Babaji Shares Practical Wisdom for Seekers of Truth

Presented below is a summary of a series of talks given by Babaji during his Spring 2003 tour. These talks highlight Babaji's practical approach to spiritual development and tell stories from the Vedas and Babaji's life with his Guru to inspire us in our practice.

21 April 2003

Sunday evening a program was held at a private residence. This started the programs in Perth and drew a large attendance of both Western and Indian devotees. On Babaji's arrival the hosts performed the traditional Pada Puja to Baba and recited some slokas from the Guru Gita. Baba gave a talk on the benefits of meditation, how it is the mind that creates our anxious and tense moments, that dhyana meditation to control the mind is the only way to control these thoughts and emotions and to take the mind towards the Divine. Baba explained that rituals are important and symbolic, they help to focus the mind. However the minds attention must be concentrated totally on the ritual, not away thinking of other things. That there is no compromise on the minds attention, it is meditation that concentrates and brings the mind introverted. Baba has observed that many rituals were done in blind faith, God never asked for anything, God has no rules, does not ask for any particular flower, fruit or other such thing, you can offer anything clean and appealing. It is possible to become attached to the rituals and not be able to spiritually progress further to obtain peace and happiness.

Babaji initiated many devotees into Dhyana meditation and then the group meditated. Afterwards bhajans were sung and Baba thrilled the audience with His rendition of some new chants and a verse from the Hanuman Chaleesa. The host's daughter had suffered a severe car accident resulting in back injuries on the day of Lord Rama's birthday (Rama Jayanthi). A few days later on Hanuman's birthday her mother had a dream of Babaji in which Baba explained that He (Baba) was with her and that Hanuman was protecting her daughter and that she would be alright. The daughter has made a complete recover in a very short time.

21st April 2003

The morning program was very well attended by dedicated meditators who successfully sat peacefully for a 1 hour meditation. This was followed by some simple yoga postures and then Babaji lead some beautiful chanting followed by prashad. All present were very much appreciating Baba's wonderful presence.

Babaji was welcomed to the first evening public program by a large group, approximately half the group being newcomers, this is very inspiring for Baba mission in Perth.

The program began with a talk by Babaji on the techniques and efforts that are required to learn to meditate. Baba explained that meditation means attention to, that efforts, dedication to daily practice of meditation is required to gradually bring the mind under control. The minds imaginations create the illusions or feelings of happiness and unhappiness. What is happiness, is it having $1000, a flash air-conditioned car or other such things. We live in an empowered world there is no end to the things that one can imagine may make them happy. The whole universe is transitory, you cannot depend on the world for your happiness or peace. Permanent peace and happiness will only come when you become the master of your mind, that meditation is the only way to find your true self..

Some questions from devotees were answered by Baba.
A devotee asked if a special mantra is needed for the Guru. Baba explained that no mantra or vision is required, however for some people it may be a starting point depending on each individuals temperament and culture. It is always the Guru's task to encourage, teach, help and guide the devotee.

Another question that was asked, does the consciousness expand when one becomes enlightened. Baba replied that it is difficult to explain His experience in words and then told the story of how when we are asked where we life by a local that we would name a suburb, if we were in another part of Australia we would say which State, if we were overseas then we would say we were from Australia.

22nd April 2003

Baba's opening talk today was about the two friends, brain and mind.

"It is the knowledge of the Self and true wisdom that we seek. The Self is the abode of peace. Our real nature is peace. Look at the friends, brain and mind. Though it is very difficult to tell which came into existence first, what seems to be a good relationship gives way. The mind suffers at the hands of its friend. Brain is an amazing organ in the body that has enabled the soul to be conscious and aware of the universe, to be able to live in this world, work, eat, and live. Enjoyment is the thing that you are looking for. The brain is in touch with the nervous system and the universe. Through its reflections, The Mind, which is a spark consciousness of the Supreme consciousness called The Self, comes in to existence. This Mind assumes everything that is reflected by the Brain as real, recognizes and absorbs as an imprint and starts wandering in the universe aimlessly and gets pampered, looses control, looses consciousness of Self. Everything the brain reflects seems so real. We have acquired so many reflections since a small child, through youth and to old age, the mind clings onto these reflections, and so peace seems to be an illusion. Brain has taken the mind away from itself. Craving of the mind is the reason for all unhappiness in the world. To overcome this we need to meditate. This mind is your child. If mind is unhappy you are unhappy. If the mind is peaceful then you are peaceful. Actually, the mind is missing and is looking for that Supreme Peace which it had always enjoyed while One with The Real Self. Attention to the world always results in tension. Mind requires an anchor, somewhere, some body to show the way for the mind to go back to the Self. You cannot depend on the world for peace and happiness. Nothing is permanent. Everything is transitory, morning changes to night, the body changes from being a child to and adult and to old age. This is not something to be feared. It is natural. To overcome fears and tension the basic aim is to quieten the mind which has gone into millions of imaginations. Just like a spider gets stuck in the web, Mind has hypnotized itself. You are not going to destroy the mind by practicing meditation. You need to practise stopping the mind, same as you stop a car. When you do not want to drive it, you park it. When you want to drive the car again you can. When you can control the mind, the brain will be your servant. Meditation practice to control the mind aids the ability to achieve peace and happiness. The Brain is a biological amazing organ in the physical body. It can be a good servant but a very bad Master. You need to use the brains and not allow your spark consciousness called the Mind to get fooled by the reflections of the Brain."

