April 28th-April 29th
Bhaishree nurtures us
Param Pujya Bhaishree’s arrival in the UK has already elated and uplifted aspirants. There are reports on this website of some of the moving events which have already occurred in the first two days of his dharma yatra.
Param Pujya’s spiritual messages before the shibir are designed to encourage and inspire aspirants. He is preparing us by instilling certain essential virtues and attitudes, as well as clarifying important principles, so that our striving be clear and purposeful.
Emphatic compassion
Bhaishree has organised his swadhyays under a number of themes, and he addresses these subjects using various methods. At times he introduces or clarifies a subject by story-telling, and this makes profound concepts accessible and understandable in a light and effective way. Aspirants are not left confused or bewildered by abstract ideas, as Bhaishree illustrates these virtues and spiritual tools through stories with modern or historical setting, and makes connections to our everyday worldly and spiritual experiences. His inner happiness overflows in his light, yet profound humour, as he insightfully observes some of the contradictions and folly which delusion brings to us. This humour never scolds us, nor shames us, but invites clear introspection.
Story-telling enables Bhaishree to engage with audiences at various stages of spiritual development. Together with this, Bhaishree takes quotations from Jain scriptures, Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandra’s writings as well as drawing on other philosophical traditions.
Subjects
The subject headings with which he has imparted such profound insight are
- Akhand Arpan – Unbroken dedication or surrender – reported with his arrival.
- Utsah and Umang – Enthusiasm and Zeal
- Virat Vishvas – Formidable self-confidence
- Bhakti – devotion
- Satsang
Param Pujya Bhaishree is softly spoken and gently, compassionately nurtures aspirants. Yet in this soft, gentle way of being lie firmness of resolution and powerful messages, which have the capacity to drive an aspirant’s progress.
28th April
Akhand Vishvas recap
Bhaishree briefly revisited the previous swadhyay on unbreakable faith. He reminded us that one who has faith (shraddha) will easily dedicate (arpan) himself with the strength of his faith, and this will naturally inspire great self-confidence.
If we have firm faith in the true god, true guru and true dharma, then faith in the path according to this faith naturally gives rise to great confidence in our ability to progress and overcome obstacles.
Utsah and Umang – Enthusiasm and Zeal
Bhaishree narrated a number of inspiring anecdotes and stories connecting to this subject. We heard of an ever-positive friend, “Umangilal,” and Bhaishree emphasised developing the art of being happy and positive even in the midst of suffering.
A moving story entitled “The Flood Waters of Enthusiasm” spoke of a visit to the Himalayas where a beautiful setting was disturbed by a sudden rush of water, as meltwaters temporarily flooded the area. These were positively described as an expression of the inner enthusiasm of the Himalayas. What if the same sun had the same power to melt the inner spiritual dullness we all experience due to the challenges of worldly life? Bhaishree described the power of the sun of understanding and insight to cast a new light on our lives to support our transformaton.
Bhaishree described this process as possible wherever we are, however we are. He then described two very powerful examples connected to Raj Saubhag Ashram. Brahmnisht Pradipbhai who is severely constrained in his mobility and suffers physically a great deal, has overcome his troubles and made a spiritual success of his life, by attaining self-realisation. Similarly, Lavchandbhai Ghelani, one of Param Pujya Bapuji’s first three examples, instrumental in the establishment of the Ashram, suffered severely from a burning sensation on his throat, but was always positive and equanimous. Both of them were hailed as examples of the power of positive attitude and determination.
As we climb a mountain, we feel greater and greater joy. We have a new perspective on the world below. In the same way, as we rise above our difficulties, we look upon them differently and develop enthusiasm for spirituality. A swami called Ramatirtha has stated that there is no shortage of enthusiasm within us, and Bhaishree clarified that we direct it towards the wrong things. If we become enthusiastic about inner happiness, then we can surely progress spiritually.
Relating a story about a thought-provoking sculpture, Bhaishree brought home a powerful message. The sculpture had a man carrying the globe on his shoulders, focusing on its burden, while his feet were burning intensely. Bhaishree said that we often worry unnecessarily about things which ego drives us to think that we are responsible for, when we ignore the the folly of delusion that drives this, causing spiritual damage.
Bhaishree closed the discussion of enthusiasm with the assertion that if we develop enthusiasm for knowing ourselves, it becomes a pillar of strength in our spiritual journey.
Virat Vishvas – Magnificent Confidence
Next among the empowering virtues Bhaishree described so gently and humorously was one of magnificent self-confidence. Again Bhaishree told us a number of anecdotes depicting various aspect of this virtue. We learnt of such self-belief in Swami Vivekanand, Abraham Lincoln, the warrior Durgadas, the chemist Prafullachandra Roy, the British Prime Minister William Pitt, and Shivaji.
The industrialist and inventor Henry Ford always strived to make the impossible possible. The India President Zakir Hussain always strived to learn the virtues of the successful people he met. As a child Rabindranath Tagore asked his father why he was not afraid of the dark, and received the wonderful answer that in this darkness he saw the dawn about the rise.
Param Pujya Bhaishree stated a few key message, some of which are captured here
- Self-belief is always stronger than false belief or delusion
- Cowards always make life difficult for themselves.
With these uplifting stories, Bhaishree emphasised that we should bear in mind that our self-belief should be firm and powerful and that this would help us in the five-day shibir ahead of us.
In the midst of this worldly bewilderment, Bhaishree stated that we are often helpless in the face of troubles, but that anyone with faith in the True God, True Guru and True Dharma is not without shelter for he has their protection and inspiration. Such a soul has the power to become lord of the world, so that all the world becomes his.
