At the Feet of The Master

Humble Prostrations at the Feet of the Great Master

We all are children of a great tradition. We all share the unfathomable wealth of a rich tradition, based on dharma. Great Masters showered pearls of wisdom onto every generation. We never looked outside for knowledge, because they always told us to look within ourselves. Before we go any further, let us bow with all humility to the Great Masters of all times and their grand teachings that we proudly inherited. We prostrate at the feet of great masters, who came forth time and again to show us our real potential. Just imagine how difficult it would be, if we are asked to wear the clothes that we wore during our school days!!! It is even more difficult for a completely liberated soul to wear a limited human body, live a whole lifetime with this suffocating limitedness, and exist amongst us. Still they do it out of sheer compassion and sincere love for us, the human kind. They suffer for our sake.They do not want us to “miss the bus” in this lifetime at least. Yet, we really try our best to miss the Gurus. We try our best to find some excuse to avoid them and go after sensory pleasures. We go for unhealthy fast food, ignoring the rich feast of spiritual knowledge that these Gurus have kept ready for us to enjoy. We choose temporary sense gratifications instead of permanent bliss and liberation. Why are our choices going wrong all the time, life after life? Why are we “missing the bus” in all our lives? It is the push of the sense related karma.So,  Maybe, we should pay a little more attention to this matter and listen to the Great Gurus, who exist only for our sake. They have no private agendas. They have nothing else to do other than to take you to the highest possible level of consciousness in this life.

Divinity Becomes Unmistakable with Enlightenment

Where do we find a true master? Essentially, within yourself. Your soul. Then, outside yourself, the extension of your own soul, the true master. A true master is a true reflection of yourself – Your SELF. The master who appeared in your life is the right one for you. What ever you get to listen are the right messages for you. What ever you read are the right words for you. You may feel fascination about other Gurus as well. Well and Good. Respect all masters. But, do not ignore your own master, Guru, who ever it is. Understand very well that the one who appeared to you, is the only one who can take you to the next level. Your class teacher is the most eligible one to teach you in that class, which you have reached by your sincere hard work and hard earned merits.  Let us not run after the teacher of the next class now. You are not his responsibility at this point of time, be aware. By ignoring your class teacher, you cannot score any merits in your given class too. It is that simple. Be aware of who you are, where you have reached and keep thanking existence for providing the right guide. Existence always does, you see.

A Great Master is Well Established in the Eternal Truth, the Supreme Father

We have learned to prostrate at the feet of the Gurus. Our elders used to do so. We gracefully inherited this habit. It made us feel better and lighter. Sure. But, do we know why we are doing that? We were told that it shows reverence. We are assuming that the Guru whom we prostrate to, is well established in the Supreme Truth, which means He is God Realized. We assume that His feet are resting on the ultimate truth, the supreme truth. We are prostrating at that stature of the master, not exactly at the physical image. The stature of being established in the ultimate truth. We aspire to be in that state too. We aspire to be God realized. When we prostrate at the feet of the master, we put our head and heart in one line, which nullifies our ego and intellect, and we express total surrender to the divinity that the Guru is representing or is established in. We cleanse ourselves inside out this way. When Guru’s grace flows as blessings, we burn some of our terrestrial traits effortlessly. Grace is essential for everything including our complete spiritual evolution.

Mental Images have no Spiritual Value

Even though we do not know the spiritual practices that we followed through many life times, we get glimpses of the grace through the proximity of living masters. This tells us that we have traveled miles to reach here. This does not endorse the false images that a virile mind projects. Mental imageries are only expressions stemmed out of our wishful thinking. Those images have no spiritual value. Nobody gets transfered to the next level by believing in such mental images. In fact, on the contrary, disappointments, disillusionment and depression can happen, in the course of time, if we base our spirituality on false mental images as well as false notions and book knowledge that does not suit our individual constitution.

Great Masters Lived Simple Lives

The rich tradition that we inherited is essentially the ability to see through fakes, identify true masters and reach the ultimate truth with their guidance. When our needs are terrestrial, the likelihood of falling into the traps of false masters are much more.As long as the world exists, Maya will exist. The existence of Maya is as inevitable as our existence. The Father cannot run the Divine play without Maya. Maya is the duality. Maya is the visible, tangible or finite face of nothingness or infinity. Maya is the expression of the Almighty. Maya is a challenge for the true seeker. He will keep asking himself – “is this the truth or is this Maya”, until finally, all experimentations and explorations culminate at one point, and we say – “even I do not exist”. Then, we are home. It is not an expression. It is a deep understanding. A final plunge. That is the time when we actually shake hands with Maya and tell her “Thank You for the journey, it was worth it.” If we get disillusioned in these seemingly unending trials and errors, we may get stuck on the way and Maya can easily make us take many more detours. Even spiritual practices can become an ally to Maya. Any ritual is Maya. Any sub-consciously induced activity can slip into the realms of Maya. This is the challenge that Maya poses to the real seeker. Those who are half-hearted will take a break and visit the neighboring pub to cool the burning insides. Those who can stand the fire within and are not afraid to walk alone, will continue with the journey. They will reach the destination at the “appointed” time. Again, Maya will pose many hurdles. But, when their vision gets shifted to the space between the eyebrows, they will always see through Maya. Maya is beautiful, but, beyond Maya is the real. The choice is between the beauty and the real. Many choose beauty because it is sensory. Those who are steadfast in their pursuit, will choose the real. This is the wisdom that Great Masters have rendered to us, without expectation. We never bothered to thank them and they were not affected the least, because, they did not expect any. Enjoy, grow, this is your game. These are the rules. Play by them, or play beyond them. All the choices are yours. Maya is the referee. Beware!!!

