This is not just any story, it is unique and memorable, just as almost everything that is experienced in Varanasi. It responds to those subtle synchronisms that the Masters have accustomed us to, and that form a part of the guidance and mutual attention given to sustain the purpose, nourishing it with encounters and situations that only lead us to feel the immense blessing that accompanies us and makes everything possible.
Run Ma! – Ajay said suddenly- Shibendu, Lahiri’s great-grandson, is sitting at our door, it is him, I know him, he is asking who lives here, because the door was ajar, and he saw the image of Babaji.
With the singular and surprising presence announced, we went out in droves. Stopping at the door as to not seem impertinent and astonished –as we really are and were-. Thus, with the greatest dissimulation, we went out, little by little to meet him.
He was back to, fighting a strong cough that caused him visible spasms. Someone was kneeling before him massaging his legs, in a remarkable gesture, making way for him in the narrow side streets of Varanasi and their disquieting human commotion.
Introducing ourselves was to feel that life is that which no one knows, for certain, what it holds, for anything or anyone, ever. That the existential intersections and the sensations that transcend reason are always present and, even more so when one has activated the resources of the being: the elements of surprise, magic, enchantment and lucidity of consciousness that come together to produce a singular, eternal moment.
Just the smile that accompanied the fluttering of his hands until they met on his chest and expressed themselves in truth, was enough. The pronouncement of love and respect sprang forth together in immense gratitude, that which only exists in the memory of the soul, and inundated the little space in which we were situated in the midst of that narrow alley where, centuries ago, walked Lahiri Baba, beloved son of Kashi.
It was as if life stood still so that everything took place more quickly. To breathe the same air, seeking unfound expressions, brief yet eternal silences and an irrepressible and unbridled sense of joy. Whatever was said is today unrepeatable, and what was heard, as remote as it is infinite.
Now then, the possibilities of this scene? All of them. Our ashram is situated very close to the home of Lahiri Mahasaya, right in that “gali” that led him to his sublime rituals in the lap of the Mother Ganga. In any case, this fact can only be explained by the blessed and indecipherable grace of the divine.
Because, going from there to thinking that we were going to meet the one who sustains the legacy of our Lahiri, at the very entrance of our space of Light, and that he would then agree to accompany us in our newly opened abode, as well as insist that we accept his initiation, was almost unbelievable.
This exchange emerges from an intuition, and Shibendu, in turn, deciphering the particular networks of the most divine games, agreed to share his sweet and, at the same time, radical wisdom with us.
We could look at it, if one so wishes, as a causal and casual conversation of awakened beings, intending to palpate the light as an eternal poem, in which the memory offers its most exalted gifts to the soul.
Shibendu Lahiri is now, our neighbor, although his permanent residence is set in Paris and ours in Cuenca. We are.
–How do you feel about your role in giving continuity to the legacy of Lahiri Baba?
-I feel blessed by this opportunity.
-Can you explain the importance of family lineages or bloodlines in the conveyance of the teachings of Kriya Yoga?
There is no importance in simply being born into a family tradition. I have relatives, brothers and sisters, who are not distant, but rather close, who all lead ordinary lives. They comprehend nothing about the importance the transformation to which they can lead. They do not understand anything! So, the act of being born in itself is not enough, one must have a good “brain” (or capacity for understanding) as well, in order to comprehend the importance of these teachings.
-What is your perception of spirituality in these times? Why is it so difficult to find paths that allow for true transformation and transcendence?
-It is important to understand that the constant entanglement with any mental tendency, under any pretext, will not produce perceptions beyond the mind, perceptions that are not found in the dimensions of conditioning, malice, and the maneuvers of vested interests. Nor are they attained with vanity or a divisive consciousness(the separative mind or psyche, I, I, I).
This must be profoundly understood. You see, the mind is the subtle body, the body is the coarse mind. They are material processes. There is nothing holy in this dimension. The mind is a myth. It isn’t real, although it is valid, because it gives the functional value needed to carry out our daily tasks. We are not against the mind, but we understand the place of the mind and we put it in that place. We do not permit the mind to interfere with the joy and blessing of life and its comprehensive energy.
