Dara Fogel 29/03/04
Dearest Swamiji,
How can I express how I feel?! You have given me my life back!! 9 years of studying philosophy had left me literally ready to die. As recently as 3 months ago, I was ready to kill myself. All I saw was blackness & ego. I had come to believe that enlightenment was not really possible - that it was just a cruel joke played upon us by a malicious god. My mantra had become 'Life is evil & God is evil for inflicting it upon us.' But a series of miracles, culminating in this past weekend, has totally turned me around & shown me that my highest aspirations are not only justified, but actually attainable!!! Words cannot express my eternal gratitude to you for breaking through my ego's iron cage and releasing me to the light & love of God!! If you had told me last year that I would be in this place, I would have thought you were deluded & a 'Pollyanna.' But now, I am beyond a believer - I am an experiencer! The whole world is new & beautiful beyond description!
What happened this last weekend goes beyond my plausibility structure - my hard-won logic & reasoning fails to account for what is happening to me & I couldn't be happier about it!! I would like to share a little bit of what happened to me over the last few days:
Friday night, after the 'Sex, Death & Meditation' talk you gave at Kamala's, I slept little, but had 3 dreams about you. In one of the dreams, I dreamt you healed my lower back. My back has been a problem for me for over 10 years & I had planned to ask you for healing. But you beat me to it!! My back did not bother me all weekend - even with sitting on the floor for hours!!! And it is still going good!!
In the second dream, I dreamt that I had asked you if I could take your picture, but while I was fumbling with the camera, you walked away. I misinterpreted this to mean 'move fast', instead of meaning 'don't bother with pictures'. Later, when I thought I had lost the camera with the 'illicit' pictures, all I could think was that I had ignored your warning, betrayed your trust & cast a shadow over the whole experience with my silly desire to capture the eternal in the ephemeral! I was so relieved & overjoyed when I finally found the camera stashed in a little pocket of my bag! I won't be making that mistake again!!
The third dream, I don't understand at all, but maybe time will reveal it. I dreamt I was in a van, travelling at night with you & many faceless others. I was crouching on the floor in the front seat, while you were reclining in the back. I was facing you as you told us all that we were to be the roots of your 'first church,' and that those who came after would be your 'second church.' I don't understand what this means or why you would use Christian language, but I thought I should share it with you. Thank you for all the care & love you have shown for me! I feel I have been lifted by the grace of God to a whole new level of being that I had only dreamed of!! My fears are melting away...
By making it possible for me to attend ASP last weekend, you have changed my life! Already, people are noticing a change in my energy & orientation. You saved me!!! I would not have believed it was possible if I had not experienced it! You have reconnected me to my source!! I cannot thank you enough!!! If there is ever anything I can do for you, you have but to ask!!
I think I may have freaked out some of your followers, as some of the older women seemed to find my intense releases alarming. But as you had said to give everything & since I want to be like you, I took your advice to heart. I did not mean to offend or distract the others, but I could not hold all that awful nastiness inside me any more – it was killing me. I saw the chance you offered me to transform & I jumped at it! I am so glad I did!! You liberated me from the prison of my own mind. I could not do it myself - I know, because I spent 5 years trying, but to no avail.
Next week is the Jewish holiday of Passover, which celebrates the Israelites' liberation from slavery to Egypt. I shall be celebrating my own release from ego-bondage when I gather with my family & friends, and will offer the ancient traditional prayers with new depth and meaning!
With the greatest love and gratitude from your redeemed philosopher,
Dara
NITHYANANDA
ASP REMINISCENCES
Kavitha Rajeev
Dara Fogel
Swamji responds:
Dear Dara,
My love and blessings, I read your mail totally.
The third dream means, you will be a member of my inner circle.
You have written that "If there is ever anything I can do for you, you have but to ask". Now I tell you to come to Bharat to the ashram, as soon as possible, to explore the spiritual life and enlightenment.
