Remember how it was?
Can you remember a time not so long ago, when it was so natural and easy to visit that place we proudly referred to as our spiritual home? We had access to it practically any time we wished. Visiting there gave us so much joy! It was a place so warm and welcoming. We anticipated going there in much the same way a child anticipates a visit to Disney World. It was a place above all other places that put a smile upon our face. It was a place we often referred to as being Holy. Some said it was Divine. Our sanctuary! It was only the fatigue of the world that was not allowed to enter there! Now things have changed!
Today it seems, this most wonderful place has shut its doors. Closed itself off to the rest of the world. Left us out in the cold to fend for ourselves. The bosom from where we once suckled has dried up. Now we’re left here to languish in a world that is incapable of nourishing us in the same way.
Looking back, we wonder what caused this apparently sudden closure? What lack of compassion or worse have brought about our current situation? What has happened to our Path? What’s really happening? There must be something we are not being told. And so the rumors begin to take root in our mind. Why can’t we at least visit the temple where we once freely deposited all our cares and woes? What’s happening? Where once we experienced joy and laughter, now there are doubts and animosity. Now there is anger! Will things ever be the same again?
The place I refer to is not located in upstate New York. It’s not located in India. This place is your own heart. The only true sanctuary you ever had. The only true sanctuary you will ever have. In truth, nothing has changed. I repeat, NOTHING HAS CHANGED!
But wait, I take that back. Something apparently must have changed. But if this is the case, then what is it? I’ll tell you plain and simple…you have changed! At least your attitude has changed, because it is your attitude that creates your world. When you harbor ill feelings and animosity toward others, especially toward those who are your true benefactors, then you yourself are shutting the door to your own heart. And when you harbor feelings of love and gratitude then you are once again opening that same door. Then you once again are free to come and go at your leisure. It’s really quite elementary. Do the math!
Remember what’s written above the Temple door:
“The Heart is the hub of all Sacred Places; Go there and roam.”
This is the teaching of Bhagwan Nityananda, of our Baba and of Gurumayi. This is the teaching of all the great Saints. These are the words you first see when you enter Bade Baba’s temple and these words are there for a reason. They are there for you to contemplate so you can come to the realization that the only real temple you’ll ever find in this world is right inside your own heart. By real temple of course, I mean one that cannot be taken away from you, and one that NO ONE can shut you out of. I’m reminded of a quote I once heard Gurumayi say that has stayed with me all these years:
“Oh parrot on a pole, who is keeping you there?”
Think about that for a moment. Who is keeping you from entering that sacred place? Could it be that you have actually been given a blessing? Perhaps a blessing in disguise? Is it possible that you have been given the keys to the temple? I mean, YOUR OWN PERSONAL SET OF KEYS TO THE TEMPLE…with your name engraved upon them!
These keys are to be found in your attitude - in the way you look at and approach various people and situations. The way you open and close doors in every aspect of your life.
Remember ~ good thoughts open the door; bad thoughts close the door. “The hub of all Sacred Places…” Think about this…
The only temple that cannot, and will not, ever be taken away is right within you at all times. Always was, always will be. No one can shut you out of that place except yourself. And you seem to have learned very well how to do that! Now perhaps, it’s time to unlearn it. Or, at least to begin cultivating the feelings you already know so well. It doesn’t really take that much effort to get back to that place. Only the desire to do so!
Today it seems, this most wonderful place has shut its doors. Closed itself off to the rest of the world. Left us out in the cold to fend for ourselves. The bosom from where we once suckled has dried up. Now we’re left here to languish in a world that is incapable of nourishing us in the same way.
Looking back, we wonder what caused this apparently sudden closure? What lack of compassion or worse have brought about our current situation? What has happened to our Path? What’s really happening? There must be something we are not being told. And so the rumors begin to take root in our mind. Why can’t we at least visit the temple where we once freely deposited all our cares and woes? What’s happening? Where once we experienced joy and laughter, now there are doubts and animosity. Now there is anger! Will things ever be the same again?
The place I refer to is not located in upstate New York. It’s not located in India. This place is your own heart. The only true sanctuary you ever had. The only true sanctuary you will ever have. In truth, nothing has changed. I repeat, NOTHING HAS CHANGED!
But wait, I take that back. Something apparently must have changed. But if this is the case, then what is it? I’ll tell you plain and simple…you have changed! At least your attitude has changed, because it is your attitude that creates your world. When you harbor ill feelings and animosity toward others, especially toward those who are your true benefactors, then you yourself are shutting the door to your own heart. And when you harbor feelings of love and gratitude then you are once again opening that same door. Then you once again are free to come and go at your leisure. It’s really quite elementary. Do the math!
Remember what’s written above the Temple door:
“The Heart is the hub of all Sacred Places; Go there and roam.”
This is the teaching of Bhagwan Nityananda, of our Baba and of Gurumayi. This is the teaching of all the great Saints. These are the words you first see when you enter Bade Baba’s temple and these words are there for a reason. They are there for you to contemplate so you can come to the realization that the only real temple you’ll ever find in this world is right inside your own heart. By real temple of course, I mean one that cannot be taken away from you, and one that NO ONE can shut you out of. I’m reminded of a quote I once heard Gurumayi say that has stayed with me all these years:
“Oh parrot on a pole, who is keeping you there?”
Think about that for a moment. Who is keeping you from entering that sacred place? Could it be that you have actually been given a blessing? Perhaps a blessing in disguise? Is it possible that you have been given the keys to the temple? I mean, YOUR OWN PERSONAL SET OF KEYS TO THE TEMPLE…with your name engraved upon them!
These keys are to be found in your attitude - in the way you look at and approach various people and situations. The way you open and close doors in every aspect of your life.
Remember ~ good thoughts open the door; bad thoughts close the door. “The hub of all Sacred Places…” Think about this…
The only temple that cannot, and will not, ever be taken away is right within you at all times. Always was, always will be. No one can shut you out of that place except yourself. And you seem to have learned very well how to do that! Now perhaps, it’s time to unlearn it. Or, at least to begin cultivating the feelings you already know so well. It doesn’t really take that much effort to get back to that place. Only the desire to do so!
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