Experiences

Chethan Prasad,
26 years,
Aeronautics Engineer,
Bangalore, India.

The GURU in my Life

Namaskara. I am Chethan. I would like to tell all of you the way Parama Pujya Shri Shri Nimishanada Guruji changed my life. Before that, I have to tell you about my life style when I met Guruji.

As you all know, the youth of this generation are preoccupied by worldly things like money, parties, entertainment, brands etc. I was no exception and used to drink liquor, smoke cigarettes, eat non-vegetarian food and stay in clubs till late in the night. The worst was lack of respect for elders. I always used to concentrate on my comforts regardless of everything else. I thought this was Life. I used my logic everywhere and thought that good logic was sufficient to lead a good life. But one good habit I had was that I believed in Sai Baba a lot. Maybe this helped me in getting Guruji’s grace.

My friend, Ashwini, used to tell me about Guruji. I was confused about how an ordinary human being could wipe all the grief of other people and make them happy. Though I had not yet met Guruji, as I listened to Ashwini describing the essence of His discourse, my life began to change. However, my friends didn’t like this. They protested and scolded me for not going with them to clubs and parties. They felt I was wasting my time. This continued for about three months, but by then all these habits went completely out of my life. My logic, however, had not left me, and I thought that all this had happened because of my own will power. I didn’t understand that the grace of my Guruji had made me a human being at last.

I slowly started to realise that Guruji is not a mere human being. My life totally changed the day I met Guruji for the first time when I attended his satsang. Now I can see my Sai Baba in Guruji. I have realised that to get the grace of the Guru, one must give up logic and surrender solely to His feet. Only then can you start leading the real life and understand what true happiness is. Guruji is not the Sun, which is visible only in the day. Guruji is not the Moon, which is visible only during the nights. But our beloved Guruji is the sky, which is always there, irrespective of day, night and place. I wish and pray that everyone gets the grace of my Guru. Thank you, Guruji, for everything.

Om Jai Matha, Om Jai Gurudev.

Saba Santhanam,
62 years,
Chidambaram, India.

English translation of the letter written by Shri Saba Santhanam about his experience when he participated in the Satsangs and listened to the Discourses of Parama Pujya Shri Shri Nimishananda Guruji in Chidambaram :

To,
His Holiness Shri Shri Nimishananda Guruji,
Shri Nimishananda Ashram,
Bangalore.

Namaskar. With utmost reverence and humility, I offer this letter at Your Lotus Feet.

On Thursday, 24th December 2009, You gave beautiful, solace giving, knowledgeable and inspiring discourses on Chidambara Rahasya or the Secrets of Chidambara in the thousand pillared hall at the Chidambaram Ananda Nataraja Temple. Although the topic was a complex one, the discourse was profound, but extremely easy to understand.

Even though I was born and brought up in Chidambaram and have listened to many discourses till now, I have never heard anybody speak about Chidambara Rahasya the way You did. You spoke so authoritatively about the eight different Secrets of Chidambaram, filling all of us who listened to You with great joy and happiness. You also gave Your Blessings and Prasadam after the discourse individually to each person with Your own hands, much to the delight of all of us present there. I was truly blessed and overjoyed to witness all this with my own eyes. When my turn came to take Blessings from You, I placed my business card before You. You then invited me to come and have Your Darshan at Your Ashram in Bangalore.

Please let me know when I can come to Bangalore to have Your Divine Darshan. I offer this prayer with utmost humility at Your Lotus Feet.

Your Reverent Devotee,
Saba Santanam.

Click here to read the report on the Satsangs at the Ananda Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram.

Click here to see the Newspaper reports of this event.

J Kannan,
64 years,
Advisor and Consultant,
Chennai, India.

"Aum Shri Jai Matha."
"Aum Shri Guru Deva."

"To accomplish things in life, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." ... And I have total belief and faith in my Parama Pujya Guruji!

Before I go into the topic, with reverence and dedication to my Parama Pujya Guruji, I would like to write the few verses from the "Devi Sthuti" and "Devi Mahatmyam" that still linger in my mind just as they were chanted by Pujya Guruji on 17 April, 2009. This was the day that I had the divine privilege of meeting Pujya Guruji in the Bangalore Ashram for the first time. Pujya Guruji rendered the following shlokas a couple of times during my little over an hour of being in His Divine company and indeed, I consider these as Grace and Blessings from Pujya Guruji to me and my family...powerful verses in praise of the Divine Mother, which shower Her Grace and Blessings on one and all.