Baba

23 April 2003

The evening program began with Babaji entering the hall to the sweet sound of devotees singing Swamiji's Arathi. Babaji paid all due reverence to His Guru at the altar, then sat down on the dais and addressed the gathering.

Babaji explained that the purpose of human life was to reach God and that the attainment of a human body was a very precious opportunity to achieve this. Human beings need to go to God Consciousness and not be stuck in the material world. Babaji reminded us that God has kept all happiness within Him and not in His universe. Meditation is the way to reach this peace and happiness.

Babaji also said that meditation also makes prayers stronger and more effective and can help the mind create a universal brotherhood. Mind is a spark of God, the supreme infinite, and when concentrated it becomes introverted and contacts the Divinity within, and divine Grace starts flowing automatically. In this way, meditation helps one obtain divine Grace.

One young man asked about the experience of "no-mind" which Bhagavan Ramana Maharishii apparently gave to certain devotees. Babaji replied that a Yogi's vibrations are always flowing and that it is the person's receptivity which determines what kind of experience he or she has according to their faith and devotion. A Yogi doesn't discriminate or ‘award' experiences to one person over another.

The same devotee also asked if meditation can reverse or reduce one's past life (prarabdha) karma. Babaji's reply was a simple "yes", adding that continuous meditation attracts God's grace and it is this which removes past karma.

Eager to know more, the same devotee also asked whether a yogi travels to other subtle worlds and whether Babaji had any experience of these. Babaji replied that a Yogi can, and that during his tapas Babaji had many such experiences. However, these subtle realms are really just ego-based hallucinations and that the existence of God is the ultimate reality. That reality alone is the recommended goal for a spiritual seeker (sadhak) who must ignore any experiences of travel in the subtle dimensions.

24 April 2003

The evening program began with the gathering sweetly singing Swamiji's Arathi to greet Baba. Baba paid all due reverence to His Guru at the altar, then sat down on the dais and addressed his eagerly awaiting devotees.

Babaji noted that there were unfamiliar faces amongst the group but that all of their souls are familiar. He stressed that we should not compromise, that we should aim for God Consciousness and nothing less. He likened it to being able to have a whole supermarket yet, in our ignorance, we only ask for the chocolate.

He then proceeded to tell the story of Nachiketa a young but very wise boy and his scholar father, in order to illustrate that we should never compromise. In order to keep the ‘promise' of his father who told his son in a moment of frustration that he would gift him to the Death God, Lord Yama, Nachiketa jumped into the fire. So impressed with this boy's honesty and young age, Lord Yama granted him three boons. The boy's main wish was to know the Ultimate truth. Lord Yama tried to dissuade the boy by offering him 10,000 years of a materially rich life yet the boy insisted that this meant nothing without knowing the Truth and stopping the birth-death cycle.

Baba explained that we need two things to reach The Truth: adjustment and management. Adjustment means acceptance so that we have contentment in the mind. Management refers to intention and attitude.

We must turn our attention to God or The Truth and this is meditation. Meditation must be coupled with Bhakti - devotion and faith. By surrendering and praying to God, then God works on our ego. In turn, the ego is every imagination of the mind. By surrendering, we learn to control the mind and the mind, unlike the body, is immortal.

Meditation will increase our ability to love each other. Babaji noted that His Guru warned him to be aware of how one behaves as this reveals the nature of one's culture and character. He highlighted the common gap between our words and what we actually practise.

A 45 minute meditation ensued where peaceful silence surrounded the devotees. Afterwards, Bhajans were sung by devotees and Babaji delighted the group with his singing and chanting. Then, some thought provoking questions were asked and, in response, Babaji provided his wisdom. Babaji explained that Realized Souls never revert back to an ignorant state. However, there is great danger of this occurring during tapas so that the aspirant must take great care. Babaji also informed the group that when the mind is not attached to the world then, on death, it is able to go back to its Source, back to Consciousness. However, if the mind is still attached to this world, then it will be thinking about its next life.