A True Master is Well Aware of His Disciple's Needs

There is a short cut and an opportunity for a sure shot victory, in this very life – follow the footsteps of a real master! This does not mean the regular acharyas who hysterically shout variety of book knowledge and lure confused seekers, further confuse them and lead them to lunatic asylums. This means real masters, who are well established in the “TRUTH”.  If we surrender to them with complete faith, they will take us to the highest. The best medicine for our disease may not be the most palatable one. But, true masters will never let their disciples fall. Trust and Faith are essential. Truly essential. These are the minimum requirements.

Greatest Bhakta-Powerful Devotion

Hanumanji is one of the greatest devotees the world has ever seen. He was the eyes and ears of Rama. He took birth for Rama, lived for Rama and still exists for Rama. He says  ”Oh Lord, by this body, I am your servant. My mind is your mind, your wish is my command. My intellect is yours – you think, I act. My soul is your soul too. We are one.” A great Bhakta indeed!!!. True devotion generates immense powers. It is so powerful that it can even surpass the powers of the avatar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the Great Masters operate from the platform of Divine Unconditional Love, they have no expectations from you. Trust and Faith are for your own good, not theirs. Just like the Divine does not need anything from you, because whatever you possibly could give is also part of Him, the True master has no terrestrial needs. Whatever you give is accepted for your sake, not for His sake. So, if you really want to give something to the master, give yourself. Surrender completely. When ego is thus annihilated, He takes over. The Divine takes over. The biggest barrier between your limited consciousness and the Divine is ego. With a deep and sincere prostration, when the ego gets annihilated, you become Him. He becomes you. The master who is established on the supreme consciousness, blesses you. You experience His consciousness. The Shiva consciousness. You become one with the Shiva. Isn’t that cool? Life is actually so simple, before we decided to complicate it. Understand, simplicity is Godliness. You are God. So, you got to be simple. The Great Masters are reminding you of this, with their very existence, life and action. It is up to us to see, feel and experience.

Life is COOL, isn't it?

I conclude this with my humblest pranaams at the lotus feet of all the Saints and Great Masters who showered us with Grace, Unconditional Love and Pearls of wisdom. Deepest gratitude to the Mother Earth who nourished us and made us grow and evolve. Deepest gratitude to the Supreme Lord, who came back again and again to remind us and guide us back to the Truth, in the form of Great Masters. All Great Masters represent the Supreme Lord. All are one and the Same. My deepest Pranaams to existence. My Pranaams to the Divinity in each one of you who took time to read this. Even I do not exist…

Through LIfetimes, Man has sought Himself

From Here to Eternity



Man Wins his "LIFE" when Mind is Conquered

There is a change from the routine. I am trying to answer some questions here. The ultimate aim of all these, is clarity and continuity. When the destination is clear, journey is effortless. Sense objects do lure us. Thats the dharma of sense objects. The dharma of senses are to run after sense objects. The dharma of mind is to experience the sense objects, by aiding the senses. The dharma of the soul during terrestrial existence, is to aid the mind, body and senses and facilitate the role play that we are currently enacting. Thus, different sets of dharma underline our existence.

Avatar Happens to Heal the Decay of Dharma

Avatar does not appear just to re establish or re invent dharma. Dharma is always well established. Dharma always exists and is enacted within us and outside of us. Dharma never goes out of circulation. Dharma has to exist for the world to exist. Dharma could decay with the flow of time and repeated use and abuse. When we repeatedly use something, wear and tear happens to it. Avatars appear to mend this wear and tear and bring the generation back to its natural track. Avatars are excellent mechanics. They make the huge vehicle, called dharma, prim and proper and maybe as good as brand new!!!

Q&A

Dear Mohanji,
Day by day your face is glowing and eyes are filling with more and more divine power. Grateful to you for all timely understanding and help.

1. The understanding is – when one meditates, or is in contact with a master, some karmas are burnt. One takes physical body with some agenda and our Jivatma and Sutratma are pre-decided. The question is:  Is algorithm of Jivatma and Sutratma readjusted when karmas are burnt with meditation,  or is it also pre-decided when one starts journey of spirituality with meditation. Is journey towards Parabramha advanced / accelerated with meditation or being with a master, despite of the pre-decided algorithm?

Answer: Meditation, if practiced consistently, is expected to bring our naturally floating mind to one’s own self. Otherwise, mind wanders all over the universe in the company of senses. Senses also become useful only when mind is present. Meditation has a cathartic effect. When mind is still, vasanas are also still. Thoughts are still. It releases the push of praarabda at least temporarily. As a general thumb rule, karmas needs to be exhausted through its corresponding action, the same way we gathered them. Higher Masters can burn some of the seeds of karma from the causal layer, because they can see the past, present and future of their subject. For this, the subject needs to have firm faith and total surrender to the master. Chanting and self-less service reduces the effects of karma. Masters always guide their disciples to entertain presence of mind and accept life as it comes, because we chose those experiences, knowingly or unknowingly, just like we are doing now.

Karma is formed when emotion gets attached to a thought, word or action. Emotion is the common factor – the glue that binds a thought, word or action to our sub-conscious. Then comes collective consciousness which could become individual karma. When we indiscriminately destroy the lives of many, even if the conscience of the destroyer is not affected, the collective agony of the victims will become his karma. This will affect his further lives. As I said earlier, karma can be effectively eradicated only through fulfilling the vasanas that are formed out of one’s karma and through its systematic exhaustion. Then it is nullified for ever. Suppression will never help. What ever is suppressed will bounce back, sooner or later.

