Swamiji, our Niagara Falls Pinnacle of Divinity (fwd)

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Jaigurudatta

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Swamiji, our Niagara Falls Pinnacle of Divinity

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 18:48:11 -0600

 

Jai Guru Datta!

 

The following experience at Niagara Falls occurred two days after the

Nada Prasara 2003 boat ride with Swamiji on Lake Ontario. I wrote it for

Volume 3 of "Wonders of a Holy Master". I was privileged to place this

at the Holy feet of Swamiji during Pada Pooja at Datta Retreat Center

during summer 2005.

 

Dr. Rao agreed for this experience to be shared with the Datta devotees

now. During 2004 Teekah shared an Email special to him that had been

written by Datta Yogi Raj. My experience with Datta Yogi Raj's Email in

turn gave me guidance on how to write this experience. That is, the

words of this experience are merely the "wrapper". If sharing this

experience reaches anyone it is because of the ever-present energy

coming from our beloved GuruDev.

 

I feel this experience is for all Datta devotees. I wanted to send this

well in advance of this summer's Guru Purnima celebration.

 

I was in Mysore for Navaratri this year and it was so special. After

Navaratri Swamiji met with the Angels in the Bonsai Garden. There in

the Bonsai Garden Swamiji said in essence,

 

"Swamiji is like a space station. All the Gods pass thru Swamiji's

form."

 

In a way this sort of seemed to be a re-confirmation of the

message of this Niagara Falls experience.

 

The attached version is in Word 2002.

 

May all Datta devotees be immersed in Swamiji's blessings.

 

Sri Guru Datta!

 

Vishuddha

 

======================================================

 

Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji and Jesus: Niagara Falls Pinnacles of

Divinity

 

Vishuddha (Charles Streightoff) Austin, Texas

 

Jai Guru Datta!

 

I humbly request to offer this experience at Niagara Falls at the holy feet

of Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji, my Guru, and a miraculous living

incarnation of God. It is also being offered at the holy feet of Jesus,

Rama, Buddha, Krishna and the other rare incarnations of God (Avatars) who

have blessed Humanity with their miraculous presence on this planet.

 

Since asking Swamiji to be my Guru in July 1997 I have learned more and more

about the indescribable greatness of Avadhootas (Avatars) such as Swamiji,

Jesus, Rama, and Buddha. In fact, after my first visit to Swamiji(s Ashram

in India in 1998, and after returning back to Austin, Swamiji entered my

thoughts and very firmly made it extremely clear that Jesus was an

incarnation of God. I realize that it is far beyond my capability to fully

comprehend the greatness of these Avadhootas. 'Avadhoota' is the Sanskrit

word for 'Avatar' and as the word 'Avadhoota' is charged with spiritual

energy I will use this word instead of 'Avatar' throughout the remainder of

this narrative.

 

The presence of these Avadhootas on this planet is the greatest of all

possible miracles. Their presence permeates all of us and everything around

us. Raising our awareness of these Avadhootas (Avatars) and their

incredible Love is as close as our next breath.

 

For several years prior to September 2003, I frequently found myself having

an internal conversation where I was attempting to explain the incredible

greatness of these Avadhootas to some imaginary spiritual aspirant. This

imaginary spiritual aspirant was also heavily invested in their spiritual

path but did not realize the incredible greatness of these Avadhootas

(Avatars). I will give an example of how this internal dialog would unfold

using my given name of Charles (Chuck) in place of the innocent aspirant. I

will use the name given to me by Swamiji, Vishuddha, to indicate myself.

 

Chuck: I do truly believe that God is everywhere, including in all humans.

But you are trying to tell me that when God incarnates into human form that

these Avadhootas are actually greater than God.

 

Vishuddha: Yes. These Avadhootas such as Swamiji, Jesus, and Rama are

pinnacles of Divinity. The Gods even worship these Avadhootas. They are

the greatest form of God.

 

Chuck: What you are saying is not logical. There is nothing greater than

God. There is only one God and this one God pervades the whole universe.

 

Vishuddha: Yes. There is only one God and this one God pervades the whole

universe. However, when God incarnates into human form, these Avadhootas

are greater than God. The awesome greatness of these incredible Avadhootas

is beyond the combined imagination of all of us mere mortals.

 

Chuck: What you are saying is not logical. How can there be anything

greater than God?

 

Vishuddha: Logic is not an appropriate tool in describing God, just as a

twelve inch ruler is an appropriate tool to measure the Pacific Ocean. Here

is an analogy to show you the incomprehensible greatness of these

incarnations of God. Imagine you have a glass on your kitchen table holding

a cup of water. Now let?s pretend that this cup of still water in the glass

represents this incredible magnificent God that permeates always and

everywhere in this universe. Now if you want to know how much greater these

Avadhootas are then think of Niagara Falls. There are nearly 550,000

gallons of water a second going over the Canadian (Horseshoe) Falls during

peak flow times. There are about 150,000 gallons of water a second going

over the American Falls during peak flow. The Horseshoe falls are about

2300 feet across and the American falls are about 1060 feet across. The

falls are about 170 feet high. When all this water falls on the water and

boulders below it sends incredible amounts of spray up into the air. There

is probably 300,000 gallons of spray and mist in the air at any given time.

