Recently, my dad, who lives in Bangalore, India was diagnosed of Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  In May 2011, the doctor who did the first diagnosis, told us that it was a cancer of the lymph nodes that had progressed to an advanced stage; it had even touched the bone marrow.  The doctor was hesitant to start any treatment, saying we had gone to him ‘too late’!

The doctor’s words came as a shock to my parents.  My dad is 74 years old, with no symptoms of any serious illness, does not eat meat, drink alcohol or smoke.  He has been living a fairly active and healthy lifestyle.  My mom was in tears, not knowing how to convey this news to her children, both living in the US.

When my mom told me about the diagnosis, my immediate thought was – ‘Swamiji’. I have seen and heard of Swamiji healing many people during Sarva Darshan including amazing true life stories of ashramites.  So, I wrote an email to Swamiji with my dad’s picture, requesting Him to heal my dad.  Next day, I heard Swamiji had blessed that He will take care of it.

Swamiji’s words – “I will take care” – were not just a blessing of words…. It came as an Energy that completely removed my worries and changed it into a deep trust in the Master.   From Day 1 after Swamiji said “I will take care”,  I developed a complete trust that He will take care of my dad,  He will take care of our family. I told my dad the same.  I stopped worrying, not showing any stress at work nor in my body language – even when talking to friends about my dad’s situation.

I continued to pray to Swamiji everyday, doing Gurupuja and with my Rudraskha Mala (our 911 call).  Every now and then when anxious thoughts came, I kept unclutching saying to myself “Swamiji will take care, don’t worry”.

I called home and requested my parents to go to Bidadi to attend morning Gurupuja and healing. On the 1^st healing Swamiji asked my dad to come to Bidadi everyday for 10 days, for the healing.  On just the second day, when I called my parents on their way to Bidadi,  I had a most pleasant surprise!  My dad told me he had had a vision of Beloved Swamiji the previous night!   In his vision, Swamiji was gently healing his left leg, which is where the cancerous growth had started!!

As my father did not have health insurance, and the first doctor we had seen was not keen or confident about  treating him, my parents were worried about finding a doctor and starting treatment.   Again, Swamiji blessed that he would get a good doctor soon, and He would ensure that any treatment my dad received would be successful. The very same day things started happening – we found a good doctor and hospital, and the treatment started within a week!  (Typically, with cancer cases in India, the preliminary tests itself can take at least 10 days to 3 weeks, before the doctors are ready to start treatment – so this was also a miracle in itself).

Many amazing things happened to my dad after meeting the Master.  First, his reaction and attitude toward the cancer changed completely.  He started saying himself that he will be cured – he started feeling very confident and positive.  He continued to go about his daily routine – gardening and other activities – feeling very enthusiastic all the time.   Even his doctor remarked once, that he was the ‘coolest guy’ she’d seen – so relaxed and cheerful about the whole situation!

Within the 10 days of healing, my dad’s chemotherapy sessions also started.  The chemo had to be repeated every 21 days.  There were quite a few side effects from the chemo including hair loss, weight loss, blood counts dropping, secondary infections, onset of herpes, etc.  Some of these side effects are normally expected, some were probably due to his age.  Whenever my dad had severe side effects, I used to hold my rudraksha mala thinking of Swamiji – next day when I called home, my dad would be feeling better!  This happened on many occasion!

I kept encouraging my dad to watch eNTV Morning message and to go to Bidadi whenever possible. My parents would watch the morning message nearly everyday when possible.  Until the 4th cycle of Chemo, they would go to Bidadi to meet Swamji atleast once every before each chemo cycle.

I went to India to see my dad after the 4^th cycle of  chemo.   Before this, first my wife and later, my sister had stayed with my parents during the earlier cycles of chemo.  The re-assessment scan after the 4th cycle showed that Dad was responding fairly well to the treatment, but there were still considerable traces that had not cleared (maybe 30-35%).   The doctor told us that he might need 4 more cycles of chemo, and then maybe local radiation therapy if the traces did not clear completely by 8 cycles.   By now, and especially after the 5th cycle, my dad had begun to feel more tired and not strong enough to tolerate the side effects of chemo.  His appetite was also becoming very poor, and my mom had begun to feel the anxiety and stress of his ongoing treatment.

