What do I know about Guru Nitya and how did Guru Nitya influence me!

 

Being born and brought up in a house, in Kerala, where teaching and literature of Narayana Guru was given importance, I was aware of Guru Nitya in my early years. I have seen on television and heard on radio, the interviews Guru Nitya had given. However I have to admit that I did not give much importance to what was written or taught at that time. Perhaps children are not taught the relevant teachings early on and maybe our brains on those days are not tuned in that direction. Now I understand this, when I  learn the verses of Atmopadesa Satakam.

 

After my initial qualification, I emigrated to the UK to continue my higher studies. Being a doctor in NHS, your priority is mostly focussed on getting your specialist training, the right jobs etc etc. You often don't understand what is the true meaning of life. You are in a journey where the destination is pre-fixed. 

 

In my early fifties, I came to know more about Guru Nitya, mostly through my good friend Sanal Madhavan, who has been learning these materials for some time. When we met during family occasions we used to discuss these teachings, and although I listened to what he used to say, I never showed an interest to go deeper into the subject. 

 

Something in the last few years, triggered in me, perhaps the stresses of life, I started listening more to Guru's teachings. I listened to Guru Nitya's interview and read his diaries which were available online and it made sense to me. 

 

The first change that happened to me is when I became a vegetarian. The explanation that Guru Nitya gave for why he did not eat meat products resonated with me. 

 

Soon after I started engaging more and more with SNGM [Sree Narayana Guru Mission in UK] and came across Guru's work. I bought a few books and started reading them. Guru Nitya made it possible for us to understand Narayana Guru's work and delve into the deeper meaning of those teachings. 

 

I am enjoying it every day and I think I have become a better person for that. I have only started recently and I fully acknowledge that this will take years, even to understand a very small part of what these eminent scholars have written for future generations. I am ever so grateful for that.

 

I am also grateful for the dedication and patience of those who take the time to teach us this difficult discipline. Their deeper understanding and explanations make it much easier for us to learn this difficult topic, which people with wider experience in philosophy struggle to do.