Daaji’s visit to the USA, for the Heartfulness Conferences, Part 5 – New York and New Jersey, 27th of June to 2nd of July 2016
Monday, 27th of June 2016
Around 9 a.m., Daaji started from Staten Island for the Monroe ashram. On the way, He spoke about faith, ignorance, darkness and many aspects relating to Sahaj Marg philosophy.
Devotion
He shared his views on the religious idea of worship, saying, “It is not that people are approaching God without devotion. Devotion is there. Now we have to take it further. Even when a person is following the wrong person with faith, they still benefit, because their heart is open. For those non-believers who say that devotion is blind belief, their heart will be closed until devotion develops. They remain closed with doubt. Now who is better off?
So what happens to a person without any feeling of devotion or faith? Daaji said that in such a situation they must have patience, with a gentle flame of thirst alive for spiritual experience.
Q: Bhakti: even if it is tainted with material wants, is it still okay?
Daaji: It is still okay. Only when you are satisfied with your material needs will you be able to approach God. But the true bhakti happens when you still approach God, whether you have your needs met or not. That phase comes much later.
Likewise, as a student you may practise Sahaj Marg, hoping for a particular job so your mind is on the job. No doubt you are practising Sahaj Marg. So then when you have a job, can you say that your job is interfering with Sahaj Marg? Or your studies are interfering with Sahaj Marg?
Whatever stage you are at, you have to fulfil that stage. You cannot say, “I will not think about my studies.” That is your need. To make ends meet you have to work. You need God's support also for that you see. Actually, in Sahaj Marg we are integrating the whole thing; we are not saying material life is bad or spiritual life is so great. Both the wings of our existence should go hand in hand, with acceptance. Acceptance is not passive: “Whatever is the situation, I have to do my best.”
Many a time you end up making controversial decisions in life, but your heart knows why you made these decisions. Another person says, “Why is he compromising in this way?” Many a time I have seen Master bend over backwards to accommodate someone, beyond his principles, just to support that person. So the intention matters. In every sentence you may contradict yourself, and that means it is not for yourself, it is for the sake of the other, trying to save something that can please the other, that can change his life's course.
Darkness
Daaji shared a profound insight about darkness and ignorance: “I was thinking today, I like this philosopher’s interpretation of ignorance, ego and darkness. He says that ignorance and ego are like darkness – they don't exist. Darkness shows absence of light, ignorance shows absence of knowledge.
“But I disagree somehow. Something tells me that this theory is incomplete. Darkness and light are of course good examples. In the absence of light, there is darkness. But the absence of knowledge is not ignorance. Ignorance is the presence of grossness, the presence of impressions, even when light is there. For example, even when there is Sun in Delhi during the daytime, the city is dark in the early mornings in winter because of the fog and because of pollution in the air. To that extent, there is darkness. The existing light is not experienced in its entirety. Isn't it?
Similarly, the Source of Light is within us, but the covering of samskaras clouds its presence, its luminosity, and its intensity. The grossness creates ignorance in us. So, there is one more element which we are not considering in this.”
Daaji correlated this clouding of the inner world with the example of the extinction of the dinosaurs.
“Imagine those days when the dinosaurs disappeared from the earth. The hypothesis is that meteoroids collided with earth and there was so much dust in the atmosphere that light did not reach the earth, so the grass did not grow, so herbivorous dinosaurs dependent on vegetation died, and when the herbivorous animals died, the other meat-eating dinosaurs also vanished. It was a chain reaction causing massive extinction.
“Even in the presence of the Source of knowledge, grossness can produce ignorance. Even when knowledge is provided, we can still remain ignorant. For example, with the knowledge that we move from darkness to lightness, from grossness to subtlety, how many people realise its significance in the true sense, in a heartfelt way? How many people can say, “Yes, I have seen the movement from darkness to light, moving from grossness to subtle,” because the transition from darkness to subtlety happens over a period of time.
