My Indian astrology teacher, Mr. K. N Rao came to US for the first time when he was 60 years old. He was a highly respected astrologer, especially well known among the political circles for his accuracy and honesty in his homeland India. A life long devotee of the Divine, doing astrology almost all his life for thousands, while working as a civil servant, he never receive or ask for any rewards, as this was his way of serving God. He never married though he was a much qualified bachelor with high academic achievements as well as noble family background. He only wanted to know God. The rest were his way of giving it back what he has received from Him.
He soon became a sensation among the New Age circles of US and other western continents, which were keen on occultism and spirituality. Big names like Robert Hands, Deepak Chopra, and many others, came running to him to receive private consultations. Wherever he went, people lined up to attend his lectures and have the personal astrology readings with him. That is how I met him while I was still fresh in US life as a student. I already studied his recorded lectures on astrology and I loved them. So I flew to New Jersey from Iowa just to meet him. When I sat down with him, I didn't have anything to ask. He asked me why, then, I had come. I said, "I just wanted to meet you." He laughed shaking his head sideway in the Indian way. Then he taught me astrology there on. For the next few years, whenever he came to US, he stopped in our town and my husband and I were the lucky ones to host him for his stay and lectures.
One of the most common questions that were asked during personal consultations, were "when will I get enlightened?" He had to battle to answer that question. I don't know how he managed it. You see, he has dedicated his whole life on nothing but for that. What kind of efforts, devotions, dedications, he had put, only God knows. Here comes the most ordinary people who turned to spirituality after having gone through some personal crisis like broken home, abuse, divorce, unemployment, bankruptcy, tragedy, etc, did spiritual practices for few years and asking him about getting enlightenment… As the kindest but honest man as he was, he eluded his direct answer by giving them the Korean Ginseng candy which he liked, saying that they are "the illumination pills." I still do not know why he called the candy as he did but he loved it when I offered him. I guessed it helped to supplement his energy when he couldn't get enough of the proper vegetarian foods like in India whenever he was away.
Could it be from his influence, or from my own inborn inaptitude? The word "enlightenment" was always too big of thing for me to even causally mention it, not to mention of attaining it myself. The enlightenment like how the Shakyamuni Buddha attained it under the Bodhi tree, after seating for 7 days without moving, after going through what he had gone through before, I dared not even dream about it knowing so well of my own shortcomings. Wishing to go heaven or the Western Paradise of pure land Buddhism after I die, also was not my interest. It was more important for me that the life I live here while I am alive, gives me more clarity, strength, wisdom and direction so that I will know what to do, I will know how to live harmoniously without feeling confusion, pain, struggle. I found my solace from the Indian astrology that is called "Jyotish"; meaning "light of life" with its power to see the past, the present and the future, to help us find light in the darkness of life. True Jyotish is not fortune telling that feeds our materialistic desires and curiosity. But, it is a divine science to help us to see our divine nature so that we can function as the best human being as we can be in the midst of ordinary life we live. If we reach Heaven, after we are dead, then it become bonus but then how do we know where we will be. There is no way to probe that. What is more important is how to live well and be happy here and now. Jyotish can shine the light for us.
It is common misconception of many people—I was one of them—to think that enlightenment as sudden and final spiritual achievement of our human spirit to be free from the eternal cycles of life and death. Enlightenment is not about acquiring but about growing. It is a process that happens gradually in the stretch of long time and space, while constantly refining our characters, reflecting our appropriateness in learning to be a better human being in the present life we have. If someone condemns others' religion, lifestyles or despises others' cultures, races, because it is different or contrasts to their own beliefs, then s/he is already making grave mistake to fall into darkness of the soul. Like how a Zen master would put it, "there's million times of small enlightenment, one of big Enlightenment." Small realizations are numerous, no big deal. Broadening our understanding, our reach, bit by bit every day, here and now, is the prerequisite process to enlighten us gradually, until we can become completely enlightened one day. In this era of instant gratification, many want to skip the hard parts and get everything straight away. Small realizations are claimed as big ones. Well, the best is to have one breath in, one breath out, feel the body relaxing and see the mind settling. Then the light of life will brighten our path in the Way towards enlightenment.
