Three Days...

29 September 2009
11:24

"Just three days is needed. Three days of complete devotion and sincerity. God is
realized within these three days".

These words were coming as a thunderbolt to me while I was sitting somewhere in

the corner in Bhagavan's house about 21 years ago. The whole house was charged up
with a tremendous energy which flowed through His body. He kept on saying "What
more do you want except God. How do you live without God......" As he kept on
saying this, I could feel that this tremendous energy had penetrated in my heart
and opened up every corner of it. It was as if my whole heart and body were
ignited by the flame of that unflickering fire ball which was approaching me with
utmost intensity.

I was flowing with these words, burning as the fire of His words wanted to burn
me. But, a very tiny part of me couldn't give up everything. As I found my whole
heart completely in tune with His words with that great intensity, a similar
intensity was also exerted by me to protect that small tiny place of utopia that I
had in my heart. My individuality, my desires, my dreams were kept very secured in
that very small area of that part of my heart where I didn't want even Bhagavan to
enter.

I could open up my whole heart for Him, but was totally against giving up that one
inch of land that I had left within me. As Bhagavan was talking to the people
occasionally He would look at me and with the eye contact I could feel that
Bhagavan knew about the existence of this little bit of space within me. The more
powerful the words were the more strength I applied to protect myself.

But as time rolled by I was loosing control over that intimate and most loved
space of mine. I could feel that His words were making an explosion within my
heart. And at anytime I would give up. The last time I remember to have an eye
contact with Him was when I found myself completely defenseless. I knew that He is
coming inside and I had no more power to resist but at that very moment He
stopped.

He went out of the room into the garden. Leaving the room completely motionless. I
knew that though He didn't say a word yet He could have annihilated me at any
time, but he didn't, as if He was waiting for me to offer Him that space within me
with respect, reverence and love. I left His house and came to my home directly
and I went into that room which was used as a temple in our house.

I closed the door and sat into meditation that the next three days will be the
days of His. Amazingly that small tiny piece of space that existed within me, that
I thought so very trivial, didn't vanish.Time rolled. Now I was not that young boy
of sixteen. Now I am a professional working in the world which was full of chaos,
tension and restlessness. In me I wanted respite. Somehow. With all possible
efforts I couldn't reach that tranquility.

After many failed attempts I knelt down before the photograph of my master
Bhagavan. "Show me a way". I prayed "Oh God protect me". As I prayed, I could feel
the stillness penetrating the surface of my mind from within. Within a moment I
saw all my thoughts had vanished and within that stillness came a command,
"Observe yourself". This was, in fact, not a command. This was in fact a solution
which was bestowed to me.
I didn't have to observe, though I became the observer. Completely unattached from
every thought and action and from this external world. I could feel myself as an
alien who came here just to see this world. Within two days of such a stage I had
no world anywhere. The observer became my world. My soul's world. I was observing
the observer.

On the third day in the evening I roamed in the veranda of our rented house which
I shared with my friends and colleagues. There was no electricity and my
colleagues were playing carom board as I was roaming around. With in a moment I
could feel a strong internal pull which was complemented with an external push and
I found myself in the bed within seconds.

That is what I can remember. When I came back I didn't need to observe anymore. I
didn't need to know whether I was the observer or the observed or the observation.
I knew I was I which doesn't need any expression. After a long time I came and
knelt again near the photograph of Bhagavan and this time with folded hands said,
" Today I completed those three days. I needed 5 years to reach these 3 days in my
life".

Now the eighth letter of Swami Pavitranandaji follows....

Sri Ramakrishna Saranam Janai

29-09-1979

Dear,I received the news of your exact mental condition through your letter.
The impossible becomes possible only if you have faith in God.You have to rotate
the key exactly in the opposite direction in which it was locked -then only it
will be unlocked. Remaining as a householder you have to practice inner
renunciation -that is influencing your mind with God. I am well by the Grace of
Sri Thakur. Know my best wishes.

Yours,

Maharaj.

From the diary of Siddartha...

29 September 2009
11:30

In the year 1978 in the house of Sri Guruma in Janai, Bhagavan met His Guru. His
Guru was Swami Pavitranandaji.

After taking permission from Ma Sarada Devi, Swami Krishnananda came out of Belur
Math and engaged himself in extreme spiritual austerity for twenty five years in
the forests of Rakab in Purulia district in the state of West Bengal. This is
where He had attained Nirvikalpa Samadhi. Swami Pavitranandaji was initiated by
Him and because of His sincerity in spiritual practices and austerity, and a very
sharp intellect, He also attained Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
Bhagavan was attracted by the heavenly and blissful appearance, calmness and very
sweet love for all in Swami Pavitranandaji. In His discriminatory mind came a
flash of thought that how could this old monk remain so blissful when His only
support is on alms. Surely He must have gained such a treasure by which this
proverb is justified, 'Attaining That treasure by which no other treasures are
valued...'. Bhagavan received His initiation from Him. Swamiji Pavitranandaji was
also very satisfied by initiating Him. He used to always praise Bhagavan
wholeheartedly.

The sharp intellect of Sri Bhagavan, love and dedication for His Master and the
equanimity of mind and words made Sri Bhagavan very near and dear to His Master.
In His first letter He indicated about this. He wrote 'Though I have initiated
many, yet by initiating you I received peace and bliss. Initiating into Sannyasa
or Brahmacharyya has given me pleasure in all respects, but by initiating a
householder, man or woman, this kind of bliss was rare. Know that I have faith in
you. I expect sure success in your life.'

Swami Pavitranandaji used to consider Bhagavan as Lord Shiva, who had appeared
from the crest of the earth. Because Sri Bhagavan had to live in Guwahati, He
could not remain close to His Master, still Swami Pavitranandaji explained to
Bhagavan the highest philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. He did this through letters,
because He knew that Bhagavan was gifted by a extraordinary genius and pure mind.

At that time there was a violent movement going on in Assam, but Bhagavan
continued with His austerity silently within this violence, far from the notice of
the masses. The consequences of this violence where such that nobody could
consider themselves as safe, at any time one could lose his life. People used to
stay in their houses with fear. At this time also He came out fearlessly to
protect the oppressed.

A victim of violence and cruelty in the external world, Sri Bhagavan was engaged
in extreme austerity to attain oneness in the internal world. After some time,
according to the advice of His Master, He left the theater of the world. That
stage which has since given Him endless name, fame and respect.

In His letters Swamiji had written -

'A proverb heard in the childhood is coming to my mind "I got a knife
instead of a drum. Dhum, dhum, dhum..." At that time I didn't understand the
meaning, but now it's clear to me. What is the drum? It is the sound of name and
fame. And what is the knife? It is the easy, sharp Self-knowledge. Easy means
simple, and knowledge means "Who am I?" This is the symptom of the pure heart. And
what is this sharpness? Sharp, subtle intellect. For spiritual knowledge,
intellect is a must, as is the need for the simple and honest mind of a child.
Then only this knife can kill the ignorance... Waiting eagerly for the news of
your realization.Yours,Son, father and mother.'

This letter brought a new turn in the life of Sri Bhagavan. With some of His
associates He started to discuss the teaching given to Him by Pavitranandaji. He
took His mother, brothers and sisters to Pavitranandaji for initiation. Whoever
came in contact with Bhagavan during this time was so much influenced by this
heart-core austerity and sincerity towards the Self that they also started
spiritual practices. His perception of the Self was so clear that it seemed to be
very easy for the people who visited Him.

This is the 7th letter of Swamiji Pavitranandaji

 Sri Ramakrishna Saranam
Purulia
07-09-1979

Dear,

I didn't receive your news for a long time. But there is a very subtle
relationship between the master and the disciple. You might be definitely sensing
some of this. Isn't it true? I suffered a carbuncle for three months and I am
fully cured just two days before now. I went to Janai Ashram, on the occasion of
Guru Purnima on the 4th of July, with this carbuncle from here. I was accompanied
by a Brahmachary disciple, a married woman disciple and a married woman sister
disciple of mine, whose inlaw's house is in Bankura, to Janai. The Guru Purnima
celebration was nicely celebrated on 9th of July last.

I returned to Purulia on the 15th of July accompanied by three of them, and

was completely bed-ridden. Anyway, with the grace of Sri Sri Thakur I am
completely cured now.You write all your news after reading this letter and send it
to Janai Ashram.I hope that you have managed some time for your japa and
meditation now. Read the books 'the Science of Religion' and 'Jyana Yoga' by
Swamiji carefully and think about them. Write to me whenever you have any
doubt.Does the mind remain in deep slumber? And if it remains, how does it stay?
And how is the place where it stays? ,think about this.

What is the difference between deep slumber and death? What is

unconsciousness?In the dreaming state the objects of dream are true, yet after the
dreaming state (that is, when you become conscious) why does the dream and the
objects of the dream seem to be false? Then who is the witness of these three
states -conscious, dreaming and dreamless sleep? Doesn't this witness observe
these three states?

The witness observing or within these three states remains always one,
because He is manifesting the three states but doesn't undergo any change. This
means He is unmodified in all states and that is 'I' or the Self.Try to meditate
on the witness slowly and chant the name of God or meditate as you have been
doing.I am also going to Janai within eight days accompanied with a new
Brahmachary. If you happen to come here during the D. Puja let me know.

Know my best wishes,

Yours,

Father.

From the diary of Siddartha..... (2)

29 September 2009
11:31
Another change came into the life of the lover of Truth, Bhagavan. He saw that
there is a huge gap between the ideal and behavior of man and no worldly ideal is
self-sufficient in itself. Though these ideals gives man some good thoughts yet
they are incapable of make them fulfilled in all respect. Doesn't life have any
truth in itself? Is there no value for the selfless love in this world? He was
completely depressed by this realization and wanted to end His life, but at that
moment His life took a U-turn.

He came across a poem written by Swami Vivekananda, 'To an early violet'. This
poem brought about an altogether new dimension in his life. Sri Bhagavan started
to read the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. He used to carry one photograph of Thakur
Ramakrishna with Him always. He was completely tied up into a relationship of love
with Sri Thakur. An incident bears the testimony of His love towards Sri Thakur.
We all know about the Indian Railways Strike in the 70's. His involvement into
this movement cost Him His job. But He was not at all moved.

He had an option to get back His job by compromising with the higher authorities,
but He didn't opt for that. Influenced by the life of Sri Thakur, His love for
Truth had increased a thousand fold. Sri Thakur had said that He protects Him who
stands firm on Truth. Having complete faith in His words, He prayed to Thakur 'I
want you'. 'I will not seek help from anyone'. 'I will hold your words and stay
firm even in hunger'. This devotee of Sri Thakur didn't have to stay without food
for a single day. After sometime His job was restored. He was more devoted than
ever towards His God now.

One day Sri Thakur appeared before Him and said, 'Everything will happen to you'.
Bhagavan was thrilled. He knew for certain that there is the existence of God; He
can be realized, but to realize God a Self-Realized Master is needed. But where is
this Master? He started searching. In various temples and monasteries. At last He
met His Guru.

Here is the 6th letter written by His Master, Swami Pavitranandaji.

Sri Ramakrishna Saranam

Purulia,
19-07-1979

Dear,I received the postcard and M.O.(Money Order) of 10 rupees and the few
lines written on the M.O. by you.Four of us went from Purulia to Janai Ashram on
the 5th of July and returned on the 15th of July after completion of the festival.
The festival was carried out beautifully and in a organized way by the grace of
Sri Thakur and Sri Ma.

I will stay here for one and a half months and then go back to Janai again.
Let's see what is the divine wish of Sri Thakur. This world which is perceptible
by the senses - does it have it's existence outside? Or -is it's existence in the
mind?

