Close encounter

Close encounter

August 2024

CLOSE ENCOUNTER 

In quest of  ananda 

In a talk with Ananda Mathews,  an American cinematographer,  Pradeep Krishnan probes into  his fascinating spiritual jour 

ney with his Indian guru, the  Divine Colonel  A social media post announcing  the launch of the book, In  Quest of Guru, written jointly  by Shri Matthew Zschoche and his  guru Colonel Ashok Kini, caught my  attention. Intrigued by its description:  ‘A soul’s journey from the United States  to the spiritual nation Bharat in search  of an enlightened guru and the Divine  

 After much pursuit, when contacted, Colonel  Ashok Kini at once sent the book to my house through a messenger. 

Since 1998, Colonel Ashok Kini, popularly  known as the Divine Colonel has been guiding seekers all over the  world. During the tenure of Dr APJ Abdul  Kalam as the president, he had been the  comptroller of the Rashtrapati Bhavan  from 2002 to 2005. He introduced Matthew  to the spiritual path and, ultimately, led  him to discover his true Self. In the ‘Note  of Blessing’ in the book, Padmabhushan Dr  David Frawley (Pt Vamadeva Sastry) noted,  “Matthew has undergone an inner change  under Colonel Ashok Kini’s guidance  and has been given an opportunity to  serve humanity. Matthew’s path, and the  one for all humanity, is to understand  the secrets of Vedic Science and discover  the true nature of the Soul within. With  

my experience reading the book In Quest  of Guru, I am confident that seekers of  wisdom will gain in-depth knowledge and  lasting inspiration.” 

I desired to meet the authors after reading  the book. Though several dates and places  were chosen, somehow or the other, the  encounter got postponed. Finally, seeing  Matthew’s message, “Guruji and I are  coming to Trivandrum on February 2  and 3 exclusively to meet you,” I was  overjoyed. 

On the appointed day, as soon as my wife  Sreelakshmi and I stepped into the lobby  of the hotel and offered fruits and flowers,  hearing Guru Sri Ashok Kini’s words,  “I see Ramakrishna and the Divine  

Mother,” I was taken aback. For my initiation  had been from the Sri Ramakrishna Mission,  my hereditary name (that we use during family  rituals) is Ramakrishna Sharma, and I have  been an ardent devotee of the Divine Mother,  Parashakti! Seeing us puzzled, Ashok Kini  said that it came to him spontaneously from  Jagadamba! 

Soon, the interview commenced with my wife  singing a bhajan. When asked to explain the  change in his name, Matthew said, “My Guruji  changed my name to Ananda Mathews to  signify transformation. ‘Ananda’ means a soul  that brings happiness to others, empowered  to share positive energy and alleviate sorrows.  ‘Mathews’ signifies a spiritual gift for the  welfare of humanity. If a modern boy can  transform into an embodiment of Ananda (bliss  and joy), then everyone has the potential for  transformation to serve humanity.” 

Below are excerpts from the interview with Shri  Ananda Mathews. 

Please tell us about your life as Mathew  Zschoche. 

The body’s journey began in 1983 in California.  Despite having a challenging childhood  and family difficulties, I pursued a career  in cinematography, seeking answers to life’s  mysteries globally. Guided by the Divine, my  assignments took me to Sri Lanka and Bharat,  where I got many creative opportunities in the  field. I experienced a mental, spiritual, and  physical churning here as in 2020, the Divine  guided me towards my Guruji, who too had  experienced miracles and mysteries in this  spiritual nation. His life experiences, work,  and relationships hold many valuable lessons,  which are included in our transformational  book In Quest of Guru. I am of the view that my  journey highlights the transformative power of  Bharat for any human being. 

What about your spiritual journey? I believe that transformation is the key to Life.  My spiritual journey began with meeting my  guru, the Divine Colonel Sri Ashok Kiniji and  the blessings of the Divine Mother, Vishwa  Mata Devi. One night when my body fell down  lifeless, Guruji appeared, removed a spirit living  inside, and placed within me a divine soul.  Soon, with the Divine Mother’s empowerment,  Guruji restarted the body’s functions, setting  me on the path of service. 

In a mature human body, overcoming the  imprints and desires of former inhabitants  (karma) was a rigorous battle. By Guruji’s grace  and with the cleansing power of the Divine, this  body was purified, and my connection with the  Divinity evolved, making me awaken to who I  truly am.  

