Have you heard the saying “Man plans and God laughs”? I want to tell you of my recent experience in India, not because I wish to talk about myself, but because I want to demonstrate how God’s plans will always over-ride our own for the higher good.
I returned only last week from a most inspiring trip to India with blessings I could not have imagined. My first trip there, I had prayed that I would meet a Realized master.
For more than a year now I have been corresponding with Swami Kriyananda (direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda and founder of the Ananda communities) regarding meeting up at his newly founded community outside Pune, in the Maharashtra state of India. I consider Swamiji has now proved, in countless ways, that he has indeed reached jivan mukta status (freed while living) and that his was the saintly meeting that would answer my prayers.
It was always risky to plan in stone, however, as Swamiji never knows where he will be one day to the next for much of his time. Yet, it all looked good and my information when I left for India was such that I had a confirmed appointment with him. Only the day before I was to visit Ananda, I learned that Swamiji unavoidably had left, 4 days before, for Gurgaon, Delhi, which is a great distance from Pune. I calmly accepted the situation, knowing that all was right as it was. But did this superficial disappointment prevent me from meeting a saint? I don’t believe it did.
The day before I had visited the pilgrimage town of Shirdi, which boasts the place of the saintly Sai Baba’s Mahasamadhi (great samadhi in which a Realized master consciously sheds his mortal frame).
Shirdi Sai Baba
It was a Saturday. The town was literally heaving with pilgrims from near and far. The roads were gridlocked and not much ground could be seen above the sea of heads. When my husband, our driver and I located Sai Baba’s sacred shrine I was utterly dismayed by the throng of people queuing to receive darshan (vibrational blessing) from the famous shrine. I could see thousands upon thousands of devotees. This queue, we were told, was currently taking 5-6hours to reach the centre of the temple. The sun was at it’s highest, therefore the heat too much to stand in for any length of time. Disappointed, but again accepting life as is, our driver suggested we return in the evening as he hoped it would be less busy.
On the way back to our car, we walked counter-current to the advancing queue of pilgrims. All I could see was a flowing river of heads. Suddenly there appeared a gap in the crowd. I saw an old swami, dressed in the traditional ochre robe, long hair and mala’s (prayer beads) adorning his neck. He was advancing in a strong purposeful march, yet with such grace and agility he seemed to glide with the athletic prowess of a much younger man.
As he fast approached, our eyes met, and I couldn’t have hoped for the beaming smile from the angelic face before me. His eyes expressed instant recognition of me as an old friend, yet it went much deeper than that. I beamed back too, recognizing immediately this old soul as my oldest and dearest friend; my own. It was a meeting after millennia apart; the warmth, the love conveyed, the beatific smile….but those eyes!
Then, as fast as he approached, he was gone! I couldn’t get his face out of my mind: His eyes; the aura of youth on an old, yet very agile body. My husband and our driver didn’t appear to notice him at all.
It wasn’t until I was in meditation the following morning when… wham! The realization came upon me that this swami was indeed a man of Realization: A man of God. I have no doubt that I brushed the path of a true saint this day; that by default I received darshan from him as our eyes met, and also that he was a dear old friend that I was karmically bound to meet again in this life for mine and possibly his spiritual advancement.
That same evening the queue was still lengthy, though considerably less than earlier. We had a 15 minute wait at the entrance gate, with some confusion as to what to do next. Our driver was trying to get instruction as to where we should go as this was a massive temple complex. Then Divine Mother blessed us by sending the temple superintendent to lead us past the waiting throng of pilgrims to receive darshan at the holy blessed shrine of Sai Baba. We had not asked for preferential treatment, only that we wished to pray at the shrine and receive darshan. The experience was transforming for me. Walking barefoot along the pilgrim route up to the golden dais of his enshrined body with the acoustics of the ancient and powerfully effective tones of sanskrit mantra chanted by the high priest, I pranamed (bowed with hands in prayer position at the heart and forehead) at the feet of his saintly body. The energy in the ether was super-charged. We were further blessed by the high priest and were given prasad (food of the gods) and sacred ash, both infused with Baba’s blessing.
Sai Baba’s Shrine
In my hotel room that night in Shirdi I knew I was changed. I deeply felt the blessings from the saintly swami and beloved Sai Baba which remain with me. What a day! Two saints instead of the one I had prayed for.
Divine Mother, you can override my plans any time you like. I thank you.
