With Love, Swamiji

Realization of Self and the Well-Being
Well of the Universe
International Vedanta Society presents
‘With Love, Swamiji.’

An Introduction to Advaita Vedanta
By
Disciples and Devotees of Bhagavan
INTERNATIONAL VEDANTA SOCIETY PRESENTS
‘With Love , Swamiji.’

An Introduction to Advaita Vedanta
By Disciples and Devotees of Bhagavan
10/1/2009
© All rights are reserved by the President, International Vedanta Society. No part of this publication may
be reproduced or transmitted in any form or any means without prior consent from the publisher.
This book is dedicated to our beloved Master and the founder of
International Vedanta Society, Bhagavan.
Preface
For some years I had searched, I deeply desired to find someone who knew the way, who could say to me 'Yes, I
know God, I know that which you are searching for.' I had crossed many different paths, martial arts, various
meditation techniques, speaking to different spiritual people and reading different spiritual authors. Always there
were beautiful words, pleasant experiences, but nothing was solid. When I asked 'Do you know the way?, Can you
tell me?', there was never a definite answer.
I had throughout this time always kept a space for my own idea of how spirituality should progress. I had an idea
that I would gain everything without giving up any of this false individuality, likes and dislikes, pleasures and
tendencies. I had chatted briefly with Swami Probuddhananda on the internet, also I had seen photographs of
Bhagavan and devotees and other Swamis of IVS. He struck me at that time as very certain, completely sure in his
dedication to Bhagavan and to the path of Advaita Vedanta.
At the time that certainty had bothered me, I misunderstood completely the devotion to Bhagavan as the worship of
another body and not as the devotion to Knowledge and Truth, which He embodies. I misunderstood this serious
approach and dedication, because I myself still wanted to find what I was looking for without becoming serious,
without becoming dedicated.
One day last June it became clear to me very suddenly what I had to do. I remember thinking very clearly, 'If you
really desire realisation, why are you holding back?, what are you holding back?' I finally realised and accepted that
I need guidance. The man bound to a pillar cannot free himself, another must come and cut his bonds. It came to me
clearly who I had to speak to, this man with whom I had chatted briefly some months before. Immediately I wrote to
Swami Probuddhananda simply asking him, 'Please Sir, what should I do?, I want to get realised, please show me
the way.' From there, though I didn't know it at the time, our relationship as Master and disciple began.
From the outset I received very clear instructions on basic Sadhana, those practices that Bhagavan has handed down
to his devotees. So I chanted mantra, I meditated and I contemplated Vedanta. We talked online about Vedanta and
meditated together. I had chanted mantra, meditated and contemplated Vedanta before becoming the disciple of my
Master, so what had changed?
What had changed was that suddenly there was no doubt, I simply drove myself fully into the practice, listened
attentively to every word. Always the understanding was clear, all uncertainty simply disappeared upon being
instructed. I had sudden faith and surety in spiritual practice, something I had never had before.
Listening to Swamiji speak about spirituality I realised that before when I had read and heard very similar words
they had only been empty vessels, they had only possessed the appearance of Knowledge. Now these words were
coming to me directly from Reality, it was not someone speaking about Knowledge or about Truth. It was the
Knowledge itself speaking, it was Truth itself speaking to me. This sudden faith and surety that had come to me was
simply the absolute surety of the Truth that was being told to me.
Each word that Swamiji speaks or puts down on paper is filled with spiritual energy that goes into the mind and
mind begins to get purified and lifted from the outset. What does purified mind mean? Purified mind means the
beginning of the end of the suffering caused by endless and unnecessary thoughts.
I have never met my Master in the flesh. I have never set foot in any Ashram. How then has it been possible to
remain in constant contact with my Master for such a long time, sometimes with very limited possibilities to
communicate? Close school friends I had known for years had simply disappeared from my life as soon as I left
school and didn't see them every day, so what was different?
What is different is that the relationship with Guru is founded exclusively on desire for the Truth, nothing else. All
other contact with human beings in my life has been because of circumstance or some worldly desire. So the
relationship between Master and disciple is not worldly, it is not mental, nor physical, its strength lies beyond and
above those things and cannot be broken.
From the outset the spirituality that Swamiji has instilled has been completely practical. This knowledge is eternal, it
is always true. If spirituality folds up in the face of a tough working day, some domestic upset or such things, then
where is it's strength?, where is the freedom it has given you? He tells always that one is always free, always
invincibly strong, one is always the Self and that this is to be and will be experienced directly.
There is not one thing that Swamiji has said to me since I met him that has not turned out, in direct experience, to be
completely true. I give thanks for the Grace that has come to me from Swamiji, on from Bhagavan, on from Swami
Pavitrananda, on from Swami Krishnananda, on from Sri Ma Sarada Devi and on from Sri Thakur Ramakrishna. I
am sure that this collection of writings by Swamiji will deliver this Grace to many others.
Much love to all, Hare Krishna, Jai Bhagavan!
Charles Gibson
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
10th of October, 2009
*************
A close disciple of Sri Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Nikhilananda has said that " Spirituality is awakened by the
transmission of light from the living, through the living, and to the living." This process happens to the degree that
the human teacher possesses qualifications to retain, and discharge this light, and the student has the desire and the
capacity to recieve it. When I met Swami Probuddhanda in 2009, I understood that after sixteen years of working
with various yoga teachers, and meditation techniques, still, I did not truly know God and I did not truly know how
to love constantly, completely, and unconditionally. There was a level of truth I had not discovered, in myself, and I
had not been able to find a Master who could sense what I needed and guide my understanding. As a pracitioner, I
witnessed again and again how the mind wreaked havoc on the body. I witnessed this havoc in my own mind. As an
active member of the yoga community and yoga teacher, I also saw time and again how so many pursued a path,
without honesty and sincerity, and also suffered the same consequences in their spiritual practices over and over
again. I knew that I was going to keep suffering from these same consequences. My deepest desire became to find a
true Master who could help me stop this cycle.
A year later I married and left the US to come to India and live with my husband. I knew that I had come to India for
my marriage and I had some vague idea that I would find the vehicle of truth and devotion that I longed for.
However, I had no idea how this would manifest. Immediately I noticed that any spiritual practice that had
previously worked in my country, had no effect on me in India. I was unable to cope with a new set of variables.
Everything began to unravel, and my identity was challenged constantly in a cultural, social, and emotional context.
I had no idea who I was anymore. I did not know if I could embrace my new life. I did not even know if I could
survive in India.
At the time I had been reading a series of spiritual lessons for nine months. These were not helping. The words made
no sense to me because I actually needed a viceral experience of God, at a level that I had not previously felt. My
body demanded it. I knew that this experience could only come from a living, and true Master. At this point, I found
Swami Probuddhanda online, and I emailed him. I wrote him briefly, that I had reached a stagnant place in my
practice. I did not know how to move forward. What impressed me the most about my first communication with him
is that he told me that he did not know if he could help me. However, he told me that he would pray for me to know
the truth. Those words were very powerful. I also began to pray to know the truth. As it turned out, this is one of
Swamijis' wonderful teachings, the power of prayer offerred with complete sincerity.
As I continued to pray, and struggle through my transition, I also went into Swamijis' website and copied down one
poem by Ravindra Nath Tagore, that he had translated from Bengali.
Chitto jetha bhayashunyo (Where the mind is without fear)
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action ...
Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake.
- Geetanjali, Ravindra Nath Tagore.
I posted the poem on my refrigerator and began to read it everyday, continually, for a week. I felt the knot, knawing
deep inside of me that was my own fear, standing in the way of my desire to realize the truth. When I read this
poem, internally, I knew that I had found the teacher I had searched for. Each and every word of it rang true in the
depths of my heart. I understood from this poem, that Swami Probuddhananda also loved these words, and that he
taught by them, completely committed to the traditional Guru/Disciple relationship, where fear, or darkness, is
continually dispelled. This was what I wanted. He did not give me a practice immediately, but he prayed for me to
know the truth, and then, I was guided to read these words. A week later, I called him after he had just finished Kali
puja. As he spoke, his words were so powerful that I felt every cell in my body vibrate. It felt like he was shattering
me from the inside so that I could be reborn. Cells that had been hiding from the truth for quite some time simply
had no choice but to surrender. In subsequent conversations for several weeks, this continued to happen. By that
point, in the truest since of the word, I had accepted him as freind, father, mother, sister and brother. He has always
acted with humilty and compassion, dedication and sincerity, and loving discipline when I was not honest. For all of
these precious qualities, he asks for no reward, and is truly, and simply devoted to the welfare of humanity.
My particular path as a householder, and as a woman, is to realize the self in the context of my household tasks, and
familial relationships. So it is in the midst of activity, rather than retreating from it, or my relationships that I must
continually realize that I am Brahman and that everything that surrounds me is Brahman. Each minute, becomes
dedicated to surrender, as I shed the process of selection and rejection that has prevented me from seeing the Truth.
Swamiji told me to practice "Titiksha", which in Sanskrit means "to accept the unacceptable." Through the practice I
understand that as Sri Sarada Devi says, never finding fault with others, or any circumstance is the foundation for
my self realization. In this context, I can only find fault with myself, and rectify my own behavior. Swamiji points
out that this practice will lead me to an extreme state of bliss, beyond what I had ever imagined. I repeat the word
Titiksha constantly, remembering that the truth behind them is the path to love unconditionally, always. When
Swamiji spoke these words, because of the energy with which he carried them, they were not words any more. They
became an experience of feeling the truth. And this is how Swamiji teaches so powerfully, by knowing the truth is
esentially a felt experience. He transforms words, into actions.
By his grace, I understood that I had been seeking peace before I sought to know how to love, thinking that one
would lead to the other. It is actually the opposite. This was my first lesson, you cannot obtain peace from any
practice, unless first, you practice love. True love is primarily a deep form of acceptance. Swamiji is the
embodiment of this pure love and this is why he can deliver this teaching so effectively. He has very sharp intellect
and the ability to percieve all students very differently according to what they need, and teach their practices
accordingly. I told him a week later, that he was, without question my Guru, and resolved to devote myself to a
continual study and practice of Advaita Vedanta, until I realized the self. Today, the more deeply I embrace these
practices in the context of family life, the more I am convinced that if all households were able to live by them, the
healing that the world so deperately needs would be achieved. As he reminds me, no peace in the world will exist
until there is peace in every home.
In the Vedas it is said that God lives for the delight of witnessing this divine play over and over again. This love and
these acts of devotion form the basis of the creation and the destruction of the universe. Similarly Swamiji has said
that spirituality is '....a love story between Master and disciple.' My deepest hope is that everyone will find their way
to this love, through the following letters that tell this very story, and, that they will experience the happiness of self
realization one step at a time, with honesty, and sincerity.
Jai Ma May I surrender again and again to my precious Master, to his Master Bhagavan and all who came before
him, in the name of Sri Sarada Devi, the Holy Mother.
Alexis Maurya
Delhi, India
October, 2009
*****************
Swamiji, has become one of my dearest and most loved friends I have ever had the pleasure of knowing in this life.
I remember clearly that ever since the very beginning, he was there, offering his help, support, humbly offering
spiritual guidance and aid. In the beginning of this journey, the words from his heart guided me on my way, he was a
breath of fresh air in my life, even if there were months since we spoke at times, the wisdom and love that Swamiji
shared so generously was engraved onto my heart and into my soul.
He planted seeds of Love and hope for my Spirit and which with time grew and flourished into who I am today. I
did not have a spiritual teacher here where I live, there are very few and hard to come by. But Swamiji was there if I
ever needed some one real to talk to, some one who I could trust in, believe in, some one I knew in my heart, that
God was with him and working through him. Swamiji’s love has always been an inspiration to me, the way he spoke
and shared his realizations willingly with endless compassion and enthusiasm. He is always happy, always there…a
true servant of God to mankind.
There is a memory that always sticks in my mind…it was almost one year ago now, I remember it very well and was
one of the biggest turning points in my life. I had hurt my knee quite badly and was barely able to walk. This injury
kept me at work for longer than usual and it was this night I stumbled across his online lessons, so I tuned in. The
whole lesson was warming and enlightening, Swamiji’s kind and happy voice said something along the lines that
“God is always with us, he is always there, it is us that sometimes think or feel we are separate” or something like
that. It was this thought, this simple truth that was the pure nectar for me and the arrival of its timing was perfect and
propelled my journey into the realization of God within.
I could sing his praises many times over but we all know who he is and the loving Grace that flows so abundantly
through him like a river. We were speaking again more recently about our journeys and our hearts were filled with
sheer joy and the pure Love of God. As we know, some people we are brought into contact with through the infinite
wisdom of the Lord. Although we have never met in person, inside my heart, Swamiji is always there. I am not sure
if he ever really knew that a few simple words of his here and there could have had such an effect…it just shows the
true splendour and power of God at work. It was these words, his love that I owe a great part of my ever flourishing
enlightenment too and the oneness with God I now know within my heart.
Thank you again Swamiji and again. Your for ever friend.
Love,
James
October , 2009
Introduction
Advaita Vedanta is the most ancient philosophy practiced in India by the sages. Advaita means non dual, and it
speaks about this non duality of ours with the Supreme truth or the higher self or the Self. We are one with that
Supreme entity by nature, but because of the ignorance, we identify ourselves with the body, mind, thoughts,
intellect or the ego. This identification of ours as these components, and not as a soul is ignorance. However, with
wise and step by step practice, we can realize our real nature, and hence, can become liberated from all suffering.
Advaita Vedanta is still widely practiced in India and gradually increasing its relevance because it doesn't speak of
any individual God, but rather, it speaks about the Supreme God which is within us. That God which doesn't have
any name, form or limit. We can realize this God within us and feel complete oneness with Him. This is the essence
of Advaita Vedanta. In the following chapters of letters, and excerpts of letters, between, myself and my Guru
Bhagavan, his Guru Swami Pavitrananda, and myself and my disciples, the process of Advaita Vedanta, the
realization that everthing is God, is revealed in a way that creates a pragmatic and universal approach to seeing God,
and, to living, loving and serving completely, without reserve.
My Master, Bhagavan was initiated in the year 1978 by Swami Pavitrananda Maharaj, the disciple of Swami
Krishnananda, who was in turn the disciple of Shri Shri Ma Sarada Devi, the holy consort of Shri Ramakrishna.
Bhagavan was a householder and used to work for the Indian Railways in Guwahati, Assam and His Master lived in
Purulia in West Bengal. He had few opportunities to sit at the feet of Swami Pavitranandaji and learn the essence of
Vedanta. So, correspondence through letters was the only medium.
These letters were the only guide which led Bhagavan to Nirvikalpa Samadhi in the year 1984. When I came to
Bhagavan in the year 1989, I saw Him distributing these letters among common masses. He often used to base his
classes upon these letters. These letters were later published in Bengali in the year 1990. By the example of my
Master, I recieved both the teachings and the style of teaching presented here. I have further developed these
teachings from my Master, through letters to me from devotees and my responses back to them. Some of Bhagavans'
letters to me are reprinted in this context as well as Swami Pavitranandas' letters to Bhagawan, to emphasize the
process of spiritual devlopment and how it is carefully nurtured and navigated by the Master. I pranam to the one I
love the most, whose feet I lay down before and worship. If you benefit from these words all glory goes to Him. If
you do not, then those words and all mistakes contained within, belong to me.
Swami Probuddhananda,
Varanasi,
October, 2009
‘With Love, Swamiji.’ – An Introduction to Advaita Vedanta
Sadhana
Dear...Spirituality means practice. Practice of perfection. When the practice, matches the perfection that you already
carry inside, you realize God. In order to feel immersed in His love, a very honest practice is needed. The Master of
my Master, Swami Pavitranandaji wrote in His first letter to my Master these two words, honestly and sincerity. My
Master instructed me to read these two words for ten years. Today, I think I have come to a position where I can see
myself capable of understanding these two words. So, my dear, just march on in this path of perfectness. God is true.
He can be realized as you see your children and other things. He is Real. Your God awaits just at the bottom of your
heart with all His love, to offer you eternity. Love you, Swamiji
*************
Dear, ...Divine love will come after realization of God. Realization will happen when your desire reaches its'
maximum. Desire will increase with concentration, concentration with meditation and meditation will be better with
chanting. Much Love, Swamiji
****************
Dear....Sorry to write to you late. Spirituality is a science by which we can know the truth. Truth is God or the Self.
That is the source of everything. That is the destiny of every living and non living creature. Our life is a full cycle
from that single cell amoeba to the enlightened man. Our journey ends when we know God or Self. That is the goal
of life. Everybody is living to reach that state, in this or the lives to follow. Desire to know that Self. You will find
freedom, peace and love inside of you. With love and best wishes, Swamiji
***************
Dear,
Vedanta is the essence of the Vedas. The Vedas consist of mainly two parts, the karma kandya( Work) and the Jnana
kandya( knowledge). This Jnana kandya is known as the Upanishads or Vedanta. This consists mainly of the
spiritual science or the science of Self Realization or of the realization of God.
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Philosophy is a science which brings man closer to God. But the apprehension of God differs from person to person.
For some, He is formless, for some He has a form. My aim is to help people move closer to God according to their
capacity of perception. For me the realization of that supreme is the only philosophy, but that cannot be defined or
expressed. He can be approached in many names and forms and also the formless. As a beginner, I had started with
Advaita Philosophy but now after coming to this point, I see every philosophy to be true.
God is something which cannot be expressed. We can realize Him. With the divine mercy of my Master I have
realized God. If you want, I can help you in this realization. Vedanta is not different from any school of Yoga but its
the source or the mother of all Yogas. Sankaracharyya is related to the Advaita philosophy of the Vedanta. His
teachings are based on the various books He has written and the commentaries he has made on the Upanishads, Gita
and the Brahma Sutras.
I have no idea about where His life can be obtained. I have read a book from the RK Mission about His life. If you
want to know the teachings of Sankaracharyya, please read the book Vivekachudamani, this is an excellent book for
beginners.
With love and best wishes,
Swamiji
***************
After a long time I sit to write something. These last few months, after coming back from Kolkata in May, I had the
firm conviction that the world I see is completely false, a dream. I could feel it very significantly. In the nights,
sitting alone in the terrace, with the clear sky of Varanasi above , facing the Ganga, I could feel the universal
unperturbed Consciousness. That I am That Consciousness.
But certain subtle thoughts of works disturbed this tranquility, I could see them as mosquitoes running around the
calm ocean of stillness. They were some necessary duties which I couldn't ignore. But, I wanted to have a time
alone, without any disturbances or any commitments, where I could slip into the ocean of timeless, spaceless and
eventless Consciousness.
Prayers were not important as these would happen when they had to. Bhagavan, my Master, visited Varanasi on the
12th of July and stayed until the 24th. I had the rare opportunity this time to be with Him, at His feet and to devote
myself to His service. My heart could understand that this was a chance created by God and I had the mercy to use it
to its fullest. Sitting at His feet, I realized that I hadn't understood a word of spirituality, that the inner world had still
remained undiscovered.
I thanked Him with all the gratitude of my heart for this great lesson. I wanted to know the actual reality and during
His stay, some rare realizations started happening. God, or the Brahman was evident in everything, every time. The
absolute unity that Vedanta speaks was completely clear within the experiences of this mundane world, that
everything is conscious and true. I always had a regret, of not being able to stay close to Him physically.
This time, the day before He left, He told me that He too didn't stay close to His Master, but, He wanted to realize
each and every word spoken by His Master. And gradually everything became a realization, the realizations
translated into a reality. He told me to read the book, "Vedanta Sadhana", the compilation of the letters written to
Him by His Master Swami Pavitranandaji from 1978 to 1983.
After I saw Him off in the train, I came back to the Ashram and straight away started reading that book. I had read it
several times before and also had conducted classes on these rare letters. I had an idea that I understood these lines.
But, this time, when I started to read the first letter, I couldn't approach after a few lines. These words were not
spectacular but very deep. Each word brings about a transformation, a simple path unfolded so simply.
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When I read these words 'Sharan Manan', meaning remembrance and meditation(thinking), I could see that Swamiji
had explained everything about spiritual life in His first letter. These is no need to read more but to sit and practice.
In the following days, just holding on to these two words, I discovered that those mosquitoes are no more, neither is
the awareness of the external environment, the only thing that remains is the pure, clear and spontaneous
Knowledge, the Knowledge of the existence absolute.
I wanted to share this first letter of His, with a view that it might help someone, sitting somewhere in some corner of
the world. It has been translated from Bengali to English, and as a person with a science background, my language
capabilities have always been poor. I hope I will be excused in this respect.
The letter follows thus:
Sri Ramakrishna Saranam
Purulia,
30-06-1978
Dear,
Received your letter. Though I have initiated many, yet by initiating you I received peace and bliss.
Initiating into Sannyasa or Brahmacharyya has given me pleasure in all respects, but by initiating a
householder( man or woman), this kind of bliss was rare. Know that I have faith in you. I expect sure
success in your life.
Remember the advice of Sri Sri Thakur always, remain like brothers and sisters after one or two
children.Try to spend most of the time in your sadhana, remembrance and meditation(thinking). Perform
your office work sincerely and honestly. Stress more on meditation.Always be assured that Sri Thakur and
Ma are with you.
Never think of any evils for others, even unknowingly. Regard your friends and foes as one. If you
always think of the truth, then Sri Thakur will provide strength. Patience and perseverance are a prime
characteristic in the life of an aspirant.If you maintain this for six months, you will see that you have
entered into the world of realization.
With the blessings of Sri Sri Ma I am well. Inform me about how you are. I convey my heart-felt
blessings to you all.
Always your well wisher,
Maharaj Bhagavan.
***************
.... I tell you about your mother all the time in order to clear your mental block. I know you have the capacity within
you and you will excel. Just move freely everywhere. Be free from all prejudices. Maybe you are missing
something, something very important, something very beautiful and absolutely compulsory. I tell you one thing in
spiritual life, it is about the power of now. Whenever I say something, never mention that I will do it after sometime,
or after even ten minutes. Always do it now. That is the secret of spirituality. Live always in the present. It is very
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powerful. We are ignorant about ourselves, because we relate ourselves with past or future. We have to be in the
present always. This present is my real nature. This present is the Self.....
***************
........In the spiritual world, the only thing we need to remember is what is my starting point? Where I am now and
what is my goal? If this world is our goal, it is there, so enjoy this. But, if God is our goal, then make yourself
strong. Ideals cannot be lowered, we cannot make the ideal work according to our own condition and requirements,
but we have to raise up to the ideal. In any spiritual realization, if the thought of the Master comes and one feels
reverence and love for this, then, He/She is on the right path. Whatever we do, it is like a drop in the ocean.
The actual work is done by the Master. If it is a real spiritual realization, this secret is eventually revealed. Lord
Shiva said, a man who knows his Master to be God is a real saint, and in this man the secrets of Divinity manifest on
their own. Try to understand what the two types of elephant teeth represent. One is for show, and the other is for
eating. The same is true with the Master. When he is with us his outer behavior is just like us, but from inside, He is
fire. The more elevated the Master, the more ordinary He seems. So, beware of this fact. It is only the love of the
Master and the love for the Master which truly make things happen. If there were other ways, I would have told you
so.........
**************
Dear,....Keep your mind as free as possible, and try to maintain this calmness. I’ll tell you a sweet story about me
and our president Maharajjji, Swami Keshavanandaji. You can see his photograph in my album. One day, Bhagavan
arrived here in Varanasi and became very ill. He was admitted to the hospital. I stayed with him there, and only
came back to the ashram for short periods during the day.
Because of this, I couldn't clean my room for some time. It became very untidy, with clothes and other stuff
scattered here and there. My room is a bit disconnected from the rest of the ashram and it provides all the calmness
one needs for meditation. While I stayed in the hospital, Maharajji stayed in my room. The day before Bhagavan
was to be released, my spiritual brothers told me to go and rest while they would look after Bhagavan.
I came to the Ashram, in my room I found it very clean and with a sweet smell all around. My bed cover was
washed, all my stuff arranged, room swept, books in order, etc. I thought it was my juniors who had done this. After
taking a bath, I just jumped into my bed and tried to forget everything and sleep. Just under the pillow was written a
small note from Maharajji, "Please maintain this."
Maharajji cleaned the room! He is next to God to me. I was overwhelmed. I ran to Maharajji. He started laughing.
He said, "So you got the note now." I embraced him and said, “You are great, Maharajji. You gave me a big lesson
today.” This is the case. Maintenance is very vital. I can help you reach the extreme spiritual heights, and I know it’s
possible, but the maintenance should be there.
I hope you understand. Whenever you feel restless, take a pause and think, why I am feeling so? Observe the
restlessness, or the fear, by moving away from it. Try to see it from a distance. You will find, those thoughts don't
exist. They are just illusions. Never there was anything other than God, never there will be anything other than God.
So, enjoy.
Love,
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Swamiji
***************
Dear Sister, I got your letter. I was very happy that you had shifted to a new and quiet place. I hope you will have
time for ____ and yourself more. Take a break sister, have some rest mentally and then start. You have to do a lot
and for that you are moving on the right track. Don't be afraid that you would forget Bhagavan or spirituality. The
seed of spirituality doesn't go in vain.
Let it take it's own shape. Be a perfect wife and a perfect doctor. You are a perfect devotee anyway. The only thing
you will have to do now is to make this young group engage into the works you have been doing. By this you will
find time for greater spiritual practice and deeper insight into spirituality and Bhagavan. You will need it as time
advances .
Remember, you have to lead a group full of learned and honest men, you have to fill them with Spirituality, in
future, people won't be able to see Bhagavan, they will see Him through you, in you. So, you have to give yourself
some time and some serious thinking from now on. I suggest you stop for a bit and see how things take shape within
you.
You go on with your spiritual practices perhaps. a bit more chanting and meditation if possible. Remember the day
when you laid out fully flat in Guwahati. Try to understand what had happened to you then, where were you and
what were your feelings. Eventually, you will help ____ to look within Himself and see what happened to him.
Dear, ....You will see the whole team will be conscious about their spiritual realizations eventually. Just being with
you will help everybody, no matter whether you work or not. You are the mother anyway. You will have me every
time with you wherever you stay. I am always with my little little sister. I love you very very much. Can you give
me an idea what the people there are thinking about the house for Bhagavan. I'm really puzzled about it of
late. With love, Swamiji
***************
....Though it seems tough, actually, it is quite easy. Practice is the only way to master it. Look at your surroundings.
What do you see? The external world. Everything here has a beginning or a birth. The one which has a beginning or
a birth will of course meet its' end or death. Truth is eternal, it has neither birth or death. It exists in time and is also
beyond time. So, what we see, the name and form in the external world is not true. So, we deny them. This denial
doesn't mean to stop dwelling with them. It means to dwell or use them knowing that they are unreal, something
which will not remain after a given time. After we deny the external world, we see the internal world which starts
from our mind. The objects which the senses bring to our notice are being stored there subtly....
***************
Going beyond limitations means going beyond the imagination. Once you are out of your own imagination, you see
the world in a very real way, and the foremost reality is that the world is nothing but God Himself. There is nothing
other than God anywhere, anytime. The only obstacle between you and God is your mind. So, you have to go
beyond the mind. Carry on the chanting till you are totally comfortable with it. Practice it without ceasing. Initially,
you will have some difficulty adjusting your daily life with the continuous awareness inside. But, as time passes and
you go on practicing, you will see that you can do everything even talking, laughing, (crying also in your case,
hahaha) while you are chanting inside. It will make you feel peace and bliss inside while you carry on all your
family and worldly works. You will find your mind will become very calm. Remember that a calm mind doesn't
mean a dull mind. A calm mind means inactivity, instead of too much activity. Calmness doesn't mean idleness.
Never let your mind be idle because that will be again become a devil's workshop. When this calmness is felt, it will
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be evident to me by your writings, or by what you say. I can understand that from here. Then, I will tell you to
meditate.
****************
....But for now, it is only chanting. Do it with love, not like a machine. A parrot also recites the name of God but it
doesn't become enlightened. Don't do any spiritual practice like a machine, you have to enjoy it completely. If you
don't enjoy chanting, tell me, I will tell you other ways. But love this Mantra with your whole heart. When my
Master gave this Mantra to me, I chanted it the whole day and night, I even dreamt that I was chanting. It brought
great spiritual elevation in my mind. I am sure it will be true to you also. Lastly for today, Love God, Love the
Master, Love yourself. With all my love and blessings, Swamiji
******************
....This is what Bhagavan said about This Hare Krishna mantra, "I would like to add a few words regarding this
Krishna Naam(Mahamantra). I have spoken on the Advaita Vedanta for the last 18 years. Speaking on Vedanta, I
felt that I would continue this for my whole life. One day after my Samadhi, I realized that somebody told me in my
Samadhi to chant the name of Krishna ,"Become mad and madden the world." I was amazed. I am a hardcore
Vedantin, I had said that the truth is Brahman and this world is false. But somebody in me asked me to chant. This
knowledge of the Brahman being the supreme knowledge couldn't be held by all. Thus, many of us were deprived. I
myself was surprised to think that I will chant Hare Krishna, I didn't think of it ever. So, when I got up from the
Samadhi, one brother was sitting somewhere. I told him, "Chant the name of Krishna." He is a good singer. This was
the beginning of the Krishna chanting. The tune was also given by him. I said chant the name of Krishna. He gave
the tune and gradually it is spreading everywhere....
****************
....We say that we don't chant to see Lord Krishna, we do it to mingle with the common masses. Because the tough
words of Vedanta cannot be comprehended by all. But when we chant this Hare Krishna Mahamantra, everybody is
rejuvenated. Everybody is united by the same tune. We chant this Mahamantra to reach this oneness. Our desire for
God is not much more than our desire for mankind. Every man is God. We have to realise this. We live with man.
Man is my foremost desire. So this Krishna chanting is to mingle with humanity. And this has been told to me by the
Supreme God that I should chant. So, we do... Bhagavan....
*******************
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The Guru - Disciple Relationship
Dear....Thanks for writing to me. I will try to give you my personal experience while I answer your question. I am
sure you know exactly what the term "Guru" means. He is the person who takes us from darkness to light. From
mortality to immortality. He has the energy and the power apart from the knowledge which guides the disciple to
eternal oneness and glory. As you know, I have my Master, Bhagavan, who is quite powerful and very
knowledgeable. I have been with Him for the last twenty one years. In all these years, sometimes I was close to Him,
sometimes I was far. Sometimes He totally disconnected Himself from the world making Him inaccessible. I had
experiences remaining close to Him and also totally disconnected from Him, in worldly terms. I have noticed that
the energy is always the same....
****************
Dear, ....Thanks for your letter. I hope that you will find exactly what you are searching for. To come to your letter
point wise, let me explain this to you a bit so that it might be easy for you to contemplate the unseen world and the
method of approaching it. Bhagavan is our spiritual Master. A spiritual Master is a person who has not only reached
that state of enlightenment but also knows the way how to guide a person to that state. He is a Master, meaning the
knowledge which manifests through Him. So, when you see people devoted to Bhagavan or any other spiritual
personality, you have to know that, they are actually devoted to the knowledge which comes out of a person through
the medium called love.
This knowledge makes the illusory faculty of our mind weak and thus gradually we move towards the supreme
knowledge. So, don't be afraid my friend that you have to devote yourself to a person who will drive you according
to His/her will, rather if He is a proper Master. His words will open your heart and enable you to see the truth which
has been there within you for ages. So, a spiritual Master is a must for enlightenment or to realize the truth, because
we cannot even comprehend which is beyond comprehension, but one who had traveled up to those limits can. A
Master is but impersonal knowledge and love personified. If you see the life of Swami Vivekananda, you will see
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that all knowledge he had was from His Master, Thakur Shri Ramakrishna which was transmitted to Him through a
state called Samadhi, a state of union with God or the Self.
Now, what is truth? Truth is the actual identity of yours. Who are you? We associate ourselves with the body, the
mind, the ego and the outer world, but in reality, we have no connection with those. We are free from all, we are the
ever illuminated knowledge, which only is the source of infinite bliss, peace and divine love. We have to know this
identity or the real nature of ours and then shall we become enlightened. Enlightenment or realization of truth is in
knowing ourselves in reality. This is not an assumption or guess, but a certain realization, confirmed knowledge that
always stays within our heart even if we are fully engaged in all sorts of worldly activities. Though we are engaged
in these worldly activities, a simultaneous knowledge flows through us that we are always detached from all
bindings, that we are the Soul, not the body or the ego. This is a very clear realization my friend and is the source of
all heavenly qualities and love.
I have reached that state where I felt myself fully separated from the body, mind, ego and the world and felt oneness
with the Self or Soul with the divine mercy of Bhagavan. For this there are steps by which one can gradually
approach the truth which is within Him. I can tell you if you like. I hope this letter will make you feel better and
strengthen your idea that you are actually on the right path. Moreover, that a Master is needed to show you the
proper way to your Self. With love and best wishes, Swamiji
***************
....He is present and His power is felt very clearly. But the difference appears the moment I am at His feet, in a state
of complete surrender. It is as if, I were completing one thousand years of austerity in one single moment. I can refer
to many instances where I became completely immersed into the super conscious state just by a glimpse of Him.
And now I am in Varanasi and he lives in Kolkata. I remember Him all the time, in the midst of all work and action.
I feel so grateful, sometimes I cry all day for my Master, and often I lose my identity thinking about Him, but I
know this is just a drop compared to the complete ocean when I am at His feet....
....So, to me a Guru in body is a must for spiritual completeness. I am satisfied. My Master said my work is now to
to help mankind in the growth of spirituality, I follow his words and I see a huge change in the lives of the people
with whom I associate, although, I know I am just an instrument. I know I am nothing more than the dust beneath
His lotus feet. Those feet are my God, my salvation. Besides, where will you get a life? A Master is a running
commentary of the infinite. His words, His actions, His mere presence brings about total transformation. A word
spoken by the Master is your life. You achieve the actions of those words in due course. My Master used to say, you
will become this, you will become that, I didn't doubt it, but I could not always believe it completely. Now I see,
every word of His is true. I can see the glimpse of my future because I have seen Him, and how he has accepted me
as His own....
***************
Dear,....It's our duty to see into matters involving people who come near Bhagavan. We have to see thoroughly their
interests and also the interests of our Master Bhagavan. We cannot afford to bring people just because we want the
Page | 8
benches to be filled, caring less about their quality or capacity to accept and hold the spirituality given by
Bhagavan.
IVS is not a professional house where quantity counts, it's the life of Bhagavan, His love, His gift to the world. From
now onwards let's be more faithful to the work of Bhagavan, to the people and lets ensure that His message is
carried to the world by the best people. While He is alive, lets try and bring some strong, faithful and true human
beings to Him. As a son, I cannot see my father be told lies by people.
He is the one who is the most important in my life, and into the life of several like me. I hope you understand. In
your life, you will find several ___ praising you and your wisdom, these are useless son, just useless. The one who
lies before your Lord will praise you not for long. Stop bothering about him and suggest to him that he be faithful to
himself. In him rests God. Let him see that. Let peace embrace him. Amen. With love, Swamiji
***************
Dear, At the very outset, I convey my love and warm wishes to you. I expected a letter or two from you but was
never surprised when I didn't receive any. Anyway, how are you? I heard about the letter you had written to the
people who visited India about your plans not to visit IVS for the time being. I was also informed about your letter
to ___.
He was very particular and as I see that you worry quite a bit thinking about how we would have thought. Its OK .
Don't worry, relax. If nothing good(Spirituality) happened to you, its not your fault, its not even ours. Nobody is to
be blamed. This is a particular subject which comes to a human being naturally, without any foreign insistence.I
know you are pure enough to know God, whoever He may be or wherever He may be.
I respect the status and condition of your present mind. I can only pray for you. Please take your own time and feel
comfortable. That's what we want, the best for you. About your observations on Bhagavan being called God and the
ego of Bhagavan, I doubt your observation, if not disagree at the very first instance.
May I make myself very clear that this particular aspect of the Godhood of Bhagavan rests fully on direct, practical
experience, supported by the firm realization of the devotees around Him, for at least ten to fifteen years. I
remember no instance where me or any of my fellow Monks, have ever tried to persuade you all in accepting Him as
God. We have insisted rather to love Him as a human being because of His great character, His love for humanity as
a whole.
If you have felt any love within any of us as you say you did and are thankful for that, you should know that it was
because of Him. I wonder how a person can teach love when he/she doesn't love himself. We wanted you all to
know the power which engulfs Him, His knowledge, His love and every move of His.
Page | 9
How could you make such a statement about my Master, that He has ego and so He calls Himself as God, is an
amazement to me. I will not blame you or question you for that. I will not answer you either. I know it's my fault. I
couldn't become a true son of His, a true disciple and a true devotee. I will try to be from now on. But, I'm sure, one
day I will answer to each and every doubt of yours. I know that day is not too far away. Take care. With
love, Swamiji
**************
Dear,....You are so beautiful. Its really hard to imagine a man such young and well built man could be such a great
devotee of God or Jesus and compare himself to being like a baby. Truly we are babies, he is our father. You are in
the right hands and in the correct way. I will just tell you to try and get completely immersed within Him and lose
your complete identity, once and for all. Still there is a difference, you and me with God. Until there is difference,
God is not completely known. We will have to know Him as our Soul or Real Self. There lies the first phase of our
journey. Then the next phase starts, engaging in a divine play with God who is no longer God for me, but, my own
Self or Soul. His words will be truly my words then, His deeds will be mine then. Not me, but He alone. I will feel
always feel this. I can also say like Him, "My father and I are one." Endless love and wishes, Swamiji
***************
....Lastly, the spiritual world is a love story, a love story between the Master and the disciple. I don't know if I have
answered your questions, I don't know whether I said the right words or not. But I wrote what came to me. If it is
useful to you, know that every word was His, if it is useless, all is mine. Love and best wishes, Swamiji
***************
Sri Ramakrishna Saranam Purulia 08-08-1978
Dear,
I was in Janai from 13th July to 4th of August. I received your letter on the 5th after reaching here. Engage yourself
in meditation, comprehension of Vedanta, and on maintaining good health. You have to walk on the middle path
between extreme austerity and relaxation. Your marriage is because of the karmas of your past life. Don't grieve,
you have to walk on in your real path and goal by remaining here. There is no success in this path without strong
determination. Read 'Jyana Yoga' by Swami Vivekananda very carefully and slowly and think about its essence. If
any confusion arises write to me immediately. With the word 'Maya' an illusory bondage between time, space and
causality. Cause and effect is explained. God is the only reality, and the rest is unreal. Our perception about God is
refined gradually. God doesn't gradually refine itself, our 'antakarana' (mind, intellect, chitta*) and ego, are redefined
gradually. God or Brahman is unchangeable, the rest are all changeable. With the mercy of Sri Sri Thakur I am well.
When you have registered your name in Sri Ramakrishna's hospital, then you need not to worry, the disease will be
cured. Therefore there is no room for any thoughts of despair. Know my best wishes.
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Yours,
Swami Pavitrananda Maharaj
(* Chitta- that faculty of mind that always seeks pleasure)
***************
.....Another thing is the role of the Guru in the life of an aspirant. The most popular view today is that we do not
need a Guru, a teacher, we are self sufficient. As if visiting or taking lessons from a Master is similar to idol worship
or is the practice of superstition. Little do we realize that saying this, our subtle tendency to become a guru in the
mind of others is reflected clearly. "I have seen God like I see you", was the clean and clear answer of Thakur
Ramakrishna when asked. 'Can you show me?, 'Yes' was the answer. I think, this is the best approach. Instead of
engaging oneself into the wave of words which are not even clear to us completely, instead of talking about people
and their experiences whom we have not known or seen, it is better to search for a person who can say firmly and
clearly "Yes, I have realized Myself'."....
***************
....The ultimate goal of spiritual practice is enlightenment, or direct realization of the divine unity. The ancient
Rishis(or seers of truth) knew that this ultimate realization of oneness with the Self or God could only be achieved
with the sincere urge of the aspirant and the assistance of a teacher or guru, who could guide the seeker past the
many veils of ego that separate the self from the direct experience, this infinite end of all knowledge....
****************
The following story illustrates several important aspects of the ideal devotee and his or her relationship to the master
and dedication to the subject. In ancient times, there was a king named Janaka. Vedantic texts were recited everyday
in his courtyard. One day, he heard the son of his high priest reciting verses from the Vedas. The young boy
pronounced, "A man can become enlightened in between the time it takes for one foot to be placed in one stirrup of
the saddle, and the second." Janaka was intrigued by this and questioned the boy. "Is this true?" he asked. And the
boy said, "Yes, it is true." Janaka said, "Show me". But the boy confessed his inability, saying, "I am sorry, I am not
realized so I cannot show you the truth of this sentence." Janaka became angry and said, "If you are not realized,
then you do not know this is true. Therefore, you are lying to me, and falsely leading the people." And he put the
boy in jail.
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Subsequently, the boys' father, the high priest, came to the palace to speak to Janaka and seek release for his son.
Janaka asked him, "Tell me, is it true that a man can become enlightened in between the time it takes for one foot to
be placed in one stirrup of the saddle, and the second." The priest said, "Yes, this is true." So Janaka said, "Show
me." But the priest responded, "I cannot show you, for I am not realized." This made Janaka outraged. He stormed,
"Then, you do not know it is true. You are lying to me, and to the people of the kingdom."
He sent the high priest to jail, and then began to ask the same question to all the Brahmins in the land, yet every
time, they were unable to help him, for none had realized God. Janaka sent each one to prison. One day, an
enlightened saint named Astavakra came to the palace to ask his well being . He asked Janaka why he had sent all
the brahmins to prison. Janaka said as they were unable to prove the truth of what they had preached, and he send
them to jail to stop the further damage of social values. Astavakra asked if he wanted to know the truth of those
words, Janaka affirmed with a great enthusiasm. Once in the woods, Janaka began to rise up on his horse by putting
his foot in the stirrup and pulling himself up, but just before he swung his second foot around, Astavakra said, "Stop
King, Don't you know that you must have a guru to be able to realize God?" Immediately Janaka said, "Master, I
give you my body, my mind and every belonging I possess."
Upon hearing this, Astavakra left to a nearby cave for several hours. When he returned, he was amazed to see Janaka
still in the very same position he left him, with only one foot in the stirrup. Astavakra asked, "Oh, King, what
happened to you? You haven't moved for hours." Janaka was vibration less. He stated, "Master, I have given
everything to you, and now I can't find anything to do, or to think of." Astavakra replied, his foot in the saddle. Self
knowledge is meant for a high quality aspirant, and you are that. Janaka, behold this, that you are the ever liberated,
pure, divine, eternal, self-illumined Self."
As Astavakra said these words, Janaka realized this truth within him self, and thus became enlightened. This story
illustrates the perfect relationship between a guru and a devotee. Janakas' dedication to discovering the truth was so
strong, that he was willing to pay any prize for that. Astavakras' arrival at the palace just at this time, illustrates that
point that an aspirant doesn't need to seek out a guru, the proper master will appear at the right time if there is a
definite urge to know. Janaka demonstrates ideal devotion to his master through the complete surrender of his mind,
body, and all possessions. He gives up everything of himself, and becomes completely still, without ego or
attachment. Astavakra then tests Janaka to see if this surrender is true. Janaka passes the test when he demonstrates
such complete submission that he is unable to do anything else without the guidance of his guru. When Astavakra
returns, he finds Janaka a very worthy aspirant with the proper level of devotion and surrender necessary to
transcend to the divine experience of enlightenment upon the wish of his master.
***************
Dear, .... I am very happy to see your work. It is exceptional. Concentrate more and more on this chanting and write
to me everyday about your gradual transformation. Always have an account of the quality of thoughts. Your mind
may revolt, at times go crazy but you have to keep your focus everyday. Never give up. Have a bull dog tenacity
always, my Master used to say so. Always pray to God and chant. Remember I am thinking of you. It will add to
your energy. The mind of a realized soul is enough for the transformation. If somebody attains enlightenment, he
takes care of humanity as a whole. I need you to help humanity spiritually, and for that you have to have enough
spirituality to give others. The love of my Master Bhagavan will reach your heart. Merge into the sea of
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consciousness. There is no world, no body, no mind or ego. Only the Lord is there. That Lord will take care of you. I
love you, Swamiji
***************
Dear....It would be a great honor to be an administrator of your group. I would love to, but I am more curious about
your spiritual growth. As I told you once, one true spiritual person can change the thought process of millions. I
want you to become a true spiritual lady whom people may seek guidance for their spiritual upliftment. There is
nothing more important and nice than seeing people get enlightened. I want this work from you. I know you can do
it, but you have to devote yourself to this. The work that you are doing will help you only if you do it to serve
humanity through Sadhana or spiritual austerity. If your approach is this, you will improve, God will help you climb
all the steps to eternity, if not, you will fall down. Name and fame is the last barrier of a noble man, remember this....
*****************
Dear, ....Chanting perfectly will lead you into the world of realizations. You will feel many things inside, you will
feel transformation not only of the mind, but also as the body changes, each and every tissue changes. You will look
and not be able to recognize yourself. Everything will transform. Honestly, I want this from you. Since time
immortal there were groups like yours and I have seen that they have all washed away with time. Only the real
words of the enlightened persons remain because they were all realized, direct from the supreme consciousness. You
and I speak their words in a new format, that is all. There is nothing new. Everything has been told. Man has to walk
on this path. I am sure. You understand what I mean and want. Immerse yourself into the sea of supreme
consciousness. Immerse yourself into Lord Ram. Become immersed with yourself. That is the only truth. Others are
all false, you, me, your body, my body, your family, friends etc.... etc..... read the Gita very slowly, read the second
chapter. Write to me everyday. Remain in contact. I love you and pray for you. Swamiji....
***************
Dear,..... Thank you for such a frank letter. The only thought I had while reading is that you don't have any serious
problem. No, its not at all mental. It happens to some people sometimes in their life and you are no exception. This
may happen to me or any other person in any given time. So, stop worrying that you have any disease. Every event
that happens with us has two effects , the positive and the negative. Until this date you have been seeing the negative
one because you have been made to see that. Now, just take a look on the positive side, it is because of this side that
you have developed an urge towards spirituality....
***************
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Today, I would like to expand upon a story from the Ramayana. There are mainly two Ramayanas in India, telling
the story of the life of Lord Raam. One is the Valmiki Ramayana, the other is Tulsi Das Ramayana, the Raam
Charit Manas. Now a days, Tulsi Dasji’s Ramayana is very popular, the Raam Charit Manas, but I love the Valmiki
