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muscles. In particular, he attuned himself to the universal vibrations of mantra. “May all living beings be free from disunity, disease, and ailment,” he repeated, orienting his mind toward the well-being of all, not only of himself, but including himself as part of the whole.
Gradually, he was ready to move into gentle yoga postures, and within six months, he healed his back completely. The doctors who had recommended that he have an operation on his spine were amazed. One abnormality remained, however, and still does to this day, a slight tremor in his right hand whenever he exerts it to write.
Someone asked him, “How did you get the energy to lift so many people, and one who was more than twice your own weight?”
"I don't know how I did it,” he answered, “but at that time, there were no mental calculations. I did not stop to think, 'Will I be able to do it?' or 'What will happen to me if I do this?' The whole concentration was on the need to save. All I knew was that everyone had to escape from this fire. The power of this conviction came into my arms and gave me the strength I needed. That energy is in all of us, only we are not aware of it. Most of the time it remains dormant, hidden. Sometimes a crisis brings it out and we are amazed. It is our birthright. We have to experience it. We have not to wait for a crisis to recognize it. We start focusing on it now singlemindedly, with a whole heart, in order to put it to use in making our life creative, dynamic, and meaningful.”
Compassionate Outlook
Gurudev rose before dawn every morning. During one chāturmās in Ahmedabad he went out daily onto the balcony outside of his room to meditate in the fresh cool air. He cherished this hour of solitary reflection before the day's activities and formal prayers began. 186
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