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to travel to Mexico and Venezuela to lead Kriya Yoga initiations. Even though it’s a struggle to communicate due to my lack of Spanish (fortunately, I had a very good translator!), there is a lingua franca (common language) shared by sincere Kriya Yogis — the language of divine joy.
When we live for God, and regularly practice meditation and Kriya Yoga, we naturally grow into what the yogis describe as our true nature: “Satchitananda,” ever-existing, ever-conscious, ever new bliss.
In Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico, we stayed at the brand “new” Ananda ashram begun by our dear friend Medardo (see his blog post about the ashram, Building Ananda in Mexico). It is an extraordinary testimony to the creativity and will of the devotees there, that they made a beautiful ashram out of a ruined and abandoned building — one which had graffiti on all the walls inside and out, and a foot of waste on all the floors!
Ananda Ashram in Mexico
We were given a wonderful opportunity to experience divine cooperation and joy. There were about twenty of us staying there as part of our Kriya retreat. We shared two bathrooms that didn’t have doors yet. The flimsy curtains covering the doorways were frequently blown aside with the breeze, sometimes at very inconvenient moments!
There was no dimming of anyone’s joy — it only increased throughout the retreat. A group of us were talking on the last day, and one of the new Kriyabans received a phone call, which reduced him to tears. At first concerned that there was a tragedy in his family, we eventually learned he had just found out that he won a money lottery at the factory where he worked.
He had prayed to Babaji for help in winning it, with the intention of paying for bathroom doors for the new ashram! Praying for winning a lottery is typically not recommended, but we were all utterly charmed by the man’s simple devotion and sincerity. Our joy turned to laughter when someone suggested that Babaji must have earnestly wanted those bathroom doors installed in the ashram! It’s obvious that the Ananda Ashram will grow into a beautiful home for the Kriya Yogis in Lazaro Cardenas.
Anaashani, Blanca, and Devarshi
In Venezuela we had a delightful and inspiring meeting with Blanca, a 95-year old Kriya Yogi who received Kriya over fifty years ago from Senor Cuaron, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda.
Blanca has continued her Kriya practice and devotion to Yogananda all these years, with very little support from other disciples. The divine joy in her eyes and overall demeanor were a powerful testimonial to the benefits of Kriya, and steadfast discipleship to Yogananda.
Blanca’s parents were also Kriya Yogis, as well as Blanca’s daughter Nancy, who recounted a very interesting story about the birth of her own child.
Kriya Initiates in Venezuela
A friend of Nancy’s was visiting India while Nancy was expecting a child. Her friend met a Swami there who, in so many words said, “You have a friend back home who is about to have a child. This child is the soul of my former disciple Ganesh. Your friend’s child will be a boy, and will be born on such-and-such date and hour. Ganesh and I won’t be together in this lifetime, but we will see each other next lifetime.”
When Nancy heard this, she had difficulty believing it because the birth date given by the Swami would mean a a premature birth by many weeks. But, sure enough, a boy was born on the very date and hour predicted by the Swami, and Nancy named her son Ganesh.
When he was six years old, Ganesh wrote to the Swami in India. The letter was returned, with a note that the Swami had just passed away. Certainly a strange story! And a beautiful confirmation of reincarnation and the eternal nature of the Guru-Disciple relationship.
During our trip we not only had the opportunity to meet Ganesh, now an adult, but to perform a baptism for his young son. Now five generations of that one family in Venezuela are blessed by the teachings of India and Kriya Yoga!
I would like to thank everyone who donates so generously to help spread the teachings of Kriya Yoga throughout the world. There are many, many souls who are receiving the blessings of Kriya, and the divine friendship and support that we could not otherwise share.
Finally, I would like to share a wonderful practice suggested by Paramhansa Yogananda. He once told some disciples, “Memorize my poem ‘Samadhi,’ and repeat it daily. It will help to awaken within you that lost memory of what you are in reality: sons of Infinity.”
During a weekly three-hour men’s Kriya meditation at Ananda Village, we listen to a recording of Swami Kriyananda reading the poem.
If you can’t memorize or read the entire poem every day, you can learn one line that Yogananda repeats over and over in a talk he gave one Christmas day. It describes and helps us affirm our own true nature. Try repeating the following line in your meditation, as you go to sleep, and during other times:
A tiny bubble of laughter,
I am become the Sea of Mirth Itself!
