The next morning, I found it impossible to meditate. I couldn’t stop thinking about the secret ritual in the guru’s house I’d seen the night before. Why does Baba lavish those girls with so much attention? Why not me? During breakfast I considered asking Rohini, Sita, or even Swami Akhandananda if they knew anything about the chant, but decided against it. I didn’t want anyone to think I was nosy. My afternoon seva finished early that day, so I managed to get to the courtyard before darshan had started, before all the spots near Baba’s throne were taken. One of...
Ganesh and his parents stopped me on my way to the dish room. “Happy birthday, Deependra uncle!” “I can’t believe you remembered! Thank you!” I was glad that somebody knew what day it was. I hadn’t heard from anyone in my family for almost three months, and they had obviously forgotten my birthday. It hurt. Then I remembered that this boy and my other Raja Yoga brothers and sisters were all the family I needed. “You are how old only?” asked the boy’s father. “Nineteen.” Ganesh’s parents smiled and wiggled their heads approvingly. His dad reached for my hand and...
At four the next morning, the chant was still going strong, even though there were only a handful of ashramites and musicians left in the hall. The door to the meditation cave was locked, and a handwritten sign was taped to the door: CLOSED UNTIL AFTER THE SAPTAH. BABA SAYS EVERYONE SHOULD GO TO THE CHANT. Obeying the guru’s command, I went directly to the hall and chanted with those already there. Within a few minutes, many others joined us. At five-thirty there was no break for the Guru Gita. Later at seva, Rohini confirmed what I had suspected: “All...
“Turn it off! Turn it off!” In the black depths of sleep, the angry voice of my roommate and the persistent whine of my alarm reached me. I forced my eyes open and slapped the off button, knocking the clock to the floor. “Sorry, Claus,” I said, rolling over to face his side of the room. But there was no answer. He was already asleep. Dragging myself out of bed, I threw on one of my new Fred Perry polo shirts and a pair of khaki slacks. I skipped breakfast in the dining hall and hurried to the entrance of...
