On Mohanji’s birthday, I want to dedicate this testimonial in gratitude for whatever he has done for me and all the transformations he has graced my life with. I have gone through these experiences multiple times but never sat down to pen them.
I met Mohanji physically at the end of 2021. However, my journey started in 2020. At the beginning of 2020, I had been through a very turbulent time; much of it was because of my own wrong choices and decisions, putting my faith in people who did not have my best intentions.
I made choices that I never thought I would make. Looking back, I could have handled things better, but it didn’t happen that way. However, my idea of self crumbled – who I thought I was and what I thought I would do. My self-image was destroyed, leading to an absolute lack of self-confidence and trust and no idea what to do. Everything spiralled down even further; I had no idea how to get myself out of the internal state, and the external mess created.
This went on for a while and got way worse. There was guilt, anxiety, self-pity, self-blame, and a lot of pain, the pain I had caused to others and the pain that was caused to me. I had no acceptance of what was happening and would spend all my energy replaying everything in my mind for a better outcome.
I was always connected to Sai Baba; it depended more upon how much I needed him. However, the connection was always there with him – like a friend. Throughout this time, I would pray to him to help me anyway.
This went on for a while, going from darkness to some light and back to darkness. I was aware of some terms related to spirituality, karma, the law of attraction, etc. Around this time, the lockdown happened, and even though it brought loss to many, for me, it was like some fresh air. I could go back home, away from everything and everyone, and make some changes to the state I was in.
I understood that things, situations, and people were being removed from my life to help me, but still, I deeply drowned in all the emotions of the lower frequency. I was dragging myself through days, relying on guided meditations to sleep at night. My family could sense that something was not right with me, but I was too reserved to share anything. The thought of affecting them added more to the pain and guilt.
My acceptance was too low, and soon, I hit rock bottom. Everything piled up and led to self-hatred; I hated everything about myself, and when my parents would take care of me, I felt unhappy with that too. All I knew was that I needed help and couldn’t continue like this. The idea that I might have to experience more pain in life, just like everyone, scared me deeply.
I could not accept things getting added to the weight that I already had, and the idea that I might have lifetimes more to live was too dreadful. I started looking at ways not to accumulate karma, burn karma, and get out of karma, but I realized that it is not as easy as googling it and finding a solution. Throughout this time, I would share everything with Baba. He made his presence stronger and would send help in all ways, but I would still fall back after some time.
I started watching YouTube videos about Baba and stumbled upon one of the channels dedicated to people sharing their experiences about him. On that channel, I saw videos of Mohanji speaking about Baba. At this point, I was not looking for a Guru, nor did I think I needed a Guru. I simply liked Mohanji’s videos; he spoke simple words with clarity. I watched more videos of him, and one of his videos really touched me and brought about a change.
He spoke about how, no matter what, one should never entertain negative emotions like guilt, hate, and anxiety. Until this point, I believed that one is not truly apologetic if one doesn’t feel guilty and take responsibility for everything happening around them. Once I started accepting his teachings and chose to give up on such emotions, it felt like I could finally breathe. Suddenly I had hope, and slowly with time, the weight of everything became lighter.
Sometime later, someone recommended the book, “Autobiography of a Yogi”, although that person had not read it. That book changed my life; the possibility a human can have in one lifetime and the possibility of a technique to get done with everything was too fascinating. There is a part in the book where Kriya is referred to as the rocket technique to liberation that stuck with me. And I understood that this was what I needed.
After that, I read books about many Masters and their relationships with their disciples. All the books emanate much love. The books really helped me and made me stable, but I was not content with them; I wanted someone to come and guide me in their physical presence. I prayed intently to Baba to send a Guru my way. To make myself eligible, I tried chanting, yoga, and a few different things. All I wanted was a Kriya Guru, and I firmly believed I would get one. I was unsure how long it would take, but I was ready to wait.
I was watching Mohanji’s videos all this while, but I was unsure if he was a realized Master, more so because of how humbly he shared his knowledge and was exceptionally down to earth. My mind had many doubts; how did he get Kriya if he didn’t have a Guru? He did not appear like a typical Guru, and he did not speak like a typical Guru.
There came the point where I looked everywhere and was bombarded with forms of Kriya applications from different Traditions, but I was too low on confidence to make such a big decision by myself. Since Mohanji’s Kriya form was the first one that came my way, I filled it out and sent it with a prayer to Baba that if this is my path and my Guru, let this form get accepted.
Within a week, the reply came, and the application was selected. It was my absolute faith in Baba with which I accepted and understood that it was Baba’s guidance. After that, my life was never the same; everything fell into place, grace came from all directions, and things started happening in my favour.
I came out of all the negative emotions; they left me totally, so much so that now I can’t even believe that there was a time I lived like that. It seems like a memory of some past life. My relationship with Mohanji took its sweet little time to develop. Many tests happened, too; some I failed to see, some I passed, but he did not leave me through them.
In the past two years, I have had miraculous experiences, which I will share soon.
I will conclude this one with just one more incident. When I was going home during Covid, I remember feeling uncertain and crying about the life that I thought lay ahead of me. Still, when returning to college, I distinctly remember feeling absolute gratitude for the change that had happened in my life, for the love, grace, and absolute care that I had experienced only because of Baba and Mohanji.
The transformation was so apparent that even my mind could not deny it. Mohanji truly gave me a new life; he brought me out of self-hate to so much love that it just expressed itself to others around me. There is no way I could see it coming, and there is no way my gratitude can do justice to the grace showered upon me. There is no way I deserve all this grace.
I end this testimonial with gratitude to Mohanji for everything and to Baba for giving me the greatest gift of a lifetime, the presence of a living Master. Mohanji, please always keep me at your feet.
|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI ||
Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 2nd March 2023
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.
Today, I was walking on the streets of Shirdi wearing a Mohanji t-shirt. A monk stopped while crossing me and bowed down to Mohanji’s photo on my t-shirt. I asked the monk if he knew Mohanji. He said yes and added,
“He (Mohanji) is the greatest masiha (messiah) on Earth.”
As Mohanji usually does when encountering strangers, especially monks, I asked him if I could offer him food or if he needed anything. He declined to say he wasn’t hungry but asked me to buy him medicines for pain relief. I took him to a nearby pharmacy, got the medicines and opened my phone to pay using a wallet app. Seeing Mohanji’s photo on my phone screen, he asked to see it. For a long time, he looked at Mohanji’s picture with awe. Then he reverentially bowed down to Mohanji’s picture and said,
“He (Mohanji) is God.”
Mohanji’s picture on my mobile phone screen
Finally, he took the medicines and asked to leave. I bade him goodbye with the customary salutation in Shirdi, “Om Sai Ram”. He looked at me and said, “You don’t have to say ‘Om Sai Ram'”. Looking at Mohanji’s face on my t shirt, he said,
“What you have there is beyond everything. He is God.”
As he left, I stood mesmerised at what had just transpired. Since Mohanji’s accident, this message has been reiterated again and again, “You have no idea who you are with” Probably a direct and strong message from Sai Baba to drive home that point in Shirdi.
Especially what he said, “You don’t have to say ‘Om Sai Ram’. What you have there is beyond everything. He is God.” As if to say, stop focusing on dead Masters’ frames on the wall and miss the One (Mohanji) they sent for us to connect as a living Avatar. Soon Mohanji will also join them on the wall. A warning to ensure that should that happen, we have no regrets and have made the most of that huge blessing of association.
I received a confirmation of this experience when I read the following experience of a Mohanji follower. I had no communication with this person who wrote the post (either before or after). Their experience follows:
This morning at 3am. I was reading Aditya Nagpal’s post of his experience in Shirdi of meeting with a monk who bowed down t Mohanji’s picture on his t-shirt and told him,
“Mohanji is God. You don’t need to look for other Gurus anymore. Mohanji is the greatest masiha (messiah) on Earth.”
I’ve been sharing this post with friends on my messenger. I then messaged S. C., a new Mohanji follower from the Philippines, whom I got connected on FB very recently. I excitedly asked him if he had read Aditya’s post about Mohanji. He told me he woke up just a minute ago and had a dream of Mohanji. The dream was shockingly connected to Aditya Nagpal’s post!
I was in a car with Mohanji and another person that looks like a sannyasi (a renunciate) as he was wearing saffron robes typically worn by renunciates. It seemed like we were going to a supermarket and I was asked by Mohanji to accompany him to buy some groceries. When we arrived at the supermarket parking lot, I grabbed my wallet and took a hundred peso bill from it and gave it to Mohanji as an offering. He smiled and accepted the bill. Then, I took his right hand and did a pagmamano gesture (a Filipino gesture of grace intended to give honor to the elder and ask for their blessing), At first, he seemed hesitant of the gesture. I probably guess because I was already in His presence which is a blessing in itself! He then smiled. As we exited the car, I heard a voice (probably from the accompanying sannyasi) that said: “You are blessed and fortunate to be in the presence of a Brahmamurti (a living image/Idol of God). He is a walking God! You are graced with His darshan (holy sighting).”As we closed the car doors, the dream ended. Exactly when I opened my eyes, I received a chat from Joanna that very minute asking me about Aditya Nagpal’s post on Facebook. Such an incredible synchronicity! I humbly thank Mohanji for granting me his darshan, even if it be a dream… Thank you
In closing, this was a confirmation for me of what Mohanji has always reiterated, “One should spend a lot of time to find the Master that is right for them and is connected to the Source. But once they find the Master, they should stop their searching and focus on deepening their connection with the One they found. Further search, comparisons or lingering doubts will render their efforts futile.” I have always followed that dictum. Alll my altars have only one Master – Mohanji.
My altar at HyderabadMy altar at JammuMy altar at Shirdi
Mohanji has summed it up beautifully in the phrase,
“One Master, One Path, One Sytem, One Goal (Liberation).
‘Om Sai Ram’ to all from Shirdi! But wait I have just been told, “What I have here is beyond everything. He is God.” I better stick to ‘Jai Mohanji’!
Note: Mohanji will be in Shirdi this December 2022. Experience His grace in-person or live online. More details on the Mohanji website
Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 20th November 2022
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.
After attending Empowered 5.0 personally, I know the true meaning of Empowered 5.0 is: Emotionally, mentally, & physically operating wonderfully even if rejected, ignored & in a disappointing situation. And 5.0 means learning to tune in with all the 5 elements within myself with 0 (zero) expectations & emotions.
Yes, it was indeed the most powerful Empowered program attended in person as I was not at all in the mind frame of attending personally. A couple of times, I said no to my wife, Alpa and my friend, Mahesh, that I was not going to Serbia as I had just returned from India after two and half months of stay there!
