The wisdom of Sri Chinmoy, a modern day guru

[Sasun]

Seekers, Nuns, Masters and Ghosts!

 

 

This story took place ten thousand years ago, at least! There was a spiritual seeker named Vivian. She was very, very sincere and she had a spiritual Master of the highest order. This spiritual seeker happened to have a friend who was a nun. Her name was Linda. This friend was extremely devoted to the Saviour Christ. In the religious community where Linda lived, there was another nun who always said things that were contrary to others' beliefs. Her name was Gail.

 

Vivian used to visit her friend Linda, and she would always say sublime things about her spiritual Master. She would talk about his inspiring activities and also about her own lofty inner experiences. Poor Linda was not getting any high experiences from her Christian faith. She used to pray very intensely to Jesus Christ, but she was not so happy in her spiritual life. Something was lacking. Gradually she was becoming a little bit weaker in her commitment because Vivian was convincing her to leave her path and join Vivian's path. So Linda was seriously considering this course of action.

 

One day Vivian went to visit Linda, and she found all thirty of the nuns there laughing and laughing. They were roaring with laughter. Linda was also one of those. Only one nun was not laughing at all and that was Gail. She was deliberately not joining the party. So Vivian asked, "Why are all of you laughing and laughing and what is wrong with Gail? Why is she so serious?"

 

They said, "Nothing is wrong with Gail. It is simply that she never believes us. We all have the same opinion with regard to some things, but she enjoys a different opinion."

 

Meanwhile, Gail continued to be very serious. She was acting almost like a snob. Vivian asked Linda, "Please tell me if something has happened to upset Gail."

 

Then Linda explained what had happened. Through their windows the nuns could see a cemetery. There, every evening they used to see ghosts moving around and they would get frightened. Every night without fail it happened. But Gail never believed it. She always said, "No, there are no ghosts." The others saw that there were ghosts, but Gail always scoffed at the notion.

 

The previous night Gail had said to them, "Prove it! Prove that there are ghosts."

 

The others said to her, "We can see them. They are making noise, they are crying and screaming. Can you not hear them for yourself?"

 

But Gail could not hear them. She simply ridiculed the others. Then she said, "I can prove that ghosts do not exist. I am going there! Give me three nails and a hammer. If there are ghosts, then I will drive the nails into them and bring back some blood to show you. And if I do not return with the blood of the ghosts, it will be the proof that there are none." So Gail walked to the cemetery in the middle of the night carrying a hammer and three nails. At first she did not see anything, so she threw away one nail and then another. She was about to throw away the third nail when she saw a white marble headstone. It was not a ghost, but in the darkness it looked like a ghost. She said, "Perhaps this particular marble stone has fooled the sisters. It is very pale and shines in an unusual way."

 

So Gail started driving the third nail into the marble. Quite inadvertently, while she was hitting the nail, a piece of her garment happened to get caught under the nail, and she found herself entangled. All of a sudden, she panicked. She started crying and screaming, because she thought that this was actually a real ghost.

 

The other sisters had come to see what had happened to her, since she had not come home. When they saw how frightened she was, they all started laughing and laughing.

 

Somehow God had wanted to prove to Gail that there are ghosts. The other sisters told her, "No, no, this is not a ghost."

 

But she insisted, "No, I have been attacked by ghosts. I can still see them." Then she started seeing the other sisters as ghosts. She cried out, "You are all ghosts!"

 

This went on for a couple of hours. They could not convince her that they were not ghosts and, at the same time, that ghosts do exist in that cemetery. Poor Gail, first she was of the opinion that there were no ghosts. Then she started seeing everybody as a ghost.

 

So they all started praying to Jesus Christ to illumine her. Of course, Jesus Christ had more important things to do. He was taking care of countless others. There are many, many widows in Heaven who have lost their husbands, and they are praying to Jesus Christ to give their husbands joy. Similarly, there are many devoted husbands in Heaven who have lost their wives, and they are also praying to Jesus Christ to give their wives joy. So Jesus Christ was busy trying to please the husbands and the wives. He could not come to help them. They all became miserable, specially Gail. They were confused because the Saviour Christ had not answered their prayers.

 

As I said before, Linda's faith was becoming weaker and weaker because Vivian had been telling her about her own spiritual path. Vivian said to Linda, "I know how we can solve this problem. Tell all the sisters to come and visit my spiritual Master." So at Vivian's request, they all came to visit Vivian's spiritual Master, including Gail.

 

Strangely enough, when the nuns came to visit Vivian's spiritual Master, for the first time Vivian saw her Master in a different way. She did not see his face the way she always saw it. She saw the face of Jesus Christ. She could not believe her eyes. It was like looking at a different person altogether.

