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Incorporating the Indian Haidakhandi Samaj News

International Haidakhandi Journal - No 5 - Winter 2011-2012

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CONTENTS - Journal 5 Page No.

Babaji Quotes 3

Al-Khidr, The Green Man 4-5

Muniraj - devotees experiences of his recent

hospitalisation and recovery 6-7

Ganga Ram – tributes from friends 8-12

Gurupurnima Moscow 2011 Munirajji talks to the Russian devotees 14-17

Theme: Devotion as the highest form of knowledge? and other stories 18-27

Haidakhandi Samaj - News from India 28-31

News from Around the World Holland 32

Australia 33

Italy 34-36

France 37

Croatia 38-39

Spain 40

Letters to the Journal Malti 41

Gopal Hari 42

Editorial Information 43

Change in dates of Navratri :

Chaitra (Spring) Navratri will start from March 23 and end on March

31, 2012 (not on April 1 as printed in the new calendar)

Ashwin (Autumn) Navratri will start from Oct 16 and end on Oct

24, 2012 (not on Oct 23 as printed in the new calendar).

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“ Devotion (Bhakti) and faith are the basis of everything.

Through devotion alone

one can achieve everything.”

“ Have faith,

everything depends on faith ”

Haidakhan Babaji

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Al-Khidr, The Green Man

Khidr literally means 'The Green One', representing freshness of spirit

and eternal liveliness, green symbolizing the freshness of knowledge

“drawn out of the living sources of life.” Whatever the source for this

green may be, it has come to symbolize the benign presence of the divine

wisdom as imparted by the Divine Himself to Khidr and to Prophet

Muhammad.

Khidr is associated with the Water of Life. Since al-Khidr drank the water

of immortality He is described as the one who has found the source of life,

'the Eternal Youth.' He is the mysterious guide and immortal saint in

popular Islamic lore and the hidden initiator of those who walk the

mystical path. In the Muslim tradition, Khidr is alive and well and

continues to guide the perplexed and those who invoke his name.

Here follows a story Naveen Johsi told 28 years ago:

Shri Babaji was visiting Bombay every year and mostly staying in the

Vallabh apartments. There were several devotees living and I am not sure

if Babaji was staying with Dr Clerck, Suresh Bhai or Sardharji in that year.

It was around 3 o'clock in the afternoon and Babaji was resting.

There was a ring at the door and a shabby, tired, bearded man was at the

door and politely requested to see Babaji. He was told to come for

evening darshan down in the tent. He insisted and said that he had just

come from Mecca Medina in Saudi Arabia were Babaji had told him to

come and meet Him in Bombay. Naveen who was sitting on the couch in

the living room heard the conversation, jumped up and asked this man to

come in.

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He did not want to speak a lot and looked very tired. After water and tea

he only said that he had met Babaji not long before in Saudi Arabia and

Babaji had told him to meet Him in Bombay.

Everybody in the room knew well that Shri Babaji had never left India in

His physical form and listened with scepticism to this man. However it

seemed sincere and when it was time Babaji was woken up with a tea and

the news of this man was relayed to Him. He immediately requested to

have him called in the room. After a greeting in Arabian language

everyone was requested to leave the room so they could have privacy.

After half an hour or so this man came out happy, energised, greeted

everyone in the room and left. Shri Muniraj who was also present in

Bombay when this happened confirmed the truth of this story 2 weeks

ago.

Nobody knows who that man was, what this was all about. Through the

years Babaji spoke well of Pir's which are Sufi saints but no details were

ever recorded.

In 1986 Sheik Nazim came to Babaji's Ashram in Switzerland. He said, on

his arrival that Babaji had sent him there and mentioned later on a few

occasions that Shri Babaji was heading a counsel of great masters and

sheiks in the Sufi world. This sheds a whole other light on certain Islamic

issues that we are most confronted with nowadays.

Let us bow to the ONE who has no beginning and no end, who has many

names and forms but is truly formless, who has called us to His Holy Lotus

Feet, and humbly request Him to adorn His Assan once again with His

enchanting form of Herakhan Baba. To ask Him to guide us with His

Divine Light through these dark times with our hearts yearning for Him

how can He refuse such sincere requests from His children ? If we yearn

from our heart He will come..................

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Munirajji

Extracts from devotees

experiences of his recent

hospitalisation and

recovery

December 26, 2011 – Kharku wrote:

As of this moment, Munirajji is waiting to go for an angiogram, which is a

test to see what is happening with the blood vessels that bring blood and

take blood from his heart. Sri Munirajji has asked repeatedly that we go

on with our work, stay focused on our sadhana. Babaji is doing everything

and Babaji will decide what happens. We are all worried and want to help

and right now the best help you can give to Sri Munirajji is to pray and go

on with our lives. He has the best care possible and he is resting calmly.

I spoke to Sri Munirajji yesterday as he was boarding the Helicopter, he

was calm and said we should not worry that Babaji was doing everything.

Dec 27th

Munirajji appears out of danger and is getting the best care possible.

He slept well and woke up wanting a bath and incense and flowers for his

PUJA !!! Of course he cannot burn incense in the ICU, but this means he

is well and has his mood back...! Last night He was asking for his wallet

so he could go and buy his own food ...complaining he does not like the

hospital fare.....so we know he is recovering because nobody likes hospital

food! We can all breathe a sigh of relief, your prayers are working.

27th Dec - Sandeep wrote:

I have just come back from the hospital and our beloved Guruji is looking

fine. To my astonishment the moment I saw his radiant face, he inquired

about my ailing mother, I was totally enveloped in his ever giving love. I

would like to thank Brigadier Vijay Chopra for his endless efforts in

coordinating with us and Guruji's family right from the time Munirajji was

admitted in Haldwani and further for airlifting him and getting him

admitted into the best possible hospital of the country. His wife Dr Savita

Chopra has been very helpful too. I firmly believe and know for a fact

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that heart problems are caused due to stress and heartaches, and many

times we have given our Guru anxious moments. I want to take a pledge

today I will above all respect him and thank him for every little thing he

has been doing for me, I love him immensely. (Our Chairman Shri Alok

Banerjee and his team have announced that all the medical expense of our

beloved Guruji will be taken care of by the Samaj).

28th Dec - Arvind wrote:

An hour back or so, the angioplasty procedure was completed by

Munirajji‟s cardiologist Dr. Balbir Singh who very graciously allowed me

and Brig. Vijay Chopra to witness the entire procedure. I cannot describe

the relief and joy when we saw the blood gushing again through the

„ballooned and stented‟ right coronary artery. The medical treatment part

of his current medical problems is now over. He will require henceforth

rest and recuperation and of course blood sugar control. We all wish

Munirajji a speedy recovery.

6th Jan - Kharku wrote:

Sri Muniraj arrived home (from hospital) after a 7 hour drive from Delhi.

The whole family was there to meet him. He was very lively in the car

telling stories and smiling.

29 January 2012 - Kamalaya After two wonderful weddings Sri Munirajji walked up to the temple today

to pay his respects to Sri Babaji, and just now when he woke up from his

afternoon rest I took a picture. Am very happy to report that Sri Munirajji

is doing very well, his recovery is better than expected. He has good

appetite, spends many hours each day in prayer, has time for all the

devotees etc. He has been so loving with Raghu and Annapurna and

Romi and Oil... Many family members are here as well as Alok and Vijay

Gupta. Kamalaya is thrilled and blessed to have the opportunity to serve

Guruji as best we can.

Shri Munirajji - 17th Jan 2012

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Ganga Ram - tributes from friends

MOTI MA

“I just came back from Milano. These last 6 days were so intense and it

was so good to be with my beloved Gangaji and all the devotees who

gave to each other, and especially also to me, so much love and support.

On Monday 9th, the day of her passing away we met in the evening: nine

of us at Lalla‟s house to sing Bhajans for her. It helped to smooth the pain

a bit as Ganga‟s spirit was so present.

Bhawani, Patrizia and Bernadet dressed her the next morning with a white

Sari and put a lot of perfume on her body. Phull Singh gave her Chandan

and put Vibhuti on her forehead. She looked so peaceful like a goddess

and a real saint. We are all convinced that Shri Muni Raj ji came to

receive her to bring her directly to Babaji. She is in peace for sure.

It is we who are suffering. I miss her soooooo much - I can't tell !!!

Yesterday we had the celebration in the church of Gavirate, her

hometown. The church was completely crowded. There were at least 300

people who gave her the last honour. Family and friends and many, many

devotees. Even Gabriella came with her daughter. We all hugged each

other, cried a lot and supported each other. Even Kanta came from

Germany and laid down a huge bunch of red and white roses next to

Ganga‟s coffin, also in the name of the Dutch and German Samaj. Filippo

brought a very big heart of roses, bought by the French Samaj for Ganga.

