<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>
<channel>
	<title>Luthar.Com: HarshaSatsangh &#187; Luthar.com</title>
	<atom:link href="http://luthar.com/category/inspirational/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://luthar.com</link>
	<description>An Inquiry Into Life, Work, and Commerce</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:57:38 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/how-i-came-to-the-maharshi-by-papa-ji-h-w-l-poonja/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/how-i-came-to-the-maharshi-by-papa-ji-h-w-l-poonja/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:34:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Harsha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA & YOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PERSONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TEACHERS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meditation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nonduality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Papa-ji]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poonja-ji]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana Maharshi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Inquiry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Realization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spirituality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tiruvannamalai]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yoga]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10795</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It was the first time that I had heard of the Maharshi or of Tiruvannamalai, so I wrote down both names. But how was I to get there? It was right down in the South, and my funds were almost exhausted. However, the next day I saw an advertisement in the paper for an ex-army man to run a canteen in Madras. I applied and was at once given the post and my fare paid.
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Papajis-Heart.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-8650" title="Papaji's Heart" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Papajis-Heart.jpg" alt="" width="616" height="691" /></a></p>
<p>I have been a visionary from childhood. When I was only five years old I already had visions of Sri Krishna. At first I thought every one could see them. I once said to my mother: &#8220;Look! He&#8217;s standing there!&#8221; but she explained to me that only I saw him.</p>
<p>When I grew up I joined the army. However my desire for God-experience grew so strong that after some years I resigned and decided to devote my life to sadhana. I wanted to become a sannyasin but could not because I had a wife and children to look after.</p>
<p>I started visiting Swamis and asked each one point blank: &#8220;Have you seen God and can you show me God?&#8221; I would allow no hedging. If they began to talk around it I said: &#8220;Please give me a straight yes or no.&#8221; I found no one who could answer `yes&#8217; and returned to my home in the Punjab feeling very depressed.</p>
<p>One day my wife was just serving my midday meal when a sadhu came and stood in the doorway. I invited him in and told her to serve him food too and then asked him whether he could direct me to a Swami who could show me God. He told me that I could find what I was looking for from Ramana Maharshi of Tiruvannamalai.</p>
<p>It was the first time that I had heard of the Maharshi or of Tiruvannamalai, so I wrote down both names. But how was I to get there? It was right down in the South, and my funds were almost exhausted. However, the next day I saw an advertisement in the paper for an ex-army man to run a canteen in Madras. I applied and was at once given the post and my fare paid.</p>
<p>When I got to Madras I said that I must first pay a visit to Tiruvannamalai before taking up my duties. Arriving there, I dumped my bedding in the Ashram dormitory and went into the meditation hall; and who should I see there on the couch but the sadhu who had visited me at my home in the Punjab!</p>
<p>I decided that he was a fraud. He had been travelling about India boosting himself and had then taken a train back and arrived before me. So I got up and left the hall. I got my bedding and was just putting it back on the horse-cart that had brought me from the station when a devotee asked me why I was leaving so soon. I told him and he said: &#8220;It must be a mistake, because the Maharshi has never left this place since he first came nearly fifty years ago. Either it was someone else you saw or he appeared to you by supernatural power.&#8221; So I was back to the hall.</p>
<p>As soon as I had an opportunity to see Bhagavan alone I asked him my usual question. I added: &#8220;It&#8217;s a bargain. I am willing to pay any price, even my life, but your part of the bargain is to enable me to see God.&#8221;</p>
<p>At first he sat silent, but I said &#8220;That&#8217;s no good; I don&#8217;t understand silence. Please give me a straight answer.&#8221;</p>
<p>Then he said: &#8220;I can enable you rather to be God than to see God.&#8221;</p>
<p>That puzzled me. I had very little understanding then.</p>
<p>A few days later I went for a walk in the rough country at the foot of the north slope of Arunachala and fell into a state of ecstasy during which I again had a vision of Sri Krishna. When I got back I told Bhagavan. He asked me: &#8220;can you see Krishna now?&#8221;</p>
<p>I said, &#8220;No; only when I have a vision.&#8221;</p>
<p>So he said: &#8220;What is the use of a God who comes and goes? If he is a real God he should be with you always.&#8221;</p>
<p>That shocked me. Again I almost lost faith in him, but some of the devotees explained to me. Before I left for Madras I asked Bhagavan for a mantra but he did not give me one. I asked him for permission to take sannyas, but he refused.</p>
<p>However, shortly after my return to Madras he appeared to me in a dream and gave me a mantra. Soon after this I had a vision of God in human form. This was followed by a great change in me. I lost interest in all the ritual and incantations and breathing exercises that I had been doing up to then. For instance, I used to get up at three o&#8217;clock in the morning to attend to my statue of Sri Krishna. All such things ceased to interest me. I was very worried about this. I thought it meant I had become an atheist.</p>
<p>At the first opportunity I went to Tiruvannamalai. I told Bhagavan about the change that had come over me and how I had lost interest in all the ritual that I had been practising regularly for so many years past.</p>
<p>Bhagavan looked steadily at me for some time and then said something to me in Tamil which I was told, on enquiry, meant &#8220;You, that is me, that is Bhagavan.&#8221; These words sank into my heart and I experienced the most wonderful feeling of bliss I had ever known.</p>
