Picture: Paramhansa: Supreme Swan-swims in worldly waters but is unaffected by delusion. Fresco near entrance to Encinites Hermitage.
We happy pilgrims set off from the desert wilds and motor over a 3,000 foot peak and wend out way to the beautiful Pacifica shores at Encinitas–home of Master’s seaside retreat. For a long time Master had taken trips up and down the coast of southern California looking for just the right spot for a hermitage. It was not until he left for India that Rajasi Janakananda discovered this excellent site for Master, purchased it and made the buildings ready for his beloved Guru’s return as a surprise gift.
And what a gift! acreage upon a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, charming seaside housing, and delightful gardens complete with ponds filled with koi; a peaceful setting where Master eventually penned his spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi. Master designed and built a lovely chapel on the cliffside, but nature broke under its weight and it had to be dismantled. God told Master that he was too attached to this beautiful ornament of worship and so took it away from him. Even on a human level a great master has a thin veil of ignorance in order to play his role upon earth.
We once again looked upon the bright golden lotuses on towers of the hermitage that face the street. Entering the grounds we are told that Master’s rooms, normally open on Sunday afternoons are closed due to renovations. The guard standing near the gate said that some devotees were escorted into those rooms, so we might ask for permission. I do so and a sweet natured lady enquired as to who we were, whether we were connected with the Seattle SRF Group, etc. and then went in to make enquiry for us. She came back to say that none could enter, “there are no exceptions.” This prevarication was not necessary; in total surrender I acknowledged to her that, “All is in Master’s keeping.”
We climbed the stairs through shadowy lush gardens and emerged into bright sunlit vistas of shore, waves and ocean. Below is “Swami’s Beach” and is a favorite where dozens of surfers below are waiting to ride that perfect wave. The eye is naturally drawn out to the distant horizon where ocean meets sky–creating Nature’s altar for our infinite Creator. The intense sun made us seek out a bench under shade where we felt drawn to spend time with God alone.
My prayer to Master was that all in our group feel his presence as powerfully in his garden as we had in previous years experienced him in his rooms; now that those doors to that sacred site are shut. One sign of a spiritually charged environment is the ease for feeling God. Upon sitting down and closing my eyes, my spine straight, eyes pointed to the ajna, and instantly the inner and outer expansiveness merge into blissful awareness. Time is suspended and God and dear Param-Guru pervades the vast inner/outer experience. “Oh Master, your presence in your garden is equal to your powerfully charged rooms; your grace exceeds kindness and delivers us to your lotus feet.”
Ponds filled with colorful Koi
Sometime later my attention is once again drawn to the outer world. We stroll amongst the gardens, gaze at the large koi in the ponds, meditate under that tree that has a picture of St. Francis upon it, and although there are many people wandering through this Garden of Eden there is no hurry, all speak quietly and feel the reverential awe of being in Master’s kingdom.
Now we are taking our leave, gratitude fills our hearts for Master’s blessings. May this hermitage, built by Rajasi for Master with such loving thoughtfulness, fulfill its purpose, to be a refuge for devotees from a hectic world, and to always be a home for Master’s delight. Jai Gurus, Jai Master!
Picture: St. Francis upon a “cross” in Master’s Garden