Total Faith & Surrender Invokes Splendid Divine Grace

When we took birth, provoked by our praarabda karmas, we brought sufficient life fuel to complete the total journey. In that journey, we have also evenly distributed our agenda till our death from this life. This has nothing to do with new additions that we gathered, while living this life. The additions may or may not get exhausted in this life, which depends on whether the pre determined journey can justifiably accomodate the addition. So, since the journey is pre-determined, the new additions could get shifted to a new life. Changes are only as much as the oiling of the bicycle while climbing uphill. It marginally helps the journey. All events are pre-determined. Our choice is limited. This is destiny.

The free will aspect is related to the present. You have the choice to have presence of mind always. You have the choice to decide what you could do with a given time, space and situation. The situation is pre-determined. The intellect and mind are yours. The equipment that you use is yours and you can handle a situation the way your character is. Some panic, some are relaxed. That’s up to you.

So, in a nutshell, our present response decides our future lives, while our future of this life is more or less pre-determined.

When we consistently operate in the present, disallowing the building up of regret over the past  and anxiety over the future, accumulation of new karmas are controlled. This is because emotions are not generated. We are on objective plane. We are maintaining  equanimity over the good and the bad aspects of our life. Good and bad are determined by our conscious mind. This faculty does not function when we are in deep sleep. So, the way to conquer the accumulation of fresh karma is through learning to be completely conscious with every thought, word and action. Like wise, meditation is a training to be in that state of nothingness. All these will release the density of karma. They will control the intensity.

Karmic intensity can be released through many types of spiritual practices. But, understand that karma is the platform from which vasanas (inherent traits) arise. Vasanas provoke thought, thought provokes word or expression. Words lead to action. Action leads to enjoyment – irrespective of whether it is good or bad. Enjoyment has an emotion attached to it, irrespective of whether it is good or bad enjoyment.Yet, the main karma that you came for need to be exhausted through living it. Nobody can change that, let alone you.

2. As we discussed yesterday, one may feel heavy, lazy or groggy after meditation. One does not feel like moving….etc. If my  understanding is correct, this is because of intense cleansing and relaxation. However, most of patients I see also come with complaints similar to this. We treat them as physical symptoms! How am I, as a medical doctor, to differentiate the cause behind these similar symptoms? I feel, symptoms after meditation would stay for a short time and later on one will be very energetic. However, those who have physical symptoms will always be with those complaints.

Answer: As we evolve in meditation, depending on the individual constitution, experience will vary. The initial phase is tremendous urge to open the eyes and shift our position. Body involuntarily revolts. Mind wanders. Thoughts attack from left and right. As we progress, mind accepts. Body stays still. Thoughts will not affect us much. Then, as silence deepens, the mindless states are experienced. We become aware of energy movements. Thus, from gross, we slowly start shifting to the subtle. The more subtle we become, the more we start to enjoy our meditation. At the same time, our dependency on external objects also decreases. We become happy in our introversion. So, once again, according to our individual constitution, changes happen. Some are visual oriented, they see things. Some are hearing oriented and they hear mystic sounds. Some are feeling oriented, they experience the presence of one’s own protecting angels or higher spiritual masters.

Everyone has a higher self. Every one has a protecting angel. Usually we confuse our higher self with the protecting angel. We could listen to them and communicate with them. They also play a role in directing one to masters. They are never angry or unhappy, how ever much you take detours and deviate from your path of spiritual progress. Well, this is besides the point.

The Eternal Wheel of Life

Anyways, your understanding is correct. In the presence of higher masters, its human to be like a sponge and suck in energy. When sub-consciously we try to absorb more energy than we can digest, especially when a higher master is present, even though we get tempted to do that, we may feel dizzy or heavy. This erodes and balances within hours. This is not harmful, if the guide is a true master and if the student is  undergoing a natural evolution. The hazard is only when we try to run before we learn to walk; or try to eat more than is our capacity to digest. In the presence of a good master, this is taken care of. No harm will happen to you as you are His responsibility. Intense cleansing leads to relaxation on a cellular level. You want to take it easy and let go. This is a symptom of perfect unwinding and stresslessness.

Disease is acquired. Diseases are external expressions of wrong notions nurtured inside since lives. They are formed over years under pressure, within one’s sub-conscious mind. An internal shift could possibly, or rather theoretically, dismiss a disease with ease. It does not happen because this wrong notion is also a part of man’s total constitution. With this disease, the man is complete. Or, in other words, he chose his character including this disease. For example, one man used to constantly repeat: “Oh God, what a headache this is”. By headache he meant problems. Eventually, he develops a chronic headache because his subconscious took his words literally and nurtured that reality for him.

So, every thought, word or action that we produce can never go wasted. Its results appear in some form or the other, at the appointed time or right environment. Such things are hard to cleanse, unless we go back to their root and clean it from there. We have to fry the seed at the causal layer. We should remove its capacity to germinate. So, the best way for the patients is to allow them to flow with a guided meditation, so that they can replace their thought process from that of a patient to that of a seeker. Even if the situation remains the same, their agony will be less. This will make them optimistic. This will help healing. Medicines should be administered but any symptomatic treatment is actually short sighted. The root is elsewhere. Symptoms are only on the surface. So, if the root remains, it can germinate anytime in future. Therefore, eradication from the sub-conscious level and removal of the seeds from the causal layer, are the best ways to ensure the total cure.

3. I have seen bright golden and white light during meditation. It comes suddenly as a flash, fills myself, gives bliss and jerk, and vanishes.  What is this? What is the understanding? I know, I must go beyond these experiences, but I am curious to know.

Answer: They are various energy bodies merging with your system. Colors signify certain level of elevation too. It is true that we must drop the need for analysis. At the same time, being aware helps. Especially in the presence of masters, each one gets what he/she needs. One’s deficiencies get nullified. This is usually experienced in the form of colored energy forms. Just accept them with gratitude and allow them to work.

A Yawn Warns of a Shift in our Energy

4. What is yawning? We still do not the reason for yawning in medicine. Yawning happens during meditation. What is its significance? We also yawn otherwise!

