Avdhut told the mystic story 'Eternal Flame' of Guru Gorakshnath in Guru Sannidhyan. He elaborates on the meaning and its spiritual significance.
Article | June 11, 2024
Story
Once, in a village surrounded by dense forests, a mysterious, unending flame appeared at the edge of the woods. It neither consumed fuel nor diminished in brightness. Frightened and curious, the villagers approached Guru Gorakshnath for guidance.
Gorakshnath visited the flame and sat in meditation before it. He then called the villagers and asked them to touch the flame. Hesitant at first, they found that the flame was cool and soothing to the touch. Gorakshnath explained, "This flame symbolizes the eternal light of consciousness within each of us. It burns without consuming and illuminates without heat."
The villagers, enlightened by this explanation, began to meditate on the eternal flame, finding inner peace and spiritual awakening. The flame remained a beacon of spiritual light for generations.
Avdhut explains the story of the mysterious, unending flame that appeared at the edge of the woods and its subsequent explanation by Guru Gorakshnath is rich with symbolic and spiritual significance. To fully understand its inner meaning, we need to delve into several key elements and their metaphysical implications.
The Flame
In many spiritual traditions, fire or flame is a symbol of divine presence, purity, and the transformative power of spirit. The flame in this story is unique—it is unending, cool to the touch, and does not consume fuel. This signifies several profound truths:
Eternal Nature: The flame's unending quality represents the eternal and unchanging nature of consciousness or the soul. Unlike physical fire, which requires fuel and eventually extinguishes, the flame of consciousness is perpetual and self-sustaining.
Coolness and Comfort: Typically, fire is associated with heat, which can be destructive. However, this flame is cool and soothing, indicating that true spiritual enlightenment brings peace, and comfort, and does not harm. It contrasts with the often fiery nature of passions and desires, suggesting that the higher consciousness is beyond such turmoil.
Illumination Without Consumption: The flame illuminates without consuming, symbolizing wisdom and knowledge that enlightens without depleting resources. This can be interpreted as the light of awareness that enhances understanding without causing harm or loss.
The Forest
The dense forest surrounding the village can be seen as a metaphor for the complexities and challenges of life. Forests are often depicted as places of both danger and mystery, where one can easily get lost but also where one can find hidden treasures or truths. In this context, the forest represents:
Life's Challenges: The dense forest signifies the obstacles, fears, and uncertainties that individuals face in their lives. It is the backdrop against which the drama of human existence unfolds.
Inner Complexity: The forest can also symbolize the human mind, which is often dense with thoughts, emotions, and unconscious patterns. Just as navigating through a forest requires skill and courage, so too does navigating one's inner landscape.
The Villagers
The villagers' reactions—first fear and curiosity, then enlightenment and peace—mirror the journey of the soul or the seeker in search of truth. Their journey reflects:
Initial Ignorance: The villagers' initial fear and curiosity symbolize the common human condition of ignorance and the quest for understanding. Most people are initially unaware of their true nature and are often frightened by the unknown.
Seeking Guidance: Approaching Guru Gorakshnath for guidance represents the crucial step of seeking wisdom and spiritual guidance. It emphasizes the importance of a guru or spiritual teacher in the journey of enlightenment.
Transformation through Understanding: The villagers' transformation upon touching the flame and hearing Gorakshnath’s explanation highlights the power of direct experience and knowledge in dispelling ignorance and bringing about spiritual awakening.
Spiritual Explanation
If we look at that story we find the various lenses of spiritual traditions, primarily drawing from yogic, tantrik, and mystical perspectives.
The Eternal Light of Consciousness
Guru Gorakshnath's explanation that the flame symbolizes the "eternal light of consciousness within each of us" is central to the story. This statement encapsulates the core teaching of many spiritual traditions: that there is a divine, eternal essence within every being. This essence is often referred to as the Atman in Vedanta, the soul in many mystical traditions, or simply consciousness in modern spiritual parlance.
Atman and Brahman: In Nath Yoga and Tantra, a major philosophical tradition within Indian Spirituality, it is taught that Atman (the individual consciousness) and Brahman (the universal consciousness) are one and the same. The eternal flame symbolizes this non-dual reality—an undying, unchanging consciousness that is the true nature of all beings. Just as the flame remains constant and unconsumed, so too does the Atman remain unchanged despite the vicissitudes of life.
Illumination of Awareness: The flame's quality of illumination without consumption represents the nature of true awareness or consciousness. Awareness does not deplete anything; rather, it illuminates the mind and reality. This is akin to the concept of pure awareness or Sat-Chit-Ananda (Being-Consciousness-Bliss), which is considered the highest reality in Vedantic philosophy.
Coolness and Serenity: The cool and soothing nature of the flame suggests the serenity and peace that come with true spiritual enlightenment. Unlike the heat of desires, fears, and worldly entanglements, which can burn and cause suffering, the light of higher consciousness brings a profound sense of peace and tranquility.
The Role of the Guru
Guru Gorakshnath’s role in the story is pivotal. In many spiritual traditions, the guru is seen as a guide, a teacher, and often a catalyst for spiritual awakening.
Dispeller of Darkness: The term "guru" itself means "dispeller of darkness." By explaining the true nature of the flame, Gorakshnath dispels the darkness of ignorance among the villagers. This aligns with the role of a guru as one who brings the light of knowledge and understanding.
Mediator of Divine Truth: Gurus are often seen as intermediaries who help seekers connect with their own inner divine nature. Gorakshnath’s actions in the story exemplify this, as he helps the villagers recognize the divine light within themselves.