Ramayana because there Lord Raam has been projected as a human being. That is more authentic in many respects
according to me. So, in the Valmiki Ramayana, it tells that the sons of Raam and Sita, Lav and Kush, were staying
in the ashram of Valmiki, the saint, who had written this Ramayana, along with their mother Sitaji.
At this time, Lord Raam was carrying out a sacrifice, the Aswamedh Yajna. People who have come to Varanasi,
they know about a Ghat or bank of ganga named the Dasaswamedh Ghat. Dasaswamedh means that in this Ghat,
this Aswamedh Yajna was performed ten times. This Aswamedh sacrifice means a king who is very prosperous, he
used to send a horse well decorated to the other kingdoms of the country. If any king tied this horse, that king
would have to fight with the army of the king who had sent this horse, in this case the army of Lord Raam. In the
army of Lord Raam, there was Hanuman. You know about Hanuman, He was a great devotee of Lord Raam and a
great warrior.
So that horse travelled over all over the country, and nobody tied that. Nobody had the courage to tie the horse. But
when this horse was passing through the Ashram of Valmiki, these small kids, Lav and Kush, the sons of Raam and
Sita, caught the horse and kept it in the ashram tied up. So Hanuman came and asked them what they were doing.
He told them to give him the horse because they were very small and told them that if they didn’t, then they would
be killed because this was the horse of Lord Raam.
Lav and Kush said that they will not do it, but rather challenged Hanuman to fight them for the horse and if he won,
then he could take the horse. Then they fought with Hanuman, and he surrendered before Lav and Kush. He knew
that these boys were the sons of his Lord, so, he could not kill them. After he surrendered to them, the boys brought
Hanuman tied up into the ashram and took him to Sita, their mother. They said to her, “Look, we have captured the
great Hanuman, the great Hanuman who jumped over the ocean to destroy the palace of Ravana. We have tied this
Hanuman up, who has killed so many demons.”
Sita just smiled. And she said: “Oh Lav and Kush, how come you are so proud of this? If he hadn’t surrendered to
you, would you have captured him? He let you capture him." Mother Sita said. Why do I say this? I say this
because, as you all know, our Lord is Bhagavan - God. And when God comes he brings an enormous power with
Him. That power works within us. We feel that power working through us and many things start happening.
We should always be conscious that that power working through us is not our power, this is the power of our Lord,
Bhagavan. And we should always be very humble and grateful to him. If I am not humble, if I am not grateful to
Him, then I will lose this power. I will lose this power suddenly. We say that everything is Brahman. Yes, this is
true, everything is Brahman. The guru and disciple are also Brahman. But it is also very true that we should not
impose this knowledge of Advaita on the Master when we are in this conscious state. I know that I am the same as
Bhagavan when I am in Samadhi. Not in this conscious state!
When I am in this practical world, in this conscious world, I am His devotee, I am His servant. So never forget that
when you are in the conscious state, dreaming state or sleeping state, in all of those states, you are a disciple, you are
a devotee. And, you have a guru. The spiritual world is a love story between the Master and the disciple.
Page | 14
Remember that this love story never ends. We should never think that we have become the same as our Master.
The spiritual world isthe world of becoming a student, the more you become a student, the more the Master speaks
through you. I remember one incident on the day I attained Samadhi. When I attained Samadhi, Bhagavan told me
to go and bow down before Swami Pavitranandaji. Bhagavan told me to bow down before Thakur Ramakrishna.
He said, He is the one, not me. This is the beauty of spirituality and devotion. He, Him, not me. We should always
remember this. It is always Him.
Attachment is everywhere, but with Guru there is no attachment. This love is not the love of attachment. This love
is a love to make us free. Knowledge will come, this is Advaita Vedanta, we are reading Astavakra, we are reading
Yoga Vasistha, Bhagavan has told us to read Mandukya Karika, if you read that, you will be completely stunned.
Still Bhagavan is Bhagavan, a master is always the master. Though it says that the Master and the disciple are one,
that is only in Samadhi. In conscious state, I have to say that He is my Lord, He is my God, I have received
everything from Him. If I cannot say this clearly, you know that this knowledge will not remain, it will go.
There is a story in Mahabharata, where the great Karna went to Parsuraam to learn the skill of warfare. However,
there Karna had lied. Parsuraam said, yes, you will become a great warrior, but when the time comes that you need
this knowledge, you won’t have it. This is the thing, always remember this. When Raam asked Hanuman,
Hanuman, what do you see in me? Hanuman said, O Raam, when I am in Samadhi, I see that you are me, you are
my Self or Soul. When I come to the intermediate state of consciousness and super consciousness, I see, I am a part
of you. When I am in the conscious state, I see that you are the Lord and I am your Servant, I am your devotee.
Master is always a Master, and if I cannot say this clearly, loudly, if I do not feel proud, I am wrong. I have seen
many people come to Bhagavan, who had certain realizations, and when asked about their Guru, said, I am my own
Guru, or, Thakur Ramakrishna is my Guru. This is a sin, don’t do this. Everything will be false. Always say what
is truth. Always feel proud to say that I am the son of Bhagavan. If you have a master, you have to say that I am the
son of His. This is the only aspect of spirituality. Spirituality is a relationship between the Master and the disciple.
You cannot do anything of your own, you try, but you cannot. Whatever the Master will tell you will become a
reality in your life. You have to listen from the mouth of the Master.
Why was India the only land where this knowledge had travelled for thousands and thousands of years? Because of
only one factor, and that is Shraddhya. Reverence, faith and surrender together is Shraddhya. You have to bring
this quality within you, Shraddhya. In the Gita it has been said clearly, the one who has this Shraddhya receives this
knowledge. With shraddhya, you will realize God. The amount you meditate, the length that you chant is not the
factor. It is how much shraddhya you have for the Master and the subject that is the only factor for realization of
truth.
It is called Shruti, Vedanta means this, shruti. The Master says, and the disciple listens. These words are so perfect
and powerful that they will make that transform into reality. Even Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwar cannot harm you
together if the Master is with you. If the Master leaves you, even Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar altogether cannot
save you. This path, spiritual path is a path of the words of the Master. That is why Swami Pavitranandaji at the
very beginning of his letter mentioned, not me, not me, but you, but you.
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Not me, because what ever I am today, is because of that Man, that man who used to work in the railways, the one
who lived in small quarters. Yet I feel proud to say that I am the son of Bhagavan. Everybody should be proud to
say this, we are the sons of Bhagavan, we are the daughters of Bhagavan. This is spirituality. Wah Guruji ki Fatey,
victory be my Master. Not me, not me, but, victory to the works of my Master. Victory to the life of my Master.
A Master is always a Master. In India we say, even if my Master visits the place where wine is served, still He is my
Master. Maharajji, who is the president of International Vedanta Society, once said to Bhagavan, if you ever kill
someone, I will know you had done the right thing. This, is spirituality.
**************
Dear,.....You have decided to deliver yourself to the service of a Guru. You have developed a love for God. Do you
think its normal? Do you think its an ordinary event? It is not. You are exceptional among the whole lot of human
masses for, loving God for God's sake is rare phenomenon present in the human race. So, thank the one who has
given you the illness and thank him/her to continue that because its because of this that you will experience the
highest treasures hidden in you- GOD. Yes, God can be seen, touched and felt. By that, every illness ceases. And I'm
sure you will realize Him. Have faith in yourself and in the one who is present within you since time immortal, who
has inspired you to come to India and realize God and who has made you believe that its possible. I welcome you
with my open arms. Come here and know the unknown...Concentrate on this Mahamantra to the best of your ability,
With love, Swamiji
***************
........Bhagavan is superb. Today most of the tests were done. One more day is needed for test and medical advice.
He was tired of going outdoors every now and then for the tests. I just said that we would need a hospital of our own
in future. He said no. Never. Concentrate on spirituality. That was His only only answer......
***************
Dear....Thanks. I liked it because it reminded me of my Master. I didn't have wings to fly, He gave me His. He
always appeared before me from the dark taking me towards the light. I have to thank you for this poem very much
because it took me to those days when I was just a boy knowing nothing about anything. He made me stand up
straight, sometimes with love, sometimes with anger. But, He is the best thing to happen in my life. He is the best
Master someone can have. I feel so lucky. One day, I will explain more about the details of His life. Let me be His
servant for the rest of my life and all the lives to come. With Love, Swamiji
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****************
.......Don't take things very hard. Take it as it comes. The letter was exceptionally beautiful. Just see how close you
are. Feel Him inside. This love is God, yes beyond mind and body, and one more thing also, beyond form. Feel that
love which is beyond everything. As you go deeper and deeper the Master and God become one. The Master and the
disciple becomes one. You and your surroundings becomes one. There is only unity. One body, one mind, heart and
the soul. Merge with that unity......
***************
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Thoughts
Dear,....The fact that you have written is very true. When you approach spirituality, gradually you will realize that
the greatest enemy of yours is your own mind. There is no other obstacle greater than the mind. The world never
distracts us, neither do our surroundings. It is only the mind. This mind is the medium of greatest attachment. And
the objects of attachment are also not outside. It is within your mind. Your family, your friends, your world, is not
what you see outside, it is present within you. Your imagination does not bear similarity with the world outside. So,
this is why we suffer. We perceive the world as something in our mind and it appears as something else outside.
This is the cause of all human suffering and frustration, pain and agony. The only way out is to go beyond the
limitations of mind....Endless blessings, Swamiji
***************
Dear, ....The process of spirituality starts from the mind. We have to begin with the mind and gradually go beyond
that. Now, the mind is a cluster of thoughts. Thoughts which are scattered everywhere. Some are associated with our
self, the body, the circumstances we are in, some are scattered in the outer world. So, the first step is to bring the
scattered mind into one point while we keep on doing our outwardly jobs as it is. For this, the best way is to chant.
There is a mantra, Hare Krishna, which was given to me by Bhagavan, my Master. You can chant this mantra -
consciously and constantly. As you do that consciously, you will find that the scattered mind comes to a point, in the
mantra, and thus, most of your distractions ceases.
As the distractions of the mind ceases, you start to get the peace and bliss which are within the depths of yourself.
The more you feel the peace, the more your mind is attracted towards it and because this happens due to constant
chanting, your mind keeps on doing this. After a certain time, you will find that the chanting that you had developed
is always within your mind, even in your day to day life but in dreams it suddenly stops. It means you need no more
chanting and the bell is tolling in your mind to start meditation. Start chanting and come up to this level where your
chanting goes on despite your busy routine. I will tell you further. I am sure you can attain enlightenment if you
follow this way. The rest depends upon yourself. With love, Swamiji
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****************
This is the prime austerity of Advaita Vedanta. To negate everything that is perceivable. The first is to discriminate
between the real and unreal. The projected world is unreal because its perceived by the senses, the Truth therefore
might be different. By denying the external world, one enters into the internal world where every object of the
external is present, in a subtle form, as thoughts.
The thoughts have two parts, one the object, the other the subject. The object varies, but the subject or
Consciousness remains the same always. This Consciousness is the Truth or the Reality. Negating everything means
negating the objects of the thoughts and reaching the Consciousness, the substratum.
However, this approach is a step by step process. Though it seems tough, it is actually quite easy. Practice is the only
way to master it. Look at your surroundings. What do you see? The external world. Everything here has a beginning
or a birth. That which has a beginning or a birth will of course meet its end or death.
Truth is eternal, it has neither birth or death. It exists in time and beyond time. So, what we see, the name and form
in the external world is not true. So, we deny them. This denial doesn't mean to stop dwelling with them, it's to dwell
or use them knowing them as unreal, as something which will not remain after a given time.
After we deny the external world, we see the internal world which stems from our mind. The objects which the
senses bring to our notice are being stored here subtly. Everything present outside is also present here, not as a gross
object, but subtly, as a thought or Vritti in Vedantic terms.
Because the external objects are not real, thus the objects present in the mind in the subtle form are also not true. We
have to negate them, how? When we think, there are many things that comes to us as thoughts. We choose the best
ones and keep them. This is very near to discrimination or vichara in Vedanta.
Similarly, we have to discriminate which among these thoughts or furthermore which object among them is the real
or the true one? We see that not a single object present here is true because they are just the subtle representations of
the gross objects present outside.
Then what is the reality? The thoughts can be divided into two parts- the object and the subject. The objects are what
we have already discussed, now what is the subject? The Subject is the Consciousness or the Awareness that make
us feel the existence of these objects.
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My hunger is a thought, so it is an object, but with it exists also a Consciousness or Awareness of hunger. This
Consciousness is not hunger but it brings hunger to my notice. It does the same with all the phenomenon of other
thoughts. The subject brings everything to our Consciousness because it is that Consciousness or Awareness.
The objects have their modifications and variation but the subject never varies nor is modified. Therefore, this
subject is the truth or the reality. This is called negation, or neti neti, in Vedanta. Neti neti means not this, not this.
Na iti, na iti. When we understand this phenomenon, we start to concentrate more on the subject, rather than
spending time on the various objects.
The subject, because it is unchangeable, is the abode of peace. Silence, or we can say supreme silence. This silence
or stillness enables us to see, feel and identify ourselves with the unchangeable eternal existence. We realize that we
are That, not the body, nor the mind, nor the ego, we are that infinite Consciousness.
The realization of infinity gives us the taste of freedom, freedom from finiteness. Freedom brings bliss. Everything
happens when we identify ourselves with the Consciousness. Utmost desire is the only way to know this. The first
line of the Vedanta Sutra, 'Athata Brahmajiyansa', now the quest( question) for truth has begun. May we all know
who we are. This is the only solution to any given problem. Soham, Soham, Soham.
Thank you for your beautiful message. Indeed truth is the highest goal, and I’m so pleased you asked me about
meditation. Spirituality is the ever-awareness of God, so the first thing to do is welcome God into your
Consciousness through the use of a mantra, or a chant, which you repeat in your head with all the Consciousness and
love you have.
The chant that was given to me by my Master is ‘Hare Krishna.’ Hare (like ha-ray) means to Steal, and Krishna is
the God of Love, so what the chant actually evokes is a prayer for God to steal your heart, or lift the veils between
you and Himself. When you chant this, do so slowly, constantly and consciously, as if you are whispering into the
ear of the Divine. In so doing, the thoughts in the mind eventually calm, and this is a good time to start the practice
of meditation. Prayers and best wishes, Swamiji
***************
Dear,....I was delighted to know about this. I would just like to add a few things to this experience of yours. When
you see that your thoughts are absorbed, always follow the thoughts and as you follow them they will lead you to the
one who is absorbing. The energy that you had experienced before this, was the energy by which the Self or God
always attracts us towards itself. When we are close to this energy, this is what we begin to feel. So, our sole duty at
that time is to follow the vanishing thoughts and thus reach that existence. I am sure this will happen to you again.
The next time it comes, it might come with the void of the cosmos or space which I was referring to in the class the
Page | 20
other day. It may appear as a void, but it is not. Jump into that immediately. My love for you knows no bounds. I
pray for your enlightenment. With all my love and the supreme energy of Goddess Durga, Swamiji from Varanasai
****************
....Now, coming to the point...what do you think, that because you want to merge with the love of God and nature
that your mind will let this happen easily? Will it open up the doors of the heaven to you and say- come, the Lord is
yours'? If you think this, forget about even chanting. Realization is way ahead. Your only obstacle is you yourself,
not your brain, it is a machine, but the mind and the ego. Mind is the group of thoughts, a mixture of consciousness
and matter.
Nature or the outer world pulls you towards itself through the mind. It is bound to go out, and revolt at the very first
instance when it discovers that you are getting interested in God or the reality. If you experience Enlightenment, the
very first thing you will notice is - you never had a mind or ego. Whatever you had seen earlier is just like a dream
which disappears after consciousness. Ego is the sense of claiming authority in everything it likes, whether it is
body, mind, intellect or small, small details. These are seen but do not exist in reality. Like rainbows or, a mirage in
the dessert. They seem so real but in fact they do not have any existence.
The best way to fight with this group of thoughts is to know that they are all unreal and have sympathy for them
rather then becoming scared of them. They will go when it will be time. The only thing which you should do now is
keep on chanting and make this chanting normal in your daily life. Don't worry what will come next. Just march on,
with every moment move. Don't stop. Like an army, see ahead. God is inside you, and he will do the rest. You just
love Him more and more and lose yourself in Him. Swamiji
***************
Dear,....I felt very sorry for you last night.The only thing I would tell you is fight. Fight with your mind. Think of
the Gita, Arjuna also faced the same dilemma. Be brave and fight,there is no other way. Have faith in yourself, the
world is neither good nor bad, it is as it is. We become good and bad. I see a great light in you and will request you
not to destroy it. A True devotee leaves everything to God and works for Him. You are not moving away from the
group. It is nothing. The capacity you have is enormous, you are moving away from God and you will see you can't
have peace. I tell you, fight against the mind, fight for yourself and for everybody you know. They need you and if
you are defeated now, you will be defeated every time. Face yourself, face all that comes to you and stand up. Say, I
love you God. I love you, Swamiji
***************
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I'm more interested to know and work on the wild part of the mind of such a lovely, sweet lady. Always keep an eye
on that part. That is the most dangerous part of our mind, be very careful. One slight slip and you are again gone.
Have you played snakes and ladders? Just like that. Do you feel OK and relaxed dear?
Do you feel that strong assurance that you will feel Him. Do you have or face any problem? Be well dear. If I stay
here what will happen to rest of IVS? Its good to be here with Bhagavan, but I believe in vacating this place for
others. Did I ever tell you what is my aim in life? If not, guess. Until next time, only tons of pure love, Swamiji
***************
Dear, Indian philosophy has given all the schools of thought the freedom to interpret the scriptures according to
their own way. The interpretations that _________ have done were according to the qualified non dualistic thought.
He even explained 'Aham Brahmashmi' as 'I am a part of the Brahman.'' He has the freedom to do this, this is how
the liberal Indian philosophical system has been. The difficulty lies when each one attacks the other school of
thought in the worst possible way.
I have seen ______ referring to Sankara's philosophy as the work of a rascal, in front of some westerners who know
nothing about the advent of Indian spiritual traditions. But, now many have started to realize that being sectarian has
nothing to do with realization of God. It was very good on your part to read only the text rather than the
interpretations. If you want to read a proper explanation of the Gita, I would suggest you read the interpretations of
Madhusudan Saraswati, if it's available anywhere in Australia.
You can find that in RamaKrishna Mission Libraries. Don't bother too much about things which don't get approved
by your heart. Approach what your heart says and pray to God for realization of truth. With love,
Swamiji
***************
....It happens. This is also within the system. Mind, always ups and downs, don't worry. Take a break and enjoy
yourself. Things will settle down on its own. Keep the prayers and yes, if you can read the Gita, all the better....
***************
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Dear....Your words are clear and perfect. That you had experienced that consciousness as the only reality in
meditation is very evident in your expression, though words are not the right medium to express it. Yes, we have to
realize this consciousness as our Self, then, this consciousness or awareness becomes super-consciousness. What we
deal with in each and every aspect of life remains covered as a separate existence, and this is the only ignorance.
Knowledge is to know who this consciousness is. Today while discussing Vedanta in the ashram, this automatically
came to us- "I am", is ignorance. Only I am is Knowledge absolute. Because we were speaking in Bengali, it was
easier to express, within I am and only I am, there is just a word - e in Bengali, and this e makes all the difference.
Quantum Physics I think evolved from the study of atoms and electrons and the study of more subtle elements. The
fact is that, while engaging in the research of these subtle elements, the conception of consciousness came out as a
true victory of the spirit of humanity and verifies the endeavor of our scientists to know the truth. Sometimes, I feel
Einstein, Newton, Max Plank or Stephen Hawkins and many more like them whom we have not known, but who
have spent their entire life in the research laboratory of truth, are the seers of truth. They have given science and
humanity a new dimension.
Their facts are based on external proof and their conclusions are derived, and justified. The human mind can accept
this easily without only believing what is said in the scriptures. I will never know, whether this study of quantum
physics will lead us to Super- Consciousness, but, one thing is certain, as Mother Sarada Devi has said, "If your
prayer ( hard work in this case) is sincere, it will be answered". We have seen how the atomic structure of Benzine
was discovered. Everything is a discovery, invention had already happened before the advent of living on this globe.
The Bhagavat Gita has said boldly," All paths lead to Thee" which was later repeated by Thakur Ramakrishna is a
different way. I am sure, one day our scientists will come out with this conclusion that this consciousness cannot be
quantified, it is a whole, complete within itself. That, only by transcending our thoughts can we reach this
consciousness....Love, Swamiji
****************
Dear Sister....Yes, I understand this very well. A lot of times I myself have experienced this. My mind remains
stable, then suddenly when Bhagavan asks something from me, it gets disturbed and instead of saying one thing,
something else is said. I thought about why this happened earlier. The simple reason is this. The tranquility that I
used to see in me is not actually tranquility. It is just the upper layer. However, in the inner layer, the mind was
actually disturbed and distracted. I couldn't see that but Bhagavan did and that is the reason why He asks us
questions about Him, or any other topic. He just stirs up our mind and reveals its' true contents.
So, from this place what can we do? I have noticed that whenever I am asked to tell something, my mind goes into
the plane of imagination or would start thinking about the feelings of a meditation sometime before. But, we
shouldn't do this. We have to become our self, the original one.We have to concentrate on the present. Without
trying to become something or wanting to tell the best of things, we have to just relax and find our self. In the
process, we find everything, our realisations, our feelings for Bhagvan and of course the love. Can you understand
Page | 23
sister? I know you can. So, forget about what to tell Bhagavan. Concentrate on what you are. Bhagavan just wants
that. This is Vedanta sister. That is why He told us to live a Vedantic life. Love you, Swamiji
****************
Dear,....Sorry for the delay in responding. I was very occupied all these days and a question like this always needs
one to be a bit free and settled. I will try to answer your doubts.The word Existence itself means there is something
other than nothingness.
No, nothingness is not the nature of existence. It seems though initially that everything fades away into a sea of
vapidness but the one who sees this remains, the one who says that there is vapidness, emptiness remains. He who
says this is not empty or void.
Who is He? Going one step further, our search for existence receives a U turn because the one we were searching for
seems void, now the question is, Who is the one who is searching? who is the seeker? The search for the seeker
reveals the infinite knowledge within us and we identify ourselves as one with that Infinite Knowledge.
We are that Knowledge. As said in the Vedas, 'Thou art that'. This "That" is the supreme Knowledge, the Existence.
So then we can say, 'I am this'. The only thing one can say about Truth is- It is. It is indeed there, not nothingness,
not vapidness.
This existence cannot be expressed because the knowledge by which we express the known becomes One here. The
knower, the known and the knowledge become one. So, who will define whom, thus Advaita or Oneness. I hope this
explains your doubts, if you have any questions or doubts, I am there to answer and this time, I promise, I will be on
time. With love and best wishes, Swamiji
****************
Everything present outside is also present here, but, not as a gross object, rather, subtly, as a thought or Vritti in
Vedantic terms. Because the external objects are not real, thus the objects present in the mind in the subtle form are
also not true. We have to negate them, but how? When we think, there are many things that come into our mind. But
we have choose from these things. Which is the best one to keep? This is very near to discrimination or "vichar" in
the vedanta. Similarly, we have to discriminate. Which amongst these thoughts or further which object amongst
these thoughts is the real or the true one? We see, that not a single object there is true because they are just the subtle
presentations of the gross object that is present outside.
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Then what is the reality? Thoughts can be divided into two parts- the object and the subject. The objects are what we
had already discussed, now, what is the subject? The subject is the consciousness or the awareness that makes us
feel the existence of these objects. My hunger is a thought and that is a precise object but in addition to this, there
also is a consciousness or awareness of hunger. This consciousness is not hunger but it brings hunger to my notice.
Similarly, other thoughts contain this composition. It is the subject that brings everything to our consciousness
because it is that consciousness or awareness. Because the objects have their modifications and variations but the
subject ceases to vary or modify.
Thus, this subject is the truth or the reality. This is called negation, or neti neti in Vedanta. "Neti neti" means not
this, not this, "Na iti, na iti." When we understand this phenomenon, we start to concentrate more on the subject
rather than spending time on the various objects. It is the subject that leads us to the abode of peace, because it is
unchangeable....
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Sincerity
Dear,....Thanks for your sincerity. In spiritual life it is only sincerity and honesty that pay. They bring all the
qualities needed for the growth of true spiritual character and for finally realizing God. The Spirit of Vedantic
thought lays in these two lines as told by Adi Sankaracharyya: 'Brahman or the Self (you can refer it as God initially
is the sole truth, and, this world is false). All creatures are in fact Brahman.' I am sure these two lines will come true
in your life. But you have to approach this step by step. Just keep on chanting and praying that God will give you the
desire to realize Him. Within a short time, you will find yourself in the world of realizations. The inner world starts
from the mind, so chant unceasingly to make your mind calm and quiet. It will help you in your office work also.
Know that God has mercy on you. The love of my Master, Bhagavan will reach you wherever you are. Swamiji with
love
***************
Dear,....This sincerity and truthfulness will help you always. Try to put these chants into your whole system and you
will find that you have some exceptional qualities. This will come as you become more and more calm. Going
deeper means becoming calmer. The solution to all problems lays here. When you face any trouble ever, become
silent from inside, you will get the solution. I love your dedication. You will see God, Swamiji
***************
Thanks....... I am very happy to know about you. I have seen the depths of your knowledge in some of the notes or
comments that you had made in our group and was very impressed. My humble and sincere pranams to your
Gurudev, for bestowing such a original and pure knowledge in your heart. I know very little of the vast scriptures, I
am completely ignorant in this aspect. But, by the grace of my Master, Bhagavan, I had the fortune to experience the
state of Samadhi. I can discuss any aspect regarding the transcendental world and on the realizations as per my
experience, but discussing about sastras is something where I have to surrender right from the very beginning.
Hahaha, let us engage in the discussion of the inner world and share our insight. Thanks for being my friend again.
Regards to you and my humble pranams to your Master, Swamiji
***************
Dear,....It is really hard to express the experiences, realizations and revelations associated with God. The best way is
to stop trying and let the words flow. I understand your feelings of not being able to share your experiences with
anybody there. You have to always remember that this spiritual life is a lone journey and you find only God or the
Page | 26
Master with you. There will be millions who talk about this relationship. But there will be one or two among them
who will truly live this relationship. The person who walks in this path commences his journey by knowing this fact,
that he will be always friendless, misunderstood, often criticized. But God is great. He has kept something for us
somewhere which we use from time to time. We have an association, satsang, where we meet everyday to talk,
discuss and share our feelings. I welcome you with all my love and hope that our association will not only benefit
you, but also benefit many like you. Love, Swamiji
***************
....People are the same everywhere. There is a difference between being spiritual and being religious. However
through our work we find people with whom we can share our feelings. I open up that world to you. Yes, India has
it's soul but the people are unaware of where that soul really is.
The best way to speak about spirituality is by becoming a good listener. As you listen to them talking endlessly
about their endless sufferings and ego, they make way for you to come in. That is the time when you must remove
yourself and let the Lord speak. Oneness, does not mean connection with God but rather that we are One with God.
Becoming one with God or God is one with us is the same. There is only One, and it can be realized very clearly.
Just as we experience other feelings of hot and cold, sweet and sour, we can experience this oneness with God. Jesus
is a great teacher. We believe that He is God incarnate. Just by thinking about Him, His words, and by following
Him, one day you will become one with Jesus. Feelings such as love, compassion, faith etc. come after the
realization of oneness. Without this realization, they are just lifeless words. It is indeed God that guides us but that
God doesn't reside in any heaven. He resides within you in your heart. So pray to the God who eternally resides
within you to show the way. The goal will be attained. You are doing the right thing. My only words to you are to
march on. With Love,Swamiji.
***************
What is the prime reason for this bondage? And how to get away from this? It is said that an object which is created
by an object is destroyed by exactly that object. For example, fire burns because of air, and it is because of air again
that it gets extinguished. In the same way, this cause and effect relation of this world is nothing but Maya or
illusion. The same way, this maya or illusion starts from our thoughts and desires. We have created this maya,
because of our desires, we create this world. One after the other, we keep rotating within this world. The external
world is not using us, we are actually getting used by ourselves. Nobody uses us. Whenever we complain
about something, we blame others, saying it is because of him, her, this, that etc etc. Nothing is the cause of your
miseries, nothing is the cause of your bondage. The only cause of your bondage is you, yourself, your own desires.
So, this bondage is created by a desire and this bondage will also be released by another desire, the desire to become
liberated. When we desire liberation, the whole world that we create inside is completely destroyed. So, a person
who thinks of enlightenment , is a person who is always trying to know the Truth The only way to know the Truth
is from a desire to know it. When you desire to know the Truth, then, the Truth will manifest within you.
The verse says: “With pure desires we have to destroy the impure desires.” Pure desire means to
know the Self, to know God, to know the Divinity within ourselves, to become enlightened, or
gain freedom. These are pure desires. Then, what are the impure desires? They are worldly
desires. So from these impure desires come the desire of this entire world. Worldly desires, or,
our physical attraction towards others, our greed, our lust, are the total cause of suffering. So we
have to defeat our impure desires with our pure desires. By holding these pure desires we have
to go beyond all desires and that is when we realize the Truth.
“These desires are of two types – one is pure and one is impure. The impure desires are the cause of this birth and
death.” Due to our impure desires we are reborn into this world, into this cycle of birth and death. Yet, by
cultivating pure desires we become free, we become liberated. “Only with the search of the Self do all of our desires
and all of the worlds that we have created go away.” I am sure, people who are here now, who are devoutly
spiritual, very serious spiritual people, we all experience that whenever we concentrate our mind in search of the
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Self or this Knowledge, we see our desires burning. When our desires are burnt, the subtle world created by us as
well as our desires are also burnt. The world that we see outside is not outside, it is inside of us. We project the
inside onto the outside. Therefore, this internal world is the result of the desires that we have had. So, when we
search for the Truth, our desires along with the subtle world where they were contained, are destroyed.
With the help of the scriptures and also with the words of the Master, when we realize oneness with the Self then all
desires within the subtle world are destroyed. Thereafter, the mind does not remain. After enlightenment, you will
observe that you have no mind but your existence will remain. You will have thoughts, but you will not be attached
to them. Then you cannot recognize the mind. You will separate completely from these thoughts. Existence of the
mind is nothing except for the attachment to it. When there is no attachment at all, then whose mind is this? When
we know the Truth, the mind becomes no mind. After realizing the Truth, there is absolutely no acceptance of any
object from the outer world, because the knowledge of the outside world becomes completely false. So, the
acceptance of the outer world is nil and void. That is the reason why the mind becomes completely objectless. The
mind becomes completely conscious and goes beyond all imagination. This happens because of the lack of any
object.
The mind cannot exist without any support. So, if you want to remove the objects, desires or imaginations of your
mind, engage the mind in the thought of the Self. Brahman then becomes the support of the mind and thus the outer
objects cannot come inside. When using less discrimination, the mind, affected by the imagination will become a
dreaming mind. It creates something something, by living in the past or the future, and ignoring the present. In fact,
it becomes similar to death. At this point all is in vain. So, for pure knowledge, discrimination is a
must. Discrimination for ten minutes is much more powerful than meditating for several hours. With
discrimination, you go directly to the point. Without discrimination the mind falls. So, engage yourself more in
discrimination and you will eventually find that the mind does not exist.
The mind creates so many problems for us. A man becomes mad only because of the mind. A man becomes
depressed, restless, fights, and even engages in war, all because of the mind. But, if we are capable of
discriminating, we see that the mind doesn't have existence at all. So, this is maya or illusion. Even though it does
not exist, it seems so true. A man becomes happy, sad, depressed, frustrated, angry, etc. etc. because of the mind,
but truthfully, it does not exist at all. This is Maya. So, always discriminate and within a very short time, you will
see that you have reached the Truth. Remain neutral always. Cut yourself, cut the heads of your thoughts,
discriminate. It never says to cut the head of another. To cut yours, it takes courage.
Due to lack of discrimination desires are created. You are always beyond. As the existence of the dreaming state
becomes completely immaterial or false in the conscious state, with discrimination, the existence of mind also
becomes so. In the conscious and dreaming state, we feel all projections of the mind. But, in the deep sleep state,
with the disappearance of mind, all its projections and its effects disappear as well. I remain in these three states. I
or the Self or the Knowledge is existent in all these three states. In all these regular ever changing states, the one
which does not change is the I. The one who always remains, either dwelling, or not, is the only Truth. The I or the
Self remains in all these three states, but, I am never conscious about this I. I am always conscious of these states
which are just a passing phenomenon. I am conscious about the objects I see in my conscious state, I am conscious
about the objects I see in the dreaming states and also I am conscious about that state where I have not experienced
anything. However, I am not conscious about the one who has been experiencing these three states. The one who is
the witness. We have to be conscious of that I which remains. Either we are conscious or unconscious about it.
That is the only Truth. That is my Self or the real identity.
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Love
...Love is a very difficult word, if I had known this before, I would have chosen not to chose it. I would have also
told as people say often, it is not my way. Still, love is the only way and all glories to Him who infuse this unto me,
Swamiji
***************
....Love is the most difficult task in this world and by the grace of the Lord, I have started to realize this gradually.
Remember the words of the Lord, Among millions only one or two really love God. Millions fall in love every day,
millions get separated every day, millions again get into this act every day and millions promise not to be in this
every day,. But, it is only the one among the millions who really searches for the Truth, and that is the one who
reaches it......
***************
Once when Brahma (the God of creation according to Hindu Mythology) was creating this world He wished to make
everything possible for a human to achieve. However he couldn't make out where to keep the highest knowledge of
the Self or God. He knew wherever He kept this knowledge, a human being would misuse it, if attained without
proper hardship. He was confused. So, he called a meeting of all Gods.
When everybody came, He put forward His point. Somebody suggested that it should be kept in the depths of the
earth, somebody said it should be in the crest of the mighty ocean, some said in the huge mountains and some even
said to put it in deep space somewhere in the universe. But Brahma said a day would come when man will penetrate
Page | 29
the ocean, reach the deep earth, mountains and space. If he gets it without proper understanding then the knowledge
will be misused.
So, then Lord Shiva, the God of destruction and knowledge said, put it in the heart of man. He will reach the depths
of the earth, or sea, will climb the mountains and penetrate space, but he cannot penetrate his own heart. So since
that time, this knowledge of God has been within us. We can attain anything outside, but never think of entering into
our hearts. Somebody who does it gets it.
**************
Dear, ....How are you? How is your mind? When you had that experience of divine love in the plane, did any fear
come? You are just amazing. Now see how God makes your transcendental journey blissful. Love,
Swamiji
***************
Dear,....Proud father of a beautiful worthy daughter. Sure I got it, She is an Angel. My love to her and blessings. She
is your daughter, she is very special in many respects. Give her the best guidance and love brother. Our future will
bright in all respect by these actions. Chant in her ears and tell her slowly that She is Divine, She is Bliss, She is
Absolute Freedom. She is Atman. Thou Art Thee. I love you. Sorry if I didn't answer your letter, I had thought I did
because it was so special. With love eternal, Swamiji
***************
Dear....It's really great to hear about your two sons. I congratulate them and you too for being an inspiring mother.
Your work must have inspired them to do something worthy. The biggest help that you can do is to understand them
completely and stand by their new projects. Language is never a problem for anybody, we have to love them. We
don't want to understand our future generation and thus there occurs a huge generation gap.
Try to shorten this gap. Love them like the moon, totally neutral. Don't take any sides. Just like the soft warmth and
light of the moon, touch their heart. There would be a great change soon. Praying for you, If in any case, you need
any help of mine, please do tell me, I will be there for you. With love and best wishes, Swamiji
***************
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....Thank you for this beautiful letter. Before coming to the point, let me tell you some more things. Treat the
youngest child of yours as Lord Krishna. Think that you are actually serving the Lord. In all household duties,
always keep this in mind that this house, this family, everything that is happening or will happen is because of God's
divine wish. It is so because He wanted this to be the way it is, and that too for your own benefit. Most of the
attachment will go then. Who ever comes to you in whatever way, always see Him/her as God Himself. There is a
famous line from a poet in India, Tulsi Das. He says, "See everybody as God and treat them with love, you never
know in which form God will come to you."....
Spirituality doesn't mean going away from your world, it is engaging the world in the proper way, the real way. So,
enjoy everything with love and behave through the mercy of the world. Once there was saint in India. He was
staying under a tree. One night, a furious thunderstorm came. Everybody was scared for life. Everybody ran towards
shelter. He came out in the open, and started rejoicing, What is the divine play of the Lord? He knew the Lord and
that was the reason he was not frightened. He saw everything as God and thus nothing could do any harm to him.
So, always remember these words during your day to day life. Serve everybody more with love, because they are all
Gods', not yours. Your attachment starts from the very perception of ownership. If it is Gods' then who are you, who
is yours, ....do you understand? So become fearless, be bold enough to claim your authority in God. Say boldly and
clearly, I love you, I love you. Come to me....
***************
Dear,
I hope this letter will carry with it all the freshness of the divine land Vrindavan where the whole land is engaged
into the worship and the love of Lord Krishna. Here the sun rises only to wake up the Lord from His sleep and the
evening approaches Him to make Him ready for another day with His beloved in the forest still untouched by human
race protected as it was from thousands of years.
Here the Lord meets with all His beloved in the night and it's true because then if one visits the place the following
morning, one can feel the presence of many there, a blissful atmosphere among the trees and leaves and the earth
and air. I had a chance to visit that place about three years ago with Bhakti and Sadananda in the early hours of
dawn and I could feel a confirmed presence of Radha and some others there.
It’s a forest, and as you know people from our place in Assam, they fear snakes very much, but that day I wasn’t
afraid of that. A sudden feeling came that if I have to lay my life to know whether this land is true, I have to go
inside the forest and to my fortune, I heard many voices coming from the vapidness in the dark. I felt Radhaji there
and her vibrations. It was an overwhelming experience, without any words.
Still now when I remember the day, my heart shivers of an undefined pleasure and gratitude towards that Divine
Lady Radha who knew nothing more than Krishna all her life. Her love was such that the Lord is bound to come to
her every night. This divine play will go on till eternity as is said in the Bhagavatam. ......
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***************
Thanks........ for your comments and observations. In particular, these lines of....... impressed me, "So if you can
understand how mind goes out, you know that the same path is to be followed back." Now to the point that Shri
Talwarji has raised. The heart expressed in the spiritual texts is not any human organ, but, its a faculty present within
us where we can feel the presence of God or the Self. The divine love flows through here.
We all know that the human heart is in the left hand side of our body, but this spiritual heart is in the right hand side
of the body and opens up to that person who attains a very high state of realization. The spiritual world is such that
there is no high or low, deep or shallow. However to explain the spiritual world to a lay person different levels are
taken into account. This is so that that man can get to grips with spirituality and approach the realization of the Self
to reach that Oneness, within and without.
The one that feels hatred, jealousy, envy etc is only the unreal or imaginary existence, in other words, the mind,
which we identify as our self along with our body. In the dreaming state, though the body doesn't exist, my existence
can be proven only when I consider my mind to be me, because the observer of the dream is the mind.
But, what is this mind? In simple words, the mind is a group of thoughts. Like many trees grouped together is a
forest, similarly, many thoughts grouped together are a mind. To know the mind properly we have to penetrate into
the thoughts. Now let's see what the thoughts really are, they are an apparent mixture or amalgamation of matter and
consciousness, in other words the object and the subject.
A thought contains two things, one is the object and the other is the subject. Object is the matter and subject is the
consciousness which brings the object to my notice. Let's take any thought, for example, 'I am hungry.' This thought
"I am hungry" is the matter or object and that 'I am hungry' is known to me is because of the subject or
Consciousness present in the substratum of the matter.
Matter or object can be many, but, the subject is one and indivisible. I know many objects with the same
Consciousness, that doesn't vary. The experiences in the waking state, dreaming state and deep sleep state are
different but they are felt or experienced by the same Consciousness.
The one who says I know everything in the waking state is the same one who says I haven't known anything in deep
sleep. In deep sleep the mind fails to retain its existence, but the Consciousness does and that is why after returning
from deep sleep we say we had a good or bad sleep.
If the Consciousness was differing, we would have lost the continuity within these three states. The Consciousness is
the observer of these three states. Though these three states are evident to us, the Consciousness within is never
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evident. Spirituality is an endeavor to reach the subject leaving the object, that is reaching that Consciousness,
Knowledge or Oneness.
When we reach this eternal conscious state, we find that not only the object never existed, the bond between the
subject and object also never existed. So if this bond never existed and the object never existed, then how did we see
and experience them? This is because of Maya, otherwise known as illusion or ignorance.
The exact definition of Maya is 'to perceive reality in that which is unreal.' Like the snake in the rope or the silver in
the mother of pearl. Once this veil of ignorance or Maya is lifted, we see ourselves free from three basic things
which we always live in- time, space and causality, this being the relationship between cause and effect.
We know ourselves to be time-less, space-less and event-less. Sat-Chid- Ananda or Truth, Knowledge and
Bliss.Now, how to reach this? Many wise men have many different views on this. The Bhagavad Gita alone speaks
about four different Yogas or ways to reach here.
The best way is that what which your heart says. The best way is that what your heart accepts as Truth. There might
be a difference in the path, but, there is no difference in the Truth realized. As Thakur Ramakrishna said 'The same
object 'water' is spoken in different ways by people speaking different languages. But, the one, who reaches the
Absolute, knows everything to be true.
***************
Dear,...Do not half listen your children. Give them and your husband the full attention they deserve like you are
serving God. If you can, always be aware of God, and, that by serving them, you are serving Him. It is more than
chanting. It is the embodiment of the chant. It is God himself. I will tell you a story about an Indian lady who just by
serving her family got enlightenment. It is from the beginning of the Vyad Gita.
There was a wandering monk who was taking a bath by the river. He laid down his clothes to dry on the rocks after
they had been washed. Much to his dismay, some birds in the tree above, soiled his fresh clothes. He looked at them,
furiously, and due to his siddhis and the intensity of his gaze he burned those birds to death. Feeling satisfied that he
had used his powers for a justified result he walked on and again stopped, but this time at a village home to beg alms
from one of the village families. A woman came out of the house and promised to come back with food for him. In
the meantime, she went inside, fulfilling her duties to her husband, and serving him first.
The monk became very very angry and when she came back outside he began to look at her with the same fury he
had used with those birds. "Do not look at me that way." she said "I am not a bird." The man was shocked. He
realized that he was standing before a realized soul with powers that surpassed his own, despite all the austerities he
had practiced over the years, and over many lifetimes. "You see" she said "I have become a realized soul by serving
Page | 33
my family and all who come to my home. The problem is that you have not studied with a realized soul." And she
continued, "Go at once to Mitila, and find the butcher Dharma Vyad. He will give you your next lesson." Off the
monk went in a state of confusion about why, this realized woman was asking him, a Brahmin and a pure vegetarian
to visit this obviously inferior and dirty being.
However, he believed in the power of her words. So, thereafter he came to Mitla and there he found the butcher,
who it turns out was also a Brahmin. "You see" this Brahmin said "Butchery is the tradition of my ancestors. This
came to me through the family tradition and so this is what I practice for self realization. I give offerings to my
ancestors. I serve and support my family. I set money aside for the future of my family. The remainder of the money
goes to support the development of the nation. I keep nothing for myself." The monk was once again shocked that a
meat eater could attain this level of self-realization.
Remember this lesson. You have to pass on this divinity to your children. Remember, they alone live who live for
others. Others, who live only for themselves, are more dead than alive. Stay relaxed always, it is God who made this
love in you for Him. He will guide you, Swamiji
***************
Dear, So good to hear from you after such a long time. I am flying to Guwahati right now. I didn't get time to answer
you yesterday. Your letter brought me delight because the things I couldn't do, you are doing. I wanted to go to
Rameswaram but couldn't because I always had something to distract me. One of my friends offered me a car to tour
these places, but I had always something in the forefront of my mind and had to say "no". I hope by now I have seen
it through your eyes. Thank you for remembering me seeing Swami Vivekananda. It would be the greatest
compliment I could ever get, if only I could become a millionth of a fraction of His feet.
An interesting event happened with me also while I took Pedro and Jiang to Belur Math. We went to see the room of
Swami Vivekananda. We had to take our shoes off. I prayed there, Swamiji please make me become like you. When
I came down I found my shoes missing. It was as if Swamiji taught me, the first step to become like him is to walk
without shoes. Pedro offered His shoes but I preferred to walk bare footed to Kolkata. It was a wonderful
experience.
Things are changing. I feel much comfortable nowadays. I feel very complete inside. Today I will go to Guwhati. I
have to be back before the 17th because Bhagavan will come on the 17th to Varanasi. Many people are coming to
see Him then in Varanasi. Come March, again a program in Gujrat. Amma is a great spiritual leader. Her devotees
also consider her as God incarnate. She hugs people. Huge energy. The only goal of human life is to realise the Self.
Keep this
in mind always. You will surely have it. Pray for this dear. With love, now and ever, Swamiji
***************
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Dear, ....Thank you for keeping such faith in me. The best way for everybody to heal is to pray. Whenever you see
any problem surround you, sit down, become calm and quite and pray from the bottom of your heart knowing that
your prayers will be answered. Our prayers don't give us the desired effect because we don't have faith in our self
that it will be heard. Whenever you do something or pray for others, be very very sure that it will benefit him/her....
***************
Dear,....I find myself in trouble when I sit to give an opinion on what you should do when you are stuck in a love
triangle. But as I promised you, I will try to give the best of judgment in order to help you. I should tell you that you
are lucky to find two people at a time who love you or with whom you share something special. Who to choose is a
problem.