But we all know, Mohanji pulls the strings in HIS unique way, which we will never come to know. So one day, during the morning prayers & rituals, the matter went from mind to heart and tickets were booked to Serbia even before registering for the program.
Serbia is one of the most beautiful countries in the Balkan region, especially after receiving Mohanji’s blessings & empowered by Devi Mohanji’s divine energy. It was a beautiful feeling as soon as I landed there and felt a warm welcome by my Brother – Nemanja, at the airport and then the heartiest welcome by Serbian and Balkan team volunteers at the hotel reception. Thank you, Team!
And that moment came when Mohanji entered the hall. Suddenly the entire energy of the hall changed with full of love & devotion from more than 200 participants. Everyone stood up, looking at Mohanji with deep gratitude. Personally, tears of joy, love & devotion started flowing down my cheeks! I was near the entrance door, and Mohanji just glanced towards me, and he was so full of love that I started melting right away.
Then the time came to receive a goody bag from Mohanji. I was walking towards the stage with my heart beating faster & faster. Mohanji looked at me and said, “Acharya, good to see you, Acharya.”I could speak only three words, “Thank you, Father.” I wanted to ask him that – from how many people and how much pain you took Deva from that accident. But I could not, and I just took my goody bag and returned to my chair.
Here I would like to share my experience on Oct 7th, 2022, on the day Mohanji “faced” a car accident. It was morning here in Toronto, Canada. I was at work performing Process Instruments Calibration. Suddenly I experienced chest pain! My BP went up. I was so confused, and I could not understand what was happening. I was experiencing breathing problems too! I was totally blanked out! I stopped work and stood aside. It lasted for a few minutes, and then I became normal, as if nothing had happened. I continued the work. Probably many of us came to know during the Global Volunteer Meet when Mohanji himself informed us about the car accident on Oct 7th, 2022.
Back to Empowered 5.0…. Mohanji explained the significance of Empowered 5.0 in a simple but very effective way. From the next day, we started meditating with a blindfold. Being a devotional person, I had a vision of Lord Ganesha in purple colours the very first day. I also smelled the jasmine fragrance while I felt was Lord Krishna with Radha. At one point, I could feel Mohanji come near me as I felt the breeze of HIS presence with HIS divine perfume fragrance. I also suddenly experienced Shirdi Baba’s presence, and my eyes started flowing continuously for more than 5 minutes. Indeed, it was a transformative program.
I am writing this after 15 days, and I feel that Mohanji broke one of my biggest hurdles in the path of Liberation, which I have been going through for a long time. It’s a huge blessing that after Empowered 5.0, I also moved very close to following Vegan food habits. It’s again a grace received through attending Empowered 5.0 in person.
Last but not least, I must say amazing teamwork by all the Balkan volunteers and Serbian team. They all expressed an immense amount of love and care every moment. I offer my deepest gratitude to all of them, but especially to my friends Nemanja and Monika.
Thank you….The journey continues towards the Dhuni (sacred fire) of Dwarikamai….
|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI ||
Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 17th November 2022
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.
My real shift started happening in 2019 during Mohanji’s satsang in Hyderabad. I was a part of the organizing team, and afterwards, there was a huge transformation and a significant shift in my connection with Mohanji. I started seeing Mohanji inside me. This was becoming stronger by the day. I started seeing and feeling Mohanji everywhere. I started connecting to my spine spontaneously. The same year, I attended Kurnool seva (2019) and was fortunate to be with him and spend one night at his Ashram in Bangalore on Guru Purnima.
I spent three days with Mohanji in Kurnool, where Mohanji shared a story about an old man who really wanted to meet him before leaving the body, and Mohanji fulfilled his wish. I do not remember the entire story, but in the end, he said to the man, “You need to intensify your connection with me gradually.” This was the summary of the story, and this message was so apt for me, “Keep intensifying your connection to me until you completely merge into me.”
In the seva, we were supposed to serve pilgrims who traveled hundreds of kilometres from Karnataka and Maharashtra to Srisailam, a very famous Jyotirlinga temple in South India. We had to serve them food, and water, provide medical aid and give leg massages. Serving food was fine, but I was uncomfortable about giving leg massages.
My mind and ego came into play, and I tried to escape doing it. But it did not work, and I was made to do it. I started with a prejudiced mind, but after a few massages, I enjoyed the seva. On return to Hyderabad, I realized that my ego had taken a big hit, because of which Mohanji had gone deeper into my system.
The same year, there was a Guru Purnima satsang planned with Mohanji in Bangalore. One day in the morning, after meditation, I was looking at Mohanji’s picture and had the urge to attend the satsang. On Guru Purnima day, I reached the venue early and got an opportunity to help with the arrangements.
After some time, Mohanji arrived at the venue. It was wonderful to see him. I prostrated at his feet. The satsang started, and people asked questions to Mohanji. After some time, Devi Amma also arrived there. My mind went into some other thoughts during this session, and I was not listening to Mohanji. Suddenly Mohanji looked at me and said, “Nagpal, do you agree with me?” This was after he had answered someone’s question. I was dumbfounded. I was sitting at the back, and everyone was looking at me. I said, “Yes, Father.” He did this to bring my mind back to him, and after that, I listened carefully.
That night happened to be a lunar eclipse night. Mohanji had suggested chanting throughout the night. Somehow, I learned that full-night chanting was happening at Mohanji’s Ashram. Very few people knew this. This was an invitation for me, but I could not decide to go there as I had already booked a bus back to Hyderabad. After the satsang was over, I got an opportunity to help clear up. Mohanji had already left for the Ashram.
Mohanji Acharya Aishwarya insisted that I visit the Ashram for some time, and then she would drop me at the bus stop. On the way to the Ashram, I got a strong pull to spend the night there. Mohanji and Devi Amma were at the Ashram, and as we arrived, Devi Amma hugged everyone there and left. It seemed as if she was waiting for our arrival.
This was the first time I went to Mohanji’s Ashram. I cannot describe the energy of that place; it was unimaginable. I stayed back that night to chant. I was a little tired, but the energy there kept me awake all night. Next morning at around 5.00 am, Mohanji came down from his room, looked at me, tapped my chest and said, “Oh! You are here. Good to see you here”, as if he did not know I was there.
After completing the chanting, we went out for Conscious Walking. I had a wonderful time at the Ashram. This was totally unplanned, but it was indeed his plan. After returning to Hyderabad, I was in a different mode altogether, something I had never experienced before. There were very few thoughts in me. I stayed in this mode for a few days.
2019 was the year of transformation for me. My connection with Mohanji was intensifying. Serving Mohanji and his mission became my purpose in life. I was doing seva with full dedication. Later that year, I got selected for Mohanji Acharya training (October). I was delighted but couldn’t attend because of passport issues. That disappointed me. I desired to become an Acharya and serve the mission to my best capacity; instead, I got another great opportunity.
One month later, I was made the country head of India. I was empowered and was allowed to serve the mission, which I really wanted to do. Guess where I was announced as the country head? In Shirdi, when I was with Mohanji! This was another miraculous meeting with Mohanji in Shirdi, which confirmed the oneness between Sai and Mohanji.
I was deeply connected to Mohanji now, and many things were changing. Still, I used to visit Shirdi frequently to do seva. I planned to go to Shirdi in December for a weekend seva and booked a room in a hotel where I usually stay in Shirdi, right opposite the Chavadi, which is like being in the aura of Baba all the time.
One day earlier, a Mohanji Family member called from Pune and said she would also be visiting with a friend and needed a room to stay in. It was hard to find a room as it was the weekend, and they had planned only a day prior. So I offered them my room as I am a regular to Shirdi and can easily stay elsewhere. I started looking for another room near the temple, but I could not get one.
I then tried Jivanta Hotel as I had no other option. When I called them, only the most expensive room was available. I requested a discount on the pricing, and luckily they accepted it. Still, the cost was very high, which made me restless. But was there something behind all this? I reached Shirdi the following day. Someone told me that Mohanji was visiting Shirdi around the same time. I learned that Mohanji was checking into the same hotel that night. I was overjoyed. I realized that this was all arranged by him. But was that it?
I went for darshan at the Sai temple in the afternoon. After darshan, I went to that hotel to see if my friends had checked in. But to my surprise, the hotel owner said that the room was not available as they had given it to someone else by mistake. I was agitated as this was very unprofessional of them. I was also worried for the two ladies as no other room was available. I went to my hotel and found that both the ladies had gone to my room and were resting. I was relieved. By then, I realized that this was some divine play as Mohanji was also supposed to check into the same hotel. All of us ended up staying there. Luckily, the cost of the room was not entirely upon me now, and I have to confess that it was a big relief for me. We eagerly waited to see Mohanji, who came in around 11.30 pm.
What a blessing it was to meet and prostrate before Mohanji. I learned that Mohanji’s room was on the 4th floor, and ours was on the 2nd floor. Surprisingly, after searching for his room on the 4th floor, we found that Mohanji’s room was right next to ours. This was an absolute miracle. The next day, we had the good fortune of spending the entire day with him. That day, I was announced as the Country Head of India. Mohanji gave me suggestions and guidelines on how to approach this role. It was huge empowerment!
Usually, in Shirdi, I would spend time in Baba’s aura, but I was in Mohanji’s aura that day. I would stay in Dwarakamai at night, but that night, I stayed next to Mohanji. I felt fulfilled, and there was no need to go for Baba’s darshan. Even while leaving from Shirdi, I would go to Dwarkamai and take Baba’s leave, but I took Mohanji’s leave that day. I firmly believe that nothing can happen in Shirdi without Baba’s will. Baba had indeed sent me to Mohanji.
After this, I felt that I had found everything in Mohanji. I found my Sai in Mohanji. There was no need to look anywhere else. I was able to see my path clearly, and merging with Mohanji became my only goal. All the distractions dropped off, and the purpose of life became very clear. I dedicated myself to him completely.
Country Head
In November 2019, Mohanji Foundation CEO Madhusudan called and offered me the role of Country Head of Mohanji Foundation, India. My immediate reaction was that of scepticism; how would it be possible? Mohanji had a deep impact on me by that time, so I accepted the offer after about 30 seconds of thinking. I knew if something had come from Mohanji, he would handle it. I could not attend the Acharya training, but I was given another great opportunity to serve, and I was excited about it.
