California & Canada
Wendy Gilliam and Jana Herkes devotees of Baba from the 70’s and 80’s, who now reside in Hawaii, joined the Tour in Southern California. We begin with Wendy & Jana’s telling…
July 29 That evening the public program was at the Unitarian Church in Santa Monica; there were many familiar faces and loved ones present. Gurudev was sparkling. He spoke of Baba in such a way as to bring memories flooding back and some tears too. A story Gurudev told was about the “Frog in the Well,” which pertains to diving into the ocean of consciousness. Often, like the frog in the well, his comfort zone, we choose to stay where we are; like the frog, we are comfortable in our well and not ready to change our way of life by diving into our path and practices. Gurudev said that we too like our limitations and boundaries. The sages tell us to step out into the vastness of consciousness and experience the bliss. The Satsang was treated to the sweet chanting and instrumentals of a musical quartet from the Venice Temple. Om Namah Shivaya was chanted with so much love and meditation followed. Darshan seemed to go on forever and Baba's spirit was everywhere. The sense of family was predominant, old and new, and that bliss … created by our Guru's grace!
Why make our lives so complicated.... live a life that is simple and you will have time for all aspects of your life. Darshan followed and once again Gurudev honored each person who came to him greeting each as if no one else existed; completely present with each one..... The next day, August 3rd, we would be driving to Fremont, California for an informal reception for Gurudev and the first public evening satsang in the South Bay area of San Francisco. Wendy & Jana August 3 - Fremont: Dolly and Pranav’s home As people entered Dolly and Pranav’s home, there were radiant looks of love/bhakti exchanged between Gurudev and familiar devotees. Gurudev greeted each person or family with genuine attention as they shared personal stories with him. When all were gathered, Dolly and Pranav welcomed Gurudev and all devotees with such love and kindness. We ecstatically chanted Muktananda Mahan, Jaya Sadaguru Bhagavan. As the chant increased its tempo, with Gurudev’s shakti and voice moving through the tablas, my heart opened up. As we sang the devotional kirtans, I was reminded of how blessed we are that Baba Muktananda gave us so much music and beautiful melodies to sing as part of our spiritual practices.
The previous evening, Dana was talking with me about the Haripath Paath, 28 musical devotional poems written by Jnaneshwar Maharaj. He described its origin, translation, and the complexities within the various songs and rhythms. Dana then said that he and a group of devotees had been practicing the Haripath Paath and were going to perform it at the Sun, Aug. 5th public program in Cupertino. As it turned out, after the Guru Gita this morning, Gurudev asked the group to practice the Haripath Paath. What followed was truly amazing. We were all given the grace of not just a practice session, with interludes by Gurudev about the nuances of the melody and rhythmic changes, but also a blissful performance. Poorva and Jayesh’s living room became like a temple. It was as if we were all transported to a sacred place. Dana said, “The Haripath Paath is sung everyday by people all over the Maharashtra area.” Dana then translated a portion of the Haripath Paath finale. “Tukaram sings, ‘Oh God, I will not bother you. I only want to sit by your feet. Oh God, I’ve sat at your door. Please do not forsake me.’” It was apparent that everyone had taken Dana’s translation to heart. The morning program included the Guru Gita, above-mentioned Haripath Paath practice, and a wonderful Indian lunch. Jayesh welcomed everyone and told us how he was going to ask Gurudev if we could chant Muktananda Mahan, but didn’t have the opportunity. The Guru’s grace seemed to answer his call. Jayesh said, “My wish was fulfilled when it was announced that we would chant Muktananda Mahan.” He then told us it was such a blessing to have Gurudev at his home. The Saturday evening program first started with a talk by Dr. Rakhee on the charitable works done by Shanti Mandir in India: the mobile medical clinic, arts and crafts, employment, and the bi-annual eye clinics to repair cataracts. Her talk was followed by a short video illustrating these charitable projects. Then there was a wonderful slide show giving an overview of the world tours Baba held during 1970 and 1982. Gurudev spoke and honored everyone present, and reminded us that Baba did this at the beginning and end of every talk he gave. Gurudev talked about how Baba gave us the grace of having Satsang. He said, “We SAT and we SANG. Through the spiritual practices he taught us we experience the bliss of our own self, our divine true nature.” During darshan, Gurudev greeted each person in such a kind, honoring way. August 5 - Cupertino Community Center Satsang Dana’s performance of the Haripath Paath was a highlight of the program. His emotion and love for these chants really shone through his voice. Gurudev’s tabla playing made this performance