MY EXPERIENCE AS A HEALER🔗

One bright sunny day (all days are sunny from the time I met THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM), when I was still rejoicing and basking in the warmth and afterglow of meeting THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM, I was initiated as a healer by him on 9th February 2003.

Though I was healing people through Reiki, it was only after I started practising his healing that I discovered and experienced so much. To quote a few examples below (the list is endless):

• It is an opportunity to drop your ego.
• The word Depression has been removed from my dictionary.
• It serves as a great scale to measure yourself, because

as I healed I realized that I was also getting healed, not only at the physical level but at the mental level too.

• I used to end the day with healing and that left me with a very contented feeling.
• The thanking smile on the weary patient's face earned me millions.
• So many aches in me had disappeared. Even my blood pressure, which was fluctuating now and then, has been set to normal.
• I am so much more energetic, enthusiastic and cheerful.
• I notice (especially when I am tired at the end of the day), all I have to do is give healing to somebody! After healing, I simply sit up, so full of energy - just like you feel after a good night's sleep.
• In the past I was aware of only the pain in my body, now I am in gratitude for the good health God has given me.
• It has given a new meaning to my life.
• During the process of healing, you slip into 'Ananda' (joy) and into a lot of 'Self Inquiry'.

If you know how difficult it is to put a good book down, then it is much more difficult to come out of the bliss you feel when you are healing, to open your eyes and get back to reality!

These are just words. To know just what it is, you have to feel, to experience... anything with Swamiji is always an experience. To put it in his words, 'A TANGIBLE EXPERIENCE'.

Words are not enough to express my gratitude to him, but I thank him all the same for making me a humble extension of his 'hands that heal', and allowing me to be a part of many remarkable experiences...

I remain in a plethora of gratitude... reverence... forever...

From being healed to being a healer

Ma Nithya Deepakshi [Viji Shankar]

I wish to put on record my grateful thanks to THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM for the good health, peace and joy that he has bestowed upon me.

I happened to read an article published in 'The Hindu' about Swamiji's healing powers and I also came to know more about him through my neighbour. I had been suffering from certain health problems then. I went to meet Swamiji at his Bangalore City Center. For a few days I used to just stand and watch him healing others. One day as I stood in the queue for his Darshan, I could feel warmth right from my heart welcoming me into his Divine Grace. That's when I realized that there is much more to Swamiji than his physical form.

I had been suffering from backache, throat infection and headache for several years. I decided to take healing from Swamiji. During the first healing done by Swamiji, these symptoms reduced by 50%. After the complete 15 sessions of healing, my problems disappeared completely.

I was further advised to attend the Ananda Spurana Program, which Swamiji himself used to conduct. It was a great opportunity and a unique experience to learn various meditation techniques, and spend two whole days in the presence of this great Enlightened Master. I came back from the program, a totally transformed person with a very positive frame of mind and feeling blissful. Since then there has been no looking back.

After being healed and attending the first ASP, I wanted to become a healer. I was asked to attend another ASP. After the second ASP, I came back feeling totally rejuvenated, and feling as though I had been transported to another world! I was feeling a joy that is beyond any worldly description.

On June 29th 2003, I was initiated as a healer by Swamiji, and started a healing center at my home. Since then I have been doing healing for people with different ailments.

It's a wonderful experience being a channel for Swamiji in the healing process. The flow of His Divine energy through me gives me totally new vitality and vigour. These days there is not a dull moment in my life. Any symptoms of any kind of problem, physical, mental or otherwise, that I face, disappear as I carry out Swamiji's healing.

It is indeed my great fortune to be associated with our beloved Swamiji who is full of Divine Energy.

With love and devotion I totally surrender at the lotus feet of this Divine Master.

Capturing the essence of Swamiji

Ma Nithya Maneesha [Rahila Santhanam]

How do I reminisce about a force that has transformed my life with such completeness?