During a Sarva Darshan at this time when I was in India, I wrote to Swamiji again, about the re-assessment.  He blessed us and told us not to worry – He said the cancer would clear within another 2 cycles of chemo, my dad would not need four more.  Sure enough, at the end of 6 cycles, the scanning results revealed  – the cancer had cleared almost completely!!  It was a combination lymphoma – of which one type had cleared 100% and there was just 2-3% traces of the other type remaining!  The doctor too was thrilled at the response – she immediately reduced the medication and intensity of the chemo for the remaining two cycles, and told us that she was confident even the remaining traces would clear up completely!

My dad has completed seven cycles of chemo now.  His 7th cycle was low intensity, and he has not had any strong side effects.  He is feeling a lot more energetic again, and is back to his normal routine – long walks, gardening, et al.  He and my mom are back to their daily activities, feeling full of life!!  His 8th cycle will also complete in a couple of weeks – it is only a medical formality at this point!

A potentially rough ride of 6+ months turned into a smooth, no-stress ride for us – not only getting my parents connected to Swamiji in the process, but also deepening our own trust and connection with our Master and helping us grow even further spiritually!!

Looking back at how we endured this ordeal, we could clearly see some things that have changed in us after meeting the Master:

• Power of initiation from the Master during Inner Awakening helped both me and my wife stay calm and unclutched throughout.
• We found ourselves simply taking the actions and decisions that needed to be taken – not being cluttered by thinking, not worrying or mulling over unknown possibilities and not getting stressed by fear of future outcomes.
• My wife, who had registered for IA, attended the program even while my Dad’s chemotherapy was going on, knowing that Swamiji will take care of things even in her absence.
• A simple trust in the Master totally changed the fear of uncertainty to a strong feeling of certainty and feeling connection.
• A true life incident and realization for us, that the Master takes 100 steps if devotees take 1 step towards Him.

A major life incident thus turned into a beautiful life experience for everyone in our family!

Now, both my mom and dad are attending November 2011 Inner Awakening program !

Forever in Gratitude to our Dearest Swamiji  for this Direct Experience from Life,

Girish Turlapati, Chirantana Girish and Family

Dec 2010 & July 2011 – IA participants

My job situation was unsteady at that time, and could not fathom how I could get the money to go to IA. On a suggestion of one of his disciples, I put in an intention in writing saying I want to attend IA and also prayed to him to make it happen. After I made my sincere wish and released it, I went about my life not thinking much about how I would get to IA. I just had a strong desire to attend. One day I got a call from one of the volunteers that Swamiji had blessed my intention to come to IA in April. I thought to myself, Yeah Right! I have no money and I am in the middle of finishing up my project, there is no way I can go. I told the volunteer “ Thanks ! but I don’t think this is a good time…I think I will come in December”. The volunteer was confused and said “But Swamiji has blessed you to come in April”. Little did I know then that when Swamiji says it, He means it. With no effort on my part, the money for the trip showed up and interestingly enough, I had the time to go as well. My project ended abruptly and my contract was terminated sooner than anticipated. All of a sudden I had time on my hands and the money for the trip. Although I was a little overwhelmed about the job situation, I decided to go with the flow. I packed my bags and off to Bidadi I went.

I had a wonderful time in Bidadi spending 21 days in close proximity of an Enlightened Master with 100 other people who were there for the same purpose. How often do you get a chance to be in a group of like-minded people pursuing the same goal? We were all there to accomplish one thing, to get rid of the junk and the baggage we were carrying over the years. Swamiji and his team of ashramites graciously provided a space of positive vibrations as we transformed from our old selves to ardent disciples fascinated by Swamiji’s relentless love and compassion. I learned not only from Swamiji but from the people I interacted with. I counted my blessings as I heard other people share their stories, I drew strength from the way other women handled challenges in their lives. I was fascinated by the total devotion and surrender of some of the devotees and was humbled watching people melt in Swamiji’s presence. Overall it was an amazing experience.

I now understand why Swamiji wants everybody to limit contact with the outside world and stay focused. The hospitality of the ashramites, the kind and gentle guidance of the ashramites, the genuine love and care from Ma Maneesha (class coordinator), the efficiency and hospitality of Ma Atmika, the amazing wholesome food, the calm and serene voice of Rishi Mitra (Yoga teacher) cajoling us to get moving in the morning and afternoon, the cool and energizing waters of the Vaidyasarovar, the peace and solitude under the Banyan tree….the campfire sessions with Swamiji….the pooja’s , the offerings, the Meenakshi Thirukalyaanam….the list goes on. Do you see the pattern here….peace, love, harmony, tranquility…sounds corny but that is exactly what I experienced there. We lived in spontaneity for 21 days which in itself was fascinating, especially since we live our lives on auto pilot in the digital age.