even more special. Ajit Desai, who is traveling with Gurudev on the Jayanti tour, gave a wonderful explanation about how in the Maharashtra state, there are singers and musicians who travel around their entire life (on foot) and sing the Haripath Paath. Like Sadhu’s, they do not ask for rewards. They only ask for food as needed. I asked if they were like gypsies, and he said only in that some may make arts and crafts to sell. Their life devotion is to sing the Haripath Paath to uplift theirs and others lives. August 6 - Ukiah/Mendocino: Shambala Ranch Our Jayanti caravan arrived on Monday afternoon, Aug. 6th. Everyone went into the living room area where Tara and Stuart, the hosts of Shambala Ranch, greeted us all. Tara explained how over the last five years they’ve made the retreat center their labor of love. She said the ranch is completely “off the grid,” meaning that it is completely sustained on natural energy (solar/green). The Shambala Ranch is in a quiet, remote valley of rolling hills, surrounded by redwood groves. Below the retreat house is a pond and splendid view of the entire valley. Apparently this valley was the home of a Native American tribe for hundreds of years. After dinner we chanted the Shiva Mahimnah followed by kirtan. Going outside after chanting, there was a spectacular view of the entire night sky, allowing one to see the Milky Way and many constellations that aren’t usually visible. After we first arrived at Shambala Ranch, I was speaking with a woman named Katrina about how she first met Baba and received shaktipat. In 1974, one week before she would meet Baba, she was looking at a picture of Jesus. The picture showed Jesus with his left hand cupped under his heart, and the right hand held up in a mudra-like position. As Katrina looked at the picture, she asked in earnest from her heart, “Is there someone like you here right now?” One week later a friend told her she had to come meet Swami Muktananda, whom this friend had been with at a Houston, Texas retreat. Shortly thereafter, Katrina went to a retreat in Midlothian, Texas and received shaktipat from Baba. After Baba left Texas, she and a group of Baba devotees started a meditation center.
August 7 - Shambala Ranch, Satsang Gurudev’s talk was incredible, especially the part about “Karma Police” being right around the corner to catch us for our actions. He pointed out that all of us really know what to do in our lives, but instead, we sometimes listen to the mind before making decisions. He said, “Concerning karma and grace, if your heart is completely open and the mind is still, then grace will naturally flow right through you. One can be in a constant state of receiving, and things will take place as they should; no new Karmas are created.” Gurudev told the story of the sage who counted, “One chapati, two chapatis, three chapatis, four chapatis” to communicate with God and ask him for his grace to allow a certain couple to have a child. God said, “Due to the couple’s karma in the past few lifetimes, it was not possible for him to even make an exception in their case. Subsequently the couple, which had been very saddened by the message from God, heard a different sage walk by saying “One chapati, two chapatis, three chapatis, four chapatis.” Amazingly thereafter, the couple had four children. Two years later, the sage saw that the couple had children, so he went to God and asked, “How did this happen?” God said, “That sage was in the state of consciousness, where God’s grace flows freely through him.” Gurudev said, “To be in this natural flow with the universal energy/shakti is how these profound experiences can take place around a sage, as well as in one’s own life. Anything can be realized with the blessings and darshan of an enlightened being. Just look at all the transformation that took place in people’s lives as a result of their time spent with Baba.” August 8 - Sea Ranch: Gualala Community Center At 5pm, all the seva crew arrived and unloaded Viju (U-Haul) truck of its program materials. The enthusiasm, intensity, laughter, and precision in the seva tasks performed was amazing to behold. Even though there were some 20 devotees present, they surrendered to the work and operated as a cohesive team. Joyful sounds of Om Namah Shivaya weaved through the sounds of sevites verbally solving the myriad of concerns presented by the program location. Everyone was moving quickly, yet the work was done in a precise, efficient manner. An illustration of how the shakti works when one does seva with surrender and awareness was clearly present with one particular devotee. Fernando and David, both from the L.A. area, were trying to get the last window shade to come down. They tried every method possible but still had no luck. After perseverance and contemplation, they took the huge “In The Footsteps of Bliss” poster, and found that it fit exactly over the entire window. Later that evening, Fernando explained how from watching Baba he’d learned how to approach and perform seva. He said, “I now utilize these teachings when I’m training the horses that I work with.” He said that he doesn’t approach the horses from