NEWSLETTER FROM THE SATSANG FOUNDATION SATSANG, NOVEMBER 2010 2010 1 This newsletter is for private circulation only.
Bhagirathi River at Gangotri, Utt arakhand, India
After resting for the night in Punjab & Sind Kshetra, Yatra wit h the Master an old Ashram on the banks of Ganga, we left for Gangotri early in the morning. The narrow road wound its way to greater heights and the beauty and the grandeur of Gangotri Yatra the peaks became more and more overwhelming. The coniferous forests provided a great contrast to the shiny – Bela Mahendru snow covered peaks peeking through the mountains. After surmounting a big traffi c jam ( which became worse later during the day), we reached the quaint little town ith a fl utter in the heart and much anticipation we of Gangotri which centers around the ancient temple of embarked on the journey to Gangotri and Gaumukh. Maa Ganga (dated back to 18th century) on the banks of WWe had no idea what to expect in the coming few river Bhagirathi, at a height of almost 3000 meters. days, yet the whole existence appeared to be rejoicing. The river makes lovely music gliding over small There was every reason for us to be overjoyed. After all, rocks and meandering around the big ones. The chill in it was no ordinary thing that we had been allowed by our the wind, the freshness in the air, the blue of the sky, the most revered Master, Sri M and his wife, respected Sunanda innocence of the local people and the faith in the eyes Ji, to join them for this epic ‘Yatra’. We have always felt a unique peace and joy in the Continued on page 6... lap of nature. These feelings were multiplied many folds CONTENTS because of the resonating love for Himalayas and the Holy jae k…D hE sae tU hI hE river that Sir and Sunanda Ji exhibited. The drive along the Yatra with the Master 1 9 upper Ganga canal up to Haridwar was also very pleasant Q&A with Sri M 2 PGS: A Gift... And Memoirs 10 and heralded the wonderful days ahead. We started feeling a high as we gained height after leaving Haridwar for Book Launch: Joya en al Loto 3 A hymn By Kabir Das Ji 11 Uttarkashi. The green cover of the mountains, the gushing Poem by Pablo Neruda 5 Kailashpati 11 water of Ganga and many a waterfalls on the way took our breath away. Kundalinī: Talk by Sri M 7 Heart to Heart 12
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plug your ears. Other wise, you may Q & A hear, distantly, somebody playing on loudspeaker, ‘meethī meethī bātoṅ say...’ and you may think you are hearing it Two questions from Orchha inside! Retreat, th October Q : What is meant by Mokśa? ri M: Mokśa means to be totally free, to be completely happy, ri M : Yesterday at the end of the when you clap your hands. Now this Swithout depending on anything satsang, Mrs. S asked a question. is the sound of ‘clapping with one in the outside world. This is mokśa That question was, ‘What is hand’ as the Zen masters say. You - not being caught by any desire. S Therefore, naturally, the corollary to Anāhata Nāda?’ And I said, Anāhata cannot normally clap with one hand. Dhwani. Same thing. Or, Anāhata Therefore it is called the ‘Anāhata’- it is, since you are not interested or Śabda. They all mean the same. that sound that comes without ‘hata’, caught by anything in this world, it In its practical sense, it is said without hitting, without striking. does not mean you don’t eat or you and it is also experienced by yogis That takes place in deep don’t drink or you don’t go anywhere. when they go into deep state of meditation, in the deeper layers of That is not the meaning. You may have meditation, especially in the Ājñā your consciousness. You begin to something, but if it goes away, that Chakra or in the Hridaya Chakra. hear this sound. But the fi rst Anāhata is ok with you. This is Mokśa. In this You know that there are seven Śabda you hear is probably as you go state there is no confl ict in the mind. centers of consciousness in the psyche. from the grosser to the subtler. First Therefore, the corollary to it is, since The lowest is called the Mulādhāra. you hear the sound of your own heart you are not attached to anything in Then we have the Swādhisthāna. beating like a drum. In really deep the world, you won’t come back. That Then we have the Maṇipura Chakra absorption, you begin to hear ‘dhum is what it means. or the Kundalinī Chakra. Then you dhum dhum’ beating of the heart like The other thing is, there is have the Anāhata Chakra at the heart a nagāra. also the concept where great saints center. Not the physical heart, but Actually all these sounds sometimes come back even after they in the center of the chest. Among and lights have been imitated in have attained total freedom. They come the Sufi s, in the center of the chest the temple, when you perform the back, this is if you believe in rebirth. I there are three centers, while the pujā - all these. Even the lighting of do. I can’t prove it to you, but for me, Yogis concentrate on the central one incense which produces a beautiful it is a truth. When they come back, which is called Anāhata. Kabir Panthis smell you experience in a deep state they come back voluntarily. They are meditate on the left side. And the of meditation. It is not outside. It is not coming back because of any desire Jñānis – like Ramaṇa Maharishi and inside. pulling them or any unfulfi lled desire. so on, meditate on the Brahma Chakra, The olfactory organ, which They come back with a Sukśma Śarīra, which is on the right. So we need not normally gets excited only through with a fi ne body, which afterwards has get into any controversy over which outer irritation or outer stimuli, gets to get into a physical body, through the center is right and which is wrong. automatically stimulated and begins womb. They come back, knowing fully The whole area is full of centers. to produce smells. This is the fi rst well, that to be born on this earth, is The central one is called the lighting of the incense. And then, to have a physical body, have disease, Anāhata Chakra. And this one at the the Garbha grihaṁ - garbha means have suffering, have sorrow, have throat, is the Vishuddha Chakra. All the womb in which God sits in the everything. things to do with sound, voice and sanctum sanctorum of the temple Even the birth of a child is quite also absorption of Praṇa from the - is in the heart. When you come sorrowful. It is a tough thing to be atmosphere, is done through the nearer to that, the lights begin to pushed out of the womb, with your Vishuddha. And then the Ājñā Chakra, appear fi rst - the Ārati. And then, head coming out. That itself is quite which is a very important center. you begin to hear the sounds - the tough. Knowing all this, one voluntarily That is the point where Lord Śiva’s gongs, the bell, everything. Until comes, with the intention, that, ‘since I third eye is supposed to be located. they all stop in the end and you are have seen something wonderful, why When the physical eyes are closed, merged completely in the deity. This can’t I take some more people with me. the third eye opens which is Jñāna Śabda, which comes without external Lead them on, towards this. Does not Drishti. In fact you fi nd a very veiled interference, is known as the Anāhata matter what is happening to me.’ That mention of it even in the Bible. In the Śabda. Or Anāhata Dhwani. Or Anāhata can come only when one’s mind is on a Sermon on the Mount, Jesus suddenly Nāda. highly spiritual level, where one is not says, ‘Therefore if thine eye be single, thy And in the deeper state of afraid of suffering for somebody’s sake. whole body shall be full of light’. meditation, you hear a range of So this is where the whole concept of In reference to Jñāna Drishti, sounds. It depends on the person, compassion is. when you are in a deep state of what kind of sound comes. But it can In the Mahāyāna system, there meditation, and you begin to meditate, start fi rst with the sound of crickets at is the concept of Bodhisattva, which is especially on the Ājñā Chakra, fi rst you night - Chim Chim Chim. Or it can start borrowed from the Indian system of begin to see some lights. And as one with the sounds like anklets - Gring some yogis coming back to help. They goes deeper and deeper into that, one Gring. There are people who hear the call it Bodhisattva. The person has begins to hear sounds. These sounds sound of the fl ute being played- Bansi. almost reached nirvana - that means he are not the sounds of the outside Or you can hear the sound of drums - has not yet reached. He knows he can world. They are not sounds produced distant drums. Or the blowing of the reach nirvana. His one foot is there. The by the outside world. So therefore, conch. You can also hear the sound other foot is in the world. And he says, they must be sounds internal. Now of a beautiful Veenā being played ‘Let me come back.’ This is the vow of these sounds are not produced by somewhere. Actually these are all the Bodhisattva, who says, ‘Until all the striking one object against the other, sounds. Real sounds coming from innumerable people in this world attain like for instance if you hit a drum you somewhere. But they are not from nirvana, may I come again and again get the sound because two objects this world. So therefore, the acid and help them towards it, no matter touch each other. Or when you ring test to fi nd out if in meditation you how much the body suffers.’ This is a bell, the gong touches the rim, or are really hearing this sound, is to Continued on page 10...
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‘Joya en el Loto: Aspectos más profundos del Hinduismo’ editions displayed at the release ceremony Jewel in the Lotus’s Spanish Editi on Rele ase by Sri M Report by Federico Grandi
Last August, the Spanish translation of “Jewel in the Lotus: deeper aspects off Hini dud isi m”” (JoJ ya en ell Loto: Aspectos máás profundos del Hinduismo) was released by Sri M in Argentina and Chile. panish readers from all over the the essential and deeper aspects of M and Federico Grandi, translator world now have access to the Hinduism and the spiritual search. of the book and interpreter of Sri M SSpanish version of Sri M´s book The second part of the tour took during his Latin American tour. Sri M “Jewel in the Lotus: deeper aspects place in Chile, with three functions: gave an outstanding speech, focusing of Hinduism” (Joya en el Loto: Aspectos Santiago, Valparaíso and Isla Negra. on the deeper aspects of Hinduism más profundos del Hinduismo) through The events in Chile were organized and the search for our true identity. www.joyaenelloto.com . The book was and supported by the Embassy of The program ended with a very lively released by Sri M in Argentina and India in Chile. H.E. Pradeep K. Kapur, Indian cultural program and a tasty Chile in August this year. Ambassador of India in Chile, who Indian dinner. Sri M´s Latin American tour wrote the foreword to the Spanish In Valparaíso the event was started in Buenos Aires. The book was version of the book, and his wife, hosted in the School of International fi rst released in the Escuela de Estudios Ms Kavita Kapur, provided an Business Studies of the Universidad Orientales (School of Oriental Studies) outstanding support that was key de Valparaíso. The auditorium was of the Universidad del Salvador, a very for the success of the book release in packed with more than one hundred prestigious University of Jesuit origin. Chile. and twenty students, professors and The event had the support of the The event in Santiago took place University authorities. The school Embassy of India in Buenos Aires. More in the auditory of a beautiful Café Director stressed on the importance than one hundred people attended Literario (“Literary Coffee Shop”), for International Business Students the presentation, which started with a a mix of a coffee shop, a library, a to understand the philosophies and sitar concert by a very talented local bookshop and a cultural center located thought of different cultures of the musician. in a wonderful park. The audience, world, in particular of India, one The Director of the School more than one hundred people, was of the most important emerging stressed on the open-mindedness of a mix of ambassadors and diplomats, markets and economies. The young its founder, Reverend Father Ismael public administrators, yoga teachers minds were thrilled at the approach of Quiles, a very prestigious scholar and practitioners, and curious Sri M to philosophy and spirituality. whose curiosity led him to enquire people from different walks of life. Professors confessed that they had deeply into eastern philosophies, The introductory speech and offi cial hardly seen the students so absorbed religions and thought and later book release was started the school, the only one of its done by the Major kind in Latin America. With that spirit of Providencia, of curiosity and enquiry, the school an avid speaker welcomed Sri M. The Director of the and prestigious school and the audience were very politician, Major excited to learn Sri M had studied of the Municipality in a Jesuit school back in Kerala. A were the Embassy very lively audience, mix of young of India is located. students, professors and people from H.E. Pradeep K. outside the academic circle interested Kapur followed in these matters, followed with deep with an overview interest and attention Sri M´s speech. of Hinduism and He focused on explaining the meaning the spiritual of the title of his book, Jewel in the quest and an
Lotus, and explained, in a nutshell, introduction of Sri the translator Grandi, ri M and Federico S