<p>It was from this time that I began to understand Bhagavan and his teaching.</p>
<p>Source:</p>
<p>The Mountain Path<br />
Vol. 2 &#8211; JULY 1965 &#8211; No. 3</p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">Related Articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/papaji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal">Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/" title="The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas">The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/nome-a-leading-american-teacher-of-ramana-maharshis-self-inquiry/" title="Nome &#8211; a leading American teacher of Ramana Maharshi&#8217;s Self-Inquiry: By Richard Clarke">Nome &#8211; a leading American teacher of Ramana Maharshi&#8217;s Self-Inquiry: By Richard Clarke</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/mahasivaratri-with-arunachala/" title="Mahasivaratri with Arunachala: By Richard Clarke">Mahasivaratri with Arunachala: By Richard Clarke</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-maharshis-advice-to-poonja-ji/" title="The Maharshi&#8217;s Advice to Poonja-Ji">The Maharshi&#8217;s Advice to Poonja-Ji</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/how-i-came-to-the-maharshi-by-papa-ji-h-w-l-poonja/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Effort</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/effort/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/effort/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:20:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>kheyala1</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA & YOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PERSONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ENLIGHTENMENT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meditation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana Maharshi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Realization]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10782</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is a mistake to think that one day you will be awakened.  You are, indeed, awakened every single moment you are fully present now. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Namaste!</p>
<p>My name is Kheyala. I used to post regularly on the HarshaSatsang list 10 years ago, and I am the author of the article &#8220;Satsang with Robert Adam&#8221;. Recently, Harsha-ji again ihvited me to be a contributor to his site. My style can be edgy, but if Harsha-ji&#8217;s not afraid to have me post here, then I am not afraid to do it!</p>
<p>My writings go out weekly and are a mix of essays/articles, stories, poems, and Q&amp;A&#8217;s. Here is the latest, after receiving a letter from Walter in  Maryland.</p>
<p>Enjoy. And love to all!</p>
<p>Kheyala</p>
<p><strong>Effort</strong></p>
<p>Walter writes, <em>“… I try to focus my mind on the feeling of I-Am-ness when I remember, or I try to ask the question ‘Who am I,’ like Ramana Maharshi recommended. This helps focus the mind.  However, Tony Parsons said no effort is necessary and for a week after coming back from Amsterdam, this seemed to work well. However, when I read the book I am That by Nisargadatta, he indicated that earnest effort is necessary. Tony was great and I plan to go back to either Amsterdam or Germany to attend another weekend at his seminar.  I feel that if I hang out near someone [who] is awakened, one day I will too … I cannot think of any questions to ask except about effort and effortlessness.”</em></p>
<div>
<p>***</p>
</div>
<p>Hi Walter,</p>
<p>{snip}</p>
<p>I am afraid after reading your words regarding your spiritual state at this time, what’s happening is that your enlightenment has become more of a preoccupation than a way of BEING.  Having enlightenment be an object or an idea that you stand next to, examining from that distance, can only lead to learning more angles on it; more <em>how-to-get-theres</em>, rather than actually Being there.</p>
<p>I speak to you this boldly only because you said you had your first awakening experience decades ago.   I feel that the teachers you mentioned reading and visiting are among the very best.  I am not knocking them.  But for You, well, don’t you think it’s time to see what it all is from the inside?  From your self?</p>
<p>See, enlightenment is ALIVE.  In fact, I would say that that is its most outstanding quality.  Even when it is perfectly still, it is ALIVE.  And when it’s in motion, any acts that take place from it have an Aliveness to them.  That is how you can tell a superficial stillness and any action that comes from mental activity apart from what really has divinity pumping through it.  I am not talking about mind-blowing spiritual experiences, either.  I’m talking about the mundane: brushing teeth, boiling water, answering the phone, doing nothing, whatever.</p>
<p>It is a mistake to think that one day you will be awakened.  You are, indeed, awakened every single moment you are fully present now.   In these moments you are awakened to who you truly are.  You already ARE that presence.   However, it is only when your actions come from that source of awakened presence that you get to see your own proof – that physical evidence that keeps driving you toward enlightenment in the first place.</p>
<p>So, you were wondering about effort.  I would say to pay more attention to how present you are being when in action.  How fully are you experiencing what is in front of you?  How fully are you breathing in the air around you?   How much love is in your heart when you write an email?  How much grace is there when you are handing an object to one of your employees?  Does this take effort?  Does it matter?</p>
<p>I believe, for you, what is more important are the results you’re getting.  I believe if you pay more attention to those, you will find that no effort is needed to keep your awakening in the front of your mind at all times.</p>
<p>Let me know what you think!</p>
<p>Warmly,<br />
Kheyala</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>[To read Walter’s response, click <a href="http://enlightenmentsupport.com/2012/01/effort/">Here</a>.]</p>
<p><strong></strong><br />
<a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Headshot.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-10784 alignleft" style="border: 2px solid black; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Headshot-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="98" height="98" /></a>About the Author:  Kheyala is a dedicated writer, mother, and walking catalyst for spiritual growth. Her greatest joy is helping others make real contact with the love and perfection that lies &#8211; unconditionally &#8211; at the center of every living moment.</p>