I left Bidadi light at heart and a much better person than I was when I came. I felt like I was on top of the world and nothing could bring me down. Little did I know then that “I” could single handedly bring my world down if I allowed myself to. The insecurities slowly kept creeping back, and the old habits of self doubt reared its ugly head. I was constantly in conflict betweeen my old and new selves. Every time I made an “informed decision” my mind would challenge it and push me into a state of confusion. There were many desperate emails and calls to Ma Maneesha who patiently talked me through it and gently pointed out to me that “I” was letting my mind control me. When I realized that “I” was the culprit holding on to old patterns of insecurity, I let go and surrendered. As soon as I let go, I repeat, as soon as I let go…..HE took over the reins. My life has been a fun ride ever since. Things fall in place beautifully and situations that seemed too complicated before seem so simple now. The outcome is not always what I want but it is always what’s best for me. I may not realize it at the moment but the end result is ALWAYS better than what I had envisioned. I was always curious about Ma Maneesha’s unwavering faith and devotion to Swamiji. I could never understand it. NOW I GET IT. I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore.

For those of you who are considering IA, GO FOR IT. It is a blessing of a lifetime. The experience is unparalleled, and believe me, you can never replicate that by just watching his videos and/or attending satsangs. If money is a concern, pray to HIM and ask for guidance. He will show you the way. If you have an issue with the cost of the program (like I did), you will realize that the results you get out of it is well worth the 6K. You would easily spend more than 6K on a vacation, which is just a distraction from the problems of your life which is going to be there when you get back. An 18 credit hour semester in college will cost you more than 6K.But at IA you get 21 days of the Masters undivided attention and will learn something that can never be taught in a university. I can come up with many examples of cost comparison but it really does not make sense because it would be like comparing apples to oranges. All I want to say is have faith and just do It! YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!

For those of you who think you are better off using that money on your kids….the changes that happen to you during IA will make you a more effective, loving, understanding and selfless parent….which is the best gift you can give your kid. I know my kids appreciate the changes in me.

Personally my life has changed on many levels, relationships, health, wealth, career …to name a few. I choose not share the happenings in my life because each one has his/her own experience which is unique to them and I do not want to give them something to compare to. But one thing is for sure IA has had a very positive impact on me, the changes are subtle yet so profound. It does not happen overnight but it DOES happen. Swamiji will light the lamp within and all you need to do is to just open your heart to receive and letting go with faith and trust.

As Swamiji aptly says “ Life is Joy” and my life is now joyful.

Thank you Swamiji, Dhyanapeetam, Ashramites, Volunteers, Brahmacharis and Brahmacharinis for making this happen.

– VIJI SAGAR, Washington DC, Inner Awakening – April 2011

Leaves issue at Job: In an e-Kalpataru program in Sept 2010, before I could ask for help in getting leaves from my job to attend Inner Awakening, Swamiji said , ‘You will get the money for the program’.  I started thinking what does it mean?  2 days later my husband got a bonus from his company, an amount bigger than last year by almost 10k USD.

But the problem of my leaves was still there. I had my own dilemma / worries about job, but thanks to my great San Jose temple sangha. They kept on encouraging me saying, ‘Don’t worry; nothing will happen to your job because of any program with Swamiji’.

Somehow, not only I got my leaves approved, but got a chance to be at home the whole November and prepared myself a little for IA through Yoga and meditation. After coming back from IA, my company called me back for a complete new opportunity where only 1 person was required. I really feel as if this new position was created only for me.

Visa Stamping issue in India: Due to my constraints, I was very specific about visa stamping dates.

Wrote in IA intention form that I need to get my visa stamped on 29^th Nov and be back in Bidadi on 30^th Nov night for IA. Need to get back to USA by 23^rd Dec i.e. before my daughter’s birthday.

I couldn’t believe, everything happened on specific dates as I mentioned in IA intention form.

Kid’s issue: My 6 yrs old daughter was suffering from wheezing (mild asthma) problem for the last 3.5 years. This was one of the issue which had drained me emotionally. I asked during IA for healing from Swamiji.

Post IA:

1. Got my job back after enjoying a thorough long leave of 2.5 months, which is almost a miracle in this recession.
2. Lost 6-7 pounds of weight which I was trying for the last 6 years (post pregnancy). So, of course everybody around is noticing the difference.
3. I am giving healing to my daughter daily and since I joined IA, she didn’t have a single wheezing issue.
4. Much more energetic and able to do Yoga every morning for 45-50 mins.
5. Most of the time I feel blissful and in control.