Answer: When mind is taxed, you yawn. Meditation also relaxes. Yawning leads to sleep. Yawning is like a warning of fatigue and need to sleep. Mind hates meditation  because meditation is aimed at arresting the wandering mind. Who wants to forsake his freedom? Mind the least. So, mind plays many games to take your attention away. It brings forth many fond memories, tasty food, body pains, and even yawning. This deviates your concentration. Thus the mind wins.

Another reason for yawning is a natural mechanism to add more oxygen to the body. Sometimes during intense exercizing and sweating, suddenly an urge for yawning can come. This means that body (brain especially) requires more oxygen,but since our breathing is too shallow, the yawning is prompted as a natural remedy.

God Bless You

M

Every Moment, We are Re-born

Terrestrial Expressions

Man becomes "Human" when compassion Overflows

Indifference is no virtue. We should feel.  Feel for ourselves and feel for others. For a self-centered man, spiritual evolution is not easy. Man, as a general rule, is essentially selfish. No doubt. Even animals are selfish. They take care of themselves first and then leave the rest to the others. Man certainly takes care of himself, but usually cannot let others enjoy anything, as he likes to hoard everything for himself. This is how the world works. The world has provided sufficient materials for everyone’s need, but not for everyone’s GREED!!!

True evolution happens when our personal matters become secondary and others’ matters become our priority. Selflessness is the first shift visible in a true spiritualist. There are many seekers who are extremely self-centered. Their growth gets stagnated beyond a limit. The expansion of anahata – heart chakra is synonymous to spiritual growth. Our detachment becomes expressive when unconditional love replaces selfishness.

An elementary man personifies Selfishness

Lets classify people according to their basic traits or character. Vasana (inherent nature or trait) becomes a thought. Thought becomes a word or expression. Word becomes action. Repeated action becomes one’s character.

There are elementary men. They are emotional by nature. They do not use their intellect at all. We can divide them into emotionally good and emotionally bad. Some are bad by nature. They are selfish and only live for themselves. They live their life in complete anarchy. They are capable of creating lots of nuisance in the society.There are many of such people in this world. They cheat, steal and kill. They are like animals in human body. They do not care. They do not use their intellect at all. They live an emotional life. An example in Mahabharata is Dusshasana, brother of Duryodhana, the Kaurava King. Dusshasana will kill anyone, if his brother commands him to do so. He would not even think for a moment or stop and ask “why”? By nature he is harmful and conscience never stops him in carrying out harmful acts.

A passive good man acts on emotions

On the other hand, some men are good by nature. They never harm anyone. They are emotional by nature and usually express repetitive benevolent thoughts, words and action. In Mahabharata, Yudhishtira, the Pandava, is such a one. He is good by birth. Truthful and benevolent to all. He will not even tell a white lie. He is so much emotional about truthfulness. But, he also lives on his emotion and seldom uses his intellect. Because of that, he could not do anything, even when he knew that playing dice with Kauravas could prove to be hazardous to his and his family’s very existence. He led his brothers and families to the forest, as he lost the game. Loss was inevitable. His own blind truthfulness was his own enemy. So, if the head of an organisation is emotionally good, the one who just follows set rules and never uses his intellect to change anything or adapt to help himself and his company, the company is most likely to suffer. It is easy to follow set rules. It is difficult to improvise. So, most managers are like this. They just walk the beaten path. They cannot take a company to the next level, unless nature automatically aids its progress. Then, the success of the company has nothing to do with the manager’s calibre.

An intelligent selfish man plays all roles effortlessly

Then comes the intellectual negative. There are many of such in the world. They are extremely intelligent. They present things very well. They prepare elaborate plans and impress everyone. The end result is always for their personal welfare. They are selfish to the core. They can easily make the above two categories of people dance according to their tune, because they are truly eloquent and immensely presentable. In Mahabharata, Sakuni, the maternal uncle of Duryodhana, is a very intelligent man. He plotted the whole drama. He played the dice with Yudhishtira. He was intelligent. He knew the limitations of his enemy. He knew how far Yudhishtira will go. He created the fall and surrender of Yudhishtira and his family. For an intellectually negative person, life is all about scheming and plotting, without actually making it seem so. They are never transparent. They are sweet talkers. They are cunning. Treachery is their toy. Passive people suffer at their hands. We can see many politicians in todays world who are of this nature. They make their whole country dance in their tune while they accumulate personal wealth. They are usually good actors too. If such a man leads a company, it will prosper, but, the maximum benefit will eventually go to himself. He will work out things in such a way, that he earns what he targets and sometimes beyond, even if he has to compromise the company, its staff and its reputation. He never cares about anyone except himself and his family. He will not care much about his staff and he will demand work, even at the cost of their equilibrium. He will pamper some, if it is good for himself. He will express selfishness visibly and in disguise.

An Avatar Appears for the Welfare of the World

Now comes the last but the best of them all. The good man who lives by his intellect. Lord Krishna is the right example for that. He is good by nature, even if we ignore his “avatar” stature.  An intellectually good man has no selfish dreams. He lives for the betterment of the society or the country. Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu. He never cares about himself or his personal gains. He does not count in terms of money to nurture any relationships for selfish ends. He lives his whole life for others. But, he does not blindly and emotionally follow any principles, like the emotionally good man who inevitably ends up in problems. Instead, he would use the truth measuring the advantages of a situation. He is superior to all the above three because of his selflessness and because of his capacity to think and act. He can never be dragged into any foolish commitment. He is transparent and benevolent. He feels for others and he truly does something about it. He dares and he has no fears of any kind. Lethargy or procrastination is not his cup of tea. He lives a life of selflessness and intelligent truthfulness. He has the capacity to take a country from dungeons of despair to the heighth of bliss. He knows what he is doing and how to go about it. If such a man is the boss of a company, the investors and the staff will experience a true well-being. This boss knows everything about every staff and he truly cares. He will make sure each one is well-taken care of and nobody is abandoned. His distribution of work will also be based on individual capacities. Over burdening some or being partial to someone will never take place. He genuinely cares and it will show. If an organisation gets such a manager, it is a true blessing. They are very rare in today’s world that teaches competition and supremacy. Even though it is difficult to see such people, it is never impossible.

