Darvish Khan Writes

Yoga is very big these modern days as the development of physical culture based on the practice of asana, or yogic posture. Asana, in fact, has almost nothing to do with the path of traditional yoga which is primarily based on the practice of pranayama, or breath control, as a path to progressively deeper states of samadhi, or yogic concentration.

The yogic path develops breath control as a means to temporarily still the mind and induce bliss; This is possible because the mental body (the seat of all impressions, including desire), is energized by the subtle body (the seat of Pran, or energy). When a yogi becomes adept at breath control, he or she can temporarily put the desire-mind to sleep by depriving it of agitation, so to speak. Samadhi is a trance state. There are many grades of samadhi reflecting progressively deeper states of concentration and consequent stilling of the desire-mind. (The desire-mind is like a drunken monkey bit by a thousand hornets. Yoga attempts to placate the monkey by removing one sting at a time).

But this stilling of the mind which results in a trance state full of bliss is temporary. When the ecstatic state is over, the mind reverts to its usual drunken agitated self. Samadhi does not eradicate the desire-mind, but effects only its temporary suppression. Moreover, there is the great danger and likelihood that the bliss experienced as the result of a temporarily and relatively stilled mind will be mistaken for spiritual advancement. Thus, the yogi becomes enormously proud of his capacity to access samadhi. Think of it this way: The desire-mind is like a permanent migraine and samadhi like a miracle pill giving temporary relief. It is the penultimate pain killer, but not in fact a cure for the condition, ie. the desire-mind. The yogi is very much a drug addict who wants nothing more than his fix of bliss.

The path of remembrance is based on nam-jap or zikr, the repetition of the name of God or the Avatar/ Prophet. It is a devotional path that opens the heart by recalling, at its best, the Perfect Master or one of the Avatar’s incarnations: Zoroaster, Ram, Krishna, Buddha, Christ, Muhammad and Meher Baba.

This path drowns all thought and desire in the longing for the Perfect Master or Avatar, who is God in human form. This path creates the pain of longing for the Master; The lover wants more and more love for the supreme beloved with whom he longs to be united. This was the path of St. Francis for Jesus, of Rumi for Shams-e-Tabrizi, of every ardent lover of the Master whose grace made him a Master in turn.

The path of remembrance is diametrically opposed to the path of yoga. The path of yoga is an intermediary and provisional path of breath technology whose aim is to escape the orbit of earth and suffering. But which can never be achieved in this way. The path of remembrance longs to die with every breath by ever greater suffering at the feet of the Master, and which requires the Master’s grace. Only the Perfect Master or the Avatar can release a soul from the wheel of birth and rebirth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Zoroastrian cosmology, Ahuramazda and Ahriman vie in eternal conflict over the moral and spiritual universe. The principles of light and darkness are ever circling each other in eternal conflict. One of the most interesting points about Zoroastrian cosmology is that Ahuramazda requires human intervention to subdue Ahriman. It is not possible for the power of light and beneficence to dominate darkness and greed without man’s help. When man agrees to the precepts of “good thoughts”, “good words” and “good deeds”, the power of light ascends; when man refuses to follow these precepts, Ahriman ascends.

Meher Baba’s statement in the “Final Declaration” of 1954 that 3/4’s of the world would be destroyed was later amended to read that he had made this comment “in my language alone”. Thus, we cannot take his remark literally; But in light of recent statistics regarding climate change and degradation of the Earth’s habitat, his remark is certainly suggestive.

In fact, scientific research is already reporting that some %60 of vertebrates have perished since 1970. And climate science  is predicting global havoc on an unprecedented scale if global warming is not restricted to 1.5º C, although most scientists are confident that at least 3º C of warming is already in the pipeline. We are indeed facing global catastrophe.

And these climate science predictions are based on the assumption that greenhouse gasses will somehow be reduced dramatically, when in fact current global greenhouse gasses are presently increasing. So, what will be the outcome of global inability- led by the US, to not just not live up to the Paris Accord, but to spectacularly shoot past it by a factor of not just two, but maybe three or four? 3/4’s of the world could easily be destroyed by a global average temperature increase of 3º C- 6º C.

The world as we know it is going to be radically and traumatically transformed. What is not clear is the timeline because of the ambiguity of positive feedback loops. These can not be accurately predicted, although they are certain to powerfully accelerate traumatic global environmental and social transformation.

It is probably safe to say that within the next 50 years, we will see traumatic changes to the  world environment and population that will make the changes we have witnessed up to now, look like cake.