If I jot down incidences chronologically, then I would be penning mere history. I do not think a book, let alone a few pages of remembered metamorphosis will do justice to this extraordinary Energy, this profound Intelligence, this manifest Ecstasy called Paramahamsa Sri Nithyananda Swamigal.

I have known Swamiji – no, not known – how can the mind ever know the fathomless! I have been with and around Swamiji for the past two years. The concept of Time becomes meaningless in his presence. Hours get telescoped into fleeting moments. Days and nights become seamless. Hunger, thirst, sleep, the very basis of human existence become mere words entombed in dusty dictionaries.

To be with Swamiji is to be totally alive, alert, aware! It's experiencing the exhilaration of a dew-kissed bud blooming by the touch of the morning sun. It's learning through laughter; eschewing seriousness for sincerity. It's knowing how to fall in rhythm with the dancing moonbeams. It's absorbing the grandeur of the Spirit. How do I capture Swamiji's essence? He is a continuous experience-ing. The Verb, not the Noun. He is pure energy – the formless in form, the bodiless in body. To be in his space is to enjoy utter security. His extraordinary innocence, his implicit honesty, his absolute ease of manner with both male and female are qualities to be cherished. The truth is, there is no physicality in him. He is a rare gem in an exalted firmament. I can state this categorically because I have had the privilege of being with him in all kinds of situations, at all times of day and night. Not once in all these months have I seen him violate anyone's personal space by word or deed. He offers protection in the ultimate sense of that word. He gives his space unconditionally to those who seek. The freedom to 'be' oneself without defenses and fears is a response that is evoked by the purity of his love for each and every one. Personal growth happens, blossoming takes place with total trust. I, as a woman, feel blessed to be in the presence of such a rare and beautiful Being.

His energy expresses itself in myriad ways. At times he is the greatest companion, the beloved Krishna of the twinkling feet, endearing, adorable, naughty, exasperating. At other times he is Shiva, exacting, relentless, filled with limitless knowledge, with a depth of ascetic quietness, dancer of the rhythm divine. He is the strength of the Father and the soft compassion of the Mother – a beautiful blend of the male and female energies. Ardhanareeshwar incarnate. Every nuance of his movement is sheer poetry in motion. He is flow. He is exquisite grace. He is the laughing child of the innocent gaze. He is undiluted charm. He is awesome intelligence wedded to boundless compassion.

His innate social awareness and etiquette belies the fact that he is, after all, a mere boy from Tiruvannamalai. Watching him conduct himself with people from all walks of life is a lesson in interpersonal management. His understanding of situations and individuals, the swiftness with which he resolves any kind of crisis, his readiness to give his time and energy to seekers on the spiritual path, his outstanding sense of humour, the exuberance and the joy which he exudes wherever he moves are the silken threads that binds each and every one of us to him.

I cannot imagine a time without him. Everything that has happened before his arrival has been nothing but a preparation to receive him. I do not know where I am going or what is in store for me. Everything is nebulous, unclear, uncertain. But the glorious truth is that there is no inner discomfort, there is no fear of what is to be. My trust in him is so complete that I know that he will help me actualize my latent potential, he will help me see the blueprint with which I came. The hitherto forgotten language, the faint inner echo, that unattended call will be addressed now. The more I let go, the more harmonious is the flow in my life. To learn to live in the 'Now', to free my Self from the clutches of auto-deception, to realize that I, not the mind, is the master of my destiny - these have been the greatest truths he has made me experience.

Learning with Swamiji is experiential. Not for him the static age-old methods of knowledge transmission. Time and again he has made me 'empty my cup' so that the space could be created to take in only that which is essential. All my voracious reading of books on New Age philosophy, the spiritual discourses that I have attended, all the lessons I have taken in self actualization, all the hours I have spent on discussions, have not led me to the truth the way the moments spent with Swamiji have. No amount of thanks can ever convey the gratitude I feel for the time, energy and space he has given me so unconditionally. Again and again he has shown me that what I want is not necessarily what I need. Sometimes these lessons have come with compassion and loving understanding, at other times with the swiftness and sharpness of an arrow in perfect trajectory. Yes, there has been pain, but it has always come only when the ground had been prepared by him, when the cushioning has been done, when I have been ready to learn and move on. To quote him, "Always remember that your lessons will come only when I know that you are ready. I will create the space for you to fall – and that space is the abyss of my heart. You will fall in, never out. That is my promise to all seekers."

