Near-death experience is a mirror

 

Yesterday, I met with major car accident on Mumbai Pune express way and miraculously survived with insignificant injury.

Normally we do not like to think about death...Why reflect on death?

I realised that, our eternal self is more real than anything we perceive in this physical form. Ultimate essence and richness of the life don't lie outside. They lie deep within us at conscious level....Until we experience what is within, we can't perceive what is without.  
Based on this experience, I am now aware that the power, energy, composition, nature and magnitude of this "Cosmic Law or Cosmic Joke" is far beyond my limited mind can comprehend.

This near-death experience is a mirror in which I found simple meaning of life: 1.How we spend our time on earth 2. Love is the essence of life 3. live in the moment, enjoy every moment, and use each moment of life meaningfully to elevate the next moment...if available!!!

Live well, consciously and mindfully, and death will take care of itself.....

Anecdote: A Collection of Moments

1- A student complained, “There is another student who is getting on my nerves. What should I do about it?” Master said, “Move your mind or Move your nerves.”

 

2- A student inquired, “Is meditation an art or a science?” Master answered, “It is approaching art with science and science with art.”

 

3-“What will be your legacy Master?” a student asked. Master replied, “All lived, All died, All are buried & All left without any possessions." "My legacy can not be different."

 

4- A student asked Master, “Is ignorance bliss?” Master answered, “Realize ignorance, you may find your own answer.”

 

5- “Today will be a historic day of my life” a student said in his speech. Master interrupted, “All days are historic...! Real art is in making it more memorable than historical.”

 

6- “What is greatness, Master?” asked a student. “Doing worthy acts and remain unconcerned if anyone notices” replied Master.

 

7- "Why is the Zen Way so difficult” asked a student. Master responded, “Contrary, the zen way is very easy, the followers are difficult.”

 

8- A student asked what is life?. Master said “See that mountain! Pick it up, hold it, play with it and put it back when you are tired.”

 

9- Several students were sitting around a fire when Master picked up some ashes and said to the students, “This is the ultimate truth of life.”

 

 10- Master, what is the key to understanding the Way of life? asked a student. Master told him “Look Within.”

 

 11- What is fear Master? asked a ...student. Master answered, “Fear is when after dark, all cats become tigers."

 

 12- A new student told Master “I have so many questions to ask you”. Master responded “And I have no answers to give you.”

 

 13- A student asked Master, “I saw a new cook in the kitchen. Is he permanent?” Master replied “No one is permanent, including me.”

 

 14- A student once told Master, “I have reached a subtle awareness of the truth.” Master shrugged his shoulders and said, “You will die peacefully.”

 

 15- A student asked Master, “How do I get rid of all my problems?” Master said, “I shall answer you when sun stop rising."

 

 16- “Master, what is the aim of Meditation?” a student asked. Master replied “To sit like a river, and walk like a mountain.”

 

 17- A student asked “What is wisdom?” Master said, "When a man falls do not abandon him, when he has power do not honor him."

 

18- “Master, would you prefer the flowers on the left side or the right side of the alter?” Master said, “I prefer to see them in garden.”

 

19- A student asked a zen master: "How will you be, when death arrives?" The master said: "When served tea, I take tea. When served a meal, I take a meal."

20- “What is the nature of the tree” asked a student. Master said, “Spring and Fall."

21- “Those new students are lazy!” said a senior student. Master said, “Yes! don't you think, they are almost as bad as the students who judge others.”

22- “I am feeling better today, I just wasn’t myself yesterday.” said a student. Master replied, “Oh, who are you today?”   

23- “What is failure Master?” asked a student. Master answered, “It is a cup of bitter tea. Not tasty, but sometimes necessary to drink.”                  

24- A student inquired, “How do I know if I am making proper efforts?” Master said, “if you are doing proper, question or doubt will never arise!”        

25- “Master, what is compassion?” Master responded, “Ask someone who is in need of  some.”                   

26- Master was told there some wild bears roaming the temple grounds. “Wild? Get them in the meditation hall immediately if they are savage than human being”   

27-  “Do you think you are still young” asked a student. Master answered, “Children who think are cute. Adults who think or wish are fools. Learn to accept reality!”    

28- “All the things are properly washed in temple” a student declared. Master asked, “Did you wash your mind too?”                 