That life is connected in the fontanel – the Brahmarandhra – and that life is never born and never dies. When the brain cells die because the blood supply to the brain ceases, when all brain cells are gone, the life that is connected in the fontanel, the Brahmarandhra, is liberated.
Life ever dies, life has nothing to do with the divisive consciousness of this mind. So then, this life, this life connection is, in itself, life in its entirety. All existence is life. It is a tremendous dimension of consciousness.
A big bang, in this dimension of holistic consciousness, initiates the entire process of creation, beginning with the “God particle”. All of the details have been meticulously described and elaborated by scientists. The belief systems of religions are not required.
The Dynastic Kriya Yoga program takes place over three days. So far, 25 thousand people have participated all over the world where programs where organized. But due to the current state of COVID-19, it has not been possible to hold a program for over 20 months.
Yoga has two dimensions: one is a program of physical aptitude and the other is a program of spiritual aptitude.
It is not about following something or someone, but rather flourishing. Following someone is not what leads to flourishing, it is the dimension of the unnamable, immeasurable consciousness.
–What is your perception of the organizations that, in the western world, have taken on the legacy of the parampara of Lahiri Baba?
-Yes, they are doing a good job. It is thanks to his work that people have come to know the dynastic lineage, the source, and that they know that it is still functioning today.
– Do you consider that Kriya Yoga continues to be a path for the dissolution of the ego and the achievement of realization?
-Yes, of course, Kriya Yoga has three dimensions and for this reason our initiation program is also three days. We call the first day’s teachings, Swadhyaya, the essence of the understanding of Samkhya (cosmovision), of the sage, Kapila Acharya. The second day is dedicated to certain profound and specific practices, that we call Tapas yoga (Kriya Yoga practices and austerities), we learn certain basic, very intense kriyas that take a great deal of time, the whole day.
The third day is the most profound teaching, that we call Ishwara Pranidhana, where Isha means “the all” and Ishwara means “the totality”. Pranidhana signifies “perception”, that is to say, the perception of a dimension that is holistic or whole, not fragmented. This is the Vedanta-Upanishads – the end of knowledge for the beginning of knowledge (or wisdom). This is the yoga that Rishi Patanjali spoke of.
He states: “Tapah Swadhyaya Ishwara Pranidhanani iti Kriya Yoga” (Kriya Yoga is Sadhana, the study of the scriptures and the contemplation of the Creator Father).
– Could you share with us your vision of Mahavatar Babaji? Why is there an image of Mount Kailash accompanying Babaji in Satyalok, the Varanasi ashram?
-This is just to emphasize the connection with Babaji. The original connection is with Mount Kailash. There is a profound connection with the Himalayas. Of course, there is no evidence, but rather perception.
-The lineage that began with the blessed presence of Lahiri Mahasaya has been a firm example of realization and spiritual achievements for the Grihasta lifestyle. Could you comment on your experience regarding the delicate balance between family life and spiritual realization?
-Yes, it is for this reason that Lahiri Mahasaya is called the Grihasta Yogi. He did not escape from his family, but remaining within that dimension, he was still able to go beyond, and he was prepared for a realization that is very unusual. Even those who leave everything and take up Sannyas (vows of renunciation), may not be able to overcome the antics of the mind.
It is about the art of looking inward and that art is referred to as the Radha process. The Dhara process goes outward, and people go outward because they think the truth is out there, and so they begin to speak about the paths toward the truth, this path, that path, the hindu path, the muslim path, the christian path. There is no path to the Truth because the Truth is not out there.
So then, this understanding, this process of Radha, is the inner journey, and from there, one finds that Krishna – the consciousness free from division, Divinity, is right there within. There is nowhere to go.
Thus, Lahiri Mahasaya continued to be a provider in his home and complied with his responsibilities to his family. In the energy of equanimity, anything is possible. That is the true significance of samadhi, to remain established in the energy of equanimity. Nevertheless, many falsehoods are being spread everywhere under the banner of samadhi, entering into comatose states with various conditioned reflexes.