A Global Summit is conducted yearly around Mohanji’s birthday, in which future plans are discussed. In 2020, it was in Sri Lanka. It was my first Global Summit; the only roadblock was getting leave from office as I had already taken too many that year. But I booked my tickets anyway and left the rest to Mohanji. I did not tell my manager about the holiday and wondered how to go about it.
A few days before the Summit, my manager called me to his room and said, “The client really appreciates your work, and they want to take you on permanently. So if you are ok, you can join them.” This was a miracle. Not only did I get to join a new company at a higher package, but I could easily avail the leave to go to Sri Lanka as I was leaving the company. My path to go to Sri Lanka with Mohanji was cleared.
I reached Sri Lanka as a part of the Global Summit team. I developed an inferiority complex looking at the other participants there. They were professional with great presentations. I was very new to all this and did not know how to deal with it. During the first two days of the Summit, I did not speak to anyone, thinking I would be judged. But as always, Mohanji knows everything. On the third day of the Summit, he randomly called out my name and teased me in front of everyone. He said, “Speak something; no one will judge you here.”
As he moved out of the conference hall, he tapped my chest, “Are you open now?” He did that to open me up and remove my inferiority complex. After that, I could communicate easily with others, and my confidence increased immensely. Mohanji removed the blockages within me, which made me free. After this, there were profound moments of deep silence and no thoughts during this trip, which cannot be described.
During the initial months of my tenure as the Country Head, the Covid pandemic struck the world. As instruments of Mohanji, we had to take up the responsibility of bringing positive vibes to the world during the chaos. I was busy with many activities starting and many volunteers coming forward to provide support.
I was kept busy in a very positive way. I worked from home alone for more than six months before going to my hometown Jammu in October. As guided by Mohanji, I took up intense early morning sadhana, which helped me stay stable.
In December 2020, Madhusudan offered me a role in the Global Management team. I gladly accepted it as it was another opportunity to serve, and by that time, I knew Mohanji would handle everything. Now, my role has expanded to the global platform. This role has expanded my horizons as I interact and work with our global family destroying my limitations of being restricted to serving one country.
As I progressed in my role as the Country Head, I realized the reason behind the position. It was done to eliminate a lot of my baggage and take me closer towards my goal of total dissolution. Situations were given, an understanding to handle the situations was given, and it was up to me to implement the teachings and rise above or detach myself from all the situations. It taught me how to deliver without ownership, which I can now observe and accept. I strongly feel that whenever Mohanji gives a task to anyone, he gives us an opportunity to surrender our actions to him. This needs constant practice. The role of the Country Head helped me practice acceptance and surrender in all situations.
With his grace, I am still serving in both roles, but aware that these roles are temporary. They are given to me as per my individual requirement on the path of liberation. When the path is complete dissolution, Tradition arranges everything for you at the right time as per your constitution and capacity. You don’t have to ask for anything, it is delivered to you as per your eligibility, and it could be different for different people depending on the individual constitution. This is why we cannot compare. Our beloved Master ensures that every individual deeply connected to him is moving towards the same goal of complete dissolution. All we need to do is accept whatever is given to us with complete faith and surrender.
|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI ||
Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 6th October 2022
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.
Before meeting Mohanji in December 2013, I felt as if nothing was in place. I did not have a job, had relationship problems, and had bad habits. However, I was attending the Power of Purity meditation regularly in Bangalore. That gave me reasonable peace of mind in difficult times.
Soon, Preeti Duggal invited me to meet Mohanji at her place for meditation and satsang. When we opened our eyes after the meditation, we saw Mohanji sitting right in front of us. This was the first time I saw Mohanji. There was something different there, something I had never felt before.
Being unfamiliar with spiritual words at that time, the only thing I remember from the satsang was that Mohanji looked into my eyes for a brief moment. I will never forget that eye connection. The shift started happening there. I did not realize it then, but now I fully acknowledge and know what he did when I look back. That was the initiation I received, and I am eternally grateful to him for that. After the satsang, we all received Shaktipat from Mohanji.
I wanted to share certain personal things with him and was called to his room after the satsang. I sat looking at Mohanji, and I could not express what I wanted to share. I was extremely low in self-confidence and was afraid to talk to anyone. There was so much going on inside me, but I just could not say anything. But omniscient Mohanji knew what was going on. He told me to start doing some seva and meet him again after a year and tell him what transformation has happened. I followed it.
During the early years (2014/2015), I was fortunate to spend a lot of time with Mohanji. I got Shaktipat from him many times. After some time, I started seeing changes in myself. My awareness about myself began growing, and I became aware of my habits and eventually gave them up without forcing anything. I started loving Mohanji and his teachings. I had found a path for myself. I was not very deeply connected to him (at consciousness level) at that time, but I had accepted him as my Guru and started to follow him fully. After a few months, I started seeing a huge change in my confidence and behaviour.
Getting a job and moving to Hyderabad
I did not have a job for almost two years. I had lost hope. But after I started practising Mohanji’s meditations and after meeting him, I realized that there was nothing wrong outside, but the blockage was within me. All the negativity was sitting inside me. I was pessimistic, and Mohanji changed this. He eradicated my negativity, and it changed things for me externally as well. I became positive; I was not depressed anymore; I felt happy vibes most of the time without any reason. I gained confidence and got the job very soon after that. It was I who had blocked it.
I settled quite well in the job in Hyderabad. Soon I was ready to conduct Meditations as suggested by Mohanji. But things took a dramatic turn, and my company crashed, and I was laid off. This was disastrous for me. I did not know how to react to this. But at that time, Mohanji already had an impact on me, and instead of crying over spilt milk, I accepted it and started looking for another job.
It was a difficult time, but I felt Mohanji’s presence with me all the time. I often saw him standing in front of me and heard him saying, “Don’t worry! You have to live in Hyderabad for long. You will establish my base there.” These words came true eventually.
I got another job within 10 days. I worked in this company for almost 3 years. I started Ammucare seva work in Hyderabad, and with his grace, new people started joining. My confidence grew immensely, and I also conducted yoga sessions in my company. This was a big transformation for someone who was afraid to talk to anyone.
Test of faith
All was going great until a distraction happened. A known person whom I had met in Bangalore spoke ill of Mohanji. He had some bad experiences and blamed Mohanji for them. I became extremely angry as I loved Mohanji and never thought anyone could talk like this about him. When I met Mohanji in Bangalore, he asked me to ignore this. That meeting somewhat settled me down, but some distraction was sitting inside me.
Another time somewhere in the middle of 2017, I had another experience that kind of distracted me. I went into a relationship and was swayed by it. I became emotional and was unable to connect to Mohanji and do his meditations. During one of my meetings with Mohanji in Bangalore, I told him that I was distracted and unable to meditate and connect to him. I did not tell him what exactly was happening with me, but he knew it and brought it up in our conversation. He said, “No, you are not distracted, I am always with you, and you are progressing.”
Then he told me to put a poster in my room and write ‘Body, Mind, Intellect, Ego and Soul’ on it and see how much I was connecting to my soul each day. He said no need to try and connect with me; just watch this daily. I followed it. I started watching it daily and contemplating on it, and it worked for me big time. I could clearly observe myself going through various emotions in my relationship. This helped me remain stable during that phase; I continued seva in Hyderabad. During this period, I was a little distracted, and even though I was following Mohanji with full dedication, I was unable to connect to him fully.
Turning vegan
After following Mohanji, I became a vegetarian in the early months. With his techniques, I became more aware of myself and could see the connection between food and my emotions, which turned me into a vegetarian. In 2018, as I continued practicing his techniques, I started to have the same feelings about milk products. I realized that whenever I ate something that had violence in it, it had a negative impact on me. This turned me into a complete vegan.
Sai and Mohanji
During the period when I was unable to connect to Mohanji fully, I got deeply connected to Sai Baba. It can’t be a coincidence that my first visit to a Sai Baba temple was with Mohanji in Bangalore. Soon I became a frequent visitor to Shirdi, and I loved that place and its energy. Every visit to Shirdi gave me something.
I also started doing Ammucare seva in Shirdi. I was connecting deeply to Sai, which was extremely transformative for me. I had some wonderful experiences in Shirdi. I also used to follow Mohanji with full dedication, but there was some barrier to the physical form. Maybe I was not completely ready for a living Master.
On one of my visits to Shirdi when Mohanji was there, I thought I would miss the chance to meet Mohanji. But his plan was different. In the evening, after having some snacks in a café, I started walking towards the main Sai temple, and suddenly I heard a strong voice. It was something like ‘Meet Mohanji tomorrow and then leave’. This was so strong that I cancelled my bus trip immediately and stayed back to meet Mohanji. The next day, I had a short but wonderful meeting with Mohanji.
During our conversation, Mohanji asked me, “What did Baba say to you?” I replied impulsively, “Baba told me to meet you.” He laughed at it. After this meeting, I started seeing and feeling some kind of oneness between Sai and Mohanji. It was something like after every visit to Shirdi, and after worshipping Baba, my connection with Mohanji would become stronger. It was as if Baba was pushing me towards Mohanji. Baba was telling me that Mohanji is your Master; go to him. I still had some physical barriers in my mind. But one thing I was sure about, my connection with Mohanji was becoming stronger.
|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI ||
Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 22nd September 2022
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Written by Biljana Vozarevic and Dirk van de Wijngaard
Biljana V.
Biljana and Mohanji
This year’s Guru Purnima (13th July 2022), a group of close and dedicated volunteers from Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Macedonia and the Netherlands, gathered at the Mohanji Centre in Novi Sad to be in Mohanji’s presence. I also had the great privilege to celebrate this auspicious and joyous occasion with our beautiful Mohanji family. During the function, we gave Mohanji flowers, fruits and other offerings to express gratitude for his divine presence in our lives.
We also bowed down and touched his feet to physically demonstrate our surrender with deep love to his all-encompassing consciousness. I realised the deeper meaning of touching a Master’s feet. It denotes our surrender to rid of ownership, release our burdens and set an intention for our vision and ultimate life purpose. Thus, we can stay focused on achieving and expressing our highest while keeping our egos under control. It does not matter whether we bow down physically in Mohanji’s presence, in front of Mohanji’s image or even mentally. Can it be any simpler?
“Touching and kissing the lotus feet of Mohanji, my Guru, Guardian, Guide and Goal, is the greatest gift I can get in all my past, present, and future lives. May He always permit me to be the servant of His servants, nothing more, nothing less.” – Dirk
When we gave our offerings to one of his assistants, he accepted it with a smile and gratitude, yet detached and disinterested. He blessed the offerings and later had them distributed among the assembled people. The pure intention of gratitude, respect and love in our hearts mattered more than our offerings. Sincerity and receptivity were the most precious gifts we offered from hearts melting in gratitude. In return, we received something precious beyond lifetimes, taking us to liberation and complete dissolution. I felt his occasional subtle smiles reveal his inner joy at the transformation he effected as he worked on us.
