By Jack Barratt, UK
Since around the start of this year, a close was brought to three or four years of constantly writing and constantly producing books. This flow of writing originally began when I was living abroad, with commentaries on the great non-dual texts Ashtavakra and Avadhuta Gita. Then, after I met Mohanji, I wrote Sanatana Dharma Amrita, a larger volume outlining the key principles of dharmic existence supported by quotes and stories from the lives of many different Masters from many different lineages. Then came the collaboratively-made biographical books about the lives of Swami Samarth of Akkalkot and Lord Dattatreya. All of this intense writing came to an end with the publication of the second volume of Avadhutam, an (at the time) ongoing compilation of short texts that I would ‘receive’ every day and post on my old WhatsApp group. This was a journey. This was a hobby, a passion, a lifestyle, and even an identity of sorts.
How did it end? I lost the will to write. I lost the will to share. I regained the will to spend hours sitting in silence. The energy from writing began to be refunneled into simply being. I always wonder if Mohanji helped bring this habit of writing books to a close. When I would meet him and other people were present, he would always say: ‘He writes books.’ Even though this sounded outwardly complementary, I always felt like there was something else behind these words or another reason for constantly pointing out to people that I wrote books. He didn’t actually sound particularly impressed by all these books. Haha!
The termination of writing was a kind of dissolution. I would continue to spontaneously construct messages and insights in my mind, but I lost the will to write them down or share them. After that, the insight would emerge partially in my mind before I would simply cut it off and return to my ordinary state because I wasn’t interested in hosting it in my head. Finally, these kinds of contemplation-based thoughts, the fuel for all of this writing and all of these books, stopped arising completely. Now, this flow of words is only available if somebody asks me something. When I am on my own, it doesn’t exist, and I don’t think that it will ever exist again without an external impetus to expression.
The ending of writing marked a transition into a new, simpler way of existing. This transition was made possible by an inner flow of guidance and intuition, the ‘Inner Guru’ so to speak, and the outer presence of Mohanji, or the ‘Outer Guru’. So, I would like to dedicate the remainder of this hitherto rambling article to this peculiarly occurring (in my life) outer guide—Mohanji.
Why I say that it is peculiar is because I never asked for an outer guide. I felt content digging into whatever level of silence I could reach at any point in time whilst also following my inner guidance. I never wanted to follow anyone. I never wanted to listen to somebody else’s teachings. I never wanted to be a part of any organisation. I never wanted to follow anyone’s practices or methods. I never wanted to parrot anybody else’s words. I like to walk alone, and I know, ultimately, this path, with or without the presence of a guide, must eventually be walked alone to its conclusion. Yet, despite this pull to be and walk alone and to continually dissolve into a state of silence that represents the original state of existential aloneness—of the state of Shiva who pervades everything that exists as one without a second, as the only one, the soul of everything that can ever possibly exist—despite all of this, Mohanji came into my life, and Mohanji has remained in my life.
Even when I had the desire to step away from his organisation and an overt, visible-to-others association with him, Mohanji pushed me to do what I needed to do and to do what felt right. When I finally decided to step away and go it alone, the first thing that Mohanji said to me was that nothing changes in our connection—he is always with me, walking with me. This is a very special type of unconditional relationship. And it is this way of being that I would like to highlight in this article as the hallmark of genuine Gurus like Mohanji.
Most of our relationships in life are conditional; they are dependent on something. Usually, romantic relationships are dependent on physical, emotional and mental needs being consistently met. Professional relationships are often dependent on circumstantial proximity, power trips, hierarchical ladder-climbing tactics, and positional entwinement. Many friendships are also based on people simply meeting their own emotional needs to be heard, seen, and to be, apparently, not alone. In the case of most of these types of relationships, when our needs cease to be met or we stop getting what we want out of the connection, it all begins to fall apart. How many love stories have turned into tales of bitterness, pain and pettiness when our companion ceases to act in a way that we approve of?
The way a Guru relates is totally different. They need nothing from anybody. Despite this, they are prepared to give everything, to give themselves fully, in an instant, to a soul who is ripe and sincere. How are they able to do this? There is no melodramatic reason behind this way of being. Real Gurus don’t assume themselves to be messiahs or world saviours. Real Gurus are usually very simple, unassuming, humble, and down-to-earth beings. It is the depth of these qualities that actually defines their mastery.
