My Dear Guru, Dr. Venu Murthy,
As I reflect on the profound impact you’ve had on my life, I am filled with immense gratitude and love. On the occasion of your birthday, I humbly offer you a token of my appreciation - my story, “The Echoes of Edinburgh”.
This personal journey of self-discovery and healing would not have been possible without your guidance, wisdom, and unwavering support. Your presence in my life has been a blessing, and I am forever grateful.
Happy Birthday, dear Venu! May this special day be a celebration of the love, light, and transformation you bring to the lives of all those around you.
With deepest gratitude and love,
The Echoes of Edinburgh
Having witnessed my mother’s struggles with arthritis and its accompanying excruciating pain, I feared the worst when my joints began aching. I recalled how my mother’s condition had progressed, her energy levels dwindling despite her initial high spirits.
For me, the pain began subtly, but soon I was waking up with stiff, swollen fingers resembling a rake. It took around 20-30 minutes to loosen up my fingers and start with my morning chores. The pain had gradually intensified. Simple tasks, like carrying groceries, became daunting, and I had to rely on my children for assistance.
Little did I know that this trip to Edinburgh would unravel the mystery behind my suffering.
As I stepped out of Edinburgh Airport, the fresh, crisp Scottish air enveloped me, and the breathtaking scenery unfolded like a canvas of emerald green hills. Every element seemed to be rolling out the welcome mat, beckoning me to return. A nagging thought lingered in my mind - I had been to this enchanting land before, but when?
I had come to visit my niece. She was studying Master’s in Sociology from Edinburgh University. Her exams were fast approaching and her dedication to her studies was inspiring, but it also meant I had ample time to explore the city on my own. Every street seemed eerily familiar, as if I had walked them before. The sense of déjà vu was overwhelming.
The day before our departure to India, I found myself i drawn to Edinburgh Castle. I wandered the castle’s ancient walls, discovering hidden nooks and crannies. Finally, I reached the Chapel at the castle’s summit. The small, intimate space seemed to whisper secrets of the past. I paced the chapel’s length in just 10 steps, but as I reached the barricade at the room’s end, a smaller, hidden space revealed itself. Inside, a magnificent leather-bound book lay open, its pages yellowed with age. I guessed it might be the Holy Bible. On the right, a beautifully crafted glass window filtered the light the image of Mother Mary etched into the glass seemed to radiate a sense of peace. On the left, a stone platform beckoned the weary to sit and reflect. As I stood there, surrounded by the chapel’s reverent silence, I felt the weight of history and the whispers of the past.
As I stood before the tiny, sacred space, others merely glanced in and hastily departed. But I felt a pull, as if the chapel’s secrets beckoned me to linger. I surrendered to the urge, closing my eyes to let the silence envelop me.
In an instant, visions burst forth, transporting me to a bygone era. I saw myself seated on the very stone platform I had just admired, clad in an exquisite off-white gown adorned with intricate golden embroidery. The ornate fabric shimmered in the flickering candlelight, but my attention was drawn to the anguish on my face. I wasn’t praying; I was consumed by a deep, gnawing pain.
Reluctantly, I opened my eyes, a sense of longing lingered, refusing to be shaken. I unwillingly left the small chapel, fearing I would disturb the other visitors if I lingered longer. But the questions swirling in my mind could no longer be silenced. As a past-life regression therapist, I had witnessed countless visions of the past, but this one had awakened a deep sense of connection. I knew, without a doubt, that I was Mary , the Queen of Scots. But why had I been consumed by pain in that vision?
The questions haunted me, refusing to be still. As I finished my tour and boarded the bus, the commentator’s words faded into the background, but one phrase caught my attention: “The Queen had given birth to the last king of Scotland in the very chapel where I had received my vision.”
I returned to my hotel room, my mind reeling with the connection. I spent the rest of the evening watching a documentary on Mary, the Queen of Scots. Her tragic tale of betrayal, imprisonment, and ultimate demise left me breathless. The threads of my past-life vision began to weave together, forming a tapestry of memories, both painful and profound.
Mary, Queen of Scots, was a magnet for criticism and scandal. Her reign was brief, tumultuous, and marred by controversy that still simmers to this day. Accused of orchestrating her husband, Lord Darnley’s murder, Queen Mary was imprisoned. She attempted to escape multiple times, but failed. Undeterred, Mary remained determined to meet her infant son and reclaim her throne.
However, fate had other plans. Sentenced to death, Mary was held captive in a damp, cold castle with appalling conditions. The harsh environment took a devastating toll on her physical health, exacerbating her joint pains. Over time, her condition worsened, leaving her barely able to walk. Her once-regal beauty was now etched with premature aging
On the fateful day of her execution, Mary’s frailty was evident. Guards had to support her to walk toward her end, her head held high. As she lay her head on the executor’s guillotine, she was incapacitated brutally by more than one blow to her neck.
As I reflected on Mary’s tragic fate, a profound realization dawned on me. My arthritis, which had plagued me for so long, was not inherited from my mother. It was a residual echo from my past life, a pain that had lingered for centuries.
I knew I had to release this burden, to let go of the suffering that had defined Mary’s life. But how? The question lingered, a haunting reminder of the unfinished business from my past life.
Just like my Guru, God is profoundly simple. He loves unconditionally, never punishing or desiring suffering for His children. Instead, He listens compassionately and grants us our heart’s desires
My Guru’s words still resonate within me: “There is no stopping you, I firmly believe it is our duty to share the glory of the Atman.” He further encouraged me, saying, “I am sure that given the disciplined divine soul that you are, you will continue to mediate well and not only fortify this healing but ensure that this will be your last birth on this plane! You are a jiva of that calibre.”
If my revered Guru holds such a sublime vision of me, then I am filled with unwavering faith in my own potential. In the realm of spirituality, I have come to understand that intention is the sacred catalyst for transformation. With an unshakeable resolve, I intended to release the shackles of joint pain that had bound me for so long.
In the serenity of my Pooja sthaan, I poured my heart out in prayer, proclaiming aloud, “I release this pain, I let go of the suffering. I shall no longer bear the weight of this affliction.” The simplicity of my declaration belied the profound shift that was to follow.
Eight months have passed since that transformative moment, and I am overjoyed to share that I am now free from pain and stiffness. My heart swells with gratitude as I offer my sincerest thanks to you, Venu, my beloved Guru. Your guidance has awakened me to my true potential, and for that, I bow to you a thousand times!
because I know you can and you will