2024.55 - Saturday, 26 October 2024
October 13, 2024, Bangalore Zonal Ashram
Nurturing the Seed of Spirituality
The abhyasis at the zonal ashram had made superb arrangements on a huge scale to accommodate more than 5,000 abhyasis from nearby centers and also those who were traveling with Daaji. After an early breakfast cooked with love, he conducted satsang at 9 a.m.
Daaji’s heart swelled with joy at meeting the abhyasis from Bangalore and nearby areas. He felt their commitment to their sadhana and love. He shared a reflective experience with Babuji, where a seemingly simple conversation raised profound questions about the door to The Brighter World, the key of the secret spiritual garden from where profound spiritual conditions emerge, and the seeming contradictions in words and metaphors. However, it is not about analyzing the words, but going deeper into the spiritual conditions that he bestows on us during meditation sessions, and nurturing them.
Daaji emphasized that while spiritual conditions are easily bestowed by our masters, the challenge lies in nurturing and retaining these conditions. Drawing a parallel to seeds in a farm, he highlighted the necessity of providing the right environment for spiritual growth.
Daaji urged us to embrace a state of constant remembrance, suggesting that rather than forcing it, we let it naturally carry us forward. He cautioned against old habits and emotional baggage that hinder spiritual development, highlighting the importance of consciously cultivating new, positive habits.
We may then become the spiritual condition we aspire to embody. Daaji suggested that we look forward to the satsang at Paramdham the following morning.
He rested for a while at the Zonal Ashram, met a few guests and dignitaries, conducted a second satsang at 2:30 p.m., and then proceeded toward Paramdham Ashram. He arrived in the afternoon and rested for the remainder of the day.
October 14, 2024: Bangalore, Paramdham
Transforming the Self through Gratitude, Spiritual Purity, and the Heart-Mind Connection
At 6.30 a.m., Daaji conducted satsang at Paramdham Ashram followed by a brief Q & A session. Here are some gems from the session:
Cultivating Gratitude Amidst Diversity
Daaji acknowledged the challenge of cultivating gratitude amidst life’s miseries. He highlighted the importance of acceptance in learning valuable life lessons. Surrendering to the situation—not as a defeat but with maturity—is crucial. Daaji encouraged abhyasis to seek divine guidance, meditating before bedtime and offering their challenges to the master, trusting that support from a higher power will lead to positive outcomes.
Purity in Heart and Action
Daaji defined purity as remaining true to one’s inner nature, highlighting that sin occurs when we deviate from our source. He encouraged us to cultivate those thoughts and actions that support spiritual growth and avoid actions that weigh down the heart. Inner purity is fostered through remembrance of the Divine, transcending external conditions. He noted that even a fleeting negative thought can disrupt purity. It is absolutely important to maintain a loving remembrance of the Divine to protect against impurities.
Harmony of Mind and Heart
Daaji explained that the mind and heart are not separate but interconnected, with the heart being the deeper aspect of the mind. He referenced Dr. K.C. Varadachari’s talk about achieving harmony between the mind and heart, leading to clarity and focus. Meditation is key to regulating the mind, enabling it to become a powerful ally. Daaji recommended practicing micro-meditations throughout the day to maintain centeredness and enhance spiritual absorbency. A love-filled remembrance is essential for nurturing our spiritual condition.
Daaji also remarked that the abhyasis in Bangalore were having a very good spiritual condition. He said that the abhyasis in Kanha Shanti Vanam take his presence for granted, whereas it looks like the abhyasis in Bangalore have been practicing regularly and working on themselves.
Dr. Murthy Hallegere, MD, from Miami, FL, and Maitreya Murthy, the US Surgeon-General, met with Daaji at Paramdham. Dr. Murthy, who runs Scope Foundation, an NGO focused on providing children with access to education and healthcare, discussed potential partnerships with Heartfulness. A demonstration of the Brighter Minds program was also presented to them.
Daaji conducted one more satsang and then left for Mysore in the afternoon, reaching Mysore that evening. He requested sister Elizabeth Denley to conduct satsang in the evening for all the abhyasis who had assembled for him patiently in the meditation hall.
October 15, 2024, Mysore
Finding Clarity and Inner Peace Amidst Life's Challenges
Daaji conducted satsang in the morning, followed by a tree planting of a Rudraksha plant.
He met a few dignitaries during the day, including Dr. J Shastry, CEO of the National Medicinal Plant Board and Head of R & D, Dabur. He also met Mr. Rahul Mehta, an investor, and Mr. Venkat from the Karuna Trust that works with the health of tribal people.
In the evening, there was another satsang followed by an interesting session where Daaji took a lot of questions. The gist of some of his answers are captured below:
Handling Negative Energy
Daaji emphasized the power of constantly remembering the master as the primary way to protect ourselves from negative energy. By remaining absorbed in this remembrance, we can shield ourselves from unpleasant vibes.
Finding Motivation and Focus
To overcome procrastination, understanding the reason behind it is crucial. If the tendency persists, seeking a sitting from a preceptor can help. A brief cleaning session can also help reset our mental state. Meditation also improves clarity and focus.
Sharing Heartfulness
Daaji mentioned that we need not ask for permission to do good. He suggested sharing the Heartfulness practices among family members first before spreading it with the global audience.
Decision Making
Regular meditation sessions improve mental clarity. This in turn helps in discernment. A meditative mind transcends likes and dislikes. When likes and dislikes are removed, confusion reduces and decision-making capacities improve.
Leading by Example
Daaji advised that it does not help to try to convince others to meditate or arrive on the path of Heartfulness. Instead, if we can enhance the positive changes in our own life, it will naturally attract our near and dear ones.
Difference Between Prayer and Meditation
Daaji differentiated between prayer and meditation by likening prayer to making a phone call, an invocation, and meditation to receive a response, the connection.
Point B Cleaning
Daaji explained that Point B Cleaning is crucial for addressing sensuousness, as recommended by Babuji Maharaj.
October 16, 2024, Mysore
Prayer, Meditation, and the Path to Non-Duality
The next day after satsang at 7:30 am, Daaji revisited the question from the previous day about the difference between prayer and meditation. The key insights from his talk are as follows:
Prayer and Meditation
Prayer involves submitting our current state to God or the master and acknowledging our imperfections to the Perfect Being. This process acknowledges duality, or Dvaita Bhava, where there is a distinction between the devotee and the Divine.
In prayer, we recognize our desires and the need for divine help to attain our goals, which is ultimately to become one with the master.
Path to Non-Duality
As we progress, the experience shifts from duality to Advaita Bhava (non-duality), where the sense of separation diminishes.
In meditation, the focus shifts to the presence of Divinity, leading to a state where only the Divine remains.
State of Samadhi
The ultimate goal is to reach a state where neither the individual nor God remains—everything dissolves into the absolute void. This is the essence of Samadhi, where all differentiation ceases.
Daaji left Mysore for CREST, Bangalore, for a short visit before heading to Hosur. He had lunch at CREST and a short rest. He requested sister Teja Reddy to conduct satsang for all the abhyasis gathered there.
On to Tamil Nadu
As Daaji's journey through Karnataka came to a close, there was a silent reflection on the secret spiritual garden within our hearts tended with love, care, and devotion. It holds the promise of a bountiful harvest—a spiritual life rich in purpose and connection to the Divine. He invited us all to continue to cultivate this inner garden, allowing its fragrance to spread throughout the world. May we find solace and strength in its quiet beauty, even amidst life's inevitable storms.
In the next bulletin, we will hear about Daaji’s time in Tamil Nadu.
