This blog is meant to be what Master said life should be: “entertaining and educational.” It is done in a light way about a serious topic, but sometimes things are too serious to be approached seriously. So, here is a story of the journey of a young man that Swami Kriyananda might have called, “devotee everyone.” For the sake of brevity, we’ll call him simply “Seeker.” I hope you enjoy it.
At the station:
Seeker: “I want to report an identity theft.”
Police officer: “We’re getting a lot of reports of that these days. What did they get? Social Security number? Driver’s license? Credit cards?”
Seeker: “Actually, it’s more subtle than that. I’m not missing any of the stuff that can be replaced. I think someone has taken the memory of my identity, of who I really am. I think they must have used some kind of drug or hypnosis.”
Officer: “Unless there’s some physical evidence, we can’t help. Confidentially, some of the guys here get those same thoughts from time to time. When we feel like that, we try music—good and loud, or binge-watching a T.V. series, even surfing the internet—anything to distract ourselves.”
Seeker: “I don’t think that’s going to help me.”
Officer: (Whispering as he walks him to the door) “Listen, my wife goes to this psychiatrist. Here’s her card.”
At the clinic:
Psychiatrist: “How may I help you?”
Seeker: (Explains the situation) “I can’t quite put my finger on it, but sometimes I get a sense that I’m somebody else.”
Psychiatrist: “Who?”
Seeker: (Mumbling) “A son of God.”
Psychiatrist: “If you think you’re the Son of God, that’s what we call a ‘delusion of grandeur.’ It’s not easy to treat.”
Seeker: “Not the son of God. A son of God—a child of God.”
Psychiatrist: “I’ve had others with this problem, but I’ve never had any success working with them. I can give you something for the anxiety, but it won’t treat the underlying problem. My husband has the same issues and seems to get some help from a spiritual teacher. Here’s his card.”
At the ashram:
Spiritual teacher: “How may I help you?”
Seeker: Explains his feelings.
Spiritual teacher: “I think I can help, and have some techniques that really work, especially meditation. But it will take time, effort, and dedication. Are you willing?”
Seeker: “Yes, I’m desperate. I’ll do anything.”
“King of the Infinite,” by Nayaswami Jyotish.
Spiritual teacher: “To start with, I’m going to ask you to peer into this globe. Your job is to see a silver-white star in the very center. Some sages have said that this is the true Star of Bethlehem that led the three wise men to the Christ child, or Son of God.”
Seeker: (After a few minutes of looking into the globe) “The surface is all clouded and disturbed. I can’t see into the center at all.”
Spiritual teacher: “Your first problem is that you have to sit still. It’s your movement that is disturbing the light.”
Seeker: “It’s better now, but the light on the surface roils.”
Spiritual teacher: “The light is reacting to your breath. Just observe the breath coming in and out. That will help you withdraw your life force and focus your mind.”
Seeker: (Some days later) “It’s getting better. I can see deeper into the globe, but now I keep seeing flashes of light that I didn’t notice before.”
Spiritual teacher: “The globe is reacting to your restless thoughts. You have to learn to withdraw from the sensory input in order to focus more deeply.”
Seeker: (After several months) “I still have far to go, but I have some periods where I can see the star. When I’m really focused, it’s almost as if I’m becoming the light. I still have a ways to go to get to that state you call “smritti,” but at least it feels like I have a pathway forward.”
In a shop a year later:
Police officer: “Hey, I remember you. Did you ever find any solution for that ‘identity theft’ you came in about?”
Seeker: “Well, one thing led to another and I found out what was going on. I feel a little silly that I came to you. It turns out that I simply forgot who I really am, so I’m working with some memory techniques.”
Officer: (Laughing) “I could probably use some of those myself, especially after a tough day or a long night.”
Seeker: “Well, if you ever feel ready, let me know. In the meantime, I know this couple who write an interesting weekly blog. . . .”
In divine friendship,
Nayaswami Jyotish
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28 Comments
I enjoyed reading this blog (the others too of course :)) ). One can feel the fun you had writing it. What makes it relevant to me is the format of a dialogue. We are constantly having conversations with our little self or the Higher Self. We could make our inner conversations more uplifting by viewing life more lightly. Thank you Jyotish for the constant inspiration to live in the joy of God.
