Probably when I look back, the 3 persons who have had the most vivid impact on me are Sri Aurobindo, Shri S N Goenka, and Shri J Krishnamurti. In fact, I came into contact with all three of them without any conscious effort. In around 2008, while I was posted in Mumbai, I was a big fan of neurology and quantum physics. One day, I came in contact with the commentary on Bhagwad Geeta written by Sri Aurobindo and that was one book that fascinated me greatly. After that, I got posted to Delhi and I have been a regular visitor to the Delhi Branch of Aurobindo Ashram since then. The bookshop there is a very peaceful place and the meditation hall is one of the most wonderful places in this world. It is filled with divine energy and whenever I sit in meditation there, I do feel an inner peace.
After coming to Delhi in November 2011, I happened to visit to USA on an official trip with one of my seniors. I still remember that we had lengthy discussions at the New York airport about a book by Swami Abhedananda that I was carrying. After coming to Delhi, I discussed with him that though I had been reading several books there was a feeling of missing something. He guided me to register for Vipassana. I was not very convinced. He told me to get registered and in any case, if I drop the plan, to inform them by e-mail. I registered for the July 2012 Vipassana camp, which was like a life-changing 10 days for me. For the first time, I got the time to dive deep into my inner self. To observe the reality as it is. I always feel grateful to Rana sir for introducing me to Vipassana. I have been practicing Vipassana since that time.
In around 2018, I visited Varanasi. One day, while going somewhere, I suddenly noticed the J Krishnamurti Foundation near Raj Ghat. I was with my parents, wife, and kids and yet something attracted me. We entered the place. I saw one gentleman talking to a young boy and got interested in listening to him. That was a wonderful conversation. I asked a few questions from that gentleman and he asked me to come the next day. The next day I walked down from Dashashvemegha Ghat to Rajghat and talked to him for a few hours. That conversation with Chabra sir was full of wonders. I came to know that Chabra sir lives in Delhi and since then we have been meeting regularly sir, I came in contact with Krishnamurti and his teachings.
I have been in touch with Sri Aurobindo, Shri S N Goenka, and Shri J Krishnamurti through their videos and books almost every moment since then. I feel that essentially all three of them talk the same thing. They are asking us to realize the temporariness of the world of mind and matter. Krishnamurti says that as we observe our thoughts, we realize their layers and layers. We need complete attention in the present moment, or else it is not possible to observe and examine. Goenka ji says that we need to observe with equanimity different sensations in our body. Different bodily sensations represent the impressions stored in the deeper layers of our unconscious mind. As we observe them with equanimity, the impressions drop and we become free of their influences. Sri Aurobindo also tells about the psychic connection whereby when we reset the center of our life to the divine the lower mind gives the driving seat to the overmind and the super mind.
Essentially, all three of them are connecting us to the divine in three different forms. I feel it as if Bharata, Hanumana, and Vibhishana connecting to Rama. Lakshmana was always with Rama, even when Rama decided to go to the forest for 14 years. There was never ever an iota of doubt in the mind of Lakshmana whether to go to the forest or not with Rama. Lakshmana symbolizes knowledge. A knowledge that is always connected to the Rama and which is quite different from intellectual arrogance. Hanumana was a Karma Yogi. He was always ready to carry out any task assigned by Rama. He jumped the ocean to enter Lanka and set it ablaze. Vibhishana was always connected to Rama even while staying in Lanka. He always warned Ravana about his ego and why he needed to surrender to Rama.
That is what Sri Aurobindo did. He always stayed connected to the divine and expressed his experiences in the form of numerous books including the great "Savitri" and "Life Divine". Shri S N Goenka tells us what to do when we practice Vipassana. To enter into the depths of our being by observing sensations in our body. As we enter our own internal Lanka, we see so many things going on there in the form of body sensations. Even the latest research in present-day neurology has revealed that our past experiences, such as trauma, are stored in the form of body sensations and whenever they get a trigger, they come again to the surface in the form of memories of that old experience. Goenka ji says that observation of these sensations, without any reaction, weakens them. Slowly with the process of observation, we regain the lost freedom.
J Krishnamurti always tells mankind to observe with complete attention in the present moment. To observe the movement of the thoughts, and the images that we have created. He also says that the entire power of this ego lies in a lack of awareness. The moment we bring attention to the present moment, the ego loses its grip.
I feel that if truth is one, the teachings of any genuine teacher will always guide us to realize the same truth. There may be different ways and means to reach the same truth. After getting in touch with the teachings of Sri Aurobindo, Shri S N Goenka, and Shri J Krishnamurti, I feel that all three of them give a lot of emphasis on awareness. A choiceless awareness without any choice made by the conscious or unconscious mind. An awareness beyond the mind. One just needs to gather the courage to get down the train of thought, and immediately one is free of fears and insecurities created by that thought. One can see the relative and limited existence of thought as against life's infinite potential and possibilities…
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