I
respect the name my parents gave me, but I
understand that’s it’s finished for the sake of
this Spiritual work. Using it would be like wearing
soiled underwear. Its history is finished, but old
friends are allowed to keep their familiar
addresses to me like “fool” or other names.
Poonja Ji asked me once if I wanted a name and I told him "No, because then I'd have to use it, and I'm not a name." Amarnath Ji wanted to call me "Natraj" (the form of Shiva which is the King of the Dance of the Universe) which fits me because I love to play and dance, but I never adopted it. Many friends know me as "Baba" and that feels perfect. “Baba” is the generic name of the thousands of holy and trying-to-be-holy men wandering about India or living peacefully in small huts and caves. I'm of the "Baba" tribe of things, but hey, "Baba" is like "Grandpa""Swami" or "Aunti". People can call it to you but it can't be your name.
I don't feel like any name. I AM
Not practical
So I asked Shantimayi, a guru of the Saccha lineage for a suggestion, and she suggested “Achal” (or Achala in Sanskrit) It means “still, immovable, mountain.” That fits me because, beyond my fun and foolishness, I’m deeply grounded, and I also passionately love the beauty in the Mountains. “Achala” also harkens to the holy mountain of Arunachala, beloved home of Poonja Ji’s guru, Ramana Maharshi, for whom I have great Love.
Some like shortening “Achala” to “Acha” Which means “Good” or “Ok.” I like that: “Acha Baba.”
I still don’t feel like any name, maybe only a simple “Baba.” But call me what you will. God seems to respond to any name called with intent but when asked, explained “I am that I am” Our essential nature is beyond names but use them to relate and love each other.
Peace and Love
Baba
Poonja Ji asked me once if I wanted a name and I told him "No, because then I'd have to use it, and I'm not a name." Amarnath Ji wanted to call me "Natraj" (the form of Shiva which is the King of the Dance of the Universe) which fits me because I love to play and dance, but I never adopted it. Many friends know me as "Baba" and that feels perfect. “Baba” is the generic name of the thousands of holy and trying-to-be-holy men wandering about India or living peacefully in small huts and caves. I'm of the "Baba" tribe of things, but hey, "Baba" is like "Grandpa""Swami" or "Aunti". People can call it to you but it can't be your name.
I don't feel like any name. I AM
Not practical
So I asked Shantimayi, a guru of the Saccha lineage for a suggestion, and she suggested “Achal” (or Achala in Sanskrit) It means “still, immovable, mountain.” That fits me because, beyond my fun and foolishness, I’m deeply grounded, and I also passionately love the beauty in the Mountains. “Achala” also harkens to the holy mountain of Arunachala, beloved home of Poonja Ji’s guru, Ramana Maharshi, for whom I have great Love.
Some like shortening “Achala” to “Acha” Which means “Good” or “Ok.” I like that: “Acha Baba.”
I still don’t feel like any name, maybe only a simple “Baba.” But call me what you will. God seems to respond to any name called with intent but when asked, explained “I am that I am” Our essential nature is beyond names but use them to relate and love each other.
Peace and Love
Baba