From the USA, I have returned to Bharat, my  land of many births, to serve at a crucial time  for humanity, coinciding with the spread of the  COVID-19 pandemic. I consider it a significant  churning of collective karma as it presented the  opportunity for me and all of humanity to learn  valuable lessons, gain knowledge, surrender,  and serve selflessly. 

The Divine, through my guru, has guided me  every step of the way, cutting and polishing  me to become a diamond, teaching me the  science of seva, the power of surrender, the joy  of accepting the flow of life, and the perfection  of the Divine’s plan for our lives. 

As the Divine churned me, I stopped asking  for what I wanted, instead embracing whatever  was with me. After struggling to win over the  mind, I began to see everything in life as a gift  from the Divine, allowing the plan for my life  to unfold on its own. The light of intuition  ignited, and a quiet direction before thought  began to guide me in every aspect of life. People  would appear to help me with whatever was  required before I could ask. 

Those around me observed dramatic changes  in my body and energy levels. People  commented that my face, eyes, voice, aura,  and lifestyle had significantly changed.  While some resisted the transformation, most  joyfully accepted it. 

Guruji instructed me to continue with my  career in cinematography. Soon, people began  to approach me at random to speak about their  problems and ask for guidance. I would guide  the people in a flow, not always remembering  what I said. I would see past events in my  vision and often heard the thoughts of other  people. I told them of positive things that  would unfold in their lives and warned them  of impending negative occurrences, guiding  them on how to avoid them. 

Sometimes, talking for hours with people  felt like only a few minutes, sorting through  the deepest spiritual issues for them, their families, and their ancestors. They seemed to  benefit, and I learnt while listening to myself  speak. They would feel calm being with me,  and their concerns would later be resolved in  a beautiful way they never imagined. 

When I told Guruji, “When I speak to people,  it is a flow from beyond me, and time stands  still. Some people tell me I quote Sanskrit  shlokas, the Vedas, the Bhagavad Gita,  the Bible, and Buddhist texts in modern  language, but I have never read them in this  lifetime. Often, I speak something new that  I did not know before. The mind questions  if all this is real, but the people take to it,  easily understanding,” he said, “This is the  divine communication of Prastuth. What I  can do, you can do too. What you speak comes  automatically based on the needs of the person  sitting before you. People have problems, and  the Divine makes you understand them.” 

Guruji revealed that I talk about psychology,  spirituality and the Truth to people, and  whatever I utter will be good for them. “You 

do not see negativity in them. With your  power, you cut that negativity without their  knowledge. If something bad is supposed  to happen, it will not,” he added. Guruji  convinced me that the Divine is the one  making me say all these things.  

So, my spiritual journey thus far has been  beautiful, and I am excitedly waiting to see  what happens next. I am devoted to serving  humanity and our beloved nation, Bharat,  supporting Her as a beacon of wisdom,  guiding the world towards joy and peace, as  Vishwa Guru, the universal teacher. 

What is your understanding of Sanatana  Dharma? 

Sanatana Dharma, the universal way of  peaceful living for all humanity, cannot  be dismantled by human actions. It stands  beyond time, lacking a beginning or end,  serving as the foundation of every culture and  religion. The rishis of yore proclaimed that  we are all part of one humanity, on a beautiful  journey of learning.  

Sanatana Dharma teaches us love, truth,  selfless service, tolerance, compassion, and  transformation—the recipe for harmony  and social cohesion. It embraces all beliefs,  encouraging individuals to find their own  path to spiritual growth. Every citizen holds  the duty of upholding our nation’s diverse  cultural fabric. Many paths lead to the same  destination. Choose to practise the positive  elements of any one. Sanatana Dharma, rooted  in ancient Vedic knowledge, is not religious; it  is spiritual and divine. It predates all human  concepts of belief, guiding us towards positive  spiritual energy and unity.  

You speak of a modern approach to Sanatana  Dharma. What do you mean by it? 

Sanatan Dharma, a universal positive way of  18 LifePositive | AUGUST 2024

living for all humanity, is endlessly flowing  Vedic Divine Knowledge, a timeless, adaptable  guide for any circumstance.  

‘Life’ is like a software program, training  the soul (atman) with fundamental truths  applicable to the entire Universe, and Sanatana  Dharma provides us with the passwords to  navigate through this system. One has to  contemplate how best to use the limited time  and temporary existence as a human. 

