'' A   Stairway to  Heaven ...''


               Ascending the fortunate steps
               I seem to step
                into the inky blueness of  the sky
                and its distant twinkling stars;
               I feel a Heaven close at hand.


               Am enclosed
               Within the grip of Grace,
sensing an overpowering dazzlement,
hearing ceaseless whisperings,
              Bathed in Supreme serenity.....
        

         -best regards
          neelam sethi
'' A   Stairway to  Heaven ...''


               Ascending the fortunate steps
               I seem to step
                into the inky blueness of  the sky
                and its distant twinkling stars;
               I feel a Heaven close at hand.


               Am enclosed
               Within the grip of Grace,
sensing an overpowering dazzlement,
hearing ceaseless whisperings,
              Bathed in Supreme serenity.....
        

         -best regards
  '' A   Stairway to  Heaven ...''


               Ascending the fortunate steps
               I seem to step
                into the inky blueness of  the sky
                and its distant twinkling stars;
               I feel a Heaven close at hand.


               Am enclosed
               Within the grip of Grace,
sensing an overpowering dazzlement,
hearing ceaseless whisperings,
              Bathed in Supreme serenity.....
        

         -best regards
          neelam sethi

You Can't....

You can't catch a rainbow

              and in your pocket put it away,

You can't catch a dewdrop

              because it'll shyly melt away;

You can't ensnare the bright blue

               of the kingfisher's wing,

You can't trap the beauty of the dancing butterflies

               when over the flowers they skim;

You can't roll up the cottony clouds

               as they gently glide the heavens

                and store them away,

You can't closet the whispering of the trees

               as they disclose the seasons' secrets in their sway;

You can't encase the sweet wetness of the rain 

                as it freely falls upon  the sides of the mountain;

You can't bottle the mist swirling around the peaks

                as it tells the mystery of the summits;

You can't catch Life's precious things

                -'cause the best things in Life are best left free....as a Soul must be.

__Neelam Sethi.

(lines written at the BMA,Chennai,
climbingg the side
steps going up to the Hall from the dorm, towards the ladies terrace)        neelam sethi


(lines written at the BMA,Chennai,
climbingg the side
steps going up to the Hall from the dorm,
towards the ladies terrace)

(lines written at the BMA,Chennai,
climbingg the side
steps going up to the Hall from the dorm,
towards the ladies terrace)

THIS FRAGMENTED SELF

THIS FRAGMENTED SELF


This fragmented self of Mine I seek to find
As I gaze into the Other's eye
Imaged there as  a reflection  my own...What difference then between You and I ?
And as the Eye closes in Prayer
Disappears all difference;
Of   You and I; we Melt
Into the ONE all-pervading Divine circumference...

__Neelam Sethi.

RIVER OF LIFE

The River of Life (as 4 stages)

The Child-a sprightly, springy, brook and stream Flowing and dancing along merrily Guided solely by its own freewill Its movements swift and shrill. The Youth- a sassy, gushy, energetic self Bouncing and jumping over rapids and boulders high To make many a beautiful waterfall While cutting through stony edifice of rock and all. Then, the Middle-Aged- sobered, silent, and forging deep  Measuring its way surely into meanders and spurs Tackling undercurrents with apparent surface calm Settling the silt of memories old  Awaiting patiently to emerge into its Goal. In the Old  Age- a stoic serenity falls upon it, and This tranquil shroud it wears till end As it willingly flows in sweet surrender Into the vast, expansive  Nothingness - The Divine Ocean of Bliss....................

HAVEN - IN MY HEART

HAVEN....

In my Heart...
There is a Garden, with hedges of varied hue,

Where flit from branch to branch

Sun-birds, sparrows, butterflies, bulbul - one or two.

Delight is a constant companion

Who visits this secret Garden with me;

Here pierces my ears,

Childrens' laughte,r as they swing in blissful glee.

The sacred scent of the Rose

Drags the mind into repose,

And reflections-

Of the Ethereal kind ;

Where shafts of Sunlight slice through

Dark bordering clouds of Doubt

To Light up this unmitigated Soul......


__Neelam Sethi

Why Meditation?

                                                     Why Meditation?

                     In today’s age where strife, terror, ethical breaches and corporate scandals dominate the 9’o clock news, at a time which echo of crime, war, natural disasters and diseases, in a millennium when familial ties and parenthood are challenged everyday, and in a world where common folk are made to bear the brunt of negativism, where social dilemmas and dogmas lead to so much discouragement, is it not natural for man to desperately seek solace and respite from  these overwhelming and alarming situations?

