Close encounter
August 2024
CLOSE ENCOUNTER
In quest of ananda
In a talk with Ananda Mathews, an American cinematographer, Pradeep Krishnan probes into his fascinating spiritual jour
ney with his Indian guru, the Divine Colonel A social media post announcing the launch of the book, In Quest of Guru, written jointly by Shri Matthew Zschoche and his guru Colonel Ashok Kini, caught my attention. Intrigued by its description: ‘A soul’s journey from the United States to the spiritual nation Bharat in search of an enlightened guru and the Divine
After much pursuit, when contacted, Colonel Ashok Kini at once sent the book to my house through a messenger.
Since 1998, Colonel Ashok Kini, popularly known as the Divine Colonel has been guiding seekers all over the world. During the tenure of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam as the president, he had been the comptroller of the Rashtrapati Bhavan from 2002 to 2005. He introduced Matthew to the spiritual path and, ultimately, led him to discover his true Self. In the ‘Note of Blessing’ in the book, Padmabhushan Dr David Frawley (Pt Vamadeva Sastry) noted, “Matthew has undergone an inner change under Colonel Ashok Kini’s guidance and has been given an opportunity to serve humanity. Matthew’s path, and the one for all humanity, is to understand the secrets of Vedic Science and discover the true nature of the Soul within. With
my experience reading the book In Quest of Guru, I am confident that seekers of wisdom will gain in-depth knowledge and lasting inspiration.”
I desired to meet the authors after reading the book. Though several dates and places were chosen, somehow or the other, the encounter got postponed. Finally, seeing Matthew’s message, “Guruji and I are coming to Trivandrum on February 2 and 3 exclusively to meet you,” I was overjoyed.
On the appointed day, as soon as my wife Sreelakshmi and I stepped into the lobby of the hotel and offered fruits and flowers, hearing Guru Sri Ashok Kini’s words, “I see Ramakrishna and the Divine
Mother,” I was taken aback. For my initiation had been from the Sri Ramakrishna Mission, my hereditary name (that we use during family rituals) is Ramakrishna Sharma, and I have been an ardent devotee of the Divine Mother, Parashakti! Seeing us puzzled, Ashok Kini said that it came to him spontaneously from Jagadamba!
Soon, the interview commenced with my wife singing a bhajan. When asked to explain the change in his name, Matthew said, “My Guruji changed my name to Ananda Mathews to signify transformation. ‘Ananda’ means a soul that brings happiness to others, empowered to share positive energy and alleviate sorrows. ‘Mathews’ signifies a spiritual gift for the welfare of humanity. If a modern boy can transform into an embodiment of Ananda (bliss and joy), then everyone has the potential for transformation to serve humanity.”
Below are excerpts from the interview with Shri Ananda Mathews.
Please tell us about your life as Mathew Zschoche.
The body’s journey began in 1983 in California. Despite having a challenging childhood and family difficulties, I pursued a career in cinematography, seeking answers to life’s mysteries globally. Guided by the Divine, my assignments took me to Sri Lanka and Bharat, where I got many creative opportunities in the field. I experienced a mental, spiritual, and physical churning here as in 2020, the Divine guided me towards my Guruji, who too had experienced miracles and mysteries in this spiritual nation. His life experiences, work, and relationships hold many valuable lessons, which are included in our transformational book In Quest of Guru. I am of the view that my journey highlights the transformative power of Bharat for any human being.
What about your spiritual journey? I believe that transformation is the key to Life. My spiritual journey began with meeting my guru, the Divine Colonel Sri Ashok Kiniji and the blessings of the Divine Mother, Vishwa Mata Devi. One night when my body fell down lifeless, Guruji appeared, removed a spirit living inside, and placed within me a divine soul. Soon, with the Divine Mother’s empowerment, Guruji restarted the body’s functions, setting me on the path of service.
In a mature human body, overcoming the imprints and desires of former inhabitants (karma) was a rigorous battle. By Guruji’s grace and with the cleansing power of the Divine, this body was purified, and my connection with the Divinity evolved, making me awaken to who I truly am.
