Spiritual Mentor Meena Om who was also born on October 2nd talks to Satsangh about how she grew up in Sabarmati Ashram under the fond tutelage of Gandhiji and how his values have influenced her life…
Meena Didi, You grew up in Sabarmati Ashram. Not only that, you also share the same Janamdin or birthday with Gandhiji.
[Laughing] I have made my Janamdin into Pranam Foundation Day. Pranam is a movement like Gandhiji’s movement. Gandhiji liberated the country. Now, we must liberate the soul. This is where Pranam plays a role.
Gandhiji sacrificed his whole life for the liberation of the country, but now our country is facing innumerable problems…
Yes, there is so much ignorance, but to have the right understanding of this, we must be very conscious, aware and awake. The moment we are aware and rooted in truth, love, karm and light, all our problems will get solved. But, today people are dealing only with problems…corruption hatao, garibi hatao…Kitna hata sakoge? [Remove corruption, remove poverty…How much can you eradicate?] So many people are working day and night to remove these problems, but they are all dealing only with the symptoms without eliminating the root cause.
How did your association with Gandhiji begin?
I was in Gandhiji’s Ashram. I lived with him as a child till I was about 6 or 7…my childhood was spent in his lap. Then I lived with his disciple Mira Ben who had an Ashram at Rishikesh. My father was the manager there. I was totally into that atmosphere, that simplicity, the use of charkha and listening to Mira Ben’s talks. So, I have imbibed all this from a very young age.
Meena Didi, were you also there when Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated?
Yes, I remember my father coming to the Ashram and telling Mira Ben, “Ben, Bapuji has been shot…” I still recall the tone of his voice. But when she heard this, Mira Ben was so peaceful and quiet…She just went into the room and started spinning the charkha as though nothing had happened. I was just 6 or 7 at that time…so, with the liberty of a child I went in and touched her face…but there were no tears. And I was very surprised because I thought that death meant tears. She looked at me and said, “Mannu, when somebody dies, we should not weep. Instead, we should complete the task that they began.” This was like a baptism to me. It was a revelation. It made me understand that when a great person dies, we should take up the torch and pass it forward. It is this that matters most… crying, conducting meetings or seminars doesn’t really help…
Did Gandhiji’s ideals have any impact on the intention with which you began the Pranam Movement?
The simplicity that I got from him is always with me influencing everything I do. The Pranam movement is based on four pillars – truth, love, karm and light. Truth is the gist of all religions. No religion can negate it.
Then we come to love. In Pranam, we say love all – not just people or living beings, but non-living things also. Love both matter and being. Love your book, your little pencil, love everything that you touch and see. Then you leave your feeling of love on it and every person who touches it will get those vibrations of love. When you touch people with love, after a while their mind intrudes and that love vanishes. Since objects have no mind or ego, they retain love for a much longer time. That is why, when we visit the Samadhi of a realised soul, we experience so much love and peace. Every particle is charged with these vibrations. So, we must touch everything, whether they are trees, plants or objects, with a feeling of great love, care and tenderness. This begets grace. You can get or buy anything in this world, but you cannot force grace. It has to descend on its own.
The third pillar is karm. We don’t have an appropriate English word for this. It means our conscious duty towards our body, mind, soul, society and all the people around us. This duty must be performed with our entire being without any feeling of doer-ship. Then we foster both our own growth and the growth of the people around us. Allow your conscience to speak and follow it without question. Karm is your Dharm. It begins with you and goes on expanding – your family, society, country, world and universe…
Then comes light, the fourth pillar. Gandhiji, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, Swami Dayananda Saraswati – all of them said, “Cut out all hypocrisy and fill yourself with light so that nothing that is imperfect, nothing that propels you into darkness seeps into your system. We have evolved so much to become human. Now we should just head towards being a true human being. We must become completely whole by integrating all the compartments in our lives. We should be very pure.
When we base our lives on these four pillars, what happens to us?
Well, let me tell you what happened to me. These four pillars became strongly established in my being and I became nothing…just a hollow bundle. So, whenever the call comes, I begin writing. I don’t know what I’m writing because I’m in a trance. Messages come and I just put them down in words.
What made you zoom in on these four principles?
I have taken one principle or quality from each Yug or epoch. First came the Satya Yug where truth was resplendent. Then in the Treta Yug, Lord Ram brought us compassion and love. In the Dwapar Yug Krishna established the importance of karm – working with detachment. In Kali Yug everybody has to realise light by removing all traces of darkness, falsehood and manipulation. When the sun rays or moon beams come down, they never calculate whether somebody is rich or intelligent. They encompass everything equally and evenly. How much light it can absorb depends solely on the receptivity of each object. All of us get as much as we deserve. This is the quality of life. So, I feel that in the Kali Yug we have to take these four principles as a religion.
How do you implement Gandhiji’s guidelines in your life?
Gandhiji asks us to focus on reality so that we have more time to contemplate on life. How do we accomplish this? We begin with simplicity. If we are saral, we are also sahaj and swabhavik. If we are simple, we become natural, effortless and spontaneous. What does it mean to be simple? It means that we must reduce our needs – cut away all the frills. After all, how much do we really need? We can eat just a little and wear a few clothes. When we simplify our life by realising this, we get a lot of time to do more important things.