29th April
Bhakti – Devotion
Bhaishree’s cultivation of aspirants continues. Having focused on unbreakable dedication, enthusiasm and zeal, and then on magnificent confidence, he urged us to introspect and observe whether the extent of our enthusiasm and zeal was greater and increasing, so as to facilitate spiritual progress.
He now turned to the subject of devotion, a vast and profound subject, to which this report will not be able to do justice. A few of the insights are shared below.
Param Pujya Bhaishree began by sharing some of Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandra’s statements about bhakti. They are briefly touched on below
- It leads to the destruction of all faults, so it is the best of all means.
- A state where devotion is at the forefront (bhakti pradhan dasha) leads to the removal of spiritual hubris (Svacchand) and other faults.
- Rather than seeking wisdom from a self-realised saint, consider them the embodiment of wisdom and seek to be devoted to them. This will give the highest fruit.
- Devotion arises by means of good conduct by which virtues develop. Such good conduct is the command of the self-realised saint and following this command is bhakti.
Bhaishree gave the example of how we normally remember devotion in times of difficulty. He humorously spoke of the student who might never usually pray, but, as exams approach, he suddenly remembers god, especially if he has not been revising. Bhaishree warned that bhakti has to be free of ulterior motive and must be pure love.
Devotion
Bhaishree explored various categories of bhakti, such as navda bhakti, and other categorisations in considerable detail, compassionately explaining how each one is defined or what it means in daily spiritual life, tenderly unveiling the deeper truths underlying devotional practices and contemplation.
Then the swadhyay focused on Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandra’s letter 572, which explores one aspect of devotion, taking the shelter of a self-realised true guru (Ashray Bhakti). This report will not follow the letter in detail, but will share some of the points on which Bhaishree laid emphasis.
When we are asked who we are, we now know the correct answer, to say that we are conscious soul by nature, but as soon as someone uses a few harsh words on us, the ego comes into play and this insight is forgotten, and this prevents the experience of our true nature.
Bhaishree stated, as he followed the letter, that we must realise that many of our worldly activities are meaningless and untrue. He said that relationships are untrue. This was on the day that the rest of the world was celebrating the marriage of Prince William to Katherine. The perspective of a self-realised saint, is so distinct from that of the world around him, fillled with unique insight, born of innner wisdom.
Bhaishree, understanding our natural doubts, clarified that the meaningless and untrue nature of our relationships is from a deeper perspective. If we consider that our lives are blessed with wealth and a happy family, then why do we feel suffering? A tendency to identify with the body has become ingrained since time immemorial and so is not easily overcome, except by seeking the shelter of a self-realised saint, which in turn will lead to attainment of the path to moksha.
Bhaishree asked each and every aspirant to ask themselves – “Have I attained the path?” He urged us to understand this thoroughly and to ask this question deep within ourselves.
Bhaishree spoke of Lord Krishna and the cowmaidens whose minds were focused on their lord, while in the midst of fulfilling worldly duties. Letter 572 states that the path of devotion does not arise without placing the mind at the lotus feet of a self-realised saint. Bhashree empahsised that in this lies the secret to stilling the mind.
To do this requires that we understand the uniqueness of the words of a self-realised soul, which happens through faith. It also requires that we see a saint from a unique, unprecendented, perspective. When we focus on a self-realised saint, especially if a householder, then we see his body which functions like ours, we see his business or other worldly dealings, but we do not focus on the way in which he conducts this all without any attachment or aversion (rag or dvesh).
The letter also speaks of the engagement with the objects of the senses as one of the obstacles to taking the shelter of a true guru. Bhaishree stated that this requires great vigilance. He humorously explored a case of addiction. If a doctor tells us to stop smoking, as it is damaging our health, we will initially do so with great zeal for the first few days. Then, suddenly we will not be able to maintain our will-power. Slowly we will allow ourselves to smoke a few, which gradually increase back to the original number per day or even more. Delusion overcome our initial resolve, unless we maintain complete vigilance, providing various excuses.
Shrimad gives an example of a lawyer who charges 5,000 Rupees per hour ( a vast sum at the time he wrote) due to his skills and ability, but who could not overcome his need for a 5 paise cigarette. In the same way, Bhaishree explained, we have within us a great power, which has become enslaved to petty things. It is awoken in the shelter of a saint, so that his words touch our heart instead of entering one ear and leaving from the other.
Bhaishree concluded the swadhyay by stating that those souls which wish to attain self-realisation quickly ought to seek this devotinal shelter (Ashray Bhakti) as analysed in Letter 572, and must contemplate the power of these insights, not just occasionally, but constantly.
The next subject Bhaishree explained was Satsang, which will be in the next report.
Compassion Epitomised
What is stated in this report hardly touches on the profound nature of Param Pujya Bhaishree’s swadhyays. His deep psychological insight is apparent in the amusing examples he gives as he describes what we are often truly thinking, despite the show of virtue we might present.
He patiently explains topics of key spiritual significance with a lightness of heart, arising from his inner joy, but with a seriousness of purpose, born of the importance and rarity of the spiritual opportunity we all face.
When expounding on any insight, Bhaishree gently casts his compassionate eyes on the audience. Sometimes his gaze meets ours and all our questions are answered. We feel the personal significance of the point he just made. His facial expressions and his gestures all convey a message, and he uses them to emphasise key insights.
All aspirants present were empowered and inspired. Those new to such spiritual insights found revelations and food for thought. The presence and words of a living true guru demonstrated their power to tansform.
May the grace of the self-realised ones uplift the world!
If you wish to know more about Param Pujya Bhaishree’s 2011 UK Dharma Yatra, please click here.
