It was the Tuesday after Swamiji’s passing and David Eby had organized an evening at Crystal Hermitage for singing and meditation. We gathered around the tulips, which were in full bloom, and sang in gratitude to Swamiji, God’s instrument to bring us such a wealth of inspirational resources. There was a beautiful energy flowing and some peculiar things were happening to show us that our beloved friend and guide had joined us in spirit.

For example, there were several frogs singing with us in perfect step and when the song would end they’d be totally silent. It was hilariously miraculous!

At one point someone stepped forward and said, “Swami told us that when we see a tulip moving and there is no wind, that will be him waving hello.” This, of course, touched everyone’s hearts and had me looking for swaying tulips for the next few days, but to no avail.

I was having trouble with the idea that Swamiji’s body would be arriving on the following Friday and that somehow I had to wait until his body arrived in order to really feel his presence.

In my mind was the idea that he is now in omnipresence, but we’d still arranged a time to meditate with what used to be his form. This was a bit puzzling for me and so I began to pray for understanding.

It was like the story that Swamiji would tell about how he’d look at Yogananda in the body while he was playing his human role and think, “How can he be there, but also within me? How should I relate to him when he is in both places at once? Where do I direct my focus?” Then, of course Yogananda, picking up his confused thought, walks over to him and hands him an apple! As if to say, “You’re thinking too hard. God is simple, everything else is complex. Just love God in everything. Then the understanding will gradually come.”

When Friday did arrive, we met at Hansa Temple where Jyotish, Devi, Kirtani, and Anand blessed us with such powerfully inspiring talks while Swami’s casket rested at the altar.

Kirtani said something like, “Put your spiritual eye against the casket. You’ll feel great power coming from Swamiji’s body.”

To our immense gratification, everyone was given a chance to offer themselves and feel the blessing of this great soul’s final liberation.

That night, Swami’s casket was moved to the Crystal Hermitage Dome where it would be available for meditation for many weeks. Ananda Devotees from far and near have been meditating there daily and, needless to say, it is an incredible experience!

Shortly after Yogananda’s exit from the body, some of his direct disciples gathered to meditate where his body was located. They were weeping at the loss of their beloved guru and suddenly one of them heard his voice within them exclaiming, “I’m not in there!” As if to say, “Why are you so focused on my body? Commune with my spirit if you would find me!”

So, where is Swamiji? This was my question when I sat next to his casket to meditate the following morning. I had been suffering from a cold at the time and so I arrived to meditate after the morning group meditation had ended in order to avoid sneezing into someone’s hair. There was only a couple people still lingering and so I positioned myself right up close to the casket and began my meditation practice.

After sitting in the deep peace that is emanating from that casket for some time, I began inwardly talking with Swamiji, asking him to show me how to keep his presence with me. Asking him to help me absorb into myself the blessing of his moksha (spiritual freedom). Asking him all the things I’d ever wanted to understand more clearly about his role in our line of gurus.

As he helped me go deeper within, I began to hear a subtle noise coming from an area just to my left. I opened my eyes halfway to see something that made my body and mind freeze in awe.

In the vase full of glorious flowers, one of the tulips was moving. As soon as my eyes made contact with it, one of it’s petals fell. Then, rhythmically each one of it’s petals fell to the ground gracefully, leaving only the fresh green stem. I sat staring at the stem and then at a picture of Swamiji. He was waving through the tulips like he had promised! Not only that, but he in some strange way made a flower go into mahasamadhi in response to my prayers!

At this moment, I felt that he gave me a clear understanding that forms have essentially no meaning when the consciousness has merged with the Infinite. Swami, Master, Babaji, Christ, they are all just one being and they are everywhere! And that is my own destiny! What glory, what grace!

When my meditation came to a close, I bowed in gratitude at Swamiji’s casket, gathered the petals as a sacred keepsake of the tulip that had given it’s life and went out on the balcony of the dome where there is an incredible view of the vast green canyon and the river far down below. The birds of spring were flittering about, the roar of the river was enthralling the ether, the morning sun was bathing thousands of pine trees, and all of it was Swamiji!

Thank you God for freeing Swami Kriyananda so that he can live eternally within us. As Asha said in a recent talk, “For those of us who are sincerely seeking, Master has given us Swamiji.”

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As you probably know, Swami Kriyananda, the founder of Ananda, recently passed away. Since that fateful night, I have felt drawn to re-read some of Swami’s books. One in particular, Paramhansa Yogananda: A Biography, stood out to me. As I went over all those touching, charming stories, I reflected on my own relationship with Yogananda as my guru, and what it meant to love someone who no longer has a physical form. Yogananda never sat in front of me, looked into my eyes and said, “I give you my unconditional love”, as he did to Swami. Does this mean, though, that my relationship with him is only in my imagination?

Not at all! Just because our interactions all take place inside of me, it does not make them imaginary, as I’m sure anyone who has lost a loved one can attest. The physical presence of my guru may be gone, but the real Guru, even when he had a body, could only be truly experienced in the heart.

Bearing this in mind, I’d like to share the story of how I came to know that Yogananda was my guru. While I was in college I read many books from different spiritual paths. I had read Autobiography of a Yogi, possibly the most famous book on yoga in America, but it perplexed me. The world that Yogananda described just didn’t seem to fit into my own vision of reality.

