Letters from Papaji

Sri H.W.L. Poonja to Eli Jaxon-Bear, November 1990 – April 1993

These are some of the letters Eli received from Papaji. Click on any letter image to view it in full size, and scroll left or right to navigate through the multi-page letters.

THE SURENDRA LETTER

Dear Eli,

I have gone through all letters written by you and Ganga. From the letters, I can know the place in the heart from which it is written. It gives me great pleasure to know the progress made by Ganga in helping people in their pursuit of happyness. This is due to your efforts only.

A letter was received from Hanuman who mentioned about the satsang you all had there. Papaji is not feeling well, as he has trouble with his legs, and he is seeking advice of the doctors and taking some medicine.

Perhaps I will tell you more personally.

With kind regards, yours sincerely, Surendra

From Surendra, Papaji’s son — the man who opened the door in Lucknow and told Eli, “He is upstairs. He is waiting for you,” the line that opens the Meeting Papaji account. Written in July 1990, in the months after Eli’s first January meeting.

FROM YAMUNA

Dearest Jaxon Brother,

I just sit next to Papaji who took out “Wake Up and Roar” Volume I because he read a little while ago a young man wrote that he burst out into tears of recognition while reading the first chapter. He reads out loud to Jyoti and me and smiles radiantly: “A wonderful, wonderful book, I never knew — that’s why people all over the world are getting it, reading it.” Then he continued reading — you know how he does it — he reads the words for the first time, and actually he spoke the same words of the first 2 pages to a young man from Germany this morning.

As soon as you had left, Papaji asked: “Where are the 500 US Dollars from Eli?” — So you see the money went back to the source!

I also had a very beautiful meeting with Sven and Translater afterwards. I never knew before that we could meet so deeply.

The days with Gangaji in the house have been so blissful, and the joy of talking with her about all that cannot be spoken to anybody else will last me a long time — maybe the both of you come back earlier this…

From Yamuna — a heart surgeon and one of Eli’s students from Germany, who came to see Papaji and became his full-time assistant. Writing from beside him, she describes Papaji taking out Wake Up and Roar and reading it aloud to her and Jyoti, delighting in it after hearing a reader had wept with recognition at the first chapter: “A wonderful, wonderful book, I never knew.” Her aside — Papaji asking after “the 500 US Dollars from Eli,” the money “gone back to the source” — belongs to the same thread as the 1991 letters about Eli’s gifts.

Dear Jaxon,

I have rec’d your two letters dt 10-19-90 & 11-7-90. I had to reply your letters on 11-20-90, but I had to wait because some people came away early before the Satsangh time as they were new comers from Zimbabaway & Berkeley. Then today I rec’d your letter card from Yosemite. The topic was very fresh & untouched from the National Park. Did you meet one Karl who came to see me at Hardwar & New York?

I have rec’d two letters from Ma Ganga jee which give me Joy & Happiness, asking me a question, which I will reply in an enclosed letter.

When you walk on the Razors edge don’t carry load.

[cross-writing] No one will walk along side abreast. Go your way … not to abide any whose … Love, your Papa.

One of the earliest letters, and already intimate. Papaji tracks Eli’s travels (Yosemite, the letter-card from the National Park) and notes new arrivals to satsang from as far as Zimbabwe and Berkeley — the West beginning to find him. “When you walk on the Razor’s edge, don’t carry load” is pure Papaji: the Katha Upanishad / Maugham image of the path of awakening.

My Beloved Son,

I am very glad to read your letter dt Dec 5th. Many people who have met with you & Ganga ji in Europe & in America are writing to me as to how they have been benefitted by both of you, & some have rec’d direct transmission from Ma Ganga ji & have asked me to permit them to go to Lucknow. One of the letter is enclosed here for your reference.

I want to ask you if the above person is very ill to take up a long distance travell as stated in the letter, in which case you will please help him.

May I advise them to see you in Maui if you are staying.

Papaji reports the early fruit of Eli and Gangaji’s work in Europe and America — people writing to Lucknow describing how they were helped, some asking permission to come. He defers to Eli on whether to send a frail correspondent the long distance, and floats directing people to meet Eli in Maui.

My dear Son,

I have rec’d your letter of Dec 20th.

I am very happy to read your letter & receive the credit cards thru Hanuman. You do things that none had done before. Why do you send me money. You know no one ever paid me money. Except my Indian boys in Colorado Springs & one in India. As a matter of fact I dont need money from those who come to receive light. You are the one who likes to give me maximum comfort & you will be rewarded for taking good care of me.

I am very happy with my Son & daughter, whose reputation is spreading in U.S.A & Europe. There are many who are enlightened — Ganga jee …how to express my flood of Happiness for you.

