Questions and Answers🔗

There are so many questions this time! I think there are three bunches of papers. If I answer all the questions, I think we will end the session only the day after tomorrow! Anyhow, I will try to answer as many of them as possible.

(Questions related to the humming meditation and TPS have been grouped together for convenience.)

Q: Thank you Swamiji for such a wonderful experience. Ten years ago, I had this similar experience when I was meditating on Lord Paramashiva.

A: That's nice. In Bharat, we allow people just to be in that state for some time. Not only that, the ambience there is totally different. Also, we have four days time for this same program. You see, you need at least four to five days to sit with the Master. Here, the life culture does not permit that. You have to leave tonight. That is the reason why you can have only a glimpse. No sooner than you have that glimpse, I have to say, 'Come down from the experience and relax.'

Q: I do not have words to explain how I felt in those moments. I wanted to die or vanish at that very moment.

A: That is the beauty of enlightenment or meditation! When you experience even a mild satori, you feel like you are fulfilled.

Q: When I started doing the hum sum meditation, tears started pouring from my eyes. I was becoming very emotional. I had to bring my mind up to stop the tears.

A: No, you should not have done that. You are not expected to bring in your mind. You are expected to go through the process – whatever it is.

Q: I want to be in that state always.

A: First fear, now greed! Because of fear, you stopped it. Now because of greed, you want more! Anyway, you should not have stopped the experience. But neither should you have greed to be in that experience always. The process should happen, and it should happen in whatever way it happens. Then the experience itself may not stay, but the juice or the essence of the experience will stay inside you.

Q: Is this hum sum mantra same as soham?

A: No. Hum sum is the original mantra from the Paramahamsa Upanishad. Soham is the version that was developed later. The original Upanishad mantra is hum sum only. A person who is established in That, is Paramahamsa. Later on, versions like soham, da sohum, were developed.

Q: During meditation, even if there is a mild sound, it startles and shakes my whole body. Is it fear or is it normal?

A: It is fear.

Q: I am experiencing some satvic (goodness) feeling. Actually what I mean is, I am experiencing a passive and sad feeling, and I don't feel like reacting to even anyone who hurts me in any way. Is this a healthy feeling for a person like me who must lead a worldly life and not a sannyas life?

A: There is nothing called a worldly life or a sannyas life. If you are comfortable like this, just leave it, that's all. It will pass. Don't hurt people and don't think that the whole world is waiting to hurt you. It is mere foolishness to think that people are waiting to hurt you. It is the enmity in you that you project on others, and attract it towards yourself again. It is a play of the mind.

Q: Is not TPS reduction like having a popup blocker?

A: No. Popup blocker is a forced phenomenon. Here it is not forced, it just settles, that's all.

Q: Is there a correlation between someone's frequency and TPS? Can two people with 100 TPS have different frequencies?

A: No. There is a correlation between the frequency and TPS. If you and your husband are at almost 100 TPS, both of you will have a beautiful life. Both of your desires will be almost the same. See … when both of you are just enjoying a physical level relationship, your desires will be only physical; you will have just physical fulfillment, that's all. Both of you will meet and relate for maximum half an hour, not more than that. Then the fight will start. Both of you will be bored with each other. Only for that much time, you can entertain each other. After that, both of you will take the whole thing for granted. How much can you entertain in the physical layer? Maximum, for half an hour, not more than that.

Let us take the next higher level where both of you have the same taste in art. Let us say, both of you are singers, or both of you are dancers, or both of you are painters…some art, some similar passion. Then the relationship can be a little deeper. You will start relating with the manomaya kosha – the mental layer. And there is a possibility that you may entertain each other or feel fulfilled by each other for at least 20 to 30 years.

Next, if both of you are seekers, if both of you are on the seeking path, then life and relationship will be eternal. You will feel that the other is fulfilling or enriching you so deeply. You will feel that the relationship is just fabulous.

Q: At zero TPS, if you can see your future, can you choose to change it?

A: You have the full freedom to change, but you will not be encouraged to change it at that point in time! When you are in that state, you will experience so much freedom and truth, that you won't even bother to change it! Just by your will or presence, it will automatically change - whatever needs to be changed. You won't even bother to forcibly do anything about it. That is the beauty of the truth! Now you feel that you want to change it, but when the truth actually happens to you, you will not be affected by this thought at all, and so you won't bother to change your future.