<p>Copyright © 2012 Enlightenment Support, All rights reserved.</p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">Related Articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/" title="The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas">The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/papaji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal">Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-nature-of-enlightenment-in-advaita/" title="The Nature of Enlightenment in Advaita">The Nature of Enlightenment in Advaita</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-journey-of-the-soul-ii/" title="The  Journey of the Soul &#8211; II">The  Journey of the Soul &#8211; II</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/how-i-came-to-the-maharshi-by-papa-ji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)">How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/effort/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>A Message from Heaven By Cathy Ginter</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/a-message-from-heaven-by-cathy-ginter/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/a-message-from-heaven-by-cathy-ginter/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:16:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cathy Ginter</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ART & POETRY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10778</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Beloved Earth Children ~ As this Solstice season approaches, we extend this invitation so that you might rediscover your most essential nature. . . Stand near a tree in the forest and learn the way of being still and rooted in silence. Bend like colorful wildflowers, splayed across the spring meadow, and bow to the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/HeavenMessage3.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-10779" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/HeavenMessage3-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>Beloved Earth Children ~</p>
<p>As this Solstice season approaches, we extend this invitation so that you might rediscover your most essential nature. . .</p>
<p>Stand near a tree in the forest and learn the way of being still and rooted in silence. Bend like colorful wildflowers, splayed across the spring meadow, and bow to the wind. Shimmer with a crystal in the palm of your hand and allow its energy to heal your body, mind and spirit. Dance to the river&#8217;s current, flowing downstream, and experience the full meaning of surrender.</p>
<p>Shine as the stars, high in the heavens, and be inspired to realize your infinite potential. Leap with the whales in the sea so your soul song might be carried by the waves. Soar like a falcon, circling the open sky, and see yourself, spreading your light into wings of freedom. Stretch your body with a cat to practice yoga. Serve others like a dog, ever loyal, trustworthy and true.</p>
<p>Heed the wisdom prayers of the Grandmothers and the elders of the gathering tribes and recognize that there is one Life and one Source that moves through all form. Have the faith of a gardener and cultivate patience, compassion and kindness. Breathe with the rhythm of the drum, and your heart will beat stronger. Play like a baby with innocence, joy and laughter.</p>
<p>Remember that you are the promise of your generation. Each day, the seeds of your actions cause the ripples of your humanity to travel beyond time and space. Therefore, do your best to be a living demonstration of the beauty of devotion, the power of courage and the triumph of perseverance. Above all, never forget that we offer you our unconditional love always.</p>
<p>Blessings from the Universe, All is Well, Be in Peace</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>A Message from Heaven © December 2011 ~ Cathy Ginter</p>
<p>Photoart by Cathy Ginter</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cathyginter.com/">www.cathyginter.com</a></p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">More interesting articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/pushpanjali-a-floral-tribute/" title="Pushpanjali &#8211; A Floral Tribute! ">Pushpanjali &#8211; A Floral Tribute! </a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/953/" title="Recipes">Recipes</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-root-of-self-inquiry-by-dr-harsh-k-luthar/" title="The Root of Self-Inquiry: By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar">The Root of Self-Inquiry: By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/sri-ramana-on-self-realization/" title="Sri Ramana on Self-Realization">Sri Ramana on Self-Realization</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/one-poem-by-rafael-stoneman/" title="One Poem: By Rafael Stoneman">One Poem: By Rafael Stoneman</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/a-message-from-heaven-by-cathy-ginter/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Angel Dance By Cathy Ginter</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/angel-dance/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/angel-dance/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:10:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cathy Ginter</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA & YOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ART & POETRY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10772</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Angels dance only with You, Beloved and only before You, do I bow in adoration. You may accept me or not, but I will be at your feet forever. ~ Rumi We find ourselves in the midst of a magical and mystical Universe. Simply gazing at the expanse of the night sky and watching the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Angel.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-10773" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Angel-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>Angels dance only with You, Beloved and only before You, do I bow in adoration. You may accept me or not, but I will be at your feet forever. ~ Rumi</p>
<p>We find ourselves in the midst of a magical and mystical Universe. Simply gazing at the expanse of the night sky and watching the beauty of a star spinning across space is awe-inspiring. And yet, we too often overlook the certainty that we are a part of this grand matrix of light. Instead, we focus on the faults that we carelessly present to one another. In so doing, we diminish not the love of God, but our own connection to that love.</p>
<p>And still, the angels look upon us with such compassion! How can we not feel their presence, enfolding us in the gentle caress of love’s sweet breath? In the face of this unconditional love, what is fear but the forgetfulness of our Source… what is shyness but closed eyes that merely need to open… and what is jealousy but turning our backs on our own gifts. Regardless, the invitation to join in the everlasting peace and still harmony of the symphony is always right here for each of us has our dance of devotion to reflect the angels’ joy.</p>
