It is the concluding day of the celebrations of the 95th birth anniversary of Chariji. Daaji left home at around 6.25 a.m. to conduct meditation for the 17,000 odd seekers gathered in the meditation hall. He gave a talk after meditation.

Daaji began by commemorating Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia’s flute recital the previous evening and went on to emphasize the need for practice for fulfillment in any endeavor. Here are a few snippets from the talk:

Practice, Practice, and Practice

Last evening was enthralling and most enjoyable. We witnessed mastery in action. The flute maestro began his renditions as a child, learning Raga Yaman. And today, after 50 years, he declares he is still practicing a few notes.

We are moving towards infinity; we have infinite notes. So, imagine the practice we require every moment! Even the great vocalist, Pandit Jasraj, used to say the same. When I asked him, ‘Panditji, what is your message for all of us?’ he mentioned two things, ‘Riyaz, meaning constant practice, and respect for elders.’ Sadly, these days respect for elders has simply disappeared. We don’t respect our own family members, leave alone strangers.

There is only one thing that can integrate us from the inside, and that is our practice. Without practice, we can go nowhere.

With What Attitude Should We Practice?

Babuji used to say practice, practice, and practice – but with the right attitude. Without bhakti [devotion], the heart of Heartfulness, we are nowhere. 

Bhakti is the pinnacle of love. It is an outcome, a state – just as love is a state we arrive at – and not a process. We begin with discrimination, which is a process. For example, you may like or dislike someone in the beginning. But as your goal remains fixed and you develop one-pointed love towards God, the journey takes you further.

At the culmination of love, we arrive at bhakti. Everything becomes love because then we see Him in all. We feel Him in all. This is what Sahaj Marg stands for. Unity is paramount, but it cannot be forced upon. It must be the result of our practice. And whenever we have discord, take it for granted there is a lack of practice, lack of understanding, lack of right thinking, and lack of honesty in life.

Daaji expressed immense joy at the discipline showcased by the seekers in the meditation hall during Panditji’s flute concert. He recollected Panditji’s words, “I have attended so many events and performed at so many events worldwide, but I have never seen such a crowd. I have never seen such an atmosphere. It is as if gods are sitting to listen.” Daaji said it reminded him of one of Babuji’s profound statements, “I make Masters, not disciples.”

Among other things, he touched on the importance of grandparents in a child’s life, the Wisdom Bridge, and humility. He concluded the speech by addressing Panditji, “I am very touched by your presence, especially this time, because the atmosphere within and outside speaks the same language and vibrates with the same harmony. We are ever grateful to our Masters for such a gift.”

Daaji invited Panditji and his team home for breakfast. His child-like enthusiasm was quite palpable as he got ready and eagerly awaited Panditji’s arrival. After waiting for about 15 minutes, he went inside as the guests were delayed.
Panditji and his team arrived at around 8.30 a.m. Daaji gave them a red-carpet welcome and honored Panditji with a shawl. Breakfast was an extremely joyful affair, and both Daaji and Panditji exchanged many stories and insights from their lives. “It was as if gods had descended from the heavens to hear,” commented Daaji on Panditji’s performance.

He also shared some profound insights on music with Panditji’s young team members, including flautist Vivek Sonar.

The Interplay Between Music and the Yogic Chakras  

Modern artists, especially the youth, are in a rush. When you hear a raga like Puriya Kalyan [referring to the music playing in the background], time stops – and that’s what we have to try, especially if we have meditation as our backbone.

[Daaji went on to explain the panchabhutas {The 5 elements of nature, namely, earth, ether, fire, water and air} and the corresponding chakras of the Heart Region and their specific location in the human anatomy.]

If you focus on the Jal Chakra [Point 4, water element], meditate on it before playing Raga Megh Malhar, and transmit that condition along with your music, you’ll see the magic happen. It might not rain, but at least everything will become cool around you. Even at noon, in the bright sun, the atmosphere will be very cool. This is really possible.

Similarly, in winter, if you play any raga associated with the Agni Chakra [Point 3, fire element], with immense love from the core of your being, you will create the condition of fire. It warms up your body.