I realised that he cared not whether we gave him a million dollars or just a flower. From my Consciousness Kriya initiation as a fresher to the many times I volunteered as a photographer at various programs during my decade-plus association with him, Mohanji always behaved the same way. The growth of the mission has not changed him in any way. He always showed the same detachment and dispassion to avoid contamination by name, fame, adulation, wealth, and other Maya’s (the grand illusion) traps.
As Sai Baba has said (from the book ‘Sai Satcharita’- Chapter 13), “Though I have become a Fakir, have no house or wife, and though leaving off all cares, I have stayed at one place, the inevitable Maya teases Me often. Though I forgot Myself, I cannot forget Her. She always envelops Me. This Maya (illusive power) of the Lord (Shri Hari) teases God Brahma and others; then what to speak of a poor Fakir like Me? Those who take refuge in the Lord will be freed from Her clutches with his grace”.
When one is highly active in adding value to the world and increasing humankind’s awareness to being kind humans, one has to contend with opposing forces who aim to keep all beings in suffering and illusion. They even try to corrupt or contaminate Masters, trying to do good in the world, and, if that does not work, destroy them. The Masters of the Tradition know that and support Mohanji’s mission because it is the need of this time – to raise Earth’s vibration and re-establish dharma. Mohanji does this on a wide scale through various platforms that support the many varied and unique expressions of 7.5 billion people on the planet. He reminds people of their full potential and urges them to be themselves.
One of the function attendees was Dirk van de Wijngaard from the Netherlands. He had lived with Sathya Sai Baba and is now Mohanji’s staunch devotee who is in deep loving communion with Mohanji all the time. Dirk says, “Sai Baba and Mohanji are one and the same. Mohanji is my all-in-one Guru (spiritual Master). If I pray to Krishna, Mohanji will appear as Krishna; if I pray to Radha, Mohanji appears as Radha, and so on. In my meditation, I can see everyone in Him! Mohanji is not his body, just as Krishna, Rama, Jesus etc., were not limited to their respective forms. Mohanji only uses his body so that you can experience His light, presence, guidance, and divine love. Mohanji can also come to love or test your devotion in any form – a bird, cat, dog, crazy man, beggar, weird person, etc. When you become a serious full-time devotee, you will always feel Mohanji’s presence and will never be alone anymore!”
Guru Poornima at the Mohanji Centre, Novi Sad
During the function, Dirk related his extraordinary experiences with Sathya Sai Baba and Mohanji. Before leaving, Mohanji asked us to continue our experience sharing. Then Dirk told us more stories. I could feel how Mohanji was working through him. His rhythm, tone, cadence and messages were similar to Mohanji. Dirk illustrated his learnings with examples from his life. Surprisingly, Dirk had never listened to Mohanji before Mohanji’s program in the Netherlands the previous month. A few of Dirk’s messages follow.
The following message from Mohanji has been the guiding principle in my life, “Turn pain into purpose. All successful people who have excelled in something had some pain in life.”
Do not be arrogant, self-important, or egoistic; else, life will pull you down. Be humble always. He related the following story to elucidate the point better. A lorry driver, proud of his earnings of fifteen thousand rupees, looked down upon rickshaw drivers who earned barely fifty rupees. This went on for a while. Once while driving, he was laughing at the rickshaw drivers when a bee entered his mouth and stung him. The piercing pain shocked him, and he lost control over the lorry. The lorry turned over, and it was severely damaged. When he filed damage claims with the insurance company, the officer inquired, “How did the accident happen?”. He responded, “A bee entered my mouth and stung me.” The officer replied, “Your insurance does not cover this.” He ended up paying his entire salary for the damages. That is how life orchestrates events to humiliate arrogant or conceited people.
Be Humble
In many cases, we don’t know what we need, what is good for us or our eligibility. Hence, we ask for the wrong things or get much less than we can receive. Masters give us what we need, not what we desire. They always give us more than what we deserve and our eligibility. Hence, it is best to leave it to the Master to decide what is best for us. Mohanji always emphasises the need to be focused in our approach. He says, “When you knock on one door countless times, you are a seeker. When you knock on many doors, you are a beggar. Follow One Master – One Path – One System – One Goal.”
A baby cries when hungry, thirsty, tired, or demanding attention. Who attends to it? Usually, the mother or father. If the baby is alone, other people would say, “Oh, no, someone’s baby is crying.” Similarly, who responds when you pray while sad, desperate, or eager for divine presence? Your Master! Because your Master connects to you through the love in your heart. Remember that when you pray to all Masters, nobody is responsible, and hence, none may come to help. If you pray to one Master, they come to help you, just like parents do for their aggrieved baby.
Your deep connection to one Master ensures grace from all Masters since they are one consciousness. Any Master suitable to provide the necessary help may show up. It is similar to your parent’s close family and friends being available to help you because they love your parent and, consequently, their child – you. Were it not for the parents, their close friends and family have no connection to you.
An Answer to my Longing
In striving to be one with Mohanji, a wish had crept in and kept growing. I was longing for regular communication with him and working under his direct guidance, as I did ten to twelve years ago. I already have responsibilities in his mission to lead or work as a member of several global teams. By connecting with Mohanji, I can see what is needed and attend to it or start new initiatives. But this desire was torturing me. I often wondered how to get closer to the fire (Mohanji). Instead of longing for a merger, the Maya-induced separation, slithering like a snake, entered my mind. I didn’t tell anyone about it, nor was I consciously aware of it much.
Translating Dirk’s talk filled me with profound wonder and awe. He told us about his sudden unplanned trip to Novi Sad. He wanted to spend Guru Purnima (13th July) sitting in a corner in silence in Mohanji’s blissful presence. On 9th July 2022, around 3.30 a.m., when Dirk was in deep meditation, Mohanji telepathically told him, “Dirk, I want you to be with me on Guru Purnima. ” Dirk asked, “For silent meditation, Mohanji?” Mohanji replied, “Yes.”
Dirk wondered how to arrange finances to buy flight tickets from the Netherlands to Belgrade and accommodation in Novi Sad. A friend offered to pay for the tickets, and the Mohanji community arranged for his stay. With all obstacles removed, Dirk came to Serbia on 12th July for the first time in his life. Yet, he felt that he had been there in previous lives. In the early morning, as usual, Dirk got up at 2.30 a.m., took a bath, recited his prayers and mantras, and made a beautiful flower garland for Mohanji for Guru Purnima. Later, Mohanji, his staff and Dirk travelled by train to Belgrade and arrived there early in the morning.
Dirk had planned to be in complete silence the whole day! But funnily enough, Mohanji invited him to talk about his experiences at all the sessions. Man proposes, God disposes. Dirk spoke several times in different cities. He held the audience spellbound as they listened to him in rapt attention. People were eager to hear about his experience with Sathya Sai Baba, Shirdi Sai Baba, and Mohanji. Masters orchestrate events based on dharmic purpose, i.e. the cosmic order, not personal desires.
Mohanji told us about Shirdi Sai Baba’s appearance in different forms after the prana pratishtha (ritual to infuse an idol with the deity’s energy) of his idol in the Mohanji Centre of Benevolence in South Africa. The first time he came as a beggar who spoke perfect English, sat down but asked nothing. Mohanji directed one of the team members to donate clothes and a blanket to him. Later, when Mohanji was having a meal, he heard a voice, “You are eating inside, while I am hungry outside.” He looked outside and saw a dog. Realising it to be Shirdi Sai Baba in a dog’s form, Mohanji asked someone to feed the dog well. Thus, he impressed upon the audience to serve all beings with equal love and respect since deities and Masters can appear in any form.
After Dirk had related his experiences with Sathya Sai Baba, Shirdi Sai Baba and Mohanji, Mohanji turned to me and said, “See! We don’t talk via WhatsApp or any other way. It is all telepathic communication.” Thus, he addressed my longing. I realised that I should strive to communicate with him within- through meditation, Kriya or just deep silence. It was a wake-up call. A huge relief as I understood that Mohanji is always with me. There is no need to see or communicate with him. Of one heart, we communicate internally, and the message clarity will improve with time as I tune in more and more. This ‘innernet’ communication is not bound by time, space, or even the body. I am grateful for that forever.
In this regard, Dirk sounded out a warning, “Please remember- ABC: Always Be Careful. Many mentally sick or selfish, egoistic people may say, “Mohanji speaks through me”. They tell you nice stories or what you may want to hear, offer Shaktipat or promise enlightenment. Some may even ask for money in return. Never believe them. Stay single-pointedly focused on Mohanji, who only wants your love through duty, discipline and sincere devotion. You can achieve the highest through sincere and honest prayers and selfless service to the poor, helpless, needy, animals, flowers, trees, birds and fishes. Just thinking of Mohanji can make your heart warm and the tears flow. Be assured that Mohanji is always with you and gives the darshan in the ashram of your heart.”
He continues, “Mohanji is all Gurus, all deities, all beings – Dattatreya, Krishna, Rama, Sarada Devi, Radha, Parvati, etc. Mohanji’s divine love is always available to those who need pure divine guidance. If you love him, you need nothing else. Only as full-timers can you experience his stature and purity. Your connection and dedication make Him responsible for you. He is helpless before those who surrender completely to him. He has been watching over us over many lifetimes and has come here only to take us back to our real home. Surrender 100% and live his teachings – you will never be alone anymore. I have spoken about my life story (given below) to inspire everyone to become full-timers and unconditionally connect to Mohanji’s lotus feet. Never question where He takes you because if you become a full-time devotee, you are already home! There is no need to go anywhere else.”
In addition to Dirk’s comments, I would close with this word of caution mentioned by Mohanji in his book, ‘The Silence of Shiva’
“Let me make one thing clear. This body, existing today, is called Mohanji, and it will remain so till my last breath. People may confer titles before or after this name, but the name stays the same. This body is not Rama, Krishna, Shiva, Sai Baba, or Jesus. These are names of bodies (of certain people) of the past. Their consciousness is certainly One, eternal and eternally available. Hence, one can connect to them effortlessly. One may see the reflection of their object of connection in me. That does not make me that object. There could be resemblances and character similarities, but one is certainly not the other. A son may resemble the father, but he is not his father. Do not be affected by or connected to me while imagining or thinking of this as someone else’s body. That will lead to disillusionment and disappointment. Do not be disillusioned.”