Niagara Falls is awesome beyond words; the falls are absolutely captivating.

 

Vishuddha: So, comparing these incredible Avadhootas to the magnificent God

that is permeating this universe is analogous to comparing Niagara Falls to

a simple glass of water. However, Niagara Falls can not be conveyed by

words. You have to personally experience the falls to appreciate them.

Likewise, Avadhootas and God are beyond description. You must personally

experience the incomprehensible awesomeness of these Avadhootas and God in

order to even start to appreciate them.

 

I must have repeated this dialog at least 50 times or more prior to

September 2003. Always my internal dialog would end with this Niagara Falls

analogy when attempting to describe the incredible greatness of these

Avadhootas (Avatars).

 

The Niagara River is a very sacred river and in very ancient times was known

as the Narada River and is mentioned in the holy Puranas. In Swamiji(s

first world tour in 1976, Swamiji blessed the Niagara river and did several

sacred rites in it. The large two volume biography of Swamiji entitled (Sri

Ganapati Sachchidananda( (printed in 1993) discusses the Narada River and

Swamiji(s actions in the Niagara River in the two sections entitled (Going

Round the Earth( and (Narada River(. 550,000 gallons a second is a lot of

holy water coming over the Horseshoe falls.

 

In September 2003, I had an incredible experience at Niagara Falls in which

Swamiji confirmed the validity of my Niagara Falls analogy. I feel my

experience was Swamiji(s way of saying (Yes your analogy is correct. Also,

don(t forget all the Love of these Avadhootas and all the Ananda (Bliss)(.

 

In the summer of 2003 Swamiji blessed the western hemisphere with an

incredible 108 day concert tour of Trinidad, the U.S., and Toronto, Canada.

Swamiji visited 18 U.S. cities and gave concerts for healing and meditation

in about 9 U.S. cities and also Trinidad and Toronto. Swamiji spent a few

hours in Sugar Land, Texas near Houston and I will describe my experience

there briefly.

 

Swamiji's visit was short but extremely moving to me. Bindu and I were

working at the bookstall, but when Swamiji started to speak we sat down with

the group in front of Swamiji. The stage on which Swamiji was seated was

small, so even though I was sitting about five rows from the front it was

fairly close to Swamiji. Swamiji spoke some and sang some bhajans (songs)

accompanied by the other musicians. After one of the bhajans Swamiji paused

and slowly scanned the audience looking at us. As Swamiji started to speak,

(even with the first syllable of the first word), the energy coming from

Swamiji opened my heart and gentle tears welled up in my eyes. Swamiji

slowly and gently said what Swamiji was perceiving as Swamiji looked at us:

 

'All I see is Mother Goddess......... So many beautiful forms of Mother

Goddess.........

All I think about is Mother Goddess......... All I see is Mother

Goddess.........

So many beautiful forms of Mother Goddess........'

 

This divine blessing from Swamiji was not discourse; it was Swamiji saying

what Swamiji was perceiving. So great is Swamiji and these other

Avadhootas, that the energy and truth behind Swamiji(s words was opening my

heart and causing tears of joy even before the second syllable had left

Swamiji's lips. It certainly was an incredible blessing to hear Swamiji's

words which accompanied Swamiji's truth and energy. However, I could have

been stone deaf and still have received the energy and truth emanating from

Swamiji.

 

So, it is my prayer that you are blessed with immersion in the eternal truth

and energy of Swamiji and/or your respective glorious Avatar, whether that

be Swamiji, Jesus, Rama, Buddha, Krishna, or one of the other Avadhootas.

 

I was extremely blessed to spend five weeks with Swamiji over the course of

Swamij's tour in the summer of 2003. I received blessings in Trinidad,

Baton Rouge, LA, Houston, TX, Dallas, TX, Memphis, TN, Chicago, IL and

Toronto, Canada. In early September 2003, the U.S. and Canadian devotees in

Toronto were blessed to be able to take a boat ride on Lake Ontario with

Swamiji. Two days after our boat ride with Swamiji I stopped at Niagara

Falls on my way to the Datta Retreat Center in Pennsylvania. It was in the

middle of the week just after Labor Day and schools were in session, so the

summer crowds were greatly diminished on this warm sunny day. I was

determined to take the Maid of the Mist boat ride that goes up into the

Horseshoe falls. Three times I had wanted or asked someone to come to

Niagara Falls with me or join me on the Maid of the Mist boat ride; but it

just did not work out. Apparently I was supposed to take this boat ride by

myself.

 

The Canadian falls are called the Horseshoe falls as they are close to the

shape of a horse shoe or semicircle. The Maid of the Mist boat does not

merely just go up for a closer view of the Horseshoe Falls. The boat

actually penetrates into the horseshoe for 10 to 15 minutes, going as close

as it can safely go to the falls. Everyone is given plastic raincoats as

there are huge amounts of perpetual spray and mist coming at you from the

falls.

