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SHREE GURUDEV
July 9, 1998
Pine Bush, New York
Beloved Devoted Seekers,
 On the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, I send you my loving wishes.  On
this special day we offer our salutations to both our Sadgurus and pray for
their blessings.
 Recently I was reading a book in Marathi about Bhagwan Nityananda, and the
author says, "How can we describe one who has merged into God and lives in a
mentally purified state.  Though he is beyond description, but at the same
time we call him an avadhoot to satisfy the mind."
 Bhagwan Adi Shankaracharya describes the state of an avadhoot:
 He is silent amongst the silent ones, reveals his good qualities amongst the
virtuous, is wise amongst the learned, shares the suffering of the
misfortunate ones, is content amongst the satisfied ones, and enjoys life
amongst those who delight.  He is a fool amongst the fools, young with the
youth and a great speaker amongst the orators.  Rare is such a being who has
purified his mind and attained the state of an avadhoot.
 The Yoga sutras say, "A saint is like a jewel who just reflects".  He has no
personal interests in this world. 
 In our normal state we nurture our ego as the individual, whereas an avadhoot
becomes that which comes in front of him.  He no longer has any individual
identity.
 On the auspicious ocassion of Guru Purnima, we pray to the Sadgurus to bless
us and purify our minds.  May their grace be ever upon us. 
 Our heartfelt salutations to Baba Muktananda,
        Yours,
        M. Swami Nityananda
 
Brahmin priests performing abhishek on Guru Purnima day 
 
 Offering Bilva leaves
 
 
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