Sometime in the winter of 2010, a friend sent me a quotation by a famous swami in India. It said something like, “Before you can find your guru, you must first serve your parents. First serve your mother, then your father, then your guru will appear.” The the idea suddenly popped into my mind: “I know! I’ll make my parents some Pad Thai!” At the time it seemed perfectly logical that this was the best way to find my true guru. I went right to the store, got everything I needed, and set to work. While I prepared the food I listened to the Autobiography of a Yogi audiobook.

Suddenly I felt this great energy filling my heart. I ran over to a picture of Yogananda that I had on my altar and knelt in front of it. I stared at his picture as it all suddenly became clear to me that this was my guru. Nothing but Yogananda’s grace could have given me such a revelation. Soon after this, I took the vow of discipleship, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.

This story (and others) is why I know that Yogananda and Swami are still with us. It might even be that they are more with us than they were when they were here physically. Before they were limited by the restrictions of a human body, but now their spirits are free and omnipresent.

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By Ananda Sangha Worldwide

Swami Kriyananda served his Guru, Paramhansa Yogananda, with a depth of devotion and humility that inspired thousands of people throughout the world to dedicate themselves to spreading Yogananda’s universal message. Writing over 150 books, Kriyananda was tireless in his efforts to show the relevance of Yogananda’s teachings to every aspect of life, and how living by spiritual principles brings the happiness everyone is seeking.

One of Kriyananda’s greatest gifts to the world – one that brought him deep joy – is his music. He often said, “If you want to know me listen to my music.” Through music Kriyananda conveys the essence of spiritual quest: the soul’s quenchless yearning for God, the inevitable set-backs, and the deep fulfillment that awaits those who live surrendered to God’s will.

Kriyananda signed his letters, “In Divine Friendship.” Kriyananda saw God in everyone, friends and strangers alike. The friendship he offered was to their souls not their egos, and he inspired others to meet him on that level. Always loving, compassionate, and forgiving, he gave others the confidence that they, too, could overcome their limitations and realize their highest potential.

Perhaps Kriyananda’s greatest legacy to his many followers is the understanding that divine friendship transcends time and space, and that he will be with them always, continuing to guide them on their individual journeys to their home in God.

Share Your Condolences

Please take a minute to share your condolences, your thoughts, or a story about Swami Kriyananda, who passed away today and was beloved by so many.

You can read what others have written or add your own comment below.

May the masters bless you.

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I felt inspired to write the following article during my recent seclusion at Ananda’s Meditation Retreat in Northern California. I also felt to share my thoughts on seclusion after reading a beautiful book during my experience entitled, : The Joyful Art of Sharing Quality Time with God, by a dear friend and long time Ananda minister, Sudarshan Simpson. Unfortunately this wonderful handbook has not been published. However, having spoken to Sudarshan, he is willing to provide some of his extra copies if you’re interested. It is a wonderful guide for anyone who is new to seclusion or anyone who just wants to receive some inspiration. Now begins my story.

I was 18 years old at the time, studying Yoga Philosophy at Ananda’s College of Living Wisdom. It was located at Ananda’s Meditation Retreat, a place where many guests came for silence and seclusion. It was mid-January and all of the college students were away on vacation. I knew that the old timers at Ananda (the one’s who have lived the spiritual life for many years) spoke highly of seclusion and the importance of taking one week out of the year for this practice.

“What a perfect time to seclude!” I thought. “All the students are off on vacation, the weather is cool, there could be some quiet snowfall to encourage my withdrawal into my cabin, and my schedule allows me to take a whole week off!” I imagined myself meditating deeply in the girl’s dorm house, which I would have all to myself during my silent retreat. At the time, I was already meditating regularly (morning and evening) for about a year.I thought highly of those I knew of who had gained deep spiritual wisdom through many years of self-discipline. It was time I gave this seclusion thing a try!

I soon made arrangements with the college staff to take my seclusion in silence, undisturbed, and without meals. I figured I could buy my own groceries and cook on the single burner in the girl’s dorm, which was currently being used to heat tea water. To make a long story short, my week long seclusion lasted about an hour or two. First of all, the weather was the most gorgeous it had been all winter. The sun was shining so warm and bright that I had no desire to be inside all day! Secondly, my first meal was tomato soup from a can, which I stirred sadly on the tiny burner. I remember distinctly my melancholy filling the cabin as I drew my first spoon full of bland soup toward my lips, knowing that the others were enjoying a beautiful wholesome meal back at the main building. It was in that moment of tasting the soup that I knew this seclusion couldn’t last. Did I really have the guts to throw in the towel so soon after telling everyone I was going to be away for a week? Before making my final decision of defeat, I went to the dorm’s mini fridge to look for some kind of comfort.

“Did I plan this whole thing out well enough?” I stared shockingly at the few nuts, 2 boxes of rice milk, the cereal, and fruit that I had bought. “What was I thinking?!” Suddenly remembering it was choir night at Ananda Village, I ran to the school building to call a friend. I was dying to speak to someone after all of that silence! (A couple of hours). I explained to her why my seclusion was ending and I asked her to pick me up.