                    But  where ? And  how? One  underlying ‘truth’ prevails - that it is goodness  in the world that has helped to preserve  the human race from total destruction. Life is not easy and in the confusion that is rocking the world presently each soul seeks to aspire for a haven of hope; a refuse in stormy times. You and I are in search of an anchor in these troubled times of ‘darkness’ where there is so much negative noise. We need a daily reminder that  regardless  of what transpires in the world around us  we have a’ means’ or a ‘way’ that helps us to enrich our lives with meaning and progress, at both spiritual and material levels.

                   Therefore, man has come face to face a reality which urges him to evolve to a higher platform from which to divinity. Just possessing a human form does not make one a human ‘being’. To first become a ‘human’ human –being and then progress towards becoming a ‘divinized’ human being should be each one’s call. And for that we need to invest in a technique that will make us ‘mind healthy’ and provide us with spiritual health as well. Raja yoga meditation deals with such time-tested techniques which are immensely successful in helping to keep the mind vigorous, alert, stimulated and positive. Stephen Covey, a great motivational writer of our times recommends meditation by speaking thus – “…the spiritual dimension is your core, your centre, your commitment to your value system. It is a private area of life and a supremely important one. It draws upon the sources that inspire and uplift you and tie you to the timeless truths of all humanity.”

                  Daily meditation, for about thirty to forty-five minutes can help us to contemplate and understand some basic questions that play on our minds at some  point of time in our lives, such as: ‘who am I?’, ‘what’s the purpose  of my life?’ or ‘ what’s the secret of  contentment and eternal joy?’ It is only through meditation that we are able to establish connectivity with a Higher Source and able to successfully awaken the divine spark inherent in each soul. Covey further goes on to say that- “ it is good to be born in a religion but not to die in one”. Therefore one must let oneself grow and rescue oneself from the limits of doctrines and dogmas, rites and rituals, regulations and ceremonies which are so restricting and which fence our freedom for spiritual emancipation.

                In other words, meditation takes us to that juncture where churches or temples do not matter. In fact it shows us the ‘road’ that leads us beyond the churches and temples Revered Master’s  Master, Babuji* has lucidly put across the crux of the matter to us  - “God is not to be found in the folds of a particular religion or sect. He is not confined within certain forms nor is He to be traced out from within the scriptures. We have to seek Him in the innermost core of our Heart.” Deep within each soul lies the need to look for meaning, a craving for purpose - a longing to be of value. Most successful people will tell you that they take time for themselves each day. In silence only can we hear that still small inner voice that comes straight from the heart and it happens when  we put aside our  busy day to day activities and responsibilities. One needs to pause momentarily and voluntarily make a ‘choice’ – the choice to meditate. It is only if one gets still daily and delves into the deep essence of his \ her being through reflection or meditation that one is  able to find the answers to all questions and fulfillment. In meditation it is as if we are providing ‘oxygen’ to the soul.

                             Apart from this, when we re-connect with the inner self we help to bring about an ‘alignment’ between the two aspects of our life – doing (outer purpose)  and being ( our higher purpose).Our Revered Master* has put it across so beautifully-“As a bird needs two wings to fly, so a human being needs the wings of existence, the spiritual and the material to lead a natural and harmonious life.”

 

 Only then can the aspiring soul live a truly fruitful life which is full of achievements. So let’s step into the silence of the inner self and catch a glimpse of our own immortality.

 

·        ‘Babuji ‘ refers to  Shri Ram Chandraji of  Shahjahanpur  who the second guru of our Mission.     

·        ‘Revered Master’ refers to Reverend P. Rajagopalachariji who is the president of the Mission.                 

CRAVING

CRAVING

The dictionary meaning of the word ‘craving’ amounts to –‘ set one’s heart (or mind) upon something or to hanker after, pine for, or covet …It is used in association with a person desiring something as a devotee or as an aspirant or a seeker. In Sahaj Marg, the dictionary meaning applies impeccably. Each abhyasi is a seeker, so he /she literally ‘set’s his/her heart upon achieving the goal i.e. mergence with the Master. The question which now arises is this: can this ‘craving’ or yearning be used as tool to shape ourselves into perfect beings. If we use it with dynamism then it can help us in being more obedient to the Guru and the prescribed system and further, it can help us to identify with the Master and try to emulate Him, thereby reaching the goal more easily. Also, craving becomes a manifestation of one’s love for Him-the one who is Love Incarnate. This craving or yearning springs from our deepest, innermost self and it becomes the basis or platform of our sadhana. It helps to fortifies the foundation of one’s sadhana.

