A Letter to Swami Kriyananda

Dear John,

Today is the anniversary of Swamiji’s Moksha Day in 2013—when he discarded the worn-out garment of his body and found soul freedom. Rather than write about him, I thought I’d write a letter to him and share it with you.

April 21, 2021

Dear Swamiji,

This morning we had a beautiful meditation in your apartment at Crystal Hermitage to honor your passing eight years ago. I love spending time there, because it brings back such sweet memories of shared moments; of places we traveled together with you; and of the profound divine wisdom and love you shared with everyone.

As we sat quietly in the blessing of your presence, of the joyful freedom of your consciousness, I was reminded of the loving friendship in God that you gave equally to all. As you once said to me (really as a correction for needing personal attention from you), “Remember, no one is special to me. I’m not even special to myself.”

In the years since your passing, many devotees you never met in person have told us of the huge impact that you’ve had on their lives. As we continue to witness your ability to inspire others including us, and to guide the growth of Ananda, we realize over and again how well you kept your true spiritual stature hidden. Only a great soul would have been able to achieve what you did and still do.

Yet for all your depth of realization and breadth of accomplishments in serving Master, you never lost the ability to make everyone feel that you were their dearest friend. I remember David Hoogendyk (one of your first students when you starting teaching in San Francisco prior to Ananda) saying shyly to me towards the end of your time on earth, “All these years I’ve hardly ever spoken to Swamiji, but he is my best friend.”

There was a beautiful statement made about Anandamayi Ma regarding the “paradox of omnipresence.” It was said that she made one feel the closest of dear friends, and yet she remained wrapped in an aura of inaccessibility. As time goes by, I realize that you always seemed so accessible, friendly, interested in our problems, yet part of you was always very far away, resting in Master’s omnipresent spirit.

So thank you, dear divine friend, for taking us as little children on the spiritual path and teaching us to walk with our own strength; to serve and realize our own potential to help others; and to speak the language of love to God and Guru.

I know that you’re already aware of how well the Ananda communities and centers are doing, even in the midst of the current pandemic. You spent years preparing us: making us aware that, as Master had forewarned, the world would be facing very hard times.

Now that such times are upon us, we haven’t been taken by surprise, and consequently are able to meet with strength the challenges before us. You showed us the need to prepare not only in practical terms, but, more importantly, mentally and spiritually, so that now we can help others to deal with the difficulties confronting us all.

You said more than once towards the end of your sojourn on earth, “I no longer know where Swami Kriyananda ends and Master begins.” This transformation became apparent to those around you as you seemed increasingly like a small wavelet resting on the calm surface of Master’s oceanic consciousness. It was beautiful to behold the drop of your individuality slipping into the ocean of bliss.

Swamiji, I could go on writing about how you changed our life, the lives of countless others, and indeed the world, but better to commune with you inwardly in meditation. You have been sorely missed, yet your presence has never been lacking. Again the paradox of both your individuality and universality.

From time to time I allow myself to think of the joy it will be when we greet you again in a realm of light. Until then, though the veil of separation remains, it grows thinner. Thank you, dear Swamiji. You have given our life meaning and purpose, and taught us how to realize our true potential: the infinite joy of God.

Your loving child always,

devi

I hope that you enjoyed this letter from my heart. May we all move towards moksha and find the joy that is our destiny.

Nayaswami Devi