True, lasting bliss (Ananda) can be attained  through truth, knowledge, love, and selfless  service. The foundation of positive living is  positive thinking. It is the basis of positive  words and actions, attracting similar energy  to us. Replace negativity with positivity  immediately. Practise self-honesty, and  profess the truth. Accept the reality of every  situation—honesty is accepting reality.  Surrender to life’s flow, seeing everything  that comes as an opportunity. Serve humanity  selflessly (seva), beyond the comfort of friends  and family. This body is meant to serve others  in every possible way. Prioritise taking care  of this human body as the foremost dharma.  Choose to enjoy every moment, ensuring no  harm to yourself or others. When we apply  this wisdom, synchronising our lives with the  flow of the Divine, then life becomes easy and  joyous. 

What are your spiritual activities? I believe that the full plan for this life has not  been revealed yet. Guided by Guruji, I have  been engaged in psycho-spiritual counselling,  delivering lectures, participating in panel  discussions, making media appearances, and  interacting with students—each experience  preparing me for the Divine’s plan. I am  guided to share a modern approach to  Sanatana Dharma and Vedic Science, in  easily understandable terms and forms. This  

includes illuminating the path to lasting  happiness for youth and seekers worldwide. 

A key part of my mission is to collaborate  with organisations promoting dharma and  righteous living. The Divine has instructed  me to write several books simplifying joyful  living and making Bharat’s ancient wisdom  accessible to all. Furthermore, I am tasked  with supporting the spiritual cleansing and  rebalancing of our land’s energy in regions  burdened by past karmic events, where the  environment carries the pain of foreign  invasions, the agony of the Portuguese  Inquisition, and the darkness of coerced  conversions. Many souls, stuck in these places,  await liberation and are poised for rebirth to  reconcile old debts. 

How did the idea for the book In Quest of  Guru evolve? 

The book happened due to a Divine order  from my past life that needed completion  before my current life could unfold. Since its  release, my life has seen significant changes.  In the new Bharat, there is a disconnect  from our dharmic roots, especially among  the youth. Though it might be hard for us to  understand, our ever-flowing ancient Vedic  knowledge holds solutions to life’s challenges.  My Guruji instructed me to simplify this  wisdom into practical guidance for anyone  seeking positive change. The book was  written to inspire global youth and spiritual  seekers towards transformation. It leads the  human soul towards enlightenment through  a modern approach to Sanatana Dharma and  Vedic principles for joyful, contented living. 

The journey of Ananda Mathews, before  and after transformation, mirrors the path  of every spiritual seeker. Drawing from my  experiences, the book illustrates that everyone  can transform and overcome any situation  

in life. The book underwent refinement  over nearly three years before its release,  with support from many well-wishers. It is  a journey for all seekers, empowering you to  awaken your Inner Guru and forever connect  to the Divine. 

In the entire book, you refer to the nation  as Bharat instead of India and describe it as  Vishwa Guru. 

‘Bharat’ embodies our ancient Vedic heritage,  where Divine Knowledge descends and  Divine Souls incarnate to guide humanity.  It represents an ideal environment for the  human soul’s evolution. While ‘India’ is a  colonial legacy, ‘Bharat’ connects us to our  spiritual and cultural roots, honouring our  ancestors who channelled Divine Knowledge.  Throughout the book, ‘Bharat’ is used to  embrace this profound wealth and guide readers to connect with timeless wisdom. Bharat as ‘Vishwa Guru’ serves humanity  as a universal teacher and guide—a beacon  of light for the world. Its knowledge  transcends boundaries of religion, culture,  and nationality, offering universal truths that  resonate with the human soul. Through its  ancient wisdom and living traditions, Bharat  illuminates the path to peace, harmony, and  spiritual evolution for all of humanity. It is a  guiding light for all souls, seeing all human  beings as one family, a global society. 

How can seekers benefit by reading your  book? 

The transformative energy behind the words  of In Quest of Guru is evident in the testimonies  of those who overcame depression, changed  their mind about committing suicide, and  got rid of their addiction, after connecting  with the book. Seekers perceive In Quest  of Guru as their personal journey, finding  themselves reflected in its pages. The  knowledge resonates deeply, leading to calm  introspection. As questions dissolve, many  find themselves smiling without knowing  why. Readers feel empowered to choose  happiness, irrespective of circumstances.  They experience happy coincidences, feeling  guided as a journey unfolds before them. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, you were  engaged in seva, serving the people living  in the slums of Mumbai. Please share your  approach to seva as a means for spiritual  progress. 

