My story began with a letter...

I sent to my aunt in Moscow.

In my letter I wrote that I was feeling well and that my life was actually fine except that there was still something really important missing. A couple of weeks later she informed me with inexplicable delight that Swami Vishwananda was coming to Moscow and that I should come to see him.

At first I had my doubts since the trip to Moscow would be long and costly and I had plenty of work to do, moreover, I knew nothing about Swami Vishwananda. My aunt tried to persuade me by saying: “Just imagine, you’ve got a rare chance to meet with Christ, did you know that devotees even travel on foot to visit Holy places. We regard him as Christ”. That was when I decided to go.

I did not expect anything special from my first meeting with Swami Vishwananda.

We arrived long before the beginning of the Satsang so we took our seats in the front row and spent some time observing the preparations for the darshan and enjoying the music and the beautiful singing. As time went on more and more people arrived until the big hall got completely packed and everyone waited with impatience for Swamiji to make his entrance.

Finally….he arrived!

All of a sudden the atmosphere in the hall changed and some people became very excited while others became quiet and motionless as they watched Swami enter the room.

It was as though time had stopped. I did not know what to do or how to behave when Swami walked by me. At that moment something strange happened within me but none of my relatives noticed anything even though they were standing close by. Tears were flowing down my eyes, I felt shivers down my spine and my whole body started to tremble. To my great surprise I could do nothing to control these reactions. I felt strong vibrations all over my body as though I were going through some strange transformation. At that moment I realized that I did not know myself at all. Once someone had told me that God is vibration and that was exactly what I felt when Swami walked past me.

After this my life has never been the same.

I knew him already

When I first heard about Swami Vishwananda through an acquaintance, something deep inside me was touched. I believed that I knew him already. However, it still took some time before I could get in touch with him, as he was living somewhere in seclusion. Finally I was able to make an appointment with him. His youthful and friendly manner had a calming effect on me. The feeling was indescribable and my heart was filled with peace and tranquillity.

When he opened the door I was surprised at how young he was, but his eyes were proof that he was not from this world. My first interview with him lasted for only five minutes, but it would mark the beginning of a new life for me, in every aspect, internally as well as externally. I realised that my search was over and that I had arrived. I had found everything I had been looking for throughout the course of my spiritual search. This day was going to change my life.

Marriage with the Divine

In another interview, Swami Vishwananda took vibhuti from his hand and put it into my mouth, on my head and third eye, saying, “This is your ‘Marriage with the Divine’”. I was speechless as I wondered how he could know, without my telling him, about my desire to become a nun and dedicate my life completely to God. Since then, it has become obvious to me that Swami continually addresses my unspoken desires. He knows my shortcomings and prejudices and simply accepts me with all my immature, imperfect aspects without judgement. He guides me in developing serenity while dealing with my fears and weaknesses.

s.a.
The foto was taken 2005 in the garden of Lake Shrine, SRF, LA

My first encounter

Swami Vishwananda arrived at my house on a nice and sunny summer afternoon, he remained for ten minutes in the doorway. Everyone was awe-inspired. I couldn’t help repeating in my head: “Babaji is here, Babaji is in my house! This is incredible. My God, how beautiful he is!”

As a matter of fact, all those present could not say a word before this handsome twenty-one-year-old boy radiating the Divine. We went on the terrace to observe this ´rare bird´ fallen from Heaven. I was surprised to feel so at ease with him, like an old friend whom I hadn’t seen for a long time. I showed him the paintings I had made of my spiritual master. He looked at them for a long time. He told me that this master had offered him a great statue of Krishna while he was visiting Mauritius. This comforted me: if my guru had offered him a statue, then he must be a good person.

Once he left, the only wish I had was to see him again soon!

Pritalananda

Why so late?

During that first time spent with Swami Vishwananda, we were walking with him in the fruit market in London and I asked Him some burning questions. I asked him why it had taken so many years for me to meet Him. I asked him, “Why now? Why so late? Why did you keep me waiting for such a long time? Why didn’t we meet earlier?” I pleaded with Him to tell me why. Swami simply said to me, “God loves you”. I broke down and I stood there with Swami hugging me with my head on his shoulder. He said, “God loves you and I love you”. I cried so much that his left shoulder was soaked. All this took place in the middle of a large fruit market with hundreds of people watching! Swami seemed oblivious to the crowd’s reaction and simply showed me love. As time passes, I understand more and more of this spiritual journey. I am definitely here for Swami, to serve him in his mission. I genuinely feel that there is no other reason for me to be on this earth and I have no other interest in having taken this birth on earth.

