Book SummaryThe Journey Continues, by Sri M.

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Journey Continues

Sri M's experience was greatly enhanced by the insights and teachings provided by Babaji.

The mystic exuded an enigmatic presence and showcased remarkable abilities.

Babaji had the mastery to alter light to make his body invisible.

Sri M. recounts an episode where his attempt to photograph Babaji was thwarted due to the yogi's adept manipulation of light, rendering a clear photographic image unattainable. A mind of great strength, in harmony with the core of awareness, can absorb beams of light, thus preventing their reflection and rendering the physical body invisible. To emphasize his message, he momentarily changed his appearance to a state of partial transparency, demonstrating to the author that his true form was incapable of being captured by any camera. This occurrence showcased Babaji's deep yogic prowess and his ability to influence elements of the natural world that are still enigmatic to numerous individuals.

Sri M endeavored to sidestep the ban on depicting Babaji by crafting an image, yet an unforeseen downpour obliterated the depiction, indicating that the ban remained in effect even after Babaji's passing. Only after Sri M. had written his autobiography, as instructed by Babaji before his death, and sought a sign to include Babaji's picture, did he receive a dream confirmation to proceed. On this occasion, the task of crafting the ultimate depiction was entrusted to an art instructor, and he abstained from actively contributing to its creation. The author had a dream that reinforced the enduring spiritual bond with the mystic, which was evident during his journey, after the portrait was well-received.

Other Perspectives

• Human mastery over natural phenomena, such as light, to the extent of rendering oneself invisible, is not documented in any peer-reviewed scientific literature.
• The story may be metaphorical or allegorical, intended to convey spiritual truths rather than literal facts.
• Photographic evidence is a standard for verifying claims in a scientific context, and without it, such claims remain anecdotal and lack empirical substantiation.
• Personal accounts and anecdotes, like the one described, are not reliable sources of evidence as they are subject to personal biases, misinterpretations, and the limitations of human perception.
• The destruction of the image by rain could be a coincidence rather than a supernatural enforcement of the ban.
• The dream confirmation received by Sri M. to include Babaji's picture could be seen as evidence that the ban was not absolute and could be lifted under certain circumstances, suggesting flexibility in what was perceived as a ban.
• Relying on a dream for important decisions, such as the content of an autobiography, may not be considered a rigorous or reliable method from a scholarly or literary perspective.
• An art instructor, while potentially skilled, may not have a personal connection to Babaji, which could impact the depth and authenticity of the portrayal.
• The dream could be a manifestation of the author's expectations or desires to feel connected to Babaji, rather than an objective reinforcement of a spiritual bond.
• If the portrait was only shown to followers or believers of Babaji, the reception might not reflect the broader public opinion.

The author gained understanding of advanced practices for materializing the spiritual body, including methods taught by Babaji for journeying beyond the physical realm.

Sri M. describes how persistent dreams of soaring from his childhood sparked a deep fascination with the concept of astral travel. Babaji, recognizing his inquisitiveness, shared insights on methods that would allow him to deliberately disengage his spiritual self from his physical being. He explained that the subtle body, not visible to the ordinary eye, has the capacity to go beyond the physical realm's boundaries, and by mastering this ability, an individual can travel to distant locations and investigate various realms. Babaji emphasized the importance of the energy center situated at the midpoint of the brow, noting its role as a vital intersection for practitioners to advance their skills and attain higher levels of being.

However, he also cautioned the author about the dangers of untrained astral travel, warning of deceitful individuals with clairvoyant abilities, and the potential interference from negative entities such as duplicates on the ethereal plane and individuals who practice dark sorcery. Babaji advised the chanting of holy mantras like "Om Namah Shivayah" or "Om Namo Narayana" to neutralize adverse effects. The thorough instruction underscores the mentor's duty to protect the student's welfare while conveying the complex principles of Yoga.

Other Perspectives

• The idea may be culturally specific and not recognized in other philosophical or scientific frameworks, which could suggest that it is a construct of belief rather than an objective reality.
• The practice of astral travel may be considered a form of escapism or fantasy for some, rather than a tangible method of exploration or travel.
• Focusing on a single energy center may be overly simplistic, as other traditions emphasize the importance of balancing multiple energy centers or chakras within the body for overall spiritual development.
• The effectiveness of chanting mantras for protection during astral travel is a spiritual belief and does not have a basis in scientific evidence, so its ability to neutralize adverse effects is questionable.
• The idea of deceitful individuals with clairvoyant abilities presupposes the existence of astral planes and clairvoyance, which are not recognized or validated by mainstream science.
• The idea of duplicates and dark...

