Dear friends!
Greetings!
My spiritual journey, which I began at the age of eight (8), has spanned an amazing long period till date and has been an enthralling trip. Join me on a transforming journey that spins a web of development, resiliency, and profound understanding.
Introduction:
Through a journey marked by spiritual exploration, both ascent and descent, I navigated the turbulence of life’s demands. In a world besieged by chaos, discovering inner tranquillity may appear elusive, yet my odyssey revealed a transcendent truth. Beyond the confines of culture and creed, my path led me to a profound revelation—a realization that defied the very divisions that once shaped me.
Captivated by Christ: Nurturing Curiosity and Spirituality in Childhood:
I was miraculously drawn to the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ as an 8-year-old growing up in an Orthodox Hindu Brahmin family. As I watched my family pursue day to day well-being and desires related to this materialistic world through their devotions, the idea of worshipping idols for merely materialistic desires didn’t sit well with me. Images of Jesus held a mesmerising attraction in the tangle of my early memories. His stare appeared to penetrate the depths of my impressionable heart, sowing the seeds of wonder and spiritual yearning that would later direct my journey of self-discovery. Those sights, which will always be imprinted in my memory, sparked a flame of inquiry that cut through space and time. My interest in Christian literature, especially the Bible, drove me to investigate it, and as the years passed, my relationship with Christian trusts and Churches across India grew stronger. I started attending Churches and gaining knowledges from Christain scholars.
Spiritual Foundations: Cultivating Goodness through Devotion to Jesus and the Ten Commandments:
Battles of Faith and Love’s Unconventional Journey:
My voyage was woven with significant encounters, yet no matter how deeply I thought about it, the mystery of the Genesis chapter’s cosmic beginnings remained. Scepticism surfaced as a student immersed in the fields of physics and mathematics. My allegiances were also put under duress by various Christian organisations that fervently desired my Baptism as proof of my conversion. I broke up these relationships at this point, a decision that contrasted with my unwavering allegiance to Lord Jesus. In the shadow of possible planned marriages with Christian suitors, an unanticipated affection grew for the future wife of my life. I let go of those associations in this delicate dance, but my unwavering love for Jesus remained, a thread that went through everything else.
A Turning Point in Self-Realization: Nurturing Wisdom through the Bhagavad Gita and Advaita Vedanta:
My father’s gifting of the Bhagavad Gita signalled a turning point that had tremendous significance. A remarkable vista of insight emerged as I read through the text with a contemplative mindset, exposing the core of the Absolute Self and the profound depths of “non-duality,” a tenet of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy. A dramatic change took place during those years of intensive academic study at the university. Ancient knowledge, contained in the Gita’s words, began to permeate the crevices of my perception, enhancing and changing my perspective.
I read all 18 chapters of the Gita through careful study, their wisdom echoing in my heart like the blissful echoes of eternity. The shlokas, which were filled with eternal lessons, evolved into threads that carefully woven my understanding together. This wasn’t simply a simple reading; it was a profound comprehension of universal truths that cut through time and cultural barriers.
Indeed, the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings served as a pivotal point in my quest for self-awareness and a transforming axis. It was a beacon, showing the way to self-realization and the understanding of interdependence. My vision of the world and my role in it have been permanently changed by the timeless Gita’s whispers, which have been sewn into the fabric of my mind.
Temporarily Deferred: Navigating Technical Responsibilities Amidst the Quest for Spiritual Insight:
1983: 9th June:
I entered the world of employment and obligations as life went on. The pursuit of spiritual enlightenment momentarily yielded to the demands of my technical duty obligations, wherein I devoted myself to ensuring the seamless operation of Air Navigational services, safeguarding the realms of Air Traffic Services with unwavering diligence. The texts I previously immersed myself in slowly receded from my routine as technical papers and tests took my time and energy.
