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Lessons living with Mohanji – Days 197 & 198

Posted on February 12, 2023February 7, 2023 by Mohanji Editorial Team

by Christopher Greenwood

Day 197 – Dare to be Different

Yesterday, Mohanji attended a fantastic panel discussion here in Belgrade, which was organised by the Vlade and Ana Divac Foundation. This panel discussion was really good. The title of it was: ‘The role of an individual in overcoming conflicts in a polarised society’. Many distinguished guests attended. There was an NBA Hall of Famer, a motivational speaker, the head of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, and a Harvard professor. Obviously, Mohanji was there too, and many other guests, and Vlade Divac too.

Here is the link to the whole event. Mohanji’s speaking time starts at 19:08

https://fb.watch/5MgWlSdPkh/

Mohanji’s speaking slot opened by answering a question from the host, who shared Mohanji’s quote: “Dare to be different. That is your signature in the world,” and he asked, “Is it easy to be different in today’s world?”

The answer to this question was a good one for me, so I wanted to share this, almost in its entirety, because it also left me with a question that I will share in this morning’s message. So, it’s dare to be different; that’s your signature in the world, and how easy is it actually to be different in today’s world. Mohanji answered this nicely actually. He started by saying that the whole world is actually unique. All creations are unique; we’re all unique. So, we’re already different by birth; by nature, we’re neither higher nor lower nor equal to anyone else, which is a really good reminder.

Our thumb impression is unique; our eye retina is unique. So, each of us has something unique with an amazing potential for expression in the world. But we refuse to accept that, and society, how it’s constructed; mainly, its education is provided to compete and compare. And this could be for positions, money, space, or anything, but that’s the predominant teaching, to beat the other. And then this is where all the other divisions happened. Then we become attached to the positions and the relations. So, if anything becomes a threat to those or affects those things that we’re attached to, we become upset. So, Mohanji also explained that, now, within the world, fear is given in bulk to people, with COVID especially. With all the changes and all the turbulences, there’s a really destabilising atmosphere in the world at the moment. So, there’s a big fear also of losing those positions and relations. But we forget, as he reminded us very nicely, that we are all here on a tourist visa. We came with nothing; we leave with nothing. Everything is temporary.

So, in also explaining this, against the quote, we realise that there is something beyond all these things, and we realise what we are, minus all these temporary attachments. There’s a power there, where there’s no need for fear. And this gives us that dare or that Lion’s heart to face the world. So he explained the real reason, or the fundamental reason that you can trace it back to, is that there are polarities in the world because of that education, wherein we’re taught to compare and beat and win against the opponent. But the real victory is winning over ourselves. So this statement left me contemplating yesterday and this morning, so I know what that means for me. And so, I’ll save any explanation of what I think and leave this space so that you also can think about what that means for you, winning over yourself. Daring to be different because that’s your signature in the world. Hope you have a great day ahead.

Day 198 – The benefit of extreme action

Mohanji’s mode of work is extreme action. We were speaking the other day, just a general conversation and Mohanji shared a story that made me laugh. It was at a time when we were passing through the security at Delhi airport, and the security guard asked him what he does as a job, and he told him that he teaches meditations and yoga, so the guard said, “Oh, so basically, you do nothing.” Then Mohanji asked, “Well, how many hours do you work? Eight? Well, I’m pretty much working 24 hours,” and I think the conversation shifted slowly.

But this was a good prompt to share a bit more of my understanding, now that I’ve spent more time with Mohanji, about the benefit of being in the presence of that state, of that energy of extreme action, even though it can be quite demanding. It’s related to the guṇas that we are made up of: the tamasic – the sort of slow sluggishness, the laziness – rajasic action; and sattva – the peaceful, stable state. I’ve shared before that the pace of working with Mohanji is really relentless; it’s constant. There’s not much time to think. The level of activity is so high that there’s very little time to think, in fact, and what I’ve learned and confirmed with Mohanji is that that’s exactly the point. Because when you’re working with Mohanji, and also he said, any other Master for that matter, you’re pushed into a state of hyper action. Because you need to move from the usual easy, sluggish, downward energy, or tamas, which is your procrastination, laziness, doubting, criticising, gossiping, comparing, all that type of stuff, and shift into a mode of action, where you’re beginning to do things.