A religious consciousness has no belief whatsoever. No hindu beliefs, no muslim beliefs, no christian beliefs! There is no belief that Jesus is the son of God, or that Mohammad is the prophet of God. Without image. Without motives. There are not three million hindu gods!
That is why I never tire of repeating that a true hindu is one who “undoes”, because he is undoing his conditioning. Therefore, it is possible to be the head of the family and still remain spiritual. So then, the important thing is to perceive the omnipresence, the omniscience, the unnamable, directly by and for oneself, in the blood cells and the bone marrow.
Why did you choose France and not India as a base for your task and your teachings?
-France is the central point between the East and the West, and it happened by chance, because there are very good conditions for taking care of this organism (mine) in a very scientific manner. That is why my body is in such good condition, despite my age: 82 years. Whenever I ask someone, can you tell me my age?, they never say more than 60-65, and sometimes they even say around 55-60.
– What text would you consider to be the foundation of the teachings of Sanatam Dharma?
-Obviously, it is the Bhagavad Gita, the Divine Melody par excellence. It is the journey from the subconscious to the mind, and from there, to the no-mind. The subconscious is represented by Duryodhana and his mafia. Arjuna symbolizes the mind, and therefore asks many questions, and Krishna is the no-mind, that is to say, the liberation from the mind and its antics.
– Can you share with us the mantra you have chosen as your favorite?
-I have four favorite mantras, one of 6 vibrations, the second of 12 vibrations, the third of 24 vibration and the fourth of 36 vibrations. All of these have many details, but it isn’t possible to go into them. There are ways of going from one to another, these are also in tune with the body’s system, as the body responds to these mantras in an initial state as it goes on progressing toward more profound states.
The main purpose of a mantra is the liberation from the influence of the mind. “Mana” means mind and “Tra” means Traan, that is to say, freedom. The dictionary definition of the term mantra is “freedom from the mind”. But sadly, people obsess and become neurotic about singing and repeating words. We do not recommend this sort of thing.
Uttama Shajavastha
Madhyama Dhyana Dharana
Japa Pathascha Adhama
Shastracharcha Dhama Dhama
This mantra means that the natural state, Sahajavastha, is the supreme, Uttama. There is much to say about the natural state. Madhyama (the intermediate state) Dhyana (meditation), Dharana (concentration) means that Kriya Yoga, along with deep meditation, are only a means to reach the Being.
Japa Pathascha Adhama: repeating mantras mechanically is Adham, it is low, because it can only dull (or numb) the mind.
Shastracharcha Dhama Dhama: entering into the controversy of the scriptures and their interpretations is the worst of all. It is for this reason that we understand that the Vedanta–Veda is knowledge, Vedanta is the end of knowledge – the beginning of understanding or wisdom.
-Guruji, do you have an Ishta devata? What is the ritual that fulfills you the most?
-This is a good question. When Lahiri Mahasaya was asked what his Ishta Devata was, he said that his Ishta Devata was Sthirattva. Sthirattva means quietude, silence. The experts who were interviewing him then told him that there was no such Ishta Devata mentioned in the scriptures, to which Lahiri Mahasaya simply smiled, and left.
-Do you make contact with your inner child? How is the child Shibendu?
The inner child means No-Mind. Yes, it happens. That is why sometimes, looking at me, people think (or wonder) if I am an adult or a child!
-Which human qualities do you most value?
What must be valued is the awareness of “what is”, from moment to moment, not becoming entangled in “what should be”. That is the fundamental cause of our problems. Without motives, without images about oneself and about others, whether they be hindus, muslims or christians, etc. These are the most profound human qualities.
I wholeheartedly offer my pranams to Mataji Shaktiananda and Swamiji Shivananda.
Jai guru ! Jai Guru ! Jai Guru!
Jai Lahiri Mahasaya! Jai Lahiri Mahasaya! Jai Lahiri Mahasaya!