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in a conference. The event ended with people that made this successful But I am still so sad, for I couldn´t talk. a very lively questions and answers Latin American book release possible. I was dumb founded and tongue tied, session, with questions that ranged In particular, the authorities of the for sweet Spanish I didn´t know, from the relevance of a vegetarian Universidad del Salvador and the to give reply to the musical tones diet to the compatibility of business School of Oriental Studies in Buenos and spirituality, to mention just a Aires, and the Embassy of India in and dancely gestures, so poetic. few. Students cheered in excitement Chile, headed by H.E. Pradeep K. But then I know one word, heard so often, when a copy of Joya en el Loto was Kapur. And of course, a big thanks to full of grace and beauty. donated to the University’s library. all the good friends that have helped So I bow and say: Isla Negra, a beautiful spot on during the different stages of this Gracias, gracias Chile, the Pacifi c Ocean, was the perfect project. setting to close the Latin American We would like to fi nish by gracias Pablo Neruda. tour for the release of Joya en el sharing the poem that Sri M composed Loto. The event was hosted in the in Chile and he offered as a closure to (Note: Gracias means “thank you” in headquarters of the Fundación the Latin American book release tour Spanish) …Gracias Sri M! Pablo Neruda, located in one of the in the Fundación Pablo Neruda:
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Sri M, Federico and authorities of Universidad del Salvador houses of the famous Nobel Laureate 3 Chilean poet. This is the place were O Pablo! the mortal remains of Neruda and his O Neruda! wife rest, facing his beloved sea. The house has been turned into a museum Deep I drank the wine you poured, and refl ects the poet’s fascination in stirring notes of poetic song, with the ocean, with big windows though served in English glasses. overlooking the Pacifi c waves as they And in drunken ecstasy fl ew in one day break on the rocky shore. Wooden to the blessed land where you were born. fl oors that make sound as you walk through narrow passages, combined A chilly day it was in Chile, with low roof doors, the sound of but I was warm; 4 the ocean and a kind of decoration The special wine you brewed proper of a sailboat makes you feel coursed through my veins and kept me warm. for an instant you are sailing across The snow clad mountains, sisters of the the sea in a beautiful and immense wooden ship. The President of Himalayas, the Neruda Foundation gave an the rivers, the hills, introductory speech, followed by the dancing waves of the sea a presentation of Sri M by Mr D.V. that kissed the sandy beach. Singh, Second Secretary and Head Above all, the people so beautiful, of Chancery of the Indian Embassy 1 Federico Grandi, book translator and Sri M´s Spanish in Chile. Foundation members and full of smiles and friendly glances, interpreter took my ecstasy to the tip of the Andes. the audience, around one hundred 2 Sergio Bulgakov and Marcelo Giuggioloni, people, followed with great interest And yet I was missing you, Argentiniean musicians playing a Sitar in the book Sri M´s discourse, which focused on in your home in Valparaiso, release at Universidad del Salvador the meaning of Joya en el Loto and in your home in Isla Negra, the essence of the spiritual quest. The 3 The audience at Universidad del Salvador event fi nished with an Indian cultural in Bella Vista, at some table, with a group of lovely friends. program by very talented Chilean 4 Book release at Fundación Pablo Neruda, Isla Negra, artists. The book release in Isla Negra No, I didn’t fi nd you. Chile. Sri M, Federico, and authorities of the Fundación was covered by CNN Chile. But I found the essence of your Soul, Pablo Neruda and the Embassy of India in Chile. We would like to thank all the still shining bright.
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Perhaps not to be is to be without your being
Perhaps not to be is to be without your being, without your going, that cuts noon light like a blue fl ower, without your passing later through fog and stones, without the torch you lift in your hand that others may not see as golden, that perhaps no one believed blossomed the glowing origin of the rose, without, in the end, your being, your coming suddenly, inspiringly, to know my life, blaze of the rose-tree, wheat of the breeze: Sri M autographing a book at the release and it follows that I am, because you are: it follows from ‘you are’, that I am, and we: and, because of love, you will, I will, Pablo Neruda (July 12, 1904 – September 23, 1973), We will, come to be. Chilean Nobel Laureate Poet, 1971, English Literature
Sri M adressing gathering in Chile
Sri M at Universidad del Salvador
Sri M at Universidad del Salvador
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...Gangotri Yatra, now?’ Being close to a living master Continued from page 1 and observing him is the biggest blessing in this light as we fi nd a reference point in life. He teaches us of the pilgrims, all contributed to a through example … his simplicity, very moving experience for us. We his compassion, his humility , his really felt blessed that we were in the fl exibility, his overfl owing love for sacred shrine with our revered Guru everyone, his sense of humour and and were reminded of the doha: ability to laugh like an innocent child and at the same time , his absolute Guru Gobind dono khare, clarity of thoughts, logical mind and kake lagoon Paon objectivity … the list could go on and on and on … Balihari Guru aapno, Mother Ganga Temple, Gangotri jo Gobind diyo bataye The trek had come to an end. Our guide Dhiraj, Our cook Praveen and the porters had made our trek In the afternoon, we headed very comfortable and served us towards a place called Gauri Kund and with love and affection. Dhiraj our Suraj Kund in Gangotri. The natural guide was elated when, at the time beauty of the place was truly soul of parting, Sir offered him his jacket satisfying. The river Bhagirathi passes and shoes. He was a good soul and through the huge rocks splashing into truly deserved the warmth, comfort, a massive fall which weaves beautiful blessings and protection of master’s designs in the air and then fi nally personal belongings. falls into a basin before continuing The Yatra was coming to an end its journey down the mountains. and with a heavy heart we bid adieu We could hear melodious sound of to snow peaks the cedars and pines, fl ute, being played by a sadhu sitting the mountains, the waterfalls and the Yatris en route Gangotri on a huge rock. This appeared to river to come back to hum- drum of be a divine setting for the evening cities and the hectic activities of life. meditation for which we sat on the But we only have to slow down for boulders. a moment to be transported back to The following day we packed the eternal beauty of the great yatra our backpacks and fi xed our and the great experience. trekking shoes and started our trek Thank you Sir ! Thank you to the source of the river Bhagirathi Sunanda Ji ! – Gaumukh at the height of 3,753 meters. Bhagirathi joins Alaknanda at Deoprayag to form Ganga which is the There is a Supreme Reality which pervades life stream of millions of people. The this universe and into which fi nally this source of this mighty, Holy river lies “universe will go back.” in Gangotri glacier which is about 30 — Sri M Himalayas