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Realisation From a Train Journey

Date: Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:31:49 +0530 To: AM-GLOBAL From: "Pandit_Sudhakar" Subject: Realisation From a Train Journey Baba "A'loker a'nanda tumi dhara'te nebe esecho..." - P.S. 3104 O' Baba, the blissful Entity, the embodiment divine effulgence, You have incarnated Yourself on this dusty Earth. This is Your grace. You have saturated everything with Your divine flow of love and sweetness. You have changed the dry and rocky heart into something very soft and loving. Baba, Your sweet smile is unforgettable; Your voice is charming and attractive. Baba, everyone says that they love You and that You love all. So why then are You keeping me away. Whether You like me or not, please do not continue to ignore me-- please do not forget me. Baba, O' my Dearmost, You are very close. Only You make me aware how You go on playing Your liila with my mind. Baba You are bliss Personified. You have come on this Earth to inundate love and devotion. Baba, You have come in my heart and mind and blessed me with the highest devotion-- parabhakti...
== REALISATION FROM A TRAIN JOURNEY ==
Namaskar, Here I want to tell my own personal story with Sixteen Points. Although I struggle here and there in trying to follow all of Baba's guidelines, I have immense respect for those margiis and wt's who properly adhere to these points. And certainly I try each and every day to implement as many points as I can. By Baba's grace sadhana, asanas, fasting and many of the points have become regular aspects of my life. In this regard, many thanks to all A'nanda Ma'rgiis for your support and satsaunga. Ultimately, on a larger scale, I feel following 16 Points does not just bring welfare to the individual, but to the society at large also; in that sense Sixteen Points is not just an individual affair, and I think many feel this way as well. Anyway here then is my story-- or one of my stories-- about Sixteen Points.
OVERCOMING SHYNESS IN SADHANA
By Baba's grace, in the confines of my own home, I have long been habituated to doing my sadhana twice daily-- just as every Ananda Margii does. My problem would arise when I would leave the house. For instance, it would often happen that when traveling-- either for business or for AM retreats etc-- then I would refrain from doing sadhana in public. Because I did not feel comfortable sitting and closing my eyes in the train, or airport, or bus terminal and doing sadhana. It was not so much that I was physically uncomfortable. But mostly I felt uneasy mentally-- always worried about what others would think of me. So in this state of shyness and fear, I would sit there and try to do my meditation with my eyes open-- staring out into space. But of course it did not work. Or I would bend forward as if I was tying my shoe when really this was my half-hearted attempt to do one of my yoga asanas. And just forget about doing my dance-- never!! In this way I was nearly paralysed when trying to do my AM practices in public. All because of my shyness (lajja) vrtti, and similar types of psychic complexes. And the problem is that extreme shyness continued not for one day or one week-- but rather for months and years on end.
HOW IT ALL GOT TURNED AROUND
Then one day the assignment came to travel with another margii to do some business and then the two of us were going to go together to one of our AMURT camps. This was the proposed agenda. And I was quite happy and excited about it. As we started the first leg of our journey, we got slightly delayed and sure enough we found ourselves on the train with mealtime fast approaching. I hadn't shared my hesitations about doing sadhana in public with my margii companion, so I just acted normal as I saw him preparing to do his evening program. First I saw him go to the bathroom in his business attire with his shoes and socks on, and then a few minutes later I saw him return wearing thongs (sandals) with his shins, ankles, and feet dripping of water. I noticed that his pants were rolled up nearly to his knees. And when I looked at his face and saw that there were water droplets accumulated all throughout his beard, mustache, and on his eyelashes. In addition, beads of water were dripping down his cheeks and disappearing into his beard. Plus his sleeves were rolled up past his elbows and I could see that the hair on his forearm was totally matted down and stuck to his skin since that area was still quite wet. In sum, he had done half-bath-- on the train! Little by little, I could see he was now preparing to sit for sadhana-- right there in the compartment with everyone watching. With much trepidation, I also began to notice that other passengers were beginning to take notice of him and were watching him-- some strangely and others in amusement. Or so it seemed to me. With my heart beating fast, pretending that everything was 100% normal, I looked over at my margii brother and I also got up and walked towards the washroom on the train. I wetted myself down as best I could and found myself also