Now I am convinced that taking IA, Dec 2010 was the best decision of my life.

Swamiji, please please call me for 12-12-12 IA. I want to be part of the divine process starting in the form of 12-12-12 IA.

Nithyanandam

Rashmi

]]> http://innerawakening.org/bestdecision-rashmi/feed 0 http://innerawakening.org/myhandtogod http://innerawakening.org/myhandtogod#comments Tue, 06 Sep 2011 06:27:29 +0000 admin http://iatmp.nithyananda.org/?p=1 I’ll try and keep my testimonial as succinct as possible without getting too emotional – but you need to know what I was before to realize how I have transformed.
I had a lifelong aversion to religion or religious language. I saw no use in it.  It filled me with contempt and disdain.  Much of my youth was spent in the pursuit of material security, living for personal profit and pleasure. ...]]> by Padmini Meena Joshi, Inner Awakening – Dec 2010

I’ll try and keep my testimonial as succinct as possible without getting too emotional – but you need to know what I was before to realize how I have transformed.

I had a lifelong aversion to religion or religious language. I saw no use in it.  It filled me with contempt and disdain.  Much of my youth was spent in the pursuit of material security, living for personal profit and pleasure.  I started taking stock in my later years and found myself just as restless and unfulfilled.  I have long struggled with changing only at the behavioral level. Subconsciously the heart and mind was reluctant only fostering more strain and discontent.   I quite accidentally tuned-in to a replay of Swami Nithyananda’s interview with the Los Angeles Times in 2008 and was inexplicably drawn to him.  As I continued to follow him on YouTube I was struck by the possibility that He could transform me on a quantum level – yet at some level I continued to suspect that I may be following a snake-oil peddler!

The questions, obstacles, doubts in my relationships that I faced before Inner Awakening and the transformation:

Obstacle 1:         Could I undo or heal my perceptions of my spouse and avoid putting him down?

Inner Awakening made my bitterness fall away and I easily let go of the past.  The past to me is now irrelevant.  I do so not because I believe in being good and charitable but because I realize with clarity that in my anger I was seeing a distorted world.  My twisted defense only promoted unhappiness.  I found I could effortlessly talk respectfully. Each time a harsh word or negative thought arose, I put the brakes on!  It struck me with a force to change your thoughts if you wish to change your circumstances.  Cease the adversarial stand and approach each other with respect.  It’s the dharmic law.

Obstacle 2:  Your worth is not established by reminding each other the extent of your sacrifices.

The realization came over me that both me and my spouse have sacrificed and worked for the well-being of the family.  No one person can claim total credit.  If you associate giving with sacrifice you are giving merely to get something in return.  Giving to get is self-serving and a part of the ego’s thought system – don’t confuse it with sacrifice.  You cannot give love and respect and then demand it in return.  To give of yourself unconditionally is your only salvation.  Your peace lies in your generosity, not in your expectations.  It’s taken both of us to build the family blood circuit and it is only the ego’s wrong-minded attempt to perceive oneself as the injured party or the morally superior one.

Obstacle 3:  Avoid allowing opposing views to create conflict

Effortlessly, I now allow the other the right to their own opinion or views.  One’s ego always demands reciprocal rights because egos are competitive not loving.  If you are unhappy because your views are not shared it’s because you are allowing the ego to build a shabby unsheltering home – an impoverished house cannot stand.

Obstacle 4:  Will the positive effects of Inner Awakening have a lasting effect

Inner Awakening lights a fire under you.  The Master generously makes himself available through every network possible and you can draw on the power of his inner space, wherever you happen to be, whatever you happen to be doing.  But if you want the Master to come to your rescue when you need it, or if you want it to steady your mind in times of turmoil, you need to stay in His inner space even in calm weather.  Whenever you get even a moment free,—while waiting, walking, washing dishes, and especially when falling asleep at night.  Constant invocation drives His presence deep into consciousness, so that agitation on the surface cannot shake it loose when you need to hold on.  I think of the Master as a handrail for the mind.  It gives your mind something to hold on to, so that you can steady yourself in confusing circumstances until your thoughts become clear.  Staying in the Master’s presence is like calling God collect.  If you are averse to religious language, think of it as calling for help from within.  Either way, it is an emergency call for deeper resources that are always present but seem invisible in times of trouble.

The intangibles I have got out of Inner Awakening?