<p>Can we sing the lost song of the caged bird? Can we finally remember our name?</p>
<p>Angel Dance © September 2011 ~ Cathy Ginter</p>
<p>Photoart by Cathy Ginter</p>
<p><a title="www.cathyginter.com" href="http://www.cathyginter.com">www.cathyginter.com</a></p>
</div>
<h3  class="related_post_title">More interesting articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/google-should-diversify-its-strategy/" title="Google Should Diversify Its Strategy: By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar">Google Should Diversify Its Strategy: By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/so-much-love-for-japan-by-helene-averous/" title="So Much Love For Japan">So Much Love For Japan</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/forgive-again/" title="Forgive Again By Cathy Ginter">Forgive Again By Cathy Ginter</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/life-is-yoga-by-dr-harsh-k-luthar/" title="Life Is Yoga: By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar">Life Is Yoga: By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-dog-shavasana/" title="The Dog Shavasana">The Dog Shavasana</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/angel-dance/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Maharshi&#8217;s Advice to Poonja-Ji</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/the-maharshis-advice-to-poonja-ji/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/the-maharshis-advice-to-poonja-ji/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:36:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Harsha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA & YOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PERSONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TEACHERS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arunachala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ENLIGHTENMENT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Papa-ji]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poonja-ji]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Realization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spirituality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transformation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transmission]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10769</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Bhagavan said to me, "If you call it a dream, why are you afraid of a dream? It is better if you go into the dream and look after your wife and relations. Why be afraid of the dream?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Papajis-Heart.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8650" title="Papaji's Heart" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Papajis-Heart.jpg" alt="" width="616" height="691" /></a>Editor&#8217;s note:</p>
<p>As you read this personal account by Poonja-ji, keep in mind the background and the context of the times of the year 1947 as India was getting ready to be split into two countries.</p>
<p>1. Poonja-ji was from a Hindu family and his family was living in the area of India that became Pakistan after the partition.</p>
<p>2. In the summer of 1947 there was much tension in India due to the partition which resulted in violence between Hindus and Muslims.</p>
<p>3. During those times, Poonja-ji was far removed from his family and living on the holy mountain of Arunachala in the company of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p>Now the story in the words of  Sri H.W.L. Poonja (AKA Papa-ji by his students).</p>
<p>I was staying in Ramanashram before the partition of India in 1947.</p>
<p>One day in the middle of July 1947 someone asked me on which side of the river Ravi I was from. I told him it was much beyond this river. Then he told me about the partition crisis of the country which I didn&#8217;t know too much about since I neither had time for reading newspapers, nor for politics.</p>
<p>This man told me that in the middle of the next month (August 15) India would be partitioned and so my family, who was living in Lahore and Peshawar (areas to go to Pakistan), would be massacred if I did not save them. I told him that I had forgotten everybody and that it had all been a dream: parents, family, children, and country. All of it was a dream that was over now. This was how strong my detachment was and how strong it had to be.</p>
<p>This man told Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi what I had said and as we went out on his morning walk together the Maharshi asked me, &#8220;Why don&#8217;t you go and look after your family?&#8221;</p>
<p>I said to Bhagavan Ramana, &#8220;When I came here I had my wife and parents and children, but when you looked at me everything was finished and now You are my only relation and no one else in the world.&#8221;</p>
<p>Bhagavan said to me, &#8220;If you call it a dream, why are you afraid of the dream? It is better if you go into the dream and look after your wife and relations. Why be afraid of the dream? Your dream hand is quite safe in the mouth of the dream tiger. Like this, live in the world, and call it a dream. Don&#8217;t be afraid and work as you work in the dream. The dream is a dream and nothing in it is real, but you, as their son, are also in the dream. So let the dream son go to the dream country and save the dream parents in the dream.&#8221;</p>
<p>So in this way He defined the dream for me. Then the Maharshi said: &#8220;I AM with you wherever you are.&#8221;</p>
<p>With this sentence Bhagavan gave me the Teaching: He is the &#8220;I AM&#8221; which is with me wherever I am.</p>
<p>What could I say to Him? Bhagavan was telling me to leave. So I prostrated to Him and collected the dust from under His feet, went thrice around Him and left.</p>
<p>I went to the Punjab and through several miraculous events rescued my family from all the butchering.</p>