Dirk van de Wijngaard
Dirk and Mohanji
At just eight years, I lost my mother. She was raped and murdered. Sorrow and grief rent my heart, tearing me apart and accumulating immense pain and heaviness. My drunkard father always scorned me. At twenty-nine, my wife eloped with my ‘best’ friend. After she left, I was no longer interested in life and people and started drinking heavily – two bottles of whisky/cognac and twelve litres of beer daily!
On 25th June 1989, I had a clear dream where a man with a full Afro hairstyle, a mole on his cheek, wearing an orange-coloured lady’s night dress, was sitting on a huge lotus flower. In a loving motherly voice, he told me, “Now the time has come to tell you about the Love of Life and the Life of Love, come to Me, and I will give you a mission.” I thought I was going mad.
The next day I went to see my doctor regarding my liver issues. I told him about the previous night’s dream of this ‘Turkish’ man with an Afro and asked if I had gone crazy. The doctor replied, “No, you are not going mad. You have a serious liver problem. You are hardly eating food and are coughing blood. Unfortunately, you barely have six to nine months to live!” Then he asked me to wait a moment and went inside to get something. He returned with a book titled ‘Sai Baba Avatar’ and asked if the man on its cover was the one I saw in my dream.
Cover of the book ‘Sai Baba Avatar’
I exclaimed,” Yes, that’s him – the Turkish man with the Afro hairstyle.” The doctor said, “He is Indian, not Turkish. His name is Sathya Sai Baba- an Avatar who lives in India at Puttaparthi.” Puttaparthi conveys the meaning: put apart ‘I’. (No ‘me’ or ‘mine’. No ownership.) The doctor continued, “I cannot save you from death. You have nothing to lose anymore. Please go there.” With help, I arranged for tickets for my maiden flight experience to visit India for the first time in my life, accompanied by the only trusted friends of a thirty-three-year-old alcoholic – two bottles of whisky and twenty-four half-litre bottles of beer.
I went to Sathya Sai Baba’s ashram in Puttaparthi. Being an alcoholic, no one paid me any attention. When I went for darshan for the first time, seva dals came to me and informed me that Sai Baba had invited me for an interview. I thanked them and said, “I am neither religious nor pure or devoted like the others. I can never be with such holy people. Also, I am a dying alcoholic. Please take someone else!” But, Sathya Sai Baba’s commands were words-of-law. Not giving up, the seva dals helped me to my feet and brought me gently to the interview room in Sathya Sai Baba’s presence.
He asked me, “How are you?” I said, “Good.” Baba said, “No, no, no,” and he tapped me on the chest thrice and saying, “Swami knows, mother pain, mother pain, mother pain.” I burst into tears, and they flowed abundantly like a waterfall. Sathya Sai Baba knew everything about me, including the agonising, traumatic wound from childhood. He materialised vibhuthi and told me to eat all of it.
After the interview, I was taken to the hospital. I soon became violently sick and had a high fever. Three holes appeared on my left foot, with puss slowly and constantly oozing out. This lasted for seven days. The doctor who came to see me looked at the flowing pus and asked, “May I ask you a question?” Sick and ailing, I responded in a weak whispering voice, “Of course.” He asked, “Did you drink a lot of alcohol?” I affirmed. The doctor assured me, “Sathya Sai Baba is completely cleaning your liver!”
“I am still with Sathya Sai Baba. He came now in the form of Mohanji. Mohanji has no form and contains all forms of all Gods. His real ashram is in the hearts of His children who live His teachings with pure and sincere selfless devotion.” – Dirk
I soon recovered fully, feeling like a newborn. When I later went for darshan, I was called for an interview with Sathya Sai Baba again. I thanked Him for His help and asked, “How can I honour God?” Sathya Sai Baba laughed and said, “God does not need any honouring. Selfless service to the poor, helpless and needy is the only way to serve and please God.”
I met some people and built my first orphanage in Kengeri, India. Later, I asked the Sathya Sai Baba community in the Netherlands to help His efforts to render selfless service to the poor, helpless and needy. My efforts did not meet much success. Hence, I made good on my promise to Sathya Sai Baba by starting my charity organisation and spoke on several forums, platforms and places about selfless service to the poor, helpless and needy. We built orphanages, old-age shelters, hospitals, job training centres, schools offering free education to ‘harijans’ (literally God’s people – referring to the oppressed lower castes), etc.
Initially, all the donations were used for charity work in India and later also in Nepal. In a few years, we adopted twenty-six villages in India and fourteen villages in Nepal. I attribute all this to Sathya Sai Baba’s grace and people’s belief in me. Subsequently, when I went for Sathya Sai Baba’s darshan, I was again granted an interview. Five other influential ladies, possibly from the government, were in the interview room. As was my usual practice, I kissed His Lotus Feet nine times and sat by His feet.
When one of the ladies came forward, Sathya Sai Baba said, “Don’t touch!” She protested, “But Swami, this boy is kissing Your feet so many times?” He replied very politely, “Yes, he does the same in Holland at least twice daily!” The omniscient Master knew I kissed a photo of His Holy feet nine times, at least twice daily. I have also experienced the same omniscience with Mohanji.
Sathya Sai Baba told me He was pleased with my sincere devotion and hard work for the poor and needy. He then materialised a gold ring with four huge diamonds and put it on the ring finger of my right hand. When I left the interview room, I met a diamond grader from America who exclaimed, “Wow, these four diamonds are of perfect quality. Their value is at least two hundred thousand dollars; you are fortunate!”
On hearing this, I ran to my room, slammed the door and spoke to Baba’s picture, crying profusely, “Why did you give me this ring? I don’t want gold or diamonds. You, my mother and father, are seated in my heart. I only want your love, nothing more, nothing less. I thought you were real, but you are fake! All I believed in was fake! Tomorrow, I will return this ring. If you refuse to accept it, I’ll commit suicide!” I cried the whole night.
The following morning I went for my ‘last’ darshan. When Sathya Sai Baba walked through the audience, he gazed silently at my teary eyes and gestured to let me come for an interview. In those days, the audience would be two to three hundred thousand. Some had visited Sathya Sai Baba every year for 20 years and yet not had an opportunity to touch His feet or get an interview! I have a sincere request to all Mohanji’s followers. Please realise that you have a once-in-a-eternity chance right now. You don’t realise how lucky you are. Sathya Sai Baba is now Mohanji! Shirdi Sai Baba is now Mohanji! Krishna is now Mohanji! There will be hundreds and thousands of people who can attest to Mohanji’s omnipresence and omniscience.
The same five ladies were in the interview room with Sathya Sai Baba. Immediately, I returned the ring to Swami, kissed His feet nine times, and then started to massage Sathya Sai Baba’s feet. After getting rid of the ring, I felt I could fly- so happy, relieved, and free.
Swami then threw the ring among the five ladies. As they scrambled to get their hands on it, Sathya Sai Baba silent spoke to me telepathically. “My boy, I very well know why you came here. You always come just for Me. Those ladies are more interested in miracles or presents and treat me like Santa Claus! They have come to improve their career, name, and fame. I act like a shopkeeper and ask them, ‘What do you want?’ I give people what they want. If you ask for coffee, I give you coffee. If you ask for me, I give you myself.” Swami’s loving motherly face turned into a fierce, stern countenance as He thundered, “Return that ring!” The ladies immediately returned it to Him.
Sathya Sai Baba said, “Last night, my boy cried the whole night because I gave him gold and diamonds when all he wanted was Me. He decided that I was fake and refused to perform his usual practice of touching my feet and kissing them nine times.” He thankfully skipped mentioning my suicide threat. Thus, Sathya Sai Baba demonstrated His omnipresence. Mohanji does this often as well. However, many people miss the hints, even when they sit right before Him!
Sathya Sai Baba then touched the ring to His third eye and thrice blew gently on it. The four diamonds were transformed into nine precious stones. He slid the ring on Dirk’s right finger. It was twice as big. Sai Baba said to the ladies, “Oh! This ring is too big.” He gently tapped the ring, which immediately shrank to the perfect size. I tried to take it off, but Swami stopped me and firmly said,” This is for my boy’s protection.”
I looked at Sathya Sai Baba’s loving gift from a different perspective, “Through love for God, be the brightness that you are – complete, realised and fulfilled.” It is not eight plus one or seven plus two, but nine – fullness, total oneness, completion. With this insight, it made perfect sense. I melted and humbly and lovingly accepted the ring with gratitude. However, I was unsure why I needed protection.
The protection ring
The ring was called Navaratna (nine ratnas or gems). Nine is a holy number signifying completion. The ring had eight hearts around the ring’s periphery, with a star in the middle that touches each heart. Each heart had a gem connected to a planet, the Sun or the moon. The gem positioned in the centre star was related to the Sun since it is the centre of the solar system. One of the gems was connected to the moon to align the mind and emotions. The single-pointed concentration of the mind devoid of emotions is essential for enlightenment. This is the symbolic meaning of the moon on Shiva’s head, secured by his matted locks. The rest of the gems were connected to other major planetary bodies- Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Mars, etc. The gems are particularly suitable for prayer during the full moon.
The same night, I heard the loud cries of young girls in my meditation. In the morning, I met a professor from Nepal and mentioned the strange crying. The professor asked, “Have you never heard of trafficking?” I said, “No”. He explained how children as young as five were kidnapped from poor villages in Nepal, drugged, taken thousands of kilometres away from their homes, and sold for three to four hundred euros in the brothels of Delhi and Mumbai. I immediately understood my purpose, which required protection.
I travelled to Mumbai and Delhi and started two rescue centres, ‘Rescue Foundation’ in Mumbai and ‘STOP’ in Delhi, with professor Roma Debabratta and then set up rescue teams at these locations. I acted as a tourist paedophile, befriended the brothel keepers and rescued the children with the help of my team. Every rescued child who returned home to her mother made me intensely happy as I felt as if I were returning to my mother. The operation was dangerous and life-threatening. My Indian (brother) friend was indeed killed. The underworld had put a bounty of a hundred thousand US dollars to have me dead. Many a time, I felt the ring’s powerful protection. We have rescued around four thousand children and put hundreds of pimps and traffickers behind bars with sentences of fifteen to twenty years. In twenty-five years, the organisations have become self-sustaining and receive worldwide sponsorship that provides the funds required for this noble initiative.
