Dear Kamlesh and friends of Patanjali Yoga Ashram,
I am deeply touched by the current Magazine and so pleased to know beloved Indarji’s devotees continue to keep up the good work.
I miss him very much, but hear his advice and chuckles which are always alive in my head and heart.
Many thanks and hope you are all well,
Blessings, Om Shanti,
Louisa Klein
From Elane Conway introducing herself by email before visiting the ashram for the first time:
I am a mature student in the third year of a religious studies degree course. I have a great love and fascination with the Hindu philosophical traditions, in particular the more traditional, classical schools and have massively enjoyed the ‘Hindu Religious Thought’ module I just completed at Kent University.
Although we have studied right through to the present day, I left my heart with Patanjali part way through the course and was just delighted while researching on the internet, to come across your website. I am not ‘a Hindu’, nor have I ever practiced any form of Hinduism, although I would love to see and be part of it. My immediate interest is in your library and the possibility of learning some basic Sanskrit, as I would like to do an MA in 2010.
I did a module last year entitled ‘Gurus and Disciples’ and as well as studying the traditional relationship, we also looked at new religious groups and I would just like to assure you that I am not researching you or your ashram. My intention is only to learn from you and your books. Please let me know if this is all ok and if there is a convenient time for me to come to Battle. I am very excited about it.
And her letter after her first visit to the ashram for April satsang:
Dear Shirley and all at the Patanjali Yoga Centre,
I wanted to write to thank you all for the wonderful day we spent together at the Havan Yajna, and for making me feel so welcome and comfortable in an atmosphere which was quite unfamiliar to me. It was just lovely to see the way each of you contributed to the day in your own individual and unique ways, and the opportunity to sit, Indian style, by the visiting Swami as he taught straight from the Bhagavad-Gita was an experience of great value to me.
I felt very shy and awkward approaching the ashram for the first time, and was almost tempted to steal off into the woods to spend the day with the trees rather than knock on the door. The grounds are so natural and peaceful, and the whole ashram is still saturated by the presence of the guru. His absence, and your own longing, was palpable as I sat with you all. My very sincere condolences.
The yajna was wonderful, having absorbed so much of its spirituality and philosophy at University and from books, seeing it actually ‘happen’ was truly a revelation. While the spiritual significance of ghee in Indian thought is highly important to me, feeling it in my fingers for the first time was something I just can’t describe. Did I really play a tiny part in sustaining the cosmic order of the universe? Perhaps, but if I did, it certainly wasn’t due to my mantra chanting skills. Sorry about that. Still, in spite of me, the resonance in the room created by the Aum sound was quite beautiful and strangely moving.
Of course the time with you was quite wonderful for me and I am so very grateful. From the ghee to the guru, I loved it all and am looking forward very much to coming back in May. I am also hoping to get a yoga class or two in on Monday nights before that.
Warm regards,
Elane Conway xox (Om)
The following letters were received by Swamiji from Philip Hunt and Dorothy Fellows who attended the 3rd week of the course, Pranayama & Meditation.Dear Swami Indrananda,
Firstly, I would like to thank you for your patience and kindness that you showed me for the week of breathing and meditation. I came to you to learn mainly about breathing techniques and have come away with a lot more. Since being home I have continued to practice postures and breathing techniques. Slowly, improvements are being made. What I was not expecting was the difference I now experience/observe, the changes in me and around me. As of yet, I cannot really explain this in words – maybe I am just ready for change.
Swami Ramaswarupananda I can see how he would have gained disciples and followers. Of his many lessons, the one that stands out in my mind was the statement of
“What is true, changes. What is truth is permanent.”
In life, I do not know whether you are meant to meet certain people, but I feel very lucky to have spent a week with you both. Enclosed is a verse I wrote some years ago. I hope you enjoy it.
The leaf
Unfolds with the promise of spring
Grows and prospers in the summers sun
Sighs and falls in autumns glow
Withers and dies in winters night
Yet is this not a trick,
an illusion of life?
For life needs love, and is
love not immortal?Until we meet again. Best Wishes, Phil (Philip Hunt)Dear Swami Indrananda Ji,Thank you so much for having me on the course. It is now early Friday morning and I feel rested after our journey, ready and energised to get on with my routine of the day. What a delight to have the company of Swami Ramaswarupananda and his teachings, an opportunity not to be missed.My stay allowed for self analysis and I am grateful to you for making this possible. If at any time I offended you, you showed me the right path by correction. Thanks once again for your patience and understanding.Dorothy Fellows