The first iGuruji session of 2011 was a wintry cold yet sunny morning at Antar-Manasa. Sipping hot tea under the blue skies while waiting for Guruji’s arrival was in itself a very beautiful experience. While a pet cat purred around us one could only wonder how many Astral visitors were assembling for the session. Probably envying our hot cup of chai.

Even before the Q&A started Shyamala Ma’am had kept the microphone in her hand, ready like an opening batsman. “Guruji, a few months ago, you gave us a technique to receive Prana directly from the Sun, we have been practising regularly. Some days ago I missed out for about a week. Would this have affected my progress?”

Guruji: “No, it is fine. Here I would like to mention that whenever I give a technique, I expect a feedback after thorough practice. Very rarely do I receive a report.”

In response to a question about whether this technique can be practised anytime, Guruji explained, “You can practise this anytime except for the Nisheet Kala, which is from 1am to 3:36am. Sun’s Prana is all pervasive even when the Sun is not visible.”

Guruji had later recommended that it is better we avoid the entire night time period. This is to avoid attracting the attention of any non-positive force.

Mr. Puranik, a very senior Sadhak asked, “What is the difference between the energies received from the Rishis and that received from the Sun?

All Prana comes from the Sun. This was known to us earlier, what was new in the answer was that while each Rishi receives the energy from the Cosmos, from God, from the Universe and passes on, he will add something from himself which is very special to him. Love being just one factor.

“Guruji, you spoke about Nisheeta Kala. Please throw some more light on it because I read somewhere that during Shivaratri, Shiva Pooja has to been done in that particular period.”

Guruji: “You see, in 24 hours certain hours are allotted to the dark forces. They can be active in this period called Nisheeta Kala. If we do something important, let us say, deep contemplation or we take an important decision, they may influence that decision. However on Holy days there will be no Nisheetha Kala; their influence will not work.

Mr. Karthik N. a longtime student who rarely asks questions took his turn, “Continuing the question about energies, we know that there are different kinds and frequencies of energies; some subtle others gross. Is there some process of conversion between subtler to grosser energies, and while conversion is there any loss?”

Guruji: “I have consistently said that energies have Intelligence. If you receive an energy which is subtle and if it has to become gross then it will decide and help you. There are losses which we are not aware of.”

Mr. Brajbandhu Mishra: Guruji, between 1 am to 3:36 am, should we avoid all Spiritual practices?

Guruji: "Because you stay in Taponagara you can practise your Stage Meditation. Don’t try to contact anyone outside the Manasi Field. But only Meditation, nothing else, not even Pranayama. Prana comes from Sun. You see, anything that comes from outside, can be interfered and corrupted. There are dark people. They can track down easily and send their own energies. That’s why it is very risky. But Meditation is mainly silencing; it involves your own system so there is no harm.”

“Should we avoid practices like Shambala Principles as well?”

“Let us avoid, I suggest” Guruji confirmed.

Mr. Ravi G H, who rarely joins the iGuruji sessions, continued the question on Nisheet Kala, “During this time, if one Astral travels unconsciously, will there be any harm to the silver cord?”

Guruji assured, “The people under the Rishis will not be allowed to separate themselves from the physical body and travel Astrally. This is taken care of. So consciously or unconsciously, you cannot travel Astrally.”

Despite any and all dangers we need to remember that Guruji has provided us with energy shields and every time we meditate the shields are further strengthened. Our negative thoughts puncture the shields from within, weakening them. Our deliberate negativity is a bigger cause for trouble than any non-positive force.

The discussion on protection prompted a few questions on shields. Ms. Vidya Virkar asked, “The function of the shield is to protect against negative forces, are there any other benefits?”

“You see, the shield not only protects it consciously filters. When we receive energies it will prevent dark energies from entering and we receive only the right energies. The shield is made of energies. Energies have intelligence. Sometimes the shield guides. In addition to our own intuition, it tells us about right from wrong.”

“Which means Guruji, we get intuitional messages from the shield?”

“Yes, the shield confirms our decisions, it improves on it. Sometimes even when we do not use our intuition, the shield will give us proper advise.”

“Wow, I see. That’s incredible. It does a lot of things, then.”

“Yes, a lot of things. That’s why we have to be aware of the shield and strengthen it every day.”

“Guruji, does it also create a sort of atmosphere around us?”

“Definitely it does. There are many other things as well.”

This reminds me of the discussion we once had with Guruji about portals to different dimensions. Portals have their own intelligence and can deny entry. For those who want to refresh their memory, this has been mentioned in the iGuruji Volume II in the chapter titled – Strewn Wealth. Even strong negative thoughts targeted towards a person which become elementals do not behave like guided missiles; upon reaching the destination the elemental can choose not to impact the person. Elementals have their innate intelligence as well. This has been explained in detail on page 112 of the book New Age Realities.

