Mantras for Spiritual Healing

Every culture, religion, and tradition is different. In the American Culture when greeting a special person or leader, we shake their hands. If we know them on a more personal level, we may greet them with a hug.

I have seen many unsure how to greet Acharya Shree, or any teacher or monk, as they are not familiar with the Indian culture. So, I thought to create a simple how to blog, on how to pay respect to a spiritual teacher and later explain the reasons and benefits for doing so.

After writing two entries in this blog, and after practicing my sadhana of mantras and meditation for an hour, last night during dinner, I began asking Acharya Shree Yogeesh questions about thoughts and the mind. For some reason, I was just in a different state of learning and it ended up being a two hour deep conversation, but I'll most likely break this one conversation into separate blogs.

My last entry was "Laughing: A Soul's Medicine" and I was explaining how the role of the real spiritual teacher is to trigger and provoke you to face the darkness that wraps and warps the soul. I'd like to share my thoughts on many students' reactions.

The Spiritual Path is not "La-La Land Spirituality" or "Cloud-9" spirituality. It's hard core, difficult, the greatest challenge (ever!), and so much more.

In my several years of meeting those on their spiritual path, I've observed that many like to just stay on the surface of it. "Peace. Light. Love. All is one. Uncondiontal Love everywhere." Oneness with everything, and so on. I am not mocking anyone, as this is the beginning surface of spirituality. It's a change within you that inspires you to live a peaceful and happy life. For some it is satisfying, for the truth seeker, it's just the surface.

"Can't you just give me the 'gift' of Enlightenment?"

This is usually my last line in a discussion where I am frustrated trying to understand a point Acharya Shree Yogeesh is trying to make. It's a line when I "give up" on resisting his teaching, and I accept his answer.

"No, you have to realize it yourself."

"I know...but I thought I'd ask you, again." Then we just start laughing.

Several months before my trip to India, Acharya Shree Yogeesh had mentioned that I may meet another Master in India. I knew at the time that there are few masters on this earth (at this time), so it would be a great blessing in my life to meet another one. Great blessing is not even the right word...maybe there is no word for this one.