In the name of the Italian Samaj, Shivani, Phull Singh, Patrizia and I had

ordered a huge wreath for her with Om Namah Shivay written on it. I was

allowed to write it in Hindi, on the bow.

At the end of the ceremony the priest allowed us to sing "Shri Ram, jai

Ram, Sitaram Jai Ram" in the church and while the coffin was carried out

to the car which was to bring her body to the cremation-place. Madhuri

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had prepared the Halva that Ganga always loved so much. She offered it

first to Ganga and then distributed it amongst all of us.

We started to sing "Om Namah Shivay namah Om Om Heiriakhandi".

While we were singing they slowly closed the car. With BHOLE BABA KI

JAI, SHRI MAHA MUNI RAJ JI MAHARAJ KI JAI, GANGA MATA KI JAI

she left for her last journey.

Bhawani was able to put a flower mala around Ganga‟s neck before they

closed the coffin in Milano. And Shivani put a beautiful flower mala for

Ganga on the coffin in the church. It all had much dignity and the

atmosphere was full of love, and sadness for us and happiness for her

peace. Please give my love and gratitude to Guruji. He did such a great

work for my beloved little big sister. I am so afraid to come to Haldwani

without Ganga. I still can‟t imagine it. Sometimes it just does not seem to

be true to me. I do not want it to be true and still......”

KHARKU

“Munirajji has been mostly silent and deep in prayer for the last two weeks

since his operations. He has been focused on Ganga, her family, friends

and all of us who have been touched by her. I don't feel at liberty to say

too much now but know that He has been alongside her every step of the

way, through her illness and her passing and since her passing. He and

all of us have lost a Dear Sister, a dedicated devotee full of love, devotion

and strength with the will and the savvy to serve Munirajji and all of us, as

her offering to the Divine Babaji.

Today Ganga Ram attends her own puja; her mortal remains become ash

to be brought to the Gautam Ganga later in the year, to be immersed in

the sacred river which is her name sake, and to flow back to the sea of

consciousness. Jai Ganga Mata Ki Jai!

She is surrounded by family and friends. Throughout the world Babaji's

devotees are praying for her onward journey and remembering the time

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they spent with her and how she touched their personal lives, the lives of

our friends, how she served Munirajji always at the right place, always

ready, and she could sing.....!

Once when Sri Munirajji, Shastriji, Raghuvir, Pujari, Ganga and I travelled

to Australia, we met a gifted psychic called Kanta who drew images of

each of us, the image of Ganga was a roaring lion who was hiding a little

girl seeking love behind its fierce exterior. I could never forget this image

and I know both of these Ganga's. She has been my friend, my confidant,

my lover, my Guru Sister; she shared the service to Munirajji and

then, answering the call, became his ideal Dass (devotee). Always, and I

mean always, she was there, ready - even until the moment she slipped

out of consciousness was she calling me and others, checking advising and

praying for her beloved Sri Munirajji.

Even after Passing she came to me, soft and gentle to check on her

beloved Guruji. Ganga has cared for Munirajji in ways most of us would

never be able to do, displaying a love and devotion that we should all be

inspired by. She has been his pujari, his gatekeeper and his nurse. She

could welcome us close to the Guru and at times keep us at a distance.

She served us by serving Him, she prepared our puja's, sang the aarati's

the bhajan's and has been a part of many of our lives and the lives of our

children. She is beloved by Munirajji's family especially his grand and great

grand children.

Being close to Munirajji she knew our aspirations and our secrets. She

gave up her self interest for the interest of all of us. She was loving but

could be tough when she needed to be, fierce when called for. Those

who knew her well know deep inside she was but a little girl longing for

love. She has served with all of her energy, all her heart, all her will,

longing for Love, longing to merge with the Divine within her, seeking a

deeper understanding, and freedom from the mundane.

Please keep her in your prayers, let her devotion inspire you. Babaji used

to say you cannot escape death, that you earn immortality by entering the

hearts and memories of others. Ganga Ram lives on in our hearts and

memories, she is eternal.

There is much more to say and I will try in future messages ... and

a Special Thanks to all those who attended to her.”

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KANTA

“During full moon on the 9th January 2012, our beloved Ganga was

accompanied by her natural family, her Babaji family and long term friends,

with respect and immense love, on her way out of this earthly life.

She spent her last days in a coma in a hospital in Milano. Someone was

always by her side. It is said that people when they are in the process of

dying can find it difficult to let go while in the company of close friends or

family members and maybe this was the case with Ganga: Moti Ma, her

soul sister who walked with her in life, was with her on Sunday evening, as

well as Monday morning until the afternoon. Only when Moti Ma was

replaced by friends during a short break, did Ganga release her body.

I arrived from Germany on Wednesday evening for a last goodbye. Ganga

lay in total peace in a white sari, which our women had dressed her in.

She appeared to be sleeping, as if she was taking her time to rest. Over

many years during Navaratri I have experienced Ganga only in action. To

see her now so calm and peaceful enabled me to access and feel my deep

love for her. The desire grew in me that once I arrive „upstairs‟ I would

be able to simply sit with her.

The funeral in the church of her home town was on Thursday 12th

January. When Ganga was a child she lived in this wonderful little place,

surrounded by forested hills, with a lake nearby. The church was filled

with people right to the last pew and they were even standing behind this

all the way back to the entrance. I realised at that moment that Ganga‟s

family has lived in this village for nearly 50 years (Ganga was 52 when she

died) and they are a fully integral part of the village. Thus I was given an

insight into a life which also belonged to Ganga which completed the

circle: she was received here with joy and with love and it was here that

she was released with love and compassion.

The church where the funeral took place is beautiful. Like many catholic

churches in Italy it has a baroque flavour with paintings on the wall and in

this case three large oval paintings on the ceiling depicting different scenes.

One in particular drew my attention: it illustrated a dying child. The child

was surrounded by women who looked towards heaven and in between

the women and the child were angels, ready to carry the child to heaven.

At the very moment I saw the picture, the choir started to sing like a

choir of angels. This brought two contrasting realities aside each other:

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the deep knowledge that Ganga was now in the arms of God but

also the unspeakable pain that remained as a result of losing her.

There were many beautiful symbols on Ganga‟s journey back to Babaji. She

left her body on Monday 9th January, the first full moon in the year 2012.

Monday in the Indian calendar is dedicated to Shiva and nine is the number

of the Divine Mother. During the last days of her life Settimo read the nine

chapters of the Bhagavad Gita to her. On the evening of her death, nine

Herakhandis appeared to sing bhajans for Ganga.

Thursday was her funeral church service. Thursday is the day of the guru.

After the priest had given his blessings, we were allowed to come to the

altar and sing. This we had agreed with the priest beforehand. Moti Ma

lead the bhajan „Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Sitaram, Jai Ram“, which is the bhajan

that Babaji always asked to be sung shortly before his Mahasamadhi. Some

of us began to support the rhythm with clapping hands and the entire

community stood up to show their respect. Our bhajan turned into a

gospel song with which we accompanied Ganga to the hearse that was

going to take her to the crematorium.

The driver realised how difficult it was for us to let her go and allowed for

her to remain a little longer amongst us, when one of our women stepped

towards the coffin with some homemade halva. Ganga loved halva. Our

friend offered the halva to Ganga, the way we offer prasad to the Gods.

And then she distributed the prasad to everyone, also to those who

stretched out their hand outside our little circle. It was a wonderful

connecting moment. Then we were ready and the driver came to shut

the door. At that moment I knew that the little hearts that I had brought

with me were meant to be „der letzte Gruss‟, the final farewell from all of

us to our beloved Ganga and I threw two hands filled with satin hearts

over her coffin.

Once when I was in India, Ganga told me that she had been to Gangotri,

the source of the holy river Ganga, high up in the Himalayas. I asked her

what her experience was and she said that the only thing she wished for in

the presence of those overpoweringly beautiful glaciers was:

“God I want to be near you”

For a lovely tribute to Ganga - click on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=2P-4Uyi4Ul8

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RAGHUVIR (just before Ganga‟s passing):

“It was quite a wave of shock going around the world as Shri Muniraj

became unwell. We are all grateful to Shri Babaji that he is now

recuperating, but it brought up questions in many.

