Friday, November 25, 2011

Yogi Bhajan, The Master’s Touch is a Great Crutch


 Sat Nam Dear Family,
 As I traveled from Ashram to Ashram, I learned that hosting the Master was an interesting education. Although there was a theme which ran through the care given to our Teacher, every Ashram Director dealt with him and his situation differently. I was blessed to see how our Master was able to shift gears in dealing with each Director. This is the "Master's Touch" in action. This is the blessings of having a Teacher of this sensitivity, a Teacher who cares enough to make your personal elevation his duty. Let me give you an example.
We visited an Ashram in late 1982. Upon our arrival, the local Director presented me, as well as the Masters staff, with a list of expenses to be shared, things like telephone calls and food. Naturally, neither the Master's staff nor I appreciated the warning. The Director of this Ashram was a cheapskate. This was not something the Master liked. He taught that prosperity is a blessing and is bestowed upon those who display gratitude in giving. You can't be a cheapskate and be bestowed the gift of prosperity. So, the Master had to teach this student how to expand into a different mindset. Remember, he's a Saturn Teacher and liberally used tests as vehicles for student growth.
I asked myself, "O.K. now, how's he going to teach this student? He taught him in a very base manner. He began to spend the Director's money. How much mental torture he had to provide so this particular student would hear was the only variable. It was actually painful to watch. But, our Master would take any risk to talk to each student in a way they could hear. So, the money flowed. We went shopping, and then we went shopping again. With each purchase I could see the insecurity of the Director increase, until almost exploding. To his credit, he held it together.  And, mercifully, eventually, the shopping spree stopped. The experience was a shock to everyone's awareness, but, it worked. It worked in allowing this Director to hear what he must do in order to grow.
Here's the best part, I know the Master was heard because I saw it in action. Over the next 20 years, I had the occasion to revisit this center regularly. I can confirm that the financial parts of our visit were handled much more gracefully. I was blessed to see the Master teach this student in a way that promoted the student's growth. In this case, the Master's actions may have freaked many of us out. But, just because we judged it didn't mean it didn't work. This Director changed.
On another occasion, we were at one of other larger Centers. This Director was unique. They were all unique, but some were more unique than others (I know there's no such thing as "more unique," but I say it for emphasis). The more unique a Directors was, the harder it was to figure them out. That's why they were more unique than others. This Director had a virtue the Siri Singh Sahib liked very much. He had a confident command in his voice that attracted a lot of people and made gave them security. This was a good thing. The Master felt that if he could teach this Director to command the right way, for purity, the Director would become great. He rarely confronted this Director. He knew he wouldn't have any chance of being heard unless communication was non confrontational. The Director's image was his limited self.  He wouldn't allow anything to challenge this persona.  So, the Master accommodated, as he did with all of us, in order to be eventually heard.  In this case, the Master left his ego intact so the test for his growth could be eventually accepted..
This kind of test usually takes longer to see results.  It's a test between Teacher and student, communicated on a subtle level.  This requires more sensitivity of the student. The Director set a personal boundary which necessitated a different approach. The Master challenged this Director to improve his communication.  However, rather than telling the Director what change needed to happen directly,  he instructed others in the Ashram to communicate with the Director in a way which would force him to communicate differently.  So the game was on and a taciturn acceptance of this test was the result.
This new image change was to overcome the deficits which occur from the Director's current habit of communicating half truths for his perceived benefits. Whenever a student sets limits on the Teacher, the test the Teacher gives can be more dangerous as it limits the Teachers available tools.  But we all do it. We state either verbally or internally, "I won't do this or I can't do that." So, the Master gave this Ashram Director a test which forced him to change without him consciously knowing how it came about, a test which was non-confrontational.
 This Director wanted to be special. There's nothing wrong with that. But, here's the kicker. The Master expected real specialness, not perceived. He demanded us to assume all the responsibilities and not just the privileges that go with being special. He expected his students to "match up," not just get by. Tests on a subtle level are constantly ongoing.  And although great results can be achieved, diligence and perseverance are perpetually required.  Therefore, the results can never be truly in. The results of this test are shown by the increase of true humility, reverence, and harmony in communication: humility in understanding the need to change, reverence in the knowledge that service is not self-interest, and harmony that creates relationships.  You can't fake consciousness. It is self evident to almost everyone. 
These are examples of how the Siri Singh Sahib was a blessing to all. How he adjusted to each student as the situation called for. He talked to people so personally that almost everyone who communicated with him experienced the "Master's Touch". The Master's Touch is the flexibility he demonstrates in being heard and understood by each for their benefit, whether it be a student, friend or enemy.  Whether in person, or on a subtle level, he's there for all, he's there today, all you have to do is call upon him.
 As the Master's students came, he directed each to a spot in the organization where their growth could best flourish. Of course, many argued that they deserved better, but that's "par for the course." If those he directed understand what I'm saying, then they've learned a great lesson and earned a great blessing from the Master. The lesson is the understanding that it doesn't matter who you were, in fact, it doesn't even matter who you are, everyone is equal in the game of service. So, there's no fear, guilt, or judgment about believing in yourself.  The blessing in the experience of doing whatever is required in the service to the One who takes care of your life; the blessing of doing and not doing at the same time.
  The Master is there to bestow great blessings upon the sincere student.  Some saw this in him and couldn't keep up; while, others didn't see it in him at all, but wanted to; while, still others, viewed the Master as special and have maintained that reverence. No matter where you stand, please know this: he's still available with no judgment attached. Surrender is the key to his blessings.  We surrender who we think we are to the concept of who he knows we are.  We surrender to our Teacher, our Guru, and our God.  Surrender what you want for what they want. He would then say, "Do it honestly for you and be your own judge. This is where spiritually begins." This is the result of the "Master's Touch." Stay tuned,
In Humility of Service and Gratitude,
MSS Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa


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