Can one quantify energy? Can one fit it into set pigeonholes? Can it ever be labeled? Or possessed? The Master is pure boundless energy. An expression of Divinity. He can be experienced but never held. He is death to the mind. He pushes you beyond all limits He infuses you with the courage to face the Truth.

I wish to express my profound love, respect and gratitude to Swamiji for the spiritual fire that he has ignited within me. For starting the inner process of transformation. For allowing the alchemy to continue till the dross is dropped and pure gold is allowed to shine through in his compassionate presence. For showing me the way back Home.

Rahi… a spiritual wanderer.

Like a song in my heart...

Ma Nithya Raga [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 an eager heart. THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM 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 THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM 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 in Him, as time ticked by, a gamut of personalities - Godlike to some, father to some others, brother, friend, child... 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 THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM, 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.

The beginning of a journey

Ma Nithya Satvati [Sivagami Ramanathan]

ASP is an Amazing, Spiritual and Peaceful Experience! It is an Absorbing, Sparkling and Pulsating Journey! It is an Astounding, Simple and Practical Demonstration!

It is an Absolute, Spellbinding and Profound Discovery!

It makes us Alert, Spontaneous and Perceptive Beings!

It makes us feel alive and whole, and makes us look within ourselves - in short, it is a discovery of oneself! It was a thrilling and eye-opening journey where I was guided by the great enlightened master and the final destination was the discovery of joy within myself. We were all transported to a higher plane of bliss, a timeless zone of joy and a throbbing field of energy.

There were various points in the ASP program that made a great impression upon me.

The main point is that THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM teaches us to overcome our anxiety over many things - including our most feared final destination. He teaches us about loving and dreaming, caring and imagination, compassion, spontaneity - and most importantly gratitude. He helps us overcome worry, greed, hatred, egoism, enmity and jealousy.

What has greatly impressed me is that he does not limit himself to any particular religion - he has such an unlimited realm of knowledge that he is able to draw from any religion and elucidate his explanations in such a simple way that we can all understand and grasp his meanings. He uses such apt and descriptive words that they stay fresh in your mind. He gives us such powerful insights into the various religions and draws the best from all of them.

He created a magic web with his words, involved us to the fullest extent, drew our attention to him completely and released joy, bliss and peace within us. He taught us a simple method to heal ourselves, made us very aware of our body, its functioning, our thought processes and their direction. We became conscious of how our thoughts traveled and he aided us in channeling them onto the right track.

There were many pearls of wisdom dropping from this enlightened master, but I was able to gather only some at the first meeting. This is like a thirsty man quenching his thirst. With his first sip of water, he is able to only wet his mouth; the second sip wets his throat, but he requires many more gulps of water to quench his thirst. In this ASP I was only able to wet my mouth - kindle my interest in life, death and beyond. I think I require a second ASP to be able to gather and string all the pearls that THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM has spoken about.

The meditation techniques are an Aid, Skill and Practice that we must use and follow with dedication all our lives.

This is 'Spiritual Surgery'!

Sri Nithyagnanananda [Dr.H. Noble Maria Regis]

Jai Gurudev!

I was preparing for my final year medical exams. Just for relaxation I came out from my room. On T.V. I saw a young swami being interviewed. In some way he attracted me - his smiling face, jovial talk, contemporary explanation for spiritual questions.

I thought that this person seems to be saying some truth. I forgot about my preparation for my exams and sat in front of the T.V. and watched the live programme which continued for two hours. I felt that in some way he must be great. (At that time I didn't know that he was an enlightened master.)

