Two years of Blogging; a letter from the author

Hello, dear readers!

This is a personal letter of gratitude and celebration.

Last month (February), we celebrated the Shanti Universe blog's second birthday. For the author, this marks two years of blogging! 

The intention is to share what is happening behind the scenes and to share some personal reflections.

For this article, the 'me' and 'my' and 'I' will appear. But, I promise that it will be gone again before the next article, and will hopefully only surface again next year this time.  ;) 

Looking back

So, what's new?

Since my previous letter in 2021, quite a bit has changed. Shortly after publishing last year's letter, I started to work for the Global Tree Initiative. I'm still working for this project, and it has been keeping me very busy.

There is a lot of inspiration for writing new content, but the time to sit down and write has been limited.

I am still delivering newspapers on weekends, and I still do tattooing now and then, when the opportunity arises. 

Reflecting on the articles of a year ago, I sense a small development in my writing ability. It seems like articles are expressed with a tiny bit more clarity. What deepened, is my experience and understanding of the matters written about.

Now, writing requires less thinking than before. The words flow more spontaneously, naturally. I hope this is reflected in the content.

An expression of gratitude

I want to thank the person who is truly behind this blog. I want to acknowledge and thank my wife, Pia.
(And if the writing is terrible, she is also the one to blame, haha!)

Let me explain.

Meeting my wife a few years ago, was the biggest pivot point in my life. Not long after meeting her, I had to leave India and go back to South Africa. We started a long, tedious, and exhausting process of administration, in order to get married. This took more than one year to finalize.

Being separated by distance for more than a year had a tremendous impact on me.

In this period of being in South Africa, everything I did, everything I planned, all my thoughts, emotions, energy, was flowing towards one goal only: To be reunited with Pia.

With my whole head and heart focused solely on one object, all my other 'distractions' slowly dissolved. My attachments to other objects faded, my desires faded. I lost interest in many things.

I invested more effort in developing myself, spiritually and emotionally. I tried to practice being more mindful, being more present, more peaceful, more patient. I wanted to be the best version of myself possible, for the sake of Pia. It was all about Pia.

Union and Divine Union

Finally, everything fell into place and I flew out of South Africa to get married. We married two weeks after my arrival in Europe. Finally being with Pia, all my wishes were fulfilled. My yearning ceased.

A few days after our marriage, I sat down for my usual morning meditation and spiritual 'practice'. However, this morning was different. Somehow, even my attachment to my spiritual practice faded. Instead of repeating my usual set of mantras, prayers, and visualizations, I just sat there. 

Being united with Pia, the mind had nothing to grasp at, nothing to want or to be concerned about. I simply sat there, in silence.

In the absence of thoughts, not even the 'I thought' operating, I became aware of Awareness Itself. Or rather, Awareness became aware of Itself.

My True Nature, which has always been right here and now, just veiled by all the thoughts and concepts, was revealed. I realized that all along, I have been the Clear Light that illuminates the mind. I am always Pure Consciousness. This most obvious Truth was merely being 'overlooked'!

I laughed out loud, recalling all the previous efforts invested into realizing what is already right Here and Now. Then, I cried with relief, joy, and gratitude. 

True Bhakti

The power of Love is incredible.

Looking back, I realize that Pia became my object of devotion. She was the center point of my Bhakti practice. She became my Guru. 

All along, I was not even aware of it.
It seems like the saying is true: Love is blind.

See, my ideas of being united with her got replaced with the actual experience of being united with her. Accordingly, the ideas I had about my True Nature got replaced with the actual recognition and experience of being my True Nature.

So, the Fruits of Devotion and the Beauty of Love is the motivation behind this blog. My life changed, as I became very passionate about Peace and Happiness. This passion keeps growing in my heart.

Accordingly, my perception completely changed, about everything. 

Thank you

Besides thanking Pia, (who ironically does not read the blog!) but gives me the time and space to write, I am thanking my friends, family, and everyone else who helped me to unite with Pia. 

A big expression of gratitude and appreciation to the kind, wise teachers, who continuously guide and help us.

Lastly, I express gratitude towards the readers and my friends who inspire me to write. Many of the articles are based on discussions we have, as I am asked to share my thoughts on certain topics and situations. I don't know much, but I am happy to share the tiny bit that I learned from experience and understood from my teachers.

Thank you for being part of this beautiful journey, as we learn and grow, together.

I am reminded of the words of Ram Dass, "We are all just walking each other home."

Enjoying and appreciating the open, stillness of nature. A memory from July 2021 in France.

Related articles on this blog:

What is love? - 28 December 2021

The pathless path, part 2 - 19 September 2021

One year of blogging, a letter from the author - 25 February 2021