That's lovely, Norbu. Thanks.
I think I'll say something in a general way about my experiences with Guruji on this thread if that's OK. I'll happily go into more detail in PMs if anyone's interested, but Guruji himself never sought publicity. He didn't want the focus of attention to be on him, but rather on God, so I won't create that distraction myself. He often used to say he was just a divine traffic cop, directing people on their journey towards the Divine.
Part of that work involved giving talks to groups of devotees. Guruji's words always struck a chord deep within everyone who listened to him. His responses to devotees were not merely answers to their words, but he knew what they needed to hear and spoke to something very deep within them.
I've been in groups where people speaking languages unknown to Guruji would ask him questions, but before waiting for a translation he could give very specific answers. As I experienced on the occasion of my first visit, he would subtly adjust his discourses so that he answered what was unspoken amongst his audience.
He would say he knew us better than we knew ourselves and I experienced the truth of that for myself many times. On one occasion he explained to me in some detail how the circumstances of my early life, which I'd never described to him, had influenced the person I later became. He said it so casually, almost in passing, but for me it answered so many questions.
Guruji's work also resulted in the establishment of the community at [url]Skanda Vale[/url] where his aim was to create a place of pilgrimage where God could be worshipped by followers of all faiths, free from commercialism.
Over the years I've seen Buddhist priests, Anglican vicars, Hindu pujaris and countless other representatives of many faiths attending services there. The most moving Christian services I've ever attended have been in Skanda Vale. I was staying there one Easter when, after the midnight service, a few of us sat in the temple with Guruji in the early hours of the morning. As we sat we were treated to an impromptu rendition of Ave Maria given by a devotee who was a professional opera singer. It was one of the most beautiful and moving experiences.
There are other times that really are indescribable, such as when I had the privilege of accompanying Guruji on a visit to Sri Lanka where we visited various Buddhist and Hindu holy places, as well as churches and cathedrals, or the seminars he gave in Switzerland which I was lucky enough to attend.
Skanda Vale has never advertised itself but it attracts many tens of thousands of pilgrims every year, from all faiths and traditions. It found itself in the spotlight in the Spring of 2007 when the whole world seemed to be watching the drama of DEFRA vs. Shambo the temple bull (it was discussion of Shambo that got me onto HP).
What wasn't widely known as that drama drew towards it's climax was that Guruji left his body. For months up to Guruji's departure press from all over the world, Japan, Brazil, America, Russia, were visiting and covering the story of Shambo's plight. The whole world was watching.
Despite all of that a strange lull appeared in the middle of it all and in that lull Guruji passed on. The quiet time lasted for a few days and allowed the community to concentrate on Guruji's passing and the arrangements for his funeral, the day of which was very beautiful and not at all a sad occasion. The day after that, just as strangely, the Shambo drama started up again. Guruji had bowed out gracefully. The monks were left to carry on his work and, thanks to Shambo, for a while they did that in dramatic style and a blaze of publicity. Today, as always, the selfless service being provided by the monks and nuns is an inspiration to me.
As I'd thought when considering what to write here, words can't do this topic justice. What I can say is, that when I think of Guruji I remember his smile and the love he radiated, and I'm immensely grateful for the contact I had with such a great soul.
Thank you Barafundle for sharing all that with us. Well, I’ve learnt a lot about you today – let alone Guruji! How very privileged you were to have had the personal contact with such a great teacher!
Love and peace,
Judy
Dear Barafundle,
Thanks for relating some of your experiences with your Guruji. I wish I'd been able to visit when he was around and giving talks. I've never really experienced the kind of relationship you describe with any teacher. Maybe that's just because it's different for different people.
Norbu
I recently came across this story and thought this might be a good place to share it. I've read it in a few places now and have paraphrased the main elements...
In 1879 when the British were ruling in India Lt. Col. Martin of Agar Malva was away leading the army in the war against Afghanistan.
Col. Martin used to regularly send messages from the front to his wife reassuring her that he was alive and well. The war continued and after a time, to Lady Martin's great dismay, the messages stopped.
One day, whilst out riding she passed by the temple of Baijnath Mahadev and was drawn by the sound of mantras and temple instruments. She went inside and found that the priests were carrying out worship of Lord Shiva. Seeing her distress they asked what was wrong and she explained everything to them.
They told her that Lord Shiva listens to the prayers of devotees and that He could help her if she wished. Following the advice of the priests Lady Martin learned a mantra and started to recite it for the next eleven days, all the while praying that if her husband could be returned to her safely, then she would renovate the temple.
On the last of the eleven days of mantra recitation a messenger came with a letter. It was from her husband who had written: I was regularly sending messages to you from the battle grounds but suddenly the Pathans surrounded us on all sides. We were trapped and there seemed to be no chance that we would escape death. Suddenly I saw a Yogi with long hair, wearing a lion skin and carrying a trident-like weapon. Seeing this great man, the Pathans started running away and suddenly our perilous moment turned into one of victory. That great Yogi told me that I should not worry and that he had come to rescue me because he was very pleased with my wifes prayers.
On reading the letter Lady Martins heart was overwhelmed as she realised that the description of the Yogi was exactly how Lord Shiva is depicted. Lady Martin fell down at the feet of Lord Shiva's statue and burst into tears.
After a few weeks Col. Martin returned and Lady Martin narrated the whole incident to him. Both husband and wife became devotees of Lord Shiva and in 1883 they donated 15,000 rupees for the purpose of renovating the temple. The stone plaque is still there celebrating it as the only Hindu temple built by the British.
On the last of the eleven days of mantra recitation a messenger came with a letter. It was from her husband who had written: “I was regularly sending messages to you from the battle grounds but suddenly the Pathans surrounded us on all sides. We were trapped and there seemed to be no chance that we would escape death. Suddenly I saw a Yogi with long hair, wearing a lion skin and carrying a trident-like weapon. Seeing this great man, the Pathans started running away and suddenly our perilous moment turned into one of victory. That great Yogi told me that I should not worry and that he had come to rescue me because he was very pleased with my wife’s prayers.”
What a remarkable account. Thanks for sharing it.
Norbu