It turns out I ended up having a wonderfully uplifting night singing Swami Kriyananda‘s music. I felt so much better choosing not to force myself into something I obviously wasn’t ready for. Knowing the seclusion was behind me and that I didn’t have to judge myself for it was a huge relief.

“It is what it is…” I decided. “Some day I will I have a better experience.” The college staff was surprised to see me the next day, but I told them I didn’t feel like secluding after all. They didn’t make a big deal about it, thankfully.

……………………………………………………………………………………………….

Now let’s fast forward to about 4 months ago when my husband Kalidas said to me, “I think we should both schedule a time for seclusion this year.”

“Good idea.“ I said quietly while trying not to recall the memory of my first attempt at seclusion.

Catching on to my half-hearted reply he continued with enthusiasm, “I’m going to schedule my seclusion right now!” He whipped out his planner and started flipping through the next few months.

“Wow! He’s really serious.” I thought. When he said “this year” he actually meant in the next 3-4 months. It was mid September.

Locating an open space in his planner, he inquired, “How about we take a seclusion from November 14th to the 20th?” I thought about my teaching schedule at The Expanding Light for a moment and soon realized I had prior commitments.

“That’s not going to work. It’s the same week that Yoga Teacher Training ends and I will also be organizing a Restorative Yoga for Women Weekend.” I assured him that I definitely needed that time to prepare.

Kalidas, knowing of my past experience with seclusion and sensing my hesitancy to commit to a definite time, commented, “You were only eighteen years old back then…Do you know what a disaster it would have been if I had tried to seclude when I was eighteen?! What I mean to say is that I know that you have grown so much since then.” I was still inwardly worried that I wasn’t “deep” enough to take a seclusion. Not seeing much certainty in my face, Kalidas moved forward in his decision. He was not going to let it slip away as it had in the past.

The day arrived when Kalidas was to leave for seclusion. I kept telling him how much I would miss him. This would be the first time in our relationship that we’d be physically separated for this long. He agreed that he would miss me too, but he also knew that a great blessing was awaiting him. The day he drove off into seclusion, I had a brief cry. I was insecure about how I would feel for the next 5 days. I wiped my tears and prayed for time to speed.

I felt lonely that night as I went to sleep but was happy to find my kitty snuggling up to me more than usual. I knew my guru would take care of me, even if it was through no other way than our cat’s love. I also found great comfort in praying for Kalidas’ experience to be blessed.

The next morning I awoke feeling strong and calm inside. I knew the next few days would be a blessing for me too. I had a blissful experience going to bed earlier, waking up earlier, doing chores in silence, going to work, and coming home to silence. I had great meditations and more time for sleep — two very important things for me.

When Kalidas arrived at the end of the week we were both surprised at how quickly the time had passed and how a couple more days would’ve been nice. (Maybe next year). After realizing that I did in fact enjoy the time alone the past few days, I was relieved and reassured that my own seclusion could be a sacred experience after all. As Kalidas told me of all the beauty and joy of his days at the meditation retreat, I too had a glimpse of the possibility of a successful seclusion. I prayed for guidance and blessings on my seclusion, which was due in a month.

Since we had this space in between Kalidas’ seclusion and my own, we had time to get back into our adventurous days of doing everything together. As you may imagine, I was attached once again to being with my best companion and when the time came for us to part, I didn’t really want to leave. Though on a deeper level I knew that seclusion was a deep blessing for us both and would just take some getting used to. It is an essential part of our path, and Yogananda says that “Seclusion is the price of greatness.”

When Kalidas dropped me off at the Meditation Retreat (the same place I attempted to seclude 5 years ago), I held back my tears until he drove away. This time, as soon as the tears came and went, I felt a great blessing come over me and my retreat.I went to my room, which was a simple, yet uplifting bungalow cabin. I unpacked my things, sat down, and listened to the silence.Having been a regular meditator for 6 years now, my heart was thrilled by the depth of inner peace that awaited me. I think I was finally ready for this blessed experience.

I quietly arranged the essentials that I had brought: My harmonium for devotional chanting, special pictures of my Guru and the Masters for my altar, spiritually uplifting books and talks to listen to, and some healthy snacks. Other helpful gear was: A yoga mat, warm clothes, and a laptop for creative writing. Here are some things that I wrote:

Benefits of taking seclusion:

1. A relaxing and rejuvenating experience (more restful than any vacation I’ve taken, even to Hawaii).
2. An uplifting experience for body, mind and soul. There’s more time for yoga postures, meditation, affirmation, and tuning into God’s presence within and without.
3. Waking up slowly and in silence. You can sleep longer if you choose to by going to bed earlier or sleeping in. Either way, you can wake as you feel ready to and do so slowly knowing you have no where you have to be.
4. Practicing your spiritual devotions for as long as you’d like (Energizing, postures, chanting, meditation, all without any limit.)
5. Practicing Silence (a wonderful experience once you get used to it, and a great way to preserve energy.) You can talk to your Higher Self, or with God. Also walking in silence with God.
6. Eating in silence (allows you to pray before eating, consciously enjoy each bite with gratitude, and feel God digesting for you.)
7. More time to pray deeply for others– family, friends, those who are sick or struggling. Sending blessings to all those you love and praying for the healing of the whole planet.
8. Make New Year’s Resolutions (or if it’s not New Years, set some new goals for yourself.)
9. Begin cultivating these new habits now so that they have a dynamic foundation!

