Sivashantha Medical Camp At Rengam & Sivaprabhananda Swamiji’s Spiritual Awakening Trail
The day was bright and cool and at times sweltering heat. I drove and picked up Sivaprabhnanda Swamiji of TFA (JB) from his `kuttir’’ (Sivanjali Ashram), Bukit Kempas at 9.00am on Sunday (25th May, 2008). We dropped by at a vegetarian restaurant in Kulai and had a light breakfast before taking a driving journey to Rengam. The route starts from turning into a T-junction road, a few kilometers just after Sedenak, heading to Layang –Layang. Layang-Layang is a small old town where once HH Swami Sivananda, founder of Divine Life Society used to serve as a medical practitioner in one of the estates in early 20’s.
I made a slow drive, listening to Swamiji’s past experience narration and his wonderful discourse about divinity as well how he had his ``turning point’’ towards spirituality, meeting HH Swami Shanthanand Saraswathi and finally being initiated to be a `Sanyasin’’. A remarkable transformation had taken place along the ``trail of spirituality’’ from the past, manifested in the present, a one time sportsman became ``full blown Swamiji’’. We are now trailing that path where once HH Swami Sivanda treaded on red mud roads with his old bicycle, serving poor people in Ulu Remis estate.
We passed by Ulu Remis, a small town and palm tree estate where Sivaprabhananda Swamiji was born. Swamiji fondly recalled his sojourns in this estate and noted the house where he was born and early schooling years. The school still proudly stood till today but is now a Chinese school. Swamiji told me that this school was a Tamil and Malayalam school then. I have posted about this estate with photo attachment in my past blog page. Turning life pages back to future, one could hardly believe that another fine young athletic youth from the same place is destined to be in similar footsteps of an incredible spiritual master whom the latter had initiated HH Swami Shanthanad Saraswathi.
This is not an ordinary trail of the past but an extraordinary lineage path, clearly defined, underlined and to be understood as a testimony of how divine nature aligns a tradition or ``Sampradaya’’ in perfect order where no explanation need to be given or analyzed but just to be realized. The divinity of Sampradaya lineage order was long established in `akasha’’then and the happening is now, present. The linage has been a complete circle and shall be set far beyond to be relayed to another equally potent ``sanyasin’’ from same root, sprout out, grow bud and be in this spiritual line to bloom carrying all the missions towards future of the future.
It was not a choice to be clamored but a grand order as natural as it can be, as the yearning of a more matured ``jiva’’ (soul) bolts out from the rest of the flock, the ordinary folks to seek the higher order, leaving least ``vasanas’’ of his past to be worked out amongst devotees while still holding onto an impermanent body case, relinquishing all worldly desires but just focus on fulfilling his ``Asan’s true vision. I am immensely blessed to be a part of that, seeing these wonderful spiritual happenings unfolding before my own eyes. I sensed of how matters of higher nature as this has been made, not to be trivialized or ridiculed because true cause speaks truth!
My slow driving finally reached Rengam township. It is small town, laidback, serene and kept far away from the hustle and bustle of city live. Swamiji asked me to look for a turning trunk road leading a Tamil school just before the Rengam’s fire brigade station. I had over shot, lurking towards Kluang road but recourse to original direction. We reached at the Tamil School at 11.30am. Sivashanta medical team and TFA volunteers were already there serving Rengam folks. Met and greeted some of the team members and TFA personnel’s. I realized how pocket of ``lights’’ emanated from great soul still lingers on as `quanta’’ lighted upon to those who came closer. These are the people who ``engulfed’’ within remnants light sparks, charged up, transformed and continue carrying out past services of their ``master’’ without asking anything in return.
A team of volunteer doctors from Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru discharged their professional duties; meeting, consulting and provide medical assistance, including dispensing medicine to Rengam’s local folks from all walks of life. It was a free medical service. I could intuit the presence of HH Sivananda and HH Shanthanand Saraswathi’s amongst them. Reverend Sivaprabhananda Swamiji had his turn for consultation before meeting ``Gowri Amma’’, a ``brahmacharini’’ initiated by HH Shanthanand Saraswathi. I just enjoyed the serene surrounding of the place, palm tress everywhere. I could smell fresh air. There are plenty of positive ``pranas’’ everywhere; good for body and mind.