<p><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/soh_23.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9269" title="Bhagavan Ramana sitting with the walking stick" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/soh_23.jpg" alt="" width="347" height="360" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">Related Articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/" title="The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas">The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/papaji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal">Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/how-i-came-to-the-maharshi-by-papa-ji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)">How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/self-inquiry-and-surrender/" title="Self-inquiry and Surrender: By Dr. Suryanarayana Raju">Self-inquiry and Surrender: By Dr. Suryanarayana Raju</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/understanding-bhagavan-ramanas-teachings/" title="Understanding Bhagavan Ramana&#8217;s Teachings: By Alan Jacobs">Understanding Bhagavan Ramana&#8217;s Teachings: By Alan Jacobs</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/the-maharshis-advice-to-poonja-ji/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:55:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Harsha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA & YOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PERSONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TEACHERS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arunachala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ENLIGHTENMENT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[God]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lord Rama]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Love]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meditation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nonduality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana Maharshi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramdas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Realization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spirituality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yoga]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10766</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Swami Ramdas describes how he attained the Divine Vision through the Grace of the Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. Swami Ramdas was called "Papa" by his devotees.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Swami Ramdas describes how he attained the Divine Vision through the Grace of the Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. Swami Ramdas was called &#8220;Papa&#8221; by his devotees.</p>
<p>&#8220;Papa,&#8221; I asked Swami Ramadas ,&#8221;Would you mind telling us about your final Realization which they call &#8216;Vishvarupa Darshan&#8217;?&#8221;</p>
<p>He readily acquiesced and gave a long description of his burning aspiration and yearning which had led him to Arunachala Hill, hallowed by the tapas of the peerless saint Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi. I can give here only the gist of his long narration &#8230;.</p>
<p>Papa (Swami Ramadas) then started speaking. Please note that Swami Ramdas refers to himself in third person as was his habit.</p>
<p>&#8220;One day the kind Sadhuram (a disciple of Swami Ramdas) took Ramdas for the darshan of a famous saint of the place named Sri Ramana Maharshi. His Ashram was at the foot of  Arunachala. It was a thatched shed. Both the visitors entered the ashram and, meeting the saint, fell prostrate at his holy feet.</p>
<p>It was really a blessed place where the great Bhagavan Ramana lived. He was young then but there was on the face of  calmness and in his large eyes a passionless look of tenderness which cast a spell of peace and joy on all those who came to him.</p>
<p>Ramdas was informed that the saint knew English, so he addressed Ramana thus:</p>
<p>&#8220;Maharaj, here stands before thee a humble slave. Have pity on him. His only prayer to thee is to give him thy blessing.&#8221;</p>
<p>The Maharshi turned his beautiful eyes towards Ramdas and looked intently for a few minutes into his eyes as though he was pouring into Ramdas his blessing through those orbs, then shook his head to say he had blessed.</p>
<p>A thrill of inexpressible joy coursed through the frame of Ramdas, his whole body  quivering, like a leaf in the breeze &#8230;.</p>
<p>Now at the prompting of Lord Rama (Ram), Ramdas desired to remain in solitude for some time &#8230; The sadhuram was ever ready to fulfil his wishes. Losing no time, he took Ramdas up the mountain behind the great temple. Climbing high up he showed him many caves. Of these, one small cave was selected for Ramdas, which he occupied next day. In this cave he lived for nearly a month in deep meditation of Ram. This was the first time he was taken by Ram into solitude for his bhajan. Now he felt most blissful sensations since he could hold undisturbed communion with Ram. He was actually rolling in a sea of indescribable happiness. To fix the mind on that fountain of bliss, Ram, means, to experience pure joy &#8230; He went on taking the Name (Ram) in an ecstasy of longing when, lo, suddenly his Lord Rama &#8230; appeared before him and danced and danced &#8230;</p>
<p>&#8220;Did you see Lord Rama with closed eyes or open?&#8221; I interjected.</p>
<p>&#8220;With open eyes, as Ramdas is seeing you,&#8221; Papa answered. &#8220;But it was not this momentary vision that Ramdas&#8217;s heart craved. For he knew that a vision like this, was unlikely to last and so, when the Lord would vanish, Ramdas would revert to his darkness. Therefore he prayed for the great darshan, the Vision of visions, which comes to stay for ever so there is no more parting, namely the Vishvarupa Darshan, longing to see Rama always in everything; that is nothing less would satisfy Ramdas.&#8221;</p>
<p>Papa paused and then resumed with a beatific smile: &#8220;And it came one morning and the entire landscape changed: All was Rama, nothing but Rama &#8211; wherever Ramdas looked! Everything was permeated by Rama -vivid, marvellous, rapturous &#8211; the trees, the shrubs, the ants, the cows, the cats, the dogs &#8211; even inanimate things pulsated with the marvelous presence of the one Rama. And Ramdas danced in joy, like a boy who, when given a lovely present, can&#8217;t help breaking out into a dance.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8216;And so it was with Ramdas: he danced with joy and rushed at a tree in front, which he embraced because it was not a tree but Rama Himself! A man was passing by, Ramdas ran towards him and embraced him, calling out: &#8216;Rama, O Rama!&#8217; The man got scared and bolted. But Ramdas gave him chase and dragged him back to his cave. The man noted that Ramdas had not a tooth in his head and so felt a little reassured: at least the loony would not be able to bite him!&#8221;</p>
<p>Papa laughed out and we swelled the chorus.</p>
<p>&#8220;And then?&#8221; I asked, after the laughter had subsided.</p>
<p>Papa said,&#8221;The bliss and joy came to be permanent, like a torrent rushing downhill till it finds a placid level of limpid purling stream. This experience is called sahaja samadhi, in which you can never be cut off from the consciousness of being at one with the One who has become all, in which you feel you are one with all because you have perceived that all is He, the One-without-a-second.&#8221;</p>
<p>Finally we end with a comment made by Swami Ramdas &#8211; about forty years later.</p>
<p>&#8220;Ramdas went to Ramana Maharshi in a state of complete obliviousness of the world. He felt thrills of ecstasy in his presence. The Maharshi made the awakening permanent in Ramdas.</p>
