Spiritual Awakening (Part 1)

Kishore C.S. (January 2001)

Every individual tends to develop an attitude towards spirituality and hopes to make progress in this sphere of life. I also had my spiritual temperament for quite some years. I have been visiting temples, doing my prayers. Though I never could say firmly that God exists, the faith was there and I continued doing my spiritual pursuits in hope that they will help me sometime in future.

My spiritual life took a great turn when I met my Guruji. Before I disclose who my Guruji is I would like to describe some events in my life which finally made me believe my Guruji.

During early 2000, relatives on my in-laws side started mentioning a person who is devotee of Lord Anjaneya (Lord Hanuman). He has practiced his spiritual practices for years and now he is helping others to attain the same. They told me that he could tell about your past without even meeting you and also forecast events in your life. I did not think much about it at that time.

During April 2000, I came to US and my wife and daughter were in India. I used to call my wife couple of times a week. One-day morning I called my wife as usual and she asked me whether I had eaten only half of my dinner (which was Pizza) and slept with a white blanket on bed. I could not understand at first what she was referring to. Finally I said yes and asked her how did she know that. She said Guruji told her. That was a real surprise for me. What I was doing in US is known to a person far away and the details were accurate. That was the time I was convinced that this person is someone whom I should meet. I had started believing what he said. He also predicted that my family would come to US as I will choose to work in US. He not only described mentality of individuals, but also told past and future. He also gave spiritual initiation to many to pray to Lord Hanuman and blessed anyone. He is very modest and does not look like a ‘Swamiji’ as one would expect him to be.

From that moment I was very eager to meet him and I went to Hyderabad at the earliest opportunity after going back to India. I cannot forget my first meeting with him. Immediately on seeing me, he started telling me about my mentality and my immediate future. He spent more than an hour in telling me about my past, future and my personality. I was eager that I get spiritual initiation from him. Entire time I have spent with him was very delightful occasion for me. I was convinced that I have met GOD in human form and I am fortunate to get such an opportunity. I decided I should change my life with this major turn in my spiritual life.

I sincerely followed the spiritual initiation given by my Guruji. From that time onwards I started believing in GOD and trusted my Guruji and GOD completely. I decided to take Guruji’s word as order and obey whatever he says. I finally realized my attempts to practice Karma Yoga (principle of non-detachment) were not taking me anywhere and I should move to Bhakti Yoga which is right for this Kaliyuga.

What do I mean when I say I have progressed in my spiritual life?

I have made an observation that my spiritual life changed after meeting Guruji. Let me explain what I mean by that. Lord Hanuman is immortal (Chiranjeevi) and he has been spreading Ramabhakti in this Kaliyuga and protecting his devotees. It is said that he protects all his devotees. During 45 day spiritual discipline I followed after the spiritual initiation I have received, I prayed to Lord Hanuman everyday and visited his temple on every Tuesday. During this pooja, the divine experiences affirmed the faith. During this pooja, a monkey used to come home and ask for Banana almost everyday. This is treated as divine response to my prayers. It is a proof that Lord Hanuman is listening my prayers and he will protect us. Besides this there were a few minor and major turns in my life where events happened with Lord’s blessings. Lord through his Grace turn what can be a great difficulty to become very simple. This Grace is what I have gained and I continue to feel the same through my continued spiritual practice.

In summary, I would say the following are the achievements in my spiritual life:

- Now I trust GOD completely

- I surrender to HIM and I am a servant to the Lord.

- My life is in HIS hands and what I get is HIS Grace.

- I pray to him everyday and take HIS name whenever possible.

- I feel HIS presence and protection everyday through divine experiences.

- I gain mental calmness and feel blessed every moment of the day.

- Taking LORD’s name and prayers are the most important things in my life now.

What are the examples of incidents in your life that you feel God’s presence?

One should not expect to see God in a form we see in Photos and Temples. God comes in various forms. Many times he sends other persons who are typically inspired by the divine force to come to us and help us. Situations where we are likely to face difficulties are made smooth by his intervention. What is difficult becomes very easy. I have been surprised by many instances in my life in past few months where the divine help arrived from unexpected people. Sometimes it is very easy to disregard these incidents as mere coincidences. But believing in GOD is a matter of FAITH.

If SEEING is believing, I would say EXPERIENCES is also believing. I say these words not to create any propaganda. My spiritual pursuits are like any normal human being would expect in their life. My experience is what I intend to share with everyone.

I will give more details on my spiritual experiences in my next articles. I would also give more details about my GURUJI with His permission after sometime.

What are the experiences that strengthened my faith?

Exactly at this moment of life, I was watching ‘Jai Hanuman’ serial that was being telecast on DD every Saturday night. As I was watching it was said very clearly that Hanuman is the God chosen for spreading Rama Bhakti in this Kaliyuga that is filled with Maya and suffering. Only Bhakti will relieve humans of this suffering. Lord Hanuman provides protection to devotees who pray to him with devotion and guides them to the divine feet of Lord Rama.

There was one point made in the serial that Lord Hanuman will do this job of spreading the divine name by being present throughout the world. From that time onwards I became aware of the fact that Idols of Lord Hanuman are present in almost every village and town. He has providing his protection to everyone who has selected this Bhakti path.

The awareness I had strengthened my faith in what I have been experienced. Now I am convinced and my life goals have changed now.

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