I am grateful to report that I received many priceless benefits from my first real seclusion. I was blessed to have two days alone before my guided group kriya yoga retreat began and one day after everyone left (all the while in silence.)

Thank you for reading my story. I hope you will try your own seclusion when the time feels right, and may it also be blessed with the peace and joy of the masters!

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By Peter Kretzmann

Today was my birthday and was filled with such love from friends and family. As this strange world would have it, it has also been six months to the day since my dad passed away, so naturally it has also been a tender time of remembrance.

My mind drifted back to this day last year. Dad had been in severe pain for several months already, but through a misdiagnoses we didn’t yet know it was cancer. I had just come up for a visit from LA and because of the circumstances we spent my birthday alone, just mom, dad and myself. I had been leading kirtans in LA, so I thought maybe one way I could help would be by playing some chants on the harmonium to create a devotional vibration. I played some favorites of mine and some new ones I had been learning. I enjoyed giving in this way and dad sang along, his voice full and strong. He mentioned one that he had found particularly meaningful recently. It was one I knew, so I began chanting it: “How shall I love thee, Lord my God? With every breath I breathe! Just as a fire can burn a whole forest, burn to the root my desires!” It had always been one that I loved for its powerful call to love God in every moment. When thinking of it from my dad’s perspective though I saw it in a new light. My dad was in intense pain and could hardly move. The doctors didn’t seem to be able to do anything to help. He was basically confined to lying on the couch. Everything outward had been taken away. His body wasn’t working as it should and was causing great him great pain. What do you do when there’s nothing left? Where do you turn? For my dad it was clear in that chant. He would offer every breath with love to God. I could scarcely continue singing as I thought of dad lying there in pain offering even his breath up in service to God. He wouldn’t delay his life-long search for God because of his body. His search would simply have to change form. Instead of meditating and joyfully serving, he would simply offer every breath with devotion to God. Every breath became a prayer. Dad sang on, louder still “…with every breath I breathe.”

The chant ended and we sat in silence for some time. I was quietly trying to absorb the example I was being shown. Some time passed in silent meditation, dad lying on the couch and me sitting nearby. Dad’s pain level soon began to increase until it was becoming more than he could bear. I suggested that he might be more comfortable if he were lying flat on the carpet. He crawled down to the floor, but it clearly didn’t help. The pain was clearly still increasing as he lay there flat on his back, his arms outstretched. He then told me “Peter, this is a mantra to Lord Ram.” His voice was shaking with the pain. I knew that Ram was the ancient saint-king of India who is still revered to this day as a divine incarnation. In that moment though, no other explanation was given. Dad had never mentioned Ram much before, but I listened intently as he started reciting the mantra.

“Ram, Ram…” he started, his voice was weak and still trembling from the pain. The Sanskrit syllables were unfamiliar to me as he spoke them, but immediately I felt an immense power and love enter the room. It felt as if Lord Ram himself was standing there in our home. I visualized him there, in his golden armor, answering the call of a sincere devotee. His incredible light and power radiated outward far beyond the limits of the four walls around us. Dad’s voice grew stronger as he continued reciting those ancient Sanskrit words. It seemed that dad was permeated and lifted by that powerful vibration.

The mantra continued on for some time until dad began speaking softer. His voice again began to tremble slightly, but this time it was due to the gratitude and devotion he felt. Finishing the mantra we returned to silence for some time. The power had been replaced by a vibration of deep peace. Dad let out a long, quiet sigh of gratitude.

As he crawled back up on to the couch, dad said to me “When you’re little, pain can be overwhelming, but when you’re big, it’s nothing.” He settled in on the couch and we again returned to silence. I sat there for some time in grateful silence for what I had just witnessed. I then quietly said goodnight, and made my way upstairs.

I believe in that evening, dad gave me the greatest birthday gift I have ever received.

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By Nayaswami Devarshi

“The most important quality on the spiritual path is deep, selfless, heartfelt devotion and love for God.”

“The power of habit is specially important in the spiritual path.”

—Paramhansa Yogananda

People usually think of habits as things that we do, rather than as thoughts and attitudes. But even our habitual actions have their origin in the mind and heart. Just as with actions, we can change habitual thoughts and feelings over time by replacing them with new ones. Even devotion can become a habit.

I’ve been experimenting the last few years with developing the habit of thinking more of God. I took this approach after finding it difficult to practice the presence of God in a general or vague way, in other words, “as often as I can,” or “all the time.”

I’ll describe just one small success story, but there are more, because the same approach can be applied in countless ways.

I found myself going through a period where I was becoming resistant to the alarm clock waking me in the morning, sometimes to give an early morning class (6:30am for Kriya Reviews, for example). I knew that it would be so much better to have my mind and heart on God as soon as the alarm went off, to replace that habit of grumbling when I was rudely awakened.

So I began playing a game. The goal was to see how soon after waking, whether first thing in the morning or in the middle of the night, my thought and feelings could turn to God.

