This is autobiographical. My primary aim is to demonstrate how grace flows through various sources, when we embark on our spiritual journey. The journey is tough. Faith and Devotion are the two pillars that we could or should hold on to. Humility and gratitude too. Then, Masters will take us home. Masters will help us evolve. All we need is openness to receive their grace and gratitude from the depth of our heart, at every step we take. When we let go, life transforms us. When we do not let go, life lets us go and we suffer. Expectations makes us suffer more and more. As you read on, you will come to know how – many drops make the ocean. Every drop matters. Everything counts.
At the very first glance, there was a soul recognition and I felt deep within – “This is Shiva”. He was expressing himself with authority and confidence. His words were meaningful, deep and pregnant. I developed an instant liking to this young Swami called Paramahamsa Nithyananda. There was a strange familiarity. I knew him before. I have met him before. When? Where? How? In another life? Indeed. In another life, we have walked the same path. We all have. We are no strangers to this familiar energy. This familiarity is no co incidence. He looked into my eyes, hugged me and said “I am with You”. Again, the familiarity was obvious. It was as if my own soul is talking to me. A soul recognition beyond the barriers of time. We are one soul!!! We are indeed one entity!!! This unity was unmistakable.
In this wide world of pretensions, I was happy to see a young Swami talking straight and conveying the subtle and genuine messages from our grand tradition with absolute ease and comfort. I was happy to see the unpretentious, straight forward approach. Straight deal. No nonsense. That suited me. I have always been uncomfortable with the “beating around the bush” kind of “feel good” spirituality and have even criticized some openly in the past, because of my frustrations at seeing acharyas twisting truths to their advantage and thus doing big dis-favors towards society and innocent seekers. I was happy to see that there are Yogis who can promise, keep their promises and deliver too.
There is an unseen, intangible, grand collaboration happening between enlightened masters. Nobody can see that taking place. People get fooled with images. In the grand perspective of existence, all great masters are one. They are just using various mouths to deliver the same truths. This has been happening ever since time began and will continue to happen till time ends too.
Age is a factor in the mind of average seekers. Usually they like to see sages with white beards in the role of teachers. This is because we mistakenly consider physical age to be much more important than the spiritual age. Physical age has nothing to do with spiritual age. Physical youth or a young physical body has nothing to do with anyone’s spiritual depth or stature. “A Young Master amongst old disciples”, was also how the Great Immortal Yogi, our beloved Babaji, was referred to. Babaji is eternally young and maintains a youthful body while His disciples are mostly physically old. They can also dis-integrate and re-integrate their body at will. So, physical body is just a tool of expression for Great Masters.
Even though I needed none, I had the re confirmation. An astral experience with Nithyananda Swamiji, in which he said “Look here”. I could not see anyone, even though I recognized his voice from this life. Perhaps more than his voice, I recognized his vibration which was familiar over life times. I asked “Where are you?” He said “On Your left”. I looked and I saw a very old man with flowing white beard. His dress was white and the flowing hair and beard was also white. He asked “Do You recognize me?” I said “Yes”. “Then, look at yourself.” I looked at myself and it was like a mirror image of this old man. I saw myself very old (in fact, many of the Dubai BTW meditators have seen me in this form during the meditation). Then He asked “Do you understand now?” I said “Yes”. “We are one”. Tears were flowing from my eyes upon that recognition. There was a deep love and very deep connection, transcending time and space. (Readers should kindly understand that I am not trying to tell you that I am of the same stature as Nithyananda. He is an ocean. No doubt about that. I am just explaining how He demonstrated our soul connection and the relationship from the past)
While talking about Paramahamsa Nithyananda, I cannot forget the Immortal Master Bhagawan Nithyananda of Ganesh Puri. We all know the immortal Yogi Bhagawan Nithyananda who spent his last few years before His Mahasamadhi (shedding of physical body) at Ganeshpuri near Mumbai, India. He was a perfect avadhoota. He was existing in his physical body only for the sake of liberating us. A great master par excellence!!! There are many stories of His random miracles. Nithyananda walked this earth and the earth remains blessed.