Life is a duel between the good and the bad. Whom you support - WINS

Where do we stand? We are all somewhere in between these categories. I believe these can be considered as bench marks of excellence and perhaps we could use this criterion to do some introspection.

We should feel. We should be sensitive towards ourselves and all others. Our progress and happiness should not be the only priority. Others should also be happy. Happiness if shared, multiplies. Sorrow, if shared, decreases. Hence, both need to be shared. Express benevolence unconditionally, without expectations.  It is worth it.  Trust me.

God Bless All

I Love You

M

Perfect Silence is Much More Powerful than a Million Words

When The Blind Leads…

Wake Up...You are in Heaven

There are hundreds of rivers. There is one Ocean. Even if there are different names for the same ocean, the ocean is one. Names do not matter. The essence matters. The substance matters.

There was a sea captain. He sailed all his life in search of the Pacific Ocean. He could not find the ocean, until a wise sea- farer told him: “My friend, where you are now, is pacific ocean indeed. It is not some place away from you. This very ocean that you sail on, is Pacific.”

We are all sailors, in search of an exotic shore. Our search is so intense that we fail to recognize or appreciate how exotic the place below our feet really is!!! The dream merchants sell stories of fanciful lands far, far away. We believe in their dreams and take up the sail. Until we exhaust ourselves, we seldom find out that the journey itself was unnecessary. The dreams that we sailed for were within us, always. All we needed to do was just to shut our eyes and go to sleep from this conscious world. All we needed to do was just open our eyes within and look inside. The treasure chest is not outside of us.  It always exists within us. Period. All you need is an inner awakening. So, Do Wake Up. Rise and Shine!!!

We are stuff that dreams are made of

There was a great dreamer. He thrived on selling his dreams. Lazy pedestrians stood and listened to the narration of  his enchanting dreams and many even bought these dreams from him. There was one man who punctually came everyday to listen to his dreams. He used to buy and accumulate dreams. His wife got suspicious. Where is this guy going everyday, spending all the money that he earns? She followed him and reached the dream seller. After every story, her husband paid some money. That evening, she cautioned her husband. She made him understand that the money that he was spending is emptying their very coffers. She and their children have no means for further life. He did not change a bit. He was so used to his comfortable routine. So, he continued his regular ways. One day, he knew that his house is not his anymore and he and his family were actually thrown out onto the street. He was homeless and had no money to feed himself and his family. He was shaken by reality. He went and met the dream seller and told him his real story expecting him to return some of the money that he paid earlier. The dream seller said: “I like your story. But, I cannot buy it. This is your reality. Not my dream. You yourself must handle your own reality”.

Do we buy dreams about the future? Is someone constantly selling us dreams? Beware. Stick to your waking reality. Life does not happen in the future. Life happens NOW.

One who Knows seldom Talks

There was one learned man. Every evening, the learned man called the villagers and explained many complicated philosophical materials at length. People were awed at his knowledge. They went back home saying, “What a learned man!!!, we are lucky to have him here with us.” He was very intelligent and was quite shrewd as well. He very well knew how to manipulate the seekers who come to him, thirsting for guidance. He was a good business man. He used his power of speech to capture the hearts of the villagers and soon became their chieftain. His ego and arrogance grew along with his possessions and power. He also added a big title to his name and behaved like a spiritual master, as well as a renunciate. He started calling himself an Enlightened Master. Instead of humility, his ego and arrogance increased.

There was a poor old saint living close to his house. The villagers respected him. He lived on the food that the villagers gave him as alms. In return, he gave them his blessings and free advices. His very presence purified the people and premises. He wore torn clothes and lived in one room. During rainy season, water flowed inside drenching the whole room. Even though he was in a pathetic condition, he had no complaints about anything. He accepted his life as it is. The learned man thought that it’s time he proved his worth in front of this saint too. He thought that it would add to his respectability and acceptance in the society, if the saint is on his side. He arranged for the saint to live in a house close to his abode. The saint reluctantly agreed. He behaved as if this is the saints approval of his knowledge and stature. The poor guy did not understand that the saint’s purpose was to put some real wisdom into him and make him benevolent to the villagers, rather than increasing his arrogance. The saint, with his divine presence, wanted to lighten the darkness of terrestrial vasanas of the learned man, and make him truly useful for the society. The society never actually needed the dull intellectual heaviness that he poured into them, profusely, everyday. It only added to their confusion and never did anyone get enlightened with it. He himself was a pretender who never got enlightened.

Once, during his regular evening session, a boy asked the learned man – “Sir, whom can we call truly healthy?”. The saint was also listening to this question. The learned man started explaining health and the status of being healthy, which he had read and remembered from various books. He had only book knowledge to convey. The whole crowd was dissatisfied. Finally, the boy took permission and asked the same question to the saint who has always been a silent spectator of the drama. The saint slowly muttered:  ”One who eats in limit, One who sleeps in limit, One who acts in limit, One who is not prone to violent emotions, One whose needs are limited, One who never stands to prove anything, one who maintains equanimity, and one who is beyond duality- is the healthiest man in this whole world. Everyone understood clearly. They realized, true wisdom is simple. True spirituality is simplicity. It has nothing to do with craving for fame, acceptance and fortune. The whole group of listeners applauded at the saint’s wisdom. The learned man was also humbled in the most natural way.