It is like this: if you know that these rooms are locked, and that you can't go out, then, you will just be dying to go out and get some tea or do something else, is it not? But, if you know for sure that the door is open, then you will just sit here in a relaxed way with no thought if escaping! It happens in the same way.

Q: Sometimes, when I connect to you, I cry a lot. At that moment I feel that I want only you. Does it mean that I have zero TPS at that moment?

A: No, not zero, maybe 50 or 40. In zero TPS, you won't even feel that you and I are separate. Only if you feel that you and I are separate, will you think of wanting me. In zero TPS, you and I will not be separate.

Q: Is there a name in Sanskrit for the divine cosmic energy?

A: Yes. We have the name Parashakti. That is the name.

Q: Where do I learn about this divine cosmic energy?

A: You are learning here, right now. What else do you think you are doing here? (laughs) Do you think you are learning to cut vegetables?! I am not teaching you how to cut vegetables for this long! You are learning only about the divine cosmic energy.

Q: I have always been wondering about the purpose of my life.

A: Just understand: you don't have to wonder about the purpose of life. Just constantly being in the mood of wondering is the purpose of life! Nothing else. So you are on the right track. You are saying that you have always been wondering about the purpose of life. Instead, just be wondered about life, that's enough! Then you automatically achieve the purpose of life. See, if you wonder about the purpose of life, you will never achieve it. Just wonder about life itself. Then you will achieve.

Q: You said to wonder. I can't stop wondering how people can be so cruel and ignorant and why people have to suffer so much in such horrible ways.

A: It is not wondering that you are doing; it is worrying (laughs). Wondering is different, worrying is different. You are not wondering; you are worrying. You may use the word wondering, but you are actually worrying. Relax from it.

Q: What is a good question to ask you and what is your answer? (laughs)

A: Hmmm…I am just thinking what is a good question to ask me... I think silence is the right question. And silence will be the right answer! That is the good question or the best question you can ask, or the best answer that I can give you.

Q: When I feel your bliss, I become immediately, intensely aware of it and almost immediately, the experience stops. How do I stop the thought so that the experience can continue?

A: Don't be greedy to be in the blissful state always. Then it will stay forever. Only your greed stops it.

Q: Is it true that once enlightenment is achieved, one will no longer dream while sleeping?

A: Yes. I have had no dreams after my enlightenment; no daydream or night dream.

Q: What is the purpose of siddhis (mystical feats)? Do you agree / disagree with Masters who perform them?

A: It is up to them. There is no need to pass judgment on that. Sometimes, when it is absolutely necessary, such feats express through enlightened persons also. In my case, if it expresses itself naturally, then I allow it. But otherwise, I never express anything like that. Many times, people come and tell me, 'THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM, from your photograph, vibhuti (holy ash) is constantly coming, kumkum (vermillion) is constantly coming.' I tell them that it is good.

I neither directly agree with all this, nor disagree. I don't directly agree because if I agree, some people loose the idea of enlightenment and get caught with these types of things. I don't disagree also, because sometimes for some people, these types of things will be a source of big inspiration on the spiritual path. It makes them feel connected to the path. Sometimes, when a person sees even one small miracle being performed in front of his eyes, his whole life may be transformed. So, for the sake of transformation of human beings, enlightened Masters do anything. It is worth it. But the same things should not be done for any other reason. If it is done, people will get stuck and sucked into it instead of moving higher up.

Q: I have heard many times that the Guru chooses his disciples. With you, I feel we have chosen each other. Am I wrong?

A: First of all, you don't exist as you think you do. You are constantly changing. Then, how can you choose me? You can never choose me. Only I can choose you.

Q: What is the reason for putting your face on the pendants and T-shirts?

Ramana Maharshi, the great enlightened Master, used to sing hymns in his own name. He has compiled many songs on himself. Somebody asked him, 'Bhagwan, you are singing your own name. What is this?' He replied, 'Why are you reducing Ramana to this six feet form? He is far more than this form.' Understand: I don't feel connected to the name THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM or this six feet form in any way. That is why I allow them to use it. You feel so connected to your name and form, and so you judge the whole thing from that perspective. That is where the problem starts.

