H. W. L. Poonja
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Sri H. W. L. Poonja (Hariwansh Lal Poonja), * 13 October 1910 in Punjab, (now Pakistan, early India); † 6 September 1997 in Lucknow, India; called "Papaji“ or "Lion of Lucknow“ was an Indian saint of the Advaita Vedanta.
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[edit] Life
H. W. L. Poonja was born in Gujrunwala, in western Punjab, which is now Pakistan. His mother was the sister of Swami Rama Tirtha, one of the most famous saints of India. At the age of eight, it is said, he experienced his first samadhi, an altered state of unitary consciousness He led a normal life, married, raised two children and joined the army. But his love to God was so immense, that he decided to search for him. In 1944 he met his master, Sri Ramana Maharshi and he realized his Self in the presence of the master. In 1947 he went back to Lucknow to join his family. Ramana Maharshi let him go with the words: “I am with you wherever you are.” In the following years, Papaji earned money to support his family and travelled in India, Europe and North America. In 1966 he retired and went again back to Lucknow, India, where he received visitors from around the world. He died on September 6, 1997.
[edit] Message
In satsang he pointed only to ultimate truth of the Advaita Vedanta tradition, that one's own Self is already enlightened and free. He emphasized that there is no difference between guru and devotee, and even stated that there is no teacher, no disciple and even no message. His teaching emphasizes again and again that words can only point to ultimate truth, but never are ultimate truth.
His expression of this "truth" was that all there is emptiness, which is one's true Self, and that this is everlasting freedom.
He was also known for enjoying singing and dancing in satsang.
[edit] Ambassadors
During satsang he told his devotees to go home and share their experience and the teachings with friends. He called them ambassadors and messengers. Thousands of people he sent back with this mission and many teachers or gurus in the west refer to him as their teacher, for example Gangaji, and Isaac Shapiro.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Interviews, A collection of Interviews with Poonja. by David Godman, published by Avadhuta Foundation
- Nothing Ever Happened, A Biography of Papaji. by David Godman, published by Avadhuta Foundation
- This: Prose and Poetry of Dancing Emptiness, The Essence of Papaji's Teachings. Edited by Prashanti, published by VidyaSagar Publications and Weiserbooks.com
- The Truth Is, The Essence of Papaji's Teachings with Dialogues. Edited by Prashanti, published by VidyaSagar Publications and Weiserbooks.com
- Wake Up and Roar, volume 1 + 2: Satsang With H. W. L. Poonja, edited by Eli Jaxon-Bear
- Papaji: Interviews; edited by David Godman
- Meeting Papaji: First-Hand Accounts, by Roslyn Moore
- My Master is Myself, by Andrew Cohen, Account of his meeting with H.W.L.Poonja
- An Unconditional Relationship to Life, by Andrew Cohen
