Hariharananda
Tapovanam (Himalayas)
December 25, 2003
My sweet
and loving souls,
Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year from the Mountain of Bliss!
I pray that you are all in good cheer, excellent health, and perfect
adoration.
In this festive occasion, I am thinking of you all and giving praise
and gratitude to the Father for the blessings you have brought into
my life all these years. Words can never express the reverence and
love I feel for you all.
My new horizon in the Himalayas is immense, peaceful, and suffused
in deep spirituality. Everywhere, temples to Shiva and Durga. Everywhere,
humble peasants at work, always a hymn or mantra on their lips. Everywhere,
poor children bursting with joy, content to live in God's lap, asking
for little else.
Twice a year, I go to our local village school to preside over its
annual function. As I am still observing silence, I deliver my speech
through smiles and love only, and conclude with a distribution of
gifts to all 150 children. These little ones (age 10 to 14) are so
poor that even a single pen, or a note pad, or a pencil-sharpener
is a treasure to them. I always make a point to honor the top 10 students
with an special gift for reward, as well as the 10 lowest students
for encouragement. Because I believe that is what Lord Jesus did,
when he came into this world. He rewarded his inner circle of disciples
(his best students) with the mysteries of Spirit, but spent much time
with the fallen the drunkards, prostitutes, thieves and corrupt officers
(his worst students).
What
an extraordinary message Jesus' life was, so fully manifested in our
beloved Baba's example! He came down to the level of the humblest,
dirtiest or stupidest man, to gently elevate him up the Mountain of
Truth, each according to his own power of understanding and inner
strength.
Religious
imagery always represent God as reaching down from Heaven to lift
us up. But I believe that God is just as much behind us to catch us
in His loving, forgiving arms when we fall! And whose arms do you
think He uses? Yours. Mine. Ours. Always and everywhere.
May this New Year fill us all with renewed ardor to climb together
towards the True and the Love Triumphant. And may we always keep our
heart and arms open to catch the poor, the abandoned, the despairing
when they fall. Then God will truly live in us.
God bless
you all. I bow to you with utmost worship and adoration. You are my
God, my Love, my fulfillment.
Humble,
Sarveshwarananda |