A tiny bubble of laughter,
I am become the Sea of Mirth Itself!
A tiny bubble of laughter,
I am become the Sea of Mirth Itself!
Listen to Swami Kriyananda reading the poem “Samadhi”:
As many of you know, I went to Medjugorie recently. This little village is in Bosnia-Herzegovina. It is where the Madonna appeared to six children in 1981, and has been appearing to most of them ever since. I have always wanted to go to places where the Divine Mother aspect of God is especially manifested.
I went with Nandini, who had been there before and “knew the ropes,” and with Miriam, who for some years has been my nurse. I can’t imagine better companions for such a trip.
In going, was not interested in the intellectual or dogmatic aspects of the scene there. I know that Catholics think of Mary as having been only the mother of Jesus Christ.
At Medjugorie, however, the Madonna has repeatedly told the visionaries that all humanity are her children, and that She is above all sectarian differences, even between religion and religion. I ask, Before the birth of either Mary or Jesus, was there no Mother? Of course there was! And at Medjugorie She makes it very clear that that is who She really is.
I wore my Nayaswami robe throughout my stay there, and felt completely comfortable with it. Everywhere I went, people respected it without questions. It also helped me to get inside places from which others were excluded.
Nayaswami Kriyananda and Vicka
Vicka (pronounced Vitska) is perhaps the main visionary, though I’m not quite sure of the distinctions. She hasn’t been seeing people for many months — perhaps for three years — owing to great pains she is suffering in her spine.
Much of her time seems to be spent in Zagreb (where, incidentally, my father was being transferred from Bucharest when World War II broke out). We were fortunate to see her at her home on one day when she came back there. I think we were the only ones who got to see her in, maybe, months. And, as far as I know, millions go to Medjugorie every year.
We were fortunate to arrive during a very quiet time, for most of the pilgrims would be arriving for December 8th, the Festival of the Madonna, and, later, for Christmas.
Left to right: Mario, Miriam, Vicka, Nayaswami Kriyananda, Nandini
I have to say that this visit to Vicka was the highlight of our visit. She spent quite a bit of time with us, was extremely loving. Her husband, Mario, asked me privately for a blessing, and both of them were an inspiration to be with.
I asked Vicka if she would ask the Divine Mother for me whether there was anything more I could do for Her in this life. I told her I’ve been serving Her for over sixty-one years, and have done nearly everything I can think of in this service. She promised to ask that question.
So far, I’ve had no outward answer from her, but I returned from Medjugorie with what I feel is Divine Mother’s answer: “Love me ever more deeply, in your heart.”
And sometimes, even more so since my visit there, I feel so much bliss in my heart that I find it difficult to bear!
Meditating at the Blue Cross
Marjana (pronounced Maryana) had a “visitation” in her home on the second. I was allowed inside, despite the crowd, and sat hardly two yards from her. I had my eyes closed throughout, however, feeling great bliss. It wouldn’t really have mattered where they put me.
The next day (I think) she had a public meeting outside her home. Again, I was allowed in the courtyard, though almost everyone else had to stand outside. When she came out, she came straight over to me and shook my hand.
I found her extremely clear minded and intelligent — really, a joy to listen to. There was quite a bit of emphasis on everyone going to confession, to mass, fasting, and reciting the rosary every day.
Catholic stuff, beautiful in its own way, but things we translate into other terms. Confession, to us, means opening our hearts with complete honesty to God, and to one who we really feel can help us.
Mass, to us, means inner communion. The rosary was beautiful in its way, but all that outwardness I found a little distracting. When people recited, “Pray for us sinners,” I substituted the words, “Pray for us, who love You.” Why keep on affirming our sinfulness?!
When Marjana spoke of listening to the priests, she used the word pastors, which seemed to me deliberate, and more suitable.
I was extremely well impressed with her.
We also went to the home of a lady called Nancy, who has built what she calls an outward replica of St. Teresa of Avila’s “Interior Castle.” This lady also spoke beautifully, with deep inspiration, but sounded the note much too heavily (for my tastes) of submission to the priests. I couldn’t help remembering the words of St. Odo of Cluny, “The floors of hell are paved with the bald pates of clergymen”!
Nayaswami Kriyananda and the men from Cenacolo
We went to an institution, called the Cenacolo, which rescues drug addicts and the like. A very noble enterprise. And we also went to a place where music is composed and sung, some of it beautiful and inspiring.
