Jyoti Subramanian - One Master one disciple: -peeling of an onion

one master

one disciple

-peeling of a n onion

Jyoti Subramanian

Copyright Jyoti Subramanian 2019

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or part, or transmitted in any form, without written permission from the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review; nor may any part of this book be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying recording or other, without the written permission from the author.

Guru-Shishya Parampara

When the student is ready the teacher appears

When the student is re ally ready the teacher disappears.

- Siddha Boganathar aka BoYang aka Lao-tse

Contents

Adesh

Let not precious moments slip by

Seek now the ultimate Truth

Jeevahamsa spread your wings to fly

Immortal realms which death defy.

-Yogiraj Siddhanath

Authors Note 2019

W riting a book for me was like birthing a baby, there was conception, an inception, a period of gestation and finally the moment of birth. There were moments of exhilaration and desperation, pain and pleasure. Like a child a book comes with its own Karma, power to persevere and to resurrect. The first draft of this book was written in 2004, published in 2007 it has been through all the nuances of pleasure and pain, criticism and acclaim and near death. The publisher recently returned the book as an unprofitable venture for them. Knowing the book has helped many seekers, keeping much of the original manuscript intact, I decided to publish it again with fresh perspective backed by fifteen more years of sadhana and realizations.

Heraclitus says you cannot step into the same river twice, for its not the same river and you are not the same person. I realized how deep this simple statement was while bringing out this revised edition. On the spiritual path theres a continuing transformation in the practitioner, the evolution of a sincere sadhak is not static but is fluid, the practice and the practitioner impacting one another dynamically. Add to that the presence of a living master aiding in the alchemy and augmenting the process and the blessings become manifold for the sadhak as it did for me with the presence of Gurunath.

About the title, I want to clarify that I use the word Master for lack of an English word for the Sanskrit Satguru. Like many other words in yogic terminology this word too does not have an equivalent in the English language. A true guru is more than a guide or a mentor or a master of the subject that is taught. True gurus bring to light the inner wisdom already present in the disciple often by merely being present; the prescribed practice given only to induce discipline. No definition adequately brings forth the contribution of a true master in a disciples journey.

Being inspired but not enamoured by the many mystical incidents that occured regularly in my journey, helped me to keep balance on the path. Its human nature to feel superior about our experiences and overawed by those of others. History is witness that we place such people on pedestals of worship and form religious orders around their truth. Though its great to be inspired one must constantly strive to build insight on the foundation of personal realizations. Every incident has to pass the lens of whether its based on reality, hallucination, delusion, flight of fancy or mere whim and only the experiencer can interpret its validity and message. I have, without seeking endorsement from others incorporated personal incidents into my spiritual growth to live life joyously.

Despite these wondrous incidents I understand and reiterate that all experiences are experienced through the lens of the mind, however purified that mind might be; absolving the mind to remerge into the spirit is the purpose of the yog sadhana. Empowered by Gurunath in 1998 in this life, I feel the connection of many lifetimes to the practice and to my master.

Acknowledgements

T he first lotus I offer to my Satguru Yogiraj Siddhanath, lovingly addressed as Gurunath by disciples or simply Nath. Without his wake up call I might still be in deep slumber mired in the trammels of daily life. He is the spine of this book, the thread on which the words and experiences are strung.

When I look back it seems from the time of birth I was being prepared for what I am becoming now. I am grateful to my parents, my two strong grandmothers, my pious uncles from both sides and other friends of the family for cherishing and loving unconditionally a very unruly child and introducing me to a way of life that still stands the test of time.

My two daughters, a special thank you for making me realize I could do anything. For those moments of clarity, when you cried singly or in unison, Ma cut the crap!

To all my students a very warm benediction for their support, help with their inputs and suggestions and critiques. Every moment teaching in class is learning for me. Often I feel I should pay them for attending my class. Its a journey of love with them by my side. I have used their real name when recounting an experience or incidents related to them and thank them for allowing me to do so.

Warm regards to all those who have seen my life unfold and insisted on this revised version as an inspiration to others. They are close friends with unconditional access to my home and hearth and heart.

Disclaimer

The book is my interpretation of events, spiritual, paranormal and personal as they unfolded in my life and the lessons learnt are subjective. I share them without prejudice with everyone, those who may be inspired, those who may disagree and those who may doubt and disbelieve. The book is not an attempt to convert, coerce or cajole people into a particular way of life or being.

Preface 2004

I wrote this book in spontaneity, as if pushed by some inner force; I had sat down in front of the PC, and with the soft blip of the screen, started writing. It was an exciting task, putting into words apparently bizarre experiences that could not be explained. Lifetimes of intellectual debate and discourse could not compare or compete with a millisecond of these factual experiences. The difference between knowing and realizing well, had to be realized. Faith then became the sum total of all my combined experiences, from this and many past lives. As in any other research field, this path too requires dedication and commitment while the master provides the spark for the inductive leap.

I realize now that throughout my life, in all momentary happiness, I was really searching for this eternal joy, and in every adventure the excitement of this search. The wellspring of which was always within, the master striking the spark to fire this lamp. Hamsa Dvij the twice born, Sagura the Initiated, Khalsa the Pure; all these were just terms of no significance to me. It was only gradually that the potency and magnanimity of the initiation seeped into me. All humanity has the capability to discard this body of flesh to emerge in a body of light.

In my case, it is the Himalayan master, Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath, who gave birth to this life, this light. He is the mother and the father who breathed new life into me. I see the divine umbilical cord connecting me to him and feel the nourishing, life-giving energy flowing through.

This book is an offering to him who showed me the path and asked for nothing in return except steadfastness in practice.