The Hidden Path (WINNER OF THE BEAUTY AWARD for Spiritual)

Unexpected News

"As a man, casting off worn out garments taketh new ones, so the dweller in the body, entereth into ones that are new."

― Epictetus (Greek philosopher)

Facing the Transcendental, Doris was in the process of finishing our Centre Meditation by bowing down soulfully with folded hands.

For a brief moment, the thought that this would look quite strange to anybody not familiar with spiritual principles, crossed my mind. To them, it would seem as if we were worshipping a picture.

Of course, I knew that Doris's gesture was meant to honor our Lord. The Supreme being, who is residing inside of everything and who is, at the same time, the highest in each one of us. But others did not. Therefore, I would have been extremely uncomfortable, had non-initiates, so to speak, been able to watch us sit with folded hands in front of the Transcendental, or bow to it...

Fortunately, our centre was situated in a courtyard, well hidden from any prying eyes. 

Funny, but although I was very sure of what I was doing and of the reasons why, I still would not have wanted any strangers to be able to accidently watch us meditate.

About to follow Doris's lead, the movement of her body drew my eyes to her excruciating looking posture. Or more precisely, to her impossibly folded legs which were bent to the sides, instead of crossed in the front, like mine. Although, amazingly, she appeared to be completely comfortable sitting this way...

Amused by the sight I slowly bowed down as well, trying to focus my thoughts once more on the Divine.

"There is exciting news!" Doris's enthusiastic voice broke my concentration. She had already turned around on her perch of cushions and was now addressing the centre.

I quickly returned to an upright position, my eyes catching Doris's shining, green ones.

"Guru is coming to our part of the world to give a series of peace concerts!"

(As - in my inner eye - I see a lot of readers flinch at the word 'Guru', maybe I should take a moment to explain its meaning. After all, it has basically developed into a derogatory word, here in the West. But it really is a simple Sanskrit one, meaning: teacher. The one who illumines (a student) is called a 'Guru' in India and its use is not restricted to spiritual teachings. When Sri Chinmoy came to the west in the mid sixties, he brought a lot of traditions with him from India. The expression 'Guru' being one of those, which his students soon picked up as they liked the word. 

To us, calling Sri Chinmoy 'Guru' is like calling your father 'Dad', instead of 'Mr XY'. However, at that point I was not really that comfortable with the Master, yet, which was why I usually still referred to him as 'Sri Chinmoy'.)

"What?"

"Wow!"

"Really?"

"When?"

Her comment was greeted with several enthusiastic exclamations and gasps.

In my case, I was not exactly sure what to feel and think. Of course, the thought of seeing in person him whom I had accepted as my master of sorts, was a thrilling one. On the other hand, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. Unlike everybody else in the Centre. Even Beni had already seen Sri Chinmoy, after all!

I glanced at the boy in question, who was sitting among the other members of his gender on the right side of the room. His body was angled towards Doris and he appeared completely mesmerized by the announcement.

Probably feeling my eyes on him, he turned to face me. His whole demeanor: the enthusiastic glow in his eyes, the way his body seemed only too eager to spring into action at any moment along with the this-is-great-let's-do-it bob of his head (aimed at me), left no room for interpretation.