Three times Guru helped me snap out of it

Hello. I’m Niko and I’m in Puerto Rico at the moment, renovating the Centre with other disciples for about a month now. I’m going to tell a nice story. I call this story, “Three times Guru helped me snap out of it.”

Here’s the first time. It was on my very first Christmas Trip in Sicily. For whatever reason, I was having a bad evening. I said, “I’m not going to the evening function. I’m going to go to bed and sleep early.”

For whatever reason, I was just having a hard time. Then I remembered that I was going to be in a play that night. I thought, “I don’t want to just not show up for the boys, because we’ve practiced.” 

Oh God, I was feeling that I wanted the earth to open and swallow me, but I have this play thing I had to go to. So I made a game plan. I will come when I think the play is starting, do the play, and then go right back to my hotel room. 

I came a few minutes before the play started, and Savyasachi caught me. He had a big list, and it was close to departure day. He asked me, “Are you already signed up for a taxi or for a bus?” or something like that. He does this thing where when he talks with you, he gives you his attention uninterrupted. I talked with him for a while, and he said, “How are you?” I said, “I’m sick, I have a sore throat.” “Are you taking medication? Who are you rooming with?” Just chit-chatted. Such a nice guy. I thought to myself, “If a disciple of Guru’s has so much genuine concern, then Guru’s concern must be a thousand times more.”

Then the play started, and it was one of these plays that completely brought the house down. Every five seconds everyone was in stitches. It was a very small function room, completely packed. First time I was in a play on the Christmas Trip. I experienced that feeling where you make a huge amount of people laugh all at once. The play was a big success. So I came home, and my heart was open again. When I left, I wanted to disappear. And when I came back, my heart was open again.

The second time Guru helped me to snap out of it was on Guru’s birthday. It was my first Celebrations ever. It was the morning function. As I was sitting down, I was getting negative, and heavier and heavier. I was sure it would go away, but it didn’t. About 2 ½ hours must have passed. The girls were doing the flower-offering to the shrine. By the time I went in line to do the flower offering, I was at rock bottom and just like a zombie.
When it was my turn to be in front of the temple to pass by, this entire heaviness was just lifted away in an instant and replaced by peace and vastness and a very, very nice feeling. For the rest of the day for Guru’s Birthday, it was the exact opposite once again.

The third time Guru helped me to snap out of it was at another Celebrations. For whatever reason I was once again at rock bottom and walking around like a ghost. Bipin said, “Can you help me for 20 minutes?” I said, “Sure.” We got into his car and drove to Jamaica Avenue. He opened the gate of Perfection-Surprise and we went downstairs. 

When I got there, I saw that Guru’s life was basically down there. When I saw his weights, his weight-lifting apparatus, his paintings, his books, it was just like falling into an ocean of Guru, his compassion and joy and concern. Just seeing these items of Guru’s completely made me snap out of it. Not just snap out, but open my heart.

That’s my story of three times Guru helped me snap out of it. Thank you.

There is not a single seeker
Who cannot inspire others.
There is not a single seeker
Who cannot be inspired by others.

Sri Chinmoy 1

• 1. Ten Thousand Flower-Flames, part 93, #9283, Agni Press, 1983