The COVID-19 pandemic, a karmic event,  provided humanity with a profound  opportunity for introspection and  transformation. It taught us to look beyond  ourselves, seeking ways to bring relief to  other souls on the journey of human life,  illustrating the true essence of seva—a service  to humanity as a service to the Divine. 

Selfless service to humanity beyond friends  and family offers immeasurable joy. It is an  inner journey towards discovering the Divinity  within ourselves and all beings, leading us to  boundless bliss, Ananda. Guided by the Divine  to purify and prepare this body, a mission of  seva unfolded during these challenging times.  What began with a single rickshaw, with me and  a driver, evolved into a broad program aided by  many sevaks (volunteers) distributing essential  rations in the chawls (slums) of Bandra West  and Bandra East, Khar West, and Santa Cruz  West and Santa Cruz East near the international  airport. 

Madhava Seva, where we engage with our  minds and souls, worships the Divine within  every human being. When our thoughts, words,  and actions align in service, Karma stands still,  moving us closer to the Divine. Witnessing the  light of God shining through those we serve is  a profound realisation of Seva’s sacred gift— relief for ourselves and care for others. In this,  manava seva evolves into Madhava Seva—a  sacred offering to the Divine in every living  being, a pathway to spiritual evolution and a  source of profound joy. 

Your message to the readers 

Embrace the Divine within you, for it is the  guiding light on your journey of life. Seek the  truth, spread love, and serve humanity with  selflessness and compassion. Do not harm  anything created by the Divine. Remember,  you are an eternal being on a sacred path of  evolution. An infinite being fears nothing. Let  the wisdom of Sanatana Dharma illuminate  your way, leading you to limitless joy, peace, and  unity with all Creation. Trust in the divine plan  for your life, surrender to its flow, and embrace  positivity to awaken the Guru within. May your  life be filled with divine blessings and eternal  Ananda. I welcome seekers to connect with me  at inquestofguru@gmail.com. 

Shri Ashok Kini was born in 1962 in Hosdurg,  Kerala, a place associated with Bhagawan  Nityananda, Sri Papa Ramdas, and other  saints. Right from childhood, thanks to  his father’s association with Bhagawan  Nityananda, Ashok Kini had a spiritual bent  of mind and loved Mother Earth and all  her inhabitants. Soon after graduation from  Calicut University, he started his career as an  officer in the Indian Army.  

Colonel Kini, a highly decorated soldier  decorated with the Sena Medal and the  Vishisht Seva Medal, rendered impeccable  service during the Kargil War. He was in  charge of the transportation of martyrs’ bodies  during the entire operation. He was awarded  the Chief of Army Staff Commendation for  Outstanding Service in the United Nations  Peace Keeping Mission in Angola, Africa,  in 1998, and with the Vishisht Seva Medal  for dedication and devotion to duty as the  comptroller at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.  Earlier he had served in the Indian Peace  Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka too. In  2005, he was awarded the Seva Ratna by Kanchi  Kama Koti Pitham for his service to humanity. 

Popularly known as ‘Divine Colonel,’ Ashok  Kini has been a spiritual counsellor since  1998. However, the turning point of his life was  during the Kargil war in 1999, when he had  to transport the bodies of martyred soldiers  to their hometown, attend the cremations in  Delhi, and give military honour to their mortal  remains. An incident where a living soldier was  erroneously selected for the Param Vir Chakra  (given posthumously) award was averted at  the instance of Colonel Kini when the latter  located him in the Base Hospital in Delhi. This  convinced Colonel Kini that the Divine was  working through him for the nation’s good.  The war period had uplifted him to an elevated  state and, later, he said, “During the Kargil  War, the Divine Mother came to me, pulled out  my tongue, and wrote on it for several minutes.  I felt the pain but could not see the presence  of anyone around. The Divine Mother then  commanded me, ‘Now you will speak for me.’  From that day onwards, the Divine Mother  communicates Truth through me to those who  are destined to meet me.” 

Ananda Mathews welcomes seekers to connect with him on Instagram and YouTube where  practical knowledge is shared through videos.