Long ago, there was a Ashram in India led by a Guru and his disciples.
In the Ashram, there was a buffalo, and a disciple was assigned to take care of it.
Over time, the bond between the disciple and the buffalo grew strong.
One day, the disciple approached his Guru, expressing his deep attachment to the buffalo.
He explained that even during meditation, his thoughts were consumed by the buffalo.
“Guruji, I am attached to this buffalo. Even during my meditation, my thoughts are always about the buffalo. What should I do?”
The wise Guru smiled and suggested, “Do not worry. Stay in your room, and I will make sure you have food. Your task is to meditate on the buffalo.”
The disciple agreed immediately. Next day, Guru checked on him, and the disciple reported that he was meditating on the buffalo.
Guru: How’s everything? How’s your meditation going?
Disciple: Please don’t disturb; I’m with my buffalo. I’m feeding her.
Guru: Okay, I’ll leave.
[The next day]
Guru: How are you? How’s your meditation today?
Disciple: Today, I’m cleaning her. Please come tomorrow.
Guru: Alright, I’ll come back.
[The following day]
Guru: How’s everything? How’s your meditation? Open the door; I’ve brought food for you.
Disciple: Sorry, I can’t open the door. My buffalo won’t fit through.
Guru: Okay, I’ll leave.
[Once more the next day]
Guru: How’s your buffalo?
Disciple: (Confused) What buffalo? I am the buffalo. (Kaun bhaisa? Main hi hu bhaisa)
Guru realized it was time to interfere.
The moral is, when we meditate deeply on something, we eventually become one with it.
That’s why they say Samadhi is the union with God, and meditation is a way to achieve Samadhi.
Last week, from Friday to Sunday, there was YSS Monastic Tours in Wadala, Mumbai, as mentioned in previous weekend post.
Each year, Yogoda Satsanga Society of India sanyasis visit cities around the country.
During this three-day event, I had the opportunity to attend satsang and meditations conducted by YSS sanyasis.
That day after sharing the above story with us YSS sanyasi continued with further satsang.
Many of these sanyasis are well-educated.
They have renounced the material world and now live at YSS ashrams, where they practice meditation and guide others.
In the last 10 days, so much has happened. Many lessons learned.
It feels like Guruji – Shri Paramhansa Yogananda, and God’s blessings are everywhere.
I feel grateful, happy, relaxed, and overwhelmed at the same time.
Some things I can share, and many I can’t. It’s better to keep some spiritual experiences untold.
On second day of the event, I did not stay for dinner.
At 6:45 pm, meditation got over, and I got up. I went to the registration desk and asked a lady if I could meet any of the sanyasis.
“Why do you want to meet?” she counter-questioned me.
“I wish to seek their blessings,” I replied.
“Normally, people meet them for counseling. Let me take permission. Please sit here and give me two minutes,” she replied.
After five minutes, she said, “Come with me,” and I followed her.
We walked for two minutes and entered a different corner of the event, which was reserved for counseling.
“You wait outside. One lady is having a one-to-one meeting with sanyasi. Once she is done, you go. Okay?” she said.
“Okay,” I replied.
As I was waiting outside, I noticed a couple of people entered the room. Those people did not follow the queue.
The warrior spirit in me, a descendant of Shivaji Maharaja, Shatriya Maratha..said, “Stand up.”
So I stood and told them in a good language, “I have been waiting here for quite some time. Are you in the queue?”
Later, I felt embarrassed. I should have waited quietly.
When my turn came, I went inside and saw a young sanyasi seated on a chair.
“Swamiji,” I said.
“Jai guru,” he replied.
I introduced myself and requested, “Swamiji, please bless me and give me your ashirwad that I will stay on our Guru’s path always.”
He smiled, and as he smiled, his entire face shined.
We both joined our hands in namaste and prayed to our Guruji.
Have you ever felt full? Like your heart is full of love, gratitude, and you cannot take any more.
On the last day, I felt it. Satsang got over at 3.30 pm. I bought some books from the bookstall.
One last time, bowed down to Guruji’s picture, and left the event early.
“You came early today. Why so?” my family asked me.
“Because I feel full,” I replied and sat down in the living area.
In the last 8 days, I have cried a lot. The last time I cried like this was in August last year.
No, there is nothing wrong in my life. Everything is going fine.
Many times I cry during meditation, sometimes sharing something with Guruji.
Whenever such a type of cry happens, with experience now, I know something is changing or going to change within.
I am sorry, due to a lack of words, I am not able to express it fully.
“When God guides you, you cannot fail” – Swami Shri Yukteshwar
Today is Mahasamadhi Diwas of our Mahaguru Swami Shri Yukteshwarji.
Sorry for posting today’s article late.
Frankly speaking, I miss bike riding. It’s been quite some time now since I went for a ride.
These days I avoid riding in Mumbai or exploring villages near Mumbai, like how I used to do before.
More time goes in traffic.
It feels so good riding in village areas. Fresh air, greenery, river, waterfall, lying down on earth and watching blue clean sky, stars, walking barefoot, sun…missing it.
Do you also like village life?
Today is Saturday. I wish you a happy weekend.
I wish more peace, love, happiness, prosperity for you and your loved ones.
Stay bless, stay happy always,
Much love,
Arati
