"The Preacher", wearing a white robe and slippers, turned-up right on time to my utter surprise and sat on a two feet raised platform in the hall facing the gathering of about seventy people sitting on the floor covered with white cotton sheets. Unlike the usual Gurus, he wasn't fat and his face reflected the grace of his soul.
The person sitting next informed, "The Preacher" is a much disciplined down to earth person, gets up at four every morning, practices Yoga and lives a very simple life by all means. Be it his clothing, meals or whatever, his requirements are bare minimum, just to serve the purpose. He doesn't smoke or drink alcohol and prefer to walk down to the places he has to visit, wherever practical. He never charges for his visits to such social gatherings or for his sermons. If the location is far, sometimes the host may organize for his pick-up and drop, that's it. He is a science graduate and had been in teaching profession till he opted out sometime back and devoted himself to this organization to spread the Godly messages for the well being of all."
Introduction was impressive and the description well marketed for audience to make them curious for what was coming next.
His sermon was well received being general in nature and emphasized upon the moral and social values through interesting narrations to keep the audience glued. Few raised questions which he answered politely. Audience accepted and appreciated his views. Last part of the interesting conversation, just before the host called it a day, took place between Listener 'A', The Preacher and myself, has been jotted down hereunder.
Listener A: "What is Samadhi?"
(Happy with the Question, "The Preacher" went into the lengths to explain)
The Preacher: "It is the stage of deep concentration for one to rise above the physical state, leaving behind all the materialistic senses including one's existence, for unison with God."
(Audience nodded in agreement - learning the great deal)
Listener A: "How and where one should go into Samadhi?"
The Preacher: "It requires meditating in a quiet place where there are no disturbances and distractions and one can meditate with the peace in mind. Our Rishis', Munis', Yogis', Mahatmas' went into Himalayas' or Mountains' and remained in Samadhi for years together."
Listener A: "Why they went into Himalayas" or Mountains" for Samadhi?"
The Preacher: "Samadhi requires dissociation with the material world and relations, which keeps distracting and pulling them back from going into deep concentration - to get connected / associated with God."
"The Preacher" looked around as audience nodded in agreement. There was a pause of silence, before he indicated to wind up, when I gathered courage to raise my doubts.
I: "Sir, I do not agree about dissociating oneself from the society in the search of God and unison. I consider it running away from one's responsibility towards society."
The Preacher: "Do you think what our Yogis' did was wrong?"
I: "No Sir, I didn't mean that. All I said is that your message may influence some to leave the society for Himalayas' in search of God. Vedic philosophy says that the God is within. ("Ahem Brahmasmi - Main Hi Brahma Hoon (I'm the God"). Dissociating oneself from the society is dissociation from God, which, one shouldn't. Instead, one shall practice and attain 'Samadhi' without leaving this material world. What can be better than the achievement of not getting affected by or adopting the bad things in this world while still being surrounded by them? The holy Lotus flower blooms in the mud."
The Preacher: "Do you have a different definition of Samadhi than what I explained? Practice and Attain? What do you mean?"
I: "Not exactly. But I do interpret 'Samadhi' differently, Sir."
The Preacher: "Son, why don't you come here in front and let us know your views?"
I: "My pleasure, Sir. With my little knowledge I understand that the word 'Samadhi' is the combination of two words - Sam (Swayam - Self) + Adhi (Aadheen - under control). Bringing oneself under self control - the control on the six enemies of the mankind within oneself - Kama(1), Krodha(2), Lobha(3), Moha(4), Mada(5), Maathsarya(6). And one can only win over these six enemies while living in the family, in the society, not by living in isolation in the forests or mountains or in the Himalayas. Having won these enemies, one is always 'Smadhist' while performing any Karma - sitting or walking, sleeping or awake, alone or in the crowd, speaking or silent. Practice makes one perfect and a 'Smadhist' practices it in his every living moment. 'Smadhi' is the highest of all Karmas."
The Preacher: "Who are you, Son? Which faith you belong to? What is your religion?"
I: I'm just a layman who happened to be here by coincidence, may be because I had nothing important scheduled at this moment. I have faith in the 'Logic' and 'Practicality' is my religion."
The Preacher: "You have awakened me. I have learnt today what even my Guru did not teach. I bow in respect."
I: "I thank you for the gratitude, Sir."
Audience started clapping. Overwhelmed, "The Preacher" closed his eyes and began chanting 'Hari-Om'. Crowd followed him. And I knew it was time to slip out, the job was done.
Sunset was still an hour away and air seemed fresh when I drove back home to pick-up my wife and daughters for a leisure visit to Delhi's 'Fashion Street' - The Janpath, followed by a candle-lit Dinner with Ghazals in the background at Hotel Marina. After all, God gifted 'Five Senses'(7) too needed to be pleased.
--- Chandra Shekhar Upadhyaya
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Glossary:
(1) Kama - Desire for riches, property, honor, status, fame, children........, attachment to all things of this sensory world, this false, temporary, impure world.
(2) Krodha - Anger - Yearning to harm others and cause ruin to them.
(3) Lobha - Greed - Determination that no one else should partake of even a small fraction of what one has earned or what one has; also, that even in times of distress, one's possessions should not be diminished by use.
(4) Moha - Delusion - that some people are nearer to one than others and the desire to please them more than others, leading to exertions for earning and accumulating for their sake.
(5) Mada - Proud, Extreme Egoism - the swagger that develops when one feels that he has either scholarship or strength or riches or fame, more than others. Even when one has not got these, Mada makes men move about without reverence for elders and consideration for others' feelings and craving only for one's own comfort and security.
(6) Maathsarya - Jealousy - makes one miserable; one can't tolerate it.
(7) Five senses - Sight, Hearing, Taste, Smell, and Touch.