Can I ride this motorcycle?” I asked baba.
“Yes, but first check if it’s working properly.” he replied.
Baba has a very old Hero Splendor that is still in good condition.
The road to the Vetoba temple is beautiful. Once you cross Vengurla village, you’ll see both sides of the road cover with white lotuses.
Sometimes, local fisherwomen sell fish, and there are tea stalls where you can taste vadapav and onion bhajis (pakodas).
It took 45 minutes to reach Shri Dev Vetoba temple. It’s a powerful place where people from all over Maharashtra come. Outside the temple, there are small stalls selling bananas.
In the old days, when a devotee’s wish was fulfilled, they used to offer large leather Kolhapuri chappals to Lord Vetoba. Villagers believed that God would wear those chappals and visit the village at night.
Nowadays, when desires are fulfilled, people no longer offer leather Kolhapuri chappals; instead, they give bananas to the lord.
This was Diwali week, I spent time attending and hosting get-togethers.
And now I am in Kokan, Maharashtra, enjoying the last big vacation of the year.
In Kokan, there are many roads like this. You won’t see any humans or houses for kilometers.
The roads are narrow and long. I increased the motorcycle’s speed. Fresh air hit my face. After a while, I stopped the bike and sat on the clean, empty road.
Right now, here in Kokan I am spending my time reading books, working, practicing my spiritual discipline and riding motorcycles.
I also use a lot of energy saying “no” to my Aai.
“Can I make Gulab jamun for you?” she asks. “No.” “Chiwda?” “No.” “Laddu?” “No.”
Its her way to showing love.
In India, people are strongly influenced by friends, family, place where they work.People also absorb their habits. Sometimes people are crazy for money, sometimes crazy for human love and then for fame and so on —
Where is your freedom? How little freedom is left?
Imagine what freedom you feel when you are free from the influences of this world, or your past, or your family or relatives your neighbours , media or your own habits.
If you are free from all these influences then what will you do? Will you do the same thing that you are doing now? How will you live your life when there are no such influences?
That’s when you realize your true, pure spirit.
My guru, Shri Paramhansa Yogananda once said,
“We must learn to simplify the externals of our life and take time to beautify our inner self. This is the way to develop true magnetism.”
Magnetism is the greatest force through which we can draw unto yourself friends/people and goodwill.
Beautifying oneself before the mirror , may help one to be noticed in the business or social world, and there is nothing wrong in that. But question is does it improve the inner personality?
Spiritual advancement is not to be measured by one’s displays of outward powers, but solely by the depth of his bliss in meditation/
Our eyes tell a lot about us. They reflect what we are inside.Some eyes are kind, some are mean, some are revengeful, some are full of lust and some eyes shower pure love.
No matter how sweet a person’s behaviour is, you can see what that person is like through the expression of the eyes.
We can develop peaceful, calm , strong eyes by cultivating wholesome, constructive thoughts.
There is a concept of getting along with yourself. Most people know how much time and efforts it takes to get along with others.
But have you ever given a thought to getting along with yourself.
To connect with others, it’s crucial to be in harmony with oneself.
When I say selflove, I do not mean love for self egotism, selfishness, I am who I am -> I don’t care behaviour.
Its important to be sincere with people. We can get along with most people if we flatter them.
But that destroys the character of receiver and giver. Praise is not harmful if its sincerely meant.
Everyone likes encouragement and to be praised for one’s good qualities and actions, if that recognition is sincere.
But when someone gives flattery (fake praise) in order to get something in return, that is wrong.
If my love is not sufficient, I shall not bribe anybody with flattery.
I wanted to write more but I guess thats enough. Internet is not strong here. Its a rural area.
I wish you a happy weekend sweetheart. I hope you keep receiving peace, joy , happiness and pure love in all areas of your life.
Stay blessed. Stay Happy. Always.
Much Love,
Arati
❤️
