Satsang
VOL. 27, NO. 3, NEW ERA 56,  SEPT. & OCT., 1999

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People from all walks of life, every religion, race, practice this fire all over the
world and there is no organization behind any of it.  There are a few ecologically
oriented nonprofit groups who teach Agnihotra in other countries but they are not
organizations.  There are no members.  We do not want “followers”.

Agnihotra is simply a scientific practice one is encouraged to do in one’s own
home.  As the health of the family improves, the garden becomes more balanced,
animals more healthy, atmosphere more healing, these are only goals of Agnihotra
that help the environment.

Agricultural experiments prove Agnihotra a beneficial healing aid to counteract
effects of pollution on the atmosphere.

In South America many poor farmers have used Agnihotra for their ailing farms.
Yields again have been recovered; that is, food has begun to grow, yield is
increased, while banana plantations, previously dead, have been revived through
this practice of Agnihotra.

South American countries are traditionally Catholic.  All of these people who are
practicing Agnihotra regularly with fantastic healing results are active in their
practice of Catholic faith.

Never is it said that one must change one’s religion or one’s dress, one’s name,
one’s own personal practices.  Never.  Always we have said to practice the religion
of your fathers as it has been given to you. 

Since I returned to Tapovan in early February it has been a very busy time.
During this time we saw the completion of the new kitchen and the construction
of a new Agni Shala.  Tapovan has been a veritable hive of activity culminating in
our International Reunion Celebration of Parama Sadguru Shree Gajanan Maharaj’s
Birth Anniversary on May 17th.

It was a very special time here at Tapovan and seeds were sown on that day which
will have far-reaching implications for the future.  In total, eleven Westerners
joined me for the celebration: Reiner from Turkey, Maria Alejandra from
Venezuela who happened to be studying in India at the time, Karin and Aurelia
from North India, Irma from Venezuela, Anne, Sacha and Faith from Australia, and
Ulrich, Frank and Kirsten from Germany.

The program began on 16th May with the establishment of the Resonance Point in
the new Agni Shala.  I was ably assisted in this by Reiner and Maria Alejandra who
have some previous experience in this area.  In fact, these Resonance Points are
now popping up all over the planet as farmers realize the need for this in order to
heal their ailing crops.

Later in the evening of that same day all the western guests joined with some of
Abhay’s family and friends in the new yajnya shala for the birthday celebration.
First, we all sang songs in the different languages of those who were present, ably
directly by Irma.  Then we all chanted Om Shree until midnight, at which time we
performed Vyahruti Homa.  After that Irma and Reiner both spoke briefly about
the occasion and also the serious state of the planet.  Then it was more singing for
a short time, again followed by chanting of Om Shree and exactly at 12:42 A.M.
on the 17th (Shree Gajanan Maharaj’s birth time) we performed a second Vyahruti
Homa to mark the occasion.

At about 8 A.M. that same morning we gathered in the Yajnya Shala again for the
commencement of the Rudra Yag.  It was a wonderful team effort with several
Westerners taking turns to make the offering to the fire.  I also had welcome
assistance from other Westerners present, especially Aurelia and Reiner, in
chanting the mantras.  The Yajnya took four hours to complete.  Many of the local
people came at our invitation to be present on this occasion.

After the Yajnya was finished it was time for lunch.  We all ate under a marquee
which was specially erected for this program.  In all we must have catered for
more than three hundred people.

I was sad that most of the Westerners who had come for the celebration had to
leave so quickly.  Maria Alejandra and Aurelia left for the south of India to carry
out Homa Therapy work on diseased coconut plantations; Reiner and Karin left for
Pune where they were to do Homa Therapy work on a nearby farm; Irma left for
Gujurat with Abhay, again on Homa Therapy work.

