When I was in my doctoral program and working on a class devoted to Ken Wilber’s teachings, I decided to attend a Ken Wilber Meetup group so that I might get my head around some of his concepts.
There were about eight people in attendance, all very accomplished academics and serious intellectuals. Suddenly, I became very conscious of my bubble gum pink lipstick and jingly charm bracelet. However, in this group was the face of an amazingly sweet and loving man. He was in his early 60s, smart, kind and completely open. When he looked at me I felt he acknowledged my very being on a soul level. This incredibly accomplished and brilliant doctor asked my about my ideas and opinions and was clearly sincere in wanting to learn from me (wow!) or anyone or anything in his presence. His open heart and mind touched me and inspired me. He had the joyful laugh of a child (reminiscent of being in the presence of The Dalai Lama) and had the ability to move quickly into joyful expression at the slightest provocation. Dr. Sri Sridharan was an advocate of peace and was dedicated to the healing of the planet.
The meeting ended late in the evening, but I had the gumption to call my friend in Vermont at 1:00am to tell her about my experience. She was sure I had just met with a Bodhisattva.**
I had the good fortune of seeing Sri at the next Meetup meeting. Again, in his presence I felt a warm and deeply comforted sensation. On an interesting note, he was wearing a baseball cap with the name of someone that was to be an angel in my life.
Sri’s laugh was contagious and he and I shared a moment of exchanging business cards and appreciating what the other wanted to do in the world. His card, he explained, was indestructible. “Try and tear it”, he said. I tried and tried but could not tear it. He laughed at my desperate attempts to rip it. Later, I saw this as a metaphor for the Bodhisattva’s presence in our lives. I hugged Sri goodbye and wished him well on his trip to Africa.
Several weeks later, I received an email that Sri had died. I was shocked and had to read it several times to let it sink in. Apparently, while working on the film Son of Ghana in Africa, (www.sonofghana.com) he had contracted Malaria.
At his funeral, people spoke of Sri’s love of others and Sri’s consistent willingness to be open and humble. People came from all over the world. Sri’s guru/mentor Dwarkoji (a disciple of Ghandi!) had made the trip from India to celebrate in Sri’s life. Clips from the movie Son of Ghana were shown with Sri dancing happily in a sea of beautiful African children. Kute Blackson was in attendance and said that he felt then that Sri might be making his transition soon as he saw the liberation in Sri’s dancing and Sri’s desire to throw off identities.
I had the opportunity to speak to Sri’s lovely daughter Radhika and share with her how much her father inspired me. She looked at me with a knowing look and we embraced.
Dr. Sri Sridharan as a young man
For more information about Sri go to: www.infinisri.com
**The Bodhisattva does not seek bodhi (awakening) solely for him/herself, but chiefly for the sake of freeing all other beings and aiding them into the bliss of Nirvana. This can be done by venerating all Buddhas and by cultivating supreme moral and spiritual perfection, to be placed in the service of others. Bodhisattvas vow to amass inconceivable amounts of merit (punya), which they will dedicate to all other sentient beings, so as to help them attain Nirvana and Awakening. (Wikipedia)
To the Bodhisattvas in the World (thank goodness for them!)
Jeanine Marie Austin, Ph.D., C.Ht.
Doctor of Life Coaching, Certified Hypnotherapist
Simply Divine Solutions
Life Coaching and Hypnosis Worldwide
http://www.SimplyDivineSolutions.com
(480) 491-0770
Free Consultation Available