In the dreaming state the mind is divided into two parts: subject and
object. The subjective mind becomes the observer of the objective mind. The
observer is more true than the observed, the observed may be many but the observer
is one and undivided.

'I know the pot'. In this phenomena, the knower of pot is 'I', but that 'the
pot is known to me', is also what 'I' know. That means, my knowledge about the pot
is also known to me. Then who is this second 'I', the observer or the self-
manifested Brahman? In this way, while discriminating 'not this, not this' we find
the real 'I'.
 This is called the discrimination between the Self (real) and non-Self (the
unreal). With this, where and how does the existence of the unreal 'I' remain
while you are in deep sleep?

I am well.

Know my best wishes.

Yours,

Pavitrananda Maharaj.

Self Realization
29 September 2009
11:32

Many letters have been coming in response to the notes which I have been posting
on-line. One thing very significant about these responses, that I have noticed, is
the current perception of Advaita Vedanta in most of us. I find most of us are
more inclined towards the intellectual knowledge rather than the transcendental
knowledge. Almost all of us understand the basics, the principles and the
philosophy of Advaita, but there is a lack of interest in the realization of this
philosophy.

In simple words, there is little effort in translating Advaita Vedanta to our day
to day lives. For example, if you ask somebody 'did you realize the Self?', most
of us respond in a way which makes things seem more complicated than ever. Instead
of answering yes or no, the answer in most cases is 'I am the Self', 'The truth
cannot be known', 'It is what it is', 'just be' and so on and so forth.

We should be able to answer this questions very clearly, either yes or no. When I
say 'I am That', I should know about what I am talking, I should know who this 'I'
is and how to realize this 'I'. Like, when I talk about my father, immediately an
image of my father comes to my mind, his character, the experiences with him come
to us in a nut shell.

We should ask ourselves, when we talk about the Self or God, does this happen?
Does the realization of the Self come to us in a flash? Reading books, journals,
on-line magazines and watching the videos, our perception towards the Self grows
and there is an untiring effort to impose these perceptions into the mind of the
inquirer. Though we talk about freedom we actually cover their mind and intellect
with such an idea where others find it hard to get away with.

But, is the explanation of Self-realization so complicated? Is the path of Self-

realization complicated? Is the Self itself complicated? The answer is an obvious
'no'. Another thing is the role of the Guru in the life of an aspirant. The most
popular view now-a-days is that we do not need a Guru, a teacher and that we are
self sufficient. As if visiting or taking lessons from a Master is similar to idol
worship or some kind of superstition.

Little do we realize that, saying this, our subtle tendency to become a guru in
the mind of others is reflected clearly.'I have seen God like I see you' Was the
clean and clear answer of Thakur Ramakrishna when asked. 'Can you show me?, 'Yes'
was the answer. This is the best approach. Instead of engaging oneself into the
wave of words which are not even clear to us completely, instead of talking about
people and their experiences, people whom we have not known or seen, it is better
to search a person who can say firmly and clearly 'Yes, I have realized Myself'.

Here is a story that appears in the Upanishads. Virochana, the king of the demons,
and Indra, the king of the Lords, once went to their grandfather, Brahma, the Lord
of creation to know the Truth. When asked, Brahma said 'You are That'. Virochana,
because of his extreme attachment towards worldly objects, thought that if he is
That, he should not worry. He went back to his palace and engaged himself in the
enjoyment of the senses.

But Indra, the King of the Lords, had a noble mind. After hearing 'You are That',
he asked himself -what is 'me' then? Which one is 'me'? Is the body 'me'? If the
body is me, then the body should be true. Truth implies that existence which
remains unchangeable within and beyond time. But there is always a modification
going on within the body, always it is moving, inch by inch towards death. So the
body is not me.

Then what, the mind? Apparently, yes, because it is the mind which makes the body
move, it is through mind that we dwell in this world. So, I am the mind. But,
which mind? The mind that I had in the morning, or the mind that I had in the
afternoon, or the evening mind, or the mind which I will have after 5 minutes
which is still unknown to me? The mind is also changing, perhaps more rapidly than
the body, so fast that we cannot even understand when, how and in what way it has
changed. So the mind is also not the truth, so I am not the mind.

Then comes the intellect, which is the deciding factor of the mind. Maybe this is
'me', perhaps I am the intellect. But have I ever noticed that the intellect also
is influenced by the objects present within the mind, in other words the thoughts?
So the intellect also has a relative existence and thus it cannot be true. For
truth is free. So I am not the intellect also.

Maybe I am the ego. The ego which always represents the 'I ' factor, the sense of
individuality, within me and without. What does the ego do? The ego imposes its
existence on the various perceivable and non perceivable objects. If it is true,
why should it impose? Truth is completeness, infinite, it doesn't need to impose
itself on anything rather everything is imposed on Him. So I am also not the ego.

Then who am I?, was his question again to the great father. The answer again was
'You are That'. Indra then transcended his body, mind, intellect and ego and
reached that state of consciousness which is unmodified, unlimited, unbounded. He
knew spontaneously that this is what he is. This consciousness, this infinite
existence and this eternal Blissful state is He. This is Self-knowledge.

To know this, we have to approach a person to whom this is known. He shows the
way. He is the Master or Guru, a compulsory person in the life of an aspirant.

The fifth letter of Swami Pavitranandaji follows:

Sri Ramakrishna Saranam,

Purulia,
 11-06-1979

Dear,

A grand celebration will be organized on the occasion of Guru Purnima on 9th

July in Janai Ashram. You all are cordially invited to this celebration. I don't
know whether it will be possible for you to come. Anyway, you send some money in
my name before 2nd of July for this Puja.

This Ashram was inaugurated on the occasion of the Guru Purnima. There is no
relation whatsoever between Absolute Truth and relative truth. What can be the
relationship between the rope and the apparent snake? How can there be any
relationship between what exists and what doesn't?

Whatever remains in the past, future and present is the Truth or Existence.
Advaitism is mainly established into the doctrine of Maya. The doctrine of Maya is
said to be the doctrine of the undefined. You have to understand the essence of
the word Maya. The one which cannot be classified is unclassified. You can't say
Maya is truth because then you have to accept two different existences, Brahman
and Maya, you cannot say it is false, because though being Brahman by nature we
cannot perceive it.

Again we cannot denote it as something which is independent to reality and

un-reality. Thus, as it cannot be classified into any category, Maya remains un-
classified. Read this doctrine of Maya very carefully, then only Advaitism will
come into your comprehension.

The meaning of Self-realization is destruction of ignorance, or liberation.

The knowledge that we are already liberated is called the knowledge of Brahman.
That is why Sri Thakur has said 'Knowing God is knowledge, and not knowing is
ignorance'. Here, the meaning of God is the real nature of man.

Read 'Jnana Yoga', 'The Science of Religion' and 'Talks with the Master' of
Swami Vivekananda very carefully and think about them. Carry on with your chanting
and austerities with the same sincerity. The sooner the religious superstitions
goes, the better. I am fine.

My best wishes to you and your family.

Yours,

Maharaj.

Rectification
29 September 2009
11:33

Everything was silent. Two cars were speeding into the old city of Varanasi. Its
been raining since evening along with strong breeze. Perhaps this was the reason
why the power of the entire city was cut off. It was known that because of these
rains and strong breeze, one of the main power stations was damaged. The head
lights of the cars were penetrating the darkness that surrounded in the way.
Within all these, Bhagavan was sitting silent.

Today is the 12th of July, the day when He arrived at Varanasi. Luckily we had
arranged a generator to supplement for the power cut. The lanes adjacent to the
Ashram were lit. Entering the Ashram, Bhagavan said, The light has come. Never did
I realize that He was referring not to darkness of the streets, but the darkness
in my heart. Its time to light up my own heart.

We took Him around the ashram, showed Him the newly built building and the new
room constructed for Him. After taking a very close look, He sat down in His chair
and became very serious.The next morning, He called us and informed that He
couldn't sleep for the whole night. He asked me the reason, Why? It was as if the
sky had broken into my head. I didn't know what to say or do. The whole atmosphere
had become so still and quiet.

He said, " I saw the Ashram last night. It has grown considerably, more than I had
thought. But, one thing which strikes me is that, are you doing enough for the
people? Are you distributing enough spirituality among the people? Does the outer
beauty match with your inner? Einstein had once said, The bag of meat shouldn't be
costlier than the meat. During my stay here, I want to see this. I want to see
that this building is correctly serving its purpose of practicing spirituality.

If I see the opposite, I will advice you to break this building and start from the
very beginning, from the shelter of a tree. " "All I need from you is to be in God
always. I do not need any publicity. I need people. Some people who will spend
their lives only with Truth. Truth is God, Truth is Brahman, Truth is Love. There
is nothing other than Truth."

I don't know whether I am going to pass the test time is going to impose on me.
However, one thing is certain, I never understood Bhagavan while staying with Him
for the previous 21 years. He appeared to me as a completely different man,
someone whom I had met just now. Immediately I looked into myself, am I scared?
No, said my conscience. I knew that I fell in love with Bhagavan more than ever
from now on. "Bhagavan, I am proud to be your disciple," was what I said to
myself.

The fourth letter of Swami Pavitranandaji, the Master of Bhagavan follows:

Sri Ramakrishna Saranam

Purulia
27-11-1978

Dear,

I received your letter after a long time. One thing which is giving me
trouble is the despair and negative words that were mentioned in the letter this
time. Ignorant beings never consider their mistakes as mistakes but always try to
attract others into their creed. I know you do not fall under this classification.
Rectification is only possible when one thinks to himself 'I must and should
rectify myself' and the meaning of rectification is determination, and that is the
only austerity.

The main support of austerity for householders is 'not me, not me, only you,
only you'. There is no way other than surrendering at the feet of Sri Sri Thakur
and Ma. The words of Swami Vivekananda will be befitting for you. Read them, think
about them and become that while thinking. He has so much power in his words. He
came only to speak the words of fearlessness and eternity.

That is why Sri Thakur had said 'Such a big receptor never came before into
this world and will never come hereafter'. Therefore throw away all your mental
doubts and mental weaknesses. We are the sons of Sri Ramakrishna. We are the sons
of Sri Ramakrishna, definitely through us and only through us is this possible.
You received my photograph. It's good.

Know my best wishes.

Yours,

Maharaj

Siddartha
29 September 2009
11:33

The journey of spirituality, though it has a beginning, doesn't have any end. The
only thing which is true here is just to flow or March on. As the scriptures had
said, 'Charaibati'. Sri Ramakrishna once said,"I learn till I live". No one can
say a word about the ultimate, the only statement that can be made is, "He is
beyond mind and speech". That, "He is".

In that case, the Maha Samadhi or the Ultimate unification with the Self, after
which there is no coming back into the world, perceptible by the senses, can be
considered to be the highest truth which has been expressed. While moving forward,
sometimes it appears that we have accomplished the whole journey, that we had come
to the end where everything immerses into an absolute unity.

But, the next moment, another subtle world reveals itself with all it's depth and
shows us how ignorant we were and we realize that we hadn't even started yet. The
journey which was thought to have ended had actually just begun. Some consider
pranayamas to be all about spirituality, some considers visiting temples and
pilgrimages or seeing holy men is spirituality, for some becoming vegetarian is
becoming spiritual, there are some who consider to have just started the journey
after the attainment of Nirvikalpa Samadhi.

What is truth? Truth is the Self, real and absolute which cannot be negated after
negation of all. What then is the world, or this body, or the mind or ego? The
consciousness of world is the world, the consciousness of body the body, mind the
mind and the consciousness of ego is the ego. Consciousness of the Self therefore
is the Self, ultimate reality, Truth, Enlightenment.....

