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Gurudev speak on ahimsa. That night, after giving a talk, Gurudev was given a small room in a quaint hotel. Shantilal had left a basket of fruits for him. It was a beautiful clear night. Spring was on its way and a gentle music could be heard from a nearby spot Gurudev was charmed by everyone's kindness and by the atmosphere of the place.
Then there was one moment. It was so peaceful, so deep that for two or three hours he forgot where he was and what he was doing. He merged with light, joy, peace, ecstasy. Later, he tried to find out what had created such a transcendent state. Ultimately, he concluded, "There is no answer. All the different aspects of experience are gliders; they took me to myself. These are the moments of nirvana, of the pinnacle of experience being with oneself, that is all, and that is everything. What more could anyone need?"
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Above Lyon, they drove to Hamsananda's ashram Centr'Om, where his students bowed to their guru's guru and welcomed him with "Namo Arihantänam" which was how they greeted each other instead of saying "Bonjour!" The cleanliness and discipline of the ashram, the plain living style, the high thinking and great respect each one had for the Navkāra Mantra made Gurudev realize that Mahavir's universal principles could be observed anywhere, even in a land thousands of miles away from the land of his birth. The ambiance was reminiscent of an ancient Jain temple, conducive to meditation.
It was in the solitude of two fine caves in the mountains above the Centre that Hamsānanda had meditated in the years following his meetings with Gurudev. He now led his guru here, installing him in the seat of the Master and placing himself at his feet. Gurudev invited the students to chant the Navkāra Mantra with him and addressed them briefly, "I am elated to see how you have risen above all transient distractions and pleasures to seek the ultimate happiness, the realization of the inner spark of Self. You have the great benefit of living at the very heart of nature in tranquility. May you resolve here and now to attain the highest spiritual level in this life and spend every moment in a joy that radiates from a deep rever
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