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My original
guru, Sri Swami Satchidananda was born in Chettipalayam, South India.
This extraordinary "Apostle of Peace," (the title of his
biography-Integral Yoga Publications) is a true man of God. How
do I know? I can only say that by growing up with him and watching
him from my early childhood, I can say that he has never wavered
from a state of ending mental balance, equipoise, equanimity, and
peace. His enlightened state spills over into the mundane with one-pointed
focus in opening a package or when he is addressing thousands. I
write further about him in my newest book, "Make Quilts as
Life Gives you Scraps!"
He was born
in l914 to highly spiritual parents. His mother, so intent on birthing
a spiritual son was given a sacred mantra by her guru to bring forward
an extraordinary child. Ramaswamy (his former name) was indeed an
example of dynamic and wise living even at an early age. He served
any and all and was forever engrossed in spiritual pursuits and
creative projects. It was not until the death of his wife when he
was twenty-eight that Swamiji decided to devote his life entirely
to the path of monkhood and renunciation.
After pursuing
many teachers and paths, he met his final guru, Swami Sivananda
in Rishikeish, India. There, shortly after taking the vows of full
monkhood, he attained complete and total enlightenment. Since that
time he has served tirelessly to bring the message of Integral Yoga
around the world. He has resided in the United States since l966
and now resides in Buckingham, Virginia at the SAYVA Ashram and
LOTUS temple.
Integral Yoga
is a blend of all aspects of Yoga. A little practice of each fosters
balance of body and mind and gradually leads to enlightenment.
In the presence
of Swami Satchidananda, one is catapulted into a state of peace
and upliftment. A guru like Swamiji is like a lit candle or campfire
where people can gather and bathe in light and warmth. His message
is that there is nothing that disturbs our peace; it is already
within us. We do anything and everything to disturb this inner state.
Through yoga and natural living, we gradually dissolve that which
blocks us from knowing this exhalted inner state.
Rama Pemmaraju
Rao, MD
© August, 2002 - 2009
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