as seen from Gangotri kms long and surrounded by peaks like Bhagirathi peaks, Shivling, Meru, Chaukhamba etc. The terminus of this glacier takes the shape of a cow’s mouth and is thus called Gaumukh which is 18 kms from the town of Gangotri. On the way, we camped at Chirbasa and Bhojbasa camping grounds. The trek (which is the most inadequate word to express the journey) was the most special experience of our lifetime. We were trailing behind our Master with our ‘dhyan’ focused on his feet - truly our life’s desire – to live close to him, his teachings - walking slowly, carefully, sure-footed with japa on our lips, humility in our hearts and attention focused on the source from where we come. The beautiful snow covered peaks, the river and the lofty mountains making us realize as to what a minuscule part of the creation we are and constantly reminding us of our real journey, our true goal for which God has created us. All of us are born with a natural quest to know ‘ The Truth ‘ _ which is mostly sidelined by the struggle for survival and misplaced ‘ goals of life ‘ … but for sure, each one of us has faced life situations which pose a dilemma Bhagirathi at Gaumukh, Uttarakhand, India and a big question as to ‘how do I act
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FEATURED MOKSHA TALK do with the sexual centers. It happens throughout the body, especially with its center in the Sahasrāra Chakra or the thousand petalled lotus. Before Kundalinī that it also happens in the heart center which in yogic terminology is TALK ON WORLD SPACE RADIO called the Anāhata Chakra, and is in the – SRI M center of the chest. The rising of the Kundalinī therefore is a rising of consciousness from the gross to the subtle and to oday I am going to speak on a spine, through the central channel in the subtler and subtler levels until subject, which is indeed quite the spine, which according to yogic it reaches the highest stage in the Tfascinating. It is a magic word anatomy, is called the Sushumaṇā Nādi, Sahasrāra Chakra and the yogi enters kind of and used everywhere in most or the channel of Sushumaṇā. into a deep trance which is an altered occult books and every now and then When the sleeping energy, state of consciousness. I would say a you hear of people trying to practice the great Kundalinī, is awakened by Super Conscious state where the yogi something, which would suddenly resorting to the proper means, guided no more is identifi ed with the little and immediately boost their spiritual by a proper teacher, then it awakens body that he or she has, but with his awareness. That magic word is and begins to move up the Sushumaṇā Supreme Self which is Supremely ‘Kundalinī’. In the occult books on the channel, touching six centers, as it Ecstatic, full of Supreme knowledge subject it is called Kula-Kundalinī. ascends, until it reaches the top most and Supremely peaceful. What is this Kundalinī which is center, which is known as the thousand At this point, it is a good idea to talked about so much in most occult petalled lotus, the Sahasrāra Chakra. go through at least a cursory study of books, books on yoga and so on. Let This is, actually located at the crown the anatomy of the yogic Chakras. us look at this very, very carefully. of the head. And when the Kundalinī The centers through which the Kundalinī is considered by the energy reaches there, then it merges Kundalinī travels, which lie in the tantras as the manifestation of the with the supreme reality who is called Sushumaṇā are called Chakras. Chakra infi nite Supreme Energy called Para- Śivam, and when both are merged, the means a wheel - that which moves Śakti or Bhavāni. It is said to reside in yogi enters Samādhī or a high super- - which rotates. And therefore, it potent form – not kinetic, not active conscious state where he realizes also happens to be the meeting point but in inactive form – at the base of his own identity with the Divine all- between the Pranic energies of the the spinal cord of all human beings, pervading supremely peaceful Being. human body and the energies of the coiled like a spring. Or in the tāntrik As the Kundalinī ascends, along psychic world which fl ow in from symbology, as a snake, turned 3 ½ times the Sushumaṇā, center by center, outside. around itself, waiting to be awakened through the six centers, the yogi’s When both combine and begin by the spiritual practitioner. vision or the yogi’s internal vision to move or rotate, then it is called a So, a snake has been the symbol expands and he gains access to realms chakra. These chakras are almost like of Kundalinī for many hundred years. and dimensions which are beyond the whirlpools. The energies are always It is because it is also the symbol of reach of the ordinary senses. moving. They never stop, that is, when wisdom. It is the symbol that you fi nd Finally, when the Kundalinī the Kundalinī touches the centers. on the head-dress of the Pharaoh for merges with the Paramātman, which is Otherwise, they are usually asleep. instance or in the legends of the Nāgās, the blissful Being at the crown center, The Hatha Yoga Pradeepikā and who are supposed to be snake gods the yogi is absorbed in an ecstasy the Shatachakra Nirupaṇa, the two and therefore representing wisdom. which far exceeds the ecstasy that important authoritative text books on Śiva the great Lord of yogis wears any ordinary human being has ever the Kundalinī and the chakras say that the snake coiled around the knot of experienced before. basically there are three Nādis. matted hair on this head. That is the link between tantra, The Idā, the Pingalā and the Because the snake is the symbol which basically is the subject of the Sushumaṇā Nādis are the channels of wisdom, it is on the great snake arousal of the Kundalinī Śakti and sex. through which life energies or prāṇa called, Anantha, the fi ve hooded The theory of tantra is that sexual operates. The Idā is on the left side of serpent, that Mahā-Vishnu who energy, for all human beings, given the spine. The Pingalā is on the right incarnates in the ten avatāras of the food, and shelter is the most enjoyable side of the spine. And the Sushumaṇā hindu pantheon, sleeps. experience. It is that same energy, the of course is in the middle of the spine. Mahārishi Pātānjali, the founder of sexual energy, which is sublimated All the three start from the Mulādhāra Ashtānga Yoga or Rāja Yoga, is depicted to travel up in the upward direction chakra – or the root foundation center as half snake and half human. So this instead of the downward direction. which is at the bottom of the spine. snake has been a symbol of wisdom Which is why so much stress is laid While the Sushumaṇā Nādi goes from early times. It is when Adam and on gathering your sexual energies and straight up and joins the Sahasrāra Eve caught the wisdom of the snake keeping them together at the lowest chakra on the top or on the crown of the that they began to distinguish between center where the Kundalinī sleeps. head, the other two Nādis go on either good and evil. Which