 

Now it was Vivian's turn to be puzzled. How could her Master be Jesus Christ? Meanwhile, her friend Linda and the other nuns all started bowing down because for the first time they were seeing Jesus Christ. For years they had prayed and meditated on the Christ, but they had not seen him. Now they were seeing him for the first time.

 

Vivian was confused. How could she pray to Jesus Christ? For so many years she had been praying to her own Master. It was difficult for her to accept that this person who was her Master had somehow become Jesus Christ. She had brought these people with the idea that they would be inspired to follow her Master. Now it appeared that she herself had become a disciple of their previous Master! She did not know how to overcome her confusion.

 

Vivian went back with the nuns to the religious community where they lived. There, in the chapel, was a large statue of Jesus Christ. Vivian went there to pray and to receive guidance. She was crying and crying while looking at the statue. She said, "I have lost my Master. I am finding it so difficult to feel my Master's presence. I brought some of your disciples to meet him. They saw my Master as Jesus Christ and I could not see my Master at all."

 

All of a sudden, Vivian looked up and saw her Master's face there. She could not believe it. It was such a vivid experience. When her friends had prayed to that statue, they had not received anything. But when she went there to pray to the statue, she vividly saw her own Master there.

 

Now Vivian was really confused. The nuns had seen Jesus Christ in her Master, and she had seen her Master in Jesus Christ. Confusion never stops! So Vivian and the nuns all started praying and praying for illumination.

 

One day they came to realise that the Master and Jesus Christ were one. Then the nuns all became disciples of the Master, because they all had dreams in which Jesus Christ came and advised them to follow the path of the spiritual Master. He told them that the spiritual life is always easier when you follow a living Master, because the living Master is a bridge between earth and Heaven. One can easily see this bridge and walk on it. Even an atheist can cross to the other shore on the bridge. This bridge is visible even to those who are spiritually totally blind.

 

So sometimes spiritual Masters who are not in the physical body come to their dearest devotees and ask them to go to a spiritual Master who is still alive. In essence, the spiritual Masters are all one, but it is easier to make very fast spiritual progress by following a living Master.

 

Many people come to a spiritual Master and then leave him because they confuse the message of the Bible and the message of the Master. They do not recognise that the essence of each Master's message is the same: love of God. If one can realise that all the spiritual Masters carry only one message?love of God?then there can be no conflict between any of the true Masters.

[axel]

I know exactly what you mean, believe it or not  You say this statement is dangerous because you think of 'satisfaction' as the worldly satisfaction

 

Well, I beg you pardon, you don't I have to admit I took the sentence out of its context. It doesn't mean I misunderstood the latter

 

quoting from the article I posted in a separate thread:

 

"The focus of Orthodox worship is not on the personality of the priest, nor is it focused on meeting the needs of individuals, or on contrived emotional experiences -- the focus is on God."

 

Aside from that, one should be aware of the danger of spiritual illusion/blindness. One might get the impression of being satisfied/fulfilled, yet be on a wrong path. It is not difficult to come up with examples (sometimes tragic). Is that what God "wants" for us? Individual "satisfaction" possibly outside of the Truth? Think carefully about it.

[Sasun]

Well, I beg you pardon, you don't I have to admit I took the sentence out of its context. It doesn't mean I misunderstood the latter

 

quoting from the article I posted in a separate thread:

 

"The focus of Orthodox worship is not on the personality of the priest, nor is it focused on meeting the needs of individuals, or on contrived emotional experiences -- the focus is on God."

 

Aside from that, one should be aware of the danger of spiritual illusion/blindness. One might get the impression of being satisfied/fulfilled, yet be on a wrong path. It is not difficult to come up with examples (sometimes tragic). Is that what God "wants" for us? Individual "satisfaction" possibly outside of the Truth? Think carefully about it.

Well, now I am not sure what you mean. How can you tell if ones path is right or wrong? There are many paths, all paths are right provided they lead to God.

Anything that one does for God with love and devotion is bound to satisfy him/her. In general, doing the right thing satisfies people. In doing that they might encounter difficulties and even suffering, but still they do to satisfy their sipiritual needs. This is what Christ said about "hogov aghqatnerin" who seek to find satisfaction in God.

Sorry, I don't understand why this is wrong and what kind of tragedy could possibly result

[axel]

How can you tell if ones path is right or wrong? There are many paths, all paths are right provided they lead to God.

 

Well if you can't tell whether a path is right or wrong, how can you state there are many paths? There may be none. But you add "provided they lead to God" so your claim is still true. It is true but it is meaningless.

 

they do to satisfy their sipiritual needs

 

Is religion a way of satisfying one's "spiritual needs" ????? This is quite an individualistic and secular point of view, quite remindful of the protestant mind-set. Christians are not concerned with their ownselves, their own "needs".

 

what kind of tragedy could possibly result

 

things like this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/682357.stm.

