From Where to Where

The first story is about Sage Valmiki, author of the Ramayana, India’s sacred epic detailing the life of Avatar Sri Rama and his noble family.

Valmiki, prior to becoming a sage, was a bandit, and would hide in the forest and accost people passing by him. He would murder them, steal their possessions and share their goods with his family. He continued this way of life for many years until it happened that Sage Narada passed by him.

Narada was a celestial musician and great devotee of Lord Vishnu, and when jumped by Valmiki, who had been lying low ready to attack him, Narada gave him a compassionate smile. Valmiki, with his knife raised, hesitated and said “How is it that you are not frightened? I am about to kill, yet you have given me a look that I have never seen in my life before”. It was a look flooded with compassion, a quality that even his wife and children had never shown him. Sage Narada replied “In you and in everybody, I see only Vishnu, Vishnu, Vishnu”.

Sage Narada then asked him to ask his family that since they are so eager to share in the lute from his killings, would they be also willing to share in his bad karma for all these wrong doings? Naturally his family was rather disgusted and Valmiki returned to Sage Narada and begged him to become his disciple and atoll for his wrong doings. Narada then set him down to meditate and repeat the mantra Rama. Valmiki was so sinful he could not even utter once the name ‘Rama’, so Narada asked him to repeat ‘Mara’, meaning tree, (which when repeated over and over becomes Rama), until he returned.

After many years had passed Narada returned to that same spot to find himself looking at the illumined Sage Valmiki, who was now completely purified and devoted to Rama. Sage Narada asked him to open an ashram (hermitage), compose the Ramayana, and offer shelter to Sita (Ramas consort) who would soon be bearing two children. To this day the Ramayana is appreciated by hundreds of thousands of great seekers and spiritual aspirants and is histories first recorded poem, spanning hundreds of pages.

Another good story is that of Girish Chandra Ghose. Sri Chinmoy has written a really good book about him entitled ‘From the Undivine Tree to the Divine Fruit’. Girish was initially quite a skeptic of Sri Ramakrishna, led an unruly life and was an alcoholic. After some time, however, he developed tremendous devotion and appreciation for his Spiritual Master, Sri Ramakrishna, and became his prominent disciple, letting his bad habits full by the way side.

Lastly is my own story. I wasn’t a bandit before I entered into the spiritual life, but probably represent the common personality encountering the spiritual life. Like with anything in life that you’re just starting out at it’s easy to feel awkward, like a real rookie, especially in comparison to those who are more established in that particular field.

This was true of my experience with meditation. I, mostly due to my own insecurity, felt as if there was a yawning gulf between myself and the more established meditators. The people who had been meditating for a long time seemed so peaceful and saintly, whereas I was a typical teenager; sleeping and experimenting…I was a little discouraged. I wasn’t really to sure at how I would be able to lead a spiritual and disciplined life, but soon began reaping the fruits of my meditation: joy, happiness, gratitude and grace. My previous desires and goals in life (status, appreciation by all, stylishness) seemed a little shallow (funny that!) and I changed my life course. I am not a saint or holy person, but am blessed with experiences of delight and fulfillment which I gain from my meditation and spiritual practices.

Absolutely anyone can benefit from spirituality, which is merely the expansion and awareness of your own highest self and, like me, don’t be discouraged and make comparisons with anyone, because what is right for you isn’t necessarily right for others, and vice versa.