I was taken up Apparition Hill in a chair by a group of young men from the Cenacolo. A wonderful experience. The way was so very rocky that even Miriam had a hard time coming down it.
The weather was mostly very rainy, windy, and cold. But even so, the trip was very inspiring.
Have I covered everything? Probably not, but I hope I’be given you at least a flavor of what was, really, a high point in my life.
My concept of Ananda, before I had visited, was a place of inspiration, support, and Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings.
My initiation into Kriya Yoga earlier this year proved to be the most moving and sacred experience of my life. Ananda holds a treasure, just waiting to be discovered…. and if I can find it, then so can you!
I am a member of Ananda Sangha (Ananda worldwide). I live on the Isle of Man, UK, a small island situated in middle of the Irish Sea, more or less equidistant of England, Scotland and Ireland.
An unexpected invitation to become a contributor for ‘A Place Called Ananda’ was a delightful surprise for me, a relative newcomer on the block. As my dear friends at Ananda recognize, I have much in my heart to share (and they are probably so fed up of my renditions, they have given me a regular slot, ha, ha!).
I would be hard-pressed to capture in words the essence of Ananda Sangha.
A poor attempt would be to define it as expansive consciousness. In truth, it has no bounds and cannot be defined in terms. Swami Kriyananda often talks about how he can tell when he has crossed the neighboring boundary onto Ananda Village property. I now can attest to this.
Lake near Expanding Light Retreat
One doesn’t have to be highly attuned to instantly recognize the immediate sense of tranquility and poise, of ‘something precious,’ after crossing the threshold. Ananda, I soon discovered, does not have to promote itself in a marketing sense. Its principle of truth by right living is a shining example to all, and promotion in itself. But the real treasure?……..it’s all about attunement!
On our first trip to America, my daughter Nicola and I were booked into Ananda’s Expanding Light Retreat for Kriya Yoga preparation and initiation. Six in our Kriya group took initiation together, the experience of which has left us with an eternal bond.
Over the 3 days prior to initiation, an awareness of something I could not quite put my finger on was manifesting within me. As time went on it became increasingly more obvious. True ‘no strings attached’ friendships were being forged, or were they old friendships being renewed? Light recognized in the eyes; everywhere warm hearts freely gave of themselves. A common vibration to all became evident to me. I was walking in this vibration. It was conscious. I felt a connection to the land, the people, but most importantly, to our Gurus.
The morning of Kriya initiation, I had a profound opening experience whilst chanting Door of My Heart.
(For those of you who don’t know the chant, click on the player to hear it:)
The rest of the day was spent in welcome seclusion and silence, to reflect and prepare inwardly for the sacred initiation ceremony, to be performed that evening in the beautiful Hansa Mandir (temple). The blessing of diksha (a sacred touch during which divine power is transferred to the receptive devotee) given by the officiating Kriyacharya (teacher of Kriya Yoga) during the ceremony has changed me forever.
Blessing at a Kriya Initiation
Emanating from him, I strongly perceived the energy of our gurus, but in particular Master Jesus Himself. On leaving the temple after initiation, I knew I was not the same. The overwhelming sense of connectivity, that I had come home and found my true family, was a tangible vibration. I became that vibration!
Hugs and tearful, loving farewells after the following Sunday Service saw Nicola and I boarding the Super Shuttle back to Sacramento for the long (3 flights) journey back to UK and my island home.
What I really want to share with you today is that this wondrous and powerful vibration has not left me. I no longer feel out on a limb from Ananda. I live in its very essence, which is synonymous with the essence of the Guru: God!
Ever increasing, never static, this essence is powerfully dynamic. I would dearly love to be back living amongst the Ananda community, but God has placed me where I am for His purpose, known only to Him as it unfolds in my life, yet I don’t feel bereft of these wonderful people.
They are now always with me and I with them. I am not limiting my connectivity to my newfound family alone. I am ever expanding it to include all humanity.
My devotional flame is fanned by regular visits to my ‘lifeline’ support network online on Ananda’s main website. I keep current of the events, and I am a regular viewer and participant in the Sunday Service, available online, each week. I am able to receive support from my dear friend and Kriyacharya Dave Warner, and also my new/old friends.
The attunement I speak of develops by default when faithful, regular sadhana (spiritual discipline) is practiced.