After a few days, at 10 o' clock in the night, I received the message that a two-day programme was going to be held in Yercaud by THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM the next day. The next day I attended his ASP. After the first session was over, luckily I got an opportunity to meet THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM. THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM held my hands and said, "You are my disciple, you are carrying my energy."

At that time I realized nothing. I thought, 'In a very nice way, Swami collects people to help him with his work.' Now I realize my idea was so stupid, and now I understand how compassionate he is.

After attending the same program three times my personality improved so much. Earlier I was so confused, and my mind was full of anger, fear, etc. Now there is unexplainable peace and joy in my heart. I thank THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM from the core of my heart.

Finally, I realized and accepted that he is an enlightened master. Until then I was very egoistic, I always felt I knew everything. Ego spoilt me a lot, now I realize I know nothing - I was wasting my life till I met THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM.

Then I joined his one-year residential programme. Every day THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM makes us learn so many things. In all possible ways he cuts down our ego.

In short, THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM is doing 'spiritual surgery' on our minds. Each day we are growing. Once again my heartfelt thanks to THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM.

An experience beyond words

Ma Nithyananda Jesus [Swarna K. Reddy]

'UNBELIEVABLE' is the word that comes to mind! Such was my experience with ASP and THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM. When I first met THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM 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 learn more about meditation. I decided after the first teaching of the 'Maha Mantra' by THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM, to come to San Francisco for the ASP, but I had my doubts - what was the ASP about? I asked THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM's close devotee Chitra about it, but 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. THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM'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, THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM's ever-smiling face, the vast wisdom and knowledge, the radiance around him, his simple personality and approachability, and the ease with which he interacted with everybody are but a few of the things that make him an outstanding person and indeed the enlightened one. I consider myself so very fortunate and am so very grateful and thankful to THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM for these wonderful experiences and teachings.

During the ASP, when THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM was taking us through the meditation on the Ajna Chakra, I initially saw the vision of an old man. THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM again asked us to close our eyes. Before THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM started Ajna Chakra meditation he mentioned that we may see our ishtadevata (favoured deity) 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 THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM's eyebrows. When I later asked THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM why I saw Jesus instead, he told me that in my last birth I had been a Christian. When THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM said this, I mentioned to him that all these years, from my childhood starting in convent school, I offer my first prayer to Jesus.

In addition to all of the above, with just one healing touch

from THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM, I have had total relief of my back pain, from which I had been suffering for the last 15 years. My heartful gratitude to THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM for this.

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 get this program together, which made it possible for people like me to have this experience.

Now it is my turn, to practise all of THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM's teachings and spread the word.

Thank you very much again THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM.

Thank you for making a fool of me!

- Confessions of a convert - Ma Nithyapriyananda [Raji]

"Listen can you help with a book on divine healing? I'll give you enough material, but we need it in a hurry."

The hasty phone call was from an old friend, a web designer who had recently become involved with Dhyanapeetam. It was the first I heard about THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM (a most unusual way to be introduced to one's future guru!).

I had all the ideal prerequisites to fall for such an invitation – I was already in the throes of deep depression, having 'tried out' various spiritual disciplines that hadn't worked for me. I was convinced that there was something basically wrong with me. I was desperate for spiritual guidance, but simply didn't know where to turn.

Still I said, I'll think about it.

It took more than two weeks of persistent calls from my friend to get me to agree.

Finally I went with him, half-skeptical, half-excited.

Those were the days when THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM was operating out of a makeshift studio-cum-healing centre, located just off a busy road. Soon after we entered, we were ushered into THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM's presence. I guess it was the perfectly wrong place to meet him! The obviously religious atmosphere of the place made me somewhat uncomfortable. Standing quietly in a corner of the room, I took a good look at the saffron-clad figure seated on an ornamental throne. He looked like just one more of those spiritual figures one sees everywhere these days. I was bitterly disappointed.

"So you have come, ma! I'm sorry you had to wait so long!", THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM said when he spotted us, smiling broadly.

