After some long continuous travel days we arrived in the Province of Alberta. We are encamped in a peaceful coulee, a wide ravine with a river running through it here in the city of Medicine Hat. It has been warm and, now with the low humidity of the interior, it is a reminder of the summers where I grew up.

The name Medicine Hat has a very interesting origin. The Blackfoot nation tells of an event that happened a long time ago. It was a bitter winter with starvation howling at the door. The Council of Elders gathered to discuss the matter. They decided a brave young man should be sent to a special place known as the “breathing hole;” an opening in the ice of the Saskachewan River where the Great Spirit was known to be present. After many days of arduous travel the young man finally arrived here. He made camp and settled into fasting and prayer in order to summon the spirits. After intense prayer the Great Spirit appeared as a serpent. The serpent told the young man to spend the night on a small island (Strathcona). He was told, “In the morning when the sun lights the cut-banks, go to the base of the great cliffs and there you will find a bag containing medicines and a saamis (holy bohnet).” It was a hat to be worn only during battle and it would ensure victory. Aided by the saamis the young man found food to save his starving people–he became a great Medicine Man.

This story has many interesting symbols and I see in it a tale that contains tremendous inner meaning for the mystic. For the seeker of truth the dark winter and starvation is the darkness of ignorance–not having joy and enlightenment which feeds the soul. The Council of Elders is inner direction, and the young warrior represents a newly formed intention. The breathing hole is pranayama, or a breathing exercise done in prayer and meditation. Pranayam kriya breaths and deepened meditation awaken the Great Spirit in the form of a serpent, the transformational kundalini force in the spine. The arising of the serpent force makes it possible to see the morning light–the great light seen in the ajna or point between the eyebrows. The “bag of medicines” are the powerful spiritual uplifting energies coursing through the body and healing it of spiritual sickness–ignnorance. The bonnet of feathers or a hat is the consicousness lifted up to the top of the head, or what in yoga is called the sahaswara, the thousand petalled lotus (such “hats” are used to symbolize uplited consciousness such as the tall hat of the pope or the crown worn by a king). This medicine hat given by the serpent assures the warrior victory, the spiritual aspirant power to overcome ignorance of separation from the Great Spirit in the “battle” of spiritual practice. All the people are then fed by the continuous flow of dynamic spiritual energy and consciousness flowing throughout the entire system–feeding all the people. Thus, I find encoded in this ancient story a clear trail leading to spiritual illumination for a Medicine Man or a spiritual adept.   

Truth is universal, and is it fascinating and inspiring to know that it is, and has been available to those who sincerely seek it in all parts of the world. Stories around the globe are adapted to the physical and social environment of the aspirant, but truth is one.

A Ram Nam Note: as we have circumambulated this remarkable North American Continent we have chanted God’s Name as part of this spiritual pilgrimage. While moving down the road I feel the spiritual aura radiating out through the power of the name (Nam) as a gift from the Infinite–awakening and resonating with the Divine vibration underliying all creation. God alone knows the full purpose in our pilgrimage, but the power of God’s Name is definitely a part of it. Since my earliest days with Mother, in fact the first time I met her, she instilled in me the holy mantra “Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram.” She received this chant directly from Papa Ramdas and it is embued with an all-powerful uplifting Grace. Not only did Papa use the chant to gain full realization of God, but others have done so before and after him with God’s name ever being chanted. The transformed consciousness of those who attain spiritual heights through the Nam further surcharges it with ever greater and greater power to help others do the same. Imagine the vibration of so many devotees chanting this holy mantra in full devotion for the Infinite–helping to raise the consciousness of this world and all its inhabitants. The Lord knows this world is in need of upliftment, and though we may be in disparate places, we are all in union with our infinite Beloved through chanting and harmonizing with His Holy Nam.

 
We pay special tribute to Babaji on July 25 as co-founder of our Guru-lineage. Master said that it was Jesus who requested Babaji to send someone armed with the science of yoga (union with God) to the West to re-awaken original Christianity. In the early formative years of Jesus ministry, and that of his disciples, it was well acknowledged that God and the kingdom of heaven were to be found within. Over the years succeeding religious institutions were granted enormous worldly power and due to the influence of the Kali Yuga a formulae developed in which acceptance of a creed was thought sufficient to be saved.

