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been possessed by a genie, lived there, confirming their fear..
Gurudev decided to teach the people that superstition should be eliminated totally from the mind. Therefore, he led the Paryushana procession right to the dreaded spot, straight to the tomb and the insane butcher. As the group approached, the butcher, who had been suffering pain for a long time, howled and screamed. The villagers shuddered.
Gurudev felt deep compassion for him. He stopped, walked up to him, gave him his blessings, and quietly recited some soothing words. Immediately the butcher became calm. He was brought back to his senses. Not only that, he experienced such a flood of deep gratitude to Gurudev that he came to him after a few days and told him that he wanted to give up his ancestral livelihood as a butcher. Moreover, he vowed never to take animals as his food for the rest of his life.
It is no wonder that the people were incredulous before such an event, witnessed by their own eyes. And yet, Gurudev told them, “All sickness is a disconnection from love. As soon as we connect ourselves back to that force which is flowing within our own selves, we recover our health, our life, and our wholeness. Hidden in all living beings is this loving energy. Each of you has the infinite capacity to heal yourself. There is no mystery which cannot be penetrated. There is no miracle. The real miracle is life itself — When you get in touch with that which is beyond mind, the healing process starts."
If we share this perception of health and healing with Gurudev, we will be able to understand how the following experience could take place.
It was the end of châturmās, this time in 1949, again in Dasada. He was about to change his place of residence when he walked past the palace of the town's chieftain, Mohammed Khanjee, and saw this leader standing on his balcony sad and helpless. Gurudev looked up at him and blessed him.
The chieftain came down and paid his respects to him, but was unable to stop sobbing. Eventually, as the Muni's deep compassion and patience touched the man's consciousness, he calmed down enough to reveal the cause of his sorrow.
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