“This is Rama, the first girl I rescued from the Delhi brothels. She was only 12 years old and raped by 20 ‘customers’ daily. After the rescue, she underwent many operations and also HIV treatments. She later worked in our rescue team for ten years. Dedicated to her duty with discipline and devotion, she helped hundreds of victims. She passed away two years ago. I feel she is still with me as my Guardian Angel and always helps me be a good servant for God’s children like herself.” – Dirk
With growth came recognition, name and fame. I became famous and even appeared on television. Once, I heard Sathya Sai Baba’s voice in my meditation, “No name! No fame! Be a star, not a film star!” The next day, I quit the organisations I had run for twenty-five years.
On 5th June 2022, just when Mohanji visited the Netherlands, Sathya Sai Baba and Shirdi Sai Baba appeared in my dream early in the morning. They said, “Hey, boy, get up and give the protection ring to our son.” Being unsure, I clarified, “To Mohanji, Swami? Sathya Sai Baba gave an exasperated look to Shirdi Sai Baba and asked, “Are we talking to an idiot?” Turning to me, he said, “Yes, of course, Mohanji. Who else?” I knew it was not just a dream but a real communion. I asked Devi (Mohanji’s wife) for a private, confidential meeting alone with Mohanji and Devi.
In the meeting, I explained the command from Shirdi Sai Baba and Sathya Sai Baba and handed the ring to Mohanji. Mohanji simply said, “Ok,” and accepted the ring. With Sathya Sai Baba’s direction, ‘No name, no fame’, I swore my daughter Parvati to secrecy about the handover of the ring. With Mohanji’s advent into our lives, I have also ‘handed’ over my daughter, Parvati, back to her real father, Mohanji!
“I always beg ‘my’ daughter Parvati, ‘Please never, ever, be a part-time follower’, because when you become a full-time follower, Mohanji has to be with you full-time and give permanent darshan in the ashram of your heart.“
A few days later, Parvati travelled to Montenegro for a retreat with Mohanji. When people enquired about the ring, Mohanji answered, “Oh! Dirk gave it to me. Ask Parvati.” So much for secrecy! No secrets with our divine beloved, Mohanji. He is always transparent as he lives his teachings and showcases his example with his life, just like Jesus did. I pray that we understand the real Mohanji and not wait until He announces, “My Father and I are one.” I humbly beg everyone, “Please become full-timers, not part-timers,” Jesus had only twelve disciples, Buddha five.
I long for nothing else in this world but to remember, live and practise Mohanji’s teachings. I cry daily, knowing and feeling Mohanji’s infinite unconditional love for me. I would gladly refuse a million paradises just to be with Him. I never ever want to be alone anymore. Mohanji is my world, universe and all that I have been longing for all my lives. Helping hands are better than praying lips! I offer my body, mind and soul to be a willing instrument for whatever Mohanji wants to do through me.
Jesus has returned in the form of Mohanji and is asking you to join Him. I implore all to surrender your ‘crazy-horse’ mind that keeps you bound through temporary pleasures to a fake life full of pain. You can walk with Him full time if you attune your heart to Him and practise his teachings. It is as simple as ABC – Always Be Connected. Hold Mohanji’s divine hand and never let go. Swami Mohanji is a Universal Atomic Bomb of Divine Love. We all should work hard to put his teachings into practice and please Him with our selfless service. Our faithful, sincere, pure, single-pointed devotion and unconditional love activate this bomb to explode in the whole Universe, thus allowing all beings to feel His divine love. I wish to split into 7.5 billion atoms and inject each living creature with the pure divine love of my all, who has now come as Mohanji.
My humble pranaams at the Lotus Feet of Mohanji, my Guru, Guardian, Guide and Goal. May He bless me with an uninterrupted flow of divine love towards His Lotus Feet and make me the lowest and humblest of His servants. I want nothing more, nothing less.
Jai Sai Mohanji!
Dirk, “Servant of his servants, nothing more, nothing less.”
|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI ||
Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 24th July 2022
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 is a mysterious phenomenon. One may call him an enigma or a wonder. It is a great feeling to recollect our school life – playing and enjoying together. Those intimate moments of togetherness are great blessings indeed. I am sure it will be remembered for ages to come.
We studied together in 1978, and it took 37 long years to renew that relationship. Now my old classmate (Mohanji) is not only a friend but also my brother and Guru. Since meeting him again in May 2017, we find time to see or talk to each other, even if it is just for a moment.
Mohanji unexpectedly called me on 3rd May 2022 and asked to meet in person. I went to his house at Palakkad on the 4th and spent time together with his parents – Amma and Achan – which made me really happy. Mohanji reached late that night and enthusiastically called out, “Surya”, when he saw me. Extending his hands, he embraced me tightly and poured lots of energy into me. He then retired for the night and said he would see me in the morning.
When I woke up the following day, Mohanji was already awake, sipping tea. While Mohanji, Achan, Madhu and I were talking, Mohanji suddenly said that his thigh muscles were cramping. I used to assist my husband when he complained of muscle pain in his legs. So I thought I could help Mohanji. I sat behind Mohanji to assist in lifting his cramped muscles. Mohanji’s legs were as firm as granite. Seeing Mohanji in this position, I felt as though it was Lord Hanumanji in a loin cloth ready on his mission to Lanka. I closed my eyes and started chanting the Hanuman Chalisa spontaneously. I remembered a similar experience from 2014 mentioned by Rajesh Kamath in his book ‘Miraculous days with Mohanji’. Similarly, in 2018, other devotees noticed Mohanji’s lips and cheeks swelling up, appearing like Hanumanji. This had happened as he was about to visit the Sai temple. (click here to read about this incident)
Everything indeed is Mohanji’s leelas. This showed that Hanumanji still lives. He is a Chiranjeevi (immortal) and will live forever. I was still in awe on how my friend gave me this realisation through this beautiful vision. If this wasn’t enough, my friend was ready to give me an another surprise!
I was supposed to leave by 8:30 am to the station, and Mohanji was to leave for Shirdi temple at the same time. Mohanji asked me why I was leaving so early. I replied that I had no other option. After this, Mohanji went in to shower. Achan and I were sitting on the sofa. Suddenly I received a text message that the train would reach Palakkad only by 11.47 am. So I ended up accompanying Mohanji to the Sai temple!
It was all Baba’s leela and a sweet gift from my friend as a blessed ending to this visit!
|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI ||
Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 7th May 2022
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’s retreat in Canada is just over. I don’t even know how fast the time went. Just the other day, Mohanji was here…There is so much that happened. It was nothing that I had imagined. From day one, a lot of stuff started coming up to the surface, such as comparisons, jealousy, and self-doubt. I felt I had made peace with some of these things, but I guess it was an illusion. Mohanji is really good at popping my illusion bubble, and I am grateful to him for that.
On the first day of the retreat, a lesson was learnt. I looked at Mohanji’s picture at home and spoke to him. I told Mohanji that this was not me. I am trying to be someone else to fit in, to please, but this is not me. I can’t do this. I will not indulge in such affairs, and the rest I surrender at your lotus feet; please take care. The following day, I felt much better. I also spoke briefly to Pooja, Mohanji Acharya, and that helped clarify certain things. But all those personality traits surfacing were not hovering over me. I could breathe and not feel suffocated.
On the second day of retreat during abhishek of Sai Baba, I was the second one in line to pour water on Baba. It was a bit unnatural for me as I knew it was live-streamed. There were so many people, and Mohanji was watching. Additionally, my ego was at its best. I was gently reminded to be quick when doing the abhishek, and my instant response was, “Tell others too”.
Mohanji had specifically given instructions, “Make sure the pot (kalash) does not touch Baba. Give bath to Baba as if you are giving bath to a child.” I made several mistakes while pouring water on Baba. My kalash touched Baba at least 2-3 times.
Mohanji got up from his spot and reiterated the message again. When he sat down, I apologized to him. Mohanji patiently spoke to me, “You have to pour water with deep respect, humility, and complete surrender.” I sat at his feet, pressing his feet; memories of the times my own kids had gotten hurt or fallen sick started to resurface, and tears started to roll.
When the abhishek was over, I approached Mohanji again and said sorry. Mohanji being so kind and gentle, just said, “It’s okay, you say sorry to Baba.” And then he casually said, “Tomorrow”. I didn’t understand what he meant. In the evening, there was a satsang. When the satsang was over, and as Mohanji was leaving, I approached him and requested him to grant me the experience of doing the abhishek to Baba.
I know this deep within that without the grace of a Guru, any experience is not possible. Mohanji knew what I had requested, and yet he started giving instructions to everyone on how we should give abhishek to Baba. I went home and spoke to Mohanji’s picture again. I had an honest chat with him. I told him I didn’t understand at all what he meant when he says do abhishek as if you are giving a bath to your own child. I said to Mohanji, “Because it is Baba, I am being so gentle. If it’s my own kids, I would be over and done with.” So what did he really mean….
I further said, “Mohanji, if I had received the love of parents, boyfriend, and husband, I would know what you are talking about. I have never experienced the love you are describing. So what am I supposed to do, how am I supposed to do?” The next morning at 4 am, before starting for the ashram, I sat again in front of Mohanji’s picture, surrendering all these thoughts in my mind at his lotus feet.
I reached the ashram, and the abhishek commenced. Today I was almost the last one to do the abhishek. While doing the abhishek, something miraculous happened. Nobody mattered, nothing mattered…everything ceased to exist. The only thing that was present was me and Mohanji, and Baba.
I visualized Mohanji in Baba, pouring the water with love and gentleness that was unfamiliar to me. I felt so much love for Baba. I was pampering Baba like a baby. He was the baby Krishna, and I rubbed his hands, legs, and face, holding his chin. I gave a bath to Baba that day to my heart’s content. When the abhishek was over, and Mohanji was about to leave, I ran like a child towards him, I couldn’t control myself, and I told him, “Mohanji, this is what you meant; I didn’t know, didn’t understand; now I know. I feel so content and happy.”
It is really hard to explain how happy I felt at that moment. My heart was filled with love, so much love. Mohanji, I know that this was only possible because you granted me the experience out of your kindness and compassion. So casually, you said, “Tomorrow,” but gave me such a profound and deeply satisfying experience. It is just you who can do this. Mohanji, you are magic, my magic!
I would like to share what specific guidelines Mohanji gave us when doing the abhishek; maybe you will find it helpful.
Mohanji shared that you can pour water on the head, but washing both hands and legs is very important. He said one should start from the top and then move towards the feet. He also suggested that instead of using the kalash, if we pour water into one hand and then pour it on Baba and rub him, we will use less water and will be able to do it better.