The 3rd letter of Swami Pavitranandaji follows:

 Sri Ramakrishna Saranam
Purulia,
22-08-1978

Dear,

Received the news of your letter.If Brahman would be ever separated from me,
then attainment of Brahman as described in the scriptures would be similar to the
attainment of vessels, pot, money, fame, wife, children... Is it the same?The
scriptures have referred thus 'attainment of That leads to attainment of
everything', -this means that this object does not fall under the classification
of a common object or a common achievable worldly object.

With sadhana, when our intellect gets refined, then God, or perception of
God, gets gradually refined as-well. Attaining my Self or Atman is the Supreme
attainment, that is, elevation into Jnana Yoga. Now understand the relationship
between firm determination and mercy.Determination is a part of mercy.

In the scriptures it has been said that without strength Atman or the Self
cannot be attained, again, by the mercy of God does our desire for Advaita Brahman
arise. Anyway, you keep on with your sadhana, enlightenment is bound to come.
Write to me after completion of your tour program, I am waiting for that.

With the blessings of Sri Ma I am well. Know my best wishes.

Yours,

Maharaj

Vedanta Sadhana (2)

29 September 2009
11:34

I am thankful to everybody for the response. Some of you have wished to know about
the other letters. It's my endeavor to present them in the best of my
capabilities. Bhagavan was initiated in the year 1978 by Swami Pavitrananda
Maharaj, the disciple of Swami Krishnananda, who was in turn the disciple of Shri
Shri Ma Sarada Devi, the holy consort of Shri Ramakrishna.

As Bhagavan was a house holder and used to work in the Indian Railways in
Guwahati, Assam. His Master lived in Purulia in West Bengal so He had few
opportunities to sit at the feet of Swami Pavitranandaji and learn the essence of
Vedanta. Correspondence through letters was really the only medium. These letters
are the only guide which led Bhagavan to Nirvikalpa Samadhi in the year 1984.

When I came to Bhagavan in the year 1989, I saw Him distributing these letters
among the common masses. He often used to take classes based upon these letters.
These letters were later published in Bengali in the year 1990.
The letter follows:

Sri Ramakrishna Saranam

Purulia
08-08-1978

Dear,

I was in Janai from the 13th of July to the 4th of august. I received your
letter on the 5th after reaching here.Engage yourself in meditation and
comprehension, maintaining good health. You have to walk on the middle path
between extreme austerity and relaxation.Your marriage is because of the karmas of
your past life. Don't grieve, you have to walk on in your real path and goal by
remaining here.

There is no success in this path without strong determination.Read 'Jnana

Yoga' by Swami Vivekananda very carefully and slowly and think about its essence.
If any confusion arises write to me immediately. With the word 'Maya' an illusory
bondage between time, space and causality( cause and effect) is explained.

God is the only reality, and the rest is unreal. And our perception about
God is refined gradually. God doesn't gradually refine itself, our 'antakarana'
(mind, intellect, chitta*, and ego), or intellect is redefined gradually.

God or Brahman is unchangeable, the rest is all changeable.With the mercy of

Sri Sri Thakur I am well. When you have registered your name in Sri Ramakrishna's
hospital, then you need not worry, the disease will be cured. Therefore there is
no room for any thoughts of despair.

Know my best wishes.

Yours,

Swami Pavitrananda Maharaj

*Chitta- that faculty of mind which always seeks pleasure.

Untitled
29 September 2009
11:35

After a long time I sit to write something. These last few months, after coming
back from Kolkata in May, I had the firm conviction that the world I see is
completely false, a dream. I could feel it very significantly. In the nights,
sitting alone in the terrace, with the clear sky of Varanasi above , facing the
Ganga, I could feel the universal unperturbed consciousness. That I am That
Consciousness.
But certain subtle thoughts of works disturbed this tranquility, I could see them
as mosquitoes running around the calm ocean of stillness. They were some necessary
duties which I couldn't ignore. But, I wanted to have a time alone, without any
disturbances or any commitments, where I could slip into the ocean of timeless,
spaceless and eventless Consciousness.

Prayers were not important as these would happen when they had to.Bhagavan, my
Master, visited Varanasi on the 12th of July and stayed until the 24th. I had the
rare opportunity this time to be with Him, at His feet and devote myself to His
service. My heart could understand that this was a chance created by God and I had
the mercy to use it to its fullest. Sitting at His feet, I realized that I hadn't
understood a word of spirituality, that the inner world had still remained
undiscovered.

I thanked Him with all the gratitude of my heart for this great lesson. I wanted
to know the actual reality and during His stay, some rare realizations started
happening. God, or the Brahman was evident in everything, everytime. The absolute
unity that Vedanta speaks was completely clear within the experiences of this
mundane world, that everything is conscious and true.I always had a regret, of not
being able to stay close to Him physically.

This time, the day before He left, He told me that He too didn't stay close to His
Master, but, He wanted to realize each and every word spoken by His Master. And
gradually everything became a realization, the realizations translated into a
reality. He told me to read the book, "Vedanta Sadhana", the compilation of the
letters written to Him by His Master Swami Pavitranandaji from 1978 to 1983.

After I saw Him off in the train, I came back to the Ashram and straight away
started reading that book. I had read it several times before and also had
conducted classes on these rare letters. I had an idea that I understood these
lines. But, this time, when I started to read the first letter, I couldn't
approach after a few lines. These words were not spectacular but very deep. Each
word brings about a transformation, a simple path unfolded so simply.

When I read these words 'Sharan Manan', meaning remembrance and

meditation(thinking), I could see that Swamiji had explained everything about
spiritual life in His first letter. These is no need to read more but to sit and
practice. In the following days, just holding on to these two words, I discovered
that those mosquitoes are no more, neither is the awareness of the external
environment, the only thing that remains is the pure, clear and spontaneous
Knowledge, the Knowledge of the existence absolute.

I wanted to share this first letter of His, with a view that it might help
someone, sitting somewhere in some corner of the world. It has been translated
from Bengali to English, and as a person with a science background, my language
capabilities have always been poor. I hope I will be excused in this respect.

The letter follows thus:

Sri Ramakrishna Saranam

Purulia,
30-06-1978

Dear,

Received your letter. Though I have initiated many, yet by initiating you I
received peace and bliss. Initiating into Sannyasa or Brahmacharyya has given me
pleasure in all respects, but by initiating a householder( man or woman), this
kind of bliss was rare. Know that I have faith in you. I expect sure success in
your life.

Remember the advice of Sri Sri Thakur always, remain like brothers and
sisters after one or two children.Try to spend most of the time in your sadhana,
remembrance and meditation(thinking). Perform your office work sincerely and
honestly. Stress more on meditation.Always be assured that Sri Thakur and Ma are
with you.

Never think of any evils for others, even unknowingly. Regard your friends
and foes as one. If you always think of the truth, then Sri Thakur will provide
strength. Patience and perseverance are a prime characteristic in the life of an
aspirant.If you maintain this for six months, you will see that you have entered
into the world of realization.

With the blessings of Sri Sri Ma I am well. Inform me about how you are. I
convey my heart-felt blessings to you all.

Always your well wisher,

Maharaj Bhagavan.

Thoughts
29 September 2009
11:38

Govindacharyya, your words are clear and perfect. That you had experienced that
Consciousness as the only reality in meditation is very evident in your
expression, though words are not the right medium to express. Yes, we have to
realize this Consciousness as our Self, then, this Consciousness or awareness
becomes super-consciousness. What we deal with in each and every aspect of life
remains veiled as a separate existence, and this is the only ignorance.

Knowledge is to know who this Consciousness is. Today while discussing Vedanta in
the ashram, this automatically came to us- I am, is ignorance. Just 'I Am' is
Knowledge absolute. Because we were speaking in Bengali, it was easier to express,
between I am.. and just 'I am', there is only one words difference - 'e' in
Bengali, this 'e' makes all the difference.

Quantum Physics I think evolved from the study of atoms and electrons and the
study of more subtle elements. Our friend Prasad Chittaji can make us enlightened
about this subject. The fact is that, while engaging into the research of these
subtle elements, the conception of Consciousness became evident. This is truly a
victory of the spirit of humanity and testifies the endeavor of true scientists to
know the Truth.

Sometimes, I feel Einstein, Newton, Planck, Hawking and many more like them whom
we have not known and who have spent their entire life in the research of truth in
laboratories, to be seers of truth. They have given science and humanity a new
dimension, facts based on external proofs and with a scientifically justified
conclusion, which the human mind can accept easily without just believing what is
said in the scriptures.

I don't know whether this study of quantum physics will lead us to Super-
Consciousness, but one thing is sure, as Mother Sarada Devi had said, "If your
prayer( hard work in this case) is sincere, it will be answered". We have seen how
the atomic structure of Benzine was discovered. Everything is a discovery,
invention had already happened before the advent of live in this globe.

The Bhagavad Gita has said boldly," All paths lead to Thee" which was later
resonated by Thakur Ramakrishna in a different way. I am sure, one day, our
scientists will come out with the conclusion that this Consciousness is not
quantized, its a whole, complete within itself. Only by transcending our thoughts
can we reach this Consciousness.

Though everything that has already been said is Consciousness, the universal
conclusion one day will be that everything is Existence, Consciousness, Knowledge,
and Bliss absolute. The only word that will add up, is this 'wholeness' or
'Absolute', not fragmented in any way.

That day, will be the culmination of all knowledge, the new horizon for not only
humanity but for the universe as a whole, because we would identify everything as
ourselves. That day, in fact, will be the greatest day in the history of Mother
Earth and I am sure we are heading towards that unity.

Thanks and with regards,

Swami Probuddhananda.

The life of a spiritual soul is always beyond our comprehension. I will quote a
verse from the Gita- " Ya Nisha Sarvabhutanam........" of the 2nd chapter, 68th
sloka, saying, " The Self restrained man keeps awake in that which appears as
night to all beings. That during which the world keeps awake, is night for the
sage who sees."

Now, what is Self Realization or Enlightenment? Self Realization is the sum of

two apparently opposite standpoints. First, the knowledge of the truth and the
second, the knowledge of the false existence. The reality of the Self or Atman is
truth and the reality or existence of this world or body, mind, intellect or ego
is false. A man who knows that this world is false will off course behave
differently from others. The behavior of a blind man will be completely different
from the man who can see.

Here lies the contradiction. In Vedantic terms, when a snake is seen in a rope,
we shout. But, the rope remains rope always, even when we shout and gather in a
crowd to kill it, it's only ever a rope. A man knowing the existence of rope will
never shout nor fear. He will only be pained by the ignorance of others.

In spite of all contradictions and criticisms, the Enlightened souls have never
complained. We see, Christ was crucified but He never complained, the only words
that came out of Him were of love and forgiveness. Buddha knew He was to be given
poison and thus, " Ananda, Let her come," remains the greatest statement of all
time.

I would like to put before you some of the words of Lord Krishna in His last
message to Uddhava in the Uddhava Gita. It is chapter 5, verses 10 and 11. "This
body which is created by the Lord's attribute known as Maya, is verily the cause
of man's transmigration. And the Knowledge of the Self serves to destroy this.
Therefore, by means of discrimination one should unite the soul to the absolute
Self which is in the body, and remove the idea of reality in the body, etc."

It is true that Krishna or God has mercy on every body and not only that, the
Master, the scriptures are also always merciful, the only mercy that we lack is
Self Mercy and thus your statement "Thus people who are Asleep, Adrift, or Awake
can all be in the state of Awareness or the HERE and NOW" goes beyond my
comprehension.