However, during the short period of the visit, Anne explained the how and why of
clay therapy—simple and natural treatments using clay.  The clay we are using
here is particularly therapeutic as it originates from the holy Narmada River.  We
had several sessions (men and women separate) on the terrace of the bungalow
where everyone applied the clay as mud all over the body.  We were also all
treated to a clay cocktail (a small amount of clay in a cup of water) courtesy of
Anne.

When Karin’s work near Pune was completed she returned to Tapovan for several
more days.  Anne, Sacha and Faith, after some travelling in Northern India also
returned to Tapovan for a few extra days.  During this time Karin showed me how
to make sourdough bread.  We used flour from wheat grown here at Tapovan.  We
experimented again with our new bread-making oven which is now fully
operational.  We were all surprised at how well the bread tasted.

The reunion visit turned out to be a great success.  We all enjoyed picking up the
threads of old friendships and making some new ones.  The satsang was also very
welcome, especially for me since I have spent so much time alone here over the
past two years.  I hope this kind of reunion celebration will become a regular
feature of our yearly schedule at Tapovan. 

As part of the May 17th program at Tapovan we established a Resonance Point in
the newly constructed Agni Shala.  Reiner, Maria Alejandra, Karin and Aurelia
were present.

Two more new pyramids were introduced into the Agni Shala to the sides of the
resonance column at a slightly lower level, the left-hand one for morning and
evening Agnihotra only and the right-hand one for Vyahruti Homa.  Then, to
activate the Agni Shala we began with sunset Agnihotra that same day.  (These
huts have to be activated by starting with sunset Agnihotra, not sunrise.)  Now, in
order to maintain the power of the Resonance Point, Agnihotra must be
performed in the Agni Shala each day at sunrise and sunset without fail.

Next, we installed two new pyramids in the new yajnya Shala, near the western
entrance.  The left-hand one again for Agnihotra only and the right-hand one for
Om Tryambakam Yajnya.  In this hut we will perform four hours daily Om
Tryambakam Yajnya and, if personnel permit, twenty-four hours on full moon and
new moon days, or else as many hours as possible.  Agnihotra can also be
performed in this hut if a second person is present.  We have a second entrance in
this hut on the northern wall for the general public who will come to observe the
Yajnya in the future and benefit from sitting in the healing atmosphere.  Actually,
people who come to sit in this hut will automatically become healed by the
Yajnya. (Yajnya is the most powerful of all the healing modalities.)

Later, near the extremities of the farm in each of the four directions—north, south,
east and west—we built up another four columns of mud, each also within a brick
form, to heart chakra level when a person is standing.  Again, four new pyramids
were each charged by performing Vyahruti Homa, emptying the ash and finally
installing the empty pyramids on top of these mud columns.  For security reasons
these pyramids are concealed just below the top of the brick form and covered to
protect against rain.  If extra personnel are available these four pyramids may also
be used for Agnihotra, but otherwise they can remain untouched.

Now each Agnihotra performed in the Agni Shala becomes more potent by a
factor of several times.  Also the Agnihotra ash becomes extremely medicinal.  We
may now have to think in terms of exporting this ash to countries in Europe, for
example.  Of course, as with all Agnihotra ash medicines, there is no charge for
this. 

(From Light Towards Divine Path)

Tapa is the third aspect of the Fivefold Path for happy living.  Tapa is self-
discipline voluntarily imposed by yourself with total cooperation of the mind and
intellect.  While we are crossing the river of life there are six crocodiles which
trouble us: passion, anger, greed, attachment, pride and envy.  Unless the trouble
from these crocodiles is reduced we are not going to be happy.

Constant pursuit of material objects will never culminate in finding worthwhile
solutions to our problems.  The problems multiply, giving rise to a built-in
mechanism which defies all solutions.  The problems are resolved only by practice
of Tapa.  Tapa sensitizes the body, makes the flow of PRANA harmonious and the
will power is strengthened.  The resistance that the body and mind offer in the
pursuit of the Path of Light is broken and the bodily vehicle becomes a more
sensitive instrument of consciousness.