25th April 2003

Babaji recounted significant events in the life of His beloved Guru Shivabalyogi and some of what happened in Adivarapupetta, the place where Swamiji performed 12 years of Tapas. Swamiji had moved his meditation to the graveyard in Adivarapupetta because of harassment by village urchins who threw mud and stones at him and even firebombs made out of gasoline soaked rags. The villagers were scared of the graveyard so people left him alone but there He faced many other tests and onslaughts as well.

Swamiji endured the rainy season of August and September, sitting in the mud being bitten by rats, scorpions and snakes. At one point Swamiji suffered a venomous snakebite and became unconscious. Three days later it was thought He was dead. The same Sage Jangama Devar appeared, waking the boy to sit and removed the poison.

Devotees gathered and built a temple on the site where all this occurred and on their request Swamiji sat inside this temple in Tapas for Twelve Years achieving nirvikalpa samadhi (samadhi without any ego sense).

On another time on night, the young boy in Tapas felt terrible agony and started wondering, why should I be sitting here like a dead person, I must go back to help Mother who would be in great distress, resolving thus, the young boy Tapaswin got up and started going towards village. When He came to the gate of the graveyard He saw the sage Jangama Devar standing. The sage said You are Born for Tapas and for 12 years I would not allow you to go anywhere until it is over. Determined, the young Tapaswin came back and sat down for Tapas resolving firmly that either I would die or get up after completing this Tapas...

Once when The sage appeared before him, the young Tapaswin asked with reverence and curiosity, who are you and why have you made me to sit like this. Smilingly Jangama Devar said, I have done so much for you and still you have doubts as to who I am! You were born for this purpose. I will reveal my identity to you in 12 years time. After that you may leave and do anything you like."

It was at the end of these 12 years of tapas that, Parabrahma The Divine, appeared by manifesting as Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati before him. Swamiji wondered who they could be, as up until that point he had only ever seen Sage Jangama Devar appearing. They said "You have been in nirvikalpa samadhi for long time, now you have accomplished The Tapas. They finally merged in to the body of SHIVABALAYOGI TO show that He had become one with GOD. Whatever you want to do, you are free to do now. People have forgotten their real Self and this has lead to trouble and violence in the world. They need your teaching. Teach the people meditation, initiate them so that they can regain consciousness of their true Self and remain one with the SELF..

Swamiji, after His Tapas, before embarking to teach the world, installed Shiva-Lingam brought from the sacred river Narmada in Onkareshwar in central India. Along with The Shiva Lingam He installed Goddess Parvati. They are now The presiding Deities of Adivarapupetta Ashram and in the Temple where SHIVABALAYOGI had performed 12 years Tapas and every Mahashivarathri Babaji travels there to offer His reverence to The beloved Great Guru Maharaj on the invitation of The Managing Trustees, where Guru Maharaj's Maha Samadhi is situated.

Babaji then related the story of Kanaka Dasa and had the audience riveted with attention. Babaji explained that the life of Kanaka Dasa teaches that consciousness increases if you practice meditation or even the path of devotion. Kanaka Dasa was a Saint of Karnataka, South India, during the reign of Vijayanagara Kings.

He was a cowherd boy with no education. When he was a young boy he once saw some priests worshiping God. His attention became fixed on this scene so he went up to them and appealed to them to teach him how to worship God. The priests laughed at him saying, ‘you are a cowherd boy with no education. What worship could you ever learn in order to know about God?' Eventually, out of cunningness, they told the boy, ‘OK, let us see what you can do. Go and sit under the tree and repeat "Buffalo, Buffalo", and you will get realised'.

The boy, innocent as he was, considering them to be his Gurus, went and sat under a tree and started repeating "Buffalo, Buffalo" in his native language Kannada - "Korna, Koran" - he kept repeating. After several months of begging for alms and eating only a little food, he had a vision of Lord Yama, the God of Death, sitting on a buffalo. Lord Yama initiated the boy into the name ‘Kesheva', one of the names of Lord Krishna and told him to repeat the name of Lord Krishna.

The great Saint Vyasa Theertha accepted the young boy as a disciple but he was of a lower caste than the other students who always looked down on him, but the Guru knew the true quality of the other students and wanted to teach them a lesson. One day, the Guru held a competition and gave one banana to each of the students, including Kanaka Dasa, and said ‘Today all of you go out and eat this banana where nobody can see you eat it and come back before sunset. Whoever comes back first having eaten the banana will win.' The students were pleased and looked forward to winning the prize. All the students went and one by one arrived back after eating the banana. Lunchtime came and went and Kanaka Dasa was still not back. The students were gossipping and making fun of Kanaka saying that he couldn't even handle the simple task of eating a banana with nobody watching. The Guru wanted to test our wisdom and certainly this Kanaka has failed.

