Post by Sumi on Jan 13, 2012 12:23:56 GMT 5.5
Courtesy: Shri Sundararajan
Source: www.periva.org
Paul Brunton’s search for his
Master<http://mahaperiyavaa.wordpress.com/2011/03/15/paul-bruntons-search-fo...> - part 5
Source: www.scribd.com/full/32932002?access_key=key-p1hlknsquce8fyorlqi
Our conversation trails on. I am quick to notice that Shri Shankara does
not decry the West in order to exalt the East, as so many in his land do.
He admits that each half of the globe possesses its own set of virtues and
vices, and that in this way they are roughly equal! He hopes that a wiser
generation will fuse the best points of Asiatic and European civilizations
into a higher and balanced social scheme.
I drop the subject and ask permission for some personal questions. It is
granted without difficulty.
“How long has Your Holiness held this title?”
“Since 1907. At that time I was only twelve years old. Four years after my
appointment I retired to a village on the banks of the Cauvery, where I
gave myself up to meditation and study for three years. Then only did my
public work begin.”
“You rarely remain at your headquarters in Kumbakonam I take it? “
“The reason for that is that I was invited by the Maharajah of Nepal in
1918 to be his guest for a while. I accepted and since then have been
travelling slowly towards his state in the far north. But see! – during all
those years I have not been able to advance more than a few hundred miles,
because the tradition of my office requires that I stay in every village
and town which I pass on the route or which invites me, if it is not too
far off. I must give a spiritual discourse in the local temple and some
teaching to the inhabitants.”
I broach the matter of my quest and His Holiness questions me about the
different Yogis or holy men I have so far met. After that, I frankly tell
him: “I would like to meet someone who has high attainments in Yoga and can
give some sort of proof or demonstration of them. There are many of your
holy men who can only give one more talk when they are asked for this
proof. Am I asking too much?”
The tranquil eyes meet mine. There is a pause for a whole minute. His
Holiness fingers his beard.
” If you are seeking initiation into real Yoga of the higher kind, then you
are not seeking too much. Your earnestness will help you, while I can
perceive the strength of your determination; but a light is beginning to
awaken within you which will guide you to what you want, without doubt.”
I am not sure whether I correctly understand him. “So far I have depended
on myself for guidance. Even some of your ancient sages say that there is
no other god than that which is within ourselves,” I hazard.
And the answer swiftly comes: “God is everywhere. How can one limit Him to
one’s own self? He supports the entire universe.”
I feel that I am getting out of my depth and immediately turn the talk away
from this semi-theological strain.
“What is the most practical course for me to take? “
“Go on with your travels. When you have finished them, think of the various
Yogis and holy men you have met; then pick out the one who makes most
appeal to you. Return to him, and he will surely bestow his initiation upon
you.”
I look at his calm profile and admire its singular serenity.
“But suppose, Your Holiness, that none of them makes sufficient appeal to
me. What then? “
“In that case you will have to go on alone until God Himself initiates you.
Practise meditation regularly; contemplate the higher things with love in
your heart; think often of the soul and that will help to bring you to it.
The best time to practise is the hour of waking; the next best time is the
hour of twilight. The world is calmer at those times and will disturb your
meditations less.”
He gazes benevolently at me. I begin to envy the saintly peace which dwells
on his bearded face. Surely, his heart has never known the devastating
upheavals which have scarred mine? I am stirred to ask him impulsively:
]” If I fail, may I then turn to you for assistance?”
Shri Shankara gently shakes his head. “I am at the head of a public
institution, a man whose time no longer belongs to himself. My activities
demand almost all my time. For years I have spent only three hours in sleep
each night. How can I take personal pupils? You must find a master who
devotes his time to them.”
“But I am told that real masters are rare, and that a European is unlikely
to find them.”
He nods his assent to my statement, but adds:
“Truth exists. It can be found.”