There may be two ways to approach this. One is to think whom you love the most. And the other, is to think about
who among these two loves you more. In the long run, the one who loves you more would be your best choice
though presently you might think the other way. I always hope for you to be a much better person. Think of every
consequence before entering into the life of others. Though love is blind, make sure that its genuine love not lust and
passion. Lust will take you towards hell, and already in this world you will experience hell. Love on the other hand,
will show you the way to paradise. You have to choose one obviously. Now, it is up to you. As for an advice, I
would add that next time, do not get involved with someone having been with one with you already. If the reverse
happened, I mean, if your lover did this with you, how would you tolerate this? You would be broken. I hope you
find your answer. With love, Swamiji
***************
Dear, ....As days go by, I find myself fully astonished that I have seen Him fully, after having seen people perform
difficult austerities in Indian society for years for this very purpose. It is the truth. You have seen God. God has
spoken to you, touched you and loved you. Our whole life after we realize this completely will be a story of pain
because previously, we had done nothing for God. We had only taken from Him but had done nothing. If possible,
come out of your shell, go into the open air, say with all resolution, love and faith that you have seen Him. Shed
your life for others because the life that you see is nothing but death. Every second you are approaching death. It
will come. You can take nothing with you, no body is created to die with you. You have come alone and will go
alone as well. The worldly love people show is but a lie. Know this and be free. Smile and let people smile. Love,
love and love this world and tell people that they are one with the Supreme and that everybody is divine. I want to
see you spend your life for the betterment of others. You have to die, so die for others. With love, Swamiji
***************
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Dear,...The path is long but it is very sweet, especially if we get a companion. Guru or Master is the only companion
and Guru means the words of the Guru. Not his body. Serve him with your honest and sincere questions. I want you
to realize the Self or God. And you will, have faith in yourself. The audio files will help you tremendously I am
sure. Whenever any doubts arise, please write to me or call me as per your convenience. Read the life of Sri Sarada
Devi, the wife of Thakur Ramakrishna. Always try to keep pure and clear thoughts, if any other thoughts disturb
them, leave them immediately. Chanting is the best way to leave those thoughts. Live in the present always, don't
think about the past or future so much. And whenever you talk to me, say with all clarity and enthusiasm that you
are very, very good. Smile always, because there is nothing to lose by doing so. Whatever comes is for our own
good. God is great, and great are you and your husband. Love each other and together love all. Love is the only
God. If you want to do something for me, it is this, realize God and spread this message of divinity to each and
every soul. Talk about this to everybody you know. Start work from now, and follow the work of my Master,
Bhagavan. With love to you, I am with you, forever, Swamiji
***************
Dear,...I am sorry to write a harsh letter to you last night. I understand your problem as well as the problem of your
mother and sister. When, we have a disease, there are many symptoms, but, the doctor cures the symptoms, but not,
the actual disease. Here, the disease of your mother or sister is not what you say. Their actual problem is fear, fear of
losing you and that is also because they love you. As long as they are convinced that you are not on the right path,
they will always cause disturbances. It is not that they want to, but, they can't help it, they think that they are actually
trying to help you. I tell you this because I also had a mother and was the only son of hers.
The only solution to this problem is, never close your mind or ears when they speak. Hear them patiently and look at
their eyes while they speak, with a smile and peace always. Try to understand that it is their love that is saying this,
not their ego. After they have said what they need to say, hug them and spend time with them. It won't harm your
meditation or spirituality. Spirituality is all about love. We love God. Man is also God. My mother and sister are
also God. So, apart from loving someone whom you haven't seen or met, love whoever you see each and everyday.
You will find God there, without any meditation. Be with them in everything, understand their fears and heal them
with love. If you don't, you are running away from this problem and will have to face the same thing everywhere
you go. So, try to be a winner, a winner by losing everything. Win your mother and sister with your genuine love.
With love, Swamiji
****************
Life went on. I wanted to be close to Bhagavan somehow. I was working in a town which was 4 hours bus journey
from Guwahti, the place where He lived. It happened just when I was loosing all expectation. I was finally
transferred to Guwahati, Assam in the year 1996. I started living in the Ashram and started to prepare myself for the
life that was evident, a life of a monk. Living there, I concentrated on the spiritual practices while carrying on with
the job. One day, while meditating in the Ashram in Guwahati, I realized the falseness of this world. It was abrupt
and strong. I could see everything is just a fine piece of decoration having no substance, everything was like a
hollow cylinder which had no end. I'm alone. I have no one by my side. Everything is just but an illusion. I was
terrified by this sudden and abrupt realization. I loved all and wanted to be loved. It was a huge blow to me. I
became restless, what should I do now? After knowing this truth which appeared so bitter then, one feels like dying.
I was very disturbed I could see the futility in all relationships, a mother son relationship, a friend relationship, etc.
Page | 36
But, I could feel the relationship I had with Bhagavan was not false or hollow. It was because of this love that he
wanted me to know this falseness. Still, I was terrified, because I loved all and wanted to be loved.
On the second evening, I started praying Bhagavan to help me cope up with this reality. The solution came after a
day again in the meditation, "though the world is unreal, you have to follow the same path the enlightened
(Mahajans) had undertaken. You have to love knowing everything is false." The answer was clear and simple. I
didn't think this was actually the greatest knowledge for a person who wants to Love..... , however, I left all
aspirations of being loved and concentrated completely on giving. A little later I realized how helpless human being
are. They can only receive, they can't give. The realization which added to my sufferings, without proper
understanding, actually showed me the greatest light. I'm alone its true, but not lonely, I am one always.
One day just to know how He felt, I asked Him," How could you love this world so much knowing that this is
false?" He started to laugh. He said, " You will get this answer one day."
The ninth letter of Swami Pavitranandaji follows:
Letter number 9
Janai, 13-10-1979
Dear,
I received your letter dated 01-10-1979 where you have conveyed your salutations on the occasion of Vijaya. There
has been a little delay in answering. With the grace of Sri Thakur we are all well. I prayed to Sri Sri Ma that you also
remain all-round well mentally and physically. Carefully meditate upon the difference in space and sequence that we
experience through our senses in the conscious state and the difference of space and sequence or time that we
experience in the dreaming state. Time space and causality (the relationship between cause and effect) is Maya -and
in the object beyond Maya this does not exist. The object beyond Maya is the real Truth -that is Atman or my real
nature. What is the relationship between the Atman or real 'I' with the deep slumber, dreaming state and conscious
state? Can 'I' be these states? 'I' or the Absolute Existence is beyond this. Read the literature of Swami Vivekananda
and Bhagavan Sankaracharya fearlessly. Know my best wishes. I received your earlier letter also.
Yours,
Swami Pavitrananda.
(This letter was written to Guruma which was enclosed with the earlier one.)
In the Divine presence of the Mother,
I received your celebrations of Vijaya. We are also very good here.

