runbei

(Told by Dhyana) In my first year at Ananda I also studied Reiki, a form of hands-on healing. It seemed consistent with Master’s teaching, and I saw no harm in studying both. With great enthusiasm I told Swamiji how much I was learning in my Reiki classes. “If it’s that good,” he said, “then maybe … Read more

“I don’t think I have the spiritual depth to carry through with the job you have given me,” a devotee wrote to Swamiji. “I am not asking you to do this job because it will help others,” Swamiji answered. “I am asking you to do it because it will help you develop the qualities and … Read more

A devotee was about to make an important decision, and spoke with Swamiji about it. After the meeting, Swamiji said, “He asked for my advice, but what he wanted was my approval. I can’t approve, because what he plans won’t bring him happiness. He wants to do the right thing, but he doesn’t have the … Read more

Ananda is an ashram. We don’t advertise to find the most qualified people for the jobs that have to be done. We welcome devotees and find a way for them to serve. We do the best we can with whomever God sends. “People are more important than things,” is one of the principles Swamiji  taught … Read more

On July 28th, 1962, Swamiji was summoned to New York City for a private meeting with Daya Mata and Tara Mata. Effective immediately, they told him, he was expelled from Self-Realization Fellowship. For the last four years, Swamiji had been living in India, serving SRF. Thousands of devotees looked to him for spiritual guidance. Now … Read more

(From Asha Nayaswami) I started as Swamiji’s secretary, but soon the job expanded into being his personal assistant and sometimes cook and housekeeper. For several years during the mid-1970s, unless he was out of the country or in seclusion, I spent hours with him almost every day. His schedule varied, and his needs were unpredictable, … Read more

(Told by an Ananda devotee) I was on pilgrimage with a group from Ananda. The inspiration of the event was marred for me by grief over personal difficulties I was facing at the time. During a bus ride, I was sitting alone, staring sadly out the window. I tried not to be conspicuous, but others … Read more

A woman at Ananda made a foolish mistake. Her thoughtless remarks at a public gathering placed Swamiji in a bad light. This caused a misunderstanding with others that took some effort on his part to rectify. Swamiji took it calmly, and fortunately no lasting harm was done. Days later, however, she was still depressed about … Read more

(Told by an Ananda devotee) Often Swamiji will accept people who are spiritually sincere, but difficult to get along with, giving them a job when no one else in the community will. Usually, contact with Swamiji deepens their attunement and helps smooth out their rough edges. Aiden (the name is changed for privacy) was one … Read more

I had gotten myself into a bad situation. I would have talked to Swamiji right away, but he was in seclusion, and I didn’t want to bother him. Someone told him anyway, and Swamiji sent a note asking me to come and see him. He was in silence, so we communicated at his typewriter. I … Read more