D. K. UK

A shower of Love

My first private interview with Swami Vishwananda lasted two minutes. I walked in thinking to myself ‘what am I letting myself into?’, sat down and asked him what I was supposed to do, as I had no idea of what a Guru was or did. He said in the sweetest voice ‘tell me your problems’ to which I began to cry. He then materialised a pendant for me with Shirdi Baba on one side and Lakshmi on the other. Who would have thought that five years later I was to become a brahmacharini, let alone a brahmacharini with the same name – Lakshmi. I left the room with a heavy feeling in my heart and still crying. When I got home I sat on my bed looking at the pendant, trying to fathom what had just happened and was in tears. The crying continued incessantly. I remember trying to hide from people at home because I didn’t know what was happening. By the third day I could no longer take it. Swami was still in the country and so I called Swami Vishwananda ’s cousin who was the one who introduced me to Swami, and told him what was happening. He said not to worry and that it happens to a lot of people. Within five minutes of getting off the phone the crying stopped. Life from that day onwards has never been the same. Spirituality took a different turn altogether. Everything that I had read about in spiritual books I began to experience. I noticed that everyday I was learning something new and that progress on the spiritual path had quickened. Being around Swami Vishwananda was amazing. That feeling of finally being somewhere where I belonged, being ‘at home’ was so beautiful. So much was happening with Swami in my life that it was easy to forget things that were once so important. I prayed for so long for someone to come and help me, to answer all the questions that I had about life that two or three years after meeting Swami, I realised that He was this person I had been asking for all my life. He opened my eyes to a lot of things. I was changing inside, all for the better. I felt Him there everyday of my life. I also began to notice little ‘miracles’ happening. For example, money turning up whenever I needed it most, things working out to my advantage, little desires being fulfilled, all of which I knew were because of Him. There was a darshan in London in February 2004 and that night it snowed and the temperature was freezing. I was fortunate enough to travel home in the same car as Swami Vishwananda but I remember my feet being so cold that I actually wished I was in a warmer car! While I was talking to my friend and Swami Vishwananda was talking to his cousin I kept saying in my mind ‘my feet are so cold, my feet are so cold’. After a while I suddenly felt warmth in and around my feet, as if someone had put a heater right underneath them. Thanks Swami for saving my feet from being frozen to death! by Lakshmi - UK

At the airport

In September 2005, I was working as a customs Officer at the International Airport in Mauritius. A young man, with a dark complexion, was passing through customs and I stopped him to ask a few questions. “Where do you live?” I asked. “I am a citizen of the world”, he replied. “But, more precisely, when you are in Mauritius, where do you live?” I persisted. “In Quatre-Bornes”, he said. “Are you living behind the Orchard-Tower? “I questioned further. I asked him this as something inside me clicked. He simply smiled and so I asked, “Swami Vishwananda?” He smiled again and said nothing. I had heard about him through a friend of mine three years ago, but never had met him. Since he was right in front of me, I asked Swami Vishwananda, “What do I need to do on my spiritual path?” -“You just have to follow your heart. I will be quite busy in September so I am staying only three days”, he replied. He looked intently into my eyes and I felt as if he was looking deep inside me. Then Swami Vishwananda said, “I’ll see you in February. I will be back for Shivaratri”. Swamiji returned to Mauritius in February of 2006. I was working in the departure hall of the airport, which is one level up from the arrival hall. It was a Sunday morning when he passed through the customs hall and asked my colleague Ajay, “Where is your friend with whom you used to go swimming every week?” “He is upstairs in the departure lounge”, Ajay replied. At that very moment I was having a problem with a passenger who was carrying undeclared goods, and I needed approval from my superior in order to give him clearance. I rushed downstairs to find my superior, only to find Ajay waving at me frantically. I went up to him and he told me that Swami Vishwananda had been looking for me. Immediately I rushed outside the building and soon found Swami. He gave me the most genuine smile. At that precise moment I thought, “I know this person from a very long time ago”. We greeted each other warmly and he gave me his phone number and told me that I could call him anytime. Later I went to meet him with my friend Ami, who is also his disciple now, and we talked for over two hours. Swami told me that indeed we knew each other from a very long time ago. He answered all my questions. Sometimes even without my asking he gave me answers. The following day he gave me a wonderful ring and I became his disciple. I also brought along my wife and two friends who also became his disciples. This started my divine love story with Swami Vishwananda. A year and a half has passed and my life has changed drastically for the better. Though I had many weaknesses, I have always trusted God and he sent me the most loving guru. I will never stop thanking the Lord for this amazing blessing. Dany - Mauritius

