Somebody commented in the Sri Nannagaru Blog that I should talk about my own experiences with this saint. Well that is difficult because I still have not been able to figure out how much of the whole interaction with Saints, is projection and transference. For example we have one lady saint at Tiruvannamalai that does not talk at all. So, the question is, when a crowd sits silently before her, how much of what is happening is universal mind and how much her actual influence?
Some years ago I read a brilliant book called Holy Madness by Georg Feuerstein which examines the relationship of gurus with their devotees. It is a penetrating, incisive book which reads like a novel and shines light on the obscure Guru-Devotee relationship. It certainly helped clarify my connection with the Form.
The lingua franca of Tamil Nadu is Tamil. But as Sri Nannagaru is from Andhra Pradesh his native language is Telegu (he can speak English, but rarely does). Consequently his darshans can be frustrating to non-Telegu speakers who (as they do not understand anything being said) would prefer silence! Of course Telegu devotees (and plenty follow him to Arunachala) are always eager for spiritual discourses in their native language.
For the 12 years I have known Sri Nannagaru he has been hugely significant in my life. He is superbly established in the Self as he has been realised for over 40 years. Mostly he is kind and gentle, but when need be, is as implacable and hard as a diamond. He is tender with old people and those weighed down with debilitating vasanas (like alcoholism). In response to someones question about why he is so nice to people who seem undeserving. He replied, If I see a genuine love for God then no matter how ugly the vasana, I will do everything possible to fan and empower the Divine love.
I asked an old school class mate of his (also in is early 70s), When you knew Swami before his realisation, what was he like? His old chum replied, Even then there were two things about Swami that you would notice. Firstly he was always kind and secondly he had a wonderful sense of humour.
1 comment:
What a intriguing thought, which I have deeply contemplated too – namely, how much of the interaction with saints is projection, and how much transference.
Now I am also interested in seeing the book that clarified the Guru-Devotee relationship for you – Holy Madness.
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