Control over the body brings about harmony between intellect and emotions.  This
is Tapa, the process of character building through discipline.  Tapa is an effort to
exercise control over Prana, the life energy that connects us with the cosmos and
pulsates through us.  Control over Prana means control over mind.  Tapa
establishes us in a state of fearlessness born out of love.  Tapa begets utter
humility which accentuates our journey on the Path of Light.  Tapa grants us true
understanding wherein love synthesizes with discipline and duty takes the total
coloration of bliss.  Tapa improves our perception and grants us the ability to see
through the vicissitudes of life.  By practice of Tapa we bear with fortitude
unpleasant situations in life and experience without infatuation the pleasant ones.
Tapa unburdens the mind by transformation of the attitudes.

Tapa unlocks the latent powers within us and makes them patent.  Creative
powers and true knowledge dawn through Tapa.  If we remain unattached to these
creative powers and do not hanker after them we enter higher states of
consciousness.  Tapa is like fire which finds its own way to spread itself.  Tapa
makes us realize the evanescent nature of material conditions and thus our
attachment is reduced.  Then the fountain of joy gushes forth and mental agony,
anxiety and tension are relegated to the limbo of the past.

If a desire is fulfilled it gives rise to two more desires.  If it is not fulfilled it leads to
anger.  Thus a satisfied desire leads to hunger for more desires and an unsatisfied
desire leads to anger.  What is the way out?  A person feels that the moment of
gratification of his desire is his highest moment of happiness.  However, a little
more examination will show us that it is not the gratification of the desire that has
brought about this happy state of mind but it is the eradication of the desire that
makes us happy. There is no more burden of the desire on the mind and hence,
we feel happy.  If we are able to bring about this happy state of mind by
eradication, then our work is done.

There is a difference between appetite and hunger.  Hunger is a natural demand
by the body.  Supposing one evening you have over-eaten and you go out for a
stroll.  While walking through the streets you pass by a restaurant.  From the glass
show window you see sizzling food being cooked inside and your eye is
stimulated. You go a few steps ahead; a waft of breeze brings the smell of food
and you hear soft music being played inside. Your ear is stimulated.  These
stimulants create an appetite and quietly you enter the restaurant and help
yourself to your heart's content.  The momentary contents of the heart however,
are not shared by your overwrought stomach, contributing to ill health.

Someone abuses you or says something bad about you or you think he has said
something bad about you and you get angry.  If you decide to cut your own fingers
because of this, you would be called a fool.  Now look what happens when you get
angry.  The pupils of your eyes expand and your breathing becomes fast.  The
metabolism is affected; the endocrine system is affected.  This puts a strain on the
nervous system and the mind is disturbed. Is this not similar to cutting your own
fingers, if not worse?  What do you gain by getting angry?  You hurt yourself and
in no way do you improve the person who you think is the cause of your trouble.
The intellect thus tells us that one should not get angry.  However, mind is in
certain grooves of habits and it needs to be trained to get out of those habits.  This
is Tapa.  Practice of Agnihotra helps a good deal in this effort.

Most misunderstandings and quarrels arise because we cannot control our tongue.
Hence, we may start practicing a few things. The list is not exhaustive but merely
illustrative:

· Do not show your importance while you speak.
· Do not use harsh or spiteful language. Truth can be told in a palatable manner.
· Do not indulge in backbiting.
· By describing other persons' faults you wish to show that you are superior.
Avoid this. With speech much energy is consumed. We should learn to
conserve it.
· If someone speaks ill about another person in his absence, treat him as an
uninvited guest.
· Get rid of the habit of blaming others when things do not come about the way
you wish them to be.
· Never speak ill of others. You create evil thought forms which impinge upon
you and weaken the mental fibre.
· Do not get into a holier-than-thou attitude.

A wrong thought, word or action creates a groove in the mind and your future
thought, word or deed tends to flow in a similar pattern.  This puts a great burden
on the mind.