Finally after sunset, Kanaka Dasa arrived and placed the banana at the feet of the Guru. He begged his pardon saying, ‘I tried to the best of my ability to eat it without being watched but wherever I went I saw Lord Krishna watching me'. Such was his devotion and God consciousness that he saw God only. The other students had heard many spiritual discourses but had not put them into practice like Kanaka Dasa. The other students felt ashamed of their ignorance and then honoured Kanaka Dasa.
Babaji explained that the moral of this story is that if one practises meditation one's consciousness increases and one would gain the awareness that God is everywhere. Babaji stressed the need to meditate every day for forty-five minutes like a valiant soldier, and then the mind will become purified and eligible to go towards God. It is God who will purify the devotee through the practice of this meditation. Babaji assured the audience that if anyone does the practice in the recommended way, that person would definitely reach God.

The practice of meditation improves our ability to focus our attention - . Babaji then related a story from the Mahabharata about Arjuna's amazing powers of perception and attention. These were revealed when he was learning archery from Dronacharya. The target was a parrot and the challenge was to decapitate the bird. Other archers were only able to focus on the sky, the tree or the parrot itself when taking aim. However, Arjuna was able to focus his attention so keenly he could target the very throat of the parrot and be successful. In the same way, Babaji said, perfect attention must be practiced and learnt to fix the mind on its target - the Self.

Babaji blessed the gathering with a second talk that evening on the significance of the Shiva Lingam. Babaji explained that the Shiva Lingam is a symbol of the form and formless aspects of God. The mind was originally merged in its source - the formless God - but lost its devotion, became distracted and went out towards the world of form, away from its divine source producing illusions and imaginary objects. Out of kindness God manifested in various forms to give blessings to devotees and provide an object for their devotion. The same mental determination is required to turn back towards God. Devotion is not easy but it develops with meditation. You can surrender when your mind turns towards God. The Shiva Lingam is a symbol of formlessness and also form because it has shape and substance like stone or marble. Prana is the divine energy, which manifests in form but God is not limited to any form. No one can limit God. He is all pervading. Babaji compared God to space explaining how space can't be limited to the room and hall where Babaji's talk was taking place. God exists everywhere. It is ignorance to think that God only exists in the Shiva Lingam. If the mind quietens its attention can turn back to its divine or real Self, therefore devotion means meditation and meditation means devotion.

Babaji stressed that meditation must be in every path. Krishna taught karma yoga - trying to keep one's attention on God while offering everything to Him. This is done so that the sense of "I" as the doer may vanish - that "I" does not exist. The karma yogi knows it is only the Lord who does everything. God is only a witness in the same way a Yogi is and a yogi is not mentally involved in his actions. Babaji stressed again the need for constant practice so we can reach the ultimate truth, the real Self or God Self.

Babaji compared how our parents often appeared rigid to us in childhood with the way we sometimes feel a Guru teaches. In hindsight we realize our parent's rules were often necessary and beneficial. The Guru teaches character, wisdom and gives inspiration. Following the Guru's teaching will give us the supreme bliss of self-realization, Babaji said. Saints, Yogis and masters have appeared and they always will to teach the world "I am not this body". Babaji said that the Shiva Lingam was at the beginning of His Guru's lineage.

Babaji then related how he was initiated into sannyas by Swamiji. Swamiji was in Rishikesh to bathe in the Ganges and in a simple act, sprinkled Ganges water on Babaji and scratched something on Baba's tongue and patted him on the back. Swamiji had baptized Baba in to sanyas . but cautioned Babaji that he should never claim to be, but rather just live the life and wear white cloth as opposed to the ochre robe.

In concluding His talk Babaji emphasized that the practice of meditation would make an impact on society and the world. Babaji said that meditation would help people reduce their selfishness, hatred, violence and narrow mindedness and make them more considerate towards others. Babaji reassured all present that we could achieve mind control if we sincerely practiced.

Babaji conveyed His love and blessings to everyone present and expressed His wish for all of us to be inspired. Everyone had listened with rapt attention in a mood of absolute reverence. At the end of the talk we felt we had been given a rare gift from Babaji that evening.

Questions and Answers

Later Babaji responded to some questions. One devotee asked how one can tell if a person is fully God realized and how advanced they really are. Babaji replied that God will help the person know this and stressed again the need to quieten our mind by meditation. This will allow us to feel the answer from the heart.

Another asked what a seriously ill person could do to help themselves if they can't meditate. Babaji replied that they should remember God and try to surrender to Him, and then He will help.

Babaji was also asked if Tapas was something we will all have to do. He said yes, in some form or other. Tapas means putting the ego (the imagined self) in the fire of the true Self. Babaji was further asked if Tapas would necessarily mean leaving worldly life. The answer was that it is not necessarily the case, tapas can be in the form of devotion and that it is possible to achieve realization in this world, gradually circumstances favorable to realization become manifest.

Another devotee wanted to know what a seriously mentally ill person could do since they cannot meditate. Babaji explained that the company of Gurus, listening to their teachings and exposure to satsang would all be beneficial.

