Question: What is silence?
 
Generally we tend to think that silence is the absence of noise. But what do you actually hear when there is no noise? You may hear your heartbeat, you may hear rustling leaves, you may hear subtle sounds that you usually do not perceive. Some seem to hear a primal sound, a primal buzz, as is spoken of in the Vedas: 'Aum', the very first, the eternal sound, from which all sound and all creation arises.
Silence itself cannot be perceived. You are silence, the silence of your heart.

 

 

Question: Is there a path to silence? If yes: What is the path to silence?
 
The path to silence is any path that brings you to your heart. All spiritual paths eventually are leading to silence, as all paths are taking you home.
True silence can not be attained, as it is always present. True silence will reveal itself to you, when you go beyond definition or logical explanation, when you become receptive and willing to listen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Question: What was your path?
 
Advaita Vedanta was my first love. My master was a disciple of Nisargadatta. The moment I met him, recognizing 'home' in his eyes and realizing he was living what I had been longing for all my life, I threw myself in the fire of his guidance and wisdom. I attended all his satsangs for a decade and was passionately reading non-dual books, insatiably absorbing the teachings.
Later I met many masters worldwide and I spent several winters in India, as a devotee of Poonjaji. Somehow there came a shift to ShantiMayi and for many more years I was silently bathing in her presence, sitting at her feet, with a heart at fire.
 
Gradually an unconditional willingness and surrender settled in and all expectations were laid down.
Eventually, at the end of time, my being flooded with sublime grace and light and peace.
I was no more, and at last the phoenix was rising out of the ashes.
After a while ShantiMayi, like my first Advaita master did some decades ago, insisted to make this life available for offering satsang. Both masters sent me into the world to guide longing hearts home. And with great gratitude I am fulfilling this mission.

 

 

It seems there are many paths. What is your experience?
 
There are as many paths as people walking the paths. The very best path is the path that serves you best. Some people are devotional, some flourish in serving , some have a great discriminating capacity and some simply surrender. But amazingly any path can serve you.
When we mature, we come to see that our very life is the ultimate path.
More and more we hear the wake up call that is speaking so loudly in frustration, in sense of pride or in attachment.

 

 

 

Merely living, we polish the diamond being that we are, building courage, deepening trust and receptivity. Little by little we acknowledge that all that exists is illusionary, we see that all that exists is ultimately void of self nature. And we simply let go of erroneous ideas and profoundly surrender to our insights.

 

Nowadays many people proclaim that the guidance of a guru is no longer necessary.
I do not see profound result in the ones who resist the loving and confronting guidance of an empty mirror.
It is certainly true that one can come to see into the nature of existence quite deep by reading books and self inquiry, but crossing the ocean of samsara is something so subtle and profound...

 

 

 

 

 

How immensely grateful was I with the unfathomable grace of a master at my side resulting in gradually handing my life over to the wisdom of not knowing, to the kingdom of the great mystery.
 
 
Question: Is to be with a master a silent path?
 
In the deepest sense, yes. However, it takes a very refined and mature soul that has the capacity to receive the all pervading silent teaching. The silent teaching is the grace and blessing in the enlightened speech, in the gestures, in the touch, in the very presence of the master.
The path that one goes is the path of refining the capacity to fully receive, to receive the totality of life, exactly as it is, rather than as you want it to be.
Walking the path, qualities are cultivated that bring about this subtle and powerful capacity to receive. Qualities like trust, courage, self esteem, responsibility, perseverance and humility.

 

Walking on, walking on,
living on, living on,
life is moulding
the one who is willing,
to more and more readiness
to receive love,
to yield,
to listen
and bow
to the will of existence.
 

 

 

Question: Do we need places of stillness like ashrams for realisation?
 
Realisation knows no conditions. How have I craved for silence, how have I longed for living in an ashram or monastery. How nourishing I thought this would be for me. I wanted nothing but silence, nothing but sitting in silence with my master for ever. I never got it.
Whenever we were together, even at the ashram, there always was noise, construction taking place, drilling, machines, music, talking .
This desire for silence has never been fulfilled, but eventually I became free of this desire, what a blessing. Unconditional peace dawned in me, at last.

 

 

 

 

 

However, places of stillness can be so very nourishing, like nature, like a temple, or a deep meditation.

 

Charge your batteries in places of stillness,
rest deeply in places of stillness,
be rejuvenated
and inspired and encouraged
to fully surrender to the ultimate place of silence,
your very Self.
 

 

 

Question: Could it be that the Western people need something else than the Eastern people?
 
What is the difference between Western people and Eastern people? People are people, smart people, dull people, tall people, rich people, complaining people, joyful people, pushy people, white coloured people or brown, or black. All need food, shelter, education and a supportive, loving environment. Sadly worldwide it is only a handful who get these basic necessities. Millions of people live their lives toiling for just food for the day. This in itself is quite something to take in, especially when we tend to complain and be negative amidst all our material luxury and comfort.
What do we need? I read in the papers what I seem to need, I hear it on the t.v. what I seem to need.
We are running after our 'needs' that are a cover up for a longing for love and happiness and an avoidance of fear and pain.
And along these lines most people, having their basic necessities granted, live their worldly life to the best of their capacities.
 
For some nothing ever seems to be enough. Realizing that success, nor status, nor health, nor material goods are ever fulfilling, they may turn to seek spiritual guidance.
Approaching a master, one comes with the same pattern of longing and avoiding and you seem to know what you need, you seem to know what is good for you. But you don't.
The master cunningly pushes you into unknown territory, beyond all strategies made of fear and desire, into what all need more than anything else, Love.