Our world is full of learned men who pretend to be saints. They have only book knowledge. They have no real experience. They themselves are blinded and they are leading the rest to the  ocean of karmic quagmire. It is not in the looks. It is not in the words; but, it’s in the ability to deliver experience that a teacher becomes a real guru. Transferable knowledge is aplenty. All one needs is a good memory. Transferring experience needs calibre and real mettle. This is the difference between an Acharya and a Guru. We call anybody with a white beard – GURU. We even give them fancy titles. These acharyas need titles because they are insecure without it. But, where is the real mettle? Titles cannot guarantee stature. Stature has got to be earned only through generations of rigorous spiritual practice. So is enlightenment. Enlightenment has to happen. It will happen only at the appointed time and space. Even if one does all the right spiritual practices, one cannot achieve enlightenment, until he is ripe and ready; until he is established in the beingness. Book knowledge is a big barrier. Ego is another barrier. Samskaaras are all barriers. When the vessel is completely empty, divinity fills in. Otherwise, this is another dream like all other dreams. Masters can deliver, but, masters deliver only when the pot is empty. Master appears to deliver. We need not go searching for one.

The world is full of pretenders, who obscure the real gurus. They are like clouds obscuring the sun. They cannot take away the sun’s glory. The real ones seldom come out into the open. Those ones who pretend do everything possible to make their voice heard. They say one thing and mean another thing, because they are insecure. They are worried about the erosion of their source of income – disciples. They tell you what you like to hear, so that you stick to them. If that’s not working, they put fear and guilt into you, so that you will not run away from them.They cannot take you to enlightenment because they themselves are not enlightened. Beware of the pretenders in the path of spirituality, because they are aplenty and they will look more real than the real ones. In the above story, the old saint was real, but, never pretended and he was ignored by the villagers. The empty pot which made the maximum noise was considered as real and revered. This is the truth of life. This is the way our world is. We vote for color and glamor, which catches our senses and mind. We ignore the often colorless and unpretentious reality which only appeals to our spirit. Who cares about the spirit? Sankaracharya said “Parame Brahmani Kopina sakta” – Alas!!! no one, even for a moment, considers the soul, the brahman which resides in oneself, ever in life until one’s death…when one has to leave everything and go. But then, unfortunately, its too late.

I wish you eyes to see and recognize the real truth. If you choose color and glamor instead of the life transforming grace and miracle, it is purely your discretion. No need to regret. Just go ahead. The decision is always yours.

God Bless All

Love You

M

And the Truth is......

Ammucare Day

November 9th. Ammucare is 7 years old. While our memory gently takes us back to the beginning of Ammucare, in Delhi, right now – our annual  Blanket distribution is happening in full swing. Ammucare began in 2003 even though the thoughts behind Ammucare began in 2001. I had no plan to set up any charity organisations. This was not part of my conscious agenda. Nature made it happen. Nature nourished it. Nature keeps it alive.

It was one lazy evening. I was sitting in the banks of Ganga in Himalayas, along with Swami Govindananda. We were silent, lost in our own world. Suddenly, Swamiji’s words jerked me back into the present. “What do you do for a living?” As I was enjoying my silence and non-compulsion for any speech, I almost brushed off that question with minimal words. I said “Business”.  He was staring into my eyes. He said “You will be successful in what ever you do. But, do something for the children of mother earth…You will have eternal peace”. Now I was fully in the present. Those words hooked into me just like a hook pierces the inside of the fish. It remained as a task. This was like a thorn that got stuck into my flesh as a task. It ached. It was unclear for me. In fact, everything was unclear. What am I supposed to do? What can I actually do at all? As night fell, we parted.

While walking back to the ashram, the words “children of mother earth” kept ringing in my mind. Ammu passed away, leaving a big vaccum in my life, on August 23rd, 2000. As soon as I came back to Dubai after this incident, I lost my job. I got another one and I re-located myself  to Oman. I was still under the influence of the deep sorrow and vacuum which Ammu left behind. I kept pondering… “children of mother earth”…. There are many organisations doing so many things for children. Many in the world. The world does not need another one. Should I associate with some existing organisation and do something for the children? Nothing seemed complete. There was something missing. I could not find what I was looking for. What exactly was I looking for?

I started communicating about these aspects with my close friends, through a Yahoo Group called Mohans Friends. many suggested forming a new one. I was wondering how to go about it. I do not have much money in hand. The existence was more or less hand to mouth. I did not have enough support to start a new set up. All my friends were working people, like me. Our time was limited. What can we do?

At this point of time, two realizations happened to me. One was that – Children of Mother earth means, all the beings that mother earth delivers and nurtures; and human beings are just one of them. We should take care of all the plants, birds, animals, humans and environment. All that is moving and not moving are part of the mother earth. They are all her children. This was a big eye opener. Second realization was that most of the organisations have vested interest. They amass huge funds and use them for private causes. Some are bound by religions and some are bound by powerful people of the society. In both cases, it is not unconditional. I realized that Charity that create dependency is not charity at all. Our aim should be to liberate people. Our efforts should nullify guilt and fear in people and eradicate dependency. My thoughts and aim started becoming clear and loud.

I decided to form an organisation that needs no membership fees and no compulsory payments of any kind. We decided that nothing should bind anyone to anything. We are born free. We should not allow our mind to imprison ourselves. Thus, Ammucare was launched on Diwali day in 2003. Many well wishers said that without any payments, it will not survive. It survived. Ammucare worked as a platform for expressing compassion. Many people got benefited. Many people came forward and used this platform. Yet, none were bound to it. Ammucare survived many storms over the years. Many people came and left, as is common with any organisation. Many stayed. All were benefited. Everyone took home fond memories. Everyone’s life got enhanced, one way or the other. Ammucare elevated all. Every year, we distributed blankets to the poor old in slums of  New Delhi and suburbs. The joy of giving was felt and inhaled by men, women and children. The joy of purity of action was also inhaled deeply by all. Thus, Ammucare became a global family.