Man is prone to worries about his tomorrow. We do not know what will happen in the morrow. If we hold firm to the sadguru, the true Master, we will definitely reach our intended shore or desired destination. Only a sadguru or True Master can take us to our true destination, by avoiding many detours. They need nothing from us. They only serve as road maps as well as road signs, guiding us at each point of our journey. They navigate us too. “Seeming saints” who look better than the “original”, just like fake products imitating a renowned original, can never deliver experience and can only confuse and mislead us. There are many acharyas, but, very few true masters. We need to develop our capacity to segregate the Guru from the sea of achaaryas. We will only get a master that we deserve. We have to raise our deserving levels to reach great masters. If we take one step, they take ten steps towards us. But, our step should be firm and determined.
So, age does not matter, wisdom matters. The unending sourcing of inherent knowledge from the universe and expounding of the same with absolute clarity into the minds of the seeker of this generation is the sign of a true master. You can recognize a master by the clarity and simplicity of his teachings. If great truths are delivered in utmost simplicity, He is indeed a True Master. Do not be disturbed with his attire or behavior. Masters will test you and your determination before they accept you. Once accepted, they never leave your hand. They create doubts in your mind just to make sure you have the ability to see through the smoke and recognize the fire behind the smoke. If you pass these periodic tests, you are in for ever.
After the first astral encounter with Paramahamsa Nithyananda, I had similar communions later too. Each time, it was to clarify and discuss certain aspect of unity. Only at the appointed time and space do we come across certain people. This is the rule of our existence. Thus, my introduction to Nithyananda was also quite dramatic. This was towards the end of 2007. I used to do radio shows with the name ‘Mohan’s World’ during 2006-2007 in Dubai. I used to interview sages, saints and spiritually evolved people for this show. The show had a reasonably good listenership and it helped me to meet many spiritually evolved people.
One day, a young lady by the name of Nithya Atma Prema called me. She introduced herself to me and told me that Swami Nithya Medhananda, a disciple of Swami Paramahamsa Nithyananda is coming to Dubai and asked whether I would be interested to interview him for the show. I said I would certainly love to, but, the next day was not my day of recording. It was a Thursday, a weekend day in Dubai during which studio used to be fully booked. I told Atma Prema that I will call her back after checking with the studio. The reply from studio was negative. I just left a note to the sound engineer that if by any chance someone cancels his scheduled appointment, I would like to take that time. He agreed. I told the same to Atma Prema and even though I had never met her before, we spoke over phone for almost an hour. There was some kind of deep familiarity and closeness. Next day early morning, Swami Medhananda came to Dubai. And sure enough, it just so happened that I got the recording time slot at 12 noon in the studio. Atma prema quickly organised our meeting at the studio. Swami Medhananda did not show any signs of jet lag, even though he was coming in from USA and had arrived only in the morning. I liked this humble saint. Spiritual strength was obvious in his humility. And of course, Atma Prema, the lovely soul, radiated bliss. In the first glance itself, I liked her and her energy. Swami Medhananda was like a long lost friend. Time was scarce and we straight away went into business. Medhananda gifted me a book, before I started the interview. It was called “Guaranteed Solutions”. This intrigued me. I asked him: “Who can guarantee anything in this world?” He said “My Guru can”. In fact I had never heard about Nithyananda at that time. The interview was smooth, comfortable and heavily informal, which was well appreciated by my audience world wide. (Unfortunately, when I left Dubai, the show also stopped. God willing, I hope to re start a similar show sometime in the future. Many people told me that they miss Mohan’s World.)
While parting, Swami Medhananda said “Please attend our class tomorrow”. Even though I used to interview many spiritually evolved people, I never used to attend their classes, nor read any books, because of my other work and usual business. (Actually I hardly read any books, let alone spiritual books. My inclination was towards experiential spirituality). I have always been practicing my own meditations and by this time, I had already started having strong connection and communions with many masters including the great Babaji. So, I was more or less happy with my evolution. Even though I respected all masters, I stuck to my own path of evolution. I believed, and even now believe, that we can start walking only from the point where we stand now. So, we need not regret, be anxious or fret about other paths. So, I told Swami Medhananda that I have appointments the next day and he said this is perfectly fine and I can drop in when ever I am free. I did not quite like that idea because I thought that would be an insult to the program and the teacher. I conveyed my thoughts to the Swami. He reassured me that it is perfectly fine and he would indeed look forward to seeing me there. I was obliged. I attended the class at random, in between my official appointments. The program was interesting. They had no qualms in saying where they have picked up and compiled the programs from. They never said that their Guru invented it. I liked the honest approach and the attached courage. I did not see any insecurity in Swami Medhananda or Atma Prema. They looked very sure about what they do and were quite confident.