is known as the Mulādhāra – side of the Sushumaṇā, cross each other I think that in ancient times, the root foundation, if you literally at the center of the eyebrows, which when there were no watch springs translate it. is called the Bhrūmadhya or the Ājñā to be shown as example, the snake However, the ecstasy that one Chakra, and then go and join Sahasrāra was an ideal example of the coiled up experiences when the sexual energies Chakra. Kundalinī which remains inactive and are gathered together and made to So the yogis say that the joining sleeping in most human beings at the awaken the Kundalinī and when that or the crossing together is the Sangama bottom of the spine. Kundalinī reaches the Sahasrāra Chakra of the Varunā river and the Assi river - When awakened by the practice which is at the crown of the head – is that is the Idā and the Pingalā at the of yoga, which includes exercises, a multiple orgasm which no human Bhrūmadhya which is the Ājñā Chakra breathing techniques and chanting being has experienced anywhere in or center between the eyebrows. The of special sounds – mantras – then any one of his lower centers. Bhrūmadhya is known as the holy city the sleeping snake hisses and raises The experience may be called the Continued on page 8... its head and begins to travel up the supreme orgasm but it is nothing to
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...Continued from page 7 This is because the energy called the that is the center which kind of opens of Vāranāsi. The meeting place of the Kundalinī is ascending from the gross the door ways to the highest levels of Varunā and the Assi rivers. to the subtle. So from solid state, to consciousness. According to tantras, Śiva the liquid state. It is a great symbol - If you see fi gure of a Śiva – Lord the supreme being resides on the which means it is becomes subtler and Śiva, the Lord of the yogis, who is only Sahasrāra Chakra with his legs let down subtler. deity who sits in cross legged posture and touching the Bhrūmadhya or the The next center, which is at the and meditates himself – you see that center between the eye brows. navel is known as the Maṇipura Chakra. he has a third eye. That third eye is The point at which the Sushumaṇā It is also known as the Kundalinī Chakra a very important is a very important and is represented by a triangle with center. A very important chakra called enters the Sahasrāra Chakra is known in Ā the tantras and in the yogic scriptures its apex upwards. The color given to it the jñā Chakra or the Bhrūmadhya. as the Bramha-Randra. Which means is the color of fi re. As red as fi re. Like There is a story in Indian the hole or the gateway to Brahman, the a red hot burning fi re. A fl ame. And, mythology, in the Śiva Purāna about Supreme Being. And, it is interesting this is the central part of the chakras Kāma Deva, the god of love, the god to note that the Bramharandra, if you where combustion takes place or heat of sex, the god of emotion, the god of compare with present day anatomy, energy. Great heat of the Kundalinī is desire. Kāma can best be translated as sort of coincides with what is known as symbolized here. When the heat of the desire. It could be any desire. Sensuous the center of the limbic system, where practice of Kundalinī yoga emanates or non-sensuous. Desire as such. the pituitary gland and the amygdalae from the Maṇipura Chakra, then the Kāmadeva, the god of desire is and the thalamus and so on, exists in Kundalinī rises further up from solid supposed to shoot arrows of fl owers the brain. to liquid and from liquid to gaseous at us, at human beings and even the Which is almost the center of state. Passing through the heat center gods. And they fall under his power. the brain. The limbic system is that of the Maṇipura Chakra. This Kāmadeva, poor guy, once went which takes care of our feelings. If the The next center, is the one called to Śiva and tried to shoot his arrows limbic system did not work, we would Anāhata Chakra, which is in the center of desire on him. Śiva the mighty Lord have no feelings. Therefore, in the of the chest. It is represented by what of Yogis, who had conquered all desire raising or awakening of the Kundalinī, is called the Star of David. Two triangles and who was supreme and peaceful is emotion or feeling plays as much part are inter-twined or put together - one supposed to have just opened his third as the technique of Prāṇayama and the equilateral triangle pointing upwards, eye, which is the eye of the knowledge chanting of the Mantras. the other pointing downwards. The and Kāmadeva was burnt to ashes According to the tāntriks, any Anāhata Chakra is colored sky blue in no time. Which means that when feeling which is very deep can in some which means it shows still subtler the third eye or the center which is way awaken the Kundalinī. energy which may be in the physical known as the Ājñā Chakra is activated But fi rst let us go through the world compared to the gaseous state. or opened, which happens when the different centers called the chakras. So from solid to liquid to gaseous. The kundalinī energy reaches the Ājñā The fi rst one, which is at the energy has become subtler and subtler Chakra, then the mind understands the bottom of the spine is called the and the consciousness has moved from reality behind all illusion. Therefore, Mulādhāra, as I said before. It is gross to the subtle. all illusions are burnt to ashes. It also represented by a triangle with its The next chakra is the one that means that one arrives and achieves apex down and color associated is at the throat. This is known as the supreme satisfaction and unlimited with it is yellow. Which is the color Vishuddha Chakra. The chakra of purity. bliss and happiness and therefore, has of the earth and triangle is placed I forgot to mention that the Anāhata no other desire left. And that happens in the middle of a square. A yellow Chakra is also called the Anāhata when the kundalinī reaches the Ājñā square. This represents Prakriti, or the because when the mind is fi xed on this Chakra, which is the last but one. material earth, the solid earth, which center, one hears the sound which is It is the doorway to the highest means energy at its grossest level of un-struck. Which means the inner which is complete merging with the vibration. sound which is sound of Auṁ or the Supreme Being which happens in the The next center or padma – Prāṇava, vibrates within this chakra last topmost the highest chakra at Chakras are also called padmas, because when the mind or consciousness the crown of the head. This is known they are like a lotus which blooms. The ascends to it. as the Sahasrāra Chakra or the 1,000- centers also bloom when the energy The Vishuddha Chakra which is petalled lotus. 