<p>Some people told Ramdas: &#8220;You went to Maharshi and you got illumination. Give us illumination like that.&#8221;</p>
<p>Ramdas said, &#8220;You must come to Ramdas in the same spirit and in the same state as he went to Maharshi. Then you will also get it. Where was his heart? How intense was his longing? What was the world to him at that time ? If you come in that state it is all right.&#8221;</p>
<div id="attachment_7845" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 232px"><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/soh_021.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-7845" title="Bhagavan Sri Ramana in relative youth -2" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/soh_021.jpg" alt="Bhagavan Sri Ramana in relative youth -2" width="222" height="360" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Bhagavan Sri Ramana in relative youth -2</p></div>
<p>Source for this article: The Mountain Path</p>
<p>Vol. 2 &#8211; JANUARY 1965 &#8211; No. 1</p>
<p>Editor&#8217;s note: Minor edits were made to the original. Harsh K. Luthar</p>
<p>&#8211;</p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">Related Articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/papaji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal">Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/how-i-came-to-the-maharshi-by-papa-ji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)">How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/self-inquiry-and-surrender/" title="Self-inquiry and Surrender: By Dr. Suryanarayana Raju">Self-inquiry and Surrender: By Dr. Suryanarayana Raju</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-journey-of-the-soul-ii/" title="The  Journey of the Soul &#8211; II">The  Journey of the Soul &#8211; II</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/i-am-not-this-i-am-not-that-who-am-i-gururaj-ananda-yogi-satsang/" title="I am not this, I am not that; who am I? &#8211; Gururaj Ananda Yogi Satsang">I am not this, I am not that; who am I? &#8211; Gururaj Ananda Yogi Satsang</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Tapestry By Cathy Ginter</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/tapestry-by-cathy-ginter/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/tapestry-by-cathy-ginter/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:46:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cathy Ginter</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ART & POETRY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10753</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This place where you are right now, God circled on a map for you. ~ Hafiz How do we know that this is our place? Even if we completely lack faith in God, we know this simply because here is where we are. We might think it is hidden under the leaf on the morning [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Tapestry.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-10754" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Tapestry-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></div>
<div>
<p>This place where you are right now, God circled on a map for you. ~ Hafiz</p>
<p>How do we know that this is our place? Even if we completely lack faith in God, we know this simply because here is where we are. We might think it is hidden under the leaf on the morning glory vine that winds its way through and around the garden gate. Or we might go seeking past our own backyard for the treasure that is always given from within. Must we continue the search, or are all of our antics merely a game we play to catch God&#8217;s attention?</p>
<p>Regardless of how hard we try to look elsewhere, this moment is the gateway to our eternity. In seeing this, we realize that all of this running about betrays our spiritual heritage. Now, we can relax our hold on the spool and allow the threads to naturally fall into place on the loom. And if we are bold enough, we might dare to imagine this beautiful tapestry made in the perfect reflection of God&#8217;s love for us even when we can barely see a single strand.</p>
<p>Tapestry © August 2011 ~ Cathy Ginter</p>
<p>Photoart by Cathy Ginter</p>
<p><a title="www.cathyginter.com" href="http://www.cathyginter.com">www.cathyginter.com</a></p>
</div>
<h3  class="related_post_title">More interesting articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/arunachala-on-the-inner-path-southside-from-ramanasramam-by-richard-clarke/" title="Arunachala &#8211; On the Inner Path: Southside from Ramanasramam: By Richard Clarke">Arunachala &#8211; On the Inner Path: Southside from Ramanasramam: By Richard Clarke</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-religion-of-love-in-the-new-century-by-ken-knight/" title="The Religion Of Love In The New Century: By Ken Knight">The Religion Of Love In The New Century: By Ken Knight</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/sage-wisdom-by-alan-adam-jacobs/" title="Sage Wisdom: By Alan Adam Jacobs">Sage Wisdom: By Alan Adam Jacobs</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/paintings-by-bill-rishel/" title="Paintings by Bill Rishel">Paintings by Bill Rishel</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/mist-by-aparna-sharma/" title="Mist: By Aparna Sharma">Mist: By Aparna Sharma</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/tapestry-by-cathy-ginter/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Beloved Arunachala! By Helene Averous</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/beloved-arunachala/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/beloved-arunachala/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:54:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helene Averous</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA & YOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ART & POETRY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PERSONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TEACHERS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Art & Poetry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arunachala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Helene Averous]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Love]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mountain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poetry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ramana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10741</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There is a secret
In that mountain
Words cannot capture
The magnificence
Of Arunachala
Something mysterious
