Loving and Divine Soul,

 

Let the choicest blessings of God and the masters be upon all of you. I take this opportunity to pray for you and send you my best wishes as we celebrate the Mahasamadhi Day of our beloved Shri Gurudev on 3 December, 2017. Fifteen years have passed. His memory is still flashing in my mind. His dynamism even at an advanced age, his smile, his inspiration, and his wisdom are still vibrant. This is the beauty of the masters and the guru-preceptors.

 

I think about my time with this great master. I came to him as a college student in 1980, and it took some time for me to accept him as my spiritual guide. However, from the first day I met him I felt his boundless love and the fathomless wisdom that he showered upon me. This is not my view alone; I have seen this in the lives of countless people.

 

The lives of spiritual people are not for themselves, but for the entire creation. They are living and moving temples of love, kindness, and compassion. Our beloved Shri Gurudev's life was unique for its discipline, devotion, and dynamism, even through his last days. Through example he taught how to live like a practical yogi. He was like a child near children, a youth near young people, and a wise old man near elderly people. Whoever came to him could feel that he belonged to him or her. He never maintained a distance from anyone; everyone could feel him as their near and dear family member.

 

He was a living scripture; his teachings were the essence of the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Holy Bible, and other sacred books. His teachings were free from dogmatism; they were practical. He was born on a full moon day and left his body on a new moon day. He built a bridge between the East and the West. He was born in the East and left his body in the West. His teachings are universal, practical, and applicable to all.

 

On this special day, when I think of him, his life and teachings, his love and compassion, his patience and perseverance, my heart and mind are thrilled. He taught us how to cultivate love and peace, how to practice meditation day and night, with eyes closed and eyes open. He also taught us how to love God in everything and everywhere. He also taught how to serve all with love.

 

If I sum up his teachings, it can be as the following:

On this special day, let us reflect upon our spiritual lives and practice. Let us be renewed with spirit and strength so we can be his worthy followers. I send my love and prayers to all of you. I pray to our beloved Shri Gurudev to bless each one of us and guide us to reach the divine goal.

 

With Love,