All my love and blessings, you will grow spiritually. Swamiji
Dara Fogel 31/03/04
Dearest Swamiji,
WOW!!!!!
Yes! Yes! A million million times YES!!!
Now all I have to do is figure out how...
This is an honor I never dared to dream of!! I think there may be a way to come in January, but it is going to take a lot of hard work on my part, tolerance on the part of the university & a couple of miracles to accomplish....
But this amazing opportunity you offer is my lifelong dream. Somehow, I will work it out & be with you & help you with your mission! There is nothing else I would rather do! That would truly be meaningful work that would benefit all humanity, just as the philosophy student in my joke was seeking!! I know the value of what you offer me & how rare & important this opportunity is. I will not squander it!! Somehow, it will happen!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
All my love, gratitude & effort,
Dara
Cynthia 02/04/04
Dear and Honorable Swamiji,
I am Cindy from Ohio, USA and recently attended Ohio ASP. I have no words to express my love for you.
I am a doctor of psychology. My life has been focused on healing the psychological pain of others. You, 1/2 man, 1/2 God have shown me true healing!
I desire to be of service to your Great Mission.
How may I serve you and God?
I saw the YOU.
I pray and meditate each day. I wear my MALA to my office when I am with my patients. It allows me to remain close to your healing power.
With Deep Respect,
Cindy
The following is an email exchange between Sri Nithya Bhasker (a devotee) and Dr. Barbara Boyd, Head of Religious Studies, Oklahoma University.
(This exchange was later mailed to Dhyanapeetam by Sri Nithya Bhasker)
Barbara Boyd 05/03/04
Dear Rama,
Thank you for inviting us to Swami's talk. It was wonderful. He has such a kind presence. We have talked about it all day!
I have friends who would like to see him. Is he talking publicly anywhere else this weekend?
I will work on the idea of students going to the ashram. I myself want to go but it would be a few years before I qualify for a sabbatical.
Thank you again for a wonderful, wonderful experience.
Dr. Barbara S. Boyd
Dear Barbara,
Thank you for your sincere recognition and appreciation of Divinity in SRI NITHYANANDA.
He is conducting ASP in Ohio and New York during this month (21-22 and 27-28 March 2004).
If any of you or your students are interested in attending this meditation course, please feel free to ask for any help.
With love and regards,
Sri Nithya Bhasker (Rama)
Barbara Boyd 10/03/04
Dear Rama,
We will be there - there will be four of us. I would love to speak with Swami for just a few minutes again... I want my spouse to meet him, too. This young man is so effective... I can't seem to get over him... I feel like I need to imprint his energy into my body before he goes away... How amazing to be in such an energy field... he is truly enlightened and I can tell it... I read energy very well...
Thanks and see you this evening.
Barbara S. Boyd
Barbara Boyd 11/03/04
Dear Rama,
Several of us were VERY moved by Swami and want to see him when he comes again. I think this may be a new path for several of us. I have practised meditation for twenty years, and I am most interested in learning the healing tools. As a minister, I would like to know how to help others with healing.
I would LOVE to have a meditation group each week... though my life is so busy I don't know how that would be possible..! I do meditate every day, though, after my yoga practice. But I know Swami teaches a special kind of meditation.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for the pictures. I have him sitting on my mantle so that I can look at his lively and lovely face whenever I feel like. I have taken another picture to my office.
Thank you!
Namaste
Barbara Boyd
Dear Rama,
I just learned that Dara is going to Ohio for the retreat with Swami... I am SO excited for her... and wishing I could go, too. But the timing isn't right... I do want to start training with Swami when he comes back to OKC... but I am patient and willing to wait for the time to be right...
All things work for harmony...
Namaste
Barbara
Dear Barbara,
Swami is born with the purpose of uplifting all, especially the Westerners. Of course Swami is listening to you. I will keep you posted of Swami's visit in future.
In the meanwhile, may I invite you, your husband, friends, students to join us this coming Sunday for meditation at [address].
