Beyond Meditation

Divine Light is the First Realization

2008-12-08T03:08:00.000-08:00

Saint Kabir illuminated Earth with His physical presence from the period of 1398 to 1518 A.D. This pada is related to the light form of Omkar. It is linked with the eternal light. Kabir Sahib calls it as 'Noor.'
Just in the beginning he states -

"Aval Allah Noor Upaiya, Kudrat ke sab bande.
Ek Noor te sab jag upajiya kaun bhale ko mande."

Initially the divinity expressed itself in the form of Light. Rishis of the Upanishads state- "Eko Hum Bahutasyat." And that light multiplied to form the universe. But just in the beginning it manifested it in illuminated form.
And with this light, God created this entire Existence: Animals, birds, plants, insects, humans and various other forms of this Existence.
"Ek Noor te sab jag upajiya kaun bale ko mande."
And he asks a wonderful question to all - If we all had common ancestors or parents, which were in the form of Light, then whom shall I call good and whom bad? All the divisions based on religions, castes stand no-where. Whom will you call as superior and whom as inferior? Besides, with this statement of Saint Kabir, the scientists also agree that before life came into being, there was light. For an example: when there was no life on Earth initially, Sun originated in this solar system. The scientists say - 10,000 million years ago Sun came into existence. And the Earth is like a small baby, which came just 4,000 million years ago. Millions of years ago, there was no life on Earth. Only 600 Million years ago the first life form was born on Earth. Water beings, trees were formed initially and gradually the life forms developed. Humans are the most recent creation on Earth. It is just 1 lakh year old creature.
I had read a story. Once, a lover and his beloved were seating at the seashore. They were talking to each other. The girl asked to her lover - For who is this sea? The boy replied: For you my darling, who other than you. The girl further inquired - This Sky, this moon is for whom? The lover replied - O my love, all this for you. And the writer further writes - seeing this, I went to them and said - my friends, when you both were not born even then there was this Earth, this sky, the moon and everything was still there. But it is the tendency of human mind to consider everything for him, which is nothing but just ego. The human race has arrived just 1 lakh year ago only, but this earth existed even before that. And at that time it was for whom?
The modern scientists are also agreeing on the fact stated earlier by Kabir Sahib - first there was light and from that light the life was formed. Even today, somehow the entire life is connected to the light source. Imagine if the sun gets cold today then for how long with the life on earth sustain.
Kabir Das rightly says -

"Loga baram na bulyo bhai.
Khalik Khalak Khalak me Khalik,
Pur rahiyo sab thai."
All the dualities are our illusions. All the dualities of form and the formless are just created by us, but they actually do not exist. In actuality, there is only oneness.

"Anahalak Hoon Har Jism me Ruh-sa Hoon.
Meri Jaan Tujme bhi me hi basa hoon.
Suraj, ye Chanda, Ye tare, ye panchi.
Hanse koi samjo ki me hi hasa hoon.
Kahi koi aangan kisi jal se bheege.
Samjo ke badal ban me hi barsa hoon.
muje chahe kuch bhi ab kahe le jamana.
Samundar hoon dikhata bale katra-sa hoon.
Muji se hai roshan ye sari khudai.
Bale deh me hoon par aakash-sa hoon.
Kabi apne murshid me bola tha me hi.
Magar aaj dikhata Siddhartha sa hoon."

This means:
"I am the Truth. I live as soul in everyone. O my beloved, I dwell in you also. Sun, moon, stars, and birds: whenever they smile I smile in them. When a courtyard of any house receives water, in fact I rain over there. Let the world say as it likes, but I am the sea, although I look like a drop. The whole creation is illuminated by me. Although I am in a body, I am like sky. Some time ago I had spoken through
my Master, but now I have found expression in Siddhartha."
Where is the difference? Guru Nanak says - "Guru Guru Eko Bekh Anek", which means, the masters come in many forms but the essence within them is one and the same. The Godliness in them is the same. Sometimes it speaks in the form of Mahavir, Buddha, sometimes as Dadu and sometimes as Osho. All the Masters are medium of the Divine to reach us.
"Khalik- Khalak khalak me Khalik"
Khalik is the term used for God and Khalak stands for His creation - the world. In the Khalik is Khalak. In the God is the world and vice versa too. The divine is in world and the entire world is in divine. There exists the formless in the form and in the formless are various forms existing. The sun is one of the biggest forms but it is also surrounded by the formless space on all sides. And so is true about mankind which is also engulfed by space. And do not consider it that this space is filled with air only. It is filled with Divine sound and Divine light also. We are protected by the Divine from all sides. And not does it only exist around us, it is also in us. We are made of it. Inside our form is the formless being of God in the way of light, sound.
Kabir thus continues to say-

"Khalik khalak Khalak me khalik pur rahiyo sab thai."
Once a Sufi saint said to me - What does Pak-Kalama means?
I replied - "What I have read is very simple and clear enough. "Lailla-Illallah" There is nobody to be worshipped except the Divine. The saint said - If for a while I agree to what you say, just tell me, if there is nobody except the divine that can be worshipped, but then there has to be something besides the divine, which in not supposed to be worshipped. So, just tell me one such thing. On listening this, I said this is very difficult as there is nothing besides the divine. On hearing my reply the saint laughed aloud and said - This is not the
true meaning of Pak-kalama. And on my insistence he stated its true meaning - There is not a creature which is not divinely. "Illah" also means a creature.

"Mohammadur Rasul Allah." What does Mohammed stands for? Mohammed means the one in whom the light of divine has descended. Initially, Mohammed sahib's name was Hazrat Aslam, as was Gautama Buddha's name Gautama Siddhartha. But when He became enlightened He was renamed as Buddha. Similarly after attaining to enlightenment Hazrat Aslam became Mohammed. "Mohammadur Rasul Allah" And the one in whom His illumination descends becomes His mirror. The term "Rasul" does not only stand for a Paigambar, but also for a Mirror. And in such a person for the first time you see the glimpse of God.
"Khalik khalak Khalak me khalik pur rahiyo sab thai."
Once Guru Nanak went to Makka and kept His legs facing towards the Kabba. The people around were astonished by this act. In shock, they asked Him what He was trying to do. You are placing your feet towards the God. Guru Nanak said in amazement: Just move my legs in that direction where there is no God. The story says that in whatever direction His feet were moved, the Kabba too moved in the same direction. This is a symbolic story. But what it points is very true that even in the smallest atom is God.

"Mati Ek Anek Bhant Kar Saji Sajanhare.
Na Kuch Poch Mati ke bhande na kuch poch kumbare."

There are five elements which constitute towards the formation of humans. Tulsidas says -
"Kshiti jal, pavk, gagan, sameera,
Panch rachit ye adhama sharira."

It means that the five basic elements - earth, water, fire, sky and air combine together to form the body. The entire world is made up of these constituents.
Similarly, Saint Namdev says -

"Ekal Mati kunjar chiti banjan hai bahunana re"
Like a potter makes a variety of articles or utensils from the same mud, God has created this entire world or nature out of the same five elements.
Saint Kabir further elaborates -
"Na Kuch Poch Mati ke bande na kuch poch kumbare."
Remember it clearly there is no lacking in the clay, or in the potter. You may have heard of Malik Mohammed Jaisi who has written Padmavat. He was disabled and used to walk in a crooked manner. When he entered the court of the King, all the ministers seeing his walking style started laughing. At this, Jaisi asked them - Whom are you all laughing at - me or the Divine who has made me?
From His experience says saint Kabir -
"Na Kuch Poch Mati ke bande na kuch poch kumbare.
Sab me sacha eko soi, tis ka kia sab kuch hoi."
There is one Ultimate truth that resides in each of us. You may name it Ram, Govind, Krishna or as you like. And through Its will only are all things possible.
From His exploration and insight Kabir guides us by stating -
"Humkum Pachane so eko jane banda kahiye soi."
The one, who knows the Ultimate Law, knows the oneness of all beings and only he is a human being. We are born as men and women, but we have to evolve as human being. One who knows the Divine hyme, is a human.
"Alakh Alakh na jai lakhia Guru Gud deena meetha.
Kahe kabir mere sankha nasi sarab niranjan deetha."

He is saying a wonderful thing - that it is not possible to see God. "Alakh Alakh na jai lakhia Guru Gud deena meetha." But my Master has revealed to me that secret. What is that hidden mystery? It is of Omkar -- the soundless sound. It is the Divine light. And on being blessed with this secret, Meera bai rejoices with joy and says:

"Maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo."
I am blessed with the wealth of Omkar - the Divine Name.
And Sunderdas being in gratefulness to His master sings:
"Humare Guru Deeni ek jari."
My Master gave me a secret root.
Kabir says that my Master has given me a Gur- a secret. And once the secret is revealed what happens?
"Gunga keri sarkara, khaye aur muskaye."
The seeker becomes like a dumb who can enjoy the taste of delicious sweet but cannot explain it what is it like.
Kahe kabir mere sankha nasi sarab niranjan deetha."
And since now I have known the sound and light form of divine, I am able to see it around my all sides.

See the two contradictions-
On the one hand he says - it is not possible to see the divine. But it is only till the time when the secret is not opened by the Master. And once the Master opens it up it is seen everywhere. Whatever is, is just the divine. Once you see the Divine Light within, you can see it everywhere. Divine Light is the First Realization.

In Search of Elixir

2008-12-02T03:15:00.000-08:00

Someone asked from Kabir sahib that how will you feel at the time of your death? Kabir sahib replied-

Jis marni se jag dare mero mann anand,

Kab marihu, kab bhetihu puran parmanand.

I am waiting for the death to come because death is a Samadhi. You do Dynamic meditation, Kundalini medi-tation, Sanjeevani meditation for your whole life. This does not make any difference that which meditation you do, you say that we are unable to meditate, unable to do Samadhi. But death is a natural Samadhi. For life long you try to do it but while death you easily enter into it. As a matter of fact death is really very blissful. This is a fiction that death is sorrowful. Why this fiction did come? It is because of pain associated with the disease which precedes death. Pain is not due to the death. God has made the incident of birth and death so blissful. The priests have said that death is painful. Where is the pain in death? The pain is due to the disease which is before death. Pain is due to the disease. When your death begins, from where your consciousness contracts, from where your senses stop functioning – eyes stop watching, ears stop hearing, from there is the beginning of bliss. People say that when a child is in mother’s womb, he is in trouble. But as a matter of fact you can’t find the greater blissful atmosphere than this. A child lives in such a blissful state for 9 months, that there is no limit of his bliss. This is God’s arrangement. Similarly God has arranged death very blissfully, really blissfully. You consider death to be sorrowful due to your fiction. You consider death to be painful. Osho is leaving his body, he is smiling, and His consciousness is contracting slowly. Amrito, His doctor, asks, “Will you like to go?”. Osho replies, “Yes!” He smiles and closes His eyes and the matter ends. Where is the pain in that? You just smile and matter ends.

So this is the fiction that death is sorrowful. First fiction is that everything comes to an end with the death. Nothing comes to an end. Second fiction is that death is sorrowful. Even this is the fiction. Death is not sorrowful. A research has been done in a hospital in London that if people are explained beforehand then they go into death with a smile.

Likewise there is fiction that child delivery is painful. If the matter is explained properly that child delivery is blissful, research has been done that women have delivered the child blissfully. The fear gives the pain. Similarly death is not sorrowful. It is blissful. If you know the Divine Elixir within, for you death is not sorrowful. In Oshodhara in the forth program you know the Amrit, you know the eternity within you, on that day you succeed conquering the death. You have been conditioned that death is sorrowful. Therefore you are not ready to welcome death. What is meditation? It is de conditioning. What is Samadhi? It is de conditioning. In Samadhi you realize that death is blissful.

The other fiction is that death is fearful. No, death is not fearful. Then why is this fiction there? Death is associated with a graveyard. And what does graveyard mean? Burning corpses, barking dogs, screaming jackals, this is the association. There is a place in India, Sirsa in Haryana, I was conducting a program over there and while conducting I asked who gets scared from death, just raise your hand. Nobody raised his hand. I thought they have not understood my question. So I asked it in other way that how many people are not afraid of death. Then everyone raised their hand that they are not afraid of death. I was surprised that there is such a city in India where people are not afraid of death, but what is its secret. There was a lawyer who said that if you want to know the secret then tomorrow we would like to take you to some place. I said that I would definitely like to come to know this secret. They took me to the place called Shivpuri. There were flower blossoming all around. There was a beautiful garden. Children were enjoying their picnic. I said, “This is a beautiful place. Which is this place?” The lawer said, “This is Shivpuri. This is the graveyard of Sirsa. Children come here to enjoy their picnic. This is the most beautiful place of Sirsa. When I was a kid even I used to come here to enjoy my picnic.” I understood the secret. If you are going for a picnic then there is no need to get scared. Then a thought came into my mind that the most beautiful place in every city should be the graveyard. We must make graveyards the most beautiful place in every city, where people will go for picnic.

This too is a fiction that death is a fearful thing. But how can one be free from these fictions of death? Awareness is required to get rid of these fictions. But if you want to eradicate darkness by fighting with it, then it is a very difficult matter. The other way to eradicate darkness is to light a lamp. If you fight with darkness then you will not be able to win. The only way out is to light the lamp, and darkness will simply go away. The darkness of thousands of years will not say that it exists for thousands of years, so how can it go with the small light of a candle. It will just disappear. So you will have to go towards the amrit within you. You will have to do the journey of amrit. At present you are just going outside. All your senses are moving outwards. They are moving towards death. Every moment we are moving towards death, whether we know it or not. Our whole journey is outwards. Eyes look outwards. Ears hear outwards. Skin touches outside. Nose smells outer fragrance. Every moment we are moving towards death. We are not living life at all, as life is within.

‘Subah hoti hai, sham hoti hai, umra yuhi tamam hoti hai’.

We are spending our days but that is not life. We will have to move towards amrit. Kabir says –

“Kahan sunan kachu nahi, nahi kuch karan hai”.

What should be done to know this amrit, to know this life.

“Kahan - sunan kachu nahi.”

What conversation should be done? Mandukya Upanishad says-

‘Na yen aatma pravachanena labhye.’

Self realization cannot be attained from discourses.
From discourse wisdom arises but self realization cannot be attained. A search will arise. A quest will arise. Only that much will happen. A thirst for amrit will arise within you.
The first duty of the seer is to arouse thirst for amrit within you. There are many kinds of people in this world, very intelligent, very brilliant, but the thirst for amrit does not rise. There is something lacking in their intelligence, their wisdom. The position of Prime Minister attracts them more. The throne of President magnetizes them more. The thirst for amrit does not arise. The people who run the state, who run the world are definitely very wise, but not intelligent. There is a lot of difference between intelligence and being wise. Kabir was not literate. He says-
‘Masi kagaj chhua nahi.’
He has not touched pen and paper. He is not wise, but he is very intelligent, not at all wise.

