by Martin Handy
“THAT IS THE PATH WHICH IS DIRECTED BY THE REALIZED.” This is the maxim of the Kriya Yoga Institute. It lies beneath the Kriya Yoga symbol of the third eye chakra in the shape of eyebrows. It points our attention towards the path we all have to take; that each one of us little human beings must become self-realized. In fact is it not the ultimate destiny of human evolution that the people of the world will be self-realized? What a thought!
This important maxim points also to the fact that self-realization is directed by the realized. This is perhaps what marks the Kriya Yoga path from so many others; that I am not on my own. I have the guidance of a Guru. This is the focus for a piece of writing that is especially dedicated to people who are newly initiated into this path.
Prajnananandaji is our Guru. Even after four years he still shows me new things each day about myself. Each day I love him more. When I think of him, he connects to me and pours his love over me. I gather a sense of such peace and joy in my meditations and daily life. I also gather a sense of how much work I have to do to cultivate more love for him, for God and my life. Love disappears from my consciousness because of my material and mental diversions. When I think of Guruji or see a picture of him I gather such a sense of calmness and introspection. I have to watch every thought, word and deed. They must be spiritualised. I have to cultivate more loving thoughts for others. I have to cultivate more loving words when I speak to people. I have to cultivate more loving deeds.
Observing one’s consciousness can be painful and discouraging if one is not aware of who is actually doing the observing. When I walk this path it is not I who is observing these thoughts, words and deeds. It is Guru. It is God. Guru is God. God is Guru. I think there is no difference between the two. They are not separate. Guruji is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. So too is God. They are one. Guruji is observing these thoughts, words and deeds. He does not react to them the same way I react to them. He loves me and understands that the path of self-realization is slow and steady. It requires lessons and experiences to show me how to love more. He loves me and expects me to love him and my life more, each day. Using the techniques help purify this body and mind every day. Every day I think of the Gurus who direct this process of self-realization. First of all I learn to love my Guru more. I feel his love. It changes my life and how I experience love. I learn how to love others, like Guru loves me, and this love, in turn, spiritualises my new thoughts, words and deeds. Ultimately I transform my life because I love more and learn to love people more. Guru transforms my life. I love my Guru more. More love is cultivated in turn until some days I say to Guru, “Guruji, this is too much love, too much joy, I am in ecstasy. No more.”
The more I see good in others the more love is cultivated. Criticism does not cultivate more love. Guruji said once, “When I point a finger at someone, there are three pointing back at me.” I must be careful of what I see in others. They are only a reflection of me. I am what I see in others. I must watch my thoughts, words and deeds. The more I think of God-Guru the more my thoughts, words and deeds become spiritualised, the more I become loving. I love my Guru. I love God. I love all human beings. I love this creation. I love this life. Love always. God, make me more like my Guru.