In Dark Moments

Years ago, during the winter Guru used to practise tennis shots indoors in our old Progress-Promise meeting hall. Guru used a ball machine, which would eject balls at some considerable speed, and Guru would fire them back over a net that had been temporarily erected for his practice sessions. Some of us boys would scurry behind the net collecting balls as fast as Guru could hit them.
On one particular morning, I was not in a very good consciousness, but my saving grace was that I was aware of the situation and I desperately wanted to lift myself out of this mood. I said to myself, "What I need is a good knock on the head to jolt myself out of this state." Not one second later a tennis ball came flying my way courtesy of Guru's racquet and smacked me squarely in the head. It was a perfect hit!
Guru cried out, "Sorry, sorry!" but I could detect a wry grin on his face, and I was deeply grateful for my tennis-ball illumination.

Kishore (Melbourne)

We Heard You (poem)

We Heard You

We heard You talking About a favorite television program.

Everyone else pronounces it "I Love Lucy," Emphasis on the "I."

But You say "I "Love" Lucy."

In everything, You emphasize the Love.

Vasudha (San Diego)

The Capacity

The Capacity

Once Guru asked me to publish a running magazine for the general public. It was difficult to get correspondents, disciples or otherwise, to contribute articles. One disciple sent along an account of an ultramarathon race; however, it was almost unreadable. The spelling, grammar and syntax were so bad that it was difficult to make sense of the story. Our editorial policy was to include as many articles by disciples as possible, so we corrected and rewrote the article, while attempting to preserve the essence of the author's account. The disciple was overjoyed at seeing the article in print. Guru then instructed the disciple to continue sending stories and, in fact, fill up the magazine when we were lacking in articles. When I heard this, my heart sank! However, Guru later detailed how the disciple was to do this. He was to attend track meets, go to airports, etc. and interview famous runners. The tape of the interviews was then to be transcribed, edited and corrected by another nominated disciple. In this way, our magazine carried interviews of the highest calibre with top-ranking athletes which made us the envy of many other running magazines. I got the message: when a disciple has enthusiasm and willingness, Guru will provide the capacity.

Sipra (Adelaide)

Never Worry Anymore

Never Worry Anymore

This is a promise I will keep: not to worry any more about money. About one month before the Christmas vacation, I had not been able to gather even half of the cost of the trip, and I was worrying every day how I was going to make it. One day I said to myself, "I have to have more faith and put these worries aside." At night I had a dream that Guru gave me a piece of paper. When I woke up, I thought that maybe it was a lottery ticket. By the afternoon, I had forgotten about the dream, but while I was running, it suddenly came back to me when I saw fifteen dollars lying on the ground. The next day I went postering for Guru's concert with a friend. While I was putting a poster on a window, I saw a dime. I picked it up and noticed a penny stuck in the door of the store. At first I did not bend down to get it, but immediately I felt Lakshmi's dissatisfaction, so I went back for the penny. This time I inwardly saw Lakshmi's hand pouring golden coins at the side of her lotus. I knew she was happy. About three hours later, on the busiest street in Manhattan, I was chatting with my friend when I got another blessing from Lakshmi. I felt compelled to look to one side in the gutter, and there lay a clear plastic bag with money inside. I could not believe my eyes! There was $227, with no name for returning it. I immediately offered my gratitude. You may think that $227 was nothing close to what I needed to pay for the Christmas trip. But after this experience, money started coming from every direction. Even though I had to make something like $6000, including three months rent, and considering I did not have a job for about two years, on the departure day for the trip, I had paid everything and I had some spending money. To prove a point, I added all my income, and nothing came close to the amount of money I needed, yet everything was paid. This was simply a wonderful miracle, and from this I learned that I should never, never worry any more.

Adarini (New York)

Good

"Good"

My first three years as a disciple were spent in San Francisco. During August Celebrations in 1976, Guru invited all the visitors to his house for a meal. As we were walking into Guru's backyard, we passed by the basement windows. I glanced in the windows and noticed some friends of mine from San Francisco were downstairs helping to prepare the food. My first reaction was one of surprise that I wasn't also invited to help, since I often worked on Centre tasks with these girls and they were my friends. But just as quickly as I had that reaction, a thought in the form of a conviction came to me. I thought, "I am sure Guru would have invited me to help if by inviting me, I would have made the most progress. Guru wants to help us reach the goal as soon as possible and everything he gives us or doesn't give us is for this reason." Guru himself handed each plate to the visiting disciples. As Guru handed a plate to me, he said, "GOOD!!! Niriha," with such power that I knew immediately that Guru was aware of my thought.

Niriha (New York)

Father

Father

The first time I saw Guru was at NYU Law School, where he was lecturing. I was sitting at the back of the room, and couldn't hear (or at least understand) a word he was saying. But something inside of me seemed to leap out and fly to him, with great intensity, crying "Father! Father! Father!" It was as if my soul, seeing its spiritual Father for the first time in this incarnation, was seeking solace and protection from the idiot who was making such a mess of her own life. Despite this experience, because of problems in my outer life, I was not yet ready to become a disciple, and I spent some time exploring different ways of meditating, including Sufi dancing. One day, at the end of a seminar, Sufi Master Pir Vilayat Khan announced, "If any of you want to meet a real spiritual Master, Sri Chinmoy will be offering his annual New Year's Meditation" at such-and-such a time and place. The New Year's Meditation was a powerful experience. I began attending the Saturday evening meditations for new seekers, which were then held in disciples' apartments in Manhattan. At one of these sessions, those who wanted to become disciples were invited to have a short, private interview with Guru. During my interview, I explained to Guru that, although I felt he was my spiritual teacher, I also felt much respect for Pir Vilayat Khan. With great patience, Guru told me, "You have to know who your spiritual Father is, and who your spiritual Uncle is." Guru elaborated at length how there are many valid paths to the Goal, but how we must follow only the path meant for us. At the end of his answer, I felt a bit mischievous and, only because I knew that my all-loving Father would allow me, I piped in, "But can I still go Sufi dancing?" "Fine, fine," he said, realising that although I said I was 22, I still had the emotional make-up of a 14-year-old. Once I knew that I could go Sufi dancing, I never had the desire to go, and I explored my new spiritual path with enthusiasm and intensity.

Nayana (New York)

Eternity (poem)

Eternity

You might have seen the photograph In the newspaper, You know, the one where the geologist Is standing on a boulder Which he casually estimates is More than one billion years old.

It probably didn't bother you, I bet you just kept eating Your breakfast And went to work as usual But for some strange reason I just can't seem to let it go.

I mull it over and over until My head spins and my mind reels, A thousand million years... Why, some people claim I'm over the hill And I'm barely pushing fifty! My life seems so inconsequential, No more than a forgotten blink In the Eye of the Supreme.

Feeling helplessly crushed by Time I decide to meditate. A soft serenity descends And gradually my spirit ascends Floating high above all thought Of nimble geologists and oblivion.

To my heart's utmost joy That is when it happens – I hear my Master's loving Voice Whisper within: My child, fear not. Take My Hand and I will show you the Real in you, The real You which is ageless, Birthless and deathless, Eternal.

Ashrita (New York)

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