the front in an aggressive manner, but instead tries to be intuitive and sense what would be the best way to handle the task at hand. By feeling the shakti working between himself and the horses, he’s able to train them. He said he learned this by doing seva with Baba and Gurudev. August 9 – Sea Ranch Most everyone followed Madhu Carpenter to see the beautiful chapel that he and another carpenter had built in the Sea Ranch area. He took us on an intimate guided tour of the entire chapel, inside and out. Madhu then explained the yearlong process of building this unique structure, which is made of narrow wooden curved slats, beautiful mosaic like stained glass windows, and teardrop shaped brass sculptured supports. The chapel was conceived by a couple as a way to honor their son who had passed. Madhu said, “The couple wanted to have a non-denominational chapel where people could come and reflect or meditate in a beautiful, artistically created setting.” Their son had been an artist, sculptor, and sensitive human being. Madhu told us he had taken some of Baba’s hair and placed it under the entryway threshold, so people entering could get some of Baba’s shakti while inside the chapel. Madhu explained how the experience of building the chapel was very challenging (carpentry wise), but also uniquely spiritual.
Wonderful Indian food was served by Dolly, Pranav, Rashmi, and Rajan at one of the summer rental homes Madhu Carpenter had reserved. It was a sweet, relaxed, and informal evening enjoyed by everyone. Gurudev sat by the fireplace and devotees gathered around him on the floor while socializing. Again, what a boon! Gurudev was accessible and friendly with everyone present.-Madhu Caccia
August 10 August 11 The day began with the Devi Stotram to invoke the grace of the goddess which was followed by a fruit breakfast. The day of the intensive was spent in silence with mantra repetition, chakra meditation and short breaks for light refreshments. At the end of the program Gurudev spoke of how Baba described his initiation; he compared the blue shawl that Bhagavan wrapped around him as an armor that would protect him from harm of all vices. For him the most mundane act was a form of worship. That’s how it should be for us! When asked about the fondest memory with Baba, Gurudev said that the personal interest he took in each seeker and the practical way in which he taught us to be present in the moment were most memorable. The most important thing in sadhana is contemplation: to be aware of the process going on within. Our effort is not as intense; therefore our experience is not as intense. Many expressed their gratitude to Baba and also Gurudev for holding this tour and giving them an opportunity to once again be in that experience of divine bliss. August 11 – Marin Headlands Institute—Living Meditation In the question and answer session, Gurudev answered a question I’d asked about one’s attachment to the outcome of some action at their job. He said, “Approach the work at your job with the attitude of seva, just like you do while working with people in the ashram. If your co-workers have different worldly motivations for working, such as money, pride, advancement, or ego, still - stay focused and do your work as seva.” Gurudev ended this answer by instructing us to meditate each day when we arrive home in order to wash away the day’s work experiences. Someone else asked Gurudev why he doesn’t use peacock feathers like Baba. Gurudev said that around 1983-85, he tried using peacock feathers but soon found that it didn’t feel right for him. He believed that he had to give intensives in his own way. He reminded those present that through his Guru’s grace the shakti does the work that it needs to. That being said, it’s fully apparent that the chakra meditation Gurudev leads in the retreat is a special vehicle for the shakti to touch each person. August 13 – Petaluma Jim and his family waved the arati tray for Gurudev, welcoming him and devotees to their new home. Gurudev seemed so relaxed and happy to be sharing the morning Guru Gita and satsang with all in attendance that morning. During breakfast, two devotees named Patricia and Shrinivas, explained that after Gurudev’s 2006 California tour they had reconnected with him. They added that now, for the 2007 Jayanti tour, they are fully engaged. During the informal satsang, Eddie Oliver told stories about various people who had unique personality behaviors, and whether or not they were allowed to stay at Baba’s ashrams. Eddie described a man who had threatened Baba (attempting to harm him), but then was only told that he couldn’t come to the Ashram for one month. Eddie actually had the original copy of a letter Baba had sent him during the mid 1970s, which was to be read to all the ashram managers. Baba said, “The only thing that matters is the ashram discipline, above anything else. Make sure that they and everyone else adhere to these spiritual practices.” Baba expressed high importance that the managers would insure that their work carried out his wishes. At the end of the letter, Baba thanked them with sincere gratitude for their great service.
