Jeff Holland
"A true master cannot be identified thru his words or actions but
your mind will likely become quiet around him" - Papaji
H.W.L. Poonja (known affectionately as Papaji) held satsangs in Lucknow between 1990 and his death in 1997, and elsewhere in earlier years when smaller numbers congregated around him. This attractive volume gives us transcripts of interviews with 15 people who experienced awakening at these satsangs. The interviewer/author, Premananda, was also a member of this sangha which numbered up to 100 semi-permanent members with another 100-200 during times of more comfortable weather. I knew little about the path of devotion to a guru so the book made fascinating reading. Each interview revisits the subject's childhood before moving on to the often circuitous adult search and its culmination in the prescence of Papaji. A glossary of Indian concepts is appended and this helps the reader to transcend the notoriously limited vocabulary of English in this field.
Papaji was a student of Ramana Maharshi and his message is the simple
pointing to non-duality (see youtube for video clips) combined with what
might be called the intersubjective "contact high" experienced in his
prescence. All of the subjects were strongly affected by Papaji at their
first meeting and many of them mention that the prescence of Papaji would
stop the mind and induce altered states.
All felt a profound love for the guru and (indistinguishably) for the formless whole, though it's unclear whether they all felt boundless love for their fellow devotees. Gossip, jealousy and manoeuvrings are reported by some.
Awakenings happened frequently; the author remarks that during his own 10 years with Osho (the artist formerly known as Rajneesh) awakening seemed almost an impossible dream, while around Papaji it was like falling off a log.
Papaji himself was interested in people's descriptions of what happens in awakening,
and these descriptions are a highlight of the book. No one attempts any causal
or conceptual explanation, rather their words about the ineffable are poetic
and evocative - lovely to read before meditation or when inspiration is needed.
Some of Papaji's students have themselves begun teaching - Gangaji, Andrew Cohen, Arjuna Ardagh, Isaac Shapiro and Premananda among them, although none of these are interviewed here.
The book intimates a flavour of satsang with a powerful guru without one having to undergo a near death experience from Delhi belly in the 47 degree heat of a Lucknow summer.
It features photos of Papaji, often candid shots of him smiling while wearing a selection of dubious hats (Lucknow winters are cold apparently) and accompanied by aphorisms from his book "The Truth is"
I can recommend the book as a useful insight into a man who influenced so many. It was a good read, and enjoyable to dip into again later.
"Before a wave arises it is Ocean; before desire moves it is Emptiness." -
Papaji
"You are the unchangeable awareness in which all activity takes place" -
Papaji
Bodhi Heeren (Copenhagen), 27 Oct 2008
Premananda is one of the many Osho sannyasins who found a
safe haven after their master's death at the bosom of Papaji, a direct
disciple of the illustrious Ramana Maharshi.
Papaji was a friendly man, a lot more open than Osho to declare each and
everyone 'enlightened' - among them the dubious Andrew Cohen - and sending
them out in the world to give satsang. But whereas most other Westeners
often had a rather arrogant attitude to the tradition and the philosophy
they are supposed to represent, British-born Premananda clearly has respect
for the Indian roots behind Ramana and the vedantic spirituality.
In this book he has the brilliant idea to travel around India to find and
interview Indian disciples of Ramana: men and women, young and old. To
question them about their experiences and their philosophical and
existential outlooks.
All this makes very compelling reading. You meet some powerful human beings
and get lots of stuff for thought (and no-thought!). A profound book that
can enlighten your life.
