SEEKING DIVINE GRACE

No amount of effort would bring down the grace of the divine, unless we make a concerted effort to bring change in ourselves. When we are prepared to change our lives in the manner expected of us, the divine then sends first his apostles, who shall work on us and together with us to bring the desired change in us. 

Richard Schiffman in his "Sri Ramakrishna – A Prophet for the New Age", Paragon House, 1989, says Ramakrishna rejoiced at seeing his disciples grow in spirit with the Mother's (Kali) special grace on them. He had helped to fan it. "He prayed continually to Kali to grant his spiritual children ecstatic love for God." He knew too well that the best efforts towards attaining this ecstatic state, count very little, only as much as helping to clear the way for loves descent. What was required was the grace and love of the divine. "When divine love comes, it comes as a pure gift. It comes as a miracle."

Tavayogi too mentioned the same when my family and I were at his ashram in late 2013 and again in the midst of the AVM family gathering in Malaysia in mid 2016. He rejoiced at seeing us follow his teachings, and work our way slowly and meticulously, waiting patiently for the Divine to shower its grace on us.

Ramakrishna knew that Kali would heed his call to save his devotees just as she had saved him, writes Schiffman. The guru brings changes either knowingly or unknowingly to the disciple and whoever comes into contact. Schiffman summarizes the role of God and Guru beautifully: Ramakrsihna considered the guru as "a torch in the hands of god and a conduit for his grace." He also taught his disciples that god was the sole guru and the teacher in the physical form, his instrument.

He reminded them sternly, writes Schiffman, "Learn from me as much as I have told you. But if you want to know more, you must pray to God in solitude." Ramakrishna used to question, he says, "How can a mere mortal enlighten another? "The guru is only a pure and clear channel for Gods healing and guiding energy", Schiffman writes further, "and he does not take credit for any accomplishments."

Speaking about both divine love and the most exalted gurus, they come down on us like a bolt of lightning, Schiffman says. The guru who has been commissioned to bring to shore the lost souls, his children who had drifted far and apart, cannot be contented with mere teaching. Theirs is a forceful and direct approach, practically pulling us off the ground where we were rooted deep and anchored, for ages. Agathiyar came so forceful on a devotee telling him that he wanted him (to do his job). Amazing.

Lord Muruga asked me to sit in silence and go within. Schiffman writes about the significance and depth of silence. Silence is potent. In silence the walls that separate the guru and disciple seizes to exists, he adds. Both their hearts meet. In silence there is neither giving or receiving. Just being in each others presence. The most important works are accomplished in silence we are told. Nakkirar says it beautifully too in his Vinayagar Thiruagaval.

மோனா ஞான முழுதும் அளித்து
சிற்பரிப் பூரண சிவத்தைக் காண
நற்சிவ நிட்கள நாட்டமுந் தந்து
குருவுஞ் சீடனுங் கூடிக் கலந்து
இருவரும் ஒரு தனியிடந் தனிற் சேர்ந்து
தானந்தமாகித் தற்பர வெளியில்
ஆனந்த போத அறிவைக் கலந்து
ஈசனிைணயடியிருத்தி
மனத்தே நீயே நானாய்
நானே நீயாய்க்
காயா புரியைக் கனவெனவுணா்ந்து
எல்லாமுன் செயலென்ேற உணர
நல்லா உன்னருள் நாட்டந் தருவாய்
காரண குருவே கற்பகத் களிேற
வாரணமுகத்து வள்ளலே போற்றி

He created the space and the much needed silence for me to contemplate in the comfort of my home where the guru and disciple could sit in silence and merge in similar thoughts; focusing on the feet of Shiva, the one becoming the other and understanding that all is a dream and that it is all his play through the grace of Lord Ganapathy

The guru has the mystic touch to make even the toughest of hearts to turn supple and alive, Schiffman writes of these Godmen. The guru's heart is alive in God he says, making one feel the presence of the living God. Living in the world of God, the true disciple lives out the dream of God.

As we step into yet another year, I bring to mind the wonderful days I spent with my gurus Supramania Swami and Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal who although have left their mortal frame are with us together with Agathiyar and the other Siddhas in light form. We would not be where we are today without their magical touch on us; without their magical glance on us; and without their silent initiation or mouna diksa. Thank you Masters.

And to all my readers a wonderful Happy New Year.