At
a time when the self-help books were filling the book
shelves world over and the concept of spirituality was
turning into a feel-good commercial fad, a humble, middle-aged
man sat under a banyan tree on a polluted Mumbai street
and talked about the electro-magnetic properties of
the thought-based sensations and their effect on neurons
and body cells. He never went to school in his whole
life. And he was no typical guru, for he said nothing
that lifted the spirits and did nothing that satisfied
the intellectual urges. He did not want to convince
anyone or try to change the world. He was not associated
with any sect, ashram, school of thought or anything
that puts any label on him. There were no theories,
concepts, arguments or conjectures. He spoke what he
saw. There were a small number of young and old people
- eight in all - who had had glimpses of what he was
talking about and stayed put, embarking on a journey
to the unknown.
For a very long time, what they experienced, talked
and shared remained between themselves. To hear about
their experiences was astonishing. What most people
would consider a once in a lifetime moment or an incident
was a common occurrence for them. Out of body experience,
communication with unseen worlds and beings, visions,
astral projection, thought-reading, etc. were simply
brushed aside as a part of the process. Whenever Rao
Maharaj spoke, the air/vicinity heated up and strange
fragrances came and went. To other enthusiasts who came
by hearing about him from someone, he gave healing initiations
and techniques with mantras. In the Western countries
where there are paid courses of Reiki and other such
techniques, he gave full initiation in both the hands
in minutes. And the techniques were countless. They
came naturally to him.
In 1997 some of the group members decided to compile
some of the texts that they had written based on Rao
Maharaj's talks and their conversations. The result
was a mixed Marathi-Hindi text that needed to be translated
in English. It was divided into chapters and bound in
a manual-like book that was kept as a reference for
future sadhaks. A couple of years later, it was also
published on the internet. We are now publishing the
same in a series on chapters on this web site. The translation
is not perfect and at many places it does not do justice
to that was originally written in a different language.
However, the essence is there. Do not worry about the
grammar and look for the subtle awareness behind the
words. In itself, it is one of the rare texts on actual
spiritual experiences in our time. It is more of a science
of spirituality that comes only from the process of
self-realisation. Those who are on the path of truth
will be able to connect to it straight away. It is not
the everyday new-age, feel-good stuff. It is unique
and rare.
Your feedback, questions and queries are welcome. |
