keep the mind?

keep the mind
if you choose 

but underneath there lies

a beautiful clarity

that is your birthright 

to come into

it is not that God has kept

this beauty

for only a few

it is that only a few

have the courage

to continue forward 

into the sea of knowledge

that will wash the persona

completely away

to make the light shine 

in fullness and glory

and uncover

deep abiding peace 

that will not be shaken 

but dear ones 

you can always

keep the mind

be still

when the mind falls

for even a moment

this is the time to sink in 

and not rise up back into the waves 

that pull one outward 

and create a world

it is this stillness that washes 

away the ego with its false shades

and haunting thoughts..

there is no other way

precious seeker

but to rest in the true essence

as one is walking across a bridge

to get to the side of peace

what a waste to go back again

to the dark lands of unrest

yes?

the ghosts that follow you will

not be turned away easily

what will set them running

is when the lies are laid bare -

and great quietude is entered..

indeed yes

to be free

dear one 

be still

be still...

Meeting Guru's Guru...

 posted 3/2006...

please note:  in this text...
1) Gurus Guru is referred to as Guruji --
2) Guruji is Guruswamig --
3) the sadhaka i went with is no longer on the path..  so his name was removed...

As we approached the home in which he (Guruji) was staying, a woman opened the door to 

greet us.  We were ushered into a little entrance way and could not yet see into 

the living quarters.  The woman asked us to take off our shoes and threw aside 

the curtain so we could enter.  The living room was very modest, simply 

decorated with a beautiful hand drawn portrait of Guruji on one wall. I recognized him from 

pictures that Guruswamig had on her altar at the ashram.  There was also a picture of Ramana

on the mantle above the Guru chair.  The woman that welcomed us in got us some tea,  then

dissapeared into another room.  At this point Guruji had not yet entered ... the sadhaka I was with 

and I sat on the couch with the empty Guru chair facing us. There was a stillness that 

pervaded the place identical to the ashram. In the archway in which Guruji was to enter hung

two thin, white curtains... when Guruji parted them to enter it was startling. He was a very

beautiful man with smooth, dark skin. He wore all white traditional indian attire, had the 

appearance of tradition as well as a commanding presence. We greeted him and told him how
grateful we were that he was Guruswamig's Guru as she is such a bright light for others.
We told him that Guruswamig had answered our questions... so we had nothing to ask of him,
but to tell him thank you and be in his holy presence. Then we sat quietly for quite some time
until Guruji said our tea was getting cold.... he then smiled very pleasantly... one could see
there was warmth in him as well as a sternness... very one pointed.

After some time he began to speak awhile. His manner was fluid, like when Guruswamig
speaks. One could tell another power was speaking which feels true of Guruswamig as well..
same feeling ... very powerful, still and complete... very fluid... like beauty in motion.
He spoke about how the Guru is one.. the importance of being devoted to ONE Guru.. to
follow that one faithfully and "then you will be alright".  He said, "I am your Guru's Guru
and I speak through her... when you are with her.. I am with you as well".  "My Guru
speaks through me and so on".. He said he existed only for the development of the sadhaka...
that he does not impart information, but offers the truth only.  Many want to gather more
and more information... this is not important.. what is important is to remove blocks.  He also
said he travels a lot, but everywhere he goes it is the same within... no change within.

After he was done speaking, we both received a blessing. He touched the head for a long
time and said "bless you".... a very beautiful experience... then he gave us both an apple (prashad).
We thanked him and gave him some fruit and flowers we brought.
He received the gifts graciously... then we departed.

When we got in the car, we both felt happy and blessed that this rare opportunity opened
up. There was the feel of tradition in the experience... also the strength of lineage... this
was all palpable... very real feeling as if one wasn't isolated, but protected by this holy bond.

The ride home was mostly quiet except for the munching of apples.  It is wondrous that
a kundalini master came along just when needed, but to meet more than one Sat Guru... was
amazing to both of us.  Life is a mysterious unfolding... what a blessing!
Thank you Guruswamig for bringing yet another surprise our way.

