An Avatar is a Divine Being who descends from on high to help the earthly world in its time of difficulties. I believe that the way this happens is that the energy of a High Being comes down and "walks into" a body, a personality, a person, so that the expression of the high savior occurs essentially all at once. It is a "walk-in" phenomenon, and I would like to give the story of Sri Aurobindo as an example. I would like to say, as well, that I think that this happens in a smaller way, or can happen, to all of us, more gradually, more ongoingly, more silently.

Sri Aurobindo, who lived from 1872-1920, is not well-enough known, in my opinion. He was one of the great teachers. He acquired an immense education in the best institutions in England, but through a group of circumstances, he found his way to India at the age of 20. Immediately, a great quietude came over him, a sense of being at home for the first time. Despite the quietude, he fought fiercely (through his pen, through publications) for the independence of India, its relief from slavery to the English Empire. He came to be known as "the most dangerous man in India." At a time of great danger, when he was about to be seized by the British, he listened to a strong inner voice and fled at the last moment to a haven in Pondicherry, India.

It was there that a great change occurred. Aurobindo was in seclusion for ten days with a teacher of lesser power than he, but a teacher nevertheless, by the name of Lele. It was then that something came over him. His mind was silent and open, and from then on, in his own words, he no longer thought; he was attentive to and moved by a very powerful inner voice. He not only instigated the revolt of India, but poured forth an immense amount of spiritual teaching to his disciples and to the world through poetic literature. I believe, it was after his transcendence (his opening to the inpouring Supermind, the Divine Mind) that he became the Avatar, the Spirit, the Divine Presence from On High, Who occupied his body.

It is said that Jesus of Nazareth was inhabited by the Christ at the age of 30. A full change and glorious emanation took place, followed by His teachings and His example, His miracles, His resurrection.

I believe that this happens in a smaller and more gradual way to many of us, and can happen to all of us. I had a great transition when I met Muktananda, the great Siddha master, who was sent by his master to the West to dispense the ancient teaching of India. I had the privilege of a private meeting, and was filled with love and glorious energy. I became religious, a Jew again, after a very long period of agnosticism. Over a period of years, I learned how to meditate. And it is this meditation that leads to the opening, which in turn invites the High Spirit.

It is suspending our attachment to the world by quieting the body and the self-centered emotions and the work-a-day mind, reaching a kind of silent openness in which we are ready to receive, and, after a full and ongoing surrender, ready to abide by what we receive. It is in this open state that one dispenses with, at least temporarily, his self-preoccupied self image. It is in this state that one receives and is guided by higher power.

It is a joy to realize that this is a possibility, and probably an inevitability, for all of us as we open and become a citizen of the better world.

Such a thing happened to Helen Schuchman, an agnostic Jew, who heard a voice, which led to her receiving messages for seven years which in turn became A Course in Miracles. And, as is well-known, the messages of A Course in Miracles have traveled across the world and are translated into world-wide languages. So let me close with a prayer from "The Course," a prayer that I recite routinely to the class that I hold, a prayer that I invoke silently when I am seeing a patient and find myself in difficulty.

"I am here only to be truly helpful.
I'm here to represent Him who sent me.
I don't have to worry about what to say or what to do,
For He who sent me will direct me.
I am content to be wherever He wishes,
Knowing He goes there with me.
I will be healed as I let Him teach me to heal."

Maurie D. Pressman, M.D. is the author of Enter the Supermind and co-author (with Patricia Joudry) of Twin Souls: A Guide to Finding Your True Spiritual Partner, reprinted by Hazelden in tandem with Transitions.

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