An Experience Beyond Words

Dr. Swarna K. Reddy

"UNBELIEVABLE" is the word that comes to mind, such was my experience with ASP and Sri THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM Swamiji. When I first met Swamiji at my friend Sudathi's home in Los Angeles, my curiosity and interest was kindled as I have been searching for a long time to leran more about meditation. I decided after the first teaching of the "Maha Mantra" by Swamiji, to come to San Francisco, but I had my doubts - what was this ASP about? I asked Chitra and she said, "Words cannot express the feeling - you have to come and experience it to understand."

Chitra was so right! Words indeed cannot truly express the experience. Swamiji's tireless discourses and the teaching of the meditation techniques, the ease with which he explained such complicated subjects in simple language, the giving of himself, his healing, Swamiji's ever smiling face, the vast wisdom and knowledge, the radiance around him, his simple personality and approachability and the ease with which the interacted with everybody are but a few of what makes him an outstanding person and indeed the enlightened one. I consider myself so very fortunate and am so very grateful and thankful to Swamiji for these wonderful experiences and teachings.

During ASP session where Swamiji was taking us through the meditation on the Ajna Chakra, I initially, saw the vision of an old man. Swamiji again asked us to close our eyes. Before Swamiji started Ajna Chakra meditation he mentioned that we may see our Ishtadevata during this experience. In my heart I was thinking of seeing my Ishtadevata Sri Venkateswara Swami. Instead I saw the figure of Jesus Christ on a cross with his head down and hands stretched between Swamiji's eyebrow. When I later asked Swamiji why I saw Jesus instead, he told me that in my last birth I had been a Christian. When Swamiji said this, I mentioned to Swamiji that all these years from my childhood starting in convent school I do my first prayer to Jesus.

Being in such close proxomity to such a great person was an experience of a lifetime and I will always cherish this.

My sincere thanks to everybody who helped with this ASP program, for all the wonderful arrangements and for getting this program together, which made it possible for people like me to have this experience.

Now it is my turn, to practice all of Swamiji's teachings and to spread the word.

Thank you very much again Swamiji.