Notes on Daaji’s Travels, 13 to 15 February 2017, Ahmedabad
Monday, 13 February 2017
Spiritual progress is possible only through love
The International Heartfulness Training Program (IHTP) had just finished, in which participants had come from 38 countries to spend three weeks immersed in Sahaj Marg practice and philosophy. One participant remarked, “This is heavenly.” It was almost noon and Daaji was reading a book, in which the author was dealing with intelligence, awareness and ego. Daaji remarked that real spiritual progress is possible only through love.
Q: Is it possible to become continuously watchful of one’s own thoughts, examine them and investigate?
Daaji: It is possible. Initially it takes effort, but for a meditative mind it becomes the natural state. When we reach this ‘effortlessness’ then only we will be able to appreciate the magic of dropping all our efforts. For example, to arrive at continuity in the meditative state, I first have to make effort to meditate on a regular basis, at least once a day. And then, a few years later, that meditative mind has become part of my existence.
In the evening, around 5:30 p.m., he conducted satsangh for a group from Gujarat, who were under preparation for preceptor work, as well as for the participants from the IHTP. After satsangh, Daaji gave a short talk. He mentioned how our spiritual movement can be spread effectively through colleges. Even if we take up 2 or 3 colleges per town and work deeply, transformational changes are possible. Daaji’s suggestion is very simple and scalable.
“No selfish person grows spiritually.” Such a person may feel something due to spiritual work, but it will not benefit them unless they go beyond the self.
Talking about spiritual conditions, he said, “Make this condition your own. Make the Mission your own.”
During the talk, Daaji asked a question: “What happens when we are very happy?” He said that one should observe the vibrations in the heart. In the state of happiness there is no inhibition. He was talking about how state of absorbency is beneficial for our spiritual health. Food consumed in that state of absorbency charges the food particles, these charged particles helps in curing spiritual defects. He also mentioned that there should be gratitude in the heart towards all those who contribute to making the food.
While talking about preceptor work, Daaji said, “The inner connection with the Master must be rock solid and strong.” He hinted that one must have trust in the Master and work. The spiritual training work is an opportunity to grow, and the work of trainers should be such that each sitting is uplifting.
Q: What should one do during idle time or free time?
Daaji: Get into a state of absorbency.
Tuesday, 14 February 2017
Daaji got up and did his exercises for about 15 minutes and then worked on his diary and other correspondence. In the morning, he smilingly remembered that it was Valentine’s Day!
Around 5:30 p.m., he conducted satsangh and then worked on the computer.
Awareness, ego and surrender
Daaji mentioned that when we identify with our physical body, subtle body, or any quality, then the trouble starts. We should transcend all the attributes.
Q: Awareness is often given great importance in spiritual practices, but is it possible that one can be aware that he has surrendered? Is such awareness necessary?
Daaji: (laughingly) Let us say somebody asks, “Are you humble?” What is the answer? One who is humble cannot know or say what it is. He is humble in his being.
What a simple answer! The discussion went to ego.
Make friends with the ego
Q: Is ego our enemy?
Daaji: How about making friends with the ego and using it for our spiritual evolution! When an enemy is no longer an enemy, what happens? The resulting state is, perhaps, peace and growth.
When manifested as pride in one’s profession, the ego can elevate one’s level of workmanship. When we identify ourselves with the Master, the extra care that we take in completing the task – because the action as well as the fruits of the action are now attributed to the Master – will mean that one cannot let any defects pass. There shall always be continuous improvement in one’s action when the ego is identified with the Lord.
The harder we try the more difficult it becomes. One has to learn to accept.
When the path becomes the goal, it is surrender.
When we serve with selfless love, we have surrendered to the higher Self.
Generosity
Q: With the spiritual journey, consciousness evolves. How does this evolution reflect in the seeker’s life?
Daaji: A seeker who has crossed the pind pradesh and has moved to the agya chakra will be a generous person by nature. Such an individual is generous enough to accept the differences, opposites, dualities or dwandwas of life. Dwelling in purity means the end of ‘this and that’ or the opposites. Letting go of such opposites allows one to lighten up from the burden prevailing in the pind pradesh.
Imagine for a moment if one remains intolerant to differences; can one stay in higher regions beyond the pind pradesh? It will be like an illegal immigrant in the brahmand mandal. One cannot remain in the brahmand mandal while entertaining differences. That is why Sahaj Marg is all about cultivating simplicity and purity. It is this purity that in turn weaves our destiny with the Ultimate.
Q: What is generosity? Is it giving without expectations?
Daaji: Giving is a very small part of being generous. Generosity is much larger. Acceptance is also one aspect of it.
Perfect meditation
Daaji was talking about Heartfulness and it’s evolution, and mentioned that the Hierarchy is giving many possibilities for the movement. He recalled how the masterclasses started.
Daaji remarked, “The day one does perfect meditation will be one’s last day.” There was absolute silence in the room. Everything seemed to be in the meditative state.
The day ended with an important question: What is perfect meditation? Is such a meditation the beginning of the new self?
Wednesday, 15 February 2017
In the morning, Daaji completed his work and offered Prasad. At around 7:30 a.m., he conducted satsangh and completed the preparation to grant permission to 57 abhyasis to serve as spiritual trainers. The satsangh was serene and gripping, with a fine vibratory field transcending thoughts and time.
In the evening, around 6 p.m., Daaji conducted satsangh and afterward asked, “Do you have any questions?” There was complete silence in the hall for a good one minute and he looked happy and said, “Thank you.”
We will keep meeting again and again
Then he walked back to the cottage with a group of abhyasis and sat at his desk. Three abhyasis walked in, and it was a very short meeting between the devoted and the Beloved. One could see the moisture in the eyes and feel the love in the air. One fairly new abhyasi from a place almost near the Arctic Circle profusely thanked Daaji for this opportunity to be in his presence. He said it was his wish to see Daaji at least once. Daaji said with a smile, “We will keep meeting again and again.” The shortest meeting happened with no apparent plan and in a natural way.
In one conversation, Daaji mentioned that ambition can be defined as unrealistic desires.
It was almost 7 p.m. Many abhyasis gathered quietly and respectfully near the cottage to say goodbye as Daaji left from Adalaj ashram for his home in Ahmedabad to meet his mother. The next morning he would be leaving for Mumbai.