About the Book — the title is wonderful. There are many people who are recording my talks. If you write to them, you may enter these in your Book. I wish you good Luck. These are James, Barry, Ron, Stephen, Freppin, Rosen.

[cross-writing] Kiss you & Ganga jee. More & more people are coming. Remember to […]

A tender, half-scolding letter about Eli sending him credit cards and money. “No one ever paid me money — except my Indian boys”: Papaji took support only from his own family of Indian devotees, never from the Western seekers who came for light. “You will be rewarded for taking good care of me.” Page two turns to the book Eli was assembling — “the title is wonderful” — and Papaji offers the names of those recording his talks, so their transcripts might be gathered in.

My Dear Son,

Since I am not able to come to Hawaii nor Surendra & family.

I asked Hanuman if he could take back the credit cards you have sent me to deliver to you. He said it was not necessary. I can keep them & not use it.

I send you my Love my naughty Son. You do things that never one has had ever done to me. How to repay back this gesture of deep Love you have for your Papa.

My daughter speaks a natural language that none of the Zen Masters had uttered. I thank you for introducing this rare person to me last year. She will utter a Roar to the world. “Wake Up.”

Love Ganga ji, your Papa.

P.S. There are many people who will help you to make a book. May I send you the names of those who have recorded tapes.

The sequel to the January letter: Papaji has sent the credit cards back via Hanuman, who told him it wasn’t necessary, so he keeps them unused — “my naughty Son,” affectionate exasperation at Eli’s generosity. Page two turns fully to Gangaji, “my daughter,” who “speaks a natural language that none of the Zen Masters had uttered.” Papaji thanks Eli for introducing her to him the year before and foretells what is coming: “She will utter a Roar to the world. Wake Up.” — the very words that would name the book. A closing postscript offers the names of those who had recorded tapes, help toward making it.

Dear Son,

Rec’d your letter dt 10-8-91.

There are one hundred people who came for Satsang today, we can not accomodate more than 70 in the room actualy ment to seat only 30 people. Due to Dev Prem & Hari Devi who were interviewed by Osho leaders & put it on the Computor, has been circulated all over the world. People are comming here & have been renting the houses in Indira Nagar. I have no rest at all.

There are 8 people who have met with Ganga ji. They sing Her praise & are gratful to her.

3 people from Hawaii have come today including a wife of Lee Joseph & two others. Poona is shifting to Lucknow.

Please write to Sven Kress, Austria, & Prashant (Dirk) who is every day recording my talks.

You will find enough material for your Book.

Many Osho Germans are meeting with Yamuna, and have become a family. Some Osho Sanyasins have abandoned their Sanyas names & are getting names from me & asking me to perform their marriages.

Devaprem has written to me that 300 people are attending his Satsang. Andrew & his stooges are in great pain. He is sending his police to different people. Maya, Meera & say they will go to see you.

With Love to Ganga ji & my dear Son. Your loving father, H W L Poonja

A vivid snapshot of the moment the Lucknow satsangs exploded: a hundred people in a room built for thirty. Papaji credits an Osho-leaders interview — “put on the Computer” — circulating worldwide, and notes “Poona is shifting to Lucknow” as the Pune sannyasins arrived in waves. Page two deepens the picture: Osho sannyasins are shedding their sannyas names, taking new ones from Papaji and asking him to perform their marriages, while the German contingent gathers around Yamuna and “have become a family.” Papaji points Eli to more people recording his talks — “you will find enough material for your Book” — and the Andrew rift surfaces here too: “Andrew & his stooges are in great pain.”

Dear Jaxon,

I have rec’d the recorded tape thru Raj Prakash who came from Boulder today.

I can not hear properly. Please send me the transcript. Only I heard:
Andrew: “[You think] I am confused.”

Ganga ji: “No, I dont say you are confused. I say your understanding is limited.”

I am very happy you speak with my tongue. First of all why did he go to you. He wrote to me “Tony, a woman on the street” had no understanding to pick up my (Andrew’s) teaching. And now she has been sent by Poonja ji to mislead people.

You dont keep any garbage in your mind. You dont carry any person in your mind. then alone you are fit to Teach “Truth.”

He wrote to me: “I am in Pain, my whole Sanga is in pain.” Seeing Ganga & Dev Prem encouraged by Poonja ji.

There is a very good letter from Maitri & 9 others from Boulder who have attended your Satsang & of Devaprem & Andrew. Of all these, she writes she has only found the True teaching in you.