Flowing from there.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/boa_38.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8785" title="Bhagavan Ramana standing near Arunachala with his walking stick" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/boa_38.jpg" alt="" width="288" height="360" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">There is a secret<br />
In this mountain<br />
Words cannot capture<br />
The magnificence<br />
Of Arunachala<br />
Something mysterious<br />
Flowing from there.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Still and silent<br />
Always present<br />
In every flower<br />
Every stone<br />
Every bird<br />
Every being.<br />
In sky and earth<br />
And in between</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">What is the secret of Arunachala?</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I cannot say for sure<br />
It embraces all life<br />
And shows<br />
Everything is<br />
Holy<br />
All is pure<br />
Grace<br />
Flowing endlessly.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">AUM!</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Editor&#8217;s note: The poem was edited from the original submission made by Helene-ji.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Harsh K. Luthar</p>
<p><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/03041121.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-10744" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/03041121-300x265.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="265" /></a></p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">Related Articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/in-praise-of-shri-bhagavan/" title="In Praise of Shri Bhagavan: By Alan Adams Jacobs">In Praise of Shri Bhagavan: By Alan Adams Jacobs</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/" title="The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas">The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/papaji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal">Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/auspicious-shades/" title="Auspicious Shades by Trina Kavanagh">Auspicious Shades by Trina Kavanagh</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/lovers-love-completely-the-goddess-mystery/" title="Lovers Love Completely: The Goddess Mystery. By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar">Lovers Love Completely: The Goddess Mystery. By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/beloved-arunachala/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Bhagavan&#8217;s Walk With Devotees: By Viswanatha Swami</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/bhagavans-walk-with-devotees/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/bhagavans-walk-with-devotees/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:39:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Harsha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA & YOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PERSONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TEACHERS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arunachala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bhagavan Ramana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ganapati Muni]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Muruganar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vishwanatha Swami]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10713</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ganapati Muni once told Bhagavan Ramana that he had seen many other forests, but not the one at Arunachala. Bhagavan, who knew very well every inch of Arunachala, offered to take the Muni one day into the interior of the forest.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/boa_04.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8722" title="Bhagavan Ramana on His Walk" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/boa_04.jpg" alt="" width="346" height="360" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Editor&#8217;s Note about the three characters in the story</strong>:</p>
<p>1. Kavyakantha Ganapati Muni was a great yogi and a mystic poet and one of the early devotees of Bhagavan Ramana. Bhagavan and the devotees affectionately referred to him as Nayana.</p>
<p>2. Sri Murunagar is well known to Bhagavan devotees. He was the great poet who came to Bhagavan for the first time bringing a poem he had written to read to Bhagavan. However, upon seeing Bhagavan for the first time, Muruganar could not utter a single word. Bhagavan then took the piece of paper from Muruganar and read his poem.  From that point, everything fell away from Muruganar and he became known as Bhagavan&#8217;s shadow.</p>
<p>3. Vishwanath Swami who narrates this wonderful story, was the son of Bhagavan&#8217;s elder cousin. Now the story as told by Viswanatha Swami. I have made some minor edits for clarity.</p>
<p>Harsh K. Luthar</p>
<p>_____________</p>
<p>Ganapati Muni once told Bhagavan Ramana that he had seen many other forests, but not the one at Arunachala. Bhagavan, who knew very well every inch of Arunachala, offered to take the Muni one day into the interior of the forest.</p>
<p>Ganapati Muni could not bear even the slightest heat of the sun on account of a yogic experience he had, known as Kapalabheda (breaking of the skull), and so Bhagavan waited for a cloudy day. Such a day came soon and Bhagavan asked me if it would suit Nayana (Bhagavan referred to Ganapati Muni affectionately as Nayana) to go into the forest then. I replied that he would gladly jump at the opportunity and went ahead to his room to inform him of Bhagavan’s intention. In a few minutes Bhagavan came to our room in Palakothu and we three set out. Bhagavan took us through the third forest path.</p>
<p>After going for more than a mile, Bhagavan chose a cool and shady spot adjoining a huge rock to rest a bit. As we were sitting there a rustling sound was heard indicating someone was approaching, and in a minute, Muruganar stood before us. Bhagavan put his finger on his nose and asked him with surprise: “How did you come here? Even a forest guard could not have found us here”.</p>
<p>Muruganar replied, “I knew that Bhagavan had promised Nayana (Ganapati Muni) to take him into the forest on some suitable day. I also wanted to join the party and was coming to the Ashram earlier than usual. But today, not finding Bhagavan at the Ashram, I proceeded to Palakothu where I found Nayana’s room locked. I learnt from the watchman Sabhapati that Bhagavan had gone towards the forest with Nayana and Viswanathan. I made my way straight to the forest. Going along the second forest path, I found a footpath going further into the interior. I took the path and straight I arrived here.”</p>
<p>Bhagavan replied: “Is there a short cut like that? We shall return by it.”</p>
<p>Nayana (Ganapati Muni) patted Muruganar and said: “It is an indication of how you are attuned to Bhagavan by his Grace.” And we returned to the Ashram before 4 p.m.</p>
