Whether I consider myself one of Bani Adam or a descendent of Manu & Shatarupa, I am what I AM. That is what most people miss when they create divisions based on rituals rather than reality. I can say, Ana al Haq, I can say ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ or I can say “I am THAT and all will point to the same Truth.

Gulshan-i Raz, the secret rose garden, is open to all who sincerely want to go there. The grace of my Gurus and the momentum of my shawq, fleetingly took me there once, and this is what I noticed:

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No rivers of milk & honey are here, nothing physical senses explore. All these senses in any case, I’d left at the door.

Here I see with the eye of the eye, and hear with the ear of the ear. Everything is brighter here, every sound is crystal clear.

As I walk in Gulshan-i Rāz, the fragrance is familiar, not new. I see rose-plants blooming here from my seers too.

Mansur sitting on a bench I espy, with Nisargadatta and others nearby. I haven’t met them but I know, all of them by their glow.

Aah, Rabiya Basri there I see, next to Ramana Maharshi. I bow to them, I touch their feet. They look at me, their smile is sweet.

I see Nansen and I think of the day, when he said, “everyday mind is the way”. I knew exactly what he meant, when he said, "act without intent".

“What’s the sound of one hand clapping?” I hear and see, Master Ekaku

beckoning me. We smiled as one for he knew, I’ll say that’s Anahat for us few.

Each clod of earth, each rock & stone, smiles and calls me its own. Each petal here, each flowering tree; I so feel they’re a part of me.

There’s no dogma, no sermons here, there’s no sin, no Satan’s lair. Just compassionate belonging all around. I bend and kiss the holy ground.

There’s no time that I see pass, there’s no mirror here, no looking glass. When water is spilt from the tray, the moon’s reflection goes away.

In Gulshan-i Rāz I magically see, the Divine that is you & me. The Divine’s the same on earth too, but we forget, me and you.

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When you reach here, you’ll see, it's as close as it could be. But on the way keep in mind, as you get closer, you’ll find:

Reason alone is not enough, knowledge is of little use. Here, scholarship can often confuse.

Your mind cannot get you in, with its ideas of love and hate. Entry is only for those, who bare their hearts at the gate.

And one more thing – there’s a lotus pond on the way. Pause there and hear its say. Here Sophia Perennis you’ll find. It’ll cleanse your heart and mind. Then shorn of your power & pelf, resume your travel to the Self.

On your safar dar man, I wish you well. May you soon in our Gulshan dwell.

Kishore Asthana

15th March 2026