Listen what Kabir says-

‘Haman hai ishq mastana, haman ko hoshiyari kya,

Na pal bichude piya hamse, na bichade hum piyare se,

Unhi se neh lagi hai, haman ko intezari kya,

Jinke dur priyatam hai, bhatakte dar - badar phirte,

Hamara yaar hai hummein, haman ko bekarari kya.’

There is no smartness, no cunningness in Kabir sahib.

‘Kabira ishq ka mara, dui ko dur kar dil se,

Jo chalna rah nazuk hai, haman se bhoj bhari kya.’

You will not be able to go within by carrying heavy weight of holy books. With this the inner journey will become very long, very long. This is the journey of amrit. This is not a small journey.

‘Dhoondta phirta hun main Iqbal apne aapko,

Aap hi goya musafir, aap hi manzil hu main.’

On has to go within.

‘Ab tak toh hui guftagu gairon se magar,

Ab tak humse hamari na mulakat hui.’

You have to meet yourself within. What you think you are, you are not that and what you don’t think yourself, you are that. You consider yourself as body, but you are not the body. Body will get destructed. But, you are not destructible, you are consciousness, know it. The distance is very long but you give your hand in the hand of the master.

‘Tujhko malum bhi hai kitne janam beet gaye

Bada e talakhiye ayyaam ko peete peete.

Phir bhi tishnagi teri nahin bujhne payi.’

Your thirst has not quenched.

‘Aao jeene ka saleeka main batata hu tujhe.’

Come, I will make you drink wine. Once you will drink this wine, you will get rid of outside liquors.

‘Aao peene ka saleeka main batata hu tujhe

De mere hath mein hath aur chal mere saath.

Aao chalne ka salika main batata hu tujhe.

Ishq ka pehla kadam hi hai
naviye manzil.

Aao jeene ka salika main batata hu tujhe.’

This is the journey of amrit. It will definitely take some time. It is the journey of love. It is the journey of loving yourself. It does not take much time if it is journey of loving others. How long does it take to say – I love you? But if you have to love yourself, you have to love your amrit. You have to write letter to yourse. Then the matter is difficult.

You might have heard this song by Jagjit Singh-

‘Pyar ka pehla khat likhne mein waqt toh lagta hai,

Naye parinde ko udhne mein waqt toh lagta hai.

Jism ki baat nahi hai,unke dil tak jana hai, apne dil tak jana hai,

Lambi duri tay karne mein waqt toh lagta hai

Pyar ka pehla khat likhne mein waqt toh lagta hai.’

This journey of amrit will definitely take time. But if someone gets help of a guide, if one gets a Kamil murshid, then a thirst will arise within you, which will inspire you for search. This search will definitely take you to witnessing, to Sakshi, to meditation.

What is sakshi? What is meditation? Meditation is the search of amrit. Guru Gorakhnathji says –

‘Maro hey jogi maro, maran bada hai meetha.’

It is a very sweet death, how –

‘ As marni maro jis marni Gorakh mar deetha.’

But die in such a way, die while alive, so that you can see that amrit within. This art of dying is meditation.

‘Kahan sunan kuch nahi, nahi kuch karan hai,

Jeete jee mar jaye, bahuri nahi maran hai.’

What happens during death? The senses contract and move inwards from outwards, and then you come to know about your imminent death. Six months before, anybody can come to know about his death. There are techniques of knowing it. But a person definitely comes to know at least 5-6 hours before. How do doctors make out? They see that words are not clear while patient is speaking. When they show him fingers and ask can you see, he replies no. The focus is moving now. Then they understand that senses of watching are contracting. Similarly you immediately come to know from the touch. But he says that I can’t feel the touch. Consciousness is contracting from the skin. It is contracting from the feet, this is meditation. So you can do this act while alive. Bring your consciousness within slowly and gradually. This is meditation. What does meditation mean - ‘Maro hey jogi maro’. Guru Amardas says – ‘Jeevit mariye, bhavjal tariye’. The trap of this world is Bhavarjaal. What do you need to do in it? You have to move inwards and drink the elixir of life.

What is the Goal of Life?

2008-12-02T03:13:00.000-08:00

The spiritual journey is the journey from complain to gratitude. There are three stages: first one is of a worldly person, second is of a seeker and third one of the saint. Worldly person means one who always lives in complaint. Seeker means one who sometimes lives in complaint and sometimes in gratitude. Partly complaint and partly thankfulness and saint is the one who always lives in thankfulness. This can be the deciding factor of your life that whether you are worldly person, or a seeker or a saint. Always live in gratitude.
I always tell to my own people that thank the person who has done well for you and even thank the person who has been bad to you. Because if he would have wished to do wrong he could have been worse to you but thank him for not being worse. If you live in this state of gratitude then you are a saint, you are the one who is intoxicated in the Divinity.

There was a disciple of Gautam Buddha named as Purna. He attained enlightenment. Gautam Buddha told him to go out and spread the divine message. Purna replied, “I do not want to go but if it is your order then I will have to go.” Gautam Buddha asked, “Where will you like to go?” Purna replied, “If you permit me, I would like to go to Purniya?” Purniya is a place in Bihar. It is named after Purna which was previously at the bank of river Koshi. The river has shifted 100 kilometers eastward from there. Gautam Buddha said, “What are you saying? Do you want to go to Purniya? Don’t you know that people over there are so wicked? Ram’s in laws place Janakpur was nearby, but even he did not go there. Mahavir’s birth place was in Vaishal, but even he did not go
here, I myself have gone to Vaishali, but never dared to go to Purniya. The people over there are so cruel. Then why do you want to go to Purniya?”
Purna replied, “That is why I wish to go there. Where my master could not go, I must go to spread his message. Only then can I be a disciple. I must go there.” Gautam Buddha said, “I can allow you to go there, but there are two-three questions, which I would like to ask. There are many cruel people there. If somebody abuses you, insults you, then what will you do?” Purna replied, “Then I will thank them, that they are only abusing me, not hitting me”. Buddha asked, “If they hit you, then what you will do?” Purna replied, “Then I will thank them that they are only hitting me, not killing me.” Gautam Buddha asked, “If they kill you then what you will do?” Purna said, “Then I will thank them. Even otherwise death will take place one or the other day. I will thank them for giving me a chance for dying while walking on the path of spirituality. Gautam Buddha said, “ If you have so much of gratitude within, then you can go for sure.”

Remember that living in this state of gratitude is spirituality. Living in this state of gratitude is saintliness. In Osho Dhara people ask me that what is our destination, meditation or Samadhi. My reply is no. Then they ask me, “Is it ultimate knowledge?” I reply no, not even that. Then they ask me, “What is our destination?” I tell them that the destination is saintliness and saintliness means living in sumiran – divine remembrance with gratitude. This should be your destination. Remember that complaint is there where you are and gratitude is there where you want to reach. So go on increasing your gratitude and always remember one thing. I am telling you one secret of prayer. God does not give you what you wish. God gives you what you need. So be thankful in every situation.

Five essentials of life of a Sadhak

2008-03-19T03:25:00.000-07:00

Santosh or contentment
You are okay with what you have received. Whatever result you got, either appropriate or inappropriate, you accept it. This is, because we do not know what is beneficial for us, that which is favorable or that which is unfavorable for us. From the foreground of acceptance, you can take on the flight of the Ultimate Truth.
Tap or Austerity
Do not foster pretensions. Let you life be simplistic. Let it be easy going.
Swadhyay or Self Study
Read good Scriptures, those that have the description of the Truth. Like the Guru Granth Sahib, like the Geeta, like the Veda, like the Koran, like the Bible, like the 650 books of Osho, Patanjali’s Yog Darshan. By reading such books, you would be able to do investigation of the self.
Secondly, Self-Observation, that is to read the book of ones own life.

Padh leta jo apni kitab
Pa jata jeevan ka surag

Meaning:
Despite reading all books and Scriptures, you would not be able to find the Ultimate Truth. You will have to read you own life’s book.

Chukta jata hai tel aur Jalti jati tan ki bati,
Reh jati tab bhi raat bahut, Jindagi na khud ko padh pati
Isase pehle ki tel jale, Khud ki kitab padh le pagle
Swadhyayam sharanam gachhami, Bhaj Osho Sharanam gachhami

It says: Just like in a lamp, the thread and the oil may burn completely but yet the night of life may still remain. O Dear, hurry up, life is short .Before it comes to an end, read the book of your own life.
Studying own book of life
There is a beautiful poem by Neeraj. I like it very much.

Meri mumtaj, agar Shahjahan hota mein
To ek Taj Mahal tere liye banwata
Sab sitaron ko kalai mein teri jad deta
Sab baharon ko tere ank mein bithlata
Kintu main Shahjahan hun, na seth sahukar
Ek shayar hun, garibi ne jise pala hai
Diya hai desh nikala hansi khusi ne jise
Aur jiskee ki subha ka bhi gagan kala hai
Kampti lo ye sihayi ye dhuan yeh kagaz
Apni sab umra inhe geet banane mein kati Kaun samje meri ankhon ki nami ka matlab
Jindagi ved thi par jild bandhne mein kati.

Meaning: My beloved, if I would be Emperor like Shahajan, than I would have constructed a Taj Mahal for you. I would have tied all the stars in your wrist, I would have brought all lourels in your lap.
But neither I am Shahajan nor I am a rich man. I am a poor poet, brought up in poverty. It appears that i have been expelled from land of joy. Even my morning is dark. With the help of wavering flame, scant ink and smoky lamp I have tried to create some songs on paper. This is my whole life who will understand the meaning of Tears in my eyes. My life was a holy scripture but no one has read it. IT has been waiting only for binding its cover all the time.
The life that we all have received is God’s gift, it is a Veda, it is Guru Granth Sahib it is Geeta, and it is Koran. But do you see a how a bookbinder treats the book that arrives at his shop? His relation is only with binding. He never turns the pages, never reads the book. If a binder treats the books in his shop in this manner then his fault is pardonable. But if we too, mistreat our own book of life in the same manner then our mistake is not pardonable. This is because the book that the binder has is not his own. That book does not contain anything written by the binder.
However, our book, life’s book is our own book. And whatever is written in it is written by us. It is a different thing that after writing in it, knowingly or unknowingly ink has smudged it. Now even if we want to read anything we are not able to read.
Bhai Basheer Badra says-

Mujhe padhne vala padhe bhi kya? Mujhe likhne vala likhe bhi kya?
Mera naam jab bhi likha gaya
Vahin roshnai palat gayi.

Meaning: Who will read me? Who will write to me? Whenever my name was written some ink fell on it and made it illegible.9
Patanjali say, “study this book a little!”
Eeshwar Pranidhan- Connecting with the Divine
Patanjali says, “The final thing in the purification of the mind is Eshwar Pranidhan.” The Supreme One is formless. He is your true Master. However, the external Master is the one who tells you that the true Master dwells within you.
You will have to know this through a Master. One will have to search for such a Master.

Guru Arjun Dev says a wonderful thing-
Koi jan har se deve jod
Charan gahu bakau shubh rasna
Dije pran akor

Meaning: May we find such a person, such a Master who connects me with God, who can unite me with the Supreme One. Then what would I do? I would fall at his feet, sing praises of him, and offer my life in his feet.
You will have to find such manifested form who can take you from Truth to Ultimate Truth. Thereafter your mind and hearts would be purified. The purification of the heart is necessary if you want to go towards the Ultimate Truth.
Guru Govind Singh says-

Guru Granth ko maniyon pragat guru ki deh
Jake hridey shudhh hai khoj shabad leh

One whose heart is pure will be able to find out through Shabd (Omkar) the path from Truth to the Ultimate Truth.
One has to search!
The law of existence is – jin khoja tin paiyan; one who searches will find.
Scientists explore matter. The Supreme One reveals the Truth in matter for them. Saint searches within the heart hence the Supreme One manifests Truth inside the cave of the heart.
The Scriptures contain only the Truth remember this. You have to go from Truth to the Ultimate Truth. The Truth is arousing a desire within your heart. A desire will certainly be aroused. A thirst will certainly be aroused. If the desire does not become a quest then what is it worth? It will die one day.
Hence, you will have to search to go from Truth to the Ultimate truth because you will not find the Ultimate Truth through Scriptures.
Kirshna says, “na ye na atma, pravachane na labhye”- self realization does not happen through lectures. This is because, you will smell the fragrance of Truth through lectures but the flower of the Supreme One will not reach your hands.
Yaksh asks Yudhishthir, “How should we proceed in the direction of the Ultimate Truth? How can we progress from Truth to Ultimate Truth; by reading invocations, by reading Veda, by reading memoirs can we attain the Supreme One?”
Dharmraj Yudhishthir says a very beautiful thing. He says, “No, Yaksh.”
“Shruti vibhinna smriti ch bhinna
na eko munihi yasy vachanam pramanam”

Shrutis (verses sung in praise of God) state different things, it states the Truth of its era. Smriti (Memoirs) state the Truth of its time.
There is not a single muni or saint whose words are authentic. Muni is authentic, the sage is authentic, the saint is authentic, the Master is authentic. Masters statements are not authentic because the spoken word reveals the immediate Truth. Spoken word tells the Truth of the era. It tells the Truth of the person to whom it is spoken. Then what has to be done? “Dharmasy tatvam nihitam guhayaam mahajano yen gatah c pantha”
The essence of religion is situated within your heart. The path that a saint takes, the path on which an Aacharya takes you, only that is real. Yudhishthir says a unique thing - The path on which the Aacharya takes you only that path guides you from Truth to the Ultimate Truth.
Maharishi Patanjali says that when your relations become harmonious and the mind is purified then proceed from Truth to the Ultimate Truth. Now the progress is very rapid.