(I was bewildered; I had got there only five minutes earlier! At the time, I was too much of an idiot to realize what exactly he meant by those words…!)

Then he beckoned to me to come forward – and to my utter dismay, I found myself going up to him and prostrating at his feet!

I was furious with myself*. Now just why did I do such a stupid thing?* I thought. I, who hadn't visited a temple since I was ten, who was allergic to anyone in saffron, had just fallen at the feet of this young stranger! I felt a thorough fool.

After discussing the job on hand, THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM dismissed the others and asked me if I had anything personal to say to him.

"Nothing." I said firmly.

"Nothing - except - ?" he queried gently.

I was taken aback. How did he know? Should I go ahead and tell him? I was torn between the rulings of heart and mind.

"Well, nothing except… where do I go from here…?", I faltered weakly.

"NOWHERE. You have come to the right place, ma. This is the end of your quest. You are going to be with me", he said, smiling mysteriously.

Like hell I am, I thought angrily. What did he mean by taking charge of my future like this? He's making a fool of me!

I left in a huff, deeply disturbed without knowing why. Soon after, my friend called to say that THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM had asked me to take ten days' continuous healing from him for my depression (which I hadn't even mentioned to him).

No way, I said.

I went, nevertheless - without missing a single day.

During that period THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM asked me to attend the upcoming ASP. I was reluctant. I had attended so many personal development programs, could this one be any different? To tell the truth, I was afraid. I felt I simply couldn't bear it if things didn't work out one more time…

"It might help you with the writing, that's all", THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM said gently.

The ASP proved a total non-starter for me.

Everybody had been asked to wear white clothes; I wore green and purple instead. I don't know whom or what I was fighting! During the program, all around me people were going into paroxysms of bliss - and I was just bewildered.

Just before the energy darshan, THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM remarked on the tremendous effect it would have on our systems.

"Of course, emotional people can enjoy both the experience and the effect. Intellectual people will feel no experience, only the effect", he said, looking me straight in the eye (or was I imagining it?).

After the Energy darshan, I felt exactly nothing.

I returned home, envious of all those who had had those beautiful spiritual experiences*.* Why not me?

I want nothing to do with this stuff anymore, it's not worth it! I decided*.*

Still, what with one thing or the other, I ended up going to the healing center every other day.

Why is he dragging me here everyday? I don't want to come! I would tell myself bitterly.

Well, why was I going? I was free to drop the jobs any minute. Was I really being forced to go, or was I being drawn by something irresistible, beyond my comprehension?

I hastily put these uncomfortable questions out of my mind.

Instead, whenever I was in THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM's presence, I would fire my questions at him: Why the saffron robe? Why all these poojas and rituals? Above all, why would an enlightened person waste his time running a mission?

During healing one day, as I sat at his feet afire with questions, THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM reached out and took my hands gently in his own. His eyes were closed, but he was smiling.

"Your Mind can resist as much as it likes, ma. But see, your Being has already merged with mine!"

He spoke with infinite love, infinite compassion. As he said the words, I experienced the very thing he said - a silent, glowing wave that arose from me and disappeared gently into Him. And all my questions dissolved in his Love.

Then one day I received a call from the Secretary, asking me to attend the next healers' initiation program.

"But I'm not ready", I protested.

"THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM says you are", he said quietly.

"I don't think I'll come."

"THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM expects you here tomorrow morning."

Against every argument that logic could offer, I went.

Without even understanding what I was there for, certain that I was quite incapable of being a channel for THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM, I went through with the initiation. I couldn't understand why I was doing this. I was slowly losing control of my life! I felt angry and helpless.

One day, in desperation, I put the question to THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM himself.

"Swami, I respect you, I feel blessed in your presence. Then why am I resisting you like this, why am I fighting you with everything I've got?"