After some small successes, I learned that the best way to succeed was to make a much more conscious effort to give my mind and heart completely to God as I was falling asleep. When, with deep devotion, I wholeheartedly offered myself to God as I was drifting into subconsciousness, my mind and heart were much more likely to turn immediately to God as I was coming out of subconsciousness.

I still wake up groggily sometimes, taking some minutes to come to my senses enough to begin that devotional conversation with God. But it has become more and more common to have the delightful and sweet feeling of greeting God as the very first awareness, often before I’m fully awake. Even the times of waking in the middle of the night are typically divinely sweet interludes to sleep.

This connection between how we fall asleep and how we wake was made especially clear to me last year when I had to go under full anesthesia for a surgery. During all of the previous times I had undergone anesthesia, I noticed that the anesthesiologists had a little trick up their sleeve, probably to help relax over-anxious patients. They wouldn’t tell me when I was about to go under, instead distracting me with casual conversation and questions, and then in the middle of a sentence, poof! I would be gone.

This time I asked the anesthesiologist, “Please tell me when you are about to put me under, because I want to think positive thoughts at that very moment.” He obliged, and I was able to close my eyes and think of my Guru, Yogananda, as my very last thought and feeling before going under.

My previous experiences with coming out of anesthesia were invariably slow, groggy, and somewhat disorienting. This time was quite different! My very first awareness was of hearing someone singing the beautiful chant by Swami Kriyananda with the simple words, “Sri Gurudeva Aum, Sri Gurudeva Amen….” It wasn’t a particularly beautiful rendition—in fact it was being sung almost drunkenly!

It took hearing it several times through to realize that I was singing it, and even my best effort still made it sound like I was singing a drinking song. By the time I was more awake I could still barely sing it properly, but only because the feeling of divine sweetness and grace was overwhelming.

In addition to falling asleep and waking, there are many other common transitions in daily life. Each one is an opportunity to create the habit of turning to God. These include such normally mundane things as: starting the car; turning on the computer; sitting down at your desk at work; brushing your teeth; going to the bathroom (really!). There are many more. Each of those transitions can become a time when you habitually turn all of your thought and feeling towards God.

Perhaps more important is the way that we react to certain situations and events. You would be surprised at how many of these reactions really are just habits, which you can also change!

Imagine if you had the habit of turning to God as the immediate and habitual reaction to: physical pain or suffering; emotional hurts; kindness in others; praise or blame; sickness or health; a driver cutting in front of you; certain fears; your ‘buttons’ being pushed in certain ways; etc. Yes, all of these reactions can be turned and changed into a devotional response. I’ve tried some of them, and I can testify that it is possible, even with the most challenging issues.

Try experimenting with just one or two of these daily transitions and reactions at first. You’ll find it easier in the beginning to focus on one or two, rather than in a more general, and therefore vague way. And I think that you’ll be quite delighted at the results, just as I have been.

Nayaswami Devarshi and other Ananda teachers will be leading a weekend program on Developing Deeper Love for God, from April 12-14, at Ananda’s Expanding Light retreat.

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By David Eby

Life on the spiritual path, though blessedly filled with growing inner freedom and fulfillment, is not always an easy road to navigate. As we give ourselves more completely to living for God, more and more is asked of us. With this lifestyle of selfless service we often give a low priority to maintaining our health and can easily fall into patterns of survival, doing the minimum to keep ourselves going.

When things prove to be too much or our karma rears its head, we fall into sickness and disease. How much do we blame our karma, and how much do we attribute to our lifestyle and health?

Is it possible to be a devotee on this spiritual path and maintain excellent health? I do certainly hope so.

Yogananda cautions us not to become too zealous in any health pursuit lest we lose our focus on devotion and finding God. This of course must be understood, for fanaticism to health only leads to attachment and missing the point.

But yet I wonder how many of us hide behind that cautionary statement and our commitment to service in order to avoid looking at our own health and lifestyles.

For my wife and I there have been way too many wake up calls of cancer in our circle of friends. We decided to take a look at our lives and our health.

On December 26, 2011, my wife and I embarked on our first juice fast which lasted 11 days for me, and a full three weeks for Madhavi. The benefits, both physical and spiritual, were tremendous. We then spent the year trying to adhere as much as possible to Yogananda’s dietary prescriptions.

This past year has been a year of discovery, hope, and health for our family, with a growing sense of attunement and dedication to God.

We have not been sick. Not even a sniffle.
We have never had the flu.
We have increased our work load, meditated more, and slept less.
Caitlin’s teeth seem to be growing in perfectly straight, in contrast to how ours did, requiring braces.

This is not the place to lecture about the benefits of one particular way of eating, for everyone has a unique bio-individuality with different requirements. Yogananda also counsels the use of “proper-eatarianism” rather than subscribing to any one particular diet fad to help keep the body fit for self-realization.

As we ascend further into Dwapara Yuga, we also have the opportunity to improve our health through new (old!) discoveries of the simple plant based diet, verses accepting the SAD (Standard American Diet), the cause of the highest incidence of diabetes, cancer, and obesity.

