The winter’s night was very cold and windy, and I huddled by the little stove in my camper reading the Bible by the light of a kerosene lamp. In the early years of Ananda our dwellings were simple—without electricity, running water, phones, or any way to communicate with others.
But we were more than happy to live in whatever was available—campers, teepees, old delivery trucks—just to be part of Ananda. Here we could dedicate our lives to God as well as help Swami Kriyananda fulfill Yoganandaji’s dream of world brotherhood colonies.
On this particular night as I was reading, I was startled to hear a loud pounding on the door. I cautiously opened it, and there on the cinder block step stood a strange man with a wild look in his eyes.
“I need to come in,” he said in a demanding voice. Offering silent prayers to God for protection, I stood aside and let him enter.
He sat down on one of the two benches at my little table. “I’m hungry. What do you have to eat?” he again demanded. (More silent prayers on my part.) I offered him some food which he ate voraciously.
“I’m thirsty. What can I drink?”(Still more silent prayers.) I placed some water before him, which he quickly gulped down.
Seeming to relax a bit he said, “I like it here. It’s nice and warm.” After a pause he added, “I have these big sores on my arms.” He rolled up one of his sleeves and showed me open, oozing sores on his arm.
(“Please God, resolve this quickly,” I fervently prayed.)
A few more moments passed. Then he suddenly stood up and said, “Thank you. I have to go now,” and quickly departed.
Totally baffled by what had just happened, I sat stunned for a few minutes. Then taking a few deep breaths, I continued reading the Bible. These were the first words that my eyes fell upon:
For I was hungry, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;
Naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? . . .
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
“God,” I asked inwardly, “was it really You who came in the form of that desperate man?” I never saw the stranger again. To this day I’ve suspected that the encounter was God’s way of showing me that He Himself receives any act of kindness we express to others.
Now as we approach the Christmas season, it’s a good opportunity to introspect and cleanse our hearts of any negative emotions we may hold towards others. Throughout December, I’m taking up the personal challenge of holding only positive, loving thoughts towards everyone—be they wise or foolish; well-kempt or disheveled. Remember that love offered to any form of life is love offered to God.
In Whispers from Eternity, Master writes: “Let every feeling that I have glow with Thy love. Let every act of my will be impregnated with Thy divine vitality. Let every thought, every expression, every ambition be ornamented by Thee.”
I invite you to join me in this challenge for the rest of 2022: to feel God’s love flowing through you in each moment of the day. This is the greatest gift you can give to the world. And who knows? God may come in hidden form to receive it.
Your sister in God,
Nayaswami Devi
Listen to Devi as she reads the blog, then expands on it, often adding special behind-the-inspiration stories and answers to common spiritual questions. Subscribe to the podcast or download the audio recording by right-clicking here. Or listen to it here (8:54):
45 Comments
Wonderful … totally inspiring
God tests us every single moment, our acts, words and thoughts, he tests our faith. And he reads us into our hearts.
Usually I skim past emails from those I do not know and promptly look to unsubscribe but my intuition trusts the energetic quality emanating from yours and so I do take time to stop and read the beautiful, shining messages that leap from your heart to mine.
Today’s message made me cry. I cry a lot these days and welcome tears as they lead me deeper towards the truth, truth you communicate so expertly and effortlessly. Thank you xx
In one heart, Sally xx
Thank you for this incredibly beautiful story. It sang in my heart.
The message in this story has been presenting itself to me in many different situations! I am learning that only through love can I heal and help others to heal. I am also learning to accept where I am and trust that all will be okay. Thank-you Devi. Love, Orah Jones
I was at the Golden Temple in Amritsar India, searching for a quiet spot to meditate. It’s extremely crowded there. Some village women, wrapped in brown village shawls, approached me and said “you look like a holy figure to us.” I was surprised and had no response except “thank you.” I had been meditating about 45 min and a deep voice came to me “Go find those women and tell them we are all holy figures “. I argued with the voice. “I’ll never find those women in this crowd. They’ve probably left already.” The voice came again “I told you to deliver my message to those women.” I stood up and turned around and they were about 10 ft from me, coming toward me! I delivered the message and they said they came to get a photo with me before they left, but they had no camera or phone. I had someone take a pic with my phone but they had no email and no address. I believe those women were sent to test me… Would I obey the command. These women were just the messengers. Were they real? I don’t know, but I do have a picture of them and I think they wanted ME to have the photo to remind myself to always obey God when I receive commands.
Wow!! Thanks for sharing such a lovely experience and inspiring us all Carole 🥰
Devi ji,
It is very nice message. You described the environment at Ananda village , especially in your room during late sixties and early seventies; simplicity of lifestyle was praiseworthy.
The experience of a stranger asking for help was a unique experience. You showed alot of courage to serve a man who was unknown to you. God loves those who gives shelter who needs it.
Amen
I wanted to write the same comment – Deviji showed great courage in letting in a stranger.
Glad I read all comments. They are so open-hearted – a response, I guess, to Deviji’s writing and consciousness.
Such courage can only come from attunement with the divine and a perception of presence of God in everyone.
Thanks for sharing Devi. You have perfectly set the stage to start the Christmas season.
Blessings to you and all at Ananda
Your beautiful messages are a great ressource for daily living. Many grateful thanks.
Dear Nayaswami Devi Ji,
Thank you for this blog. This is very inspiring, and Joining you in the challenge :-)
Joy,
Prem
What a magnificent, soulFULL message you share.
