Spiritual Experiences

Spirituality is a science in which knowledge is attained through spiritual practice and the spiritual experiences (anubhutis) resulting thereof. An experience beyond the five senses, mind and intellect is known as a spiritual experience.

Being taken care of after car breakdown

Once, when I was driving home, the car broke down. I remained calm and called roadside assistance service. During the half an hour that I waited for their arrival, I tried to analyze the situation from the spiritual angle.

I realized that the incident had happened at a point on the highway where it was safe and possible to park the car without obstructing the traffic. Even as I do not have a mobile phone, the public phone was conveniently located only a short distance away. Before leaving home earlier that day, unlike my usual practice, I had specifically taken some money in case of an emergency. It can get quite hot in Australia around that time of the year and one cannot stand in the sun for long. Since the car had heated up, I could not remain in it either. However, a bus shelter where I could wait was conveniently located near the phone booth. The half an hour of waiting for the roadside assistance provided me with an excellent opportunity to chant*. Finally, when the roadside assistance arrived, they towed the car to a nearby mechanic, who quickly repaired it so I could return home with minimal delay.

- Mr. Atul Dighe, Queensland, Australia.

[Whenever we make our best attempts at seeing any situation from a spiritual angle, we not only have reduced reactions, but God’s grace is hastened that much more—just as Mr. Dighe experience with the breakdown of his car occurring in a most opportune location and causing minimal delay.

-Editor.]

Help provided in locating the Consulate

We had been to Detroit, USA to obtain a Canadian visa in order to visit another seeker residing in Toronto. The visa office in Detroit is open from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. We started at 8:00 a.m., hoping to reach the office at the latest by 9:30 a.m. However, we got lost in the unfamiliar city. At one point, I had a strong inner feeling to ask for directions. When we reached a traffic light, the feeling intensified and I was guided to ask the driver of the car waiting next to ours. The man just said, “Follow me.” He then went out of his way to lead us to the Consulate. Then, before going on his way, he even got out of his car to show us the visitors' parking space and the entrance to the office. I was extremely grateful to God for guiding us thus.

- Mrs. Suhasini Kale, Stamford, CT, USA.

[For every single step we take to further our spiritual practice, such as going to visit another seeker, God takes ten to ensure it, such as removing seemingly insurmountable problems like being lost in an unfamiliar city.

-Editor]

*If one is not currently doing any spiritual practice, or to complement one's current spiritual practice, one can begin with the simple, but powerful spiritual practice of chanting or constantly remembering God's Name according to one's religion. Chanting also acts as a useful complement to any spiritual path one may be already following. It is a practice recommended for the current times by Holy texts and Saints of all religions.

To begin with, one can repeat God's Name according to their religion (refer to Issue 3 Clarification of Doubts section for a list of God's Names as per various religions), or the Name that they feel most comfortable chanting.
Interested readers can determine the exact chant for them from the experiment given inIssue 124, Message to Seekers section.