I know that getting on any high-horse is the worst thing that I could do for my attunement, but how do I simply stand by and watch as friends and family are afflicted by illness that I believe could be lessened or completely averted through lifestyle and dietary adjustments? Perhaps I am simply too attached to these people.

As Kalidas wrote so beautifully in his last post:

How true it is that we cannot persuade others to go in a direction we would like by pushing them from behind. We can only lead by example, by first reforming ourselves and inspiring them to follow.

I believe that it is possible to be devoted to serving God and to live a vibrant life lasting into our later years. For the amount of work that Yogananda has given us, how can we afford not to live in the most vital way possible?

If you feel inclined to learn more, I invite you to read my wife’s blogs on her health coaching website. It truly has been an educational year for us, and we’d love to share what we’ve learned.

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I spent my first winter at Ananda Village serving in the Yogoata dairy with a great devotee named Virani. She is responsible for supplying many of the village residents with nutritious and delicious goat milk products. I would say she has the strength of several grown men. After being with her for about a month, I began to notice that her strength was rooted in her love for the goats and her passion to share their bounty with our spiritual family. For all who come here she is a living testament of the powerful Ananda philosophy “Service is Joy”. Rain, heavy winds, snow, intense heat, hail, it doesn’t seem to affect her…7 days a week all year long she’s “braving the battle of life with strength unchained.”

Virani taught me how to milk the goats and take them on pilgrimage around the village to feast on all the wild plants that grow here. Selecting a fruitful area up in the hills, I would usually meditate while the goats would graze and play. More than occasionally I’d open my eyes and realize the goats had long deserted me and I’d have to go and find them! Or one of them would have my backpack in it’s mouth, attempting to eat the fruit I’d brought with me.

Along with the goats came Jenny, a burro who would act as our bodyguard against any possible predators. A burro is another word for donkey or mule; there may be some difference but I am not educated in these matters.

After a period of “meadow-hopping” that usually averaged 2-3 hours, I was to chaperon Jenny and the goats to a fenced in hillside where they would spend the remainder of the day frolicking and chewing their cud. At this time, I would generally employ my time with other barn duties.

On Sundays, we’d be sure to have them in their fenced area in time to attend Sunday service at the Expanding Light Temple. So this meant that their daily pilgrimage was a bit shorter and sometimes it was quite difficult to convince them it was time to move. Most animals that I have been close with live comfortable lives rooted in certain routines and when those routines are thrown off, often there can be a rebellion…

Such was the case on this fateful Sunday morning when I was assigned the mission of taking them out into the hills and getting them into their safe area in time for the purification ceremony at 10:00am.

Now this was my first year at Ananda Village and I had fallen deeply in love with the Sunday service ceremonies. As it often happens, when we immensely enjoy something, we can become attached to it.

And so naturally I was not taking any chances of missing the service today. I made sure to get the pack moving at about 9:30 and things were looking good. As we arrived at the opening in the fence, one by one the goats made a single file entrance through it.

Success! The goats were in, now that just leaves Jenny the Burro…

Where was she?

I performed the signature “Yogoata!” call that Virani had taught me. But after more than a few repetitions I had yet failed to attract her.

I decided to close the fence with the goats in and go in search of Jenny.

After about twelve minutes, I looked at my watch…9:50…ten minutes until service begins.

I was now officially in a hurry.

I looked up the hill and there she was, waiting to get in the entrance I had unfortunately closed.

Eating the last piece of a banana, I approached her with the banana peel and thought to use it as incentive to coax her in the fence entrance. Banana peels are a delicacy in these animals’ eyes and usually one could draw them anywhere with a fresh one. For some mysterious reason however, Jenny just stood there about six feet from the fence opening, unwilling to move. I put the banana peel in front of her nose and as she nipped at it I pulled it away hoping to draw her forward…no luck.

I was entering into a slight panic now and I approached her from behind and pushed with all my might…not a step would she take.

I said, “Come on Jenny! I gotta get to service!”

She stood there frozen and I suddenly understood the phrase “stubborn as a mule”.

Glancing at my watch, I noticed it read 9:59. I was not going to be on time for the opening fire ceremony but at least I could still make the purification ceremony…if she would just move six feet forward!

Inwardly I was losing focus. Beginning to feel hopeless, I made one last desperate push from behind and this time with all the physical power I could muster…

Not a step.

With as much strength as I had been pushing, I backed away and hurled the banana peel in frustration at Jenny’s rear end!

To my surprise, she took a step forward. But then she turned and looked at me.

In those big brown eyes I perceived an expression that seemed to say, “Oh no, you did not just do that!”

Immediately she turned in the opposite direction and galloped away onto a walking trail, up a hill and out of sight. Now I’d done it!

Before I knew it I was in hot pursuit of a wild donkey all across Rajarsi Ridge, a viewpoint known for it’s serenity and calming beauty. A charming sight, I’m sure it was to any passing civilians.

As we zigzagged back and forth and slid through the wet mud I let out an exasperated laugh at the absurdity of the situation. I felt like I was in a comic book.

After a turbulent and exhausting five minute chase scene, somehow Jenny ran back down the trail towards the goats’ area. I had picked up a large staff about seven feet in length and was running with it towards the trail when I heard her approaching foot steps in my direction again.