Ram Ratan Dhan Paayo

2008-03-18T03:20:00.000-07:00

Though being one of the most commonly known Padas of Meera bhai yet its essence is known by very few.
In 1970’s, My Master Osho Siddhartha earlier known as (V.K.Singh) was working as a geologist and had to write a report on “Effect of gemstones on humans.” He thought the people who can tell me the best about it are the ‘Saints’ and thus wrote to the existing ones of those days. He also wrote one to Osho – Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Most of the replies gave a positive response. But the reply from Osho was unique. It was – how long will you be stuck in the gemstones when will you start the search of Ram Ratan Dhan….” This reply changed the direction of his life’s search and finally was blessed to know the secrets of Ram Ratan dhan and attain to Enlightenment on 5th of March,1997.
——Editor
Saint: Meera Bai
Song: Payo jee maine ram ratan dhan
Life Span: 1498 to 1573
Master: Ravidas, a Cobbler
“Payo jee Maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo”

The wealth of Ram Ratan Dhan or Omkar or Shabad can only be given by a Master to a disciple in moments of deep intimacy. In such moments, when Sunderdas was blessed with the Sound of Silence filled with gratitude towards His Master he says:
“ Humare Guru deene ek jari…”
Meaning: My Master gave me a secret (Omkar).
Those moments are of deep reverence for one’s master, When the disciple no more exists, just is love and gratitude the Master passes on to him the most valuable asset of Omkar — the Anahad Nad to his disciple. The master is always ready to give but only when he sees the receptivity in the disciple then only can this communion happen between the two.
It is this talk of silence that was transferred from Guru Nanak dev to Guru Angad Dev and from Him to Guru Amardas. From Guru Amardas to His son-in-law Guru Ramdas…. This voice of silence is the connecting thread, the link between.
So is the reason that Meera Bai with love and affection requests the Master–
“Kar Kirpa Apnayo…”
All relations exist on the level of body, mind or at the most at the level of heart but it’s the only relation of master and disciple that takes place on the plane of being, one’s consciousness or in nothingness. And the master accepts you, like a mother takes the crying child into her lap and all pains, troubles of the child disappears.
“Janam Janam ki Punji…”
The relation of master and disciple is not of some days, months or years but it’s of lives together. And then the Sadhna of past life’s as well as till the date come to blossoming. It is like the tree planted has flowers and fruits. The result of such hard earned efforts cannot be forgotten by any one of us.
It’s like a man searching for water in hot barren desert and finally reaches to the mouth of river.
Than you realize that you are continuously in the arms of beloved, in this hot world you are always under His umbrella of love.
Just to convey this in Hindi it’s a saying: “Bin Maange Moti mile, mange mile na bheekh.” Meaning: without asking one may get a pearl, but on asking one may get just a penny.
Generally, all worldly wealth reduces on spending. When you share it with someone your share gets lesser and lesser. But when the master shares the Ram Ratan Dhan with his disciples it’s the time of immense pleasure and multiplying their wealth many folds.

Treasure forever
I would like to share a story with you all…
There was a famous saint named ‘Nagarjuna’ who used to live in a small home in the midst of jungle away from the world. He did not have anything of his own to hoard but yet lived like an Emperor. One day a Princess being pleased by him gave him a begging bowl of gold. Also requested him to accept it, as she didn’t have anything else to give. A man with the intention to steal it followed him since the morning. Even when Nagarjuna reached his home the man waited outside so as to fetch that bowl after he sleeps. Within a while, Nagarjuna suddenly threw that bowl outside. The thief waiting outside was also amazed by this and went inside to inquire the reason for the same. Nagarjuna replies “This bowl is like ordinary one for me but has value for you, so I threw it for you. I have such a wealth with myself that none can steal none can take it away from me. Nor can it be destroyed. If you are ready you can also have it.” At that time, the thief left the bowl and turned to be his disciple.
That wealth which cannot be stolen is of Omkar. Anahad Nad is that jewel which once attained cant be taken away from you.
Meera Bai further says:
“Kharche nahe koi, chor nahi leve, nav khevatiya satguru”
From the ocean of this world only a Living Master can help your boat to sail. And it will only be with the help of this Omkar.
Buddha says there are three ways:

1. Heenyan – i.e Gyan Yoga, which means freedom from desire. It’s the way of being in friendliness. This boat cannot take you to the other shore.
2. Mahayan – i.e Bhakti yoga, where in your love gets transformed to devotion. This is a wooden boat, which in long run may sink. This is like Titanic though big but can sink.
3. Vajrayan – i.e the way of Omkar. This is the diamond path. A boat that is unsinkable. This is Sahaj yoga. Where nothing else remains. All merges in that oneness.

Guru Nanak says: “Nanak naam jahaj hai chade so utre par”
Sahaj yog or bajra yan is where both Heen yan and Maha yan i.e the path of knowledge as well as the path of love meets.
Meera Bai in such ecstasy sings:
“Meera ke prabhu girdhar nagar”
Master is the only one who can enable you to go and find the other shore.
In Samadhi you realize your actual nature which is of bliss. And that immense bliss is showered on your daily chorus.
In the presence of master, life becomes celebration.
“Maine Ram Ratan Dhan payo,
Vastu amolak dheene mere satguru…”

We have Common Goal

2008-03-17T03:17:00.000-07:00

Saint Kabir is the father of Sahaj Yoga. He accelerated the process of journey from desire to divinity, from lust to prayer, from worldliness to godliness, from greed to God, from animal hood to Buddhahood.
Basically there are three ways to go ahead on the journey within.
1. Peepilika Yoga – It means path of ants. It is the road of awareness, Sakshi, consciousness. All yogas, namely Karma, Tantra, Hatha, Bhakti, Gyan and Dhyan yoga are its branches. It is like an ant trying to climb a tree to have its nectar. Thus it’s a slow process.
2. Kapil Yoga– This is the path of understanding. Sankhya yoga, propounded by Maharshi Kapil, is based on this path. In our times, J.K. Krishnamurti has been the leading person of this path. It states that you are the source. You do not need to go anywhere. You are already there.
3. Bihangam Yoga — This is Sahaj Yoga. It states that you have a nest at the top of tree. Inside it is Shunyata, nothingness, the zero experience. And outside is the whole space. The inner sky is the part of the outer one. So enjoy both of them.
But on the contrary the Kapil Yoga means that a bird resides in the nest and you are explaining to it that the space inside the nest is the part of the outer one. You enjoy, you are actually in the outer space and have fun. According to the logic its correct but the mind does not agrees to it.
Whereas Bihangam Yoga says that, both, the inner as well as the outer space are connected. When you are in the inner sky enjoy the inner sky and when you are in the outer sky enjoy the world. It’s a journey from the worldly pleasure to eternal joy or Ananda.
Bihangam Yoga is also known as Sahaj Yoga or Sahaj Yana. A scholar or the follower of Hinyana will say that one must leave the worldly pleasure so as to go ahead on the way of eternal bliss. While the Sahaj yoga says that when bliss is dawned on you, at that time automatically worldly pleasures will drop out. When you get precious diamonds then you do not catch hold of stones. They are automatically dropped. You do not have to throw them. Similarly, when you get connected with Omkar, then other relations become insignificant.
Kabir says:
“Ram Ras Peeya Re Jih Ras Bisar Gaye Ras Aur.”
Meaning: I am drinking the Divine Nectar. This is so sweet that I have forgotten all other attractions.
What is Divine Nectar?
Guru Arjun Dev says:
“Amrit Ras Har Kirtano, Kou Birla Peevai.”
Meaning: Divine Nectar is nothing, but feeling the downpour of Divine Sound.
But it’s not available so easily to all. Someone lucky enough gets it.
Gulal Sahab says:
“Naam Ras Amra Hai Bhai, Kou Sadh Sangati Te Pai.
Bin Ghonte Bin Chhane Peevai, Kauri Daam Na Lai.”
Meaning: Real Nectar is Divine Sound, but one gets introduced to it only through a Master. Contrary to other chemicals it does not need any purification.
It is only in the presence of a Living Master that the Divine Nectar showers on you. When His light falls on a disciple then only he can know the path. And when you are familiar with that Raam Ras, the Divine Nectar, hen you need not purify it before drinking. You can gulp it instantly and it is always available to you.
Guru Nanak says:
“Naam Khumari Nanka Chadi Rahae Din Raat.”
The ecstasy goes on increasing after drinking it.
Kabir says:
“Re Man Tero Koi Nahin, Kheench Lei Jin Bhar.”
When you are so firmly rooted in this world of competition, passion, lust, do you ever think that at the end who is going to be your companion? Is there some friend, some one who can lift your load and make you feel free?
When a bird builds its nest it thinks that it will stay in it forever. But just with the harshness of monsoon it withers away and the bird flies to the new home. Likewise when all is sound in life then everyone is cordial. But just with some fall downs, all relations have a setback. Do you have someone who is forever yours?
Kabir elsewhere says:
“Har Bin Kaun Sahai Man Ka?
Mat Pita Bhai Sut Banita, Hit Lago Sab Fan Ka.”.. …
Meaning: Except God who can help you? Your relations are good to you only in your good days.
All your relations-mother, father, brother, sister, your beloved, all come and go. Money, power, also don’t stay with you forever. The relation with Omkar is everlasting. The wealth of Omkar is going to be there with you even after your death. Its high time to start the journey for Omkar.
Kabir says:
“Aur Muye kya Roiye Jo Apa Thir Na Rahai;
Jo Upaje So Binasahe, Dukh Kar Rove Balai.”
Meaning: Why do you cry when someone dies? Are you going to live for ever? One, who takes birth, will have to die someday. Unnecessarily people cry on death of others.
When we see death of a person, we never think that we will also die one day. Think of that day. Remember it! At someone’s death don’t cry as one day same will happen to you. Before it comes, search for your deathless eternal being.
You might have heard a story of Gautama Buddha, where a woman comes to Him and requests to make his dead son alive. He gives his consent on the condition that she shall get some mustered seeds from such a house where no one has died. She goes happily in search of such a house. She knocks so many doors but there wasn’t any such home. On the way back she feels depressed, but also develops an understanding with it.
Each death is a reminder for your own. Anyone who has born has to die. The day someone is born, has started dying.
Kabir says:
“Jahe Ki Upjee Tah Rachi, Peevat Mardan Lag.”
Meaning: If you find out the source from which you have come, all other attachments will disappear.
What was your source? That is where your destiny is. We have common goal. We came from Omkar. That is our goal. We can reach our goal only if we drink the divine nectar of Omkar and get grounded in it. And the process for it is meditation. Meditation is the process of returning to the source.
Then even while staying in the world, doing all your work, going happily with all your relations you can be connected with the source by its remembrance, passivly. Being self-centered is the key.
Kabir says:
“Kaha Kabir Chit Chetiya Ram Sumir Vairag.”
Meaning: Kabir says that be awakened and start living in Divine Remembrance.
All that is needed to be blissful is to live like a lotus in the water. That can be done with the help of awareness, watchfulness.
But it is possible only for the ones having understanding, wisdom.
The day when you get connected with Omkar then eventually all other relations will drop out. At that time actual freedom and salvation happens.

God is Oneness

2008-03-16T03:14:00.000-07:00

Beloved friends,
Today, we shall have a talk on Saint Rajjab’s song “Santo aave jaye so maya.” By birth Rajjab was a Pathan. He was in love with a girl. There were celebrations going on for Love Marriage. Osho has narrated this incident beautifully. He was a wonderfully dressed bridegroom. Having a crown on his head, he was moving ahead, seated on a horse proceeding for the marriage. On the way Saint Dadu was passing by. Seeing Rajjab, he recognized his old disciple of earlier births. Looking in eyes of each other, something transpired and, Dadu said –
“Rajjab Te Gajjab kiya, Sir par bandha mor.
Aaya tha Haribhajan ko, kare narak ki thor.”
Meaning: O Rajjab! You are doing a strange thing. You had incarnated on this planet for a divine living. But you are making arrangements for going to hell.
Hearing these words, Rajjab got down from the horse and grabbed the feet of Saint Dadu. It was an old relation. Surprised to this action, Dadu explained that his intention was not this. All he meant was not to get entangled into it, not to. get caught into it. Rajjab replied: “Why to start it at all? Earlier the better. He held Saint Dadu’s feet. He never left it. Residing in the feet of his Master, the Ultimate reality was revealed to Him. On the basis of his own experience of the Truth are these lines. Let us explore them.
“Santo Aave Jaye so Maya.”
Hindus believe that God comes in the form of incarnations. He comes in the face of Rama, Krishna, Kalki, Buddha and so on. But Rajjab says that these are just waves. The entire ocean doesn’t come in these minute waves. All that comes and goes is the part of illusion. What exists forever is the Ultimate. The divine can’t be contained in frame of time. It is beyond it.
“Aadi Ant Mare Nahi Jeeve, So Kinhu Nahi Jaaya.”
It is not marked by any beginning or end. It is infinite without a start or end.
“So Kinhu Nahi Jaaya”
It does not require a womb to be born through. It is self-created. Similar are the words of Guru Nanak Dev ji, sharing His experience after merging into the Divine.
“Ek Omkar Satnam, Karta Purakh, Nirbau, Nirvair, Akalmurat,
Ajuni Saibum, Guru Prasad.
Aad Sach, Jugadi Sach,
Hai Bhi Sach Nanak Ho si bhi sach.”
Rajjab says:
“Lok Asankhi Bhaye Ja mahin, So Kiun Garabh Samaya.”
How is it possible that the creator of the planets, solar systems, and the entire universe can condense into a womb for its birth. No, the concept of incarnations is just fictitious.
Rajjab says:
“Bajigar Ki Baji Upar, Yeh sab Jagat Bhulaya.”
The world is just like a magic show. Like spectators we are lost into it. However, one is able to see, feel and know the entire essence of the creation. It is all composed of that Divine.
As Kabir Says –
“Bajigar Dank Bajai, Sab Khalak Tamashe Aai,
Bajigar Swang Sakela, Apne Ranga Rave akela.”
As ever witnessed in a magic or monkey show, the trainer plays the instrument and the monkeys dance accordingly, but at the end of the show, the monkeys return back to the call of the trainer. When the show ends the magician leaves alone
Saint Ravidas explains it beautifully –
“Kahe Ravidas Baii Jag Bhai, Bajigar so Preet Ban Ai.”
Meaning: Life is a game. And if you want to know its secrets, then you have to be in friendship with the magician.
That Magician is Govinda, the Divine.
Further, Saint Rajjab explores:
“Sunna Swaroop Sakal Avinashi, Panch Tatva Nahi Kaya.”
How is the Divine? It is Shunya, the Zero experience. It is nothingness. How can that formless be contained in a small form. It is “Akal”, beyond time. It is “Avinashi”, it cant be destroyed. Neither the 5 components – air, fire, space, earth, water can together form it. But yet it exists in each.
Rajjab says:
“Tyo Avtar Apar Asti Ye, Dekhat Drishti Bilaya.”
Meaning: The hypothesis that the unfathomable divinity incarnates in human form is a big lie in as much as all these so called incarnations vanish in no time.
Rajjab lived in the time span of Akbar. In those days, to deny the existence of incarnations required great courage. And Rajjab was a man of dare devilry. He also adds that none can take you to the Ultimate. Guru is also a helper. He is also only a support. But initiative has to be taken by you. None can get salvation for you. The belief that God himself will come and make you free is wrong and wont lead you anywhere.
RamakrishnaParamhansa was a devotee of Goddess Kali. He used to worship Ma Kali, and meditate on her. Once, Swami Totapuri came to his place. On inquiring about his spiritual growth, Ramakrishna replied: “It’s good till the time I see Ma kali but in a while she disappears and when I am out of it, I am left with frustration and disgust again. On this, Totapuri replied: “ Bliss can be eternal only if is independent of anybody else. You have to leave Ma kali for that. You have to destroy her.” Ramakrishna asked: “How can I leave or destroy Kali?” To this he answered: You are the one contemplating on it. So you can also destroy it. When she comes, just destroy it with a sword. He agreed and entered into meditation but as soon as Ma kali appeared, he forgot everything. On his arrival back, Totapuri was furious and said he would not waste his time if he was not interested. This time they planned that as Ramakrishna gets lost in imagination of Ma kali, he would make a cut on his forehead with a glass. When this incident took place, with the cut of glass on forehead blood started shedding and there was pain which reminded Ramakrishna to kill Ma Kali. That is how he was actualized and nothing remained. In that nothingness everything was engulfed. Thus merging into Totality, door to Godliness was opened to Him.
Rightly says, Rajjab – just merely by watching with awareness on your beliefs they get shattered and what remains is the Reality.
Rajjab further says:
“Jyon Mukh Ek Dekh Dui Darpan, Gahla Te Ta Ggaya.”
Meaning: As face is one, but in mirror it can look two or more. Similarly God is one, but people have described Him in many ways depending on their experiences.
It is said that the world is a reflection. As we think or imagine, things happen accordingly
Once, five blind men touching elephant tried to describe it. First one touched the tail and said that it’s like a rope. Another one touched its trunk and said that it’s like a snake. Next one touched its ears and describes it like a fan and so on…
So it’s just how we see things they appear to be. It is simply how we see it, and how much we see it, and only that much we can understand. But it doesn’t mean that divine is that much only. It is beyond all limitations.
Rajjab says:
“Jan Rajjab Aisi Vidhi Jane Jyo Tha Tyo Thehraya.”
Rajjab says, like him you all also have to know a technique by which mind becomes silent. There is peace, serenity. You don’t have to run to know the ultimate. It is here and now. But it is only through a Living Master that one can know the secret of Omkar by which all running haywire comes to a halt.
To know Om, and to be still into it is Sahaj Yoga.
Hari OM Tat Sat.