In 2003, ACT Foundation was also registered in Dubai. This was an expression of commitment by Anand Nair, Shankarji, Jay, Jyothi, Ramdas, Anup  and others. They did a lot of charity over the years. Starting from providing aid to a burnt up labor camp, till lebanon war, ACT was one of the most organised and effective charity platforms ever existed in Dubai. The recession and the associated re location of many people brought its activity to a minimum level. This was also because all the ACT members were serving voluntarily. There were no paid staff to run the show.

Now, ACT Foundation is gearing to go global. It is looking for a base in Europe to establish and branch out. Biljana and team are working hard for that. Everything that ACT does is free of cost. Everything is charity. From the meditations to elevate the consciousness of people, to the physical assistance to the poor and helpless, every act is completely self-less. ACT is operating in various levels. It is touching many souls positively. We say “Atleast one positive ACT a day” will help cleanse our accumulated karma and make us lighter. We do not believe in caste, creed, country barriers, community barriers, color barriers, and any other man-made barriers. We believe in the children of mother earth and stand to help the helpless. We are visitors of earth. Earth is a temporary home for us. We are liable to pay the rent. The only rent possible is sincere expression of compassion and love – and through Helping the Helpless children of Mother Earth. Unless we pay the rent, a smooth exit from here is impossible.

The soul behind ACT is AMMU, the kind soul that walked the earth for only a few months less than 5 years. The potential and power of a soul can only be recognized when that soul continues to exist and serve and elevate the children of mother earth, through many other bodies, after it leaves its original body. Ammu continues to express tangible  love and compassion through all the activities of ACT. This is the sure sign of a high and elevated soul.

ACT will grow because you will grow and evolve. ACT has to grow. The world needs ACT. The world needs You. You are ACT. ACT is you. There is no difference. ACT is the external expression of your inherent compassion. ACT is LOVE. You are LOVE. Understand that our true nature is Unconditional Love. We cannot hurt anyone. Hurting anyone is not our true nature. Our very nature is that of delivering spontaneous assistance without expectations. This is you and this is ACT. ACT your true nature – you will attain everlasting peace. ACT is not an organisation. It is the third level in the chronology of creation – thought, word and action. You cannot live without action. Lack of action is equal to death. All living beings do ACT. So, ACT out compassion. ACT out Unconditional LOVE. Do more for the children of the mother earth. With the support of an organisation or without, be spontaneously kind and compassionate. Express yourself fully and completely. You are expressions of the Lord Almighty, and you are embodiments of kindness and love.

Lets ACT….. at least One Positive ACT a DAY. Do it for yourself, not for anyone else. No ACT of compassion is sufficient in today’s world. Do more. You will reach the highest bliss state.

God Bless All

Love

M

Things Happen Through Us

Great Masters – Adi Shankaracharya

How many Great Masters walked on this earth!!! How many are living amongst us even now!!! We are truly blessed to be a part of this rich tradition of  great saints who taught us, in simple terms, who we really are!!! Most of us are still searching. Many of us are still looking at the future for that priceless knowledge, while being completely ignorant about the fact that this knowledge exists very much in our present. We belong to a great tradition of enlightened masters, who expected nothing in return, for their kindness, compassion and unconditional love. Today, my mind wanders in the path of the Great Sankara – Adi Sankaracharya.

How can a simple man like me explain a Great Master like Sankaracharya? How can I even attempt to embark on such an adventure? Oh Lord, Pardon my arrogance…

Sankaracharya flows through every seeker. He is the in-dweller, the Guru aspect of our substratum. He is the soul of Vedanta. Vedanta flowed through him. At the age of 8, when his teacher asked him who he was, Nirvana Shatkam flowed from this young boy. Nirvana Shatkam is the essence of all scriptures. It is the core of Vedanta. If we understood it loud and clear, we have understood the whole secret of our existence. We need nothing more. Kindly read on…..

Guru Parampara

Sada Shiva Samarambham

Sankaracharya Madhyamam

Asmat aacharya Paryantham

Vande Guru Paramparaa

Thus, starting from the Great Lord Shiva, through Sankaracharya and my aacharya, the guru parampara eternally flows….

Oh Great Master – I offer my humble pranaams at your lotus feet. I prostrate at your lotus feet. Pardon my ignorance, allow me to taste the nectar of your supreme wisdom.

Nirvana Shatkam – By Adi Shankara

Mano Buddhi Ahankara Chitta Ninaham
Nacha Shrotra Jihve Na Cha Ghrana Netre
Nacha Vyoma Bhoomir Na Tejo Na Vayu
Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham

(I am not mind, nor intellect, nor ego,
nor the reflections of inner self (chitta).
I am not the five senses.
I am beyond that.
I am not the ether, nor the earth, nor the fire, nor the wind (the five elements). I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva, love and pure consciousness.)

Na Cha Prana Samjno Na Vai Pancha Vayu
Na Va Saptadhatur Na Va Pancha Koshah
Na Vak Pani Padau Na Chopastha Payu
Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham

(Neither can I be termed as energy (prana),
nor five types of breath (vayus),
nor the seven material essences,
nor the five coverings (pancha-kosha).
Neither am I the five instruments of elimination,
procreation, motion, grasping, or speaking.
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.)