That is why Gandhiji could live for his country – his mind was always in dhyan. So, he would get messages from inside which clearly showed him what step to take next and how to take the country forward. He never had a Guru. His inner voice was his sole guide.
This taught me that if we don’t use the mind too much, we retain our purity and clarity. Then the mind is like a clean slate and the Supreme scribbles its messages on it. This is the secret. For this we have to clean our slate first by becoming simple, clear and pure. Bapuji would save even a pin or a small piece of paper saying, “This could be useful sometime.” So, we must be aware and use everything that is provided to us by the Almighty in a way that will fetch us the maximum benefit.
To Bapuji, nothing was too little to be important. He gave everything the same amount of attention. He would bandage the wound of the goat with great love and care and discuss the issues of the country at the same time! [Laughing] This was his power…he was always totally connected to the thing he was thinking.
Another tradition in Pranam that is in conformity with Gandhiji’s thinking is that we try to use only hand woven clothes. When we give an artisan this work, he or she has the feeling, “My next meal is taken care of…” So, this hope and confidence is also woven into the cloth…Through this we are encouraging our artisans…This may not create a revolution, but it is certainly worthwhile.
Meena Om, the founder of Pranam Movement who is inspiring thousands, continues her sharing about how Gandhiji moulded her values. She also defines the milestones to personal and global change…
Meena Didi, having spent your childhood with Gandhiji, what do you feel was his method of bringing about transformation in people?
Ah, that is exactly what I wanted to tell you. Bapuji would never thrust anything upon others. Vo apne aap karte the. He would first begin any change with himself. He never forced anyone to do what he wanted – whether it was spinning, wearing khaddar or the pursuit of truth. He would become the example that would inspire others to follow in his wake. By example we learn more. When we verbally compel others to follow our principles, it is never that effective.
Then there is also another angle to this. What is our attitude when we compel others? When we do this, it means that we are in a hurry. We have to play our role, but we have to play it with peace, grace, sweetness and immense tranquillity. We should never do it in haste. We should keep working on ourselves, be an example and continue to mingle with others. Otherwise, it is like trying to force a bud open…it cannot be done. If the full beauty of the flower has to be brought out, it should be given enough time to blossom.
What can we do to catalyse a change in society?
All of us have plenty of knowledge…we have listened and read a lot. To know is very good. To live according to the principles we believe in is even better, but to become one with the principle itself is the best. So, any change must begin with each one of us. That is why we have the saying, ‘Charity begins at home.’ If we bring up our children so that they imbibe our rich heritage and culture as Gandhiji or so many great souls have shown us, then all the problems like political tangles, corruption and excessive commercialisation will subside on their own. As I said earlier, these are only symptoms. The source or cause of all these symptoms is the human being. When the human being changes, everything else will change.
How long do you think such a change will take?
I am very positive and hopeful that it is just round the corner. It will happen within the next two years. I am saying this so confidently because Nature is now going to help, support and assist those who are working sincerely for self-transformation. Nature will propel them on this journey towards their true, pure and natural form. Referring to Nature, I say, ‘Vo sabki Amma hai, sab ko sabak sikha rahi hai.’ She is our Mother, she will teach and nurture us.
So, we should not bother about what others are doing. We should just begin to work on ourselves because those who do this are charged with divine energy. They will be assisted in their work, enhancement and improvement. And the beauty of it is that Nature will take care of even those who are not working on self-improvement. So, we don’t have to worry about them. We just have to be responsible for ourselves. That is why Rabindranath Tagore so beautifully says in his song, ‘Ekla chalo, Ekla chalo, Ekla chalo Re…’ What does it matter what others are doing? If you care passionately about something, you should have the courage to stand alone and do it whether you get help or support from others or not.
This is what Gandhiji did…and then thousands joined his cause. This is what I am also doing. I don’t have an Ashram or pedestal. I don’t really have anything. People come and meet me in the room where I live. I say what I think and do what I say. Then, life becomes so simple because aapko kucch calculation nahin karna hai [Laughing].
How do we begin our sharing?
We should not spend unnecessarily. Yes, we should have enough to satisfy our needs and maybe some luxury also, but we have to draw the line somewhere. You may ask me, if I have to limit my wants and drop selfishness, why should I earn large amounts? Keep something for yourself – whatever you think is necessary – and use the rest to help humanity. It is not a question of earning more or less. It is your capacity – you are capable of earning that much, but definitely draw a line somewhere. This much is for me and the rest I will use for the welfare of the world. Whatever you have, share it with others. If you have more monetary assets, then share that. If you have good writing skills, take a pen and write things that will help others to grow. However, be aware that if you use this skill to manipulate the truth, then your writing will never become the instrument of light…All of us are endowed with some beautiful individuality. When we don’t know what that is, we feel a little restless.
Meena Didi, you said that there are four milestones to transformation.