Ashmita - The Feeling of Am-ness

2008-03-14T03:09:00.000-07:00

The consciousness has seven levels; Body at the first level, sense organs at the second, life energy at the third, heart at the fourth, mind at the fifth level, witness at the sixth level, and essence of soul at the seventh level. When your consciousness integrates with the Agya Chakra (Sixth level) at that point you become a witness. It can be called double-arrowed consciousness wherein you watch your agitated as well as your unperturbed being. With the Sadhana of witnessing nothingness arises. You enter into nothingness where there is neither disturbance nor peace, just only nothingness. Gautama the Buddha refers to it as SHUNYATA, Nothingness.

From Personality to Individuality
How is this nothingness? Saints have called is the Formless. That which, Gautama the Buddha has called nothingness other saints have called it the formless. What you see when you close your eyes is the formless. Asmita is when you start to become situated within that formless, which further leads to expressing the consciousness at that level. There is a difference between, Asmita and ego. Ego means, “I AM”, you believe yourself to be separate. In Asmita, “I” disappears and only “am” remains. You commence to know yourself as a part, such that you are a part of this whole. At the level of ego, you feel yourself to be separate from the whole. But in Asmita, you begin to feel like a part of the whole. Therefore, the manifestation of consciousness after being situated in the formless is known as Asmita. Moreover, when you start to live at the level of Asmita, you experience peace. Everyone wants peace, but unless and until you reach the sixth level, you cannot experience peace. The level of ego is also known as personality. But this sixth level, Asmita can be called as Presence. It can be called Individuality. Therefore, Asmita means that you are a part of this whole. And when you experience peace at the level of Asmita then Tathata arises.
Tathata is your behavior with the world. When you live at the level of peace, an ultimate acceptance within you is born. Whatever may be the situation of disturbance or quietness, however the world may be, here you are in total acceptance of it. There is but little difference between all but the primary essence remains the same in all. Either you call it witness or nothingness or formless, or Asmita or peace or Tathata, or choiceless awareness or individuality or presence all these are differences of words. In a way all these words indicate the sixth level of your consciousness, your state of being at the sixth level, it indicates the state, which lies between Ego and Divine Sound.

Awareness makes the Difference

2008-03-13T03:02:00.000-07:00

Today we are going to talk about a verse of Daria Saheb of Rajasthan. He says:
“Raam Naam Nahi Hridaya Dhara, Jaisa Pasua Taisa Nara…”
What is the difference between a Human and an animal? There is only one single difference between them. Humans are capable of knowing God. They are able to merge with the Ultimate Sound, to shower in His Light. If in your entire life you have not known God then you are not worth calling a Human. If you have not implanted the seeds of Omkar in your heart, then your life is spent in vain. The language of saints is a bit different. When a saint says Heart, it means formless being, the Shunya, Nirakaar, the inner sky. If you have not rested in that space of yours, then you have simply wasted your life.
To be in Remembrance of the Divine is only thing that is worth doing. Even while doing any other work one must be in constant remembrance of the divine then only the life has been properly utilized. You all may be knowing — when a mother is doing her daily chorus, or is busy with her family or even when she is sleeping one part of her mind is simply taking care of her child. Even with the little voice of cry she drops all her works and rushes to the child. In this way the remembrance of the Divine must go on. On the periphery there is world but your center is always connected to It.
Earning a livelihood is necessary but without the Sumiran, without remembrance of the Self, it is unworthy.
Daria Saheb says:
“Pasua Nar Udyam Kar Khavai, Pasua to Jangal Char Avai.”
An animal also goes to jungle and fetches his prey or food while a human does work, earns money and then can prepare his food. If this is the case, then animals are in far better condition than us. At least they don’t have to earn money for that.
Daria says:
“Pasua Avai Pasua Jae, Pasua Charai Va Pasua Khae.”
If the way you came to this world and are going back in the same manner then what have you given to life? What have you learnt from life? If the son of a king does not enrich his father’s empire and leaves it as he had got it from his father, then what has he contributed? What is your contribution to the Life?
Daria says:
“Ram Naam Dhyaya nahin Mai, Janam Gaya Pasua KI Naai.”
To get a life as a human is a great opportunity. Before taking birth in this form, we guides deputed by God, request them to send us on Earth. They agree seeing our eagerness. But after coming to life we forget that divine assignment, our own source. We degrade ourselves.
We have fallen down in the category of animals. We eat, drink, sleep, give birth and die just like them.
If one lives a life without knowing the secret of Omkar, then he has known nothing.
An animal also has a body, senses, mind, life then where you differ from them. It is only your consciousness, your being that makes you different from them. To live in self awareness is the only difference. Your existence, your Buddha hood, to know oneself as the whole, to know your identity is the only aspect that causes the difference.
“Raam Naam Se Nahi Preet, Yeh Sab Hi Pasuon Ki Reet....”
Bikha says:
“Raam So Kar Preet Re Man, Ram So Kar Preet;
Ram Bina Koi Kam Na Avai, Ant Dhaho Jimi Bheet.”
Till the time you have wealth, health, power, everyone calls you are their own. But only at the time of death one realizes that none other than Raam, or Omkar, is our own. Just imagine, think of your death and you will conceive that only Divinity can be of your help.
Spirituality is just a process of two steps – firstly you need to search a living master, with whom you fall in love. And then extend that love from Master to the formless Divinity or God or Existence.
Daria says:
“Jeevat Sukh Dukh Me Din Bhare, Mua Pachhai Chaurasi Parai.
Jan Daria Jin Ram Na Dhyaya, Pasua Hi Jyon Tanam Ganvaya.”
In the entire life, there is a cycle of pleasure and pain, joy and sorrow, happiness and sadness and then comes death. Again there is attraction for a physical body and the whole circle starts again.
Kabir says: “Jeevan hai Ek Chauraha…”
It means that life of human is like a crossroad. Now you have to decide which direction you want to go ahead with. From there you can go downwards and fall in the category of animals where there is lust, jealousy, anger, hatred or else you can rise to Buddha hood, where there is love, bliss, serenity, peace. Only humans can experience bliss, celebration. Have you ever seen animals playing Holi, Celebrating Diwali, Christmas, Id or New year? This is the uniqueness, specialty about the Human race.
Until you are unaware about the self till then you will come again in the physical body for the search of eternal. I was in Ranchi staying in a house named Hill View. It was 11’o clock at night and a boy came in his search. The boy said he needs to ask a question. I asked him was that time suitable for it. Could not he wait till the next morning? But the boy insisted telling that he was going to commit suicide in the lake next to my house since he could not find the reason of living life in a monotonous way, without knowing its goal or aim. But people told him to ask this question to me so as to get his thirst quenched. I told him, “This question is your own; its answer also has to be your own. If you get borrowed answer it won’t satisfy you. This was the question which led to search in lives of Osho, Buddha, Krishna, Mahavira, Jesus, Mohammed. Even if you end up your body, this question won’t be answered and you will hanker for it.” Then after months, the young boy’s father met me and thanked me for saving his son’s life and inspiring him to search for himself.
It is an invitation for all such seekers, explorers to come, join and know it in Oshodhara.
Don’t miss the golden opportunity when there is living stream of Masters flowing close to you with such huge Sangha to know yourself.
At the time of Dariya Sahab there was another Dariya sahab in Bihar who also describes the same scenario as in this Pada –
“Naam Na Jana Re Abhaga Naam Na Jana Re …”
This means that if you have not known the True Name, you are the most unfortunate.
You can know the True Name and the art of Divine awareness by being connected with a Master. Master is the only one who is truly yours. To connect your self with a Master and through him to the infinity is Sahaj Yoga.

The True Name

2008-03-12T02:54:00.000-07:00

The 16th century was blessed with the grace of Guru Nanak Dev ji. Actually He was born in 1469 in Nanakana Saheb in Pakistan, but His glory was known to the world since 1506, at the age of 36 years. Once, Guru Nanak Dev ji along with His friends went to River Ven of Sultanpur. Diving into the river for bath, three days passed, and He did not come out of the river. Those three days were spent in Samadhi. He had gone for bath of His body but returned with the bath of His soul. On His arrival back he was not the same person. All that was old was washed away. Within Him took the birth of a New Light. As soon as one gets enlightened His life is divided into two parts – initially there was a search, a longing for knowing the Ultimate and after being one with the Reality there is a need for sharing, for letting others also have the experience of Infinite.
These words of Guru Nanak Dev ji, reflect His Inner Joy. It is like after the awaited scorching heat of summer, you experience the rain or after the dark night comes the illuminating rays of the Sun. Guru Nanak Dev ji says:
“Ek Omkar Satnam, Karta Purukh,
Nirbhau Nirvair Akal Murat,
Ajuni Saibam, Guru Prasad.”
Each of His words is a Veda. ‘Ek’ means one. All is said in this single word. ‘One’ stands for what Islam calls ‘Toheed’, what Upanishads call ‘Adwait’. Saint Namdev says:
“Ek Anek Viyapak Purak…”
Truly, it is One, but it seems like many. Wherever I See, I can see only IT. The first declaration is that it is One. But what is it? It is Omkar – it is the Sound of Existence, it is the Light of Universe. It is present in the form of consciousness. It is the energy prevailing everywhere. It is manifested in the form of Bliss. In the real sense, it is Omkar which is the truth. By whatsoever name you may call it, let it be tree, bird, man or animal. All these are just names given so as to differentiate but truly speaking it is Omkar residing inside and outside. Guru Nanak Dev says – it is all the Leela of Omkar. Only Om is existing, and nothing else. Only the ocean is existing. All others are just its waves. Guru Nanak says:
“Ek Omkar Satnam, Karta Purakh”
Once Meera goes to Vrindavan in a temple, where an ascetic, called Gusai, is the chief priest. Gusai says, “Don’t you know that the entry of females is prohibited here?” Meera laughs and replies, “Are you a male? I always knew that only Lord Krishna is a male.” Gusai acknowledges his mistake and falls at the feet of Meera, realizing that the male is only one, Govinda. Only He is the doer.
“Ek Omkar Satnam, Karta Purakh, Nirbhau, Nirvair...”
He is fearless. Remember one who does not fear does not make othesr fear too. So there is no reason to be in fear of God. He is ‘Nirvair’ i.e He does not have enmity with anyone. ‘Akal Murat’ – the world that exists is moving in the zone of time, what is today will not be there tomorrow or was not there yesterday. The form will be destroyed one day or the other. The formless that exists within the form is the actuality. He is ‘Ajuni’. Guru Nanak dev ji is giving a hint to the believers of incarnation. In those days speaking against incarnation or ‘Awtars’ was a matter of great courage. He is ‘Swayambhu’. Iit does not need a womb to be born. It is generated by itself. It does not have parents. It is not barred in the frame of time. But if it is beyond time, how can one know it? Guru Nanak Dev ji answers – ‘Guru Prasad.’ These two lines reveal the entire secret of religiousness. Whenever one gets the key of Omkar, it is only through a Living Master.
Saint Kabir says it rightly:
“Guru Pratap Ja din te jaagi,Din- Din Adhik Chali...”
It can,t happen without a Master.
Guru Amardas jee says it beautifully,
“Jiska Grah Tin Diya Tala Kunji Guru So Pai.” We have treasure within us, but it is locked and its key is given by the grace of a Master or a Guru.
There is a Haiku:
Sitting silently,
Doing Nothing,
The spring comes
And the grass grows by itself.
It indicates that mere presence of a Master leads to growing of grass by itself.
How is that Govinda?
“Aad Sach, Jugad Sach.
Hai bhi sach, Nanak ho si bi Sach.”
It is immortal, having an infinite existence.
Shankaracharya says rightly: ‘Brahma satyam, jagat mithya.’
It is the divine which is the truth All else just appears to be true. It (divine) is the truth today, it was the truth yester ages and it will be the truth for ever.
“Soche Soch Na Hovai Je sochi lakh war.”
How can people know the one having no boundaries in the frame of thinking. It is simply impossible. The divinity is beyond mind and yet we want to know it through the mind. We want to understand it through intellect, discussions, reading religious books. There are two words in Hindi – Chintan and Manan; the former means to know through information and outside knowledge and the later means to understand through one’s own experience. The divine can be explored only through experience.
Saint kabir says it similarly:
“Kya Soche Barambara,
Kya Padiye, Kya guniye, Kya ved kitaba padiye,
Pade Likhe kya hoi jo sahaj na miliye soi.”
Just merely by reading, repeating or preaching nothing will happen unless it is your own experience. Until you haven’t been friendly to omkar, it is of no use. Till the time you have not showered in water of Omkar, nothing can help you.
Guru Nanak says:
“Soche soch na ho vai je soche lakh war,
chupe chup na ho vai je lai raha livtar.”
A wonderful statement is given by Guru Nanak dev ji – doing meditation is not enough.
Our beloved Master Osho says it wonderfully – that meditation is like traveling in a boat. To get to the destination it is essential to get into it and get down of it. If not, then one will miss the goal.
Meditation is simply the cleaning of land before sowing the seeds into it. And when the seeds of Omkar are sown then will the plant of Samadhi be grown. And in this plant, blossom the flowers of Bliss, love and peace.
To be one with omkar is samadhi.