Within Babaji's family we have Gaura Devi, who served Shri Babaji for 12

years by His side, suffering for a long time from a relentless disease, Ganga

Ram serving by Shri Muniraj's side for over 20 years, hovering between life

and death at this moment, Ramsevi who is running Hanuman centre in

Italy having 2 major physical setbacks last year and still not recovered,

Gopal Hari, The troubadour from Babaji, travelling throughout Europe

with his lovely family singing and talking of the Divine, suffering with an

inoperable tumour....... and the list continues......... all this seems so much

in this realm where suffering excludes no one.......

Many of us who have spent high quality time with them where hearts are

wide open during special festivals, are now having their compassionate

heart bleeding and questions in their minds......... Physical manifestations of

pain and suffering especially to such people, is sometimes very perplexing.

But we must remember that Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Vivekananda,

Mother of Aurobindo Ashram, Sathya Sai Baba and Yogi Milarepa, among

many other saints, have suffered physically. One of the basic fundamentals

of Indian spirituality is to identify ourselves with the soul which is eternal

and not with the body which is impermanent. This veil of Agyana and

ignorance is lifted with the grace of one‟s Guru. (Gu-Darkness & Ru-one

who brings light which removes darkness). Often I have read that physical

suffering in a high spiritual body is a divine manifestation to end all Karmic

scores so the soul can achieve a final liberation or Moksha from the cycle

of births and death.

So let‟s rejoice that we have the love of Babaji with us and we have such

selflessly devoted souls like Shree Munirajji, Gaura Devi, Ganga, Gopal

Hari etc. amongst us to see and be inspired. We are Blessed for Shri

Babaji is the Lord of Karma. We are asking for liberation and Divine

miracles and in our devotion deeply surrender to This Lord of Karma.”

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Gurupurnima Moscow 17th July 2011

Sri Maha Munirajji talks to the Russian devotees:

“Today, for the work we are about to begin it is most important to be

united, to become one. For this reason I am asking all of you to put your

egos to rest. In this world no one is important. If anyone thinks he is

more important or bigger than another, this person is thinking wrongly, it

is a mistake. God (Bhagwan) has given the same attributes to everyone,

take, for example, the 10 senses he has given to everybody. When we are

born we have not brought any religion with us, at that moment we are all

the same, neutral. At the very beginning on earth nature created one

cell, and from that one cell everything has come to be. From the one we

have become many. Babaji has told us the main religion (or Dharma) is

Humanity.

For what we are now going to achieve it is important that we see each

other as brothers and sisters and work together. For this work each one

of you must feel it is my work, I must do this work. We must forget our

differences and come together for this work. Now please begin, start the

discussions, give your ideas. If we are divided by our own small things

then how will we create something big ? Munirajji is asking you; Are you

ready to do this work together or not? This work will be done only by

you. I can only advise you but the work must be done by you. This is my

advice to help all of you - get started. Please give your own suggestions

on how to move ahead. Who would like to start ?

Pujari: I can make a start from experience in Holland: there we first

organized into a group as a charitable trust, as a Samaj or church in

Holland. From the trust we had a meeting of devotees and set up a

board of 7 to 9 people who were responsible for the Trust. From that we

opened a bank account and all members and non members were assured

this was Babaji‟s account, not private but part of this Trust.

Then we appointed 3 to 4 people to look for the right property. With

the whole group we made a list of requirements that we thought we

needed for this property. Then in our monthly meetings we issued

reports of what we had found. When we felt we had the right property

that satisfied the board and the people, then we sent a letter to Sri

Munirajji. Munirajji sent a telex from Haldwani: “Buy the property

immediately !”

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Munirajji: A trust or organization is the first thing to do, a charitable trust

or society according to laws of your country. Whatever name you

choose you can register in that name. When you do good work then

money will come, everybody will take part in donating to it and the Trust

or society should be in a democratic form. First the organization, what

name, what type, and then form a committee.

It is only thru Babaji‟s inspiration and His energy that I was able to come

here as I was really not in good enough condition to come. Now we can

make decisions.......Whatever will happen will happen because of the

blessings of Sri Babaji, I am only in service to Sri Babaji.

Grigory: ...I know how the Russian mind works: the more democracy we

have, the less work and fewer results are achieved. Russian people,

because of our mentality, need a Tsar, someone who tells us what to do

and only in this case will people actually do something. We need a strong

leader.

Several people proposed Pujari to be the head of the Russian Samaj as he

is neutral, has experience, a Russian wife, knows the problems, the lands

being offered and most of all because he is close to Munirajji and outside

of Russian internal politics.

Munirajji: This is what I am saying, stand up and say who you want for

your leader......... Yes, if you desire Pujari, but if anyone has opposition

please stand up and speak...........Pujari please speak.

Pujari; By Munirajji‟s grace I have been able to travel a lot to Russia and if it

shows some fruits than I can serve. It is only by His Grace, if he tells me

to do this job…next to all my work in Holland. I am also busy in Holland,

but perhaps I can assist in the beginning to create an organization and find

land and deal with the dynamics of the differences.

Munirajji: This is all Babaji blessings; it is not for me to say. I am asking if

everyone is ready to have Pujari to be the leader or the chairman of the

Russian Samaj ? This is my opinion: if Babaji is not in the heart of the

person that is leading and organizing, then the egos in these people will

build and then destroy the ashram that they build. He must inspire !

Phuro ……!

Pujari: is there a Russian person willing to stand up?

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Munirajji: If no one else wants to come forward and you all agree then you

can declare Pujari as your chairman.

Atma Ram: We have a lot of experience inviting leaders from outside the

country, why not we invite Pujari to be our leader.

Munirajji: Okay then it is Pujari ! (Loud clapping again !).

A Russian gentleman stands up: “Grisha asked us to stand up and say

what we each can do, well, when you find the land, and you will eventually,

I can manage all the construction !” (Loud clapping !!!)

Paramahansa asks: “What about our interests and how do we fit in”.

Munirajji says that if your group from Prem wants to be within the Samaj

then you can be under the Samaj, and they (the organisation) will take the

responsibility and care for you. “This is for the whole country, for the

whole world, think of yourselves as a universal organization. Shall it be

called the „Haidakhandi Samaj Russia‟ or what do you desire ?”

Ashutosh: Please keep this name Haidakhan Samaj Russia

Pujari: I want to meet here tomorrow after the Havan to choose the

committee.

Munirajji: “Choose now and have those people sit at the Havan.”

Haidakhan Samaj Russia Ki Jai !

Thank you to Shri Alok Banerjee for the beautiful translation of Munirajji‟s words during

Gurupurnima.

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“Keep your egos cool”

Later during Gurupurnima Sri Munirajji Spoke about Ashrams:

“This is not a new concept, making ashrams has been going on for

hundreds and thousands of years. In all ages (yugas) there have been

ashram communities. To give an example: If you want to earn a degree

you begin with primary school and pass all the way through to university,

it is only at university that you can earn a degree. When you study by

yourself, you may not earn a degree.

It is good to be on the spiritual path, to take teachings, do practice, Jappa

and meditation and study scriptures and holy books. You can do all this at

home also but it is only in an ashram where you can be recognized for the

achievement through service of the public by the public. Something more

happens in an ashram. Do you understand something of what I am saying?

Now about the differences between peoples: when we are born we do

not think and feel the same, we each have different thoughts, different

beliefs, understandings and points of view. For that reason it is necessary

that we follow the ashram way of life: because when we live in an ashram

the main focus is on the Divine, but also you meet and have to work, eat,

love and pray together.

It is not possible that all people would have the same thoughts and ideas.

In government also there is an opposition leader. When you are doing

something and have opposition, it is not bad as you can learn and this

makes you better. Good and Bad go hand in hand - they travel together.

This kind of opposition is not new; it has been present in all ages.

The most important thing is to keep your egos cool. When the ego is

hot the differences increase - only for this ego reason. In the past most

wars have been fought over ego. In this way atomic wars will also come;

because of ego......... At the very moment whenever you have anger or a

judgment on another, look first at yourself and see how many mistakes

you yourself have made. Just to see another‟s mistakes or weaknesses is

the simplest thing and yet it‟s so difficult to look at your own mistakes. It

is so easy to talk and so difficult to actually do something. You might have

hundreds of thoughts in your mind, but it will not help you. You have to

do something, achieve something ! It is very easy to criticise anybody

(doing something good) but if you try yourself then you will realize how

difficult it is to actually achieve something.

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The theme for this Journal No. 5

Devotion as the highest form of knowledge ?

A conversation with Shaunaka

Rishi Das - Director of the

Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and Hindu Chaplain to Oxford University

“We already have knowledge. It is part of who we are, but it is layered

with false identities, false egos: I am a man, I am Irish, a teacher etc. But

who am I really? The false identities keep me from pure transcendental

knowledge of my real identity, from Raj vidya – the king of knowledge. Raj

vidya is spiritual knowledge; it is not about material, mundane things.