leaving the washroom totally dripping with water, as I had not brought a towel with me. Nor did I have sandals. So I walked back to my seat with my bare feet on top of my shoes-- not inside. And I was using my toes to grip my shoes with each step so that I could advance ahead. Step by step I slid forward. The whole ordeal was quite awkward and I nearly fell multiple times, but somehow-- by Baba's grace-- I made it back to my seat without falling on anyone. By that time, my margii companion was deep into his sadhana lessons-- eyes closed, face serene, oblivious to the world around him. With much nervousness I began to get seated in padmasana and slyly took a look around the compartment. It seemed to me that everyone was watching me-- looking on in disbelief that a second person (dripping with water) was also now going to start the esoteric practice of meditation. I was completely worried. But with little alternative-- as I did not want to skip my sadhana since I was traveling with a fellow margii, and because my fear of skipping sadhana in front of him was greater than my shyness of doing sadhana in public-- I took Baba's name and closed my eyes and quickly began the mandatory repetition of my Ista mantra, before delving into bhuta shuddhi. And first I was quite self-conscious and was wondering if all the passengers were still looking at me. But then to my amazement, as I focused on my mantra, a deep serenity overcame my being and I could feel Baba's divine presence. With each mantra japa, the anxiety and nervousness drifted away; by His grace, with each and every second that went by I became more immersed in His flow. With that sweet feeling, I calmly proceeded through all my sadhana lessons-- one by one-- feeling totally ensconced in His love. I even did pranayama before my final session of dhyana. Finally, as I got myself out of my kneeling position after completing Guru Puja, I discreetly took a look at my wristwatch and noticed that it was far past my usual dinner time. Then I looked over at my margii brother and I saw that he too had just completed his sadhana, and he had just begun putting his shoes and socks back on. In that moment, when our eyes met, he greeted me with a warm smile.
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT...
With sadhana properly completed, I was just about to inquire about proceeding with our normal evening routine when I noticed another passenger coming towards us. At this time my nervousness suddenly overcame me and I looked over at my margii brother. He seemed quite calm and composed. When the passenger came closer he greeted us in a very gentle and respectful way and asked if he could join us. We of course agreed. And then the passenger began to say that he was deeply intrigued with meditation and that he really admired us for being so dedicated to our practice that we did our meditation on the train. Then that passenger called two of his friends over and suddenly there were five of us. And it was quite apparent how these other three gentlemen were highly impressed by seeing us do our practices and they wanted to know all about sadhana and meditation. Thereafter in a very open way, my margii companion and I shared many things about spirituality with them. Soon the three gentlemen were listening with great interest about vegetarianism, meditation, health, channelizing the mind, and all sorts of topics. Their questions seemed endless and with each moment their admiration for us grew. Then to my astonishment, my margii companion revealed to them that we were actually Ananda Margiis. One of three did not seem to know Ananda Marga at all. But the other two gentlemen told that they had read some unfavourable things about Ananda Marga in the newspaper, but that after this inspiring meeting they would now hold Ananda Marga in an entirely new light-- with new respect. They also said they were interested in getting initiated. We past the rest of the journey sharing our packed vegetarian meals with them and spoke at length about the joys and sweetness of our spiritual path-- our AM path of bliss.
REACHING OUR DESTINATION: 'I MUST ADMIT...'
When we reached our destination we all did namaskar to one another and then the three gentlemen went in their direction with the address and phone number of a local jagrti in hand. And the margii brother and I went in our direction. When we got to the street, we hailed a taxi and got in. Once inside-- in the privacy of our own taxi-- I expressed to my margii companion what a wonderful journey it had been. We had done our full routine, did lots of AM pracara, and spent the whole train ride in His sweet flow. And then I admitted that regrettably I generally forgo my yoga and sadhana practices when traveling. And I told my margii companion that when I saw him go for half-bath and come back dripping wet, then that gave me the courage-- or provided me with the circumstantial pressure-- to do the same and also begin my sadhana. Otherwise, I admitted, I would just have skipped it all. So I thanked him wholeheartedly for his dharmic example and sadvipra-like conduct.