"Yaa Devi Sevya Mannanamm janaanamahilamayan Aapakarokshi Kripaya Namasthasyai Namo Namaha"
"Smirtha Martharpiyaa nirnaMaadhivyaadi Vinasini Sarva Sambath Pradhaatricha Namasthasye Namo Namaha."
"Sarva Mangala Mangalye Sive sarvartha saadhike Saranye Thriyammbike Devi Narayani Namosthuthe."
"Srishtisthithi Vinashaanaam shakthibhoothe sanatani Gunashraye Gunamaye, Narayani Namosthuthe."
"Saranagatha Dinarta Paritrana Parayane Sarvasyarsarthi Hare Devi Narayani Namosthuthe."

There is a good old saying - "All that begins well continues well and ends well."

This is what has happened in my life. I shall fail in my duty if I don't refer the names of the people who made it happen - Dr.Shri Mahadevanji in Malaysia, Shri R.N. Sundareshji and Shri Chethanji in Bangalore, India. These "Trimoortis" paved way for me to meet Pujya Guruji and thereafter only, experiences of divinity and miracles started entering my life. One has got to believe that our Pujya Guruji is an incarnation of the Divine Mother with limitless Grace, Blessings, Benevolence and concern, and keeps pouring forth all these to His devotees in abundance even when we don't ask for them. Pujya Guruji knows the right time to do the right things for His devotees. One has to have patience and perseverance coupled with devotion and dedication towards Pujya Guruji in abundance.

There are so many miracles that I experienced within this short span of time of my assciation with Pujya Guruji, that I cannot narrate them all. One such experience is the recovery of my wife, Vijayalakshmi, who was in the ICU for two weeks in a Chennai Hospital in a very critical stage. It is Pujya Guruji who has taken care of everything and brought her back home safe and sound, as all my friends are aware of. I shall not be going into its details at the moment.

Now let me come to a very recent episode...

"Udyoga Prapthi Puja" - the ritual performed to the Divine Mother Shri Nimishamba Devi to obtain a good job quickly - and its resultant miraculous power...

It was on 30th June, 2009. My son had phoned up from Hong Kong and informed me that he had resigned from his employment and planned to return to Chennai by the first week of July, 2009 with his wife. She had also resigned from her job. He did not have an alternative employment opportunity in hand in India to take up on his return. The immediate thought that came into my mind was Pujya Guruji, who is always ready to come to help in His own way, and hence I was not at all disturbed mentally. My wife, after visiting the Nimishananda Ashram website, found a ritual called "UDYOGA PRAPTHI PUJA" performed to the Divine Mother, and we both swung into action and called up Shri Chethanji, who immediately guided us as to how to go about getting the puja performed. He asked us to get in touch with Ashwiniji at the Bangalore Ashram. With the combined help and efforts by Shri Sundareshji, Chethanji and Ashwiniji, the date to commence the puja was arranged. Thereafter, my wife and I, all said and done, came to the conclusion that we had placed our problem at the Divine & Lotus Feet of Pujya Guruji. We were convinced that it would work, and that a fruitful and good result would come out once the "Udyoga Prapthi Puja" was performed. I was getting feedback from Ashwiniji on the progress of the puja.

Ashwiniji called up one morning and told me that the Udyoga Prapthi Puja in the name of my son had been performed and the Prasadam would be sent by courier. She took down my Chennai address and we received the Prasadam with the Grace & Blessings of the Divine Mother and Pujya Guruji.

Meanwhile, my son and daughter-in-law arrived on 9th July, 2009, and my son started his endeavours to find a suitable job. He got offers from good companies located in Bangalore, Trichy, Hyderabad and many other places, and was meeting people for interviews. It was finally sometime during the middle of August 2009 that he finalised a very good job with HCL Technologies at Bangalore...wow, what a miracle! Pujya Guruji and the Divine Mother have taken them (my son and daughter-in-law) so much closer to them at Bangalore. He has joined HCL Technologies on 27th August, 2009, and both of them are now in Bangalore. They will be moving into their own apartment in Bannerghatta Road, Near Apollo Hospital and IIM. All these events took place undoubtedly due to the Divine Grace & Blessings of the Divine Mother through Pujya Guruji - and I have my firm conviction and belief in this.

