‘Papaji’, also known as Sri H. W. L. Poonja, was an Indian sage. In this article we’ll explore his teachings on Advaita Vedanta, Non-Duality, and his visits with Sri Ramana Maharshi. We’ll also learn about his last words and what they mean.
Advaita Vedanta (Non-Duality) teachings
The Advaita Vedanta (NON-DUality) teachings of Papaji have a strong devotional component. In his early life, Papaji experienced intense devotion to Krishna. Later, he had visions of saints and Christ. His strong bhakti devotionalism is reflected in his letters.
While Advaita is powerful, simple, and direct, it is important to remember that it is not for everyone. It is a practice that requires the individual to let go of the egoic structure of consciousness and awaken to Oneness.
Many people have thought they’d achieved liberation while in fact, they have been fooled. Like a fake coin, many are unaware of its true value, and they use it to purchase things. In addition, many will display it as a real coin, but it doesn’t have any value.
The Advaita Vedanta (NON-DUITY) teachings of Papaji are based on the idea of “Brahman.” In the western concept of God, Brahman is the Reality of all things. In Advaita, the inner self, or “me”, is not a person but Brahman itself. As such, one’s true “me” is the whole of the soul, which is referred to as the Atman.
Many of the advaita practitioners in the West have not been able to establish an institution of collegial networking. Many of these individuals are charismatic teachers who have a large following. While they are not directly affiliated with Papaji, they share the same beliefs. Some of these followers are even referred to as “teachers in the lineage of Ramana Maharshi through Papaji.”
Some sages, such as Nagarjuna and Ramana Maharshi, were also Advaitins. In their teachings, they addressed the ordinary world and the people who inhabit it. Their teachings also addressed individual tendencies. Historically, these sages wrote the Upanishads, which are “secret” books of spiritual instruction.
Visits with Sri Ramana Maharshi
In 1947, a man named Papaji (also known as Poonjaji) had an enlightening encounter with Sri Ramana Maharshi, the founder of Non-Duality. After his visit, he spent the rest of his life spreading the energy of self-realisation and helping seekers who came his way. In the 1990s, he settled in Lucknow, India, where he became a spiritual magnet for Western seekers. His teachings were also used to form a worldwide network of Papaji Ambassadors, who spread the message of Non-Duality throughout the world.
Sri Ramana Maharshi was a sage and teacher of Advaita Vedanta, a form of Hindu philosophy that teaches non-duality. He is the source of many spiritual traditions. In his book, THIS, Prose and Poetry of Dancing Emptiness, Ramana Maharshi explained the nature of his teachings.
Ramana Maharshi’s insights are based on the Ribhu Gita, a text that is part of the Shivarahasya Purana. He also used the Dakshinamurthy Stotram, a poem by Shankara devoted to Shiva. This text explains the concept of Advaita Vedanta.
Later, in Chennai, Papaji continued his work of ‘Krishna japa’, or Krishna worship outside the door of the temple. He also performed the same ritual in honor of the Hindu deities, Ram, Sita, Hanuman, and Lakshman.
Later, he came to the Maharshi’s home to visit his guru, the legendary Sri Ramana Maharshi. One day, while visiting Sri Ramana Maharshi, he met an elderly woman who was in a state of ecstasy. This woman was so serene that even years later, she visited him every week.
When he visited Sri Ramana Maharshi’s Ashram, he received instructions on refocusing his path and discovering the “seer” who was supposed to help him. He was taught Advaita Vedanta, a philosophy of non-duality that teaches that there is no separation between the self and the world. While Ramana never conferred lineage on anyone, he imbued future teachings with implicit credence.
Last words of ‘Papaji’
The Last Words of Papaji have a profound effect on his followers. It is difficult to express the profundity of this master’s teachings in words, but they can be conveyed by his actions. In this article I have attempted to capture some of the gist of his teachings.
Papaji died in Lucknow, India. The last words he uttered were, “Bas!” twice, which meant “enough.” His body was carried to the other side of the hill and his ashes were then burned. Afterwards, he was brought to the town of Hardwar, where he was buried in a nearby river. His message lives on in the hearts of many throughout the world.
During his life, he was a householder saint and was sometimes called “Papaji” by his Indian devotees. His fame gradually grew as he became well-known outside of his native India. Then, in the 1990s, western devotees began to visit him. He had many disciples, including Andrew Cohen, Merle Roberson, and David Godman. During his last years, he had a brief illness and passed away at the age of 83.
When Papaji was eight years old, he had a profound spiritual awakening that transformed him into a god-like child. His life was guided by his love for Krishna. His ecstatic devotion was so intense that he had constant visions of Krishna. When his visions were not present, he still played with Krishna.
Papaji’s last words were profound. He urged his followers to pray and “remember” that God is within. As they pray, they become stronger and freer.
Death
Poonjaji and Papaji are two terms that describe the Indian sage Sri H. W. L. Poonja. He was a renowned yoga master who inspired many disciples of all religions to take up yoga. Poonja, who lived for over fifty years and died in 1975, was a man of deep spirituality and deep compassion. He influenced many, including many of the greatest yogis of all time.
The sadhu lived on the riverbanks for 36 years, as a bachelor. His life was full of love and compassion for his Master. He slept in a hut that had been covered in river sand, with a sack filled with sand. While he was asleep, he discovered a magazine on his pillow featuring naked women.
Although he was ill for many years, Papaji gave regular public Satsangs. Hundreds of devotees visited him at his home. During his final years, he suffered from severe respiratory problems and bronchitis. His body was deteriorating, but his spirit was strong and he continued to transmit the message of pure fulfillment.
His mother was a devout devotee of Lord Krishna, and she had encouraged her son to follow in her footsteps. During his life, Papaji traveled to different parts of India in search of God. He also served as a second lieutenant in the Army. To make it even more interesting, he would enter various ashrams in army boots, and directly present himself to the spiritual Gurus he met there.
Papaji had a vision of many incarnations throughout his life. He was able to see his Self in different bodies, including birds, animals, and humans, at different times and places. Eventually, he visualized his own body as the last in a long line of incarnations. This is when Bhagavan appeared as Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. This appearance ended a long sequence of births for Papaji and brought him into the life of his devotees.
Remembrance
Remembrance of Papaji is a powerful film about the importance of the human mind. It is based on the experience of former Mooji students. The film is worth watching in its entirety. It demonstrates how sensitive the human mind is, and how the teacher’s intentions were far from pure. In a way, it highlights the importance of a humane approach to life.
Thousands of people traveled to Lucknow to hear the teachings of their guru. Some of these students were enlightened and awed by his teachings. In the end, the guru’s message spread throughout the world. But some students claimed that his message was grossly abused.
The guru’s teachings were not necessarily true. Students are misled into believing that they are receiving instant enlightenment. This misperception is often accompanied by an image of spiritual truth and direct experience. This leaves students in limbo with a massive ego. It is a dangerous liaison. In addition to the dangers of ego, the guru’s teachings may lead to a thirst for power and pleasure.
Mooji is the foremost student of Papaji. He is revered as a guru and akin to a god by many. His popularity is increasing, as westerners visit his ashram in Portugal and attend his annual retreat in India. Yet, this popularity did not occur overnight. It took time for westerners to discover his wisdom.
Remembrance of Papaji is an important book for spiritual seekers and agnostics alike. This book is an introduction to the teachings of a guru. It teaches the importance of spiritual practice and the importance of understanding the nature of reality. It is not easy to attain moksha. However, once you have achieved moksha, it is very easy to realize yourself and experience true freedom.
