My first meeting with Swami Kriyanandaji was in December 2008 on Christmas Eve at the Gurgaon ashram. The atmosphere was filled with joy and positivity. He was addressing a group of devotees.
I was sitting right next to Swamiji awestruck by the energy that he emitted.
Here is an excerpt from a letter I wrote to a friend describing this experience:
“I just couldn’t get my eyes off him because of his immense magnetism. After the final blessings he said to me that I feel you are like family 🙂
I was reading a book which said that a lot of blessings flow even at a very sight of a saint. And I could and still can feel the blessings. I felt like sitting at his feet forever and nothing else was more important to me at that moment. I am blessed to see a living saint in his house, speak to him and receive blessing from him in this lifetime.”
In Swamiji’s presence that day — and every time thereafter in his physical presence — I felt completely absorbed in the moment, as if everything else ceased to exist. It felt like being in the eternal now.
His presence was not only uplifting, joyful, and full of light, but also deeply clarifying, where all mental clutter simply dissolved.
Once, during a particularly difficult phase in my life, Swamiji gave me a direction. In this meeting, I asked him who would guide us after his passing. Swamiji replied that his consciousness would always remain that can always be tuned into along with guidance through people and experiences. This was not something he said only to me personally; he also expressed this truth in his writings.
Over the years, I truly believe I have felt his help and protection — not only in my own life, but also in the lives of my earthly family — in countless ways.
I have often felt Swamiji’s presence — the same feeling I experienced in his physical company — whenever I chose what was right over what I wanted; when I let go of something outward for the sake of inner peace; when I chose kindness and love; when I served wholeheartedly; and when I chose to give rather than receive.
Conversely, I rarely felt his presence when I tried to have my own way, entertained negative thoughts, or allowed my energy to contract rather than expand.
In essence, I felt his presence most strongly whenever I let go of the meanness of the heart and when tried to practice the teachings.
All of us pass through phases of higher and lower consciousness. The greatest support I have received in raising my consciousness has been through group meditations and the company of fellow devotees. Sometimes it was through serving together on a small project, going on pilgrimage together, or simply sharing a meal.
I attended several of Swamiji’s talks across the United States and India in 2012. Two things from that time have remained foremost in my heart:
- First was his complete sincere dedication to Master.
Before joining a group of devotees for tea in Bangalore, he had gone for a Bhrigu reading. I had arrived early and asked him how the reading went. Looking directly into my eyes, he said that the only thing that truly mattered to him was that Master was pleased with him.
- Second was witnessing how profoundly Swamiji had touched thousands of lives. It was not merely familiarity or acquaintance, but a genuine deep connection he had with so many people he had known over the years — divine friendship in its truest sense!
Our lives have been deeply blessed by Swamiji’s touch and presence. From the day I first met him until today and beyond, Swamiji continues to inspire me because he touched my heart and awakened within me the longing for God.
There is no doubt that he was a man of God who continues to guide us on this blissful path to God.