The Yoga of Friendliness

2008-03-11T02:46:00.000-07:00

There are 7 centers in our subtle body and each center is associated with one particular type of Yoga. For example:
The Mooladhar center, which is situated in the base of the spine, is the controller of our physical body. And as the body does all actions (karma), the Karma yoga, which is the Yoga of Action gets associated with the Mooladhar Center. Similarly the Tantra yoga is associated with the Swadhisthan Center. In the same way,There are 7 centers in our subtle body and each center is associated with one particular type of Yoga. For example:
The Mooladhar center, which is situated in the base of the spine, is the controller of our physical body. And as the body does all actions (karma), the Karma yoga, which is the Yoga of Action gets associated with the Mooladhar Center. Similarly the Tantra yoga is associated with the Swadhisthan Center. In the same way,

Gyan Yoga is Based on Maitree –The Friendliness.
The Gyan yoga, which literally means the yoga of knowledge, is perhaps the yoga about which one has the least knowledge. Sometimes, the Gyan yoga and the Sankhya yoga are considered to be one and the same and sometimes it is described as Sanayas yoga. But in reality the Gyan yoga is the yoga of Maitree – the friendliness. And it is really surprising that we don’t talk about Maitree yoga. And the number of people who have attained the Supreme Absolute through gyan yoga is not less than those who have been in communion through the Bhakti yoga.

Once, I was conducting an Anand Pragya program in Ranchi – in the institution of Coal Management and there, one friend asked me that the ‘gopis’- the village milk maids during the time of Krishna- were in love with Krishna. But what about those cowherd friends! His childhood friends! What was their relation with Krishna? Was their relation also that of deep attraction? Attraction is certainly the basis of love. Were the cowherd friends also attracted by Krishna? Were they also in love? I told them that those cowherds were in friendliness with Krishna andthat this friendliness can also form the basis of communion with the Supreme Absolute. The basis of friendliness or the center of friendliness is not mainly the deep affection but it is the RESPECT. The cowherd friends of Krishna were not in love with him and when a person is in friendship, he or she is not in love. There is a certain kind of belongingness and there is respect also. So, Gyan yoga is associated with Vishudh Center and its basis is respect and friendship.It is said that the teachings of Gautam Buddha were mainly about Gyan yoga. At least whatever he taught through words, which later on became the holy book of Buddhism after Buddha, was certainly based on Gyan yoga. It is entirely a different thing that apart from Gyan yoga also there were a few teachings of Buddha, which could not be included in the sacred books but continue to exist even today through face to face, eye to eye contact.
But as far as the sacred books are concerned, they were all based on Gyan yoga. And the entire Gyan yoga of Gautam Buddha is based on friendliness.
Not only the Gyan yoga of Buddha, but all Gyan yoga is primarily based on Maitree – the friendliness.

Gautam Buddha – The Messenger of Friendliness
Gautam Buddha lays a lot of emphasis on friendliness. For e.g. we can say that the preaching of Guru Nanak Dev jee are primarily that of Bhakti yoga. Similarly, if I were asked to define the yoga on which the Gautam Buddha’s teachings are based; I would say – the Gyan yoga. So, as Guru Nanak Dev jee has spoken very high of love and devotion in form of the basis of Bhakti yoga, in the same way, Gautam Buddha had immensely lauded friendliness as the basis of the Gyan yoga. He has called himself the messenger of friendliness and during the last moments of his life, Gautam Buddha said –”next time, I’ll come again and incarnate as Maitreya and spread the message of friendship.” Gautam Buddha was not in favor of boundaries between the countries. He wanted to spread the message of friendship in such a way so that the whole earth becomes a family – Vasuddhaiv Kutumbkam. All respect each other and live amicably. The short stories narrated by Gautam Buddha carry essentially the message of friendliness. One of such stories, which I like very much is:

A Short Story on Friendship
Once a falcon lived on a tree and on a tree near by there lived a she falcon. One day the falcon says to the she falcon – ‘I would like to marry you”. The she falcon says, “Before I decide to marry you I would like to know if you have any friends”. The he falcon answers, “No, I don’t have any friend”. The she falcon says, “No, then I can’t marry you. I can’t marry somebody who doesn’t even have friends.
The falcon asks, “If I make some friends, then, will you marry me? The she falcon says, “ then I will give a second thought to it”.
The falcon goes back. On his way back, he meets a heron. He asks him, “My dear heron, I want to be your friend, will you be my friend?”
Now, just remember one thing that when you express your love towards some one, then there are chances of acceptance but there is also a possibility of rejection. If you say – “I love you.” It is not necessary that the other will also say the same thing. He or she may say – I don’t. But when you extend your friendship and when you say that you want to be friends, there are ninety nine percent chances that the other would agree to it.
So, that heron also said, “I would certainly like to be your friend”.
And both of them became friends. Then, the falcon goes to a tortoise and says – ‘O dear tortoise, will you be my friend?’ The tortoise also says – ‘I respect your feelings and let’s be friends.’ Then the falcon goes to the lion and says – you are the king of forest and I am the king of the sky. Let’s be friends. The lion also agreed and they both become friends.
Now the falcon goes to the she falcon and tells – I have made three friends. Will you marry me now? She says, “Yes, three is a good number. Now we can marry”. Finally they get married and start living on the same tree in the same nest. Baby falcons are also born to them and they both are very happy.
But one evening, two hunters come to rest under that tree. At night they both feel hungry and they also hear the noise of baby falcons. One of them says – it seems some birds live on this tree, go and get them. We will roast them and eat.
The hunter starts climbing the tree. The she falcon gets worried and asks the falcon to do something. The life of our children is in danger. The falcon goes to the heron for help. The heron says – I’ll try to do something to help you. He goes to the lake near by and takes a dip there. The wings get wet. Then he goes to the place where the hunters had lit fire, and sprinkled some water on the fire with his wet wings. He does it again to put out the fire. The hunter calls back his friend and asks him to climb down and first help him to light the fire properly. Both of them now start trying together. The she falcon again gets worried and asks the falcon to do something as the heron is also tired and won’t be able to do much. The falcon now goes to the tortoise for help. The tortoise says, “ I will try to do something”. Very slowly, he walks along the lake so that the hunters are able to perceive him. Both the hunters see him and want to catch him in a piece of cloth. But the tortoise is very strong in mud. He pulls both the hunters into the lake. The hunters are not able to catch the tortoise and have to also leave the cloth. “The tortoise was indeed very smart,” says one of the hunters. “Never mind, let’s try to light the fire again”. Says the other. Now the she falcon gets very worried and asks the falcon to go to the lion for help. The falcon goes to the lion. The lion comes there and starts roaring. Both the hunters get very scared and run away. The falcon says to his wife, “Darling, you are right. We must certainly have friends.
‘The life is blissful only if we can call someone our own’.

First Step of Gyan Yoga – Worldly Friendship
Don’t forget that the life has no meaning at all if you don’t have someone you love in this world? What is the purpose?
Have you heard the Gazal sung by Jagjit Singh which says – If you have nothing to do with those who love you, then why are you living? Why are you alive? Not only this much, then why have you taken birth? Therefore, you should certainly have some friends. And this friendliness can also be made the basis, which would lead your way to the Supreme Absolute. How can that be done? Well, the starting would be with the friendship, which is other oriented. During childhood, we have so many friends; we sit together and chat for hours and hours. When we are not able to meet a friend, we become sad. This is worldly friendship.
The Sufi saint says, “The love in this world becomes the door to the divine love”. Similarly, the friendship in this world is the gateway to the divine friendliness.
Sometimes friends become so important that even wives are jealous. But this is other oriented friendliness, which is worldly friendship. Your consciousness is directed towards your friend, you forget your Self. This is impure friendliness when you forget your Self and do something; it becomes the impure form of it. But remember, impure can be made pure. The diamond, when it comes from the mine, is in its impure form. It can be made pure. But, it has to be a diamond. If you will start purifying a pebble, it can’t become diamond. And purification can be done of something, which is impure. Pure friendliness is Self-respect. When you emember your friend, remember how much he respects you. Know that at least there’s one person on the earth who respects you. What does friendship means? It means – respect – you are not unwanted, you are not uninvited. At least one person respects you. At least one person seeks your company. At least there’s one person who enjoys your proximity. At least for one person, you are very important. And without you, the life of at least one person will become will not be the same. Somebody will miss you.

Second Step: Friendliness with Self
And then something different happens. You start respecting yourself. Earlier, you were not even able to respect yourself if others were not respecting you. For you to respect yourself, at least one person was required to respect. But then something different happens – pure RESPECT, self oriented RESPECT, to respect yourself or to be in friendliness with your own self. This is purified worldly friendliness –when you start respecting your self.
You will be surprise to know that we don’t live in friendliness with our own self.
Have you ever taken care of your self as you do for your friend? Do you remember any moment of friendliness towards your own self? Very rare, and when you are filled with respect towards your own self, then many things start happening. And why should you not respect your self? And why should you not be proud of your self? Just remember the greatness of the place, which you belong to and you would start feeling proud of yourself. Also know the difference between the ego and the self-pride.

‘Others should respect me’ – this is ego. ‘I respect my self’ - this is self –pride.
Ego is an obstacle in the journey towards the Supreme Absolute where as self- pride proves to be helpful in this journey. Another difference, which I would like to tell you is that the ego says – I am great, I am a great orator, I am very rich, I hold an important post, that’s why people should respect me. But self – pride means the place or the person I am associated with is great. I am an Indian and India is a great country; that’s why I respect my self. Krishna and Ram are my ancestors and they are the greatest beings of this world that’s why I respect my self – this is self -pride. So, the next step is that of self-pride – you start respecting your self. In this way, the worldly friendliness has two forms – pure and impure.

Third Step - Friendliness with Master
Now the next step is that you start respecting the Guru. Guru means somebody who knows Govind – the Supreme Absolute and in whom Govind has taken the visible form. And when you start respecting Guru, this may be called “gauni maitree” you respect that person very much and you remember him all the time.
Guru is your friend. Gautam Buddha says that Guru is your well-wisher. And what does a friend mean? Somebody who protects you, somebody who helps you progress in all fields, in all dimensions – that person is your friend. And Guru is obviously the person who helps in all round development. So Guru is your friend and your well-wisher. But this is also not the perfect friendliness. It still contains some impurities. Why is it impure? Well! Because you completely forget yourself. You are constantly thinking of your Guru. The center of your life becomes Guru. Now this will lead you to self-forgetfulness. And what so ever, leads you to self-forgetfulness – is definitely impure. Now, this can also be made pure. By the grace of Guru, it can be purified. Now don’t think of Guru as a friend or a well wisher. Just change the gestalt and feel that Guru’s grace is showering on me, Gurus friendliness is protecting me. My Guru is taking care of me and showering his grace on me. When you start experiencing the feeling of Guru’s grace, it may be called pure Gauni Maitree.

Fourth Step - Friendliness with Govind – The Supreme Absolute
But even if you stop at this point, you will not reach the Absolute. Gyan yoga says – now enter into the next step, which is “Para Maitree”. Para maitree means friendliness with the vast. Until now you were with a person. In worldly friendship, your friend was a person and in friendliness with Guru, sure, you are associated with the cosmic consciousness, but it is remitted to an individual. But now in this step, it’s a big leap and you ate in friendliness with vast whole. There’s no person there, it is the whole existence there. When enter into the friendliness, your life changes completely. Friendliness with Supreme beloved means automatically the friendliness with the whole existence. But here also, we might fall into the trap. It is very much possible that you forget your own self in the friendliness with the existence. In this step, you are going at a very high speed and just a little distraction can take you very far away from your goal. Now remember that this also has to be purified. This would be impure friendliness with existence that you remember the whole vast experience but you forget your own self. Now the next step would be that you start feeling that from the whole vast existence, the vibrations of friendliness are coming towards you. This is Swakendrit para-maitree, which means to be in friendliness with the whole vast existence oriented towards the self. The Grace, the friendliness is showering on you. You start feeling that EXISTENECE is taking care of you.
A poet saint has very beautifully expressed the feeling of a seeker who has realized this truth. He says – “Just imagine my ignorance and illusion that I used to think that He is not at all bothered about me, He who is actually the ruler and the director of the whole universe and takes care of the whole universe. No, He is not at all indifferent. He is very much concerned about every thing. He is constantly taking care of us. He is constantly showering friendliness on us.” When you start living in this state of being, then you enter in to the zone of Para-Bhakti. Now the ultimate destination is not far off. There is a rule in friendliness and in love that you become that whom you love. One day you yourself become the whole vast existence.