From the USA, I have returned to Bharat, my land of many births, to serve at a crucial time for humanity, coinciding with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. I consider it a significant churning of collective karma as it presented the opportunity for me and all of humanity to learn valuable lessons, gain knowledge, surrender, and serve selflessly.
The Divine, through my guru, has guided me every step of the way, cutting and polishing me to become a diamond, teaching me the science of seva, the power of surrender, the joy of accepting the flow of life, and the perfection of the Divine’s plan for our lives.
As the Divine churned me, I stopped asking for what I wanted, instead embracing whatever was with me. After struggling to win over the mind, I began to see everything in life as a gift from the Divine, allowing the plan for my life to unfold on its own. The light of intuition ignited, and a quiet direction before thought began to guide me in every aspect of life. People would appear to help me with whatever was required before I could ask.
Those around me observed dramatic changes in my body and energy levels. People commented that my face, eyes, voice, aura, and lifestyle had significantly changed. While some resisted the transformation, most joyfully accepted it.
Guruji instructed me to continue with my career in cinematography. Soon, people began to approach me at random to speak about their problems and ask for guidance. I would guide the people in a flow, not always remembering what I said. I would see past events in my vision and often heard the thoughts of other people. I told them of positive things that would unfold in their lives and warned them of impending negative occurrences, guiding them on how to avoid them.
Sometimes, talking for hours with people felt like only a few minutes, sorting through the deepest spiritual issues for them, their families, and their ancestors. They seemed to benefit, and I learnt while listening to myself speak. They would feel calm being with me, and their concerns would later be resolved in a beautiful way they never imagined.
When I told Guruji, “When I speak to people, it is a flow from beyond me, and time stands still. Some people tell me I quote Sanskrit shlokas, the Vedas, the Bhagavad Gita, the Bible, and Buddhist texts in modern language, but I have never read them in this lifetime. Often, I speak something new that I did not know before. The mind questions if all this is real, but the people take to it, easily understanding,” he said, “This is the divine communication of Prastuth. What I can do, you can do too. What you speak comes automatically based on the needs of the person sitting before you. People have problems, and the Divine makes you understand them.”
Guruji revealed that I talk about psychology, spirituality and the Truth to people, and whatever I utter will be good for them. “You
do not see negativity in them. With your power, you cut that negativity without their knowledge. If something bad is supposed to happen, it will not,” he added. Guruji convinced me that the Divine is the one making me say all these things.
So, my spiritual journey thus far has been beautiful, and I am excitedly waiting to see what happens next. I am devoted to serving humanity and our beloved nation, Bharat, supporting Her as a beacon of wisdom, guiding the world towards joy and peace, as Vishwa Guru, the universal teacher.
What is your understanding of Sanatana Dharma?
Sanatana Dharma, the universal way of peaceful living for all humanity, cannot be dismantled by human actions. It stands beyond time, lacking a beginning or end, serving as the foundation of every culture and religion. The rishis of yore proclaimed that we are all part of one humanity, on a beautiful journey of learning.
Sanatana Dharma teaches us love, truth, selfless service, tolerance, compassion, and transformation—the recipe for harmony and social cohesion. It embraces all beliefs, encouraging individuals to find their own path to spiritual growth. Every citizen holds the duty of upholding our nation’s diverse cultural fabric. Many paths lead to the same destination. Choose to practise the positive elements of any one. Sanatana Dharma, rooted in ancient Vedic knowledge, is not religious; it is spiritual and divine. It predates all human concepts of belief, guiding us towards positive spiritual energy and unity.
You speak of a modern approach to Sanatana Dharma. What do you mean by it?
Sanatan Dharma, a universal positive way of 18 LifePositive | AUGUST 2024
living for all humanity, is endlessly flowing Vedic Divine Knowledge, a timeless, adaptable guide for any circumstance.
‘Life’ is like a software program, training the soul (atman) with fundamental truths applicable to the entire Universe, and Sanatana Dharma provides us with the passwords to navigate through this system. One has to contemplate how best to use the limited time and temporary existence as a human.
