So spiritual thinking, has in one way or another found a permanent residence in my head. And even before you ask me that question, here is my answer... I do call myself SBNR (spiritual but not religious)
So, how did I find my Master?
In 2003, when my dad mentioned Swami Nithyananda I was just mildly curious to know what was different with this Swami, that had my dad so hooked. It was more of a surprise when my mother, who until then was spiritually very neutral, seemed totally into it as well. Needless to say, she felt Swamiji's presence in every part of her life and this eventually paved the path for me. It was by her insistence that I started wearing Swamiji's malai in 2005. Everytime Swamiji was in town, I've attended his discourses on Patanjali's yoga sutras. Slowly my bonding with the Master turned from a "my mom insists" thing to a "yeah, it makes sense" feeling and till date it remains that way.
To those who have been in Swamiji's presence, I need to say no more about my experiences. But for those who haven't, well.. let me make an attempt to explain...
Being in Swamiji's presence, for me, is always like I stepped into a space with endless calm, peace and abundant happiness. Its always like meeting an old friend.
From how I see it, its like every person is a puppet - everything that makes that person tick is visualized like string. And all these strings are tied to a single hook. So the single question that remains is.. where do i stick my hook? Where is that stable strong wall where my hook will be safely attached to forever?
In many ways, Swamiji was that wall for me.
So when this scandal broke out, I was initially frozen. Didn't know how to react. My first reaction was of course denial. But when I saw the video myself, I was not so sure it was morphed as is widely claimed.
And then, came the flash of true realization - I knew it didn't matter to me. Never once while establishing this spiritual bonding with my Master did I think of his celibacy or base my faith on it. So why now, when his celibacy was questioned, should it affect me?
Though I avidly followed every blog and news report about the scandal, not once after that did I feel shaken in my beliefs.
By all this, I am not saying that what has happened is all a big conspiracy against Swamiji --- All I am saying is that I don't care. It doesn't affect me. Swamiji is the guru who opened this door to spirituality for me and for that he will forever be my Master.
From how I see it, its like every person is a puppet - everything that makes that person tick is visualized like string. And all these strings are tied to a single hook. So the single question that remains is.. where do i stick my hook? Where is that stable strong wall where my hook will be safely attached to forever?
In many ways, Swamiji was that wall for me.
So when this scandal broke out, I was initially frozen. Didn't know how to react. My first reaction was of course denial. But when I saw the video myself, I was not so sure it was morphed as is widely claimed.
And then, came the flash of true realization - I knew it didn't matter to me. Never once while establishing this spiritual bonding with my Master did I think of his celibacy or base my faith on it. So why now, when his celibacy was questioned, should it affect me?
Though I avidly followed every blog and news report about the scandal, not once after that did I feel shaken in my beliefs.
By all this, I am not saying that what has happened is all a big conspiracy against Swamiji --- All I am saying is that I don't care. It doesn't affect me. Swamiji is the guru who opened this door to spirituality for me and for that he will forever be my Master.
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