Hari
OM
Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and
parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.
On Workingsday this coming week,
some of the insights gained from discourse with Pujya Swami-ji will begin.
First, though, a little about being in his presence.
It was not unplanned that the trip Down Under was to coincide, at
its beginning, with the annual visit of Pujya Swami Swaroopananda to the Sydney
Chinmaya Mission Centre. Whilst Guru-ji, Swami Tejomayananda, remains the
supreme head of Mission, he no longer wishes to travel the world (he had a
triple-bypass on his heart a few years back and although remaining well, the
strain of world travel is not to be taken lightly). Thus it was that he handed
over the lamp of leadership to Pujya Swami-ji.
Guru-ji now attends to all matters within India and to online
tutorials, writing and his own saadhana.
Pujya Swami-ji attends to all matters globally but also carries
some of the Indian responsibility.
Both are teachers par excellence who pay attention always to the
individuals before them. They exude Love Universal and care for one's
wellbeing. It has been over two years since this individual has spent time in
the presence of Pujya Swami-ji yet, despite all the thousands he must have met
and mingled with in that time, he singled her out and enquired warmly and
genuinely as to her condition and status. "Yamini-amma,
so delightful to see you! Come walk with me…"
Not of physically tall stature, there is nevertheless an immense
presence. When addressing you, he will look you directly in the eye - and you
will know he sees more than your surface. It is impossible to hide oneself from
such a master. Even as you pace out the flagstones with him, you know you are
observed and there is a sense of calm yet exhilaration. No matter how weary one
may feel, energy comes. No matter the pain in one's bones, strength is found to
overcome it. All these things, and more combine to encourage one to continue
to adhere to one's own saadhana, to continue to delve into the scriptures and
meditation and to evolve, even the remotest amount, towards such as represented
by this presence.
Again, one is reminded of the importance of Satsang; being in the
presence of the wise.