“It is like the process of growth in a child. The child doesn't know what is happening as it grows, because it takes so much time. In order to perceive or appreciate anything, even movement like this from darkness to light, it has to be fast enough for us to witness it. If it is slow, let us say over ten lifetimes, you will never know it.
“So our efforts should be geared towards perception. If you are able to perceive things, then you can move faster with awareness.”
After reaching the ashram, around 11 a.m., Daaji conducted satsangh in the cottage. After this, he reviewed Heartfulness proposals and spent almost 90 minutes on various topics.
Talking about the importance of meditation, he said,
“Instead of meditation revolving around life’s activities, life should revolve around meditation.”
“Observation and interest are essential for success in the spiritual venture.”
“The results of our own actions make us either joyous or sorrowful. Results require action. Prior to action are thoughts. That is why you need viveka (discrimination) to filter out and choose the right thoughts. Meditation is necessary to develop viveka.”
“Thinking leads to action. Where do these thoughts come from? How do samskaras play a role in the generation of thoughts?”
Daaji connected the spiritual conditions and principles described in the Gita with how they are made possible in the Sahaj Marg practice. He said that if a seeker has no likes and dislikes then he is in the sthita prajna state. He described how points A, B and C are linked with worries, sensual pleasures, likes and dislikes. The practices of meditation and cleaning help in rising into superconsciousness. He was referring to Babuji Maharaj’s letter on meditation on point A, the original of which was written in Urdu:
Moh. Diwan Jograj Shahjahapur
Dated 22/08/1945
Dear brother,
Good wishes.
I have been instructed that everybody should start this meditation which can be done for 15 minutes. In this regard Lalaji Saheb issues strict instructions.
Meditation on Point A
From the left nipple measure two fingers-width to the right side and where that ends measure three fingers-width down in a straight line. Where that ends, imagine a small point there and meditate on that point, with the thought that all men and women are my brothers and sisters. Keep this thought continuously, for ten minutes of meditation. Meditating on this point is the best way to get rid of any weakness or fragility we have in character. This is a very short meditation but it is very effective. If done sincerely, the results will be visible soon and the effect will be so deep that it cannot be removed easily. Soon this meditation shall be started. Those who are out of station should be informed by post. Those who will not obey this should be informed that we will not be responsible for them.
PLEASE NOTE: Please ensure that the people who are coming to you for training also follow the same.
The rest all is fine. Blessings to children.
Ram Chandra
It was 6 p.m. in the evening when Daaji went on a long drive to Far Hills in New Jersey to visit a home. On the way, he gave an example of how Heartfulness trainers can share the concept of impressions with new seekers:
“In The Untethered Soul, Michael Singer writes about mundane examples to explain the concept of samskara formation. For example, you are driving down the street and things are going fine. You don’t even notice the passengers or the cars, even when they pass by, until a light blue Ford Mustang passes that is just like your girlfriend’s car. There are two people hugging in the front seat, so now this is not like all the other cars to you.
“Your heart and mind become fixated on that car, even though it is gone. You become stuck – all the subsequent experiences are trying to pass through you but something happened that left this experience unfinished. So you are unaware of things happening around you that trigger emotions. He gives very good examples like that.
“I think instead of now blaming others for impressions and other things, we just need to project examples of ourselves. There are times when your boss misunderstands you, or your teacher misunderstands you. You did something and the boss remembers it forever. You have changed completely but the boss still has the old opinion about you; his opinion is so fixed. Do you hope that one day the boss will reconsider his opinion about you, since in your heart of hearts you feel that you have changed?
“If there is a way you can remove that impression then you are benefited. Likewise, when we are able to remove our impressions about others, others are benefited and we are also benefited. We no longer carry the load. It is a different equation. Who is benefiting from the removal of samskaras?”
Spiritual work
Around 9:30 p.m., Daaji returned home. There was silence in the car and an intense absorption for about 15 minutes.
What was happening in this moment? What did he do silently, absorbed?