AN UNEXPECTED REPLY
With a smile, my margii companions told me that he also had something to say. He explained that he was totally unsure of himself as he approached the washroom to wet down his legs, arms, face etc. And he said he was equally nervous about starting sadhana. Because he said he had never done this before and that he too skips his practices when traveling alone. But he figured that since he was traveling with a dedicated Ananda Margii (that is to say me!), then he felt should move ahead by following Sixteen Points-- because he was thinking that I would do that! He said that was why he had started his routine by doing half-bath etc and that if he had been travelling alone he would never have done such a thing and also would probably have skipped his full yoga and meditation program.
SMILES-- AND OUR VOW FOR THE FUTURE
At that point we both broke down in laughter and gradually that laughter turned to warm smiles. We both felt deeply indebted to Baba for providing us with the beauty of our AM practices. We also both repented for having skipped sadhana so many times in the past when traveling alone-- all due to shyness in public. Because on this fantastic journey, Baba had shown us some of the beautiful things that can happen when one is strict in following 16 Points. So we both took the firm determination to adhere to all our sadhana practices when traveling in the future-- no matter what the public venue might be, and irregardless of whether we were alone or not. And thus far, by Baba's grace I can say we have been successful-- all due to His loving countenance.
SIXTEEN POINTS IS WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR
All around the globe the vibration has changed: The consciousness of the people is rising. People are interested in spiritual ideas, in social change, in health and well-being. In all kinds of sentient things. And in each and every sphere our AM has the answer. And one of the best ways to share this with others is simply to be strict in all our practices: Sixteen Points. Because by this way we can be an example to the world of what AM is about. So following 16 Points-- in all circumstances-- really is Baba's special boon on us to be a medium in the establishment of His divine mission.
BABA'S BLESSING
It is Baba's great blessing that He has showered us in His love and given us all the secrets for moving ahead in life-- unto His divine Lap. Baba says, "...In order to march ahead on the road of human welfare, we will have to strengthen ourselves in all the arena of life. The complete seeds of welfare in all the spheres - physical, mental, moral, social and spiritual - are embedded in the sixteen points. Hence be firm on the sixteen points." (A'nanda Va'nii #45) Namaskar, Sudhakar
Note 1: WHO FEELS SHY TO FOLLOW 16 POINTS IN PUBLIC
Baba says, "Those who are reared in the cradle of materialistic ideologies, feel shy or ashamed at first to sit in meditation in the presence of others." (SS pt 3, p.86)
NOTE 2: FOLLOW DHARMA ALWAYS-- NOT JUST DURING MAHABHARATA
Baba says, "Those who protect dharma, dharma protects them. One should always protect dharma, in both big and small ways. If one thinks that they will only follow dharma in some big events, and not in small ones, then those big events may not ever come in their entire life. It may be that in their whole life, besides their birth and death, not a single big event happens. Yet at the time of birth how can one protect dharma. At that time one is just a small infant and cannot do anything. That infant is totally unaware about the events going on around them. Then how can they protect dharma. And at the time of death, a person is senseless. In that case also how can they protect dharma. For this reason, dharma should be protected always. In small and big ways-- even in jokes and humor dharma should be protected. Those who protect dharma, dharma protects them: Dharma raksati raksitah." (AV-32 (H), p.86-7) Sometimes in our day to day habits we forget to follow dharma in small ways such as not using water after urination or not doing bhuta yajina (feeding animals and plants) etc, and we think that when the next Mahabharata happens or when there is a battle to establish Prout or NH, then at that time we will come forward wholeheartedly and fight. But we should remember that in the beginning it is needed to follow dharma in small ways. Such as by doing proper half-bath etc. Yet often we see that we overlook and neglect various small points then we justify to ourselves that is fine. Because we mistakenly think that when the big battle for dharma happens then we will be prepared. But we should remember that such a battle may never happen in our lifetime and if it does then only those who follow the small points of dharma will really be prepared.
****************************************** Baba's Mudra Photo is a Unique Gift...
Baba says, "The Sadguru is saying something, and the deaf or dumb man wants to hear it but cannot. If one concentrates the mind on Vara'bhaya Mudra', there will be the direct effect of positive microvita on the auricular or other nerve cells and also on the controlling cells, and it may be that all of a sudden he may get back the power of hearing. One should look towards this mudra' and not to anything else. Microvita are radiated through this mudra'. This is the inner secret." (MVNS, p.65)
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