One of the most common phrases we hear in AOL is, “Gurudev does everything; we are just in name.” I had been ill for a long time, one illness after another, bedridden, etc. In 2017, I went to five follow-ups with my mom nearby. I would lie down after reaching the center. On my last day, the teacher asked if anyone could volunteer for a computer-related task. I couldn’t even sit for five minutes straight, yet I was surprised to see my hand raised up by itself with enthusiasm. I was really thinking in my head, “Why on earth did my hand raise? And what’s with that grin on my face???”
She later said it was to enter school children data into excel sheets. I agreed. She knew my problem, so she suggested I do it at her home so she could assist whenever she could. I did go for two days, but then I couldn’t even get up from the next day. The work was pending, and I had no intention of giving in. I called the teacher and told her I would finish it by noon as promised.
Now I sat with my laptop, my spine aching like hell, compelling me to give up, and I was only continuing the task by sheer willpower. After a few minutes, I couldn’t take it anymore. Not much left, but I just couldn’t sit anymore. Tears that were stubbornly held back left my eyes, and a prayer happened. “Gurudev, I am grateful for the opportunity and determined to finish the task. I have done my best, but I failed, and I am hating it. No matter what, I must submit it in the next few minutes, so please help me.”
And that’s it! I cannot explain it clearly, but there was suddenly a shift in myself. The pain was still there, but instead of verifying each row, my hand was moving by itself to the needed row, and this continued for the remaining sheets. It’s so bizarre that I was aware of what was happening, but my body was not mine. It was like, “I am watching myself doing the task.”
That’s when it hit me. When teachers, devotees, and volunteers say that they are not the doers but Gurudev himself, they are not just saying it out of emotion. Technically, that’s exactly the phenomenon that happens. It’s an undeniable fact.
My head can argue that I have very keen eyes, have been a software tester or whatever, but I clearly know it wasn’t me at all then. Raising my hand and finishing the task all by himself, Gurudev made it indisputable for me. I had no choice but to feel immensely blessed. Not only did he save me from the upcoming regret and self-blame, but he also bestowed on me such an incredible “non-doership/witness” experience.
We are very fortunate that he chose to descend on this planet just for us. His every word is an experience by itself, and we all can experience everything just by staying connected with him. A master’s unconditional love and compassion can only be felt.
Stay connected, stay blessed! Jai Gurudev!
– Neeta Teerdhala
Truly amazing