Truth and the Ultimate Truth

2008-03-10T02:44:00.000-07:00

I would like to begin with one rubai from Omar Khayyam:

“Atma ke bhed ko pakar ke lehraya hun mai
Ek pagal mouj hun behta hua ayah hun mai
Bekhudi ke takht par baitha hun doston
Prem jag ka badshah hun, mastiyan laya hun mai.”
As there is the ocean and there are its waves, similarly there is the Ultimate Truth and the Truth. No matter how much we look at the waves, it does not convey anything about the ocean. It cannot reveal the entire ocean. Similarly, the Truth partly reveals the Ultimate Truth. However, it cannot manifest it in its totality.
Ultimate Truth is like a flower and Truth is its fragrance. Through the fragrance, some presumptions about the flower can be made, but the flower cannot be experienced. Similarly, whenever someone attains to the Ultimate Truth, whether it is Buddha, Kabir, Osho, Nanak or Farid, he will attempt to convey the Truth through words.
Hence, that which can be expressed is the Truth. That which cannot be conveyed is the Ultimate Truth.
What is the difference between the Truth and the Ultimate Truth? Many efforts have been made to define the ultimate truth. However, no language can make the Ultimate Truth appear.
For example, you can give a definition of a cow that a cow is an animal; it has four legs, one tail and two horns. However, no matter how appropriate a description you give, it will not make a cow appear.
For instance, you talk about sky that sun rises in the sky, the stars and the moon rise in the sky. No matter how much you talk about the sky, you cannot get the sky here, nor can you get the sun.Similarly, how much ever is said about the Ultimate Truth, the Ultimate Truth cannot be made to appear. It cannot be defined in totality. At most some indications can be given.
“Adi sachh, jugadi sachh,
hai bhi sachh, Nanak hosi bhi sachh”
It is a beautiful definition given by Guru Nanak. However, in this definition the Ultimate Truth is not revealed in existential manner. A small indication is made.
Whosoever got to know the Ultimate Truth, strived to express it in words but the Ultimate Truth remained inexpressible; beyond words.
While speaking on Lao-Tzu, Osho said that the Emperor of China requested him a lot andasked, “Lao Tzu, at least say something about the Ultimate Truth that you have attained, find some means of expressing it in words.”
Lao-Tzu did not agree for his entire life. Towards the end of his life while trying to cross over from China to go to the Himalayas, he was caught at the check post. On the request of the king, the tax collector said that as per the rule who ever leave the country must pay the tax. Lao-Tzu said, “I am a fakir, I do not have anything to give.” The tax collector insisted that a rule is a rule and he must pay something.
The king sent a message that Lao-Tzu was taking away the greatest treasure China has. Any other person could be allowed to leave without paying tax but Lao-Tzu cannot be allowed this. Lao-Tzu will have to give tax by writing down what the Ultimate Truth is.
There and then, sitting at the check post Lao-Tzu wrote a unique book. Its name is Tao-Te King. Based on it is book of Osho’s discourses- Tao Upanishad.
And its first sutra is; Ultimate Truth cannot be expressed in words. And that which can be expressed cannot be the Ultimate Truth. Thereafter he made an attempt to express the Ultimate Truth. He gave many sutras. When it could not be conveyed then what has he tried to say? What did he write? It is truth. Truth can be told.

Ecstasy of Being

2008-03-09T15:13:00.000-07:00

The feeling is really explained beautifully: The ecstasy of the Divine Name constantly permeates the whole Being. Guru Nanak Dev says that - this Divine Name is not such a type of intoxication, which would be there for a moment and the next moment it won't be there. To tell you the truth, this is actually the real difference between God and the world. If you have known a particular dimension of the Divine, if you live in the experience of a particular dimension of the Divinity, then you can always live in it. But no experience in this material world is permanent. It is like a bubble. At one moment it exists and the next it doesn't. But the experience of the Divine is eternal. And this is how you would know whether you have experienced God or something else. For example, Yogis talk about Somras (Divine Intoxication)). They say that they can taste something sweet at LalnaChakra, for which they have to roll their tongue in a particular angle towards a particular point. But if some times it is there and sometimes it is not there, then it cannot be said to be the experience of God. How can it be Divine if it is not eternal? For example - There is Divine sound - It is eternal. You can listen to it wherever you want. There is Divine light - it is eternal. Then there is Divine nectar, Divine taste, which you can feel whenever you want. Similarly, there is Divine ecstasy - you may feel and be in it whenever you want. It is just a matter of being aware of it.
You are in reality in the state of Divine ecstasy, that's why it's of great importance.
Guru Nanak Dev says it doesn't really matter much even if you experience the divine. What matters really is whether you live in Divinity or not. The real thing is whether we are in communion with the Divine or not. Whether we are merging in it or not? Whether we are always feeling oneness with the Divine or not?
Saint Rajjab has beautifully expressed this feeling in just one line - O saints, my mind has got absorbed - And how it got absorbed? He further says: "It constantly drowned in the Divine Ecstasy." Now this is the key. Day and night when you live in the Divinity, in the nectar of the Divine Name, only then does your mind get absorbed. Only knowing will not lead to ecstasy, just remember this. If you really want to get absorbed, always live in the remembrance of God. And these are all different dimensions of living in the remembrance of the Supreme Absolute.
Usually people get stuck to different forms of God and Gyanis, intellectuals, are lost in the formless form of God. The devotees don't want to leave the form and get stuck to temples, to mosques and the deities. And where is Gyani lost? He is lost in the emptiness. He is completely lost in the jungle. But in between, there are subtle ways, which can form a beautiful base to live in the remembrance of God.
Remember, only experiencing the Divine is not the main thing. Much more important is to live in the divinity on the basis of the experiences of the Divine. Which dimension of the Divine is taken as the base, is also not that important. The main thing is that the way of living becomes the expression of the Divine.
If the ecstasy is the base, it's marvellous. Like Guru Nanak Dev, you also are able to say- "Day and Night, I am drowned in the ecstasy of the Divine Name". But remember, it's a matter of day and night.
Saint Rajjab says-"My whole being is constantly merged in the Divine Ecstasy. Rajjab is getting absorbed through the experience of the Divine Ecstasy. He is completely merged in that experience. You may also take help of any of the Divine experiences to enter in to it. The point is to live in the Remembrance,
day and Night - to live in His Remembrance. Saint Kabir says- if the ecstasy never leaves you, only then know for sure that you have actually tasted the Divine Intoxication? Just remember that it's only when the ecstasy becomesyour way of living and each and every moment you are in IT. If out of 24 hours, you practice Samadhi for one hour and for 23 hours you live in forgetfulness; then you are not a real drunkard. You are actually ignorant, unskilful and a silly drunkard.
Which ever experience you catch hold of, make it your permanent partner. When we get up in the morning, the first thing that comes to our mind should be the feeling of the Divine experience and when we go to sleep at night, we should be in the feel of that Divine experience. But, if the whole day you have not lived in its remembrance, you can not go to sleep with that experience! Therefore, it is absolutely important that you remain in the remembrance of the Divine all the time - each and every moment. Thus it is not of much importance that we have tasted the divine and have had glimpses of the Divine. The real point is that the glimpse forms the basis in the Remembrance of the Divine and becomes our way of living. The ultimate experience is Ecstasy of Being.

From Worldliness to Godliness

2008-03-08T02:32:00.000-08:00

My dear seekers,

Now we shall have a deep insight on a verse of Saint Namdev. From 1270 A.D. to 1350 A.D. Saint Namdev had sung the songs of the Ultimate in the states of Maharashtra and Punjab. If one understands the journey of Namdev, it is certain that he would be able to understand the entire path for one's own Sadhana.

Four steps of journey

In Sanatam Paradigm, it is said that the spiritual journey is completed in four steps.

"Shastratah, Satsangatah, Gurutah and Swatah."

It means: the first step is through reading holy books, scriptures, religious materials available, biographies of many saints and their doctrines. You might have to read Geeta. Some inferences from religious scriptures of Ramayana, Bible and Koran need to be taken. The books of Master Osho, Dadu, Meera, Rajjab and other saints can be the initial step towards the inward journey. Similarly, Namdev started by reading various Holy books. He went through Upanishads, Purans, Aranyaks, Brahamans and so on. After that he came in touch with Saint Gyaneshwar, also known as Gyandev, who was a famous saint of Maharashtra at that time. Many a times, he had joined in Satsang of Gyandev. At several moments, Gyandev advised him to make somebody his Living Master. To this, Namdev used to reply what is the need for me making a master when I am having the benefit of your presence. I can listen to your discourses. Gyandev tried to make him understand that the introvert journey cannot take off without a living Master.

It is rightly said: "Bin Guru Hoi Nna Gyan"

The literal meaning of this is -- "Without a Master; wisdom is not possible."

Besides all this, Namdev did not agree. And wherever Gyandev used to go, he followed.

Find a Master to know Thyself

Once Gyandev along with his 40 disciples went to Gora, who was a potter thus known as "Gora Kumhar." Namdeo also accompanied them.

Just in a joking manner, Gyandev said to him: Please do check whether all of my pots (disciples) are perfect? Are any of them not yet ready?

Listening to this, Namdev was a bit strained and furious. He was thinking that how could this illiterate man judge about us? Seeing the lines of stress on the forehead of Namdev, Gora Kumhar reported to His Master that all other pots are fine except the one of Namdev. At this statement, Namdev became angry and burst out.

Namdev said to Gyandev: How did you choose this man, having no knowledge to judge about us? He does not know anything. Gyandev said smilingly: "When Gora Kumhar said that your pot is not yet ready, I was also doubtful on his statement. But seeing your reaction I realize and agree with Him. Your pot is not yet fully ready. Now go back and work on yourself."

Getting wounded very badly on hearing this, Namdev returned and worked hard. He did a lot of efforts but all was in vain. In that moment of pain, misery and agony Namdev has sung this song --

"Lobh laher ati Neejar baje

Kaya dube kesava."

He says: I am caught up with greed. I am sinking.

First Stage: Student

Understand it this way: for a seeker there are three stages. Initially when you begin, you begin as a student. As a person who is trying to collect information from everywhere. The search has not really started. You are interested in reading books, knowing more and having more intellectual knowledge. It is a symbol of western mind, which just gets stuck on collecting ideas, methods and techniques. Thus, until you are a seeker you are greedy.

Second Stage:Disciple

After this stage, you start melting gradually. And that time you move from being a student to being a disciple. In this stage, you are not just concerned with intellectual thoughts but you have started being in love with the master. From head you have descended towards the heart. But remember, even if you have moved from being a student to be a disciple it is not enough. If you even got stuck at this stage then too it is a hindrance. Very few talented people cross this stage and reach to the stage of being a devotee. Who is a devotee? A devotee is one who gives away his whole life. He is the one who surrenders himself to the master.

"Lobh laher at Neejar baje

Kaya dube kesava.

Sansaar samunde taar govinde

Taar le baap bithala."

He explains: I am still at the stage of a student and thus I am greedy and want to have more information and ideas but the result of this is that boat of my life is sinking. It has been over burdened by the weight of knowledge. I am sinking in this ocean of world, I cannot rise higher and is requesting to the Almighty give me your hand and help me to cross this ocean.

Third Stage: Devotee

This happens in life of every disciple after doing many efforts and trying hard from his side; finally gives up everything and raises his hands. He prays for His shower, for His grace, for His blessings.

He further adds -

"Anil Bena hau khev na sakau

tera par na paya bithala."

It means that the winds have led my boat up to here but now it is not possible for the wind also to move my boat further from here. Tathata -- a feeling of such ness, a deep acceptance of whatever is happening is fine. It has helped me a lot in my journey but that also does not work further. Tathata is a milestone and essential for every seeker but that is not the end. It is not the final goal or the last step. He says that meditation, being aware of own self and acceptance has done so much for me but now to move ahead with the help of them seems to be impossible. There is no ray of hope in my dark life. Depicting his inability in these lines he expresses that with Sakshi - I have grown to this point but there seems no message of love coming from Your side, there is no symbol, signal of Yours. I am feeling helpless.

Need for a Living Master

Reaching the climax of his condition he says:

"Hohu dayal satguru mel tu mokou

par utare kesava."

He begs: O lord, do me a favor. Send a master in my life.

Remember one thing for sure, that once you move ahead in search of Divine, It's grace showers. Then you shall be blessed with a Master and when the Master's blessing pour, you dissolve in that Ultimate. This is the entire route of sadhana and that's the way of His Love.

"Hoi dayal satguru mel tu mokou

par utare kesava."

O Lord! Just do one thing for me. Let me meet a Living Master in my life - this is all that I need from you, says Namdev.

Concluding this Namdev says:

"Nama Kahe hau tar bhi na janau,

Mokou bah de bah de bithala."

I do not know how to swim in this ocean of world. I am just sinking. Hereby, Namdev has accomplished the two steps: Reading scriptures and Satsang. Now he is standing on the third step: longing for a master. For the earlier two steps only effort was enough, but on the third along with the effort from your side, blessing and grace from other side is also required. Meanwhile, Gyandev had also left his body. In this situation of sheer disappointment are these lines sung by him.

But remember, in the temple of God, there can be delay for days but not forever.

Like however dark the night may be, it is followed by a shining sunrise.

Always after a night, comes a new morning.

"Raat kitni sard ho, kya wo gujregi nahi.?

Bigdi kitni baat ho kya wo samblegi nahi?

Ram ko banwas dekar kya samay tham jayega?

Kya mahal me apne ghar seeta aayegi nahi?

Sham ka suraj dhala ab hai kahi kalrav nahi.

Phir nahi kya sahar hogi bulbul gayegi nahi?

Sheet ritu ke baad mana sajar par patte nahin,

Kya kabhi us baag me hariyali chayegi nahi.

Maykade me tutkar pyala bikhar jaye agar,

kya kabhi fir sakiya jaam dalegi nahi.

Mana Murshid ke vidai hai andhere ki khabar

kya bhala rab chup rahega Id aayegi nahi?

It means:

"In the desert also comes the awaited rain,

There is nothing that goes in vain.After the dark night comes a new dawn,

There comes joy in life after every misery and pain.

When in life there is no hope,

You may still find a rope.

When everything has come to an end,

It is now the right time to begin.

Osho left His body and went,

For us the Living masters He sent."

If you have eyes then look carefully and the moon has already risen again. It is the matter of your eyes being open to see. Then it is possible for you to see again a celebration for the festivity of the arrival of a Master again on this planet.

Guru Arjun Dev ji says it beautifully -

"Bah pakar Guru karia"

Just follow the footsteps of a Living Master. Just leave your hand in His. He holds your hands and the third step of 'Gurutah' is completed. With this comes the peak of spiritualism, the fourth stage of "Swataha." Now, no moving, no searching outside is required. Just go within yourself and search your Original face there. And suddenly moving within yourself, you shall find one day that there is nothingness. Even you are not there; only the Divine is. You become one with the Existence.

What is Ego?

2008-03-07T02:22:00.000-08:00

If you want to understand what is ego, initially you have to understand something about the mind. There are different conditions of the mind. When you work on a particular subject, when you are doing certain calculations; at that time you have focused your mind on a particular subject and this condition is known as Intellect or Buddhi. The most beautiful condition of mind is intellect.But most of the time there are certain thoughts going on in your mind and you have no control on them. Certain waves of thoughts go on rising and falling. It means all the time that you are awake, certain thoughts keep on moving in your mind without any control. This is most common condition of mind called as Chit or you may call it the accumulated mind stuff. There is a third condition of mind, in which you consider yourself separate from the existence. In somebody's presence this condition of mind arises. The intellect or Buddhi and Chit are not much associated with the presence of other. But in the third condition of mind, when somebody else exists, you start protecting yourself, you start making your different existence from others. This condition of mind when you start considering yourself as different is known as ego. The condition of ego does not have its independent existence. As the shadow cannot exist individually without light, similar is the case with ego. At the time when you are alone in your room or when you are in the bathroom where there is nobody else at that time, ego does not exist. In those moments you are very simple or casual. Thus, ego means an artificially created condition, which is unnatural, which is created by presence of others.