Craving is the overt aspect of a covert intensity of the aspirant’s longing for the Guru- the latent divinity which is present in everyone’s life. Due to this intense craving ‘Constant Remembrance’ becomes second nature to the abhyasi. It becomes a 24 x 7 activity! It also becomes the measuring rod or barometer in judging the sincerity of one’s sadhana. With craving in one’s heart the practitioner will leave no stone unturned to reach his Master. Moreover, he/she will want to overcome all odds to be close to the One whom he/ she holds close to the heart. Without craving the aspirant’s sadhana is like a body minus it’s soul- a house without inhabitants. Bereft of craving the practice becomes just lip- service…..hollow.

Craving also happens to be that propelling force for the shaft (arrow) of the aspirant’s sadhana taking it straight to the heart of the Master and it is only due to this craving or longing that we become the beneficiaries of His divine love and benevolence, which may be compared to a celestial shower in the desert-land of our day to day routine or prosaic lives. Our craving helps us to catch His attention and become the recipients of His boundless love. It becomes a two- way exchange. In being focused on Him we catch his focus.

Master has said in the book- ‘He, Hookah and I’ (Informal Conversations) “that only with a sense of purpose does ‘will’ come into play”. Therefore, we may consider ‘craving’ to be the strengthening force ( as it helps in creating a strong will) which makes us single-minded about our practice thus making our sadhana purposeful.

In conclusion, one may say that only through sincere craving or a deep yearning is the sadhak (the adorer) able to accomplish the end result of his sadhana - what he set’s his heart upon - and win over object of his/her adoration – the Beloved , the Master.

Neelam Sethi

Gurgaon

25.4.’09

POEMS – A TRIBUTE TO MY MASTER

 

 

1. Garment of Love

 

His Garment of Love she wears

Each time she closes her eyes and prays

Vertical ‘seconds’ interwoven

With horizontal ‘minutes’ of today

      ‘Hours’ wherein form patterns

Of a flowing blissful array;

This fabric becomes her shroud-

Day and Night, Night and Day !

 

 

 

2. Awakening

 

From the deep crevices of   Darkness

My soul did arise one day

Seeking a new Awakening…..

 

Only to find that which had lost itself

In this cold, callous world of material dreams

 

 

An inner beacon of Light beckoned it then

Showing the illumined Path

And in a Flash…the soul found itself

Like a mighty Star…suspended within Nothingness

      Transcending Time - in the Universe of His Eternity…..

 

 

3. Divine Deliverance

 

He pervades in Silence

The Temple of my Being

As smoke arising from incense

Permeates the air

Hollow and light I feel

An empty reed…..

 

Shall He turn me into a flute

For tunes of his Delight…..expressing  cosmic ecstasies?

 

 

4. Maze of Life

 

 

      I stand before Him-

to thank Him …

For each trial, each tribulation

            Each sorrow, each disappointment

            Each pain, each despair…

            And tighten my clasp on Him… gratefully, for

            Weathered and strengthened

             I sense His presence in this Maze of Life

            

         

 

 

5. …..I found Him

 

In the beauty of the garden ,

In the chirping of the birds and insects…I found Him

In the patterns of a butterfly’s wing ,

In the colors of the rainbow…I found Him

In the smiles of children,

In the sweet voice of a friend…I found Him

In the simple acts of kindness,

In the angst of the righteous…I found Him

In the most mundane situations,

In the most profound scriptures…I found Him

In the hearts of all around me … I found Him

Always apart and outside of myself I found Him

 

I plunged into my innermost recesses of my-self

In desperation and despair

And then as time stood still

In one eternal moment

Within my heart……………………I found Him.

 

 

6. Soul  Healer

 

          He mends my broken spirit

            Bruised and so raw

    He heals me from within- the dark soul

 

He gives to me of Himself

He treats my torn ‘inside’ with the soothing balm of Prayer

          -He makes me whole again.

Renewed and laughing I rise again

With zest like a phoenix

 Flamboyant, upright, strong

 I live again……