Randall Fontes, Kersee Bulsara and Bob Swanson emerged into an ancient land. They went through customs and with much difficulty hired a car to take them to the small town of Ganeshpuri about 60 miles North of Bombay. Randall and Bob traveled to India on behalf of Sonoma State Universities "Field Experience in India" program. They were preparing a multimedia documentary journal, slide and audio production for public presentation highlighting the culture, philosophy and the spirituality of India. After a 2 hour drive the three amigos arrived at "Shree Gurudev Ashram" and were greeted by Professor Jain who was Swami Muktananda's translator. He told them that Swami Muktananda would be out to greet them in a few minutes. They each bought flower garlands from the flower stand in front of the ashram to give to Muktananda. They followed Professor Jain to the meticulously manicured courtyard where Baba Muktananda was sitting and they were greeted very warmly. Swami Muktananda at Shree Gurudev Ashram (now called Gurudev Siddha Peeth) Bhagawan Nityananda gave his disciple Swami Muktananda land where the Gavdevi Mandir was constructed. There was a 3 room building which later became a magnificent ashram. In the same tradition as Swami Vivekananda traveled to the West extolling the teachings of his Guru Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa and as Paramahansa Yogananda ventured to the west with the teaching of his Guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, Swami Muktananda heralded the praises of his Guru Bhagawan Nityananda and his teachings throughout the world beginning with his 1970 World Tour. He traveled the world singing the praises of his great guru Sri Bhagawan Nityananda. "Nityananda Mahan, Jaya Sadguru Bhagawan. Jaya Sadguru Bhagawan" As the result thousands of seekers from throughout the world began to know the wonders of this great Saint and many thousands now travel to the holy land of Ganeshpuri which has been transformed by Bhagawan and his devotees from a small impoverished village to a thriving holy town of pilgrimage. Randall and Bob explained to Swami Muktananda that they were there on behalf of the university with the "Field Experience in India" program and they were making a documentary for presentation in the United States. They showed him some of the hi-tech audio equipment that they had brought with them. They unpacked their Ampex tape recorder with radio receiver and FM wireless microphone and handed the microphone to Muktananda for him to test it out. He enjoyed the idea of a microphone that had no wires. He spoke and turned the microphone off and on several times. The following is the audio of that moment in time: He very much liked the idea of university students coming to his ashram to learn and document their experience in India. Swami Muktananda was periodically holding question and answer sessions in the hallway that partially surrounded his quarters. A long line of devotees would lineup outside the door so that they would be able to sit near to the front. Swami Muktananda was very gracious to Randall, Kersee and Bob and asked Noni Patel (Swami Sevananda) his aid, to let them in the hallway early so that they could unpack and set up both audio and photographic equipment and asked them to sit in the 3 spaces directly in front of him. They felt quite honored.
Randall and Bob traveled to India on behalf of Sonoma State Universities "Field Experience in India" program. They were preparing a multimedia documentary journal, slide and audio production for public presentation highlighting the culture, philosophy and the spirituality of India.
After a 2 hour drive the three amigos arrived at "Shree Gurudev Ashram" and were greeted by Professor Jain who was Swami Muktananda's translator. He told them that Swami Muktananda would be out to greet them in a few minutes. They each bought flower garlands from the flower stand in front of the ashram to give to Muktananda. They followed Professor Jain to the meticulously manicured courtyard where Baba Muktananda was sitting and they were greeted very warmly.
Bhagawan Nityananda gave his disciple Swami Muktananda land where the Gavdevi Mandir was constructed. There was a 3 room building which later became a magnificent ashram.
In the same tradition as Swami Vivekananda traveled to the West extolling the teachings of his Guru Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa and as Paramahansa Yogananda ventured to the west with the teaching of his Guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, Swami Muktananda heralded the praises of his Guru Bhagawan Nityananda and his teachings throughout the world beginning with his 1970 World Tour.
He traveled the world singing the praises of his great guru Sri Bhagawan Nityananda.
"Nityananda Mahan, Jaya Sadguru Bhagawan. Jaya Sadguru Bhagawan"
As the result thousands of seekers from throughout the world began to know the wonders of this great Saint and many thousands now travel to the holy land of Ganeshpuri which has been transformed by Bhagawan and his devotees from a small impoverished village to a thriving holy town of pilgrimage.
Randall and Bob explained to Swami Muktananda that they were there on behalf of the university with the "Field Experience in India" program and they were making a documentary for presentation in the United States.
They showed him some of the hi-tech audio equipment that they had brought with them. They unpacked their Ampex tape recorder with radio receiver and FM wireless microphone and handed the microphone to Muktananda for him to test it out. He enjoyed the idea of a microphone that had no wires. He spoke and turned the microphone off and on several times. The following is the audio of that moment in time:
Swami Muktananda was very gracious to Randall, Kersee and Bob and asked Noni Patel (Swami Sevananda) his aid, to let them in the hallway early so that they could unpack and set up both audio and photographic equipment and asked them to sit in the 3 spaces directly in front of him. They felt quite honored.
This Italian documentary bellow gives the flavor of spiritual practice at Shree Gurudev Ashram
Translation from Google: Documentary shot in the 70 's Institute of Light: very competent, but true to the efficacy of Siddha meditation to achieve true happiness
The Play of Light is about the Beauty of Light, of Sound and of Form. As each of these is deeply resonant with the other, the underlying unity that they share is revealed within their dance; and can be realized through direct experience. Within this experience, the mind becomes still and spontaneous Meditation arises. I have developed this technique over a period of 45 years, and this is as effortless and joyful a path into meditation as I am aware of. Individual and Group sessions are available. Please call or email me, I look forward to sharing this experience with you. Randall Fontes R.fontes@comcast.net
Randall Fontes R.fontes@comcast.net
Be Still Be Still Within Be Still Within Yourself Be Still Within Your Own Self Be Still Within Yourself Be Still Within Be Still Be
ph: 510.235.5371 cell: 510.772.9762
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