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felt unburdened and light.
The smoothness of the stone pavement felt good beneath his bare feet as he made his way slowly over to the shrines. He met the penetrating and compassionate look in the eyes of the white marble images of Adinatha and was opened to their healing energy.
“Ego goes out and Divine comes in,” a voice within whispered to him. As he exhaled deeply, be relaxed. He felt it as a releasing of the small self, an invitation to the Divine Self.
It was a moment to make space for fresh inspiration, to inhale · more than the breath – the life force itself, pulsating luminous energy.
It was as if silent songs of ecstasy were still being sung by the ancient sculptors, patrons, and devotees responsible for this great marble city. The countless millions of people who for thousands of years had been drawn there to meditate seemed to have left invisible heartprints of their experiences, vibrant and immortal. For Rup it was an opening, a glimpse into the ocean of Self, and a beckoning towards a higher life.
Rup spent five days in Palitana making the pilgrimage to the summit each day. On the fifth day, as he was coming down, he caught sight of one Master climbing up. Acharya Bhakti Suri stopped for a moment. The two met face to face. Rup gave him the customary greeting, a bow with palms together, fingertips touching the forehead. Looking up, Rup saw the Master smiling. Young Rup was captivated by his smile and felt warmed by his flowing love.
Perhaps this Master can be the one to soothe my soul.
The next day he went to Molisukhya Dharmashala, the monastery where Acharya Bhakti Suri delivered sermons when he was in Palitana. Rup remained with him for one and a half months, communicating with him, receiving guidance from him, and meditating with him. The Acharya listened to the outpourings of Rup's heart
The Acharya told him, “Now it is time for you to become a monk, to renounce all distracting temptations, both inner and outer, in order to concentrate your energy. This is the only way
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