I first met Lok in 1965 through
another friend Purshotmen Naidu when we were in Teachers' Training
College. In 1973, Daya, whom I had known since 1964 informed me about
the talk on Sri Aurobindo by late Navajata at the NTUC Conference
Hall. This is how I came in touch with Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. Subsequently
I introduced Sri Aurobindo and The Mother to Purshotmen and he, to Lok.
We were so fascinated by the ideas
and vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Ashram that in 1975, Daya, Kim,
Veronica, Lok, my wife, Sartha and I decided to visit the Ashram. All of us
physically felt the Force as we entered the gate to the Samadhi. After
a week in the Ashram we decided to go on a two-week tour of South India.
Inspite of our persuasion, Lok decided to stay back and immerse himself in
the spiritual atmosphere of the Ashram. On our return Daya, Lok and I got
actively involved in our Society. Although some of us became less active
gradually, Lok continued to be active till his passing away.
Lok was a sincere and committed devotee.
But he was not found of rituals. To mark our society's 25th anniversary we
published a souvenir magazine titled "All Life is Yoga". Lok was
in charge of the publication. He did not even want any photographs of Sri
Aurobindo and The Mother in the magazine. When I asked he said that we had to
go beyond photographs. He was truly a practitioner of yoga of Sri
Aurobindo. He believed that practice was more meaningful than praying. Lok will
be missed but certainly remembered in our hearts.
- Jagir Singh Riar
No comments:
Post a Comment