Lantern Of Compassion

"What is the lantern of spiritual journey?", this is a question that is raised by many people. Similar to climbing the peak of mountain, at every stage we need different vehicle. When crossing the highway, people need a car. Once travelers enter walking path, they need horses. When climbing a cliff, seekers need rope. The long spiritual journey is also similar. Almost all people in this age begin the spiritual journey with intellect. Reading books, dialogue, attending meditation classes are parts of the thirsty intellect. Even spiritual friends who spent a lot of time in silence, they still have conversation with themselves. Again, this is also the lantern of intellect (the language of head).

The Blooming Soul

One of the high-level teachings that ever delivered in this realm is called Tantra. Most of the Tantra teachings are confidential. However, if all the Tantra teachings are kept secret, one day the teaching will disappear. For that reason, a number of teachers such as Osho dare to unlock the secrets of Tantra.

While the Buddhist Tantra is closer to the path of jhnana (knowledge) and the peak is silence or wisdom, Shiva Tantra is closer to the path of bhakti (devotion) and the peak is unity. Both of them are complementary.

That is why Shiva Tantra was delivered by Shivaji to his consort. The implicit story behind, this teaching can only be delivered to the students with a very deep devotion. Only with a deep devotion then unity can be attained.

Love Brings Peace

One day there was a rich man with four wives who were ready to die because of old age. Of course the first wife who was called was the fourth one, the youngest wife. After hearing that her husband will die, the fourth wife was suddenly gone and slamming the door.

With a deep sadness in the heart then this old man called the third wife. Once he finished talking, this woman immediately said: "forgive me, I cannot go with you". In the midst of deep sorrow, this former powerful man's then called his second wife. The second wife gave a more polite answer: "I can only accompany you until the graveyard".

Song of Sorrow

"Can deep meditation releases souls from all sorts of sorrow?", that's the question of many people in meditation sessions. Most friends who grow deep in meditation know, meditation does not stop karma. Meditation only increases one's ability to flow perfectly with each cycle of karma.

Before being touched by meditation, mind is similar to a small cup. Even when there’s a small movement in life, then mind will be full of noise like protest and complain. And by keep witnessing, slow but sure meditation makes mind broader and broader. That is why one of meditation Guru wrote that the peak of meditation is boundless capacity to suffer.

Lotus of Compassion

"What's wrong with the spiritual journey, why the deeper I grow spiritually then the more difficult and the more complicated life will be?", that is the question of many people. This is fully understandable, especially because life begins to enter a new territory that appears to be strange.

Learning from the stories of the saints, there are many souls who ever entered this gate. But very few of them who are able to pass the test. There are various types of shocks and tragedy in this spiritual tunnel. From the feeling of mismatch with one's partner, children who are very naughty, losing a job, the death of loved ones until being threatened by death.

As a result, some people run away from spiritual journey. They thought that spirituality is against the will of God. Only diligent and sincere heart who proceed the spiritual journey. Especially because sincere heart knows that grief is not punishment, grief is an important chapter in the book of peace which failed to be read by most people.

The Virgin Mind

In one of meditation session in the prison, a prisoner asked a touching question: "I am now punished here for years because of killing, shall I be punished again after death?". This question is really touching the heart.

To be honest, the journey after death is determined by the quality of one's mind in the moment of death. Sadly, almost all people experience great shock in the time of death. The one who died were shock, the family were also shock. The combination between these two shocks makes the journey after death to be a journey of sadness.

Garden of Peace

One day Nasrudin asked God softly and politely: "why did you give me a beautiful wife?". With a calm voice God answered: "That's why you choose her". My wife is not only beautiful but also peaceful my Lord, said Nasrudin. Again God replied with the same answer: "That's why you choose her". At the end of the conversation, with full of apology Nasrudin asked: "why my wife is such stupid?". This time the Lord whisper like this: "That's why she chose you."

 The spiritual message that is hidden behind this funny story is simple, there are too many people who are greedy for superiority and want to throw out all flaws. More than that, there are so many managers and householders who totally reject the flaws of their subordinates and spouses. A few minor flaws can cause major harm. As a result, souls never grow.

To be honest, to find potential subordinates or spouse is like finding seeds of flowers. No one
prohibit you to choose the healthy seeds.  But more important than just being busy of choosing, it is the sensitivity to continuously taking good care of the seeds. Mainly because the last sensitivity enables both sides grow together.

A spiritual friend who is a gardener shared an interesting story. One day he found a beautiful flower tree. But his lack of sensitivity made him to put the plant that needs little sunlight under the blazing sun. The result is predictable, this beautiful flower tree weakened and withered.