Living without attunement to God and Guru is to remain on this earthly plane for God knows how many more lifetimes until the realization dawns that there is only one way out. To be able to ‘go the distance’ in meditation and the discipline taught by Yoganandaji is vital if one is to find liberation in this life.
I know without my own efforts in applying Master’s teachings to, not only my sadhana, but my daily life, I would not be progressing so quickly on this path.
The realization of this sacred flow; the attunement to the gurus and Ananda’s treasure, leaves me longing to share it with others.
What is the sound of 16 yogis stuck in an elevator?
(still listening?)
(hear anything?)
Last month I had the great joy of being in Los Angeles for the launch of Swami Kriyananda’s new book, The New Path, which Barbara has portrayed so beautifully in words and photos in her posts. On Sunday, after we loaded all the books and equipment back into the van, we were invited to a tea at Swami Kriyananda’s hotel in Beverly Hills (on Rodeo Drive, no less!).
We arrived right on time at 5:00, and were greeted in the lobby by a sea of devotees waiting to ride the elevator up to the top floor. There is no stair access from the lobby in this particular hotel, due to security reasons.
The elevator doors finally opened to reveal a few devotees, startled at seeing all of us ready to pack ourselves in. Before I knew it, I was caught up in the first wave of people getting on. I found myself in the middle, being pushed further and further back as we made room for “just one more” and “just one more”.
The door finally closed and the elevator gave a significant groan as we lifted off toward the second floor…slowly….ever so slowly…
With baited breath we watched the floor indicator slowly change as we made our way up to the fifth floor. We finally made it up to the fourth floor when the door opened to let just one more person on. (Why didn’t we all just get off and take the stairs at that point? I’m not sure that there was stair access at up to the floor above, but for some reason, none of us had the thought to try!)
There were now 16 of us, strategically packed in with perhaps a half of an inch of space between us. Needless to say, it was getting rather hot. It was at that point when I finally looked up and saw the maximum occupancy - 12. Or was it even 10?
The elevator closed its door and gave one final effort to lift us up to the next level.
Almost there….almost there….
and then we stopped.
What happened next was truly out of the ordinary. No one panicked. No one screamed. No one started frantically pressing the buttons (although we gave the buttons a healthy dose of prodding, in hopes that it would magically bring our chariot back to life). Finally we pressed the call button, which connected us to the elevator service company nearby. “We’re working on it!” was their repeated reply as we called them every few minutes. We also used our one working cell phone to call our friends downstairs, who then told the reception desk of the hotel. From what I was told, the hotel staff walked over to the elevator, put an ear to the door, and not hearing anguished cries of “LET US OUT!”, simply didn’t believe that there could be anyone trapped within.
So there we were, truly in God’s hands. We had done all that we could think to do, having unscrewed all but one of the ceiling lights, and explored the ceiling for an escape hatch. We settled in to wait it out. I had my new iPod with me, and set it to play Swami Kriyananda chanting AUM. It was barely audible, and we all just relaxed and listened.
Usually a sadhana consists of sitting comfortably with plenty of fresh air, but this sadhana was of a different type. What could we do but go inside, pray to God, and feel his reassurance in our hearts. What an incredible juxtaposition it was, to be in a situation that for some could be considered life threatening, and to tangibly feel God’s hand of peace move throughout the cramped space.
Finally, we could hear the fire trucks arrive - quite a scene on Rodeo Drive! After a few minutes they got the door open, with the elevator just 3 or 4 feet shy of its goal. “Aha! Well there’s your problem!” they said, gazing upon the overpacked tin of sardine devotees. They graciously helped lift us out into the very welcome fresh air of the fifth floor balcony.
We had been in that elevator for 40 minutes, although in situations like that, time seems to take on a very surreal quality. A little dazed, we made our way to the refreshments that tasted ever so heavenly! We all had different initial reactions to the experience (my own delayed reaction waited until we were at the airport an hour later), but I could in no way imagine being stuck on the elevator with a better group of people!
To my dear elevator gurubais, thank you for your exemplary self control, light heartedness, humor, and deep calmness! I, personally, am deeply grateful for the opportunity to test my inner peace in a very real way, while surrounded by cherished and revered gurubais. I can still feel the touch of the Divine Presence that blessed us all that day.
As I said my farewells before leaving for the airport, Devi looked at me, first with deep sympathy, and then said with a twinkle in her eye, “Oh, and David… take the stairs!”
While we live at Ananda Village, when we vacation (as opposed to seclusion), we like to travel and see other parts of the country and world.