When drying Baba, Mohanji was very particular about the towel once used for feet and legs should not be used for the face and head or upper body. So again, start from the head and upper body, and come down towards the legs and feet. Most importantly, don’t be in a rush, do it gently.
|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI ||
Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 6th May 2022
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.
I took my seat in the hall and began waiting for Mohanji. I was happy and excited. My mind, however, was oddly quiet and vacant. But it had been more silent than usual from the time I had signed up for the retreat. Also, though this retreat was a dream come true for me, I’d not arrived with any particular expectations. My biggest wish was to be in Mohanji’s physical presence finally. Something in me was just not interested in thinking of anything beyond that.
I vividly remember the moment Mohanji walked into the hall. I was asked later how it felt to see Mohanji for the first time, and I couldn’t think of anything to say – and even now, I am drawing a blank while trying to think of the best way to describe how I’d felt in that instant. Was it joy? Peace and calmness? Excitement? Yes, it was a mixture of those emotions, but it was also much more…
I was completely elated and overwhelmed. My eyes were full of tears, and I was smiling. I felt intense vibrations in my feet and calves as if the floor was pulsating with energy as Mohanji walked past the rows of seekers. There were no thoughts of the past or future in my mind. I felt very present and in the moment, fully aware that I was experiencing something extraordinary. That’s the best I can do to describe my state of mind. During Mohanji’s talk, tears kept filling up my eyes now and then for no particular reason.
Then the Kriya initiation began. The atmosphere in the entire hall changed once the initiation started, and the very air seemed to be vibrating with sacred power. As I took out my dakshina, my mind began to behave like its usual self and started to tell me about all the things I had done wrong and was going to go wrong.
Was the dakshina appropriate? Was it enough? When I would walk up to Mohanji, would I stumble and fall and drop everything and ruin the divine atmosphere? This last concern was not baseless since I have a hard-earned reputation for being as graceful as a drunk bull in a china shop.
A gaze divine
Soon, I was walking to the side of the stage with my dakshina in hand. As I stood there while waiting for my turn, the worries eased, and a quietness fell within me. As I walked onto the stage and approached Mohanji, he looked at me. Mohanji’s eyes looked red, and at that moment, I felt as though I’d received a glimpse of something incomprehensible to my mundane brain. I’m not capable of describing it further.
During the initiation, Mohanji’s fingers on my forehead felt abnormally hot, and though my mind was empty, there was a feeling of being in the presence of an immense power. Later, when I was standing for the group photograph, I realized I was swaying like standing on a boat. I tried to control it since I was standing with everyone for the picture, but the swaying continued. I tried again with more determination, and it finally ceased.
The following day, I woke up early and went to the Samadhi Mandir for darshan with some wonderful new friends. I had carried my Sai Satcharitra with me in my bag, and as we began moving towards the main hall, I took out the book and held it with no particular intention. Then I thought – it would be nice to get a leaf or petal from Baba to keep in the Satcharitra.
After darshan, we left the hall and went towards the neem tree. At that point, a member of our group kneeled down and reached through the steel bars to pick up some fallen leaves, and she gave me one too, which I accepted with great happiness and love, and felt very moved that such a small wish of mine too had been fulfilled by Baba. Then we visited the Chavadi too and stood outside on the road outside Dwarkamai for some moments. Overall, my wishes related to Sai Baba were all fulfilled that morning.
The day began with a group Mai-Tri session, which was really powerful. I felt wonderful internally by the end of it, but there was a crushing pain in both my shoulders. I’ve had pain in my shoulders for years now, but it usually afflicted one shoulder at a time. And the pain had never been this severe. It actually felt like my shoulders were breaking. Also, my head felt very heavy, and extreme drowsiness overcame me. It wasn’t ordinary sleepiness. It felt as though I’d taken a powerful medicine and was dealing with its effect. I couldn’t keep my eyes open and was almost afraid that I would fall off the chair and cause a small planet-sized dent in the floor.
Mohanji arrived soon, and when he remarked that everyone looked sleepy, I felt a little relieved that I wasn’t the only one struggling to be awake. Mohanji asked everyone to do the five-speed breathing to get rid of the drowsiness. Preethi Gopalaratnam guided us through the process. It helped me feel more alert, but the sense of drowsiness continued during Mohanji’s morning satsang. When there was a lunch break, I was worried that I would feel even more drowsy after a meal. Instead, as soon as I’d finished my lunch, all the drowsiness vanished, and I felt refreshed. A Mai-Tri Practioner confirmed later that the session had been very powerful, and the drowsiness and pains were indicative of the energies working in me.
The devotion of Hanuman
During Mohanji’s second satsang that day, I listened with full alertness, and tears continued to flow out of my eyes frequently. When he began speaking of Hanuman’s devotion to Shri Ram and how Hanuman would not tolerate even a word spoken against his Lord, I couldn’t control my tears. His words had reminded me of an argument I’d had with someone close to me about the Shirdi retreat. They knew very little about Mohanji, and their only intention had been to make sure that I would be safe during the trip.
While they had not expressed anything hurtful, the doubts that I had sensed in their questions had upset me, and I had responded harshly. I had felt astonished later at the rage and hurt I’d felt in those moments. And I realized that the incident had helped me understand just how much devotion and faith I had in Mohanji, and my lingering irritation towards that person turned into gratitude.
Shaktipat
After the powerful satsang, Mohanji gave Shaktipat to several people in the hall, and I was fortunate to be one of them. During Shaktipat, an almost unearthly peace and silence filled up my insides. As I stood with my eyes closed and hands joined, a white light appeared in my vision towards the left. The inner peacefulness and stillness lasted for a long time afterwards.
Later, many people queued up with books, crystal bracelets and malas to get them blessed by Mohanji. They talked to him about their doubts or problems or just conversed with him happily. I decided to get my purchases blessed the next day and just sat watching Mohanji for some time, trying to think about what I could say to him when I finally got the chance. And as has been my experience during the Empowered classes, I couldn’t think of anything to ask him or tell him. I only wanted to be in his presence.
When we were returning to the hotel after the programme, it struck me that I wasn’t feeling tired at all, and I hadn’t felt tired on the previous day too despite the long road journey to Shirdi. And that was astonishing, considering even a 20-minute walk is usually enough to make me think I have earned two full days of rest. I realized Mohanji’s energy and blessing were keeping all exhaustion at bay. That night, I got my periods. I walked to the photograph of Sai Baba in my hotel room and thanked him happily for having permitted me to take his darshan that morning.
The next morning, Mohanji’s satsang was yet again powerful, profound, and also full of humour and warmth. Laughter rang out through the hall again and again. I had all my usual periods-related aches and pains, and shoulder pain from the previous day had not subsided fully, but I was oblivious to all of it. When it was time for Mohanji to sign and bless books and other articles, I quickly joined the queue with a book and two bracelets in a pouch.
Digambara, Digambara
I was also carrying a coin that I had received (along with other prasad) via courier from the Sripada Srivallabha Mahasamsthanam in Pithapuram after registering for a puja online. I had become a devotee of Sripada Srivallabha Swami ever since I’d read his charitamrutam at the end-2020 and had also accepted him as my Guru. And strangely, it was after that turn in my life that more and more of Mohanji’s teachings began to come my way, and an inner transformation began. And I’ve felt since then that Sripada Srivallabha Swami guided me to Mohanji.
Coming back to that morning in the retreat, I had a brief confusion if I should ask Mohanji to bless the coin too. Then I decided to go ahead and keep the coin in the pouch. Instantly, the song that was being played in the hall changed to “Digambara Digambara Sripada Vallabha Digambara”. I think it played for a couple of minutes, and then the previous song returned. I almost laughed in a burst of exhilaration.
As I moved closer to the stage, I tried to think of something I could ask or share with Mohanji. But nothing crossed my mind. The contentment of being in Mohanji’s presence continued to overrule everything else in my head. And ultimately, I remained silent and just smiled happily as Mohanji signed the book and blessed the bracelets and the coin, and I felt intense gratitude as I touched my head to his feet.
The dance of the Ganas
As Mohanji left the hall, I felt sad, but there was also a strong feeling that I had gained something miraculous that would not be lost. And needless to say, I was extremely grateful for the grace that had allowed me to be in his presence for three consecutive days.
However, once Mohanji left, I became conscious of all my physical discomforts. I felt listless and tired and had considerable pain in my shoulders from the previous day. I struggled to sit through the Power of Purity meditation. Mentally and physically, I felt very reluctant to participate in Conscious Dancing, which was scheduled as the day’s last event. I even wondered if I ought to go back to my hotel room after lunch and leave for Mumbai.
But there was a strong instinctive reluctance to leave, so I found myself sitting in the hall when it was time for Conscious Dancing. But the whole process was explained so beautifully and with such wonderful energy by Monica Nedic that I rose to participate with considerable interest and enthusiasm. It was very intense and brought up a lot of emotions, but it was also powerfully healing. And I’m so glad and thankful that I was given a chance to experience it.
Towards the end, we had the choice to either sit with our eyes closed in meditation or dance. I sat down with my eyes closed. The floor was reverberating with the energetic footsteps of those who were dancing.
A thought of Lord Shiva’s Ganas flitted through my head. And my imagination showed me a picture of the Ganas dancing exuberantly in joyous abandon around their beloved Lord.
Then Mohanji appeared in place of Lord Shiva, and all those who loved him and devoted to him became the Ganas. The thought and imagery caused a wave of emotions to engulf me, and tears flowed down my face.
Unforgettable visit
I was on an emotional high for days after my return to Mumbai. And then, by the grace of Sai Baba and Mohanji, I was granted the opportunity to revisit Shirdi in January 2022. I was able to take darshan in the Samadhi Mandir thrice over two days. During the first two visits, I was preoccupied with anxieties and could not pray peacefully.
During the third darshan, I was still thinking of some issues rather than praying while walking towards the hall. But as I moved ahead in the line and began to come closer to Baba’s samadhi, I was suddenly hit by a strong feeling of Baba’s presence pervading everything around me. It was a very intense, emotional, blissful feeling that ‘Baba is everywhere’. It overpowered me wholly, and I forgot all my worries. The feeling persisted after I left the Mandir and began to walk to the exit. It was as if I could sense Baba’s presence all around me at every step. Baba was in the air itself. It was a very intense experience, and I had a hard time concealing my tears from my family.
This was the first time I had such an indescribably beautiful experience. And I know without a shred of doubt that it happened only because of Mohanji’s grace and blessings. I love visiting temples and have had the good fortune to visit many shrines over the years, including the Samadhi Mandir. I have often felt exhilarated and moved by the power in holy places. But this had been unlike anything I’d felt before. And not only did it grant me a tiny insight into the eternal truth that divine consciousness pervades everything, but it also helped me understand how transformational the presence of the Guru can be in our lives.