The Tamil school headmaster and their teaching staffs were very humble and friendly. Reminds me of people of those days who have that ``innocent heart’’ and devoid of personal ego. Lunch was served at 2.00pm. It was a simple and delicious meal. Similar taste as how my mum used to cook. Dhall curry, sambal tou fu, sweet ginger pickle, cucumber ``acar’’, long beans cooked `` Indian kampong style’’. Doctors went back to consult patients after lunch break. The medical camp activity came to an end by 3.30pm. We bade farewell to KL and JB team before driving down to Kluang via Kluang / Simpang Rengam road.
Sivaprabhananda Swamiji had wonderful experience in this town during his early teenage years. Part of his transformation was direct result from an offer from a friend who had asked Swamiji, ``let's go for a spiritual talk’’. They walked along the railwaytrack and attended the talk. The key talk essence from the session had strucked a sharp and deep penetrating thoughts that leads Swamiji wanting to attain a different kind of desire in life, qenching his spiritual thirst. Swamiji then pondered and decided that he had do something in this life, come whatever reason it may be. The journey has thus just begun. Swamiji’s life took a totally different course and the rest became a history. Meeting HH Shanthanand Saraswathi and receiving the holy order of ``Sanyasa’’, a irrevocable traditional vow to remain celibate, detached life, following a simple vegetarian diet, carrying out vision and mission of his Satguru, being a pole bearer reminding devotees of same sampradaya to be in line/tune with linage practices, guiding, cajoling, persuading and reprimanding if needed to those who toe out of line and goading gently back to original goal – realizing GOD by means of Loving , Serving and Giving. Music acts as a best conduit nevertheless.
The return journey has been equally a wonderful one. Swamiji’s ``mental mind book’’ is no match from that of a person gained intellectual knowledge from books. Thought provoking answers to mundane life happenings and their reasoning’s just matches from that written in the scriptures. The day came to an end after a meaningful past trail re-run. I understood the unfolding events in front of me. My young ignorant mind probably can’t analyze everthing but just can realize something!
The day was bright and cool and at times sweltering heat. I drove and picked up Sivaprabhnanda Swamiji of TFA (JB) from his `kuttir’’ (Sivanjali Ashram), Bukit Kempas at 9.00am on Sunday (25th May, 2008). We dropped by at a vegetarian restaurant in Kulai and had a light breakfast before taking a driving journey to Rengam. The route starts from turning into a T-junction road, a few kilometers just after Sedenak, heading to Layang –Layang. Layang-Layang is a small old town where once HH Swami Sivananda, founder of Divine Life Society used to serve as a medical practitioner in one of the estates in early 20’s.
I made a slow drive, listening to Swamiji’s past experience narration and his wonderful discourse about divinity as well how he had his ``turning point’’ towards spirituality, meeting HH Swami Shanthanand Saraswathi and finally being initiated to be a `Sanyasin’’. A remarkable transformation had taken place along the ``trail of spirituality’’ from the past, manifested in the present, a one time sportsman became ``full blown Swamiji’’. We are now trailing that path where once HH Swami Sivanda treaded on red mud roads with his old bicycle, serving poor people in Ulu Remis estate.
We passed by Ulu Remis, a small town and palm tree estate where Sivaprabhananda Swamiji was born. Swamiji fondly recalled his sojourns in this estate and noted the house where he was born and early schooling years. The school still proudly stood till today but is now a Chinese school. Swamiji told me that this school was a Tamil and Malayalam school then. I have posted about this estate with photo attachment in my past blog page. Turning life pages back to future, one could hardly believe that another fine young athletic youth from the same place is destined to be in similar footsteps of an incredible spiritual master whom the latter had initiated HH Swami Shanthanad Saraswathi.
This is not an ordinary trail of the past but an extraordinary lineage path, clearly defined, underlined and to be understood as a testimony of how divine nature aligns a tradition or ``Sampradaya’’ in perfect order where no explanation need to be given or analyzed but just to be realized. The divinity of Sampradaya lineage order was long established in `akasha’’then and the happening is now, present. The linage has been a complete circle and shall be set far beyond to be relayed to another equally potent ``sanyasin’’ from same root, sprout out, grow bud and be in this spiritual line to bloom carrying all the missions towards future of the future.