1,000-petalled simply touches them. They are also called the throat center is symbolized by an means infi nite. It is symbol of the padmas or lotuses. The next lotus or the oval and the color is indigo. The tattva infi nite. The color associated with is Ākāsha. Or the ether. Or that from the Sahasrāra Chakra – there is no next center is called the Swādhishthāna Ā Chakra. It falls between the Mulādhāra, which the kāsha Tattva according to one single color. It is technicolor. All which is the lowest and the Maṇipura the Sānkhya philosophy and the tantra, colors fl ow out of this chakra. In fact, Chakra, which is at the navel. The is that from which everything else if one is clairvoyant, if one can see and color of Swādhishthāna is silvery like comes. All forms are created and that looks at the Sahasrāra Chakra, what into which all forms merge at the end. is seen is a fountain which seems to the moon. Like moonlight and symbol Ā of it is a crescent moon. You will fi nd This is kāsha. In English it can best be come out from the crown of the head this crescent moon on head of Durgā. translated as ether but then ether that and fl ow in all directions around the You will the crescent moon on Śiva’s is just a translation. body in different colors. Multi-hued head touching his locks. It is a great The energy, the Kundalinī as colors. Colors which are so bright and tāntrik symbol of the astral world and come up to the, let us say the Vishuddha lively that one may not see such colors subtle worlds and it is represented by Chakra. Therefore, consciousness has on this earth. the Tattva or the principle of Āpas or risen from the gross, from solid to Each of these chakras starting liquid to still subtler gaseous and then from the Mulādhāra to the Sahasrāra water principle. Ā The fi rst chakra, the Mulādhāra to the level of kāsha which is the also have their sounds which are represents Prakriti or the solid earth ether. known as the Bījāksharas. The seed or solidity. The next one, we discussed, From here, the next two chakras sound. The lowest which is the the Swādhishthāna, which is silvery – one being between eyebrows which Mulādhāra Chakra is associated with and which is shaped or symbolized is called the Bhrūmadhya or the Ājñā the sound ‘Lung’. It is not Lung, it is not by the crescent moon, represents the Chakra, is symbolized as a pure white Lam, but somewhere in between. So water tattava or the Āpas Tattava. Also two petalled lotus with a small white, Lung is the sound which is associated called the Téjas or the Dream tattva. milk-white Lingam at the center. And and which is the Bījākshara of the
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Mulādhāra Chakra. When the yogi fi xes his attention on the Mulādhāra and continuously chants ‘Lung’, the jae k…D hE sae tU hI hE energy is supposed to activate or awaken. All is you Oh! Divine The sound or the Bījākshara of the next chakra, which is the Swādhishthāna Chakra is ‘Vang’. Vang beisance to the Masters who and spoke, “He is omniscient. He lives - Vang - Vang. reveal the sublime Truth in in everybody’s heart”. Hirananda told The next which is the Maṇipura simple lyrics and beautiful Vivekananda, “‘I’ has vanished and its O 3 Chakra is ‘Rung’. Rung - Rung. The songs which vibrate at the very core only ‘You’ and ‘You alone’. sound of Aruna or the fi re. Rung. of an aspirant’s heart. This ghazal was fi rst referred in Sri The Bījākshara of the Anāhata Our Master sang this song Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita on March 11, Chakra is ‘Young’. Young - Young - and initiated us in realizing the 1885.4 Then on June 13, 1885 it was sung by Young. Anāhata Chakra which is in mystery of the universe in such a Trailokya5. The takhallus or the pen name the center of the chest is activated profound intimate relationship with used in the ghazal is ‘Zafar’. It is considered by the sound of Young. the Supreme Being that pours out that this work does not belong to Bahadur The seed sound or the in these melodious stanzas — “All is Shah Zafar, but someone else, perhaps Bījākshara of the throat chakra, the you Oh! Divine. Only you are mine. another poet with that pen name residing Vishuddha Chakra is ‘Hung’. It is the To You I bow!” in Calcutta, however, who the Zafar is still great Bījākshara of the Buddhist On April 22, 1886, Sri unknown. By 1885, this ghazal had become Mantra. Most of the Buddhist, Ramakrishna was recuperating so popular that Swami Vivekananda Tibetan Buddhist mantras have at Kashi Garden. Hirananda, a himself used to sing this for his Master. the sound of ‘Hung’. The sound of classmate of Swami Vivekananda This is a humble attempt to revisit Vishuddha Chakra or the chakra of and another devotee from Sindha the wordings of this ghazal and translate in purity. Vishuddha. came to meet him. In the presence to English. And, for instance the famous of all, Swami Vivekananda sang this mantra, ‘Auṁ Maṇi Padme, Hung!’ - ghazal1 since this was a favorite of Sri ‘Hung’ is the sound. Ramakrishna. All is you Oh! Divine Then the Ājñā Chakra which is between the eyebrows and the tuHse hmne idl kae lgaya Sahasrāra Chakra are together jae k…D hE sae tU hI hE My heart is in love with thine covered by the Prāṇava - ‘Auṁ’. @k tuHkae Apna paya All is you Oh! Divine When you chant, ‘Auṁ’ it covers jae k…D hE sae tU hI hE both the Ājñā which is the eyebrow Only you are mine center and the Sahasrāra Chakra or All is you Oh! Divine the crown chakra. idl ka mka< sbka mkI— tU These are Bījāksharas. When kaEn sa idl hE ijsme htt p://www.satsang-foundation.org ssatsang_nov_2010.inddatsang_nov_2010.indd 9 111/2/20101/2/2010 22:59:01:59:01 PPMM 10 SATSANG, NOVEMBER 2010 ...Continued from page 2 divinity is all – pervading and we are a who is not qualifi ed for it, who is not a spark of That.’ And he described it like brāhmaṇa. What he meant by brāhmaṇa called the oath of the Bodhisattva. this. He said, ‘The whole universe is like is one who has brahmanical qualities. This is not easily possible. Here, a huge being called Nārāyaṇa. He called Now the young disciple asked him, we want to be free ourselves - Apna it Srīman Nārāyaṇa. And just like there ‘Sir, what happens if by mistake, I give khayāl. That requires a totally different are cells in the human body, all the it to someone who does not have this dimension of thinking, where one jivas are cells in the body of Nārāyaṇa. qualifi cation?’ The teacher said, ‘You actually begins to understand that Now you can neither say that they are will go to a hundred hells. Rāmānuja one is not the body really. Only when different nor can you say that they are said, ‘What about that person?’ ‘He that concept comes, is one not afraid the same. They are one body. This is will defi nitely reach Vaikunta,’ said of coming back. Otherwise there is called Vishishtha Advaita. There is one the Master. ‘Ok, Sir’, said Rāmānuja. always the fear that if you are born, Nārāyaṇa - Sriman Narayana. He called He did praṇām to his teacher and went you have to become big and then you it Nārāyaṇa for devotional purposes. to a nearby hill which is still there in have to go through so many trials and He illustrated it very beautifully, Perumbudur. And he said, ‘All of you tribulations. You have to grow up. Who when he said, ‘Everything is like water. come. It does not matter who you are. knows what is going to happen? You Let us consider Srīman Nārāyaṇa to Come, I have a great mantra with me, have disease. You have suffering. You be the whole thing called water- Jala. which will take you to Vaikunta.’ He have pain. Then you are dead – death Chemically it is the same everywhere. told everybody to chant this mantra. of the physical body. A cup of water before you is the same as So everybody told the Guru, In Indian philosophy, in Indian the river that is fl owing. Intrinsically, ‘Something is wrong with your disciple. systems of thought, there have been quality- wise, there is no difference. This is what he is doing.’ The Guru then great sages like that, who taught But you cannot run a steamer on this called Rāmānuja and said to him, ‘What that the salvation of the other is water. You can only run it on the river. are you doing? You will go to a hundred more important than themselves There is a difference. And yet there is hells.’ going to hell, if necessary. The great no difference. That is called Vishishtha He said, ‘I can go a thousand times Ā Advaita. to hell. Let them all go to Vaikunta.’ Rāmānujāchārya, who came after di Ā Śankarācharya, was the founder of This great chārya, Rāmānuja, Such a heart! And then the guru said the Vishishtha Advaita system – where was born in the south, in a place called ‘He is my real disciple.’ there is more stress on devotion rather Sri Perumbudur. In that place, when he than philosophical abstractions. What was a young man, he was taught the happened with Śankara, was that great mantra - Oṁ Namoh Nārāyaṇa. A Gift... very soon people got too caught up It is a mantra which you fi nd in the in intellectual speculation - Vedāntic Bhagwad. It is a great mantra- Oṁ Namoh Nārāyaṇa! and memoirs intellectual speculation. And that is By Sreelakshmi the time, when Rāmānuja came. He His guru initiated him after all introduced what is called, qualifi ed the trials that are necessary to ensure From Peepal Grove Scool that one is ready for it. He initiated him non-dualism. Śankarācharya said that ach student here at PGS, when there is only one Supreme Being, that into the mantra, ‘Oṁ Namoh Nārāyaṇa’. And then the master told him, ‘This they leave, will carry back with there is no other thing. Everything them a gift - something they else is Maya - appearance. Only one mantra is to be given only to those E who are ‘Āptas’ that is who are capable, have either learnt or improved upon, Supreme Being. There is no jīva, during their stay here. For me, the there is nothing, everything is Maya. who are qualifi ed to receive this.’ And he gave him a description of those who gift will be Music. In many ways, PGS Rāmānujāchārya came and found has proved to be, at least for me, an that people were just talking about are qualifi ed to receive it. And whoever takes this mantra, will reach Vaikunta experience that has greatly helped me it. Nobody could understand what expand my horizons in so many areas. the real experience is. So he said, and will be face to face with Srīman Nārāyaṇa. There is no doubt about this, In the area of Music however, it was ‘Let us modify it. Man is not ready to more than an explosion. understand it.’ So he said, ‘The human if you have faith. But do not give it to a person who is not ready for it, or It’s diffi cult to explain the lure being is a part of the Divine. The of Music. It has its intangible addictive quality to it - enticing you without your knowledge, and once you’re completely drawn in, only then you realize the intensity with which those soul-stirring melodies have affected you. So, too, it was for me. It started as far as I remember, as an innocent- enough session of singing whatever the latest songs were, in the dormitories, every Saturday and Sunday evening. As times went, I discovered a couple of other girls who seemed to be interested in the same kind of music as I was - and from there it took off. One of us happened to be an instrumentalist - she played the keyboard. She also happened to possess a fl air for notes - the musical kind. Coincidently, the other girl happened to have a voice beautiful enough to bring life to tunes we churned out. And me? I just went on doing what I was best at - waxing lyrical! What helps about the atmosphere of PGS is this freedom that is given to Sunset at the Peepal Grove School, Sadum you to explore. We’re encouraged to htt p://www.satsang-foundation.org ssatsang_nov_2010.inddatsang_nov_2010.indd 1100 111/2/20101/2/2010 22:59:09:59:09 PPMM SATSANG, NOVEMBER 2010 11 question stereotypes and barriers... and so we did. A hymn By Kabir Das Ji Focussed on variety, on being recorded in Sri Guru Granth Sahib different, and inspired by the love for what we were doing, we each used our own special gift to create something Awal Allah noor upaya, kudrat ke sab bande unique, something we would hold close to our hearts for the rest of Ek Noor te sab jag upjaya, kaun bhale , kau mande our lives. Three strands, three vivid logaa bharam na bhulo bhaaee || colours intertwined together to form khaalak khalak khalak meh khaalak poor rehio sarab thaaee ||1|| (Rahao) one brilliant braid - and as the braid Maati ek, anek bhaant kar saaji saajanhaare || grew longer and stronger, so did our na kachh poch maati ke bhande na kachh poch kumhare ||2|| friendship. PGS proved the setting where I sabh meh sacha eko soee tis kaa kiya sabh kachh hoee || found one of the greatest loves of my hukam pachhaane so eko jaane banda kahiye soee ||3|| life. PGS provided the atmosphere and Allahu alakh n jaayi lakhya gur gurr deena meetha || encouragement required for this love Kaho kabir meri shanka naasi sarab niranjan deetha ||4|| to grow into a full-blown passion, a considerably healthy addiction. And PGS also provided me with two of the First, Allah created the Light; closest friends I could ever have found then, by His Creative Power, He made all mortal beings. - partners in practice, with whom I From the One Light, the entire universe welled up. shared the simple, yet priceless joys So who is good, and who is bad? ||1|| that music brings. O people, O Siblings of Destiny, do not wander deluded by doubt. My legacy - music. And along The Creation is in the Creator, and the Creator is in the Creation, with it memories and friendships to totally pervading and permeating all places. ||1||Pause|| bring me happiness, for the rest of The clay is the same, my life, wherever I go and however but the Fashioner has fashioned it in various ways. long I live. There is nothing wrong with the pot of clay - there is nothing wrong with the Potter. ||2|| The One True Lord abides in all; by His making, everything is made. Whoever realizes the Hukam of His Command, knows the One Lord. He alone is said to be the Lord’s slave. ||3|| The Lord Allah is Unseen; He cannot be seen. The Guru has blessed me with this sweet molasses. Says Kabir, my anxiety has been taken away; I see the Immaculate Lord pervading everywhere. ||4|| Kaila shpati III The blue above and blue below Peepal Grove School, Sadum I The Cobalt, the