let go, your world

the saints that come to know truth

walk alone thru the land of shadow 

they do not look back to see what is left behind

because by doing so the world is set in motion again

and this makes the journey much more arduous 

and lengthy

it is stated clearly in the scriptures that those that keep going 

into the death that brings life 

will be freed eternally 

as the bible rightly states the same:

"whoever tries to keep their life shall lose it

and whoever loses their life shall preserve it"

the ones that let go of their world are indeed 

the ones that will be freed 

friends of the heart this is the time now 

to move forward into the  fires

that will purify

and bring the soul to peace and light 

if you are seeking to be free 

this is the way

if you are playing with the world 

and wanting peace too, then no

you are not a man that is true on the path

you are a one that desires connection 

and feeling good

there is no one that can have their cake and eat it too

as far as reality is concerned 

and those that go on

well, they are rare in stamina and strength

and surrender

but this is not because of the rarity of freedom

it is always present 

it is just a rare one that tends to this fire of truth

and leaves it to burn the separation to ash

but the fact is...

freedom is open to all that make efforts 

not just here for some 

in the heart of all 

this freedom is

may it ring boundless and 

grow to consume the shadows

 

open heart..

the seeker that comes to the master

is to be open in heart and mind

he is to be ready to receive like an empty vessel

he is like a one that does not know 

and does not look to understand by mental calculations 

or comparing what he *thinks* is right 

to what is being spoken as truth 

if he wants to know what God (the pure soul) is directly
and what it is not...

he can only know this by imbibing the non-dual knowledge 

of a one that rests in this light 

he cannot know what is real by any other means 

for to say one knows, implies that the journey has been traversed 

in full and mind is still and resting in beautitude, and glory of the 

non-dual

the mind cannot know it or even begin to hear it ...

what takes in the blessing of truth is the heart that is open 

it receives as pure intelligence that is not tainted by the story of 

me ...

this is grace which has it's own nature that is not to be seen 

by a persona ...

the man that comes to the master lays down his pretense 

of being *someone* in the world

that is a certain way in mind and body and opens

to hear the living truth that flows 

from the lips of one that cannot be otherwise --

for this one is freed of shackles of worldly attachments and thoughts 

he does not know anything but truth and yet knows 

the mind in and out due to traversing every aspect of it 

and coming out the other end shorn clean of this energy 

that manifests as thoughts and concepts ...

so the man that is seeking is not to put himself above or below in mind 

as this is completely false ... but to be without barriers and internal

judgements ...

then the truth can penetrate which is what will break down the 

structure of mind ...

the man that seeks is to make himself available to truth 

by his honest character...

this is very important as it shakes out the deception that lurks in the mind 

the shadows cannot be justified so easily within honesty...

which means keeping one's own counsel as well as being 

up front in action, word and deed...

not hypocritical or confused and labile (or back and forth)...

steady in clean living inside and out.. ....

the master will bring forward what needs to be said --

but the most powerful work is thru pure silence of mind in which

the master lives and breathes...

this is incomparable in terms of breaking down the illusion that is 

at the forefront for the seeker ...

the silence of mind that comes to a one that has completed the journey 

is the same unto all when the coverings fall --

there is nothing beyond this to know or live ...

at this point, the journey is done, finished, over and completed 

there cannot be anything beyond pure stillness that carries no drop 

of *other* within it ...

this is what remains in the heart when all else that is disturbing 

as thought falls and dies away...

then the truth is revealed and this is *one without a second* 

this pure consciousness that remains
is the most glorious and the most beautiful...

the most rich and the most auspicious 

the most compassionate and the most clear 

all of it --
yet there is no way to describe it --

this freedom is not anything to take casually...

but to make efforts and move forward *into*...

until this richness that is the SELF of all is known and lived ...

oh Sadhu....