To be born again is far more than intellectual agreement to a dogma, being sprinkled with, or dunked in water, and even more than an initiatory experience such as feeling the power of the Holy Ghost in a Spirit-filled church. Follow in the steps of Jesus as he is baptized by his guru from a previous life, during which he sees the power of the Holy Ghost descending , he then goes out to the wilderness where he is tested. In fact there are many steps to be taken that eventually lead to the hill of Golgotha, the hill of the skull. We learn that the spiritual journey of many steps leads to our skull, our own brain where the Holy Ghost, Christ-Consciousness and God the Father are all to be found through actual experience. This interior experience of the Mystical Crucifixion has been known by saints and realized masters around the world, yet the world at large is either indifferent to divine pursuits, or is drawn to the idea of belief through simple faith, sans the inner experience of following the Christ all the way to the resurrection of Divine Consciousness.

Great Masters such as Jesus and Babaji are ever anxious that all should enjoy the inner kingdom of heaven, so Jesus asked Babaji to send the liberating methods of Kriya Yoga to the West. Babaji had his great disciple, Lahiri Mahasaya, through whom he had already started a spiritual revolution in India through diksha, initiation into Kriya Yoga; a technique of breath and mind control that awakens the spine and brain to the higher frequencies of innate divinity. Lahiri Mahasaya had a very advanced disciple in Priyanath Kerar, later Swami Sri Yukteswarji, who perceived the underlying truth behind both the Bhagavad Gita and Biblical scriptures. Babaji then guided young Mukunda, later Swami Yogananda, to his guru Sri Yukteswarji, where he was grounded in the insights of both Lahiri Mahasaya and Sri Yukteswarji in regards to the scriptures, both East and West. Of course the work could not be carried on through intellectual conversion only, but Yoganandaji walked in the steps of realization, even as Jesus and Babaji, and discovered directly the great truths that all saints perceive in the vision of God.

Babaji prompted Yoganandaji to travel and then live in America to introduce the science of Kriya Yoga. Babaji felt the desire of certain devotees in the West were ready for these teachings–his intuitive compassion reached across time and space and he knew that such souls as Rajasi Janakananda (James J. Lynn), Sister Gyanamata, Mother Hamilton and others would take advantage of these teachings–a few bringing them to full fruition. It would be Mother Hamilton, Paramhansa Yogananda’s great disciple, who would be destined to experience and further elucidate original Christianity and the inner meanings of the Mystical Crucifixion based on her own experiences. Babaji’s awareness stretched further down through time and he knew that succeeding generations of disciples would also find those who would go the whole way to full God-realization. Of course he also knew there would be the tendency to institutionalize these teachings, and much would be lost along the way. But, implicit is the opportunity for truly realized souls to keep the flame of realization alive, and that in time it may grow beyond a cultural revolution, as we have already witnessed by the influence of the Autobiography of A Yogi, and that it may bloom into fields of realized souls scattered across the globe.

Babaji has ever been interested in the long term evolutionary needs of the world, and it is for this reason only that he has maintained a physical body for so long. He continues his influence primarily through the inner attunement of advanced devotees. It can be a tricky thing to say that Babaji said this, or appeared here or there; as the ego-mind is at work until it is completely transcended and can cause delusions. There have been many books now written about Babaji since Master penned his spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi. However, due discrimination must be used in this regard. Even as in social circles there may be name dropping to enhance one’s own status, so those with a spiritual interest will drop names to lend a halo of credibility to the incredible. Going to God is not a circus–it is attained by dedicated souls sincerely making effort to change their lives and attune themselves to the highest Light. We all enjoy tales of the remarkable, however God-realization is much closer to home–know it to be right in the heart and soul of the seeker.

I am prompted to relate on remarkable experience I had with Babaji. It occurred when I had first left my profession and Phyllis had generously offered me a cottage on Hornby Island. Late one night I was walking in Helliwell Park. Suddenly I was enveloped in a powerful spiritual field, I felt my footsteps guided as I made my way through the dark woods onto a small beach on the ocean side. The night sky and stars seemed to grow close, or I seemed to grow large, and it felt I could reach out and touch the twinkling lights. The thought, “Babaji could come down to me as one of those lights,” came to my mind. However, Babaji has never acceded to my desire for outward remarkability, he only draws my mind inward. Just then I saw the wonderful five pointed star radiantly glowing. Entering the vast ocean of Spirit I was swam in God’s ocean of Bliss. Through my open eyes I saw that it was Babaji as Spirit permeating all creation. Through his Grace I pierced the personal and entered the impersonal–I describe here in words what cannot be described, but it seems right to do so anyway.