I am a believer of - "Do things rightfully, gracefully, confidently and articulately, with dedication and devotion to Pujya Guruji to end up successfully. This will gratify many and astonish the rest."

"Aum Namo Nimishambayei Namaha."
"Aum Namo Nimishanandaya Namaha."

"Silent and Listen are both spelt with same letters." And so, I listen to my Pujya Guruji in silence.

I thank one and all in the Bangalore Ashram, Malaysian Ashram and, of course, Shri Srinivasanji from Canada for their subtle and fine thoughts and divine feelings towards me and my family.

Anirudh Yogi,
20 years,
Student of Engineering,
Bangalore, India

“So, when are you leaving for the trek?” Pujya Guruji asked me, after blessing my mother and me and asking us to be seated one fine morning (a morning when you are blessed with Pujya Guruji’s Darshan is a very fine one indeed!). I had sought Pujya Guruji’s permission and blessings to go on a week-long trek in the Himalayas in July, and had received it.

“I am ready to go, but none of my friends are willing to come,” said I.

“Why do you want anybody else when I am with you at all times?” smiled Pujya Guruji, flooring us with the disarming statement! Every word uttered by Pujya Guruji is so charged wisdom - every time He speaks, an Eternal Truth is revealed to us. I found my tension melting as I internalized the impact of Pujya Guruji’s statement.

“When you have decided to go, just go! The Himalayas are charged with the power of the Guru - Shiva and Shakti, in every direction. Just chant Om Jai Matha and Om Jai Gurudeva as you trek and keep going. The Guru will be in front of you, behind you, and at your sides at all times. If you are lost, or need directions, or are looking for guidance, the Guru will even manifest – maybe as a person, maybe as a goat or in whatever form, and guide you. That is Guru Shakti.”

Even as we were basking in the warmth of these powerful and loving words, Pujya Guruji asked the locations where I would be trekking. “Rohtang pass and Brighu lake, mainly,” I said. “Manali is the base camp, Guruji,” my mother volunteered. “I know,” Pujya Guruji said in a flash, “I have been to every nook and corner of the Himalayas as I go there almost every week,” He said tongue-in-cheek. “I accompany those who go from here, and also people who are already there often call upon me too.

Pujya Guruji gently reminds us at every opportunity that the Guru is beyond Time and Space - Kaalaateeta and Vyomaateeta. Despite His reminders for us to learn to look beyond the physical form of the Guru, we associate the Guru with the physical dimension, and suffer unnecessarily! Pujya Guruji has also told us innumerable number of times that we can pray to the Guru mentally and say Gurucharanarpanamastu, and the prayer would have certainly reached Him. But in our ignorance, we insist on seeing Him in person, or writing or calling up to offer our requests and prayers. Lots of sadhana is still due from our side before we stop this, I guess!

“Belief, Faith, Determination - even if you have any one of them you can accomplish anything in life,” Pujya Guruji continued. “The three may seem different, but they help you reach the same goal, which is successful accomplishment of the task at hand. Water can come from different sources, but it still quenches thirst, doesn’t it? So be determined, focus on your goal and work towards it chanting the Guru’s name!”

What invaluable words the Guru has provided all of us in His infinite compassion! How effortlessly does one get empowered by the Guru! As the ashram youth, we are indeed blessed to have a spiritual mentor at such an young age who can charge us up with a mere word and glance. Our parents are indeed blessed that they can rest all their worries and responsibilities of their wards at the Lotus Feet of Pujya Guruji, saying Gurucharanarpanamstu.

Guru Guru kehte kehte beete Jeevan saara...
I spend my entire life reciting the name of the Guru...

Lalitha Sista,
57 years,
Home maker,
Pittsburgh, USA

I had come to the Ashram and had taken Shri Swamiji's Darshan and blessings for the Manasarovar Yatra.

As an NRI I visit India every year. And everytime I am in India, I visit some holy place. Over the last 7 years I have visited MOST of the Pilgrim Centers in India -- The holy temples in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, specifically Dwarka, Char Dham, 14 Shakti Peethas, 11 of the Jyothirlingas, Kasi, Uttar Kasi, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath, Kedarnath etc. I had kind of graduated towards doing the greatest and holiest of them all -- Mt. Kailash and Muktinath and was waiting for the right opportunity.

