Conclusion: How an accomplished yogi faces old age sickness and death

Conclusion:

At the conclusion of his visit to each city during his world tours, Baba gave a particularly  exalted  talk on how  Life is a play of light and shadows.  This was always a sublime teaching, filled with the highest truth, beyond duality of a seeker, a Guru or anything to be attained.   I find it  a fitting conclusion  for helping  to determine the value of what occurred within our lives, minds and hearts as a result of contact with Baba Muktananda.

If  we choose to hold onto the light of what we received from our time with Baba as a treasure that can carry us to the highest realization of our own nature as consciousness we can fulfill the great aspiration he had for each of us who had contact with him and practiced sadhana and meditation under his guidance. 

Alternatively if some choose to allow the shadows of his actions to submerge their perceptions into a murky sphere of doubt and disillusionment,   then again that is a choice leading to the   irrevocable consequences of that perception.   It is not a question of denial or rationalization.  What he did cannot be excused from certain standards.  However in order to make a fair assessment, for the purpose of his and our own spiritual legacy,  a vast open perspective and deep understanding of the tantric tradition  is required .[1]

 Through attempting to understand his actions and motivations, throughout the entirety  of his life and the impact on the tens  of thousands of people whose lives were touched profoundly by him we can discriminate rather than judge. We can touch forgiveness and compassion within our own hearts towards ourselves and others on the path.  In each case we experience the world as we see it,” Ya drishti, sa shristhi” was one of Baba’s most frequent teachings. 

 Excerpts from Baba’s talk “Play of Light and Shadows”,  

“If  you were to examine your life with an outlook filled with the knowledge of humanity, you would realize that it is nothing but a play of sunlight and shadow, that it is not different from a drama, or from a joyful dream. This play of creation is filled with unique colors and manifestations. Like clouds in the autumn sky which keep forming and dissolving, forming and dissolving, in your life different colors shine and sparkle for a while and then fade away.

 “Virtue turns into sin, sin turns into virtue.  Joy turns into grief, and grief into Joy……  Behind everything there is great Love. There is Consciousness. There is the Guru's compassion. There is the extraordinary, yet subtle desire to be reunited with the Self. You will be awakened within. Can you be awakened? Can you drink the nectar of your own love? With the knowledge of That, can you recognize your own Self in countless forms? When it arises within you, you will be truly alive.”

This article is written entirely from the original notes and transcripts of notes that I made during my time living with Baba in India and on tour.  It is not intended for any kind of publication, nor to represent any kind of official presentation of information.  It reflects my own experiences and perception. As such it may or may not be helpful to others in digesting their own ultimate assessment regarding their legacy from Baba.  it can be  shared with friends for such a purpose.   

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[1] Berzin, Alexander. Relating to a Spiritual Teacher: Building a Healthy Relationship.
Part II: The Dynamics of a Healthy Student-Teacher Relationship   This book available through Berzin Archives on the internet provides one of the most thorough and culturally beneficial of many books that have been written on the issue of betrayal between teachers and students.