The Journey Begins Part 2 - Subarata

Tribute to Subarata -

It is with the greatest of affection that I offer this to my dearest spiritual brother Jogyata, Subarata's husband, and all New Zealand disciples. I feel extremely privileged and humbled to be able to share this account with you all.

I sincerely pray for all who knew Subarata that you be re-inspired by her example, and drawn closer to her dynamic life as she and Jogyata established the dedication, beauty and dynamism of the New Zealand Sri Chinmoy Centres.

Personally I had never spoken to Subarata, but I was very aware of her love and devotion for Sri Chinmoy and to all of New Zealand's disciples.

Subarata lay very ill for many months in New York, she was attended by the best of medical and spiritual care during this time. Then sadly we received word that she had peacefully left the body, a stillness filled the air. Shortly afterwards an invitation was extended to disciples to spend some quiet meditative time with her before her cremation.

From this point on my spiritual experiences were so new, heightened, deep and moving I only pray that I am able to fully convey the peacefulness, serenity, depth and love of this experience.

I was quietly greeted by Jogyata's pensive and warm smile as I entered the room where Subarata peacefully lay. Immediately I was overwhelmed by the profound silence and beauty that filled the room. It was as if we were all being offered the most powerful and elevating spiritual experience of Subarata's soul with the absolute and most sublime blesssings from her Master.

Dressed in a light sari Subarata lay gazing heavenward, her opened eyes like pools reflecting the deepest blues of the ocean. Peacefully smiling she was entwined in garlands of the most fragrant flowers, cascading down from her golden hair, across her sari, entwined around her arms, through her fingers and down across her legs, then finally over her exposed feet. Across her chest gently lay a large card filled with Sri Chinmoy's written blessings and soul-bird drawings.

Around the room many girl disciples dressed in white sari's sat, some praying others quietly reflecting as tears filled their eyes. I took my place opposite Subarata's feet dropping very powerfully into a deep meditative awareness flooded with peace.

My most powerful recollection is of absolute serenity, stillness and depth. I had no recollection of any physical reality, only an all-embracing beauty that filled the universe with light and love. I believe I was witnessing Sri Chinmoy's most powerful blessings for Subarata's life and her soul's onward journey. An all-embracing awareness flooded with Sri Chinmoy's highest offerings of joy, love, gratitude and beauty. Time seemed to stand still at this moment, with this overwhelming experience as fulfilling to me now, as it was then.

Ultimately it was time to quietly leave, time to quietly reflect on what Sri Chinmoy was offering Subarata and all who knew her and attended this day. I was filled with love and quiet joy and knew that Subarata was not gone, she would always be there for us in our prayers and meditations, as a constant source of inspiration and absolute dedication.

Dear Subarata even though I did not know you personally, I feel that I do know you. I prayed for your guidance for many weeks after this experience, and felt your sweet presence powerfully during these times. I only hope that we can all please our Master as you have so self-givingly done over many, many years.

This story I have wanted to share for many years and I have on occasion spoken to New Zealand disciples about my experiences. I have also shared this intimate experience with both my elderly parents, I believe it has given them both comfort and an understanding of how peaceful the experience of death shall be when lovingly guided by their Master.

This whole experience has opened me to the absolute beauty and serenity of death, I openly look forward to its quiet transition and the ongoing journey with my Master's love and light.

- Sahayak.

Continued - The Journey Begins Part 3 - Sri Chinmoy's Poetry.