One important thing: the form of enlightened Masters is like a yantra – sacred form meant for meditating. It is a form that Existence has chosen for taking birth as a human being. Also, it is a form devoid of any samskaras (engraved memories, that normal human beings fight with). When you are constantly reminded of the form, or you are constantly seeing that form, you will unconsciously imbibe the superconscious energy behind it. That is why you will see, in Bharat, the form of enlightened Masters are used liberally in pendants, calendars etc.

Q: How do I stop my rebirth?

A: Just get enlightened; that's all!

Q: How can we benefit from just temporary freedom from our identities, which we assume during this program? We have to anyway return to our obligations, to our duties and identities, as soon as we get back in our cars and go home

A: When you do this for these few days, at least you will know that there is a possibility of getting rid of your identity; at least temporarily. When that possibility is inserted into your unconscious, then, you will never be afraid of living with your identity. As of now, you suffer because you know that living with an identity is like living in a jail. When you know that you have a key in your hand, the place where you stay in becomes a room. If you know how to get rid of your identity, even temporarily, the same jail will become a room. You don't have to get rid of it permanently. You don't have to get rid of it once and for all. You don't have to escape from your prison once and for all. Just have the key in your hand … over! The same prison will become a home! You don't have to destroy the prison. You don't have to destroy the identity. Just have the key in your hand, that's all. Giving you the key, is what is happening through these few days.

Q: I know a lot of people who don't use their spiritual names legally. Why do you say that using the spiritual name legally is important?

A: When the spiritual name is given freely with no commitment, people ask for a name for themselves, one for their wife, one for their husband and what not! You see, choosing a spiritual name involves a lot of time and energy. I first categorize the people based on whether they are intellectually based, emotionally based, or they are a being level person. Then, I see the right path through which they will become enlightened. Then I give them their name. So, the name is given to them through the path in which they will become enlightened. Most people don't have respect for that process. That is why, these days, I tell them to be very clear whether they are willing to change it legally. Only then, I give them the name.

Q: Why do people wear the rudraksh mala? Does it have any spiritual significance?

A: Yes, there is a lot of spiritual significance to it. It can hold energy and radiate it for a long time. It is useful, especially when you fall into a low mood. It can support you with energy and the low curve can be dealt with in a beautiful way. Also, the number of times and the quality of the low curve can also be reduced by the rudraksh mala. It helps you, if it is from an energized being, from an enlightened being; not just from the shop. But of course, you can always wear it, meditate and request Parashakti (divine energy) to energize it.

Q: Please explain to us the significance of wearing the kumkum (vermillion) on the forehead, which you always do.

A: It is done to awaken and energize the ajna chakra. I use it just to respect the tradition, and also, so that all our people will follow it. When they see me wearing it, they will follow! Then, whatever has to happen through that will happen for them. For me, it is not used to awaken the ajna! For enlightened beings, there is no such need. But if I wear it, people will follow, and their ajna chakra will be awakened. For that purpose, I wear it.

Q: Also, what is the reason for giving vibhuti (holy ash)?

A: Vibuti is an energized powder. You can use it when you need healing for some part of your body. Or, if you have sleeplessness, apply a little of it on the forehead; you will sleep well. Whenever you need healing or energy, you will be supported by this energized powder. It doesn't mean that you will become addicted to it. Part of its job is also to elevate your consciousness, and therefore detach you from such addictions. The vibuti, the holy ash that we give, is made out of our sacred banyan leaves. In the Bangalore ashram in Bharat, we have a sacred banyan tree. The fallen leaves of this tree are burned and processed, and vibuti is created out of it. It is then energized and given to you. The tree itself is of a very intense energy. It has grown out of an enlightened Master's Samadhi (place of his final resting). There is an enlightened Master's body under that tree. It means that the enlightened energy is there in that tree. That is why it heals. It radiates so much of energy. It is literally another form of an enlightened Master's body. It is actually equal to the relics of an enlightened Master's body.

• Q: Why does one brood over the past?
• A: Because you have nothing to achieve in the present.
• Q: What is the cause of self pity?