Thanks for writing this story, it was comforting and fun to read.
Dennis
Ah, yes- that couple that writes a weekly blog!!! ❤️💙
If one were to always ‘approach serious things seriously’, the joy would escape. I’m going to use this story as often as I can, it just takes the onerous weightiness out of the prospect of journeying this Path!
Yess Priti, me too. What a wonderful blog!
Ms. Anuja, I am trying to contact you. Please email me at bluem2554@gmail.com
Thanks.
Hello
I love it ! I enjoy it and Learn from it !! Thanks 🙏
Namaste
I loved it. A very interesting way to explain how to explore the hidden child of God, who resides within. Really enjoyed reading it n learn from it.👍👍
Joy for all. Jai Guru!
Loved this healthy dose of laughter this post provided. Yet, you never missed a beat – deep and profound.
Thank you kindly.
Namaste Ji – Wonderful Jyothish Ji. Heartfelt thanks. We loved it as usual.
Good one, Jyotish, and very easy to relate to “seeker”. Thank you!
Love this story! Especially as he begins to refine his attention skills, gazing at the star of consciousness. So true, as we begin to remember. The story makes me want to meditate right now!
You are truly a wonderful storyteller, Jyotish
Loved reading this. Amazing starry story and linking. Starry got auto typed a d I let it be.
Sadar pranam
Great story
I had some good belly laughs throughout, reading the story. Fun to read! Thank you Jyotish!
This is absolutely PRICELESS Jyotish. Many thanks and deep love and gratitude. Namaste
I enjoyed that so much. I smiled the whole way through reading it.
It is so sweet and so true .
Thank you
Blessings
Love it! Love it! Love it!
Been telling people for years that it’s all about remembering who we “Really” are and where are “True” home is.
Peace, Love ,Joy!
☮💟🌞
Very Sweet, thanks Jyotish
Dear Nayaswami Jyotish Ji,
Thank you for this wonderful blog!
Enjoyed reading it and great lessons from it.
It was very nice to read these lines in particular and it gives a hope “ but at least it feels like I have a pathway forward.”
Thank you again for such an inspiring blog
Joy,
Prem
Namaste,
After reading, motivated by the energy of the story, I am sharing a start of a song I wrote.
My songwriting often reflects my personal quest for inner self/peace.
Sharing a little of a song called “I’m Already Home”.
“I’ve come back to this place where I started, this journey started long ago. I’ve found the broken pieces of my life, some I’ve kept, some I’ve let go. In this world of confusion, where nothing seems to be real, the steps I take are carefully chosen, to reveal, not to conceal. I’m already home, I’m back in my heart, I feel this love right from the start. I’m already home, take a look in my eyes, you will see Love, there is no disguise, No need to roam, I’m already home.
Thank you so much. It was beautiful. Aum.
Dear Jyothishji,the blog was both entertaining and educational as Master wanted.Enjoyed and inspired. Thank you 🙏
Hahahahahahaha! And I saw that tiny smile form on your face & the sparkle in your eyes as I read the last lines! Yes, entertaining & educational! Bravo! 😊🙏
Hahahahahahaha! And I saw that tiny smile form on your face & the sparkle in your eyes as I read the last lines! Yes, entertaining & educational! Bravo! 😊🙏🎈
Thoroughly enjoyed it Ji. Had a big smile reading it. And the essence on the Light and star part was so beautifully written. Hmmm.. looks like you have to start play writing spiritual lessons:) also Ji. thank you dearest both for your weekly blogs.
Thank you Jyotish ji for the blog. Very entertaining and deeply educational :) Thank you!
By the way I very much look forward to the couple’s interesting weekly blog (that you mentioned at the end).
Blessed Navaratri greetings from India💐
Ahah! Meditation…
Thank you very much!
Hi Jyotish,
Thank you for sharing this story. It is very insightful and helpful.
Blessings and Love,
Maria