Pujya Prem Avadhoot Maharaj "Bapuji"
Article 2 of the series
In April, 2003, Janet Attwood took her own advice and gave herself The Passion Test. As she thought about what would really give her great bliss and fulfillment, the thought came "If I could just travel and spend time with enlightened beings." From that initial thought, a project was born which took Janet to India and Nepal where she interviewed enlightened sages and teachers. This article continues the series as Janet shares her amazing and sometimes unbelievable experiences.
From my first thought that I wanted to spend time with enlightened beings, it was almost magical how its fulfillment began to show up in my life-in ways I never could have imagined. This is the real power of The Passion Test. The clarity it provides, begins to create the results without having to figure out all the mechanics of how it's going to happen. Here was one of the first experiences of this almost magical process of manifestation.
I first met Shri Avadoot, better known as "Bapuji" at my stepmother's deathbed in San Diego. My friend Radhika had emailed me that this amazing Saint was in town and I might want to go meet him. "He is the real thing" she said.
I just happened to be in California for a meeting when I heard about my stepmother, Margie's, diagnosis with terminal cancer. Without telling my business partner in Iowa, I immediately changed my plane ticket to stay for a month in California. I knew I needed to care for Margie until she passed away. I had always told her, if you ever need help, I'll be there. That time had come.
The doctors told Margie she would probably have 3-6 months to live and we were happy to have this special time together. God had a different plan and on the 5th day of being with her, Margie passed away.
While staying at Margie's, I had called Bapuji as Radhika suggested. At the end of our conversation and to my surprise he said, there is a 99% chance I will come tomorrow and bless your mother. He said, no special preparations, I am coming as a family member.
He kept his promise, and the next morning arrived on my stepmother's doorstep with two dozen long stemmed roses and 3 assistants not far behind carrying a huge basket of fresh fruit.
From that moment on, a very special place in my heart was saved for Bapuji.
I took my brother and sister to his lectures for the week following and before Bapuji left for the completion of his foreign travels, I asked if I could interview him in India when I arrived there in a few months. He closed his eyes and after a few moments, he smiled and said "yes!".
On October 14th, my partner at the time for the Saints Speak Out project, Juliann Janus, and I arrived at Bapuji's door. He had invited us to be his personal guests in his home in a remote village outside of Ahmedabad called Linch.
Aside from Bapuji, there were 16 family members total. Sons, wives, children, and family friends all lived happily in Bapuji's home.
It was actually a beautiful home. Simple, but very clean and orderly. Bapuji gave Juliann and me two rooms to stay in on the top floor, one room to sleep in and the other room to meditate in.
My first lesson was not far away.
Our first morning at Bapuji's house, while Juliann was sleeping, I woke up at 4:30 am and decided to meditate. I took a candle into the meditation room and put it on what appeared to be a table top and proceeded to meditate.
While meditating I heard Julianne waking so I went in to say good morning. As we were sitting on the bed laughing at how "normal" we felt in this strange environment with these Indians that couldn't speak very much English, we both started to smell smoke. I looked around and through the door to the meditation room I saw large flames enveloping the room!
Oh my God, I said, the room is on fire!!!!. My head swirling, I went into action mode. I was always great in emergencies! I immediately remembered that the upstairs bathroom had 2 buckets of water, as there was no running water anywhere upstairs.
Terrified of burning down Bapuji's house and everyone in it, I screamed at Juliann, "Let's run and get the water buckets-NOW!!!" We ran into the bathroom, grabbed the two buckets of water and poured them all over the burning objects in the meditation room as the fire was quickly starting to envelop one wall of the room.
My one and only thought was, "no way am I going to burn down Bapuji's home!".
I ran into our bedroom and grabbed my pillow and with Juliann yelling at me to get out of the burning room or I would die, I furiously fought back the flames, hitting them ferociously with the pillow, hoping for a miracle to occur. As I was being overtaken by smoke, Juliann, fearing for my life and the lives of everyone in the house, ran out of the room screaming at the top of her lungs, "Fire, Fire." Not knowing what the word "fire" meant, Bapuji's sons took a while to understand what Julianne was trying to say.
We laugh now that had we known the word, "agni" which in India is known as "Fire" Bapuji's sons would have arrived much sooner!
As soon as everyone in the house realized what Juliann was screaming about, buckets starting arriving from everywhere. In no time, the fire was miraculously put out.