Read the life of Sri Sri Ma. By this you will know how to lead a life in this world and how to gain peace and
prosperity.
Only human beings can become devoted to God, is it possible for other creatures? I convey my best wishes to you
and your child.
Yours,
Maharaj.
(That the Guru is both the mother and the father, is the object of realization in this life)
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Fear
I would like to narrate a story by Bhagavan, the founder and core of International Vedanta Society. The story goes
as follows, a very rich man tied two ferocious dogs at his gates. The people using the road adjoining the gate were
very frightened by the dogs and left off using the road. One day, the rich man asked his attendant, 'why do the
people of this locality avoid using this road of ours?' The attendant had no answer. The master asked him to go and
find out. " Out of fear", said a commuter. "Your master has money, so, he can afford to keep such deadly dogs in the
gate which appear as if they are running after us." Knowing this, the rich man went to the market and asked a man to
come with him, to show that his dogs would not bite. The man resisted initially but gave in to this earnest request.
When the man reached the gate of the house, he saw the dogs were of stone, crafted skillfully in such a way that they
looked alive. The man cried out with joy, "What beauty, what skill !!" The fear transformed into extreme bliss by
knowing the exact object. Similarly, we cry out in this world, terrified by the fears which stay in our mind. See this
world carefully, you will see bliss and love. See this world as it is, you will see God. There is nothing but God.
***************
Today, I come with another story explaining the essence of Vedanta. We have seen how shallow our fears are when
the truth is known. This time, with yet another story we will talk about our false bindings with this world, body,
mind, ego, whatever it is. We all say we are bound, but let us see how true this is. I present you with a story based on
a wood cutter and his three donkeys. Once, there was a very poor woodcutter who owned three donkeys. Everyday
he would take his donkeys deep into the woods, where he would chop trees, and load the wood on to the donkeys'
backs. Every evening, he would return home. But one day, he was out too long, and the sky grew dark, the woods
grew black and the woodcutter could not find the way out of the woods. He realized he would have to spend the
night in the woods, and began searching for a place to stay.
In the distance he saw a faint light, and as he approached it, he found a sage meditating by the fire at his hermitage.
The woodcutter said, "I would like to stay here tonight as it has become too late for me to find my way out of the
woods." The sage agreed. The woodcutter lay down to go to sleep, but as he started to doze, he realized he had
not tied his donkeys. So, he asked the sage for rope. The sage said, "I have no ropes. Do you tie your donkeys every
Page | 38
night?" The woodcutter answered "Yes, otherwise they may run away or be attacked by wild animals." So, the sage
advised, "Go to the donkeys and just act as if you are tying them up."
The woodcutter did as he was told and pretended to tie the donkeys up. Then he went off to bed. In the morning, the
woodcutter awoke and found his donkeys right where he left them. He thanked the sage for his hospitality, and then
started on his way home, but he was dismayed to find that the donkeys wouldn't follow him. He said to the sage,
"What have you done to my donkeys? They won't follow me home!" The sage asked, "Did you untie your
donkeys?" The woodcutter complained, "But I never tied them!" "The donkeys don't know this," said the sage. "Go
untie them." So, the woodcutter pretended to untie his donkeys, and the three followed him back home.
This is how we are. We have imaginary bonds but we think they are real like the donkeys. This idea exposes us to all
sorts of suffering in life. The spiritual Master shows us how false our ideas about bonds are. We are never bound, we
are free by nature. Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this divinity, as Swami Vivekananda said,
'We are ever free.' When somebody goes to a Master, a Guru, he is told about this repeatedly, that you are neither the
body nor the mind nor the ego, that you are That, the Self. So the disciple or aspirant comprehends His true nature,
that He is a soul, ever liberated, divine, eternal, birth-less and deathless, not the body nor mind nor ego. Spiritual
realization happens when this comprehension has reached a state of saturation. Love to you all, Swamiji
***************
Dear,....I knew this was going to happen sometime. I don't know whether I told you before that whenever one
approaches God, temptations come. These come in such a way that one cannot realize that these are again taking
him/her from where he/she has come. Can you resist these temptations? Yesterday after the talk, I realized one thing
very clearly which gave me a lot of pain in some ways, it's true that you love God, but you love this world also and
as you said, there's an arm tightly holding on to it. When this is so, this world will come with it's beauties to lure you
out of your way. On the other hand, you yourself will be the cause of this deviation.
Ultimately, decisions are your personal likings. I am here to tell you the Truth. I told you last night that love is the
greatest pathway to God, but one has to control its waves within himself or it drowns him and that is why the
consciousness of discipleship is required. This appears contradictory but it is not. Both are complementary. Don't try
to do good to others before doing good to yourself completely. I told you to read the Katha Upanishad not because it
is my favorite. Rather, I wanted you to study the character of Nachiketa and his unfaltering desire for only truth or
God. In the Katha itself you will see, God can neither be realized by intellect, nor by listening to stories or scriptures
alone or by any other means. The one whom He accepts absolutely knows Him. Surrender yourself to His feet.
Much love and endless blessings, Swamiji
****************
Dear,....I am sorry to write to you so late. I read your letter and am fully convinced that whatever you have
experienced is from the absolute mercy of the Lord. You are close to God. Just feel that without fear. God is the love
that you have for God inside of you. Feel that more and more and you are there. I am sure from now on, you will
have a break, you will move towards light.
Page | 39
Only one thing, don't allow any fears to creep up. Whenever we think God to be separated from us, these fears
come. God is our Soul, He resides in our heart. Open it and feel Him. When He comes closer, these things do
happen in the way they have happened to you. The fear also is normal. The only thing I want to tell you is not to
think about the spiritual or the higher state too much and carry on with your daily works. A time will certainly come
when you will come in contact with a spiritual master, he will tell you exactly what to do to approach God. Then
you will see that you won't have these complications. Till then, enjoy life as it comes and wait for that moment. If
you have to pray, pray for your Master. If I can help in any other way, please do tell me without any hesitation.
Praying for you. With love and best wishes, Swamiji
***************
Sometimes before rain, a big twister comes. The twister comes only to sweep all the impurities from the earth , make
it clean and prepare it for the huge rain fall. This is mercy for the whole. When the twister comes, it seems
unbearable, but wait, there is rain to follow, a rain of bliss in your life. Just open your arms to embrace it from your
heart. Love you always, Swamiji
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Humanity
...Yes, the kind of spirituality we do, it is always related to people. We believe that Man is God, so we have to be
with God forever. To be with people means to be with more and more people, and not with only the same set of
people. Spirituality should not be stagnant, it should always be living and poetic. In man though there is
jealousy,greed, lust, anger, hatred, he still has the substance of love in Him, that love which can melt a rock and
produce milk from it....
We should not be captivated by our mind. The obstacles are impositions, impositions of our own mind, we have to
leave this frame of reference. How can the mind be more powerful than me? I have love inside of me and I have to
give it to everybody, even to the Lord of Death, then, and only then, I will become immortal. I hope that you
understand each and every word. If there is any growth, it is the growth of the heart. The size of the heart should
increase with every single moment and because of that, we have to accept death, the death of our own desires and
aspirations and selfishness. Anything which is selfish is hell.
How do we know which one is selfless or selfish? The best way is to see myself honestly.... do I expect a return? If
that is the case, I am selfish. I should only live to give, and not to ask in return. If I get, its the mercy of the Lord. If I
don't, its more mercy of the Lord because He teaches me how false this mind and the world external are. March on
my brave lady. The future awaits you. You can become a true lover of humanity. But, again, start from the home.
Love you always, Swamiji
***************
Dear,....You are a nice person. You are one of the very rare people to whom I can say that you want to feel a union
with God. I don't know, if you have or don't have any spiritual upbringing, but I want to tell you that you are quite
spiritual because you know the essence of spirituality. Most people talk about not eating meat, or doing Yoga or
meditating etc. when asked about their spiritual concepts. But the real spirituality lies in realizing the unity with God
at all times, and you have asked me questions that show just that. Congratulations for your question. I only want to
Page | 41
say, it is the easiest task for those who desire to feel His presence or union with God. Yes, it is possible. Very, very
possible and for you, I think it will be a reality. Even if you had hundred spirited children, it would have been
possible for you. But, you have to follow a procedure, a process through which you will feel this. I can tell you how
if you want me to. Praying for your spiritual enlightenment, Its' Swami Probuddhananda
***************
....The lion goes on hunting. It brings its hunt for his family and children. The kids get a taste of the hunt though
very tender. The lion wants them to roar as He does. Those sweet little babies try to shout aloud which brings a
music to the ears of the Lion. But it is enough to suggest to the rest of the animals that they have a new king in the
making. Your three letters were like that sweet roar of those little baby lions.
I don't find ways how to thank God for this connection. You will realize God, not only that, you will work for the
good of many....
***************
Dear,....One thing, before doing something, you should know what you have to do. You have to realize God. God
can be realized and this is very true. You have to desire God to realize Him. It is only our desire that shapes our
destiny. There is nothing called destiny or luck, it is the urge for manifestation that produces a result. Everything is
in your hands and within your reach, so walk firm in the path of the Self. It is not the ego, the Self is beyond Ego.
Forget the past, start from now. There is nothing called darkness, there is nothing called despair, there is nothing
called ignorance as well. There is only truth, divinity and bliss.
One day you will find the world at your feet, the people you love at your feet, but that day, you will see how
superficial and cheap this worldly love is. It is only lust decorated by a beautiful casket of words and emotions.
After a time, the beauty of the casket will fade, bringing an end to this love. See the love within you. Feel it. Realize
that it is universal, beyond time, space and casualty. It is impersonal. The day you stop seeking the pleasures of this
world, the world will come with all of its pleasures at your feet. So, dare, fear not, just march on. The Lord is always
with you. With a lot of love, Swami Probuddhananda
***************
Dear,....I am delighted to hear from you and your spiritual experience. Yes, this is how it happens. It happens,
sometimes when we don't even expect it to happen. I can understand the feelings you had and how wonderful it
could be. I tell you one thing, don't try to grasp it again. Just keep yourself more and more open. Keep flowing,
again and again, back to the same process of chanting consciously. When you have managed everything on your
domestic front, as far as you can see, the outer world will have no relation with the inner. The only obstruction is our
Page | 42
mind. So, if you are comfortable in doing this, while remaining in chaos, do it. You will learn a lot in this way. This
experience comes to us automatically then. It cannot be brought to us. Just like your youngest child, you never know
when he will love or who he will love. It just depends on his mood.
God is like a child. You cannot make him do this or that, he does things according to his own wish. So, always stay
with the basics. You will have even more intense experiences because you want to be immersed into God, so this
will happen to you for sure. But if you try to grasp any spiritual experience, it would keep you within its limits. You
only gain experiences through surrendering to these experiences, and these pave the way for even greater realization.
So, keep on sailing, brave lady.
I will tell you how my life unfolded its petals one story at a time. Much fun and joy was involved in living these
stories. My mother made great sacrifices, as I was her only male child. But, for now, I am just delighted to know
about you and grateful to God and the way he has made things happen for you. On the morning of the 4th, I will be
going to Kolkata which is about a 12 hour journey from Varanasi. I am not sure whether I will have time to go to the
internet, but because my mobile will be with me, write to my yahoo. I can answer you through that. Sometimes
facebook doesn't appear in the mobile. I am quite busy right now. I will write to you afterwards. I will send you a
story which I thought to be a perfect way to explain why God made these default settings. Hahaha, I like this word
very much. I love you. Swamiji
***************
....Yes, you are brave lady, chanting in the midst of all chaos, constantly and consciously. Just a perfect day for a
perfect person to do the perfect job. Carry on with full enthusiasm and love. You will succeed. Bravo! Bliss is the
spontaneous heavenly joy we receive without a reason or without the help of any outer object, not even our thoughts.
It will come to you, don't worry. All the rooms of the mind will open up gradually showing you everything they
have in them and then you will just laugh, and play, and dance. Do you sing also? Here one of my brother disciples
has developed a brilliant idea to put me in trouble. He had, God knows how, developed an urge to sing Indian
classical music. I have to admit quite honestly that it is just pure rubbish and perfect nonsense. However, if I tell him
to stop, he will be disheartened and I don't want that for him.
In this case there are two possibilities. Either he will sing all day or he will sing all night. In both cases, I am the one
to face the music which is strong enough to depress and devastate even an Angel. I am a mere human being having
only two innocent ears. The only problem is mine, my ears are faulty and that is why I cannot appreciate the magic
present in his voice. Anyway, God has always blessed me with a good audience, and maybe, he wants me to be one
too. You see, the problem lies elsewhere. If I praise him, I have to listen three more songs perfectly knit and tuned to
make someone go mad. If I condemn him, then also these three songs are all the same, because everybody in the
spiritual world believes in perfection. My brother disciple is not an exception....
***************
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Dear,....You will see that all questions and answers are contained within. Try to get the answers from within. The
one who answers is God. By holding the hands of wisdom provided by Him man reaches Him. So, whenever any
question or word or sentence comes to you, try to search where it came from. What is the source? Gradually, you
will see God playing a sweet melody in your heart. One step ahead, it is Him, omnipresent, omniscient and
omnipotent. That is your goal. The essence of this connection and fragrance of this life. Just flow dear, flow into His
hands and let Him take full control of you. Allow Him to love you the way that He loves. Swamiji.
***************
Dear Sister,....I was more happy to read your letter than I can express. Yes, this is a new chapter in your life. You
must be prepared for it. Motherhood is within you. It would have manifested in time anyway. Your baby will be a
wonder to this world because it will come from your womb. Every day concentrate more and more on Bhagavan and
try to feel Him more and more. Remember one thing. When the great devotee Prahlad was to take birth, his mother
was brought in the Ashram of Narada only to be in a spiritual environment, to help the little devotee of God see the
light of the world. His mother used to spend hours in meditation, thinking about the Lord Narayana. The future of
your child will depend upon what you think. So, always think of Bhagavan. Your child will be like Him. Keep a big
photo of Bhagavan in your bed room and look at it continuously. In the morning, in the evening, and before going to
bed. Your child could be like Bhagavan my dear sister.
Whatever you are doing in the clinic is exceptional. Continue this. Yes, money is a problem for you. There might be
other problems and it's normal. God always keeps these small problems for His devotees. It is true for everyone of
all ages. No, my dear loving sister, you don't have to come now. Come with the baby afterwards. Now, concentrate
more on the work that you do there, and on the new life which is to follow. Don't go into any discussion which
might cause ripples in your mind. Stay calm and at peace. Remain happy as much as possible, I mean, remain in
spiritual happiness. Sister, until your baby is born, don't think of any major work. Spirituality means that you must
do what you say. With love, Swamiji
***************
Dear, I'm crying, crying for you and your love for Bhagavan. I salute you, and I know that one day you will see your
life to be full of joy and pleasure. The lack of completion that you have within you today will surely go. Every
devotee of God has to go through this rough patch once in a lifetime. It increases our love, faith and energy for truth
if we are really dedicated. I have seen many lives facing the same problem as you are going through now, but the
ones who had faith in Bhagavan and a conviction to know and see whatever comes in the way of Bhagavan become
successful.
Now it is your time. It is your chance to prove yourself, to yourself. You will prove to what extent you can love and
have faith in Him. At this time when you are in some worldly trouble, you will find that not many friends are as
friendly as they were before, but your ever loving friend will be the Mahamantra. Go on chanting it with full
dedication. Chant always and go to search for a job. It may take time, but ultimately you would be a winner. Don't
Page | 44
think that what you see now is final. It is just a phase to go upwards. And you will go upwards. Just have faith in
yourself and in Bhagavan. I am telling you again that I have seen many other people on the same place that you are
today. Even I have found myself in a position where there is no direction to move. But still life continues. It takes
me forward.
Remember Bhagavan's only one saying, "Chant, it will show you the proper way." So, don't be afraid. Be bold and
face the situation. The help will come from the one who is in your heart. You have to see who He is. It is Bhagavan.
Shed your sadness. Be merry and enjoy. Enjoy not having anything, its' a great enjoyment. When I was in college, I
liked a song in Hindi that said. It's true we have nothing today, but tomorrow is ours, so why cry today? I still sing
this song when I have nothing with me and I tell you this happens to me quite frequently. Yet I still go on. When I
can, you also can. Just have faith in yourself. I love you more than I can express. I pray for you but I know you
won't require this because you have the potential to fight it out on your own. So, start the fight. It's a fight for
yourself with yourself. I know you will win. With a lot of love, Swamiji
***************
Dear,....I am so sorry to know about you. This is life dear friend, the life of millions of your brothers in every corner
of the world. They don't have even a little support for living. This is the real face of life. Though I know how tough
it feels to be within this condition where you are, still I would suggest the following things to you.
1) Thank Allah for showing you the real face of life, a life which is the fate of millions and millions of your brothers
all over the world. You are not alone brother, there are a lot of your brothers everywhere who suffers in the same
way, perhaps in a worse condition. But they are still living, life goes on brother, and for you too, life will go on. If
you can see the reality in this, life will become better.
2) Never run away from this. Face it with courage and a lot of patience. Say every time, "Be tougher than the tough,
then the tough will become easy".
3) Pray to Allah for your parents, brothers and sisters. With your heart, tell him, O Allah, Bless my family. He will
definitely do it. He is the ocean of love dear brother, HE definitely will take care of your family, pray with a lot of
love and know He is there, with you, everywhere.
4) Remove the fear from your mind that somebody had done something dark to you. Nobody has that power to ruin
the fate of another. Its just fear that kills us. Nobody can touch the devotee of Allah brother.
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5) Search for a job with more confidence, you will get it soon. My best wishes and all my love is with you brother.
Please do continue writing to me. I would love to know more about yourself. With love, Swamiji
***************
Dear,....Thank you for your prompt reply. I was very pleased to know about your interest in Vedanta and Swami
Vivekananda. He has been my ideal and I have grown up thinking about Him. You are quite fortunate to have see
Him and received His message for me. He is an apostle, an ideal , to whom I would love to live through my entire
life. Yes, Vedanta is the only path which can be the solution to this world. But, it has to be practiced and realized.
Try to realize it. Pray and have firm determination. Have faith in yourself. Don't refer or relate the word
Bhandami(hypocrisy) with the saffron robe. Being true lovers of Swamiji, we shouldn't do this.
See yourself first. Before saying a word to others, ask yourself, are you totally clean? Are you totally pure? If your
heart says yes, then think of blaming others. Have reverence in this very ancient and perfect way of life which
comes into being during the life of a monk, dedicated to the service of the Lord and Humanity. Everybody is not
false, everywhere there cannot be darkness. There is light, and I have seen it. You can also see that. Keep your heart
open for it to enter you. I pray so that the essence of Vedanta and Swamiji will manifest unto you. With love and
best wishes, Swamiji
***************
Dear,.... If at all you desire to work, the very first thing that you should do is to stop seeing the fault of others. Think
this whole world as a single unit. Today's world is but the outcome of the thoughts and actions that we have done. If
we have to improve, we should take utmost care of our self. Blame yourself then blaming others. Ask yourself, what
did you do for this whole world? Everything has been given to us. We have been taken care of by the nature, but,
what's our contribution? Our contribution to this world should be the divine love which will flow through us for
everybody. Stand upright on truth.
Ask yourself every day, did I think any wrong thought today? Did I ever think of others as evil? The greatest evil in
this world is your mind. Try to kill it. Shed the desires. Then you can think of working for others. Otherwise, just
say, I am trying. Maybe one day I will succeed. Create a universal character within you, a character which will have
room for everyone. Then, maybe, something will be possible through you because you have the divine mercy of the
Lord. You have it anyway. This was evident in your letter earlier. Let us all grow together. With love, Swamiji
***************
....God is great. Meditate today. I believe the reason for breaking the limitations of people, is not to make them into a
disciple or a follower or earn rich praises by showing how wise I am but to work together having a common goal. I
know that things will get better. I know that one day this will become a bench mark. Until that time, as we are a
small unrecognised group now, we have to face some troubles. However, God is there. He is watching. He delivers.
Page | 46
I have seen it happen time and again. Get prepared, for a new journey. For a new experience towards eternity.
Always be dipped into this thoughts, the energy will flow on its own. Now do you realize why I have always
stressed the need to be His at all times? The more you approach Him, the more the ego of yours sheds, the more ego
vanishes, the more conscious you are. It is so sweet that even in the shape of a ghost , it will still taste sweet. Got it?
So Love only....
****************
Dear,....I am so happy to see your letter. I am back in Kolkata. I will communicate through messenger for a little
time. These days I don't get too much time to spend near the computer but I still find some time to do so and answer
the letters of devotees. I would like to meet you sometime in the messenger but we will have to get the timing right.
I remain there from eleven pm to midnight.
I have become very busy within a very short period. I talk to about 25 people over phone daily. Things are getting
bigger. IVS is becoming a mass movement son. It was long desired but now it is gradually becoming a reality.
People everywhere are realizing there is something special in Bhagavan. Our responsibilities are increasing day by
day. Are you aware of this fact? There is a lot of work to be done. All of us have to lay a foundation for a new
civilization, a civilization based on truth and love and care. That's what IVS is meant to do and was founded for. So
be prepared for extreme sacrifice where ever you stay. There should be some men who are pure in heart like you to
sacrifice their whole life for the benefit of others. We need more and more men, women and children for they are the
future of the world. We have to expand daily.....Love, Swamiji
****************
....Get ready for a huge work which is coming to our way in the near future. I hope you will influence many more
people as you did during your stay in India. Take the responsibility. You are alone in this world, you only have your
Master with you. There is no Probuddhananada or Sankarananda. There is only you and your Master with His
immense love and knowledge for the generations to come. Get ready and jump into humanity. Work, work and work
for the people as a whole. I love you and would always hope that you would lay your life for the good of the world. I
appreciate your efforts with other devotees. Well done son !!! March on. I would like you to explain to them through
a letter that when somebody meditates, he's not going to lose anything or go anywhere where he/she will get lost.
Meditation is a way by which we get to know our power, knowledge , qualities and ultimately Self better. Explain to
her how to meditate and ask her to continue with that until further advice. Explain meditation by encouraging her to
see any desired object into her heart so that she doesn't get scared. Come to this conclusion. Spirituality is a science
by which we get to know the actual fact of the world and our Self. We are living in illusion because we think this
world is true when it is not. The illusion is within our mind and that is why we suffer mentally. Through spirituality
Page | 47
we know the exact identity of ours and the world's. We are hypnotized by the glitter of this world. Look into
yourself and see yourself. You are absolute bliss and love. With love to you and everybody, Swamiji
***************
Dear Brother,....Your letters are good to read but very difficult to answer. I was very pleased to see you write to me
with such a frankness. I knew this long before you had written this. We have a connection which doesn't depend on
our physical contact. Our love for each other is natural. It just happened from the first instance. One thing I would
demand from you is to take up the work of the Lord a bit more seriously and sincerely. I want you to pour your heart
into this. I know that the only thing that can bring the dreams of our Master into reality is this sincere work. I want
the news of work from you dear brother. I am working almost 17 hours a day. You work for 2 hours for IVS
everyday. Do you understand the difference? Waiting to know this from others. Love Swamiji
***************
Dear,....I love you but didn't know that you love me so much. You are right when you say that it is a really hard
work for all of you in Europe, or in the west to work spiritually. But, we have to. We are bringing forth a new
civilisation. The basic reaction of the masses will initially will be rejection or protest. Then, silence will follow. In
the end it will be acceptance. We have to cross all these barriers. So, there is no room to look back. We have been
doing quite considerable work in Spain. Just see how many people we have today, but a mere year ago, we had only
one devotee. Things will change. For a beginner, it takes time but as the wheel of success starts turning you will find
so many people turning up. Work hard brother and have faith in yourself. See the Lord, your Master, not the opinion
of people. These will be the people who will have no words of praise when you succeed. This was true for
Bhagavan, it was true for us and will be true for you too. You only have one thing, you have your Master, who is
waiting eagerly to see His message of love and truth taken to the whole world. Don't think of the consequences,
work and submit everything in the lotus feet of the Lord. Faith, faith, faith, burning faith.... Faith in you and in your
Master, and in all those who are walking along with you, so jump, success awaits you.
Remember two things, authority and hard work. Everybody wants authority, but they forget to do the hard work. For
the one who works, authority follows him wherever He goes. So, when the world is burning, where is time to see
who says what? Water it. Love is pure cold water. March on. I am with you and will be forever. I am seriously
thinking about going to Europe, especially when you say that it is such hard to work there. I await your response to
that. Take me to the place where you stay. Take me to the people you know. Make arrangements, I will come. With
love, Swamiji
***************
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Dear, ....Here in India, we are fine. Our ideal of universal love has started to spread within the world. Its very good
to see many people interested to know the way to live for others. This world of ours is becoming smaller day by day.
Good people have started to join hands. We have started to work everywhere, in villages, cities and in the suburbs.
We want you with us. Let us march together. Love, Swamiji
Page | 49
Humanity
...Yes, the kind of spirituality we do, it is always related to people. We believe that Man is God, so we have to be
with God forever. To be with people means to be with more and more people, and not with only the same set of
people. Spirituality should not be stagnant, it should always be living and poetic. In man though there is
jealousy,greed, lust, anger, hatred, he still has the substance of love in Him, that love which can melt a rock and
produce milk from it....
We should not be captivated by our mind. The obstacles are impositions, impositions of our own mind, we have to
leave this frame of reference. How can the mind be more powerful than me? I have love inside of me and I have to
give it to everybody, even to the Lord of Death, then, and only then, I will become immortal. I hope that you
understand each and every word. If there is any growth, it is the growth of the heart. The size of the heart should
increase with every single moment and because of that, we have to accept death, the death of our own desires and
aspirations and selfishness. Anything which is selfish is hell.
How do we know which one is selfless or selfish? The best way is to see myself honestly.... do I expect a return? If
that is the case, I am selfish. I should only live to give, and not to ask in return. If I get, its the mercy of the Lord. If I
don't, its more mercy of the Lord because He teaches me how false this mind and the world external are. March on
my brave lady. The future awaits you. You can become a true lover of humanity. But, again, start from the home.
Love you always, Swamiji
***************
Dear,....You are a nice person. You are one of the very rare people to whom I can say that you want to feel a union
with God. I don't know, if you have or don't have any spiritual upbringing, but I want to tell you that you are quite
spiritual because you know the essence of spirituality. Most people talk about not eating meat, or doing Yoga or
meditating etc. when asked about their spiritual concepts. But the real spirituality lies in realizing the unity with God
at all times, and you have asked me questions that show just that. Congratulations for your question. I only want to
Page | 50
say, it is the easiest task for those who desire to feel His presence or union with God. Yes, it is possible. Very, very
possible and for you, I think it will be a reality. Even if you had hundred spirited children, it would have been
possible for you. But, you have to follow a procedure, a process through which you will feel this. I can tell you how
if you want me to. Praying for your spiritual enlightenment, Its' Swami Probuddhananda
***************
....The lion goes on hunting. It brings its hunt for his family and children. The kids get a taste of the hunt though
very tender. The lion wants them to roar as He does. Those sweet little babies try to shout aloud which brings a
music to the ears of the Lion. But it is enough to suggest to the rest of the animals that they have a new king in the
making. Your three letters were like that sweet roar of those little baby lions.
I don't find ways how to thank God for this connection. You will realize God, not only that, you will work for the
good of many....
***************
Dear,....One thing, before doing something, you should know what you have to do. You have to realize God. God
can be realized and this is very true. You have to desire God to realize Him. It is only our desire that shapes our
destiny. There is nothing called destiny or luck, it is the urge for manifestation that produces a result. Everything is
in your hands and within your reach, so walk firm in the path of the Self. It is not the ego, the Self is beyond Ego.
Forget the past, start from now. There is nothing called darkness, there is nothing called despair, there is nothing
called ignorance as well. There is only truth, divinity and bliss.
One day you will find the world at your feet, the people you love at your feet, but that day, you will see how
superficial and cheap this worldly love is. It is only lust decorated by a beautiful casket of words and emotions.
After a time, the beauty of the casket will fade, bringing an end to this love. See the love within you. Feel it. Realize
that it is universal, beyond time, space and casualty. It is impersonal. The day you stop seeking the pleasures of this
world, the world will come with all of its pleasures at your feet. So, dare, fear not, just march on. The Lord is always
with you. With a lot of love, Swami Probuddhananda
***************
Dear,....I am delighted to hear from you and your spiritual experience. Yes, this is how it happens. It happens,
sometimes when we don't even expect it to happen. I can understand the feelings you had and how wonderful it
could be. I tell you one thing, don't try to grasp it again. Just keep yourself more and more open. Keep flowing,
again and again, back to the same process of chanting consciously. When you have managed everything on your
domestic front, as far as you can see, the outer world will have no relation with the inner. The only obstruction is our
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mind. So, if you are comfortable in doing this, while remaining in chaos, do it. You will learn a lot in this way. This
experience comes to us automatically then. It cannot be brought to us. Just like your youngest child, you never know
when he will love or who he will love. It just depends on his mood.
God is like a child. You cannot make him do this or that, he does things according to his own wish. So, always stay
with the basics. You will have even more intense experiences because you want to be immersed into God, so this
will happen to you for sure. But if you try to grasp any spiritual experience, it would keep you within its limits. You
only gain experiences through surrendering to these experiences, and these pave the way for even greater realization.
So, keep on sailing, brave lady.
I will tell you how my life unfolded its petals one story at a time. Much fun and joy was involved in living these
stories. My mother made great sacrifices, as I was her only male child. But, for now, I am just delighted to know
about you and grateful to God and the way he has made things happen for you. On the morning of the 4th, I will be
going to Kolkata which is about a 12 hour journey from Varanasi. I am not sure whether I will have time to go to the
internet, but because my mobile will be with me, write to my yahoo. I can answer you through that. Sometimes
facebook doesn't appear in the mobile. I am quite busy right now. I will write to you afterwards. I will send you a
story which I thought to be a perfect way to explain why God made these default settings. Hahaha, I like this word
very much. I love you. Swamiji
***************
....Yes, you are brave lady, chanting in the midst of all chaos, constantly and consciously. Just a perfect day for a
perfect person to do the perfect job. Carry on with full enthusiasm and love. You will succeed. Bravo! Bliss is the
spontaneous heavenly joy we receive without a reason or without the help of any outer object, not even our thoughts.
It will come to you, don't worry. All the rooms of the mind will open up gradually showing you everything they
have in them and then you will just laugh, and play, and dance. Do you sing also? Here one of my brother disciples
has developed a brilliant idea to put me in trouble. He had, God knows how, developed an urge to sing Indian
classical music. I have to admit quite honestly that it is just pure rubbish and perfect nonsense. However, if I tell him
to stop, he will be disheartened and I don't want that for him.
In this case there are two possibilities. Either he will sing all day or he will sing all night. In both cases, I am the one
to face the music which is strong enough to depress and devastate even an Angel. I am a mere human being having
only two innocent ears. The only problem is mine, my ears are faulty and that is why I cannot appreciate the magic
present in his voice. Anyway, God has always blessed me with a good audience, and maybe, he wants me to be one
too. You see, the problem lies elsewhere. If I praise him, I have to listen three more songs perfectly knit and tuned to
make someone go mad. If I condemn him, then also these three songs are all the same, because everybody in the
spiritual world believes in perfection. My brother disciple is not an exception....
***************
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Dear,....You will see that all questions and answers are contained within. Try to get the answers from within. The
one who answers is God. By holding the hands of wisdom provided by Him man reaches Him. So, whenever any
question or word or sentence comes to you, try to search where it came from. What is the source? Gradually, you
will see God playing a sweet melody in your heart. One step ahead, it is Him, omnipresent, omniscient and
omnipotent. That is your goal. The essence of this connection and fragrance of this life. Just flow dear, flow into His
hands and let Him take full control of you. Allow Him to love you the way that He loves. Swamiji.
***************
Dear Sister,....I was more happy to read your letter than I can express. Yes, this is a new chapter in your life. You
must be prepared for it. Motherhood is within you. It would have manifested in time anyway. Your baby will be a
wonder to this world because it will come from your womb. Every day concentrate more and more on Bhagavan and
try to feel Him more and more. Remember one thing. When the great devotee Prahlad was to take birth, his mother
was brought in the Ashram of Narada only to be in a spiritual environment, to help the little devotee of God see the
light of the world. His mother used to spend hours in meditation, thinking about the Lord Narayana. The future of
your child will depend upon what you think. So, always think of Bhagavan. Your child will be like Him. Keep a big
photo of Bhagavan in your bed room and look at it continuously. In the morning, in the evening, and before going to
bed. Your child could be like Bhagavan my dear sister.
Whatever you are doing in the clinic is exceptional. Continue this. Yes, money is a problem for you. There might be
other problems and it's normal. God always keeps these small problems for His devotees. It is true for everyone of
all ages. No, my dear loving sister, you don't have to come now. Come with the baby afterwards. Now, concentrate
more on the work that you do there, and on the new life which is to follow. Don't go into any discussion which
might cause ripples in your mind. Stay calm and at peace. Remain happy as much as possible, I mean, remain in
spiritual happiness. Sister, until your baby is born, don't think of any major work. Spirituality means that you must
do what you say. With love, Swamiji
***************
Dear, I'm crying, crying for you and your love for Bhagavan. I salute you, and I know that one day you will see your
life to be full of joy and pleasure. The lack of completion that you have within you today will surely go. Every
devotee of God has to go through this rough patch once in a lifetime. It increases our love, faith and energy for truth
if we are really dedicated. I have seen many lives facing the same problem as you are going through now, but the
ones who had faith in Bhagavan and a conviction to know and see whatever comes in the way of Bhagavan become
successful.
Now it is your time. It is your chance to prove yourself, to yourself. You will prove to what extent you can love and
have faith in Him. At this time when you are in some worldly trouble, you will find that not many friends are as
friendly as they were before, but your ever loving friend will be the Mahamantra. Go on chanting it with full
dedication. Chant always and go to search for a job. It may take time, but ultimately you would be a winner. Don't
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think that what you see now is final. It is just a phase to go upwards. And you will go upwards. Just have faith in
yourself and in Bhagavan. I am telling you again that I have seen many other people on the same place that you are
today. Even I have found myself in a position where there is no direction to move. But still life continues. It takes
me forward.
Remember Bhagavan's only one saying, "Chant, it will show you the proper way." So, don't be afraid. Be bold and
face the situation. The help will come from the one who is in your heart. You have to see who He is. It is Bhagavan.
Shed your sadness. Be merry and enjoy. Enjoy not having anything, its' a great enjoyment. When I was in college, I
liked a song in Hindi that said. It's true we have nothing today, but tomorrow is ours, so why cry today? I still sing
this song when I have nothing with me and I tell you this happens to me quite frequently. Yet I still go on. When I
can, you also can. Just have faith in yourself. I love you more than I can express. I pray for you but I know you
won't require this because you have the potential to fight it out on your own. So, start the fight. It's a fight for
yourself with yourself. I know you will win. With a lot of love, Swamiji
***************
Dear,....I am so sorry to know about you. This is life dear friend, the life of millions of your brothers in every corner
of the world. They don't have even a little support for living. This is the real face of life. Though I know how tough
it feels to be within this condition where you are, still I would suggest the following things to you.
1) Thank Allah for showing you the real face of life, a life which is the fate of millions and millions of your brothers
all over the world. You are not alone brother, there are a lot of your brothers everywhere who suffers in the same
way, perhaps in a worse condition. But they are still living, life goes on brother, and for you too, life will go on. If
you can see the reality in this, life will become better.
2) Never run away from this. Face it with courage and a lot of patience. Say every time, "Be tougher than the tough,
then the tough will become easy".
3) Pray to Allah for your parents, brothers and sisters. With your heart, tell him, O Allah, Bless my family. He will
definitely do it. He is the ocean of love dear brother, HE definitely will take care of your family, pray with a lot of
love and know He is there, with you, everywhere.
4) Remove the fear from your mind that somebody had done something dark to you. Nobody has that power to ruin
the fate of another. Its just fear that kills us. Nobody can touch the devotee of Allah brother.
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5) Search for a job with more confidence, you will get it soon. My best wishes and all my love is with you brother.
Please do continue writing to me. I would love to know more about yourself. With love, Swamiji
***************
Dear,....Thank you for your prompt reply. I was very pleased to know about your interest in Vedanta and Swami
Vivekananda. He has been my ideal and I have grown up thinking about Him. You are quite fortunate to have see
Him and received His message for me. He is an apostle, an ideal , to whom I would love to live through my entire
life. Yes, Vedanta is the only path which can be the solution to this world. But, it has to be practiced and realized.
Try to realize it. Pray and have firm determination. Have faith in yourself. Don't refer or relate the word
Bhandami(hypocrisy) with the saffron robe. Being true lovers of Swamiji, we shouldn't do this.
See yourself first. Before saying a word to others, ask yourself, are you totally clean? Are you totally pure? If your
heart says yes, then think of blaming others. Have reverence in this very ancient and perfect way of life which
comes into being during the life of a monk, dedicated to the service of the Lord and Humanity. Everybody is not
false, everywhere there cannot be darkness. There is light, and I have seen it. You can also see that. Keep your heart
open for it to enter you. I pray so that the essence of Vedanta and Swamiji will manifest unto you. With love and
best wishes, Swamiji
***************
Dear,.... If at all you desire to work, the very first thing that you should do is to stop seeing the fault of others. Think
this whole world as a single unit. Today's world is but the outcome of the thoughts and actions that we have done. If
we have to improve, we should take utmost care of our self. Blame yourself then blaming others. Ask yourself, what
did you do for this whole world? Everything has been given to us. We have been taken care of by the nature, but,
what's our contribution? Our contribution to this world should be the divine love which will flow through us for
everybody. Stand upright on truth.
Ask yourself every day, did I think any wrong thought today? Did I ever think of others as evil? The greatest evil in
this world is your mind. Try to kill it. Shed the desires. Then you can think of working for others. Otherwise, just
say, I am trying. Maybe one day I will succeed. Create a universal character within you, a character which will have
room for everyone. Then, maybe, something will be possible through you because you have the divine mercy of the
Lord. You have it anyway. This was evident in your letter earlier. Let us all grow together. With love, Swamiji
***************
....God is great. Meditate today. I believe the reason for breaking the limitations of people, is not to make them into a
