On this day of September 30 we celebrate the birth of Lahiri Mahasaya—born in the village of Ghurni  in 1828 the great Bengali master is the headwaters of a spiritual revolution. The master came into the world at the direction of his great guru, Babaji. Babaji was introducing the concept of the householder yogi, one who is in the world but not of it. Like Kabir before him, Lahiri Baba demonstrated and taught that formal renunciation was not a necessity in order to attain the highest states of realization. It was the wish of Babaji and Lahiri Mahasaya to not only bring in a new life-style for aspirants to follow, but to give the refined pranayama meditation practice of Kriya Yoga to help accelerate the spiritual evolution of all sincere aspirants.

No individual becomes a master and perfect teacher without daily making innumerable decisions to attain that high state. After working a full day, the master would engage in nightly meditation. Like all aspirants, he experienced gradual states of unfolding that both purified and taught him along the way. Lahiri Baba focused on the Light seen at the ajna—sometimes that light became a form, it was his own Atman or Christ-self he was seeing. In this Light he also perceived his great guru as that same Light—the inner and the outer merged and became one. Once he had a form of Light come out of his own body—all these experiences worked to release him from the bondage of ignorance and separation. Although he had already attained Nirvikalpa Samadhi on meeting his master, there were many more experiences for the him to go through before attaining the ultimate liberation of Brahma Nirvana or Sahaja Samadhi.

Even as he continued to ascend his spinal stairway of realization he taught those who came to him and saw him as their guru. For Lahiri Baba the scriptures of India were not merely historical persons, places and actions, but in weekly Gita classes he peerlessly taught that these were actual descriptions of what goes on in the three bodies and the mind of a disciple when attaining realization—thus the Bhagavad Gita and other historical texts were seen in the light of Kriya Yoga and inner spiritual experiences. As an intrepid explorer and forerunner to his disciple Sri Yukteswarji, his disciple’s disciple Paramhansa Yogananda, and his disciple’s disciple-disciple Yogacharya Mother Hamilton, his wisdom penetrated through the outer layers of these ancient stories to perceive the most perfect metaphors for realization laid out in story form before all mankind; seemingly hidden but truly in plain sight. He handed down this revolutionary view of the scriptures to new generations of disciples and for all humanity—this is truly an essential part of the great master’s legacy.

Lahiri Mahasaya was not interested in limiting forms of religious practice, but only taught those methods that were liberating in and of themselves and could be of maximum utilitarian use for practitioners by this most practical of teachers. He taught no forms or images of God, but if disciples found inspiration in such forms he did not make prohibitions against their use. “Striving, striving, striving, one day behold, the Goal!” was not just something he recommended to others, but was indicative of his total dedication that took him all the way to the fullest realization. Whether a sincere devotee was a mailman, a Muslim, Christian or of low caste, it made no difference to this universally realized master. His compassion was not limited by outer circumstances, but his grace was and is open to all.

The great master did not profit from his role as teacher. He took a job as a tutor after retirement to help make ends meet. Monies he took in from initiation he passed on to Babaji. Truly, he was the most noble and wonderful teacher and guru and a perfect example for us all. I have seen teachers surrounded in wealth, focused on by thousands and even displaying powers and making themselves famous in the bargain. But, I would not trade any amount of time with those teachers for a moment of sitting with Lahiri Mahasaya in his little parlor in quiet meditation and being absorbed in the Infinite expanse and endless glory of his Divine Consciousness.

Simplicity, perfect joy, keen insightful wisdom, and purity of thought, word and action are all defining virtues of this great master. I thank God and Babaji for the day Lahiri Baba was born into a human body, for the great gift that he is, for the Kriya Yoga he taught and the supreme wisdom he freely gave to all sincere aspirants who sought shelter at his holy feet. May we too find such shelter and be led into the highest states of realization by this supreme master, our para-param guru Lahiri Mahasaya.     

Who is my mother, brother or sister? Those who are actively attuned to my Heavenly Father—pure Spirit beyond time and space, beyond personhood—they are my spiritual family which supersedes all other relationships. (Spiritual translation of Matthew 12:48-50) Jesus was making an important point to those around him. Even the special bond of an eldest son to a mother is secondary to spiritual communion in God.

I watch as the nearly full moon descends into the western sky. It is a September harvest moon, and in its radiance I feel an even greater after-glow from yesterday’s equinoctial group meditation. What glory there is in divine communion not only with our Heavenly Father/Divine Mother, but also with all brothers and sisters coming together in spirit as well. This superior union in Spirit connects us all and is greater than bonds of blood, greater than friendships based on common worldly interests, for it goes to the innermost core of the Atman or Soul—my part of God.