How can a person attain Self Knowledge without effort? I think the details about
it are given in the Yoga Vasistha. Doesn't surrender mean complete acceptance? The
knowledge is manifested when a disciple surrenders before a Master, as I have
known directly. I have not seen anywhere that the Master had to surrender before
the disciple.

D., I haven't taken myself seriously. In fact, I took your words about the
Astavakra seriously. They were these words, "In The Astavakra Samhita, the young
Asatavakra tells King Janaka, that his desire for self realization is in itself
the cause of his bondage".

I wanted to express my views on who should say this to whom. Do these words apply
to everybody? If they do apply to everyone, then most of the Prasthan Traiyas are
irrelevant. The Gita, The Upanishads and the Brahma Sutras which holds the
authority of all Vedantic knowledge should therefore be revised.

For your information, the Astavakra Samhita is a rare text where words flowed
even when everything had been said. Vedanta has never declared that the knowledge
should be only within the hands of a few. It has always appealed mankind to know
it.

But, there is also another word, 'Adhikari'(authorization). This word applies in

the case of each and every field of knowledge be it science, technology or arts.
In all the Vedantic texts, it has been clearly outlined who should read what. And
if we follow them, we can avert this kind of mis interpretation. And D., this
Adhikari word is not my word.

Any person who has a through knowledge on the Nyaya will be able to say
this.Freedom in fact is the primary requirement, but this is freedom from ego and
ignorance. Freedom absolute is also a step by step approach. A person needs years
to attain this even at the feet of a real Master( Sat Guru).

Lastly, D. and P., I had no reason or intention to hurt anyone. I only said what
the scriptures had to say. And because this is Vedanta Society, we go strictly by
the lines of the Triyes.My humble pranams and regards to Swami Beyondananda. Great
name.

Thanks,

Swami Probuddhananda.

Astavakra Samhita is the only spiritual text available which has been recited
after the realization of the disciple, Janaka in this case. So, when it says that
the desire of Self realization is in itself the cause of his bondage, it is
justified because a man who knows the Truth of his own Self need not strive to
know more.

But, before that, Janaka had the desire to know the Self as is evident from the
very first verse of the samhita -" How can knowledge be acquired? How can
liberation be attained? ..." Astavakra Samhita starts by answering this first
question of His. Now, if there are no desires, how and where does this question
come from?

In the Brahma Sutras, the very first aphorism is -" Athatha Brahma Jignyasa" -
now the question of Self realization has come. A person who has some small idea of
Nyaya knows when this question comes and how. This is because of desire to know
the Truth. The Upanishads are mostly a compilation of the question and answers
between the Guru( Master) and Disciple. We see that in the Katha, Kena, Prashna,
Swetaswetar and Chandogya Upanishads.

We see Yajnavalka delivering the nectar of self Knowledge to his first wife
Maitreyee and not to Latyayani. This is because Maitreyee wanted to know the Self,
she desired Self Knowledge.The Gita for example says- "Tat Viddi Pranipatena Pari
Prasnena Sevaya", 'serve the Master with proper questions.' Where from would the
question arise, if we have no desire to know the answers?.

Further in the seventh chapter of the Bhagavat Gita we find Krishna's words in
the 16th verse- 'four classes of people of virtuous deeds adore me: the afflicted,
the seeker of knowledge, the seeker of wealth and the man of knowledge.'
Sankaracharya has outlined three basic needs for Self realization, 'a human birth,
utmost desire for liberation, and the guidance of an able Master.'

Without desire, Self Knowledge is not possible. The Master - Disciple

relationship is based on mutual acceptance. A problem that we face now-a-days is
that every spiritual text is available to all in every language. This is a problem
because we know should know who should read which book. A man should be authorized
to touch any spiritual book. Ramakrishna only allowed Swami Vivekananda to read
the Astavakra at a certain point and, while reading, Swamiji in his initial days
commented that it was a book for atheists.

Sanatana and Hinduism are not the same words. The actual religion that the people
of this land, then named Ajanava Pradesh, later named Bharat and now India,
followed was Sanatana Dharma. Sanatana means eternal. A society based on the
eternal truths of the Vedas and Upanishads. But, whenever these eternal values had
to be framed within a system, deviations started because of the limited capacities
of the human mind and perceptions.

So rules had to be set, we know many such rules which now have taken the shape of
dogmas, doctrines, cults which have mostly become irrelevant in different times.
But, the Truth always remained the same, and the Truth is that Man is the Self,
divine, immortal and eternal. That is the reason the true spiritual greats who
have incarnated in this land had always stressed the need of realizing this truth.

However, this doesn't mean that they had neglected this world. " Atmano
Mokcharthyam Jagat Hitaya Cha", 'realize that freedom and then work for mankind.'
But, somehow the eternal values retained more relevance, importance and
significance for the people residing in India and thus it seems that to a certain
extent socio-cultural developments were ignored.

The word 'Hindu' came from the mis-pronunciation of the name of the river
'Sindhu' by the Persians. When they came here, they found the Sindhu River, which
they had to cross. They pronounced Hindu instead of Sindhu, thus, people living
beside the river Sindhu were termed as Hindus.

Now, the question is 'In spite of so many great Masters and with such an
advanced knowledge, why are we Indians so comparatively undeveloped?' Undeveloped
in the material sense. Yes, materially, we seem to be under developed, but,
spiritually we are not. A race which is developed spiritually will eventually
emerge as the most developed nation and this is where we are growing.

If you examine things carefully, we have developed in every respect, given the
huge population which India has. Things which seems undeveloped, will be
transformed soon. India will emerge as the greatest power in all respects in the
near future and I am sure from the point of view of the West, this is already
becoming evident.

Standards are neither high nor low, they are standards and one has to meet them.
For the masses, we can't lower them. As Swami Vivekananda said "The ideal cannot
be lowered." I believe that our nation will rise up to this standard soon. I am
very happy to inform you that the level of Consciousnees of the youths here has
increased tremendously.

For long time we didn't listen to these fearless philosophies, but now they are
taking their place as before. Vedanta is the only philosophy by which India will
develop, because it says man has infinite capabilities in Him. It never says he is
a Brahmin or a Sudras, it says is a son of the immortal. Vedanta does say to
transcend the desires but it is not in any way against prosperity, because the
mind which performs all the works is refined by the practice of Vedanta.

We become one with the Supreme knowledge. We reach a point where we realize
ourselves as Infinite. If this development were decribed as a journey, then
Vedantic mind sets out on an infinite journey. He who is prosperous internally is
prosperous externally.

In reply to your post, I know about meditation, but have no idea what advanced
meditation is. There are many new versions of Vedanta or Hindu religion which I
see practiced and talked about in the West Try to gain insight into the classic
Vedanta, which has been outlined in the scriptures.

That is the reason I advise you to read the lives of Sankaracharyya, Ramana,
Ramakrishna Paramhansha and Swami Vivekananda. Meditation takes us beyond the
three attributes or gunas which are 'Sattva', 'Rajas' and 'Tamas'. Thanks for
calling me Sir. You can call me Probuddhananda or Swami or as my friends call me
simply Probuddha. I didn't lose my temper. I just defended what I see and feel.

These words might be seem strong, but the Truth remains all the same. I was
raised in a orthodox Hindu family and I know this culture and these traditions to
be very scientific. I myself was a critic until one day my Master taught me what
Hinduism is all about.

I have seen we are not aware of the huge treasures that we have in our house.The
actual definition of a Swami is one who has left all individual aspirations and
accepted this world to be his own family. A journey from individual soul to the
universal soul.

As I understand this word in a new way everyday, I feel the great mercy of my
Master and God. I feel myself as a true human being. I am not sure if I could
answer your questions in the proper way. Please excuse me my limited knowledge.

Yours,

always in service,

Swami Probuddhananda.

In response to your questions I banned you from the group not because you had
said anything against me, but becausse you said things against a community or a
nation which is of many. I don't have any idea where I refused to argue on the
subject that you had talked about. However I did refuse to indulge in some
arguments which might not be beneficial to any of us, not for this group, nor for
those people who owe everything to their religion or faith.

I told you that I can reply wherever you like, but not in this group's
discussion boards, but you chose this discussion board anyway. I asked you some
questions which you didn't reply to, but instead you chose the very easy path of
abusing other people who didn't agree with you. Also, I will tell you once and for
all, International Vedanta Society is not a Hindu organization.

Vedanta doesn't belong to a particular community. Vedanta speaks about the

divine nature of each and every person and taking this message of divinity to the
world is our goal. If you are so eager to prove Hinduism is a baseless, uncultured
and uncivilized religion, there are many Hindu groups with which to discuss that.
You can discuss your point there, this is not the right place.

We are all searching the Truth and we think that Vedanta can give us the way to
reach it. But, its solely our own perception, it has nothing to do with you. Leave
us alone and let us practice what we think best. Also, I do not smoke marijuana.
People do not follow me, we all are simply practicing Vedanta. My friend, I do not
claim to be right, but I try to be perfect and truthful in all respects.

As for Swami Vivekananda, Mother Teresa or Gandhiji, they were all great human
beings. Swami Vivekananda didn't only collect money for the monasteries He
founded. He also collected for hundreds of schools, colleges, hospitals, old age
homes and orphanages. These are run by the Ramakrishna Mission. Please see their
official site and literature. Read the letters of Swami Vivekananda for a better
over-view of His works. He did go to a Christian school and it was also a Christan
teacher who told him about Ramakrishna. Thanks for giving me and my views so much
importance.

Yours,

Swami Probuddhananda.

This is what Bhagavan said about the mantra of Hare Krishna.

I would like to add a few words regarding this Krishna Naam (Mahamantra).
I have spoken about Advaita Vedanta for the last 18 years. Speaking about Vedanta,
I felt that I would continue this for my whole life. One day after my Samadhi, I
realized that I was told in my Samadhi to chant the name of Krishna.'Become mad
and madden the world'. I was amazed. I am a hardcore Vedantin.

I had said that the truth is Brahman and this world is false. But somebody
in me asked me to chant. This knowledge of the Brahman being the supreme knowledge
couldn't be held by all. Many were thus deprived. I myself was surprised to think
that I would chant Hare Krishna, I hadn't thought of it ever before.
 So, when I got up from the Samadhi, Premananda was sitting somewhere. I
told him, 'Chant the name of Krishna.' He is a good singer. This was the beginning
of the Krishna Chanting in IVS. The tune was also given by him.

We don't chant to see Lord Krishna, we do it to mingle with the common

mass. Because the tough words of Vedanta cannot be comprehended by all. But when
we chant this Hare Krishna Mahamantra, everybody is rejuvenated. Everybody is
united by the same tune. We chant this Mahamantra to reach this oneness.

Our desire for God is no more than our desire for mankind. Every man is
God. We have to realise this. We live with man. Man is my foremost desire. So this
Krishna chanting is to mingle with humanity. So I was told I should chant by the
Supreme God.

So, we do... - Bhagavan.

You didn't offend anyone. This is a discussion board and we are free to express
our views on the subject discussed. As for me, it would be very sad if you leave
this group. The International Vedanta Society is a purely spiritual organization
which is trying hard to bring the message of Advaita Vedanta to the masses with
emphasis on Self Realization.

But, while doing so we come across the basic truth of this nature. Each one of us
has a different mind set, some have a dualistic approach, some qualified non
dualists and some, very rare, have the direct approach of the formless. The goal
being the one, indivisible and infinite Brahman, we have to accept the past
impressions of people and thus march forward.