Seeds of Wisdom Sown: An Unconventional Exchange of Inspiration and Knowledge:
A significant turning point in my journey occurred in 1989 when an enveloping invitation to connect with the Absolute Self emerged. I was pulled to the Ramkrishna Mission’s exhibit at the Calcutta Book Fair despite its busy atmosphere. There, in my mother tongue, I found a book on the Upanishads and the four Vedas, which was a treasure trove. Despite the limited time I spent with these materials, I was aware of their importance.
I gave the Upanishads and Vedas to my father in a gesture of familial solidarity and the sharing of knowledge, urging him to read their contents. This act was inspired by the Bhagavad Gita, which was a gift from him, and had its origins there. I admitted that Vedanta had “stirred my soul,” hence these books ended up in my library. I gave my father these materials because I understood the limitations of my time and that their advice was too valuable to be left unread.
This dialogue resonated with the timeless wisdom that has been passed down through the ages, creating a link that transcended simple pages and serving as a symbol of how we are all on a common quest for wisdom amid the ups and downs of life’s responsibilities.
Navigating the Depths: A Journey of Resilience, Reflection, and Renewal:
A turbulent chapter of life at the age of 55:
I entered a turbulent chapter of life at the age of 55, leaving me to battle an unsurmountable difficulty. I discovered myself facing the intimidating waves of hardship, much like a lone ship navigating a rough sea. I turned to the ageless wisdom of classical philosophies and the comforting embrace of motivational literature for solace in the face of this daunting task. In my moments of weakness, it seemed as though the wisdom of the past was calling to me and extending a lifeline.
I found a haven of comfort in the hallowed lines of the Vedas and the profound insights of the Upanishads, a refuge where ancient voices whispered the secrets of perseverance and the art of finding meaning in the midst of turmoil. But my voyage went beyond history’s written records and crossed the boundaries of contemporary science, particularly the fascinating field of quantum physics. Here, the interaction of particles and potentials mirrored the intricacy of existence and provided me with a fresh perspective on the complexities of life’s secrets.
In the wake of the storm, this time of reflection and discovery evolved into a profound voyage that involved a reawakening and a search for a new sense of direction. I found a treasure trove of ideas when I dug further into these wells of knowledge that transcended convention and culture. It was a journey to the heart of the human experience and a symbol of the human spirit’s tenacity and the limitless capacity for rejuvenation that lives within each of us.
My search for comfort evolved into a celebration of the human potential to endure, to look for comfort, and to come out the other side stronger, wiser, and more sensitive to the delicate melodies of existence’s symphony.
These investigations led me to discover a fresh perspective on eternity. During this stage, I discovered again what “equanimity” really means. It seems as though the culmination of several teachings and life experiences had led to this insight. The purest expression of equanimity became my compass, helping me to keep my composure in the face of life’s ups and downs.
My reflections on my journey and the learnings I encountered along the way were collected in blogs titled "My Journey through Books." I want to encourage others to follow their own paths to self-discovery and inner peace by sharing my experiences and learnings.
Conclusion:
Looking back on the course of my life, I am humbled by the interaction of various religions, ideologies, and life experiences that came together to show a fundamental truth.
The wisdom of yore, inscribed in sacred texts, whispered by sages, and echoed through generations, resonates across time and space, offering solace to those who heed its call. And as this wisdom intertwines with the unyielding spirit of humanity, a remarkable metamorphosis takes place. The human spirit, a tenacious force that defies the odds, becomes the vessel that sails the seas of turmoil and uncertainty, charting a course toward the tranquil haven of equanimity.
In embracing this truth, we come to understand that the quest for equanimity is the embodiment of our shared human journey, transcending the labels that often divide us. It is a universal voyage that traverses the landscapes of the heart, propelled by the collective yearning for balance, unity, and inner peace. The symphony of diversity, when orchestrated by the wisdom of ages and harmonized by the resilience of the human spirit, creates a crescendo that resonates through time, inviting us all to embark on the profound expedition toward equanimity, where our souls find their ultimate rest.
