Fw: [MillionPaths] Maharshi - conversation - 1 -Bhikshu,Hurst(PB)

[Guest guest]

- viorica weissman

MillionPaths ; NamoRamana

Saturday, May 04, 2002 2:35 AM

[MillionPaths] Maharshi - conversation - 1 -Bhikshu,Hurst(PB)

IT WAS half past four in the afternoon and the disciples were sitting

before the Maharshi in the hall and were talking about a notification

that had appeared in the dailies [newspapers] to the effect that a Mr.

Hurst and a Buddhist Bhikshu were intending to visit the Ashrama. The

clock struck five and there entered the hall a man in European

costume, bearing a plate of sweets and followed by a Buddhist monk.

The visitors offered the sweets to the Maharshi and then, after

making obeisance in the Eastern way, they both squatted on the floor

before him. These were the visitors of whom the disciples had been

talking. The man in English clothes was R. Raphael Hurst [Paul

Brunton], a London journalist who was then on a visit to India. He

was keenly interested in the spiritual teaching of the East and

thought that by an intelligent study and appreciation of it the cause

of cooperation between East and West might be greatly promoted. He

came to Sri Ramanasramam after visiting many other ashramas. The

Bhikshu who came with him was also an Englishman by birth. He was

formerly a military officer but was known as Swami Prajnananda. He

was the founder of the English Ashrama in Rangoon. Both visitors sat

spellbound before Maharshi and there was pin-drop silence. The

silence was broken by the person who had brought the visitors, asking

them if they would like to ask any questions.

They were, however, not in a mood to do so, and thus an hour and a

half passed. Mr. Hurst then stated the purpose of his visit. In a

voice of intense earnestness he said that he had come to India for

spiritual enlightenment. "Not only myself," he added, "but many

others also in the West are longing for the Light from the East.''

The Maharshi sat completely indrawn and paid no attention. One of

those who were sitting there asked them if they had come to the East

for a study of comparative religions. "No," the Bhikshu replied, "we

could get that better in Europe. We want to find Truth; we want the

Light. Can we know Truth? Is it possible to get Enlightenment?" The

Maharshi still remained silent and indrawn, and as the visitors

wanted to take a walk, the conversation ended and all dispersed.

Early next morning the visitors entered the hall and put some

questions to the Maharshi with great earnestness. The conversation

reproduced below is from rough notes taken while it was going on.

Bhikshu: We have travelled far and wide in search of Enlightenment.

How can we get it? Maharshi: Through deep enquiry and confident

meditation. Hurst: Many people do meditate in the West but show no

signs of progress. Maharshi: How do you know that they don't make

progress? Spiritual progress is not easily discernible. Hurst: A few

years ago I got some glimpses of the Bliss but in the years that

followed I lost it again. Then last year I again got it. Why is that?

Maharshi: You lost it because your meditation had not become natural

(sahaja). When you become habitually inturned the enjoyment of

spiritual beatitude becomes a normal experience. Hurst: Might it be

due to the lack of a Guru? Maharshi: Yes, but the Guru is within;

that Guru who is within is identical with your Self. Hurst: What is

the way to God-realization? Maharshi: Vichara, asking yourself the

'Who am I?' enquiry into the nature of your Self. Bhikshu: The world

is in a state of degeneration. It is getting constantly worse,

spiritually, morally, intellectually and in every way. Will a

spiritual teacher come to save it from chaos? Maharshi: Inevitably,

when goodness declines and wrong prevails He comes to reinstate

goodness. The world is neither too good nor too bad; it is a mixture

of the two. Unmixed happiness and unmixed sorrow are not found in the

world. The world always needs God and God always comes. Bhikshu: Will

He be born in the East or the West?

The Maharshi laughed at the question but did not answer it.

 

(The Maharshi Newsletter,Internet)