 

The man speaking on the boat(s loud speaker was very reverent towards the

majesty and sanctity of the falls. He announced a few of the landmarks as

the boat slowly made its way toward the falls. However, once we entered the

Horseshoe falls he simply stated 'Ladies and gentlemen......... This is

Niagara Falls.'. Then he went into reverent silence for the entire rest of

the journey.

 

There is much Mauna (silence) at these falls. I certainly very much

experienced this silence on this day. So, I will represent this silence and

the passage of time with an ellipsis of 9 periods (Swamiji's number is 9).

For me, the 9 periods will be a reminder to slow down and relax and be in

that silent peaceful state where I can reconnect best with the majesty of

Niagara Falls and the incomprehensible divine majesty of Sri Ganapati

Sachchidananda Swamiji. I also humbly encourage you to be in whatever state

is also best for you to reconnect to your Avadhoota, whether this is

Swamiji, or Jesus, or Rama, or whomever you worship. I encourage you to

join me. The water is simply Divine.

 

God and Avadhootas and Niagara Falls are experienced in the present. I am

shifting this narrative into present tense now so that hopefully we can be

at the falls and with our respective Avadhoota now. I encourage you to go

into the mist and the mystery. I respectfully encourage you to treat my

humble words with gentle lightness and go beyond them into the mystery of

the eternal omnipresent Energy, Truth, and Ananda (Bliss) of your Avadhoota.

 

.......... After a half mile of very rapid walking I am here at the Maid of

the Mist boat ride........There is no way I am going to miss taking this

boat ride up into the falls......... There is no way I am going to miss

being with Swamiji in this life time......... I have my ticket and my

raincoat......... The small crowd waiting for the next boat is loosely

gathered. I am slowly making my way toward the front of the crowd.........

The boat is unloading its last group of passengers......... I'm moving

swiftly up the gang plank onto the boat ignoring the 'Wet Deck! Please walk

carefully!' sign......... Going swiftly up the steps, two at a time, to the

top deck. Walking swiftly around to the front of the top deck......... I'm

here at the center of the front of the top deck. The best view on the whole

boat. There is nothing obstructing my view. No heads, no raincoats, no

cameras......... The boat is slowly making its way upstream towards the

Horseshoe Falls......... The boat is slowly going past the beautiful, huge

American Falls on the left. However, its true destination is the even more

enormous and captivating Horseshoe Falls that are up ahead of us.........

The boat is moving out into the center of the river now. The engines are

working against the current......... We're getting closer to the falls and

the falls are getting bigger......... We're starting to go into the

mist......... We're getting even closer to the falls and the falls are

getting even bigger......... The spray is starting to hit us......... The

boat is slowing down some as we start to enter the horseshoe ......... The

spray is really hitting us now. My face is being pelted by the spray

.......... On my right side the cliffs are receding behind me as we enter the

horseshoe further......... I can only see falls on my right side

now......... I didn't know we would go in this far. Falls on the right,

falls in front, falls above. Spray, spray, and more spray!......... The

pilot is straining the engines to keep the boat from being pushed back by

the strong, rough current......... The announcer is speaking. 'Ladies and

Gentlemen. This is Niagara Falls.'......... Spray, spray, and more

perpetual spray!......... I can see the huge boulders and the falling water,

but mostly I am just overwhelmingly immersed in this spray!......... Spray,

spray, and more spray!......... This is incredible!......... There is so

much spray I am squinting so I can see!......... Spray, spray, and more

spray!......... This is incredible! My face is being bombarded by the spray

and my eyes are squinting! And a huge smile is on my face!......... Spray,

spray, and more spray!......... Spray, spray, and more spray! This is

incredible! Delightful! I can't smile any bigger than this!.........

Spray, spray, and more spray. My chest feels four times bigger than

normal......... Spray, spray, and more spray! Incredible! Delightful!

Joy! My chest feels ten times bigger than normal......... Spray, spray, and

more spray! Incredible! Tears of joy are coming from my eyes! I can no

longer feel any boundaries to my chest!......... Spray, spray, and more

spray! Incredible! Tears of joy are coming from my eyes! I can no longer

feel any boundaries to my chest......... Spray, spray, and more spray!

Incredible! Tears of joy are streaming from my eyes and merging with the

water from the spray! Its like my chest and heart have expanded without

limits......... More spray and more tears of joy!......... More spray and

more tears of joy!......... Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji!.........

Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji!......... Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda

Swamiji!......... ......... ......... The boat is

slowly starting to turn to the left......... We are starting to go

downstream......... Up directly in front of our boat is a beautiful rainbow.

But, its not shaped like an arch. It is a full circle. This gorgeous

circle shaped rainbow is about twice the height of our boat and is just a

couple of feet above the water about 70 feet in front of us......... The

circle shaped rainbow is staying in front of our boat as we head

back......... We have an incredibly beautiful rainbow colored halo leading

us.........

 

Sri Guru Datta!