God's design is Perfect

You are saying: WHY DOES GOD CREATE EGO?

Ego is essential, that's why he creates it. If God has designed certain thing, it must be necessary. That is why he has made it. Once I had thought if God gave me the power to re-design or make certain changes in His design - I wished there should be no institution of death. I would wish that death happened to none. And just imagining the situationof Earth 20 years later of this wish being granted, I saw how this world would look like. I could foresee that Earth would be full of old men and women. What I could see everywhere would be just wrinkles. Looking at this scene, I was tensed. I said - God, your design is correct, the design of the world is perfect the way it is. The option or wish that I wished should never come true. As such, if God has given us ego, it is utterly important. There must be some use of it. It has a use of protecting oneself from the exploitation done by others. If there was no ego then anyone could come and exploit you.
What does ego mean? Ego simply is the power to say 'No.' But remember one thing. When you say 'no', mostly it is just for the sake of ego. It does not have any use for the existing situation. You must know to say 'No' only when it is of need; this shall protect you from exploitation done by others. Everything is good at a base level. But when something goes to its extremes it becomes harmful. I mean to say if you say 'No' due to need till then it is fine. But when you start to say 'No' in every situation, then it would be an extreme; it will not be tolerable. Thus, ego is necessary for self-protection from exploitation. But when you always start feeling insecure, when you are always caught up in a fear of somebody trying to hurt you, then it's the situation of being mentally sick. In such case, anyone will say anything and that would be enough for you to be hurt. You should have ego to a certain extent, which is not harmful. Till the time you do not enjoy saying 'No' to others is acceptable. But after that it is sheer game of ego.

Extremes are Harmful

For an example: When you have a tonsil infection, your throat may become sore and there can be cough. You can say that why does God give us tonsils. No, it is essential because when the germs attack you at that time, tonsil acts as a safeguard; it tries to protect your throat. It catches hold of those germs so that they do not enter into your lungs and do not cause any harm to some vital organs of your body. It is the duty of a guard to keep a check on the visitors or stop the thieves to enter and cause any harm. But it is not right on his part to stop all the people who come into the house. In a similar way, when tonsils grow up they start working more than their job, which in turn becomes harmful. In such situation, we remove the guard. But this is not a good situation because now the germs have directly a free entry to our vital organs, which can be more dangerous. Just like the guard and tonsils is our ego. Ego is essential to the extent that it safeguards us from the attacks of others. But when it overgrows it is never welcomed.
So, I would conclude it in one line that ego is that condition of mind where you start considering yourself distinct from the existence.

The Supereme Knowledge

2008-03-06T02:21:00.000-08:00

Swami Vivakanand used to quite often say this phrase ‘Get up, wake up and obtain the True Knowledge’. Whom is he talking to? Are we sleeping? Why does a saint say – wake up?
Narsingh Mehta says –

“Uth jaag Musafir Bhor bhai,
Ab Rain kahan jo sovat hai,
Jo sovat hai so khovat hai,
Jo Jagat hai so pavat hai,
Tuk neend ki Aankhiya khol jara
O Gafil, Rab se Dhyan Laga.
Yeh preet karan ke reet nahin,
Rab Jagat hai tu sovat hai.”
Which means -
“O dear traveler, get up, it is already dawn.
It is no more night time, then why are you sleeping.
The one who sleeps is the loser.
The one who wakes up is the winner.
Just open a bit your eyes.
O you ignorant, Remember God.
This is no way to love –
God is awake and you are sleeping.”

Certainly, we are all sleeping, unaware of that Supreme knowledge. But, what is that Supreme knowledge, that True Knowledge?
The knowledge that gives us the understanding of the world is called education and the knowledge that leads to communion, to the unison with the Existence is the True Knowledge, the Supreme Knowledge.

The saint poet says –
“Get up, wake up and obtain the True Knowledge.”
The True Knowledge means the knowledge that brings bliss and good education means the knowledge that brings you money.
The Supreme Knowledge can’t be obtained from books. The knowledge we get from books is just the education or the understanding of the world. Reading the book of one’s own life will lead to the Supreme Knowledge, the True Knowledge. The Gyan Yoga means to experience this True Knowledge.
The Gyan Yoga means experiencing the Supreme Absolute after which no other knowledge is left unknown.

God is beyond intellect

2008-03-05T02:10:00.000-08:00

Saint Dariya was a disciple of Premji, one of the disciple’s of Saint Dadu. Before leaving His body, Dadu had made a declaration to the people, “After 100 years of my leaving the body, a great saint will be born at Rannagar in the province of Rajasthan.”
And these words came true when Saint Dariya was born at Rannagar in Rajasthan. He was a saint of great caliber and helped to bring light to a number of people. Today we are going to discuss one of His padas – “Dariya dhan we sadhwa” In this, Dariya Saheb reveals the secrets of Samadhi to us.

“Man, Buddhi , Chit…”
· Mind - refers to that part of our consciousness where we think and make decisions.
· Buddhi/Intelligence - refers to that part of our consciousness where we focus our attention or concentrate on a particular thing.
· Chit/mindstuff - refers to that part of our consciousness where we have no control on ourselves. It is aimless wandering of our thoughts.
Neither of these three will lead us to our own ultimate core of being. It is only possible in our “Antar Gufa – Inner Cave.” In this cave there is no duality, there is no one to speak and to listen. The word is not needed there. There exists the “Anahad Nad – The soundless Sound.” The Holy bible describes it as “Logos.” It is also called as Naam, your inner self, Omkar, the Ultimate sound. Omen, Amen, Om Mani Padme Hum are the different names of the same reality. To talk of it is not possible but each of us can experience it.
Lao Tzu rightly says, “The Ultimate Truth cannot be said and what is said is not the Ultimate Truth.”
To know more about Inner cave its better to understand certain terms,
· Outer Space- the entire cosmos, the biotic as well as abiotic factors, living as well as non-living, stones, rocks, mountains, seas, animals, birds, humans, sky, water, air and so on.
· Outer World- our world of relations, our home, workplace, friends, where we have made our connections.
· Inner World- is the world of thoughts, our imaginations. It is the factory of ideas, thoughts, creations and desires.
· Inner Space- is our cave Antar Gufa, where everything disappears and merges with the Supreme One.
Man, Budhi, Chit Pahunche nahin, sabda sakai nahin Jai;
Dariya dhan ve sadhava, jahan rahe lau laya.
Says Dariya, those disciples are great who reside in this cave, and let samadhi dawn on them.
Buddha says: “Appo Deepo Bhava” Be a light unto Yourself.
A poet says it in such a beautiful way:
“Easy is to brighten your home with lights,
But worth is to kindle a lamp within,
Easy is to die for someone you love,
But worth is to reincarnate,
Easy is to praise someone,
But worth is to have it in you.
Easy is to listen to a Master who passed,
But worth is to be around a living Master.”
Don’t just be stuck to words, clothes, place of the Master. Be in search of a living Master, so that his lamp can kindle your one too.
The poet further says:

“Easy is to remember your Beloved,
But worth is to be his shadow.
Easy is to go to temples,
But worth is to have a pilgrim within.”
The first step towards the journey within is “Sakshi” The term Sakshi has been nicely termed as double arrowed consciousness by Osho. It means being aware towards the scene as well as the seer.
Dariya Sahib breaks our misconception by stating:
Dariya sota sakal jag, jagat nahin koye;
Jage me phir jagana, jagat kahiye soye.
This means:
All are sleeping. Even those who seem to be awake are actually sleeping.
We all are so deeply engrossed in our thoughts, beliefs, and imaginations and thus are unaware of the fact that is happening or taking place around us. We are like Robots functioning according to our conditioned mind.
Here arises a question — How to be aware?
It’s through the way of Sakshi, witnessing.
· Firstly, If you see a cricket match between India and Pakistan – it’s a Scene, Drishya.
· Here you are the audience – Viewer, Darshak
· Third comes Observer, Drashta —while seeing the match you notice that in the last ball India needs to score 3 runs. There is some wavering in your mind, something shakes, certain feelings arise and if you are aware of all this or either you can feel it then you are a Drashta or in Objective awareness.
· And a step ahead, being aware of the one who is watching this turbulences and the match is Sakshi or double arrowed consciousness.
Dariya says to make us understand this witnessing consciousness –
“Jaage me Phir Jaagna..”
The entire revolution of Vipassana has been stuck, as many people don’t understand what Sakshi is but are stuck at Objective Awareness. And the result of all this is forgetfulness.
I would like to tell you a joke: once a couple went for shopping, the husband was a strict follower of Vipassana, so after lots of shopping he returned home and started searching each bag. His son who was looking at him from back was amazed and finally asked him, “Papa, what are you searching?” The father replied I have missed something but don’t remember what it was. After a while the son inquired about the mother and then the father jumped and said: “Now I remember I just forgot your mother there.”
This is the result of being unaware of the self. The intention of Buddha was along with the breath, in the gap between two breaths witness the self, know thy self. The main theme is left by us and rest all is being practiced.

Dariya Sahib further instructs us to –
Taj vikar akar taj, nirakar ko dhyay;
Nirakar me pathkar, niradhar lou lay.
What does he mean by Vikar – the ego is the only problem.
Ego refers to that part of our consciousness, which actually does not exist, but we consider it to be there. It is a pseudo part or else just our phobia that it is.
It is just as thread considers itself different from the Blanket and having a separate identity. Similarly, a droplet may consider itself different from the ocean.
Body is physical form; mind also belongs to the form though it is more of fluid part.
There is Omkar beyond the form; it is the formless. The journey is from form to the formless and feeling the oneness with it.
It means go within in the cave closing all your senses. Your subjectivity will know and feel what is within the inner cave. That inner cave is beyond time and space. Just listening to Naad, and being one with it is Sahaj Yog.
Hariom Tat Sat.

The Musical Light of Divine

2008-03-04T01:50:00.000-08:00

Adi Granth says –
“Antar jyot nirantar vani,
Sache sahib siu lib layi”
That means God is always present in the form of divine sound and divine light and by its remembrance you get an association, affection and love with God.
While describing the divine light Saint Paltudas says –
“Ulta kuva gagan mein, tis mein jarey chirag.
Tis mein jarey chirag, bina rogan bin bati.
Cheh ritu barah maas rahat jhartey din rati.
Satguru mila jo hoye tahi ki nazar mein aave
Bin satguru kou hoye, nahi voko darsave.
Nikse ek awaz chirag ki jyotihi mahi.
Gyan Samadhi sune aur kou sunta nahi.
Paltu jo kou sune ta ke purey bhag
Ulta kuva gagan mein, tis mein jarey chirag.”
This means when you constantly look at the divine light, it seems like the upside down well. In this a burning flame of the lamp is seen at the centre. This is such a lamp which is burning since ever without oil and lamp. But it can be seen only by the luckiest disciple with the grace of his master. This light is musical which can only be seen and heard in Samadhi. Paltu Sahib says-
“Deepak bara naam ka mahal bhaya ujiyara
Mahal bhaya ujiyara naam ka tel biraja
Shabad kiya prakas mansar upar chaja.”
That means the light of omkar spreads in the inner sky. This light is musical. It seems that the river of luminous music is flowing from the Mansarover of divine sound and divine light into the whole consciousness.
Gorakhnathji says –
Gagan sishar mahi sabad prakasya
Taha bujhe alakh binani.
That means in the gagan gufa – In the cave of the self, there is musical light, by knowing which you know God. Gorakhnathji says –
“Shabad bhaya ujiyala”
While describing this in Maro he jogi maro, Osho says – “This is an important sutra. You will be able to find it in very few saints - Shabad bhaya ujiyala. Music is luminous. There is light within sound, as if there is sparkling light in the core of the Sound; as if Sound is glorified by the Light. Not only the raga is resonating but even the light is coming out from raga.”
Saints have described the divine light as colorful.
Kabir says –
“Lali mere lal ki, jit dekhu tit lal.
Lali dekhan main gayi, main bhi ho gayi lal.”
That means I see the divine light inside, outside, and everywhere. By looking constantly at the divine light of God even I have become godly.
Dharamdas, the disciple of Kabir sahib describes the divine light as follows –
“Sahib teri dekhu sejariya ho.
Lal mahal ke lal kangura, lalin lagi kivariya ho.
Lal palang ke lal bhichona, lalin lag jharliya ho’
Lal sahib ke lalin murat, lal lal anuhuriya ho.
Dharamdas binve kar jori, guru ke charan balihariya ho.”
Adi Granth says–
“Kaban bani re teri leeli”
That means Oh God, where is the source of your light?
Osho describes the divine light in the blue sky. In the 12th chapter of Atmapuja Upanishad discourse he says–
“Light itself is colorless. All colors are of light but light has no color of its own. Like the outer light gets divided into 7 colors on passing through the prism. Similarly the divine light splits into 7 colors on passing through the prism of mind”.
Seekers see red, white, green, blue, violet, yellow, orange, gold and many other colors while meditating. Some times even sun, moon and stars are seen. The visualization of different color depends on the fact that consciousness is situated on which chakra.
In Ratna Sagar Tulsi sahib says –
“Khas khas ke dane ke andar shahar khuda ka basta hai
Kasd kare aeno ke til mein vahi toh uska rasta hai”
That means Shiv netra - third eye is like poppy seeds, by looking into which the city of God situated there is seen.

Shiv Netra is even called as third eye, tenth door, Agya chakra, sixth chakra, and Divya chakshu. Mainly all the meditation techniques are related to Shiv netra. Shiv netra can even be experienced in Shiv netra meditation given by Osho. Shiv netra can be awakened even by practicing Gouri Shanker Meditation, Tratak and Mandal Meditation. Due to the awakening of Shiv Netra and experience of divine light the doors of divine darshan are opened. The experiences of the past births are stored in the Soul Mind. In the depth of Samadhi those pictures start rising and seeker can see his present and future life and see the order of occurrences of the event.

Even the visions of masters, deities, divine saints, acharyas begin. Like dreams are seen while sleeping, similarly divine vision is experienced in Samadhi. The only difference is that dream makes sleep shallow, whereas divine vision deepens Samadhi.