On this day of Babaji Remembrance, it is good to think on him and to read about him in the Autobiography; and better than all is to be inwardly attuned with him and open to his Grace. Of course we seek out God Omnipresent beyond form, and on the way up we are inspired by realized masters and saints, and rightfully so. Going beyond all form we find God is all-pervasive, everywhere present. In the universal vison we find His voice being spoken through all: in a child, someone in ignorance, and most lovingly from His perfected ones. Babaji’s words soaked in love and bliss are an encouragement to all to rise above the thralldom of everyday concerns–know the Supreme One, the One who is ever-present within you.

Travel Update: We have continued our westward march and find ourselves encamped at a pretty spot just outside Winnipeg, Manitoba–Birds Hill Campground. Well known Canadian writer Gabrielle Roy (1909-1983) called Birds Hill, near where she grew up, her most sacred memory of Manitoba. It has a wonderful feeling here. We are taking a day’s rest after several days of uninterrupted travel. As soon as we arrived here God took me upstairs and has largely kept me there. In writing about Babaji today he seemed so close, guiding my choice of words and making his will known to my receptive mind. Tomorrow, the 25, we will caravan further west, and will be in thought of Babaji and of you. 

We have left the eastern cities and toured west, even dipping into the States for a campground in Sault (pronounced Sue) Ste. Marie. While there we thought to take an excursion to Mackinac (pronounced Mackinaw) Island. Today the island is reached by a 15-minute ferry, the island has no motor transportation, but it is bicycle, ped power or horse drawn carriages only. We brought our bikes and took the 8.2-mile ride along the stunning coastline. We also sprang for a posh lunch at the classic Grand Hotel, where the movie Somewhere in Time was filmed.

One thing of note about the island, we consistently felt a quiet calm on the island, even though it is a tourist destination. Even the lunch we enjoyed, a room of a thousand dinners seemed tranquil. As we rode around the island there were signs with the history of the island, the story being told one sign every mile or so. This island was called Michidimackinac (Land of the Great Turtle) by the Ojibwas and Odawa People and is considered sacred, the turtle having a mystical meaning. The waters on the great Lake Huron were a wonderful color of aqua to deep blue, the sun shining—a perfect day.

Continuing back up into Canada we have travelled to Thunder Bay along the coast of Lake Superior (the Ojibwas called it Gitche Gumee: The Shining-Big-Sea water). It is wonderful to chant Ram Nam as we move along the highways, some rough, some smooth, a lot of summertime road work in an area where winters are rough on all the infrastructure. There have been wonderful vistas along the way of these great lakes. Nature’s Cathedrals are in great abundance here, and what stands out is that God is present in all the places we have travelled, seen in all people—enough to represent all the races and many of the nations of the world.

“Oh Lord, You are the all in all. You have taken your pilgrims upon this journey so that we might know that Your Spirit is to be found in all places, all people. This vast creation is Your playground, and while it can be rough play, nevertheless You are ever-present—a Guide, Comfort and Protector for Your devotees. Certainly, life can take a deleterious turn from a human standpoint, but when seen correctly, it is only You, only You. Oh Beloved, take the scales from your eyes, unstop our ears, and open our hearts so that we may see only You, hear only You, love only You.”

I have been looking forward to our time in Quebec City and Montreal for pilgrimage to the holy sites of St. Anne’s Basilica, Montreal’s Notre-Dame and Brother Andre’s Saint Joseph’s Oratory (prayer) Basilica. Our first stop outside of Quebec City is Saint Anne’s, holy mother of Mary. We drove to a little village that sprouted an immense Basilica out of the ground. It has two bell towers and is a remarkable work of architectural art. In fact, we have been treated to the most beautiful Basilica’s across North America; they simply, from an architectural and artistic point of view, must rank amongst the world’s great treasures. St. Anne’s is not only beautiful inside and out, but radiates a blessing of a holy site, worthy of pilgrimage.

It is interesting to consider Anne, mother of Mary. Said to have immaculately conceived the holy Mother, she is a personage of great spiritual worth. As Jesus’ grandmother, she must have held his little body in her arms; being spiritual sensitive there could be no doubt that she felt something wonderful holding this incarnation of God. It has been said that the Essenes prepared for this birth for generations, each successive generation making themselves spiritually pure for the potential to bring a perfect incarnation into earthly existence. Who could have known what those spiritual seeds would become, seeds that were planted in an obscure part of the world–not in the worldly capitol of Rome, nor in the intellectual capitol of Alexandria, but a village of no account to a humble family. In the caste system of Judaism of the time Mary and Joseph would have been from similar family backgrounds; Joseph a carpenter–a respectable, but hardly of a higher caste. Anne then, would have been from a respectable family, and she bore in her body a pure spiritual being who was destined to be mother of a great savior. Surely, she is venerable herself, and has been the inspiration for this great Basilica. We stayed for Mass that was half in French and half English. The priest spoke very lovingly of sacrifice. The woman who led the singing sang as with the voice of angels. As we left the sun was setting, but a glow kept growing inside of us from this sacred visit.