[axel]

BTW, I don't see the relevance of this thread on an armenian forum. This amounts to proselytizing. Why don't you give us lengthy excerpts from the Evangiles instead? There are a lot of people who are unaware of their own religion. They first should get to know it before looking at other things. If they do not have a sound understanding of their own faith, they might potentially be confused and deceived.

 

And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. (Luke 21:8)

 

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matthew 7:15)

Edited September 11, 2003 by axel

[Sasun]

Dear Axel, you are quite misunderstanding me (or rather my quotes and explanations of Sri Chinmoys philosophy). I don't share your fear and extra-cautiosness. I don't accept artificially imposed restrictions and rules for worship of God. We are not God's slaves, we are God's children. Christ has said that God is our Father, I have every reason to treat God as Father. And yes, people have created religions to satisfy their spiritual needs.

 

This thread is not in any way an attempt to change somebody's religion. This is not a new religion. I know you have a hard time to believe that I am Christian, but that doesn't cause a problem for me.

 

If you feel lengthy excerpts from the Evangiles must be quoted, feel free to do it I feel like Armenians could only benefit from wisdom and genuine spirituality, that is why I made this thread. Obviously you misunderstand or do not attempt to understand, that is OK and I can accept you as you are (a person that doesn't share my views). But that is not a reason enough to tell me I am doing something wrong.

[axel]

I don't accept artificially imposed restrictions and rules for worship of God. We are not God's slaves

 

artificially imposed restrictions?? rules?? slaves?? what are you talking about????? you may be confused. no need to share your confusion.

 

I feel like Armenians could only benefit from wisdom and genuine spirituality

 

Is that to say Orthodox Christian spirituality is fake?

Or do you think our plurisecular Faith is fake?

 

Your assertion is quite arrogant although you probably do not realize why.

Edited September 11, 2003 by axel

[Sasun]

Axel, everything has its limits. You are Orthodox, that is your path or whatever you consider, it is not my business. But your approach is limiting and restricting for myself, I don't accept it. My faith is only my concern, not yours. I can believe in whatever I wish to, you have no right to talk about my faith. I have no desire to engage in such arguments.

[Arad9]

Is this the same Genghiz Khan that killed 10,000 Armenians and Georgians between 1220-1221?

does Genghiz Khan believe in the resurrection?

[Sasun]

Is this the same Genghiz Khan that killed 10,000 Armenians and Georgians between 1220-1221?

does Genghiz Khan believe in the resurrection?

Most likely that's the same one

[Sasun]

PARADISE

 

Paradise is

Where my sweet Lord is.

Paradise is

Where I bend my knees.

[Sasun]

SUPREME GUEST

 

At the final end

Of the human quest,

God will come to you

As your Supreme Guest.

[Arad9]

If you are a folower of Genghiz Khan are you going to teach to kill Armenians and Georgians as well? he wiped out families with wifes and kids. how can he be your hero? that is like quoting Hitler.

i'd rather stick with Jesus since if you don't believe in the resurection you can't say you believe in Jesus

[Sasun]

If you are a folower of Genghiz Khan are you going to teach to kill Armenians and Georgians as well? he wiped out families with wifes and kids. how can he be your hero? that is like quoting Hitler.

i'd rather stick with Jesus since if you don't believe in the resurection you can't say you believe in Jesus

Dear Arad, I believe nobody here is a follower of Genghiz Khan

[Sasun]

The Wristwatch Thief

 

 

"Master, a friend of mine is in serious trouble and he is begging me to help him. He says that he has been looking for a Master. But the peculiar idea entered his mind that he wanted to test his would-be Master. So he did something very odd.

He went into the homes of four different Masters on four consecutive nights. The first night he entered a Master's bedroom and grabbed his wristwatch. The Master caught him red-handed then immediately said to him, 'Oh, you have come all this way to steal my wristwatch. Please take it. I shall give you my other wristwatch as well. I do not need earthly time; what I need is eternal time. I do not need earth-bound time; what I need is Heaven-free time. So please take both watches.' My friend bowed to the Master and went home happily with the watches."

 

"The next night my friend entered the second Master's room to steal this Master's wristwatch. This Master also caught him and said, 'You have taken such trouble to come into my room. I am sorry to have caused you so much trouble. You can certainly have my wristwatch. I have another one; I don't need two. One is more than enough for me.' My friend bowed to this Master and quietly went back home with the wristwatch.

 

The following night my friend went into the room of a third Master. As he was stealing this Master's wristwatch, he was caught by the Master himself. The Master said, 'Since you are so eager to have my wristwatch, you can have it. This time I forgive you. But stealing is not an act of virtue. Please do not steal anything in the future.'