A: Again, if you don't have anything much to do in the present, if you are too luxuriously placed, having too much of time to waste, then you do all these things. That's all, nothing more.

Q: Is the enlightenment state the same for all enlightened persons?

A: The experience itself is the same, no doubt. But the methods through which they reach enlightenment are different. After that, the state in which they stay is the same.

Q: How can we explain your philosophy to Krishna bhaktas (Krishna's devotees)?

A: Why do you want to explain to them? First, reach a state where you simply radiate me! Just radiate your bhakti (devotion to me). Live your devotion first. Then, you don't have to explain to anyone. Just by seeing you, they will be inspired!

Q: When we understand something on the intellectual level, when and how does it become realization?

A: Meditate, it will become.

Q: There is a traditional saying in Bharat: first Mata, then Pita, then Guru, then Deivam. Let me translate in English. It means: first Mother, then Father, then Master then God. This is the traditional saying in Bharat. This question asks: does this mean I have to fulfill the first three things to gain or attain God?

A: No. Understand: after your birth, until the age of seven, your mother will take care of you. She will be giving love, care, and all the basic things for you to grow. Then, she has to hand you over to your father. Between seven and fourteen years of age, your father will give you the basic education needed for life. He will give you education. Then, he has to hand you over to the Guru or Master! The Guru will teach you the science of enlightenment, between the age of fourteen and twenty-one, and then he has to hand you over to God. This is what this means.

Understand: the mother has to hand you over to the father. The father should hand you over to the Guru. The Guru should hand you over to God! Each one of them should hand you over to the next person and move out of your way! If they don't move out, they will be moved out! That's all. That is the way. That is what it means when it says, Mata, Pita, Guru, Deivam. The mother has to hand you over to the father and move out. The father has to hand you over to the Master and move out. The Master has to hand you over to God and move out. Even the Master who does not hand you over to God and move out, has to be moved out! This is what the saying means.

Q: Is it the same with female children also? Is it that female children are also handed over to their father at age seven, and then to the Master, and then to God?

A: Yes, yes, yes. In Bharat, boys and girls are both treated in the same way when it comes to pure spirituality.

Q: So, does it mean that the father supervises the education of the daughter?

A: Yes. In Bharat, the parents are supposed to be responsible for the education of their children. Not only education, they are responsible for their children's entire life. They have to create wealth and keep for them! If your father or your parents don't keep wealth for you, nobody will respect them. Not only that, the children will question the parents, 'What have you done for me?' Even if the wealth accumulated by the parents is a little less, the children will ask, 'What have you done for me?'

That is the kind of social setup in Bharat. Here, in the USA, it is totally different! Just see how Bill Gates is giving away so much money to charity. In Bharat, you can't imagine this happening. The son will very well tell the father, 'What are you doing with the money? Get away. You are done with it. It is all mine now. Forget about charity!' The social setup is very different! Anyhow, this is the real meaning of Mata, Pita, Guru, Deivam.

Each one of them has to hand you over to the next in line. That is why I tell you in the healing initiation that you will be receiving tomorrow, there will be a very clear instruction, 'You should not meditate on my form, the form of the Master.' Understand clearly: I am just like a window. You have to pass through me. You could use my help in the initial level, as a utility, but never as the goal. The Master's form is not the goal. The goal is the formless energy. Even this form, the form of the Master, must disappear! This form will also perish. This is not permanent. This form can never show you, or teach you to move towards the formlessness. One after the other, the steps have to happen, that's all.

Q: If I show love or acceptance to evil, won't that allow the evil to grow?

A: Don't bother about such things. You are not here to correct the whole world. Just correct yourself. Even if it grows, it is alright. Correcting mass evil is our responsibility. You don't have to bother it. We will do our work, you do your work.

Q: You said that you may speak harshly to us to remove any evil in us. I don't know when I should smile at evil and when I should draw a line. For example, even though Durga Devi is a Goddess, she violently slays the demon. Should I also do that?

A: Please be very clear that you are not yet Durga Devi. You don't have to slay any demon. That is our responsibility. And understand: when you actually become Durga Devi, these questions won't rise in you at all! So relax.

Q: Sometimes, a child dies immediately after birth. Does he or she choose that? Why?

