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SRF Walrus

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etzchaim Registered User (1/8/04 6:29 pm) Reply	Re: Perhaps this will clarify things "Some on this board are trying understand if Yoganandaji is that pointing finger for them. My comments are offered to help them come to their own conclusions." gassho, yes, we are also trying to do the same thing! My responses were directed towards the idea that people should not feel under any spiritual threat if they should decide that they do not want an external finger! This is quite a big issue in SRF - much has been made about warnings that if you leave the Guru you are lost for lifetimes. God is not like this! I believe I heard an alarm go off at the suggestion that a Guru (externally speaking) was necessary because God is so high and far away. It was specifically this that prompted my response, not that we do not need help and assistence along the way. Blessings, Etz Edited by: etzchaim at: 1/8/04 6:34 pm
parabastha Registered User (1/9/04 4:20 am) Reply	Just only one Guru? From the "Yogananda Sanga"... ------------------------------------------ "His [Mukunda's] first lesson of Kriya Yoga from his father, his initiation from his teacher Shastri Mahasay (Swamy Kebalanandaji) and his maiden touch of religious experience through sharp and fast meditation under his feet he never forgot and he remembered it with much care and sincerity and sometimes he performed satsang with Shastri Mahasay. Gradually he had helped all his interested friends and relatives to be initiated with Kriya Yoga by Shastri Mahasay. In this way, in the matter of so-called change of Guru [from Kebalananda to Sriyukteshvar], sometimes, he had to face some criticisms. "Dedicated and completely surrendered shisya Mukunda, never attempted to argue or discuss on this matter with anyone. He had completely surrendered himself under the feet of Swami Maharaj [Swami Sriyukteshvar], and Swamiji also accepted him completely on his lap, which was naturally reflected through his natural responses and behaviour. Respected Shastri Mahasay was better known as Gurudev. At that time also he used to address him as "Gurudev". In normal context, during this time, he gave Swamiji's [Sriyukteshvar's] identification as his "Gyana Guru". He surrendered himself and prayed with a mind to be taught, trained and to be punished when needed near him. I remember, "Shishyaste-aham-shadhi mam twam prapanam" (from Gita, Chapter II). Blessed and purified by Yogiraj (Lahiri Mahasay), Mukunda for preparation and wide-circulation of Kriya Yoga, to be established as an official servant and acharya, it was perhaps an indication of the destiny, and it was a preparation and pre-blossoming stage of him to be born as a specially marked sadhak by the Acharyas of the time, and to Swamiji Maharaj he presented himself as a student to be administered for the complete exuberance.... "From his early childhood days, devoted to God, Mukunda's mind was not at all attracted to Seva karma [to work with an intention to serve, the outward organizational work] of the Sri Ramakrishna Mission. "I will witness God, and I will be filled the same feeling" - this was his chief object of his life. When he found the touch of pure devotion (Bhakti Bhav) in Master Mahashay (Revered teacher), he was deeply devoted to him, sometimes, had shown interest to accept him as his Guru.... Yoganandaji had experienced the company of so many sadhu, mahatmas and sadhaks, he paid respect to all of them; he was graced and benefited by them, but except Gurudev (Swami Sriyukteshvar Giri), I think, no other sadhu or sadhak could conquer his heart so much as he [Master Mahasay] did.... "Gradually, Mukundalal, because of his spiritual presence, drew our endearment and reverence and had his place in our hearts as a Friend-Guru. We began, without even questioning, to accept all of his directions as those to be followed with reverence. It was as if Guru Shastri Mahasaya and Jnana-Guru Swamiji Maharaj [Swami Sriyukteshvarji Maharaj] took their places in the sacred royal thrones above our heads. Friend-Guru Mukunda's seat was established in the dais of the heart. The two classmates, Mukundalal and Basu Kumar were friends of practically the same age, and as was said at that time, would be with each other inseparably; I was younger in age, and even though we were friends, I would accompany them in a younger sort of way. In the area of work, in Yoganandaji's words, one of us was the right hand and the other was the left hand. With our self-offered acceptance as followers, Mukunda became our director and disciplinarian. I can frankly say that at times we would become upset at our dear Friend-Guru's sometimes sudden disciplinary statements. Whatever the case may be, at the foundation, we were strung together on the same thread. Mukunda was its centerpiece jewel, operator, instructor, advisor and heart-friend. "The desire to be group-leader, the mentality to be wayshower to brother-disciples on the spiritual path, the aspiration to be head of an institution and such was in his nature; even from childhood, these feelings were clearly present in his character. On this matter, he has only received sincere support from friends and collaborators in all occasions and events. That there was too much of a feeling of authority at times, or that sometimes slightly unpleasant situations would come about - this cannot be denied. Even when, by mistake, some undesirable behavior would present itself, there was a sweetness and tenderness in his character; this admission was made even by critics who did not like him." -- "Yogananda Sanga (The Days with Yogananda) -- As I have seen and understood Paramahansa Swami Yogananda", by Swami Satyananda Giri, chapters 5 and 6, Copyright 2003 Yoga Niketan and Sevayatan www.yoganiketan.net/yogananda/ -------- Also, those who have seen the photo of Yogananda's room at Garpar Road, Calcutta, know that his altar has the pictures of Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, his father Bhagabati Ghosh, Swami Kebalananda, and Sri Yukteswar (Yogananda's Kriya lineage)-- no Jesus or Krishna. Edited by: parabastha at: 1/9/04 4:25 am
jyotirmoy Registered User (1/27/04 11:21 am) Reply	Re: Just only one Guru? Some thoughts on the guru-disciple relationship, which I try to understand from that between SY and Mukundalal and from my readings in Hindu tradition. "When the disciple is ready, the guru will appear." I take this maxim to mean that no one can make him/herself a guru; gurus don't hang out a sign saying, Disciples welcome. So maybe it is the disciple who makes the guru. I think that Yogananda came to America without the least thought in his mind that he was going to be a guru and have disciples, whether many or few, because he considered himself a disciple. The AY says John the Baptist was the guru of Jesus. John said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." Many gurus want to disappear, when they see their disciples fulfilled. Some gurus send their disciples away, when they see them listening to the Inner Teacher, not because they are upset but because they are happy the disciple has learned all s/he needed to, from the outer teacher. Do some of you feel this is what Yogananda has done for you? A hymn says: "All are one in Thee, for all are Thine."

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