Ram Dass’ audio programs Who You Are (Parts 1 and 2) are now available for streaming and download. Each part is roughly thirty minutes long, and explores why we’re here on earth, using TV channels as metaphors to get to the root of our existence and to understand the different planes of consciousness. Download each part for $8 or both sets for $13 to support the Love Serve Remember foundation, or simply enjoy streaming the content for free
Krishna Das had instructed me to return to my uncle and Siddhi Ma in the summer of 2004 and try as I did I could not make the necessary travel arrangements. There were no return tickets to London in time for my children’s school term, so that was that.
The next school term break was in October and I made arrangements to travel to Haldwani and Kainchi. I had no idea that the October school break in London coincided with Navratri celebrations in the ashram at Kainchi.
Those were the only dates on which I could make the journey and did so but as the whole plan had been worked by Maharajji the dates were just the perfect dates to make the journey back home.
Leela after leela unfolded as Maharajji welcomed his grand daughter home! I was ecstatic to learn that Baba Ram Dass was in the ashram when I arrived there. I was told later that Baba Ram Dass had extended his stay in Kainchi by a day and thats how we met! I wonder what made Baba Ram Dass make those last minute changes in his schedule?
Is it too far fetched to guess Maharajji wanted me to convey my thanks to Baba Ram Dass in person, for having been the guru who opened my heart to Him? I got my chance at 8 ish am in the morning as Baba Ram Dass opened his doors and appeared white gleaming shoes first from his room! How perfect to meet a guru feet first (padarshanam)!
I wonder if he remembers my rushed attempt at condensing 5 years of Maharajji’s leelas and grace in my life to him….I think I forgot to thank him eventually….hugs, kisses and THANK YOU Baba Ram Dass!! Pranaam.
From Rachna Jhala, London, UK
Original post from Maharajji.com
I was introduced to Siddhi Ma by my aunt and was given permission to stay at the ashram even though I had made no prior arrangements for staying.
I didn’t even realise what a huge priviledge this was and that not many are given it.
Siddhi Ma placed me in a room which I shared with Marilyn Miira Pranno who has become a dear satsangh friend.
My days at the ashram were euphoric and I was so consumed by the meeting of so many satsanghis who shared my love for Maharajji that the temple routine went by me quite unnoticed.
I had not realised that a maha arti had been scheduled to close the Navratri celebrations at Kainchi.
On my last night at Kainchi I went to retire into my room around 10 pm but try as I did I could not work the combination lock to open.
I had been having trouble with the lock and decided to seek Miira’s help with it as she seemed to know how to work the lock better. I found her sitting at the havan and singing. I went and joined her in the arti singing deciding to leave when she was ready to retire.
I expected she would leave in another 15-20 minutes as Miira liked to be up early for Siddhi Ma’s morning darshan. However, an hour later I found that Miira was showing no signs of leaving. That’s when she told me about the overnight maha arti which she wanted to participate in! Then it dawned on me that that was what Maharajji had planned for me. He wanted me at the havan singing the maha arti and I had foolishly thought of going to bed early!
We stayed up all night singing our hearts out….breaking for spicy, sweet, milky tea under the starry night sky in Kainchi….sheer magic. Maharajji’s parties are like no other!!!! By 5 am my throat had packed up and I could stay up no longer. Miira obligingly opened the room lock for me and I crept into bed to sleep and Miira returned to the maha arti. I found myself wide awake and completely refreshed with just an hours sleep and made my way back to the arti but found myself getting a little restless and distracted by 10 am.
I was to leave for Nainital that morning and the pragmatics of that began to occupy my mind. I was getting impatient and wishing the arti would get over when suddenly the conch shell ( shankha ) was sounded and something within me collapsed and I broke down weeping uncontrollably. I managed to control myself for a few seconds while I did arti to Maharajji and then broke down weeping again and had to be escorted out of the havan.
Just as suddenly as I was in the grips of this hysteria I was suddenly out of it and rapidly found myself composed and quite calm. I have no idea what happened or why it happened. I left Kainchi very high and very confused.
From Rachna Jhala, London, UK
Original post from Maharajji.com