disciple or a follower or earn rich praises by showing how wise I am but to work together having a common goal. I
know that things will get better. I know that one day this will become a bench mark. Until that time, as we are a
small unrecognised group now, we have to face some troubles. However, God is there. He is watching. He delivers.
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I have seen it happen time and again. Get prepared, for a new journey. For a new experience towards eternity.
Always be dipped into this thoughts, the energy will flow on its own. Now do you realize why I have always
stressed the need to be His at all times? The more you approach Him, the more the ego of yours sheds, the more ego
vanishes, the more conscious you are. It is so sweet that even in the shape of a ghost , it will still taste sweet. Got it?
So Love only....
****************
Dear,....I am so happy to see your letter. I am back in Kolkata. I will communicate through messenger for a little
time. These days I don't get too much time to spend near the computer but I still find some time to do so and answer
the letters of devotees. I would like to meet you sometime in the messenger but we will have to get the timing right.
I remain there from eleven pm to midnight.
I have become very busy within a very short period. I talk to about 25 people over phone daily. Things are getting
bigger. IVS is becoming a mass movement son. It was long desired but now it is gradually becoming a reality.
People everywhere are realizing there is something special in Bhagavan. Our responsibilities are increasing day by
day. Are you aware of this fact? There is a lot of work to be done. All of us have to lay a foundation for a new
civilization, a civilization based on truth and love and care. That's what IVS is meant to do and was founded for. So
be prepared for extreme sacrifice where ever you stay. There should be some men who are pure in heart like you to
sacrifice their whole life for the benefit of others. We need more and more men, women and children for they are the
future of the world. We have to expand daily.....Love, Swamiji
****************
....Get ready for a huge work which is coming to our way in the near future. I hope you will influence many more
people as you did during your stay in India. Take the responsibility. You are alone in this world, you only have your
Master with you. There is no Probuddhananada or Sankarananda. There is only you and your Master with His
immense love and knowledge for the generations to come. Get ready and jump into humanity. Work, work and work
for the people as a whole. I love you and would always hope that you would lay your life for the good of the world. I
appreciate your efforts with other devotees. Well done son !!! March on. I would like you to explain to them through
a letter that when somebody meditates, he's not going to lose anything or go anywhere where he/she will get lost.
Meditation is a way by which we get to know our power, knowledge , qualities and ultimately Self better. Explain to
her how to meditate and ask her to continue with that until further advice. Explain meditation by encouraging her to
see any desired object into her heart so that she doesn't get scared. Come to this conclusion. Spirituality is a science
by which we get to know the actual fact of the world and our Self. We are living in illusion because we think this
world is true when it is not. The illusion is within our mind and that is why we suffer mentally. Through spirituality
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we know the exact identity of ours and the world's. We are hypnotized by the glitter of this world. Look into
yourself and see yourself. You are absolute bliss and love. With love to you and everybody, Swamiji
***************
Dear Brother,....Your letters are good to read but very difficult to answer. I was very pleased to see you write to me
with such a frankness. I knew this long before you had written this. We have a connection which doesn't depend on
our physical contact. Our love for each other is natural. It just happened from the first instance. One thing I would
demand from you is to take up the work of the Lord a bit more seriously and sincerely. I want you to pour your heart
into this. I know that the only thing that can bring the dreams of our Master into reality is this sincere work. I want
the news of work from you dear brother. I am working almost 17 hours a day. You work for 2 hours for IVS
everyday. Do you understand the difference? Waiting to know this from others. Love Swamiji
***************
Dear,....I love you but didn't know that you love me so much. You are right when you say that it is a really hard
work for all of you in Europe, or in the west to work spiritually. But, we have to. We are bringing forth a new
civilisation. The basic reaction of the masses will initially will be rejection or protest. Then, silence will follow. In
the end it will be acceptance. We have to cross all these barriers. So, there is no room to look back. We have been
doing quite considerable work in Spain. Just see how many people we have today, but a mere year ago, we had only
one devotee. Things will change. For a beginner, it takes time but as the wheel of success starts turning you will find
so many people turning up. Work hard brother and have faith in yourself. See the Lord, your Master, not the opinion
of people. These will be the people who will have no words of praise when you succeed. This was true for
Bhagavan, it was true for us and will be true for you too. You only have one thing, you have your Master, who is
waiting eagerly to see His message of love and truth taken to the whole world. Don't think of the consequences,
work and submit everything in the lotus feet of the Lord. Faith, faith, faith, burning faith.... Faith in you and in your
Master, and in all those who are walking along with you, so jump, success awaits you.
Remember two things, authority and hard work. Everybody wants authority, but they forget to do the hard work. For
the one who works, authority follows him wherever He goes. So, when the world is burning, where is time to see
who says what? Water it. Love is pure cold water. March on. I am with you and will be forever. I am seriously
thinking about going to Europe, especially when you say that it is such hard to work there. I await your response to
that. Take me to the place where you stay. Take me to the people you know. Make arrangements, I will come. With
love, Swamiji
***************
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Dear, ....Here in India, we are fine. Our ideal of universal love has started to spread within the world. Its very good
to see many people interested to know the way to live for others. This world of ours is becoming smaller day by day.
Good people have started to join hands. We have started to work everywhere, in villages, cities and in the suburbs.
We want you with us. Let us march together. Love, Swamiji
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Rectification and Service
Everything was silent. Two cars were speeding into the old city of Varanasi. It has been raining since evening along
with strong breeze. Perhaps this was the reason why the power of the entire city was cut off. We knew that because
of these rains and strong breeze, one of the main power stations was damaged. The head lights of the cars were
penetrating the darkness surrounded all the way. In the midst of this, Bhagavan was sitting silently. Today is 12th of
July, the day when He arrived at Varanasi. Luckily we had arranged a generator to supplement the power cut. The
lanes adjacent to the Ashram were lit.
Entering the Ashram, Bhagavan said, "The light has come." I did not realize that He was not referring to the
darkness of the streets, but to the darkness in my heart. He meant that it was time to light up my own heart. We took
Him around the ashram, and showed the newly built building and the new room constructed for Him. After taking a
very close look, He sat down in His chair and became very serious. The next morning, He called us and informed
that He couldn't sleep for the whole night. He asked me the reason, Why? It was as if the sky had broken into my
head. I didn't know what to say or do. The whole atmosphere had become so still and quite.He said, " I saw the
Ashram last night. It has increased considerably, more than what I had thought of. But, one thing which is striking
me is that, are you doing enough for the people? Are you distributing enough spirituality among the people? Does
the outer beauty match with your inner? Einstein had once said, The bag of meat shouldn't be costlier than the meat.
"During my stay here, I want to see this. I want to see that this building is correctly serving its purpose of practicing
spirituality. If I see the opposite, I will advise you to break this building and start from the very beginning, from the
shelter of a tree. All I need from you is to be in God always. I do not need any publicity. I need people. Some people
who will spend their lives only with Truth. Truth is God, Truth is Brahman, Truth is Love. There is nothing other
than Truth." he said.
I didn't know whether I was going to pass the test time had imposed upon me, but, one thing was certain, I never
understood Bhagavan. Instead of the Guru I had stayed for the past 21 years, He appeared to me as a completely
different man, someone whom I had met this instant. Immediately, I looked into myself, am I scared? No, said my
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conscience. I knew that I had fallen in love with Bhagavan more than ever. At this point I said to myself,
"Bhagavan, I am proud to be your disciple."
The forth letter of Swami Pavitranandaji, the Master of Bhagavan follows:
Sri Ramakrishna Saranam,
Purulia 27-11-1978
Dear,....I received your letter after a long time. One thing which is giving me trouble is the despair and negative
words that were mentioned in the letter this time. Ignorant beings never consider their mistakes as mistakes but
always try to attract others into their creed. I know you do not fall under this classification. Rectification is about
understanding spirituality as a continuous process and that Guru is the only pole star in the life apart from all
spiritual knowledge we attain. Rectification is only possible when one thinks of himself in the following way, "I
must and should rectify myself.
The essence of rectification is determination, and that is the only austerity. The main support for austerity amongst
householders is 'not me, not me, only you, only you'. There is no way other than surrendering at the feet of Sri Sri
Thakur and Ma. The words of Swami Vivekananda will benefit you. Read them, think about them, and become them
while thinking. He has so much power in his words. He came to us only to speak the words of fearlessness and
eternity. That is why Sri Thakur had said, "Such a big receptor never came before into this world and will never
come hereafter". Therefore, throw away all your mental doubts and mental weaknesses. We are the sons of Sri
Ramakrishna, definitely through us and only through us is this possible. You have received my photograph. It is
good. Know my best wishes. Yours, Maharaj
***************
Dear, .....I have been in this world of spirituality for the last 18 years. I speak from my experience which informs my
sense of truth. I have gathered many, many, experiences by staying in touch with Bhagavan. I have seen many
people come, realize and go. Most of them suffer from the same syndrome that you had. Most of them thought that
the experiences that they had would finish.
The truth is not like that. Spirituality increases when you give. Spirituality is not an attribute of the mind that it can
be stored, it is a spontaneous flow from the inside. The inner self has got infinite knowledge and bliss and peace.
You have to connect to that source. The only simple way is to do what your Master is doing, is spread, spread and
spread, forgetting your own account of well being. Be wise but don't try to be clever. The wise way is to follow the
path the people have been following, close to Bhagavan. I don't know what you have seen here or what you did get
here, but the truth is, you have seen a living God. It is true, just as true as the sun and the stars..... Much Love,
Swamiji
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***************
Dear, ....Don't worry. The one who resides inside of you, the one who has shown you the light and the truth, the one
whose divine love has made you transformed, is the one who has taken the reins of your life. You just have to flow
and within. Sometime you will see that you have come so far, so deep, though these are just words. Leave yourself
completely in His hands and let Him be your Master and owner. You do not know how many chapters you will have
to cross more, each one a new one, each one better than before, each one simpler than before, each one clearer. Just
flow in His arms and sleep in His arms.
I am thankful that you had sensed God in my words. When I write, I can sense, it is not me, now, when I am writing
to you, I do not know what I am writing, just running my fingers on this key board. I do not know where so many
words come from. Where from so many solutions come from. Love and knowledge come only from Him. I can only
see Him working through me, and as days pass, I can sense Him more clearly. Before I did not know that I was
working for him. Then it became clear that he was working through me. Now, I know each and every step of mine is
His. I am just an instrument. Always, keep truth with you. Truth is greater than love. People flow with love, I stick
to the truth and I see Truth is the only source, it is God....
***************
Dear,....If at all you desire to work, the very first thing that you should do is to stop seeing the fault of others. Think
of this whole world as a single unit. Today's world is but the outcome of the thoughts and actions that we have done.
If we have to improve, we should take utmost care of ourselves. Blame yourself before blaming others. Ask
yourself, what did you do for this whole world? Everything has been given to us, we have been taken care of by the
nature, but, what's our contribution?
Our contribution to this world should be the divine love which will flow through us for everybody. Stand upright on
Truth. Ask yourself everyday, did I think any wrong today? Did I ever think of others as evil? The greatest evil in
this world is your mind. Try to kill it. Shed the desires. Then can you think of working for others.
Otherwise, just say, I am trying. Maybe one day I will succeed. Create a universal character within you, a character
which will have room for everybody. Then maybe something will be possible by you, that too if you have the divine
mercy of the Lord. You have it anyway, as was evident in your letter earlier. Lets all grow. With love, Swamiji
***************
....An enlightened person, though he remains in the lap of God, still, he spends His days immersed in the thoughts of
others. For Him every second is precious. He sleeps less and works more. Yet, His work is more on the spiritual
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plane. His mind is so strong that He can bring about a transformation just by His thought. Whatever He does, He is
always conscious that everything is done through Him, and, that He is not the doer.....
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Self Realization
Sankaracharya has outlined three basic prerequisites for Self Realization: a human birth, the utmost desire for
liberation, and the guidance of an able Master. Without desire, Self Knowledge is not possible. The Master/disciple
is relationship based on mutual acceptance. The biggest problem that we are facing these days is that all spiritual
texts are available to us in every language. However, we should know who should read which book. A man should
be authorized to even touch any spiritual book. Ramakrishna only allowed Swami Vivekananda to read the
Astavakra and while reading, Swamiji, in his initial days commented that it was a book of the atheists....
****************
Many letters have been coming in response to the notes which I have been posting on-line. One thing very
significant about these responses, that I have noticed, is the current perception of Advaita Vedanta in most of us. I
find most of us are more inclined towards the intellectual knowledge rather than the transcendental knowledge.
Almost all of us understand the basics, the principles and the philosophy of Advaita, but there is a lack of interest in
the realization of this philosophy.
In simple words, there is little effort in translating Advaita Vedanta to our day to day lives. For example, if you ask
somebody 'did you realize the Self?', most of us respond in a way which makes things seem more complicated than
ever. Instead of answering yes or no, the answer in most cases is 'I am the Self', 'The truth cannot be known', 'It is
what it is', 'just be' and so on and so forth.
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We should be able to answer this question very clearly, either yes or no. When I say 'I am That', I should know about
what I am talking, I should know who this 'I' is and how to realize this 'I'. Like, when I talk about my father,
immediately an image of my father comes to my mind, his character, the experiences with him come to us in a nut
shell.
We should ask ourselves, when we talk about the Self or God, does this happen? Does the realization of the Self
come to us in a flash? Reading books, journals, on-line magazines and watching the videos, our perception towards
the Self grows and there is an untiring effort to impose these perceptions into the mind of the inquirer. Though we
talk about freedom we actually cover their mind and intellect with such an idea where others find it hard to get away
with.
But, is the explanation of Self-realization so complicated? Is the path of Self-realization complicated? Is the Self
itself complicated? The answer is an obvious 'no'. Another thing is the role of the Guru in the life of an aspirant. The
most popular view now-a-days is that we do not need a Guru, a teacher and that we are self sufficient. As if visiting
or taking lessons from a Master is similar to idol worship or some kind of superstition.
Little do we realize that, saying this, our subtle tendency to become a guru in the mind of others is reflected clearly.
'I have seen God like I see you' Was the clean and clear answer of Thakur Ramakrishna when asked. 'Can you show
me?, 'Yes' was the answer. This is the best approach. Instead of engaging oneself into the wave of words which are
not even clear to us completely, instead of talking about people and their experiences, people whom we have not
known or seen, it is better to search a person who can say firmly and clearly 'Yes, I have realized Myself'.
Here is a story that appears in the Upanishads. Virochana, the king of the demons, and Indra, the king of the Lords,
once went to their grandfather, Brahma, the Lord of creation to know the Truth. When asked, Brahma said 'You are
That'. Virochana, because of his extreme attachment towards worldly objects, thought that if he is That, he should
not worry. He went back to his palace and engaged himself in the enjoyment of the senses.
But Indra, the King of the Lords, had a noble mind. After hearing 'You are That', he asked himself -what is 'me'
then? Which one is 'me'? Is the body 'me'? If the body is me, then the body should be true. Truth implies that
existence which remains unchangeable within and beyond time. But there is always a modification going on within
the body, always it is moving, inch by inch towards death. So the body is not me.
Then what, the mind? Apparently, yes, because it is the mind which makes the body move, it is through mind that
we dwell in this world. So, I am the mind. But, which mind? The mind that I had in the morning, or the mind that I
had in the afternoon, or the evening mind, or the mind which I will have after 5 minutes which is still unknown to
me? The mind is also changing, perhaps more rapidly than the body, so fast that we cannot even understand when,
how and in what way it has changed. So the mind is also not the truth, so I am not the mind.
Then comes the intellect, which is the deciding factor of the mind. Maybe this is 'me', perhaps I am the intellect. But
have I ever noticed that the intellect also is influenced by the objects present within the mind, in other words the
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thoughts? So the intellect also has a relative existence and thus it cannot be true. For truth is free. So I am not the
intellect also.
Maybe I am the ego. The ego which always represents the 'I ' factor, the sense of individuality, within me and
without. What does the ego do? The ego imposes its existence on the various perceivable and non perceivable
objects. If it is true, why should it impose? Truth is completeness, infinite, it doesn't need to impose itself on
anything rather everything is imposed on Him. So I am also not the ego.
Then who am I?, was his question again to the great father. The answer again was 'You are That'. Indra then
transcended his body, mind, intellect and ego and reached that state of consciousness which is unmodified,
unlimited, unbounded. He knew spontaneously that this is what he is. This consciousness, this infinite existence and
this eternal Blissful state is He. This is Self-knowledge.
To know this, we have to approach a person to whom this is known. He shows the way. He is the Master or Guru, a
compulsory person in the life of an aspirant.
The fifth letter of Swami Pavitranandaji follows:
Sri Ramakrishna Saranam,
Purulia,
11-06-1979
Dear,
A grand celebration will be organized on the occasion of Guru Purnima on 9th July in Janai Ashram.
You all are cordially invited to this celebration. I don't know whether it will be possible for you to come.
Anyway, you send some money in my name before 2nd of July for this Puja.
This Ashram was inaugurated on the occasion of the Guru Purnima. There is no relation whatsoever
between Absolute Truth and relative truth. What can be the relationship between the rope and the apparent
snake? How can there be any relationship between what exists and what doesn't?
Whatever remains in the past, future and present is the Truth or Existence. Advaitism is mainly
established into the doctrine of Maya. The doctrine of Maya is said to be the doctrine of the undefined. You
have to understand the essence of the word Maya. The one which cannot be classified is unclassified. You
can't say Maya is truth because then you have to accept two different existences, Brahman and Maya, you
cannot say it is false, because though being Brahman by nature we cannot perceive it.
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Again we cannot denote it as something which is independent to reality and un-reality. Thus, as it
cannot be classified into any category, Maya remains un-classified. Read this doctrine of Maya very
carefully, then only Advaitism will come into your comprehension.
The meaning of Self-realization is destruction of ignorance, or liberation. The knowledge that we are
already liberated is called the knowledge of Brahman. That is why Sri Thakur has said 'Knowing God is
knowledge, and not knowing is ignorance'. Here, the meaning of God is the real nature of man.
Read 'Jnana Yoga', 'The Science of Religion' and 'Talks with the Master' of Swami Vivekananda very
carefully and think about them. Carry on with your chanting and austerities with the same sincerity. The
sooner the religious superstitions goes, the better. I am fine.
My best wishes to you and your family.
Yours,
Maharaj.
***************
....In the year 1978, in the house of Sri Guruma in Janai, He met His Guru. His Guru was Swami Pavitranandaji.
After taking permission from Ma Sarada Devi, Swami Krishnananda came out of Belur Math and engaged himself
in extreme spiritual austerity for twenty five years in the forests of the Rakab, in the district of Purulia, in the state of
West Bengal. This is where He had attained Nirvikalpa Samadhi. Swami Pavitranandaji was initiated by Him and
because of His sincerity in spiritual practices and austerity, and a very sharp intellect, He, also attained Nirvikalpa
Samadhi. Bhagavan was attracted by his heavenly and blissful appearance, calmness and a very sweet love for all in
Swami Pavitranandaji. In His discriminatory mind came a flash of thought that how could this old monk remain so
blissful when His only support is on alms? Surely He gained such a treasure by following the highest proverb,
'Attaining That treasure by which no other treasures are valued..."
Bhagavan received His initiation from Him. Swamiji was also very satisfied by initiating Him. He used to always
praise Bhagavan wholeheartedly. The sharp intellect of Sri Bhagavan, love and dedication for His Master and the
equanimity of mind and words made Sri Bhagavan very near and dear to His Master. In His first letter He indicated
this. He wrote 'Though I have initiated many, yet by initiating you I received peace and bliss. Initiating into
Sannyasa or Brahmacharyya has given me pleasure in all respects, but by initiating a householder, man or woman,
this kind of bliss was rare.
Know that I have faith in you. I expect sure success in your life.' Swami Pavitranandaji used to consider Bhagavan
as Lord Shiva who has appeared from the crest of the earth. Because Sri Bhagavan had to live in Guwahati, He
could not remain close to His Master, still Swami Pavitranandaji explained to Bhagavan the highest philosophy of
Advaita Vedanta through some letters because He knew that Bhagavan was gifted by his extraordinary genius and
pure mind.
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At that time there was a violent movement going on in Assam, but He continued with His austerity silently within
this violence, far from the notice of the masses. The consequences of this violence were extreme. It was such that
nobody could consider themselves as safe, and at any time one could lose his life. People used to stay in their houses
with fear. At this time also He came out fearlessly to protect the oppressed. A victim of violence and cruelty in the
external world, Sri Bhagavan was engaged in extreme austerity to attain oneness in the internal world.
After some time, according to the advice of His Master, He left the world of theater, that stage which had given Him
endless name, fame and respect. In His letters Swamiji had written a proverb heard in his childhood. This comes to
mind now. It went like this, "I got a knife instead of a drum. Dhum, dhum, dhum..." at that time I didn't understand
the meaning, but now it's clear to me. What is the drum? It is the sound of name and fame. And what is the knife? It
is the easy, sharp experience of Self-knowledge. Easy means simple, and knowledge means "Who am I?" This is the
essence of the pure heart. And what is this sharpness? Sharp, subtle intellect. For spiritual knowledge, intellect is
must, and this must is a simple and honest mind of a child. Only then can this knife kill the ignorance. Waiting
eagerly for the news of your realization. Yours, son, father and mother.
This letter brought a new turn in the life of Sri Bhagavan. With some of His associates He started to discuss the
teaching given to Him by Pavitranandaji. He took His mother, brothers and sisters to Pavitranandaji for initiation.
Whoever came in contact with Bhagavan during this time was so greatly influenced by the heart-core austerity and
sincerity towards the Self that they also started spiritual practices. His perception of the Self was so clear that it
seemed to be very easy for the people who visited Him.
The 7th letter of Swamiji (Bhagawan)
Sri Ramakrishna Saranam, Purulia, 07-09-1979
Dear, I didn't receive your news for a long time. But there is a very subtle relationship between the master and the
disciple. You might be definitely sensing some of this. Isn't it true? I suffered a carbuncle for three months and I am
fully cured just after two days. I went to Janai Ashram on the occasion of Guru Purnima on the 4th of July with this
carbuncle from here. I was accompanied by a Brahmacharya disciple, a married woman disciple and a married
woman sister disciple of mine (whose in-law's house is in Bankura) to Janai. The Guru Purnima celebration was
nicely celebrated on the last 9th of July. I returned to Purulia on the 15th of July accompanied by three of them, and
was then was completely bed-ridden. Anyway, with the grace of Sri Sri Thakur I am completely cured now. Write
all your news after reading this letter and send it to Janai Ashram.
I hope that you have managed some time for your japa and meditation now. Read the books 'The Science of
Religion' and 'Jyana Yoga' by Swamiji carefully and think about them. Write to me whenever you have any doubt.
Does the mind remain in deep slumber? And if it remains so, how does it stay? And how is the place where it stays?
Think about this. What is the difference between deep slumber and death? What is unconsciousness? In the
dreaming state the objects of dream are true, yet after the dreaming state (that is, when you become conscious) the
dream and the objects of the dream seem to be false.
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Why is this so? Then who is the witness of this three states, consciousness, dreaming and dreamless sleep? Does this
witness observe these three states? The witness who observes these three states remains one always, because He is
manifesting the three states but doesn't undergo any change. This means He is unmodified in all states and that is the
'I' or the Self. Try to meditate on the witness slowly and chant the name of God or meditate as you have been doing.
I am also going to Janai within eight days accompanied by a new Brahmacharya. If you happen to come here during
the Durga Puja let me know. Know my best wishes. Yours, Father.
**************
....The life of a spiritual soul is always beyond our comprehension. I will quote a verse from the Gita " Ya Nisha
Sarvabhutanam....." taken from the 2nd chapter, 68th Sloka, saying, " The Self-restrained man keeps awake in that
which has appeared as the night to all beings." So, that during which the world keeps awake, it is night for the sage
who sees. Now, what is Self Realization or Enlightenment? Self Realization is the sum of two apparently opposite
types of knowledge. One, is the knowledge of the truth and the second, is the knowledge of false existence.
The reality of the Self or Atman is truth and the reality or existence of this world or body, mind, intellect or ego is
false. A man who knows that this world is false will of course behave differently than others. The behavior of the
blind will be completely different from the one having eyes. Herein lies the contradiction. In Vedantic terms, when a
snake is seen in a rope,we shout. But, the rope remains a rope always, even when we shout and gather a crowd to kill
it, it is only the rope. A man knowing the existence of rope will never shout, fear. He will only feel pain from the
ignorance of others. Despite of all contradictions and criticisms, Enlightened souls have never complained. We see
how Christ was crucified but He never complained. The only words that came out of Him were of love and
forgiveness. When Buddha knew He was to be given poison he said, " Ananda, Let her come." This remains the
greatest statement of all time....
***************
....I would like to put before you some direct words of Lord Krishna in His last message to Uddhava in the Uddhava
Gita. It is in chapter 5, verses 10 and 11. "This body which is created by the Lords' attribute, known as Maya, is
verily the cause of man's transmigration. And the knowledge of the Self serves to destroy this. Therefore, by means
of discrimination one should unite the soul to the absolute Self which is in the body, and remove the idea of reality
in the body etc."
It is true that Krishna or God has mercy in every body and not only that, the Master, the scriptures are always
merciful. The only mercy that we lack is Self Mercy and thus your statement "A person who is Asleep, Adrift,
Awake can all be in the state of Awareness or the HERE and NOW" goes beyond my comprehension. How can a
person attain Self Knowledge without self effort? I think the details about this are given in the Yoga Vasistha.
Doesn't surrender mean complete acceptance? On the other hand, that knowledge is manifested when a disciple
surrenders before a Master, as I had known. I have not seen anywhere that the Master had to surrender before the
disciple....
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***************
My friend, I haven't taken myself seriously. In fact, I took your words about the Astavakra seriously that follow. In
the The Astavakra Samhita, the young Asatavakra tells King Janaka, that his desire for Self realization is in itself the
cause of his bondage". I wanted to express my views on who should say this to whom. Does this apply to
everybody? If it is so, then most of the Prasthan Traiyas are irrelevant. Then, The Gita, The Upanishads and the
Brahma Sutras that hold the authority of all Vedantic knowledge should be revised. For your information, Astavakra
Samhita is a rare text where words flowed even when everything had been said.
Vedanta had never declared that its knowledge should be only within the hands of a few. It had always appealed
mankind to reveal itself. But, there is also a word - Adhikari( authorization). Adhikari, has the same application in
every dicipline whether or not it is science, technology or the arts. In all the Vedantic texts, it has been clearly
outlined who should read what. And if we follow these guidelines, we can avoid this kind of misinterpretation. And
so my friend, Adhikari, is really not my term. Any person who has a thorough knowledge on the Nyaya will be able
to say this.
Freedom in fact, is the primary requirement, but it is freedom from ego and ignorance. This absolute freedom is also
a step by step approach. A person needs years to attain this even at the feet of a real Master( Sat Guru). Lastly, and
most importantly, I had no reason or intention to hurt anyone. I only said what the scriptures had to say. And
because this is the Vedanta Society, we go strictly by the lines of the Triyes. My humble pranams and regards to
you. Thanks, Swami Probuddhananda.
***************
.... Astavakra Samhita is the only spiritual text available which has been recited after the realization of the disciple,
who is Janaka in this case. So, when it says that the desire for Self realization is in itself the cause of his bondage, it
is justified because a man who knows the Truth of his own Self need not strive to know more. However, before that,
Janaka had the desire to know the Self as is evident from the very first verse of the Samhita," How can knowledge
be acquired? How can liberation be attained? " Astavakra Samhita starts by answering this first question of His.
Now, if there are no desires, how and where does this question come from? In the Brahma Sutras, the very first
aphorism is" Athatha Brahma Jignyasa", meaning, Now the question of Self realization has come. And people
having a little bit of comprehension of Nyaya knows when this question comes and how. This is also because of the
same desire to know the truth....
The Upanishads are mostly the compilation of the questions and answers between the Guru (Master) and Disciple.
We understand this from the Katha, Kena, Prashna, Swetaswetar and Chandogya Upanishads. We see Yajnavalka
delivering the nectar of Self Knowledge to his first wife Maitreyee and not to Katyayani, because Maitreyee was
different. She wanted to know the Self and desired Self Knowledge. The Gitas say for example, "Tat Viddi
Pranipatena Pari Prasnena Sevaya", or, serve the Master with proper questions. Where and how would these
questions arise, if we had no desire to know them? Furthermore, in the 7th Chapter, of the Bhagavat Gita, we find
Krishna's words in the 16th verse, "There are four classes of people of virtuous deeds who adore me: the afflicted,
the seeker of knowledge, the seeker of wealth and the man of knowledge."....
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***************
Dear,....This consciousness..... Remain conscious about this consciousness. This will take you to that super
conscious state. That is Self or God, yours, mine, or our existence. Not the body, neither mind nor the ego is true.
What remains after negation of all projection is the Truth. Till there is projection, there is illusion. Go beyond this
projection. There lies the kingdom of heaven, and the king, God. Love, Swamiji
***************
How do water drops appear different as deep sea, waves and the surf? The existence is One, only the name and form
differ. This name and form is called the world. You will never get to the end of guessing how and why things appear
this way. The only answer is to go deep and realize the Self, Brahman, the Truth. Reach that state of supreme silence
where everything goes and merge. That is the ultimate unity, the abode of all, the source....
You, Ma and all of us have come from that and will go back to that. And we are that. Realize the unity within.
Realize that you are not the body or mind or ego , you are the Self. These endless confusions are of the mind, so go
beyond the limitations of the mind. If you want, I can help you in realizing the self. Love and best
wishes, Swamiji
***************
....Also that for enlightenment, its not the spiritual practices like chanting or meditation, self- discrimination etc.
that are necessary, but the capacity to hold the idea or comprehension that we are all divine souls ever free and
eternal. We go through all these spiritual processes for this revelation. To attain the ultimate knowledge of divine
unity, we as seekers, must have the necessary strength and courage to surrender all individuality and attachment, to
lay down our armor, and be completely free so we so that we may surrender into the sea of universal soul. May we
all be blessed with the knowledge and first hand experience of our very truest nature....
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Samadhi
Dear, .....Our work is to keep doing our Sadhana not to judge where we are or what is our state. I told you yesterday
that I will help you regarding Samadhi. I only want you to chant consciously and constantly. While you meditate, if
you see or feel the existence of Krishna as you said or the source of the peace and bliss that might be coming into
your mind, try to get immersed into it, without any speculation where and what will happen to you.
I will take care and guarantee that you won't fall into any wrong energy. One more thing, don't think Samadhi is so
easy that you meditate and get it. Do as I say and write to me everyday how you are approaching, what are the things
that are coming to you and how do you feel. If God has mercy on you, then only you can approach and he will only
have mercy if you are sincere and honest.When you have the heart to meditate, chant or perform any spiritual
practices, know this certainly that God has mercy on you.
Our first and the only job is to know ourselves. This knowledge will come through Samadhi. But for Samadhi, a
very very pin pointed mind towards Atman or the Self is needed. The mind is distributed everywhere without our
knowing how much of it is where we cannot even think of. So, the first aim would be to bring the full mind to one
point. Carry on the chanting consciously and constantly.
I will suggest that you do not meditate for some days. Just keep chanting very very slowly and try to go deep into
chanting and be totally involved in that. Concentrate just on that, even if Krishna reveals Himself, don't pay any
attention, just keep on chanting. If your chanting becomes perfect, Krishna will show you everything very clearly.
Just start from the very beginning and tell me everyday how things goes for you. Move step by step towards
enlightenment. With love and best wishes, Swamiji
***************
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Your conception is very clear. Continue in your path. All the philosophies are almost the same. Truth is one. Realize
what you follow. That is the only reality. The main practice of Advaita Vedanta is to sit and listen about Vedanta at
the feet of the Master or Guru, then meditate on those words and then attain a state called Samadhi or the super
conscious state where one realizes this Knowledge within Himself or feels the oneness. Lately, chanting and
meditation are also part of this path, but, they are applied to enhance your comprehension of the Self then to attain
any other objective in particular. Thanks for your letter. May God bless you. With love and best wishes, Swamiji
***************
.....Truth is completeness, infinite, it doesn't need to impose itself on anything rather everything is imposed on Him.
So I am also not the ego. Then who am I? The answer again was 'You are That'. Indra then transcended his body,
mind, intellect and ego and reached that state of consciousness which is unmodified, unlimited, unbounded. He
knew spontaneously that this is what he is. This consciousness, this infinite existence and this eternal Blissful state is
He. This is Self-knowledge. To know this, we have to approach a person to whom this is known. He shows the way.
He is the Master or Guru, a compulsory person in the life of an aspirant....
***************
From the diary of Siddartha..... (2)
29 September 2009
11:31
Another change came into the life of the lover of Truth, Bhagavan. He saw that there is a huge gap between the ideal
and behavior of man and no worldly ideal is self-sufficient in itself. Though these ideals gives man some good
thoughts yet they are incapable of make them fulfilled in all respect. Doesn't life have any truth in itself? Is there no
value for the selfless love in this world? He was completely depressed by this realization and wanted to end His life,
but at that moment His life took a U-turn.
He came across a poem written by Swami Vivekananda, 'To an early violet'. This poem brought about an altogether
new dimension in his life. Sri Bhagavan started to read the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. He used to carry one
photograph of Thakur Ramakrishna with Him always. He was completely tied up into a relationship of love with Sri
Thakur. An incident bears the testimony of His love towards Sri Thakur. We all know about the Indian Railways
Strike in the 70's. His involvement into this movement cost Him His job. But He was not at all moved.
He had an option to get back His job by compromising with the higher authorities, but He didn't opt for that.
Influenced by the life of Sri Thakur, His love for Truth had increased a thousand fold. Sri Thakur had said that He
protects Him who stands firm on Truth. Having complete faith in His words, He prayed to Thakur 'I want you'. 'I
will not seek help from anyone'. 'I will hold your words and stay firm even in hunger'. This devotee of Sri Thakur
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didn't have to stay without food for a single day. After sometime His job was restored. He was more devoted than
ever towards His God now.
One day Sri Thakur appeared before Him and said, 'Everything will happen to you'. Bhagavan was thrilled. He knew
for certain that there is the existence of God; He can be realized, but to realize God a Self-Realized Master is
needed. But where is this Master? He started searching. In various temples and monasteries. At last He met His
Guru.
Here is the 6th letter written by His Master, Swami Pavitranandaji.
Purulia,
19-07-1979
Dear,I received the postcard and M.O.(Money Order) of 10 rupees and the few lines written on the
M.O. by you.Four of us went from Purulia to Janai Ashram on the 5th of July and returned on the 15th of
July after completion of the festival. The festival was carried out beautifully and in a organized way by the
grace of Sri Thakur and Sri Ma.
I will stay here for one and a half months and then go back to Janai again. Let's see what is the divine
wish of Sri Thakur. This world which is perceptible by the senses - does it have it's existence outside? Or -
is it's existence in the mind?
In the dreaming state the mind is divided into two parts: subject and object. The subjective mind
becomes the observer of the objective mind. The observer is more true than the observed, the observed may
be many but the observer is one and undivided
'I know the pot'. In this phenomena, the knower of pot is 'I', but that 'the pot is known to me', is also
what 'I' know. That means, my knowledge about the pot is also known to me. Then who is this second 'I',
the observer or the self-manifested Brahman? In this way, while discriminating 'not this, not this' we find
the real 'I'.
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This is called the discrimination between the Self (real) and non-Self (the unreal). With this, where and
how does the existence of the unreal 'I' remain while you are in deep sleep?
I am well.
Know my best wishes.
Yours,
Pavitrananda Maharaj.
***************
Three Days of Devotion
"Just three days is needed. Three days of complete devotion and sincerity. God is realized within these three days".
These words were coming as a thunderbolt to me while I was sitting somewhere in the corner in Bhagavan's house
about 21 years ago. The whole house was charged up with a tremendous energy which flowed through His body. He
kept on saying "What more do you want except God. How do you live without God......" as he kept on saying I could
feel that this tremendous energy had penetrated in my heart and opened up every corners of it. It was as if my whole
heart and body were ignited by the flame of that unflickering fire ball which was approaching me with utmost
intensity. I was flowing with these words, burning as the fire of His words wanted to burn me. But, a very tiny part
of me couldn't give up everything. As I found my whole heart completely in tune with His words with that great
intensity, a similar intensity was also exerted by me to protect that small tiny place of utopia that I had in my heart.
My individuality, my desires, my dreams were kept very secured in that very small area of that part of my heart
where I didn't want even Bhagavan to enter. I could open up my whole heart for Him, but was totally against giving
up an inch of land that I had within me.
As Bhagavan was talking to the people occasionally He would look at me and with the eye contact I could feel that
Bhagavan knew about the existence of this little bit of space within me. The more powerful the words were the more
strength I applied to protect myself. But as time rolled by I was loosing control over that intimate and most lovable
space of mine. I could feel that His words were making explosion within my heart. And at anytime I would give up.
The last time I remember to have an eye contact with Him was when I found myself completely defenseless. I knew
that He is coming inside and I had no more power to resist but at that very moment He stopped. He went out of the
room into the garden. Leaving the room completely motionless. I knew that though He didn't say a word yet He
could have annihilated me at any time, but he didn't, as if He was waiting for me to offer Him that space within me
with respect, reverence and love. I left His house and came to my home directly and I went into that room which
was used as a temple in our house. Closed the door and sat into meditation that the next three days will be the days
of His. Amazingly that small tiny piece of space that existed within me didn't vanish.
Time rolled by. Now I was not that young boy of sixteen. Then, I became a professional working in the world that
was full of chaos, tension and restlessness. Internally, I wanted respite, somehow. With all possible efforts I couldn't
reach that tranquility. After many failed attempts I knelt down before the photograph of my master Bhagavan. Show
me a way. I prayed, Oh God protect me . As I prayed I could feel the stillness penetrating the surface of my mind
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from within. Within a moment I saw all my thoughts have vanished and within that stillness came a word "Observe
yourself". These were not just words. This was in fact a solution bestowed by His grace.
I didn't have to observe because I became the observer. Completely unattached from every thought and action and
from this external world. I felt like an alien who came here just to see this world. Within two days of undergoing this
phase, I had no world anywhere. The observer became my world. My soul's world. I was observing the observer. On
the third day in the evening I roamed around the veranda of our rented house the I shared with my friends and
colleagues. There was no electricity and my colleagues were playing carom board as I was milling about. In a
moment I could feel a strong internal pull which was complemented with an external push and I found myself in the
bed within seconds. That is what I can remember. When I came back I did not need to observe anymore. I didn't
need to know whether I was the observer or the observed or the observation. I knew I was that which did not need
any expression.
After long time I came and knelt again near the photograph of Bhagavan, this time, with folded hands and said, "
