Today started with a disciple asking for permission to practice meditation. He defended his daughter’s habit of eating non-vegetarian food. The Guru asked in awe, “How can a meditator make excuses for eating meat?” He pointed out that the animals his daughter killed are souls—just like his daughter. The Guru often repeats in every class the pain that animals go through when their throats are slit. To truly understand that pain, one must experience it themselves. How can someone who practices meditation speak casually about his daughter eating non-veg, without even a hint of regret?
It is so pathetic to watch the voiceless souls being killed in slaughterhouses. This reminds me of Sree Narayana Guru’s words: “It is a greater sin to eat than to kill.”The Guru denied permission to practice meditation any further, stating that he can’t support adharma (unrighteousness), and moved on to the questionnaire sessions for newcomers.
For whom are we practicing SMS meditation?
Ans : The guru replied : Anyone wishing to lead a peaceful life may practice meditation.
If my life is peaceful, why should I still practice meditation?
Ans : No one can predict what lies ahead in life. Today, you may be leading a happy and peaceful life, but you can’t expect it to remain the same forever. Life has its ups and downs, and with every rise, there will be a fall. To maintain balance, even in the face of hardships, one should practice SMS meditation.
Is it possible for a disciple to attain mahasamadhi?
Ans : Jeevasamadhi is a state where we achieve samadhi while alive. We walk alive after jeevasamadhi, which we experience during SMS meditation daily, which is a trance state. In normal samadhi, one abandons their body and will never return.
Mahasamadhi is a state that only a Guru can attain. When a Guru feels that their life’s mission is incomplete, they instruct their disciples to preserve their body. This act maintains a connection with the physical realm, allowing the Guru to return to Earth and fulfill their duties whenever they wish. The Mahasamadhi Mandapam of Sree Narayana Guru at Shivagiri is an example of this.
There is no point in preserving the body of one who has attained samadhi if they have not attained Brahmanjnana (the knowledge of the universe), as they cannot maintain a connection with this dimension. Have you ever wondered how one can experience God or undergo astral treatments while practicing SMS meditation? It is because our Guru is a Brahmanjnani, and as his disciples, we are blessed to experience these profound states. It was Sree Narayana Guru’s wish to work selflessly for the well-being of others, helping them attain samadhi. Thus, he established a connection with this universe and attained Mahasamadhi.
Could you also please explain the chakras under the Moon, Guru?
Ans : The seven layers of the mind — conscious mind, subconscious mind, unconscious mind, superconscious mind, cosmic level, ozone layer, and conscience — are connected to the Moon. The chakras, Surya Bhava, and Chandra Bhava are not located in our physical body but in the subtle body.
While many of us may have heard of Ida (the left energy channel) and Pingala (the right energy channel), we might not be familiar with the seven chakras of the Moon, which sometimes increase in number — to 9, 14, 29, and so on. These subdivisions are complex and difficult to fully comprehend.
It is known that we have seven subtle bodies (sookshma shariras), and each of these subtle bodies contains different chakras.
“Sakshi,” the last layer among the seven layers of the Moon, is the root of our karma. The deeper we delve into it, the more confused we may become. Therefore, the best approach is to practice meditation by following Gurutatwa, and develop a deep desire and curiosity to know , then the universe will gradually reveal the answers to all your doubts.
When we have no meaningful purpose, we tend to engage in idle or loose talk. Instead, we should cultivate a deep desire to explore spirituality. Only those who have truly experienced spirituality can help others understand its essence.
Why is it that while doing pradakshina (circumambulation) in a Shiva temple, we never cross the “Ovu” (line behind the sanctum)?
Ans : “Shiva” means awareness , “Shivalingam” means the Symbol of awareness. Many people don’t really know the reason why it is said not to cross behind the sanctum in a Shiva temple. The Guru began to share a story from his own life. This happened before he attained enlightenment, when he was working in Mumbai. There, people used to celebrate Ganapathy Visarjanam (Ganesha Idol Immersion Ceremony).
The immersion ceremony was happening near the Guru’s house, so he decided to join the rally and helped immerse the Ganesha idol in water. A man nearby who saw the Guru doing this told him that it was his misfortune to be the one immersing the idol. Usually, most people avoid doing the actual immersion.
Cut to the present — the Guru said, “If it was really my misfortune, then I wouldn’t have attained Brahmajnana (realization of the Absolute) in that very same year.”
Shivam is the universal knowledge, and the Shivalingam is the symbol of that knowledge. One cannot go beyond knowledge; that is why it is said not to cross behind the sanctum in a Shiva temple.
If we ask a child, “What is a computer?” they can explain what it is, but they won’t know about the software, RAM, or the coding inside it. Similarly, this is the difference between Brahma and Brahmajnana.
Sri Narayana Guru once said, “What we need is not temples, but schools.” During his time, people were not aware of basic cleanliness. So he said, “If you take a bath and visit a temple, you will see God.” But today, what we truly need are good schools where children can learn values and good culture.