After spending a day in old Quebec City, where my high school French from so many years ago was not of any use at all, we caravanned on to Montreal. Having seen the pictures of the Basilica of Notre-Dame, dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus, I was curious to see what could only be described as wondrous pictures of unearthly beauty inside the Basilica. We drove to the center of the city and found the Basilica there amongst narrow streets that could have come from a European set design. Upon walking in I was even more wonder struck being there in person. The color of Mary is a beautiful deep blue, this is contrasted the 23 karat gold-leaf stars on the ceiling. The neo-gothic wooden structure has intricately painted columns, gold statuary, master paintings and unusual wood carvings that appear to be a city in profile in the front; it all combines to transport one more to a heavenly astral world than this material one. The building’s architect was American-Irish, and a Protestant–for this very French Catholic Basilica! The guide was relieved to tell us though, that at the end of his life he converted to Catholicism—all God’s fun!  This is a very fitting house of worship dedicated to the divine mother of Jesus and carries a beautiful vibration to it, though it is a tourist center, complete with a cover charge.

In the afternoon we traveled across town to our Brother Andre’s Basilica. Unlike many cathedral’s later turned Basilica by decree of the Pope, this church was designated a Basilica from its first foundation stone. Brother Andre, if you will remember from an earlier edition of the Cross and Lotus Journal, was orphaned at a young age and taken in by a priest named Andre, whose name he later adopted when he took vows. After travelling to the states for work after the American Civil War, he returned to Montreal and desired to become a monk. He was uneducated, could barely spell his name, and it was a question of how he could serve. It was decided he couldn’t cause too much trouble being the doorman of the Montreal Notre-Dame College; checking in students and visitors. With a life-long Dedication to St. Joseph, father of Jesus, Andre amazed local people when healing happened for those whom he prayed. More people came for his divine healing, and he moved his ministry to a nearby train station to avoid crowds at the college. He used the money he collected for giving haircuts, $300.00 in all, to build a little chapel on the hill to carry on his work for God.

A local doctor, perhaps jealous of his prerogatives, protested that an uneducated Andre should not be healing people of their maladies, he didn’t have the right background! One of Andre’s superiors asked if Andre would stop this work if asked, he was assured that Andre had taken vows of obedience and would. The director said the work could continue for the present. Crutches abound in the little chapel, that was also home for this little man (five feet tall) with a big heart. What a wonderful feeling at the altar in this small chapel, and upstairs we saw his apartment just as he had kept it. The largest Basilica in North America now towers over the little chapel, and also sports numbers of crutches from those healed, no longer needed. The interior of the Basilica is modern, not to my liking, but Saint Brother Andre had nothing to do with that. However, the feeling in the little chapel, and the chapel deep under the Basilica is very wonderful.

We feel so blessed to have come to these holy sites, each dedicated to a family member of Jesus. In truth, it was for this purpose we have come at all. In all these places, we prayed deeply to the Holy family of Jesus for those who are having physical problems, among those are Micheline with tumors, Dianne T. for dangerous bone spurs in the neck, Barbara L. for stroke symptoms and tumors, Win S. for heart problems, and others held in my heart who are all in definite need. All three of these sites are charged spiritual centers–the prayers made there were deep and sincere.

“Oh Lord, you see to it that the highest good of all be fulfilled. You are the miraculous healing power that regenerates a cut into repaired skin, brain damage into renewed wholeness, a weakened heart to become a vigorous pump once again; so many conditions and You are the sole source of healing in little things and large. You are the immense power that explodes as this universe, You are the regenerative ability for rapid, complete and most perfect healing, You make what many call miracles without a pause or difficulty. Oh my most beloved One, miracles abound all about us every day when the sun rises or in the blush of an unfolding flower–exercise Your ability to bring about healing for those who suffer, comfort for those in need, and most of all Your supreme bliss for Your awakened souls who desire You above all other things. We pray in the name of Your Infinite Self, the masters Jesus and Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswarji, Master, Mother, realized masters and saints around this world who You use to carry out Your will here on earth. Be it so—Aum Amen.