By Nameshri Chetty
When we start writing our experiences, lots of thoughts go back and forth internally; thoughts of what should be shared, how it should be shared, if it’s appropriate, how will others receive it and so on. It’s almost like a tennis match, where the thoughts are like the ball, shuttling between the courts of reasoning. Upon witnessing my thoughts carefully, I came to the understanding that EVERYTHING IS TRADITION.
In my previous testimonials, I have mentioned that Mohanji had given me a list of places of worship, considered divinely powerful energy centres in India, and I have written about my experiences in some of these places as listed below.
1.Tirupati
2.Kurnool
3.Prashanti
4.Mookambika
5.Mahadeshwar
6.Vishnodevi
7.Shiv Khori
8.Rishikesh
9.Badrinath
10.Kedarnath
11.Arunachala (Thiruvannamalai)
12.Thrissur
I can almost hear people say – “so many places!” It’s a matter of awe indeed, but I covered them all at a very relaxed pace. Each place is a story in itself and if I get down to write about all my experiences, it would mean a never-ending read. So I will share a few, just to illustrate why I say – Everything is Tradition.
ARUNACHALA, Tamil Nadu, India
This is considered to be the “Kailash of the South”, and is true to the phrase. There is certain calmness amidst the strength that is felt, as in Kailash. I would like to mention that throughout my travels, I was literally and figuratively going with the flow. Honestly, I had neither expectations nor any hesitation during my journey. All I knew and felt was that I have left everything at Mohanji’s feet.
I had placed an eye card in every place possible, even in Kedarnath. Mamu had asked me for an eye card in the hustle and bustle. It was the last one I had and he placed it by the Kedarnath Linga. He later said that he was told to ask me for one. It was the Tradition’s blessing.
Back to the story – Arunachala with Mohanji was planned out of the blue. Although it was on my list, it was grace that showered us with Mohanji’s presence.
Upon visiting the main temple, I felt very ill, hence was unable to go in with the others. I honestly had no feelings of being upset, or being left out, as Mohanji’s teachings of insignificance had settled in (what is meant to be, will be, no ownership or doer-ship).
As we gathered for dinner that evening and everyone was greeting Mohanji, He said to me “Nameshri, you could not have asked for a better darshan, to which I replied, “But Mohanji, I was not there!” As I said this, something caught my eye. Embedded in his hair was a Bilva leaf (leaf of the wood apple tree, used in India to worship Shiva), which I happened to remove from His hair, quite spontaneously without his permission. Upon showing it to him, he said, “You must keep this forever. This is from the main Murti’s Abishekham (cleansing and purifying the idol before worship), the leaf is from there”. I was in utter disbelief! Many had come and gone before me, but none had seen that Bilva leaf that lay in his hair! The Tradition made itself known once again!
THRISSUR in Kerala, India
Through the grapevine and Mohanji’s extended family, I had heard that clinics in Thrissur are hard-core and really tested every individual. But I was assured from within, that I was in good hands and everything was for our own good and the higher purpose.
It was a true blessing to be there from the time I walked in, to the day I left. Through the treatments, I was able to experience past lives, have communions with divine beings and for the first time, I felt what Mohanji speaks about – “things with the body must be with the body, the intellect with the mind and spirit with the spirit”. Prior to this, I was always in the mind, with no time to experience “silence”.
I had decided to go to see the two main temples, one being a Temple of a Goddess and the other a Shiva Temple, both directly opposite to each other. I was received with such hospitality by strangers at the Temple of the Goddess, who even guided me throughout my time there. When it was time to cross the roads to visit the Shiva Temple, the heavens opened up in full glory. In spite of the torrential downpour, a crowd had gathered around the gate, as it was time for worship (in India there are specific times that one is allowed to worship at temples). Here too a gentleman came graciously up to me and spoke in broken English/sign language, guiding me through this ancient temple in the rain (Shree Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi is there).
One cannot see the Linga here, as it is covered in ghee (clarified butter). It is said that this ghee has healing properties, as Thrissur is the birthplace of Ayurveda (the traditional Hindu system of medicine). The sun had set and I was getting a bit nervous fathoming that I had to walk about a km to get a ‘tuk-tuk’ (automated tricycle) in the terrible weather and the place didn’t look safe for a woman to walk alone at night. As I was walking to fetch my shoes, an old lady came up to me and spoke in Malayalam (local language of Kerala). I told her, “Ma! I know only English”. She then mentioned in English that she too needed the company to go down. She enquired about the head doctor at the clinic (all this in perfect English), she even called for a ‘tuk-tuk’ for me and once I was safely seated, she disappeared. On entering the clinic, I mentioned about this encounter to the doctor.
Isn’t it strange that of the thousands of people near the temple, this woman with no shoes, wearing only anklets (a sign that she is probably poor and uneducated) could speak perfect English, knew the head doctor and accompanied me only till the safety point? Once again the Tradition had delivered me to my safe space for healing and safety.
In the last few months, I have come to understand that everything is Tradition. There are no good or bad, just opportunities for us to experience and grow in life. With Mohanji’s teachings and his grace, I have come to live some of what he has been trying to teach us. We are here to experience the world and for the world to experience us. With his grace, we are gently guided through life, always allowing us freedom of choice and experience.
I have written about a Bilva leaf, eye cards, past lives, healing and human interactions, which are honestly an odd combination, but it highlights the presence of the Tradition. Even to the oddest of experiences and those that we tell ourselves are insignificant, we must allow ourselves to acknowledge and offer gratitude to flow with life.
Our Tradition is very clear about “Liberation”, which is free from any ego or fear. It is just love and acceptance and Mohanji delivers just that. Hence TRADITION is equal to MOHANJI or vice versa.
Mere Mahadev, I surrender graciously and humbly at your feet as you are the beginning and end of all that is and is not.
“I glide on the breath of your grace”
|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI||
Compiled, Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 29th August 2019
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