Be the path,
not the pathfinder

Speaking to his devotees Aghoreshwar Baba Bhagwan Ramji addressed with the following words:

This is an ashram. Those who can distinguish between the peace and tranquillity of an ashram and the babble of the towns know how to behave and how to converse. They want to do what traditions of the ashram allow, and also that which will please others. Those who are unfamiliar with the ashram rules create problems for themselves. Their time is spent in criticizing and speaking ill of others. They waste their lives in evil deeds. Only those few who keep away from such deeds and are capable of self-examination, comprehend reality. They are called kuleen (of high birth). They do not believe in artificial show of love and affection: their bond of affection is lifelong. They alone can be counted as virtuous people. Persons of good samskar do not indulge in gratuitous acts. There is no dearth of so-called advisers who pose as friends and well-wishers, but only succeed in driving one into negativity. Thousands have become victims of their advice.

I see the consequences of it in the ashram too. I do not want to see the faces of such ill-advisers. They have a peculiar character of their own. They are depressed and guilt-ridden.

I notice here, young men too. Despite education and degrees, their conduct and manners are strange. They are like the flooded areas in monsoon giving the impression of an ocean. They are found out easily. Their prayers to gods and goddesses, saints and mahatmas are an exercise in futility. I have repeatedly told you that even Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh bow down before true penance and the true devotees. Penance does not imply wasting the body; it is a state of the mind. Taming the mind itself is a noble penance that would make Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh to kneel down before a person and give whatever that person seeks.

The advice and friendship of characterless person only brings misery. It is like the friendship of fools. The shastras advise us to avoid the friendship of such persons, even if they are our own relatives and progeny. A deprived mind acts only foolishly. It harms not only itself, but others too.

In penance, the body is not the only thing involved. The mind has to be tempered, the senses have to be controlled. One does not become a mendicant by working the whole day like a labourer. One who cares only for the family and thus limits his horizon, does not deserve to be given lessons in spirituality. Those who limit themselves to books and family are limited, narrow persons; they go astray.

Because of our wrong desires we envy our friends and relations, and indulge in actions that have fearful consequences. Our hypocrite behaviour towards our elders, friends, saints and gods and goddesses keeps us away from siddhi (accomplishment). Only those who keeps away from such undesiderable actions are cherished. They have the desired stillness of mind and their thoughts generates peace and happiness. They are Godlike; they are not attached to their children and family members.

If we can rise to the level of sadhus and mahatmas, we can become not only pathfinders, but the path itself, travelling on which means a successful completion of the journey of life itself.

The person who is perpetually blessed by that Great Unknown is worshippable. Because of our failure to practice right conduct, because of our mental narrowness, we deprived ourselves of peace and happiness. As a result, we fail to perceive the impact of the auspicious down and dusk, which come to us ever anew. These alternate throughout the year, everyday of the month and our rishis enjoy them to the full. What do they enjoy in solitude? They gaze towards the sky and get intoxicated with delight. We deny ourselves that pleasure. We live under a roof and admits crowds of people.

The Great Unknown rings a bell before a good or bad deed. We hear the warning, but because of the evil company we keep we indulge in actions that cloud our future and our soul. We get insulted and rebuked. We get degraded.

Your present Guru alone can wean you from attachment and sorrows. Seek His guidance on your present travails. It is a pity that even after getting the right guidance you do not change your ways. You are like the woodcutter who, while carrying his burden got so sick of it that he wished he were dead. When Yamaraj (Lord of Death) appeared and wanted to know from him why he had called, the woodcutter asked him to help pick his load back on his head!

We never ask our Guru or saints to remove our desires. God knows how many persons get drowned in this world-ocean and turn into evil spirits. In truth, it is our own action that turns us into evil spirits. Through good deeds we can reach the state of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. We can transcend ourselves and live like gods in one of the thousands of solar-constellations that exist.

Heaven is not a physical entity. What is heaven without this body? Good deed is the eternalization of heaven. When man does good deeds he promotes himself from being a nar (man) into becoming Narayan (God). One who leads the life as an insect shall return to God as an insect.

We have been given the right lessons but our comprehension has been weak. We have talked about Vishnu, when we should be talking about Tantra. The result is that we are poor and destitute and remain unacquainted not only with others, but ourselves as well. I salute that Bhagwati within you.

Meet the faces at the Ashram:

Through this column we salute the special individuals at the Ashram:

Tom & Linda

Every year Babaji teaches at Gay Luce's Nine Gates Mystery School. Nine Gates offers people a variety of spiritual paths from all over the world. Such was the case with Tom Pickford and Linda Garbesi. "I am normally not a quiet person as you know", says Tom, "During one of Babaji's sessions, I went so far inside and was so quiet I felt I could walk through the cells in my body. This experience literally opened me up to a whole new realm of possibility. Much like looking under the ocean the first time. I don't get there often but I know the possibility exists. And that was my first yoga class ever!"

After meeting Babaji their enthusiasm grew so high that they would drive from the Peninsula several times a week for yoga (an hour and half each way). Their first vacation together was six weeks in Sonoma bicycling to and from the Ashram. Babaji was a major influence in their decision to move to Napa. They wished to be closer to the Ashram and to live near the water. Babaji told them of a place on the river that was close to the Ashram. Their newly acquired house was blessed with a beautiful puja performed by Babaji and Shastriji.

They have both spent time in India travelling with Babaji. While in Varanasi they became involved with Little Stars School project. Linda was particularly moved by collecting the children on the street, loading them in rickshaws, and later watching them come alive in the classroom. In particular they help organize the Student/Teacher Sponsorship program for Little Stars. This program invites westerners to support a student or teacher with a monthly donation.

The true spirit of welcome is what they experienced in India by each and every person they met, "Such spirit is fuelled by the spiritual belief that every person who arrives at your door can be God. The Indian form of greeting is a spiritual practice." And that is exactly what Tom and Linda manifest with their warmth toward guests at their home and at the ashram.

Tom is currently a member of the ashram's Board of Directors, and Linda sits in upon his absence. Their contributions have been vital in completing the many ashram construction projects, thus making our ashram the sweet and functional place it is today. Their charismatic spirit and enthusiasm to serve set an example from which we all can learn. Our ashram family is so very lucky to be graced with their presence.

ASHRAM NEWS AND EVENTS

Full Moon Havan: Sunday 10th of December

Babaji's itinerary: Babaji is still in India. Please leave a message for him at email: ashram@aghor.org or he could be reached by mail:
B. 1/111 Assi Varanasi, India 221005

All the ashram activities are as usual in Baba's absence here. We at the ashram thank all the people who have maintained their valuable presence here.