by Christopher Greenwood
Day 91 Strength in Conviction
Good morning everybody. I hope you’re doing well.
These past days have been really busy. There has been no rest from Mohanji. In the space of hours yesterday, he kicked off another new initiative with Ammucare and some friends whom he had met on the recent trip to Kerala. I’m consistently amazed at how quick initiatives are coming together, people are coming together, and new ideas are coming forward. There’s a real pace.
This morning, and part of yesterday, I was reflecting on the concept of gratitude for what Mohanji has developed for the global family that we all have, which we’re all part of, and we all share. We’re seeing how many people who left Mohanji in the past for various reasons now want to come back. But often can’t because either their ego blocks or the space they once had is no longer available as now there are new people, a new organization, and a new situation.
I have to recognize the reality that people who were once extremely close to Mohanji are now not. I can’t exclude myself from that understanding, so I have to ensure that my attitude and behaviour display gratitude. That’s important because taking any of this casually or lightly, I feel, is a sure way for the tradition to take action, as it has before.
Mohanji himself has always said to me that he never asked anyone to come, and he’ll never ask anyone to leave. But people’s complacency, disrespect, and ungratefulness can make that happen. The tradition works to move forward this mission, as well as to protect Mohanji and will ensure that there’s intervention. Whatever course needs to take, will take place. So it’s an important reminder for me.
I share the thoughts now that what I’ve been learning is a good reminder to myself, just to maintain that awareness and not to fall into any complacency. We have this platform, the Mohanji platform with its variety; all the things that are being founded with more coming. This opportunity for me to speak to you all like this is only possible because of one man and his hard work. That presence in the world has been built up in many ways across the years; it’s his hard work, vision, conviction, clarity of thought, and purity of intention that has created this.
Spending more time with him, seeing who he interacts with, how he is, especially as a leader, and as someone who is well experienced in business, it would be very easy for him to walk into a CEO position or a consulting job and earn a fortune. Even now, he is advising businessmen who have portfolios of high-earning businesses; he is advising them through complex situations, free of cost, and with no expectation.
Observing him here in the house for nearly a year now, I see his needs are very minimal – simply three meals a day (that’s what he takes) as well as some products for having the shower and clothes, and that’s it. Even when he receives a gift or money, the first thing that’s done is offered to the Lord; then, it is gifted. If received in a temple (when we’re outside), then he will leave it with the temple where it’s been received as a thank you for using that space. Everything that comes to him, he takes as a gift from the tradition, and he gives back accordingly. I’m sharing all this to give a picture of what I’m learning myself, as it is good to keep it as a reminder so that this attitude of gratitude can be cultivated.
Coming back to who Christopher Greenwood really is! What relevance do I have now that I’ve had the privilege and experience to meet and talk to many great people worldwide? Through the World Consciousness Alliance, I have spoken/interviewed some of the leading stars in the Indian film industry and other fields of work. As just Christopher Greenwood, it would have been incredibly difficult to make those contacts and arrange those, but as Christopher Greenwood from the Mohanji Foundation, there was no problem; everything was smooth. It’s a good reminder that I’m riding on one person’s hard work despite all the adversities he faced in life. I would never get this kind of access or the power that the platform provides if there wasn’t all of that effort and that opportunity to make a real difference in the world and contribute to raising Earth’s consciousness.
It wasn’t my intention to create this message as a poster or anything promotional; it’s more to expand my thought process and learnings over the past few days. I feel it’s good to share some of these learnings in more detail since being with Mohanji especially recording these messages, as conviction has developed.
Also, learning that authenticity is a strength. Learning to overcome that fear of society and what others may think has been a real strength for me, and it actually helped me anchor my connection with Mohanji. ‘How do I know that?’ was a question I tested myself with. A couple of years ago, when I was first connecting with Mohanji, I would have hesitated to say that I was with Mohanji or following him proudly. I was a little bit worried about what people would think and speak about me. Now, all these that I would consider as very small insecurities.
Just as an observation, not a judgment or anything, when I listen to others, within my friend circle or outside of the family, and even within, I find it easier to tell when someone is trying to hide or shy away or play down the connection for whatever they’re doing in life, especially their connection and how they’re presenting that with Mohanji. It shows insecurity, or maybe there’s an ego block or lack of confidence. It can also come across as pretentious or not so authentic.
I know that people can feel that because you’re trying to hide a reality, which is your reality, our reality. So that’s been a big learning for me to own and share the reality that I’m experiencing day today. Suppose I’m worried about what others may think. In that case, I’m giving up my own personal experience of life and reality for the sake of other people’s changeable minds – one day they may appreciate, another day they may reject. So why do that?
This is an important lesson because only when the conviction has developed and solidified has it given the energy that can move activities forward really well. I’ve experienced that people can take things more seriously, especially what we’re doing in the world, and they should because we’re making a difference. It’s something that everyone can be proud of, especially to be with Mohanji, to work with him.
It’s a good reminder for me and those who benefit from this because it’s certainly not for his benefit. He said before that, “I experienced that and didn’t need any of this at all.” He is especially not expecting any glory, but it’s beneficial for me. This has resulted in a shift in attitude within and learning that is now bringing more people in connection with Mohanji. Now my friends, family, and others who are not so much in the family feel the difference. In reflecting on my learning, I realize the strength comes with a clear conviction in my own reality of life and experience—especially my connection to Mohanji and my time to his activities.