It was not a choice to be clamored but a grand order as natural as it can be, as the yearning of a more matured ``jiva’’ (soul) bolts out from the rest of the flock, the ordinary folks to seek the higher order, leaving least ``vasanas’’ of his past to be worked out amongst devotees while still holding onto an impermanent body case, relinquishing all worldly desires but just focus on fulfilling his ``Asan’s true vision. I am immensely blessed to be a part of that, seeing these wonderful spiritual happenings unfolding before my own eyes. I sensed of how matters of higher nature as this has been made, not to be trivialized or ridiculed because true cause speaks truth!
My slow driving finally reached Rengam township. It is small town, laidback, serene and kept far away from the hustle and bustle of city live. Swamiji asked me to look for a turning trunk road leading a Tamil school just before the Rengam’s fire brigade station. I had over shot, lurking towards Kluang road but recourse to original direction. We reached at the Tamil School at 11.30am. Sivashanta medical team and TFA volunteers were already there serving Rengam folks. Met and greeted some of the team members and TFA personnel’s. I realized how pocket of ``lights’’ emanated from great soul still lingers on as `quanta’’ lighted upon to those who came closer. These are the people who ``engulfed’’ within remnants light sparks, charged up, transformed and continue carrying out past services of their ``master’’ without asking anything in return.
A team of volunteer doctors from Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru discharged their professional duties; meeting, consulting and provide medical assistance, including dispensing medicine to Rengam’s local folks from all walks of life. It was a free medical service. I could intuit the presence of HH Sivananda and HH Shanthanand Saraswathi’s amongst them. Reverend Sivaprabhananda Swamiji had his turn for consultation before meeting ``Gowri Amma’’, a ``brahmacharini’’ initiated by HH Shanthanand Saraswathi. I just enjoyed the serene surrounding of the place, palm tress everywhere. I could smell fresh air. There are plenty of positive ``pranas’’ everywhere; good for body and mind.
The Tamil school headmaster and their teaching staffs were very humble and friendly. Reminds me of people of those days who have that ``innocent heart’’ and devoid of personal ego. Lunch was served at 2.00pm. It was a simple and delicious meal. Similar taste as how my mum used to cook. Dhall curry, sambal tou fu, sweet ginger pickle, cucumber ``acar’’, long beans cooked `` Indian kampong style’’. Doctors went back to consult patients after lunch break. The medical camp activity came to an end by 3.30pm. We bade farewell to KL and JB team before driving down to Kluang via Kluang / Simpang Rengam road.
Sivaprabhananda Swamiji had wonderful experience in this town during his early teenage years. Part of his transformation was direct result from an offer from a friend who had asked Swamiji, ``let's go for a spiritual talk’’. They walked along the railwaytrack and attended the talk. The key talk essence from the session had strucked a sharp and deep penetrating thoughts that leads Swamiji wanting to attain a different kind of desire in life, qenching his spiritual thirst. Swamiji then pondered and decided that he had do something in this life, come whatever reason it may be. The journey has thus just begun. Swamiji’s life took a totally different course and the rest became a history. Meeting HH Shanthanand Saraswathi and receiving the holy order of ``Sanyasa’’, a irrevocable traditional vow to remain celibate, detached life, following a simple vegetarian diet, carrying out vision and mission of his Satguru, being a pole bearer reminding devotees of same sampradaya to be in line/tune with linage practices, guiding, cajoling, persuading and reprimanding if needed to those who toe out of line and goading gently back to original goal – realizing GOD by means of Loving , Serving and Giving. Music acts as a best conduit nevertheless.
The return journey has been equally a wonderful one. Swamiji’s ``mental mind book’’ is no match from that of a person gained intellectual knowledge from books. Thought provoking answers to mundane life happenings and their reasoning’s just matches from that written in the scriptures. The day came to an end after a meaningful past trail re-run. I understood the unfolding events in front of me. My young ignorant mind probably can’t analyze everthing but just can realize something!
