I met Swami Satyananda on 14th May 1979 in Australia where I received mantra diksha and spiritual name from him. That visit is still a vivid memory. I entered the room where Paramahamsaji was seated, to the right a fireplace was blazing. I sat in front of him and my mind went blank; all the questions I had, all the rational thinking, the sense of time, was gone. There was just him. Paramahamsaji patiently waited till I found my mala and remembered what I had to ask him. I left with the knowledge in my heart that I had found all I was looking for: a guru and a purpose in life.
When leaving Munger in 1980, Paramahamsaji told me, “I’m coming to Italy this year. I will see you there.” When Paramahamsaji did arrive in Italy, I found the courage to ask him for a sadhana. He looked at me with a smile and said, “First you work very hard then think about a sadhana.”
There are no appropriate words to describe my feelings for Paramahamsaji. All I can say is that the feeling is unique as he was a unique being, a unique man, sannyasin, teacher, explorer of life and spirit, a unique guru. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you Paramahamsaji.