In love and gratitude
Siddhananda

Though many forms come and go... the Guru is one...
There is only one truth.. there is only one... Om

steady is the way..

come be in this ground

like a mighty king of the land of now

not as soldier with armor

and a cross to bear

be like a beautiful spirit that lives and breathes

words of truth

and shies no more away from the soul fire

be a living light that brings in the false

to see it for what it is 

and makes it to tremble and shake 

and show its face no more...

be of hearty substance and honor

as the masters

as many of these great ones started out 

in waves of trouble and dissatisfaction

not as saints ...

what turned them away from the unhealthy ways

was a strong inner will to leave what brings 

suffering alone

and heed the call of grace with great steadiness

do not think that this was a special thing..

it is the fruits of great effort ... 

and not born easily by any means...

this is what you are made of too soul...

deep roots in the absolute and a most powerful

force that will move one along..

if you hear well the pointings of wisdom...

and lay down your armor...  

no turning back...

i did not live like this always
within the blessing of light
and in the company of the good..
i had my day and time in the world
with its entanglements and empty hopes
and dreams
i did not come to the path with an understanding
of the ways of spirituality
or heavy with study of different paths
i was more like a one
burdened by experiences in the world
and haunted by traumas of the past...
which is true of many for sure
so what can be said
but if the heart is pure in motive and desire
that even under this heaviness of shadow
carried
there is a clear current of grace that draws
one towards what is right
and beneficial
of course there is always the choice to take
what is offered by grace that is there to move one forward
or turn it away
and go back to the familiar world of never ending
struggle....
the ones that will enter into the depths of the soul
are indeed the ones that move forward at all cost --
with this steady determination in heart
one can get through even the very rough roads
and come out better for it...
there is no doubt of this...
and as the ego continues to get worn away by the
grace of Guru..
there will be a time when ego rears its head no more...
this is the priceless blessing that comes to one that
continues forward  --

om shanti

action louder than words..

it can't be said enough that *action* is what is required

to breakthrough the chains of suffering....

has this been heard truly friends?

because to sit back and merely listen to or hope for 

something to become better will not change a thing at all...

this is what Guru has spoken about so many times...

it is like night and day to live in a fantasy compared to taking steps..

the first is certain to bring more illusion and drama...  

the other change... 

this world is so very broken now and it is not getting better 

until there are more that come forward and stand for what is right

it is a painful experience indeed to come out of hidden ways

when this is what has become familiar..

but unless there is transparency in ones life, the blinders will stay on

and what is hid away

will only create more pain and isolation within 

which impairs ones power to be a useful being in society...

it is because of the ones that have dared to speak up that 

many past injustices have shifted and new roads opened

so that there can be growth for the spirit...

but now there is so much easy access to information..

why bother doing any work to come forward...  

so much easier to just be entertained and forget about what really matters..

i have sat by and watched Guru time and time again give a wake up call 

to humanity about misguided actions and ways...

her efforts are embraced weakly if that and nothing gets done in the way

of aiding the wheels to turn...

there are so many that could be a spokesperson for false Gurus for example

in India...  but few to none have stepped up to the plate...

what more can Guru give or say really?  ...

when something as simple as signing a petition is too much work then really 

what more can be said or done?

the truth is that all of us enjoy the freedom we have due to others suffering and speaking out..

but has this now been taken so casually...

if your world is comfortable and safe now, you are blessed indeed ...

but there are so many that are not safe and do not have these same blessings...

there are many that live in a land ridden with corruption and no opportunity.. 

we can do what we can here to help or turn away and not bother... 

but this is a certainty - that to turn a blind eye is only adding to the problem

doesn't being part of the solution sound so much better? 