The moment we are disturbed we feel we must get away from this state of mind
and be happy.  Happiness should be a natural state of the mind.  This is possible
when all our reactions to outside conditions flow from LOVE.  In fact, when the
mind takes the total coloration of LOVE the journey on the Path of Light (Divine
Path) is nearly done.  Methods to achieve this state are Tapa.

From the cradle to the grave vanity takes a heavy toll of mind energy.  Due to
vanity we are unable to see the other man's point of view.  Opinion is ultimately
an end product of intellect expressing itself as an attitude of the mind.  There can
be several attitudes out of which ours may be only one.  Religious dogmatism is
the worst kind of vanity which has taken a heavy toll of the human race.  The
swollen ego struts about the stage of life and we become miserable at every point
of friction.

Vanity breeds smugness and intolerance.  Our errors come disguised as
righteousness due to vanity. So-called self-righteousness is also the manifestation
of ego.  Vanity is the breeding reactor where fanaticism, orthodoxy, dogma and
cultism thrive.  Bigotry never admits mistakes and invents long-winded defense
for its misdeeds. Anger and vanity thrive upon each other. Therefore, practice the
following:

· Do not hanker after name and fame.
· Do not make a vulgar show of your possessions or your academic
accouterments.
· Avoid talking about yourself.  Listen more.  Talk less.  We have two ears but
only one tongue.
· In conversation, avoid dogmatic self-assertions.
· Be humble.  Humility is the hallmark of a person on the Divine Path.
· Do not try to pose as what you are not.  Attempt to become as you wish others
to see you.

Envy is grudging desire or discontent at someone else's success. Envy coexists
with prejudiced hostility or animosity.  Envy blinds us to our own blessings.  Envy
clouds the intellect and disfigures the mind.  Envy leads us off the track of
discrimination between right and wrong.  The Law of Karma is inviolable and
hence, there is no place for envy.  To overcome envy learn to be happy at the
success of others.

Sex, when permitted to run riot, becomes lust.  When sex becomes the instrument
of self-indulgence much energy is drained off and the will is enfeebled.  The more
we are trapped in sex the cloudier the intellect becomes. Passion haunts all
humanity and keeps people in a tantalizing state.  It dangles the carrot of pleasant
sensations   before us and makes us labor like the proverbial donkey.  When the
sap is squeezed we are fit for the trash can. When sex is not channelled, it
envelops the mind and all the sensory stimuli apparatus is enslaved towards this
end.  Sex then acts like a parasite on the whole organism.  This leads to violent
emotional disturbances.  To restore the sexual instinct to its natural function and
to bring the emotions under the control of intellect is Tapa.

Greed chains us down to the objects of phenomena, draining all our energy over
trivial things.  The same energy needs to be harnessed to higher achievements.
Initially, a person starts piling up material things as a means for comfortable living.
Later on he gets dragged into the habit of piling up things for their own sake.
People try to adopt devious ways to acquire wealth not realizing that they have to
reap as they sow.  Just think for a moment what all this is for.  lt only hardens the
chain of desires around us and chokes us further.

To eliminate the tension on the mind which comes due to attachment, practice
DAAN, the second aspect of the Fivefold Path.  Bear in mind that wealth is merely
the means to an end and not an end in itself.  If robbery is sin, so is amassing
material objects without the habit of giving.

Tapa is training the mind.  This training could be considered from various aspects,
e.g.:

· Removal of tension on the mind which comes due to bodily causes. Practice of
Yoga Asanas (physical postures) is helpful in this regard.
· Removal of tension on the mind which comes about due to disharmonious
flow of Prana (Life energy) through the nervous system. Pranayama (Yoga
rhythmic breathing) helps eliminate this tension. Yoga Asanas and Pranayama
lead to good health and better performance ability.
· Removal of tension on the mind which comes due to atmospheric pollution.
Agnihotra is the most scientific method to remove this tension and
simultaneously nourish plant life around us.
· Removal of tension on the mind which comes due to wrong habit patterns. For
this, we have first to deal with the six crocodiles mentioned above.  Mind is in
the grooves of habits which exact a great toll of energy for purposes that take
us away from the Divine Path (The Path of Light).

