______________________________________________________________________________
The Guru Helps His Disciples Expand Their Consciousness – Bro Anandamoy’s Introspection Chart
A master or God-realized guru – can raise any devoted, aspiring disciple into the omnipresent Spirit. The guru who is one with the Father can help the deeply meditating disciple to expand his consciousness and life from the limited sensations of the body out into unlimited space to feel all life in omnipresence.
– Paramahansa Yogananda, The Second Coming of Christ, p 354; Affirmation, Metaphysical Meditations p 5.
*May you feel the touch of the Guru’s illuminating hand upon your efforts to find God in meditation today. And as you perform all actions, may he stand by your side, guiding and encouraging. You are deeply loved and always protected by him. OmLove, Annie
Here is a little gem from Brother Andandamoy to help with practice of Guru-given spiritual sadhana:
____________________________________ Gallery
Happy One Hundredth Anniversary To Our Master of His India Departure August 3 1920
Master At The Lake: Baptism
IN THE ASTRAL
Summer of ‘52, Rajarsi Speaking: “I see Sri Yukteswar a lot.” ……Don’t you see Master too? He answered, “He comes too, but Sri Yukteswar sent Master somewhere to do something.”
One morning…”Do you know I saw Sri Yukteswar holding little Master’s head on his lap and petting him like a little boy, and Master was so happy, he looked up at Sri Yukteswarji with his big eyes and such love? Looking at them both, I melted in Master’s joy and there we were BOTH in Sri Yukteswarji’s lap.
March 27, 1953: “Sri Yukteswar was with me all day in a great brilliant light.“
On Rajasi’s birthday, May 5th 1953: “This morning I was awakened by singing and the Masters were dancing around me. I could not understand the celebration, when the thought came to me that it was my birthday and the Masters were singing and dancing around, in celebration.“
Happy Birthday was being played on organ while Rajarsi was still in his room. He finally came out and sat on the large chair in the living room and fell into a deep meditation. He told me afterwards, “Babaji came in the brightest light I have ever seen. Sri Yukteswar and Master were dancing around Babaji.”
January 5, 1954: “ I awoke around two or 3:00 in the morning and I saw Lahiri Mahashaya in the greatest blaze of light I have ever seen. Then one by one, Sri Yukteswar, Babaji, and then Master. Master lifted me out of the body and we floated together over many gatherings of people, even to India. Master blessed each group as we floated over them…”
——————————————
MORE ON SRI YUKTESWAR MAHARAJ
Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri Maharaj was born to the middle class family of Kshetranath Karan…on 10th of May in the Christian year of 1855 – the last Friday of the month of Baishakh- in the city of Srirampur of the Hooghly District, on the banks of the holy river Bhagirathi.
The only child ….given the name of Priyanath…..Being a child of a well-to-do family and an intelligent student, from his young days he became close to certain important and noble families of Srirampur….
Priyanath lost his father when a child….so he attended to the family business and lands. …… because of his sharp intelligence, he became adept at other things. People such as those dealing with laws in the houses and courts of provincial kings and landlords would consult him from time to time for his analysis and insight on problematic issues.
….Priyanath enrolled in the Srirampur Christian Missionary College. … he became deeply interested in the Christian Bible, and besides the usual life story of Jesus Christ, he would explore the book of Revelations (the experience of spiritual knowledge and the revelation of the supreme) and other subjects, which captivated him and became a deeply significant part of his spiritual life, Sadhana and realization, where he would become able to reveal the connection between the beautiful inner spirituality of the Christian religion and the mysteries of yoga. Later, this experience would express itself in his spiritual work in a special way (the HOLY SCIENCE).
… he also wholeheartedly studied the science and essence of anatomy and physiology.
…Priyanath married (and had one daughter) and for a little while he became employed in an office as an accountant. He used to say, “at that time I saw that those who were doing that work were laboring almost all the time. But that job was so easy for me that I would finish the needed work in a short time and then I would just chit chat.“
…. he became interested in studying homeopathic curative methods and after learning about the fine and fundamental points, he was solidly convinced of the supremacy of this science. Besides pursuing the knowledge of many different subjects, he was also interested in physical culture. With his naturally athletic body, he was able to excel in sports such as horseback riding, hunting, weapons’ sport etc..
He used to be in enraptured by the art of music, particularly instrumental music…..He learned a few compositions on sitar from his master of music, which was enough to distinguish him. When people would come, his master would ask him to play, and the audience would become enchanted. He used to encourage everyone to study and cultivate the art of music. He was in favor of proper education in music, dance and theater for students in high school…….Penetrating the immense mysteries of God’s creation, soul inquiry, and the application of astrology and spiritual work-it seems that these are the types of matters that were naturally endearing to him.