Even before the fire was out, Juliann and I were surrounded by the wives and children and Bapuji, making sure that we were "ok." In all the chaos I was acutely aware that there was absolutely no concern from anyone for the house, the burned room or whatever belongings had been destroyed.
After making sure that Juliann and I were "ok" the family members took a quick survey of the damage. One wall and 8 very large overstuffed suitcases of the family's belongings were destroyed. I was devastated.
When Bapuji and the others made sure a 2nd, 3rd and 4th time of asking if Juliann and I were "ok," a huge roar of laughter filled the house.
Juliann and I just stood there dumbstruck! We had no idea what they were laughing at!
Bapuji walked up to us and said, "Please don't feel bad, this was a blessing!" and walked away smiling. All of the other family members stood around smiling in agreement with Bapuji's words as Juliann and I stood there with our mouths open.
Tears streaming down my face, I looked at Julianne and said, "Who are these people?!"
In my humble state, all I could feel was blessed. Blessed to witness what real love in action looked like. I had almost burned down Bapuji's family home that they lived in forever, and the only comments from Bapuji and the others was, "are you ok," and quickly following, "it was a blessing!"
Chronicle and highlight one life experience I will never forget!!!! My journey to spend time with the enlightened had begun.
I am so honored to introduce to all of the readers of Healthy Wealthy nWise, my first article of The Saints Speak Out, Shri Avadoot Bapuji.
Pujya Prem Avadhoot Maharaj, affectionately called Bapuji (father) by his many family members, devotees and friends. Bapuji's guru was the renowned sage, Rang Avadhoot Maharaj (1898-1968), who roamed Gujarat and Maharastra beginning in the prime of his youth. Bapuji's deep devotion to his Master is felt in the following description he provides:
"My spiritual Master and object of worship was the Supreme Yogi and uncrowned King of Sacrifice – Rang Avadhoot Guru Maharaj of Nareshwar (a pious place on the banks of the river Narmada in Gujarat, India). He was a unique saint who kept himself, miles away form the famous ‘P’s of public life viz. Paise i.e. money or wealth of all kinds – which he never touched in his lifetime; Prachar i.e. Publicity; Pravachan i.e. preaching sermons; Pratistha i.e. pride and self-glory and Peeth i.e. succession of his seat or position as spiritual leader.
"He did excellent work in Gujarat and Maharashtra. He alleviated physical, mental and material worries of one and all who came to him, even once.
"Maintaining complete silence, he with his Divine vision imparted knowledge to all his devotees on the Art of Living and Dying to attain enlightenment in their existing lifetimes."
Bapuji follows Vashishta and Vyasa in a rare lineage of Indian household Saints.
While fulfilling his duties as husband, father and now grandfather, Bapuji was give the title , Avadhoot, "one who has gone beyond the senses and is established in Brahmin,"
At his Guru's passing. For the last 35 years, Bapuji has moved among his Indian devotees worldwide, an omniscient grandfather.
Bapuji gives no formal teaching, techniques, rituals or mandates. In his Dattatraya tradition, everyone and everything is seen as the supreme guru. All of life is the teaching and opportunity to reflect back on the Self. It is through his all pervading silence and love that the teaching and healing spontaneously takes place.
Janet: How do you see the present world situation?
Bapuji: The present world situation is pathetic. Human society has become mean-minded. Man is living a selfish life. As result man has not been able to think about others' peace and happiness. Only by making others happy does one get peace and happiness. This royal road for peace and happiness has been forgotten. A selfish attitude now prevails all over the world. "Help thy neighbor." Only by helping and by being useful to others can man be happy in the true sense. This is the easy way to reach God.
Janet: You have been to the United States. Is there any advice you would give to Americans?
Bapuji: Selfless love, self-sacrificing or renouncing attitude.
Janet: How do you perceive Americans in the U.S. and the specific challenges they are facing or will face in the future?
Bapuji: America is a wealthy nation, of course. Her civic sense is well known throughout the world. This country has a galaxy of thinkers, artists, scientists and state men. They have their contributions in their fields, quite noteworthy. They all have credits to make this world ultra modern. So, I believe they have success in facing challenges at present as well as in future. They have amongst them super talents and these will come to their rescue always.