Na Me Dvesha Ragau Na Me Lobha Mohau
Mado Naiva Me Naiva Matsarya Bhavah
Na Dharmo Na Chartho Na Kamo Na Mokshah
Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham

(I have no hatred or dislike,
nor affiliation or liking,
nor greed,
nor delusion,
nor pride or haughtiness,
nor feelings of envy or jealousy.
I have no duty (dharma),
nor any money,
nor any desire (kama),
nor even liberation (moksha).
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.)

Na Punyam Na Papam Na Saukhyam Na Dukham

Na Mantro Na Teertham Na Vedo Na Yajnaha

Aham Bhojanam Naiva Bhojyam Na Bhokta
Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham

(I have neither merit (virtue),
nor demerit (vice).
I do not commit sins or good deeds,
nor have happiness or sorrow,
pain or pleasure.
I do not need mantras, holy places,
scriptures (Vedas), rituals or sacrifices (yagnas).
I am none of the triad of
the observer or one who experiences,
the process of observing or experiencing,
or any object being observed or experienced.
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.)

Na Me Mrityu Shanka Na Me Jati Bhedah
Pita Naiva Me Naiva Mata Na Janma
Na Bandhur Na Mitram Gurur Naiva Shishyah
Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham

(I do not have fear of death,
as I do not have death.
I have no separation from my true self,
no doubt about my existence,
nor have I discrimination on the basis of birth.
I have no father or mother,
nor did I have a birth.
I am not the relative,
nor the friend,
nor the guru,
nor the disciple.
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.)

Aham Nirvikalpo Nirakara Roopaha
Vibhur Vyapya Sarvatra Sarvendriyanam
Sada Me Samatvam Na Muktir Na Bandhah
Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham

(I am all pervasive.
I am without any attributes,
and without any form.
I have neither attachment to the world,
nor to liberation (mukti).
I have no wishes for anything
because I am everything,
everywhere,
every time,
always in equilibrium.
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.)

SHIVOHAM – I AM SHIVA

At the age of eight, Adi Shankaracharya embraced Sanyas. By the age of 16, he completed all what he ever wrote. He wrote many commentaries and shlokas (Verses). Between 16 and 32, he went up and down the mighty Bharat (India) twice, when there were no trains or aircrafts. He set up 4 monasteries at four corners to continue guiding fresh seekers on the path of jnana. He rejuvenated many temples which include the seat of wisdom, Kollur Mookambika temple and Badri Vishal temple at Badrinath in Himalayas. He even structured the method of pooja (ritualistic worship of deities). He completed all these within 32 years. Who was HE? Was He the eternal Shiva Himself? We cannot remember him without sincere reverence from deep within. What a Master!!! What an Achaarya!!! What a Saint!!! What a Jnani!!! What a life to live!!!

He taught us –

“Attachment, desire, pleasure, pain, etc., are perceived to exist so long as Buddhi or mind functions. They are not perceived in deep sleep when the mind ceases to exist. Therefore they belong to the mind alone and not to the Atman.”

Once again, I prostrate at the lotus feet of this Great Master. May you all taste the nectar of his ever flowing wisdom. May you all be supremely enlightened, with the grace and blessings of Sankaracharya.

God Bless You

Love You

M

 

 

I Bow to thee – Supreme Master!!!

 

 

So What?

So What?

My father is a Medical Doctor. He is an Orthopaedic Surgeon. I never interacted with him qualitatively, when I was a child. He has always been busy. But, sooner or later, I realised that he is a benevolent man and people were respecting him because of his truthfulness, honesty and sincerity. Once, I overheard him saying this to a patient’s relative: “I have done (surgery on the patient) what best any Doctor can possibly do. I have done my best. Now, leave the rest to God Almighty.Pray for a speedy recovery.” I thought – Why can’t he promise a cure? Is he not confident enough? Later on I realized that it is actually the Divinity that heals. We can only do our best, under the given circumstances.

Nature takes care of creation, maintenance and dissolution. We feel we are doing everything. We feel that it is through our actions and words that everything takes place. Actually speaking, we are being used by nature in aiding this grand process called life. All of us are tools and part of the Divine Design. It is a grand collaboration. Many pieces dancing to one tune, and yet, actually  creating the effect of many!!!

 

Divine Design - Divinity Makes us Act

As children, we pick up impressions from elders and continue to do so as we grow. Hence, it is important to “behave ourselves” as children are constantly watching and collecting impressions.

Once we grow up, we start taking everything too seriously, clinging on to our expectations. We are constantly getting frustrated when our expectations do not bear fruit. Right? So, it is important to keep asking “So What?”

Let me explain. I tried my best in performing a particular task, yet, it was not good enough. Should I blame myself or consider myself inferior to others? No way. I tell myself : “My best was not good enough. So what? There is always a next time. I shall try to do better, the next time. If another opportunity does not appear, So What? There will be something else more interesting. This is how life works.We all are functioning within our limitations, whether we know it or not.” Like wise, anytime you end up blaming yourself or adding guilt to your existence, just ask yourself: “So What? “. Never allow guilt to take root. Keep asking, at all points, “So what?”

The same applies to our ego and do-ership. When others praise us and we see our ego getting bloated, ask –  ”So what?”. Everything is changing every moment. Maintaining equanimity during changing times is important. Expectations get beaten time after time. Keep asking “So what?” Once we make this a habit, we will be travelling light, without the burden of guilt and fear.

Now, please do not think that we can do everything good. bad or ugly and say “So what” and feel perfectly fine. No. Negative actions, words and thoughts are not at all good for spiritual evolution. Non- Violence in thoughts, words and actions are essential. There are no two ways about it.

Asking ourselves “So What” is only for confirming to ourselves that our best effort need to be accepted by our conscious mind and use this question to fight any guilt, if at all. Being benevolent is important. Being compassionate is important too. Having these qualities intact within us, if we could not perform up to our expectation, just destroy the guilt with the question –  ”So What?”.

God Bless All

Love You

M