{"id":43746,"date":"2016-01-27T17:29:13","date_gmt":"2016-01-27T22:29:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wanderlust.com\/?p=43746"},"modified":"2016-01-27T17:29:13","modified_gmt":"2016-01-27T22:29:13","slug":"put-your-hand-in-the-fire-an-evening-with-my-guru","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderlust.com\/pt-pt\/journal\/put-your-hand-in-the-fire-an-evening-with-my-guru\/","title":{"rendered":"Put Your Hand in the Fire: An Evening With My Guru"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this series, we explore the application of esoteric truths in everyday life, with renowned teacher and Wanderlust presenter\u00a0Swamiji<\/a>. If you have a topic you\u2019d like Swamiji to explore, please email\u00a0editorial@wanderlust.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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Many years ago I was in residence with my guru, Shri Maharaj Ji, at his summer retreat in the foothills of the Himalayas. While the plains of India were baking in the intense heat of mid summer, we were comfortable in the cool, fresh mountain air, 6,000 feet above sea level. In the twilight hours every evening we would sit with Shri Maharaj Ji on the Ashram rooftop, delighting in the atmospheric quietness that emanated from the vast unencumbered space that lay before us. We were at peace as we gazed across the rolling hills<\/a> to the spectacular Himalayan ranges that swept across the horizons; the usually pure white snow often washed burnt orange in the setting sun.<\/span><\/p>\n

On one such evening, it was actually quite cold and to warm us a small fire had been lit. Gathered around the fire, we were enthralled by Shri Maharaj Ji\u2019s presence, his personality drawing us to him as flowers attract bees. His rich laughter and insight<\/a> warmed our hearts and minds. Suddenly, amid the banter, Shri Maharaj Ji looked directly at a young man within the group named Ramesh and said to him casually, \u201cRamesh, come here.\u201d Full of enthusiasm, Ramesh bounded to his feet: \u201cYes, Maharaj Ji?\u201d With a straight face, Shri Maharaj Ji, indicating the fire said, \u201cPut your hand in the flames and hold it there for a couple of minutes.\u201d Astonished at this request, we looked expectantly at the Master, silently wondering what was going to happen next. Was he serious? He certainly seemed to be.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ramesh laughed nervously trying to work out the same thing, until he too realized Shri Maharaj Ji was indeed serious. For a moment he stood stock-still like a possum that had been caught in the brightness of car headlights, then with a quiet voice said, \u201cMaharaj Ji if I do that, it will burn\u2026\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Shri Maharaj Ji looked serious for a moment longer, then with a deep-throated chuckle said, \u201cYou are of course right. Sit down, I\u2019m just kidding. But suppose you did put your hand in the fire, what would have happened? The burn may have caused you to lose the use of your hand for a day or two, perhaps a month, or worst case scenario for the rest of your life. But whatever the consequence, it pales in insignificance compared to the damage you can do to yourself lifetime after lifetime if you fail to understand the true nature of your mind<\/a>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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For a moment he stood stock-still like a possum that had been caught in the brightness of car headlights, then with a quiet voice said, \u201cMaharaj Ji if I do that, it will burn\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Shri Maharaj Ji had dramatically orchestrated this situation because he wanted to emphatically draw our attention to the power and importance of the mind. It is the driver of our life\u2019s car; the artist of our\u00a0soul<\/a>. The power of thought determines the circumstances an individual will experience from one lifetime to the next. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Bhagavad Gita<\/a> places strong emphasis on the mind when it expresses: <\/span><\/p>\n

Cheetah khalvasya bandhaya muktaye chatmano matam.\u00a0<\/i>(<\/span>The mind alone is the cause of liberation and bondage.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Your present is determined by how you have thought in the past. How you are currently thinking will determine your future.<\/span><\/p>\n

Have you ever wondered why you are like you are? Why some people are born into wealth and others into poverty? Why some are born healthy and others suffer ill health from the moment they enter this world? We see so many variations of life around us\u2014right from birth itself. The amount that a person takes in throughout her life is mind-boggling. Is it just chance? A throw of the dice?<\/span><\/p>\n

We have all heard of karma: The law of thought and consequence<\/a>. That day on the rooftop Shri Maharaj Ji wanted us to pause and think carefully about how we individually use the power of thought. Are we benefitting ourselves by understanding and harnessing its potential? Or causing harm to ourselves both now and in the future? <\/span><\/p>\n

This life is an amazing experience. The beauty of this planet is staggering<\/a>. We are masters of our own destiny. Dive deep in the well of knowledge and exhilarate in your potential. There is so much that awaits you\u2026 Once you’ve learned to\u00a0respect your mind and learn its secrets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few simple exercises to increase awareness of thought:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n