I’ve been wondering if I should edit myself or just honestly share an experience. I decided I would.  It may mean something to someone reading this; so here it is:

Babji’s presence became known, ok, appeared to me last night during work with the Santo Daime in New York. I only vaguely knew of him, in that I had heard his name. Truly. He kind of just appeared.

Babji was an Indian guru for many and died in 1984. His simple message of ‘Truth, Simplicity and Love’ touched innumerable lives. This morning, I looked him up and read about him. He’s pretty extraordinary. People who’ve met him described him as ‘the embodiment of love personified’.

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA is Babaji’s mantra. It is translated roughly as ‘Thy Will Be Done’ or ‘The Truth Sets You Free’. But I like to think of it as ‘a call to ask and then to LISTEN”.

Uttering this mantra puts you in harmony with the world during these troubled times. Traditionally, it is said 108 times using mala beads. But Babji said that is not necessary. OM NAMAH SHIVAYA invokes the creative principal of the universe. It is said to be the first words uttered by the Creative Source; the oldest mantra. It can be translated as I bow to/surrender to/take refuge in Shiva. Lord Shiva is known as the Doer of Good, and the mantra is also interpreted to mean: ‘I bow to whatever Good is happening and to Whomsoever is doing it’.

The following is an interview with Babji. It’s odd that although this is from over twenty years ago, it seems to speak to the dawning of the new age that seems to be imminently upon us:

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And how do you use this mantra? 

Babaji: Repeat the mantra on a daily basis when at work or during meditation. Japa is repeating the mantra while passing a mala bead or what you call a rosary bead through your fingers each time you say the mantra. There are 108 beads in a mala. But you don’t have to do this.You can simply repeat it silently. 

For those reading the transcript how do you pronounce it? 

Babaji: It is pronounced like this” Ooommm Na-ma She-veye” 

What are these great changes you are speaking of? 

Babaji: The great changes or Great Revolution has started. It will be both wondrous and destructive. Most of mankind will be destroyed as Nature balances out the great injustices that mankind has caused against the environment and each other. There are a few out there who will be open to this message and will repeat the mantra, live in Truth, Simplicity and Love and serve others. They will live on the higher path, attach themselves to God. They will be brave and always walk on. There will be many mountains to cross,but they will not stop until the goal is reached. They will be strong, and will never feel disheartened. These will survive the Great Revolution. 

What does your message have to do with change? 

Babaji: Change is nothing new. It is a Law of nature. What is born must die and what dies must be born. The human being is enslaved to his lower path. The higher self must be developed, so that the lower self is destroyed and the heart is transformed. 

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Babaji’s talk of ‘revoltion’ and ‘destruction’ can seem like some pretty ominous stuff. After reading this interview this morning, I heard shamanic teacher Sandra Ingerman talk about the ‘shift’ that is now upon us as a species and as a planet. She said that the current evolution of the global organism will be ‘one of love, not procreation. Not survival of the fittest, but cooperation of spirit’ – This is a profound change in the DNA of humanity. It begs for a different conciousness and intention for the entire human race; one that seems not only required, but inevitable as we move toward a higher plane of existence as a species. 

The answer seems to be love. I mean ‘love’ as a PRACTICE. The Course in Miracles speaks of only two choices at any given moment – Love or Fear. Doesn’t it seem better to open our hearts, embrace all, and find a way for all of us to have a place at the table? Isn’t this why the Earth isn’t well, and despite it’s incredible abundance there doesn’t seem to be enough to go around?

So, If it’s true that we are all Divine (which we are), let’s give in to our inherent goodness; the same goodness that we inherited from the creative conciousness of Shiva (or if you’re science-minded, the creative conciousness of hydrogen, nitrogen and sub-atomic partcles!). Take care of our Earth and each other, embody OM NAMAH SHIVAYA, and have a nice day! At least!