INITIAL LIFE
In a nutshell, my life, like everyone else’s, had distinct stages – an impressionable, explorative childhood, the regular confused state of youth trying to understand my purpose on earth, and the auto-positioned adulthood that made me realize that nothing was in my control and hence nothing mattered anymore. The only essence from these stages was that everything was temporary; Had it. Felt it. Left it. My biggest challenge was positioning myself in a society conditioned and structured by concepts – expected to conform to and imprisoned by “approved and permissible” boundaries of expressions, a state I considered equal to death.
...black sheep in my family..
In his teenage years, Mohanji explored the full extent of his physical, mental and intellectual capabilities. Always the experimenter, he tested his physical endurance with cricket, mountaineering, martial arts, boxing, cycling and so on, dabbled with the arts (poetry and drama) and experimented with intellectual pursuits through books, psychology and new age cinema. After a postgraduate degree in literature, Mohanji made a career in the shipping industry as a dynamic leader with twenty four years of senior management experience in the Middle East. Mohanji got married to Saritha in 1992. A daughter Ammu came into their life in November, 1995. A loving family, a successful career, financial security – life couldn’t have been better.
THE INFLECTION POINT
...lose a lot to gain somewhat..
My exploration of my subtler aspects intensified and became a priority by the year 2000. Every day between 3AM to 8 AM. I used to withdraw myself into the shell (a room) that I had created like a cave in my house, with just a lamp and nothing else in that space. The flame of that lamp used to be my path, destination for concentration. I used to burn every aspect of myself as oil in that lamp, just like we perform fire ceremonies. Thus, I used to sit in a dissolved state of total insignificance. Days and months, I concentrated on burning every aspect of myself. Offering all my stored materials such as feelings, emotions, pains, sorrows, concepts, likes, dislikes, insecurities, ownerships, loves and prejudices including personal boundaries into the fire. As the fire swallowed more and more, I started experiencing a concept-free empty space within which I lost all compulsions to think, talk or act. Freedom and silence started blossoming. Thus eventually, Mohanji was born – beyond and without boundaries.
THE INNER SHIFT
...noises are temporary..
His isolation, agony, pain and suffering eventually led him into a deep inner exploration and a genuine search for the very meaning and purpose of life. After completing Ammu’s final rituals, he immediately left for the Himalayas which eventually became his second home. He longed to find the peace of silence and get away from the world of noises that he was involved in through relationships, business, society and so on. In this context, the world of noises means an active mind with active thoughts – the source of all noise. The Himalayas were a welcome change where he found solace in the wisdom and unconditional love of the Masters, and peace and silence in its remote spaces. However, when he returned from the Himalayas, he found himself back in the world of noises. He realised that the silence found in tranquil solitude is temporary and he must seek silence in the midst of noise. Thus ended his incessant search for silence in the Himalayas.
SPREADING THE MESSAGE
Devi and Mohanji married in April 2010 and were blessed with a wonderful daughter Mila in April 2011. Their marriage was a spiritual union of two people brought together for a higher purpose. Eventually, Mohanji quit his job to dedicate his life towards the sole purpose of adding value to society with the firm conviction that the world must improve because of our presence in it. More meditations and techniques (Link to practices page) followed. The meditations were eventually translated into many languages and are now conducted across the globe individually and in groups. Today there are hundreds of thousands of people worldwide experiencing positive transformation from his presence, teachings and techniques – from celebrities, athletes, businessmen, professionals, entrepreneurs to prisoners and those suffering from poor mental health. His teachings have now spread across the globe through institutions registered in 15+ countries and additional volunteer chapters in 30+ countries.
Many contemporary Masters have conferred titles on Mohanji as a mark of respect and honor for his spiritual stature. Shri Shri Vittalananda Saraswati (Vittal Babaji) with Raja Yogi or Raja Rishi, Thyagananda Sharma with Vishwa Kalyananda Bharati (the one who works for the welfare of the universe), Avadhoota Nadananda with Brahmarishi (the highest class of rishis or sages in Hinduism) and Sage Agastya through Devi Amma with Jagat-mitra (friend of the world) and then Vishwa-mitra (friend of the universe).
Of these, Mohanji identifies most with Jagat-mitra – the friend of the world. Even with thes huge growth over these years, he still continues to remain simple and humble, staying unbound by society’s frames or concepts, available and accessible to all those who wish to live free and liberated, giving his maximum in every situation, and adding value to world unconditionally sans expectations with every moment of his existence.