That’s like a momentum building up over time, one activity, another activity, another, and then another, so that it’s really speeding up that state of action, and the idea is that it becomes so intense that eventually it becomes a state of sattva, where it’s an extreme action, but actually inside, you’re completely calm. Things are happening, but you’re not fully attached to them. So, until you’ve reached that state, there are obviously peaks and troughs; you’ll move up into a state of action, where things are really going well, and then fall back down to tamas. In the presence of Mohanji, that’s when the butt-kicking happens, and your butt is kicked so that you get moving again and are pushed up into that rajasic state.

So, that’s generally the benefit of being with a master because that happens much more frequently. Why is it a benefit? For many, it seems like hard work, which it is, because it can be quite demanding. But what’s actually happening is that tamasic tendencies – your laziness, heaviness, being caught up in emotions – bind you to mindsets, and also, ownership is more. Being pushed into that action, there’s no time to think, and when there’s no time to think, there’s very little emotion attached to the activity. There’s very little ownership attached to activity too, and the lack of emotion and lack of ownership means that there’s not much karma that you’re accruing from the work that you’re doing. So, it’s heavy and quick purification whilst not acquiring anything more.

That’s one of the benefits, but at the same time, it’s challenging. This was a different perspective on being with Mohanji, the work, and the pace, with the ultimate goal being to move up towards a more peaceful state of sattva.

|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI ||

Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 12^thFebruary 2023

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Lessons living with Mohanji – Days 51 & 52

Posted on August 22, 2021August 21, 2021 by Mohanji Testimonials

By Christopher Greenwood

Day 51 lesson – Less talk, more action

I’ve shared a few times now Mohanji’s morning routine; so before Mohanji’s breakfast early morning, we discuss the schedule for the day, and also for the coming weeks; discuss what has been happening across the platforms – if there’s anything specific to know, and any feedback. Most of the time, when I go to his room in the morning, Mohanji would already be at his table working – checking on messages or what’s happening across all the platforms.

Yesterday, Mohanji had spoken to all the teens (part of the EBC council), which was live on Facebook. He gave great advice inspiring the teens and related some of his own stories as well. Today, he checked the recent Early Birds Club Teens video, looking at the views and the comments to get a sense of the feedback.

From time to time, Mohanji checks the YouTube channels, especially if there’s been a major video out for Christmas, or New Year, or Datta Jayanti, to see how they are performing and the comments posted. He also watches some live shows across the various official Mohanji Facebook pages or checks in on the Satsangs happening. I’m always amazed at how he manages to stay aware of everything because he’s also doing many other things at the same time. Mostly, Mohanji has an overview and a general sense of what’s happening across all of the platforms.

For me, this is something really to learn from because it shows his style very clearly. Mohanji is very hands-on. Everything that he has shared (everything which I’ve shared in all of these recordings, too) is based on what he does; it’s not him just theorizing or giving someone advice but being completely involved and committed, and that itself is very inspirational.

We all know and have experienced that Mohanji does much more than he speaks, and this is very important for me, because although Mohanji could be working in various dimensions or various planes, which I can’t actually see, but what I can see, what is real for me, what is real right now is what’s available in front of my eyes. When I look at the dashboard, it’s looking across all those platforms that exist in the world and recognizing that it is something tangible – they are having a real impact on people’s lives for the better.

Mohanji isn’t just talking about compassion, kindness, and raising the awareness of humanity. He’s demonstrating it. He’s doing it because all of the platforms he has established have their own clarity, vision, distinction, and relevance in the world. We have Ammucare, ACT Foundation, Act4Hunger, and Mohanji Foundations across all the countries and continents, World Consciousness Alliance, the Early Birds Club, Invest in Awareness, Mohanji Youth Club etc. As I observe his style, it’s very much all about delivery; doing and bringing the messages which he shares into a physical reality.

The Centres of Benevolence which are coming up soon – a major milestone, will be a very big message, encompassing all the aspects of nature and tradition. There will be harmonious living with animals, nature, and so many other dimensions of that space. There’ll be many such centres across the world also, so many more people will benefit. Each of the platforms too will serve future generations. How much? We don’t know because that really depends on all of us, actually, what we’re able to achieve within our lifetime, what contribution we can make today and tomorrow, and what mark we can leave on the world.