A young woman asked if there is always a purpose for the tests we experience in life. Babaji replied there was, so that we come to know the value of supreme peace, and that the mind will only appreciate the value of self-realization after hard work! He added that God doesn't give quickly by spoon-feeding.

Finally Babaji was asked if the Divine still tested Him. The answer was a quiet 'yes'. Babaji paused, then added very quietly 'He tests me how much I love Him'… *

26th April 2003

Instead of the usual evening program, Baba kindly responded to an invitation from the Perth- based Sivananda Ashram to address a group of yoga teachers and students, as well as dedicated devotees, for an hour and a half.

Baba was hosted in the Ashram's satsang room which was filled with the pictures of several saints, including that of Swami Venkatesananda and his Guru, Swami Sivananda. Swami Venkatesananda founded the Ashram. Baba was greeted by the gathering sweetly singing Swamiji's Arathi. Baba paid all due reverence to His Guru at the altar, then sat down on the dais. He commenced his address by offering surrender and salutations to all Realized Souls, describing Swami Sivananda as a great soul who does not belong to any one particular age.

Baba then proceeded to tell the story of His Guru's and his own tapas, as well as the work of his mission. He then explained that ‘Yoga' means ‘union', union with God, union with Universal Consciousness. And yoga is open to all humanity, all religions, as Swamiji and Swami Sivananda taught.

A distracted mind is a mind that has moved away from ‘yoga', an introverted mind is absorbed into the Real Self, going back to its origin, back to the Divine. The purpose of human life is to achieve this, as cited in the Gita and the Gita advises that one must seek a guru to help one on the Path. Baba also emphasized that, while it is good to listen to Self Realized souls, one must have one's own experience. By having one's own experience, one cannot be moved by others.

As a child, Baba would wonder why, if we are something else, that is, not mortal, then why are we not conscious of it? A yogi's consciousness stays in itself easily.

He closed his opening address by describing religion as looking after one's physical, mental and moral health. Then a beautiful silence enveloped the crowded satsang room as Baba led a 15 minute meditation. After this, he introduced his singing of mantras by informing the group that mantras can be of powerful assistance to meditation. The mantra must appeal to you so that you concentrate the mind. The key is the concentration of the mind. Hence, no mantra is more powerful than another. Likewise, sages have offered all sorts of yoga so that the aspirant can choose what appeals to the mind.

He concluded by stipulating that dedication, discipline and patience are all essential to reach the goal. Dedication means that one will take the time out to meditate, discipline means that one will practise daily to gain control over the mind and patience is in recognition that the mind has been out of control since time immemorial. This purification will help us to love and honour each other.

Baba sang some bhajans and responded to several questions. He informed the inquirers that world peace can be achieved via meditation practise and that one hour a day of meditation at one's own home is enough to achieve some peace of mind and to be helpful in solving problems. Baba also advised a young mother that a part of her devotional practice is to consider the task of motherhood as a part of her devotion.

27th April 2003

At Wollaston College Auditorium, Mount Claremont W.Australia

The morning program began with Babaji leading the devotees in some breathing exercises. This time Babaji sang Bhaja Govindam at the start of the meditation. Then a devotee asked Babaji to comment on Bhaja Govindam which He had sung earlier. Babaji translated many of the verses and conveyed its essential message; that worldly knowledge is of no use when death arrives, so one should try and reach God while one has the means to do so.

Evening Program

Baba then told a beautiful story from the Ramayana to illustrate the power of a receptive, pure mind. He told of how the young Rama had become detached and silent on returning from some travels. His father, King Dasartha, was worried and asked the great sage, Vasistha to speak with Rama. Like Lord Buddha, Sri Rama was concerned by people's suffering, their illness and death. He wondered why are we born, do we have a purpose? Sri Rama's mind was so pure, he focused so well whilst Sage Vasistha delivered a seven day discourse that Rama became Realized after those seven days. It was the ripeness of the disciple, Rama, he was so ready to receive the teachings and this allowed his Realization.

Baba continued by talking about the billions of layers of the mind that we all have and that he, himself, experienced during tapas. He assured the gathering that through meditation one can get through all of these layers and find ones true Self, peace, God. He also noted that Swamiji only ever recommended reading Yoga Vasistha. If one can read and understand this text there would be no need to read any other. to understand the mind's effects, to understand how violence occurs in the mind.. How Mind and Space are pure imaginations.

Baba then relayed another Ramayana story in his sweet, soft style. When Ravana wanted to take away Sita , approached the great Tantric, Maricha , to change his shape into a deer and distract Rama. To this, Maricha asked, why Ravana, a great Tantric that you are, transform Yourself into Rama. Ravana replied that in order to transform himself he must think like Rama, he must get inside the mind of Rama. Such was the pureness of Rama's great mind that Ravana found whenever he thought like Rama, he lost all desire to takeaway Sita.