Daaji said, “I was not doing any specific work, but was simply absorbed. The Masters know best about the work and they will take care of it. We simply dissolve into a state allowing them to execute the divine plan.” He said that spiritual work is automatic. The switch is inside everyone. What to do at each moment? Only the inner Being knows.
We are one
Talking about the oneness of all and about being revengeful, Daaji said, “In reality, someone else's soul and your soul are the same thing. Hurting others is hurting yourself.”
Referring to souls and the relationship with God, he said, “Why even say that you are children of the same father (God)? You are the same. That is why, in Gujarati, we have a saying, “Khado khode a pade”. One who digs a pit to trap someone else will fall in it one day.
“The soul in its wisdom knows that you are trying to hurt someone else. It will make sure that you feel the pain so that the lesson can be learnt. How can you take revenge on yourself? That is why an individualised existence creates a problem.
“Imagine the situation before leaving the Source, where all were one. That one became many individuals, and if the goal is to become one again, then it is better to consider that you are already one, which is the truth.
The Ashtavakra Gita starts with the idea of ‘That’: you are already That. There is nothing wanting in you. For an ordinary person, it may not make any sense, but these two spiritual giants, Janaka and Ashtavakra, understood what they were saying to each other. You are already there. What is there to achieve anyway?”
Daaji also shared a subtle insight about prayer. Babuji Maharaj transcribed the condition and feeling of prayer into words for us. So when we say the words of the prayer we are only trying to create that original prayerful feeling, and once that prayerful state or feeling is there then the words are not needed.
He reached home by around 10:30 p.m. It was a long day filled with much work, so he was tired and ready to rest. The day ended with this idea about spiritual progress: “It is all about simplifying life and focusing on the essentials.”
27th and 28th of June 2016
One day, Daaji said that reading literature is very important. He kept asking us questions and encouraging one and all to think, meditate and go deeper in ourselves.
He quoted from Lalaji’s Truth Eternal:
Cleanse your manas [mind] with the practice of sadhana, and then go through literature, otherwise Reality will be lost upon you.
The following are extracts from an informal session that covers many important aspects for a spiritual seeker:
“Babuji has written somewhere that there are two things, observation and interest. When you have these two qualities, spirituality is very easy to handle.”
Daaji mentioned the importance of observation. He also mentioned a particular type of response from people when they are asked to observe their hearts: “The first thing people say is, ‘I don’t know where to feel the heart,’ even before they start observing!”
Observing the condition
“Sometimes I feel while meditating on the heart that my head is beating in consonance with the beating of the heart. Sometimes the whole body is resonating with the heart, is pulsating. I have also noticed sometimes that my breathing also goes up and down in synchronicity with my heartbeats. The whole body moves in sync. It is very interesting. Although these are physical things, observing them helps us dive to another level.
“Then you start observing your moods, conditions, and you feel your consciousness here, but also all around.
“The next level is when you feel vibrations inside. It is very difficult to describe what is going on underneath all these conditions. You feel coarseness or refinement, or extreme refinement, fineness – you can only use such words that are vague and so imperfect to express the inner state.
“People often say that their condition is very good on a particular day, but that is the beginner’s view. When you go deeper into it, what is meant by, “The condition is good”? Go deeper and observe the vibratory level you have.
“The condition can be sattvik, rajasic or tamasic. It is easy to say, “I have a tamasic condition.” Do you feel the tamasic condition? If you can feel the tamasic condition, then you are ready to feel the sattvik condition also. One cannot happen without the other.
An interesting thing to understand is that people pursuing a spiritual goal tend to become sattvik. But nature cannot tolerate an imbalance of any attribute. Nature is always looking for moderation, looking for balance. According to Lalaji, the tamasic state is all about sloth and laziness. If the tamasic element were totally missing from your being, you would not be able to fall asleep. It is a bodily requirement.”