oh sadhu,
have you been to the ganges today and left your coverings on the bank
to bathe bare and naked like first born?
oh sadhu,
have you taken the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to your heart
and brought them to fall like rain in the soul
so sweet flowers can grow for humanity?
oh sadhu,
have you lived your days within grace and blessed the earth with
your bright words and silent presence?
oh sadhu,
when the devotee comes by to touch your feet have you looked at him as
the same SELF and graced him with beauty that lives?
oh sadhu,
have you meditated on the hard earth with the creatures of God
and sat not in the temples to hide away from the world?
oh sadhu,
have you let Shiva take away your suffering thoughts that come about
by mistaken knowledge?
oh sadhu,
have you lived to make your life to merge with the divine
and forgotten the world with it's shadow?
oh sadhu,
have you placed the rudraksha beads on your form and thought not
of the body again?
oh sadhu,
are you abiding in kevala or absolute aloneness in the vastness that is not
to go away?
oh sadhu,
do you know yourself as one and undivided and never to die
no matter the changing world?
oh sadhu,
has the dream vanished in your mind leaving clarity to shine like the sun?
oh sadhu,
have you sat on the many petaled lotus in the heart,
gazing in emptiness, breathing pure life in the lungs?
oh sadhu,
have you walked in the fire of kali and let the division within burn to ash?
oh sadhu,
have you laid all that is known in the sacred waters to be washed clean
by the mother of all?
oh sadhu,
have you died to the truth to find that death is only a shadow that cannot touch
the pure soul?
oh sadhu,
blessed one that is to be a light for all that come near...
are you free eternally?

the sage

the sage 

is free of unrest 

he is unburdened like shiva

he is identical to the absolute

he is free of pride and lust 

he bears no mark of ignorance 

such as attachment to form and

intellect

he is rinsed clean of sin

he is a light unto himself

he is a prince of peace 

he is a bright glow
for humanity

he may sit on a tiger skin

or a throne 

or live in the streets 

as a homeless one

and remains unblemished

as his consciousness 

is changeless

and not affected by externals

he sees the world of many

but still his consciousness

is single 

always within shiva 

he has no relationship 

to any 

as he is completely alone

within himself

he is in stillness always

without ups 

and downs of the world

steady as the mountain range

fresh as the rains that come 

to a parched land 

swept clean of stories

of me and mine

shorn of coverings of identifications

he may seat himself in the lotus 

position on the earth 

or walk in the crowded cities

he may wear ordinary clothes 

or nothing at all

he may speak eloquent words 

or be in silence

he may sit by the waters 

and sleep in the deep forests 

with the creatures 

or live in an ordinary home 

he may be outgoing 

or quiet in nature

he may be uncomely

or wear a beautiful face 

he may embody a fine form

or be bent with age
and decrepitude

he remains unattached

and eternally free

of these appearances

he will not be comprehended

by those in mundane mind 

his divine state will be 

recognized only by those that 

are liberated 

as this is the same 

consciousness always 

o ne 

not high

not low 

not anything 

in between

zero

without qualities

what remains when 

the mind falls away

this is the sage  

lamb of God / bread of life...

lamb of God
symbolic of the complete
sacrifice and surrender of ones personal
inner world to the altar of truth
to offer up the mind is the greatest sacrifice
of all...
it is the greatest mantra
the greatest charity
the greatest puja
the greatest austerity
and the greatest devotion..

bread of life
symbolic of Gurus teachings that have manifested out of
this ones outstanding example of complete surrender and
giving over of all sense of personhood (ego)
to the universal life force ..
pure consciousness
which then is brought forward to humanity as compassionate service
as a means to free souls from bondage..
and given most especially to those that are under the wings
of Guru's care
this is the food that is to be taken in every moment
in gratitude
with an open heart and mind with the desire to become the same
a walking, living being of light, love and compassion
a sweet hearty substantial *food* for humanity to partake in...
not something empty of substance
**which is a one that speaks words with no true
action or direct experience behind them**..
this bread is not to be taken lightly
it is to be fully appreciated and taken in deeply ...
it is the food for *spirit* and carries far more weight and
true sustenance than anything else consumed..
as what it is made of can and will free the soul completely
from all fetters (if one remains sincere and steady)
and will bring one
strength and sturdiness while within the journey

maha shanti om

Haridwar (india part #3)