In all earnest, Baba informed the gathering that by meditating they too can become a Yogi. He inspired the aspirants by noting that, if man can circle the moon, and achieve so many wonders in this world, so with a firm resolve to meditate, with dedication, confidence, faith in the Guru , One can become yogi if one is sincere and does Sadhana..

Baba then offered invaluable advice about choosing a guru. He recalled that in India he was taught to stick to the Guru that appeals to him, the Guru in one's heart, and stay on that path as your heart will not cheat you. He offered the analogy of being able to choose between seven different buses to reach the same destination. If you pick incorrectly then you will feel restless, get confused and got off the bus before reaching your destination. Whilst Baba said it is fine to go to other teachers, he warned not to get confused about the teachings. He advised to pray to God that you want the Ultimate Truth and that you will not be stopped in your efforts.

In the 1970's, other ashrams tried to confuse Baba by imploring him to come live with them as they needed his skills. Baba urged the gathering to go to the guru in their hearts and have faith in the Divine. Baba clung to the knowing that he loved his guru 100% and, despite not knowing what Swamiji was - whether he was a yogi or not - all Baba knew was that he wanted to go to him. Baba wanted the Ultimate Truth and no material desires so his mind was resolved and firm. Baba advised that obstacles and tests occur to put one off the path but be determined always.

Baba reminded the group that even in the Gita we are reassured that by our efforts in this lifetime, in the next life we will have a beautiful birth that will allow us to pursue our path from childhood.

A 45 minute meditation ensued where peaceful silence surrounded the devotees. After, Baba advised that it is important that we do not fall asleep during meditation. One must be aware of one's existence, that one must stay conscious in meditation to reach the Truth. Then he recommended that if we feel tired and run down during the day that we should find a quiet place to sit down, close our eyes and take several deep breaths in and out. This will help us to feel restful then continue to sit for five to ten minutes and one will feel refreshed.

Baba said that music is powerful also in controlling the mind. Bhajans were then sung by devotees and Babaji delighted the group with his singing and chanting. After, some interesting questions were asked and, in response, Babaji provided his wisdom.

Baba advised that one should not attempt meditation whilst sleepy. It is best to eat light foods prior to sleeping and go to bed early enough to be able to awake refreshed and ready for meditation. Do some yoga exercises if this will help to wake oneself up. Start the meditation with some simple breathing then, as the mind becomes channeled, the breathing is automatically regulated.

Baba also informed the group that a Yogi does not feel emotional hurt because of another's actions. A Yogi only prays for those people and that whatever action a Yogi may take in response, it is always for the ultimate good of that person. Also, in response to questioning, Baba informed that those brought to a Yogi are pre-determined and what a Yogi can do for the person is also pre-determined but that the faith of the devotee is powerful indeed.

28th April 2003

At Wollaston College Auditorium, Mount Claremont Western Australia

One seeker asked why the attainment of the Self is so difficult when it is actually our natural state. Babaji explained that the mind has become accustomed to going out into the world to seek happiness and it is this tendency that must be reversed by meditation. Another devotee asked about the need to take out time regularly for meditation. Babaji likened our need for daily food for the body, which we never have trouble fulfilling, with the mind's need for the food of meditation. We have to develop the same attitude towards meditation that we have for the other essentials of life, Babaji said.

Babaji then recounted how His guru Shivabalayogi always taught that one should become a good student first before attempting to become a teacher. So, before teaching one should experience the truth and merge with it. One must become eligible by becoming good student, then one can achieve God consciousness, virtues like good character and integrity will act like a fortress wall against the calamities of life. If one is in a hurry to become a teacher we may deceive others and ourselves. Babaji recommended we pray for the Divine to keep us from becoming egoistic. It is the divine in the heart that teaches and we should keep focused on God.

Distraction versus concentration of mind is the essential point. We should talk about the Self, listen to teachings about it and dream of it. Eventually (through meditation) we will come to know how we exist as the immortal soul. The mind is actually looking for peace and in its ignorance doesn't realize that there is no peace in this world, Self is the abode of Peace.

Suffering unfortunately leads to extremes and can cause violence, but the stress we suffer, while growing up for example, can also be a boon because it can create the urge for liberation. This is not the same as escapism. We must face our responsibilities. We can remain in our homes and maintain the way of life we have adopted and all our work can become a sadhana.