America is a super power block today. But if we start by thinking with all detached attitude, we just face a question like this: Does America live in real happiness and true peace? Though having super power status in the world, do we not feel Americans facing stress in their hearts and minds? Restlessness just for bread and butter, nightmares of hidden sense of insecurities, no feelings of intimacy and that resulting in alienation and frustration. Why is the man's life such in spite of having all material strength? The dominance of statesmen and politicians on the country, fears resulting from their political strategies and the facelessness of man because of the victory of technology and science, these are a few of the reasons, which have caused the degeneration of mankind.
Mind, consciousness, intelligence and ego – these four are inbuilt instruments in man. They are to be utilized for the welfare of mankind and the animal kingdom on the earth. The day we start living with this insight, quickly the Earth will get transformed into true heaven and we all will be fortunate to live in it.
Janet: What advice, if any, would you like to offer to the President of the U.S.?
Bapuji: In a way, I feel this question of yours is not befitting. What value does the first citizen of the country, the U.S. President, have from my advice or suggestion? And further where do I stand before the President? And yet, when you have posed a question, I am inclined to express my inner voice.
Human life is the most valuable gift of nature. Each individual has his/her potential within. No one should disrespect or insult anyone. To enjoy one's own social status and to treat the rest of the people as slaves, this we should get rid of. Each member of the animal kingdom has the freedom to live on this planet observing one's nature. Mankind is forgetting this truth of nature and particularly the politicians and statesmen having power have almost forgotten this fact. This has to be condemned. The abuse of power is a greater downfall of mankind than a loss of borders.
Let us try to understand this and get rid of this state of mind. Not for the U.S. President, but for the whole human race, thus speaks my inner voice.
Janet: What advice would you offer to any of the world leaders?
Bapuji: Again, I have to repeat the voice as above: We give happiness and peace to all and that way let us learn to live.
Janet: What is the most important thing you would like everyone who sees this to know? Is there anything else you would like to say?
Bapuji: Everyone has intelligence. Even understanding also. This god given power one should offer for others welfare. This type of attitude one has to develop. Self-welfare is covered in the welfare of all.
Janet: What advice do you have for each person to know God more?
Bapuji: One can better understand Lord Almighty by self-introspection. It is easy, natural and fruitful effort, to realize God. An individual and the Almighty God are not two separate identities they are one.
Janet: What are the three most important things you feel that people could do to enhance their lives?
Bapuji: Any individual must make effort sincerely to make one's life sublime. To reach sublime life one has to start with spiritual reading and listening, contemplating on the reading and listening and accordingly that life style has to be put into practice always.
Janet: How important is our life style choice for our enlightenment?
Bapuji: For the growth and nurturing of the body the food and open air have importance. In the same way for the nurturing of spiritual attitude, specific lifestyle has its importance certainly.
Janet: What is an ideal life or say specific spiritual life style?
Bapuji: The definition of an ideal life or spiritual lifestyle is very easy. But to live such a life is not that easy. A person who lives life selflessly and with a sense of surrender to almighty is certainly living an ideal life or spiritual life style. Wishing everybody's welfare, one who does services for all and keeps faith in almighty, such is a noble person.
My spiritual master, Pujya Ranga Avadhootji's life, I always remember. First came a turn in his life. He left his worldly belongings and stayed in a crematorium, quiet, away from human society. He practiced listening, contemplating and deep repeated considerations of grace for a few years and ultimately got in tune with the infinite. Since then he is known as Shree Ranga Avadhootji.
The seekers of truth, social leaders, common people, thus various segments of human society loved and respected him, honoring him with the title, His Holiness. He lived the natural simple life of a seer. No desire, no house, no enmity towards anyone, this was his lifestyle. He was not accepting any gift either in the form of coin or any other kind. He was celibate all his life. He inspired people to do noble deeds for the poor. Under his blessings a surgical camp were arranged. Observing restraints in food and formalities he lived such an ideal life, which has inspired thousands of people to walk on the road of simplicity and nobility. I owe very much to him. Mine is always an attempt to live my life in this way.
Janet: There are so many spiritual masters and teachings. How would someone choose the right path for himself/herself?
Bapuji: Truly speaking a master is not any individual. It is a concept. In the initial stage someone may require some ideal man as master or say some scriptures, but ultimately our individual consciousness within is the real master. That is our inner voice. It always guides and helps us to find out the real guide or scripture or anything else which is necessary.Janet: How does one recognize the voice of their inner soul?