As a result this year when my Son reserved our tickets to make it to Manasarovar, I was besides myself with Joy. Unfortunately though, I also had grave misgivings. These journeys to the Himalayas/Tibet were not ordinary ones but the pilgrimages of a lifetime! Besides, I'd often read that there were many deaths in these precarious journeys and the sheer degree of toughness set them a class apart!

I was therefore looking to a Guru to bless and guide me on this Yatra and it was at this time that Shri Nimishananda Swamiji was brought to my attention through a close friend of mine, Smt. Nagendran.

Accordingly, I visited Bangalore on the 25th of May 2009 and took Swamiji's blessings on the 26th. I was fortunate to visit the ashram around Noon and serve all those present with Prasadam and do some Seva and then told HIM about my upcoming Yatra. Swamiji, closed HIS eyes for a few seconds and fore-seeing the future, opened them, raised HIS arms in blessing and ensured me success saying that Nimishamba Devi Ammavaaru herself had blessed me and that my journey would be very fruitful and that I can go with a calm, tension-free mind! And that everything will be all right and that Lord Mahadeva has blessed me with success to visit HIS holy abode at Mt. Kailasha. Only I should keep Lord Shiva & Nimishamba Devi in mind and keep chanting "Om Namah Shivaaya" all along and that there will be no problems at all. I was very happy to receive these words of assurance from Shri Swamiji & came away feeling very content as I'd acquired a Sadguru's blessings for this Mahayatra as I had been seeking!

And indeed, as Swamiji stated, the Yatra began on a very positive note. My son and I left for Katmandu on the 31st of May. Our Yatra commenced on the 2nd and we reached Manasarovar on the 7th of June 2009. We began our 3-day Parikrama on the 8th and on the toughest day of the Journey -- the 9th of June, 2009 when we trekked from Derapukh to Zutulphuk via Dolma Pass [at nearly 20 Thousand feet] the journey was extremely difficult and we were at brink of return, since the previous day 5 people had been hospitalized and had to be air lifted and our own continuance in view of the severe cold and massive snow, was not guaranteed... BUT, I remembered Swamiji and HIS blessings again and again all through that tough time and prayed for HIS guidance and indeed we became the FIRST all successful batch of 2009 in completing the Yatra without any problems! All 16 in our group of 48 that started the Parikrama of Mt. Kailash [the other 32 stayed back at Manasarovar] completed the Parikrama of the holy mountain without any problems.

Thank you so much Swamiji. My Saashtanga Namaskaarams to You and for Your blessings that saw us through that tough time.

Thereafter we returned successfully back to our camp at Manasarovar and from there returned successfully to Katmandu on the 15th of June. We then undertook a 3 day trip to Muktinath, for Lord Vishnu's darshan and that trip too was a tremendous success. We returned safely back to Nepal on the 20th and flew back to Chennai, India on the 21st of June 2009...

Thank you very much once again and I look forward to visiting Shri Swamiji in Bangalore on my next visit to India.

- Lalitha Sista

Mythily Vijayakumar,
55 years,
House wife,
Bangalore, India

I am Mythily Vijayakumar, a disciple at the Lotus Feet of Parama Pujya Shri Shri Nimishananda Guruji. Pujya Guruji has given some of us an opportunity to serve at the Holy shrine of Shri Nimishamba Devi Temple , situated at Rajarajeshwari Nagar in Bangalore (India).

I live close to the temple and go to the temple daily early in the morning and also in the evening. December 15th to Jan 15th was Dhanurmasa (a month in the Hindu calendar) and the Temple had to be opened at 4 A.M. in the morning and so I had to wake up at 3.A.M. for the entire month. Everyday, I used to sleep at 11 P.M. and sometimes at midnight. That means very few hours of sleep. In spite of this, I used to feel fresh . How could this be possible? That is the GRACE of Parama Pujya Guruji. Sometimes in the evening when I used to walk to the Temple, I used to feel as if my energy had drained completely, but the moment I entered the Temple, I would be completely charged with Divine Energy, and that would make me feel enthusiastic about doing seva and talking to the people who had come for the first time.

I would like to share with you the divine experiences of some of the devotees who have experienced the Grace and transformation at the temple.