Led to the feet of Lahiri Mahashaya: he felt as if the longing of many lifetimes had found a chance to be fulfilled in the presence of this man, and prayed to the God of his heart to receive initiation in Kriya Yoga. …..on the Suklapanchami of Ashar 1290 (Bengali holy day, month and year), received initiation in Kriya Yoga for which he had prayed. …. he became deeply immersed in Sadhana, and practicing day after day, began to attain blissful ecstasy from the work.
The Lord Sri Sri Lahiri Mahashaya would from time to time discuss philosophical literature and the Gita scripture with his disciples…. The perfect student – the scientifically inquiring, samadhi-attained, …Priyanath would drink the nectarous words from Sriguru’s (Lahiriji) mouth to his hearts content. The light of divine knowledge flooded him. He became genuinely studious of the scriptural works….. he studied the Christian Bible with the deepest respect.
Swamiji Maharaj used to refer to his sannayas life as the life of a servant and told his sannayasi disciples to adopt that same attitude. He would reprimand any negligence in the field of work, and at the same time give special warning to the disregarding of spiritual practice and deviating from the area of Self-Knowledge and becoming obsessed with work. He used to point out this perspective: “serve for the purity of consciousness, but if you lose your self then all is lost. All of the work of the world is secondary. Let the attainment of Satchitananda, The root of which is surrender to God through meditation, be the first priority. Only then can one walk on the right path.“
– he believed that the essential wisdom of the four stages of life as prescribed by the sages of India is the highest method for the process of ascension for human life and society. His opinion was that after the completion of Learning at an ashram of brahmacharya (youth), adopting the life of a responsible householder was the normal way to live. – when giving instructions for work to be done he would say that one should devote oneself to the service of the world beginning at sunrise…. and at the time of sunset, one should return to one’s own work, meaning that one should become immersed in spiritual sadhana and worship.
– he used to say that for the collective and individual prosperity of human beings, it is necessary to have the self-sufficiency of the Vaishyas (business caste), The valor of the Kshatriyas (military and administration caste), and in that same type of environment, the Brahmin (priest and scholar caste) establishment of religion. With out having personal experience of the company of high and virtuous beings, it was not possible in life to have the elevated injunction of the service oriented mind of the Sudra (service caste). Having lost the root meaning of the practice of the four stages of life, the superficial, vanity-filled children of this sacred land have become unworthy of even being Sudras. Instead of being prosperous servants, the culture has become one of boot-licking, incompetent and vile slaves.
– there could not be the proper practice of education, nation building, or even the Knowledge of Brahman, he said over and over, without the realization of the Kshatriya-power. Of course, his statement about Kshatriya-power did not refer only to training for war. He would say that without having a feeling of self-respect, humaneness could not take birth, and in order to maintain self-worth and to strengthen and better the national spine, it was necessary to have regular martial education. How can a spine-broken, week and shy, slave-minded “good person“ conceive the immense revelations of the sages?
– ….. he used to instruct that before initiation into pranayam-based yoga of Kriya, The student should test himself to ascertain whether his physical and mental conditioning was in optimum state; and he was usually not a proponent of initiation into Kriyayoga sadhana before the age of 16 or 17 years and if there was a lack of physical fitness. Before that, he would advise that one should pay attention to the study and respectful practice of yogic asanas and mudras. Leading to this subject, the illuminated words of insight from the world-Conquering Acharya Vivekananda come to mind: “ if you want to understand the Gita, first go and play football.“
– when teaching social servants and counselors about education, he would ask them to arrange for the general cultivation of medicine, herbology, astrology and philosophy. Meditation, study and the treasure House of Brahman – these three things are at the root of all teaching and education. In all educational programs he would prescribe that the study of music should have a special place. He used to say from time to time that among all that captured the senses, the melody of music was that which could help us realize the Brahman-melody in the inner world.
– Day after day, many men and women continued to receive initiation from him.
– …He also gave instructions for a program to be held at least once a year for extended discussion and analysis by a group of learned people about holy matters, involving the general people of each Township in a large yearly conference. (Convocation). He used to say that just discussing or practicing among ourselves could make us “frogs in the well“…. that is why it is necessary to form holy groups among ourselves – for the health of our ideals and sadhana.
He had a special keenness for astrology. To learn to be an astrologer, he used to pay all the traveling expenses of scholars from many places and bring them to his house to discuss the subject with them. If he heard of a renown pundit, he would sometimes travel to places far away to go to him.