Duality: likes and dislikes
In one informal conversation, Daaji spoke about duality. He said, “I like this, but I don't like this. This liking and disliking affects point C, then if it is a worldly object the vibrations will gravitate towards the point A, and if it is of a sensual nature it will gravitate to point B. That is all there is. They are either satisfied or not satisfied. Non-satisfaction results in disturbance and irritation. The lack of fulfilment of desires leads to anger, lack of discrimination and then disillusion. We can instead cultivate the state of sthita prajna, without likes and dislikes. It is steadiness, a peaceful mind where you are like a lotus flower that is not affected by the muddy water. Liking or disliking is just there, without any attachment. You remain unmindful, unattached.
“Then points A and B will not be affected, although you will be watching or part of all these things. You will not let the effect of the likes and dislikes go further when you are in a condition like that of the lotus in water. It will be prevented right there at point C before it affects points A and B.
“So, likes and dislikes are the root of all. That is why Babuji calls point C the strategic point of human existence. It is a gateway. How to handle it? When you are in such a state, you are not making efforts to neutralise it.”
Wednesday, 29th of June 2016
Isn’t spirituality scientific? Daaji was talking about Swami Vivekananda and how he approached these questions.
He recalled Swamiji’s lecture on the macrocosm and the microcosm, and read out parts of the lecture from Complete Works, Volume 2, Chapter 11.
Around 6 p.m. Daaji started from home to the Monroe ashram. On the way he initiated conversation by asking questions, and then later shared his ideas.
Which is of higher importance, love or moksha?
What is the relation between love and freedom?
What is the difference between internalisation and interiorisation?
Love and freedom
Abhyasi: Going by your talks, moksha is something to do with an individual's life, but spirituality is beyond that. It goes beyond moksha, so for a seeker who takes up this journey, his eyes should be on more than moksha, hence the idea of love.
Daaji: Well, even if it is always seen that liberation is synonymous?
A: Even then, becoming is higher than achieving evolution, which is independent of birth and rebirth and all.
Daaji: Now, put this same equation in family life: love and freedom. The culmination of love, or one of the benefits of love, is that you give the ultimate freedom to your beloved. Otherwise, what is the point of love that is going to bind you? Look from that perspective.
A: So you mean to say that love has no sense of right and wrong in that case?
Daaji: I am looking here at love from a very low perspective. But then if you strictly apply the principle of love giving freedom, it becomes a challenging affair in worldly life. For example, when a person loves somebody, but she looks at someone else by chance, he will boil up inside and become angry because he loves her so much, he cannot tolerate seeing her look at someone at all.
A: That is more from the possessive point of view right?
Daaji: Yes. Love is supposed to liberate you as well as the other, but in this case of possessiveness that changes. Then it is not love. The beloved cannot become your possession. Love is liberating, it is freeing.
A: So the element of ‘self’ should not be there.
Daaji: The immaturity of love binds you, whereas the maturity of love frees you.
This world is a reflection of imperfection.
A: Can one achieve the ideal purity in earthly life?
Daaji: It is not possible. There will always be something wanting. Purification is an infinite process. Claiming complete purity, complete perfection, is absurd. You can achieve more and more with greater purity. When you reach the other dimension, it just magnifies.
A: Now, love as a binding agent in the spiritual journey becomes very critical, right? Between the Guru and the disciple.
Internalisation and interiorisation
Daaji: The Guru himself becomes a stumbling block! Externalising is a problem. So instead, interiorise the presence of the Master inside you.
I was just reading a passage from Truth Eternal, where Rumi is quoted:
The worldly ones are absolute infidels.
They are involved in the prattle and babble day and night.
If one is caught up in the ideas of selfishness, another is ensnared in Abu Baker and Ali.
A: What should one do for interiorisation? Many do their practice sincerely, but attraction towards the physical Master is there.
Daaji: People are stuck with experiences and the giver of those experiences. It is okay in the beginning. You see, if you only see the clouds in the sky, and you don't see the sky, you will enjoy the clouds. Likewise, you see the mind, you see the thoughts, but consciousness is a never-ending thing.
