Thank you, Rama, for teaching me true love

When I applied to be your student fifteen years ago, your application had a question: "Why do you want to study with Rama?" I wrote that the aspect of life that interested me the most was love and that I wanted to study with Rama to learn more about true love.

During the years of being your student you treated me with uncompromising respect.

You did not expect less from me because I was a woman.

You did not deny me knowledge when I was ready for it.

You criticized me without judgment.

You supported me during difficult times without taking the lessons of life away from me by making it easy.

You celebrated my successes with me.

You offered me advice, not as an answer, but as a state of mind from which I could resolve a problem myself. Sometimes I wished that you would help be by making things easy, but you always appealed to my strongest and highest self. You believed in me even when I gave up.

In meditation you took me to the heights of clear light and stillness, the living essence of love and existence itself.

You selflessly continued to absorb my karma into yourself, clearing the way for me on my spiritual journey, even though it eroded your body...

Can a mother be more protective?
Can a father be more selfless in giving?
Can a sister or a brother be more encouraging?
Can a friend be more truthful?
Can a lover be more inspiring?
Can life be more unconditional?

Thank you, Rama, for teaching me true love.

-- M. K.