From Duality to witnessing

2008-03-03T01:49:00.000-08:00

Only in duality, it is possible to be a witness. When something within is calm and something is agitated only then one arrow faces inside you and the other outside. Hence, witnessing is possible only when you are experiencing pain. How would you be a witness without pain, without agitation? In other words, this agitation, this hurt, this pain and pleasure facilitates to become a witness.

Sometime back, someone asked that why did God make ego? It is so that you can become a witness. If God does not make ego, then how would one feel pain, pleasure, agitation?

Then how else would you embark on the inner journey? Therefore, He has actually done a great favor.

I am reminded that when Mother Teresa died, Nirmala Devi became in-charge and made a statement. I was stunned at the statement. It was a unique as well as an honest statement. While addressing the nuns she said, “O God! You are very merciful that you give birth to orphans and poor children. If you do not do that, then how would we earn our living? How would our work carry on”? She told nuns to thank God because if He had not made orphans then whom would have they served. How did we have had a chance to serve them? God does a favor to us serve by giving birth to orphans . Thus He gives us an opportunity to serve them.

It sounds very strange but she has made an apt point. Similarly, thank God that He has made ego so that we feel pain. It is because of pain that path to become a witness is clarified.

Knowing and Witnessing Kabir says-
DUKH MEIN SUMIRAN SAB KARE SUKH MEIN KARE NA KOYE You remember God during painful times and are impelled to go into meditation in such times. SUKH MEIN SUMIRAN JO KARE TO DUKH KAHE KO HOYE
However, if you begin the process of remembering Him in times of happiness then pain does not arise because you take a leap from happiness to Bliss.

Hence, thank God that He has made pain.He has given ego, because of ego there is pain, and hence you are able to be a witness. You are able to watch all that which is calm within you and are able to watch the waves of agitation, which emerge because of ego. This is because if you embark the boat of witnessing then it takes you to peacefulness and one day it takes you to nothingness.

Therefore, your experience is correct. It is authentic. You say that you even witness the situation and yet the pain remains in its place. It should remain. If it does not stay then you will not be able to remain a witness. Moreover, if you were not able to be a witness then you would not be able to progress into the Knowing. What is the meaning of Knowing? Knowing means that you have reached where now there is no more agitation, where there is no pain, you have reached the shore.

One sadhika informed us that when she prepares to do active meditation in the morning, her neighbors start to abuse her and her husband. She asked us to do something, such that her neighbors are transferred to other place. I said that for her I would pray. But I asked her that before that, she must do an experiment. When pain arises due to her neighbor’s abuses and derogatory remarks, then she must witness that pain. She called up 3-4 days later stating that something unique had occurred. She informed that for active meditation one has to do activities like hoo-hoo, jump, jog and generate energy. Now she does not have to do any of these because when her neighbor arrives and starts to abuse them the energy just raises on its own and she witnesses the pain, the sorrow, the insult and thereafter peace dawns upon her. Meditation dawns upon her. She revealed that now they look forward for the neighbors to arrive and facilitate the meditation. In addition, she requested us not to pray to God for their transfer from our neighborhood.

Difference between a Sadhak and a Siddha
This is why Kabir says:
NINDAK NIYARE RAKHIYE AANGAN KUTI CHHAVAY,
BIN PAANI SABUN BINA NIRMAL KARE SUBHAY.
It means: “Do not distance away critics”, do not alienate your rivals. Keep them close to you. “Do not alienate them; instead give them respect”.

Do not let them go away from you. Hence, if such an arrangement is made which brings sorrow, agitation, then do not try to escape it because something favorable is happening. This is the reasonwhy saints never ask you to flee to the Himalayas. In the Himalayas, there are no provisions for Sadhana and hence I have not seen anyone being integrated with the Divine Sound. They were able to become SIDDHA, but not saints. They became ARHAT but they could not become Masters. Among the saints from Himalayas, no one has been able to become a Master. Why was this? Because, somewhere in their Sadhana there is escapism. Kabir, Buddha, Mahavir, Nanak, Dadu, Dariya, Raidas, Meera, Sahjo, Daya all these are saints. No Dadu could emerge from the Himalayas. It could not deliver any Kabir. The Himalayas could not raise a Buddha. I have many a times met with the sages of Himalaya. They are more like sadhaks and not like saints, not like Buddha, they are not masters. If one wants to be a Master then know that the Master emerges from a market place. True Sadhana, correct Sadhana, Right Sadhana, balanced Sadhana is possible only in amidst market place.

Ram Krishna Paramhans says:
VEER SADHAK KAHA KE BOLE
JIN SANSAR MADHYE THAKE
SADHNA KARTE PARE TEENI VEER SADHAK.

He is a brave sadhak, who is able to do Sadhana inthe heart of the world. In addition, I say that the Sadhana of witnessing is far more easier for those who do it in the world. Hence, your Sadhana is absolutely on the right track. Let agitation happen, let pain occur, let it hurt, you continue with your witnessing.

Be witness, not just the Doll

2008-03-02T01:46:00.000-08:00

Saint Ravidas was a unique saint of his times. By profession he was a cobbler. But had just one thing important in life – Remembrance of The Divine. In this pada, he describes the condition of human and at the end also provides us an opportunity to overcome the tragedy of our life.
Describing Man Ravidas says: “Mati ka Putra kaise Nachat hai, “
We have been seeing movies, plays or the puppet shows. In each of them there are 3 roles to be played namely – the director, actors moving according to the direction of director and the audience – the watchers.
One thing is sure – God, That Ultimate name, Omkar, the Existence is the director.
But yet we are left with the choice to be those puppets/actors or the watchers/ audience. You can either be Sakshi the witnessing consciousness or just dolls in the hands of directors. You can be the part of this entire huge drama show going on or else a witness – the observer.
But most of us are just those puppets doing their entire daily chorus and being unaware of the self.
He further makes fun of human condition and says:
“Dekhe dekhe sune bole, doryo firat hai kaise nachat hai…”
What is that a human being does and a puppet can’t? The puppet or in today’s day the Robots are much more efficient than the humans in performing their daily tasks and performing their duties. Computer and several machines have replaced humans in most of the fields. Puppets also dance, sing, laugh and cry like us. What can create a difference between the puppets and us –The difference is the factor of awareness. Our consciousness can make us stand apart from those mechanical devices.
Describing the pitiable condition of mankind Ravidas informs us:
“Jab kuch mile tab garva karat hai, maya gai tab rovan lagat hai…”
When we get something prestigious, the prizes, the rewards, appreciation we also feel enchanted in the similar way as of those puppets and when we lose something, we cry or feel bad.
Like an onion, we can peel off the layers over layers; there are certain layers in us too.

The first layer is of ego, ‘I ness’, belongs to me.
The second is that which is called as “Asmita” or amness.
The third layer is Atma, our real self or isness.

Kabir says it well to explain this: “goongat ke phat khol re tohe piya milenge.” Similarly, He also says at another place: “khotri me khotri param khotri vichar.” It means within the room of ego is another room of amness or Individuality within these two is hidden our True self.

There are many uncertainties in life but one thing is certain from the day you are born that you will die one day or the other. Sooner or later death will knock your door. If someone you like, love or is a near and a dear one to you passes away or leaves you, betrays you then we will get unhappy or sad. Same is the case with those puppets. Or that’s all is happening in the movies. To an incident or rather to a fact we add many fictions of ourselves to it.

Each incident has three parts of it – fact, fiction and the truth.

Fact – tathya, or the incident that took place. For an example - Death of your parents is the fact that took place.

Fiction – kathya, or our prejudices for or against the situation. It is our fiction that the person met an untimely death. For us death at any age whether childhood, youth or old age is always untimely. It’s also our fiction that what happen if that would not have taken place then it would have been far better. If our parents wont have died, it would be possible for us to serve them in much sophisticated manner. Ask those whose parents are yet alive do they serve them well or till the time your own parents were alive did you serve them the best. If not in the present, then how about the future.

And third part of an event is Truth- satya, the moral or the lesson we learn from it. Each incident can teach us something. In this case, you can take a lesson that death will also come at your doorstep. And one day you will also leave others and go away. So before that it’s better to search if there exists something immortal. Some bliss that the mystics have talked about. If you learn from an incident you are free from its bondage and it can’t ever make you sad again.
If you are still sad about the incident that took place in the past means that you haven’t learnt anything from it and it will trouble you still in the future by coming to you again and again. But when you learn from it, know the essence behind it then you are left with happiness as your companion. Our life is just the combination of various events.

An intelligent person is one who not only learns by committing mistakes in his own life. He also grasps ideas from the things that occur in other’s life.
As there is a story of Gautama Buddha: On a round in his chariot he sees a sick person, a dead body, and a sannyasin. Similarly, in the life of Master Osho – His grand father’s death shook him and started a journey for the unknown in his life at the age of 7 years.

Guru Ravidas further tells us:“Man bach kram ras kasahi lubana, binas gaya jai kahu samana…” We get fascinated in the new releases, or as there are toys for kids so are for elders. Money, fame, prestige, name are toys for us and we get engrossed in them and forgetting the reason for being in this life. It’s just the same cycle takes place – birth, teenage, youth, old age and then the death, a new birth again and it goes on… At the end Ravidas concludes:

“Kahe ravidasa baji jag bhai, Bajigar sau mohi preeti bani aai.” Life is like a magic. If you want to know its tricks you need to be friendly with the magician. To know about the syllabus you need to work according to the teachers. So is the role of Guru. If you want to know Gobind – the Existence, you have to be friendly with a Living Master.

Kabir says: bazigar dank bajai,sab khalak tamase aai. The word dank means ‘Damru’. It is symbolic. It’s an indication about that song of infinite the sound of silence that is happening on its own accord always. Be Witness not the Doll. To be in love and friendliness with the director of our life – omkar, moving on his path and being in gratitude to your Master is the pathof Sahaj Yoga.

From Madness to Godliness

2008-03-01T01:44:00.000-08:00

During His lifetime Guru Nanak Dev ji, illuminated the world with his inner light. Let us explore His teachings whereby He says:
“Bin nave jag kamla phire”

The entire world is getting wild and crazy. Do you know the reason behind it?
Ask yourself the answer for the basic questions like who are you, where did you come from, where you have to go and so on. You will be left completely blank without an answer for yourself.

The human race is getting mad because you don’t know the True Name – Ek Omkar Satnam. It is our only source and the destination. But here most of us are spending lives without even knowing the basic goal behind our life. We are simply vegetating. We are living lives as if dragging the heavy load on ourselves.

Grace of Master
Kabir says it rightly: Sabde guru Sabde chela
What is religion? It is the search for your True nature, to know that Omkar, what is True Name? To know the oneness with the Existence is our basic instinct.
How can you know the Ultimate Truth? It is possible only with the compassion of A Living Master, in His guidance when you follow his path.

Guru Nanak says in Japuji
Guru Prasad i.e we are blessed with the Self just by the grace of The Master.
Guru Nanak Dev ji further guides us on this inner voyage as:
Maya, Mamta mohini
Illusion-Maya – all are connections through the mind.

Where we are related due to the mind is Maya. In the religious books it was mentioned that the cause of sorrow is illusion (Maya).But Gautama Buddha said – mind is the only reason for our happiness and sadness; our joy and sorrow. Our pleasure and pain are due to the mind. Great controversies and confusions started on these two statements. After 2000 years, a man of equivalent caliber of Buddha came, that was Kabir and He said, mind and illusion (maya) are one and the same.

Mind is the compressed form of illusion and illusion is the expanded form of mind.
Mamta – it is the expansion of heart, of emotions, feelings. Attachment (moha) – is the fear of loosing whatever we consider to be of our own. Guru Nanak Dev ji says:
Jin bindanta jag sara. We want to derive pleasure from different things but this is never ending.
Gautama Buddha illustrates this: “trishna dushpoor hai”
We will be exhausted but our desires or craving for more will continue to grow.

There are 2 kinds of people

1. Guru Mukh- Living in accordance to the Master – those people float in the ocean. The ocean takes them to destination along.

2. Man Mukh – Oriented to the mind. In this case, mind is their master. They try hard to swim but the waves of the ocean drown them.

It’s not so that mind is not essential. It is, but priority is of experience. It’s like a horse followed by the chariot can move but not vice versa. So is with experience and mind.

In Hindi there are two terms namely – Chintan- thinking before you have ever experience, just philosophy. And the other is Manan – to know after you have experienced and accordingly decide. To know the self is Manan which can be helpful but not Chintan which is just philosophizing.

After your own experience you can know about the soundless sound. Others may tell you but until you don’t feel it, know it; it is unworthy for you. Only when you experience what Guru Amardas says:

‘Antar jyoti Nirantar vani’
Your life is sheer waste. Without the Name, the religion is mere business.

It’s as if you get diamonds then you will automatically leave the stones that you are holding. Unless we are in the grasp of divine, how can we leave the dead scriptures?

Moving from temples to mosque I didn’t found you,
But having a jump within I disappeared in you.

We light candles and lamps for celebration and feel the joy of festivity. But when your inner self gets kindled, life becomes a celebration. Seek for a master and he will guide you on the path, then only can you know bliss, benediction.

Guru Arjun Deo says perfectly:
‘Anand baya, sukh paya, mile guru gobinda’
You feel the shower of immense love and enjoy life after the master enters your life.

Guru Nanak Dev ji concludes it:
Nanak naam tina so milya
Only the chosen ones, those who search on the path know the Omkar.
There is a saying in china: if 100 go on the path only one finds him.
If you have the quest, you start doing efforts for it.
You can write your own destiny and be the blessed.
If you pray to him, longe for him, waiting just by the side He will be there with you.
Waiting in deep longingness is Sahaj Yoga. Hari Om Tat Sat.

self. The main theme is left by us and rest all is being practiced.
Dariya Sahib further instructs us to –
Taj vikar akar taj, nirakar ko dhyay;
Nirakar me pathkar, niradhar lou lay.
What does he mean by Vikar – the ego is the only problem.
Ego refers to that part of our consciousness, which actually does not exist, but we consider it to be there. It is a pseudo part or else just our phobia that it is.
It is just as thread considers itself different from the Blanket and having a separate identity. Similarly, a droplet may consider itself different from the ocean.
Body is physical form; mind also belongs to the form though it is more of fluid part.
There is Omkar beyond the form; it is the formless. The journey is from form to the formless and feeling the oneness with it.
It means go within in the cave closing all your senses. Your subjectivity will know and feel what is within the inner cave. That inner cave is beyond time and space. Just listening to Naad, and being one with it is Sahaj Yog.

Hariom Tat Sat.