Bapuji: Inner voice is ever awakened. It is pure by nature. It is of unconditional nature. It is always a witness within. Be calm internally and externally, and you can experience this state. Basically it is social life, which has polluted the pure conscious state. 'I' and' mine' sense does not free the inner consciousness. If we are able to feel this inner voice, it opens the doors of the soul and the soul starts giving guidance.
Janet: What are the qualities of an enlightened being?
Bapuji: Enlightened Being looks externally like a common man. But his inner soul is pure. Worldly people are drowned in 'my' and 'mine' relationship. Enlightened Being has no desire. Instead of 'my' and 'mine' relationship he accepts the authority of everyone. In his consciousness there is no conflict of instincts and thoughts. There are no choices for him. He has only one choice and that is of the Almighty. He has stable intelligence. He has no caste-creed, race, gender, beauty, glory to believe in. He is full of compassion toward those who are miserable, but he is not upset by suffering. He has equanimity.
Janet: Can anyone achieve enlightenment?
Bapuji: Yes. Of course.
Janet: How does a person's life change once they become enlightened?
Bapuji: Enlightenment in a person transforms the personality. His behavior is unique in a sense of total integrity in speech, action and mind. His is an integrated personality. There are no external marks to be bound. A pregnant woman has never to say that she is pregnant. Her walking, her physical shape, her total body speaks of the pregnancy. Likewise an enlightened person has not to speak of his/her personality.
Janet: What is your daily spiritual practice?
Bapuji: I eat when I feel hunger, I sleep when I feel to sleep or to go for a rest. An unhappy happening makes me weep too. When occasion demands I laugh aloud and freely. At the time of silence I go into deep silence. I act in unison with the circumstances as demanded. I keep all the while single-mindedness. I am just an instrument. I utter only when needed. Whatever I do or act I do it as worship of God.
Janet: What importance do our thoughts play on our life?
Bapuji: Thought energy is the main quality of mankind. So it is extremely important in our life. Different isms are thought products and in the twentieth century these have quite obvious impacts. We know thinkers have their own world. Different thoughts put impressions in different ways on the common people. Thought is first generated in mind. Our five senses of knowledge witness the world and register the impressions gathered in the form of memory. Through speech and behavior memory impressions are always being expressed. Now the stage comes of thought in action. This process of speech, behavior and action is so complex and intermingled that we fail to grasp them in orderly sequence. Thought itself expresses the nature of the person by one's meals, habits and moving around in what company.
Janet: How do we get rid of mind's negativity?
Bapuji: Form a habit, always of positive thinking. Negativity by itself will slowly diminish. Accepting God's will would certainly remove the negativity of thoughts in the mind.
Janet: In your opinion are there as many western saints as eastern?
Bapuji: How many saints exist and where they belong, is not my concern. I have never made any attempt to find out this. A true saint, an enlightened one is beyond divisions of race, caste and creed, gender and religion. A true saint has no interest in such divisions of the country. The entire world he/she considers to be one.
Janet: Would you say you have achieved an enlightenment?
Bapuji: Dear Sister! How am I to notice it? You love me. In this phenomenon you may get your answer.
Janet: Have you seen God?
Bapuji: Yes, please. I have visualized God in my master. My master is Pujya Rang Avadhootji.
Janet: Is God an all time reality for your life?
Bapuji: Of course.
Janet: How can a common man achieve enlightenment?
Bapuji: By practicing equality and fairness, ethics and principles, truth, good moral conduct and religious behavior, your worldly mind would certainly get transformed. That transformation leads you to the enlightened state. With pure devotion from the heart and with a sense of suffering from the absence of God, if one prays then the person gets enlightened. Silence, meditation and chanting one of the names of God are some principal instruments.
Janet: Does enlightenment come through practice or through grace?
Bapuji: Penance and divine grace both are expected.
Janet: What is the definition of religion?
Bapuji: Religion is the manifestation of divinity in man.
Janet: Do you get enlightenment due to good deeds of the previous birth or births or right actions in this birth only?
Bapuji: Our previous birth/births has/have its role for success in the journey of realization, no doubt about it. At the same time how our attitude is in this birth, also matters. I would say, it is better to give importance to this birth instead to look for the previous birth/births which is quite an unknown area of the past. Regarding previous birth, the objective approaches are yet awaited. It touches much more the subjective area of the experience.