She was apparently headed back toward Rajarsi Ridge and I was not going to allow this!

As she came into view in full gallop, I stood there blocking her path with my staff in front of me and was either going to stop her or get run down. It brought to mind the image of Gandalf in the movie, “Lord of the Rings” when he stood in the way of that demon and exclaimed “YOU SHALL NOT PASS!”

Within ten feet of me she saw I meant business and put on the brakes. Sliding in the mud, she came to a halt right before me.

It was almost as if she respected that I was willing to stand firm because from here on she yielded to my obvious desire to bring her back with me to the fenced pasture.

Again however, when we reached the threshold, she stopped before entering and glanced at me.

Something inside me had let go. I had accepted the fact that I was not going to make it to the ceremony and in that state of approaching calmness I could suddenly see the solution.

I walked in the fenced area toward the goats and didn’t look back to show that I was concerned whether or not Jenny would follow.

I could hear her walking behind me now and once we were far enough in, I turned and gave her the illustrious banana peel which I am sure by now had witnessed so much more than the average peel.

She happily chewed it and joined the goats for a rest. I locked the fence and ran to service, arriving at 10:30 with plenty of time to participate in the purification ceremony. Though I must say that Divine Mother had another type of purification ceremony in mind for me this day! And it penetrated to my core.

All I had accomplished by my childish temper was the prolonging of a situation that, with calmness and patient insight, could have been handled quite simply. But instead I had to run like a wild donkey in pursuit of a slightly wilder donkey on an unnecessary detour I had created through my own desperate attachment! Furthermore, I saw that if I had chosen to set an example for Jenny by first entering the pasture myself instead of trying to force her from behind, this whole muddy mess could’ve been avoided!

Later when I introspected on this ultimately fruitful journey I thought: How true it is that we cannot persuade others to go in a direction we would like by pushing them from behind. We can only lead by example, by first reforming ourselves and inspiring them to follow.

When I arrived at the purification ceremony, I wrote on my little slip of paper “stubborn as a mule”. Approaching the altar, I set the paper on fire as is typically done in this ceremony and dropped it in the urn symbolizing the incineration of delusion.

By the Grace of our Masters, I was free.

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By Nayaswami Maitreyi

It is unlikely that in my life-time I will ever again ride through the streets of Mumbai barely seeing another car, and under police escort!

It is the day after Swami Kriyananda’s Mumbai event. A key figure in Maharashtran politics has died and trouble is expected in the city. Security is “Code Red”. All public transport is suspended … taxis, auto rickshaws, and private cars to be left at home. Businesses were closed, internet and phone communications, other than for emergencies, are blocked at key times. The funeral route to be completely closed off and roads closed into and out of the city. Whatever measures that might possibly thwart communication and transportation of terrorists was taken (although I had a chuckle to myself imagining terrorists in a machine gun chase via auto-rickshaw!)

We were scheduled to leave our hotel by car after breakfast for our journey back to Pune. Even the hotel staff were running on skeleton crew as the many of the day shift could not get to work. I had heard trouble was brewing the day before. During Swami’s talk I heard some mobile phones, which I have never heard in any of Swami’s talks before, despite being asked to turn them off at the commencement of the event. It transpires that people were nervously texting to find out the status of traveling to their homes thorough the city. My driver had telephoned me that night, suggesting we not make the trip back to Pune. “We have to” I said. ”We’ll be fine, don’t worry!” and I knew deep down we would be. On waking, my husband put on the TV … ”Oh, Michael, so early in the morning…?” I said, until I realized that he was watching the city close down as it was happening — live. How will we get Swami home? I thought. I made a phone call to alert key people.

And, just as one would expect in Swami’s world, Divine Mother was on the case long before we even suspected anything untoward. One guest at his talk the previous day just “happened to be” the Director of Police in Mumbai! He had requested an audience the next morning with Swamiji. He arrived at 8:30 am at our hotel. I was the one who first intercepted him. He was a very amiable man. He had already agreed to personally escort us out of the city!

Swamiji’s car at speed behind the Director of Police

“Don’t leave without us, Swamiji” I had demanded. “We’ll be on your tail!” He laughed. “OK!” he said. So, here we are, driving at full speed out of Mumbai, with red light flashing on top of the Police Director’s car, followed closely by Swamiji’s car, and then our own.
I have never seen so many taxis and rickshaws lined up neatly at the road sides. Mumbai is not usually a place I would describe as neat! At every junction there seemed to be police who saluted the Director as he passed. So not only a police escort did Divine Mother send us, but of the highest caliber at that!

Auto rickshaws redundant

“When I pull away from you” the Police Director said, “keep on going as fast as you can.” My poor driver, cautious by nature, had never driven so fast in all his life. We did the journey in record time. Swamiji made it home; a little road worn (and if you know anything about Indian roads you will understand what I mean), but still good humored and in one piece.

Thank you Divine Mother, for delivering Swamiji safely for us all, and for giving us so much fun too.
Stay tuned for the next exiting sequel, “Swami goes to Bangalore!” Ha! Just kidding… but, then, in Swami’s world, one never knows…

Joy to you

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By Nayaswami Savitri

Those of you who keep up with my past blogs on this website will know that I had a lot of fun writing a novel called Through Many Lives.