Meher Baba has said some very interesting things about America and the role it will play in his Manifestation. In his earliest trip to the US in 1931, Baba remarked that America was useful to him because of its energy, and that although that energy was largely misdirected, he would redirect it with great spiritual result. Meher Baba even said that “America will lead the world spiritually”.

At present, we can only guess as to what this might mean. It is extremely likely that what is  implied is that America will lead the world in going Green- except that this is not now the case. What will it take for the US to go Green, and lead the world in going Green? My best guess is that the only way for America to go Green- that is to abdicate fossil fuel and the “Machine Age”, is complete political and economic meltdown. In this light, King Baby Trump is a divine agent of ironic progress. He represents the symbolic end of American economic and political prowess- the imminent end of the American Empire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meher Baba visited Avatar’s Abode from June 3rd to June 6th, 1958. The property had been recently acquired by Francis Brabazon and under his direction was readied for Baba’s visit.

“The Anniversary”, or “Anno” for short, commemorates with talks, song, dance, theatrical programs and film this visit of the Ancient One to the ancient continent of Australia. It is a singular sahavas.

Francis and the large team of workers who helped prepare the Abode for Baba’s visit worked at such breakneck speed to be ready for him that they neglected to prepare entertainment. This resulted in a lasting and concerted effort by Francis to emphasize the importance of entertaining the Beloved.

This anniversary lasted a week instead of the usual four days and was an extraordinary love fest of poetry, song, dance, theatre, art, film and talks. The poetic work of Francis was central to the programming.

Celebrants came from all over the world and from all over Australia.

One of the extraordinary aspects of the Anniversary is the inclusion of children. Australia is very family oriented and makes a remarkable effort to mentor children in the praise of the Beloved. This results in an exceptional pool of talent in the young Australians who are committed to the Abode’s remarkable legacy as represented in Francis’ work.

The roster of musical, theatrical and creative  talent was amazing: Raine Eastman-Gannett, Jim Meyer, Debbie Nordeen and the choir she rehearsed and conducted, the Wine Shop Singers, Bobbi Bernstein, Jim Frisino, Jacob Horsey, Ward Parks, Kris Hynes, Susan “Kazoo” Jamison, Angela Newcomb and her husband OJ and their daughter Amelie, Elischia Swan and Friends, Lady Longdrop (Kendra Keller), Jenny and Ross Keating, Merwan Stevens, Roshu Kaningri, Meherveena, Mehershoba, Meherpriya, Mihir Masterchief, Swaroop, Manjushra, Susan and Darrel Smith, Sage Andreasan, Lorraine Woods, Jeda Palmer, Eve Plant and others (I will pay for forgetting to remember everyone.)

The speakers were amazing: Peter Nordeen, a recently emerged metaphysical and historical speaker in the Baba community, Shridhar Kelkar, Bernard Bruford, Bill LePage, Geoff Gunther, Ray Kerkhove, Charmaine Foley, Cynthia Borg, Noel Adams and the amazing and unexpected appearance of Professor Meherwan Ali who vastly expanded the scope of the program’s agenda with reference to the paleontological context (dinosaurs used to roam the Abode).

The only dissonant note was the film provided by Sufism Reoriented which was prefaced by an address written by murshida Carrol Conner. The film was of a play that depicted the arrival of Francis in San Francisco to meet Rabia Martin, the murshida of Hazrat Inayat Khan’s Sufi lineage. The play was poorly scripted and directed. The only remarkable acting was that which portrayed Ivy Duce. The play was cast into the form of a Broadway musical for reasons unknown. Francis came across as a bumbling fool. But the worst part was the address by Carrol Conner which pathetically suggested that the reason why Sufism Reoriented did not take root in Australia was because of “a lack of sufficient resources”. This is a complete and unforgivable falsification of the facts. The leadership of SR has gone senile in its appreciation of Baba’s work with Francis in Australia. (Baba completely and irrevocably divorced Francis’ work in Australia from any relationship to sufism or Sufism Reoriented).

A special edition of “In Dust I Sing” by Francis was released during the Anno; This remarkable book of English language ghazals has long been unavailable but is now back in print with a very attractive cover painting by John Parry.

The food was excellent. The pandal protected us from the willy-willy (Australian tornado) that arrived with sudden force. By Baba’s grace it stood tall and strong. The work to put on such an event was considerable and those who made it possible are the unsung heroes of this occasion. This includes the various planning committees, the set up and take down, the chauffeuring of guests, the staging of  events, the cooking and clean up, the child care and so on.

Avatar’s Abode will always represent the ideal of honoring and entertaining the Beloved as the expression of family and community effort.