Taking what Mohanji is doing; doing more than speaking is something that will help with this. Mohanji admires and likes the same qualities in other people too. Many people come to him with great ideas and suggestions, and some of them are amazing, but there’s a huge difference between having the idea and implementing it. He prefers being action-oriented because that’s what benefits people’s lives when there’s less talk and more doing.

I’ve also learned this from Mohanji because I often would have my ideas in the early times when I was here – it’s almost like I had some settling period. He was very patient with me and listened to my ideas. As the dynamics of the relationship changed, our communication became frank and direct. So now, before I even consider sharing an idea with him, I already automatically know that the response is going to be, “Just get it moving; we have no time to waste”. If I do take any thought to Mohanji, I also have a plan and clear intention to bring it to reality. The by-product of this – a marked boost to my confidence and self-inspiration.

From his office as well, he wants less talk and more action. So personally, just from an experience of working that way, the benefits that have come, which I can share are, that it helps give one a sense of self-motivation, autonomy, and confidence. There’s an inner sense of satisfaction when an activity has come to fruition or an idea has been actualized.

Even if the idea or plan is not perfect, there’s some movement, and you can actually see that either it brings a change in people’s lives or if not in people’s lives, then at least in some situations; maybe it makes things a little bit more efficient or smoother, but it is at least progress, and this gives one the motivation.

Also, as that idea has moved, I found that it’s no longer just stuck in the mind, which means it’s done, and this creates more space for extra creativity, generating momentum for new ideas to flow.

I hope you enjoyed the message this morning. Very simply put, if I was to condense, that is less talking and more action. This is Mohanji’s inimitable style of working.

Day 52 lesson – An observation on purity

Today, I wanted to share with you more of an observation than an actual lesson from our badminton games. It’s come from the fact that we’re now back playing badminton on the court, which is fantastic, getting that movement again. As I’ve mentioned before, Mohanji really enjoys a good game of badminton, and when he’s playing, he’s playing to win. He’s fully involved in whatever he does. There are no half measures, as we’d say in the UK. Mohanji and Ananth form one team, and they’re a good team; then it’s myself and Rajesh, the other team – the regular losing team. But we don’t give up; we keep going.

Mohanji has only recently begun walking again fully because up until now, his foot had been injured. It’s only just healed; despite that, he still plays well. This is something that Mohanji’s mum, Amma, finds really amusing. She finds it hilarious that each time Rajesh and I are losing the game. She still can’t believe that Mohanji is beating (winning against) Rajesh and me. She always asks, “How can an almost crippled 50-year-old plus defeat these younger and more reasonably athletic guys?” She can’t believe it, and she finds it very funny; somewhere, she thinks we’re letting him win, but sadly we’re not.

After an active and sweaty game yesterday, we were speaking in Mohanji’s room, and he was getting ready to take a shower; and I noticed that he had been wearing the same vest top for probably 4 of the past games. I change my top each time because otherwise, it’d smell. But Mohanji’s top smelt good, fragrant; there’s a distinct pleasant smell like it had already been washed. I mean, could you imagine your own sports top worn days in a row? It probably would be smelling awful. I asked him about this. How is it possible?

He smiled. Then I asked a bit more. Mohanji replied that the more contaminated we are, it reflects in our body; our body will reflect what’s inside. Whether there’s food contamination, emotional contamination, or any other contamination, it will display itself through our bodies. On the flip side, the more innocence there is, this will also reflect. This I’m taking to be his reflection on that fragrant smell. For me, it’s clear purity that’s been displayed.

This was something interesting which caught my attention, and I wanted to share that observation. I’m sure there’s probably something more in it, which will unfold for me with time.

|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI ||

Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 22^ndAugust 2021

Disclaimer:

Mohanji Testimonials team

Lessons living with Mohanji – Days 17 & 18

Posted on April 25, 2021April 24, 2021 by Mohanji Editorial Team

by Christopher Greenwood

Day 17 Lesson – Intense expressions (which some see as scolding or anger)

Good morning, everybody.

