Those special places may have also other qualities or peculiarities. Suppose that you want to see somebody and as soon as you end thinking about it the person comes from around the corner. Of course this is a relative common or casual experience. But there are certain special places where these type of events happen with such a regularity and frequency that you may consider it as the most normal incident.
Suppose that you have a desire for something. It is quite common that desires doesn't get fulfilled immediately. There is always some delay factor and some toil involved. Of course some desires may not get satisfied and eventually fade away. Other times we consciously put them in the background waiting that they wane and disappear. This is the best with unwanted desires. But there are also good desires, cherished things that we wish to happen as soon as possible. There are places where such acceleration in the fulfillment of cherished desires happens and we feel obviously elated.
In spiritual terms the closeness to guru or spiritual master is also a desire. Certain places have also that affinity as they have been visited or blessed by the spiritual master. Such association becomes permanent and in general these are the places that we regard as spiritual places. Vrindavan for example is associated with the early life of Lord Krsna and devotees experience all the above when they visit such a cherished abode.
In Ananda Marga such places are distributed all over the world in the form of Master Units Projects. They have been blessed directly or indirectly by the wishes of universal welfare from Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, founder of Ananda Marga spiritual movement. These places can be object of pilgrimage but it would rather better utilization if they become community centers for the nurturing and growth of their inhabitants.
Ananda Kanan is a Master Unit founded in 1982 on the planes of the Ozarks in Missouri. It is the locations where Shrii Shrii Anandamurti was expected to visit during his life time and it was prepared for welcoming his venue. It never happened in physical terms but devotees believe that spiritually the place as been blessed by Shrii Shrii Anandamurti. He has given the name Ananda Kanan with the meaning "Garden of Bliss". No wonder that flowers and the whole nature is so beautiful and appealing.
Spiritual places have normally a special scent in the air according to season given by the plants and shrubs locally growing. Sometimes those plants has been seeded on purpose and sometimes it just happened. Nature fulfills good desires and in spiritual places nature conjure to fulfill spiritual desires.
All the spiritual places have their guardians. They can be physical people or residents and also they can be spiritual entities who have chosen to reside in those places. Even domestic animals show traits that are beyond the normal humane behavior. There are places nested in the nature where common people cannot reach if they don't ask and receive permission from those guardians.
It is a common and good custom to bring gifts to such places. It can be in the form of offerings which range from fruits to any kind of help and support. Once again the nature of a spiritual place is such that if there is a personal interest the offer might get refused or go wasted. Nobody should feel pride for those offers as it is not the material value which counts. It is the wish associated with it.
Have you recognized places that are special for you? Are there general characteristics for those places? Some people make the conscious decision to move their residence there. Others may prefer to visit them from time to time. What is important is that those places exist in the heart of each person and it is wise to remember it. Human life is very precious and dear to all. Peace be with all.
Ac. Vimaleshananda Avt.
No comments:
Post a Comment