The infinite Lord has been teaching me over these many years the nature of this spiritual bond. When I sat at the feet of Swami Satchidananda, he said at the time of my departure—after spending four months at the Ashram—“Whenever you think of the Ashram, you will be here.” I had some notion of what he was saying, but really I had only touched the surface of those deep waters to which he was alluding.

Through deepening experience new ways of connecting with not only the Ashram and Swamiji but with all God’s creation began to reveal themselves to me. Truly, I could think of Swamiji half way around the world and I did feel I was with him. This form of connection is different than a psychic connection–in which I know something about someone else through intuition—I asked God to take that away from me because I could feel its allure to my ego-sense. No, this connection happens in a Divine Field: in knowing God-experience I also commune with whatever God reveals about different ones He brings to mind. In this field there was no ego allure, but a deep feeling of compassionate, loving Spirit.

Information coming from this inner communion varies according to Divine Will, from specific information to a general sense of being, from past life influences to what may occur in coming times. No curiosity or delving into more than what is given is triggered by such inner communion, but a very simple trust that whatever comes to me is what is needed in the moment. Physical proximity is not a requirement. Spirit is a time and space annihilator, for communing through Spirit operates through a substratum present in all creation. In Spirit, everything exists equally, without distinction of high or low and the many opposites that occupies material relationships. Really, when it comes to it, there is no such thing as brother or sister, mother or father, there is only one Being who is perfect, pure and all-pervading—all expressions are of this one Spirit. Therefore, I am really only knowing something about my Self, for there is no other.

As we sat in meditation on this powerful equinox inwardly communing with infinite Spirit, various disturbances that others are experiencing effortlessly come to my awareness—for I feel no difference between various parts of God. Physical discomfort, emotional pain or blockages and restless thoughts all dance across my mental screen. And what do I do with these? I pass them on to the feet of God, I surrender them to Him. It may be something from those sitting in the room with me, it may be from those who are at a great physical distance—in Spirit it makes no difference. There are times when the pain or disturbance is excruciating, but it is all God and therefore it is all good. It is all about surrender to the Light; letting go of all that that keeps us from knowing our oneness with God or pure Spirit.

And this is why on both a human and a spiritual level kinship in Spirit is of superior value. Spiritual Relationship is geared toward mutual advancement in God-awareness. Other relationships can also be important, but they cannot match the highest common good that is derived from communion through infinite Spirit. “Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched out his hand toward his disciples and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

We all a love a good story, whether told orally, in a book or film; and the best stories entail the hero’s journey. Such a story portrays the hero being drawn to a course of action, often taking it reluctantly, in which he or she must leave all that is known and familiar and sets out to accomplish a noble and selfless goal. The nature of such a story is such that it entails the risk of death or actual death and then an eventual return or rebirth and the attainment of something new, better and more expansive. Carl Jung called characters and themes found in stories around the world archetypes—so pervasive and enduring are such stories that they belong to the collective unconscious.

Powerful stories can carry you places, even as does beautiful music—which is its own sort of story telling. It can be useful to see your life as a living narrative, to see it as a hero’s journey. The hero seeks out truth and is willing to go anywhere, do anything to attain what he or she is seeking. We can certainly see this pattern in Mother’s life. As we studied her time with Papa during our last retreat, or her meeting her master, Paramhansa Yogananda, we saw that she was inspired to fulfill something she had always known she was to do, a destiny that was important not only for herself but for the world at large. This knowledge, that she had a calling, something she must do, that must be realized, drove her beyond all reason and caution to journey into higher and higher states of consciousness—to her full God-realization.

You can think that such stories are only true for great spiritual masters such as Mother, Papa or Master, but that is not acknowledging that God is the indwelling Presence in you as well. As Master once said, “The same God that is in me is in you.” What a wonderful truth for him to confirm, a fact that is true for all creatures—for God is the seed-force in one and in all. In truth, God is the driving power behind everything you think, say and do; whether it be mundane or spiritual. For, everything in your life is orchestrating events so that you might come to your ultimate hero’s journey.

There are many journeys of a hero’s nature we have over time. It can be a simple thing, such as telling the truth when it would seem easier or more expedient to tell a lie. Or, it can be a more difficult test, doing something that is the right thing to do, but doing so may cost you a great deal. You create a pattern for yourself when you face a difficulty and overcome your fear, you do what is right whatever the potential cost. As a result, you grow stronger and the integrity of your soul shines out from you. Ultimately, you are being purified by such experiences–prepared for the final mile of God-realization.

