Saturday Satsang

Hari OM

Today is Gurupurnima - the day to honour parampara and pay homage to one's own teacher. I never had the privilege of direct experience with HH Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, but I am 'one generation' removed. This does not lessen the respect and Love held for the teachings of this master and the guidance handed down via his direct disciples, my own acharyas, Sw. Swaroopananda (Head of CM International), Sw. Shrikarananda (Sydney), Sw. Advayananda (Head of CIF). To them and others my pranaams.

Today's satsang from Gurudev is on the important subject that underpins so much of living life well... capital 'ell' Love!

A devotee recalls how it was so refreshing to hear that “God is Love.” These words she had heard so often shouted with full force from high up in a pulpit by priests over many years, who said “God is Love” but who only inspired fear so that the words had made no sense to her. She says that it was thanks to Gurudev that she realized that Love is the antidote to all feelings of fear and guilt — not soppy emotional love, but a love born of higher knowledge.

She recalls sitting with Gurudev once while he was reading a newspaper, and some junk started to come up in her mind, and then the fear and doubt started to gather. Then, quietly, from behind the newspaper, she heard, “Drop it, drop it!”

Gurudev showered His love on each one, day in and day out, “Love! Love! Love! Why are you afraid to love? It is your birthright to love everybody,” he said.