Satsang with Professor and Mrs. Anil Kumar Kamaraju; New Jersy, April 5th, 2009.
Om Sri Sai Ram
“Professor Anil Kumar is coming to New Jersey to speak!” These were the buzz words that stirred the excitement within Region 2 for weeks before Professor Anil Kumar actually arrived to New Jersey on Sunday, April 5th, 2009 with his wife, Mrs. Vijayalakshmi. It was the same type of excitement that spread like fire among the Young-Adult group when Swami approved the first ever, National Youth Conference of the United States of America. The response was so overwhelmingly positive to Professor Kumar’s talk, that the location of the program was changed to a bigger auditorium to accommodate all devotees!
The program was a whole day event, which came to fruition through the efforts of dedicated devotees. On April 5th, 2009, FRANCES DeMASI Middle School’s auditorium was filled with excitement in preparation of our special guests’ welcome. The stage was set with Swami’s Altar decorated beautifully with fresh flowers. The enormous picture of Swami smiling, felt as real as being in Swami’s physical presence. The high-spirited atmosphere was further augmented with a special surprise – all YAs were asked to be seated directly in front of the Altar, adjacent to which Professor Anil Kumar was going to speak. The tone of the program ahead was set with vibrant bhajans (devotional songs) that were sung by Young Adults of the Region.
Time flew and before we knew it, Professor Anil Kumar finally arrived! Who else would enter so silently but with such a strong presence, greeting everyone humbly and smilingly! As Professor Kumar made his way towards the front, where the Young Adults were seated, the bhajans picked up an enormous level of energy that is hard to forget. Who else would pick up a “dafli” to play along with the bhajan being sung, but Professor Anil Kumar himself! As exciting as it is to observe the Professor’s interaction with Swami during discourses in Prashanti Nilayam, the Professor’s cheerful entrance in New Jersey captivated the entire audience, especially the Young Adults.
The program was opened with an introduction by Mr. Piyush Ghayal (the Region’s President) and Mrs. Preeti Bhatt (the Region’s SSE Coordinator) who welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Kumar. First to address the audience was Mrs. Vjayalakshmi because after all, “Behind every successful man is a woman” exclaimed Mrs. Bhatt. Mrs. Vijayalakshmi started her talk by explaining the importance of Self-inquiry. She touched on points that fundamentally shape a person, including understanding the difference between the “internal” and “external-self”; applying discriminative knowledge to engage in good actions and realizing God’s omnipresence. She shared important lessons she learned over time through interactions with Swami such as knowing that patience and compassion are the “real jewels and ornaments” of a woman. She concluded by reminding everyone to welcome Swami’s tests, which are important for one’s spiritual growth.
Next, was Professor Anil Kumar who started his talk with a bhajan - Adi Shesha Ananta Shyana. The Professor explained that the greatest achievement in the world is not the acquisition of wealth, property, position, title or being extraordinary, but knowing that we are living in a time when God Himself is walking amongst us on earth. Worldly life is fragmental and segmental, which is made complete by Swami. Swami grants us holistic experience which is preserved and cherished for the rest of one’s life.
Professor Kumar emphasized that Swami does not belong to any one particular faith. Swami simply states, “I am I”. He explained that life is a journey from “I” to “I”, the meaning and depth of which can only be understood through Self-inquiry. He explained that “I” is not the personality which is associated with the body and is every-changing. “I” is not the mind, which gets elated with praise and depressed when criticized. “I” is not the intellect which is often used as basis for arguments. “I” ….. is simply “I”, that’s all! It is simply the Atma (Spirit) which never changes and is a mere witness.
The talk continued with examples of Swami explaining the inner significance of religions and religious symbols to devotees from all walks of faith. In Swami’s own words, “Buddha” is not a person but a state of awareness/ consciousness (“Sidharth” is the name of the person who achieved that state of total bliss called “Nirvana”); the Islamic symbol of the Crescent and Moon signifies steadiness (the Star) and the wavering mind (the Moon). He went on further explaining the difference between Religion (the mere reading of texts), and Spirituality (the application and understanding the depth of religious texts).
At this juncture, the floor was opened to Questions that were collected prior to the talk. Professor Kumar addressed each question eloquently and clearly with witty words. He clarified how “worry” is one’s own creation/ making and is an outcome of limitless desires, meaningless agitation/ turbulence of the mind and desiring without deserving. He explained how one can differentiate between the inner voice, which is clear and non-dual, and the voice of the mind, which is unclear and dual. He explained how Swami being in a wheelchair must not be misinterpreted as a sign of deteriorating health, but an example of how one should endure life’s challenges with a smiling face.
Professor Anil Kumar further enticed the audience by emphasizing that spirituality is a way of life and hence, there should be no distinction between “Swami’s work” and “personal work”, as all work is Swami’s work. All actions dedicated to God automatically become Swami’s work. He also clarified the difference between compassion and pity in the context of service activities.
Before we knew it, Professor Anil Kumar had answered the last question. It was hard to believe that the program had come to an end, but quite impressive to note that all questions were answered in the allotted time. And what better way to conclude the talk with a final bhajan led by our energetic Speaker - Bhajaman Narayan Narayan Narayan!
Needless to say that the program ended on a high note … Professor Anil Kumar came to Jersey …. He talked … addressed the audience …. and answered all questions. Until the next buzz started, “When is Professor Anil Kumar visiting us next?!” As far as the Young Adults are concerned, we look forward to having him all to ourselves at the National Youth Conference to be held in Chicago May 29-May 31, 2009.
Jai Sai Ram