"Perfectly OK, ma. The greater the devotion you feel, the greater the resistance you'll experience", he explained gently. When you surrender to the master, you surrender control over yourself. Naturally, your ego will be in fear, in fear of its own death! What you call 'resisting' is nothing but your ego fighting a losing battle against your love for me."

That was a strange and difficult thing to believe – like so much else that was happening to me at the time.

Soon after, THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM moved to the Bidadi ashram permanently. Several times, we were invited to the ashram for various functions. I didn't attend a single one. I had acquired a terror of the ashram, without even visiting it. (Perhaps I sensed even then that something phenomenal was about to happen, and I was simply too afraid..!)

In fact, I was in terror of THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM himself. The man was deliberately pushing me to the brink! Here I was, with a perfectly good job, a loving husband and family, so much to be complacent about. And yet, he was stirring in me a longing for something that I could not articulate, but could not ignore. Deep inside, I knew I was being called upon to fulfil a quest I had felt since I can remember.

How long will you postpone it, Raji? THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM asked me every time I went to him. He never said a thing aloud, but I could see it in his eyes, I could hear it in the silence between his words. But was I prepared to take the final step?

Finally, one lovely day in April, I made up my mind to get the visit to Bidadi over with.

We drove into the ashram - and it was like coming home. There is simply no other way to describe it.

For someone with a special talent for not receiving visions, I had a truly amazing experience of de ja vu. Here it was, at last! Every shrub, every brick was in place, just as I remembered it! Even the sunshine, the voices of the people talking, the smell in the air, was as familiar, as dearly beloved as from a long-forgotten home.

Then I spotted THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM, watching me with a quiet smile. "Oh, I'm sorry Swami, I didn't see you...", I stammered. "I know, you couldn't see me. But I saw you right away", he smiled, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

In Bidadi, THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM was truly in his element – or perhaps, only here did I finally open my eyes and see. He was radiant with Love. His divine presence permeated the air; it spoke eloquently through every leaf and blade of grass, through the very sand beneath my feet. On a warm summer day, I found myself shivering. I had never been so dizzily happy, but I was fighting back tears! I felt suddenly weary, as if I had just completed a long journey, entrusted with some precious thing that I was to deliver safely to THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM. Finally I could lay it down at his feet, and rest peacefully there…

Astonished at all the weird emotions welling up inside me, I spilled them out to THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM.

There's a word for these 'weird emotions' you're feeling, ma. It's called Love, he smiled.

After that visit, no questions remained anymore, no more excuses, no more power to think.

The next time I came to Bidadi, it was for good - to be part of THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM's first group of ashramites.

"So you have come!", THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM smiled at me that day, a repetition of his very first words to me.

All I could do was nod silently in return.

I was brimming over.

• *

They say that when the disciple is ready, the master appears.

But it would take an ignoramus like me to turn my face away from the master's presence for almost a year.

All through that year, THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM worked silently upon me. Ploughing through prejudices acquired over the years, dissolving my resistance with his unconditional love and compassion. And all the while, pouring, pouring joy into me. He is still working, for there is so much, so much left to unlearn...

How can I ever thank you enough, Swamiji..?

Thank you so much for finding me... and thank you for showing me what a fool I was (and still am, sometimes!)

• *

It's not easy, putting all this down on paper… it's never easy admitting to such folly in public!

But I feel compelled to write, because I know there are many out there who feel exactly like I did, less than two years ago.

To them, a couple of words: let go.

When your find your master, here or elsewhere, please don't let your prejudices, your foregone conclusions get in the way.

Please, don't make the mistake I made!

Everyone does not get the precious chance to be in the master's divine presence – you are truly fortunate! Allow the master an opportunity to transform you.

-

In life, we rarely get a second chance.

My heartfelt prayers for all of you.

Spreading Nithyananda Everywhere!

Sri Nithya Swaroopananda [P. Magesh]

When I was attending the meditation course called ASP (Ananda Spurana Program), the very name happened in me. 'Ananda Spurana' means "Flowering of Bliss", which happens inside our being i.e., the 'Atma' attains the state of Ananda.

