Radhe Radhe ! My dear sakhi Sadanandi mataji has sent us a letter written by H.H. Shachinandan Swami to his old school friend – this poem is SO inspiring that it can lift any person from the throes of hopelessness and place him in the light of hte Supreme Being. What i have admired most in Shachinandan Maharaj  touching is his abtruth ility to admit truth – orecise the reason why this poem touches the heart.

Dear L.,
it’s evening and
the air is warm, blended with exotic odors
and temple bells.
In the trees monkeys and peacocks
rustle, preparing for night.
You ask where I’m writing from.
I’m on the most amazing journey you can imagine –
the greatest human adventure, demanding my best and more.

My maps are five thousand years old books
and my hope
as old as the soul itself.

I seek the one with the thousands of names.
People I meet tell me my aspirations are unreasonable,
naïve, even arrogant. I must admit
sometimes I think they’re right
and I cry in desperation as I fall
asleep.
Will I ever reach my destination?

Frankly, I have no proof – certainly
no guarantees – but strangely,
enthusiasm and faith stay on like friends
even though I’ve never heard His voice –
at least not in a way I could make a recording of.
Still, whenever I call His name He seems right there.
When I make an offering to Him He reciprocates
by infusing me with a feeling of deep satisfaction.
And whenever I remember Him, I am instantly free
from anxiety.

Although I’ve never really seen Him
He feels just a prayer away. And
in rare moments I have to hide my face
since feelings I have never felt before
flood my eyes with tears.
Have I gone mad?
(I wish I would!)

Why am I writing all this to you?
Because I want you to wish me well.
Forgive me if I’ve ever hurt you.
Absolve me of my debts if you can.
And think of me now as living on the other side
of life because I have reached a point
of no return. The voyage has taken hold of me.