A: Yes. They choose it themselves. Why? You have to ask them. There are different reasons that each of them will have. You have to get a specific case for me and I will be able to tell you why.

Q: Can you say more about how to improve our eyesight?

A: In health and wellness, we have a meditation for eyesight. Maybe you can try that. Even in the website, we have made it available. You can just download and practice it. Go to our website. All the main meditation techniques that we teach in our programs are available in the website. You can download and practice them directly.

Q: How do we relate with other disciples?

A: Understand, any undue relationship between disciple and disciple will only lead to problems, because both of you are in darkness. Any relationship between disciple and disciple will lead only to more darkness. There is a beautiful Upanishad verse on the 'blind leading the blind' - blind relating with the blind.

Undue disciple-disciple relationship is such. It can be encouraged at only one point, and that is: when a disciple enriches your trust or devotion towards the Master, at that point alone, it can be tolerated, because at that point, the disciple who enriches your devotion towards Master is no more a disciple; he is an embodiment of the Master's energy. Only through the touch of the Master, will he be able to enrich your love or trust towards the Master. Except in those moments, except in those few moments, the disciple-disciple relationship is very dangerous. I have seen people falling into a big hole because of disciple-disciple relationship.

In a city in Tamil Nadu, this incident actually happened. One organizer was very devoted, or at least projecting that he was very devoted. Sometimes, I allow these kinds of persons around me just because there is a possibility that they can transform. That is the reason. Not that they are really genuine. There is a possibility that, at one point, they can break, their ego can break, they can melt. Because of my presence being such an energetic and intense presence, they can break. So I allow them to be around me. And one more thing: when I empower them, I empower them fully, and also protect them in front of others! Anyhow, coming back to this man, because of this, everybody was forced to come to me only through him. And this man, after some time, was able to command a group of people. I too encouraged him, because a good leader will be a good leader, as long as he is listening to the Master's words. It is good for everybody. Suddenly, at one point in time, I felt that his suggestions were stronger than my words. The rest of them also started behaving in a democratic fashion. I told them to relax. I told them that they did not vote and choose me as an enlightened Master. I told them, 'Fortunately, I did not stand in any election and get elected by you people as an enlightened Master. I just declared it myself. I declared I am enlightened. And I am helping you. It is the individual relationship with me, that is the base for the whole growth in you. Maybe for utility sake, disciples with the same attitude, gather in the same place to do some good work, some team work. That's all. That does not mean that you can do something foolish.' That is what I always tell these organizers. All organizers put together have not elected me. Understand: I am something more than all the organizers put together! Even if all the organizers put together tomorrow, appoint a disciple of mine as the Master, this kind of drama is not going to happen! It can never happen! So, the Master is something more than all these things put together. He is beyond these things. Understand that.

I always tell people: in spirituality, democracy is not going to work. Democracy is alright when it comes to administering a country or a political party, but not spirituality. And one more thing: relaxing at the feet of an intelligent, and compassionate leader is the best thing you can do. Understand: when you are with me, I am thinking for you! It is a great freedom for you that someone else is thinking for you! Do you understand what I am telling you? By you thinking for yourself, you know what a mess you can create. Just look back and you can see the whole thing. When you take the option of an intelligent and compassionate person thinking on your behalf, you are so blessed! Don't miss that opportunity. Somehow, in the so-called civilizations, the word surrender is given a very wrong connotation. That is the problem. When you really feel that the leader is intelligent and compassionate, don't miss the opportunity. It is such a big opportunity. If somebody is building a home for you, will you miss it? If somebody is getting a car for you, will you miss it? In the same way, if somebody is getting you the best inner software, which is life itself, don't miss it!

Q: For the past few years, I have started seeing flying particles in the air…

A: There must be some problem with your eyes. Go and get it checked with an eye doctor. Sometimes, you can see that if you look a little deeply in front of you in the air, you will see small air particles floating. It could be this that you are experiencing. It has nothing to with spirituality.

Q: Thank you for your grace, instruction and time. I hope this question is not foolish. I have been wondering if the connection I make with you and other enlightened beings carries over into my next lifetime. And if you are not in human form, is the connection still there and how?