Love, H W L Poonja

Possibly the most historically significant letter in the set. The “recorded tape” is the Berkeley satsang in which Andrew comes to Gangaji and she meets his “you think I am confused” with her precise correction — not confused, but limited in understanding. Made by Richard, a volunteer from Conference Recording Studios, that tape traveled the world and launched Gangaji’s international reputation. Here Papaji — hearing a poor-quality copy in Lucknow — quotes the exchange and asks Eli for the transcript. Page two carries the rupture to its point: Papaji relays Andrew’s grievance — that Gangaji “had no understanding… and now she has been sent by Poonja ji to mislead people,” that “I am in pain, my whole Sangha is in pain” — and answers it with instruction to Eli: “You don’t keep any garbage in your mind… then alone you are fit to teach Truth.” He closes with a letter from Maitri and nine others from Boulder who, having sat with Eli, Devaprem and Andrew, found the true teaching only in Eli.

My Beloved Son,

I am glad to read your letter dt 14th Jan 92, about the project you have undertaken prompted by the Supreme Purusha speaking to you from within. This is HIS Grace working thru my Dear Son. I bless you for this Divine Service for its own Manifestation.

Many people have written to me that the Travel Agents in U.S.A. are recomending the tourists who come to India, that they have to include to visit Papa ji in Lucknow. There are many journalysts from China, Germany, England & U.S.A. who have come for my interview. Catherine Ingram & Christine who contribute for Yoga Journal are also here for interview.

Papaji blesses a project of Eli’s — “prompted by the Supreme Purusha speaking to you from within … HIS Grace working thru my Dear Son.” The letter also documents the media moment around Papaji: U.S. travel agents steering tourists to Lucknow, and journalists from four countries — including Catherine Ingram for Yoga Journal — arriving to interview him.

Dear Son,

I have rec’d this letter on the other side from Mr Dev Gogi working in Sri Ramana Ashram, that the Ashram President & the Editor V. Ganeshan of the Mountain Path has given him “the Book” Wake Up & Roar for book review. He & Raj — you may have seen them in Lucknow with me.

This Book was given by Nataraj to the President, Ramana Center & the Path Way Magazine, who sent it for review. This Book has been read & appreciated by thousands of people in the west. I am receiving letters that one reading of the Book has awakened some people.

[cross-writing] Love & blessings, your Papa

The lineage closing the circle. Papaji reports that Wake Up and Roar — the satsang collection Eli compiled — has reached Sri Ramanasramam itself: Dev Gogi, and V. Ganeshan (Ramana Maharshi’s grand-nephew and editor of The Mountain Path, the ashram’s journal) have taken the book for review. Published by Nataraj, read by thousands in the West, “one reading has awakened some people.” The book made in Papaji’s room returning to Ramana’s own ashram.

Beloved Son,

I have rec’d your Fax. I have finally decided to go visit Maui & CA & NY from July–Aug–Sept. You may go ahead with your advertisement to announce my visit in the Yoga Journal. Catherine Ingram has also invited me to visit her house in Haiku. You need not give the exact dates.

Arjun is just leaving India for Seattle. He will contact you thru Fax. Many people are arriving here after being pushed by Ganga ji.

I had gone to Kathmandu & had talks with the Lama Rinpoche whom Andrew also had met last year after Bodh Gaya. Arrangements for Ganga ji’s visit will be looked after [by] Peter — Peter Gordon — & others. Some 60 people will also go there to attend her meetings.

With Love,
H W L Poonja

The capstone of the correspondence: Papaji finally agreeing to make his 1993 journey to Maui, California and New York, authorizing Eli to announce it in Yoga Journal, with Catherine Ingram hosting him in Haiku on Maui. He notes Gangaji’s meetings now drawing some sixty travelers. From a first meeting in a Lucknow bedroom in 1990 to an international teaching tour three years later — the arc of the transmission entering the West.

Papaji to Eli

My dear Son,

I have received 4 copies of Volume 2 of Wake Up & Roar. I have liked it much in all respects. The color, the set up of the book, the photos & the photos inside of the book are excellent. I have not yet read the book to find out if there are spelling mistakes like in the previous one.

I am of the opnion that this book has to be left alone for you to sell & publish through your own media & this need not be published in India as a cheaper addition to make up your expenses.

Please let me know if Ganga ji will be interested to go to Bodh Gaya Sarnath-Kathmandu (Nepal) as per my plans to be finalised later around Oct 93, for Jan 94.

I will get my passport about the 10th of May 93 & then go to Delhi for visa, & you will be informed, also Raj & others. Catherine wrote to me that title “Keep Quiet” doesn’t sound attractive to the western eyes.

My love to Gang ji. There are many people here who have been blessed by her recently — Kery, who is here & likes to stay on forever. All those who come from Ganga ji are given special place in the Satsang Hall & are invited for private meetings.

Now due to summer 45 degrees C many people leave for KuluManali-Almora-Nainital-Mussoorie-Kathmandu.

