Shivabalayogi uses the word “yogi” with a very specific meaning. A yogi is a person who has attained Self realization by successfully completing tapas, meditation in samadhi.
Agents of God
If tapas is undertaken without any personal desire, the yogi becomes what Shivabalayogi called an agent of God. There is no more desire for personal benefit. The yogi has merged with the Higher Self, the Inner Guide. Although they may teach in words, what they really have to share is in silence. They serve all people regardless of gender, social status, or religion.
Yogis in History
Yogis have inspired people throughout history. Shivabalayogi gave Moses, Budhha, Jesus, and Mohammed as examples. Buddha, he said, completed tapas in only eight years. Jesus completed twelve years of tapas in India.
Yogis of more recent times include Lahiri Mahasaya (the guru’s guru of Yogananda who started Self` Realization Fellowship), Ramakrishna (whose disciple, Vivekanada, started the Vedanta Society), Nityananda (whose disciple Mukhtananda founded Siddha Yoga), Shirdi Sai Baba, Ramana Maharshi, and Neem Karoli Baba.
There are yogis in all spiritual traditions. Traveling in the United States, Shivabalayogi told many that are yogis among the Native Americans. Although each yogi’s personality differs and each reflects different experiences and context, they are all related and reflect the same truths.
Religion
Shivabalayogi, outspoken as a child, remained outspoken when people asked him questions about spiritual leaders and religion. Although Shivabalayogi reflects Indian culture and rituals, he considered Hinduism to be a religion like any other. Religion, he would say, is spirituality mixed with politics. He explained that spiritual leaders start religions and that no yogi started any religion. Swamiji was particularly angry with any suggestion that one religion or its followers are better than any other. It is politics that makes people say that their God is the only one.
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Shivabalayogi talks about yogis, how they have many astral bodies, how Jesus completed tapas to become a yogi to serve the people, but was murdered, and how there are many yogis in the world today, including among the Native Americans. Approx. 8 minutes.
Recorded April 16, 1991, at the home of Dr. V. A. Ram in Las Vegas. More
excerpts from this conversation can be found at
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