He soon became a sensation among the New Age circles of US and other western continents, which were keen on occultism and spirituality. Big names like Robert Hands, Deepak Chopra, and many others, came running to him to receive private consultations. Wherever he went, people lined up to attend his lectures and have the personal astrology readings with him. That is how I met him while I was still fresh in US life as a student. I already studied his recorded lectures on astrology and I loved them. So I flew to New Jersey from Iowa just to meet him. When I sat down with him, I didn't have anything to ask. He asked me why, then, I had come. I said, "I just wanted to meet you." He laughed shaking his head sideway in the Indian way. Then he taught me astrology there on. For the next few years, whenever he came to US, he stopped in our town and my husband and I were the lucky ones to host him for his stay and lectures.
One of the most common questions that were asked during personal consultations, were "when will I get enlightened?" He had to battle to answer that question. I don't know how he managed it. You see, he has dedicated his whole life on nothing but for that. What kind of efforts, devotions, dedications, he had put, only God knows. Here comes the most ordinary people who turned to spirituality after having gone through some personal crisis like broken home, abuse, divorce, unemployment, bankruptcy, tragedy, etc, did spiritual practices for few years and asking him about getting enlightenment… As the kindest but honest man as he was, he eluded his direct answer by giving them the Korean Ginseng candy which he liked, saying that they are "the illumination pills." I still do not know why he called the candy as he did but he loved it when I offered him. I guessed it helped to supplement his energy when he couldn't get enough of the proper vegetarian foods like in India whenever he was away.
Could it be from his influence, or from my own inborn inaptitude? The word "enlightenment" was always too big of thing for me to even causally mention it, not to mention of attaining it myself. The enlightenment like how the Shakyamuni Buddha attained it under the Bodhi tree, after seating for 7 days without moving, after going through what he had gone through before, I dared not even dream about it knowing so well of my own shortcomings. Wishing to go heaven or the Western Paradise of pure land Buddhism after I die, also was not my interest. It was more important for me that the life I live here while I am alive, gives me more clarity, strength, wisdom and direction so that I will know what to do, I will know how to live harmoniously without feeling confusion, pain, struggle. I found my solace from the Indian astrology that is called "Jyotish"; meaning "light of life" with its power to see the past, the present and the future, to help us find light in the darkness of life. True Jyotish is not fortune telling that feeds our materialistic desires and curiosity. But, it is a divine science to help us to see our divine nature so that we can function as the best human being as we can be in the midst of ordinary life we live. If we reach Heaven, after we are dead, then it become bonus but then how do we know where we will be. There is no way to probe that. What is more important is how to live well and be happy here and now. Jyotish can shine the light for us.
It is common misconception of many people—I was one of them—to think that enlightenment as sudden and final spiritual achievement of our human spirit to be free from the eternal cycles of life and death. Enlightenment is not about acquiring but about growing. It is a process that happens gradually in the stretch of long time and space, while constantly refining our characters, reflecting our appropriateness in learning to be a better human being in the present life we have. If someone condemns others' religion, lifestyles or despises others' cultures, races, because it is different or contrasts to their own beliefs, then s/he is already making grave mistake to fall into darkness of the soul. Like how a Zen master would put it, "there's million times of small enlightenment, one of big Enlightenment." Small realizations are numerous, no big deal. Broadening our understanding, our reach, bit by bit every day, here and now, is the prerequisite process to enlighten us gradually, until we can become completely enlightened one day. In this era of instant gratification, many want to skip the hard parts and get everything straight away. Small realizations are claimed as big ones. Well, the best is to have one breath in, one breath out, feel the body relaxing and see the mind settling. Then the light of life will brighten our path in the Way towards enlightenment.