Have read somewhere that when a great soul arrives, it rains...
Guruji has often said this is what happens when she comes into town...
and the day we arrived in Haridwar was no different...
we were met by a torrential downpour of rain...
what a blessing it was to be guided thru india by Guruji..
she had lived there off and on for five years and knew the best most clean places to stay...
she knew each time we set off exactly where we were going and could direct the driver
of the rickshaw with great precision...
this does not mean that everything went smooth by any means...
Guru was always up front insuring that the drivers were honest in their dealings which
was unending work for her....  
Haridwar was amazing to pull into as there is a massive bronze statue of Lord Shiva
that seems to hover above all else...  very stunning ...
we arrived at our hotel which was quite nice overlooking the rushing waters of the ganges...
this place was so different than Delhi --
as the primary life and action at least where we were situated was along the ghats of the ganges...
we rose early that morning and went outside where the *action* was ...
the feeling was very surreal...
it felt like no one slept there at all as there was a constant buzz of activity...
many of the ones outside wore sannyasi robes even those that had crippled and/or deformed bodies...
there were people taking baths in the rushing waters hanging onto ropes as the current is so strong
it could sweep one away...
some in the water were absorbed in devotional prayers and/or offerings to mother ganga...
(this was one of the beautiful things about india that displays of devotion in the open were completely
common and no one blinked an eye at it....  so very different than the west where all is
so private and these types of displays are done behind closed doors) ....
we crossed a little bridge and met a few sadhus that were outside ---
it was the usual affair with them... smoking, chatting and drinking chai...
along our route we met with a sadhvi or female sadhu....
sadhvis are very rare in india (i believe we may have seen two while we were there)...
this is because it is a very harsh lifestyle outside and also not safe for women to roam alone...
this particular sadhvi did live outside .. she had made herself a little camp that was quite sparse,
but one could tell that she had lived there awhile as it seemed to be set up like her own space..
she had a small boy with her that was running around in sadhu wear...
she said he was given to her to raise (something must have happened to his family, but do not remember)...
she was raising him like her own and was to teach him the ways of traditional wandering...
this woman did appear to be mostly sincere and have some knowledge
about sadhu life as it is meant to be which was nice...
Guruji praised her for being true on the journey ....
we stayed out most of the morning hanging out with the sadhus and hearing their stories and chit chat... Guruji would always ask them how their sadhana was going...
it was very much the same feeling... not much seriousness...
but indeed very interesting and filled with color and life...

we only stayed in Haridwar for one night ....
our next stop was rishikesh which is where Guruji spent most of her days while in india
and where she entered realization along the banks of the ganges there ...

off we went to the next destination...

om shanti

holding the center...

in the golden era munis wandered the land of india

with their practice of being completely silent within and without

many rishis or far seers roamed as well  --

this was the time that India was fertile ground for spirituality 

and devotional practices were more common than not

wandering was the main practice of seeking

the householder aided the path by giving food to the sannyasis 

and sadhus that were sincerely absorbed in sadhana

and seeking earnestly the light of truth 

as it was known their efforts would aide humanity...  

there were very few fraudulent sadhus then ...  

and a genuine energy of sincere desire for truth permeated the air

this was quite a different mentality and feeling that is present now...

and speaks to what could be if humanity let go of clinging to wealth, status

and desire for bodily pleasure.... 

this focal point drains the energy of spirit --

waters it down and deconcentrates it to the point where it becomes buried very deep...

so now there is Kali Yuga or the time of great shadow and covering over of beauty and light...

the true sadhus, sannyasis and sages of the golden era were awesome in presence and skillful

at cutting through the thick mentality of dualistic thought...  

this type of mastery of mind is indeed what comes from serious seeking in which the world

is completely forgotten and not entertained at all....  

one cannot describe the openness of the scene at this time --

but it was sure to have been a great meeting of no-minds which held the center of 

energy beautifully....  if you can imagine

Guruji has said often that it has never been the  wordly type Gurus in

in the ashrams that are what gives strength and backbone to spiritual energy ..