From Dualists to qualified Non Dualists and from qualified non-Dualists to pure
non-Dualists. For this, we have to create room for people where they can develop
this perception of the Self. If we tell a lay man, who has no knowledge of
Vedanta, that 'Thou art that' it would mean nothing to him. He will be confused
because for him, God resides in the temple, or churches or in the Mosque. Slowly,
we have to tell him that God which resides in the temple, resides within your
heart. And then, that you are that God yourself. This needs a lot of purification
of mind and intellect.

The pure way of Advaita is very rare. So, we would understand that for you,
nothing is needed other than discrimination and Self comprehension, but, for the
masses, you need many things. A man who realizes the Self knows the world is
false, but, he in no way can discard this world in spite of knowing this truth. He
accepts everything, every individual, every past impression.

Bhagavan gave this Mahamantra not as a part of Sadhana but to mix up with the
masses at large and that it why "say Hare Krishna" comes last. Before that we have
to give up our spiritual ego. So, after the spiritual ego is gone, what remains?
nothing but Unity, Unity and assimilation of all ideas. He accepts everything. One
who comes down to ground from space has all the knowledge of the space within Him.
He can go there whenever he desires. A man established in Advaita knows the pain
of separation caused due to diversity. To unite, to reach Oneness becomes His
goal. Internally we are all One, but, there are rare enlightened souls who want
this Oneness outside also. Hence Mahamatra is an effective and a very simple way
to approach this.

Advaita is not heartless, it is living and poetic. Lastly, Advaitins accept

everything. They sees no difference in Ram, Ram's name and the soul of Ram. They
see no difference in duality and non duality. For them everything is
Consciousness. As a women who came to dance in the court of a king once said to
Swami Vivekananda, "An ignorant man differentiates, why would the enlightened
differentiate?" I will suggest you to read the life of Sankaracharyya and see what
happened to Him in the Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi.

With best wishes,

Swami Probuddhananda.

The agenda of International Vedanta Society is to preach unto mankind the divinity
of their Self. That man is divine and pure by nature. The idea behind forming a
society is providing a platform where people from every strata of life,
irrespective of caste, religion, Sex, Creed and the like can come together and
work for this common cause of spreading the message of love and oneness in this
planet.

Vedanta is an essential part of our life which is still undiscovered. We do our

day to day activities through our mind not through our body. But, mind is a very
restless entity. To calm down the mind is the only secret of a perfect and
efficient work. With the practice of Vedanta, the mind becomes calm and still and
then the divinity within us gets manifested.

We start to realize that we are divine, not the one whom we have known since
childhood, but, something else which we haven't known. Thus the quality of our
thoughts increases tremendously increasing the quality of our mind , thereby the
quality of life and actions are also refined. This is the only reason why we
should follow a Vedantic life.

Spirituality is a science by which we know the reality of this world and our Self.
As we know that this world will not remain after a certain time, that means its
not true. Then what is the Truth? Searching for the Truth, one has to go beyond
his body, mind, intellect and ego. There lies the Truth, which is existence,
knowledge and bliss absolute.We should follow this route to attain freedom.
Freedom from our thoughts. Well, after reading all these lines, you can decide if
it is beneficial or not.
In simple words, divinity is the feelings of bliss, purity, perfection and love
which flows through us without a reason. Every feeling we have is generally
because of our interaction with the external or internal world. But, mind can
reach such a plane of consciousness where divinity is felt spontaneously.

Efficient work not only means skillful work, it also means that work by which even
the man living in the streets can be benefited. Efficient work is needed for my
own satisfaction. Its you who decides the efficiency of your work. But, for that,
you have to be very honest to yourself.

The goal of Vedanta is to realize the Self. But, is there a way to stop working?
If you stop your external work, can you stop your thought process? That is the
most vital and powerful work which is performed through us, because thoughts
create our world, they decide our next step. We cannot stop working on our own.
That is why we do some selfless works which help us to stop the process of work
within us and clean our mind.

When the mind is cleaned, the perception of another existence within us starts to
get clearer. As the perception becomes clearer, the desire to know it with
certainty increases, and with the increase of desire, we reach that existence.
This is Self knowledge. Here ego is not defeated, but, it is dissolved completely
into the ocean of Consciousness.

In Samadhi, the ego dissolves into Consciousness and you see that the ego didn't
actually exist. The fact that we saw and believed something (in this case ego)
which doesn't even exist is called Maya, ignorance or illusion. This is equivalent
to seeing the snake in the rope. So, we didn't really have an ego, it only seemed
as if we had an ego. This liberation from the perception that ego exists is called
absolute freedom or Moksha. The goal of life is to realize this Knowledge, the
Knowledge that you are always free.

It is necessary to reach the state of Samadhi to know who you are. Samadhi means
the state of unity with the Truth. Or, in other words, Samadhi is that state where
all perception of falseness disappears and we merge into our real nature or Self.
Desires cannot be exhausted. Desires are a never ending story. Like a mirage where
water seems every step ahead, ultimately a man loses even his life running after
water.

If we have good and pure thoughts, we feel good. If we have thoughts of anger or
hatred or envy, the one who burns is also me. So, certain thoughts brings certain
realizations to us. Good quality thoughts are those thoughts which gives us the
feelings of purity, blissfulness and love. Bad quality thoughts makes us harsh and
arrogant, frustrated and depressed.

Ethics comes from the religion you follow. But, to me, to be clear to yourself is
ethics. They comes from your conscience directly. The answer is the infinite Self
and we are That. The supreme existence. We exist because we are existence,
immortal. There is no question of non existence.

Your feelings are that what I am trying to say is recursive, but those are only
your feelings. They have nothing to do with the Truth. I am trying to speak the
Truth which I have experienced and having experienced that, I have seen that
whatever the sages said ages ago is all true. Yes, after Samadhi, mind comes back,
but the realization of Truth always remains and thus you never get distracted in
the realms of duality.

For example, you are going through a desert and suddenly you see an oasis. Because
you are thirsty, you run fast to reach there. But after some time you realize that
it was not an oasis, it was just a mirage. You stop running and continue your
journey. The next moment you see the mirage again, but this time you know this is
just a mirage. This is exactly what happens to a mind after Samadhi.

You say Swami Vivekananda was an evangelist in one hand and on the other hand he
wanted to enlarge his ego. You contradict yourself. Tell me in surety, which one
was He? Because if He was an evangelist, He could not inflate His ego. Did you
read any of His works? Go and read them at least ten times and then come to talk.
Joy does come to us by inflating our ego but not for long. Soon, we feel
frustrated because we seldom find buyers of our inflated ego.

You are welcome to ask as many questions you want to in near future. The thing
which is beyond our perception is not essentially unreal. How do we perceive?
Through our senses. How much can the senses perceive? Doesn't our limit of
perception depend upon the limit of the receptive capability of our senses or
mind?

Buddhism as taught by Lord Buddha still prevails in India. And Indians regard Lord
Buddha as the incarnation of God, as we regard Christ as the incarnation of God.
The amalgamated form of Buddhism and Tibetan mysticism which came back to India
was altered by Indians a long time ago, because it couldn't be the religion of the
masses. If you ask me why?, read the history of India.

When you know the Truth, you will realize how false the statement that
'Consciousness is the attribute of the mind' is. How can the seer be part of the
scene? How can the observer be a part of the observed? If he is a part of that
observed, he can never observe the totality. If the totality is not observed you
are free to make any conclusion, but remember, whatever conclusion you make will
be false because you haven't seen the reality.

Thanks and and best wishes,

Swami Probuddhananda.

Thanks Patrick, Alvarazo, Prasadji and Michael for your comments and observations.
In particular, these lines of Alvarazo impressed me, "So if you can understand how
mind goes out, you know that the same path is to be followed back." Now to the
point that Shri Talwarji has raised. Heart expressed in the spiritual texts is not
any human organ, but, its a faculty present within us where we can feel the
presence of God or the Self. The divine love flows through here.
We all know that the human heart is in the left hand side of our body, but this
spiritual heart is in the right hand side of the body and opens up to that person
who attains a very high state of realization. The spiritual world is such that
there is no high or low, deep or shallow. However to explain the spiritual world
to a lay person different levels are taken into account. This is so that that man
can get to grips with spirituality and approach the realization of the Self to
reach that Oneness, within and without.

The one that feels hatred, jealousy, envy etc is only the unreal or imaginary
existence, in other words, the mind, which we identify as ourself along with our
body. In the dreaming state, though the body doesn't exist, my existence can be
proven only when I consider my mind to be me, because the observer of dream is the
mind.

But, what is this mind? In simple words, the mind is a group of thoughts. Like
many trees grouped together is a forest, similarly, many thoughts grouped together
are a mind. To know the mind properly we have to penetrate into the thoughts. Now
let's see what the thoughts really are, they are an apparent mixture or
amalgamation of matter and consciousness, in other words the object and the
subject.

A thought contains two things, one is the object and the other is the subject.
Object is the matter and subject is the consciousness which brings the object to
my notice. Let's take any thought, for example, 'I am hungry.' This thought "I am
hungry" is the matter or object and that 'I am hungry' is known to me is because
of the subject or Consciousness present in the substratum of the matter.

Matter or object can be many, but, the subject is one and indivisible. I know many
objects with the same Consciousness, that doesn't vary. The experiences in the
waking state, dreaming state and deep sleep state are different but they are felt
or experienced by the same Consciousness.

The one who says I know everything in the waking state is the same one who says I
haven't known anything in deep sleep. In deep sleep the mind fails to retain its
existence, but the Consciousness does and that is why after returning from deep
sleep we say we had a good or bad sleep.

If the Consciousness was differing, we would have lost the continuity within these
three states. The Consciousness is the observer of these three states. Though
these three states are evident to us, the Consciousness within is never evident.
Spirituality is an endeavor to reach the subject leaving the object, that is
reaching that Consciousness, Knowledge or Oneness.

When we reach this eternal conscious state, we find that not only the object never
existed, the bond between the subject and object also never existed. So if this
bond never existed and the object never existed, then how did we see and
experience them? This is because of Maya, otherwise known as illusion or
ignorance.

The exact definition of Maya is 'to perceive reality in that which is unreal.'
Like the snake in the rope or the silver in the mother of pearl. Once this veil of
ignorance or Maya is lifted, we see ourselves free from three basic things which
we always live in- time, space and causality, this being the relationship between
cause and effect.

We know ourselves to be time-less, space-less and event-less. Sat-Chid- Ananda or

Truth, Knowledge and Bliss.Now, how to reach this? Many wise men have many
different views on this. The Bhagavad Gita alone speaks about four different Yogas
or ways to reach here.

The best way is that what which your heart says. The best way is that what your
heart accepts as Truth. There might be a difference in the path, but, there is no
difference in the Truth realized. As Thakur Ramakrishna said 'The same object
'water' is spoken in different ways by people speaking different languages. But,
the one, who reaches the Absolute, knows everything to be True.

Sadhana
29 September 2009
11:43

On the spiritual path the only thing we need to remember is which is my starting
point, that is where I am now, and what is my goal. If this world is our goal,
it's there, enjoy it. But, if God is our goal then make yourself strong. The ideal
cannot be lowered, we cannot make the ideal work according to our own condition
and requirements, we have to raise ourselves up to the ideal.

In any spiritual realization, if the thought of the Master comes and one feels
reverence and love for the Master, then we are on the right path. Whatever we do
is like a drop in the ocean, the actual work is done by the Master. If it is a
real spiritual realization, this secret is revealed.

