That day, around 8 am, I got dressed in a maroon Punjabi dress and styled my hair in a French braid.
“Take the Gomutra (Cow urine) and sprinkle it first on yourself, then on all the coconuts and the bag you’ll carry,” Aai instructed, pointing to a small cup called ‘pela’.
The cup contained fresh Gomutra with some Tulsi leaves in it. I followed Aai’s guidance, dipping Tulsi leaves in the Gomutra and sprinkling drops on myself, coconuts, and the bag.
You might wonder about this ritual.
In India, Gomutra is considered very pure. That morning, I was ready to visit our Kuladevat – Shri Dev Rameshwar and Kuladevta – Dirbha devi.
As per my parents’ beliefs, the Gomutra’s purity would cleanse me, making my visit to these sacred temples more auspicious.
Personally, I don’t regularly perform these rituals, but when my parents ask, I oblige.
Somehow, I convinced Baba (my father) to allow me to ride a motorcycle. Google Maps showed a 1.30-hour journey to reach the destination.
I wanted to wear a saree, but it wasn’t practical for the bike. My bag was filled with 10 coconuts from Baba’s farm, flowers, agarbatti, and other offerings.
The ride from home to the temple was smooth.
This was my second visit to my Kuladevta and Kuladevi. I bowed down and prayed.
Lately, I’ve been contemplating my personal desires. There’s a shift. Before, I used to ask for material things, but now I seek help in deepening my meditation, following my Guru’s instructions, and getting closer to God.
Temples aren’t the only places where I feel God’s presence. I sense it in meditation, in nature’s beauty, in the touch of Baba’s hand on my head, Aai’s smile.
I feel God’s presence in the deep sea just after sunset. The sky shifts from yellow to orange, sometimes turning red. Standing in the water, feeling the sand, with my hands folded in namaste, I’m left speechless by the breathtaking sight in front of me. I try to absorb that beauty.
Time flies..I ask him please come ..revel yourself..please take me in your arms..in your arms father I will melt away..my body, my memories, these experiences, all the things which I have, my whole identity will melt..it will all melt way in your arms..I will become empty..and as I melt we will become one.
‘Please come, at least once, just lay your hand on my head,’ I request, my eyes become watery.
…but he remains silent, hidden
even after creating this entire world..he prefers to stay silent, hidden..
Do you know the difference between ordinary people and saints/masters?
Saints does not lose hope they keep trying again and again. Day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, birth after birth they keep asking , they keep praying, “God please come.” and one day he comes and they become one.
The distinction between concentration and meditation lies in focus. Concentration fixates on something, while meditation centers solely on God. Its purpose is unity with the divine, returning to the source.
The question remains, ‘How does one recognize when God comes?’
My Guru, Shri Paramhansa Yogananda, once said, ‘As meditation deepens, one starts experiencing God’s qualities—love, peace, bliss, purity. God manifests through these qualities to the devotee.’
I lingered longer on the beach, my favorite spot to witness the sunset in Kokan. The most breathtaking sunset I saw was in Seychelles, and that day offered another magnificent sight.
On one side sun was setting down and on the other side moon was rising up. It was so beautiful. Do you know there are some moments which feel , look so perfect, complete. You dont wish to add or remove anything. That was the moment.
Moments like this makes one so happy. My body could not hold this much love and happiness tears started falling from my eyes. I looked up and thanked for this moment.
It was windy. This beach is not popular and there was just one family – 4 people. Beach was empty.
I quickly changed my clothes. It was 7.30 pm. While riding back to home, the road was beautiful. In Marathi we call it as Malraan which means you will hardly see any people on these roads.
“If someone, a relative, for instance, carries anger, jealousy, hatred in their heart and maintains an unclean environment, inviting you over, would you accept the invitation and visit them?
Most of us would likely say no. Why willingly go to a place filled with negativity and spend time with someone holding a heart full of poison?
Similarly, if we seek God’s presence, we must maintain internal and external purity constantly. Why would He come if we keep ourselves unclean?
But the moment our heart brims only with love, seeking Him day and night, when He senses our pure affection, He has no choice; He comes.
God is like a child. For him it does not matter, whether we scrub floors or whethee we are the leaders of great nations. For him all are same.
If you’re a regular reader of these weekly blog posts, you might notice changes in my writing style. The words and sentences I use are influenced by my guru’s exceptional writing.
Guru Shri Paramhansa Yogananda and great guru Shri Swami Yukteshwarji didn’t encourage indulging in scriptural or spiritual book readings. Instead, they repeatedly emphasised the practice of meditation. Reading and discussing spiritual knowledge can satisfy one’s ego, but utilizing it to grow spiritually closer to God is essential.
While I enjoy reading, my reading habits have evolved over time. From childhood, reading fairy tales and stories about Indian saints to later exploring ghost stories and autobiographies, and eventually diving into self-help, psychology, and now, exclusively focusing on spiritual books.
There are so many good books or video content available that if we wish to read/watch all then how much time is left for our own meditation and spiritual practice?
It is beacuse of my reading habbit, I some how bought ‘Autobiography of Yogi’ and due to this book, I met my Guru.
I’ve spent seven days in Kokan. You can find more photos of this trip here.
The year is about to end in a month. I see adjustments made to grant me more time for meditation.
Before concluding this post, let me pray. In this prayer, I’ll request God, Guru, and Mahagurus of the Yogoda Satsang Society to deepen my meditation. As you join in this prayer, replace it with your own heartfelt desire.
Let’s sit comfortably, spine straight, shoulders relaxed, stomach slightly tucked in, tongue relaxed, eyes closed. Gently drop your eyeballs towards your cheeks, relaxing the space between your eyesbrows. Place your hands in namaste on your chest.
Let us begin.
Divine mother, divine father, friend, beloved God, Shri Krishna, Jesus Christ, Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahashaya, Swami shri Yukteshwarji and Guru preceptor Shri Paramhansa Yogananda ji and saints of all religion, I bow to you all. Please remove all delusion from my life. Please help me to deepen my meditation and help me to come close to God.
Thank you.
Relax your hands and gently open your eyes.
Thank you for praying with me.
If you’re still here, I appreciate your time. Its Saturday, 12.23 pm,
Wishing you a weekend filled with love and peace. May you shine in all aspects of your life.
Stay blessed, stay happy. Always.
Much love,
Arati