The nature of pure knowledge is bliss, ananda. Bliss is eternal and ever

increasing and cannot be lost, although it can be ignored through

ignorance of our true nature. Pure, transcendental knowledge is full of

bliss. Bliss is ever increasing happiness. It is not dependent on stress or

misery in the way it is commonly understood that you can only know

happiness by knowing misery and unhappiness. We justify suffering by

saying it is a way to appreciate happiness. That stress and that happiness

are material and relative because they have a beginning and an end. But

bliss, ananda is eternal– it is transcendental happiness, based on

transcendental knowledge. The qualities that we‟ve discussed about

transcendental knowledge are the same quality we find in bhakti, devotion.

The unique feature of bhakti is that it focuses on devotion which is a

loving relationship with the supreme. In the same way Christians talk

about love of God. Jesus is a pure bhakta. What is the highest

commandment in the bible? To know, love and serve God.

By going through the heart, you acquire transcendental

knowledge as a by-product. So transcendental knowledge and bhakti

run on parallel tracks. Both of them go to the same place, and we need to

be on both tracks to be balanced. In the 12th chapter of the Gita, Arjuna

asks Krishna which is more important bhakti (devotion) or gyana

(knowledge) and Krishna validates both as important and effective but he

says the bhakti path is easier and quicker. This is the difference

19

between the Gita and the other texts like the Vedanta Sutras and the

Upanishads. The latter two profound texts are very enigmatic and lead to

a lot of speculation, whereas in the Gita, by emphasising bhakti, Krishna

gives tools that are easy to use. You don‟t need to be an intellectual, but

you need to develop love and compassion in your heart. Having said that

we should remember that the Gita is itself Upanishadic, and the challenge

to the bhakta is a real challenge, as profound as any other spiritual

challenge. But Krishna says by going through the heart you acquire

transcendental knowledge as a by product. Some Indian traditions and

gurus seem to create opposites of gyana and bhakta, as is also seen in

fraught science and religion debates, whereas Krishna validates both by

seeing them as interdependent.

How do we develop devotion in our hearts ? Primarily through

stories, stories about the different avatars and devotees, like Rama, Devi

or Hanuman. We like the stories because the characters are so attractive,

and we find ourselves in their story. Consider how humble and

compassionate Hanuman is. He is the perfect servant. If you get attracted

to these qualities, as one would, then you want to know who he is serving.

From there we are in the world of Ram and thus we see one story leading

you into the world of another story. By reading the stories or hearing

them recited we become attached to that character. It then becomes easy

to offer them a flower. Embedded in these stories are the feelings of

devotion to God and the lived knowledge of the Vedas and the

Upanishads. We identify with the characters who enliven, inspire,

invigorate and enthuse us. The natural outcomes are feelings of gratitude,

affection, and a desire to reciprocate – worship. Through that grows trust

and love, a relationship of love and service. It has been said that we may

flirt with many deities, but we have to marry one – and that one is the

deity who inspires our journey in Truth.

I personally have great attachment to Krishna. He is my Ishta Dev. I love

Shiva and Ganesha but Krishna hits it for me. Krishna is all about love.

Ram is about duty and religion, and is consequently approached with

reverence. But Krishna is a baby, a child. We approach a child with love. A

pure selfless love is the most difficult to achieve because we have to give

completely of ourselves. And that challenge draws me to Krishna. Another

thing I find attractive about Krishna is the fact that he is so naughty.

Because he is the Supreme Being he has no religion. God does not need

religion, as we do. He is the only manifestation of God who is beyond

religion and who seems to act outside the norms of religion, paths made

for and by man.

20

We work for retirement. We work for a time when we don‟t have to

work, a time when there is no duty, and no obligation. This is Krishna‟s

starting point. He does not create, destroy, or maintain, he just enjoys.

Sometimes we work so hard to attain enlightenment, or a sense of being

good, that we miss the opportunity of being spiritual. Our enlightenment

and goodness are often to be found in the future. Krishna is not worried

about the future. He just plays on his flute enjoying in the way that we

desire, inviting us to join him, now. My challenge is that at least to some

extent I want to be like him, the coolest, the enjoyer, the one who is

loved and served. I want to be the most popular, the most beautiful, the

wealthiest, and the most intelligent – but the position is filled. To re-

establish my identity, my spiritual identity I am re-learning what it means

to serve and to love Krishna, and thus learning humility, patience, and

compassion.

Transcendental knowledge, the highest knowledge begins when we admit

the simplest truth; that our deepest desire is to be happy, spiritually happy,

and to be loved, eternally loved, by an eternal someone. While many of us

settle for a cup of tea and a biscuit, having successfully eluded happiness,

the highest knowledge is available to all of us willing to learn how to love.”

“Awake my little flute player, my love The night is over, day breaks. Doors have opened everywhere. Women are churning cream; you can hear their ringing bracelets Awake my love, morning has arrived. Gods and devotees wait at the door. Cowherds and children raise their voice to proclaim your name.”

From the Songs of Meerabai

21

Devotion by Raghuvir

Devotion is deeply imbedded in the Indian culture and an important part

of the old Vedic scriptures. Devotion towards the divine but also to

parents, spouses, kings is reflected up to today in the Indian culture.

Of course the influences of modern times, from other cultures and Kali

Yuga have left their mark in this wonderful virtue. It is much less in the

western culture however the black Christian community really know how

to celebrate their saviour with abundant joy. Also in the catholic branch

of Christianity devotion was not uncommon but now rarely seen.

Devotion is a language of the heart and whatever our background and

who experiences it, it must have been a spark of the Divine which has

reawakened this feeling in us.

There are beautiful examples of devotion in India like Meerabhai or

RamaKrishna. Meerabhai who composed the most beautiful bhajans to

Lord Krishna still sung all over India today. Through time she estranged

herself from surroundings and other people, totally absorbed in Lord

Krishna, forgetting to eat and take care of herself until she physically

merged with the Lord as the story goes. Also Rama Krishna who was

devoted to Mother Kali and lived most his life in the Kali Temple in

Calcutta on the banks of the Ganges. He was also not best in his social

skills and completely lost in devotion for his Kali Ma. To most regular

people they appeared to be mad but a true devotee can recognise such

extreme devotion.

Studying the Ramayana & Maha Bharata we can also get a good feel of

deep devotion towards the Divine and to Dharma. For a western mind

such devotion is hard to grasp. It takes years of practise and overcoming

the Me and Mine in ourselves and offering everything, everything at the

Lotus feet of the Divine. I suppose there must be a good dose of Divine

Grace involved as one person seems to experience it so different then the

other.

The saying, „one has to give to receive‟ is surely a great tool in practicing

devotion. The Aarti we sing is an act of devotion and it is amazing how

ever often we sing it, it is never boring to us. Karma yoga in His ashrams

and/or spreading His messages another way to express your devotion and

get closer to our Beloved Lord. I am personally still wondering if sending

beautiful pictures and inspiring quotes of Babaji to each other over the

internet & Facebook is having an effect on our heart level ? It certainly

22

feels nice and inspiring for a moment when something comes in while

wading thru work or the dry facts which are mostly on our screen. Babaji

did not like computers as He expressed on some occasions but with life at

this pace it is difficult to live without unless we put on some robes and sit

in a cave or so. Let us anyway remember that it is by singing Divine

praises, repeating the Holy Name's and practicing karma yoga we build a

strong foundation within ourselves, probably much deeper then the

fleeting and fast changing world on the internet can offer.

But whatever and however you celebrate your devotion dear brothers

and sisters, leave no stone unturned and put your heart & soul, your hands

and resources in it with vim and vigour and your connection to the Divine

will surely blossom.

“When you will forget yourself, you will meet Me.

These were your words to me, the task of your difficult love. To love you is to love the truth, to open to reality and light. To love you is to renounce illusions, to die in you and be reborn again. To love you is the silent prayer to merge in the great heart. Not even is there service in this love, one with the totality and emptiness of your being, no separation is there, no demand. Love is prayer and prayer is love, the longing for the perfect one.”

From Flowers of Devotion by Gaura Devi

23

Brahmanand (Benjamin Thiele):

I have no clue if the following lines about devotion meet the

requirements of being relevant to anybody but myself, but they

happened to me today so I share them with you.

“Initially, when spirituality suddenly enters

one's life, we are told that there is a need for

devotion. The more the better. "Bow to

God, bow to the Guru. Touch his feet.

Surrender everything." For a westerner, this

means a new mindset that is quite a change to

what one believed and practiced before.

