July 1983

Brother-Sister Sannyasi Team Spread Simple Message For Mankind; "Seek Peace Within Through Meditation"

On World Tour that had already touched the continents of Europe and Australia, Swamis Chidvilasananda and Nityananda set foot on U.S. soil in the Hawaiian islands in May of 1983. This was not the first visit to America for the 25-year old woman and her 20-year old brother, but it was their first tour as the successors of the Siddha Meditation master, Swami Nityananda, "The purpose of this tour is to carry on the work of Swami Muktananda who traveled around the world to make the teachings of Siddha Meditation available to people everywhere." The unique, brother/sister team of spiritual dynamos, born of close devotees of Swami Muktananda, were carefully groomed from childhood by their Guru for their destined roles as successors of a vast spiritual organization, the Siddha Yoga Dham (SYD or SYDA). They are reaffirming strength of the SYDA through this tour of the many meditation centers established in past years. At the same time, they are disseminating a simple and effective message of mediation and inner peace to seekers everywhere.

After a two-week stay in Hawaii, during which they visited several of the islands, their schedule took them throughout the United States for a series of free public lectures and two-day Intensive Workshops in Honolulu, Hawaii; Oakland, California; South Fallsburg, New York; and Santa Monica, California. An Intensive is an important part of the method of teaching adopted by the SYDA. It is defined as a powerful worship "that gives a complete experience and understanding of Siddha Meditation. It focuses on shaktipat, the natural awakening of the inner meditative energy and activates a process of inner discovery and personal growth which enhances every aspect of life. At each Intensive, Chidvilasananda and Nityananda give major lectures on spiritual philosophy and practice, answer questions and, most importantly, give the initiation of shaktipat."

In what might have been a typical lecture, held on May 10th at the Coco Palms Hotel's Queens Audience Hall on the Island of Kauai, 125 students, devotees, disciples and observers listened as Swami Nityananda spoke for 1‡ hours on a kaleidoscope of subjects: pranayama, the importance of a having a guru, shaktinapat, meditation, mantra, the nature of the mind, the Self, kundalini, Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism. His theme was that true peace and happiness can only be found within oneself, and that through meditation under a qualified preceptor. His dissertation was filled with truths, wisdom and quotes from the Saivite scriptures, eloquently illustrated with stories and delivered with warm, spontaneous humor. In the Swami's closing remarks, following a short meditation and group chanting of "Om Namasivaya," he stated, "Even if you are already happy, you should still meditate. It won't take anything away from you. You can still enjoy life."

While in America, the swamis will be spending most of their time in the SYDA main centers in Oakland, South Falls and Santa Monica. At each of these centers they are also scheduled to conduct advanced three-week courses in Siddha Yoga of various levels. In addition, their activities include celebration of their Diksha on May 26th in Oakland; celebration of Guru Purnima in South Fallsburg on July 24th; honoring of Swami Muktananda's Diksha on August 15th in Fallsburg; and the five-day Third International Conference for Siddha Yoga Center Leaders and Teachers on August 29th, also in Fallsburg. After leaving America the two swamis will return to Ganeshpuri, India, in October for two weeks.

Article copyright Himalayan Academy.