True, lasting bliss (Ananda) can be attained through truth, knowledge, love, and selfless service. The foundation of positive living is positive thinking. It is the basis of positive words and actions, attracting similar energy to us. Replace negativity with positivity immediately. Practise self-honesty, and profess the truth. Accept the reality of every situation—honesty is accepting reality. Surrender to life’s flow, seeing everything that comes as an opportunity. Serve humanity selflessly (seva), beyond the comfort of friends and family. This body is meant to serve others in every possible way. Prioritise taking care of this human body as the foremost dharma. Choose to enjoy every moment, ensuring no harm to yourself or others. When we apply this wisdom, synchronising our lives with the flow of the Divine, then life becomes easy and joyous.
What are your spiritual activities? I believe that the full plan for this life has not been revealed yet. Guided by Guruji, I have been engaged in psycho-spiritual counselling, delivering lectures, participating in panel discussions, making media appearances, and interacting with students—each experience preparing me for the Divine’s plan. I am guided to share a modern approach to Sanatana Dharma and Vedic Science, in easily understandable terms and forms. This
includes illuminating the path to lasting happiness for youth and seekers worldwide.
A key part of my mission is to collaborate with organisations promoting dharma and righteous living. The Divine has instructed me to write several books simplifying joyful living and making Bharat’s ancient wisdom accessible to all. Furthermore, I am tasked with supporting the spiritual cleansing and rebalancing of our land’s energy in regions burdened by past karmic events, where the environment carries the pain of foreign invasions, the agony of the Portuguese Inquisition, and the darkness of coerced conversions. Many souls, stuck in these places, await liberation and are poised for rebirth to reconcile old debts.
How did the idea for the book In Quest of Guru evolve?
The book happened due to a Divine order from my past life that needed completion before my current life could unfold. Since its release, my life has seen significant changes. In the new Bharat, there is a disconnect from our dharmic roots, especially among the youth. Though it might be hard for us to understand, our ever-flowing ancient Vedic knowledge holds solutions to life’s challenges. My Guruji instructed me to simplify this wisdom into practical guidance for anyone seeking positive change. The book was written to inspire global youth and spiritual seekers towards transformation. It leads the human soul towards enlightenment through a modern approach to Sanatana Dharma and Vedic principles for joyful, contented living.
The journey of Ananda Mathews, before and after transformation, mirrors the path of every spiritual seeker. Drawing from my experiences, the book illustrates that everyone can transform and overcome any situation
in life. The book underwent refinement over nearly three years before its release, with support from many well-wishers. It is a journey for all seekers, empowering you to awaken your Inner Guru and forever connect to the Divine.
In the entire book, you refer to the nation as Bharat instead of India and describe it as Vishwa Guru.
‘Bharat’ embodies our ancient Vedic heritage, where Divine Knowledge descends and Divine Souls incarnate to guide humanity. It represents an ideal environment for the human soul’s evolution. While ‘India’ is a colonial legacy, ‘Bharat’ connects us to our spiritual and cultural roots, honouring our ancestors who channelled Divine Knowledge. Throughout the book, ‘Bharat’ is used to embrace this profound wealth and guide readers to connect with timeless wisdom. Bharat as ‘Vishwa Guru’ serves humanity as a universal teacher and guide—a beacon of light for the world. Its knowledge transcends boundaries of religion, culture, and nationality, offering universal truths that resonate with the human soul. Through its ancient wisdom and living traditions, Bharat illuminates the path to peace, harmony, and spiritual evolution for all of humanity. It is a guiding light for all souls, seeing all human beings as one family, a global society.
How can seekers benefit by reading your book?
The transformative energy behind the words of In Quest of Guru is evident in the testimonies of those who overcame depression, changed their mind about committing suicide, and got rid of their addiction, after connecting with the book. Seekers perceive In Quest of Guru as their personal journey, finding themselves reflected in its pages. The knowledge resonates deeply, leading to calm introspection. As questions dissolve, many find themselves smiling without knowing why. Readers feel empowered to choose happiness, irrespective of circumstances. They experience happy coincidences, feeling guided as a journey unfolds before them.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, you were engaged in seva, serving the people living in the slums of Mumbai. Please share your approach to seva as a means for spiritual progress.