You have to become so selfless, extremely selfless. In this world of duality, whatever actions we do will have consequences. At the same time, we cannot remain idle. Even Lord Krishna says that he cannot remain idle or the universe will collapse. So, when he is busy doing something, there will also be consequences for his actions. He is causing something, so the effect will be there. In his case, the effect is the running of the universe. But is he responsible for undergoing the bhoga of it? He causes the Mahabharat war, for example, so is he the bearer of the fruit of the war? I don't think so.
“Likewise, when we also act like the Lord, will the activities we do not bind us? How can we perform those activities so that they do not bind us? This is the art of doing things in such a way that we are not bound. It is like having grapes and also not being attached to grapes, how is it going to happen?”
A: This interiorisation, becoming selfless or leading life with the art that you mentioned, can this be a conscious effort of a seeker?
Daaji: It has to be a conscious effort in the beginning. It is the same with every act before it becomes automatic. It is like driving a car. In the beginning there was a conscious effort, and now it just happens. You can multitask. Internalising is one thing, interiorising is another thing; there is a very subtle difference.
Around 7:30 p.m. Daaji reached the ashram. He conducted satsangh in the meditation hall for about 40 minutes.
After dinner, he worked on emails and then went to rest. He had given us something to think about.
Internalising – is it not feeling the presence in the heart?
Interiorising – is it not the beginning of mergence, culminating into identicality and eventually beyond?
Thursday, 30th of June 2016
Daaji had many visitors today. During breaks between meetings he read a book. Around 7 p.m. he sat out in the backyard and gave a sitting to the group that had gathered.
Love demands more love
After dinner, he worked on emails and then shared his ideas on love and freedom until he went to rest:
Do love and freedom conflict with each other? Is our understanding of freedom based on the idea of freedom to act according to our wishes? Is that right? Should love lead to freedom?
Daaji recalled Babuji Maharaj’s words that freedom is only about freedom to do the right thing.
Isn’t the idea of freedom deeply linked with the self? What does freedom mean to one who is selfless?
A couple of days back, Daaji had said that love demands more love. There is never an end to giving love. Asking for or expecting love seems ridiculous when viewed from this perspective. What is lust after all? Lust is where you want something from the other. In love, you ask for nothing but are ever ready to give. When this equation changes, you are sure to build up the capital of guilt. Love is all about sacrifice, whereas lust is about demand and aggression, however subtle.
Looked at with love, even a statue made from stone becomes a Goddess, to be worshipped. Looked at with lust, any person becomes an object or a thing.
The day ended with this profound thought.
Friday, 1st of July 2016
Daaji attended to some personal work and returned to the Monroe ashram in the afternoon.
Around 5 p.m. he sat in the drawing room with a group enjoying himself. He again recalled the conversation between the two spiritual giants, Raja Janaka and Ashtavakra: “You are really unbound and action-less, self-illuminating and pure already.”
In the evening, Daaji went through some Whispers messages and said that when the great Masters talk about the future world, we often think in terms of the physical world, whereas what they refer to is the spiritual nature of the future world. Our main work is spiritual transformation.
It kept raining in the evening. Around 7:20 p.m. he conducted satsangh in the drawing room for about 40 minutes. It was quiet and deep.
Saturday, 2nd of July 2016
In the evening, Daaji conducted satsangh at the cottage for about 30 minutes. He spent time with a group abhyasis reviewing and discussing Heartfulness. By late evening, he went home to Staten Island to prepare for the introduction of Heartfulness at the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) the next day. More than 1200 doctors, along with their loved ones, would be participating in the Heartfulness Meditation.
Babuji Maharaj’s messages keep on emphasising change for a better world in the future. The Heartfulness movement is spreading. Daaji is utilising every opportunity to introduce the essence of divinity through meditation assisted by Transmission. He said again, “Changing the future is about nurturing our children. How can we influence this change? We need many inspired teachers who can truly make the difference.”
What is Heartfulness? This question is asked many times. Many answers are given from many perspectives. The simple one:
“It is learning the language of the heart.”