Today I completed those three days. I needed 5 years to reach this 3 days in my life".
Now the eighth letter of Swami Pavitranandji follows....
Sri Ramakrishna SaranamJanai, 29-09-1979
Dear, I received the news of your exact mental condition through your letter. The impossible becomes possible only
if you have faith in God. You have to rotate the key exactly in the opposite direction in which it was locked, and
only then it will be unlocked. Remaining as a householder you would have to practice inner renunciation, that is
what influences your mind with God. I am well by the Grace of Sri Thakur. Know my best wishes. Yours,Maharaj.
***************
The journey of spirituality, though it has a beginning, doesn't have any end. The only thing which is true here is just
to flow or March on. As the scriptures had said, 'Charaibati'. Sri Ramakrishna once said,"I learn till I live". No one
can say a word about the ultimate, the only statement that can be made is, "He is beyond mind and speech". That,
"He is".
In that case, the Maha Samadhi or the Ultimate unification with the Self, after which there is no coming back into
the world, perceptible by the senses, can be considered to be the highest truth which has been expressed. While
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moving forward, sometimes it appears that we have accomplished the whole journey, that we had come to the end
where everything immerses into an absolute unity.
But, the next moment, another subtle world reveals itself with all it's depth and shows us how ignorant we were and
we realize that we hadn't even started yet. The journey which was thought to have ended had actually just begun.
Some consider pranayamas to be all about spirituality, some consider visiting temples and pilgrimages or seeing
holy men is spirituality, for some becoming vegetarian is becoming spiritual, there are some who consider to have
just started the journey after the attainment of Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
What is truth? Truth is the Self, real and absolute which cannot be negated after negation of all. What then is the
world, or this body, or the mind or ego? The consciousness of world is the world, the consciousness of body the
body, mind the mind and the consciousness of ego is the ego. Consciousness of the Self therefore is the Self,
ultimate reality, Truth, Enlightenment.....
The 3rd letter of Swami Pavitranandaji follows:
Purulia,
22-08-1978
Dear,
I received the news of your letter. If Brahman would be ever separated from me, then attainment of
Brahman as described in the scriptures would be similar to the attainment of vessels, pot, money, fame,
wife, children... Is it the same?The scriptures have referred thus 'attainment of That leads to attainment of
everything', -this means that this object does not fall under the classification of a common object or a
common achievable worldly object.
With sadhana, when our intellect gets refined, then God, or perception of God, gets gradually refined as-
well. Attaining my Self or Atman is the Supreme attainment, that is, elevation into Jnana Yoga. Now
understand the relationship between firm determination and mercy.Determination is a part of mercy.
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In the scriptures it has been said that without strength Atman or the Self cannot be attained, again, by the
mercy of God does our desire for Advaita Brahman arise. Anyway, you keep on with your sadhana,
enlightenment is bound to come. Write to me after completion of your tour program, I am waiting for that.
With the blessings of Sri Ma I am well. Know my best wishes.
Yours,
Maharaj
****************
Dear,....I'm from Swamijis class, I hope you remember me. Swamiji asked me to forward you a conversation that he
had with a friend, who has also realised the Self......Since meeting Swamiji I have received such grace. I am so glad
to see that you also are meeting with him and listening to his words. One thing he always stressed to me and that is
the importance of spiritual practice, that is regular meditation and constant internal chanting of mantra throughout,
coupled with intense yearning for realisation of ones' own true Self. I can safely say that everything he has told me
has turned out to be completely true, not true at the level of intellectual knowledge but Truth itself, that Truth felt as
clearly as ones' own existence. Of course this realisation of truth is expanding all the time, it is endlessly expansive.
This infinite path requires that we hold onto nothing, not even realisations, in order to go to that which is beyond.
This I think is illustrated very well in the conversation below. Much love, take care (written by a devotee)
The following conversation is between Swami Probuddhananda and one devotee as the devotee began to experience
Samhadi.
Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "Hello, do you feel more clarity nowadays?"
Devotee: I have felt different since our brother left. I think I had 3 samadhis when he was here."
Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "I see"
Devotee: "And there was significant improvement in meditation."
Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "But, how were they?"
Devotee: "How? The first two were when I was sleeping. The third one, I meditated, then put myself on the bed
because I thought I could go into samadhi, and continued observing. There was no sleepiness, but I ended up asleep
for a time."
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Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "But, after those, do you see more clarity?"
Devotee: "Afterwards the world looked funny."
Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "How? Like a ball in the hand.?"
Devotee: "And there was some slight aversion to thought and talk. I saw the cupboard and the geometric lines
looked funny and novel. I looked out the window at the sky, and it seemed similar in a way, like someone had drawn
it. I was laughing. Only later it occurred to me that I could have had a samadhi."
Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "Concentrate more on the knowledge of the self part. Samadhi or meditation or
chantings are all meant to give us more clarity. The knowledge should be like this, as if I have a ball in my hand. So
clear and so confirmed."
Devotee: "OK"
Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "And if someone asks, I am capable to give it."
Devotee: "Yes"
Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "That is the only crux. The knowledge of the self. The rest are all maya. Another
thing, try to discover fully the imaginary bondage of yours with time, space and casualty. When this will be clear,
you will laugh more. Because then, you will then be able to see the person who had drawn the picture. That is the
Mother."
Devotee: "Yes"
Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "There is a very subtle differentiation between knowledge and ignorance, or reality
and non reality. You have to discover this subtle difference. As soon as you do that, time will be the first one to
disappear. The space, and then this relationship of cause and effect on the remaining conscious. You have to feel the
timeless existence of yours, or space less existence. This is possible, I had this. This time after Bhagavan left."
Devotee: "I see."
Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "And from that insistence, the complete identity of mine is altered. I mean, I have
known this completely that I am the supreme Brahman. And with this, the secret of how and why I also have not
known that I was Brahman. That evening, I laughed for 2 hours continuously. It is such fun. There is exactly no
classification between the self and non self as such. Still it seems so, and how funny it is. Just a subtle glass of viel.
This is Self discovery. I knew before I am Brahman. Now also I know I am Brahman. But there is a heaven and
earth difference in knowing and knowledge always goes towards the infinity. See if you can sit without yourself for
30 minutes. hahahha Not without thoughts but without yourself."
Devotee: "I understand"
Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "Yes, this chanting had helped me a lot. Bhagavan pressed this time more on
spirituality. I started with chanting, all the time, and within a few days, the chanting just was blown away, with a
huge explosion. I found myself in the ocean of infinity, where I couldn't retain myself. This was like a start of a new
chapter, and within subsequent days, tons of realizations started, and people around were as if injected with
tranquilizers. You see, I lost my sleep for 15 continuous days."
Devotee: "Oh"
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Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "I forgot the art of becoming unconscious."
Devotee: "I see."
Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "It was painful for my eyes, but amazingly, my body and mind was so energetic."
Devotee: "Thanks, I'll try to see the imaginary bondage with Maya."
Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "Yes, that's very important to know maya."
Devotee: (bows)
Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "Knowing maya and knowing knowledge is the same son. Always see how fast we get
associated with this maya without even realizing. We have to cut it in the first instance.
It just came to me one day when I was reading Yoga Vasistha. I jumped off the bed. How amazing this is. And then
devoted myself in this observation. One day while taking a class on Yoga Vasistha with my monks, I realized
completely that I AM SUPREME BRAHMAN. Clearly and perfectly.
Then again, two days later after taking a morning class, I lost my outer consciousness. I was there without space and
I was talking to another sanyasi. Then was a link broken. When time came back, I could feel it clearly to be an
imposition. Time also is an imposition son. Space is an imposition. Suddenly I remembered I was talking to him.
But, there was a link clearly broken. Clearly I knew I was gone. Time was gone. Not me."
Devotee: I see
Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "After that, one day a brother in our ashram said, when you talk about consciousness,
I can feel that you are talking about yourself. I became conscious that the self was like a ball in the hands to me now.
So clear and so near. How do you feel now?
Devotee: "A bit deeper and more energised than before."
Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "Yes, son, give up this search. I have been talking to you about my feelings before a
month or so. Now, they are much different. More new things happen which I don't understand. Today one brother in
the ashram told them to Bhagavan. Bhagavan said, now whenever he sits like that, disturb him. Hahahaha He said,
don't let him sit like that take him for a walk. It's a process of absorption from the inside. I find myself helpless. The
important thing that I found was the discover this imaginary bondage with maya, or space, time and causality.
Swami Probuddhananda Puri: after that, it was as if a big bag of realizations unfolded."
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***************
....You have to hold everything. And you have to and you can. God is infinite,not abundant. Infinite power, infinite
knowledge and infinite love. Speechless, yes, when one goes deep, speech ceases. Go deeper, get immersed,
the thoughts will also cease. When thought also ceases, God comes and you will see this also. Thoughts are the
killers of supreme silence and peace. As I said to you before, give me whatever you have, close your eyes, feel Him
and sleep. Loose yourself in Him and feel the ecstasy there. He is just behind you, look back, there He is. He is
yours dear....
***************
.....Silence, or we can say- supreme silence or stillness, enables us to see, feel and identify our self with the ever
unchangeable eternal existence. We realize that we are that, not the body, or the mind or ego but we are this infinite
consciousness. The realization of infinity gives us the taste of freedom, freedom from finiteness. Freedom brings
bliss. But, everything happens when we identify ourselves with the consciousness. The utmost desire is the only way
to know this. The first line of the Vedanta Sutra--- Athata Brahmajiyansa, is, now the quest for truth has begun. May
we all know who we are. This is the only solution to any given problem. Soham, Soham Soham......
***************
The following diary excerpts come from a devotee of Swami Probuddhanandas who came to the ashram in Varanasi
during the fall of 2009, to realize the Self.
September 16th 2009
I arrived in Varanasi at noon. The trip was good, but my mind was very tired because I had slept only for a few
hours during the trip, perhaps 3 hours altogether. I tried to chant in my mind during the whole time, but the more
tired I got, the harder it became. After sleeping in the plane between Delhi and Varanasi I felt better and was able to
meditate a bit in the plane before landing.
Swami Probuddhananda and Swami Sevananda were waiting for me at the airport. On the way to the ashram,
Swamiji said that I was very close to the goal, which really surprised me. I thought that it will still take me at least
months before Samadhi. Sure, my meditations were very deep, but Samadhi is something very high.
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Swamiji told me to take rest for 2 days and that then we will start. He said to think, to let the thoughts think when
they appear, so that my perception will broaden.
I was warmly welcomed by everyone in the ashram. On could see that people were very peaceful there and I felt a
big amount of spirituality. Swamiji gave a class in zorap in the evening, an online class. After the class we spoke for
some time. During this conversation I learned that Sunitha had attained Samadhi during her visit to Bhagavan in July
this year. Apparently she was unaware of it. It was actually her who told me to write this diary, and I thank her for
that. Hopefully, someone may benefit from it someday.
September 17th 2009
During the night my mind was pulled up a few times, which woke me up. Around 5AM, when the morning prayers
start, and around 10, when the Mahamantra is sung. The beds here aren’t what I was used to back home, so this may
have contributed to me waking up unwontedly as well.
I was in deep sleep when I suddenly started hearing a voice saying: “Banja, Banja.” This made me laugh because it
was Swami Sevananda trying to say my name. He pronounced my name with a B in the beginning and an English J
in the middle, instead of a V in the beginning and an English Y in the middle. He asked if my sleep is good. I replied
to his question saying: “Yes, it is. Why do you ask?” He said because it was 12:13h. I laughed and said I would get
up.
The day passed well, I rested. I didn’t chant on the japa mala today, I only meditated. I felt embarrassed if anyone
would see me cry so I didn’t chant in the start, and afterwards I forgot.
I visited the Shiva Vishwanath temple with Swami Apurbhananda. It was nice, although I see that there is no more
tendency in my mind to worship a deity. Swamiji and Swami Apurbhananda said that I am a photocopy of Koji. I
was pleased to hear that they saw some of Koji’s seriousness in me. They said I actually behaved like Koji, that only
the face was different and this made me laugh.
During this afternoon Swamiji said that he thought that Charles had some kind of Samadhi. I was surprised because
he had never met Bhagavan, but then Swamiji explained that Bhagavan told him and 5 other sannyasis that people
who come to them will start realizing. I read a letter that Charlie sent to the IVS facebook group and he really did
sound realized. I know that such knowledge doesn’t manifest in my mind and Swamiji said that I was very close. I
also had some heart reactions when Swamiji was talking about Charlie becoming realized, so this also confirmed it.
When Koji told me that Swamiji wrote to him that Sunitha has realized God, I had a big heart reaction, one that
happens when I hear about the Truth, so this was similar to that.
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In the evening Swamiji told me: “Tomorrow you will start, ok?” He told me to just chant “Hare Krishna” and that
this will take me to the state before Samadhi. He said that my goal should be to realize the Truth, that I am that Self,
he said Nirvikalpa Samadhi. I asked if that was possible because I thought that you needed to have a Savikalpa
Samadhi before Nirvikalpa. He said that his first Samadhi was Nirvikalpa Samadhi. “Any realization takes only
three days.” Those were his words. Then I asked if Bhagavan will still be my guru if I attain Samadhi without seeing
him. He said: “Do you have doubts that Bhagavan is your guru?” I said: “No.” Swamiji said “So why do you ask
this question then?” Then I understood. Having heard about Sunitha and Charlie both being realized made me feel
that the great works of IVS will soon start, that something big will soon happen. Paula had been going through
changes and I felt it was because she was inheriting the internet works from Koji. And now both she and Sunitha
were realized, it was so beautiful. Everything was unfolding perfectly.
The next three days will be the turning point of my life. I will do my best.
It was impossible for me to fall asleep tonight, my mind was so high up. I was lying in the bed trying to fall asleep
and the whole time I could hear this beautiful music from upstairs. I thought that it was Swami Apurbhananda
listening to it on the radio, but suddenly it started coming downstairs. Now I could clearly hear that it was Swami
Premananda singing. His voice sounded like the heavenly angels were singing. He went into the room next to the
one I was staying in and closed the door. Now I couldn’t hear him so clearly, but I could still hear. At times I
thought that he had a musical instrument in there, it sounded like a flute or a violin at times. But then I recognized
that it was his voice. I got up from the bed after of hours of trying to fall asleep. I found a book on the shelf and
started to read. It was the Kalki Purana. After some time Swami Premananda came out of his room and saw I was
awake. He said he had written a new song for Bhagavan. He read a few lines for me and sang a little. Such a
beautiful song. I could see why this man is called Premananda, he is pure love.
It is said that Krishna came to this plane with His flute, and now Bhagavan has come this time with His Premananda.
While I was writing this, Swamiji and Swami Premananda came to my room to see me. Swamiji asked what I was
doing and I said that I couldn’t sleep. The both of them burst out laughing. I laughed as well. Swamiji said that after
I am realized I will become like this, a laughing Buddha, that I will laugh at both the bad and the good. After we had
a very good laugh, he said that my mind was so high because I am very close to the knowledge. He said that I will
have a good Samadhi. I hope so. Tomorrow will be a tough day because I wake up in three hours and I haven’t
fallen asleep yet. When I try to dissolve my mind into ignorance, my thoughts go back to spiritual thoughts, so it is
impossible. Hopefully I will get some sleep. Swamiji said that after one visit of Bhagavan’s he couldn’t sleep for 15
days. This visit is proving to be a far greater experience than I had imagined it would be.
September 18th 2009
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My day started very early today, at 5AM. I was about 10 minutes later for the morning prayers. Swamiji was still
awake, so after the prayers he remained sleeping in the prayer hall.
Today didn’t go as I had expected. I started chanting from the early morning, but later Swamiji called me to his
room. Today was about building a connection between us. We spent a lot of time today in conversations, I opened
up to Swamiji about my family situation and then he shared some of his experiences with me about how his family
reacted when he decided to become a monk. The bottom line of this talk was to depend on God completely, depend
on the Self. “God takes care of you when you completely depend on Him.”, said Swamiji.
He is letting me in on his new realizations. Extraordinary to listen to. The level he has reached is inconceivable for
people. One of the things he said was that he is beginning to act as a mirror of the person he is talking to. The person
will see them self in him, but he won’t become that person, he will become himself.
The world of spirituality is amazing and I am only now beginning to understand some of it.
September 19th 2009
Today was a very important day. I had a very deep sleep in the night and in the morning of the 19th I started to
practice my sadhana again. But since I woke up at 07:40 I didn’t have much time to chant in peace, so I had to do it
in the mind while attending the morning prayers. I also sang while there, so that meant I couldn’t chant. Afterwards I
only chanted a little bit after my exercises and shower and then I went to the singing of the Mahamantra. When this
was concluded Swamiji called me to his room.
When I came there he began talking. Talking about the guru and the disciple, about himself and Bhagavan. About
how he works. And then he suddenly asked me if I have experienced the state in meditation when there is only
infinite space. I said that yes, I have. He asked what comes after that. I answered “The space less state”. “After
that?”, he said. “The eventless state.” I said. Then he asked what comes after that. And to this I did not know the
answer to because I had never gone beyond it. I explained that I would always feel a huge amount of bliss manifest
and then I would start to cry and couldn’t maintain my focus on going deeper. So what he explained was that this
bliss was not the bliss of the Self. This was the last covering of the Self, the sheath of bliss, the same bliss that
covers us in deep sleep. He asked me if I felt a subtle peace in this eventless state. I said that I could only feel the
bliss.
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After this he started talking about how I can get beyond this state. “There are two ways”, he said. The first way was
to observe the bliss and go beyond it in that way, by following it to the end of the sheath. The second way, and also
the faster way, was to follow the peace. To observe the peace and it would take me to another state where there is
just infinite space, but this space was the space you reach before you reach the Self. Once at this state, he told me to
observe the peace until I feel a pull towards the Self. This pull would appear and I would certainly go into Samadhi
when this pull comes. All I had to do was stop watching the peace and concentrate on the pull. He said not to
surrender until the whole of my insides surrender, until my mind surrenders and he said that the mind will surrender
on its own. I shouldn’t surrender until the last moment. Then he said “Now sit and meditate, and do this.”
I sat down to meditate and I was surprised at how fast I reached the eventless state. It was a matter of seconds. I used
the aphorisms that Koji told me to use: “This body doesn’t exist”, “This mind doesn’t exist”, “This buddhi doesn’t
exist”, “There is no time”, “There is no space”, “There are no events”. And the amount of time it took me to think
these thoughts was the amount of time that it took me to go this deep, to the eventless state. I was also surprised that
now I didn’t feel any bliss. So I started looking for the peace and when I found it I started observing it. After some
time a huge infinite space appeared and I was out of the sheath of bliss. Some moments later I felt a pull, but since I
wasn’t completely sure that this was what I was looking for I continued watching the peace and when the pull
became stronger I started concentrating on it.
I was dragged deeper and deeper. There wasn’t much consciousness left to be noticed and the mind was
disappearing. A fear of going into Samadhi appeared, but I asked myself what was the thing that I wanted the most,
did I desire this world or the Self, so I was able to go past the fear. It still isn’t conquered, but at this instance it was
neglected. So I continued to go deeper and then I felt that I had no senses, the outer world was gone. After this I felt
my mind was starting to surrender and so I thought “This is it, soon I will go into Samadhi.” And while I was
thinking this suddenly I heard Swamiji’s voice calling my name. I didn’t want to answer at first. He called my name
again. This time I decided to utter a “Huh?” through my nose. He said: “Vanja, open your eyes.” And so I did. He
said to come closer and then asked me if I knew why he told me to stop. I answered that I didn’t know, but I said
that I was about to enter into Samadhi. He said that he knew that and that this was why he called me to come out of
meditation. He explained that if I go into Samadhi while the mind hasn’t been cleared completely, the realization
might not be so deep, I will have a harder time cleaning it after Samadhi. And he also explained that now my mind
was much stronger because I resisted this pull. He said that I will understand it after Samadhi. So he told me to resist
the pull for some time now. Don’t go into Samadhi, but pull out before it happens. In this way I will attain the
deepest Samadhi, Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
Later I went down to listen to the class and sing the Mahamantra. Swami Premananda gave a class in Bengali and
Hindi. I couldn’t understand, but I could feel spirituality was being infused in me even more. He asked me how I
was and I said that my mind is so high up. When we were singing the Mahamantra when I would close my eyes I
would feel the pull again. A fear of losing to the pull appeared. Swamiji later explained that this was the same fear,
but manifested in a different way. The mind imposes these fears on us, he said. Swamiji wasn’t feeling so good
tonight, so he didn’t give a class, Charlie was supposed to. And because Charlie’s connection was bad I spoke about
my experiences in the ashram, this exactly what I have written here, except this is with more detail. After everyone
had gone from the internet Swamiji told me to continue writing this and I did, but then he called me to the veranda
to write in the open air. The Self spoke through him again and we remained talking until late, around 2 AM. One of
the last things he told me tonight was that the last fear that will appear will be the fear of whether or not I will return
from Samadhi, “If I go in, will I return?” There are two ways of getting rid of the fear. One is to observe it and get
control of it. And the other is to pray to God to take away this fear. This is how Swamiji got rid of his fear when he
was an aspirant.
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I feel in my heart that these days that I spend here will determine the whole course of the remainder of my life. This
will forge me into the man I will be. I will remember these days forever.
September 20th 2009
Today was my birthday. Because I slept only for a few hours I was very tired. It was Sunday, so I woke up early to
go to kirtan. The pull was still there, but my mind was very tired. In the afternoon I slept for a few hours. Swamiji
was also resting today. Seems that the Divine gave us a day off.
September 21st 2009
Today Swamiji and Swami Premananda took me to the house of some devotees of Bhagavan. A brother and a sister
living together. A great deal of rubbish manifested in my mind, it felt like big blocks of stone were in my
meditation. While we were at that house Swamiji explained that these rocks were not rocks, they were like cotton, I
should blow them away. The reason they were bothering me was because of the imaginary connection I had with
them. This imaginary connection is Maya. As long as we maintain this imaginary connection we see a duality. When
we no longer see this relationship between us and the objects, then the Truth is revealed and all is seen to be one. So
Swamiji told me to fight, fight this rubbish with the sword of discrimination.
Today I came very close to Samadhi again and Swamiji called my name. Now the depth was much greater and the
pull was much stronger. He said that there are still much deeper depths. I seem to be progressing well.
September 22nd 2009
Today was a good day. My mind was very clear in the morning. I had two very deep meditations in which I came
close to entering Samadhi. It is going very well.
September 23rd 2009
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I have been practicing a lot of this concentration while chanting. Swamiji said that maximum concentration was
maximum consciousness, so that meant – Samadhi. I can see how it is true. The more I concentrate, the closer I get.
We haven’t been talking much these days, Swamiji has been pretty busy with sorting out this little falling out with
Natalia. Looks like she will soon go back to normal. I believe that she will become a strong worker some day.
September 24th 2009
I haven’t been writing the diary regularly because I am always short on time. I was very close to Samadhi when I
was meditating alone today and after I came out of the meditation I went to Swami Premananda’s room to see if he
knows where Swamiji is. He told me to sit down on his bed and started talking. This man is so full of love for
everyone. I cannot remember his exact words now, but they were wise and were emanating with love. After he was
done talking he said: “Ok, now you sit and meditate.” So we meditated and I again came close to Samadhi.
The bottom line of his words to me were that it is not good to think that only our path leads to the Truth. We should
accept all paths and show love to everyone.
Swamiji called me to his room and asked how I was. I said that I had these two good meditations and that in the first
one I was going after the rubbish in my mind and was facing it. I was very determined to clear out my mind, I knew
that there was no other way, it had to be done eventually, so better before Samadhi rather than after. He asked me
did I clear it out. I said that I knew that there was still a lot left and that I will work on it.
Swamiji started talking how it came to him that in a few days I should go in for the kill, go for Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
So he told me to focus on clearing out this rubbish in the next 2 or 3 days and then to go for it.
Then I said: “Now I can see that Nirvikalpa Samadhi is not a possibility, it is a reality.” Swamiji was so happy that
he hugged me and kept repeating “Jai Raam, Jai Raam.”, which was something that he often does. Then he said:
“The backlog is gone, go for it. Now, go for it!”
This came as a big surprise to me. So I went into meditation and meditated for about 2 hours, maybe more. I was
very deep and my mind felt like it was going to dissolve, similarly like it does in deep sleep, but then it suddenly
stopped dissolving and it became like a hard mass, a very strange feeling. I had to fight to maintain my focus
because I suddenly started feeling tired and felt like I could fall asleep. I struggled with this for quite some time, but
then decided to come out of meditation. Swamiji asked what happened and when I told him he said that this was also
a step on the way and that I had to go beyond this. I went back into meditation and stayed there struggling for
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another hour and a half. I felt like I was making very little progress as I was unable to go any deeper. When I came
out of the meditation and told this to Swamiji, he said: “Just relax. Do not try to achieve anything. There is nothing
to achieve, you are That. Just observe this away, like you do with everything else. Observe this mind away.” I was
hungry and my mind felt tired and strained, so Swamiji told Krishna to take me to some restaurant where we ate and
brought back some lasagne for Swamiji.
When the evening online class started we all began with meditation, or with the practice of Samadhi, how Swamiji
called it. Lately he decided to start doing this because he has realized that he can take people to the pull of the Self
and actually take them to Samadhi, so this has been set in motion now online.
The class started at 21:30 and I remained in meditation until midnight, throughout the whole class. I went beyond
this strange state of sleepy, heavy mind and was very close to Nirvikalpa Samadhi, I could feel it. Swamiji said that
it came to him today that I will have my Samadhi in a flash, an instant moment, without previous announcement. So
he said not to worry, it will come.
We will be staying at the university guest house from tomorrow. IVS will have a stall there and books will be sold.
Swamiji told me that tomorrow I will talk to Bhagavan. I was shocked. He said that the Durga puja is starting, so
everyone calls Bhagavan to offer their pranams. I said: “How can I speak to God, I don’t know what to say.” He told
me to just give my pranams to Him and introduce myself to Him.
I cannot wait to hear the voice of Bhagavan.
September 25th 2009
Today I spoke to Bhagavan. His voice was the voice of infinity. Huge power emanated from His voice. I was so
happy, while I was talking I could believe it was actually happening. He asked me when am I coming to Kolkata,
and when I said that I will come when His health gets better, He said “Thank you.” He also asked about Koji and
when is he coming to India.
In the afternoon we went to the BHU university. It was raining, so the trip over there was interesting.
September 26th to October 2nd 2009
I haven’t been writing into the diary for some time. I didn’t seem to find the time. So So I will just shortly recap the
events in this period.
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While at the university my mind fell down a bit, the discrimination wasn’t so strong. Swamiji explained that this was
because I wasn’t used to being in the world, something that I needed to learn how to do. Since we went back to the
ashram I started working on becoming more and more serious, getting back on track. Desires were appearing in my
dreams, mainly lust. I knew that this was my last attachment. In the waking state I could discriminate, but in the
dreaming state it was much harder. I struggled even in the dreams to discriminate properly, and I saw that there was
some progress. During the day, whenever a thought of lust would appear in my mind, I would try to cut it. If it was
very strong and my mind started thinking about it, I would say: “No! I will not succumb to this!” I always tried to
remember my goal in these times, always reminded myself of why I was doing this. When I would think about it
rationally and remind myself of what I will get after Samadhi, it became easier to discriminate every time these
thoughts came. Swamiji explained that these will inevitably come, it happens to everyone. But one must fight it and
defeat it if they want to reach the highest. It is all an inner struggle. I had been fighting with myself all of these days,
trying to defeat what I thought I was.
Even with all of this effort that I put into this, rubbish kept coming back. I would clear it and it came back. Swamiji
kept telling me not to get disheartened. I wasn’t, but I was annoyed with this rubbish. One afternoon he asked me
how I was. I said that there was still rubbish. He exclaimed: “Still!?” He was surprised. So, he told me to pray to
Mother Kali. He said: “Whenever you feel that you cannot do something by yourself, you should pray to God. You
have to pray to God, He will help you if the prayer is sincere.” So he told me to pray now. We both closed our eyes
and went into meditation. I observed the rubbish and started praying to the Mother. After the first prayer I saw that
there was much less rubbish then before, but it still wasn’t all gone. Then I went back into meditation and with
strong determination started praying. I prayed from my heart, it was a life and death situation for me. If I didn’t clear
this, I cannot realize Truth. And the realization of Truth is what I wanted the most. So I opened my heart and prayed
from the bottom of it. I was crying inside, praying to mother Kali to clear this rubbish for me. And suddenly all of it
was gone. I was amazed, but at the same time I had known that it would happen if the prayer was sincere. I was
amazed at the fact that I had made a sincere prayer to Her. The tendency in my mind is to worship the impersonal
aspect of the Divine, but now I received a direct answer to my prayer, at the exact moment I was praying. It came as
undeniable proof that Mother Kali was here, in this ashram, always watching over us.
October 3rd 2009
Today Swamiji called me up to his room in the morning. He seemed different, somehow changed. With very strict
words he told me: “Now I want results!” He told me to finish up whatever I still had to do and then to sit and
meditate. He told me not to get up until I dissolve the mind.
I meditated for about 2 hours and then came out of meditation to eat. My resolve to go into Samadhi was growing,
but I felt it wasn’t full yet, it wasn’t complete. Swamiji called me on the phone (he was away at the BHU university)
and asked what happened. After I told him he said “Ok, but this time don’t come out until the mind is dissolved.”
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So I again went into meditation, but wasn’t able to dissolve the mind even after more than 3 hours of meditation. I
felt that there was still something blocking me. Swamiji explained that it was because I still had desires. What I
needed to do was convert all of my desires into one – the desire to go into Samadhi. To realize Truth.
Swamiji told me that he had a huge Samadhi in the morning, that the realization that came was that he was not only
the Brahman, he was also this world.
October 4th 2009
My morning meditation was completely focused on making my desire to go into Nirvikalpa Samadhi my only
desire. I saw that there was progress.
When I told Swamiji about it, he suddenly started reading from the Saral Panchadasi. These words that he read were
incredible, inspirational, the Highest Advaita Vedanta. After he concluded this short class he told me to always
repeat in my mind that I am the Self, to contemplate these thoughts, to think them. My goal should be to reach the
state of nididhyasana. This state is a state in which the aspirant has become confident about the existence of the Self.
The one who comes to this state will surely go into Samadhi. The thoughts of me being the Self will build up like
small waves and eventually create a huge wave, one Absolute thought which will take me into Samadhi.
I began practicing this, always thinking in my mind “I am Brahman”.
October 5th 2009
The new sadhana has been going well. I am trying to think these thoughts more consciously all the time.
Swamiji told me that in order to go into Nirvikalpa Samadhi I need to first become Nirvikalpa. He told me to use the
vibrations of chanting “Hare Krishna” and meditation to burn whatever of me is left in there.
So now, when I chant or meditate, I am constantly concentrating on making the desire for Samadhi my only desire, I
am thinking “I am Brahman” and I am trying to burn up everything, become Nirvikalpa.
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What keeps me going are two things that come to my mind. Swamiji’s words from last night, when he shouted:
“You are the Self! You are the Self!” And the second thing is what I read and heard from the IVS book entitled
“Thus speaks Bhagavan”. Bhagavan’s words when addressing His devotees and saying that He wants that
seriousness from them, that seriousness that made Him Bhagavan. Also, honesty and sincerity, these two words
came to my mind.
Today I meditated for a very long time, the first meditation lasted 2 hours and the second one lasted 3 hours. Before
the second one Swamiji told me to lie down while meditating if I feel like it. So, during this meditation I decided to
lie down because I felt that too much of my mind was going into thinking about the body, because after some time
my legs would go numb and I would have to switch their position. So after I lied down it took me some time to get
used to meditating like that. I was already very deep, but after some time I saw that I was going much deeper, more
easily. The other day Swamiji spoke about the story of Nachiketa, a small boy who went to see the Lord of death,
Yamaraja. After Yamaraja came, he asked him about the nature of the Self. So this meant that I will first have to
face death and then attain Self realization. I was going deeper and suddenly I felt some strange tingles go through
my body. The thought “I am dying” went through my mind. Fear appeared, but I remembered Swamiji’s words:
“Death will come. It will come, it has to. But when it comes, face it!” So this is what I did, I faced it. After facing it I
started feeling different, the fear started going away. In my mind I thought that I might as well die if I don’t reach
the Truth, because living without it is the same as death. This feeling came twice and the second time I faced it
stronger than the first time. Then it went away. I remained in the meditation going deeper and deeper, but I
eventually came out because I saw that I was not going to dissolve the mind in this meditation. I came out and told
Swamiji what happened. He said that I did well to face it.
In the evening Swami Premananda told me that it is also good to pray to the Mother and to Bhagavan to go into
Samadhi before going to sleep. So this is what I did.
October 6th 2009
The meditation this morning was deep, the desire to go into Samadhi was getting stronger, but my mind felt strange,
tired. Felt like there were some screws loose and now it was wiggling about.
I went upstairs to see Swamiji, but he was busy talking to someone, so I didn’t disturb him and went back to my
room. I read some booklet called “Stories from Vedanta” and decided to take a nap.
Every time when I go to sleep I try to observe where I am going. And I again prayed to Mother to take me to
Samadhi. I heard Swamiji’s voice calling me so I opened my eyes. He asked where was I, why didn’t I come
upstairs. I explained everything and he told me to sleep, to rest. When he went out of the room I remembered that I
had already fallen asleep and that I had dreamt I was going into Samadhi. Also, in one of the dreams my sister was
there and she talked about what Sri Ramakrishna used to say.
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I felt annoyed for having to lose precious time by sleeping, but when I woke up I was well rested. Swamiji gave a
class in the evening and I saw that I had developed a lot of shraddha for this man (reverence).
I went to sleep and prayed to Mother Kali and Lord Bhagavan to put me into Samadhi, not into sleep.
October 7th 2009
This morning I woke up fully rested at 6:50, a long time before my alarm clock. I started saying my thanks to
Bhagavan and to Mother Kali. I felt different. A thought came to me that I had been in Samadhi. I tried to go back to
sleep again. The thought of Swami Probuddhananda came to my mind. And then the thoughts: “This man has given
me everything.” And that Mother has given me everything.
During my exercises it was easy to maintain the witness. The thoughts “I am Brahman” were repeating in my mind
automatically. While I was taking the shower, even though the water was cold, I didn’t seem bothered by it. When I
looked at my mind I didn’t see any desires appearing. I thought that I was very, very close to Samadhi. I meditated
and my mind was very clear.
I went downstairs to the prayer hall to sing the Mahamantra. As I was singing and looking at Bhagavan’s picture, the
thoughts appeared in my mind: “This man is God.” I felt completely different while I was singing. The world meant
nothing to me.
I went to Swamiji’s room. He was sat in meditation with some people. Swamiji called me inside and told me to
meditate. It was a deep meditation. The whole day Swamiji didn’t ask me how I was, something he does every day
without fail. I found that strange.
I began to talk about the happenings of the day. Swamiji interrupted me and said: “Vanja, I think you have realized
the Self.” I laughed. It didn’t seem possible to me, I thought that I was very close, but not realized. After I
mentioned that I thanked the Mother and Bhagavan, he asked: “Why did you thank them?”, and then he laughed. He
explained that this came from the knowledge. He also said to me to just observe myself for 2 days, not to meditate.
After I told him that it came to me instinctively to observe myself, he said that this was from the knowledge as well.
So I began observing. I saw that still, no thoughts of desires arose. I felt a huge amount of peace in me, something
that surprised me and was completely new. After I went to buy milk and then again sugar, I felt as if I hadn’t done
anything. It was only the body moving about.
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Swamiji told the other sannyasis that I had been in Samadhi, but he also told me that if my mind remains like this
tomorrow, without meditation, then this would prove that it was a Samadhi.
I went to sleep again praying to Mother to put me into Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
Oh, and yes. Swamiji told me to go downstairs and give my pranams to the Mother and to Bhagavan. This was in the
afternoon, after it started to become obvious that it was a Samadhi. I went down and bowed first to Bhagavan and
then to the Mother. I burst into tears while doing this.
Swamiji told me that after his Samadhi Bhagavan told him to go and give his pranams to Swami Pavitrananda (His
Master) and to Sri Ramakrishna.
Today I have come to the complete understanding that Swamiji is my Master. This man has got such a huge heart,
and with this pure loving heart he has given me everything, he has given me eternity.
I offer my life to this man and a thousand salutations at his lotus feet.
It is the Master that does everything, he is the giver of life. And today was my birthday.
October 8th 2009
I woke up today with a very clear mind. The first thoughts that came to me when I opened my eyes and observed the
mind were: “All of this is separate from me.”
Just before I started exercising I was sitting on my bed and I thought: “Finally I can be what I am. Finally I am free.”
Today I felt that I had no bondage for this world, inner or outer.
Swamiji has come down with a cold. Today I saw him cry for more than 20 minutes, praying for something. His
room was full of people. My Master was crying so painfully. Tears were pouring down his cheeks. He was talking in
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Bengali, I think, so I didn’t understand anything. Later Swami Apurbhananda explained that he was praying for a
devotee who was suffering very much. Hopefully the Mother will answer the prayers of my Master.
Yesterday Swamiji told me that he prayed to the Mother to give me Samadhi. And in the night he felt a huge peace,
unlike anything he ever felt before. Such a big peace that he couldn’t sleep.
I spent most of the day writing into the diary and translating. I saw that as I would involve my mind into a work
fully, like typing on the computer, some vibrations would appear in the top part of the mind, but there was always
this huge peace in the depths of the mind. Also, I didn’t feel bothered by these vibrations, I saw them as separate
from me.
In the evening more realizations appeared in my mind. Now I could see clearly where from my bondage arose. I saw
that there never was any bondage at all, I was always this consciousness. It was just my association with the objects
in the mind and on the outside that created a feeling of bondage. I was always beyond.
October 9th 2009
The day went well, my mind remained high. I observed that I still had these habits in my mind, they are called
upadhis. My mind is used to having concepts and it is used to behaving in a certain way. Swamiji explained that
these will fall off eventually, it only depended on my commitment. After the upadhis are gone I will become
established in the Self, meaning, I will behave according to my realization, and not based on the habits of the mind
as I do now.
In the evening Swamiji told me to give the class online, just to sit there and talk. Usually when I would give classes I
would read from some scripture and then comment, but Swamiji wanted me to just talk from the knowledge. When I
sat down in front of the laptop I had no idea of what I was going to talk about. Then Komal mentioned something
about renunciation, she made a joke that my microphone had renounced me. Suddenly it started pouring out of me. I
felt as if I was pushed aside and someone else was talking through me. This went on for about an hour. While I was
talking, I explained to the people in the class exactly how I came to Samadhi and I suddenly realized that I knew all
the steps. I was perfectly aware of how everything happened and why it had to happen. I also told them one thing
that I didn’t write into the diary so far – that the secret of me managing to make my desire to realize Truth my only
desire was, in fact, strong discrimination. I didn’t write about discrimination into the diary because it was a natural
thing for me, I had been doing it since before I came to India, a long time before. Kojima told me to do it then, but
