Truth, Simplicity, Love


Birthdays can be a bitch. I have to say I was borderline dreading this one, but it was filled with so many fabulous surprises that it took my breath away. A friend unexpectedly sent a fragrant bouquet, another turned gift-wrapping into an art form and recorded a fabulous birthday song, others gave that most perfect of presents – vouchers for spa treatments – and we all enjoyed the extremely generous gift of cocktails and dinner from the owner of my favourite new restaurant, Rock & Rose. Feeling like one very lucky girl, I returned home to find yet another treat lying on the mat. It was a card from another friend filled with the kind of gift that keeps on giving – pure inspiration.

At some point on the spiritual path you’re bound to run across Autobiography Of A Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda, who brought kriya yoga to the West. In it he writes of his own spiritual journey and those who influenced him, including the Mahavatar Babaji. Babaji is considered to be a human manifestation of the Divine who can materialise a body at will. In his last incarnation from 1970-1984 he is credited with many miracles and healings, as well as having been seen in a number of locations at the same time. Whether or not you believe the stories surrounding him, he has brought forth a very simple and beautiful message – to live by the three principles of truth, simplicity and love, to repeat the mantra ‘om nama shivaya’ or ‘I bow to the Divinity within’ and to give selfless service to humanity.

In 1984, the year when he last appeared on earth, he spoke these words:

“Love and serve all humanity. Assist everyone. Be happy, be courteous. Be a dynamo of irrepressible joy. Recognise God and goodness in every face. There is no saint without a past and no sinner without a future. Praise everyone. If you cannot praise someone, let them out of your life. Be original, be inventive. Be courageous. Take courage again and again. Do not imitate; be strong, be upright. Do not lean on the crutches of others. Think with your own head. Be yourself. All perfection and every divine virtue are hidden within you. Reveal them to the world. Wisdom, too, is already within you. Let it shine forth. Let the Lord’s grace set you free. Let your life be that of the rose; in silence, it speaks the language of fragrance.”

Of itself, that’s enough of a teaching to last a lifetime. In particular, the words “all perfection and every divine virtue are hidden within you; reveal them to the world” represent the core essence of I Am Fabulous – knowing that you are perfect as you are and that all you need do is let go of anything that stands in the way of that truth.

I love the mystical intrigue that surrounds Babaji. We’re all the better for having a bit of magic in our lives. As Einstein said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” It’s pretty clear where I stand on that one.

This week, take from Babaji’s words what you need. Something in them will speak to you. Repeat a particular phrase to yourself over and over, like a mantra, to uplift and inspire you. Let his words do their magic.

For the Coach Fabulous archives, go to www.coachfabulous.blogspot.com and for the I Am Fabulous archives, go to www.fabcentral.blogspot.com. You can email me at coachfabulous@iamfabulous.co.uk. All material ©2008 Alison Porter. No article may be reproduced in full or in part without the express permission of the author. (Originally posted 12 May 08)