Yes. Human, humanity, nature and one Supreme. First we have to be human and then we have to work for humanity. Next we learn from nature and become aware of the one Supreme guiding all of us and making us work. It is this force that made you contact me and is now making you talk to me. It is all divine design – a most perfect synchronicity. We just have to be open and remain true human beings. Then the divine design will take care of everything. Humanity should be our religion. We should feel that global oneness and remain aware of the Supreme glowing and towering above us. So, human, humanity, nature and the Supreme – to me this is the shortest and straightest chain.
In this chain, how is knowledge passed on from one to the other?
We are all co-travellers on this path of truth, love and light. We learn from each other. When we set out to propagate somebody’s wisdom without first transforming ourselves, we have not yet expanded enough to hold and transmit their teachings. Then, we end up conducting workshops and seminars which don’t really trigger transformation in anybody. So, we shrink their greatness and just create a small Gandhi or a small Vivekenanda…or anybody else. Our very purpose is completely defeated. Continuity is important, but it should be absolutely undiluted and uncontaminated. Water is flowing constantly, but when that person leaves this world, this stream comes to a stop. To maintain true continuity, we should allow it to gush out from us as a pure stream of knowledge. For this, we should first have total purity.
Do you think that there is scope for this kind of connectivity in the Kali Yug?
I just love that aspect of the Kali Yug. Things are happening so fast and there is such wonderful scope for connectivity. It is incredibly easy to communicate. Right now you and I are physically at a great distance from each other, but we are communicating so effortlessly…In the Kali Yug everything will happen at a rapid pace and our very vibrations will do the work.
Meena Didi, what would be your way of maintaining the continuity of your knowledge?
In Pranam, we create an atmosphere where people experience a spiritual bonding with each other. In fact, we feel so free and comfortable that none of us ever remember we are not physically related.
I am training one person now. If one person is completely transformed then he or she can transform the whole world. One Bala Mardana was enough to spread the wisdom of Guru Nanak. We can understand this very well if we take the example of cell division. The mother cell gives rise to the daughter cell. As both of them continue to do the same work, it becomes impossible for us to differentiate between them. They look so alike. In the same manner, first create one, then two, then four…then they will spread all over the place. One earthworm becomes a hundred earthworms. One fish becomes a hundred fishes. It is always a challenge for the very first one in the species to evolve…but once that one is there, it multiplies into hundreds in no time.
Did you have a Guru, Meena Didi?
Every moment is my Guru. From the ant to the elephant, every creature is my Guru. Each evolved soul is my Guru. Ram, Krishna, Kabir, Nanak, Meera – all of them are my Gurus. The vegetable vendor is my Guru. An enlightening word can come from anyone’s lips. Everybody comes to teach us something. Some people teach us what we should do and others teach us what we should not do. But my biggest Guru is Nature. I learn from the bee, I learn from the butterfly…My inner consciousness is also my Guru. If you are asking me whether there is some Mahayogi who exclusively occupies the place of a Guru in my life – the answer is no. Guru mein bhi nahin hun. I am also not a Guru. As I said earlier, I am a co-traveller…I am simply playing my role…a part in the global evolution that is going to take place very soon.
Many years ago, I would take a few Kabir’s dohas and do dhyan on them. I would contemplate upon questions like – what was Sant Kabir’s personality like? Why has he written this way?…Basically I would always be wrapped up in such thoughts…I think life is the best university, nature is the best teacher and the Supreme is the best guide. [Laughing] So, I would counter your question by asking, who is not my Guru?
Do you have any special message for our Satsanghis, the seekers who draw inspiration from our website?
Yes, I would say, “Follow your inner consciousness. Follow your conscience and act according to that. Don’t be a party to anything that is false or hypocritical. Follow the principles of truth, love, karm and light. These are the four principles about which there can be no religious controversy. We have all come from the same source. These four principles help us to realise this. Then we create our own path, make our own decision and merge into our own consciousness.
This is awakening. This is how we live every moment in perfection. Today, we have stopped listening to our conscience and try to figure out everything through the mind. Now we have to re-ignite our conscience. Whenever we implement what our conscience says, it turns out right. The more we heed our conscience, the stronger it becomes. So, there are two ways in which we can learn – by following our inner voice or through the hardships we face in life. Hardships also make us grow.
Do you think that the Satya Yug is going to begin soon?
Everybody talks about the return of the Satya Yug. When will the Satya Yug come? It will come only when we follow our conscience unflinchingly. We should discard everything that is detrimental to our growth. Analyse what we should leave behind, rather than what we should take along with us. We should listen to all the evolved souls. They have already written everything there is to be written. Where is the need to read or write anything more? We just have to follow their guidance. Finally only two things decide how fast we grow and usher in global transformation – our eagerness to change and our willingness to be a part of the evolution which is coming soon.
Meena Didi, Satsangh offers its gratitude to you for sharing this wonderful wisdom with us.
It is easy for me to share because I keep my focus on God all the time and tell him, “If I deviate from the truth anywhere, then correct me and bring me back at once.” [Laughing] I never talk for the sake of pleasing anybody. Truth expands and spreads on its own. It needs no propaganda. I have been conversing with the Supreme till now, and I offer my gratitude to you for being the witness. I offer everything to the Supreme. May you be in bliss and peace always. All love and light to you, to experience universal oneness.