Today, I wanted to talk about the intense expressions of Mohanji, which some people might consider to be scolding, as people close to Mohanji will have known and would have felt. And this came to mind today, and I thought to share my learnings from this, as some people might confuse these moments with anger. Mohanji has said, and other people have said it, it can be difficult to be with the master because there is unpredictability there.

In one discussion with Mohanji and others at the house, we spoke about other masters who have wilder methods with their disciples. Some of them scold, some abuse and some have even been known to beat their disciples. And, on the face of it, this can seem extreme or confuse people.

But what I’ve learned from reading, even from before meeting Mohanji, is that masters are always purpose-bound. Their job is to elevate people, so it’s never anger as such or scolding that comes from them. And masters, especially those within the Dattatreya tradition, have no boundaries. So they use many methods to get the job done.

For example, I don’t know if this master was from the Dattatreya tradition, but someone told me about a Master in the Himalayas who would actually throw rocks at people. And I think, so don’t quote me on this, that people would actually come to see him, and getting hit by one of these rocks was a blessing because it would take something away from them.

Mohanji also spoke about Gorkhe Guruji, who is a very famous Master with a ferocious reputation. Some of his disciples are really high flying serious businessmen in India, like the owners of massive corporations. And he abuses them completely when they go to see him, calls them crooks, cheats, everything. And they still go. But in that, he’s taking something from them. And Mohanji met him as well. And to the surprise of his disciples, he was completely honoured by Gorkhe Guruji because they thought he would receive the same treatment of being abused. But he was even asked to sit on his chair, which is a huge honour. I’ll talk about that in another recording.

But coming back to the point, when I hear stories like that, I’m thankful to be with Mohanji because he is incredibly kind, very patient, and caring. But there have definitely been times when I’ve been on the receiving end of a blast, as you can call it. It is incredibly uncomfortable, even gut-wrenching, very intense, and it’s like a visceral feeling that touches right to the core. It’s like recognition and nervousness in the stomach that something hasn’t been done quite well.

But what I’ve learned from these situations is that there’s always a purpose. And it’s not anger; it’s not scolding; it’s actually an intense expression. It’s an intensity of expression. And these expressions remove blockages. It might be that some negativity has developed, and depending on the size of the blockage, the level of intensity of the expression will rise accordingly. For example, if you had to move a boulder, you’d be using much more force than if you had to pick up and move a stone. So, it’s completely situation dependent. And also, once it’s happened, once something’s gone like a blast, or once this intensive expression is finished, there’s nothing further, there’s no lingering, there’s no coming back to it – it’s been, it’s gone, it’s done.

I’ve been with Mohanji now for quite a few months. And there’ve been a few times that I’ve experienced the range of this intense expression. And I know it’s always for a reason. And afterwards, I feel that something is transformed, something has been moved. And that’s a very big difference between someone being angry or someone scolding because that leaves a residue.

I think when someone scolds or they’re angry, it generally doesn’t leave a good feeling for the person on the receiving end or for the person doing it. So, you can sort of bucket these into two categories. One is when expectations are denied, which creates anger, and this is actually a weakness. And anger is always a weakness because it contaminates the person who’s angry. It stays with us; it disturbs our inside world, our system and leaves a residue. And then, there could be regrets and guilt, which can even affect self-esteem. Then the other, milder, category is when a mother out of care and consideration for a child might scold the child. So she displays anger and has a good intention, but this also can leave an impression.

I’ve observed and noticed that, when this situation comes, Mohanji’s reaction reflects my inner state. Depending on how I am, you can gauge the interaction; it’s almost like a good barometer. It’s a reflection back; it’s a mirror. So if I’m open, peaceful, and come with more awareness of the situation, then intensity is much less. Then it’s more of a conversation, a discussion of points for improvement or minor corrections.

But if, for some reason, I come to him with a defence, negativity, or even with ego or pride, then that’s a different story. And especially ego and pride, they definitely take a hit. Because in this situation here, the ego doesn’t really have a place. You know, we’re practising selflessness, humility. And so, to be egoistic and have a lot of pride, I don’t think it would be possible. And this is part of the daily practice of living with humility. As Mohanji says, “Man minus ego is equal to God.” So that’s the journey.