During the ASP, THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM taught us lots of meditation techniques related to the main energy centers of our body, called Chakras. Each meditation was to cleanse and energise each chakra. This made my vision towards life much wider…much broader… and deeper.

I was a person who didn't even know about 'Meditation' or 'Inner Journey'. I had never even heard the word 'Enlightenment'. Even after hearing the word I couldn't trace its meaning. In such a state, I came to know about an 'Enlightened Master'. I came to know about him by his divine healing method i.e., healing through meditation. It was like a flood coming and filling a well in a desert area.

When I saw THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM for the first time, I was very surprised because he was so young. He was only 26 years and doing miracles, by healing the most severe diseases in the world. This showed that he is a person who knows the past, present and the future. So, he would certainly know what kind of a personality we could be in future. The only thing is, we must completely surrender ourselves to his sacred feet. We will definitely see our personality gets widened and we become much more aware.

He often says the ultimate truth is his very name. 'Nithyananda' (permanent bliss) can be attained by anyone in this world. I am sure that the stage of 'Nithyananda' would be much more superior to the stage of 'Enlightenment'!

A lot of things in my life became clear. THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM is a person who doesn't go by anyone's face. Instead he sees the Being, or Atma. That is why he allowed a person like me, who doesn't even understand the basic idea of spirituality, to stay with him as an ashramite.

He once told me a small story: that he is like a person standing on the 10th floor of a building - from that height he has a wide and broad view, and he knows which car is coming at what speed and what distance. We are like the persons standing on the road, we cannot even know or see if a car is coming. That is the difference between our small plans for ourselves, and his enlightened vision!

THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM says, "When we share dukkha (misery) it becomes less. But when we share ananda (joy) it becomes more and more. When we just spread ananda it will be a blissful experience. But we are lucky to have with us an enlightened personality called 'Nithyananda', i.e. the ananda which is forever. When we spread Nithyananda, we too will experience Nithyananda!

More than one Lifetime

Sri Nithyatmananda [Atma]

Jai Gurudev!

It is very difficult to express in words my experience with THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM, because it not even an experience... it is beyond that.

Before I met THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM, I was in Osho Center, Salem, doing my spiritual practices. Once THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM visited Osho Center but I was not there. When I returned I saw THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM's photo there for the first time. I was very much inspired and wanted to meet and be with him. But it took six months for me to meet him. It happened when THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM came to Salem to attend a public function. I went to meet THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM, but since it was a public gathering, I couldn't talk much. I returned to Osho Center and continued my practices.

But from the next day… I could feel tremendous changes happening within me. I experienced boundless bliss and felt a higher energy force pulling me towards THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM. But my mind played its games, and I wanted to test whether this pull was real or an illusion, so I argued and analysed a lot and tried many meditation techniques intensely for two days. Then finally I realized it was not an illusion, but a real call from a high energy force.

After that I immediately rushed to Bangalore Ashram and met THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM to surrender myself at his lotus feet. Whatever I read in Zen and Gurdjieff books, I witnessed it happening with THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM. THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM put all his time, space and energy to help in my spiritual growth, only I could not match his speed! He helps me and lifts me to where he wants me to be. This shows how compassionate he is.

Each and every day I see so many miracles happening in his presence, and they are more beautiful than what you read in any spiritual books. But he always speaks very ordinarily about his extraordinary miracles.

I feel the relationship with THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM is not from this birth but a continuation of previous births. I don't know anything about the future, whatever I am experiencing in this moment with THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM is blissful.

Whatever I have expressed here is very little, but my experience with THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM is beyond expression.

I prostrate at the lotus feet of THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM.

A 'Twist' in my Life!

Prashanthi

That was the first day I saw him.

It was the second session of ASP in Hyderabad, in July 2004.

We waited for about one-and-a-half hours before THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM arrived. He came and started the session, but I found myself totally uninterested in sitting there till he finished. Somehow I managed to do it.