“Guruji, continuing the question on shields” Ravi G H asked, “we know a technique where we can shield loved ones. I am talking about a new born baby. So, if we do shielding to protect it from negativities and all, will that be interfering the Astral work of a baby?”

“There is a beautiful revelation - that babies are protected by God Himself. We need not do the shielding technique for others, it is very difficult, only the Rishis do it. We just need to shield ourselves.”

Despite the revelations and constant link that Guruji has with the Ascended Masters and God, there are times when answers are not given. Like for example Brajbandhu asked for more information from Guruji about the point he had made about liquid energies in the Sunday Class.

“We do not know anything more about it yet. That status remains.” Guruji replied.

Many times Guruji knows directly using his intuition. At other times he will have knowledge by his direct participation in Astral Projects. There are secret places on earth wherein a lot of information is stored. Guruji has accessed answers from here. He also refers the Akashic Records. However, he chooses not to bring down more data sometimes because the time is not right. In this meeting, someone asked for more information on the twin eclipses, Guruji simply said he did not have any. The Master always knows best.

Ms. Rakhee shared a Meditational experience and sought understanding, “Guruji, when we experience Light during Meditation, we become aware of all the levels. Sometimes we go deep and then go blank. We lose awareness of everything, even the body. What does this mean, Guruji?

“It means that whatever we experience there at the deeper level, we are not supposed to know at this level. It is very important to know” Guruji replied. “Everything that we know at that level, we need not or perhaps should not bring it to this level. That’s why there is blankness. That’s why many times whenever we have experiences, like we meet a Rishi and he gives us a message, we remember only at that time. But when we wake up, we forget. You are not expected to remember that. Blankness is deliberate. It is removed from our conscious mind. It is not a mistake. There is nothing wrong with us or our Meditations.

This goes on to prove further that all is not accessible from our level of existence.

The next question has been one of the most often posed queries to Guruji and that is why it deserves a mention again: We are preparing for 2012 because we are on this Path. What about those who do not know anything about this phenomenon or those on other Paths?

Guruji: “We have been contacting everyone at the Astral level. The preparation is becoming truthful, becoming good. That’s the first stage. It’s not just about practicing the techniques. If one becomes truthful then he is ready to sail through 2012. Such things have been told Astrally by many volunteers, Rishis, Light Workers; and Lord Kalki is in charge of this operation. No one is left out in God’s world. Of course, we are fortunate because at this level we know so many things about 2012. You see at the physical level we have limitations, I can speak to only a few people. But Astrally we can communicate with many at the same time and what is striking it that the degree of reception is more.

“Whatever the affiliation to Spiritual Paths there may be, we do not distinguish between followers of any Path. Every individual is contacted already and their progress is being monitored.”

“So they need not worry about 2012?”

“No” - an emphatic assertion from Guruji, “No one has to worry. It is God who is taking care of everyone. Every Path works in their own way, according to their knowledge. Our focus here is very clear.”

Ms. Soumya spoke next, she looked like a perturbed drop of pure dew. After hearing her question I understood why. “Guruji, we were talking about being truthful and good. Nowadays I have started observing that sometimes we resort to harmless lies. For example, I wanted to meditate but my friends wanted me to attend a get-together. I did not want to tell them about my Meditations because they are not open enough, so I gave an excuse of being busy. I could not tell them the truth, but how else could I have dealt with this kind of a situation?”

Knowing that life is seldom a clear choice between what is right and what works, Guruji has always insisted on us using our intuition and Spiritual maturity. With an all-understanding smile he replied, “It’s a very good question. All of us face such quandaries. Let me tell you, you are not doing anything wrong if you tell a harmless lie. It is not easy for a Guru to say this. But, I know what I am saying. There are many parameters to evaluate honesty, it is not always about blatantly speaking truth; the most important parameter is your intention behind the act. Your intent is not to harm, cheat or exploit others. You wanted to meditate; you had a higher purpose in mind……”

“…thank you Guruji.”

“Now, be happy. Your conscience is clear.”

Here again Guruji is not issuing a license to use harmless lies carelessly. Let us not forget, all students are a part of the Astral network of the Rishis, so everyone is monitored. All acts and the underlying intent will show-up during the monthly Spiritual check-up! The Universe notes everything.

Ms. Mala Suresh, spoke in a very subdued voice, which is very unusual. Her vivacious personality is contagious. “Namaste Guruji. Last month after informal meeting, I went home and after sometime my grandmother passed away. That day I could contact you easily and later I realised that you had given me so much of energies due to which I could manage the events that followed. I have never seen death so closely and I had to tie the body, ready it for final rites. I had to enter the crematorium. I could handle everything without fear. Can I understand that I have grown Spiritually and that is what helped me?”

