Written Messages

Paris

14 Sept. 2016

During the recent US tour, an enquiry into the story of the Zoroastrian exodus was made. In response, it was felt that this should be made into a message, as there are many observations that can be made from this beautiful account.

Along with the death of the Prophet Muhammed came the fracturing of the followers of Islam into numerous factions.  The Shi’a were driven out of Arabia and settled in Persia. The very persecution that forced them out of Arabia caused them to turn against another religious group in Persia, the followers of Zoroaster.  Through this conquest of Persia, Zoroastrian leaders saw no alternative but to flee their homeland.

Arriving on ships on the coast of what is now Gujarat in India, these refugees were desperate for a new homeland.  Their arrival was greeted by the local king Jadi Rana; two languages separated these groups.  King Rana presented the refugee priests with a full bowl of milk, symbolizing his kingdom was already full.  The priests’ response was to add a pinch of sugar to the milk, thus symbolizing the Zoroastrians would assimilate well and even sweeten their host society.  Thus, the refugees were allowed to settle in this part of India as Parsis.

Throughout history, the Parsi population of India has grown insignificantly, but has produced industrial, scientific and commercial leaders, contributing a great deal of prosperity to India.  While the population of the rest of the country has ballooned, the Parsis have maintained growth at very humble levels.  Their promise to sweeten society has indeed been fulfilled on many different levels.  The word Parsi in the Persian language literally means Persian, and, perhaps, the essence of Zoroastrian culture made their journey to India as blessing for the country.

Observations :

1.       Our senses can convey understanding beyond the limitations of words.  The non-verbal communication utilized between King Rana and the Zoroastrian priests helped save an entire culture, while cultivating great benefits for all involved.  How can this be activated in our daily lives. 

2.       When one looks at the global political turmoil present today, it is clear that simple benevolence is absent from our so-called “elected” leaders. This bliss of energy of Understanding is not available even among our religious leaders or ‘’Spiritual’’ leaders.

3.       Even in our modern society, forced migration is happening around the world due to political, economic, religious and other forms of turmoil / hatred.  Ending hatred, bigotry and persecution must start at the individual level, with each one of us.  We must, therefore, get our own houses in order first.  Only then can we reach out to help others.  But help we must, so this surrender to “what is”, not speculating about ‘what should be’ must happen immediately, and from moment to moment every day.

4.       In initiation, we learn of a Laya Yoga teaching “Atithi Bhava”, which is the attitude of a guest.  This beautiful story exemplifies this teaching, and should be a lesson to all:  if we take the attitude of a guest no matter where we are, we will do no harm.  Similarly, if we take this attitude in our own homes, we will be practicing Trusteeship (see msg. 326).

Jai Parsi Integration