At the end of the day, I saw so many people deeply touched, healed, and moved - and I realized that I was missing something by not accepting him. But still, I could not let anybody take the place of my favourite god, Krishna.

Then, after the Energy Darshan, THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM started dancing amidst us. It was a real eternal dance, and I was in myself relating it to Krishna's raas. Just then a lady called me and told me that this was Krishna himself dancing! I was overjoyed on hearing that, and decided to speak to him, but still in a corner of my mind I had foolish doubts about anybody else being my Krishna. But THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM read my thoughts! At the end of the session, THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM himself spoke to me. This was the moment that I feel was the 'Twist in my life'. THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM told me that he was my mother, father and my everything, and that he would never leave me. To my surprise, I found myself answering, "You are also my Krishna!"

After speaking to my parents, THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM permitted me to join the ashram. That was when I realized how destiny could make its way and change lives in minutes!

The Way to Bliss

Prema Sastri

When a friend invited me to the inauguration of a healing center in her house, I went out only of politeness. I knew littlle of Swami Nithyananda and expected only the usual string of platitudes. To my surprise, the young Swami had great vigour and clarity. Here was a person who had obviously experienced the truth. He dealt with questions expertly saying, "Teachers are there to answer your questions, but the master is there to question your answers." He went on to speak of the gap an average person feels between his real life and his imaginary life. The words struck me as describing the basic cause of misery in human existence.

I was interested enough to join the ASP course. The beautiful campus with its charming cottages, the meditation hall, unique landscaping and interior decoration set the mood.

As soon as THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM entered and started the programme, we could see we were dealing with a warm-hearted human being. As the course progressed we realized we were in the presence of an enlightened master.

THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM discussed the role played by the seven chakras in a person's mental and physical well-being. He illustrated his discourse with appropriate 'small stories'. For cleansing each chakra he made us do various workouts, often blindfolded. As a result, we often found that we had moved far from our original starting-point. As THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM humorously remarked, 'Spiritual life not only transforms - it transports!'

The first evening was spent in a party spirit, with games and skits, and THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM actively participating. Humour and fun, says THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM, are an essential part of spiritual life.

The second day, the Energy Darshan was awe-inspiring. During the two days of ASP we lived in another world. Aside from physical healing, most of us need spiritual transformation. We are fortunate First Encounter with the Divine to have in our midst a Swamiji who can help us rid ourselves of pain, and enter the kingdom of bliss.

Before THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM, With THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM

Vishwanathan [Vishwa]

Before I met THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM

In the name of reading books I felt I was undergoing a great illusion of practising spirituality. I was also trying meditation techniques, and discussions on spirituality. This was nicely satisfying my ego. As I confined myself to a small spiritual world, I stumbled, was dominated, controlled and in great confusion. I developed 'schizophrenia'. I suffered from deep depression and felt my whole life was dark and I was in deep trouble.

After I met THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM

I met him in Chennai and like everybody I was greatly influenced by THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM's smile, laughter and speech. His presence immersed the whole atmosphere in a blissful state...

He understood the state I was in, and asked me to come and stay in his ashram and experience real spirituality. I really felt influenced by his commanding presence and the authenticity of all his experiences and realizations. It was a real test for me to take a decision to come to Bangalore and stay in the ashram, though I felt the pull. Even after a few meetings with him in Chennai, I could not make a decision. Then he said, "Come to the ashram just as a web designer to design my website."

Each meeting with THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM in Chennai touched me deeply. Finally, I got permission from my parents to go to Bangalore for a week to stay and design the website.

Reading about an enlightened Master has nothing to do with living with an enlightened Master.

After I came to Bangalore, I had the privilege to be with him and work on the website as well, but the great work was going on in the inner world. The one week I planned to stay extended to more than one month. I attended his 'Ananda Spurana Program' in which my questions were answered, and I really experienced something which cannot be put in words and that has made me stay with him till now (it is two years now).