The COVID-19 pandemic, a karmic event, provided humanity with a profound opportunity for introspection and transformation. It taught us to look beyond ourselves, seeking ways to bring relief to other souls on the journey of human life, illustrating the true essence of seva—a service to humanity as a service to the Divine.
Selfless service to humanity beyond friends and family offers immeasurable joy. It is an inner journey towards discovering the Divinity within ourselves and all beings, leading us to boundless bliss, Ananda. Guided by the Divine to purify and prepare this body, a mission of seva unfolded during these challenging times. What began with a single rickshaw, with me and a driver, evolved into a broad program aided by many sevaks (volunteers) distributing essential rations in the chawls (slums) of Bandra West and Bandra East, Khar West, and Santa Cruz West and Santa Cruz East near the international airport.
Madhava Seva, where we engage with our minds and souls, worships the Divine within every human being. When our thoughts, words, and actions align in service, Karma stands still, moving us closer to the Divine. Witnessing the light of God shining through those we serve is a profound realisation of Seva’s sacred gift— relief for ourselves and care for others. In this, manava seva evolves into Madhava Seva—a sacred offering to the Divine in every living being, a pathway to spiritual evolution and a source of profound joy.
Your message to the readers
Embrace the Divine within you, for it is the guiding light on your journey of life. Seek the truth, spread love, and serve humanity with selflessness and compassion. Do not harm anything created by the Divine. Remember, you are an eternal being on a sacred path of evolution. An infinite being fears nothing. Let the wisdom of Sanatana Dharma illuminate your way, leading you to limitless joy, peace, and unity with all Creation. Trust in the divine plan for your life, surrender to its flow, and embrace positivity to awaken the Guru within. May your life be filled with divine blessings and eternal Ananda. I welcome seekers to connect with me at inquestofguru@gmail.com.
Shri Ashok Kini was born in 1962 in Hosdurg, Kerala, a place associated with Bhagawan Nityananda, Sri Papa Ramdas, and other saints. Right from childhood, thanks to his father’s association with Bhagawan Nityananda, Ashok Kini had a spiritual bent of mind and loved Mother Earth and all her inhabitants. Soon after graduation from Calicut University, he started his career as an officer in the Indian Army.
Colonel Kini, a highly decorated soldier decorated with the Sena Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal, rendered impeccable service during the Kargil War. He was in charge of the transportation of martyrs’ bodies during the entire operation. He was awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation for Outstanding Service in the United Nations Peace Keeping Mission in Angola, Africa, in 1998, and with the Vishisht Seva Medal for dedication and devotion to duty as the comptroller at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Earlier he had served in the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka too. In 2005, he was awarded the Seva Ratna by Kanchi Kama Koti Pitham for his service to humanity.
Popularly known as ‘Divine Colonel,’ Ashok Kini has been a spiritual counsellor since 1998. However, the turning point of his life was during the Kargil war in 1999, when he had to transport the bodies of martyred soldiers to their hometown, attend the cremations in Delhi, and give military honour to their mortal remains. An incident where a living soldier was erroneously selected for the Param Vir Chakra (given posthumously) award was averted at the instance of Colonel Kini when the latter located him in the Base Hospital in Delhi. This convinced Colonel Kini that the Divine was working through him for the nation’s good. The war period had uplifted him to an elevated state and, later, he said, “During the Kargil War, the Divine Mother came to me, pulled out my tongue, and wrote on it for several minutes. I felt the pain but could not see the presence of anyone around. The Divine Mother then commanded me, ‘Now you will speak for me.’ From that day onwards, the Divine Mother communicates Truth through me to those who are destined to meet me.”
Ananda Mathews welcomes seekers to connect with him on Instagram and YouTube where practical knowledge is shared through videos.