With love and regards,
Sri Nithya Bhasker [Rama]
Barbara Boyd 17/03/04
Dear Rama,
I am glad to hear what Swami's divine purpose is... this means that our paths will cross again and again... for this I am grateful... and I am also deeply aware that this path is where I am supposed to go. I have had many teachers. I have learned much. I have been waiting very patiently for the universe to send my next teacher to me. It has, and he is Swami... so now that I have found him I am in no hurry. I will continue to meditate and do my yoga. When he comes back to OKC, I will be prepared... for what he has to teach me.
Namaste
Barbara
Ma Vivekananda Bharathi 03/04/04
Namaste Swami,
These last few days have been worrying for us. My mother's brother is having a stomach operation today at Mallya Hospital in Bangalore. They are suspecting cancer. Please shower your blessings on him.
My brother called from South Carolina. He lost his Lord Venkateswara chain which his wife had given him several years back and so he was wondering if he should perform some particular puja. Please Swami tell me what he should do.
I think of you night and day, and though you say you are with me I still miss you very much! I can see you smile reading this e-mail. With lots of love, Shanthi Mom (Ma Vivekananda Bharathi)
Swamiji responds:
Don't worry, I will take care of everything. My love and blessings.
Ma Vivekananda Bharathi 04/04/04
Namaste Swami,
Many many thanks to you! I just heard that the tumor which was the size of a cricket ball looks benign!!!! The final report is still to come but this is really good news. We are ever so grateful for your Divine Grace. Also my brother called to say he found his Venkateswara pendant in his pocket!! It was not there before!! Thank you for all the miracles Swami.
With lots and lots of love and hugs and kisses to you, Love,
Shanthi (Mom)
Nithya & Anand Praba 13/04/04
Swamiji, last Saturday as usual we (the healers from the Bay Area) got together at Nacha's for our regular biweekly gathering. In about five minutes after I entered their house, I went into meditation. I don't think I was able to control my physical body (maybe I didn't even try). Then we did the Mahamantra meditation. I did the humming and sat in silence, but my fingers kept snapping (I'm working on controlling the snapping of my fingers). Then they played one of your Kirtans. I truly melt into that Kirtan and start dancing. Dancing beyond my control. I have to say that it was not me who was dancing, it was Your divine energy. I moved and swirled (I didn't fall), I was aware of my movements but surely the movements were not out of my own action. I truly enjoyed it. Can I say I was in ecstasy? People say I was in trance, and the best part is, I was in my Guru's energy. Thank you Swamiji!
Then everyone sang bhajan & finally Nithya Kirtan for aarti. I was on my knees and again went into meditation. All I felt was, like You were pouring blessings on everyone. My hands were moving as if You were giving blessings to Your devotees. It's an experience that I do not know how to put in words.
Nithya Praba will be celebrating his birthday on April 15th. I am planning to celebrate his birthday with Your meditation, kirtan and the opening ceremony of the Healing Center in our home. Thank you for your GRACE Swamiji.
Sorry for the long message. Love you much.
Jai Guru Dev,
Nithya & Anand Praba (The MacKallor Family)
Dearest Swamiji,
After my wonderful experiences at the Ohio ASP, I was in bliss for a week.... then I hit a brick wall! My ego reasserted itself with a vengeance! I have spent the last 2 weeks battling my body, my fears & doubts! It was like the universe was challenging me - Are you serious about this enlightenment stuff?
In a sense, it was worse than if I had never done ASP, for I now know what is possible & how far I have fallen from it. After sitting & stewing in my own juices for a week, I finally remembered what you told me - that the ego is not satisfied unless it has a big problem to solve. All I know is that I have made more progress in the short time I have known you than I have in some 20 years of seeking on my own. But I still have some fears & concerns. Am I worthy of being in your inner circle? What will I have to give up & am I really ready to do it? Will I lose my free will & become a fanatic? What is it that you see in me that I cannot see?