Whether you find yourself on the first rung of this story or the final mile, the pattern you follow is the same—you stay true to the higher light of truth, love and universal service in all you think, say and do. As happens in any hero’s journey worth its salt, the hero may fail to live up to the standards of a noble path along the way. But, the hero does not give up, rather he recovers and keeps going—that is what makes it a hero’s journey. And that is your hero’s journey, to recover, to keep going no matter what; it is the sure way that leads through darkened places and into the light. You, we, are here to individually and collectively walk upon this path of the hero, to make your way to the portal of the Infinite, then to enter into that portal and go beyond all that you have known before. In truth your life is the greatest story ever told; so, make it a good one, make it count.

Picture: Tree of Four Seasons

September has always been a time of new beginnings for me, perhaps it started with it being the commencement of a new school year. But, it is not just that, all through my adult years I have noticed it is a time of launching a new phase in my life. While nature around me is in harvest and preparation for winter, I have a springtime of new generations being planted.  

This September we are also experiencing a harvest, finishing renovations to the house; we are now sporting a first-floor apartment and Rebecca is moving in. It is always interesting to be eyeing up the completion of a larger project, an additional rush of energy to complete what had been started some time ago. With this completion of a project in sight and the  newness of a “sadhaka in the side-door,” I also feel there is something new with the Work I do for God and Gurus. It is now in the seedling stage, but I feel the hallmarks of its coming.

Every life has beginnings, times of growth and then the harvest or completions built into a natural rhythm. However, due to the fact that many of us live lives insulated from the seasons–work indoors and have jobs that do not reflect changes in nature (50 weeks of regulated hours with 2 weeks of vacation)–it can make us insensate to what should be a natural cycle for the body, mind and soul. This comatose sense of sameness makes us dull to miraculous life occurring all around us.

We thrive best when, like a farmer or gardener, we feel in synch with when it is time to prepare new ground and sow seeds, to water and fertilize those seeds and watch them sprout and grow to the light, gather the fruit of those labors in grateful harvest and then enter a winter-time rest. In that time of rest we focus on the still-state from which all creation comes. And, when God is ready, new cycles of growth begin anew. Of course, life does not always operate in such defined beginnings, middles and ends as a farmer’s life does, but if we pay attention we will see such cycles operating in our lives.   

God creates in you, and you feel a stirring when something new is coming forward. New beginnings are exciting times of discovery, a fresh energy coming into life. Some people hold back from new beginnings because it threatens the status quo, but this blocks the renewal of life—fear becomes a terrible denial of life. Some are good at beginnings, but are not steady in cultivating that new growth, giving the energy over time that is required to bring the creation to fruition. Drawing upon inner strength and determination you overcome all obstacles and bring the creation to its natural completion. In harvest, you celebrate and taste the fruit of creation—you feel the fulfilment of what has been brought about. Some do not take the time for this acknowledgement and celebration but are busy, off on the next thing. It is important to be, even as God is with each stage of creation, standing back and saying, “It is good.” Then comes wintertime rest, deepening contact with God in the still-state, drawing from the all-powerful Spirit, renewing your soul and preparing yourself spiritually for a new season—to dream new dreams.

Your inner spiritual life also goes in such cycles. So, do not become dulled to new life surging forward in your spiritual practice. Be sure to put in the hard work to increase those sacred seeds in their growth, reap the harvest of peace and bliss with joy. Then merge your little self with the Supreme Self in complete stillness. Your spiritual life reflects, like all of life, these cycles—stay alive to your own rhythm of growth so that you may reap the great harvest of fulfillment God has in mind for you.  

Picture: foreground: Mother and Papa in the Bhajan Hall–1957

Loon Lake Retreat has turned into a lovely bi-annual time to focus more deeply on a particular aspect of sadhana. This recent retreat was a meditation on Swami (Papa) Ramdas, a perfectly realized master who attained Sahaja Samadhi—sahaja meaning a natural state, no effort is required to maintain this level of awareness, and samadhi meaning ecstatic union with God. The aspirant for this union performs sadhana, intense spiritual practices that purify the body and mind and prepares it to be in oneness with the universal Spirit. Papa had performed this sadhana to perfection, and wrote about his experiences in a number of truly remarkable books, including In Quest of God and In the Vision of God.