And when you study Advaita Vedanta, it is

emphasized that everything is one and the

same source is acting and experiencing

through every being. The world that we live in

becomes a dreamed world without any

absolute value. It is even called 'nothingness'

by some saints. And within this nothingness, there is only the source and

nothing else exists.

And although this seems to be the reality beyond illusion, spirituality faces

us with the idea of devotion, i.e. a dreamed character - me - has to

surrender everything to God (whatever that is) in a dreamed shape - be it

Guru, Ganesha, Shiva or whatever. If not, I do not get released from

bondage. And to make it more complicated: This bondage that we suffer

from during many lifetimes is, by the way, also an illusion.

So what seems to have happened is that the one indescribable source of

everything has spontaneously dreamed up a huge time-space-container full

of individuals that experience themselves as subjects although they are

created objects. The whole circle of suffering, desire, fear etc. gets

initiated and keeps annoying these individuals. And although all this

dreamed up scenario is purposely created by the one source, this source

asks the created individuals to surrender to 'him' in order to get back to

the source and to get quite some interesting benefits in terms of self-

realization, peace, happiness, truth, etc. An offer you cannot possibly

refuse! But it reminds me of hitting a teddy-bear in the face and telling

him: "If you behave from now on, I will forgive you!".

Total devotion is indeed necessary but devotion is not to cultivate the difference between me and the source.

24

By looking at devotion in such a way, devotion seems to be a wrong

concept. It can even increase the ego by making a huge difference between

the 'me' and the source. There seems to be a huge gap between both of

them. But how can you ever dissolve the ego by cultivating such a

difference between the me and the source? I think, you can't.

How to get out of this misery? I found the work of the saint Ramesh

Balsekar very inspiring. He is a Vedanta master and argues that total

devotion is indeed necessary but devotion is not to cultivate the difference

between me and the source but to accept totally at every moment that

whatever happens is whatever is supposed to happen according to the

source. The ego is only a thought that claims all actions and thoughts to be

'his'. In fact, all these actions and thoughts just come up within us as a

consequence of our DNA, conditioning (childhood, school, ...) and the will

of the source. Devotion means, that 'I' am not the doer of my actions but

that these actions happen because they are supposed to happen. There

cannot be more devotion because the ego totally denies that it has any

existence of its own. There is not even a reason to feel bad or guilty about

having an ego. Why? Because the ego is also a creation of God. It is meant

to be. From our perspective, we cannot see why, but it has its meaning in

this gigantic play.

According to this concept, what are we supposed to do now? Stop the

spiritual path? Or increase efforts? No, we will anyway do what we are

supposed to do. But there is no reason to feel small, big, guilty, ashamed

or anything else. And the so called self-realization is the moment where

the ego (the spiritual seeker) realizes that there is nothing to seek and that

the seeker itself does not even exist. In that moment, the ego is so much

devoted that it dissolves completely. benjamin.thiele@eurocontrol.int

25

Are you doing the Inner

Yagna ?

Jigme Khentse Rimpoche

Kharku wrote: “Recently I met Jigme Khentse Rimpoche in an airport and

he asked to have a few words with me, so we went and sat alone.

Although he is Buddhist it was as if he was channelling with words a

teaching that both Babaji and Munirajji are constantly showing us. He

asked me about Kamalaya and asked if I was doing Yagna there. I

answered in the affirmative and he began to ask about the mantras I used,

the Gods and Goddesses that are invoked and other questions about the

form of the ritual.

After some discussion Rimpoche went silent for awhile and said:

Performing the Yagna is important and transformative but John are you

doing the inner Yagna ? The outer yagna has profound meaning only when

you are totally connected, surrendered, at one with the Divinity within, (as

Sri Munirajji is constantly).

He went on; First the inner yagna, connect, forgive, inspire compassion,

transform, inner first always the inner yagna first. He had drawn us into

that expanded place of spacious awareness where one hears silence, and

spoke as Babaji had done that you must invite the divine into your being,

into your heart, breathe the divinity into you, experience Babaji entering

your being, merging with you, and with each exhale merge your being with

the divine expanding into His Being riding the breath. Be connected,

merged, forgive yourself and forgive the other, love yourself and love the

other... in this place your thoughts are one with the divine thought. You

are incapable of harmful thoughts when merged with the Presence.

He quoted Buddha saying there are more sentient beings than grains of

sand in the Ganges and that we must forgive them all and pray for their

liberation.. We sat for awhile and then he got up and hugged me and

said: “Let's stay connected in the Inner Yagna................”

26

Notes from Narayana

Magical, quite literally, is the only way I can describe my experience of

being around Babaji in Haidakhan. If you thought of Him, He‟d appear. If

you had questions they‟d be answered instantaneously. He‟d say something

to a small group of people and not only would each person hear

something different but each would hear it in their native tongue! I

exaggerate not.

In the two months I was with Him I only managed to ask Him three things

directly, even though I had several opportunities daily. This story is about

one of those. Let me explain. At least twice a day, at morning and evening

darshan, and at other times, when He‟d inspect the various karma yoga

projects and direct the work I was involved in, I would have His total

attention and be able to ask anything I wanted; and yet somehow all need

to ask anything simply evaporated in His presence. I would go through the

same internal ritual every darshan. I would realize that I was coming into

His presence and a small voice in the back of my mind would chirp up:

“You‟ll soon be with your Master. You should ask Him some important

question. Don‟t waste this opportunity,” or something similar.

So, I‟d rack my brain for a suitable question, one that seemed to ask about

the meaning of life and death, the universe and everything, with some

particular bearing on my current hang-ups, mental constructs and

contemplations. When I found it I‟d join the darshan line, but when I got

to be about two or three people away from Him, He‟d act out something

which would somehow answer my question. Yet again I‟d find myself at his

feet with a completely blank mind, devoid of any thought, just swimming in

the infinite ocean of His being. It was quite disconcerting, and also totally

blissful.

And then it happened ! I awoke one morning with the realization that

Christina and Joy, my wife and daughter, together with her mother and

two children, would be returning to England from Spain, and I wouldn‟t be

with them. I suddenly felt very protective and a part of me wanted to

travel with them to see that they were safe. Since I was in India, half the

planet away, there was little I could do. Hence I resolved to ask Babaji to

bless my family; not only would they travel safely but the rest of their lives

would be wonderful as well. I did everything by the book that morning.

Washed in the river early, put on clean clothes, had chandan, attended

aarati punctually etc., and then there we were, in His garden for morning

27

darshan – my favourite time with Him. Evening darshan was often

crowded and sometimes got a little wild, but morning darshan was always

sweet.

When I approached Him, He was sitting with His right hand resting palm

down over His knee, and when I told Him of my concern and asked Him

to bless my family He lifted His hand and made a gesture, which I

experienced as a sort of dismissive one you‟d use to shoo away a

bothersome fly from your dinner-plate, and he said, “SITA RAM, SITA

RAM BOLO PYARE. YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS.” From the kneeling

position at His feet I fair stumbled backwards, and wobbling a little, started

to return to where I had previously been sitting with the other devotees

present, feeling rather strange and a little stupid. Just at this moment

everyone burst out singing,” Sita Ram, Sita Ram, Bhole Pyare, Sita Ram,

sita Ram Bholo Pyare,” in unison, as if conducted by some unseen hand!

As I sat down another English devotee said: “What did you ask Him?” “To

bless my family,” I replied, still somewhat dazed. “Why do you ask?”

“Well I saw Him lift His hand and this huge wave of energy hit you,

knocking you over. I‟m going to ask Him to bless my family too,” and so

saying up he went. I didn‟t see what happened to him, but a few minutes

later he was back with a sort of stunned, sheepish and somewhat startled

look on his face. “What happened?” I asked. “He answered the question

behind the one I asked,” he said. “What?” “Well I was sitting deep in

thought, wondering what I was doing here, and thinking that maybe I was

in the wrong place and should be back with my family. You came back

from your darshan and I decided there and then to ask Babaji to bless my

family as well. But when I asked Him, He said, „You are here because I am

here!”

28

Haidakhandi Samaj - News from India

Performance report of 5 months of Hospitals as compared to 5 months of

previous year (report to AGM by Mr M. Shukla).

