Swami Kriyananda left the body on April 21, 2013. Since then, we’ve called the anniversary of his passing Moksha Day, moksha meaning spiritual liberation, or, literally, “to cut through delusion.” At Ananda Village we honor it with a six-hour meditation at Swamiji’s home, Crystal Hermitage. This is also peak season for the tulip gardens that he so loved, and this year we have some 25,000 tulips attracting nearly that many visitors to delight in the beauty.
Moksha was the goal to which Swamiji dedicated his life. And it is the goal to which, following his example, many of Ananda’s members have dedicated their own. It might be helpful to see a very few of the many qualities Swamiji modelled for us and, more importantly, how we in turn might model them in our own lives.
Enthusiasm: Swami Kriyananda was the most enthusiastic person I ever met. Whatever he was doing at the moment, he did it with full vigor, focus, and joy. “Enthusiasm,” he wrote, “is the spirit of joy channeled through the power of the will. If we want to know joy, we must live always in the full expectation of it. Not even earthly happiness can come to those who demand it glumly, or work for it with their eyes to the ground. To achieve happiness, one must work with happiness. To achieve divine joy, one must be keenly enthusiastic in everything one does!” Swamiji’s enthusiasm for sharing the teachings created a magnetic influence that transformed thousands of lives.
People often ask Devi and me how we manage to do so much (sometimes with the unspoken insinuation of “at your age”). The secret is willingness! Time and again I’ve been shown that we get tired not because of the activity itself, but because of our internal resistance. I can’t claim always to rise to the level of enthusiasm, but I’ve at least managed to get the unwillingness monster cowering in the corner.
Discipleship: This was the polestar of Swamiji’s life. Everything he did, and it was a staggering amount, he did in attunement with Master. The many different subjects of his books, like spokes on a wheel, all radiated from the hub of Master’s teachings, each tailored in a way that was appropriate to that particular topic. His discipleship to Master became so profound that at the end of his life Swami said, “I no longer know where Swami Kriyananda ends and Yogananda begins.”
Personally, I end each meditation with a sincere offering of my will into Master’s will, and a deep prayer for his guidance. The real challenge throughout the day is not willingness but forgetfulness. If I can but remember to ask for guidance, I invariably receive it.
Universal Kindness, Friendship, and Love: Swami had a huge heart, large enough to accommodate everyone. He cared for all of us like a father and mother both, including people he knew only slightly and even perfect strangers. In his last week on earth he invited his close friends from the Ananda community near Assisi for tea, an excuse to give them one final blessing, though he never mentioned that he was about to leave. Saying goodbye to your dear ones is not uncommon, but, even in the frail state of his final days, he asked to be driven into Assisi so he could pay one last visit to bless also the shopkeepers he had come to know.
Once, when Devi silently sought more attention from him, he said, “Devi, no one is special to me. I’m not even special to myself.” On the other hand, everyone was special to him. His heart embraced everyone, including all of you who are reading these words.
Swamiji was a way shower for all of us. When he asked Master when he would achieve moksha, Master replied, “God won’t come to you until the end of life. Death itself is the final sacrifice you will have to make.” If we follow Swamiji’s example of enthusiastic discipleship and universal love, I hope and believe that Master’s words will apply to many of us as well.
In divine friendship,
Nayaswami Jyotish
Listen to Jyotish as he first reads the blog, then expands on its meaning and messages for readers with behind-the-blog commentary. Subscribe to the podcast or download the audio recording by right-clicking here. Or listen to it here (9:05):
23 Comments
Beautiful! Willingness, discipleship and love, May we always aspire to live like Swamiji.
Thank you for a beautiful share. 🌷Aum Guru
Thank you J, thank you.
Dealing with systemic chronic depression and after being the only caregiver for eleven months to a family member who passed away in February, who I dearly loved as my best friend, it’s been a difficult debilitating struggle to get to at least a mental state of a peace that comes and goes. After reading this, it gives me inspiration to fight the depression and get back to life of taking care of myself and the house. I have tried to focus all of my attention to God, but unfortunately it was for only for guidance and not for the joy in how I live my life. Appreciate article so much. Will put on my refridgerator and night stand. Thank you. Sincerely, Ellen Kent
Thank you, so helpful, interesting and inspiring.
