Na Guror Adhikam Thathwam Na Guror Adhikam Thapaha |
Thathwa gnyanaath Param Naasthi Thasmai Sri Gurave namaha ||
There is no penance greater than the Guru. There is no essence beyond him.

Who is a Guru? Do we need a Guru? How does one identify his or her Guru? What is this relationship all about? What is the final destination?

Do I need a Guru? Once this question arises in a person’s mind, it signals the need for a Guru. Because, when we have questions for which we desire earnest answers, the person whom we seek and derive the answers from, becomes our Guru. The Sanskrit word “GuRu” has two syllables – “Gu” and “Ru”. “Gu” means Darkness and “Ru” means Remover.

When we meet our Guru (Master), we need no introduction. Words become superfluous. There is a connection made at a subtler level. After meeting him, seeking stops, blossoming begins; hankering for mundane pleasures stop, contentment fills in; restlessness ends, joy brims; expectations disappear, a service attitude develops; fear disappears, a permanent smile transfixes itself on our face. Every moment of living becomes pristine Bliss in his presence. The key is to feel the Presence of the Master. The Master is the Presence, not a relationship. Relationships can be broken, mended and broken again. There is craving and aversion in every relationship. All relationships go topsy-turvy, whereas the Presence is vast, infinite, stable and centered.

The Guru is there to remove all our imperfections, take in all our silly grievances, calm the restless mind and make us actually experience that - we are JOY, we are TRUTH and we are the pure consciousness that pervades the entire creation (Sat-Chit-Anandha).

The heart always yearns for the Guru’s presence and the knowledge that emanates from him. The abode of the Guru becomes the most enchanting place on earth. Sant Kabir said –

Guru Govind Dhovu Kade, Kaake Lagoo Paai
Balihaari Guru Aapne, Govind Dhiyo Bhathaai
If I had to choose between God and Guru, I would choose my Guru, for without him, I would have never known God.

One of Buddha’s disciples, after attaining enlightenment said that he would rather have remained ‘un-enlightened’, because in that state, he had his Guru and was able to drown in his grace and love, which was no longer the experience after self realization.

The Guru’s timeless wisdom helps us look beyond “small things” and view the world with a broader vision. His Love radiates impartially like the sun, requiring no expression in words and actions. His mere presence touches our inner being, fills us with so much of immeasurable love that tears of gratitude and joy flow continuously, with a smile forever transfixed on our face. There on, life appears so beautiful, charming and wonderful. We start looking at everything in awe, as though everything is a miracle. The quality of living is enhanced. Life becomes a celebration.

A disciple is simply there in the presence of the master, joyful, blissful and full of love. His heart breaks and love flows. And he feels the deep connection with the Guru. And gradually, he feels this connection with every animate and inanimate creation in this universe. He attains love. It is then the final destination is reached.

Mannathah Sri Jagannathah Madhguruhu Sri Jagadhguruhu |
Madh Athma Sarva Bhoothathma Thasmai Sri Gurave Namaha ||
My Lord is the Lord of the entire world. My Guru is the Guru to the entire creation. The SELF in me is the same as the SELF in every aspect of this creation. I salute the Guru who gives me this insight.

Peace.

The wind played
      by her open curls,
Tousling it
       to a dainty fray.
The sun warmed
       her oval face,
Glazing it a look,
       radiant and gay.

She glided with
       the breezy wind
That chimed in her ears -
       'Come, lets play'.
She hopped past daisies
       that swayed to say
'Hold us in your hands
       and make our day'.

She slipped by, reckless,
       happy and free,
Over shrubs and grasses,
       By ponds and trees.
On the pretty hillock
       She beheld her house,
It was her piper
       And she the mouse.

She broke into a song
       And her feet went faster
As she walked into the open
       arms of her doting mother.

I would like to quickly journal our trip to Hawaii before the hangover fades. We were at Oahu for the July 4th weekend. Aloha!

Oahu is a perfect balance of human activity and oceanic beauty. The city of Honolulu has an alluring night life, creating a New Yorky vibe for tourists. Adjacent to the business district of Waikiki is the splendid green Waikiki beach. I have always wanted to visit a beach with crystal clear green waters and talcum-soft white sand. Another desire fulfilled!

