“Will you still need me,
Will you still feed me,
When I’m 64?”
Beatle’s Song
I remember when I was young thinking that when someone in their sixties passed away, “Well of course, they are old.” How time changes my perspective! Touching the fabric of eternity, 64, 100 or a 1,000 years seems but a blink. I stand on the brink of timelessness, and from that perspective I am, and we are all, eternally at the beginning. It is exciting, enthralling, and propelling to think of all that can be explored, all the ways we might serve—everything that God has for each one of us as His life unfolds before us.
While the body goes through certain changes as the miles pile up, it does not change the ever-new Joy of God-experience. Master described his conversation with the fully realized master Swami Pranabananda, the saint with two bodies:
The body of Pranabananda, which had appeared so well and strong during my amazing first visit to him in Benares, now showed definite aging, though his posture was still admirably erect. “Swamiji,” I inquired, looking straight into his eyes, “please tell me the truth: Aren’t you feeling the advance of age? As the body is weakening, are your perceptions of God suffering any diminution?” He smiled angelically. “The Beloved is more than ever with me now.” His complete conviction overwhelmed my mind and soul. He went on, “I am still enjoying the two pensions-one from Bhagabati here, and one from above.” Pointing his finger heavenward, the saint fell into an ecstasy, his face lit with a divine glow—an ample answer to my question.
And I can truly say, God is more than ever with me now.
I have received many emails and birthday cards from around the world, and it brings to mind the most wonderful gift of my life: that we share this time on the earth in order that all of us can go to God together. In my younger days I spent much of my spiritual journey on my own. Even after meeting my beloved Guru, it was a few years before I got to know the wonderful souls who were with Mother. Before Mother’s Talk we came in silently and sat to meditate. Afterwards, I would sit wrapped in her uplifting power, not wanting to lose any of it. After others had hugged Mother I would stand in line and once hugged, head for my car. As God would have it, I did not live in the Seattle area, so I drove three hours each way to see Mother through some of these years. I remember driving west towards Seattle, and when I came to Lake Washington I could feel Mother’s ambience, an aura of spiritual power and presence that surrounded Seattle. I chanted God’s name, faithfully practiced Kriya, but remained without many kindred spirits with which to share this path. One virtue of this isolation—I was aware of my inner spiritual connection with Mother that was independent of others, a deep bond that transcended time and space and what others said or did.
However, with time close spiritual connections were created—bonds of hearts and souls. Even though God has taken me on this wanderer’s life for now, I feel that powerful connection in God with you, even as I felt it with Mother. Time, space, age, circumstances in life, all these fade into a muted background, and what stands crystal clear is my union with God, and with all dear friends.
Sri Yukteswarji said in his Holy Science that God fulfills all of the heart’s desires. I can attest to this truth. In the fullness of this heart, overflowing with the Divine Presence as I write these words, from this heart may that same love, power and light flood out over all time and space and touch your heart and soul—may you feel the same greatness and timelessness of Spirit in our Infinite Beloved that I feel now.