Lord Shiva said, 'A man who knows his Master to be God is a real saint, and in
this man the secrets of Divinity manifest on there own.' Try to understand the
secrets of the two types of teeth of an elephant, one type is for showing, one is
for eating. The Master is the same, His outer behavior is just like us, but inside
He is fire. The more elevated the Master, the more ordinary He seems. So, beware
of this fact. Its only the love of the Master and the love for the Master which
makes things happen. If there were other ways, I would have told you.

I am sorry that I wrote a harsh letter to you last night. I understand your
problem, as well as the problem of your mother and sister. When we have a disease
there are many symptoms, but the doctor doesn't the symptoms, he cures the actual
disease. Here, the disease of your mother and sister is not what you say. Their
actual problem is fear, fear of losing you and that is because they love you.

As long as they are convinced that you are in the right path, they will always
cause disturbances. Its not that they want to, but they can't help it, they think
that they are actually trying to help you. I tell you this because I also had a
mother and was the only son of hers. The only solution to this problem is to never
close your mind or ignore them when they speak.

Patiently listen and look into their eyes while they speak, with a smile and
peace always. Try to understand that it's their love which is saying this, not
their ego. After they have spoken, hug them and spend time with them. It won't
harm your meditation or spirituality. Spirituality is all about love.

We love God. Man is also God. Mother and sister iare also God. So, instead of
loving someone whom you haven't seen or met, love those you see everyday. You will
find God there and without any meditation. Be with them in everything, understand
their fears and heal them with love. If you don't, you are running away from this
problem and will have to face the same everywhere you go. So, try to be a winner,
a winner by losing everything. Win your mother and sister with your genuine love.

With love,

Swamiji

I am thinking to write soon about some spiritual experiences which I have been
going through these days. The latest visit of my Master Bhagavan opened a new
window for me in the inner world. I have been with him for the last 21 years and
attained the highest realization in the year 1994. However, this time He showed me
that this world is not limited, there is no place where you can say you have
reached the summit.

After His departure from Varanasi, I decided to spend most of the time in
meditation and spiritual practice and this gave me some very new and deeper
realizations. I want to share these experiences but find few words to pen them
down. One of the prime goal of my life is to spread this knowledge of the Oneness
of ours with God or Self to the masses, in very simple and clear words. I need
help from people like you who are pure and big hearted. Would you like to join us
in this work? It would be a delight to me.

With love to you and A.,

Swamiji

Thanks. The path is long but it's very sweet specially if we get a companion. Guru
or Master is the only companion and Guru means the words of the Guru. Not his
body. Serve him with your honest and sincere questions. I want you to realize the
Self or God. And you will, have faith in yourself. The audio files will help you
tremendously I am sure.

Whenever any doubts arises, please write to me or call me as per your convenience.
I have more works and while doing so, I will see that when you had become that I
didn't know. Read the life of Sri Sarada Devi, the wife of Thakur Ramakrishna.
Always try to keep pure and clear thoughts, if any thoughts disturb them, leave
them immediately.

Chanting is the best way to leave those thoughts. Live in the present always,
don't think about the past or future so much. And whenever you talk to me, say
with all clarity and enthusiasm that you are very very good. Smile always because
there is nothing to loose.

Whatever comes is for our own good. God is great, and so are you and Amitji. Love
each other and, together, love all. Love is the only God.If you and Amitji want to
do something for me, its this, realize God and spread this message of divinity to
each and every soul. Talk about this to everybody you know. Start work from now,
this is the work of my Master Bhagavan.

With love to you and Amitji,

I am with you forever,

Swamiji

This is the prime austerity of Advaita Vedanta. To negate everything that is

perceivable. The first is to discriminate between the real and unreal. The
projected world is unreal because its perceived by the senses, the Truth therefore
might be different. By denying the external world, one enters into the internal
world where every object of the external is present, in a subtle form, as
thoughts.

The thoughts have two parts, one the object, the other the subject. The object
varies, but the subject or Consciousness remains the same always. This
Consciousness is the Truth or the Reality. Negating everything means negating the
objects of the thoughts and reaching the Consciousness, the substratum.

However, this approach is a step by step process. Though it seems tough, it is

actually quite easy. Practice is the only way to master it. Look at your
surroundings. What do you see? The external world. Everything here has a beginning
or a birth. That which has a beginning or a birth will of course meet its end or
death.

Truth is eternal, it has neither birth or death. It exists in time and beyond
time. So, what we see, the name and form in the external world is not true. So, we
deny them. This denial doesn't mean to stop dwelling with them, it's to dwell or
use them knowing them as unreal, as something which will not remain after a given
time.

After we deny the external world, we see the internal world which stems from our
mind. The objects which the senses bring to our notice are being stored here
subtly. Everything present outside is also present here, not as a gross object,
but subtly, as a thought or Vritti in Vedantic terms.

Because the external objects are not real, thus the objects present in the mind in
the subtle form are also not true. We have to negate them, how? When we think,
there are many things that comes to us as thoughts. We choose the best ones and
keep them. This is very near to discrimination or vichara in Vedanta.

Similarly, we have to discriminate which among these thoughts or furthermore which

object among them is the real or the true one? We see that not a single object
present here is true because they are just the subtle representations of the gross
objects present outside.

Then what is the reality? The thoughts can be divided into two parts- the object
and the subject. The objects are what we have already discussed, now what is the
subject? The Subject is the Consciousness or the Awareness that make us feel the
existence of these objects.

My hunger is a thought, so it is an object, but with it exists also a

Consciousness or Awareness of hunger. This Consciousness is not hunger but it
brings hunger to my notice. It does the same with all the phenomenon of other
thoughts. The subject brings everything to our Consciousness because it is that
Consciousness or Awareness.

The objects have their modifications and variation but the subject never varies
nor is modified. Therefore, this subject is the truth or the reality. This is
called negation, or neti neti, in Vedanta. Neti neti means not this, not this. Na
iti, na iti. When we understand this phenomenon, we start to concentrate more on
the subject, rather than spending time on the various objects.

The subject, because it is unchangeable, is the abode of peace. Silence, or we can

say supreme silence. This silence or stillness enables us to see, feel and
identify ourselves with the unchangeable eternal existence. We realize that we are
That, not the body, nor the mind, nor the ego, we are that infinite Consciousness.

The realization of infinity gives us the taste of freedom, freedom from

finiteness. Freedom brings bliss. Everything happens when we identify ourselves
with the Consciousness. Utmost desire is the only way to know this. The first line
of the Vedanta Sutra, 'Athata Brahmajiyansa', now the quest( question) for truth
has begun. May we all know who we are. This is the only solution to any given
problem. Soham, Soham, Soham.

Thank you for your beautiful message. Indeed truth is the highest goal, and I’m so
pleased you asked me about meditation. Spirituality is the ever-awareness of God,
so the first thing to do is welcome God into your Consciousness through the use of
a mantra, or a chant, which you repeat in your head with all the Consciousness and
love you have.

The chant that was given to me by my Master is ‘Hare Krishna.’ Hare (like ha-ray)
means to Steal, and Krishna is the God of Love, so what the chant actually evokes
is a prayer for God to steal your heart, or lift the veils between you and
Himself. When you chant this, do so slowly, constantly and consciously, as if you
are whispering into the ear of the Divine. In so doing, the thoughts in the mind
eventually calm, and this is a good time to start the practice of meditation.

Prayers and best wishes,

Swamiji
Yes, these fears can be so challenging, but it’s important to remember that these
fears don’t really exist. It’s like walking along a path and seeing a snake in the
distance. As you approach, the snake becomes nothing but a rope, it was an
illusion based on past impressions.

Your interest in finding a spiritual path is a blessing that will help you
transcend any limitations those fears set before you. If you go to the IVS page on
Facebook, and look on the column on the right under “related pages”, you will find
many groups seeking to spread this knowledge and awareness.

Prayers and best wishes,

Swamiji

I'm more interested to know and work on the wild part of the mind of such a
lovely, sweet lady. Always keep an eye on that part. That is the most dangerous
part of our mind, be very careful. One slight slip and you are again gone. Have
you played snakes and ladders? Just like that. Do you feel OK and relaxed dear?

Do you feel that strong assurance that you will feel Him. Do you have or face any
problem? Be well dear. If I stay here what will happen to rest of IVS? Its good to
be here with Bhagavan, but I believe in vacating this place for others. Did I ever
tell you what is my aim in life? If not, guess.

Until next time, only tons of pure love,

Swamiji.

Divine love will come after realization of God. Realization will happen when your
desire reaches its max. Desire will increase with concentration, concentration
with meditation and meditation will be better with chanting.

Just see how close you are. Feel Him inside. This love is God, yes beyond mind and
body, and one more thing, beyond form also. Feel that love which is beyond
everything. As you go deeper and deeper the Master and God becomes one. The Master
and the disciple becomes one. You and your surroundings become one. There is only
unity. One body, one mind, heart and the soul. Get immersed into that unity.

I love you and I'm sure I can't tell you how much,

Swamiji

Think this work to be ours. Not yours, not mine. This world is ours, we own
everything here, this is God. Bhagavan said, son, man is God. Thats everything,
end of all philosophy for me. Bottom line, essence. There is a beautiful poem of
Swami Vivekananda - 'Whom do you search leaving these endless faces, one who loves
every creature is himself God.' Ideals cannot be lowered, we have to elevate
ourselves. Please see the rope as it is, the creation of snake happens within the
mind. Not this, not this, use the power of discrimination.

Sincerity
29 September 2009
11:44

Thanks Govindacharya. I am very happy to know about you. I have seen the depth of
your knowledge in some of the notes or comments that you had made in our group and
was very impressed. My humble and sincere pranams to your Gurudev, Chinna Jeeyar
Swamiji for bestowing such a original and pure knowledge in your heart.

Govindacharya, I know very little of the vast scriptures, I am completely ignorant

in this aspect. But, by the grace of my Master Bhagavan, I had the fortune to
experience the state of Samadhi. I can discuss any aspect regarding the
transcendental world and on the realizations as per my experience. However
discussing the sastras is something where I have to surrender right from the very
beginning. Hahaha, lets engage in the discussion of the inner world and share our
insight. Thanks for being my friend again.

Regards to you and humble pranams to your Master,

Swamiji

Dear, it is really hard to express the experiences, realizations and revelations

associated with God. The best way is to stop trying and let the words flow. I
understand your feelings of not being able to share your experiences with anybody
there. You have to always remember that this spiritual life is a lone journey and
you find only God or the Master with you.

There will be millions who talk about this. But there will be one or two among
them who will really follow the words. The person who walks in this path commences
his journey by knowing the fact that he will be always friendless, misunderstood,
often criticized. But God is great. He has kept something for us somewhere which
we know after a given time.

We have an association, where we meet everyday to talk, discuss and share our
feelings. I welcome you with all my love and hope that our association will not
only benefit you, but also benefit many like you. I send you a link where you can
find people like us at 9.30pm India time And the password is
bhagavan.http://www.zorap.com/password.aspx?gid=swamiprobuddhananda Please come
into this site whenever you feel like.

No James, people are same everywhere.
being religious. But through our work
feelings. And I open up that world to
unaware where the soul really is. The
becoming a good listener.
There is a difference in being spiritual and
we did find some people to share our
you. India has its soul but the people are
best way to speak about spirituality is by

As you listen to them talking endlessly about their endless sufferings and ego
they make way for you to come in. That is the time when you have to remove
yourself and let the Lord speak. Oneness doesn't mean connection with God, but
that we are one with God. ‘Becoming one with God’ or ‘God is one with us’ is the
same. Here there are not two individuals. There is only one and this can be
realized clearly.

As we have other feelings of hot and cold, sweet and sour, similarly is the
feelings of oneness with God. Jesus is a great teacher and we believe that He is
God incarnate. Thinking about Him and His words is following Him. As you follow,
one day you will become one with Jesus.