We toured the city of Honolulu, admiring the architecture and the street names – Ala Moana Blvd, Kapahulu Ave, Kalakaua Ave, Kapiolani Blvd, Kahala Mall, Paokalani Ave, Kuhio Ave – I can go on. We were surprised to learn that Hawaiian alphabet had 5 vowels and just 7 consonants – H K L M N P and W. The streets and highways were named after early Kings – like the Kamehameha Highway named after King Kamehameha. We had fun just trying to pronounce them. We got ourselves Hawaiian clothes. Our fun had just begun!

We took a submarine tour on our second day at Oahu. It was thrilling – well, why wouldn’t it be? It was our very first time on a submarine, going down to the depths of the ocean, actually seeing the ocean bed and the schools of fishes, sea turtles, few sharks and natural and man made reefs. It was beautiful. Aqua and aquatic life – it is so amazing to see a whole vast world of its own under the depths of the ocean. It felt strangely intimidating, and at the same time I was filled with a new found respect for the ocean and all the life that it hosts. The balanced ecology, how various life forms coexist peacefully and how it is one different world out there - it set us thinking about the endless wonders in creation. All that we could do was marvel!

We snorkeled at the Hanauma bay, a beautiful place in Oahu where the lush green mountains flank three sides of the bay and the fourth side merges into the vast ocean. The coral reefs were amazing and the aquatic life thrilled us. We were able to see the fishes and interact with them – it was an experience in itself and first of its kind for me! Shaka!



The drive to Waimea falls was scenic. The Blowhole reef, Kahana bay and the Sandy beach on the way were beautiful nature experiences. We had the famed Hawaiian coconut water on the way. It was sheer pleasure to pull down the top of the convertible and drive down with the majestic green mountains on the left and the translucent green waters on the right. The hike to the Diamond Head crater and the awesome view of the reef layered Waikiki beach will always remain etched in our minds. It was one strenuous hike, but the view was worth every inch of it. Phew!

The Polynesian Cultural Center brought alive the exotic Polynesian history and culture. The feature presentations on each island were informative, amusing and good fun. It was in fact like a virtual visit to Tonga, Fiji, Marqueses, Tahiti, Samoa and Aotearoa. The graceful 'Rainbows of Paradise' canoe pageant and the dazzling ‘Horizons’ evening show had us enthralled. We were surprised to learn that we share many traditions and practices in common with the Polynesian islands. Students from the Birmingham Young University work at the PCC to pay for their tuition – a dual purpose was met – culture is preserved and students are benefited. We also watched an IMAX feature on the breathtaking ‘Coral Reef Adventure’. The authentic ‘Alii Luau’ or the 'Hawaiian feast for a royal chief' was made memorable by the warm welcome with a garland made of purple orchid ‘Leis’, the Hawaiian ‘Hula’ performance and the buffet dinner. The luau begins with the uncovering of the 'imu' or underground oven where a large pig has been cooking throughout the afternoon. We managed to eat vegetarian at the feast! The dessert was great – the coconut cake and the Hawaiian ‘Haupia’ – a staple dessert at every Luau were yummy. What’s a visit to Hawaii without a Luau and a Hula!

We savored every moment of our stay at Oahu, pampered by the Hawaiian hospitality, cheered on by oceanic adventures and falling in love with the city with every passing moment. And when it was time to leave for home, we decided to take back some of the magic of the culture-laden, picturesque Hawaii, so that it may linger in our spirit as we go on with the flow that is life. Thank you Hawaii – Mahalo!

My mind is multi-threaded. So, now, is it all about making it unidirectional, that is single-threaded or is it about making every thread function to its 100% so that the mind is able to perform as the most efficient multi-tasking machine ever ?

I have seen how intensely aware people perform several tasks simulataneously, without compromising on the quality of any of those parallel activities. In fact, quality is enhanced.

I also realise how the mind controls the five senses - for instance, my eyes see only when/what my mind wants to view. Else, even if they are open, they are as good as shut. The ears can hear selectively, the filter being set within the mind. Sometimes we are not aware of what we talk and go back and say 'what was I saying ?'.

Well, I better befriend this mind and get it work the way I want it! It seems to be taking over my entire life :-)...

Few days back, I chanced to read a bit about wheat grass and its goodness. That made me wonder why almost all good things are bitter! I remember the Bitter Guord, the Neem leaf sweet dish, the bitter citrus pickles, the several nature-cure medicines ('Kashaayam') which we were made to gulp with honey when we were children - all these were bitter and yet they did the best to us. Well, almost all.