One lady from Rajajinagar (a locality in Bangalore) had come once and bought a silk Prasada saree (sarees that are offered to the Divine Mother everyday are available for purchase at the temple seva counter). She visited the temple again the following Sunday and told me that the promotion which she was due for and had not received for the past 25 years was gifted to her by the compassionate Divine Mother Shri Nimishamba within 3 days of her visiting the temple and taking home the prasada saree. Now, she frequently visits the temple.

One more lady who had given for the Abhisheka seva (bathing of the Divine Mother with milk, curds, clarified butter, honey and sugar) at the temple came in the morning at 6 A.M. with her mother, who was unable to walk even a few steps due to ill health. The temple sevaks (volunteers) arranged a chair to carry her to temple with the help of 3 people. She sat on the chair and watched the Abhisheka. With the Grace of the Divine Mother, while going back she was able to walk the entire distance back to her car on her own without any assistance or help from the Sevaks.

One morning a man was staring at the Pooja Seva board hung on the wall of the temple. Usually when they do this, I feel that they have come for the first time and I explain about the temple to them. So, I went up to him and started telling him about the temple. Then he interrupted and said, “Madam, just a minute! Let me tell you - this is second time I am coming to the Temple. I was suspended from my job a few months back. I had come then and prayed. Now I got my job back and today I am performing the Chandika Homa seva at the temple."

I felt so happy to see his face, which was full of gratitude as he looked at the Divine Mother.

These are only a few of the miracles that the devotees of the ever-compassionate Mother experience. Since the Temple was concecrated and established by Pujya Guruji, it is so powerful that everyone who enters it finds immediate solace and peace of mind. I pray that all those who come here benefit from the constant flow of grace in every possible way.

Jai Guru Nimishananda!

Purnima,
47 years,
Mass Media Professional,
Bangalore, India

The Divine Doctor

One december evening, on 3rd, by Guruji's grace, I was saved from a major accident- I got off with minor injuries. I was on my scooter near Rajarajeshwarinagar (Bangalore) arch, and I had to apply brakes suddenly because of an auto in front of me who took a sharp left. I fell to my left, scooter to the right. My left arm was crushed beneath my (considerable) weight - my left cheek swelled - and my entire body ached unbearably for a while. I was wearing a helmet, fortunately.

People responded immediately, helped me to my feet, handed my purse back to me (intact with cash and mobile), offered water, dropped me and my scooter home.

The doctor took one look at me and pronounced that there could be a hairline fracture on my arm and cheekbone, and advised an x ray the next morning. But I was sure I had no reason to worry. As the doctor gave me painkiller and tetvac injections, I imagined that Gurudeva himself was administering me - vaidyo narayano harihi - The doctor warned me that the Tetvac was a reactive injection which would hurt for 48 hours. But it didn't hurt even for 48 seconds- and the next morning revealed that all injuries related to soft tissue and not bones. I was asked not to move my left arm for the next 15 days, though.

Here I want to share how prerana helped me complete my jobs well in advance. I had to submit a project on 6th December, but for some reason I worked like a maniac and completed it on 3rd afternoon itself, so that I would be mentally free and enjoy some freedom before the next one. My family thought I had gone insane, and asked me to take a break- but I was insistent on completing the project. I did, and it was on 3rd evening that I was incapacitated- but for this divine inspiration, my deadline would have found a dead-end- and I would have invited the employer's wrath, for no one ever likes to be given an excuse for a job not done.

There is no chance for Gods to appear with their crowns and thrones in this kaliyuga- the divine grace flows through ordinary people like the ones who rescued me the day I fell, the doctor, and the intuition which helped me keep my word.

Guru Mahima, Guru Mahima; Apaara Mahima Guru Mahima
Kim vachaniyam guru mahima, kima vachaniyam guru mahima...

Purnima

Mdm. Vickneswary Singam,
67 years,
Retired teacher and Social worker,
Malaysia.

A Memorable Experience

It all started with the Indian Global Festival where I assisted the Ashram to sell the CDs. During my stint there, I came across a Mr. Kumar and his wife. I was speaking to both of them about Pujya Guruji and explaining Pujya Guruji's teachings and also requesting that they buy Pujya Guruji's CDs as the money would go towards feeding of the less fortunate. Mrs. Kumar immediately bought a CD.

I later came to know that she was so overjoyed listening to the CD that she passed it to her foreigner friend who listens to it every day and follows all teachings of Pujya Guruji.