He is my guru dev

In November 2003, I flew to Mauritius together with a few friends to see Swami Vishwananda. We stayed at a nearby hotel and went every morning to the ashram for abishekam, which was done mostly by Swami Vishwananda. Then every evening we went for aarti. On our first day there, Swami showed us around the ashram and his home in which he had lived as a boy. There were many exciting miracles that had taken place there. There was a wall on which an image of Shirdi Baba had appeared murtis which were covered in chandan, kumkum or vibhuti and there was also amrit and sacred oil flowing from statues and pictures. Just as I was leaving the room, Swami Vishwananda placed something in my hand. To my delight it was my first materialised ring. As I sat in my hotel room and recalled the day’s events, I just couldn’t believe it. It was almost too good to be true. This was the most blissful time I had ever had in my life. I also came to the realization that I had always been with Swami in every incarnation and that the pain I had experienced in this lifetime was due to my soul’s longing to be with him again. As I watch new people with Swami Vishwananda, experiencing exactly the same thing I did then, my own love for him grows stronger as I recall how I felt during my first visit to Mauritius, and I experience those feelings all over again. Sumitra - Germany

The mother comes looking for her child

The first time I met Swami Vishwananda was in 2004 in Baden-Baden, Germany, where he stayed in a private home to give interviews. In my mind I pictured a white-haired, bearded old man. That was my image of a guru at that time. I went to meet Swami with a friend and his parents. As we reached the house in Baden-Baden, I was excited, nervous and treading softly, I followed my friends into a room where we were asked to wait. There were many nice pictures and it smelled of incense. My thoughts were interrupted by a gentle, soft voice. “Hello”, a beautiful young man said. My friend and I went with Swamiji into the interview room and sat down on the floor. I had to force myself not to stare at Swami all the time because the beauty, purity and light he reflected were breathtaking. I thought: Now I know how people must have felt 2000 years ago when they sat with Jesus. Swami asked my friend who I was as he smiled at me kindly. Before the interview, my friend’s parents had told me that I could ask Swamiji questions about my spiritual path, my health or something like that. Since I didn’t have a question I wanted to ask Swami. I decided to tell him about a wart which I had on the sole of my right foot. But as I now sat in front of Swami and he looked at me in such a kind way, I realised that my question was insignificant and almost ridiculous. We talked about more important things than warts and, at the end of the interview, Swamiji gave us his blessings. Before we left the house, I bought a small picture of Swamiji that I wanted to carry with me in order to remember his beauty and his smile all the time. After the interview I was happy and filled with love and joy; I felt like I had found a new friend. That first meeting with Swami Vishwananda was so simple and natural that all my previous worries and doubts just vanished into thin air, leaving only a profound happiness. I went to meet Swami Vishwananda without any expectations because I knew very little about spiritual masters or gurus. In my life I had felt a yearning in my heart, like a presentiment, that there must exist somewhere, something that can give one the feeling of harmony and being whole. Sometimes, when I was in deep despair, I inwardly cried from deep within my heart, Jesus, if it is true that you are there, if you are truly the saviour of men, then please come to my rescue or send me someone who can help me. I always had the feeling that one day I would have a spiritual teacher. I had planned to go to America after I finished school in order to find my teacher. Amazingly, now the teacher had come to me. It was not the child who went looking for the mother; it was the mother who came looking for the child! Kalyani - Germany

Humility and divinity

Swami Vishwananda simplicity is well know from his disciples. A devotee told us :

"I first met Swami Vishwananda in a private home, where my family and I were scheduled to have an interview with him. As we climbed the stairs to the upper floor, a kind, young man wearing an Om Namah Shivaya T-shirt met us. We casually greeted him and brushed past him, as we were very excited and impatient to see this great holy man. As we opened the door to the interview room, we found that it was empty. It was at that moment that we, with shame, realized that the kind, humble man we had met on the stairs was none other than Swami himself.  This is one of the most striking traits of his personality: his humility and simplicity. He is very approachable and close to people, teaching us the lesson that we always expect God to be somewhere else and we fail to notice that humility and divinity are in the simple things within and around us".

Darshan of Swami Vishwananda

During darshan people have sometimes amazing spiritual experiences. Vijan from South Africa tells us about his experience with Swami Vishwananda:

"I know Swami Vishwananda for about four years in Begin 2005. I played harmonium for him on that first meeting. Coming from a deeply ritualistic hindu background and being naturally sceptic, I will admit that I find it difficult to believe in miracles..., still, perhaps you will find my experience worthy. During Dharshan, when one is on bended knees in front of Swami Vishwananda, and beholds his beautiful eyes, I am transported in that brief moment, through the Cosmos, through fire and ether, to a beautiful, wondrous place that I feel can only be heaven. This must be the same feeling that Mother Yashoda must have experienced when she gazed into the mouth of her beautiful boy, Shri Krishna, and beheld the entire Cosmos inside of his mouth. Love for one's Guru is infinite and unconditional. I know now that beholding a miracle will not affect my feelings toward my Guru. I only grieve that it took so long to find him".