Maybe these questions are more ego nonsense & not worthy of a response... That is why I hesitated to bring it to you. In the West, this kind of existential angst is considered a matter of personal choice & responsibility - and that asking for help is either a sign of weakness or a shirking of one's existential responsibility to choose for oneself.
Maybe I am over-analyzing this... After all, although I aspire to be more, I'm still just a lowly philosopher....
So thank you for your time, care & patience with me... If you can help, please do... If I have to deal with this on my own, please think kindly of me... I'm doing the best I can, even if I take one step forward & two steps back! With love & effort,
Dara
Swamiji responds:
Dear Dara,
Don't worry, Divine will take care.
Allow this confusion to work on you.
I will work out miracles from this confusion.
Just once, if you put your whole energy and get totally confused, you will see that confusion never touches you again.
My love & blessings.
Ma Vivekananda Bharathi
Dearest Swamiji,
I have news for you.. I saw you yesterday! You were standing in the doorway while we were doing Aarathi at the Satsang, and smiling at everybody! I was wanting to see your physical form for a long time. Thank you for showing me that you are there for us! I am forever grateful to have you in my life and wish to be united with you for ever and ever.
With lots of love, hugs and kisses,
Ma Vivekananda Bharathi (Shanthi 'Mom')
Anjula Jackson
Pujya Swamiji,
My pranaams to you.
Swamiji, I am not able to control this roller coaster of feelings. So much has happened so suddenly, I'm still trying to digest it all. I was deep down in the dumps, could see no direction for my life. I used to just listen to everyone and get more confused. That was the state I was in when you came into my life and transformed it miraculously. I cannot tell you how blessed I feel to have your touch. I feel so right in my entire being, I've never felt like this before.
Now I struggle to carry on with my daily chores! I am aware that I cannot shun my responsibilities and try hard to maintain the balance. If I could have it my way, I'd be at the aashram right now. I also know that you told me to wait. Give me the strength, please.
Swamiji, I also wanted to ask you whether anything is required for the aashram from here. I'll be very happy to bring it.
My love and regards, Anjula
Sri Anand Swaroop
Dear Swamiji:
I hope you are well.
When I met you in San Jose in February you asked me to spend some time with you at the ashram when you returned. I want very much to do that, if you still want me to come.
I know you have many devotees who are more devout in their faith than I, but I am trying. The time that you spent with me awoke something inside me that seems to have gone into hiding once more, yet those were moments that will be with me forever.
I think about you each day, and know that you are with me, even if you cannot be with me physically. I ask for your continued blessings so that I may continue to progress along the path that lies in front of me.
Peace.
Sri Anand Swaroop
Pranams Swamiji!
Thank you for appearing in my dream yesterday! I am so happy that I had a glimpse of you, Swamiji! Swamiji, there is a remarkable change in my daughter and her health is improving. This is all due to your grace. Last weekend our family had been to NewYork. When we were returning in the middle of the night, there were some stray peices of debris in the middle of the road.We were travelling at high speed, but in spite of being tired and sleepy, Rajeev was able to spot the obstruction and avoided it. I knew immediately that Swamiji had saved us from danger. We are all protected by Your Divine Grace.
Swamiji, I'm hearing about many great 'Leelas' regarding You and am very happy. Sometimes You have to make us understand that You are God! Since You are so simple, we tend to take You for granted and sometimes do not realize Your greatness. Thank you for reminding us also.
Reverential Pranams to the Lotus feet of Swamiji, Kavitha
Trisha Howell (ASP participant, Seattle)
Dear Friends,
I want to tell you about the wonderful weekend I just spent with THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM (Paramahamsa Sri Nithyananda Swamigal), a fun, funny, joyful, compassionate, healing, and very high-energy enlightened master from Bharat. He celebrates and embraces life fully, and I really felt this intense joy and sense of possibility in his presence. There is no drudgery, solemnity, nor stifling "shoulds" imposed on you. It is all fun, laughter, and awakening possibility. But this doesn't mean a lack of discipline or that anything goes. It's just that once you have a solid experience of the basic energy of the universe, you can trust that, follow the deep intelligence within you, and you'll do the right thing without needing external rules imposed on you. You just trust God/the Universe/Energy (however you want to call it), and it will guide you in your own growth and service to others.