The worship known as Shiva Manasa Puja consists of prayers like, My Lord may every step that I take, become Pradakshina (Means going around The Supreme being with Reverence) to you , every work that I undertake, become Your Worship, every word I utter, become Your praise, every time I call somebody, become, your name….and finally the food that I partake, become your prasadam(Offered and blessed Food) Babaji told a story to illustrate this. Once there was a race between Lord Ganesha and Swami Kartikeya to see who could travel around the universe the fastest. Swami Kartikeya used a peacock as his vehicle while Ganesha's vehicle was a rat. Winning the race seemed impossible to Ganesha until Sage Narada intervened and advised Ganesha that all he had to do was go around his parents Shiva and Parvati three times and in doing so would effectively traverse the entire universe. Ganesha did so and won, while Swami Kartikeya lost. But it was all Divine play and universe was to benefit when Swami Kartikeya came down to earth in anger and played a role in destroying demons and protecting the virtuous (Devotional noble people)

Babaji stressed that reverence to the Supreme will lead to the commitment to pursue the path and the understanding of the need to do so - this is devotion. Some pursue the path of knowledge alone, applying their discrimination to reject all that is unreal (neti, neti - not this, not this). The process eventually leads to meditation and final absorption in the Self, but the devotional path is easier.

Babaji then spoke about the advaita philosophy of non-duality. Given the world is unreal and illusory, people always ask why the world was created in the first place. In Samadhi all such questions are resolved, Babaji said. The scriptures say that the universe was created as Divine play, Babaji explained that this happens due to God and not by God's resolved wishes. Baba said it is not easy to explain conclusively. Just as the sun sheds its light wherever it may, a Yogi does not ‘award' his blessings to some and not others, they will go to whoever is receptive. Vibrations simply flow, one has to build the Dam called Devotion, Faith and Surrender.. Wherever our attention is focused determines what we are devoted to - be it mangos or the Divine! Total attention is meditation. Babaji compared the step-by-step progress in meditation to climbing Mount Everest and asked all present to commit to meditation for 45 minutes each day. This commitment will attract the blessings of God and Guru.

Babaji concluded his talk with a variant of a charming, well-known parable. God once appeared before a Sadhak and offered a boon, the sadhak prayed that God take him by the hand along the path to cross the calamities of the universe. Later, after seeing only one pair of footprints in the sand behind him on the long trek, the sadhak complained that God had abandoned him and began to doubt His existence. God replied that where there was only one set of footprints was where God himself had carried the devotee in His arms…

One young man asked if the rising of the kundalini was necessarily a painful process. Babaji replied that it does not have to be very painful. Kundalini is only mental consciousness. It is advised to control the mind first and when this is achieved it lifts the kundalini which is coiled in the body. Babaji said that some burning sensations may occur in the process. Another devotee asked if profound emotional experiences were a necessary phase in spiritual progress. Babaji replied that they were not, just acquired habits of the mind which vary from person to person.

Another wanted to know about the influence of past lives on the spiritual path. Babaji replied that in the quest for Self-Realization knowledge of past lives was not important and it was better not to know. Baba said it is more important to know what you are now.

A young man who entertained the gathering by regularly asking many interesting questions asked why, if God is one, is the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi associated with the power to grant wealth and Goddess Saraswati associated with learning. Couldn't it also be the other way around he wanted to know. Babaji laughed and explained that these were just concepts, and that God wouldn't mind if one prayed to Saraswati for wealth and Lakshmi for learning. There is no fundamental difference.

29th April 2003

On the ninth evening of the public program, devotees, as well as newcomers, greeted Baba with the sweet singing of Swamiji's Arathi. Baba paid all due reverence to His Guru at the altar, then sat down on the dais. He chanted Om and a short mantra which soothed the gathering and infused the room with peace and love. Baba then asked that he be blessed by the Great Divine Guru. He then turned his attention to the gathering re-assuring them that those who go towards God are blessed. They have been given the grace to seek and, like the crops that are nourished by rain, seekers are like seeds ready for God's grace to nourish them.

Baba encouraged the aspirants to be focused and determined on their path. There are those who encourage the development of certain powers through meditation. Babaji recounted a question asked on His last Perth visit of whether he can levitate. Baba gave the playful response that one does not need to do intensive sadhana when, for the cost of a few hundred dollars, one can buy a plane ticket!. Baba told the of Great Saint Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and a Tantric One day when Ramakrishna was walking along the banks of Ganga in Dakshineshwar, a man came who claimed to be a tantric and challenged Ramakrishna that he had heard that Ramakrishna had performed Great Tapas Sadhana , and asked if he (Ramakrishna) had acquired any powers. Innocently Ramakrishna said well, brother what have you acquired. Tantric boasted about himself saying , I can walk on this water with the powers. Again Ramakrishna asked how much Sadhana have you done for this. Tantric said, I have done Forty years of Tapas. Smilingly Ramakrishna said, what a waste of time and energy, I see every day that boatman can carry one across the River Ganga just for Fifty Paise.

To meditate for such powers is a waste, Baba reminded the group what the world needs is peace, this is the greatest miracle, and knowledge is the greatest wonder. Knowledge will make you fearless and give you everything.

