I’m increasingly aware how central this teaching of Baba’s is to my sadhana and I appreciate how the commentary addresses the challenges in implementing this teaching.
Reading the commentary reminded me of a practice I’ve developed that has been very helpful to me when confronted with unwanted or disturbing circumstances—as well as in desirable or pleasant ones. This practice is to remember to look for the Self not so much in what the circumstance is (which is, after all, subject to change and a matter of subjective perception), but more in the fact that it just is. When I do this, I recognize the Self in the situation’s essential beingness, imbued with the miracle of existence itself.
Ohio, United States
Last night I had a magical experience of “savoring Baba’s words.” I have a delightful wind chime on my terrace, which needs lots of wind to make it chime. I had not heard the sweet sound of its “singing” in many months, and last night seemed no different. As I lay in bed, I spontaneously repeated Baba’s words from this commentary. As soon as I had, the chimes made the most delicate, exquisite melody!
Within my mind’s eye I saw the supreme Being, the Blue Person, that Baba describes in Play of Consciousness—playing the chimes. It was so real, I felt I needed to go downstairs and peek out at the terrace to see if there was really someone there. Putting any fears aside, I repeated Baba's words inwardly and—yes, the chimes sounded again! Both curious and in awe, I repeated Baba’s words once again, and the chimes again played with an otherworldly, tender melody.
This morning I awoke with great joy, gratitude, and contentment and repeated Baba’s words again. Guess what happened! The chimes played again!
Connecticut, United States
I am very grateful for this commentary. I’ve loved each of the four commentaries we’ve received this month, and although I'm feeling quite challenged in my life right now, they are all buoying me up and teaching me to look for the Self in everyone and everything. It’s an awareness that I have, yet have recently been at pains to implement it in difficult situations.
This commentary in particular answers the question I’ve been asking about what I see that I don’t like, and how to see the Self in that person or situation also. I’m so grateful for this added awareness of how to genuinely perceive what I might at first see and feel as an unpleasant reality yet still to recognize the Self within all.
Melbourne, Australia
As I read Baba’s words, I recalled an extraordinary experience I had a long time ago—during Baba’s time—in Shree Muktananda Ashram.
I was watching Siddha Yoga students offering
seva in the front garden. Suddenly I felt a shift in my inner awareness: Everyone performing the different gardening tasks seemed to be moving under the direct influence of a single cosmic energy! The energy of the Self was moving each and every limb of each and every person with great precision. There were no more separate individuals. There was only this living energy that was filling the whole space in front of me, from the earth to the sky.
My direct awareness of this unity generated a phenomenal feeling of inner bliss. Reading Baba’s words now, I realize they had come true for me in that moment!
Quebec, Canada
Baba’s teaching and Paul’s elucidation of it are beautiful gifts that touch me deeply. Practical, profound, and so full of grace, they empower me with the understanding and the tools to navigate my life’s course of self-discovery and recognition of the Self.
Michigan, United States
Baba’s teaching appeared at a very good time for me. For a few days my mind could not focus on my regular meditation practice or on the seva before me. When I read Baba ji’s teaching and the commentary on it, that experience guided me back to the practices.
Now, I repeat the teaching of Baba ji’s whenever I feel I am not connected within. This practice helps me to remain connected to my heart. The teaching and the commentary helped me to refocus on my sadhana, and resume my practices with renewed energy.
Nasik, India
Under the rays of a shining dawn, after a walk on my dew-covered lawn, filled with
prana, I discovered Baba’s teaching printed on handsome, grainy paper within a golden frame. In turn, I recorded it in golden letters and then contemplated it. These words came to my mind: "I am alive. I breathe. I listen to the silence. I admire nature. I do my tasks with care and calmness. I refresh my posture. I repeat the mantra. Meditation."
Then, with a feeling of harmony, I kept finding gold—this time in the commentary itself. A triangle with the Sanskrit words
bodha,
atman, and
upasthita written, one on each side, appeared in my imagination. I saw this triangle as the basic principle which gives strength to my
sadhana in the same way that triangulation gives strength to a metal frame. Aware of my inner kingdom, I perceive the Self manifesting itself at this time, within the circumstances of my life.
Rodez, France