Letter # 82: "A Man Of Peace"

The Teacher preached peace, and enlightened and healed many, but he himself died a violent death.
He advocated that the human life that we have been given is not for materialistic practice but for connecting with God; that this life is a rare and golden opportunity. He said that the human experience is for contemplating God in every breath, at every moment in family life, in social life, and while at work.
The Teacher spoke in parables relevant to the times. He told a parable of a Russian ruler who went to Italy to study aircraft engineering. While there, he concealed his identity in order to be treated just the same as all the others. Some of the other students were also Russian, and he made close friends with them. He was horrified to learn that his all fellow Russians were exiles who had made Italy their home. When training was finished, he revealed his true identity, took them all back home, where he ensured that they got royal treatment.
In this allegory, the Teacher was alluding to Saints, who mingle as normal, everyday people, while not disclosing their true identity. Thus a Saint creates friendships with all, some of whom are potential candidates for enlightenment. The Saint has disdain for being viewed as God-like, and remains humble even under criticism. The Teacher explained that the human body given to us by Parmatma (God) is also the one given to the Saint, but the Saint utilizes it properly. The Teacher taught that the improper use of this body and mind, with lies and bad behaviour, does not go unnoticed by the Almighty.
The Teacher taught that the proper use of this body makes it more beautiful than any church or temple. It’s the placement of a sublime element, the Atma (the Soul), in the body that makes it beautiful. The Atma is concealed; it’s the secret within.
The Teacher taught that this secret is only discovered through devotion to and remembrance of God’s name, with each passing thought and breath, even while going through adversity. The Teacher warned that there are many who will try to trip up a devotee, but he or she must remain fixed on the path of discovery and help to enlighten others.
The Teacher reminded us that both Jesus and Lord Krishna taught us to love our enemies. That must always be done but the real enemy is not out there but in our minds – the real enemy is the arrogant ego.
The Teacher preached that there is only One God, and many of God’s Messengers have undergone physical punishment as they carried out God’s Duty.
The Teacher said that Dharma (constitutional duty) and Karma (behaviours) are spiritually inter-linked. As humans, how can we connect to The Supreme if we sever that link? Staying apart and alone and meditating in isolation also disconnects the link. Since God dwells in everyone, the connection can only be maintained by living amongst family and society, by working and by reciting God’s name. The Teacher taught that this is the birth that Jesus spoke of - a birth that brings you to the Kingdom of God. The Teacher emphasised that this is the Message of the Messengers of God, who have no interest in negative gossip, lies, jealousy, and materialism.
A listener in the congregation asked the Teacher: “Please bring me with you when you are born again.” The Teacher replied, “If you want to have a chance for that, then go to those who speak lies about me and hate me, and offer your love, care and your true friendship to them. Love your enemy. Make a plea to yourself to create such a solid friendship with all types of people, and be there in their time of need with love, trust and honesty.”
The Teacher affirmed that God does not inflict pain on people; it is we ourselves that do so. We inflict pain on others and ourselves through our past or present misdeeds, in this and previous life times; and not only on people but on God too. The Almighty knows all this for there is not a thing that He is not aware of, as He is The Creator of All Himself.
The Teacher taught that we are born as humans as a result of many lifetimes of good deeds. Now that we have this human form, and if we are fortunate enough to even think of it, we can fulfill our Soul’s hunger with remembrance and recitation of Naam (God’s Name), and with humanitarianism. Therefore, this human experience is a great opportunity and must be valued as so; doing it will help to atone for our past misdeeds.
The Teacher concluded with a plea to everyone - to remember the Truth by speaking the Truth, and to love those who dislike you by forgiving them in The Name of The Almighty.
After a few years of regularly imparting this message to thousands of people, the Teacher was assassinated. His name was Maharaj-ji Darshan Das.

Adapted, with permission, from the translation by Das Sukhi of the speech rendered by Maharaj-ji Darshan Das on Feb 1, 1984.

Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, Tere Bhane Sarbat Dha Bhala; God Bless; Allah Hu Akbar; May The Forces Of The Universe Bring You Harmony; Radha Swami; and Hare Krishna.

I wish to express my gratitude for your comments, which inspire me to carry on writing. Please forgive my fallibilities in presenting this material. Also, feel free to send this message on to someone that you might think would like to receive it. If you do send it on, my only request of you is that you send it as it is, in its entirety, and to not alter or modify any of the text, references or authorship information. Thus you will help to give credit or liability to where they are properly due.
Jas Bhopal
Copyright© 2008
References: "The Holy Bible" Online version; "The Koran" as translated by SV Mir Ahmed Ali 2005 ISBN 0-9761870-0-0); "The Bhagavad Gita As it Is" as translated by Srila Prabhupada ISBN 0-89213-268-X; The Srimad Bhagavatum as translated by Srila Prabhupada ISBN0-89213-259-0; "I Am That. Talks With Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj” ISBN 0-89386-022-0; The Dhammapada ISBN-10:1-84483-344-5; The Sacred Sukhmani ISBN 81-7205-098-4; Wikipedia.