Initially, one must use the ego of the mind to make a firm resolve that ‘I' will go towards the Truth. You become more determined and now say that ‘I' will definitely go towards the target. However, the mind gets deviated. It is like catching a train from Perth to Sydney. If you become distracted by alighting at every station along the way and become involved in petty arguments, then you will never reach your destination. With a firm resolve, no-one can ever cheat you.

Babaji then said that a Yogi teaches best when silent. He illustrated this important point by relaying a story about a Realized father. He sent his two sons to another Realized Master to know the Ultimate Truth. He could not himself teach the boys as absolute reverence is required to learn and the boys would not have this towards their father. On their return, he asked, "What have you learned?". The first son proceeded to quote the scriptures about the omniscience of God. The father said that he had learned nothing about God. He then turned to the second son who became totally silent. He was pleased with the second son reporting that he had learned a little about God with his silence.

Babaji explained this beautifully with an analogy: A bubble becomes one with the ocean by merging with the ocean and then it becomes quiet. The bubble learns in this way that it was simply a bubble. Similarly, in merging with the Divine, one becomes speechless as one ‘realizes' that the imagined self was nothing.

If one is devoted, then one can turn all emotions single-pointedly to God. Babaji emphasized that we must get focused and never compromise on this. Baba then gave another delightful illustration of the importance of daily meditation. He said that the mind needs ‘polishing' every day as the dirt of the world sits on it daily. He recounted that Swamiji would use the analogy of taking ones clothes to wash in the Ganges. Then, once all clean, putting the dirty clothes back on again. Likewise, our mind needs constant ‘washing' whilst we live in this world. This is done through mediation. Mediation means turning one's attention towards one's Self. Our minds get sucked into this world again and again.

Babaji, once again, relayed another illustrative story in his sweet, soothing voice. He told the story in the Yoga Vasistha, of Queen Leela whose husband died on the battlefield. She was devoted to Sri Sarasvati who would manifest before her. In her grief she cried continuously for 8 days and then remembered Sarasvati and called for her. Sarasvati appeared before the Queen and took her in her infinite body to show where her husband had been born in the next life. They traveled together through many, many galaxies until they reached a kingdom far away. It had only been 8 days since the King had ‘died' yet here he was already 40 years old with a number of wives. The Queen could not comprehend this and queried Sarasvati. Sarasvati explained that time is only an imagination, it is a projection of the mind.

Baba then said that Einstein had a clue about the Truth with his Theory of Relativity, that if you go beyond time then you can experience the Ultimate Truth. Baba continued with this fascinating explanation by saying that, in this state, everything appears like a dream and vague-like. It is the illusions, the brain's reflections. In meditation, a total quieting of the mind can occur. When the mind is totally stilled then it will go introverted to experience the real ‘you'.

Babaji reassured his devotees that he will always guide us, be with us and take us along. However, God does not spoon feed. One must take the first two steps of resolution and determination that take little effort, then God will take care of everything. God will take 10 steps towards you. Then, with open arms, Baba beckoned everyone to come and take his blessings.

A 45 minute meditation ensued where peaceful silence surrounded the devotees. After, Baba assured aspirants that with meditation intelligence, wisdom, memory power, effective prayers, peace, proper processing abilities and perfect right/wrong judgements ensue. He pointed out that God equals ‘Self'- ‘myself' does not exist. Then he advised to make no judgements during meditations, not to move one's eyeballs, to focus in the middle of the eyebrows, to sit in any comfortable posture that ensures the back and neck are straight, to practise regularly, eat light foods and, finally, to take things slowly without rush, to peacefully concentrate.

He also said that one must not fall asleep, as consciousness is required to catch the mind. Also, not to allow the mind to analyze what is happening as then the mind gets involved. By focusing in the middle of the eyebrows, one is focusing on the ajna chakra and this is the ‘command' center of the mind. Hence, the mind is focusing on the mind.

Bhajans were sung by devotees. Then, Babaji provided his wisdom in response to many questions. He informed us that, once realized, all is known about God and no dualities exist. The Realized Soul is at one with all consciousness, with all creatures. He stressed that, in order for the mind to go introverted, during meditation do not consider what, how or why things are happening. Nor try to ‘cut a thought out' as it is still the mind trying to do this. In this process, 10 more thoughts will arise. Instead, watch and observe, and the layers of the mind will vanish. Finally, he assured us that a devotee need never miss the guru because the guru sits in your heart. One is able to call on the gI MISSION ™uru throughout the day when blessings are needed. In this way, devotion is increased.

On completion of the questions and answers, Baba treated the gathering to some chants and then devotees sweetly sang Babaji's Arathi. Prasad was shared and Babaji continued to give individual darshan. As he left, devotees bowed at his feet.

Copyright SRBY 2003 all rights reserved