My love to you & Smt Canga ji, Papa ji

The last letter in the sequence, and fittingly its subject is the book. Papaji has received four copies of Wake Up and Roar, Volume 2, and is delighted — the color, the layout, the photographs all “excellent.” Then the striking gesture: he gives the book wholly to Eli, urging him to sell and publish it through his own media rather than issue a cheaper edition in India. The teacher hands the work to the student. Around it runs the texture of 1993 — Papaji securing his passport and Delhi visa for the coming journey, planning Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kathmandu, and relaying Catherine Ingram’s note that the title “Keep Quiet” didn’t sound attractive to Western eyes.

The Sufi letter that brought Eli to Lucknow

THE SUFI LETTER

Dear Mr Eli-Jaxon,

I hope this letter will find you in best of spirit.

I am sending you the following three address of three famous Sufis. After meeting them you will find many more. I could not contact in Delhi. I am writing…

The earliest document in the collection — and, in Eli’s memoir, the thread that led him to Lucknow. It is from the government official Eli met in Delhi, at the Sufi quarter of Nizamuddin; stationed in Lucknow, the official had the names of the great Sufis and wrote to send Eli the addresses of three of them. Dated January 7, 1990, it precedes Eli’s first meeting with Papaji on January 19.

Eli’s Letter from Toni

Dearest Eli —

Your letters fling me into BLISS — So much came through them. Thank you for your time and your heart. I pray for and am convinced of your realization of total enlightenment —

Three weeks after Eli first climbed the stairs in Lucknow, Toni — not yet Gangaji — is at home in California reading his letters from India. “Your letters fling me into BLISS.” The transmission is traveling by mail before she has met Papaji at all; she would go to him that April. Four lines, and the whole arc of what followed is already moving in them.

June 8, 1992 — Lucknow

Dear Son,

I have read this letter on the other side from Mr. Dev Gogai working in Sri Raman [Ashram], whom [that] the Ashram President & the Editor V. Ganeshan of the Mountain Path has given him the Book “Wake Up! Roar” for Book Review. He & Vajra — you may have seen thence — Lucknow with me.

This Book was given by Watraj to the President, Ramana Center, & the Path Way Magazine, who sent it for review. This Book has been read & appreciated by thousands of people at the Ashram. I am receiving letters that one reading of the Book has awakened some people…

31 July ’92

[Hindi salutation — “Revered Father, greetings”]

Ganesan has just given me “Wake Up And Roar” to review for “The Mountain Path.” It’s a very beautiful book. Vajra and I have read from it with much happiness. Now the prospect of writing something about it evokes a sense of awesome responsibility. I ask for your blessings in this work.

All love, AV

Papaji forwards a letter he has received and writes on the reverse of it. Ramanashram has given Wake Up and Roar to The Mountain Path for review — V. Ganesan, the editor, handing it to a devotee who reads it with Vajra and asks Papaji’s blessing before writing. Papaji reports that thousands at the Ashram have read it, and that letters are arriving saying a single reading awakened them. The gesture underneath the news is the point: he did not summarize it, he sent the letter itself, so Eli could see with his own eyes that Ramana’s ashram had received the book.

Beloved Son,

I have received your Fax. I have finally decided to go visit Maui, CA & NY from July-Aug-Sept. You may go ahead with your advertisement to announce my visit in the Yoga Journal. Catherine Ingram has also invited me to visit her home in Haiku. You need not give the exact dates.

Arjun is just leaving India for Seattle. He will contact you thru Fax. Many people are arriving here after being pushed by Ganga ji.

I had gone to Kathmandu & had talks with the Lama Rinpoche whom Andrew also had met last year after Bodh Gaya. Arrangements for Ganga ji’s visit will be looked after [by] Peter, Peter Gordon & others — some 60 people will also go there to attend her meetings.

With Love, H W L Poonja

—

To Eli from Yamuma

Dearest Jaxon,

I hope to see you soon at Papaji’s feet in America — I don’t know yet Master’s plan for me. He will come by Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo to Hawaii, and plans to visit several islands before continuing to the mainland (San Francisco, Seattle, Boulder), maybe Europe afterwards.

To accompany him would be a divine gift, to serve him here and to be around him is already more than I could have ever conceived. This love is consuming me, my dear brother, I am burning, burning with this madness. This beauty is fathomless.

At his feet — Yours, Yamuna

The decision Eli had waited years for: Papaji will come. Maui, California, New York, July through September, with permission to announce the visit in Yoga Journal — dates to follow. Catherine Ingram has offered her home in Haiku. Around it, the movement of that year: Arjun leaving for Seattle, the Kathmandu meeting with Lama Rinpoche, sixty people preparing to gather for Gangaji. Enclosed is a letter from Yamuna, who served Papaji daily in Lucknow and did not yet know whether she would be allowed to travel with him — “I am burning, burning with this madness.”