The true feelings of love, compassion, faith etc, come after the realization of
Oneness. Without realizations they are just lifeless words. It is indeed God that
guides us, but that God doesn't reside in any heaven apart from us. He resides
within you in your heart. So pray unto the God who eternally resides within to
show you the way. The goal will be attained. You are doing the right thing James.

My only words to you are 'March on.'

With Love,
Swamiji.

Dear, thanks for your sincerity. In spiritual life it's only sincerity and honesty
that pays. They bring all the qualities needed for the growth of a true spiritual
character and finally realizing God. The spirit of Vedantic thought lies in this
two lines as told to us by Adi Sankaracharyya, 'Brahman or the Self (you can refer
it as God initially) is the sole Truth and this world is false. The creatures are,
in fact, Brahman.'

I am sure these two lines will come true in your life. You have to approach step
by step. Just keep on chanting and praying God to give you the desire to realize
Him. Within a short time, you will find yourself in the world of realizations. The
inner world starts from mind, so chant unceasingly to make your mind calm and
quiet. It will help you in your office works also. Know that God has mercy on you.
The love of my Master, Bhagavan will reach you wherever you are.

Swamiji with love.

Thanks. I liked it because it reminded me of my Master. I didn't have wings to

fly, He gave me His. He always appeared before me from the dark taking me towards
the light. I have to thank you for this poem very much because it took me to those
days when I was just a boy knowing nothing about anything. he made me stand
straight, sometimes with love, sometimes with anger. But, He is the best thing to
happen in my life. He is the best Master someone can have. I feel so lucky. One
day, I will elaborate for you on His life. Let me be His servant for the rest of
my life and all the lives to come.

Dear, one thing, before doing something, you should know what you have to do. You
have to realize God. God can be realized and it's very true. You have to desire
God to realize Him. Its only our desires that shape our destiny. There's in fact
nothing called destiny or luck, it's the urge to get manifested that causes this.
Everything is in your hands and within your reach, so walk firm in the path of
Self.

It's not the ego, the Self is beyond ego. Forget the past, start from now. Theres
nothing called darkness, theres nothing called despair, theres nothing called
ignorance either, theres only Truth, divinity and bliss. One day you will find the
world at your feet, the people you long for at your feet, but that day, you will
see how superficial and cheap this worldly love is. It's only a lust decorated in
a beautiful casket of words and emotions.

After a time, the beauty of the casket fades bringing end to this worldly love.
See the love within you, feel it, realize that, its universal, beyond time, space
and causality. Its impersonal. The day you stop seeking the pleasures of this
world, the world comes with all it's pleasures to your feet. So, dare, fear not,
just march on. The Lord is always with you.

With a lot of love,

Swami Probuddhananda

Dear, I was delighted to know about this. I would just like to add a few things to
this experience of yours. When you see that your thoughts are absorbed, always
follow the thoughts and as you follow them you will find the one who is absorbing.
The energy that you had experienced before this was the energy by which the Self
or God always attracts us towards itself.

When we are close to this, we start feeling this. So, our sole duty that time is
to follow the vanishing thoughts and thus reach that existence. I am sure this
will happen to you again. The next time it comes, it might come with the cosmos of
voidness or space which I was referring to all of you in the class the other day.
It may appear as void, but it isn't. Jump into that immediately. My love for you
knows no bounds. I pray for your enlightenment.

With all my love and the supreme energy of Goddess Durga,

it's Swamiji from Varanasi.

Thankyou for the letter. I was a little sick today in the morning, so I couldn't
stay chatting, or I would have had another direct conversation with you. Anyway,
from now on, write to me in this address so that it reach me directly in my mobile
and I can reply you soon without coming to the computer. -
swamiprobuddhananda@yahoo.com.

The fact that you have written about is very true. When you approach spirituality,
gradually you will realize that the greatest enemy of yours is your own mind.
There is no other obstacle more than the mind. The world never distracts us,
neither do our surroundings, its only the mind. This mind is the medium of
greatest attachment. And the objects of attachment are also not outside, they are
within your mind.

Your family, your friends, your world is not what you see outside, its present
within you, it is imaginary and doesn't have much similarity with the world
outside. This is why we suffer. We perceive the world as one way in our mind and
it appears another way outside. This is the cause of all human sufferings and
frustrations, pains and agonies. The only way out is to go beyond the limitations
of mind.

Going beyond the limitations means going beyond the imaginations. Once you are out
of your own imaginations, you see the world very real and the foremost reality is
that the world is nothing but God Himself. There is nothing other than God
anywhere anytime. The only obstacle between you and God is your mind. So, you have
to go beyond the mind.

Carry on the chanting till you are totally comfortable with it. Practice it
unceasingly. Initially, you will have some difficulty adjusting your daily life
with the continuous awareness inside. But, as time passes and you go on
practicing, you will see that you can do everything even talking, laughing,
(crying also in your case, hahaha), while you are chanting inside.

It will make you feel peace and bliss inside while you carry on all your family
and worldly works. You will find your mind has become very calm, remember calm
mind doesn't mean dull mind. Calm mind means inactivity in activity. Calmness
doesn't mean idleness. Never let your mind be idle because it will again become a
devil's workshop.

When this calmness is felt, it will be evident to me by your writings, I will be

able to understand that from here. Then I will tell you to meditate. But for now,
its only chanting. Do it with love, not like a machine. A parrot also recites the
name of God but it doesn't become enlightened.

Don't do any spiritual practice like a machine, you have to enjoy it completely.
If you don't enjoy chanting, tell me, I will tell you other ways. But love this
Mantra with your whole heart. When my Master gave this Mantra to me, I chanted it
whole day and night, I even dreamt that I am chanting. It brought great spiritual
elevation in my mind. I am sure it will be true to you also. Lastly for today,
Love God, Love the Master, Love yourself.

With all my love and blessings,

Swamiji
Spirituality means practice. Practice of perfection. When it matches with the
perfection that you already carry inside, you realize God. Get immersed into His
love. So, a very honest practice is needed. The Master of my Master, Swami
Pavitranandaji wrote in His first letter to my Master these two words, honesty and
sincerity. My Master instructed me to read these two words for ten years.

Today, I think I have come to a position where I can see myself as capable of
understanding these two words. So, my dear, just march on in this path of
perfection. God is true. He can be realized as you see your children and other
things. He is Real. Your God awaits just at the bottom of your heart with all His
love to offer you eternally.

Love you,

Swamiji

You are a nice person. You are one of the very rare persons whom I find to say
that they want to feel the union with God. I don't know, if you have or don't have
any spiritual upbringing, but I want to tell you that you are quite spiritual
because you know the essence of spirituality. Most of the people talk about not
eating meat, or doing Yoga or meditating etc when asked about their spiritual
concepts.

But the real spirituality lies in realizing the unity with God all the time, and
you have asked me just that. Congratulations. For your question, I only want to
say, it is the easiest task for those who desire it to feel His presence or union
with God. Yes, its possible. Very much possible and for you, I think it will be a
reality.

Even if you had hundred spirited children, it would have been possible for you.
But, you have to follow a procedure, a process through which you will feel this. I
can tell you how if you want. Praying for your spiritual enlightenment,

Its Swami Probuddhananda.

I am delighted to hear from you and about your spiritual experience. Yes, this is
how this happens, sometimes when we don't expect it to happen. I can understand
the feelings you had and how wonderful it can be. I tell you one thing, don't try
to grasp it again. Just keep yourself more and more open and keep flowing, again
back to the same process of chanting consciously.

When you manage everything on the domestic front and you can see that the outer
world has no relation with the inner, the only remaining obstruction is our mind.
So, if you are comfortable doing this, remaining in chaos, do it. You will learn a
lot in this way.

These experiences come to us, they cannot be brought. Like your youngest child.
You never know when he will love whom, its just according to his mood. In the same
way, God is like a child. You cannot make him do this or that, he does everything
according to his own wish. So, always be working on the basics.

You will have even more intense experiences because you want to be immersed into
God, so this will happen to you for sure. But if you try to grasp any spiritual
experience, it will keep you within its limits. You only gain experience through
it and this paves the way for an even greater realization.

So, keep on sailing brave lady. I will tell you part by part how my life unfolded
its petals. It's a very interesting story with a lot of fun and joy involved in
it. There was a great sacrifice on the part of my mother, as I was her only child.
But, for now, I am just delighted to know about you and grateful to God how He
makes things happen for you.

On the morning of the 4th I will be going to Kolkata, which is about 12 hours from
Varanasi. I am not sure whether I will have time to go to the internet, but
because my mobile will be with me, write to my email. I can answer you through
that. Sometimes facebook doesn't work on the mobile.I am quite busy right now. I
will write to you afterwards. I will send you a story which I thought to be a
perfect way to explain why God made these default settings. hahaha, I liked this
word very much.

I love you.

Swamiji

Yes, you brave lady, chant in the midst of all chaos and that too constantly and
consciously. Just a perfect day for a perfect person to do the perfect job. Carry
on with full enthusiasm and love. You will succeed. Bravo. Bliss is the
spontaneous heavenly joy we receive without a reason or without the help of any
outer object, not even our thoughts.It will come to you, don't worry.

All the rooms of the mind will open up, gradually showing you everything it had
inside and then you will just laugh, play and dance. Do you sing also? Here one of
my brother disciples had developed a brilliant idea to get me into trouble. He
had, God knows how, developed an urge to sing and that too Indian classical. I had
to admit to be honest that it was just pure rubbish and perfect nonsense , but if
I told him to stop, he would be disheartened and I didn't want that for him.

In this case there were two possibilities, either he would sing all day or he
would sing all night and in both cases I was the one that would have to face this
music, which is strong enough to depress and devastate even an Angel. I am a mere
human being having only two innocent ears. The problem is mine, my ears are faulty
and that is why I cannot appreciate the magic present in his voice.

Anyway, God has blessed me with a good audience always and maybe he wants me to be
one too. But the problem lies elsewhere, if I praise, I have to listen to three
more songs perfectly knitted and tuned to make someone go mad. And if I condemn,
then also three songs all the same because everybody in spiritual world believes
in perfection and my brother disciple is not an exception.

This is how questions come to the mind and you will see that you will have the
answers also. Try to get the answers from within. The one who answers is God. It
is by holding the hands of wisdom provided by Him that man reaches Him. So,
whenever any question, word or sentence comes to you, try to search from where it
came from. What is the source? Gradually, you will see God playing a sweet melody
in your heart.

One step ahead, it's Him, omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. That is the goal
of yours, the essence of this connection and fragrance of this life. Just flow
dear, flow into His hands and let Him take full control of you. Allow Him to love
you the way he loves.

Its Swamiji.

Guru
29 September 2009
11:45

Dear,

Thanks for writing to me. I wil try to give you my personal experience while I
answer your question. I am sure you know exactly what the term Guru means. He is
the person who takes us from darkness to light. From mortality to immortality. He
has the energy and the power aswell as the knowledge which guides the disciple to
eternal oneness and glory. As you know,I have my Master, Bhagavan, who is quite
powerful and very knowledgeable.

I have been with Him for the last twenty one years. In all these years, sometimes
I was close to Him, sometimes I was far. Sometimes He totally disconnected Himself
from the world, making Him inaccessible. I had experiences remaining close to Him
and also totally disconnected from Him in worldly terms. I have noticed that the
energy is always the same.

He is present and His power is felt very clearly. But the difference appears the
moment I am at His feet. Its as if, completing thousand years of austerity in one
single moment. I have many instances to refer to where I got completely immersed
into the state of super-consciousness just by a glance of His.