“Can you not direct me to such a master, one who you know is competent to
give me proofs of the reality of higher Yoga?”
to be continued
Sundararajan
Yogah karmasu kausalam - Gita 2-50
Source: www.periva.org
Paul Brunton’s search for his
Master<http://mahaperiyavaa.wordpress.com/2011/03/15/paul-bruntons-search-fo...> - part 5
Source: www.scribd.com/full/32932002?access_key=key-p1hlknsquce8fyorlqi
Our conversation trails on. I am quick to notice that Shri Shankara does
not decry the West in order to exalt the East, as so many in his land do.
He admits that each half of the globe possesses its own set of virtues and
vices, and that in this way they are roughly equal! He hopes that a wiser
generation will fuse the best points of Asiatic and European civilizations
into a higher and balanced social scheme.
I drop the subject and ask permission for some personal questions. It is
granted without difficulty.
“How long has Your Holiness held this title?”
“Since 1907. At that time I was only twelve years old. Four years after my
appointment I retired to a village on the banks of the Cauvery, where I
gave myself up to meditation and study for three years. Then only did my
public work begin.”
“You rarely remain at your headquarters in Kumbakonam I take it? “
“The reason for that is that I was invited by the Maharajah of Nepal in
1918 to be his guest for a while. I accepted and since then have been
travelling slowly towards his state in the far north. But see! – during all
those years I have not been able to advance more than a few hundred miles,
because the tradition of my office requires that I stay in every village
and town which I pass on the route or which invites me, if it is not too
far off. I must give a spiritual discourse in the local temple and some
teaching to the inhabitants.”
I broach the matter of my quest and His Holiness questions me about the
different Yogis or holy men I have so far met. After that, I frankly tell
him: “I would like to meet someone who has high attainments in Yoga and can
give some sort of proof or demonstration of them. There are many of your
holy men who can only give one more talk when they are asked for this
proof. Am I asking too much?”
The tranquil eyes meet mine. There is a pause for a whole minute. His
Holiness fingers his beard.
” If you are seeking initiation into real Yoga of the higher kind, then you
are not seeking too much. Your earnestness will help you, while I can
perceive the strength of your determination; but a light is beginning to
awaken within you which will guide you to what you want, without doubt.”
I am not sure whether I correctly understand him. “So far I have depended
on myself for guidance. Even some of your ancient sages say that there is
no other god than that which is within ourselves,” I hazard.
And the answer swiftly comes: “God is everywhere. How can one limit Him to
one’s own self? He supports the entire universe.”
I feel that I am getting out of my depth and immediately turn the talk away
from this semi-theological strain.
“What is the most practical course for me to take? “
“Go on with your travels. When you have finished them, think of the various
Yogis and holy men you have met; then pick out the one who makes most
appeal to you. Return to him, and he will surely bestow his initiation upon
you.”
I look at his calm profile and admire its singular serenity.
“But suppose, Your Holiness, that none of them makes sufficient appeal to
me. What then? “
“In that case you will have to go on alone until God Himself initiates you.
Practise meditation regularly; contemplate the higher things with love in
your heart; think often of the soul and that will help to bring you to it.
The best time to practise is the hour of waking; the next best time is the
hour of twilight. The world is calmer at those times and will disturb your
meditations less.”
He gazes benevolently at me. I begin to envy the saintly peace which dwells
on his bearded face. Surely, his heart has never known the devastating
upheavals which have scarred mine? I am stirred to ask him impulsively:
]” If I fail, may I then turn to you for assistance?”
Shri Shankara gently shakes his head. “I am at the head of a public
institution, a man whose time no longer belongs to himself. My activities
demand almost all my time. For years I have spent only three hours in sleep
each night. How can I take personal pupils? You must find a master who
devotes his time to them.”
“But I am told that real masters are rare, and that a European is unlikely
to find them.”
He nods his assent to my statement, but adds:
“Truth exists. It can be found.”
“Can you not direct me to such a master, one who you know is competent to
give me proofs of the reality of higher Yoga?”
to be continued
Sundararajan
Yogah karmasu kausalam - Gita 2-50