The Lord Sri Sri Lahiriji’s Mahashaya would from time to time discuss philosophical literature and the Gita with His disciples…. The perfect student-the scientifically enquiring, samadhi-attained, great sadhana Priyanath would drink the nectarous words from Sriguru’s mouth to his hearts content. The Light of Divine Knowledge flooded him within. He became genuinely studious of the scriptural works.
Meeting Babaji – According to Maharajji’s calculation, in the month of Magh, 194 Dwapara Yuga (1894 Christian Era), sadhaka Priyanath went to the Prayag Kumbhamela to see the great gathering of sadhus and high beings, as well as to be in their company. Arriving at Prayag pilgrimage, he began to spend time with sadhak-purushas (advanced, powerful beings) from different paths. During the festival, one day on the other side of the Allahabad’s road, while walking by the sadhu’s camps he suddenly heard someone with a familiar voice calling him: “Swamiji, Swamiji”. He was not a sannyasi at the time; and who would be calling him like this-especially in this place where he was an unknown person? Suspicious of this, he ignored the call and continued to walk. But, out of the unfamiliar residence of a sadhu, A devotee came out, called him and took him to the sadhu’s place. Arriving there, Priyanath saw a divinely radiant Man looking at him and gently laughing. He was awed, stunned and stupefied by the Sadhuji’s Holy presence. His mind bowed itself in reverence.
The Sadhuji told him in Hindi, “Swamiji, rest here. We have to talk.“ Priyanath answered, “Maharaj, why are you calling me Swamiji’?” The Saduhji then said, “Swamiji, why are you denying My words? No one denies Our words. The land where the people come, they speak the language of the land; so I also called you in that type of language why be so displeased?“ (Note: By this time, Priyanath’s wife and daughter had passed away leaving him with no worldly ties).
He began to delight in conversing with this unusual Sadhu, And, in the noble attitude of His speaking, His excellent logic and beautiful manner, he was amazed to find an amazing similarity with his own guru. When the subject came up and Swamiji came to know that the Sadhuji was Guru Sri Sri Lahiriji’s Mahashaya’s Gurudev, Sri Sri Mahamuni Babaji Maharaj, he became completely overcome, and with a grateful heart prostrated at the Feet of his Paramgurudev. ……”Knower of All Things Mahavatar Paramgurudev blessed him and said laughingly, “so, you wrote the Gita because of your Guru; now write a little something because of me.“ Astonished, and wondering how it was possible that He would know about the fact of the Gita publication, Swamiji asked what it is that He would have him do. Babaji Maharaj said, “write something about the unity of Eastern and Western philosophy, so that especially the people living in the west can become aware of that matter through this book.“ Hearing this directive, Priyanath seemed to become a little daunted and said, “Maharaj, I didn’t study all that much and I don’t know very much. How can it be possible for me to do this heroic work?“ Immediately upon hearing his words, the Blissful Babaji Maharaj loudly laughed and said, “hey, who can do what? Why this feeling of being so responsible, or Why so self concerned?
The feeling came to my mind-it expressed through my mouth-you heard-the work will also happen-Who’s work it is, He does.” His Holiness Paramgurudev’s Beautiful explanation filled Swamiji’s mind with wonder, belief and enthusiasm. With a reverent heart and head bowed, he received Guru’s directive with his whole being. Then he asked, “I have to see You after I finish the book. Where will I find You then?” With affection towards His devotee, Babaji Maharaj said with His usual gentle laugh, “We will meet.“ When the discussion on the matter finished and as Priyanath could not take the meaning of that to heart, he put it in memory, and taking the blessings of Paramguru upon his head, came to Sriguru’s House in Benares, his consciousness overflowing with ecstatic bliss.
MULTI-FACETED VISION
He would chastise any fault he would see of anyone who was somewhat close to him. Sometimes his reproof was deprecating. Because he used to grant us freedom as a matter of course, sometimes we would get agitated and-who knows how many times we argued with him. He would not ever have any contempt for us because of that. Although his words may have been harsh and incisive, most of the time I was able to withstand them and benefited from them.
