EDITOR’S NOTE

“Be a channel for the ‘White Light’ to pass through” is a powerful commandment in the Vedas. In this sacred statement both Jnana and Bhakti are equally imbedded – the ‘White Light’ is pure Wisdom, or Jnana. The seeker becoming a channel for it to pass through, is the highest expression of surrender, or Bhakti!

A seeker’s life begins with simple surrender, matures with conscious surrender, and ends with full surrender at the sacred feet of the Master. For such a surrendered sadhaka, God extends unfailing guidance - through the Scriptures, the Guru and one’s own ‘Inner Voice’. One of them, or combination of them, will rush to one who has become a channel for the ’White Light’ to pass through.

The first step towards this goal, is to read the life of Saints. The second step is getting acquainted with their teachings. The most important third step of receiving guidance from them, then follows automatically – guidance that changes the course of the seeker’s spiritual journey at critical periods.

Mere logical understanding and systematic explanations of spiritual theories help very little in a seeker’s journey. On the other hand, when a true seeker shares the many aspects of the Truth he longs and lives for, it gives great clarity to his fellow seekers. In this light, the following sharing of Ganesan’s meetings with Mahatmas -- Sages and Saints -- is a sure help for the reader to steady oneself and progress on the spiritual path.

This book could not have been started or completed without the powerful inspiration and guidance of ‘Mouna’ Swami of Velpur. Also, given his advanced age, Ganesan could not have ventured to accomplish it without the active support of his closest friend, philosopher, guide Anuradha. Half the content that has been presented - Ganesan’s reminiscences of his meetings with the various Mahatmas was possible only because of her extraordinary memory. And, thanks to her son -- Dr. Sankar J. Kausik, a practising Surgeon in America -- a mature spiritual aspirant. He has had the opportunity and privilege of moving very closely with a few of the Old Devotees of Sri Bhagavan, and, more especially, with some of the Sages and Saints. He extended full co-operation throughout the making of the book.

The AHAM Center at Asheboro, N.C., U.S.A., extended whole-hearted support to host the talks that has given shape to a major portion of this book. My heartfelt gratitude to each one of them, especially to its Spiritual Director, Stanley Davis, Jr., and Steve Hutchinson. Also, thanks to Kumar Palaniswamy and his wife Gayatri Devi who helped Ganesan while he was staying at AHAM Center in U.S.A. Last but not the least, I thank Visvanathan Venkatesan and his wife Sudha for assisting Ganesan at Arunachala in the page-making of the whole book.

Finally, to quote from this book, "While Bhagavan Ramana is the ‘Pole Star’ - the Satguru guiding us all - the Sages and Saints are like ‘Lighthouses’ throwing light wherever and whenever aspirants meet with dark patches of ignorance, doubts and wrong knowledge - ajnana, sandheha, vipareedha jnana - during their spiritual sadhana."

As this book’s editor, I have been blessed and privileged to have encountered these ‘Lighthouses’ in my journey through these pages. I am certain, as readers, you too will feel their light shine on you.

Suresh Kailaash

Sarvam Sri Arunachala Ramanarpanamastu

Arunachala : Drawn by Sri Bhagavan in the note-book of Kunju Swami