A: Understand. Even now I am not in human form. You may see the human form operating, but I am not in the human form. Just like how I handle this handkerchief, I am handling this body, that's all. It is a very beautiful and mystical thing. Alright, let me answer it. After that, we will enter into the process.

Nisargadatta Maharaj was a great enlightened Master who lived in Bharat. He was being asked by a disciple: 'Maharaj…

(Maharaj is the title by which they address evolved spiritual beings. Maharaj means 'king ,.. King of kings'. in Bharat, Swamis are addressed as king of kings. Even now, a protocol in the Hindu constitution is that, if a president or prime minister is received in any religious function, they are supposed to bow down to the religious leader present in that function. Till now, in democratic secular Bharat, the constitution has retained this point. Even now, the president or prime minister when they come to my program, the first thing they will do is bow down. Of course, out of respect, I too bow down. The protocol is that they are supposed to bow down and I should take the seat first. Only then they will sit. Even now, in secular Bharat, evolved spiritual persons are called Maharaj.)

Anway, the disciple asked, 'Maharaj, if you say that you don't have any karma (unfulfilled actions), what is the purpose of you taking birth? How does the body run?' The disciple is asking the enlightened Master this question. An enlightened Master does not have any karma (unfulfilled actions) from the past or future. Then how does his body function? For a body to run, you need some karma, some unfulfilled action, that causes it to move and fulfill it.

Maharaj replies, 'My body is not running. I am not doing anything.' The disciple is shocked and asks, 'What are you saying? You are talking to me now. That is the karma. How do you then say, that you are not doing anything?'

Maharaj says beautifully, 'I am not talking to you.'

He is talking, and he says, 'I am not talking to you.'

It is very difficult to understand. Try to understand: I am sitting here. The truth is, I am just a wave in the ocean. When you want to listen, because you want to listen to something from me, because you want to experience something from me, this wave responds like a mirror. The Master says beautifully, 'I am not talking to you like you are talking to me. In you, there is somebody who is talking. In me there is only an echo which is responding.' Sometimes, when you go and stand in the high mountains and shout, you will feel that somebody else is shouting back. But there is nobody. In the same way, the constitution or the system is arranged in such a way that you hear a response coming in your own language. The beauty of the enlightened being is, the body is there without anybody occupying it, without anybody sitting inside it. You see me sitting here, but actually, you are sitting in front of an empty seat. That is the truth.

It is difficult to grasp. Maybe, if you yourself have some experience, or glimpse of the bodiless consciousness or the pure conscious energy, you will realize what is being told to you now. Maharaj makes a beautiful statement. 'I am not present as you think. I am not present as you are present. After both of us die, I will not be absent like you will be absent either.'

Understand: when both of us are in the body, I am not present in the body like you are. In the same way, when both of us disappear from planet Earth, I am not absent like you are. Right now, my absence has got a body. What I mean is, even though I have a body, I am actually absent! After death, my presence will not have a body, meaning, even though I may not have a body, I will be present!

I don't know how you will understand this. It may be too mystical for you. Alright, maybe the person who put the question can understand. Just try to relate with what I just said. My human form has nothing to do with the presence which you are feeling. Understand that clearly. That is why in the healer's initiation, before initiation, the Master takes an oath. I used to take the oath in the first level healing initiation, earlier. Now, I have shifted it to the advanced level healing initiation program, because these people don't take it sincerely in the first level. The oath that the Master takes is… he commits to the disciple, 'The energy which is working through this body promises you, for you to reach the same experience of the enlightenment energy. Even if the energy leaves this body, even if the energy stops using this body…' I think you understand what I am saying. I am giving you the exact translation of the Sanskrit mantra… the energy which is working through this body commits to lead you to the same experience. Even if this energy stops using this body, even if I drop this body, the energy which is working through this body keeps its commitment to you.' This commitment may sometimes lead you to another live Master – a Master who is living in the body. It will see that you travel through and reach the destination - the truth, the experience.

