The Wholesome Learning Journey
Sunanda
Dubai (U.A.E)
Hari Aum.
Humble Prostrations at The Holy Altar of Sree Ishwara, Humble Prostrations at the Lotus Feet of Sree Guru Parampara, Humble Prostrations at the Lotus Feet of Pujya Maaji.
Preparations for the Retreat started 2 months back. This time the text was going to be ‘Sree Ishavasya Upanishad’. I started preparing myself by doing Dhyan Saadhna, and reading the commentary on the text by Gurudev, as per Pujya Maaji’s instructions. I realised, that when I study from the comfort of my home, it is never as effective as when I study at SISS. The conducive atmosphere to learn the Shastras is an experience which cannot be expressed in words at all!
18th to 26th November’2021 – We were blessed to have the opportunity to offer Maha Abhishekam to Sree Ishwara on 19th November. This calmed my mind a little and helped me get into the study mode. The Retreat began from the next day early morning with ‘Meditation’. To meditate every-day in the morning was difficult in the beginning. I was quite disappointed with my state of mind. Despite my regularity in studies and efforts to stay connected by means of my Saadhna, I was unable to focus single pointedly even for a brief moment! The worldly thoughts of everyday mundane life kept on interfering and I was unable to concentrate. But gradually as the Retreat proceeded, it became less difficult to channelize and focus the mind in the right direction.
Ishavasya Upanishad starts with the Shantih Mantra
ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात् पूर्णमुदच्यते।
पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते।।
ॐ शान्तिः | शान्तिः | शान्तिः।
Logic of the thought process of the Upanishad was explained by revered Maaji.
There are seven ‘Thought waves’ which go on to explain the Shantih Mantra and complete the thought process with its conclusion. When I had read the text on my own, my understanding of this Mantra and others in the text was very limited. But when Maaji took us through each Mantra elaborately, along with references from Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta, Tattwa Bodh and other texts, the understanding was much deeper. Studying the Scriptures under the guidance of the Guru by the Grace of the Guru is a blessing. I was fortunate enough to get the blessings of studying such a beautiful text under my Param Pujya Guru Maa.
My limited understandings from Sree Ishavasya Upanishad are: -
1) Understanding will be different at different standpoints.
2) ‘Knowledge’ and ‘Action’ go hand in hand, both must be practiced simultaneously.
3) Surrender in prayer to the ‘Supreme’ to remove the Golden Disc.
Not only the text, but the whole experience of the stay at SISS is so elevating, giving higher insight even in our day-to-day tasks.
Maaji made us play a game, in which we were blindfolded and had to use only one sense organ. We had to taste different edible leaves. The senses became so focused, that after the game when we offered ‘Manas’ Sree Guru Paaduka Puja, the focus was absolutely concentrated on the Puja without any distraction or stress. It was a blissful experience of peace and contentment.
I feel indeed blessed to be on this beautiful journey towards the ‘Self’ under Pujya Maaji’s fold and regular guidance from Manish ji!
I pray at the Holy Feet of revered Guru Parampara to be able to strive towards the Higher, and extend this experience in my daily offering at the Lotus Feet of Sree Ishwara.
Humble Pranaam at the Holy Feet of revered Guru Maa
Hari Aum!