Babaji - The Unfathomable. Gertraud Reichel

ran ahead. and Babaji called to a boy to bring it back. When the dog was returned. Babaji was crossing one of the planks that span the water. and suddenly the dog was thrown upstream. It paddled back to the plank and somehow managed awkwardly to pull itself up with its front paws. Babaji, now ahead on the path and without looking around, continued to imitate its every movement, shaking himself as the dog shook the water off. This was no longer just entertainment. It was as if Babaji had identified and merged with the dog and was sharing the dog's discomfort. My mind went back to the infant's school, and the time I played with letters D O G and made G O D. So Babaji was in the dog; and then I realized that Babaji was already in me when He passed me on the steps, for what He had shown me was something I needed to see, Babaji in everything.

      Next day I had my hair cut - all of it. Someone said to my wife: "Have you seen your husband this morning? He has had his head shaved and he is smiling!"

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      Through an acquaintance I got hold of the Fischer pocketbook "Botschaft vom Himalaya". I looked upon it as divine guidance to be properly put to use.

      For decades I had searched for a path to bring me closer to God and the information contained in this book might well have been my saving grace. It soon even became possible for me to travel to India.

      Many people had warned me against undertaking such a journey at the age of seventy and with difficulty in walking as well. The trek to the ashram was hazardous and no physical comforts were available there. Nevertheless, I wouldn't be deterred and anyhow, an easy path didn't fit my expectation of achieving the high goal of meeting Babaji.

      Indeed, the journey turned out to be demanding and exhausting, though I was fortunate to be able to ride on horseback for the most difficult stretch up river. At last I saw the 108 stairs leading to the main ashram. How was I supposed to get up there?

      Before attempting the climb, I bathed in the Gautama River and rested on the stony riverside. Then I set off, taking it slowly, and leaning heavily on my stick. I had barely managed a few steps before I needed to pause and rest ... and again ... and then again. So the climb continued on.

      While resting on one of the steps, I took a look down over the valley and saw how the river flowed in various streams, meandering about the beautiful mountains. I inhaled the clear air and took in the quiet and the peace. It was then I thought I heard a noise somewhere behind me. I turned round and saw someone running lightly down the stairs ... it must be Babaji!

      Straightening myself up and thrusting the stick forward, I managed to move up two steps and prostrated myself at His Feet. I felt His hands on my head and a wave of energy, of an intensity I had never felt before, tingled through my entire body. What rapture! Taking hold of my arm, Babaji pulled me up and passed a mala from around His neck to mine. Never will I forget His shining eyes, oceans of love, disclosing His Being to me.

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      The yearning to meet a great Master has been awakened in me, both from reading a variety of literature and through meditation. Two high beings were of special interest to me - Babaji and Sai Baba. Sai Baba was known to openly perform miracles. I had read about both of them, but which one should I seek out?

      Then I learnt that there was a Babaji ashram nearby (in Germany), so I paid a visit and heard many stories from people who had often made pilgrimages to Haidakhan.

      Happy, but still in somewhat of a dilemma, I returned home. So where should I go? To Babaji or Sai Baba, whose miracles still fascinated me?

      The following night. Babaji put an end to the dilemma. I dreamt I was in Haidakhan. Babaji was waiting for me, His arms stretched out to receive me. Astonishingly, He had hair like Sai Baba. He embraced me. So much love. I felt profoundly happy to be "home". I was with my Father.

      When I awoke, I was peaceful. I knew now who my Master was. This dream was evidence that Babaji, too, worked miracles.

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      One day I experienced Babaji full of mirth and frolic. As I bowed down before Him, He clapped a plastic bag over my head, bent over and exclaimed twice into my ear: "Buh ... buh", then leaned back and shook with laugher.

      I remembered that "buh" was a Sanskrit word meaning "earth". It occurred to me that Babaji was referring to being caught up solely in the perspective of the material plane - the earth. He was reminding me of His point of view, where the earth was merely an amusing theatre, the one we take so seriously.

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      During my first visit to Haidakhan I took special delight in watching Baba, escorted by a small band of devotees, going down to the river to bathe. Each evening I would proceed to a vantage point -- a bench in the upper ashram area -- and eagerly await the scene to be enacted. From this position I overlooked the whole valley stretching across to the other side where the nine temples basked in the glow of sunset and in front of them flowed the far-reaching streams of the Gautama Ganga River.

      As the sun was setting, the small party appeared descending the stairs and moving towards the river. Babaji was holding His long staff. This picturesque sight of the little group passing over the stones, clad in bright and colourful robes, each time evoked the vision: "There goes Christ with His young ones".

      In my childhood I had seen just such a picture in a religious book and now it was coming alive before my eyes.

      One day at darshan a devotee presented Babaji with some photographs. Full of love, He looked at them one by one and then gave them away as gifts. To my great joy, I received one too. It happened to be a photo of Babaji with a small group of devotees, moving across the valley in the glow of sunset. Precisely the scene I so loved.

      With the joy came also deep shock. "How is this possible? Who is he?" I asked myself for the first time at this level. because the power of His omniscience hit me more deeply than ever.

      As time went on. this realisation taught me that Babaji embodies absolute omniscience and love and through Him, we will come to know divine love and unity with God.

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      "Love me more and more -- as I love you beyond all bounds, as I have always loved you and will always love you. Never doubt my love, not even when I send you challenges and tests. both inside you and in the outside world because everything is for your highest good and for your inner growth.

      Always, whenever you call me inwardly, I am already there with open arms and am waiting for you to draw you into my heart. Be always ready for anything and my blessing will have no end ... "

      There was something I wanted to say to Babaji, but whatever English I had learnt at school, I had by now forgotten. So I held the thought in my mind and fixed my gaze on Him.

      Raising His head, He looked at me with luminous eyes and made a gesture with His hand. I understood His answer. There have been times when, with a gentle smile, Babaji has spoken the odd German word.

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      Countless gifts have been offered to Babaji. Some He gave away more or less immediately, others he kept for a longer period of time. Perhaps it had to do with the motivation or devotion which lay behind the offering.

      Once I put considerable effort into making a rug and sent it off with my daughter to India. We thought this rug must have gone the way of most of the gifts because it wasn't seen again.

      Two years later, on a visit to Babaji's Chilianaula ashram (situated higher in the Himalayan range), I was watching an asana (seat) being prepared for Babaji. I could hardly believe my eyes. There, lying on the top, was the little rug. I was overjoyed.

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      While we were singing the evening Aarati, I noticed Babaji's eyes were concentrated on something outside in the darkness. I followed His line of vision but couldn't at first discern anything. Soon though, on the roof of the building housing the kitchen, a dog's head became visible. Yes, now more of its body appeared and it wasn't long before the old dog was sauntering down some stairs, sprinting past the temple and trampling over the seated people till it. came to a halt at Babaji's seat. The dog gazed up at Babaji. who ran His fingers through