== WITHOUT THIS, SADHANA GOES NOWHERE ==
Namaskar,
During one reporting session with Baba, in a dramatic and heart-moving
manner He lovingly revealed the importance of creating a devotional link
in sadhana.
This letter details that particular scene and presents the special
guidance which Baba graciously expressed to us on that most memorable
occasion.
WHAT IS MYSTICISM
As we all know, mysticism means creating a link between finite and
infinite. During sadhana, by His grace, we grow closer to Parama Purusa.
Our relation becomes more intimate with Him. This is how we measure our
progress on the path of mysticism.
In sadhana, we are veritably calling Him. Hence a relation is needed as
one cannot call someone if there is no relation, or if that relation is
a distant one.
For instance, if one girl's mother is a police chief, then that daughter
will probably not like to say, "Chief, chief", as that will feel quite
distant and official. Instead that little girl will like to call out,
"Mommy, mommy", as the essence of that mother-daughter relation is more
dear to her.
As sadhakas we are trying to deepen our link with Him. For this to
happen, we must sincerely practice meditation. By this way we will learn
and yearn to call and long for Him in a more personal way. One of the
inherent aspects of sadhana is transforming our relation with Baba from
that of the more formal relation of Guru to one which is more intimate,
such as Father, Friend, or an even more intimate relation. According to
Baba, this is our mystical journey.
THAT SPECIAL REPORTING SESSION WITH BABA
(Part 1)
As many may recall, every reporting session with Baba was like dharma
samiiksa. He would bless us by pointing out our defects and lovingly
guide us onto the proper path. It was all exclusively His grace.
This particular occasion was no different. In His loving liila, Baba was
sternly rebuking and lovingly encouraging us all, and of course pointing
out certain individuals as well.
At one point, Baba turned toward one avadhuta and said, "In the past you
were doing very good sadhana. You were singing bhajans regularly and
then in sadhana you were calling me with love and affection and I could
feel and hear the sincerity of your call. That was very good. But more
recently, you have forgotten that devotional approach, and now you just
sit for a few minutes in sadhana - your intuitional practices have
become quite mechanical."
Then Baba turned toward Ajitananda.
Baba said, "His sadhana is alright - it is very devotional. He has
cultivated strong longing in sadhana and the way he is doing his
meditation is proper. There is only one problem."
Note: Actually, we all came to know that Ajitananda had begun hugging
and kissing Baba in his sadhana. No one told him to do this, just the
idea grew in his mind to relate with Baba in this way. Because of his
sincere approach in sadhana, those types of closer feelings developed
and Baba clearly indicated that this type of sincerity and devotional
longing is very good. This type of channelisation will deepen one's
meditation. So these types feelings should not be suppressed; rather
they should take expression, so long as that is one's natural desire.
Whereas, if one is forcing things in sadhana or doing something without
having that inner feeling in their heart, then that is not good. Sadhana
should be a natural expression of one's true heart-felt feeling.
THAT SPECIAL REPORTING SESSION WITH BABA
(Part 2)
Baba was still looking at Ajitanada and said:
"There is only one problem. He has developed the habit that when he
finishes his sadhana, then he kisses my photo and leaves his saliva on
the picture. If others see this mark or stain on the photo, then what
will they think."
At this point, many of us began to smile, because if really Baba was
concerned that others should not find out what this Dada was doing, then
Baba would not have exposed the matter in front of all.
Baba continued, "I do not have any problem if in his sincerity he kisses
my photo after sadhana, but at least he should not leave the saliva on
the photo."
Baba was quite serious when He said this, and then He looked around the
room and spoke out loud to many of the Dadas present.
"What do you think, should he clean the photo after he kisses it?"
Then of course everyone present readily agreed that Ajitananda should
maintain the cleanliness of the photo by removing the saliva.
At the same time, we all understood that Baba was teaching us to follow
the feelings of our heart when expressing our love towards Him.
Normally, it is not easy to talk about this openly with all, but in His
special manner, during this reporting session Baba graciously revealed
this intimate and special aspect of sadhana and devotional life. The
greater point was not about having saliva on the photo - although Baba
did want that it should be cleaned off - the bigger teaching is that in
our devotional life we should express those natural feelings which arise
in the heart. Baba was appreciating Ajitananda's sincerity in sadhana.