Marin Unity Center—evening program August 13 The informal satsang after the morning Guru Gita at Jim’s home in Petaluma with many old timers from the Oakland ashram days was a nostalgic session as many shared anecdotes from the time they spent with Baba. Here are some of them: Once a man came up in darshan to Baba and said, ‘The next time I see you, I will shoot you in the face.’ Baba, without any expression of resentment replied, “You should not talk like this in the ashram. As a punishment for the way you behaved, you are banned from entering the ashram for a month.” This reflected the love and compassion that personified Baba. For someone who threatened to kill, all he did was banish him for a month from the ashram. When the man returned a couple of months later to the ashram in India, Swami Govindananda who was the caretaker there was briefed about the man’s history. He exclaimed, ‘This man threatened to kill Baba and now wants to stay in the ashram! Put him in the dormitory!’ So not only did Baba shower that love but it permeated everyone in the ashram. A man came up for darshan with half of his face bandaged. When Baba asked him about what had happened, he said, ‘It all happened because of you. You said in the last intensive entitled ‘Love’ that one should love everybody and that the entire universe is an expression of love. I was ecstatic and went and hugged the German shepherd around the corner with that love and look what he did to me. Baba leaned over to him and said compassionately, ‘I am sorry but you know that dog didn’t attend that intensive.’ Baba’s wit, humor and presence in the moment were always inspiring. An 11 year old from San Francisco was sent by his parents to spend time in the ashram in Ganeshpuri. They did not accompany him because they were ashamed of his misbehavior. He was put up in a room with an adult from whom he stole some money. When confronted, he sat on the roommate’s neck with a knife threatening to slit his throat. Baba was informed of this and he instructed a person to follow him all day and cane him whenever he misbehaved. Unaware of what had transpired and Baba’s instructions, parents who had accompanied their children to that retreat were flabbergasted by the caning and decided to call a meeting and complain to Baba regarding the atrocity of this man against the poor child. During the ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ chant as they waited patiently to get a word with Baba, Baba called that boy and asked him if he had stolen money and then threatened to slit his roommate’s throat. Just as the arrogant lad affirmed of his misdoings, Baba struck him with his cane, the “Chota Guru”, grabbed him by his neck and roared, “If I see you misbehave one more time, I shall slit your throat.” Not only did that roar send shivers down everyone’s spine but it transformed that boy completely. The very next day instead of his destructive antics, he was there for tabla lessons. Today he is the chief chef in one of the leadings hotels. This reminds one of Kabir’s couplets in which he states that the Guru is like a potter who shapes his pot on the potter’s wheel. Even though he strikes on the outside to shape the pot, he continuously supports it on the inside with the other hand. The Guru similarly shapes our lives even though the experience may not be very appealing on the outset. A man who had never met Baba was sent to receive him at the airport because he had an acquaintance with some of the policemen there. As they waited for the plane’s arrival, he briefed the policeman about the purpose of his visit. The cop told him excitedly that he had read that when one meets his guru, he gets an indication and that when he met his guru for the first time, his guru signaled to him with his fingers in the abhaya mudra. When the aircraft arrived, Baba came up to this man who had been sent to escort him and raised his hand in the same mudra in front of his face. Before he could come out of that shock, Baba struck him on the forehead which sent him into a semi-conscious state such that he had to be lifted into the back of the car by others present there. He stayed in this meditative state for the next three hours. That evening, Baba announced that the man would give an experience talk on meditation which that gentleman did. It was the first day and such a powerful experience! That was the power of that Siddha. There were stories about people who went astray in different directions and others who kept up with their practice. It was a time of introspection and led one to realize that one’s own mind can be our best friend or the worst foe and lead us into destruction.