Swami Medhananda said that he would stay back and conduct the next level for those who are eligible. This was called NSP. I felt inclined to do it, but was unsure. First of all, I did not attend the first level with full dedication. Secondly, I do not want to do a course without paying for it, because, it will amount to slighting the course, dishonoring the teacher, plus the karmic baggage attached with non payment. Quickly Swami cleared all my doubts and convinced me that I am quite eligible for the course. There was no pampering, no pretension and no greed for money. There was only pure love and genuine interest. This attracted me. I did NSP and I paid for the course, which satisfied my emotion against taking anything for granted. It was a wonderful experience. In the end, when we took a group photo, on my face, as a bubble, Shirdi Sai Baba appeared. So, it was kind of an endorsement from Baba, or I was attending it on His behalf. I was indeed travelling fast on my path of spirituality and everything was contributing towards that.
It was December. I was planning to visit India. Biba was in Maharashtra, acting in a Marathi Feature film at that time. Before leaving, Atma Prema called me and said that Paramahamsa Nithyananda Himself is conducting a course combining both the first and second level in His ashram at Bidadi near Bangalore. I sent a note to Biba to join me, if she would like to experience something new and different, at Bangalore. We both reached almost at the same time in Bangalore. Went to ashram together and got ourselves enrolled for the course. There were about 300 participants. Atma Prema’s radiant presence and her family’s love made us feel very much at home there. We spent the New Year’s Eve at the asram. I was having an urge to have a look at the Swami. He was on stage. Self and Biba went to the temporary hall and at the very first glance of Swami Nithyananda, I had the vision of Shiva. I told Biba – He is Shiva. His energy is Shaivic. I fell tremendously ill all through the course and it was meant to purify and shift me to another mode.
The next day, January 1st, as the ashram celebrated Nithyananda’s birthday, we all danced and sang along with the saint Himself. While on stage, He hugged me and said “I am with you”. He meant it and I felt it deeply. There was a stirring in my soul, an uncanny familiarity, a soul recognition. After the course, before we left, He hugged me again and blessed me wholeheartedly. Biba stayed on and did another course before she came back to Dubai. She became a healer, just like Atma Prema, attuned by Nithyananda Himself.
January 1st 2010. Nithyananda’s Birthday. I am in Oman. Nithyananda sent me sweets and Vibhoothi ( Sacred ash) through Dr.Deepali and I received them HOT on January 1st. Amazing!!! I was deeply touched and honored by the sincerity and dedication of Dr.Deepali and the unfathomable love of the Great Master. Usually, when someone goes to a Guru or deity (temple), they never think of others. They usually only think about themselves and their family. Here, the sincere, kind, honest and dedicated Dr.Deepali actually conveyed my pranaams to Nithyananda and He reciprocated with immense love and kindness. My heartfelt thanks to Dr.Deepali, a great divine soul, and Nithyananda, the supreme master. Given below, Dr. Deepali’s narration about the event. Please read on….
“Let me narrate my simultaneous experiences with two great masters Paramhansa Nityananda and Mohanji which gave me clear understanding of uniqueness of energy and connections between masters. Mohanji used to mention that all masters are one.
My husband, daughter and I went to Bidadi ashram to attend 21 days program of Inner Awakening with Paramhansa Nityananda Swamiji, the Avatar Purusha. While in Muscat we would meet Mohanji and attend his meditations and Shaktipat every Friday. We are novice in this field and had just heard stories of keeping mind open and remain receptive without any doubts….. what Swamiji calls “Vitarka”.