29- “What is the greatest struggle we face” asked a student. Master responded, “Defeating self ego, self image and illussion.”

30- “When I will one with the universe” asked a student. Master responded, “When you stop thinking.”                 

31- “Is it important to be humble?” inquired a student. Master said, “Yes, if you love your self."

32- “What is the secret of enlightenment?” asked a student. Master responded, “Shut your eyes, shut your mind and shut your mouth.”                 

My Soul Searching Experience

“When the owner of the house leaves the body and the last breath is taken, in a few days the body will rot. It will be cremated and buried. Bones and flesh return to earth, the phlegm will return to the water, the breath will return to the wind and the heat will return to fire. When we return to the original home, there is nothing found. However, the owner of the house, the TRUE SELF has existed before the universe was formed and will remain changeless after the universe is destroyed. When we see this directly, the path of truth is completely found within there.” Seon(Zen) Master Jinje

“Embittered by arrogance, jealousy, envy, desire, fear, and anxiety of the ‘SELF,’ being live mindlessly and die. This is the fate of ordinary beings. With foolish desire, we try to make all things our own. No matter what great university we graduated from, even if were the president or high government official, we can not eliminate conflictive emotions and suffering, When we get to know our TRUE SELF, the conflicts of the mind disappear. All the world with this self included is one house and one body. We don’t need to make anything our own.” Seon(Zen) Master Jinje

On a cold and windy winter morning of March 2010 I arrived at Bonginsa Temple-Korea in search of my True Self and to learn the basic practice that consists of sitting in Zen meditation, walking in Zen meditation and Tea ceremony. I was warmly welcomed at the reception in traditional Korean style.

Buddha way has always fascinated me in a deeply spiritual way to know true self better! And keeping up with the elegant tradition of the temple, you will be sleeping in small quarters, getting up before sunrise, eating spartanly, seating and walking meditatively – all in between exploring unique architecture of the temple ground, its serene surrounding and the minds of the Bhikkhu and Bhikkuni that escort you through this divine journey of wisdom to introspect the Buddha within us.

It is a rare place where one can practice the vipassanaa meditation with great monks who visit Bonginsa from Myanmar and Tibet for the vipassanaa meditation. Vi means the complete absence of ego and passanaa means illumination. It is a practice of Theravadan Buddhism to root out ignorance, greed and evil passion and achieve the state of liberation through wisdom.

The practice demands trainee to focus on self by observing state of their mind. In order to take a look at the state of our mind and body, we have to concentrate on breath, heartbeat, footstep, movements and feelings. The basic practice consists of sitting in Zen meditation and walking in Zen meditation. We are asked to observe the right posture, breathing and abdominal movement when we sit in Zen mediation, and to observe the footstep when we slowly walk in Zen meditation. We are also asked to notice every movement including having meals, ideas and the external sounds in everyday life. While taking a look at ego, we can realize that everything comes and goes, and mind is just a constantly changing state made by ideas, images, emotions and environment.

Meditation hall is located in such a tranquil atmosphere where the sound of breathing is even louder. This silent environment has helped me to cut off from outside distractions, removing noise of my mind and becoming one with point of focus.

Making or drinking tea in a ceremonial fashion is a part of Buddha’s eightfold path. If one does not make or drink tea with clear and focused mind, the served tea will not be able to achieve its potential in terms of fragrance and taste. Also one’s posture while serving and drinking tea is important; the proper posture for such an event is to sit in a meditative position with calmpose mind. Tea is to be imbibed with all five senses. One must try to focus to hear the sound of the boiling tea water, see the light’s and reflection in the vessel, feel the warmth of the tea cup, smell its fragrance and taste the tea.

It was a great soul searching experience.....

I express my profound thanks to:

-Mr. I. S. Park for arranging my stay at Bonginsa

-Mr. D. I. Kim for extending enormous help to ensure my journey memorable

-Ms. Kang Jong M. - A wonderful affectionate buddhist teacher. She has spent very valuable time to show me traditional side of korea. I am thankful to her for valuable teaching and guidence on buddhism. I will always cherish her teaching and warmth in years to come.

By: Aditya Ajmera

Answer To Viji

Dear Viji,

I am touched by your warm note and appreciate your kind gesture. Your comments have flattered my pride. I accept your invitation to participate in the following questions and answers.

