don't you think we have not understood tradition? Also, is there not a misuse of the outer systems of tradition that has rendered our psychology disempowered?
A: First thing, I don't think the outer systems of tradition have been used or misused for power as much as you are told. Maybe, any system, when it is used by an uninspired personality, the system will be misused but that applies for any system. So, maybe in the spiritual system, one or two uninspired people entered, and the system might have been misused by those people. But that does not mean the whole system is a failure! And you have been told too many times about those one or two mistakes.
You see, any system, whether it is social, political, or economic system, you don't go for an alternative even if you know the amount of abuse and misuse happening.. And you are told very little about the mistakes and abusive happenings in those systems. But unfortunately, about spirituality and tradition, I think you've been given too much information about small things. And you start thinking of replacing it, you start looking for an alternative. Do not think so many problems have happened, as you have been taught or told.
Q: Your teaching focuses on the divinity inside each one of us and you teach that each one of us can connect with our consciousness. How is it that your followers chant your name? How does that help?
You have to ask them, not me! At least I don't chant!
Two things, there are so many things related to this question. First thing, I don't feel connected to this name. That is the reason I don't bother, or I don't feel pride when they chant, or I don't feel anything fulfilling when they chant. Second thing, maybe my name has become a brand name for my philosophy.
It is like, if you remember a particular shop's name, you remember all the products inside that shop. In the same way, for my disciples, maybe my name has become the center word for all the teachings which they received from me. To remind themselves of all the teachings they received from me, maybe remembering my name will be useful. That's the reason they may be using it. That's all the reasons I can find or analyze. More than that, only they can tell.
If repeating my name helps you to remember my teachings, then it will be perfectly alright, otherwise don't do it. Otherwise better remember your name. That is good for you. If it helps you, if it inspires you to remember my teachings, and experience, then you can remember my name. And another thing, if you feel like remembering my name, then remember, otherwise don't bother; don't worry about why they are remembering. It is their headache; they may be feeling helped; so let them remember.
There is a beautiful incident in Ramana Maharishi's life:
Every Saturday, in his presence, his disciples would chant 'Ramana Satguru' - Ramana Maharishi's name as a song. He himself would sit and enjoy. Somebody asked him, 'What kind of an enlightened being are you? You are enjoying your own name being chanted.' Ramana Maharishi says very beautifully, 'Why are you reducing such a great power Ramana to this 6-foot body? Why are you reducing that great Ramana to this 6-foot body?'
He says it is a great power, it is a great energy. Just like you are all enjoying the name, I am also enjoying the name. So, you don't have to reduce that name to this 6-foot form.
In the same way, you don't have to identify. Still I don't sign my name. When people ask for my autograph, you will see I will only be writing the mantra which I used before my enlightenment, because I don't feel psychologically connected to my name. From a young age, I had so many names. Parents called me by one name, friends called by another name, a nickname, and now the disciples are calling me by another name. The master who initiated gave a different name. So many different names! Somehow I do not feel psychologically connected, that's why when people ask me to autograph, I only use the mantra which I used before enlightenment.
I think it is time we enter into the meditation because many of these questions will disappear in the process. Understand, we are going to do two things. First thing we are going to do is re-living. Second, we are going to do the meditation technique.
What do I mean by the word 're-living'? Consciously enter into the memories which you don't want. Consciously enter into your guilt, your pain and the many suppressed desires, which you don't want to remain as part of your inner space. Whatever you are avoiding, just consciously re-enter into them.
People get frightened when they hear this and ask me, 'If we enter, will it not become strong, will it not become reality?' Fortunately, you are not that powerful to make
your thoughts into reality. So, don't bother. When you consciously enter into them, those engrams, if they are in some way going to be good for you, will become part of you.