it is the sincere sadhus and sages that live in the caves that are unknown in name and form to humanity...

they come out and wander sometimes holding the dandi (spiritual staff) and with this energy of 

meditation and no-mind ....

keep the fires of purification glowing as bright as possible...

so now, even with the world as it is 

the seekers of truth are to honor the same heart as the ones

that came in as naked wanderers of the earth ...  

this is very possible because the pure core is the same ---

and of course the Guru is the one holding the central transmission which makes it all happen...

maha shanti om

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

india - rishikesh (part #1)

when in India, there was a raw *in your face* lifestyle

not seen here in the west 

there was so much of a realness, in terms of debilitated souls 

beggars and those that had been cast aside living on the streets,

holding the hand out for just a bit of food...

some of the people were not at all grateful when given money

clothes or food...

they wanted more and more and more...

a few were very grateful and smiled with whatever was given,

even some with no arms or legs...

the majority of the sadhus there were pretenders, and did not wear the cloth 

for the right reasons 

they begged about and held out the hand as a gesture of  give me, give me

this was not taken in well at all by Guruji -

she told them very strongly that to beg like this was not the way of a sannyasi

and that one should be sitting doing sadhana 

then what is given is out of respect

that the sannyasi is engrossed in the search and a way to honor efforts made there..

the next day, the very same sadhus were found scamming the tourists yet again

when they saw Guruji coming, many would run 

when we stayed in rishikesh and went out in the day 

the babas (sadhus) there would recognize Guruji and call us over

so our little tribe would wander over near the Ghats, and sit around the dhuni fire

while many of the Babas smoked and the flies pestered the body constantly --

the face was sweating with the heat and the fire...

some of the babas would chant *om namah shivaya* ...  but most 

were talking and gossiping about, not at all focused within..

there were a few sincere sadhus that were noticed, and Guruji would praise these ones

for staying in the heart and honoring the tradition of a wandering seeker that 

has taken vows...

the cows in india roamed about all over the place...

their bodies were mere skin stretched over bones ...

this was sad to see....

there were rituals down by the Ganges every night in which homage was paid to Lord Shiva

there was a constant flow of activity about all night and day...

thank goodness for Guru being the guide there as so much of her time was spent

clearing the way for us by calling out the dishonest ways of the ones that came in our path..

we wore sannyasi robes the entire time we were there ...

this was not always honored though... 

a female western sannyasi did not for the most part go over well in india...

sometimes a humble one would come by and touch the feet as recognition for what it was 

to be within vows  --  

other times, there would be slander and a very mischievous, unwelcome attitude about 

entirely different feeling ...

all in all an interesting experience...  

thanks to Guru we were able to see india in the *raw*,  not the fantasy version of it..

not always fun or easy ... 

but definitely an experience that no tourist gets.. 

one can be sure of this....  

this is all that is flowing now on this subject..

possibly more to come later about the time there ...

shanti om

for more on rishikesh...see rishikesh (india part #4)

glorious like the sun

my friend

you are what the stars and 

heavens are made of

can you not live like this 

as a being that is real

that does not cast a net to bring anything

in to claim it as your own

see in the world there are false ways

and unseeing eyes

that sit away from the SELF

unbelievable that a one that is to be 

made well enough to travel the path

seeks out something other 

but indeed this is the way of most

this cannot make you turn away though 

if you are true

and though many may slander your journey

or call it a false road

do not heed this for a minute

because no thought or word can touch this 

heart inside

that is made of pure waters and this is to be 

where you keep the focus

not on the external actions of humanity...

to live the highest truth is the only way to go

if you are to be in the nature of reality

to move into the lost ways of others has no

beauty that shines glorious like the sun

and the sun is what you are to be

friend

never to be lost again

if you keep treading this path of o ne

this is the way of a sincere soul

that is to come to live

here 

and be a lord of yourself

where the ways of the mind

rule you no more

detachment is primary ...

