A smart 23 years old young man suffering from the pull and push of expectations from his family, his college, and his girlfriend was introduced to me by a doctor. I took him for a walk and made him relax. As a good rapport was established, he was open to talk. The initial session followed by online conversations saw him get through a series of job interviews. As the euphoria of selection for a prestigious MNC subsided, he was in a low mood over his girlfriend’s reaction.
Having realized that the online session was not leading him to the desired result, Ajay (name changed) wanted to come and spend a weekend with me for further guidance. Seeing his initiative to complete the process, I kept aside my work and suggested a nature trip to Vagamon.
Ajay announced that he is owner of a new home – a portable tent! He was game for the adventure. In few hours time we were riding to the destination on his motorbike. Our first halt was at the hermitage of Mitraji at Vellilapilly, Ramapuram.
The homemade Rose apple arishtam (a spiced Indian fruit beer) and the food supplies provided by Mitraji kept us refreshed for the rest of the trip. The tiring bike ride through the poor roads on the hills finally ended.
Walking the forest path to Manishada cottage near Murugan mala refuelled us with fresh air.
Our visit to Pazhayakadu and meeting with Swami Ananda Thirtha was an unforgettable moment. The adventurous solo trips in his Mahindra jeep to Pangong lake and through risky roads of Kashmir as narrated by Swamiji made us stare at his puny figure in awe. The stories of how he was protected and cared for by people belonging to other creed gripped our hearts. It echoed parallels to our own life journeys.
Swamiji invited us to share his rice porridge with pickle, and papad. It tasted heavenly with his endearing ways of serving! Ajay remarked Swami’s childlike simplicity and love filled up his heart before food could fill his stomach!
Back at Manishada Ajay was in a mood to listen to some music. I drew his attention to the two snakes resting in the crevices of a wall in the common hall. I assured him that my old reptilian friends were paying a visit to me and they were harmless. Discreetly leaving the hall, we went to occupy another empty room.
The night must have been tough for Ajay till he poured out his heart. I noticed its resemblance to the kind of music he was listening to – blues! So many of us like Ajay search for safe space and time to bare our inner struggles. If there is a non-judgemental space and person who can accompany, we find clarity in serenity, guided by the inner compass. Giving him a relaxation exercise, I went to sleep.
Next morning as I was choosing my spot for a sunrise meditation, Ajay followed me. Enjoying the warm caress of early sun, I gave him a writing work called “life-line”. It demanded some quiet recollective moments. The psychodrama to get rid of negativities demonstrated by me inspired him to go on top of a hill nearby and work on his emotional baggage in solitude.
I saw a smiling Ajay whistling and descending from the hill by noon! He showed me a snap of his stripped clothes on the rock! A refreshing dip in the stream down and a joyful sharing around brunch revealed that he had basked in the sunshine of God’s love and felt free to forgive those who hurt him!
Though Ajay was my guest, I felt he hosted me in the sacred space of his heart! I met Immanuel (God with Us!) at work in Ajay! Who can lead humans to forgiveness unless divine grace works in human heart.
No sermon preached, no advice given. The trip of trust I shared with Ajay and few steps of interior cleansing of negativities as I did in my life, did its work. The words of my spiritual guide resounded: “Unless you burn you cannot pass the flame!”
No one can save anyone! We may share ways we are open to the presence of really real, from our limited angle. So much to learn from each other- even elders from youngsters, as it happened to me! As long as there is something to learn, life is exciting!
As the snakes do the sloughing off old skin, we are led to a process of shedding our old habits, familiar patterns and be ready for new beginnings! If we can regain the sense of wonder lost in the course of growing up, we are reborn!
That’s my wish for you this new year:
Slough off the old ways.
Take a dip in life’s flow!