Guru's Grace

This picture is taken in the Old Hall, here at Sri Ramanasramam. Bhagavan Ramana met with people 24 hours a day in this hall for over 25 years. This is where the Guru’s Grace silently activated the Truth in those who were open and receptive. Today it’s a perfect place for meditation, especially in the early morning between three and seven o’clock and just after siesta at two o’clock.

As this place has been one of the “hot spots” for me on this retreat here at Sri Ramanasramam, I wanted to share an experience that came up, recently, that was very significant for me. It began with this quote, which was taken from the book “At the Feet of Bhagavan” by T.K Sundaresa Iyer. From the early age of twelve years old, he was with Sri Bhagavan, visiting with him while he lived in Virupaksha Cave.

Now, the master speaks: “People think the Master is confined in a human frame, but it is not so; His existence and presence are universal, cosmic, because He is the True Guru (sad-guru) and Truth (sat) as such is not a newly discoverable entity. He has always been there with you even while you were undergoing all the pangs of existence. In fact, I am the “I” in you; you and I have never been apart, nor ever can be. But you, with your separate “I” and its exclusive and warring interests, could not know Me, much less feel Me. Now that the “I” in you has dropped away, I alone live in you.” This is the meaning of Tatvamasi (“That thou art”), and this is the meaning and the function of the Guru’s Grace.

During this past week, in Silent Retreat, this “function of the Guru’s Grace” came alive for me. How long have I heard the simplicity of Sri Bhagavan’s message? … “dive within” … “go back to the Source from which you came” … “Who am I?” … “Inquire and find the source of the ‘I”.” Didn’t Ramana say, “There’s only one thing to do”? It’s like it all came alive for me in going back to the simple basics and having nothing to distract this focus.

Due to Sri Bhagavan’s Grace, it was discovered and realized what was quoted above “I am the “I” in you; you and I have never been apart, nor ever can be” … “I alone live in you” …”THAT Thou Art”. Remaining in this “I-I” in one pointed focus and Guru’s Grace takes over. As Sri Bhagavan says, it’s so "simple … natural … and direct".

Constant vigilance is required to remain in and as this Truth and not let anything “of this world” distract, as I now move out of Silent Retreat into a more active lifestyle.

I am humbled in the Presence of our Guru’s unending, unfathomable and endearing Grace. Is this what it means to be “in the tiger’s jaws?” Well, I willingly and gratefully surrender.