SHREE BABA HAIDAKHAN CHARITABLE AND RESEARCH HOSPITAL

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR 11-12

APRIL TO AUGUST(5 MONTHS) STATISTICAL REPORT

12 Months 2010

5 Months of 2011

(April /August)

Prev

Year Avg/pm TOTAL Avg/pm

PATIENTS 25122 2093 10746 2149

RECEIPTS Rs lacs 66.76 5.56 35.7 7.1

EXPENSES Rs lacs 102.01 8.05 36.3 7.21

Loss/Surplus Rs lacs -2.49 -0.6 -0.11

BHOLE BABA AYURVEDIC HOSPITAL AND RESEARCH CENTE

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR 11-12

APRIL TO AUGUST(5 MONTHS) STATISTICAL REPORT

2010

5 Months of 2011

(April /August)

Prev

Year Avg/pm TOTAL Avg/pm

PATIENTS

P'KARMA

418 35 179 35

OPD

6876 573 1026 205

RECEIPTS Rs lacs 71.89 5.99 33.7 6.75

EXPENSES Rs lacs 63.6 5.3 24 4.8

Loss/Surplus Rs lacs 8.29 0.69 9.7 1.94

The above figures show that on a monthly averaging basis both hospitals

are running more economically & efficiently than the previous year.

However there were fewer outpatients in the ayurvedic hospital in the

equivalent 5 months – April to August - of 2011 than in 2010.

29

After Autumn Navaratri 2011 – extracts By Hiraman Mike Reynolds

After Navaratri this year, Munirajji took us to a temple in the forest called

Bhimsa. We had a wonderful morning sharing Munirajji‟s quiet joyfulness,

and the exuberant happiness of the surrounding people. We toured the

incredibly beautiful grounds and temple complex. Everything had been

done with such love, the temples and buildings seemed such a natural part

of the forest. It was as if they had grown there from the seeds of love,

devotion, and karma yoga. As we were getting into the car Muniji asked

me if I had seen all of the grounds. I said that I had and that it was very

beautiful. Then he told me that it had all started in 1955 with a single Shiva

lingam and dhuni built by the sadhu who had spent his life there. It affected

me deeply: the thought of one man coming there with simple joy and

determination in his heart and working day after day. Slowly others

coming to help and then out of that.... a place that sings to the spirit and

shines with light. It is amazing what we can do when we work together

and it only takes that first step to begin with perseverance.

That is why Babaji has given us Om Namaha Shivaya. For perseverance and

to fine tune our ability to hear and sense and feel. Ganga told me the

other day when she first met Babaji he told her she could stay three more

days. She was filled with such joy. What if we could be completely joyful

with three more days? Three more hours? Three more minutes? Three

more seconds? What if we could be complete for one moment? What

could we accomplish together?

Lal Baba on 8th Feb 2012 from Rajgarh, Rajasthan

“Today is the reopening of the Haidakhandi Vidyashram class rooms here

in Rajgarh. And yesterday there was the final cleaning, the last little things

to be done and the new coloured rooms are waiting in the darkness of the

early Rajasthani morning. It is 6 o'clock in the morning and behind the

school is a wonderful little orange shining fullmoon ball. Lord Shiva shows

us the beauty of His world. And soon around 135 Kids will enter the

area in a loud and wild way, running around and checking out their new

schoolrooms. Many people gave little and much and very much money

... The teachers, the director, the kids and their parents like more and

more this leela, and the workers were happy....

On the last day somebody sent a very big donation ... the bills can be paid,

and Lal Baba is very happy.....

See http://planetbabaji.com/Blog/Eintrage/2012/2/8_Final_cut.html

30

2012 GURUPURNIMA

IN EUROPE

Sada Shiva Dham in The

Netherlands - Holland Thursday 28th June – Tuesday 3rd July 2012

Prabhat Joshi

from Sandeep.

Informing you of the sad demise of our brother Prabhat Joshi, a member

of the Joshi family of Almora, who have been devotees of Babaji for the

last four generations. Prabhat had lost his wife Manju five years back and is

survived by his daughter Bhuvneshwari and son Parijat. It is a tragic loss to

his family. He was cremated 9th February and a condolence meeting was

held on the 13th day. On the personal front I have lost my very old special

friend as he was the one who brought me to Babaji, I will always carry a

special place in my heart for him.

In addition Sanju Joshi (48), son of late Shri Naveen Joshi and nephew of

Prabhat, passed away yesterday - 27th February 2012. Please do keep this

extended family in your prayers.

There is a light that shines beyond all things on earth beyond us all, beyond the heavens, beyond the highest, the very highest heavens. This is the Light that shines in our heart.

Chandogya Upanishad 3.13.7

31

Hospital Donations

(From Foreigners)

Bank Account Detail for

foreigners Name of A/c - SHREE BABA

HAIDAKHAN CHARITABLE AND RESEARCH HOSPITAL

Name of Bank BANK OF BARODA NAVIN MANDI, HALDWANI, DIST.NAINITAL

UTTRAKHAND, INDIA. ACCOUNT NO – 18490200000096

(ZERO)

I.F.S. CODE – BARB 0 HALNAV SWIFT CODE – BARBINBBMOR

Samaj Donation

(From Foreigners) Bank Account Detail for foreigners

Name of A/c - HAIDAKHANDI SAMAJ Name of bank - STATE BANK OF

INDIA, MAIN BRANCH – HALDWANI, DIST. NAINITAL UTTRAKHAND, INDIA.

ACCOUNT NO. 11178415321 I.F.S CODE- SBIN0000646

SWIFT CODE- SBININBB506

Hospital Donations

(From Indians) Bank Account Detail for Indians Name of A/c - SHREE BABA

HAIDAKHAN CHARITABLE AND RESEARCH HOSPITAL

Name of Bank - STATE BANK OF INDIA, Chilianaula, Ranikhet Distt. Almora, Uttrakhand.

ACCOUNT NO. 11528392032 I.F.S CODE - SBIN0009073

Samaj Donation

(From Indians) Bank Account Detail for Indians

Name of A/c - HAIDAKHANDI SAMAJ

Name of bank - STATE BANK OF INDIA, MAIN BRANCH HALDWANI, DISTT. NAINITAL

UTTRAKHAND, INDIA. ACCOUNT NO. - 11178415310

I.F.S CODE - SBIN0000646

DONATIONS – To Hospitals or the Haidakhandi Samaj

To avoid further confusion or errors in making donations to the

above, we give below full details for sending donations to India.

32

News from Around the World

Mandir and Kirtan Hall building in Holland.

The construction of the temple in Holland is doing well. After a call for

support last October there was a nice response from the international

family of Babaji. India, Russia, US, Thailand it came from all over the world

and we have been continuing nicely because of it. We may not be able to

finish it with the present funds but we are confident that Babaji will inspire

those who can to participate financially. One thing is clear to us here, He

is doing it and we may be His instruments. From mid December to 1

February a building stop hung in the air but a few diehards continued

anyway. It was very cold and a break for some, who have been non-stop at

it, was very welcome. We hope now when spring is knocking on the door

in March, April and May some who have time to dedicate will come to join

us in expressing our devotion in finalising Shri Babaji's temple in Holland.

All are welcome then as we need gardeners, cleaners, builders, cooks,

organisers (for G.P) in short everybody willing to do - to create a

wonderful opening ceremony at Guru Purnima in Holland. Pictures of the

present progress can be seen at www.babaji.nl

10th Feb 16th Feb 2012

33

Babaji’s New Ashram in Australia

The Australian Samaj has bought a beautiful property for Babaji's Ashram

in Australia. The first AGM was held there in late January, the weekend

after the settlement. Today 26th February 2012 the first Havan was held at

the Ashram with 17 people in attendance. Just as the Havan was

commencing it started to

rain for two or three

minutes, a beautiful blessing.

Recently, as Secretary, I was

looking through the

archives and I came across a

Haidakhan Newsletter from

2002, when Kanta Dwyer

wrote that Muniraji had

advised the Australian Samaj

to buy land near the river-

side Dhuni on Tiger Singh

and Deepa's land in the

Bega Valley, south-coast

New South Wales. Now, ten years on, through the grace of Babaji, the

Samaj has found this special place, not far from Tiger and Deepa's place.

The forty acre property is located on Mumbulla Mountain, in a tranquil

place surrounded by forest, private and yet accessible from the main town

of Bega. There's a hand crafted mud brick house and a large building

suitable for a Kirtan Hall. The landscaping has been done with great love

for the environment, with detailed stonework. There's a symphony of

birds and a creek running through the property below the house.

Kameshwar, the Samaj treasurer, has devoted enormous time and energy

in negotiations to bring this purchase about and all thanks go to him for

his tireless work. There are now many opportunities for Karma Yogis and

there is accommodation for those who are able to come.

