Like a song in my heart...
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Mala Sridhar
It was a warm afternoon on the 30ᵗʰ of May 2003, I set out to Yercaud with a group of people whom I had met barely for a few minutes the previous evening. Strange though it may sound, the moment I entered the vehicle in which Swamiji was travelling, I felt at home, at ease, as if I was part of the family. Something inside told me - you are in safe hands!
I had the initial glimpse of Swamiji on 29ᵗʰ May when I went to the city center at Bangalore. My first impressions were, that here is an honest man who is doing well for humanity. It was only later as time rolled by that I saw the multi-dimensional persona of this beautiful being.
On 31ˢᵗ May, a medley crowd gathered at the House of Peace, Yercaud, each with an expectant look on the face and eager heart. Swamiji graced the Hall and there began a journey for each of us. His classic opening sentence - "Leave your footwear and ego outside" was enough to leave me spellbound. It created such a wonderful sense of oneness, we all merged into the Mahamantra meditation as one entity.
To say that Swamiji is an excellent orator would be an understatement. His deep voice, interesting anecdotes, stories and jokes struck a chord in every heart. So young, yet so full of knowledge - I could see his universal appeal.
Through each meditation, so deftly woven, I was taken through waves, through torrents, through silent downpours of emotions to experience at the end of each an inexplicable sense of peace. The incessant chatter of the mind gave way to an incredible calm.
I could see as time ticked by, in Him, a gamut of personalities - Godlike to some, father to some others, brother, friend... childlike... and I felt I could just sit in his radiant presence - forever... the energy he exudes has to be experienced to be believed!
Of all the meditation techniques he shared with us, the one that touched me most deeply was that taken from - Sufism, to live with an attitude of gratitude. Thank you Swamiji, for sharing your knowledge, for your compassion, for just saying - I’m always there should you need me... you have touched me profoundly...
Like a divine soul you danced,
You let your garland fly,
That which flew into my heart,
The flowers will dry up with time,
But the song in my heart will remain...
till eternity.
ASP Experiences in San Francisco
Muthiaiah .N
My experience at the ASP retreat in San Francisco, which started with skepticism and uncertainty quickly, turned into conviction and commitment.
In addition to the range of emotions that I personally experienced, I witnessed grown men and women of all ages and backgrounds literally brought to tears when they received Swami's Energy Darshan.
During the two days of the discourses at the retreat, the various analogies and "small stories" that Swami narrated and the knowledge that he imparted left no doubt in the minds of most, if not all of us, that he was indeed an enlightened soul. The uncanny manner in which he related to the average person's dilemma and was so aware of contemporary culture in the east and the west forced one participant to ask Swami if he "watched TV". His answer was NO.
Most importantly, at no point did Swami say that he was anything more than an enlightened soul. He also preached the universality of religion without forcing down any religious doctrine or dogma. This is refreshingly different from others who practice proselytization without reproach. In fact when one of the participants told him that she was considering whether she should take him up as her guru, he told her to "continue to contemplate" until she is comfortable.
I am sure that we have all gained additional spiritual insights, but the challenge that remains in each of us is to practice some of the teachings.