maha shanti om

deathless

death is non-existent in the o ne
it is a mere concept created by mind
like all other illusions
there is no such thing within a clear mind
that is free of shadow
what goes is the body
that is a mere appearance within pure awareness
this is all...
it is because you have claimed this body
as your own
that there is suffering...
ego is this way --
making claims and creating a world
that appears to a *me*
keep inquiring what is this *me*
and engage the practices when the story
arises
the shadow (ego) will be laid to rest
eventually
there is no doubt
because it is transient
it will go...
friend,
i will not say any of it is easy
it is not by any means
but please do not let any thought
desire or emotion
dissuade you or pull you away--
do not worry so much about your life and
what is to be lost there
surely it will all go in time...
this is fact
yes?
be true now
live like a one that is without this heavy other nature
be in heart
be free

to lose is the greatest blessing...

so my friend
have you not seen yourself true
for a moment even?
have you fallen back into easy ways
of thought and fantasy?
have you been asleep when the sun is shining
and looked away when grace offered the opportunity
to challenge the mental patterns within?
how is it going in there?
what have you shed to let  die away
and blow with the wind?
it is so much a beautiful thing to lose a little more
of your old self everyday...
to lay it to rest for good...

to lose in this way is the
greatest blessing..
as what fills the emptiness is
light
beauty
joy
and peace
this is so much of beautiful thing...

shanti om

coming thru the waves...

as the shadows rise no more
the shaft of light penetrates
that calls to one
come home
be free and do not roam
anymore

love,
light of yourself in the heart
and sing of what is real
do not be a way that is of the dark
and impure
like the bright ones that have come
to live in this land
but do not go outside in the streets
of mind and do not race into the
seas of misery
or reside where it is shallow
like a beautiful creature
that lives to be seen for what it is
amazing and wondrous
made sturdy
and right with all of life
so is this heart of yours
so very much made perfectly
and so very much made as a light
unto itself
not to be shaded over by grasping ways
and desiring of something other
all the time..

what do you think of this friend?

have you not sat with it awhile

and rolled it around on your tongue

have you not brought the possibility

of coming *out* into your heart

or have you put it out of your head for now

and simply felt that you are not 

in the right way to be free...

this is not the way of a warrior

that is to go thru the waves 

and rise anew and bring the land

that haunts to rest

if you put this truth aside and leave it

it will not grow in you 

it will be covered over and not seen

so how will this set things right?

no matter your condition or place now

you can begin inside and sooner 

or later there will be a shift

however small or large that will

make your reality feel different

more open and alive 

or even more up in your face so 

as to be able to see it...

this is a good start...

anything is better than the same old

droning mental chatter that goes nowhere

love, 

do you not think so?

forever as o ne..

it is mind that identifies
with the passing phases
and shifting tides of thought
in which there arises delusion
as the man who sees his reflection
in the clear pool and states,
lo, that is me..
and disregards the light in which
all reflects..
dear one,
this is your only imprisonment
that you have misidentified yourself
with a body and mind
this error has created a world
within that you cling
all of it is 100% false
unreal as the mirage
in the desert
not one drop of it
rings as truth
so cast it off as if it were
an old soiled robe
leave it to turn to dust
and blow with the wind
think not of this body/mind
identity again ...
as it is to hold you in a trance
that does not show
what is real
not even for a second
love,
if it were another way
i would speak it clear and well
right here now
but it is so not in the least
correct
and if i could bring my heart
to you
and seal it to yours
so that you could walk straight
and be in beauty and truth
like the light you are
i would without delay
but i cannot do this
only you can right what has
been wronged inside
by your clear discrimination
in seeing that which is false
and transient
and that which is true and lasting
oh friend,
so what is it that keeps you in this
way of opposite seeing?
not God
not the world
or any other creature
only yourself
and what will take away your veil
that hides this most plentiful
glory filled light
it is grace alone
and this is to be found *here*
within the pure moment..
come dear
see what is real
and speak only what is right
you will then know your
true nature
and live forever
as o ne...

No more tears

Cry no more tears
the heat has come
and you are in the fires

Do not grieve
what is burning
is the false
it is the dark and
now you are being
made new
so why grieve?

Give the treasure of hope
and worry you hold to
the fire and come
with God
do not be dissuaded because
your mind tells you different
be brave and come

Walk in the light that brought
you here to be beautiful
as this light is what you are