 

The next night my friend went to the room of the fourth Master. While he was stealing that Master's wristwatch, he again was caught. The Master immediately called out, 'Thief, thief'. All the disciples living in the house rushed into the Master's room. The Master said to them, 'Here is a thief. Look at his audacity! He has come to steal my wristwatch. I want you people to strike him as hard as possible and throw him out of our house.' The disciples carried out the Master's order immediately, and my friend was most severely beaten. Poor fellow! There was no watch for him that night. Humiliation and punishment were his only rewards.

 

"Master, my friend wants to know which of these four is the best Master, so that h can choose the right one."

 

The Master said, "I cannot tell you who the best Master is. Your friend has to make his own choice. But I will give him some advice"

 

"Go and tell him that the Christ-consciousness spoke to him through the first Master; the Buddha-consciousness spoke to him through the second Master; the Chaitanya-consciousness spoke to him through the third Master, and the Krishna-consciousness spoke to him through the fourth Master. Now it is up to him to make a choice. Whichever Master he cares for, he can accept as his own.

Now tell me, what did you steal from me before becoming my disciple?"

[Sasun]

Drugs

 

There are many people who claim that with the use of certain drugs they are able to get closer to God. Of course the Chinese have been using opium for centuries and centuries. How do you feel about using stimulants, drugs, etc., to stimulate the mind in order to get closer to God?

 

Let me start out by saying that there are two ways of approaching the Truth. One way is that by meditation and prayer, we know the real Truth, we feel the real ecstasy, we see the real Light, we experience Existence-Consciousness-Bliss. These last three go together and we can come into that state only through meditation and oneness with God. But those who are taking drugs are putting the cart before the horse. They are deceiving themselves into thinking that they already know the Truth. At the same time, they are not aware of the fact that by taking drugs, they are damaging their inner, spiritual faculties which are of paramount importance in order to enter into God's kingdom.

 

Let me make it clear to you. If you throw me into a sea and plunge me, immerse me forcibly in the water, not allowing me to come to the surface, then what shall I see? All blank, all white. And that is what actually happens to those who have taken to drugs. Through the effect of chemicals, a violent change of consciousness is effected. They get an experience – all white! Even if it is a higher experience, they cannot sustain it unless they take another dose of chemicals. But when I pray, when I concentrate, when I meditate, I enter into the living Consciousness of God and I can learn to remain there. This is the positive and natural way of entering into God. God is natural and I am His son, you are His son; we have to follow the natural process. But by taking to drugs and using these artificial means, people are unconsciously, if not deliberately, negating the real Truth.

 

To come back to your question, no one can come closer to God by taking drugs or stimulants. One can come closer to God only by loving God and meditating on God.

[Sasun]

The moment you know

Who you really are

All secrets of the world

Will be an open book to you.

[nairi]

The moment you know

Who you really are

All secrets of the world

Will be an open book to you.

I like to believe this is true. The better you know who you are, the more universal your humanity becomes, and the better you begin to understand the world.

I'm nowhere near that unfortunately.

[Sasun]

I like to believe this is true. The better you know who you are, the more universal your humanity becomes, and the better you begin to understand the world.

I'm nowhere near that unfortunately.

Nairi jan, most people are like that although unlike you they don't realize. The important thing is to never give up the hope of completely knowing yourself. Well, this is certainly my hope. It is said that those who seek will find. So keep seeking(if that is something you feel like doing)

[nairi]

I'm seeking alright. A tough and tiring process with results I can only question and wonder about. I'll let you know when I have found

[Sasun]

I'll let you know when I have found

That is a good idea! :)

[Sasun]

Everybody has to define God in his own way. God is above and beyond

all description. You may say God is an infinite expanse of

consciousness. The one who is sitting beside you may say, "No, God is

infinite light," and a third may say, "God is all power." A fourth

person may say, "God is personal. He is like a human being: He has two

hands, two eyes, a nose and so forth." Each person will define God in

his own way. My definition is this: God is man yet to be fully

manifested, and man is God yet to be fully realised. We are all human

beings, but at the same time we are God.

[Sasun]

There is only one hopeless task, and that is to endeavour to fathom the secrets of

the universe before one has discovered oneself and understood oneself.

[Sasun]

You can enjoy a limitless life of glory

If you do not allow

Your life to be bound

By your body's rules and regulations.

[Armat]

You can enjoy a limitless life of glory

If you do not allow

Your life to be bound

By your body's rules and regulations.

I understand that philosophy and where it comes from however without the body there is nothing hence keeping the body’s regulations is a priority number one. This remains me of the phrase “body and soul” I understand the detachment part and not being slave to the body but in my experience I had a severe back pain for a mouth and I could not think anything since the pain was excruciating so one can only mostly exercise the detachment of the body if that body is relatively healthy which brings me back to my point that ignoring the body stops everything even the path to (“heaven”) enlightenment