Thank you, thank you, thank you
AUM AUM, AUM.
And if ever a picture said a thousand words this was it.
Pure love
Lovely!
Thank you for inviting us into the world of love.
Thank you for this and I will join you in your December challenge!
I’m in!💟
blessings of love to you and all souls everywhere.
So beautiful and inspiring. Thank you.
I love this beautiful story of your early time at Ananda It is so much about true Christmas- the spirit of giving.
It is infused with the love and acceptance you embody – I am so grateful
Thank you for sharing this inspiring true story and the suggestion to cleanse our hearts and hold only positive, loving thoughts to everyone. Blessings!
Thank you for this wonderful story. I feel that this was truly God coming to visit and test you. Many Blessings to you!
Thank you Devi for this wonderful inspiration 💓
Good December practice but the story freaks me out. Times have radically changed. No no no!
God Bless you Devi!
I appreciated this.
Such an inspiring story Deviji !! I would like to take up this challenge with you ..Amen !
So beautiful, Devi, thank you for not only the words but the love that flows through them!💕
Thank you for sharing this powerful story and message. I’ll never forget when I was visiting Ananda Rhode Island. Back home our daughter, Olivia, had broken her arm and was casted. It was especially traumatic for our family because Olivia
had already been in a body cast twice after undergoing three hip surgeries as a baby. You spoke a reassuring words to me-showering me with loving kindness. I felt Master’s calm instantly enter my heart. Ever grateful for your presence on the planet and beyond! 🙏
Tears sprang to my eyes with this story. God has been testing me consistently for seven years and just recently has brought me to the edge of my capacity with no understanding of how to make it over this hurdle. I am having to breath deeply and trust, yet again. Thank you for increasing my trust in the journey that God set before me, at a time when I need it so dearly.
I wonder sometimes about surrendering in this way, if I would be brave enough. I like to think yes. I know that sometimes the answer has been yes, and sometimes the answer has been no.
Recently, on two occasions when driving to town, a gentleman, who has placed himself strategically seated at the intersection of two roads coming together, has extended his thumb-pointed hand out seeking a ride. Both times, I saw each man at a glimpse unaware of his presence until it was too late to stop easily. When I drove passed, he simply waved in gratitude anyway. I didn’t turn back and feel it would have been the dharmic thing to do.
These times are so challenging in regards to knowing what doing the right thing looks like and how to shift or slow down the flow of every day routines in order to see and feel the answer in the moment.
Thank you and Jyotish both for the stories of serving humanity. Being in the presence of Ananda gurubhais is definitely making a difference in my life. I marvel at the synchronicity of how a story here, a class there or attending a Sunday Service becomes a “lesson board” and validation through experience of what God truly wants from us, His love.
With love and gratitude,
shankari
What a beautiful, inspiring story! Thank you for sharing it, Devi! I have become aware of God’s energy flowing through me, for many years in my work as a therapist, but now much more often in daily life encounters, as well. What a wonderful way God shows us how to live, by having us feel joy when we live in the way He wants us to!
Many blessings and much love to you! Elaine
That was beautiful.
WOW, tears are in my eyes and I am filled with inspiration and awe for God is so great, and with true humility all we can do is serve Him. I will take your challenge Devi and do my part to feel God’s love flowing through me daily, and share it with all whom I meet, and in meditation share it with the world. For LOve is all there is and all we are!!!
Thank you dear dear soul for your Life in God; your inspiration and leadership.
So much love to you, Josette
All Blessings to You. Thank you so much. I love the blessings given by the homeless and destitute. I do my best to have some cash ready to give. I enjoy the exchange- money for God’s Blessing. I know the hardships from personal experience. God’s Blessings are the richest gifts One can receive. Namaste .
wonderful, i will try to keep good and positive thoughts this December and if i have any ill-feel or resentment towards someone, i wlll try to rectify and see god in him/her.
It is good to be reminded of happenings like this. It keps one alert. Thanks!
That was indeed quite a dramatic encounter..and interesting
there was not much if any conversation about the strangers’
condition,plight or future outlook or possibilities. I believe
the man(also an immortal soul temporarily in a body),was
sent by God as a lesson for both of you and for everyone
else hearing about the encounter…thank you for sharing
Good..old..mountain hospitality.
Dear Devi, How many of us today would have the faith to have done what you did. God tests all of his devotees in various ways to see if we adhere to dharma, compassion and truth. Thank you for sharing this test of faith. Om Joy, Ram
very inspirational. This encourages me to be more mindful. Thankyou
Very inspirational, Motivates me to be more mindful. Thankyou
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय…✨🕉️🙏
….Thank you Deviji. I take up the challenge. Namaste
Jai Maa
Only mother sees the deep inside every being what other can easily miss.
wow, what a powerful and soul touching incident you have shared with us dearest Devi Ji. Thank you so much for the teaching behind it. and thank you for the challenge you presented. loved your audio message which gives direction to the challenge Ji – to look at the world with eyes that are cleansed of judgment or criticism and to reflect only God’s love for everyone we meet and everyone we know. so beautiful – am carrying the words deep within so I can practice it consciously each day. Thank you Ji.
It is not always easy to act in the way God want it from us. Life is a complete lesson and sometimes I know that I do the right thing and sometimes I don’t. Specially with family it is difficult. Because they live a materialistic life and don’t believe in God .
I am very thankful for our spiritual family and with you. Blessings, Gyandevi.