You like to eat your favorite dish because it grants you moments of happiness.
You like to read a novel or watch T.V. or play at the pool table because it grants
you moments of happiness.  However, you soon get tired of these external
stimulants.  Their capacity to make you happy becomes marginal.  Later on,
sometimes, they even tend to play on your nerves.  By practice of Tapa you realize
that no external stimulants are necessary and you can be happy all the time when
the Light within shines.

The mind training which is Tapa needs to be undertaken with the cooperation of
the intellect. The methods have to be within the reach of the average person. The
Fivefold Path presented here takes into consideration all the above aspects of the
psychosomatic man and teaches new biopsychological habit patterns which act as
reinforcers to Tapa.

Tapa purifies the body and the mind and enables us to notice subtler aspects of
behavior. lt strengthens our perception and improves the evaluation of that
perception. This results in better action. When the mind gets purged of these six
crocodiles KNOWLEDGE dawns. This is knowledge transformed into wisdom. We
enter into higher tiers of consciousness and we feel LOVE towards all creation.
This is happiness that is not followed by unhappiness. Tapa is the key which
unlocks the hidden treasure and accentuates our journey on the Path of Light. The
traveler on the Path of Light experiences intellectual illumination, peace of mind
and total joy. Tapa enables us to perform better in any given situation in life as we
land ourselves in higher consciousness where Universal Love is the ultimate value.
The Kingdom of Light is within you. This is the Eternal Truth. LOVE is the key to
this Kingdom. 

One cannot rely on one’s environment to always remain the same.  Change is a
necessary element of life.  We cannot control our environment.  WE CAN ONLY
INJECT NUTRIENTS INTO THE ATMOSPHERE WITH AGNIHOTRA and maintain a
harmonious balance in nature with these healing fires.  But we cannot order
change in our surroundings.

The stability upon which you depend must come from within—a spiritual stability
which maintains itself in all conditions which surround you.  Then one can move
anywhere and still that sense of tranquility is strong within.  Therefore, release all
fears.  Be diligent in weeding them out as a gardener in his garden.
 

Intensify practice of breath meditation and ancient practice of Pranayama.

Under no circumstances in life should one give in to fear, anxiety.  Under all such
circumstances one must keep the image of the HOLY FIRE, the HOLY FATHER or
the SADGURU before one’s eyes and in one’s heart.  It is the only thing which will
cure this fear.  These fears have base in past incarnations.  They will rise into
present consciousness to be eliminated and this process is intensified by
intensified practice of SWADHYAYA and FIRE.
If these fears come, allow them to come up.  Do not push them down further.
Acknowledge their existence and RELEASE THEM EITHER INTO THE FIRE or
simply out of your being.  But in order to release, these fears must first be
recognized.  Do not be afraid of your fears.  Fear is what causes these illnesses
and pain.

Where does fear base itself in the body?  In the mind?  Let the mind be free.  Then
the fears go and stomach muscles relax.  All digestive problems also will pass
under these circumstances.  To “run away” from fears does not help, as they catch
up.  One cannot run forever.  When one faces one’s fears honestly, identifying
them and releasing them, they lose power and hold on the body.

Soul’s yearning will have to be far stronger than one’s desire or one’s attraction to
the material world.  It is the soul’s yearning that will bring us HOME.

“Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven.”  Do not be caught in the web of illusion.
You are not the body or your mind.  Think higher thoughts.  Do not allow yourself
to wallow in the mire of self-pity or desire.  Attachment will swallow you and
destroy you.  Be non-attached.  Have faith without expectation.