410. Sri M, Second Interview

Sri MSri M – spiritual guide, social reformer and educationist – was born into a Muslim family on November 6, 1949 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. His transformational journey, from a young boy to a living yogi, is a fascinating story symbolized by single-minded discipline and dedication.

Entranced by mystical stories of Sufi saints and a brief encounter with a numinous Swami at a relatively young age, he was not only drawn to the ‘truth’ but also the compelling landscape of the snow-clad Himalayas. At the age of nine, his spiritual transformation was initiated by his future Master, Babaji (also known as Maheshwarnath Babaji), who miraculously appeared under a jackfruit tree in the compound of his house in Thiruvananthapuram. Though only fleeting, this meeting definitively set the stage for their future reunion in the Himalayas at Sri M’s age of nineteen.

The next three and half years, he lived and travelled extensively through the Himalayas with his Master. Maheshwarnath Babaji guided him right through his initiation, his Kundalini awakening, the grueling journey to Tholingmutt and, the eventual meeting with the Grand Master, Sri Guru Babaji also known as Sri Mahavatar Babaji.

A few years after his Master passed away, he received the spiritual go-ahead to commence his mission. In 1998, he started his teachings, eventually leading to formation of the Satsang Foundation.

In response to a query on the spiritual progress of a person and the path to that evolution, he responds, “Though, my parampara is kriya yoga, I don’t think it suits all aspirants. I propound satsang even between two people. It cuts across barriers of caste and creed. Spiritual evolution is not diverse from regular living. Intervals of solitude are necessary but you cannot shut yourself totally. The world around you is your touchstone to spiritual practice.” Conversant with teachings of most major religions, Sri M says: “Go to the core. Theories are of no use.” His message seeks to transcend the outer-shell of all religions, by exploring their mystical core to nurture the innate goodness in every human being.

Website: satsang-foundation.org

Books:

First Batgap interview with Sri M.

Discussion of this in interview in the BatGap Community Facebook group.

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded 7/30/2017

Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.

YouTube Video Chapters:

  • 00:00:00 – Introduction and Welcome
  • 00:04:47 – The Beginning of the Journey with Babaji
  • 00:09:25 – Continual Growth and Evolution
  • 00:13:22 – Possibility of Evolved Beings on Other Planets
  • 00:17:44 – The Importance of Having a Guru
  • 00:21:31 – The Significance of Initiation
  • 00:26:21 – Recalling Past Lives
  • 00:30:48 – From Krishna to the Life of a Prostitute
  • 00:35:05 – A Touching Experience with Nisargadatta Maharaj
  • 00:39:39 – Spiritual Integrity in a World of Lies and Deceit
  • 00:43:43 – Meditating in College
  • 00:48:16 – The Importance of Siddhis in Spiritual Growth
  • 00:53:10 – Mind over Physical Phenomenon
  • 00:56:59 – The Slap from Nityananda of Ganeshpuri
  • 01:01:45 – Extraordinary Capacities and Divine Association
  • 01:06:00 – Free will and the capacity for change
  • 01:10:00 – Exploring Deeper Consciousness
  • 01:14:37 – The Shadow of the Bodhisattva
  • 01:18:57 – The Power of Spiritual Armor
  • 01:23:12 – Grounding and balancing spiritual experiences
  • 01:27:15 – The Possibility of Astral Projection
  • 01:31:25 – Spiritual Experiences and Extraterrestrial Encounters
  • 01:35:28 – The Hidden Secrets of the Natural Rock Formation
  • 01:39:37 – The Importance of Physical Health in Spiritual Practice
  • 01:44:11 – The Power of Chanting Aum
  • 01:48:25 – Effortless Absorption in Music
  • 01:53:02 – Avadhootas and the Spiritual State of Mind
  • 01:57:34 – The Textbooks of Gorakhnath and the Nath Sampradaya
  • 02:01:53 – The Importance of Ego and Understanding in Leading a Householder’s Life
  • 02:06:15 – Humility and Compromise in Spiritual Development
  • 02:10:00 – Farewell and GratitudeSaveSave

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