What I think and what I’ve learned is that these moments of intense expression are beneficial, actually, as a warning, as a guide, that I am maybe moving off track. And depending on how far you’re about to go off track or move in a certain direction, the intensity of that expression will rise to put you back on track. So, this intense expression is a guide, a help, and a prompt to come back to the right track and keep walking.

Today’s lesson was about the intense expressions of Mohanji and other masters, who do that for a purpose and not out of anger. I hope you have a great day ahead, and speak to you very soon.

Day 18 Lesson – Don’t let perfection be the enemy of progress. Act, learn from mistakes and grow.

Good morning, everybody.

Today, I share a lesson that continues on the general theme of ‘action first’ and moving activities forward. And it’s about making mistakes, learning and moving on.

Mohanji had shared many stories about mistakes that he’s made, the misfortunes and the serious events that affected his life—for example, losing his daughter Ammu and being betrayed in business. Then, he was completely character assassinated, too. But still, he kept walking. And even now, he regularly shares that he is not afraid to make mistakes, nor does he believe that his directions, ideas, or vision are always the best. In fact, he encourages me and others to have better ideas. He says, “If you can take my vision and improve on it, I’m very happy.”

That’s what he wants. And that’s the way he’s set up all the platforms, each of them with their country heads and teams, because he would love for everybody to take steps to improve everything because then the platforms have benefited, which means the world has benefited. And this also means that the future generations, who will come and inherit the platforms, will also benefit. So, each team has their head, and they are completely autonomous; they have their own free will to shape the direction within the broad boundaries of the vision. That is a real privilege.

So one lesson I’ve learned from Mohanji’s approach and how he works is to take action first, be bold, and do what you believe in as best as you can. If there’s a purity of intention behind it, then go for it. I had the tendency or the habit (probably due to the fears of making a mistake, being judged, and the fear of what other people might think) to make sure everything was fine and correct before taking action. So everything would have been perfected: the presentation had to be correct, everything well-considered, all options assessed, I’d look for advice or consultation from other people, etc. And in the end, not much would happen, only ideas and discussions.

So with strong encouragement, this was one of my pushes to take steps, to put ideas into action. Because only then, as I’ve learned now, do you create an experience for your life. Only when I’ve actually done something: have I created an experience for my life. And it’s only from having that experience that you can actually learn something and grow. But if you don’t do anything, don’t take the opportunity, then there’s no possibility for that growth to happen. And that can bring stagnation, frustration, and it can lead to disillusionment, which happened to me sometimes here.

I also learned that one of my biggest fears, the fear of making a mistake, was a fear of what other people might think. But, there’ll always be people who like an idea or something, and people who don’t, and then there’ll be some who probably won’t even care anyway. So that’s a fear that doesn’t really bring much worth.

The lesson is that it’s better to try and allow mistakes to happen and then use them for improvement. However, it’s not about making mistakes purposely, knowing that you’re going to make a mistake. It’s just about having the awareness that you don’t have to be perfect. Perfection isn’t needed because it can be the enemy of progress.

The same goes for consulting people and getting advice because sometimes, the more opinions we take from people, the more confused we can become. And with such a big organization like this, this is the case because there are many people who you would ideally like to consult and consider, but considering the time it would take, it’s just not practical.

So, I’ve learned that sometimes it’s better to move ahead and create something because it can be evolved, rather than spending too much time on discussions to reach a consensus. That isn’t practical, especially given the size and the breadth of this organization, which covers so many different countries and time zones. So, it’s better to generally have just a couple of people sanity check things with and then get moving.

Now, this doesn’t mean that work is done at the disrespect of other people or in spite of others, and moving things forward requires careful handling. Because, on the flip side, I’m also learning that fast action can cause unexpected consequences and mistakes when you’re moving so quickly that you lose sight of people and things. So again, as long as an issue can be marked as a mistake and improved upon, it’s okay.

This awareness, this learning that is moving into action and accepting mistakes will be happening, and improving them is bringing me more freedom. I can feel that. And when the purpose is higher, the fears lessen. And, most importantly, at the end of the day, it’s a life that’s been experienced.

So, I can express, make mistakes, know that that’s fine, learn and keep growing. It’s like the freedom we had when we were growing up as children, falling down and getting back up again.

That’s the message for today, sticking with that theme of acting now, acting today, and accepting that mistakes can happen and not letting perfection be an enemy of progress.