Mr kumar later informed us that during that meet, a voice kept telling him to ask me to organise a project for him as he wanted to feed 208 handicapped children and did not know where he could do it. I immediately told him that we would get the necessary done and contact him as it progressed. In less than weeks from the time I met him, the venue and arrangements were all sorted out and the project was carried out on 27.6.2009.

I arrived at the home for the handicapped with mixed feelings, because I knew deep inside me that it was not going to be an easy task.

True to my sixth sense, I felt that I was hit by a thunderbolt. The children looked pathetic and appearing as if they were crying for love – literally “Love”. My heart went out to them as some were lying down with only flickering eyes whilst some were strapped to their seats. Those who were able to move about appeared mentally unbalanced. It was a picture of utter melancholy.

Our members rose to the occasion. Some tried to interact while others played and sang with them. Everyone did their best to talk and make them laugh.

When the food arrived, all of us helped to serve and even fed the children. As I was feeding two of the children, my thoughts went to my grandsons who have to be cajoled and even bugged to eat their food. Here the children were enjoying the food with relish and there was no waste of food at all.

I spent an hour or more with the kids. Tears filled my eyes as I left the place with a solemn promise to visit them again. This is indeed the power of Pujya Guruji’s words of wisdom – “Wipe a Tear; Remove a Pain”.

Vani V,
45 years
Architect,
Bangalore, India

The Incense That Cured Instantly

Bronchitis first entered my life when I was sixteen. Since then, every time I caught a cold it would turn into bronchitis. But about eight months ago, perhaps as a reaction to the high levels of pollution in Bangalore, this became a chronic condition from which there was no respite. Steroid inhalers helped me, but I could not take them for a long time as they affected my throat. So I took deriphylline tablets, everyday for five months. In spite of this I experienced a feeling of tightness in my chest several times a day.

Suddenly, about two months ago, this chronic bronchitis which had become a permanent part of my life suddenly disappeared. I could hardly believe it! Thinking that this might be temporary I waited for nearly three weeks before sharing this miraculous recovery with Pujya Guruji. When I finally spoke to Him about it, He said –“This is one of the benefits you are reaping by lighting the Nimisha Sugandha incense strings in your house.” Looking back and counting days, I was amazed when I realised that the day the bronchitis disappeared coincided exactly with the day I lit the first Nimisha Sugandha incense string ! In fact, I had so far been lighting only one or two incense strings a week (and this too only because Pujya Guruji had personally given me these strings and asked me to light them at home). In general, I have an aversion to strong fragrances and incense.

Now, I light the Nimisha Sugandha incense strings everyday - that have been made purely from natural herbs according to the Divine Formula given by Pujya Guruji Himself and the bronchitis has completely disappeared. Moreover, I also find that if this is lit during meditation, it transports one to blissful states of being very easily. I feel indebted to the Divine Mother and Pujya Guruji for this outpouring of their Compassion and Grace in the form of Nimisha Sugandha. I pray that thousands of souls may also reap the benefits of this abundant grace. I offer my prostrations at the Lotus Feet of Pujya Guruji and the Divine Mother.

May all beings be happy.

Vani V

Ashwini Rao,
25 years,
IT professional,
Bangalore, India

Lessons of Surrendrence from a Cat

One morning, when I was in the ashram, Pujya Guruji was looking around for something. I looked at Pujya Guruji wondering what He wanted. Reading my mind, Pujya Guruji replied, "The cat Badakali is not to be seen from morning. Can you search for it, Ashwini?"

I was so happy that Pujya Guruji had given me a task, and with enthusiasm, I started searching every nook and corner of the three-storied building of the ashram. I continued doing so with the ego that ‘I’ was going to find it and make Pujya Guruji happy and that ‘I’ would finish the task assigned to ‘me’. Still, this search went on and on for more than an hour, but there was no sign of Badakali. With no other option, helplessly, I stood in front of Pujya Guruji's Peeta and prayed, "Gurudeva, I understand now that this is one of your “leelas” – divine play - to vanquish my ego. With this ego, I am unable to do the task assigned to me. Please remove it and use me as Your tool." Immediately, I heard behind me - "Meow, meow.” When I turned, there was Badakali, right behind me, and beside her stood none other than Pujya Guruji! With a smile, Pujya Guruji said, "Only when you completely surrender to your Guru, the Guru can operate through you."

