The last time I saw my first spiritual teacher, Micheal Bonfield, he handed me an envelope and then walked out of the pub. This was forty years ago; I have never seen him since. I have written about him n earlier posts.
When I eventually got home and opened the envelope, the following was written: ‘The pursuit of Truth will set you Free.’
I have tried to follow this injunction.
This ‘pursuit’ took me on a fascinating journey, although the first ten years were lonely and confusing. I have always followed that crooked path of my own and would not feel qualified to advise others. It has been an imaginative path, truly a ‘pathless’ land and the best guide was that inner voice, or Daemon, that spoke inside me.
At the University of Kent I met Joseph Milne, older than me at 42 but also doing his first degree. Joe had lived in London and been a member of the School of Economic Science (now the School of Philosophy) established by Leon McLaren and originally rooted in Platonism and the Fourth Way, but latterly bracing the Ancient Indian Philosophy of Advita Vedanta.
I learnt much from, and with, Joe in those three years and he was my gateway into Vedanta and non dual philosophy. He also taught me a unique approach to the study of texts which reveals the nature of attention and the subtle mechanics of attention. Many things flowed from our meeting and our friendship for which I am most grateful. I was hungry for knowledge and went on to read the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. These were startling texts that stilled the mind and satisfied my being. When I left University to return to Berkshire I also joined the SES in Reading which was led by another good man Philip Marvin and it was here I began to meditate and study practical philosophy.
Around this time my first wife began yoga practice and was led to an outstanding teacher. In a non-discript house in Tilehurst near Reading lived Swami Ambikananda.
Swami Ambikananda Saraswati was a revered spiritual teacher and practitioner of the ancient traditions of yoga and Vedanta. Born in South Africa, she had felt a deep spiritual calling from a young age and dedicated her life to studying and sharing the wisdom of Indian spiritual texts. Her teachings emphasized self-realization, compassion, and service, blending both the philosophical and practical aspects of yoga.
From a young age, Swami Ambikananda was inspired by the teachings of sacred texts such as the Bhagavad Gita. This passion led her to India, where she studied under several esteemed spiritual teachers. Eventually, she became a disciple of Swami Venkatesananda, a direct student of Swami Sivananda. Under his guidance, she immersed herself in the disciplines of yoga and meditation.
Swami Ambikananda advocated a holistic approach to yoga, integrating physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), meditation (dhyana), and selfless service (karma yoga). Her teachings focus on transcending ritualistic practices to cultivate inner transformation and self-awareness.
Although never a follower of Ambika ( and she had many) I greatly enjoyed the yoga classes and meditation meetings with her. She had a beautiful quality of grace and being. She lived in the world but was not of it. A hugely impressive person who had a deep understanding of the human body and of energetic matters. She was a master of the Sanskrit language. This was a language that I encountered again at University through Joe’s friend Huw Williams, who, on a visit to see Joe, chanted for us from the sacred scriptures. This was an unforgettable experience. Years later I would be the guardian of this language at St James Senior Boys School and I am glad of the Sanskrit I have learnt and this extraordinary philosophy.
On Sundays I would drive to Tilehurst to take part in the Arti fire ceremony at Ambika’s house. This was a beautiful and profound experience and meditating in a group like this is very special and creates a unified energy, what in the tradition is called Sattwa.
It is curious how I have met all these spiritual people over the years and how each one has illuminated some aspect of reality for me. Certainly, they all helped equip me to fulfil my dharma, my karma becoming my dharma. Without Joe I would never have known about the SES and in turn the St James Schools. My relationship with Kathleen Raine brought such bounty to me that I am still trying to fathom it out. Indeed, her Temenos organisations continued to broaden and deepen my education.
Ambika’s life of service has been an example to me and I greatly enjoyed the events I attended with her, including the launching of her translation above. Kindly she even attended a retreat I helped to organise for St James’ staff and a few years ago where she taught an amazing yoga class based on one of the Upanishads.
Life is uncertain and there are no guarantees, marital break up and cancer have all been challenges but the meditation practices and wisdom I have gained along the way have sustained my soul. It has been a blessed life.
Ambikas’ life has been one of study and service to humanity.
Ashanti.
#thebrazieroftruth
David