Guruji: “You can say that; in our own way we all grow. When we understand things more, it’s a growth. You are able to do all these things courageously. Normally people get scared.

“I want every one of you to know this - each one of you, in your own way, is growing. It may not be visible, even to our own self. The very fact that we have assembled here, we have taken pains to come all the way from far off places, this indicates that we are into something very serious. Unless there is growth, you cannot come here. My Guru used to say that the fact a person has come for check-ups indicates that he has made progress. It may not be enough to shift him to the next stage, but there is progress. If there is no progress, people just go away.”

This can be extrapolated to e-guidance students; if you are reading this then there is progress. Strange are the ways in which the Universe works, unbeknown to us our evolution continues.

Mr. Vilas Khedekar, a visiting postal guidance student found himself in a unique position. He was right there in the session which indicated his Spiritual progress but he had not sent his Practise Reports in time. “Namaste Guruji, though I have meditated regularly I haven’t send the Reports…”

“This matter you have to deal with Shyamala Devi directly” Guruji said with a mischievous smile knowing how tough she gets with “Practise Report defaulters”. Many of us could not control our laughter.

“Seriously” he continued, “you have to send Reports in time. If you don’t then there will be something which is not right. That’s why you don’t send. I won’t say it is a failure; it is a very strong word. But there will be something wrong with our practice, something will be lacking in our Sadhana. That’s why we forget to send though it appears unintentional. But even at the conscious level, something holds you back and you can’t send.”

This again can be extrapolated to local students who come in person for check-ups. Connecting the dots of how unconscious acts indicate a deeper reality is another mystery of the Universe.

“I had arranged a meeting of my friend with you Guruji, and though he had travelled to Bangalore, and come here all the way, he kept you waiting and could not meet you. I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to you on that day” Vilas Khedekar said.

Guruji: “Don’t be sorry. One I was waiting for him. Two it is very strange, we were not supposed to meet. So we just could not! He met Jaya at the reception and spoke to her but never mentioned that he had an appointment. He was here for some time and he left. The thing is, it was not the time for us to meet. So, although he came from such a distant place he could not meet me. You see, I always say, we do not meet by accident. There is a design, a destiny. When we have to meet, we just do.

“Ask those who live in Taponagara, I don’t meet them as such. But when it is due somehow they meet me somewhere on the way. At such times I know I am supposed to meet the person. There will be some reason always.

“So do not feel bad, about the cancelled appointment.”

While a much relieved Vilas Khedekar thanked Guruji, I marveled at the workings of the Universe around great Masters like our Guruji. Many have observed, and Guruji has reluctantly accepted, that when he wishes for something it manifests magically.

As if to push me further into my wonderment about the mysterious ways of the Universe, Soumya asked, “Guruji, when I was young, someone had told me that trees, plants and the birds in Tirupati are all great sages who have come in that form to perform Sadhana. Similarly are the animals here in Taponagara some great souls living here to pursue Sadhana?”

Guruji: “You can say that. Let me share this with you, Amara had a big Pooja room and whenever people entered, his pet dog would join as well, it was never prohibited from entering. Whenever they sat for Meditation, it would sit there for a long time, from half an hour to even one hour. Later it would exit with everyone.”

May be the purring cat strolling amidst seated members had triggered this question.

The tone of the discussion completely changed as a student thanked Guruji for healing energies. Ms. Sunita B. R. – “I have been on this Path for three months. For the past two years I have suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis. Now I am completely cured. I am not on medication. I am so happy. I feel so happy when I come here and I just see you.”

Ms. Bhagyavati shared her Meditational experiences, “Guruji, when I meditate, I hear some people talking, though there is no one around. I also see vague pictures. Sometimes even when I am not meditating I hear voices. What is this all about Guruji? Am I meditating incorrectly?”

Guruji: “No. There is nothing wrong. You have become sensitive to people in the Astral level. That’s all, be happy about it.”

“Another strange thing is that when I sit for Meditation, my heart chakra activates at the back and not in the front where it is supposed to be. I wonder why? And as soon as it starts vibrating, I feel some ants crawling around….”

“…..continue with the Meditational practices you are doing. These are all small, let us say, side effects. Ignore them. Continue with the technique you are given. You are doing the right thing. There is nothing wrong.” Guruji assuaged Bhagyavati’s concerns.

The Universe reveals its mysterious ways at its own pace. With each session a new facet becomes visible. The first iGuruji meeting has set the tone for the rest of the year to emulate.