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The
First Disciples From The Dawn Horse
Magazine. Vol 1, No. 2. December 1975
Bubba has often used the term "theatre" to describe the continually changing activity of the human appearance, the "highs" and "lows" of the individual and the continuous round of birth and death. Yet in the midst of this apparently persisting flux he speaks of a process that is prior to and inclusive of all changes, all bodies, forms, appearances and disappearances the way of "only God, the way of Understanding. The way of Understanding is a radical process, founded in consciousness, that upsets and appears to contradict, and in fact, outright offends the God negating life of the usual man and the cultural influences of his social magic. Bubbas appearance is a living demonstration of the Divine lived and communicated perfectly, in spite of the resistances and obstructions imposed upon life by men in this world. However, at times even his Community has shown signs of somehow not quite believing that this process of Understanding could, and in fact actually was, taking place. Often the content of discussions and conversations centered around ignorant interpretations and mere opinions as to what was really going on in the theatre of Bubba's company. Bubba would often remark, sometimes in an amusing context of lament, and at times more soberly, that there would never be anyone truly involved in the process of Understanding, or that he would never have more than resistive students to work with. He often complained about the futility of his being here and how no one was really interested in living his demands, and that he might just as well "be posted on the dark side of the moon." Then early last spring Bubba began occasionally mentioning that there were signs of student sadhana possibly maturing in some people. Towards the end of the summer an intensive four day program of study was created, "The Dissolution of Vital Shock," designed to assess, refresh, and clarify the specific stages of student sadhana. Bubba worked very closely with people, continually giving lessons and instructions in the paradoxical ways unique to his Teaching. For some the effects of this particular period of time saw intensification and quickening of their sadhana. It was also a time when Bubba began to specifically talk about wanting to begin working with disciples. He said that he expected his first disciples to appear at least by next spring, or possibly by Christmas, and that soon his work relative to student sadhana would be completed. Then, in late October, there was an announcement at Persimmon that everyone should be in the Satsang Hall that evening, even if it meant mothers had to bring their infants, indicating that something new was about to be announced. As is often the case with the frequent, and abrupt changes Bubba creates, no one really knew what to expect. But at seven o'clock Billy Tsiknas and Nina Jones came into the hall and Billy said, "Today Bubba came into the office and gave us a list of his disciples. They are Bruce Burnham, Lena Burnham, Dennis Duff, Nina Jones, Sal Lucania, Frank Marrero, Tom Riley, and Billy Tsiknas." Little else was said; the gathering ended and people went back to their evening functions. Thus, with almost no "theatre at all, there was the simple announcement of one of the most significant events that has happened in the Ashram. This event signifies a long awaited and crucial turning point in the affairs of the Ashram. It means that the Divine Siddhi has been communicated and is known as a living process by this initial group of disciples. To view this transition as just another moment of Bubba theatre would be to miss the joyous and profound significance it represents in Bubba's work. The establishment of a few who are fixed and stabilized in this conscious process of Understanding means that at last what had always existed as a possibility has now become a living expression and foundation for Bubba's full communication and the establishment of the way of Understanding in the world. The functions of spiritual life take place in the form of a relationship! It is the relationship between the disciple and his Siddha Guru. It doesn't take place at the level of some philosophy or some technique that you apply to yourself. It is a relationship, and it appears only where it is alive, only where it is actually functioning in life. Therefore, many of the same functions that exist between lovers exist between the Guru and his disciple. |
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