The evening program was at Unity Center. One of Baba’s devotees, Swami Ramananda, or Ram as he was known a couple of months ago before he took up sanyas, spoke of the importance of mantra repetition. Quoting from the Shiva sutras, he said that the mind is the mantra. ‘Chittam mantra’. He shared how mantra repetition happened spontaneously on the silent walk with Baba to Bhagawan’s samadhi while he felt that he was flying to keep pace with Baba who was 4 decades older. August 14 – Sacramento – Kriyadevi’s During the informal satsang, a man named Bob asked Gurudev if there was any comforting words or knowledge that he could tell his son, who was being deployed into the war zone in Iraq. Gurudev told him that he could pray for his son, and wish that he would be safe and well as he serves his country. Gurudev said, “One must go through their Karmas in this lifetime, and one should perform their Dharma with good actions. Good actions that will uplift and improve the Iraqi’s lives.” During lunch, Bob said he would share Gurudev’s words with his son, having the faith that his son would receive strength and support through these words. Fair Oaks - Sacramento: Avalon Arts Center Satsang Gurudev spoke about how people (adults and children) come to satsang to contemplate “Who am I and why am I here?” He welcomed the children and said, “It’s so good to see families present. Children are becoming interested in what their parents do and are asking the same questions their parents did at a young age, such as ‘What is the purpose of this life?” Gurudev then spoke about one of Baba’s teachings, which was to remind ourselves, in particular our mind, that we should always honor ourselves and others. Gurudev said, “Baba said to always think good thoughts because your thoughts become your actions: as we think, so shall we become.” Satsang seems to always offer us the experience of reflection and contemplation.
August 14 Many children and young adults attended the evening program at the Avalon Arts Center, Fair Oaks. Gurudev said that it was heartening to see that they were there instead of a party or in front of their TV. We must always remember death. ‘Mati kahe kumhar se, tu kya rondhe moy. Ik din aisa ayega, main rondhoogee toy’. Righteousness comes about by constant practice and effort. A saint picked up a scorpion that was drowning in water and placed it on dry land. As he did that the latter stung him and dropped back into water. When an on-looker saw this sequence repeat many times, he asked the saint why he was saving the pest when all it gave in return was poison. The saint replied, “If the animal will not leave its nature of stinging, then why shall I discard my nature of compassion?” Gurudev reminded that we must always be careful of our thoughts. There were a saint and a prostitute who lived on the same street. They happened to die on the same day. On reaching the Lord of death, Yamaraj, they were told that the saint would go to hell and the prostitute to heaven. The surprised saint asked for an explanation. Yamaraj explained that though the saint had performed good deeds with his physical body, he thought negatively about the actions of the prostitute whereas the prostitute always had noble thoughts about the saint and lamented her predicament. Therefore, the saint’s physical body received a respectful farewell but his subtle body was banished to hell. August 15 – San Rafael - Gopita and Paul’s home Gopita and Paul waved the arati tray and honored his visit to their home. His gratitude was fully expressed to them for all their work in coordinating the California portion of The Footsteps in Bliss Tour. Darshan was very intimate, with the appreciation for Gurudev’s visit expressed by each family or devotee who went before him. This was the last day for his stay in California, and everyone’s faces were aglow with the grace received from all the fulfilling programs and darshans. Devotees shared their California tour experiences while indulging in delicious chai, tasty fruit salad, and pastries.