I’m thinking that if we want to reach more people, more hearts, it’s this which is going to be useful for everybody to develop – conviction and authenticity – because that’s the visibility which people will be attracted to and being part of the Mohanji family is getting doors opened. When I think of the time before, I’d be shy to say that I was part of the family, especially in the early days when I was doing the Invest in Awareness. I can now look back and realize that because I wasn’t accepting that other people were reacting in the same way, they weren’t accepting it either because the connection wasn’t completely there. I feel when that connection is not there or the reluctance is setting in, it’s only a matter of time before detachment can happen and estrangement can set in.
Coming back to the start of the recording: like now, all the people who have left Mohanji before (in the past) for various reasons are wanting to come back, I think one would know what is here is available only once, it’s gone. I also say this as a lesson to myself with a full understanding that although this is my reality today, and I can speak today what I feel authentically – one week from now, one month from now, a year from now, I can’t say. I understand that there have been many before me in this situation and within the family. In life, there can be no guarantees of what comes in the future.
This sharing was more deeply about gratitude and pulling together some of the lessons that I’ve learned over the past days, weeks and months. Because of Mohanji’s hard work over the years, I’m grateful that doors are opening for my expression and experience of life. Now, many people I connect to wouldn’t be possible if I weren’t part of this beautiful Mohanji Global Family. Being part of the family has brought a real positive relevance to life.
Hope you have a great day ahead and we will speak soon.
Day 92 Lesson – Challenges of giving time to all
Good morning everybody, I hope you’re doing very well.
Now that we’re back in Bangalore, the routine that we had before is settling in. For me, this means I can come back to some stability to progress with the tasks, which were very difficult as we were travelling.
In the morning, I spoke to Mohanji about the activities for the day. At the moment, one of the main things is planning for the retreat in Turkey. Given the current situation, especially with COVID, there are many more considerations. This will be the first time people have been able to meet Mohanji physically in a very long time, especially from Europe, and many people would really like to speak and meet with Mohanji.
Being in charge of the office, it’s constant learning as it has to handle many requests for Mohanji’s time. Sometimes, unfortunately, people can become disappointed, and they feel terrible because they believe there was a denial, or more accurately, it felt like a denial, even to the case where they write bad things about us, or about Mohanji – that he doesn’t want to see people, or that there are only certain people who can now meet him.
Personally, that’s tough, as neither the team nor I would ever want to deny anybody but the main reason it’s tough is that Mohanji especially will never deny anybody. Some new people may connect with Mohanji and others who have been with him for a long time, but to everybody who comes to him, he gives everything that he can. Essentially, he’s available as he’s here for the world. The situation now reeling with COVID has made it very difficult. There are some practical challenges of having access and time and especially travel. I’m sharing this to give an example of what it’s like working and living here; these are some practical considerations.
Often we will have a request come in, which might not be suitable for Mohanji – the answer might not be his cup of tea or something better suited for other people to handle it. This may be around health matters or complex issues, maybe with relationships or businesses, which might be better handled by a lawyer, someone who knows the law in the countries, or even the authorities if it’s something serious. There are all sorts of requests.
Some people might be distressed, and they demand to speak to Mohanji now as if there’s a direct hotline to Mohanji. We always do our best to accommodate these, but sometimes it’s not possible because maybe I can’t reach him at that time, or he’s busy or taking a rest. Some people expect that immediate response, which can be difficult, especially if there’s a program.
This was the case as well during his travel. You may have heard from my previous recordings, right from morning until evening, there was already a plan, and a schedule was taking place, and then that changes, so you constantly have to adjust. Then on top of that, the other requests for the time to see him and for conversations – it can be a real tough thing to coordinate.
For me, this is the hardest part of the role and living here. Even though hundreds of people have had the chance and might be satisfied with the responses, it can take just one person who has become upset as we couldn’t meet any of the expectations to start speaking badly. Often this comes back as an attack on the team, but mostly, it’s an attack on Mohanji himself, sometimes blaming him, baseless assumptions, stories, reasons why time wasn’t given. Even though the most plausible responses have been given, it still leaves that feeling of denial, which sometimes turns into an attack. This is a shame, in my opinion, because it gives a distorted impression, especially because Mohanji is here for people.
I think back to the Kerala trip as an example of this. When we were at his family home in Palakkad, a stream of people came and went, visiting, and there were no restrictions. No questions like, “Who are you, and why are you coming?” Mohanji was available for all. People were coming to see him, taking his blessing, some staying for a longer time. This was even more so at the Sai Baba temple in Palakkad. That was the main event. There was a small room and a chair, a table, and a couple of sofas, which looked out onto the Sai Mandir. The door was open, so people would come one by one, and everybody was welcome. It didn’t matter who came; some simply came to see him and leave, others brought gifts, others were looking for advice, and Mohanji was there until the last person had had their time.
Whatever money and gifts he received, he left them there out of respect for the tradition of using those premises. The same applies as well here; even if gifts arrive at the house or someone has come, and they brought a gift – it’s first offered to the gurus. I’ve learned from Mohanji that the way he operates is that he sees everything that comes to him as sent by the tradition, whether it is people, gifts, money, or anything else. First of all, it’s a thank you given at the feet of Baba, who’s in the pooja room.
Personally and for the team, it’s now a continuous refinement of approach and process so that we can fulfil everybody as much as we can. It’s a delicate balance because of the activities we’re trying to move forward and the time and the meetings taking place day to day.
The pace is increasing now, as there are many more activities coming up, and all of those are for the benefit of others and the world. I am really looking forward to the Centres of Benevolence being established as it will be better for the whole family; there’ll be a permanent place where Mohanji will be. He will be staying in one place, in each locality, probably between Europe and India, so it will be much easier for people to come at their time and see him.
Hope you have a great day ahead and speak to you very soon.
|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI ||
Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 9th January 2022
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