He sees into my heart

When they meet Swami Vishwananda many people feel in their heart the unconditional love emanating from him. Sometimes people feel also shye because of his awareness. A disciple of Swami remembers her first meeting:

"Seven years ago in a home in Bern, Switzerland I first met the divine being, Swami Vishwananda. At the time there was an English healer working in the same house. I had offered my services to him by acting as a translator and assistant for the Swiss people who came to see him. One morning, the healer told us that later that day a highly evolved, spiritual soul would come and visit us. He was very enthusiastic about the forthcoming visit and was eagerly awaiting the guest.  Later, as I was just about to call the next patient from the waiting room, I saw a young man standing there. I immediately knew that he was the visitor the healer had spoken about earlier. The young man greeted me with a loving hug that somehow seemed very familiar to me. Strangely enough, I felt a deep sense of joy. I led him to the healer and heard them warmly greet each other. A few minutes later when I saw Swami again, I was comforting and holding a young lady in my arms who was very sick and seemed tired of life. Swami Vishwananda asked me if I was a healer and I told him that I wasn’t. He replied, “Yes, you are a healer; you are healing with your heart”. He took the distressed lady whom I had been holding into his arms and materialised some vibhuti that he then sprinkled over her hands and head. He then gave me some vibhuti, followed by a ring that he materialised. He slid the ring onto my finger and I was quite surprised to find that it was a perfect fit. I had no idea what was happening to me as I had never seen or heard of materialisation before. Although I was filled with astonishment, my heart was full of an incomprehensible bliss. I felt a wave of boundless love flow from him and my soul was ready to follow this divine being to wherever he would lead me. Since that first meeting with Swamiji, I not only feel deeply connected with him but also safe in his love. I know deep within me that our souls have been closely connected through many lifetimes." E.E. - Switzerland

Like a magnet

It is said that whenever we want something truly from the heart, the universe collaborates with us to satisfy our need. In answer to his need, in February 2006 Nitin,  met Swami Vishwananda. He told us:

"I have always felt that life holds meaning when you have discovered the purpose behind life itself. For as long as I can remember, I have been waiting for something or someone to give purpose to my life. Swami Vishwananda greeted me: “Nitin, hey, I know you!” It began with that simple, yet so intriguing, greeting. The attraction was instantaneous. Incredibly, I simply knew that Swami was that something for which I had been longing so desperately. When he first spoke to me, I was rendered speechless as my heart began to race. Deep inside me, my soul was rejoicing, for at last I felt complete in the presence of the divine. 

Swamiji later confirmed to me, “Yes, I am the one you have been waiting for; and yes, I know you”. Again, I was dumfounded as nothing is left to be said when your soul knows you have come home. I remained with him for a time, contemplating my beloved master. What attracts me the most to him is his simplicity, humility and unconditional love that he extends in a steady stream to one and all.  I met Swami during the festival of Maha Shivaratri, and in the one week I spent with him, I felt that I had known him forever. It is a feeling that cannot be explained in words. “Follow your heart”, Swami said to me. Those words became my motto, for the heart knows and speaks the truth. The most precious moments I had with him were the few times he hugged me. In those moments time stood still. To be embraced by the entire cosmos is the most wonderful feeling in the world. Like a magnet, my heart is pulled towards his.  There is also a playful side of Swami, and he jokes with us. He will tease us and then tell us captivating stories. He showed me the child that lay dormant within me. These are the true miracles of Swami, showing us how life is more alive in its simplicity. Dear Swami, I love you."

My first encounter

Swami Vishwananda came to me as the guru who allways look for the disciple. I was already following another Guru and was not looking for a new one. So he came to my home on a nice and sunny summer afternoon, He remained for ten minutes in the doorway. Everyone was awe-inspired. I couldn’t help repeating in my head: “Babaji is here, Babaji is in my house! This is incredible. My God, how beautiful He is!” As a matter of fact, all those present could not say a word in front of this handsome 22-year-old boy, radiating the Divine. We went on the terrace to observe at will this rare bird fallen from Heaven. I was surprised to feel so at ease with Him, like an old friend whom I hadn’t seen for a long time. I showed Him the paintings I had made of my spiritual Master. He looked at them for a long time. He told me that this Master had offered Him a great statue of Krishna when on visit to Mauritius. This comforted me: if my Guru had offered Him a statue, then He must be a good person. Once He left, the only wish I had was to see Him again soon. It was then the start of a series of interviews and meetings where we would sing Bhajans. He asked to do a Yagna at our house, and we did it in the fireplace. During Yagna, all participants throw a mix of grains, herbs and rice into the fire while saying “Swaha”. This means to offer, which at the time I had no idea.  During the Yagna, I suddenly found myself in India, sitting on the floor and repeating “Swaha” and throwing rice into the sacred fire. At the end of the ceremony, I went to Swami Vishwananda and asked Him: - “Tell me, did we know each other in a past life, in India, where we did Yagnas together?” - “Of course, many times!” He spoke these words with a beautiful smile, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. - “Really?” I queried Him. At that moment somebody called Him and He left me standing open-mouthed and voiceless.