Everyone would become fascinated upon hearing instruction and advice on every subject related to organizations by this great Acharya of the Age, The great being who was the Incarnation of Knowledge. Who knows how many missionaries, educators, ashrams of service, assemblies, congregations etc. Have gained renowned in their organizational endeavors after having received even a grain of his advice on these matters. But the strange thing is that he was not successful in actualizing the manifestation of his ideals by his own hand. Referring to his relation to householder life, forming ashrams and along with those things, his writing of books, he said, “my virtuosity in studies and education is quite known, yet I composed grammarian books! So many have become famous in organizational work from having received my counsel and I wasn’t able to acquire even the tactics of building an ashram.“ ….. The magnificent education and initiation that His Holiness Sri Sriyukteswar Maharaj bestowed upon us….. for this we are blessed and fortunate. There is not a scintilla of doubt that if we try to respectfully make use of our understanding of even a speck of his essential wisdom on organizational work that we would be blessed and that there would be an abundance of beneficence for the world.
He was a Guru Who knew Brahman. Feeling our insignificance…. we were hesitant to come to speak to this great man about anything or even just to go near him. ….. yet, he showed appropriate courtesy toward human beings and would elevate their stature by offering them his seat. I do not think that I have ever experienced even a spot of vanity of guru-ism from him. He would take pride in the excellence of a disciple. If he saw that some work instructed by him was being done well by a disciple he would give him more encouragement. But, if it became necessary to reprimand mistakes he would not hesitate to do that either.
…. if the subject of guru was brought up, this immense, magnanimous and ego-less man would say in a simple and ordinary way, “what is the point in being taken aback by the word ‘guru’ ? Guru means weighty, meaning one who is more weighty or knowledgeable than you, from whom you can learn. If it is necessary, then after completing your learning from him, you can take shelter in an even higher Guru’s – like going to a professor of an institution of higher learning after grade school. But one must remember to have proper respect and humility towards everyone“. He tried to make us clearly understand that even if one were finally established in the spiritual knowledge of the Causeless, Infinate Brahman, A physically embodied man cannot attain Total Brahman-ness (Full Perfection) ….(without receiving divine touch of Guru-Brahmin-Shakti). ….. One needs the direct blessing and Grace of Guru. “It is because of Swami Vivekananda’s self-assurance and extraordinary reverential radiance that Sri Ramakrishnadev was known to the world as an incarnation of God.“
Because of the gurus attainment, the sanctifying touch becomes a helper in the blossoming of a disciple Knowledge, and being respectful towards having acquired this blessing, you must yourself become a sage and proceed on the path to elevate your Soul by applying the techniques taught by the guru. It is in the path of meditation, truthfulness and surrendering to God that the Guru-graced disciple become successful in gaining revelation and understanding of new methods of learning.“ It is with this perspective that Sri Sriyukteswar Maharaj used to say, “Real wisdom is one that beats the gurus-now that’s a disciple.“
True Devotion
…. he became very disturbed when he saw the performance of every step of pranayama, prostration, glorification, Head-bowing or a terribly cowering and milquetoast (milk-toast) demeanor. At the demonstration of this type of overblown adulation he would say from time to time: “be careful of too much devotion.“ But, using the excuse of passing out so–called judgment, he would ask us to be alert and not neglect the usual proprieties of greeting, bowing and other such courtesies. Many times, he became harshly critical if he saw the predominant of outer apparel in a devotee trying to show his …. spirituality. …..he disliked excess and pomp. ….sense-enjoyment or renunciation …. he would help us understand through the wisdom of the Gita about the (devotees/monks) demonstration of restraint from sensual coercion‘s for a Karmayogi. He used to say that the embodying of a physical form…. naturally consumed (took on)sense-pleasures, and that the ….Devotee with the help of the consummation of the culmination of sensual gratification from having previous karma, could then COMPLETE the enjoyment of physical pleasures and subsequently turn inward to the service of the Lord of the senses, ……. that is when a human being became a real renunciate.
… Swamiji Maharaj said that it was the scientist who could be the truly religious person. The unearthing of scientific knowledge and mysteries make it easy to understand the secrets of the universe and nature and help in the progress of life, mind, intellect etc., And it is by that that the human mind can naturally take up the true path of religion.
These End Times – Swamiji Maharaj’s calculations show that at present (this written in mid 20th century), having past 200 years in the transition of Kali and Dwapara, we are almost a half-century into Dwapara Yuga, and proving it is the evidence of the evolution of the perception of subtle things throughout the world…… electricity is a regular companion to daily life in the world today. The turmoil and violent revolutions we are seeing are transitional pains from the changing of the yugas. With these calculations, in the Christian year 1900, he predicted that soon there will be a cataclysmic event, like in Lanka (Lord Ram in Treta Yuga) or Kurukshetra (Lord Krishna, Arjuna, descending Dwapara Yuga), signifying the transformation into the New Age, after which there will be a new vision into the subtler realms of politics, society and even the field of spiritual sadhana, and peace will reign, appropriate for the age.
To be continued…..