Emeryville: Bhagavati’s luncheon Bhagavati had a delicious lunch served for Gurudev and all of the tour devotees by the poolside of her Emeryville condominium. Bhagavati had a special table set for Gurudev and six other beautifully set tables for everyone. She and her son socialized and shared stories with Gurudev in a humorous and intimate way. She later shared since she could no longer travel with Gurudev due to her age, it was such a blessing to have him come to her home. Berkeley: Sacred Space Yoga Sanctuary—evening program During his talk, Gurudev spoke about a disciple coming to meet a sage. The disciple told the sage about his past deeds and various actions he had performed in his life. The sage said, “It does not matter what you did in the past. What matters is what you do from right now, until your death.” Gurudev said that by doing the daily practices that Baba taught us, from this day forth, one could increase their spiritual bank account. As the puja was performed to Baba’s padukas, the shakti seemed to grow and expand until the meditation hall was completely illuminated. This expansion of shakti was very reminiscent of when Baba held programs. This ritual definitely invoked much reverence for Baba’s Divya Diksha. When Gurudev spoke, his deep love for Baba, and the genuine honor of everyone present, was sweet and overwhelming. Three different people, who hadn’t seen Gurudev since the mid-1980s, conveyed how wonderful it was to see him again and that it felt just like their time spent with Baba. When Gopita stepped up to the microphone and gave the closing words for the program, her devotion shone through her words. She thanked all the people who had contacted her by email, phone, mail, etc. to show their interest and support for this Jayanti tour. She then welcomed everyone to join Gurudev on the world tour, and to continue coming to the various homes around the bay area for monthly satsangs.
During the Darshan, there were numerous people from the Berkeley/Oakland area that hadn’t seen Gurudev for many years. Gurudev welcomed them, often recollecting a time or place he had been with these devotees of Baba. For the devotees of the California Jayanti tour, it was an enlightening last evening program, but some feelings of sadness also pulled at our hearts. This was a special day because it was Baba’s 60th Divya diksha (day of initiation). The day began with Guru Gita as usual, today at Paul and Gopita’s home in San Rafael. A nostalgic reunion with many old devotees, including Baba’s dentist, gathered later at Bhagavati’s residence in Woodsfin Hotel in Emeryville for lunch. Many of them were seeing each other after nearly 2 decades. From here we departed for Berkeley where the grand finale to the Californian tour was to be held. The public program, attended by over 200 people, was organized at the Sacred Space Yoga Sanctuary which is run by Khecharanath, disciple of Rudrananda (Rudi) who was Baba’s devotee. Eddie, who was a trustee and COO at SYDA and organized the world tours for Baba, spoke fondly of his days with Baba. He very aptly described the significance of this day. ‘It’s not just important that Baba received his diksha this day but what we do with this diksha. Talking about his seva he said that he realized early on in his work with Baba that the right attitude to do seva is not with an expectation of a reward but because you enjoy doing it. Gurudev said that it was appropriate that this day was being celebrated in Bhagavan’s centre. He talked about how Baba selflessly shared the gift he received from Bhagavan. He narrated the story of Amir Khusro and his guru, Hazrat Nizzamudin, to illustrate the guru disciple relationship. Once, a man approached Nizzamudin to grant him some money for his daughter’s marriage. The latter gave him his old pair of shoes for that was the only thing he said he possessed. As he walked with the shoes, he met Amir Khusro who was traveling with his caravan of 12 camels laden with jewels. When Khusro was told that the shoes belonged to his guru, Nizzamudin, he was overjoyed. He traded 11 laden camels for that old pair of shoes. The man was more than overjoyed at this deal. When Khusro narrated this incident to Nizzamudin, the Guru exclaimed, “You got the shoes very cheap.” That’s the value of the guru’s sandals! Later Khusro was sent away by his guru because the latter’s end was near and he knew that his true disciple would not be able to bear that. Finally when Khusro returned to his guru’s abode and saw his samadhi, he gave up his life at the door-step itself. Till this date, his samadhi stands right next to that of his guru. As a parting message Gurudev said, ‘Now is the time to practice what the guru has taught us instead of trying to analyze what that grace can do for us.’ Canada and Chicago: August 16 We arrived in Vancouver after a 2 hour flight from San Francisco to a warm welcome by the Valias and others at the airport. In the evening satsang, which was held at the Laxmi Narayan temple, the hall was filled with mostly Indian faces, many of them who came for the first time. It was a fulfilling experience with kirtan, Vedic Shanti path, Gurudev’s talk and Baba’s darshan via the ‘In the Footsteps of Bliss’ video. The only cause of disappointment for many was that this was the only public satsang in Vancouver. Gurudev’s talk that enchanted all was simple and lucid. He said that the path of knowing one’s self following the teachings is like walking on the edge of a sword. “Shurasya dhara…” He said that what he was saying was nothing new but we must be introspective in ourselves regarding the practical application of the teachings we hear so often. Through a simple story he illustrated how attachment can change the way in which we conduct ourselves: There was once a man who set out to meet his son whom he had not seen for 20 years. As he traveled, he reached an inn where he wanted to rest for the night. A young man in the room next door was seriously ill and his wife was wailing aloud. Disturbing as it sounded, the old man complained to the manager of the inn about the noise the lady had been creating. When he returned to his room, he heard the woman moan that the couple was traveling to see her father-in-law. In the course of her description, he realized that the ailing man was none other than his own son. In a moment, love, anxiety, concern and sorrow replaced anger and scorn. This duality of ‘I’ and ‘mine’ and ‘You’ and ‘thine’ is what the maya of attachment is all about. Later, nearly 200 people who attended the satsang enjoyed an Indian Preeti Bhoj which had been sponsored by Ravi and Meena Valia.
