A SAGE WHO CHANGED MY LIFE

I MET A SAGE WHO CHANGED MY LIFE:

Many years ago, I was fortunate to meet with a sage who became my soul friend and guide.

He taught me RajaYoga Pranayama and Dhyana.

I used to visit him on sacred occasions to get his blessings and guidance since it was so soulful to be in his presence.

On one such occasion I was not in good spirits due to some unpleasant incident and he sensed it. He let me sit quietly in his presence for a while.
He said:
"Having friends is a blessing.
Never forget your friends.
You will see why, as you get older."

"Regardless of how much you love your family and children, your brothers and sisters and other relations, you will always need friends.
Remember to be in contact with them regularly, do share memories with them, call them.
Friends provide a soul-connection that creates a deep source of rejuvenation to overcome setbacks and sorrows that happen in life.
That is one simple step that will make you thankful, as you count your blessings later in life
Ultimately you will also see that your best friend is your Self.
You will realize that you are nothing, apart from the inner timeless endless limitless Self "
He again paused to let me grasp his words.
Finally he said:
"Keep this Veda Vaakyam in your awareness always:
Awareness leads you to liberation.
Poornam adhah
Poornam idham
Poornath poorna mudhachyathe
Poornasya poorna madhaya
Poorna meva vasishyathe."

I let his advice soak in.
I wrote it in my diary.
Read it.
Read it again.
Got it etched in my mind.
Followed it in my life.
Kept in touch with my friends in spite of job changes, moving to different countries as part of my work and other priorities.

Yes, I kept in touch with my friends and they increased in number to my delight.

After 50 years of work life, here is what I learned:

Youth passes.
Life goes on.
Even this will pass.
Children grow up.
And become independent.
And life movies on.
Pleasures and pains come and go.
Illusions, desires, attractions...
Heart breaks.
Parents pass away.
Some valued colleagues disappear too.
There is nothing you can do to stop these happenings.

But, true friends are always there, no matter how long or how many miles away they are.

A friend is just a call away, waiting for you with an open mind at the time of need.

When we started our life, we did not know of the joys and sorrows that were ahead.
We did not know how much we would need each other.
We love our parents,
Take care of our children.
And all along we surely need to take the time to nourish a group of good friends.
Interact with them but not impose our criteria.
Love and enjoy unconditional friendship.
And also remember that ultimately your best friend is you alone ( the inner Self ).

Dedicated to all my friends who still value my friendship, no matter what.
And who feel good to cherish memories so precious, with me.

🙏