We had the most incredible landing in India, and this was not only thanks to India which is incredible, but in particular thanks to a Dane living there, Jens Ruff, also called Valmiki, who took several days out of his calendar to show us around and make sure we had a proper introduction.
Jens is on “retreat”, as he calls it. In 1994, he quit his life and career in Denmark in order to settle in this spiritual force-center which Tiruvannamalai is, and be closer to like-minded people who think in “spiritual lines”. |
“I have always been looking for the truth,” states Jens, and then continues elaborating on a Danish word, “enhedsoplevelsen”, which I don't really know how to translate. “The experience of unity,” maybe. Or: “The experience of all-becoming-one.”
“It is a deep mystery why everyone does not experience this “all-is-one” sensation since it is a sensation which all the gurus and experts in this field world-wide tell us is the truth. The truth being that you are “one”.”
“Many of those who come here have come to this point where what they know and what they are able to do has become too small, too insignificant, too insufficient for them.
The nature of the human mind is to be in movement, but what happens out here is that the film slows down, more and more interludes and pauses appear, things fall away one by one, and eventually what is left, this is the essence. It is experienced as something inside you, but in reality, the essence is everywhere. It is the common denominator.
The people who come to Tiruvannamalai are actually expected to know about these things.”
Jens Valmiki designed his house himself. The rooms make a shape of a mandala. I sleep upstairs, in open air, under the stars, and with a great view to the holy mountain. |
“To live out here means to switch off the auto-pilote. To take your own life more seriously. Should I tell you what happened to me out here? I left all my systems. I am now systemless!”, says Jens Valmiki. |
The compound also has a guest house, in a garden full of colourful, big butterflies. |
In 1994, Valmiki published a little book. What is written there, “is the result of 50 years of life lived, 25 in pursuit of money, carreer, sex and family life, and 25 in search of a higher purpose or deeper meaning in the same life.” |
“What people are doing here is similar to pealing onions. You cut off one layer after the next. Until you find the essence. The essence which you find is the source of all creation.
In this area of Shiva's Mountain, you'll find that the conditions are particularly good in order to sense “the essence”.
To a Western mind, this is difficult – just to relax and to sense, to allow yourself to float along in a stream of energy which is so subtile that it cannot be caught with words. Even the greatest poets don’t seem to be able to catch it with words.
Compare it to a piece of music: Everyone can look at a note sheet and play the notes. But what creates the dynamics and “spændstighed” in the music, are the pauses.
This place, Tiruvannamalai, is “The Pause”.
In our mind, it is the thoughts and emotions which play the notes and the music. What needs to be added are the pauses. The intense silence where everything is one. Where you and I disappears. Where God disappears. Ticket of admission here is The Empty Space, the Great Silence. The second before the Big Bang.
From this silence, you can then look at your own life. Look at the drama of your own life – without necessarily interacting.
You have been accustomed to perceive your physical body as what is “you”, and you probably use 99 percent of your attention on objects which surround you. House, spouse, and so on. Coming to Shiva's Mountain is an invitation to obtain some different perspectives on what you are in right now.”
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Meeting Jens Valmiki and hearing his view of India – the Indian culture, religion and of life in general – has been truly inspiring, and a great kick-starter for the rest of our journey.
Thanks, Jens!
posted by Mik Aidt on Dec 19, 2004, at 09:51
At solstice, and generally every third month, Jens and his watchman perform a Pudja Ceremony in the garden. They being at 18:00, just when the sun has set. |
posted by Mik Aidt on Dec 22, 2004, at 06:33
Manjula is Jens' house maid |
posted by Mik Aidt on Dec 23, 2004, at 07:13
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