Gurudev’s interview was relayed on the FM radio. He was asked if the message of Baba, ‘Honor and meditate on yourself as God dwells within you as you’ wasn’t selfish because it was centered on one’s self. Gurudev explained that the Self the sages talk about is not the limited ego that we identify with. For most people, one’s identification is limited by the body or the mind but the Self is truly the divinity or consciousness that lies within. Unless we have love and respect for ourselves we cannot love and respect others because we can share these feelings only if we possess them within ourselves first.
August 17
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August 19
In the Ice Explorer which is a large bus specially designed technologically to ride on ice, we reached the Athabasca glacier which is one of the many glaciers fed by the Columbia ice field. As the freezing winds blew across our faces we walked on the Athabaca glacier and drank the fresh cold water that melted in its crevasses. This glacier, like all others, has undergone a massive shrinkage in the last century - more so in the last few decades due to the global warming; one more warning to watch our karma.
August 21
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August 26 The evening satsang at the Vaishno Devi temple, which was attended by about 300 people and covered by Vision TV started with the chant ‘Kali Durge Namo Namah’. Speaking in Hindi to the predominantly Indian audience, Gurudev said that true prayer is to see the presence of the living God in all beings. We must always remember the grace of God in our lives. ‘Ram naam rasa khan, moorakh jako maram na jane, peevat chatur sujaan’. To illustrate the merit that is gained by repetition of God’s name, he narrated the story of a man who approached Ramakrishna Paramahamsa with the same query. Ramakrishna called him ‘stupid’, which outraged him. The saint explained that if that is the power of a mere word, what the power of God’s name would be! We must not limit ourselves as we approach God who has the ability to bestow us with everything. There was once a king, who was provided shelter by a poor man when the former lost his way in the forest. Out of gratitude, the king promised the man anything that he wished. When the man finally arrived one day to the king’s palace, the king got worried that he may demand the throne. He was relieved that the poor man asked for only 2 acres of land because that was what his limited mind could think of. During his travel around the country, Baba met a great yogi to whom he asked the correct method of mantra repetition. Pointing to his sandals, the yogi asked Baba to put them to his ears. They reverberated ‘Om Namah Shivaya’. That was the intensity and continuity of japa that could make an inanimate object repeat the mantra. The correct way to do japa is to dissolve the difference in identity between the name, the named one and the one repeating the name. People often complain that they don’t have enough time for japa. A man once approached Eknath with that complaint. Saint Eknath advised him to repeat his mantras while bathing. The man did so diligently all his life. When he died and his body was given the last ritual bath, the body arose to chant those mantras and then lay back again. That is the power of practice and dedication!
August 27
August 28
Dronacharya taught all his Pandava and Kaurava students ‘Satyam vada maa kruddha’ – speak the truth and don’t get angry. When he asked them the next day if they had learnt the lesson, all except Yudhishtir replied in the affirmative. The acharya gave this student a couple more days but he still said that he had learnt only half the lesson. An outraged Dronacharya started to beat Yudhistir when the latter exclaimed that he had learnt the lesson. The bewildered teacher asked him to explain how. Yudhistir clarified, ‘I knew that I always spoke the truth but I did not know if I had control over my anger because I had never been in a trying situation. It’s only when you beat me that I realized that I had learnt the second half of the teaching too because it did not enrage me.’
August 29 Gurudev arrives in Walden on August 30 …..
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