The catalyst for Transformation: The transformation of the villagers from a state of fear to a state of peace and enlightenment demonstrates the guru's power to initiate profound inner change. This change is not just intellectual but experiential, as the villagers physically interact with the flame and experience its cool, soothing nature.
The Path to Inner Peace and Awakening
The story also illustrates the path to inner peace and spiritual awakening, emphasizing several key steps:
Seeking Guidance: The villagers' decision to seek out Gorakshnath represents the first step on the spiritual path—recognizing one's own limitations and seeking guidance from a higher source. This humility and openness to learning are crucial for spiritual growth.
Direct Experience: The act of touching the flame and experiencing its coolness firsthand is symbolic of the importance of direct spiritual experience. Intellectual understanding alone is insufficient; true knowledge comes from personal experience and inner realization.
Meditation and Reflection: Gorakshnath’s meditation before the flame and his instruction to the villagers to meditate on it highlights the role of meditation and inner reflection in spiritual practice. Through meditation, individuals can connect with the eternal light of consciousness within themselves, leading to inner peace and awakening.
Transformation through Understanding: The villagers' transformation upon understanding the nature of the flame underscores the power of knowledge and insight in achieving spiritual transformation. This knowledge dispels ignorance and brings about a profound inner shift.
To fully appreciate the spiritual depth of this story, it is beneficial to explore the concepts and teachings of various spiritual traditions, drawing parallels and extracting deeper meanings.
Tantra
From the perspective of Tantra, the eternal flame is a powerful symbol of the non-dual nature of reality. In this tradition, it is taught that the ultimate reality is Brahman, an infinite, eternal, and unchanging consciousness that pervades everything. The individual soul, or Atman, is essentially identical to Brahman. This story vividly illustrates these teachings:
Brahman as Eternal Light: The flame's unending nature represents Brahman, the eternal light of consciousness that is the foundation of all existence. Just as the flame burns perpetually, so too does Brahman exist beyond time and change.
Atman as the Individual Light: Each individual is a reflection of this eternal light. The villagers' realization of the flame as a symbol of their inner consciousness is a recognition of their true nature as Atman, which is one with Brahman.
Illumination and Enlightenment: The flame's illumination without consumption parallels the Vedantic idea that true knowledge or enlightenment does not deplete but rather enhances one’s understanding and existence. It is a state of being that is self-sustained and ever-present.
Yogic Tradition
In the yogic tradition, the concept of inner light is often associated with the Kundalini energy and the chakras. The eternal flame can be seen as a symbol of the awakened Kundalini and the divine consciousness that resides at the crown chakra (Sahasrara):
Kundalini Awakening: The mysterious flame at the edge of the forest can be seen as a representation of the dormant Kundalini energy. When this energy is awakened through spiritual practices such as meditation, it rises through the chakras, leading to higher states of consciousness.
Chakra Illumination: As the Kundalini energy ascends, it illuminates each chakra, much like the eternal flame illuminates without consuming. The coolness of the flame corresponds to the calm and blissful state achieved when the Kundalini reaches the Sahasrara chakra, where the individual consciousness merges with the universal consciousness.
Guru’s Guidance: In yogic practices, the guidance of a guru is essential for the safe and effective awakening of the Kundalini. Guru Gorakshnath’s role in leading the villagers to understand the flame mirrors the role of a guru in guiding disciples through their spiritual awakening.
Mystical Traditions
Mystical traditions across various cultures often emphasize the inner light and the journey toward spiritual enlightenment. The eternal flame in this story resonates with the mystical pursuit of divine illumination:
Inner Light: Mystics speak of an inner light that guides and illuminates the soul’s journey towards the divine. The eternal flame is a perfect metaphor for this inner light, which is a source of wisdom, peace, and divine connection.
Transcendence of Duality: The cool and soothing nature of the flame transcends the duality of heat and cold, symbolizing the mystical experience of transcending dualities and experiencing the unity of all things. This aligns with mystical experiences of oneness and the dissolution of boundaries between self and the divine.
Meditative Practices: Mystical traditions often emphasize the importance of meditation and contemplation in accessing the inner light. The villagers’ meditation on the eternal flame represents the practice of turning inward to connect with the divine essence.
Integration into Daily Life
The teachings from this story can be integrated into daily life, providing practical guidance for spiritual seekers:
Recognizing the Inner Light: Acknowledge and meditate on the inner light of consciousness. Regular meditation practices can help connect with this inner light, leading to greater peace and understanding.
Seeking Guidance: Embrace the importance of seeking guidance from spiritual teachers or mentors. Their wisdom and experience can provide valuable insights and support on the spiritual path.
Overcoming Fear and Ignorance: Confront fears and ignorance with the light of knowledge and understanding. Just as the villagers overcame their initial fear of the flame, spiritual seekers can overcome their inner obstacles through insight and wisdom.
Practicing Selflessness and Humility: Cultivate virtues of selflessness, humility, and openness to learning. These qualities are essential for spiritual growth and transformation.
Experiencing Directly: Prioritize direct spiritual experiences over mere intellectual understanding. Engage in practices that provide direct encounters with the divine, such as meditation, prayer, and contemplative reflection.
The story of Guru Gorakshnath and the mysterious, unending flame is a profound allegory for the eternal light of consciousness within each individual. Through its rich symbolism and spiritual teachings, it offers valuable insights into the nature of the soul, the importance of spiritual guidance, and the transformative power of direct experience and inner reflection. By embracing these teachings, individuals can embark on a journey toward inner peace, spiritual awakening, and a deeper understanding of their true divine nature.