We connect the thread of Papa’s life as it wove itself into the life of Mother Hamilton. In 1954 Mother had attained a high state of realization, Nirvikalpa Samadhi; union with God that is unwavering and the devotee has the ability to move in this world in a normal way, but that perfect union still comes and goes. Mother knew there was a higher state for her to attain, but her guru, Paramhansa Yogananda, had left the body in 1952. With ongoing intensity for God that was like someone who could not breathe and was desperate for air, she prayed to God that either He reveal Himself to her directly or send her someone who could help her in the final mile of realization. God replied to Mother, “I shall meet you face-to-face, that our joy may be full.”

While Swami Ramdas was on a world tour, Mother came to know that Papa was to be in Seattle from a fellow minister of Master’s, who asked Mother to accommodate Papa in whatever way she could while he was here. Upon meeting Papa, it was ecstasy at first sight. Later, when Papa said to Mother, “God has come to visit God,” Mother knew it was the fulfillment of what God had promised her months ago when He said I shall meet you face to face. Thus, God orchestrated a number of events that eventually took Mother to Anandashram, Papa’s abode of bliss.

During our retreat we saw Papa primarily through Mother’s experiences as she had written and spoken about. We took those events and meditated upon certain aspects of them—for instance Mother seeing an effulgence of Light emanating from Papa’s body that went out as far as her vision could see. We focused on that Light in meditation, attuning ourselves to that very same universal Light and making it our own. It was a blissful time spent together and working individually.

I am only sorry that all could not be there who would have liked to have been. However, even now, there are no limits to our joining together in meditating upon that Light of Papa, of Mother, and the universal Lord of creation; to merge into that Light and make it our own. We are completely free to yearn for God, even as Mother felt such a great desire for union with the God and Guru. God’s bliss lives in every particle of space and lives in you. Let us take the lead from Papa, from Mother and the great Ones who have gone before us and make us know that union with the Beloved is our rightful inheritance. He awaits us that we might turn to Him so that He can embrace us and make us His own. This is the message of Papa, of Mother and Master. Be it so!

Picture: Papa had a spigot of bliss on his big toe!

Continuing from the previous post Test Each Spirit, this includes another excerpt from a talk Mother gave in 1986. I had the privilege of asking Mother another question close to my heart:

 David H:  You go through many experiences when on your way to God. At what point do you fully know that you and God are one? In other words how do you know when you’ve completed the journey?

Mother Hamilton:  Well, you know that you’re living in a dual world, but you’re filled with the bliss of God. You feel that you’re full of God. You feel like when Ramdas came out of the cave at Arunachala in India, he’d been there for 20 days. He ran about embracing the trees and every man he could see. So this man he embraced said, “You’re in the upper story, eh?” He said, “Ramdas is in all stories.” Anyway, he was great in God and full of fun. He enjoyed the world. He wasn’t just sitting there pretending he was God and everybody should bow at his feet and worship him. I’ve told you before that he said, “Ramdas has trouble with all this head bumping when people come and put their heads on his feet to pay their respect to him.” He says, “Ramdas doesn’t know if they’re trying to get God from him or give him a present from God. He has a big spigot on his big toe and when they put their heads down there he turns the spigot and gives them a shot of spirit and they go away happy.” He was a lot of fun.

It is a rare a rare privilege to have the opportunity to ask a fully realized master about the ultimate attainment of full God-realization. There are many steps or levels of realization, all of them wonder-filled in nature, but the supreme attainment is only known, and can only be explicated, by a true spiritual master who has achieved this rare state. Even then, to have a spiritual master who is willing to directly comment on this exalted state is a true moment in time to be treasured.

Mother’s first measurement for complete God-realization is the ability to both live in the world of duality and be filled with the bliss of God. This mirrors Sri Yukteswarji’s statement that God-realization is ever-new joy—to know within you, “I am living in that blissful-joy, feeling God’s Presence day and night without a break.” Then Mother went on to refer to Papa living in a cave on Arunachala Mountain after receiving the darshan of Ramana Maharshi, during which time he was chanting Ram Nam day and night. Coming out of that cave Papa saw that the whole world is God, and everyone in it is His veritable manifestation. His joy is overflowing, it penetrates into everything he does and everything he sees.

Oh, what bliss was Papa’s, what a pure state of realization was coursing through and through him! And finally, Mother spoke of the fact that such a fully God-realized soul is a blessing to all who come into contact with him or her—with a big spigot he issues out bliss to all who seek his blessing! Papa’s bliss is infectious, it is positively maddening! For such a realized soul is truly a fountain of joy, and lives on earth to lift one and all into this universal vision.

Note: Today we have a ceremony to mark the passing of Treva Koler, so there will be no talk today. Please keep Treva and her family in your prayers. Treva is continuing her journey, now free of a body that was no longer keeping in good health, and with renewed purpose is ready for even greater growth.