the lives of others – imprison them – trample on their independence.  Others also suffer as the saying goes – paradheen sapnehu sukh nahin.  If one consciously looks around, one will become aware of reach and consequences moha – it's reach is far and wide.

Love is remedy for all the ills (it heals and liberates) whereas moha is root cause of all the ills (it injures the self and also the objects of moha). 

Till we experientially know love (through bhakti and gyan), the false coin, moha will continue to be mistaken for love.  But to know love experientially is the ultimate object of life.  On the way, a sadhaka may only have some vague perception of the distinction between love and moha. 

But the vague perception is also good enough for moving forward if one is conscious of it.  To clear the vagueness and making the distinction clear; apart from regular reading of scriptures, satsang and other spiritual practices; what one needs to be conscious of is the fact that others need freedom – others are as much individuals in their own right as one is – they come from the same source – they have their own aspirations and reservations – they require to be accepted as such with their preferences, prejudices and perceived limitations.  One needs to deeply understand and be conscious of the fact that not respecting freedom and individuality of others is an act of aggression (himsa). 

This consciousness and understanding is the key to one’s transformation and then one will gradually find that one is unburdened and others are comfortable and happy in his presence.  Whole atmosphere is light.

Are, samay nahi hai!

We were with Mungale Guruji this Monday (27th January).  I feel like sharing what I understood from our conversation.  What I mention hereafter may not be exactly what he said as I may have misunderstood a few things.  One thing more, some of the issues discussed are unrelated and will therefore lack a natural flow and continuity.  Still it may perhaps be of some use to someone.

Just when we entered his place, addressing me, he said that God has sent you to Chandigarh with a purpose. There are many Tibetan Saints who travel this area in their astral bodies and when they find a genuine seeker, they bless him.

Asked by one of us about how does a person like Dalai Lama get time to do his Sadhana, he said that persons like him have done all that in their earlier lives and that they are here now for a purpose – a task assigned by HIM. Once HE asks them to stop, they stop immediately. He gave his own example saying that earlier he used to conduct meditation sessions. One day HE asked him to stop doing that and he no more conducts those sessions.

Responding to questions related to happenings in the material world, he said it is not good to tell about these things as it amounts to interfering with one’s Prarabdha. The powers a Guru has should be used for ultimate kalyaan of jeeva (for aiding spiritual evolution of a sadhaka) and not for material aspects of life (which in any case are impermanent).

Responding to the worrying nature of one of us, Guruji said something like –

“Bacchey ka naa to maa kuchh kar sakti hai naa naanee, Karane wala to sirf ek WOH hai (mother or grandmother cannot help a child in any way – HE alone is the door – only HE is there to take care of all of us).

We are all his (insignificant) creations; how can therefore anyone help or harm someone? Knowing this, one should not expect or strive for getting help from anyone (and not try to set someone right - not to hate and try to hurt anyone) – one should seek help from HIM alone.

Reciting the stotra of Shankaracharyaji which says that one is attached to the toys as a child, is attached to the person of opposite sex as a youth and one gets attached to worry in old age; he said that even when one is old, one does not get free of sex, freedom from sex is achieved only when one realizes HIM.”

Talking of life after death, he said something like, “The scale of time (calendar) in that world is different from here. Life there is difficult and often entails huge suffering. One should, therefore, use all the time at one’s disposal while being in this human body to take HIS name, love HIM and be loving.”

Listening to this, I immediately remembered something which I often mechanically (by force of habit) and in lighter vein say everyday, “Are, samay nahin hai!” and “Rama Nama kee loot hai loot sake to loot, antkaal pachhtayega jab pran jayenge chhoot.”

On a related matter, I had earlier put a post titled, “Sukh mein sumiran jo kare” on my blog on 08.07.2012.