Conversations with Daaji, Part 9, January 2017
New Jersey & New York
Monroe Meditation Center has been abuzz with activity in the last few weeks. During the Christmas holidays abhyasis from various centers visited and spent time here. The atmosphere here has been very festive and holiday lights make it even better. We also had some snow and bouts of freezing rain. Largely though, it has been a mild winter so far. Here are two links to some pictures: https://goo.gl/Cx1tOU and https://goo.gl/sbBEVj.
In this abhyasi bulletin we present to you some updates of conversations and insights shared by Daaji during his stay. We look forward to your comments and feedback at sahajsandesh@srcm.org.
Dress Well
A few abhyasis came to meet Daaji one evening. They were leaving for a corporate conference a few hours away from town. This event invited professionals from small business, government and regulators. As the conversation progressed, Daaji suggested that they should dress professionally in business formals. One of the abhyasis suggested that it was a casual setting and business casuals might work just fine.
Daaji shared a story from his days of doing business. He said, “There was a very big and successful wholesale company we used to work with, owned by an elderly Jewish gentleman. Whenever I would go to meet him he would say, “Welcome my son! Take whatever you like from my warehouse. You pay me when you can.” That’s it!
Any time people defaulted on their payments, he was very, very strong on them. He would throw them out and bring me in. He would say, “Kamlesh, please take it over.” He would call his lawyers, ensure a settlement, and then bring us in to take over the business. With little investment, we could grow the business. Once he shared with me some very good advice. He said, “I don’t mind if you dress casually to visit me, but whenever you visit others make sure you dress properly. At least wear a tie and go. It shows that you respect them.” Taking the effort to present ourselves well shows the people we are meeting how much we respect them.
Preceptors need to regain respect
Preceptors need to regain their respect. People are going to preceptors like a utility. Instead they should be going to them as if they are going to see the Master. This type of reverence should develop because of the conduct, etiquette and behavior of the preceptor. After all, preceptors represent Master. So, when you talk to each other, speak with love and kindness. Conduct yourself with the highest level of etiquette.
Compassion
Daaji: What is the one quality of Lalaji Maharaj that appeals to you the most?
Q: Discipline. I think he liked structure a lot. What quality appealed to you?
Daaji: His compassion. It melts you away.
Q: He had such a tough life. When I look at the lives of all Masters, it was so tough. Why do they have to suffer so much? Nature can make it a little easier for them?
Daaji: Well, when you see from the disciple’s point of view, the lover’s point of view, they seem to be suffering, but in them there is no suffering.
Q: It’s very difficult to empathize with that.
Daaji: Masters don’t take it as suffering. They will say, “My circumstances were such.” In 1928 Lalaji Saheb wrote a letter to an abhyasi where he says, “Sometimes small problems and worldly worries do arise, that too very rarely, but they are also removed by the Almighty. In fact, to date I have not faced any problem.” Now, we all know how much Lalaji Saheb had to endure in his life and look at his attitude when he says, “To date I have not faced any problem.” [https://goo.gl/4MbW26]
The lesson here is that whatever happens their focus is always the Center. That again brings back the idea of swasthya.1 For one who is settled within, there is no suffering or turmoil. Also, for a compassionate person, there is no time to think of himself, because the idea of others is predominant.
Q: That is such a beautiful description.
Daaji: It is no longer an act of compassion any more. It is their nature. Yesterday I was reminding an abhyasi of one beautiful example that came to my mind. I shared it in the youth seminar also. When a dog starts barking when it sees a wolf, it protects the whole herd of sheep or goats. Is this not an act of altruism?
Generally, in the animal kingdom, this is very pervasive. You see this in the National Geographic videos, the predator is coming to hunt, the bird starts chirping, the monkey starts making sounds to warn off the others. In a civilized society compassion is no doubt there but it is restricted to your very own. It’s a very constricted view of compassion and does not help in building a united society.
Let us look at another example from the political world. Say there is a candidate who can run the country’s defense very well. Should we look at his political leanings and views? We should choose the right person, but the party politics come in the way.
Likewise, compassion is also often ‘self’-driven. Take for example World War II. The Allies all joined together against Germany. Russia and the US became great friends. Once the purpose was over and the ends were met, they became enemies. Their compassion towards each other or compatriotism was finished. It was all for selfish reasons.
Real compassion always is for the welfare of others. The process of selection is not there. There are no criteria for compassion. It is who you are and it is your nature.
Q: Lord Jesus was such a great example.
Daaji: Even at the cost of death, he was so compassionate that even in his last prayer, he said, “Lord, please forgive them. They know not what they do.” That is the ultimate compassion.
Compassion reflects the heart, the quality of your heart. When we are talking of the body, mind and soul, we don’t know much about the soul, so it is best to avoid talking about the soul. We can always speak about the qualities of the heart, but no one discusses them. How to focus the body, mind and heart? You don’t see books written on such topics.
Our prayer teaches us from day one to be compassionate. Scan the words of the prayer in your mind; it is all about ‘we’, ‘us’ and ‘ours’. Even when we pray for ‘we’ and ‘ours’, try not to think of ‘I’. Make sure the idea of ‘me’ does not creep in.
Q: So why not say ‘them’ instead of ‘we’? Why not say, “They are yet but slaves of wishes”? This way ‘I’ is not in the equation. Daaji: It is important because otherwise the ego will take over by suggesting that ‘I’ don’t need it. I don’t have desires. They are the ones who need it not me! [Daaji laughs]
Q: How do you develop compassion?
Daaji: You have the key. The prayer! It opens all the locks. Meditation will highlight what is to be unlocked.
From the desk of Daaji
In this section, we share with you excerpts of emails sent by Daaji to abhyasis in various parts of the globe.
Context
An abhyasi sent a note to Daaji with his thoughts on prayer. In this email, the abhyasis also requested permission to be with Daaji in January when he would turn 50.
Daaji’s reply
Monroe Meditation Center, Sunday, November 27, 2016 at 8:01:24 AM
Dear Brother,
You are welcome to be with me in January. Happy Birthday! Please know that there are no milestones by age, but ONLY the spiritual stages to be uncovered. Please have no such fancy ideas of 50 years and 100 years. From my side, a meeting of lovers is good for whatever reasons, even if it is to curse each other!
Just before commencing the sitting, we MUST lovingly offer prayer for the spiritual elevation of the abhyasi/s in front.
With Prayers to Beloved Master for His love and blessings.
Kamlesh
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