For a Guru, it is automatic. Inside themselves, they have nowhere else to go. They have nothing inside of themselves. They have no fixed, personal sense of self and no personal occupations to be preoccupied with. Therefore, this makes them totally available. When somebody comes in front of them who needs their help and grace, it flows naturally and automatically. The Guru doesn’t decide. They are like the Sun. Their grace is always active. Even when it looks like they are angry or wrathful, this is also their grace in operation. Why? Because people who are full of pride and hubris are only drawing the wrath of life to themselves anyway. The Guru simply and clearly reflects to them through his apparent indifference, scolding or wrath that they are behaving in a way that is against the natural, harmonious and loving dharma inherent in life.
However, those who are totally humble, innocent and childlike will always be in receipt of the Guru’s more obvious displays of love and affection. The heart of a Guru simply melts when total innocence comes in front of them. This is the reason why many Masters, like for example, Bhagavan Nityananda and Ramana Maharishi, would only physically touch and allow themselves to be touched by children and animals. The reason for this is that physical interaction with somebody full of pride would be painful for their sensitive, energetically porous body. A lot of people touch with intention. Some people touch a Guru’s feet with the intention of getting something. There are no intentions in innocence; when an animal nuzzles at your leg asking for affection, or a child jumps into your arms, it is totally pure—and purity and love are one and the same thing.
So, to avoid more rambling, Mohanji is a perfect example of unconditionality. I have witnessed that in my own life. Over the past year, Mohanji’s presence, on a subtle level, in dreams and also through personal correspondence, has helped me to clearly align myself with what is next and what is really necessary for this inevitable flow of life. As it normally does, this alignment and inner guidance could have been probably delivered to me through my own nagging intuition and wild, reckless decision-making, but somehow, it had to be delivered through the presence of Mohanji. Mohanji is still the beautiful outer face of the Guru principle in my life. I am grateful for this. My connection with Mohanji is very precious to me, and I try never to take it for granted.
If we meet anybody in our lives who is willing to love, support and walk with us unconditionally, whether they are apparently a Guru or not, we should never let go of that one. We would be an absolute fool to let go of such a one. And such real, long-lasting connections don’t happen through need. I have never asked Mohanji for anything other than his blessing. He has never asked me for anything. Whatever happens, I love him. I love him, of course, as the source, as consciousness, as silence, but I also love him as a genuine, direct, honest, compassionate and kind human being. Sometimes, as per destiny and as per our eligibility, such connections happen.
And ultimately, everything just happens. However, the happening of unconditional connections in our lives is extraordinary. We should cherish such connections. We should allow such connections to bring us to the point where we are unconditionally connected to this entire universe and beyond. Then we can bask in that love for eternity—we can bask in the heart of truth from which the unconditional love and presence of all real Gurus continuously radiates.
I offer this text, a break in written-word-silence, to a worthy cause—to the great Guru and avatar, to the helping hand and friend of the universe, Mohanji, in advance of the auspicious day of Guru Purnima. May all beings be happy!
Note: I wrote this original text at the end of May. Between now and then, words and sharings have again been flowing. How unpredictable is life? Probably, there is a limitation to silence without expression as there is a limitation to expression without silence. I hope such expressions may be pure and useful to others instead of distracting and unnecessary. I hope the unconditional, inexhaustible blessings of Mohanji reach the hearts of all on this Guru Purnima!
|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI ||
Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 8th July 2025
Disclaimer:
The views, opinions, and positions expressed by the authors and those providing comments on these blogs are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of Mohanji, Mohanji Foundation, it’s members, employees or any other individual or entity associated with Mohanji or Mohanji Foundation. We make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of any information presented by individual authors and/or commenters on our blogs and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries or damages arising from its display or use.
We reserve the right to delete, edit, or alter in any manner we see fit blog entries or comments that we, in our sole discretion, deem to be obscene, offensive, defamatory, threatening, in violation of trademark, copyright or other laws, of an express commercial nature, or otherwise unacceptable.
Mohanji Testimonials team