Masters of the Light
Many thousands of years ago, long before the stirrings of civilization began in the West, an advanced spiritual culture already existed on the subcontinent of India. This culture was centred around the achievements of supremely gifted men and women who became known as “Rishis”.
These “Rishis” (or “Rishikas” as female rishis were known) were the original “Masters of the Light”. They lived secluded lives, often residing in forest retreats, where they were surrounded by pupils who sought understanding of their exalted state.
These “Rishis” were not mere mortal beings, subject to the forces of nature and the ravages of age. They had in fact transcended their mortal limitations. Although they continued to manifest on earth in mortal bodies, they operated at the highest level of human attainment – Pure Awareness.
As the “Rishis” explained to their pupils, Pure Awareness exists within the heart of every being. It is a state of exalted awareness that descends, from one plane of consciousness to another, until it reaches the level of physical awareness that we call the “real” world.
These higher states of consciousness can be attained by anyone who has the knowledge, and the desire. Those who finally attain the highest level of Pure Awareness become liberated from the physical world, and from the limitations of matter, energy, space and time. They remain eternally free.
According to the teachings of these “Masters of the Light”, Pure Awareness is not some evanescent psychological state. It is as real as the apparent reality of our physical world. It is the ultimate goal and the fundamental purpose of all life.
All human beings, whether they are aware of it or not, are on the path of returning to the source within – that supreme state of Pure Awareness – which each one of us experiences as the “I am” sensation within.
In the year 323 BC, when Alexander, the great Macedonian conqueror reached the Sindh (now called the Punjab), he became aware of the existence of these reclusive “Rishis”. Having been himself a student of the Greek philosopher Aristotle, Alexander was deeply curious about these holy men and their teachings.
When told that one of these “Rishis”, by the name of Dandamis, was living in a forest glade near Takshila, he despatched Oneskritos, a man who had studied at the feet of the Greek philosopher Diogenes, and ordered him to bring Dandamis to him.
As the Greek historians who accompanied Alexander later wrote in their chronicles:
“Onesikritos was therefore despatched to fetch him, and when he found the great sage he said, “Hail to thee, thou teacher of the Brahmins. The son of the mighty god Zeus, king Alexander, who is the sovereign lord of all men, asks you to go to him, and if you comply, he will reward you with great and splendid gifts, but if you refuse, he will cut off your head.”
“Dandamis, with a complacent smile, heard him to the end, but did not so much as lift up his head from his couch of leaves, and while still retaining his recumbent attitude returned this scornful answer:
“God, the supreme king, is never the author of insolent wrong, but is the creator of light, of peace, of life, of water, of the body of man, and of souls, and these he receives when death sets them free, being in no way subject to evil desire. He alone is the god of my homage, who abhors slaughter and instigates no wars.
“Know this, however, that what Alexander offers me, and the gifts he promises, are all things to me utterly useless. But as for me, I lie upon the forest leaves, and, having nothing which requires guarding, close my eyes in tranquil slumber; whereas had I gold to guard, that would banish sleep. The earth supplies me with everything, even as a mother her child with milk. I go wherever I please, and there are no cares with which I am forced to cumber myself, against my will.
“Should Alexander cut off my head, he cannot also destroy my soul. Let Alexander then terrify with these threats those who wish for gold and for wealth, and who dread death, for against us these weapons are both alike powerless, since the Brahmins neither love gold nor fear death.
“Go, then, and tell Alexander this: ‘Dandamis has no need of anything that is yours, and therefore will not go to you, but if you want anything from Dandamis come you to him.
“Alexander, on receiving from Onesikritos a report of the interview, felt a stronger desire than ever to see Dandamis, who, though old and naked, was the only antagonist in whom he, the conqueror of many nations, had found more than his match.”