Now I am in Varanasi and he lives in Kolkata. I keep Him always in mind, in all
works and actions, I feel so grateful, sometimes I cry all day for my Master, and
often I loose my identity thinking about Him. However I know these are just a drop
as compared to a complete ocean when I am at His feet.

So, to me, a Guru in body is a must for spiritual completeness. I am satisfied

and now My Master said my work is to help mankind in the growth of spirituality, I
do that and I see a huge change in the lives of the poeple with whom I get
associated, but I know I am just an instrument. I know nothing more than His lotus
feet. Those feet are my God, my salvation.

A Master is a running commentary of the Infinite. His words, His actions, His
mere presence brings total transformation. A word spoken by the Master is your
life, you will reach that in the course of time. My Master used to say, 'You will
become this, you will become that.' I didn't doubt but never could believe Him
completely.

But now I see, every word of His is true. I can see the glimpse of my future
because I have seen Him and seen that he has accepted me as His own. Lastly, the
spiritual world is a love story, a love story between the Master and the disciple.

I don't know how much I could share my thoughts about your question. I don't know
whether I said the right words or not. But I have written what came to me. If it
is useful to you, know that every word was His, if its useless, all is mine.

Love and best wishes,

Swamiji

I would like to narrate a story by Bhagavan, the founder and core of

International Vedanta Society. The story goes thus, 'A very rich man tied two
ferocious dogs at his gates. The people using the road adjoining the gate were
very frightened by the dogs and stopped using the road.

One day, the rich man asked his attendant, 'Why do the people of the locality
avoid using this road of ours?', the attendant had no answer. The master asked him
to go and find out. 'Out of fear' said a commuter. 'Your master has money, so he
can afford to keep such deadly dogs in the gate.'

Knowing this, the rich man went to the market and asked a man to come with him,
promising that his dogs wouldn't bite. The man resisted initially but eventually
gave in to the earnest request of the rich man. When the man reached the gate of
the house, he saw the dogs were carved from stone.
 They were crafted so skillfully that they looked alive. The man cried out with
joy, 'What beauty, what skill!!' The fear transformed into extreme bliss by
knowing the reality of the object.Similarly, we cry out in this world, terrified
by the fears which dwell in our mind. See this world carefully, you will see bliss
and love. See this world as it is, you will see God. There is nothing but God.

The ultimate goal of spiritual practice is enlightenment, or direct realization

of the divine unity. The ancient Rishis (or seers of truth) knew that this
ultimate realization of Oneness with the Self or God was only achievable with the
sincere urge of the aspirant and the assistance of a teacher or Guru.

This Guru guides the seeker past the many veils of ego that separate the Self
from direct experience, this Infinite end of all knowledge. The following story
illustrates several important aspects of the ideal devotee and their relationship
with the master and their dedication to the subject.

In ancient times, there was a king named Janaka. Vedantic texts were recited
everyday in His courtyard. One day, he heard the son of his high priest reciting
verses from the Vedas. The young boy pronounced, “a man can become enlightened in
between the time it takes for one foot to be placed in the stirrup of the saddle,
and the second.”

Janaka was intrigued by this and questioned the boy. “Is this true?” he asked.
And the boy said, “Yes, it is true.” Janaka said, “Show me.” But the boy confessed
his inability, saying, “I am sorry, I am not realized so I cannot show you the
truth of this sentence.” Janaka became angry and said, ‘If you are not realized,
then you do not know this is true. Therefore, you are lying to me, and falsely
leading the people.” So he put the boy in jail.

Subsequently, the boy’s father, the high priest, came to the palace to speak to
Janaka and seek release for his son. Janaka asked him, “Tell me, is it true that a
man can become enlightened in between the time it takes for one foot to be placed
in the stirrup of the saddle, and the second?” The priest said, “Yes, this is
true.” So Janaka said, “Show me.” But the priest responded, “I cannot show you,
for I am not realized.”

This made Janaka outraged. He stormed, “Then, you do not know it’s true. You are
lying to me, and to the people of the kingdom.” He sent the high priest to jail,
and then began to ask the same question to all the Brahmins in the land, yet every
time they were unable to help him, for none had realized God. Janaka sent each one
to prison.

One day, an enlightened saint named Astavakra came to the palace to ask his
wellbeing . He asked Janaka why he had sent all the Brahmins to prison. Janaka
said as they were unable to prove the truth of what they preach, he had send them
to jail to stop further damage of social values. Astavakra asked if he wanted to
know the truth of those words, Janaka affirmed with a great enthusiasm.
 Later in the woods, Janaka began to rise up on his horse by putting his foot in
the stirrup and pulling himself up, but just before he swung his second foot
around, Astavakra said, “Stop King, Don't you know that you must have a Guru to be
able to realize God?” Immediately Janaka said, “Master, I give you my body, my
mind and every belonging I possess.”

Upon hearing this, Astavakra left to a nearby cave for several hours. When he
returned, he was amazed to see Janaka still in the very same position he left him,
with only one foot in the stirrup. Astavakra asked, “Oh, King, what happened to
you? You haven’t moved for hours.” Janaka was vibrationless. He stated, “Master, I
have given everything to you, and now I can’t find anything to do or to think.”

Astavakra replied, “This foot in the saddle and Self knowledge is meant for a
high quality aspirant, and you are that. Janaka, behold this, that you are the
ever liberated, pure, divine, eternal, self-illumined Self.” As Astavakra said
these words, Janaka realized this truth within himself, and thus became
enlightened.

This story illustrates the perfect relationship between a guru and a devotee.
Janaka’s dedication to discovering the truth is so strong, that he is willing to
pay any price for that. Astavaka’s arrival at the palace just at this time,
illustrates that point that an aspirant doesn't need to seek out a guru, the
proper master will appear at the right time if there is a definite urge to know.

Janaka demonstrates ideal devotion to his master through the complete surrender
of his mind, body, and all possessions. He gives up everything of himself, and
becomes completely still, without ego or attachment. Astavakra then tests Janaka
to see if this surrender is true. Janaka passes the test when he demonstrates such
complete submission that he is unable to do anything else without the guidance of
his guru.

When he returns, he finds a very worthy aspirant with the proper level of
devotion and surrender necessary to transcend to the divine experience of
enlightenment, upon the wish of his master. Also for enlightenment, it's not the
spiritual practices like chanting or meditation, Self discrimination, etc. which
are necessary, but the capacity to hold the comprehension that we are all divine
soul, ever free and eternal.

In order to attain this comprehension, we go through all these spiritual

processes.To attain the ultimate knowledge of divine unity, we as seekers, must
have the necessary strength and courage to surrender all individuality and
attachment, to lay down our armor, and be completely free so we so that we may
surrender into the sea of universal soul. May we all be blessed with the knowledge
and first hand experience of our very truest nature.

Today, I come with another story explaining the essence of Vedanta. The last time,
we saw how shallow our fears are when the Truth is known. This time, with yet
another story we would like to talk about the falseness of our bindings with this
world, body, mind, ego, whatever it is.

We all say we are bounded, lets see how right or wrong we are. I present you with
a story based on a wood cutter and his three donkeys. Once, there was a very poor
woodcutter who owned three donkeys. Everyday he would take his donkeys deep into
the woods, where he would chop trees and load the wood on to the donkey’s backs.
Every evening he would return home. But one day he was out too long, the sky grew
dark, the woods grew black and the woodcutter could not find the way out of the
woods.

He realized he would have to spend the night in the woods, and began searching for
a place to stay. In the distance he saw a faint light, and as he approached it, he
found a sage meditating by the fire at his hermitage. The woodcutter said, ‘I
would like to stay here tonight as it has become too late for me to find my way
out of the woods.' The sage agreed. The woodcutter lay down to go to sleep, but as
he started to doze, he realized he hadn’t tied his donkeys.

So, he asked the sage for rope. The sage said, 'I have no ropes. Do you tie your
donkeys every night?'' The woodcutter answered 'Yes, otherwise they may run away
or be attacked by wild animals.'' So the sage advised, 'Go to the donkeys and just
act as if you are tying them up.' The woodcutter did as he was told and pretended
to tie the donkeys up. Then he went off to bed.

In the morning, the woodcutter awoke and found his donkeys right where he left
them. He thanked the sage for his hospitality, and then started on his way home,
but he was dismayed to find that the donkeys wouldn’t follow him. He said to the
sage, 'What have you done to my donkeys? They won’t follow me home!' The sage
asked, 'Did you untie your donkeys?' The woodcutter complained, 'But I never tied
them!' 'The donkeys don’t know this,' said the sage, 'Go untie them.'

So the woodcutter pretended to untie his donkeys, and the three followed him back
home.This is how we are. We have imaginary bondages but we think they are true,
like the donkeys. This idea leads us to all sorts of sufferings in life. The
spiritual Master shows us how false our idea about bondages are. We are never
bounded, we are free by nature.

Each soul is potentially divine, the goal is to manifest this divinity, as said by
Swami Vivekananda. We are ever free. When somebody goes to a Master, he is told
this repeatedly, that you are neither the body nor the mind nor the ego. He is
told that You are That, the Self, repeatedly so that eventually it comes to the
comprehension of the disciple or aspirant about that He is a soul, ever liberated,
divine, eternal, birthless and deathless, not the body or mind or ego. Spiritual
realization happens when this comprehension reaches the saturated state.

Love to you all,

Swamiji

Dear, I am very happy to see your work. Its exceptional. Concentrate more and more
on this chanting and write to me everyday about your gradual transformation.
Always have an account of the quality of thoughts. Your mind may revolt, at times
go crazy but you have to keep your focus everyday.

Never give up. Have a bull dog tenacity always, my Master used to say so. Always
pray to God and chant. Remember I am thinking of you. It will add your energy. The
mind of a realized soul is enough for the transformation. If somebody attains
enlightenment, He takes care of the whole of humanity.

I need you to help humanity spiritually, and for that you have to have enough
spirituality to give others. The love of my Master Bhagavan will reach your heart.
Emerge into the sea of consciousness. There is no world, no body, no mind or ego.
Only Lord is there. That Lord takes care of you.

I love you.

Swamiji

Dear, It would be a great honor to be an administrator of your group. I would love

to, but I am more curious about your spiritual growth. As I told you once, one
true spiritual person can change the thought process of millions.

I want you to become a true spiritual lady, whom people may seek guidance from,
for their spiritual upliftment. There is nothing more important and nice than
seeing people get enlightened. I want this work from you. I know you can do it,
but you have to devote yourself to this. The works that you are doing will help
you only if you do it to serve humanity as a Sadhana or spiritual austerity.

If your approach is like this, you will improve, God will help you climb all the
steps to eternity, if not, you will fall down. Name and fame is the last barrier
of a noble man, remember this. Chanting perfectly will lead you into the world of
realizations. You will feel many things inside, you will feel transformation not
only of the mind, but also the body changes, each and every tissue changes.

You look at yourself and you will not be able to recognize yourself.
Transformation of everything. Honestly I want this from you. Since time immortal
there were groups like you and I have, they have all washed away with time, only
the real words of the enlightened persons remain, because they were all realized
direct from the Supreme Consciousness.

You and I speak their words in a new format, thats all. Theres nothing new.
everything has been told. Man has to walk on this path. I am sure, you understand
what I mean and want. 'Get immersed into the sea of supreme Consciousness. Get
immersed into Lord Ram. Get immersed into your Self. That is the only Truth.
Others are all false, you, me, your body, my body, your family, friends etc etc.
Read the Gita very slowly. Second chapter. Write to me everyday. Remain in
contact. I love you and pray for you.
Swamiji