The Journey Continues Summary Sri M's engagements with a variety of other spiritual mentors and adherents.

The author encountered numerous spiritually enlightened guides, each offering distinct wisdom and understanding.

The author met a spiritual individual in Ganeshpuri whose presence was both distinctive and powerfully spiritual.

Sri M. describes his encounter with Swami Nityananda of Ganeshpuri when he was just nine years old. The author's initial apprehension grew as he faced the unpredictable and formidable nature of Nityananda, compounded by the presence of his unorthodox uncle who joined him on the journey. The benediction he was granted shifted his demeanor from one of apprehension to a tranquil state of mind. Sri M. spent numerous years deciphering the cryptic advice provided by Nityananda, a process punctuated by a compelling slap.

Under the guidance of Babaji, he ultimately grasped the profound meaning behind the slap. The author came to realize that after mastering a specific breathing technique that clears the energy channel on the left side, the corrective intervention by Nityananda had cleansed the energy conduit on his right side. This extraordinary disclosure shed light on the complex layers of Nityananda's deeds, underscoring how spiritual occurrences...

The Journey Continues Summary Insights and experiences that are spiritual in essence

The author recounts vivid dreams and visions of past life experiences

During Krishna's lifetime, the author experienced direct encounters in her role as a sage's daughter.

Sri M. describes a vivid vision where he lived as Indumati, a sage's daughter, in the time period associated with Sri Krishna. Driven by the last desire of her father, Indumati set out on a sacred journey to Brindavan to seek the divine Krishna, encountering the captivating and whimsical god who had once delighted the gopis. Her initial hesitations dissipated when the captivating melodies from his flute, played beneath a luminous night sky, awakened a deep longing inside her. She had a deeply moving encounter with Krishna, who, in his luminous magnificence, acknowledged her past spiritual efforts and revealed her destiny that lay ahead.

He guided her to Mathura's wise men for protection and predicted that she would take part in the Kurukshetra war, ultimately meeting her end while fighting on the side of the Pandavas. He solemnly vowed to support her as her life was drawing to a close. This vision powerfully affirms the continuous quest for spiritual enlightenment that spans multiple lifetimes and...

The Journey Continues Summary Insights into yoga, along with practical applications and theoretical understanding, explore the domain of meditation.

Babaji imparted a comprehensive insight into the principles of yoga and the essence of existence.

Babaji elucidated the principles of the Upanishads, which suggest that our perception of reality is essentially a mirage.

Sri M explores a deeper understanding of the teachings of the Upanishads, engaging in discussions with Babaji about the idea that the world is simply an illusion without true existence. Babaji conveys the idea that our sensory experiences are inherently transient and thus cannot be considered definitive. To support his point, he references an example that includes a segment of timber. The author realizes that characteristics like color, shape, size, weight, and solidity are perceived differently depending on the observer and the context of the observation. Our perception is what labels a specific wavelength of light as green when it reflects off an object, even though the object itself is not intrinsically green.

An individual's viewpoint can influence their comprehension of an object's shape, size, and weight. Upon examining more closely, it becomes evident that the seemingly solid material is primarily composed of immense voids when viewed at the...

The Journey Continues Summary The book explores biographical aspects and links from past incarnations.

The author recounts his past life connections with important spiritual figures

In a previous existence, the author was a disciple of the esteemed Sri Guru Babaji.

Sri M. shares a compelling tale that spans multiple lifetimes, featuring interactions with significant spiritual figures. The stories frequently feature the author's mentor, Sri Guru Babaji, who has provided guidance across multiple lifetimes. In the period when Sri Krishna was revered, Sri M. encountered Babaji, who appeared as a vibrant and youthful yogi, and was identified as Indumati, the daughter of the sage. Babaji played a crucial role in mentoring Indumati by providing her with yoga instruction and equipping her for future challenges.

The author's deep connection with Babaji transcends a mere single lifetime, highlighting a destined path of spiritual awakening and growth that extends across multiple existences.

Context

• The idea of being a disciple in a previous existence is rooted in the belief in reincarnation, a concept found in many Eastern religions, where the soul is reborn into new bodies across different lifetimes.
• Sri Krishna is a major deity in Hinduism, often depicted as a...