Prussian, the lighter hue The purplish blue and the sombre cue That is complete. This is The stretch of water against the sky complete. When you take out this It was a cold and rainy night at the mountain Interspersed with blue and white crags so high completeness, only completeness The tents were pitched A scene which a painter may never try “ Just below where Thy abode Is my Lord. remains. It can not be reduced because O holy Lake was it thy loveliness something is taken out. In fact nothing Or some Other Presence Under Thy watchful eye we slept Which made you appear more than just a picture ? can be taken out. When it is recognized And awoke to Thy silent call at dawn that this completeness is within Coming out we saw the splendorous morning IV us, then we are complete. In Nature, And thee with thy golden brush there is a certain constant. Whatever Colouring the peaks which lay in Not knowing how we will make it happens, that constant remains.” the arc of thy iridescent brush! Yet with a quite confi dence II Connected to thee — Sri M We set out, each one. The Satsang Vidyalaya Madanpalle provides free Thy fi rst lovely sight You held our hand and led us across education to rural children from the tribal areas of Across the mountain range You gave us rest when we thought Sugali Thanda. O Lord we could walk no more. Was so beautiful You saw each one to the shore. It made this life worthwhile The school runs a sponsorship programme Then I knew that all thy creation Lord we wished to see your form in whereby education of children can be sponsored And all thy manifestations are true at an annual cost of `7,500 per child. the abode of Light That you are near and yet are far Not knowing that the quite fl ame burning In far you come near. in my heart and all the hearts For details contact Jayasri Achuta Rao (090-0878- is thine. 7117), C.N. Bhushan (093-4125-4570), or write By Gagan Ahluwalia Poem to: [email protected] htt p://www.satsang-foundation.org ssatsang_nov_2010.inddatsang_nov_2010.indd 1111 111/2/20101/2/2010 22:59:14:59:14 PPMM 12 SATSANG, NOVEMBER 2010 Heart to Heart I Wonder By Bhavani This is the fi rst of the series ‘Heart to Heart’. The purpose of this column is to provide an avenue for people to express themselves and write about their heartfelt experiences as part of The Satsang Foundation. This is a column where feelings/experiences/ observations are expressed and no off ence is meant towards anyone. The views expressed herein are entirely those of the author. wonder about Master often. I wonder whether I will ever know him completely. As there is only ‘me’ and my Iown standards to use as a yardstick, how can I get a true picture? I do not know how to go beyond – how to see people AS THEY ARE. It is so true that we look at people and things as we have trained ourselves to... Highlighting what appeals, ignoring what we think is not important, rejecting what is unappealing etc; all, according to OUR OWN STANDARDS. Sri M at Kathmandu, Nepal after return from Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, July 2009 So I fi nd that I am only seeing or relating to ‘Me’ in others and missing out on the variety of The Lord’s creation. Master M – our kind, loving and gentle teacher... lives an ‘ordinary’ householder’s life in an ‘EXTRA-ORDINARY’ THE way! He is a living example of a Karma yogi as described by Swami Vivekananda – He works unattached & free. Look at SATSANG him... He is ever at rest yet never resting... He is FREE and FOUNDATION ready to guide others to be free too! I wonder how he functions. He is a friend – a friend we can speak to at anytime, whatever we feel like. How many Registered Society in Karnataka calls would he be attending in a day? I wonder... Each call Founder President: Sri Mumtaz Ali we make, every question we ask, every worry we off-load Secretaries— Suryadeo (09740616573), CN Bhushan (09341254570) is absorbed completely leaving us lighter and happier... Treasurer — Smt. Jayasri Achuta Rao (09008787117) but what about him? I wonder.... This fountain of pure E-mail: [email protected] selfl ess Love, the effortless kindness that fl ows from him, his wisdom, his humility and his keenness to help as many Website: www.Satsang-Foundation.org as possible – NO MATTER WHAT – is a blessing bestowed Registered Address: upon us... but what about him? I wonder... how must he 13/1, Bachammal Road, feel when we miss the point? When we CANNOT FULLY Cox Town, Bangalore - 560005 INDIA, UNDERSTAND the import of profound statements dropped Tel: 080-2297-4090 ever so casually and sometimes very seriously? We cannot help bowing down to our Guru. Not just Sri M’s Address: because we have been taught to, but the love & wisdom that Snow White, Nakkaladinne Village emanates from him, fi lls us with gratitude and the desire Ponnutipalayam post, to express it makes us want to put our head at his feet. He Madanapalle Pin -517325, allows us to express ourselves whichever way we want... Andhra Pradesh, India, some like to kiss his feet... He allows it all... not wanting to hurt a single heart. But, then again, I wonder how he Telephone: +91-8571-221107 feels... he does not want DEPENDENT people grovelling at Satsang Locations: his feet... he points the way to ‘TOTAL INDEPENDENCE’... Chennai: Smt. Katyayani Devi: 098-8443-0557 but alas... we miss the point! Mysore: Smt. Chandrika Devi: 093-4259-3041 “My plate is full, but nobody is hungry.” I wondered Coorg: Sri Balaji: 098-4583-1683 – there are so many of us attending the retreats, going on yatras, sitting and enjoying bhajans, satsangs or talks on the Palamneer: Sri Vanajasana Naidu: 085-7925-8555 Gita and other Upanishads – is this not hunger? Chittoor: Smt. Soumini Reddy: 093-4734-8054 Thinking further upon it, I questioned – What is it Hyderabad: Sri Naeemullah: 094-4081-8096 we are looking for? Are we seeking ‘spiritual’ intervention New Delhi: Sri Vivek Mahendru: 098-1821-1515 for our ‘worldly’ problems? What do we seek? Do we really Smt. Bhavāni Devi: 098-1131-3326 want to know what life is about besides eating, sleeping Smt. Gagan Ahluwalia: 098-1110-5056 etc? Then again I thought... the best way to gauge how Mumbai: Sri Sudhir Naik: 093-2299-0874 serious I am in the search, is to look at what I am ready to Jalandhar: Dr. Rashmi Vij: 098-1593-8484 ‘give up’ for it!! If the list is full of things of convenience Dubai: Mr. Param Singh: +971-50-4225403 – like pickle, papad, salad then hullo... how can I feel USA: Ms. Geeta Betrabet, Hemant S. Betrabet : +1-262 886 6757 the hunger? Skipping meals will work but then again I Australia: Mr. Manoj R. D’souza: +61-07-3711 4883, Cell: +61-04-3876 3645 wonder... what is the ‘food’ that I must deny myself to be ‘hungry’ enough to eat what Master wants to feed? So with a full stomach – I await THAT hunger! That - True Spirituality! The Satsang Foundation and The Satsang Trust are exempt under section 80(G) of the Income Tax Act for donations. htt p://www.satsang-foundation.org ssatsang_nov_2010.inddatsang_nov_2010.indd 1122 111/2/20101/2/2010 22:59:19:59:19 PPMM