What is spoken about by the masters is
a putting away of those things that
cause the heart and mind to be in shadow
what this means is the the disciple that walks the path
is not to be desirous of sensual pleasure or
impure company
or wanting to collect wealth and objects that
ring of pride
as this will serve to make of your life one in
which attachment has a fast hold on the
mind and heart..
and will make of your reality one
in which these coveted objects are
to be safeguarded

it is not at all the externals
that are the problem
but the inner attachment that is to be seen
and let go of
because attachment is what creates a feeling
of ownership
and in turn creates delusion
or the feeling of *me and mine*
and with this there is fear (of loss)

if there is indeed a desire within to be in peace
then one is to lay down all that
has been held onto within...
and not to pick it up and cling mentally..

without detachment
one will indeed tread water on the journey
there is no doubt..
this is because attachment is ridden
with waves of unrest...
and will keep the mentation circling
about...

so my friend,
may you look at this
and let loose of thoughts about yourself
and your world all the time
as this will only serve to keep the wheels of
karma and mental grasping central in nature

what is spoken is what all sages, masters,
Buddhas, rishis and Christ have spoken

to be free
detachment is primary
may you see this dear seeker
and may there be a freeing up in your reality...

Great Peace and Om

sannyas/sadhu life

if you want to cling to the past 

then it is best to go and chase those things

because what the wandering sadhus are 

really meant to do is wander

alone and naked

not pick up the chains of the world

and try to find refuge there

the sadhu is like the meat of the seeking

he is what the writings of the rishis speak about

as being lords of themselves and not

wearing the robes for the wrong reason

to flaunt about

and gossip 

which we see so much of 

what a terrible thing to wear the robes

and not truly have the heart of peace and 

seeking in joy and wanting to really know

this is such a shame to see

the sadhu's staff and rod are the holdings 

of the truth that guide him like a light

they bring him steadiness and joy

they hold him upright so he can walk in the 

land of the shadows and not be afraid

his earthly wear is orange

which is the color of burning the dross

this is so glowing that the eyes cannot see it

easily because the heart is the one that fires

he walks barefoot and sometimes naked

because he is like a newborn babe

he is fresh and new

and released from his past entanglements

he does not worship at an altar

the open sky and land are his home

where he wanders

he does not stop to rest unless he 

has to 

so he keeps up with nature

and stays in pace with her wondrous changes

one may come by and kiss his feet

but this is not for him

it is for the devotion of the soul to find 

a way into the heart where the sadhu is

and is not meant to worship his form

but to love the truth

a sadhu's body is not thought about

to him

it is like anything else of the earth

and is not to be worshipped or worried about

he does not sit on pretty thrones

he sits on rocks or the hard ground

and does not care if his body is sore

or bruised

he lays his head on mother earth

and sleeps a few hours 

then wanders again

what is his name?

-he has none

what his family?

none

what is his bread?

the earth and what is given to him by others

what are his questions?

- what is truth?

-what is real?

-what is my true nature?

how does he go about finding it

-by being still

how does he live?

-alone

how does he dwell?

-in caves or wherever he finds himself

how does he know when he has completed?

-there is no one left to ask anything

how does he find God?

-by being still

how does he worship?

-by loving his own heart and seeing God everywhere

how does he know what love is?

-by being love

how does he know what kindness is?

-by being kind and honest with all of nature

how does he know when the light is near?

-because he cannot find himself like he was

how does he know the beginning?

-by finding the end

how does he know the end?

-by finding the beginning

what is his true name?

-the absolute

what is his joy?

-God

what is his mighty sword?

-the sword of knowledge

what is his birthright?

-to know his true nature

when is his mind pure?

-when the shadows rise no more

is it true that he dies and is never reborn?

-yes, if his mind is completely still

what can i do to be like this?

-let go of attachments

what can i do about fear?

-stop thinking of yourself

what if i am a householder?

-then your heart is in the home

what about truth in the home?

-find it in love with your family

what will i do if i live without knowing the truth?

-you will have another chance