I had no words, but only tears of gratitude to express to Pujya Guruji. I could only say – “Dhanyosmi Gurudeva – I thank You for teaching me the lesson of surrender in such a simple way."

I offer everything at the Lotus Feet of Pujya Guruji and seek only His love & grace.

Gurudeva Sharanam Mama.

Jai Guru Nimishananda!

With love and total surrender,
Humbly,
‘Nimishadasi’ (the servant of Nimishananda) Ashwini.

Vasudev N,
49 years,
Program Manager at a leading MNC,
Bangalore, India

Pangs of separation and joy of oneness

I am Vasudev and I work in a software company in Bangalore. I was blessed to come to Parama Pujya Guruji’s Lotus Feet in 2003. Since then my most beloved Gurudeva has transformed my life completely with His Divine Grace and Guidance. Both Parama Pujya Guruji’s teachings and the sadhana techniques that He has taught me have changed my attitude and the way I look at life. I have been practising these techniques regularly and try to maintain this discipline even when my profession entails travel. This has helped to keep my mind focussed and my emotions balanced. A few months ago I had a transcendental experience that I would like to share with you though it is difficult to find words to describe this experience.

In Jan / Feb 2005 I had to go abroad on a professional assignment. I have gone abroad several times and it seemed like just another routine trip. This time I had assignments in Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul - Korea. During the final leg of my trip in Korea, I came back to the hotel room a little tired after a long day's work. Thinking it would relax me, I mechanically turned on the TV in the room. I was not paying particular attention to any program, but engaged in "channel surfing" with the TV remote. Suddenly a feeling of separation from my dearest one engulfed my whole being and I felt a sense of utter emptiness. I wanted to see my beloved Guruji!!! I knew it was physically impossible as we were several thousands of miles apart, separated by an ocean. I got up and looked out of the window of my room on the 32nd floor - people seemed like lilliputs (remember Gulliver's travels story?) and cars seemed like toy cars. As I saw these "tiny" movements below, I began to think of how minute we are when compared to God's entire creation. With heaviness in my heart, still yearning to see Pujya Guruji, I turned off the TV. I suddenly remembered my companion of all times - the BLISS Kriya (Spiritual practice that Pujya Guruji has initiated us into, charged with His Grace). I spread the shawl that has been blessed by Pujya Guruji, which I carry with me whenever I travel, and started the Kriya.

I do not know how far into the Kriya I was..... I had lost awareness of the weight of my body all of a sudden and felt very light. Then the strangest thing that I had ever experienced in my life happened. In stark contrast to the experience of intense separation and heaviness before the Kriya, I felt the joy of oneness and the presence of Pujya Guruji in me through His vibrations. He did not appear to me physically, but spoke to me in unspoken words or a silent talk.

This is the message He gave me in silence - "I am in you - not outside you. You can hold me in three ways. One, physically. If you are looking at a physical meeting only, you will certainly get joy when you meet a person you like, but you will feel sad when you have to leave him. Even when you come to see me in the Ashram, you will have to go back to your house after the Satsangh or a discourse. Second, you can hold me in your memory. Even this has its limitations as memory is short lived and you will begin to feel the loss of separation as sweet memories of association fade away.

The third is through feeling. When you start to feel my vibrations, you can have me within you all the time. In the first two methods, you feel that I am separate from you, but in this method you will feel one with me. You will feel oneness whether you are in proximity with me or away from me. Catch me in vibration and you will find me in you permanently. You will never experience a feeling of separation this way.”

I do not know how long this silent talk of Pujya Guruji went on. It felt very short and I had lost track of time. When I opened my eyes I found that my Kriya had naturally concluded. The feeling of separation had vanished. There was only a feeling of oneness and lightness. I thanked Pujya Guruji for this wonderful experience and the Grace showered upon me. I slept peacefully in the experience of lightness and oneness.

Ever since, by Pujya Guruji's Grace, I have been able to "feel" His presence in me often, though not always. As I have passed through several months after this experience, I have gathered one important truth...though Pujya Guruji's physical presence in very powerful (which devotee does not like to be in Pujya Guruji's physical presence?), His "Guruness" transcends His physical presence and reaches everyone, both near and far, through His vibrations. This "Guruness" is very real and not just a feeling. We only have to catch His vibrations in us to realise our oneness with Him. Is this not another name for Pujya Guruji's Omnipresence?