Our thanks must also go to those who have made significant financial

donations to enable this purchase to go ahead, however we need funds to

make necessary changes and alterations and building works. Any donation

you are able to make will be greatly appreciated. Nan Singh

34

News from Italy

The story of Croce Mandir, which is near Salerno and south of Naples

It was many years ago that Kali Shani first brought Shri Babaji‟s message of

Light to our area. Our group started to get together to celebrate araati,

with Kalu Singh as our pioneer pujari, at Kali Annamaria‟s home in Albori.

This is a tiny village on top of a hill facing the Amalfi coast and the beautiful

blue sea. When Kali Annamaria moved to Cisternino, the group

continued to get together at different devotees‟ home, facing lots of joys

and trouble.

Then in 1994, during Shri Muniraj‟s tour to Cisternino, Kalu Singh and I

went to Guruji with a list of devotees with whom we would like to make a

Centre in our area. He looked at us, „thought‟ for a second and replied:

“Later”. Kalu and I accepted this and felt that a good opportunity would

then come at the right time. So it happened like this two years later

when, in Croce di Cava de‟ Tirreni, near Salerno, we were able to rent

the flat where Prem Singh first and later Kalu Singh had lived. So Croce

Mandir was born in February 1996.

Croce is on top of a hill marking the border between Cava De‟ Tirreni

and Salerno. In October 1999, during Autumn Navratri, a devotee from

our group went to India, carrying a booklet of pictures of our Croce

Mandir to show to Shri Shastriji and Shri Muniraj. On viewing the

Pictures Shastriji said:

“Accha, very good place. It is an outstanding place and the energy is very

good. You must stay there, don‟t change. There have been many wars

there ? (referring to wars at Roman times). Much negative karma was sown.

Was there a Church here before it became a Babaji temple? And who built

this house? The energy of the place is good, very good! How many

people are there praying to Babaji ? (It’s a group of 20-25 people). Yes,

you must go on. This is your place. It is very beautiful! Go on! Take care

of your Temple, this is a very good place! And also the surroundings, good

energy!”

Our friend who took the photos to India didn‟t know that in the very

room where the Mandir is now, there was a consecrated Church about

It is open on one side to a view of the Gulf of Salerno, and on the other to the beautiful Amalfi Coast. The energy here is crystal clear

35

two hundred years ago (as our landlord has told us recently) and the

house, an eighteenth century villa, was built by two Catholic priests.

This says a lot about Shri Shastriji, and about this place, chosen by Shri

Babaji for this area. Shri Muniraj, on seeing the photos simply nodded and

said “Good, very good.”

In 2011 we celebrated the 15th year at Croce Mandir and the second year

of its association to the Italian Haidakhandi Samaj.

Our greatest joy is to see so many people bent by life and its trials quench

their thirst at the pure source which is Bhole Baba Maha Raj. They come

back again and again, find their smile and trust returning and they might

even see a Light in their inner path. On Sunday nights there are always 20

– 25 people attending with new people each time. We‟ve been celebrating

a special festival since the Mandir existed, Ganesh Chaturthi. Year after

year, it has become a regular tradition of Croce Mandir. It is much

appreciated by many devotees who make efforts to come from all over

Italy. Shri Ganesh, with His primeval Joy, has always protected us in our

path. All this pays back all the sacrifices and efforts we face to keep this

place going; it gives us so much and helps us to overcome all the conflicts

inevitably coming out, and which are part of our personal growth, so that

we can work on our ego in Bhagavan‟s love.

Croce Mandir via Michele di Florio 47 Croce di Cava de‟ Tirreni (SA)

www.crocemandir.net.

Hairakhandi Love Centre, near Perugia, central Italy by Aliana- Anuli

“It was March 1983 when I arrived at Herakhan inspired by Yogananda's

book 'Autobiography of a Yogi'. Babaji had a huge impact on me, it seemed

as if we were living outside of time and space, everyone had their own

story and He was above everybody. He knew everything, our present

past and future; we couldn't hide anything in front of Him. During the 40

days Babaji let me stay there, many different things happened, especially

36

internal changes which were like overwhelming waves which bring you to

the other shore. When He asked me to leave, the 40 days there felt like

12 years. An Avatar can wash your soul inside Him and remove your

karma. Maybe this happened although I was really unaware at that time.

Among His many lilas I will recount the one that gave a new impulse to my

life: Once during darshan Babaji stared at me and asked: “You doctor?”. I

answered “Yes”, I was aware that it was a lila. I was a physiotherapist but I

didn't want to practice because I had had a big shock when in a car

accident everyone, including my best friend, had died. I had been the sole

survivor. So Babaji asked me to treat an Indian person next to Him.

Trembling, I asked him what his problem was and Babaji answered

“gastroenteritis”. Really frightened I told him not to eat fat or fried food,

but Babaji was already doing something else. Although it was a simple

event it had a great impact on me, He knew how to touch me to bring my

soul to its rightful path.

In the following 10 years after Babaji‟s mahasamadhi my partner and I

opened a centre in Umbria, it has been a great job and a hard work but

Babaji has always been with us tracking the path and opening unknown

doors, our faith was total and the karma yoga was absolute. Our days

have been full of experiences and emotions, our three children have

shared everything, growing up in the ashram. Babaji has always been here

doing His job with all the visitors. In our ashram we take care of body,

mind and spirit, all together as Babaji had guided me. In 1997 Muniraji

came to inaugurate the dhuni. During his satsang in the evening aarti he

really moved us by saying: “This ashram is Hairakandi love in name and

fact !”. He was telling us we were on the right path: Babaji's teachings

unified in our heart.

„The most important thing is to be human‟ said Babaji. We are trying to

practise this every second in our life, accepting our imperfections and

limits. We are sure that He is always here to lead and love us. Without

His presence nothing could have been done. His energy, always present

within and without me, brings me beyond the barriers that my mind likes

to imagine, and towards that inconceivable freedom that He talked about

and embodied.”

HERAKANDI LOVE CENTER (Ashram) Villarosa – Loc.Corniole 06026 Pietralunga (PG)

Tel/Fax (0039) 075-933074 E-mail: evan.aliana@libero.it – babaji@babajicenter.net

37

News from France

In October, a concert of Turkantam took place in a church of Cantal, in

central France. On this occasion, the villagers discovered kirtan and

bhajans and really appreciated them. It was organized by Michel, a

devotee who has proposed that his house could be used, partly, as an

ashram by the Samaj. A small group of devotees came to attend the

concert and the next day we visited the house and performed aarti there.

The house cannot be used yet as it needs big building works: it‟ll be ready

next summer. We feel that, at the beginning, it could be used for gathering

for a longer time together; for example for a week at the end of August

this coming summer.

A free kirtan-meeting which was lead by devotees, for the benefit of a

future Babaji ashram in France, was organized by Yashvir on 23th of

December in Montauban (south west).

In addition there was also a concert by Turkantam in Paris on Saturday

the 28th of January 2012 also to benefit a future French ashram. This

was followed the next day by ceremonies and the annual meeting of the

French Samaj.

Weekly aartis take place in Provence (south) and Brittany (west).

Added to this, a monthly kirtan took place from September to January in

Paris, hosted by several devotees.

All information is or will be soon on www.babaji.fr and in the next French

newsletter. by Mukundi for the Samaj

Om Namah Shivay Emilio/Ashok from Cisternino ashram maybe needs our prayers: He is currently under artificial coma in Paris after a heart attack he suffered there. He was awake yesterday but his brain is suffering and he had to be put again under artificial coma until next week.

Information received 25th February

38

News from Croatia

In the course of the past fifteen years there have been several attempts to

find a more permanent home for Babaji and the growing number of His

devotees in Zagreb, as well as in several other cities in Croatia (Osijek,

Split, and Pula). With Munirajji‟s blessing -

Haidakhandi Love Center in Osijek was founded in 2002: www.babaji.hr

and Haidakhandi Spiritual Center in Zagreb in 2007: www.haidakhan.net

These two centres are the foundation of Haidakhan Samaj in Croatia

which is organizing regular meetings and Navaratri celebrations in Osijek.

The two centres are cooperating well, especially since we started

organising common events such as taking Babaji‟s Padukas to various

places throughout the country for worship. There are also other groups

of Babaji devotees who are practicing their devotion independently of

these two centres. In this article however we focus on the activities of a

group of devotees concentrated around the Haidakhandi Spiritual Center

in Zagreb.

Activities of Babaji devotees in Zagreb

In Zagreb there is a small but very reliable and active group of devotees

who are celebrating aarati at Visnu Datt and Mahima‟s home for over ten

years. Five years ago Visnu Datt initiated building a dhuni on a piece of

land at the foot of the mountain Medvednica, some 15 kilometres away

from the centre of Zagreb, in (almost) untouched nature. Maha Devi

(from Belgium), who was our guest during the first visit to Croatia of the

Padukas from the German ashram, said that this area and its dhuni remind

her of the landscape and the energy of Herakhan in its early days:

everything is still very simple and pure, impregnated with high energy of

great devotion.