Knowing that we will be meeting Swamiji in India, Mohanji said: “Deepali please convey my deepest pranaams to Swamiji.” I also said “Yes” without any understanding of how I would do that! I thought it was quite simple. When a wish is pure and strong, divinity arranges its manifestation.
This was our very first introduction to Swamiji. Since I landed in Bidadi, I was thinking over how would I convey Mohaniji’s Pranaams to Swamiji? Seriously, I could not do it. After initial chakra cleaning meditations, we were undergoing meditations for different bhavas like matru-bhava, saha-bhava, madhur-bhava etc. One day, suddenly my third eye started pulsating very strongly. I felt as if I was breathing through my third eye throughout the day! I did not quite realize what that was. And why was this happening? A thought ran through – this must be the presence of Mohanji. Later on I was sure that this was Mohanji’s presence only. I just let things happen with open and receptive mind and without much thinking about it. This continued for 4-5 days. It happened many times later. I thought of discussing this with Mohanji once back to Muscat.
One night, Swamiji said, we will have Shiva Linga Abhishek in the Anandeshwara temple on the auspicious day when both Shiva and Vishnu Shakti were present simultaneously. Abhishek was supposed to start at 10.30 at night. I felt that Mohanji and Biba should watch this as this would be directly telecasted. Mohanji replied with sms that they have just shifted to their new house in Muscat and internet connection was yet to be set. I was disappointed but the immediately following sms surprised me. It stated: ‘Deepali, not to worry, I will see Abhisheka through your eyes!’ My dear friends…. believe me, few seconds before Abhisheka started, my Ajna chakra became intensely active and started pulsating again, and continued for the next one and a half hour till it was over! I need not explain the phenomenon further.
Swamiji would give us energy darshan after every important meditation. Two weeks had already passed. The bug in my mind about conveying Mohanji’s pranam was still restless. During one energy darshan, I decided to convey this in writing. So without any further analysis of the thought, I wrote: “Dear Swamiji, Mohanji sends his deepest pranaams from Muscat. Please accept” and I presented that to Swamiji during my turn for energy darshan. He read that and thought for a fraction of a second. He showed a sign of recognition and his next response invoked tears of satisfaction and gratitude in me. He hugged me and gave 9-10 packets of vibhuti for Mohanji. He again took seconds pause and gave handful of energized chocolate, saying: “Love you Ma. Please give this to Mohanji. This is all for him.” I did feel proud that I am a messenger between two masters. Soon I realized that it was my ego who felt proud and it was wrong. At present, on the planet Earth, Swamiji is the most powerful master in the physical form. I packed the whole thing as it is.
What happened next is still more interesting and gives proof of the live energy. We came back to Muscat on 31st Dec 2009.
Biba sent sms of meditation on 1st, the New Year’s Eve. Though it was raining heavily, my husband encouraged me strongly to go, and off I went for meditation to Mohanji’s house. After meditation, I gave the gift from Swamiji to Mohanji. Mohanji accepted it with deep gratitude and kept it on his lap. Few seconds later, he said: “Deepali, Biba, just feel the energy!’ The area where he had kept the gift on the lap was hot! That packet was hot. Mohanji silently said that this is the real gift with live energy. Today, 1st Jan 2010 is Swamiji’s birth day. There is a divine significance behind receiving this gift on this occasion. He also confirmed his presence during some sessions! I kept watching the overflowing happiness on Mohanji’s face. I suddenly felt that I am left with no mind and no logic to ponder over what is happening. When we close our logical mind, intuitions flow and things start happening around you. The divine speaks. Swamiji would wittily say….. ‘Why do you people want to control everything, let me do my job also!!!!!’
I gratefully bow down with complete surrender to thee great masters Avatar Purusha Swamiji Paramahamsa Nityananda and Mohanji.” – Dr.Deepali
Humble Prostrations and Pranaams to all the Great Masters who lead us and guide us. Deep gratitude to existence who brings them into our hearts. Love to all the kind souls who are reading this. Never doubt. All Masters are One. All souls are the same. The source of it all is one. Do recognize divinity in all. Express divinity through compassion and kindness. You are well protected. You are loved. You are in good company. Just BE. Enjoy.
I love YOU
M