Transformation Tales

Watching my dad transition helped me realize that life is short and my foremost thought was, “we don’t have a lot of time here.” He was declining in front of my eyes. I felt that I wanted to grow spiritually “now.”

I had unconsciously planned out my life to be what is actually a traditional life according to Vedanata or the studies of Vedic knowledge . I would be a student, get married and work, have a family, and my plan was at 60 to move to a jungle/ the himalyas to bcome “enlightened.” This plan was formulated in the back of my mind after reading autobiography of a yogi thirteen years earlier. The book made me crave for the experiences described in it. The name Babaji was familiar and it felt like home. I had a small alter at home with Jesus, a bust of Mother Mary that my great aunt made, and two pictures: one of Paramhansa Yoganda and One of Babaji.

I went home and prayed with deep feeling to Babaji. I wanted a “master” and “guide” to grow in my life “now.” I did not want to wait anymore. It felt very urgent to me that I “start” my journey.

A week later two women arrived at my home by chance to meet my roommate. One was his cousin and the other was her co-worker at Duke. The co-worker and I connected instantly. It was like I had known her all my life. She was a member of Maitri Bodh Parivaar and had just moved to Durham.

My new kitten even crawled into her lap. My mom, who has a huge heart but a very active scientific brain, was astonished. She said later that day, “What just happened? It was like you two instantly loved each other.”

I found out later than she had prayed to Kāli Mā ( a firm of Divine Mother) for a friend to meditate with. She saw that my phone screensaver was a picture of Saraswati Devi ( another form of the Divine Mother) and told me about the festival of Navratri which was going on at the time. She was raised Roman Catholic and had just learned the mantra for Kāli Mā and prayed to her to find friend about the same time I was praying for a guide in my life.

She invited me to come and meditate with her. I was skeptical that there was a free meditation and wondered “what is the catch?” In the next few weeks she came to visit my father and brought him Indian sweets. I remember thinking that she must be very special and kind person to do this for someone she had just met.

I started meeting with her for tea, talks, and Maitri Sambodh Dhyaan ( friendship mediation that helps you bond to the Love in your heart). I felt so connected and filled with love during these meditations.

It was a feeling quite like coming home. I was introduced to Dadashreeji and I learned about the merging of His consciousness with Babaji’s consciousness. It was amazing to me that my heart’s ardent longing had been heard and realized! Since then, things started to flow very naturally and I felt a voice within telling me that I should attend the Bodh programs. Dadashreeji took me under His wing and started showering me with Love.

As my father’s time grew near miracoulsy he was admitted to inpatient hospice to give me a reprieve as his caregiver. His girlfriend ever at his side often tried to help and lift him and he needed supervision and help with the 24/7 caregivers. The last day of his life I brought my kitten to see him at the inpatient hospice place. She was scared of the new surroundings and climbed up into the chair beside his bed. Though he was slightly scared he used some of his last few words to call for her and lit up when he saw her.

When he was passing he received a prayer healing called “maitri Light.” Maitri means “friendship.” Before he left a musician came and played a few songs on the cello that helped him settle and slowly his breathing slowed. It was completely peaceful. I could feel his spirit coming in and out of his heart. Once the breathing stopped as I walked out of hospice the cello player played my favorite bach cello prelude. I then received a call from my friend saying that the giver of the prayer healing had a vision that he went to “the highest” or realm of Love.

“Offer your prayers to accomplish the vision of your life with devotion!  The Divine shall eagerly respond, instilling love in your heart and smile on your face.”

~Maitreya Dadashreeji