Summer camps for adults at Gurumaa Ashram have just concluded. Youth Shivir is on.
This summer three continuous shivirs were organised for seekers to imbibe more and more the teachings of the Bhagwad Geeta. The master gave precious time to her disciples for 15 consecutive days, apart from granting darshans and the opportunity to clarify doubts.
Guruji’s lucid explanation of the Bhagwad Geeta taught us how to lead life, to see God in all beings and treat the ‘Virat Roop’ as just an illusion. The main thing is to do your sadhana, meditate, serve mankind, be obedient to your Guru and realise God. This is what the master has been saying over and over again, but we needed a jolt which made us realise that even the Supreme Godhead said the same things. But will it really register? I have problems with sitting for a long time, Guruji. OK, attend yoga classes in the morning. Chanting is an important part of sadhana. So, we chanted the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra after dinner. For many, it was the first time they had heard of this chant. Yogic breathing and chanting of Om prepared the newcomers for intensive meditation. Seva in the kitchen, in our rooms and in the lawns.Urja meditation helped to reduce thoughts and disturbing symptoms and sensations. Yog Nidra in the afternoons was a great relief, though the sound of snoring was distracting! The tight routine left little time for lazing or chitchatting and encouraged the participants to remain in silence.
Guruji has made the right prescription for us to go ahead in our spiritual journey.
But back home, how many of us will be able to keep up the tempo? Stress-filled jobs, daily chores and family problems — how do I get up early in the morning?I go to bed quite late, I eat dinner late!! In the Ashram, dinner at 7.30pm was strictly followed. The other day Guruji spoke of an Ashram where dinner is served at 5:30pm and that too, only soup and bread! How will the city yuppie survive at these ashrams? Firstly, we have to change our mindset. Are we really equipped for spirituality?Spirituality is not an ‘in’ thing which we have to flaunt in society. ‘I am into spirituality jee, Revered _________ is my Guruji’. Oh, so this guy is on his way to re……ali…….sation, WOW!” If my body is not ready to sit straight on the floor for atleast an hour, hatha yoga is the solution. First master the asanas and make your body fit, then enter the meditation room. Bhakti and seva along with gyan, as Pujya Gurumaa said, are the ingredients which will make your sadhana fruitful. Though, as the Bhagwad Geeta says, “Offer all your acts to me, do not expect any fruit for the action”.
What is the use of doing pranayam?, I ask. Why can’t Guruji just give me shaktipat and I can start meditating like a highly evolved person. No, my dear, Guruji says, this is not a one afternoon wonder. ‘Kabira marag kathin hai.’ “Are my chakras opening, Guruji?”. “You wouldn’t be smiling and asking me then, dear”. Opening of chakras is not a joyous occasion, it is a painful experience. But plod along the way your Guru says and one day, you will definitely come out into the sunshine.
This was surely a refresher course and I came back panting for more. Already, seekers have started asking,”When is the next shivir?”. Give Guruji a breather. Practice all that you have learnt at home and see how you can apply it in your daily life. Blessings of the Sadguru act subtly and the result will be visible only when life’s vagaries strike. How calm and cool you stand in front of difficulties. How you act and not react, improve relationships, that will be the real test!
Don’t worry, if you are sincere, the Guru’s blessings are with you and the road may be long, but at last we shall reach the destination.
Jai Gurudev!
Seema
