Namaste Valentin,

Thank you for your expression of genuine and most sincere devotion
to recognizing God within. Indeed it takes this kind of passion, raw
yet innocent, unrelentless and completely surreandering...( so many
poet saints call it a 'divine madness'), to break through the ego's
antics which are based on fears and self-doubts, the need to be
bigger & better than others, the need to control and manipulate
things external to us, etc...

This journey of 'finding God', seeking enlightenment/ nirvana, this
soul & bone deep yearning for true love, completion and safety &
contentment is common to all humankind.. only a few at any time
recognize and have the wisdom of what this ineffible yearning is
really all about, and have stored enough Grace in their 'Grace Bank-
account' to follow their pure hearts to Source.

Has anyone seen the Lord of the Rings trilogy or read the book?
Remember how in "the Return of the King", all those Orks and Men are
fighting amongst themselves, 100,00's out there in the vast fields
as only 2 little Hobbits do the 'real' work of ascending the true
and straight path to salvation? Think about it. This is you. And if
it was, who or what is the 'King'? And in that case, what does that
evil Eye represent? And for that matter, the role of Samwise Gangi?
Now imagine all this epic war and battle to save Middle Earth is
actually inside of you, and its about you finding God. War is an ancient archtypal theme to mankinds' mythos surrounding the inner battle for divine redemption and recognition of Self.

Finding God is as rich, tough and rare and as riddled with egoic
treachery as the trials & tribulations of our 2 little Hobbits.
Don't think for a moment that moving to a different country, putting
on rages, begging for food and shelter or escaping to the safety of
a monastery is the way. Not even going to church every Sunday will save you.  That's too easy, and besides, without
Shakti, (Holy Spirit), it is fruitless! Nope, not even doing severe
austerities like all those Saddhus do, not even competing amongst
each other to see who has suffered the hardest and the longest to
find their God, as they so often end up doing, not even all that
will bring you closer to your True Self. Not even becoming a psychic
to manipulate and control your safety, reputatation and pleasure in
life, not even becoming a famous great healer, etc...

You see, my dear ones, the journey is within.

Baba Muktananda always said,

" Meditate on your own Self.
Honor your Self.
Worship your Self.
Understand your Self.
God dwells within you as you."


Now, in Kashmir Shaiva and in those who follow Christ, as well as
those who embrace any true religion, there are those who are real,
actual Saints. Some of these Saints are also teachers: their dharma
or job on earth is to catalyze the awaking of Christ consciousness,
also called Shaktipat in Sanskrit, and to guide the seeker to Self-
Realization. These teachers may charge money, or may do it for free,
may be disguided or be obvious. Some may have huge followings and
some do one-to-one or have only 1 student the whole time. They may
be a child, woman or old bearded man. They may even have a yahoo
interest group and answer emails! When the Seeker is ready, the
Teacher will come. You dont have to go anywhere for this. Your job
is to recognize the Teacher and follow with trust. Ask potent
questions and do the yogas, etc...It will all happen naturally. All
this is truly out of your ego's control. Of course, there is lots
you can do to prepare for Shaktipat!! But it's inner work, not
outer. Got it? Good.


So, as a final note, I refer you to www.ibasi.org and go to the
Archive section under Community Center for the readings on "What is
Shaktipat?". After you have contemplated these teachings and have
further questions... write me.


Mahadev Maharaj Ki Jay!

Swami Devi Nostrumananda

***********

namaste , friends ... thank you for existing , for being . i am
looking for information regarding my honest , earnest and
definitive decision about living a full time , totally
dedicated spiritual life as a hermit & wandering peace
pilgrim , in india which is where i belong , it is mother
and the himalayas are father and eternally blessed ... maybe
also elsewhere in asia . please help me in any possible
way , if only with a prayer and a short , friendly message
, so that i may find resources to get there , and
maybe find some order , ashram , math , temple to join in
and start the pilgrimage .......... ideally it may be
helpful to be officially in a saddhu order . i am on the
bhakti yoga path , sri shiva & shakti , kali ma , durga
devotee , into the advaita vedanta , sri shankaracharya tradition
. any support welcomed , also addresses of ashrams , temples ,
maths in india specially , generally asia & worldwide . please
understand that i can use the net only rarely , for short
time , so i can't search myself too much . thank you , many
blessings ............ glory and praise to the ABSOLUTE ETERNAL
ONE ALL -- THAT --- IS ........ JAI KALI .... OM NAMAH SIVAYA .
HARI OM , walk in peace