now when I arrived to India, Swamiji told me to discriminate against everything. Nothing that I perceived was true.
Everything was false – my thoughts, this me and all the events around me. So, by discriminating like this constantly,
always trying harder and harder, I became desperate, unsatisfied about my state of being. I could see more and more
that the world was false and that I didn’t know the Truth. This made me desire the Truth more and more. I could see
this very clearly while I was giving the class.
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After the class Ivan told me that he had never seen me like that before. I said that I didn’t feel like it was me from
before. This is a new me, a different person.
Swamiji told me to start a new sadhana from tomorrow. I was to start meditating, and at the start of every meditation
I should pray to Bhagavan to let me love Him. Swamiji wanted me to come to Bhagavan and realize Him, and I
could only do that if I truly loved Him. He called it the sadhana of love. He said that now the knowledge part is over,
I have the knowledge. Now it was time for me to realize that Divine love. He started talking about that Divine love
and how Bhagavan can only be realized when He descends. Then His devotees engage in a relationship of pure love
with Him. Swamiji said: “You will have this love in your life. I am telling you, because I am telling you this, you
will have it. When a Master says something to a disciple, the disciple will have that in his life.” Then, he raised his
right hand as Lord Shiva does when He is often depicted in pictures while giving a blessing and said: “I give you
this boon that you will have this love in your life.” When he started saying this I felt a huge power engulf me and I
bowed my head instinctively. I felt like I was dreaming, but no, this was real, it was actually happening. After he
gave me the boon he continued talking about Bhagavan and His lila.
October 10th 2009
Swamiji told me to continue giving the classes online and also to give classes on the Vivekachudamani to the
Argentinean devotees.
So this was what I did, but while I was giving the class to the Argentinean devotees I didn’t feel the flow of
knowledge as intensely as last night. Swamiji explained that it doesn’t only depend on me, it also depends on how
open the people who are listening are. I understood it then because I felt the flow more when I would focus on two
of them more individually and forget about the others.
During the online class I felt the flow for most of the time, but not in the same way as the night before. Again I was
pushed aside, but my mood was somehow different than yesterday. I was more peaceful and yesterday I was blasting
at the people in the class and was laughing as well.
It will take me some time to get used to all of these changes.
October 11th 2009
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Today was Sunday, so it was possible for me to take some of the devotees to a restaurant to celebrate my Samadhi.
During the week they are busy and they are rarely here all together.
After quite some time I saw the devotee that Swamiji was crying for some days ago. I could see that this devotee
was sad, and I felt sad as well. This devotee is usually a very happy person and now I felt the huge grief that was
inside of this devotee.
In the evening, before going to sleep, I prayed to Mother Kali to take away this devotees' suffering. I cried while
doing this.
October 12th 2009
After the Mahamantra concluded in the morning, I saw that nobody was there for the class. So I decided to meditate.
The meditation was very deep, I was focusing on the Self, remaining as the Self. At one point I started to pray to
Bhagavan. I began to cry and I prayed: “Please let me love you.” As I was doing this I was suddenly thrown into a
separate space where I didn’t perceive the world, I could only feel His presence. I felt a huge amount of love inside
of me.
In the evening Swamiji told me that that devotees' situation was extremely serious, that the devotee had no options.
While Swami Premananda was giving a class downstairs the devotee began to cry and went upstairs to Bhagavan’s
room. I felt so sad because of this. I felt like crying the whole time. I saw that there was no solution.
I asked Swamiji after the online class about this. I wanted to know if this was due to my ignorance, but Swamiji said
that it meant that I was enlightened. I had begun to feel the sufferings of others and was crying for them. He said that
in fact all spiritual persons always spend their lives crying. This was true for Jesus, for Lord Caitanya, For Sri
Ramakrishna and for Swami Vivekananda. Every saint spends his life crying for others. He told me: “Why did you
ask for this highest Truth?” I was beginning to see that my heart was opening up to the world.
When I told him about the strange experience in my meditation, he said that it meant that I was on the right path.
This what I experienced was he living God that he spoke about. He told me that I should feel God like that all the
time.
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Mother Kali
Today I get some time to write to you about the Person whom I love the most but know not anything about her. This
is the mother Divine Kali. I will try my best to explain whatever little knowledge I have about her. Before writing to
you about her, I would first of all, seek forgiveness from the divine Mother and then from you because though I feel
her completely in my heart always, I know nothing about her.
The Advaita Vedanta talks about the non dual Brahman or the Self. Self which is nameless, formless, attribute less,
birth less and changeless. This is the nature of our Self. But, in spite of this, we see the duality, we see creation, brith
and death, attributes, names and forms. When there isn't anything more than the Self, that Self which is always free
from all miseries. How come we see all these dualities? How is it possible for us to see this world as so true when
the fact is that the world never existed, neither time nor space or casualty. This is something to be thought of.
Vedanta declares this as Maya or illusion, but how and why is this illusion, it has no answer. Here, comes the divine
mother Kali. This creation, sustenance and destruction is because of her. It is she who is behind all these casualties,
all these illusions which appear so natural and real. For this creation, she has designed this whole divine play and
has put everyone into action though our true nature is action less. So, to in order to be released from this cycle, we
have to take her refuge. He who had bound us can make us free. It is Ma, the Divine Mother, who has kept us
engaged into this affair called the world. So, it will be the Mother who will free us also. Hence her worship and
refuge is to be free from the realms of Maya or illusions.
Adi Sankaracharyya was a profound scholar of Advaita Vedanta and a very deeply realized soul. He had propagated
the Non Dual or Advaita nature of the Self in His life. He rejected the existence of any other existence causing this
Maya. On the banks of the river Ganga in Kashi, the ancient name of Varanasi, Lord Shiva and the Mother taught
Him about the reality of this Shakti or Power or Mother. And from then, He was instructed to preach the non dual
Brahman which is always one with this Mother. There are many ways to worship her. Many different and difficult
ways where people carry out all sorts of austerities for her glory.
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She is often terribly dreaded and most people worship her out of fear. But, we should aim to worship her or rather
love her as our own mother. Ma ( the mother) is a member of our Ashram and she is within us in everything, in
every aspect. We don't fear her but love her. In the days of extreme poverty, she was with us just as a mother does to
her children. Now, when we have started to grow, she is the queen of our Ashram and we are her workers. It is only
a relation of love that we have with her and she is well contented with that. She has appeared before us in many
occasions and stood up with us hand to hand also. So, she is just a Mother to me and to all my brothers and sisters
and to all who comes here to visit her. On the new moon day every month, we worship her specially. I keep fast for
the whole day and in the night the puja or worship starts. It is a delight and blissful experience. I can only write this
much about her. I am a very ignorant man. Who can speak about her, upon whose respiration creation and
destruction takes place? Oh Ma, take me to your refuge. Make me yours O Ma. With millions of salutations to the
Mother, Swami Probuddhananda
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International Vedanta Society
Dear,
Thank you for all the efforts you have done to translate the letter and bringing this to my notice as quick as possible.
I was very moved when I heard from Swami Prajnananandaji that you had called. I knew at that very moment that it
has something to do with all this again. I called ______immediately to know what you had to convey.
In the future, please give me a contact number of yours so as to enable me to contact you any moment I like. I was in
the train then on my way back to Varanasi. What can my response be to this kind of letter. I know that every now
and then he will do this. I am living with this. I cannot disown him because he is the disciple of Bhagavan. Neither
can I tell him not to come to the Ashram anymore because this is the house of Bhagavan where everybody is invited.
He has done what he thought best. We will do what we think best. IVS is a creation of Bhagavan, He was the
founder President of IVS until 6 years ago and in the year 1995, He handed over this organization to His young
devotees.
Before doing this, the devotees signed with their blood to protect and expand this IVS according to the essence of
IVS and Bhagavan had approved this with His own blood. The documents are there but I don't want these things to
be discussed in this context. Once Bhagavan said IVS, Vedanta and Bhagavan are the same thing.
He created IVS to enable people to serve because one day He won't be available physically but His spirit will exist
in the organization. This is the same way in which Buddha made the first ever organization for the good of
humanity.Among the three clarion calls of His, there was one -"Sangham Saranam Gacchami", it means I bow down
with complete devotion to the organization. When we were given the Sannyasa, Bhagavan said, "I dedicate you to
the feet of the organization". That is why our Loyalty is towards Maharajji because He is the President. He once
said, "The President of IVS is bigger then Bhagavan Himself", That," IVS is my Gita". I can write to you of a
thousand such instances supporting this fact, but why would I have to do this for a person whom IVS has helped to
see Bhagavan, to develop spiritually, given the atmosphere where He can practice, etc. Everybody knows what IVS
has done for everybody here in Varanasi. Because of IVS, I, Maharajji, Sankaranandaji and Prajnanananandaji are
here.
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I see myself grow up and reach out to the people because of IVS, because of IVS we are together and because of
IVS we will be together for ever because we have a common cause, a common interest and a common love. IVS has
helped me to come near to Bhagavan, realize God, and then serve humanity whatever is in my capacity to do so.
However it's not my capacity, it's our capacity. Together we walk, together we share, together we love and together
we grow. Having an individual viewpoint will always help me tend towards getting out and working individually,
because then the result will be always mine, name and fame will come to me only and I can say 'This is what I have
done.' Why will I care for my father's work?, Why will I care to think of the huge ideal that our Lord tried to impart
into society? I see this trend in many new people, Indian or foreigners, it's the mind setup and we have to accept it
because that is the way it is. This world always will have two guiding forces, one is the motion and the other will
always work against it. Its not that he has done something new, see the history of every new revolution, you will
know that this opposition is just normal. So, you and _____ are the opposite poles of the same sphere, see the total
sphere, there won't exist any poles.
Dear, life has taught me one very important aspect of mind and that is love the enemy present in whatever form in
you or outside. I tell you a story, there was a monk once sitting beside Ganga meditating. Suddenly he saw a
scorpion getting drowned in the Ganga. He saved it's life by giving it a hand and brought it to the land. Just when he
was to put it in the soil, the scorpion bit the monk. With utmost pain he started to scream but in the next moment he
saw that the scorpion again fell in the Ganges. Without thinking he again gave it a hand and again the little creature
bit him. This continued for several times. A man was watching the whole episode from a distance, he came near the
monk and asked him whether he was crazy!! The monk said, 'to bite is his nature and to save is mine.' This story
needs no explanation to you I am sure.
So, relax, IVS is not a creation of a human being, its a creation of God, so He is looking after everything. He has
made Paula, Koji, Jiang, Pedro, Gulliermo or Christan, He has made ______also. When he is within us, there's
surely a purpose, so try to see the divine wish of His. Let him do whatever he likes, don't worry about him or the
new devotees, if they realize that IVS is a good organization having full relevance to this present world, they will be
with us, simple as that. It is more important for us to see what we are doing for Bhagavan rather then to see what are
other's mistakes.
But what are we to do now? Give more dedication, more devotion, with 100% truth and love. Have nerves of steel, a
firm determination, complete faith in Bhagavan, Self and IVS, but with the heart of a woman. Both are required,
nerves of steel and the heart of a woman, both together make a complete man. I am trying hard to be like what He
has taught me, you try to be what He has taught you.
Our common point always will be IVS because it's for humanity, of humanity and by humanity. Our subject is
Bhagavan, IVS and all of humanity. Why IVS, because it's not a organization that people like ____ might refer or
relate to the Catholic church. It's the creation of God, it's a culture, a family and a civilization of its own. Its the
future of the world because its our Lord who had founded that. If we accept Him as God, then what about His
organization? I firmly believe that it's IVS which can bring some change in the present scheme of the world, it can
love and help people love all. We are doing quite well and as time progresses we will do better. Whenever you see
any opposition from within or outside, become more firm on your Self. Say the same as the Russians once said for
Hitler and his invading Army, "Let the winter come".
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If you think this letter would help new people, you can translate and forward this. Otherwise, wait till the winter
comes. With the love which you are quite familiar with and amazingly, not getting tired of,
Its Swamiji from Varanasi.
(*** What about India reaching the finals, I am very sorry for the English team getting a hard beating from India,
but I thought that's why they are meant for, what do you feel????????? hahahahaha..... with love always, Swamiji.)
***************
Dear,....I saw the conversation you had with our brother. It was good. There is only one thing I want to add. Our
work is not to infuse what we believe or practice, but to help and support people in different systems of faith in their
own path. All mantras work, because its given by somebody who has realized that. People will have their own
system of approach, we should encourage them to follow their own path. This is the greatest virtue. We will help a
Christan move closer to Jesus, a Muslim towards Allah and a Hindu or Buddhist move towards their own God or
Goddess.
The basics of spirituality are the same in every system of approach We have to talk about the basics, about devotion,
sincerity, honesty, truthfulness and love. God is one. Whoever approaches him in whatever way, reaches Him. From
now on, try to guide people according to their own faith. Not by talking much about philosophy but by expanding
upon the basics. You can also talk about your experiences if it is required because it is important for people to learn
that God can be realized staying engaged in worldly activities. But never indulge too much revealing your personal
experiences, lest you keep from reaching that ultimate goal. Once you reach it, you have an infinite field to express
how divinity has manifested unto you. I love you so much. Be well always. See you soon, With love, Swamiji
***************
Dear Everybody,
At the very outset, I would like to welcome all the members of Universality. Universality in the true sense is not a
group or networking site, its a civilization in itself. We believe that through this movement, we can bring mankind
into one single unit, one single religion, one single class and that will of course be humanity. Everyone has His/her
own approach towards perfection and each path leads to enlightenment- to truth and love universal. The Goal of life
is to manifest this divinity ever inherent in man, immaterial to whatever path he/she chooses. Through continuous
striving when we realize the universality or oneness within ourselves, we reach that realization where all differences
cease thereby paving the way for a blissful atmosphere where love, peace and truth reign. A day will come when the
sun will rise singing the glory of humanity, of oneness, of love, universality.
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As we correspond and interact directly or indirectly with various people all over the world, we can feel that
spirituality is still way far from the natural comprehension of man. We develop many ideas regarding spirituality
which might not be true and which often lead us to deviate in such a fashion that there is no way to return. Many
true spiritual aspirants suffer because of the lack of true understanding of the subject. Everybody talks about the
supremacy of their own path, which might not be true for others. In a way, though the essence of spirituality is
oneness and universal love, man becomes quite stubborn and rigid on his chosen path and unconsciously develops a
sense of disrespect or sometimes hatred for others. There should be a constant striving to create an atmosphere
where acceptance of all ideas becomes the pathway. Thus sharing and assimilation should be the norm, and
universal acceptance, instead of moving away just because one doesn't follow or fit into our system.
I had a wish. I wanted to dedicate a blog, or website or a group for people to know everything about spirituality
independent of any organization or ideal. I wanted to create a blog that would provide space for all religions, faiths,
and beliefs, basically spiritual, anything which has the potential to lead man to infinite bliss. The lives of the great
spiritual personalities from different religions will be mentioned, also their philosophies and everything relating to
them. So that a person new to the world of spirituality knows his/her own way from that blog, like an encyclopedia
of spirituality. I feel blessed when I find you all joining me in this march towards Universality. Lets pray together, O
Lord! Let us be free from hatred and distrust, let us come closer, let us love, let us unite. Universality within is
universality outside.....
***************
Dear,....I have no words to thank and congratulate you. Wow...what a man can do if he desires so. I loved every
word of yours because it came from the deepest corner of your heart. I am sure this endeavor of yours will bring a
new light and wave in the field of spiritual work and awakening. I have invited all friends of mine in the first hand
to join this group. What we have to do is, clearly describe the aim and purpose of the group. Write down the whole
concept about the creation of this group. As I see, your works have considerably increased. I am there to help you in
whatever way you need, though I feel you strong enough to do it on your own and in every respect better, lol, but
quite true. May Krishna show you the way. Be the Arjuna of the Gita and let He as your charioteer to lead your life
to the supreme glory. Love and best wishes, Swamiji
***************
Dear, ....I always love to read your posts, comments and writings. I just have a few suggestion to you, please remove
the name of the organization ISKCON, because I am sure not everyone in that organization thinks the same, and
they may be hurt. Another observation of mine was, you use too much support from the scriptures, Vedas etc. while
making a point. My suggestion is this. By going through them based on your own experiences, you have developed
a perception on the subject. Speak this aloud, if any confusion or contradiction or doubts arise, you can refer to the
scriptures. This doesn't mean showing disrespect to the scriptures, but, by doing this, you will see your personal
spiritual experiences will enhance greatly and your confidence will increase. Tell people more about your own
experiences and if any contradictory statements arise, try to answer them with your own spiritual experience as well.
Ultimately we have the Shrutis to defend us anyway. Playing is an art, but playing safe is as good as not playing.
The other suggestion is- mention how to find a Sat Guru. The only way is the seek liberation or knowledge earnestly
by this. It is not only Hinduism or the Vedas or the Sastras that pay respect to this. Other religions also say the same
more or less. So, our aim should be to help everyone follow their respective faith in a perfect way. Thanking you for
asking me. I am grateful to you. With love and best wishes, Swamiji
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***************
In response to your questions I banned you from the group not because you had said anything against me, but
because you said things against a community or a nation which is of many. I don't have any idea where I refused to
argue on the subject that you had talked about. However I did refuse to indulge in some arguments which might not
be beneficial to any of us, not for this group, nor for those people who owe everything to their religion or faith.
I told you that I can reply wherever you like, but not in this group's discussion boards, but you chose this
discussion board anyway. I asked you some questions which you didn't reply to, but instead you chose the very easy
path of abusing other people who didn't agree with you. Also, I will tell you once and for all, International Vedanta
Society is not a Hindu organization.
Vedanta doesn't belong to a particular community. Vedanta speaks about the divine nature of each and every
person and taking this message of divinity to the world is our goal. If you are so eager to prove Hinduism is a
baseless, uncultured and uncivilized religion, there are many Hindu groups with which to discuss that. You can
discuss your point there, this is not the right place.
We are all searching the Truth and we think that Vedanta can give us the way to reach it. But, its solely our own
perception, it has nothing to do with you. Leave us alone and let us practice what we think best. Also, I do not
smoke marijuana. People do not follow me, we all are simply practicing Vedanta. My friend, I do not claim to be
right, but I try to be perfect and truthful in all respects.
As for Swami Vivekananda, Mother Teresa or Gandhiji, they were all great human beings. Swami Vivekananda
didn't only collect money for the monasteries He founded them. He also collected for hundreds of schools, colleges,
hospitals, old age homes and orphanages. These are run by the Ramakrishna Mission. Please see their official site
and literature. Read the letters of Swami Vivekananda for a better over-view of His works. He did go to a Christian
school and it was also a Christan teacher who told him about Ramakrishna. Thanks for giving me and my views so
much importance.
***************
....It is really hard to express the experiences, realizations and revelations associated to God. The best way is to stop
trying and let the words flow. I understand your feelings of not being able to share your experiences with anybody
there. You have to always remember that this spiritual life is a lone journey and you find only God or the master
with you. There will be millions who talk about this. But there will be one or two among them who will really
follow them. The person who walks in this path commences his journey by knowing this fact that he will be always
friendless, misunderstood, often criticized. But God is great. He has kept something for us somewhere which we
know after a given time. We have an association. Where we meet everyday. To talk, discuss and share our feelings. I
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welcome you with all my love and hope that our association will not only benefit you but also benefit many like
you.....
****************
No Dear,..... people are same everywhere. There is a difference in being spiritual and being religious. But through
our work we did find somebody to share our feelings. And I open up that world to you. India has its soul but the
people are unaware where the soul really is. The best way to speak about spirituality is by becoming a good listener.
As you listen to them talking endlessly about their endless sufferings and ego they make way for you to come in.
And that is the time when you have to remove yourself and let the lord speak.
Oneness, doesn’t mean connection with God but that we are one with God. ‘Becoming one with God’ or ‘God is one
with us’ is the same. But here there is not two individuals. There is only one. And it can be realized clearly. As we
have other feelings of hot and cold, sweet and sour, similarly is the feelings of oneness with God. Jesus is a great
teacher. And we believe that He is God incarnate. Thinking about Him, His words is following Him. And as you
follow, one day you will become one with Jesus. The feelings such as love, compassion, faith etc comes after the
realization of oneness. Without realizations they are just lifeless words. It is indeed God that guides us but that God
doesn’t reside in any heaven. He resides with in you in your heart. So pray unto you to the God who eternally
resides within to show you the way. The goal will be attained. You are doing the right thing. My only words to you
are march on.
With Love, Swamiji.
***************
You didn't offend anyone. This is a discussion board and we are free to express our views on the subject discussed.
As for me, it would be very sad if you leave this group. The International Vedanta Society is a purely spiritual
organization which is trying hard to bring the message of Advaita Vedanta to the masses with emphasis on Self
Realization.
But, while doing so we come across the basic truth of this nature. Each one of us has a different mind set, some have
a dualistic approach, some qualified non dualists and some, very rare, have the direct approach of the formless. The
goal being the one, indivisible and infinite Brahman, we have to accept the past impressions of people and thus
march forward.
From Dualists to qualified Non Dualists and from qualified non-Dualists to pure non-Dualists. For this, we have to
create room for people where they can develop this perception of the Self. If we tell a lay man, who has no
knowledge of Vedanta, that 'Thou art that' it would mean nothing to him. He will be confused because for him, God
resides in the temple, or churches or in the Mosque. Slowly, we have to tell him that God which resides in the
temple, resides within your heart. And then, that you are that God yourself. This needs a lot of purification of mind
and intellect.
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The pure way of Advaita is very rare. So, we would understand that for you, nothing is needed other than
discrimination and Self comprehension, but, for the masses, you need many things. A man who realizes the Self
knows the world is false, but, he in no way can discard this world in spite of knowing this truth. He accepts
everything, every individual, every past impression.
Bhagavan gave this Mahamantra not as a part of Sadhana but to mix up with the masses at large and that it why "say
Hare Krishna" comes last. Before that we have to give up our spiritual ego. So, after the spiritual ego is gone, what
remains? nothing but Unity, Unity and assimilation of all ideas. He accepts everything. One who comes down to
ground from space has all the knowledge of the space within Him.
He can go there whenever he desires. A man established in Advaita knows the pain of separation caused due to
diversity. To unite, to reach Oneness becomes His goal. Internally we are all One, but, there are rare enlightened
souls who want this Oneness outside also. Hence Mahamatra is an effective and a very simple way to approach this.
Advaita is not heartless, it is living and poetic. Lastly, Advaitins accept everything. They sees no difference in Ram,
Ram's name and the soul of Ram. They see no difference in duality and non duality. For them everything is
Consciousness. As a women who came to dance in the court of a king once said to Swami Vivekananda, "An
ignorant man differentiates, why would the enlightened differentiate?" I will suggest you to read the life of
Sankaracharyya and see what happened to Him in the Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi. With best wishe Swami
Probuddhananda.
***************
Dear, Thank you for your prompt reply. I was relieved to hear about ____, did you talk to her? If not, do it at least
once to make sure that she is going through some inner process. Why I am worried is not because I 'm expecting her
to come along us and do some herculean job for IVS, it's just a concern that she is spiritually fine. A spiritual person,
if produced, has the capability of more than a thousand other men. Even if they don't do anything, their mere
existence brings a positive vibration in the atmosphere and we who know this has a moral responsibility of at least
caring for them so they don't feel disturbed. I see people in this light and that's the reason why I always remain
concerned. Anyway, my prayers and best wishes are with them. Maybe everyone of us will come together to do
something good for the world.
To drink the milk of a tiger, you should also be a tiger. The milk of tiger cannot be kept in earthen pot, it breaks the
pot. So, be careful about the people you choose for your forth coming tour. I wish you all the best for your work . I
want everybody to realize their individual responsibility and work for the betterment of the world. Everybody should
work for humanity regularly. Keep the spirit alive. Then you are the son of God. With love, Swamiji
***************
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I am crying and crying out of joy and seeing the mercy of the Lord for you. I feel so happy. I pray that He blesses
you more and more and immerse you completely in Himself. People who love God are not Hindus or Christians or
Muslims. They are relatives, the sons and daughters of the same father. I would love to share more time with you. I
would love if you take more and more of my time. With love, Swamji
***************
In simple words, divinity is the feelings of bliss, purity, perfection and love which flows through us without a
reason. Every feeling we have is generally because of our interaction with the external or internal world. But, mind
can reach such a plane of consciousness where divinity is felt spontaneously. Efficient work not only means skillful
work, it also means that work by which even the man living in the streets can be benefited. Efficient work is needed
for my own satisfaction. Its you who decides the efficiency of your work. But, for that, you have to be very honest to
yourself.
The goal of Vedanta is to realize the Self. But, is there a way to stop working? If you stop your external work, can
you stop your thought process? That is the most vital and powerful work which is performed through us, because
thoughts create our world, they decide our next step. We cannot stop working on our own. That is why we do some
selfless works which help us to stop the process of work within us and clean our mind.
When the mind is cleaned, the perception of another existence within us starts to get clearer. As the perception
becomes clearer, the desire to know it with certainty increases, and with the increase of desire, we reach that
existence. This is Self knowledge. Here ego is not defeated, but, it is dissolved completely into the ocean of
Consciousness.
In Samadhi, the ego dissolves into Consciousness and you see that the ego didn't actually exist. The fact that we saw
and believed something (in this case ego) which doesn't even exist is called Maya, ignorance or illusion. This is
equivalent to seeing the snake in the rope. So, we didn't really have an ego, it only seemed as if we had an ego. This
liberation from the perception that ego exists is called absolute freedom or Moksha. The goal of life is to realize this
Knowledge, the Knowledge that you are always free.
It is necessary to reach the state of Samadhi to know who you are. Samadhi means the state of unity with the Truth.
Or, in other words, Samadhi is that state where all perception of falseness disappears and we merge into our real
nature or Self. Desires cannot be exhausted. Desires are a never ending story. Like a mirage where water seems
every step ahead, ultimately a man loses even his life running after water.
If we have good and pure thoughts, we feel good. If we have thoughts of anger or hatred or envy, the one who burns
is also me. So, certain thoughts brings certain realizations to us. Good quality thoughts are those thoughts which
gives us the feelings of purity, blissfulness and love. Bad quality thoughts makes us harsh and arrogant, frustrated
and depressed.
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Ethics comes from the religion you follow. But, to me, to be clear to yourself is ethics. They comes from your
conscience directly. The answer is the infinite Self and we are That. The supreme existence. We exist because we
are existence, immortal. There is no question of non existence.
Your feelings are that what I am trying to say is recursive, but those are only your feelings. They have nothing to do
with the Truth. I am trying to speak the Truth which I have experienced and having experienced that, I have seen
that whatever the sages said ages ago is all true. Yes, after Samadhi, mind comes back, but the realization of Truth
always remains and thus you never get distracted in the realms of duality.
For example, you are going through a desert and suddenly you see an oasis. Because you are thirsty, you run fast to
reach there. But after some time you realize that it was not an oasis, it was just a mirage. You stop running and
continue your journey. The next moment you see the mirage again, but this time you know this is just a mirage. This
is exactly what happens to a mind after Samadhi.
You say Swami Vivekananda was an evangelist in one hand and on the other hand he wanted to enlarge his ego.
You contradict yourself. Tell me in surety, which one was He? Because if He was an evangelist, He could not inflate
His ego. Did you read any of His works? Go and read them at least ten times and then come to talk. Joy does come
to us by inflating our ego but not for long. Soon, we feel frustrated because we seldom find buyers of our inflated
ego.
You are welcome to ask as many questions you want to in near future. The thing which is beyond our perception is
not essentially unreal. How do we perceive? Through our senses. How much can the senses perceive? Doesn't our
limit of perception depend upon the limit of the receptive capability of our senses or mind?
Buddhism as taught by Lord Buddha still prevails in India. And Indians regard Lord Buddha as the incarnation of
God, as we regard Christ as the incarnation of God. The amalgamated form of Buddhism and Tibetan mysticism
which came back to India was altered by Indians a long time ago, because it couldn't be the religion of the masses. If
you ask me "Why?", read the history of India.
When you know the Truth, you will realize how false the statement that 'Consciousness is the attribute of the mind'
is. How can the seer be part of the scene? How can the observer be a part of the observed? If he is a part of that
observed, he can never observe the totality. If the totality is not observed you are free to make any conclusion, but
remember, whatever conclusion you make will be false because you haven't seen the reality. Thanks and and best
wishes, Swami Probuddhananda
***************
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Dear,....It was a pleasure to read you and to know that you love reading me. Thank you once again. There must be
something in common, a very natural connection between us. It's time to prove and manifest this reality. The only
thing I need and want is some people with a selfless, beautiful heart. People who can cry and feel for others. I need
some people of this make and one day we can change the history of this world. I need you for this, seriously. I need
you to work with several others with us who dream to have a better world, a world full of Truth and love. I am
waiting for the day when you will jump into this endeavour. I remember each and every word I spoke to you and
yours also. They were all true because they came out of realization, experience and direct from the heart. Come out,
the future awaits you. With love and a lot of expectations, Swamiji
***************
Dear Everybody,
I want to share an interesting experience with you all. For sometime since the recent past, Indian sports has been on
a high. India won the Soccer Nehru Cup, played against an overseas team. Though it means nothing to some, it is a
very big news for people in India because we all know where India stands in the world of Soccer. Maybe India will
go on to win the next FIFA world cup whenever we qualifies, hahahaha, but jokes apart, who knows what may
happen the next.
Then, India won the Asia Cup in Hockey defeating South Korea which was again grand. People who keep track of
women's tennis will certainly know about Sania Mirza of India who now is within the list of top 25 players . There
are other names like Viswanathan Anand from the world of chess etc. The latest and the biggest success was the
winning of the 20-twenty Cricket world cup defeating Pakistan in the finals.
The match was a delight to watch because it was Pakistan who was the obvious winner after the first half. However
India won. In every winning sequence came the name of a Hindi Movie - "CHAK DE INDIA", a film made on the
women's hockey team which electrified the nerves of all the sporting circles in the sub continent. Most of the players
in the post match session referred to this film as the key and inspiration for success.
The media showed some of the clips of the movie which suggested that it was really worth watching. So, after the
Match between India and Pakistan which India won brilliantly, I slept with a desire to see the movie the next day in
my computer. I saw the movie last night and was very impressed by the way the coach made the players fight for
everything, motivated them in such a way that they played for a win but enjoyed every single second in the field.
Most importantly they were the winners.
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Sports have a great hand in shaping the character of a man always. We talk about that sporting spirit which enables
every sports man to accept defeat with a smile, but again inspires to fight for a win. Then if the attitude is right, he
does win. I would like to share some of the moments of the film which made this so great and worth watching
anytime. While coaching the women's hockey team, the coach worked hard with the team. He observed that the
players were good when they played individually but when they played as a team they failed for the enormous desire
of the players to do something individually. This made the team fail every time because whenever personal goals
come before the team goal, the team is going to suffer a humiliating defeat. He taught them how to play as a team.
The ball was to travel forward not the players, because into the goal only the ball had to go, not the players. So, one
should know how to make the ball travel forward without thinking whether one is going to score a goal.
He said," Pass the ball, let the ball travel forward, its immaterial whether you or her travel forward with the ball."
This is the essence of an organization. The goal of ours is spreading the message of Vedanta to the world, to spread
the message of love and oneness to the world. It is immaterial where I stand while this grand work is performed. Our
goal is to do it. For a grand work an organization is needed because it's not that we do it today and forget, but rather
this has to continue forever.
We have to build a base in this world where people will be born and get liberated never thinking of their existence or
security for generations to come. For this a large number of people are needed because the future should be assured.
A strong assurance that we grow in such a way where we can demonstrate the love Bhagavan has given to us.
We will create an environment where people can come and get spiritually motivated and thus know the Truth.
Today, we all have to stand leaving aside our personal goals, we have to see our collective Goal. IVS (International
Vedanta Society) provides us this opportunity where we can grow into a team. We can love and share and help. For
everyone of us, IVS is the 'ball' because it's the only one group that will carry forward the essence of Bhagavan to
the future.
So, lets all play to make the ball travel forward while we stand awaiting our turn to strike the ball, whenever the
need arises. I am sure everybody will get a chance to hit the ball and score a goal. The next appealing dialogue in the
film was, "I want those who will play for India. I want a team." This is self explanatory. We need people who will
play for the cause. Who will play in the way the cause wants us to.
For His whole life, Bhagavan had worked for a worldwide organization and He named this as International Vedanta
Society, a society of vision, not an Ashram or a group of monks. It's a total team of everybody from every section of
society the world over, coming together and playing for a common goal of spreading love to everyone.
For a grand work people should unite together because the greatest power lies within us, we are the people, common
but very powerful. We create dynasties, we create revolutions, we are the king makers, we make war happen and we
make peace, we create differences and we unite, we are the unsung heroes.
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So let's all unite again and let's revolt against all those forces which create strife between human beings. Lets all say
for once, we are Man, we are God, we are Brahman, We are That. We are love. "I don't bother about the strength, I
am searching for the proper attitude." Though we are small, our dreams are very high and our attitude is firm. We
know that we will make this happen, and very soon. We will do this, that's all. Not 'do or die', but 'do and die.'
'You are angry with me because I tried to make you play for each other not against each other, fight not for yourself
but for the team. Lets have this in us. Lets play for each other. Lets be complimentary to each other. I will die but I
cannot lose.' I need this attitude from you all. "CHAK DE" means come on. CHAK DE INDIA - come on India. Lets
say, "CHAK DE HUMANITY"
With you forever,
Swamiji
***************
....KNOW THAT SELF ALONE THAT IS ONE WITHOUT A SECOND, ON WHICH IS STRUNG HEAVEN,
THE EARTH AND THE INNER SPACE, THE MIND AND THE VITAL FORCES, TOGETHER ,WITH ALL
THE OTHER ORGANS. GIVE UP ALL OTHER TALKS. HE IS THE BRIDGE LEADING TO
IMMORTALITY.....
***************
Though everything as it has already been said is consciousness, one day, the conclusion will be that everything is
Existence, Consciousness or Knowledge, and Bliss absolute. The only word that will surface is this wholeness or
Absolute, unfragmented. That day, will be the culmination of all knowledge, the new horizon for not only humanity
but for the universe as a whole because we will identify everything as ourselves. That day, in fact, would be the
greatest day in the history of Mother Earth and I am sure, we are heading towards that unity.
Sanatana and Hinduism are not the same words. The actual religion that the people of this land, Ajanava Pradesh
later Bharat and now India followed was Sanatana Dharma. Sanatana means eternal. A society based on the eternal
truths of the Vedas and Upanishads. But, whenever these eternal values had to be framed by a system, deviations
started because of the limited capacities of human perceptions. So, rules had to be set. We know many such rules
that have now taken the shape of dogmas, doctrines, and cults that are mostly are irrelevant in different ages. But,
the truth always remained the same, and the Truth is, Man is the Self divine, immortal and eternal.
"Atmano Mokcharthyam Jagat Hitaya Cha", realize that freedom and then work for mankind. But, somehow the
eternal values got more relevance, importance and significance in the people actually residing in the Indian nation
and thus it seems that socio cultural developments were ignored. The Hindu word came from the miss pronunciation
of the Persians. When they came here, they found the Sindhu River which they had to cross. They pronounced
Hindu instead of Sindhu, thus, people living besides Sindhu were termed as Hindus. Now, the question despite of so
many great Masters and with such an advanced knowledge, why are we so undeveloped? Undeveloped in the sense
the the world had developed materially. Yes, materially, we seem to be under developed, but, spiritually we are not.
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And a race which is developed spiritually will emerge as the most developed nation and this is where we are
growing.
If you see it very carefully, we have developed in every respect, given the huge population which India has. Things
which seems undeveloped, will be transformed soon. India will emerge as the greatest power in all respects in recent
future and I am sure staying in the west, you can see the reflections of this. Standards are never tough or easy, they
are standards and one has to meet them. For the masses, we can't relax them.
As Swami Vivekananda said- " Ideals cannot be lowered". I believe that my nation will rise up to this standard soon
and I am very happy to inform you that the conscious level of the youths here have increased tremendously. We
didn't listen to these fearless voices or philosophies for a long time, but, now, they are taking their own place as was
before. Yes, Vedanta is the only philosophy by which India will develop. Because it says man has infinite
capabilities in Him. It never says I am a Brahmin or a Sudras, it says we are the sons of the immortal. Vedanta does
say to transcend the desires but it is not in any way against prosperity. Because the mind which performs all the
works is refined by the practice of Vedanta. We become one with the Supreme knowledge. We reach a point where
we realize ourselves as infinite. If, this development is a journey, Vedantic mind is capable to commence an infinite
journey. He who is prosperous internally is prosperous externally.
There are many new versions of Vedanta or Hindu religion which I see which are practiced or talked about in the
west, but, try to gain insight in the classical Vedanta which has been outlined in the scriptures. And that is the reason
I will suggest you to read the lives of Sankaracharyya, Ramana, Ramakrishna Paramhansha, and Swami
Vivekananda. Meditation takes us beyond these three attributes, satva, rajas and tamas.
Thanks for calling me Sir. You can call me Probuddhananda or Swami or as my friends call me simply Probuddha. I
didn't lose my temper. I just defended what I see and feel. The words might be strong to digest, but, the truth
remains all the same. I was raised in a orthodox Hindu family and I know its cultures and traditions to be very
scientific. I myself was critical until one day my Master taught me what Hinduism is all about. I have seen we are
not aware of the huge treasures that we have in our house.
The actual definition of a Swami is one who has left all these individual aspirations and has accepted this world to
be his own family. A journey from individual soul to the universal soul. As I understand this word in a new way
everyday, I feel the greatest mercy of my Master and God. I feel myself as a true human being. I am not sure if I
could answer your questions in a proper way. Please excuse me for the limited knowledge I have. Yours, always in
service, Swami Probuddhananda.
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With Love, Swamiji