It is a very strong commitment - much more and deeper than even marriage. Marriage happens in just one life. And that too, nowadays, nobody cares much about it. The mangal sutra (sacred thread worn by married Hindu women) is hanging on the shower pipe these days! In those days, Hindu women used to wear the mangal sutra from the day they got married until the day their husband passed away. Actually, I don't feel that the mangal sutra should be imposed on them. In fact, it is usually the men who move around freely and have fun, so they are the ones who should wear the mangal sutra. Anyhow, besides the mangal sutra, even the depth of relationship has become very shallow these days. That is why I am saying, that the Master-disciple relationship is not even equal to marriage. Also, marriage is only in one birth. The Master-disciple relationship is for birth after birth, until you become enlightened; until you merge. That is the depth of the Master-disciple relationship.

The Master actually commits. Usually, in Bharat, we do a yagna – fire ritual - before any initiation. We invoke the fire, the divine energy in the fire, and in front of the fire, the Master takes the oath, 'Hereby, I promise this fire, which is the embodiment of the cosmic energy, that I commit, till you achieve the ultimate experience of enlightenment. The energy which is using this body, commits to take you, to lead you and be with you, to support you to that experience.' It is a very powerful commitment. The fire is supposed to be the cosmic energy.

Q: Swami, you said that whatever you talk is our echo. So, does it mean that you talk what we expect?

A: No, not what you expect, but what you need. That is where the consciousness comes in. I am not just a mountain. I am not just a plain mountain. There is the consciousness factor in me. Maybe, I am not just a giri - hill. I am Arunagiri – the sacred Arunachala Hill!

Q: Enlightened Masters will take care of the disciples until the disciples are done with their number of births. So, the enlightened Master in this birth will be in the body and take care. But how does he take care in the next birth if he does not take a body again?

A: He does not have to be in the body continuously to take care. He can guide you straightaway without the body also. He can straightaway connect and relate with you. Actually, intelligent people do not need me in the body. People who are already grown to a level of even 80 TPS, do not need me in the body. I can just send messages and they will be able to relate and grow. So, the work can be done without the body also.

But when the Master assumes the body, it is such a juicy leela (Divine Play!). It is so beautiful to see him in the body, to dance around him, to sing around him and do all the playful things! He assumes the body just to give juicy and beautiful moments as leela to people! Otherwise, enlightenment itself does not need a body.

You see, there are panchakritya or the five activities of God: creation, maintenance, destruction, putting people into maya (that is putting them in illusion), and liberation, giving you enlightenment. In these five activities, he does not have to take human form to do even one of these activities. All these five, he can do in the formless energy itself. He does not need the form for any of them. However, the fifth activity, that is giving enlightenment, can be done in a very joyful and playful manner. At that point, only for that reason, he may assume the human body and express the joyful energy!

See, the Master always comes down only for a group of people who have wished very deeply to stay around him, who are fortunate enough to stay around him and enjoy the drama. He happens maybe for a few thousand people, for a few thousand people who are going to be living around him and enjoying his innocent space. You can't even relate to that kind of life logically. It is just a spontaneous and joyful leela. For those few intelligent, or for those few innocent people, the Master assumes the form. When the water flows for the paddy, on the way, the weeds or the grass also enjoy a bit of it! The weeds also grow because of it. Just like that, I happen for a few people. When I move around for them, the others also enjoy. That's all. Otherwise, there is no need for the Master to take a human form. He is asatyasangata - anything which can't be done normally can be done just by his satya sankalpa; just by his mere true will.

Q: So, when an enlightened Master comes back to planet Earth, why does he have to go through the sadhana, penance again?

A: Because he starts from where he stopped!

Q: So we choose a form and a body based on what the previous karma is. Do we also choose our parents?

A: Yes. Parents, the place where to take birth, the time … you decide everything.

Q: What about friends and relatives?

A: Friends are all societal. Even brothers and sisters are societal.

Q: Wife?

A: Wife is surely societal!

Q: Swami, why would an enlightened being choose a new birth again after enlightenment?

A: Just out of compassion, also for Divine play! You see, it does not hurt for an enlightened person to take a body. Nothing touches him. It is just a drama for him. It's like this: you guys are here now in the USA. After coming to this country, you have earned many dollars. Now, you can go back to your native village just to throw your weight around and have some fun, is it not? You go back to your village and show off, is it not? But it doesn't really touch you. You have gone beyond it. So, it is just a play for you. It is the same way for enlightened people when they come back to planet Earth!

