The Ootacamund hills had a spiritual tranquillity which easily lifted his mind to a higher level of experience. As he sat one day looking out at the blue hills spreading in front like the waves of a sea, he felt as though something emerged out of his body, spread all over the landscape, and became identified with all that existed.[1]
In his own words:
‘Listen. The spiritual atmosphere of this place is very elevating; the mind naturally runs after the Infinite. I had no idea before that this place was so full of high spiritual inspiration. Now as the days roll on, more of it is being revealed to me and making me mute with wonder. I now think of the infinite grace of the Master that he should have brought me here for the very purpose of giving me the bliss of such divine realization. I had the same kind of feeling when I was in the Himalayas many years ago. The mind has a natural tendency towards meditation, and it soon becomes quiet and serene. It takes some effort to bring it down. Many saints and rishis must have undertaken deep spiritual practices here; they have left the place surcharged with great spiritual power. It is very conducive to spiritual practices. C. and others remarked the other day that the forests here abound in fruits of various kinds. Maybe the rishis lived on those fruits and spent their days in spiritual practices.’ He kept silent for some time and then continued: ‘The other day, when I sat thus looking quietly at the blue ranges, I noticed somebody coming out of this body and spreading over the whole world.’ With these words he closed his lips. After a long while he drew a long breath and said: ‘The Master is my Paramatman, the supreme Self; it is He who pervades the whole universe: “A quarter of His is this whole universe; His other three immortal quarters are in the bright region.” ’[2]