I have gone to numerous events with spiritual teachers and healers, and many have had valuable advice and techniques, but I have never met anyone quite like Swamiji. This vigorous young master (he is only 26 years old) is so practical and in tune with the realities and challenges of life right now, and his teachings are so universal (not religious but spiritual), that everyone can benefit greatly. It doesn't matter what your religion or other beliefs are, the energy of total bliss (Nithyananda) that Swamiji embodies and shares will enhance your life. Swamiji does not ask you to believe anything—in fact, he invites you to doubt everything, to verify anything he says, including the techniques he teaches, by how well they work in your life. Swamiji always tells you to put your total attention and effort into all you do, and then experience what thereby happens within. Your inner experience is your proof.
Swamiji respects everyone's freedom and invites you to learn from everyone and everything. He welcomes all questions, insights, and other contributions. He seems to be the living embodiment of his conviction that we should never have a closed mind and should learn from everyone. He is NOT forming a cult. His worldwide movement for meditation - Dhyanapeetam - is designed to awaken the divinity that lies within us, not to make converts to any one path or way of doing things.
I know talk of enlightenment sounds abstract, but if you meet Swamiji, you'll see that it's really the most practical and joyful way to be. I had always thought that it would be nice to be enlightened and that, of course, it would bring benefits, but I don't think I really understood in a very concrete way - until my time with Swamiji - that it's the way of being that's freest, happiest, and most useful to yourself and others. You can be free from all worries, fears, depressions, conflict, wasted effort, illusions, etc., and replace them with bliss. Even if, like me, you are not enlightened, you can get a lot of these benefits through practising the meditations.
I highly recommend that you arrange to meet Swamiji and take his Ananda Spurana Program (ASP) when he's in your area or that you travel to his ashram in Bharat to take this two-day course of study that energetically conveys to you the fundamental meditation techniques for each of the seven chakras (Ananda Spurana means Flowering of Bliss). I am planning to go to Bharat to take his more advanced courses. You can find out more about him.
Beth Wegener (ASP participant, OKC)
(Beth Wegener is an American lady from Oklahoma City who has been very inclined towards spirituality for decades.)
As he flows into the room, Blessings envelop the assembled pilgrims, Each one wanting something from the Master. Will he see your special values? Will he touch you first? Will he call you by name?
As the Truth flows out, Simple, yet so profound, The energy floats from laughter to self-examination. Can this be true about me? Do I really see things in this way? How could I not have seen that before? The light around his face and frame Can be seen most easily
By those who do not think they are "someone special," Someone chosen by the Lord, Deemed superior to "the crowd."
The simple soul
Who holds THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM in the depth of his being, Seeing all as the embodiment of the Almighty Is the one who easily glimpses the Divine grace Embodied in the sublime form of THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM.
A swirling dance of bliss Envelops him in every moment As his flying feet and flashing eyes Dazzle the senses and touch the soul.
The simplicity of his wisdom, Blended with his acceptance and love, Helps people of all faiths and backgrounds See the folly of life's delusions. Only through God's grace Could we receive so easily The healing touch that flows continuously From the tender, outstretched hands of THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM.
His smile and laughter Are recorded in the journals of the stars And the many hearts he touches each day. The love he pours forth shakes the soul so deeply That we can never again be as we were Before the advent of THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM.
Eternal bliss is truly here For those who allow themselves To be touched at the depth by his Divine hand. Adored as a fountain of radiance, He is held ever-close in the Highest Heavens. Nothing can cause even a moment's worry To the fiery brow of THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM.
Enter now into the ocean of true existence With THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM as your guide. A deep lover of the divine, Surely he can help lead us to Immortality.
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