Sometimes, you even take revenge on your young age associates who you felt didn't respect you at the time when you were young! For me, there is no revenge in my system. I come and enjoy, that's all.

There is a beautiful simile or example:

Paramashiva was approached by the Gods and Indra, (Indra is the leader of the Gods) who told him that they were being tortured by three demons, and to please kill them. The demons were called tripura asuras.

Paramashiva said, 'Alright, let me take care. Don't bother. I will do something about it.' Then, all the Gods came out and started talking amongst themselves, 'After all, Paramashiva is doing such a great help for us. We should do something in return. What shall we do?' They decided, 'We will create a beautiful chariot for him, in which he can go and kill the demons.'

They created a chariot.

The four Vedas became the four wheels, the gods became the statues in the chariot. Finally, Yama, the Lord of Death himself, became the passa (the reins that control the horses). Brahma, the Lord of the Gods, became the charioteer. Everything was ready.

Suddenly, Indra started thinking: all these things have been done by us. Then why do we need Paramashiva? We can, ourselves, destroy the demons also! We are enough to kill the demons if all of us put our power together. We have done this much. What is there in what is remaining? Paramashiva just blesses, that's all. He doesn't do anything anyway.

The moment he thought this, Paramashiva simply laughed. He said, 'Fool! I never asked you to do anything. You came to me and begged me to relieve you from those demons. Then your ego wanted to do something, so you built the chariot. Then finally your own ego is thinking that you are all needed for me to do my work!'

The story says that Paramashiva just opened his third eye and the tripura asuras, the three demons disappeared! They died. He just burnt the whole thing with his third eye.

So understand: sometimes, the disciples start thinking that they are needed for the Master, to do the work for his mission. Then, they are in trouble! So, that is the drama. A Master does not need anything to be done by anybody. His satya sankalpa, his mere will is enough to make the things happen. He plays his own drama and makes people feel connected to him. He makes each one feel good. He makes them feel that they are also part of the whole drama . Otherwise, there is no reason why he should assume the human body. Blessed are those few who live around him and enjoy his very presence. This is like the story of the Paramahamsa – the Supreme Swan.

There is a beautiful story of the Paramahamsa: Paramahamsa means the liberated Swan. The Paramahamsas will lay their eggs when they are flying. The egg will hatch in mid air and the tiny bird will emerge before seventy-five percent of the way down. The bird will grow wings and without touching the ground, it will just fly back into the air! It will always be in the air! It will never touch the ground.

You may ask then how Paramahamsa happens on planet Earth. You see, when he is flying, when the Paramahamsa is flying, the reflection falls on the lake or a tank or the ocean, or wherever. When the reflection falls, all the fish in the lake start thinking that some new fish has come amidst them! They think that some big fish has come. So, all the fish start jumping around the reflection. They say, 'Such a big fish has come. Such a graceful fish has come. See, how graceful this fish is!' The fish start jumping from one side to the other. Because of their own movements, there are ripples in the water and the reflection too appears to move. The fish think that the Paramahamsa is responding to their movements!

When the Swan flies over a lake in Bharat, all the Hindu fish gather and create a boundary around the reflection; they create an ashram! This is what happens everywhere the Swan flies. Wherever the reflection falls, all these fish there gather together and create some monument. They collect small stones in that area and build a monument. Now, there may be several groups of fish from different places. Sometimes, these groups of fish start fighting. They say, 'Our monument is taller than yours!'

Understand one important thing: whether you jump towards the reflection and feel that it is compassionate, or you jump away from it, and blame it to be ugly and violent, it is all the play of only the fish. The Paramahamsa is not involved in any way in the whole drama! He is not even aware of the drama! If he closes his eyes, he will not even remember the names of the places where his ashrams exist, or the names of the planets where his work is going on, because he doesn't even know in how many thousands of places, and in how many thousands of ways his reflection is happening and dramas are going on.

Anyhow, that is the story of the Paramahamsa. Let us now start the process. Before entering into the process, for a few minutes, just sit and close your eyes; no mantra, no meditation, no prayer, no awareness, no technique. Just sit as you are. Even if you are restless, distressed, irritated, it's ok; just sit as you are.

Chapter 4 MANOMAYA KOSHA - The Mental layer