Thank you to Swami Kriyananda for his tireless efforts to bring the beautiful teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda to a wider audience and in such an accessible and joyful way! And, his vision for spiritual community that fructified at Ananda provides such an ideal model for more communities like it in the future.
Thank you, Jyotish.
Your beautiful tribute to Swamiji corresponds with my fond memories of him. I only met him in person 3 times, but thru his books and tapes, I felt I knew him well–certainly felt his sweet kindness and spiritual power in his presence. Once, when I bowed before him in my new Indian scarf, it fell off. We both laughed as he gently replaced it on my shoulders, instantly leveling the distance between us: That seemingly small gesture revealed his humble greatness. Kriyananda remains one of the most influential people in my life, right behind Yogananda.
Phoenix (Valerie) Putney
Dear Nayaswami Jyotish,
Thank you for the lovely post about Swami Kriyananda.
Every morning, Swamiji shares The Truth with me through the videos posted by online by Ananda Sangha Worldwide. Swamiji and the teachers at Ananda have helped me find the path and they are helping me to grow on the path.
Every day I give thanks to Divine Mother for Paramhansa Yoganda, Swami Kriyanda and all of the members of Ananda. Ananda Online is my spiritual community and I send you my impersonal love and gratitude.
Sincerely,
Lesia Stahl
I was born with an unknown lung disease. in 1975 the ilniss was known but I heard it much later in the beginning of 2000. Swamiji had a book about this kind of diseases and lent it to me. so I find out all about and new that I had to change my life final. I went to Assisi 15 years mostly in August and also after many operations I learned to live with it. I feel good, have Ananda friends and Peace. Work as teacher for Ananda and love to chant. I have no moods, never had even if I was very ill… I think I am blessed because this disease brought me Yogananda and Swamiji.
Enthusiasm aiming towards Discipleship and anchoring in Universal Kindness, Friendship and Love made Swamiji our role model.
Thanks Jyotish ji 🙏
Thank you for all these wonderful reminders. Thank you, Swami for showing us the way.
Thank you God and Masters!
Jyotish….you and Devi embody these teachings so highly. I am always amazed at your ability to continually raise our collective consciousness in so many ways. Your focus, profound spiritual knowledge and creativity AND your ability to share with all, is so appreciated and valued. You are both very great souls and such a blessing in dealing with this challenging world.
Very wonderful read. So heartwarming and so true.
Thank you Jyotish for this wonderful post and for the reminders of how Swamiji lived his life as an example for each of us.
Dear Nayaswami Jyotish Ji,
Thank you for sharing this blog. Important guidelines for our life.
The points on working with Joy, willingness and offering to Master is very helpful.
Felt encouraged reading the blog.
Joy,
Prem
I can think of something to say but I FEEL to say, in deepest gratitude, thank you. Namaste
Dearest Jyotish Ji, thank you for this beautiful inspiring blog. Loved your audio guidance on how we all have a choice to open our hearts and reach out and embrace everyone; how if we do that with willingness and enthusiasm there will be a powerful energy that embraces everyone and has the power to uplift and change them. Loved the practical pointer of how we can do this by starting with those closest to us, expand to those whom we know and not know quite so well, those whom we meet, read about finally expanding and embracing everyone sending love and good will.
Thank you for the link to Sunday Satsang by Devi Ji on Swamiji’s discipleship. Heart and mind soared listening to Devi Ji sharing about what Swamiji did and how he is our perfect role model for discipleship. Loved what Ji said “just as Master was the Avatar of Dwapara Yuga, Swamiji was the disciple of Dwapara Yuga”
Beloved Master and Beloved Swamiji bless you both for being our “Swami” role models – for those of us who did not meet Swamiji in the body we see him and feel him through you both.
Everything about this is inspiring, but I especially love and resonate with enthusiasm. I remember thinking that Swami’s attitude around the launch of each book – that it would be a bestseller and change the world – was so amazing. He approached each one with so much enthusiasm, you were immediately magnetized into the project with full gusto. Never daunted by the outcome, again and again, he shared his creativity with the world with the same energy, joy, and nishkam karma! Thank you for illuminating that quality with your insights Jyotish.
One of my favorite blogs you’ve ever shared. Thank you.
Thank you, thank you! Your sharing these thoughts and stories is Divine Guidance. 🕉☮️💜
Jai Guru