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With Love, Swamiji

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Realization of Self and the Well-Being

Well of the Universe

International Vedanta Society presents

‘With Love, Swamiji.’

‘With Love , Swamiji.’

Much love to all, Hare Krishna, Jai Bhagavan!

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

10th of October, 2009

Chitto jetha bhayashunyo (Where the mind is without fear)

Where words come out from the depth of truth;

With love and best wishes,

The letter follows thus:

Sri Ramakrishna Saranam

Always your well wisher,

The Guru - Disciple Relationship

Sri Ramakrishna Saranam Purulia 08-08-1978

Swami Pavitrananda Maharaj

(* Chitta- that faculty of mind that always seeks pleasure)

The ninth letter of Swami Pavitranandaji follows:

In the Divine presence of the Mother,

I received your celebrations of Vijaya. We are also very good here.

Rectification and Service

The forth letter of Swami Pavitranandaji, the Master of Bhagavan follows:

Sri Ramakrishna Saranam,

The fifth letter of Swami Pavitranandaji follows:

Sri Ramakrishna Saranam,

My best wishes to you and your family.

The 7th letter of Swamiji (Bhagawan)

Sri Ramakrishna Saranam, Purulia, 07-09-1979

From the diary of Siddartha..... (2)

Here is the 6th letter written by His Master, Swami Pavitranandaji.

Sri Ramakrishna Saranam

Know my best wishes.

Three Days of Devotion

Now the eighth letter of Swami Pavitranandji follows....

Sri Ramakrishna SaranamJanai, 29-09-1979

The 3rd letter of Swami Pavitranandaji follows:

Sri Ramakrishna Saranam

With the blessings of Sri Ma I am well. Know my best wishes.

Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "Hello, do you feel more clarity nowadays?"

Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "I see"

Devotee: "And there was significant improvement in meditation."

Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "But, how were they?"

Devotee: "Afterwards the world looked funny."

Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "How? Like a ball in the hand.?"

Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "And if someone asks, I am capable to give it."

Devotee: "I see."

Devotee: "I understand"

Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "I forgot the art of becoming unconscious."

Devotee: "I see."

Swami Probuddhananda Puri: "Yes, that's very important to know maya."

Devotee: "A bit deeper and more energised than before."

September 16th 2009

September 17th 2009

September 18th 2009

September 19th 2009

September 20th 2009

September 21st 2009

September 22nd 2009

September 23rd 2009

September 24th 2009

September 25th 2009