·         To have the wisdom to know that nothing finite can satisfy me and to channel that vitality to discover the divine presence within.

·         To discover that glorious asset, that glorious ability to remake myself. It cleared my eyes and brought the detachment and discrimination we all need to make wise choices.

·         Suddenly, irritants have become opportunities for spiritual growth

·         The transformation was not a struggle but an imperceptible process where I found a renewed sense of personal growth.

·         Most precious, is how the Inner Awakening stabilizing influence affects others.  Just as an agitated person disturbs those around him, the gift of an even mind helps others to find the same equilibrium in themselves.

The miracles that I got out of Inner Awakening:

·         I asked for the Master for two boons. The means to pay for attending Inner Awakening, and as a new employee, the courage to obtain a month’s vacation from my employer. Both wishes were granted.

·         My deep-seated non-vegetarian inclination is totally eradicated with no effort on my part.

 Inner Awakening—something amazing happens in your life—my hand to God!

Meena Joshi | Coordinator, Inner Awakening – Dec 2010

Research & Evaluation
LEGACY | For Longer Healthier Lives
Washington, DC

mjoshi@legacyforhealth.org

Daiveeka, Inner Awakening – Dec 2010

Nithya yoga was a great way to start the day. It helped strengthen and prepare my body to hold on to the outburst of abundant energy flow within me…What was surprising is..I actually  managed 21 days with very little sleep and also handled 2 energetic boys (brought the kids for eN-Genius) – of course I think it all has to do with Swamiji’s presence .

Over and above this, the processes and sessions offered are so effective that they have literally bolted the experiences into my system..For example, the awakening of the kundalini energy, levitation and the eN-Kriya have taken me to a space of ‘conflict free’ unperturbed silence.

This ‘conflict free’ unperturbed silence within me has had a noticeable impact in the area of my relationships. My mother- in-law came visiting on a one way ticket and I have been undisturbed and we’re getting along rather well. Earlier this would have been a catastrophic disturbance

If someone asked to describe Swami to them, I would suggest they go and experience HIM and His presence for themselves…words and expressions would never do justice to that experience…

If I were given one opportunity to describe Swamiji to someone who has never met Him,I would say, “Whatever be your idea about Swamiji, let me tell you one thing….. you have barely scratched the surface of this Creation. It is only when you actually interact with Him, can you really begin the process of understanding Him.

He takes everyone by surprise by the depth of His understanding of Vedas and Upanishads, the clarity of His thought, the lucidity of His explanations and its relevance to day to day life, the simplicity of His lifestyle and the grandeur of His vision‼!

He can answer the most tricky and knotty of questions that we face in our lives and pull us out of our worst depressions.” What more could one ask for in one’s life??

One must attend the 21 days Inner Awakening to experience of the effect of the kundalini awakening, levitation and en-kriya on our body… They are life transforming processes. They are the starting point in the Self fulfilling positive cycle of events a man goes through in his life.

Going through the meditation techniques in Swamiji’s Presence is what makes this program an extremely rare opportunity….The very idea of a ‘no mind state’ seemed ludicrous to me before coming to IA. I was under the firm belief, that if there were no thoughts I would not be able to function.

But IA and Swamiji made me realize and repair the fundamentally wrong assumption that I had made till then. When I ‘un-clutched’ or entered into the ‘no –mind’ state, not only did I begin to perform better, I also started to experience many moments of peace and tranquility that I had never experienced before.

The ambience of the ashram was a rare blend of inspiring volunteers, tranquil Banyan Tree, powerful Vedic pujas and the rare opportunity of living along side an Enlightened Master..

To add to it, the Satvik food served at the Ashram was simply out of the world… In spite of being a vegetarian, I was simply amazed at the quality, variety and taste of the food that was being served with so much of love by the volunteers at the ashram

If I were to mark on a scale of 1 – 10, I would mark 10 for the accommodation, food, stay, service and everything one could think of… (10 being the best‼‼!  )

I thought I was familiar with the ritualistic part of Vedic culture. But its  only after meeting Swamiji and participating in the IA that I realized I understood none of it‼‼  Swamiji pretty much wiped clean the slate of my understanding of Hinduism and began painting the true picture of this great tradition on my conscience.

My heartfelt gratitude I express towards Him for having me live a ‘conflict free’ life today; Having a better understanding about ‘Who am I’ and Yes.. The Biggest gift of IA for me personally was “I fell in love with God and the Hindu way of life…once

………. Harish Krishnan……
Senior Software Engineer…California….