Heartfulness Institute and Rashtra Sant Vandaniya Tukdoji Maharaj Sanstha at Gurukunj Ashram, Amaravati, Maharashtra.
As a result of the ongoing relationship between Heartfulness Institute and Tukdoji Maharaj’s organisation, Shri Kamlesh Patel (Daaji) was invited to join Rashtra Sant Vandaniya Tukdoji Maharaj’s Shraddhanjali annual event at Gurukunj near Amaravati, Maharashtra state, where more than 150,000 followers of Shri Tukdoji Maharaj gathered participating in various programs in his memory.
Reporters from Lokmat interviewed Daaji about spirituality and the Heartfulness Way, in which he said:
“Meditation is a technique to stabilise a fickle mind. The mind first becomes serene, and then it needs to be given a direction. What do we do after the mind has become settled? A student will focus on studies, a businessman will focus on making money, but the most worthy utilisation is the Realisation of God, to attain Brahma Vidya. Even Lord Krishna says that meditation is an excellent thing to do. It’s only through meditation that we can excel in every endeavour.”
And later:
“Loneliness is the cause of so many problems. People may be married but they still feel lonely. The loneliness epidemic is society’s biggest problem today. When we are going towards God, we don’t face this problem because we see God in everyone. We feel it so there is no need to speak about it. Everyone knows that God is omnipresent, but when this thought becomes reality then something can really happen.”
It was 3:00 p.m. when Daaji started for Gurukunj. As his car turned off the highway, there were throngs of people walking towards the event, following the tradition of Pallakki. Daaji stopped the car, and walked with them to the meditation hall.
A large group had gathered to receive him, so Daaji conducted meditation for the assembled gathering. Then he spoke: “This is a very joyful day, as the two currents that are progressively moving, Heartfulness and Tukdoji, have merged as one. Heartfulness is available for all. Whoever wants and seeks for it from the heart will keep on receiving it.”
Daaji was up early to participate in the Tukdoji Maharaja Punyathiti, reaching the venue around 5:15 a.m. Several thousands had gathered in a very orderly way in the meditation hall, and the program started at 5:30 a.m. Following bhajans and slokas from the Bhagavad Gita, Daaji was introduced and he gave a talk in Hindi. He first paid homage to Tukdoji Maharaj, and then spoke about how to gain knowledge, attain renunciation and liberation. He spoke about meditation, saying:
“People have assumed that the mind is our enemy, but, in fact, there is no friend better than the mind. How can we pray without the mind? How can we be devoted without the mind? How can we make resolutions without the mind? We cannot reach anywhere without making resolutions. Without meditation, resolutions will never yield results.
“Everyone wants happiness. Who wants sorrow? No one. When can we be happy? When the mind becomes contemplative. When can we contemplate? When the mind rests on one thing after making a resolution. It becomes focused. And when can the mind become focused? When it is regulated. And when will it be regulated? When we meditate. Now connect the statements above. Is happiness possible without meditation? In Heartfulness, due to Transmission or pranahuti, meditation becomes very simple. …
“I thank you all. I would like to say wholeheartedly that you all have accepted us and considered us to be your own. I am not able to hug you all, but I greet you all from my heart and bow to His feet that we have the feeling of brotherhood with each other and we have all become one. Tukdoji Maharaj also wanted this. … My salutations to all of you. Thank you.”
Overall, the followers of Shri Tukdoji Maharaj were deeply touched when Daaji said he was accepted by all of them without any question, and they made him their own. It was a moment where tears were rolling from many eyes. Most people were touched by the simplicity of Daaji and the way he comprehensively presented his thoughts so simply.
Over a 1,000 visitors attended introductory meditation sessions at the Heartfulness stall, and most found themselves immersed in Dhyana in the first session itself. Shri Tukdoji Maharaj’s followers were left in awe at the selfless-service rendered by our volunteers gathered from various places for this event.
Many who came to know about Daaji, Heartfulness and Kanha want to visit Kanha in the coming times. Also, some observed a distinctly different environment, which was inexplicable but which they could feel was a result of Daaji’s presence. Some have started relating the work of Daaji with that of Shri Tukdoji Maharaj. Overall, Daaji made a great impact on many hearts.
Nikunj and Shalini Shekhar.
Breakfree Meaningful Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd.