You are right...I usually refrain writing because there is already an ocean of thoughts, poetry, essays, biography, autobiography, novels, journals, letters, and spiritual reflections shared by great writers, philosophers and thinkers. My inner emotions, thoughts, imaginations and perceptions are already vividly manifested and mirrored in these literatures and hence adding few intellectuals’ words would be absolutely insignificant contribution in this ocean.

My goal of tranquil wisdom and spiritual journey emerges from the silent world, the eternal spaces. This silence cannot be compromised, as there is nothing to question and nothing to reject to enjoy this wonderful moment of insight.

Nevertheless, I am happy to answers your questions as under:

1. How did you get this name? Do you like your name?
My grandmother named me and I am very happy with my name.

2. When was the last time you cried?
When my son left our home to pursue his studies in boarding school at Bangalore.

3. Do you like your handwriting?
No. Computers have degenerated my skill long back.

4. Favorite lunch?
I am vegetarian and love Indian cuisine. Idly, dosa and curd rice with pickles are my weakness.

5. If you were someone else, will you be friend with you?
It all depends…who am I as someone else!!!

6. Do like to take a dip in the river/ocean?
No. I am scared, as I can’t swim.

7. What do you observe when you first see a person?
Facial Expressions and body language.

8. What is that you like/dislike in your spouse?
I like her Great integrity as Wife, Mother and worthy human being.
I dislike her obsession for healthy food.

9. Whose absence you miss, most?
Buddha, J.Krishnamurti, OSHO and my Father

10. What are you wearing when you write this?
Bermudas and T shirt

11. What are you watching/ listening now?
Mohammad Rafi

12. If you were to change into a colorful pen (ink), which color would you choose?
BLUE

14. Which fragrance you like?
Lavender and Eau de cologne

15. What are the qualities, you like in the bloggers you are going to invite?
Friendly, unnoticed, undiscovered human being proposes a meaningful approach to the life.

16. What is that you like in the blogger who has sent you this?
Most perfect spirit with self. Harmony, truth, order, beauty and excellence give me joy of divine friendship with wonderful friend like you.

17. Favourite sport?
I am not into any sports.

18. Do you wear spectacles?
Yes.

19. What kind of movie you like?
Off Beat, Comedy and Action.....James Bond

20. Last Movie?
“Children Of Heaven” by Majid Majidi

21. Favourite Season?
Winter….I love Mountains with Snow

22. Which book are you reading?
“Life Without Centre” by Jeff Foster

23. How often you change the picture in your desktop?
Often. I am avid photographer by hobby.

24. The noise you like/ dislike?
I am allergic to any loud noise.

25. Farthest distance you have travelled from home?
Mumbai to Vancouver

26. What is unique about you?
My confidence and extolling approach towards LIFE

27. What is that you cannot accept?
Our wild ignorance and inconsistencies in response to the ecological crisis

28. The devil in you?
Always think that Saturday is too far

29. What is your favorite vacation spot?
My weekend house

30. What do want to be?
Without becoming mystics, I could become more closely acquainted with my inner life and able to awaken the Buddha within.

31. What is that you want to do, without the knowledge of your spouse?
Like to eat French Fries with lots of ketchup….

32. One liner on life?
To know what we are, we must first investigate and know what we are not. We are responsible only for what we can change. All we can change is our attitude towards LIFE.

Meeting with remarkable man - Jeff Foster

The End of The Search

Wonderful Friends and Host Menno van der meer and Jeannine

Life Without a Centre- Great Thinker-Jeff foster

No one meets No one!!! With Jeff and Amy

Awakening From The dream of Seperation

The Revelation of Oneness

Beyond Awakening

"The lamps are different,

But the Light is the same.

So many garish lamps in the dying brain's lamp shop,

Forget about them.

Concentrate on the essence, concentrate on the light.

In lucid bliss, calmly smoking off its own holy fire,

In the light stream towards you from all things,

All people, all permutations of good, evil thought, passion.

The lamps are different,

But the Light is the same.

One matter, one Energy, one Light, one Light-mind,

Endlessly emanating all things.

One turning and burning diamonds,

One, One, One.

Ground yourself, strip yourself down,

To blind loving silence.

Stay there, until you see

You are gazing at the light

With its own ageless eyes."

(By Rumi)

For Details visit Jeff foster website:

www.lifewithoutacentre.com