Away from the Discords of Earth

I wish I could really describe him to you or tell you of my impressions. But did you ever try to describe a beautiful sunset? There is a sort of spiritual radiance which no words can describe, but which gives one a feeling of deep peace, as if the discords of earth were no longer possible in his presence.
_{With the Great Master in India}

The coolness of the shade can be appreciated best after one has been standing under the scorching sun, just as the comfort of an embrace is best appreciated after one has experienced dejection or a heartbreak.

For those who realize that behind the glamour and glitter of the world there is impending disillusionment, suffering and uncertainty, there is no greater blessing than being in the safe haven of the Master’s presence. The equanimity, inner calmness and sense of detachment from the world that he radiates, envelops us and helps us to rise above our own insecurities.

Our Master, however, cannot always be with us physically. This is why he constantly urges us to turn within to the deepest core of our being, to that safe haven within. Hazrat Inayat Khan says:

To attain peace, what one has to do is to seek that rhythm which is in the depth of our being. It is just like the sea: the surface of the sea is ever-moving; the depth of the sea is still. And so it is with our life. If our life is thrown into the sea of activity, it is on the surface; we still live in the profound depths, in that peace.
_{The Sufi Message, Vol. I}

The influence that the world has on us is directly proportional to the attention we give it, therefore if we want to minimize the impact of life’s difficulties, then all we need to do is withdraw our attention and bring it back to its source. The mystics tell us that once we withdraw that attention away from the world and focus it at the eye centre, we will be able to return to the profound and peaceful depths of our being. We discover a different world therein, but one that is surely more familiar to us; with the nostalgic sound and reassuring brilliance of our true home.

Once you get to my Radiant Form, then I will never be able to go away from you: I will always be with you.
_{Maharaj Charan Singh, Spiritual Perspectives, Vol. III}

The Master knows that as we pay off our karmic debts in this life we will surely need an anchor or a strong support to help us withstand the difficulties we will face. This is why he constantly nudges us to move towards our inner sanctuary; towards the Shabd within. We are too weak, we are lacking time, and we desperately need that support – thus we must give meditation top priority.

When we feel lacking in motivation to meditate, when we feel caught in a monotonous routine of dragging the attention back to the eye centre, we can try to remind ourselves of that feeling of solace and respite that we experience when we are with our Master. Because all we ever need to do is to bring our attention and focus to the eye centre.

With practice, we will be able to hold the attention and still the mind. Instinctively, we will know that Master is there; right behind the veil, and even though we may not see him or hear him, we will be able to feel his presence. Because the truth is that he never leaves us, he is always there waiting for us – away from the discords of the earth.

A sister once asked Hazur: “What can we do to keep the wonderful atmosphere there is now when you are here, when you are not here?”

Hazur answered: “Sister, don’t send me away. Keep me here! Are you sure that I am not here when I am not here? If we can just believe and understand that we are never alone, that our Master is always with us, we are never without him, then the atmosphere would always be the same.”

Our Master is within us and he remains within us. He watches us, he guides us, and he takes us back to the Lord. So the initiate should never feel that his Master has left the physical form. The Master never leaves a disciple.
_{Maharaj Charan Singh, Spiritual Perspectives, Vol. III}