Haidakhan Babaji

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This article is about the yogi who taught from 1970–1984; for the yogi who taught before 1924, please see Hariakhan Baba.

Haidakhan Babaji, simply called "Babaji" by his students and devotees, was a teacher who was born in northern India and taught publicly from 1970–1984. The spiritual teacher Leonard Orr wrote about his encounters with Haidakhan Babaji in many of his books, including Babaji: The Angel of the Lord.

1 Beliefs about Haidakhan Babaji
2 Teachings
3 See also
4 Notes
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Beliefs about Haidakhan Babaji

It has been asserted by some that Haidakhan Babaji is the same person as Mahavatar Babaji who initiated Lahiri Mahasaya into Kriya Yoga in 1861 as described by Yogananda in his book Autobiography of a Yogi. Since Haidakhan Babaji died in 1984, others do not accept this identification with Mahavatar Babaji, who is supposed to be immortal.

However, according to Marshall Govindan, Haidakhan Babaji was born to the Sikh maid servant of a Mr. Wilson, a retired British civil servant. Govindan states, "Mr. Wilson’s family still live in Ranikhet in the Himalayas and the locals there refer to Herakhan Baba as 'Wilson Baba.'" [1]

[edit] Teachings

According to Marshall Govindan, Haidakhan Babaji was the student of the Tantric master Naintal Baba, who himself claimed to be the Immortal Babaji. However, Haidakhan Babaji did not teach any form of Kriya Yoga, but rather created an ashram with his own rules.[2]

Babaji taught that the Sanatana Dharma or "Eternal Religion" was to lead a life based on truth, simplicity and love. Although he taught from a Hindu perspective, he claimed that all religions were good and helpful. He also taught that karma yoga and japa, the repetition of a mantra, was the best path for most people to follow. He particularly stressed the mantra "Om Namaha Shivaya" claiming it was "more powerful then a nuclear bomb."

One of his more radical teachings was that some type of great disaster was coming, though he did not say what it was or when it would come. He did say that it would be a worldwide catastrophe. In some countries he predicted a survival rate of 5% or lower, saying that the highest survival rate in any country would be 25%, while some countries would be completely destroyed. The only way to survive this was to pray to one's chosen deity or chant Om Namah Shivaya (Teachings of Babaji July 26-28 1979) [3]

Nama Japa, the repetition of God's Name, was a fundamental part of Haidakhan Babaji's teachings:

Have faith! Reciting the Name of the Lord is not the first, but the last stage of spiritual practice! When lions enter the forest, the other animals run away. Likewise, all evil thoughts will vanish with the recitation of the Lord's name. Reciting the Name of the Lord will bring you the company of a good people and you will be near saints. Blessed are the few who will discard the kingdom of the world for the Lord's name. Such a devotee always resides in My heart. In the womb, you take a vow not to get attached; but as soon as you come out, you get entangled. Abandon attachment! Your mind plays tricks on you! That is why you are after pleasures! All worldly things - including the desire for liberation - are obstacles to which you are attached. If you want divine peace, leave behind ignorant karma.^[1]