A resetting of the inner self
Over the next week, my parents and aunt developed fever and cold, and they tested positive for covid, and so did I. But despite the chaos and general anxiety, I instinctively felt that the situation was a blessing from Sai Baba in a way that couldn’t be grasped logically and that Mohanji and Baba were with my family throughout and taking care of all of us. There was a constant sense of being held carefully by loving hands.
I also believe the powerful teachings and techniques imparted by Mohanji through the Empowered programmes helped me handle the tension and worries with much more stability and calmness than usual. It enabled me to do whatever I could to take care of my family without being too disturbed by all that was happening.
On the whole, after the Shirdi retreat, I’ve felt as though my inner self has hit the reset button and that I’ve finally reached a major turn in the road that I’d been travelling towards for ages.
I offer my humble pranams, filled with deep devotion and gratitude, to my Guru, Mohanji, for his divine grace and presence that has blessed my entire being and pray for eternal refuge at his holy feet.
Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 10th February 2022
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.
When I began writing this testimonial, I thought I must begin at the point when I learnt about the retreat in Shirdi with Mohanji and the kriya initiation. Then I thought – no, this tale had actually started a few months earlier. Well, over a year before, actually, when I’d come across a blog in which I had read about Mohanji for the first time and seen his pictures. No, in truth, it began years ago if I had to link up the moments neatly. And then I realized I might have to write a booklet of sorts to narrate the entire story from the start, even though it consisted mainly of very simple moments.
A prayer answered
So, after extensive debates with myself, which involved some unnecessary name-calling on both sides, I’ve decided to begin from a point in mid-2021, when I started to read seriously about Mohanji, listen to his talks and read his books.
Every single thing I read or heard resonated very deeply with me, and I started to feel an intense devotion towards Mohanji. An instinctive belief took root that I had finally found my Guru.
I prayed for a chance to meet Mohanji in person. In June 2021, I received training in Consciousness Kriya, and from that point, I was also eagerly waiting to be initiated into Kriya by Mohanji. Empowered 1.0 helped deepen the faith that Mohanji was my Guru, and my wish to meet the Master increased greatly.
The powerful saint of Shirdi
I had always believed in Sai Baba, but until I came across Mohanji’s talks on the internet, I had not known much about his life. But Mohanji’s powerful talks on Sai Baba encouraged me to purchase the Sai Satcharitra. By the end of the first reading, I felt that the entire book was a very powerful, spiritually cleansing mantra.
I did the parayan of the sacred book a few times, and each time, I would feel that something had changed for the better within me by the end of the reading. Also, if I had done the parayan for any particular reason, my wish would be fulfilled, or if I was facing any emotional/mental turmoil, I would receive insights that would soothe and calm me down. I encouraged some of my loved ones to read the Sai Satcharitra, and they too benefited tremendously and developed a deep faith in Sai Baba.
There is a temple near my home, and many deities are worshipped there. One of them is Sai Baba. Over the past 3-4 months, every time I visited the temple, I would tell Baba – “Please call me to Shirdi” or “Please let me come to Shirdi.” At the same time, I was also praying for an opportunity to meet Mohanji and seek his blessings.
When I first heard that Mohanji would be coming to India, I was thrilled beyond measure and decided that I would travel to whichever part of India he was visiting. And then I received the next message that he was going to be in Shirdi. It felt as though the universe had opened up a big bag of blessings and poured them over me.
A surprising sight
I was still grinning widely at the message about Mohanji’s visit to Shirdi when my mother called me. For many years now, she has followed the practice of giving freshly cooked rice to crows in the noon before we have our lunch. Usually, my father offers food to the crows. But he was busy that noon, so my mother asked me to do the needful. My mind was full of Shirdi and Mohanji as I carried the rice and emptied it in the designated spot. Two crows came and sat a little far away and began cawing. Then a raven flew up and perched near the rice. Immediately, another raven joined the first one and then a third one came flying.
I was taken aback because it is very rare to spot even one raven in the area. In fact, in the ten years or so that we have been living in the house, I’d seen ravens just once or twice before, and at the most, I’d seen two together. And this noon, three of them had appeared all of a sudden. I was startled for a minute. Then, for some reason, I found myself smiling and assuring the birds, “Yes, I’m going to Shirdi.” If anyone had seen me at that point, I have no doubt I would have been made to undergo a serious psychiatric evaluation.
Anyway, the first item on my to-do list was to apply for leave from the office. I remembered that a colleague had applied for leave on 17th December, the scheduled date of Kriya initiation. My heart sank for a moment since it meant that I would probably not be granted leave as we were short-staffed at that point. Then I vaguely remembered that she had posted something about that leave in our group chat just 2-3 days ago. I quickly checked the chat and saw that she had postponed her leave to the 20th from the 17th; another blessing.
A request for grace
But there was one more issue. As per my menstrual cycle, I was to get my periods on the 18th or a day earlier. It’s part of my personal code that I do not visit temples/chant mantras/touch any spiritual objects if my periods are going on. The idea of visiting Shirdi and not being able to take Sai Baba’s darshan was unbearable. I became so anxious that I started doing a parayan of the Satcharitra with a request to Sai Baba that I should be able to take his darshan.
But then, on the second day of the parayan, I happened to watch a video in which Mohanji was talking about Sai Baba, and he’d said that we shouldn’t ask Baba for anything and should just surrender to his will. I felt guilty after hearing that, so I mentally asked Sai Baba to forget that I had asked him for anything before doing the parayan. I completed the remaining days of the parayan without having any prayer in mind.
I think it was probably after I had completed the parayan or was close to doing so that I saw a dream one night. It was a long, convoluted one, but one moment of the dream was crystal clear, and I still recall it vividly. I saw Baba’s luminous form sitting on the stone, and he told me something to the effect that, “You were angry because you were kept away from saints such as Swami Samarth of Akkalkot. But I’m with you now.”
The dream moved me intensely because until I’d met Mohanji, I’d expressed my anger towards the divine many times over the years over a feeling that my prayers for a Guru were being ignored. But I’ve understood now that prayers for spiritual growth don’t go unheard. The dream also alleviated my anxieties related to the trip.
Was it really -? It was. But was it?
On the morning of 17th December, I left home at about six in the morning and waited outside for the hired cab to arrive. Then I learnt that the driver had parked in the wrong place. After giving him the directions, I stared impatiently at the turn in the road from which the cab would be arriving. It was dark, and in the dim illumination of the street lights, I saw an elderly man dressed in an orange/saffron kurta and white dhoti with a bag slung on a shoulder walking on that road. He was quite far from me, and there wasn’t sufficient light, so I couldn’t see his face. As I watched him, I idly remembered the experiences of Sai Baba devotees that I had read about and heard in the previous months and how Baba often appears in the guise of an old man.
The thought had just popped up in my head when the old man glanced in my direction, and while continuing to walk, he raised his right hand as if in a friendly greeting. It surprised me, and I turned quickly because I was sure his wave had been meant for someone behind me. A middle-aged couple walked on the road behind me, but they seemed engrossed in a conversation. I turned again swiftly. The old man was still walking, he was still looking in my direction, and his hand was still raised. Totally confused, I stared at him blankly until a wall hid him from view.
The cab arrived, and the astonishment over the incident with the old man was forgotten briefly. Later, when I thought about it again, I felt a doubt that I had probably hyped up the entire thing in my mind. Maybe the old man had really just waved at someone further down on the road behind me. But in my heart, there has been no space for any doubt. It remains peacefully convinced that the unbelievable happened…
Again, my mind is holding up a huge placard with doubt as I type this, but my heart is waving it off with a peaceful smile. I surrender both at Mohanji’s feet.
Stranded and confused
I was to get down at a particular spot in Thane, where I was to meet with four wonderful souls and travel together to Shirdi in a different vehicle. All of us were eagerly waiting to meet Mohanji for the first time.
I reached the designated spot by 6:45 am but learnt that the cab that was to take us to Shirdi had taken another route and stopped at a different place. Since I was completely unfamiliar with the area, it was difficult for me to understand the directions given by the driver of the other cab, and somehow, the location sent on the phone too wasn’t working properly.
To give you an idea of my situation, I was standing on a narrow service road, close to the foot of a major flyover, and vehicles were speeding past. There was no one around whom I could ask for directions, and to get a rickshaw, I would either have had to walk to a signal that was about 15 minutes away with my heavy bag. Or I would have had to walk for a while in the other direction, cross the road and wait for a rickshaw and just pray that the driver would be familiar with the area and would know the new meeting spot. The sky was just lightening, and there wasn’t anyone around whom I could ask for guidance.
Unexpected help arrives
Just then, a rickshaw stopped in front of me, and the driver got down. He asked me where I wanted to go with a lot of kindness. I was hugely relieved and got him to speak to the cab driver. The auto driver told me he knew precisely where the place was and said it was about 6-7 kilometers away. He said he had been heading in the opposite direction but had spotted me standing on the service road with a lost look and had taken a U-turn (and also broken a traffic rule, I think) to reach me just to guide me about the route I needed to take.
I asked him if he could take me to the right spot. He refused apologetically because he would have had to travel on the wrong way down a major road to do that. He told me to walk to the nearest signal, gave me clear instructions about what I needed to tell the driver of whichever auto I would find, and told me about some landmarks too. I thanked him sincerely, but I was still feeling quite confused as I picked up my bag and started to walk to the signal.
But the auto driver suddenly changed his mind and asked me to stop. He said he would drop me at the location but would charge a higher-than-usual amount. I was so grateful that I almost told him that I would pay him double of that!
A silent guardian
The driver of the cab that had brought me to Thane had not stirred while all this was going on. He had told me that he had recently moved to Mumbai from Bangalore and was very unfamiliar with the city, which is why I hadn’t thought of asking for his help. And I’d assumed he had continued to wait there because he was talking on the phone or was probably resting. But as soon as I got into the rickshaw, he drove off, and I realized only then that he’d stayed back just to ensure my safety because of the isolated nature of the spot where I was standing.
It felt as though kindness was pouring on me from all sides. The auto driver dropped me at the right place without needing to check with the other driver again or asking anyone for directions. Before he left, I told him gratefully that Baba had sent him to help me, and I truly believe that.
Eventually, after a pleasant journey, we reached Shirdi in the afternoon, and after a short rest, arrived at the venue for Kriya initiation.
To be continued ……
|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI ||
Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 27th January 2022
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