This little self-published novel continues to surprise me by selling very well. Thanks so much to all of you who have bought a copy.

One of the primary themes of the novel has to do with the main character, Thomas’s search through many past and future eras or yugas, for a person he considers to be his “true soul mate.”

My little work of fun fiction (though based on deep spiritual truths) was not an appropriate place to go into a long discussion about the fascinating subject of soul mates. Nevertheless, I think that this topic might be worth looking at in a bit more depth in this blog.

During my years of spiritual counseling and through teaching classes with themes like, “Spiritualizing Your Relationships,” I have found that there continues to be huge amount confusion around the idea of finding one’s soul mate: Is there such a thing? Should I try to find mine?

Here is what Swami Kriyananda has to say about the subject. This material is taken from the recording of talk he gave on August 8, 1984 called “Male and Female Principles of the Universe.”  This recording will soon be available at www.treasuresalongthepath.org.

Swamiji says:

Men and women are attracted to each other in order to develop within themselves that which they lack, in order to become full.

We are all souls which essentially have no sex at all. But when the soul is first manifested, it is manifested in ‘dual,’ just as everything else in creation is manifested in duality.

So every soul will have its own counterpart or ‘twin soul.’ One of the halves of the twin soul would manifest the masculine side and one, the feminine side…. A part of the goal of all life is eventually to unite these two parts of our own duality.

The subject of soul mates is something that Paramhansa Yogananda didn’t touch on much, ‘Because,’ he said, ‘people end up thinking that every time they see anybody on a street corner that they like, it’s got to be their soul mate, and every pleasant conversation in a bar-room is with their soul mate.’ (Audience laughs)

Yogananda said that, in fact, your soul mate need not at all even be of the opposite sex in this present incarnation. He or she may not be somebody that you even like! There is something on a deeper level that only when you are on that level, are you able to meet and benefit from a tie or union with the other half of your ‘twin soul.’ Otherwise, on an outward level, there can be many misunderstandings and all sorts of difficulties.”

Your soul mate could even be on another planet. But what happens is that eventually, even if it happens in a vision, you would unite with that soul mate and this positive and negative ‘canceling out’ would result finally in samadhi or uniting yourself with all creation; then you will merge back into the Infinite.

Your soul mate is something that, quite clearly, you do not need to look for. Look for God and whatever is to come to you will come. But until that perfect moment comes, [searching for him or her] may not be beneficial for you at all.

Whether your soul mate is on another planet, or living somewhere in New Guinea, or in the same room with you–it really doesn’t matter. Your soul mate could be your own mother, brother, sister, or a friend–it could be anybody! You don’t need to give it a great deal of thought, because God is your real soul mate anyway, and if you “…seek the kingdom of God first, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Still, the principle is certainly true, that there is something within us that longs for a kind of union, which finally is satisfied only in union with God. The longing for union is what creates one’s seeming need for marriage and also the need for friends, associates, partners, and every other kind of human relationship.”

Savitri comments: I’ve often laughingly called what Swamiji is mentioning above: “That ever-present urge to merge.”

Can you accept the idea that you may not be meeting your soul mate in this lifetime? Can you be content and have a happy life anyway? Absolutely, IF you seek the kingdom of God first, that “inner kingdom,” which is best revealed through prayer and meditation. It always comes back to that, doesn’t it?

On a personal note, my husband, Sudarshan and I recently celebrated our 32^nd wedding anniversary. We met at Ananda Village; and before we were married we discussed at length this idea of soul mates. It was then that he presented me with the interesting possibility that I wasn’t his! This was based on a reading from a psychic that he had seen several years before we met–a person we both trusted. She had said to him: “You have a soul mate, but you won’t meet her in this lifetime. She is lives India.”

Wow! This was startling news, indeed! I could have been insulted or felt sad (or even jealous) upon hearing Sudarshan tell me this. But for many reasons, I didn’t, and I still don’t. We’ve had a tremendously inspiring life together as fellow disciples on this path. I can truthfully say that throughout our marriage, we’ve helped each other to grow spiritually, soul mates or not.

Finally, Paramhansa Yogananda offers compassionate and practical teachings about the very human “urge to merge.”  His “Affirmation for Selecting a Life Companion,” includes interesting instructions to go along with it.

“Heavenly Father, bless me that I choose my life companion according to Thy law of perfect soul union.”

He says: “This affirmation is best practiced just after meditation. Say it loudly a few times, then more softly, then whispering, then mentally, then subconsciously, and finally superconsciously. Work with this affirmation for at least six months, with deep faith. If you have established a real attunement with God through meditation and continuous affirmation of this prayer request, you will find a suitable companion; or, if you have been drawn toward one who is fundamentally inharmonious, the Divine Father will bring about circumstances that will prevent your making a wrong choice.”

The italics and underlining are mine, because often people fail to notice this part of the instructions. Remember that it is equally important to be prevented from making a wrong choice as it is to make the right choice.

Seek God first. Place your life in God’s hands and let God help you draw to yourself (or not) your mate, friends, associates, etc. It’s really the best way to go! 

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