<p>I am thrilled when I recollect my intimate contact with Bhagavan and these two great poet-disciples of his.</p>
<p>Source: SURPASSING LOVE AND GRACE</p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">Related Articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/professor-and-the-sage-part-2/" title="Professor and the Sage &#8211; Part 2">Professor and the Sage &#8211; Part 2</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-maharshis-advice-to-poonja-ji/" title="The Maharshi&#8217;s Advice to Poonja-Ji">The Maharshi&#8217;s Advice to Poonja-Ji</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/" title="The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas">The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/beloved-arunachala/" title="Beloved Arunachala! By Helene Averous">Beloved Arunachala! By Helene Averous</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/understanding-bhagavan-ramanas-teachings/" title="Understanding Bhagavan Ramana&#8217;s Teachings: By Alan Jacobs">Understanding Bhagavan Ramana&#8217;s Teachings: By Alan Jacobs</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/bhagavans-walk-with-devotees/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>What Is Yoga Truly? By Latha Ramanan</title>
		<link>http://luthar.com/what-is-yoga-truly/</link>
		<comments>http://luthar.com/what-is-yoga-truly/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Sep 2011 23:52:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>sivashakti</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA & YOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INSPIRATIONAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LIFESTYLE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TEACHERS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ADVAITA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meditation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Knowledge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Realization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spirituality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yoga]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://luthar.com/?p=10666</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What is actually Yoga? Yoga is a system that was developed 5,000 years ago to reach the ultimate state of perfection or silence.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Ekapadagalavasana.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10667" src="http://luthar.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Ekapadagalavasana.jpg" alt="" width="226" height="127" /></a></p>
<p>(My Teacher, Stephan Shiva Trefzer performing Ekapada Galavasana)</p>
<p>“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.” – Romeo &amp; Julliet (II ii 1-2)</p>
<p>Now-a-days there are different styles, names and trademarks for Yoga. It has become like another commodity which you need to peruse and buy according to your need and what fits your pocket. These varieties of yoga styles can leave you confused about what will suit you. This write-up is not intended to criticise what yoga teachers are doing in the name of yoga. What I wish to is to highlight is the meaning of real yoga and what human souls intend to gain through yoga.</p>
<p>What is actually Yoga? Yoga is a system that was developed 5,000 years ago to reach the ultimate state of perfection or silence. What is seen at present is the old wine in new bottles and labels. All the new names given to Yoga are similar to patenting a drop from the ocean and calling it as an individual property. Real Yoga is considered as a systematic process that unites the individual self (Jivatma) to the Self (Paramatma). Swami Vivekananda says, “It is a means of compressing one’s evolution into a single life or a few months or even a few hours of one’s bodily existence.” So yoga as a system has the capacity to reduce the time-span required to realise one’s self.</p>
<p>Apart from the Hatha Yoga (physical postures and breathing exercises), there are different stages/limbs of yoga. Patanjali, the Father of yoga, mentioned in his ‘Yoga Sutras’ that yoga has eight parts or limbs so it can be called Ashtanga Yoga (not to be confused with the popular style of Hatha yoga by this name). The eight parts are the yama(the personal observances), niyama(the social observances), asana(the hatha yoga postures), pranayama(control of breath), pratyahara(restraint of senses from their objects of enjoyment), dharana(focussing of mind), dhayana (deconcentration) and Samadhi (super consciousness or the merging of the self with the Self).</p>
<p>Depending on an individual’s nature one gets drawn into one of the four streams/branches of Yoga, namely Karma Yoga (path of selfless work), Bhakti Yoga (path of devotion), Jnana Yoga (path of knowledge) or Raja Yoga (path of culturing the mind). Sometimes one might engage in all the four paths of Yoga and eventually settles in one’s predominant path.</p>
<p>People initially take up Hatha Yoga or any other branch of Yoga for some peripheral reasons such as losing weight, curing some illness or a strong inclination etc. We have to understand there is always a deeper goal we are trying to fulfill. Every human soul takes birth with an ultimate goal of realising oneself. If we miss the goal, several births may be needed to achieve it.</p>
<p>So enjoy any style of Yoga you are attracted to, the name is irrelevant as long as it aids you to achieve this ultimate goal of realising oneself.</p>
<p>Once you realise yourself, it is said that you have to leave that practice; just like a ladder needs to be abandoned once it&#8217;s use is over. Then there is no need for a practice; you remain in that state of silence or the indescribable merger with God!</p>
<p>Namaste!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3  class="related_post_title">Related Articles</h3><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-perfect-meeting_ramana-and-ramdas/" title="The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas">The Perfect Meeting_Ramana and Ramdas</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/papaji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal">Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): by Lisa Carneal</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/the-journey-of-the-soul-ii/" title="The  Journey of the Soul &#8211; II">The  Journey of the Soul &#8211; II</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/how-i-came-to-the-maharshi-by-papa-ji-h-w-l-poonja/" title="How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)">How I came to the Maharshi: By Papa-ji (H.W.L Poonja)</a></li><li><a href="http://luthar.com/njanappaana-2/" title="Njanappaana by Poonthaanam Nambudiri-2">Njanappaana by Poonthaanam Nambudiri-2</a></li></ul>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://luthar.com/what-is-yoga-truly/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

