Acting in Calamities: Guruji on Crisis and Meditation

From the teachings of Sri Amritananda Natha Saraswati (Guruji). Post title: "Acting in calamities: On Preparation, Crisis, and the Essence of Srividya". Dated 5 November 2016. Posted on Guruji's blog by Vira Chandra. Originally published at amritananda-natha-saraswati.blogspot.com.

Guruji's words

Guruji: It's best not to be in crisis. But you are not in control of that. If you come prepared beforehand, then can face any crisis in a meaningful manner. Upasana helps you to deal with things, when you face crisis. When you are not threatened, be prepared i.e. what meditation is for. In meditation you let the subconsciousness rise to conscious level and you face the situation in a nonthreatening manner. No one has died in meditation.
When calamity strikes, all you have to do, is watch and wait. If you are afraid during that tie, watch. You cannot be afraid for ever, since you get bored of it and it goes away.
Ability to wait, watch and let things happen as they are.
Mind is the best source, for what you need. The help has to be found within you. You are the best person to know about yourself. How can a external person help you.
Deeper you go into meditation, stronger the emotions that comes up, they hold sway for sometime, watch them go.
Don't have preferences or attachment for good or bad experiences.
If you have high energy levels, you should meditate.
These are what I think is the essence of Srividya

Guruji, "Acting in calamities: On Preparation, Crisis, and the Essence of Srividya", as posted on Guruji's blog by Vira Chandra on 5 November 2016. The text is kept as in the original.

How this shows up in Kaula practice

Guruji links crisis to upasana, which means worship and inner practice. Daily meditation is the preparation. It lets what sits in the subconscious come up in a calm way, so it does not surprise you later.

In Kaula practice, this is the inner worship at work. You learn to stay with strong feelings without pushing them away. Guruji says this is what he thinks is the essence of Srividya. He attained mahasamadhi in October 2015, and Guru Amma Annapurnamba guides the lineage today. This site is an independent practitioner's space and does not speak on behalf of Devipuram.

Common questions

How does Guruji say to act in a crisis?

He says to watch and wait. If you are afraid, watch the fear. You cannot stay afraid for ever.

How can you prepare for a crisis?

Guruji says to come prepared beforehand. Upasana and meditation help you face a crisis in a meaningful way.

Is meditation dangerous when strong emotions come up?

Guruji says no one has died in meditation. He says stronger emotions may rise as you go deeper, and you watch them go.

Where does Guruji say help comes from?

He says the mind is the best source for what you need, and the help has to be found within you.

What does Guruji call the essence of Srividya here?

He lists waiting, watching, finding help within and holding no preference for good or bad experiences, then says these are what he thinks is the essence of Srividya.