Forty-five years!

GOD'S CALL WITHIN Dhuti.mp3.zip

Download ZIP • 6.46MB

When I left the cold and snowy mountains of Vermont in late 1977, I had no idea that my life was about to take a very big turn. Yes, driving a "Driveaway" car to California was certainly a new experience, having never been farther west than Indiana, and I looked forward to this cross country adventure. Meeting up with my new love in Arizona, continuing the trip together to California, landing on a bluff in Encinitas, and camping in our VW van was all very exciting. Barefoot walks in the sand in December, fresh carrot juice, basking in the sunshine of Southern California and a blossoming relationship--all very special. We soon discovered that we were camping next to a retreat center with beautiful gardens, and a temple down the street. Who was this Paramhansa Yogananda? The following Sunday we went to find out.

There was something very different yet very familiar about the temple. The peaceful vibrations, uplifting music and inspiring Sunday lecture drew us in immediately. I had been meditating already for a few years, having been initiated into TM (Transcendental Meditation), yet I felt that there was something missing. The precepts that I was discovering at the SRF temple completed the picture for me: Meditation, Devotion and Service. For Christmas that year my love gave me the Autobiography of a Yogi and we proceeded to read it aloud to each other. We began to add daily meditation to our yoga practice, and recognised that this was a lifestyle we wanted to pursue. But we were not meant to be monastics (he had children and we were co-parenting), so when we saw the cover of Yoga Journal with a long haired western yogi on the front, and an article about his householder community in Northern California, we were thrilled at the possibilities. And to discover that he would be doing a program in Santa Barbara (just a few hours to the north), what good fortune! We quickly made plans to relocate.

The Friday night introductory program was everything that we had hoped for when we had registered for the weekend. And the icing on the cake was the music. I have been a lifelong musician and in many musical groups, but had grown tired of singing songs with no spiritual meaning. When the Gandharvas sang (the name of Ananda's first singing group, meaning Celestial Singers), I was enthralled and I knew that I had found my home. Ananda offered the life of spiritual depth that I had been craving; community, which I had always been drawn to; and now spiritual music! How perfect! After the evening presentation had ended we investigated the tables full of books, incense and other Ananda products. The crowd had disipated and I was still lingering over some piano sheet music, wondering if we could afford to buy it, when Swami Kriyananda approached and asked if I played the piano. I said, yes and he replied, "Would you like to hear it?" YES! We followed him back into the auditorium and he played his piano sonata for us, with the Gandharvas joining him for the last movement, "Lord, I Long to See Thee!"

Needless to say, I bought the sheet music and quickly learned to play The Divine Romance. Immediately it was a powerful piece of music for me, lifting me up whenever I played, filling me with a deep peace and calmness. Even now, 45 years later, this music has a special place in my heart and soul. Recently I had a traumatic experience so I went to the piano and played it continuously for a half hour. As soon as I started to play I could feel the fear and sorrow evaporating from my psyche. When I stood up after being absorbed in the music, all negative emotions were gone. This is how Swamiji's music has been for me for 45 years. It is a powerful tool for shifting energy and for uplifting consciousness. It is like a magic spell. I have been blessed to be able to sing, share and teach this music for most of my life, and I am eternally grateful for this gift, and for Swami Kriyananda's presence in my life.

Ten years ago, on the 35th anniversary of our meeting, I wrote to Swamiji, thanking him for the years of guidance and inspiration, and recounting that evening. His response affirmed that I have been on the correct path of service and sharing, and was made more precious by the fact that it was one of the last emails that we exchanged before he left his body.

On this anniversary of when I first met my beloved spiritual teacher and divine friend, I share with you the letter that he wrote:

Dear Dhuti,

I remember that moment when I played the sonata for you both. An auspicious beginning to your life of music service.

Thank you from my heart for your beautiful letter.

love,

swami

Thank you from my heart, dear Swamiji, for your example of discipleship and devotion, for your vast catalogue of music, writings and videos, and for creating this international community of divine friends and gurubhais.

love,

dhuti

dhutiananda.com

patreon.com/dhutielizabeth