Since our first Paduka journey Kishor joined Vishu Datt in building a new

dhuni house. The large new dhuni, which can seat twenty + people, is

almost finished. Most weekends we celebrate a havan there.

Paduka Journeys - cooperation between German Ashram and Croatian Centres.

Satyanand and Asha from Cologne, who are connected with Rieferath,

have been visiting Ashas‟s homeland Croatia for over ten years with their

harmonium. They have been playing aarati and bhajans with various groups

of spiritual aspirants in Croatia who are meeting in private houses.

39

Croatian devotees expressed their wish to have Darshan of Babaji‟s

Padukas in Croatia. Whereupon Rieferath ashram magnanimously offered

to „lend‟ their silver Padukas for several days a year. These Padukas had

been blessed by Babaji and have been lovingly cared for in Reiferath for

over thirty years. The first visit took place in Zagreb and Osijek in

September 2010. It proved to be a great inspiration for all the devotees

who attended numerous pujas, aaratis and havans. We were especially

happy that Maha Devi joined and supported us during this first visit.

The second Paduka visit took place in Zagreb in August 2011, in

temperatures of over 40 Degrees ! Devotees rented a concert hall in the

centre of Zagreb and performed puja and aarati, with films about Babaji.

Networking and Plans for Croatia in 2012

Our meetings are becoming more and more international. Two devotees

from Slovenia invited us to organize kirtan in their country in June 2012.

Some Polish and Italian devotees are also expected to come to the

beautiful river Soca valley. In addition to regular pujas and Navaratri

celebrations in Croatia we are organizing Autumn Navaratri 2012 on the

island of Krk in north Adria, where Asha and Satyanand have a house

which is becoming more of a meeting place for devotees. We would like

to invite devotees from many countries to join us for autumn Navaratra

this year to Punat on the island of Krk. (Those of you interested in joining

us please contact: kontakt@anita-kontrec.de and visnudatt@gmail.com).

Contacts:

Haidakhandi Spiritual Center,

Zagreb:

www.haidakhan.net

visnudatt@gmail.com

kreso_kailash@yahoo.com

Haidakhandi Love Center,

Osijek:

www.babaji.hr

kontakt@babaji.hr

Trilochan, Mahadevi, Lakshmi, Parwati,

Vishnu Datt, Narmade

40

News from Spain

Mahaveer Pandit writes: “In 2006 Shri Muniraji asked me to go to Spain to help Amba create a new

ashram in a town close to San Sebastian, called Azkoitia. After three

months of hard work the „Hairakhandi Karma Yoga Center‟ was born,

with a temple dedicated to Haidakhandeswari Mata, a sacred Dhuni and a

9 room guest house to accommodate 25 to 30 people. In the last five

years we have organized many different spiritual gatherings to celebrate

the Babaji festivals.

With the permission of Shree Muniraji, two years ago, The „Haidakhandi

Samaj of Spain‟ was founded with Amba president, Kem Chand

secretary and three members: Suati, Juan Carlos and Soraya. At present

the Samaj is going through a silent moment to clarify some important

things. I will be travelling this March to Spain to celebrate the Spring

Navaratri and in April there will be a meeting of the Samaj to plan the

future. After this meeting the Samaj will send to the IHJ a report to clarify

the situation in Spain.

The ashram near San Sebastian called Hairakhandi Karma Yoga Centre is

open and enquirers can contact Amba if you wish to visit:

House Phone: 0034-943500043

Mobile: 0034-615008040 Email: izaskun_garmendia@euskalnet.net

The ashram address is: Azkoitia, C/ Izarraitz Auzoa-Baserri Ariatzaga,

s/n, localidad de Azkoitia, provincia Guipúzcoa DP. 20720

Ashram in Valencia Spain – Correction ! from Lakshmi

The editors apologise for unknowingly publishing incorrect information in

the Summer 2011 edition of this Journal regarding the Spanish ashram:

The Spanish Babaji ashram has not closed down but is alive and kicking !

Visitors, devotees and karma yogis are heartily welcome. Please contact

Maria and let her know when you wish to arrive !

Purnima at renacer108@1964.telefonica.net

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Letters to the Journal

Maltî as I experienced you,

by Dieter Jahnke

Malti and I had known each

other for some years and kept

regular contact. Whenever we

met there was joy and

enthusiasm in her face and her

engaged interest in the world

made her always a loveable

companion.

She knew how to present her views with a sense of humour and kept

Muniraji always as a model in her mind. She was a freedom loving person.

She cultivated close relationships in order to shower love onto others.

Her love for life was expressed through music and dance. This she always

kept up, even during difficult times. This is how I have experienced Malti.

The following verse was one that she was especially fond of and how she

most likely wishes to be remembered.

"Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I, and you are you.

Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.

Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was.

There is absolute and unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am just waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just round the corner. All is well." Canon Henry Scott Holland

42

Gopal Hari Letter from Jagadish on 21st December 2011

I'm with Gopal Hari, Ambika, Shambo, Veda and Hari Sudha now at the

house and will tell of Gopal‟s progress. I haven't been here for three

weeks or so but his progress is quite astounding. Yesterday evening I was

sitting in the kitchen not long after my arrival, and Gopal came up the

stairs on his own and greeted

me. The change from

my last visit is quite amazing.

Gopal is moving around and

making trips on his own to the

bathroom and kitchen. His

presence is very strong to be

around. The doctor apparently

phoned a few days ago and was

amazed when Ambika told him

Gopal was dusting his room.

The doctor‟s reply was: WHAT!

Gopal is being seen to by people

from all over. He is being treated with Chinese medicine and all other

manner of medicinal treats. He is being very well looked after. Recently he

spoke to Shri Munirajji on the phone. He told me that Munirajji sounded

like an 18 year old. Munirajji's only words were "Bhole Baba, Bhole Baba"

when Gopal gave him his profound thanks for all His help.

There isn't much more than that. Gopal is forever dumbfounded with all

the love that flows his way. Ammaji gave him sweets to eat once a

day after her London visit. Tears flow from his cheeks every time He

thinks of Munirajji....

LATEST NEWS FROM GOMA FAMILY - January 2012

Gopal Hari is in good spirits and much improved. He is talking and walking

and grateful for quality time with friends and family. “Thank you for all

your beautiful messages. We can‟t reply to each person but we are reading

messages to Gopal Hari and feel blessed to be part of a big extended

family. We feel comforted by your love, kindness and support. We feel

held in your prayers and Babaji‟s love. Please keep praying ! We are all

one family.” http://gomaretreat.wordpress.com/

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Editorial Information

The International Haidakhandi Journal (IHJ) which incorporates the Indian

Haidakhandi Samaj News, is published twice a year at mid-summer and

mid-winter. It is edited and published by Rob and Gaby in Oxford

supported by the Editorial Board of Alok Banerjee in India, Gayatri Devi

and Lok Nath in USA, and Raghuvir in Holland. Primarily, publication is

on the international website of the Haidakhandi Samaj:

http://www.haidakhandisamaj.org/. See below for details of printing in

India. Please consider printing and distributing it in your own country.

Contact: info@oxford-transpersonal.co.uk The responsibility for the

content of the IHJ lies with the Editors, with the support of their Editorial

Board, however the Editors do not take responsibility for individual‟s

stories or country information. The Editors reserve the right to edit

information sent to us, for the purpose of shortening the length of articles

or improving written English or presentation. Finally, we would like to

heartily thank all contributors and interviewees for their invaluable help in

creating this edition, and we would like to apologise for the delayed

publication of this edition.

This Journal is printed in India by the Haidakhandi Samaj, Regd Office: 54 Hanuman Road, New Delhi -110 001 Regd No. Delhi – S-14556

International Haidakhandi Journal - No. 6

will be published in Summer 2012. Please send in:

Your news from your ashrams, centres and national samaj

Your letters, book reviews, stories and comments

Before May 31st 2012 please to info@oxford-transpersonal.co.uk

We would like some new blood to help us in compilation and publishing

of the Journal. Particularly needed is someone who is more computer

skilled re- publishing the Journal in a new layout – more 21st Century

style. If you feel inspired to offer yourself to help in this way the Editors

would be delighted ! We also need more reader participation: please

send in your ideas and contributions for the Summer 2012 edition. Many

thanks from the editorial team. Bhole Baba Ki Jai.

44

Have courage ! Yoga, the way of union with God,

is to be courageous. So become like lions. Babaji.