Nalini (nee: Nancy Coit) was born into a military family in San Antonio, Texas on May 8th 1944. She was always an idealist, searching for Truth that was a bit apart from her family’s search for meaning. It was her idealism that persuaded her to serve in the Peace Corps in Kenya. Then, right at the beginning of a career in academia, she took a fork in the road.
When Nalini arrived at the meditation retreat at the end of 1970 she had found her home. Nalini was inspired by Swami Kriyananda’s determination to help establish Yogananda’s dream of World Brotherhood Colonies. She also found a family of like-minded souls and a spiritual path that offered liberation from delusion.
Swami Kriyananda and Nalini
Nalini took to heart the tenants of the Ananda guidelines including being willing to “go anywhere and do anything” – what she exemplified throughout her life. When needed at the new ashram in Atherton, CA she served there and later in the Seattle community and Sacramento before returning again to Ananda Village.
One of Nalini’s salient features was her love of music, especially Swami Kriyananda’s music. In every Ananda colony she lived, she sang in the choir and when Swamiji asked who wanted to go on a European Choir tour, she was one of the first to respond. To attune herself ever more fully to her guru and Swamiji, she signed up to go on several pilgrimages to India with her gurubhais.
After their marriage, her husband Giridhara quickly discovered that his accounting career would need to take a back seat to Nalini’s career as an Ananda minister. In addition to serving at the village, they would travel to Santa Rosa every month or two to give Sunday Service.
Nalini was one of the strongest and yet sweetest souls one could meet at Ananda. Her inner strength led her to be an adept counselor, minister, and friend to all.
Nalini and Giridhara
Nalini’s life was about attunement and service, and it was also about liberation. Near the end of her life, Nalini and Giridhara agreed to be dispassionate about dying. Her idealism and attunement to Swami led her to a life full of meaning, growth and freedom.
She died on August 4, 2022 singing Swamiji’s song “Hello There Brother Bluebell”.