Currently we are traveling in the Southwest U.S. backroads, towing a travel trailer with our pickup which gives us a little sanctuary with our vibration.
I have never visited much of this area before (Arizona yes, but rest no). Have seen photos, however, the beauty is so much better in person. I can recommend it for yogis. So spacious and open. Deeply peaceful. This time of year (late Sept. and Oct.) is best with fall colors, tapestries AND so few people! Easy to meditate, in fact you almost fall into the state.
We rented the trailer in Salt Lake, then drove through SE Utah to Canyonlands National Park. Because we have a truck we were able to drive down into the canyon itself. Wow! As good as the Grand Canyon, yet much more isolated.
When we hike, or even walk, we don’t talk much. We just look and feel while thanking Divine Mother for these incredible creations. Her artwork is unparallelled. Sometimes we walk fast for the exercise, however, often we dawdle while inspecting plants, trees, watching birds and sometimes other animals. We especially like to find places that are quiet, and off the beaten path. Sometimes we stay on the beaten path with many others so have to work at remaining focused within to the Divine and we behold the without. As we travel, we observe and, well, tend to be quite expressive of our amazement at these creations. We talk with Divine Mother with expression like “Wow!”, or “gorgeous, simply gorgeous” and we always give credit the Divine Artist. Try it sometime.
We just arrived at an isolated RV park near East Entrance of Zion. Well, 5 miles off main road and another 800 ft higher in elevation. Actually an 8000 acre ranch that has been turned into a resort and not far from start of a 16 mile hike through Narrows of Virgin River. Am looking out window of trailer in southward direction and can see about 20 miles. Cloudy as storm is approaching but not expecting much if any rain. Windy, yet spouse is out searching for birds. will be dark soon so she will be back to roost. Hope to hike part of the Narrows tomorrow and tour Zion Canyon. (which we did).
I feel deep connection with Divine Mother here. Did Master visit Zion? Anyone know? Anyway, traveling with a spiritual bent is really something.
I used a thesaurus tonight to try to come up with some new words I could use to describe the Ananda LA event held at Church of the Recessional at Forest Lawn in Glendale, California. I would normally use the words wonderful, or beautiful or amazing—all of which would be fitting. The thesaurus suggested words like fantastic or awesome and even out of this world, but sublime is the one that seemed to be the best. The setting, the music, the talk given by Swami Kriyananda was sublime. I have several photos to share with you at the end of this post.
I completely enjoyed the architecture and the lighting, the choir in their jeweltoned outfits looked dramatic underneath the soaring arch of the church. Visually Swamiji looked small when compared to the large space and the hundreds of people in the audience but gave a talk that was very powerful and insightful.
He began by singing Love is a Magician in a voice that was clear and strong. He then sat a read chapter 38, from The New Path relating Yognananda’s final days. I am sure I was not the only one that cried. This talk is already on ananda.org. I am sure you will love it. The talk itself is divided into two parts: the talk and then a question answer session that was almost an hour long.
At the end out in the court yard he blessed individually the long line of people wanting to meet or greet him. It was a sweet ending to a special weekend.
Dave and I had to rush back to where we were staying so we could pack up and head to the airport for our flight home. I was very sad to leave. But, today I received a very special gift from Divine Mother. For a long time I have had a desire for my mother to meet Swami Kriyananda. She is not on this path but seems to always enjoy hearing about what I do and what is going on at Ananda and with Swamiji. Today we went on an outing that included lunch at the Roseville Whole Foods Store. As we sat outside in the warm son Devi came up to touch my shoulder and there with her was Jyotish and Lila AND Swamiji. They were on their return trip from Los Angeles! I was able to introduce my mom to everyone. She and Swamiji shook hands and were able talk for just a bit. I was SO touched and mom was very pleased.
Well. I will end this post here. Many, many, many blessings to you all. With love, Barbara
Joy
The Church of the Recessional at Forest Lawn in Glendale
The choir looked and sounded wonderful in the main chapel.
Swamiji began with a song: Love is a Magician
Swamiji read the chapter from The New Path about Master’s mahasamadhi.
Swamiji spoke for nearly an hour
Swamiji then spent nearly an hour answering questions.
A long line of devotees formed outside the chapel.
Swamiji spent at least an hour greeting everyone.
Swamiji radiated love to everyone.
Shirdi Sai Baba
