During the recent Dedication Weekend, May 15–17, we were meditating in Swami Kriyananda’s newly completed Moksha Mandir, the final resting place for his body. His living reality was so tangible to everyone that it was hard to imagine he was no longer physically present with us. The difference now, perhaps, was that his consciousness felt even more powerful, accessible, and vast than before.
Two days later on the eve of his birthday, May 19, I had a vivid and meaningful dream. A small group of us were with Swamiji having tea in the comfortably decorated sitting room of a hotel. It seemed totally natural that we were together and enjoying the blessings of being with him.
Then another person joined us: Lila, who was Swamiji’s devoted housekeeper and cook for twenty-five years, and who passed away nine months before him. Swamiji and all of us were surprised to see her, and marveled at the fact that she was with us, even though she was no longer alive.
When I awoke I realized that there was a difference in how I had experienced Swamiji and Lila in the dream. She seemed separated from us by a veil of energy, while he was vibrantly present, though neither of them still dwelt in physical form.
As I tried to understand why such a difference existed, I began to realize that this dream presented an important spiritual distinction for me to contemplate. Swamiji’s consciousness, free from any vestige of ego, resided in timelessness. There is no past, present, or future in that state of awareness; nor life nor death, as we think of them.
Paramhansa Yogananda (Painting by Shantidev)
Paramhansa Yogananda said, “When this ‘I’ shall die, then shall I know who am I.” This freedom from all limitations of time and space is the goal that lies before all sincere spiritual seekers. The body will certainly die; the personality changes over time; with divine grace and inner effort, the ego can in time be transcended; but the soul remains unchanged eternally.
When we realize this, so much of the fear and anxiety over change, loss, and death leaves us, for we know who and what we really are. When faced with major changes in your life, or with the approach of death, whether your own or of a loved one, meditate on these words of Yoganandaji: “The reality of my life cannot die, for I am indestructible consciousness.”
May we all discover our true Self in God.
In divine friendship,
Nayaswami Devi
11 Comments
Thank you Devi!
What a powerful dream! And I know exactly what you mean cause I had dream of both my grandparents where I was surprised to see them again with us.
Thank you also for the BIG Mandir energy that is arriving even here in Assisi and Swamiji is as alive as ever!
AUM
Ruby
Thank you Deviji
Wonderful dream. Its true and I believe now after reading the wonderful book ” Autobiography of a Yogi”‘. I am hopeful that one day I too get blessings of swamijis for my very long awaited wish of my conscience for meditation ;and now on kriya yoga practice. I believe now that your feelings match mine and I too get blessed with meditational power for my spiritual growth. Thank you once again for the wonderful experience. Keep mailing please.
WARM REGARDS.
AUM
VEERENDER
Beautiful and very inspiring… Thank you! Blessings to all!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful dream. It sounds like it is more real than our waking conscious state! Your words are very inspiring!
Joy and blessings to you!
Jayanti
Dear Jis
Beautiful Dream and Gratitude for the Revelations.
Pranam
R Sundararajan
Sri Devi,
Thank you! This is beautiful
Very Powerful!
Celebrations in Moksha Mandir / Energy Mandir forwarded lots of energy to me . In those days I spent my time in Meditation, Yoga, Pranayama & few exercises which made me more strengthful to work on few proposals for the children as well read few chapters of the books by Swami ji.
The Celebrations week in USA recollected our paintings exhibition on Mahatama Gandhi ji which were based on the Teachings of Gandhi ji as on- IF YOU CONTINUE THE WORKS OF GREAT MASTERS WHICH WILL MAKE THEM IMMORTAL…
Let us take Swami ji’s Teachings & Works to the common people thru Well Designed
Activities so that more people will be benefited . .
If possible pl send the Disic of the Swami’s song for the children till now I didn’t get from anybody.
Be sure that Swami ji will sponsor workshops MAKE A TOY – SHARE A JOY on Eco -friendly Indian Toys for everybody around Moksha Mandir. And the joyful music of Swami ji will put more energy in Dream Workshops .
Let us create more joy around Moksha Mandir.
Share more laugh with YOU & JYOTOSH JI.
Best regards
Brij Kul Deepak
Dear Nayaswami Devi Ji,
Thank you for the article :)
“When this ‘I’ shall die, then shall I know who am I. Master please help us to follow your words and get in to that state.
Aum
Prem
As you dreamed about the housekeeper , there was this veil. People have experience of meeting death people in dreams or as well outside dreams. I just wonder how close spiritual uplifted people and ordinary people are after death this earth before the are reincarnated again and what is happening here. Would be happy about a comment.
thanks for the writing and sharing it with us . Anselm
Dearest Devi,
WHoa!!
Powerful and beautiful, so true…
“… freedom from all limitations of time and space is the goal…”
Thank You!
~~~Peace, Josette
Obrigada Nayaswami Devi
Por ter revelado o seu sonho. Soube da morte física de Swami Kriyananda e fiquei muito triste. Mas tal como Paramahansa Yogananda ficou triste por não estar presente na hora da morte de Sri Yukteswar, este apareceu-lhe mais tarde como se fosse de carne e osso e ambos conversaram sobre a morte e de como era belo o sítio onde Sri se encontrava depois da morte física.
AUM
Marta