Today is the anniversary of the great samadhi of Paramhansa Yogananda. Spiritual masters attain a high state of consciousness in which they transcend the limitations of the five senses and the reasoning mind–they find themselves in states of bliss, have visions of light beyond that which the sun or flame brings to the eye, hear sounds that come from the depths of creation, and have a deep sense of knowing who and what they truly are that transcends the short human life-cycle here on earth. Much can be written to try and capture this high state, but none can be the final word on it.
When an accomplished spiritual master senses that the time is right he slips the bonds of the human body for the last time and he or she enters into the realm of light and realization as a freed being–without necessity for returning to the earthly realm to fulfill unmet desires. For it is said that full spiritual realization answers all the heart’s desires, leaving nothing for the master except to think, do and say as Divine Will directs. God chooses the moment for this final ascension, a well known path by the master who “dies daily” in Christ Consciousness.
Master chose to leave the body in a public manner, even as he had led an open life for the uplift of all humanity. The occasion was the coming of a new ambassador from the relatively newly freed nation of India. Master was to be a keynote speaker for the function honoring the new ambassador. After a dinner in the Biltmore Hotel conference room Master rose to speak. He told of humorous stories of first coming to America. He had heard that Native American (Indians) scalped white men, and when he saw bald men in the cities of America he thought that “Indians” had been at their gruesome work! And when he saw signs for selling “hotdogs”, he thought, “Lord, why did you bring me to a land where they eat dogs!” Through humor and instructive stories Master touched the hearts and delighted the audience with his short talk.
Then he recited part of his beautiful poem, My India, closing with the sentiment, “Where Ganges, woods, Himalayan caves, and men dream God-
I am hallowed; my body touched that sod.” Then he turned a little toward his right and his body slipped to the ground. He was gone, just like that. The ending of life spent in service to humanity to awaken God-consciousness in one and in all. Master had “died with his boots on,” and he has left his mark for all of us to follow in doing what he did, knowing what he knew, becoming what he became; for he is the archetype for a rapidly developing consciousness in this world.
Slights, insults and injustices rarely stayed with Master. Even though he was subject to racist treatment and smears in person and in the public arena, he remained positive and saw the best in America and in people. He ever kept a higher vision of individuals and nation-states. This positivity was based on an inner vision that God is the evolutionary force in nature and humanity, and that although uneven and at times unlovely, it is inexorably moving toward the enlightenment of all creation.
Honoring Master is best done by emulating him. Following in his steps does not mean that we have to feign an East Indian accent or take on outward mannerisms like him. It means that we strive to know God, we honor saints and realized masters, we endevor to live as guru instructs us, and that we serve God in all souls–even as he did! Let us think on and honor the great master today, on his Mahasamadhi Day, as on all days.
You may hear my talk from last night to the Ashland Center:
Master’s Mahasamadhi.
http://www.crossandlotus.com/David/Talks/2017/20170306_DA_Skype_Master’s_Mahasamadhi.mp3