THE INNER IMPORT OF THE STORY
So in this reporting session, Baba was giving us the idea that one
should express their devotion in all kinds of natural ways. Indirectly,
Baba was indicating that what Ajitananda was doing in sadhana was very
good, and that if he wished to kiss the photo afterwards that was also
alright, so long as that was the inner desire of his heart - which it
was in the case of Ajitananda.
The main thing is that what one does in their devotional life should be
natural, it should be an extension of their heart's desire. And the more
we cultivate a link with Baba in dhyana, the closer we will feel towards
Him. That relation will grow, deepen, and become more intimate. In that
case, one should respond to the feelings that naturally arise in the
heart. These devotional feelings should not be suppressed.
At the same time, Baba was also warning us that we should not do
something just for show or in a mechanical manner the way so many people
go to temple and do their ritualistic worship just to put on a display
in front of others etc. That type of expression is meaningless, rather
it is detrimental as it is just the height of superficiality.
But if one feels a strong internal urge then one should not be hesitant
and think that what they are feeling is inappropriate or against the
code of tantra etc.
So by the above described reporting session, Baba was giving us all the
idea - even those who do not have the feeling to hug and kiss him - that
one should harbor and cultivate a closer connection with Him. One should
follow one's heart and be sincere in sadhana. And if in the course of
that, one begins to feel more close, then those feelings of closeness
should take expression. They should not be suppressed. That is the way
to deepen one's mystical connection with Baba. That is what we all felt
He was teaching us on that day.
In contrast, if one fails to acknowledge one's inner feeling and just
suppresses those devotional sentiments, then one cannot progress on the
path of sadhana.
BABA'S BLESSING
By His grace, our love for Him grows out of our more pointed approach in
sadhana. So one should not feel shy to express those feelings. If we
just feel that Baba is our Guru then there will be a gap in our
communication with Him. Step by step, our devotional practices will
minimize this gap as we develop mote intimate feelings with Him. This is
the way to progress in sadhana and grow closer and closer with Him until
finally, by His grace, we become one with Him.
Baba says, "The Entity whom you are trying to attain – Parama Purus'a –
is your own innermost self. Your relation with Him is not external, to
be defined by courts, laws, or society. It is a family relationship. The
desire in your mind to meet God is only born when He is inclined towards
you. It is the result of His desire to meet you. Your meeting with God
is not a unilateral affair, it is a mutual thing. You walk one step
towards Him and He will come twenty towards you."
"When an infant starts walking, the parent first asks it and goads it to
walk a little. It tries to walk, but falls. Then the parent advances and
lifts it up onto his or her lap. God does the same. Make the slightest
effort, and He will pick you up and place you on His lap."
"Your relation with God is personal. No one can sever this relationship.
It is part of your being, your birthright." (AV-23)
Namaskar,
Ram Sahay
Note 1: PHYSICAL EXPRESSION AND MENTAL EXPRESSION
IN DEVOTIONAL LIFE
One other aspect about this story that is important to discuss is the
idea of physical expression versus psychic expression.
For instance, Ajitananda was kissing Baba in sadhana and then afterwards
He was kissing Baba's photo as well. Both are ok since this was Dadaji's
sincere desire. However, none should think that physically kissing
Baba's photo is needed in order to progress in sadhana. The only
requisite needed to progress in sadhana is sincere longing for Him -
there need not be any outer display, though this can be done if one
desires, as in the case of Ajitananda.
Everything though can be expressed within the mind. One can mentally
touch Baba's feet, offer Him flowers, hug Him, talk to Him, and so many
things. All our feelings to Him can be communicated mentally.
In their homes, some do like to decorate their puja table with real
flowers. There is nothing wrong with that. They feel that by this way
they are serving Baba. So that is fine.
But side by side, one must do sadhana as well. Even those central
workers who were around Baba 24hrs a day had to sit and close their eyes
and do sadhana. This was mandatory. But it was not mandatory that all
had to see Baba physically.
Clearly the path of mysticism is a psycho-spiritual approach. It unfolds
in the mind and we must not suppress those feelings. External things
like kissing the photo or garlanding Baba's photo can also be done if
one feels so inclined.
However, doing such things in a purely ritualistic way is not at all
good. Whatever we do should be by following our own sincerity. We should
not copy others or mechanically do such things just for show.
Ultimately, our relation with Him is purely an individual affair and we
should follow our heart and express our feelings to Him accordingly. By
His grace, through sadhana, our link with Him becomes more intimate and
by acting on those feelings we progress closer and closer towards Him,
becoming one with Him.