Playing a raga, like Puriya Kalyan, from the Atma Chakra [Point 2, ether element] will put you in a trance. You will experience total peace if you meditate on this chakra at that time.

Now, generally, we meditate on the heart; we meditate on the presence of divinity in the heart on a regular basis. But on special occasions, if you bring your attention towards a particular chakra (as mentioned above), meditate on it for about half an hour, drown yourself in that state, and then play from that spiritual state, you will see the effect on everyone, including yourself.

There are musicians who go beyond the panchabhutas [Heart Region] and play from the Brahmanda Mandal [Mind Region]. And if you play music from that level, very few people will understand. They will not know what is happening, and they might ask, “Is that all?” In fact, they will be mesmerized.

So, if you combine spirituality with music, you can achieve great heights. You may unconsciously still do so, but when you make a conscious effort, Nature will support you.

Baa [Daaji’s mother] joined all of them, and Daaji introduced her to Panditji.

The group then set out for the plantation. As it was difficult for Panditji to bend and plant, Daaji gently guided him to sprinkle water on the plant and asked the team to plant it on his behalf. Panditji was very moved by this gesture, which was nothing but a reflection of the Master’s deep compassion and utter sensitivity. Daaji took him on a short tour and showed him around.

Back in his room, he asked Panditji to sit on the swing while he made himself comfortable in a chair on the opposite side. Panditji gifted Daaji’s flute to Umanath [son of Uday Kumar from the USA], a young flautist in the making, and asked him to play it. 

At around 10.20 a.m., Daaji gave a fitting send-off to Panditji and his team and asked Shakti to drop them at the airport. By this time, many seekers had gathered at his residence. Daaji regretfully told everyone that he was very tired and wanted to rest.

As he went into his room, a few seekers followed him. Daaji sat on the swing and chatted with Dinesh Agarwal and his family from Raipur. Daaji asked them if they had read the Bhandara message and wanted to know their feedback and insights. 

Dineshji asked a question regarding the conflict created by desires and wishes, and Daaji shared his insights.

The Conflict of Life

The conflict is mainly because the purpose of life is not the same as our desires in life. For example, looking after your children and giving them your best is not a desire, but your duty. As parents, you need to give them an education, make them stronger, and discipline them. But giving everything can spoil them and make them too free and undisciplined. Then you’re not performing your role as a parent. Of course, the immature minds of children will always react, until they themselves become parents. And this is a constant struggle in every family; you are not the only one.

The same thing happens in our day-to-day relationships with our spouses, relatives, friends, and co-workers. The question that we need to ask ourselves at every stage is, “What is my duty towards my friends or towards my family?” Do only that; nothing more, nothing less. Babuji would say, “I’ll do my best,” and that’s it. The rest, including family and business, is only to support your spiritual life.

Your efforts in your business or work are mainly to support your spiritual life. If you make your business the spiritual wing of your life – that is, integrate both – then there’s fun. For example, expanding your business is not a desire but a duty. But if you do the wrong things to expand your business, then you have to pay the price. Becoming greedy is altogether different from expanding your business. Expansion of your business by rightful means will also benefit the world, but greed is always for the self, self, and self alone, you see.

Daaji paused for a few minutes and then said, “As compared to last evening [24 July], the number of seekers participating in the group meditation session this morning is less by 7,000. I have spoken about this earlier. You should never miss a sitting [meditation session] during Bhandara. Come ahead of time, prepare yourself a day or two days early, attend the Bhandara, and leave only after the last sitting of Bhandara.”

Daaji underwent physiotherapy with Surekha Banda and rested for a while. He had invited a few guests for lunch and he joined them at around 2 p.m. Daaji conducted meditation for the group between 2.35 and 2.55 p.m.

Daaji wanted to conduct meditation for all the seekers in the meditation hall at 6 p.m., but he asked N.S. Nagaraj to conduct the session as he could not make it at the last minute. There were about 5,200 seekers who attended the group meditation conducted by the preceptor [trainer].

In the evening, Daaji went for a walk among the plants surrounding his home. The activities of the day finally came to a close.