On August 7, 1949, When I was 14 years old, Lord Shiva Himself initiated me into what was to become twelve years of deep yoga tapas (austerity). I had peeled a palmyra fruit. All of a sudden, I saw a light emerging from the fruit. Simultaneously there was the sound of Aum. The fruit disappeared, and there was a Shiva Linga in my hand. The Aum continued all the while and the Shiva Linga continued to emit the same dazzling light. It broke into two half pieces and a spiritual seeker dedicated to Lord Shiva appeared before me. He sat me down and placed my feet in the correct position for meditation. He told me to close my eyes and tapped me at the bhrikuti (the spot between the eyebrows). I immediately lost outer consciousness and went into deep samadhi. I became totally unaware of my body and my surroundings. All I could see was the Linga. All I could hear was the Aum.My tapas-23 hours of daily meditation for eight years and 12 hours of daily meditation for four years-was completed in 1961, when I began my life of spiritual service.
Upon completion of the 12-year tapas, I was visited by my divine guru Shiva with his consort, Parvati, the Divine Mother. Lord Shiva announced that the tapas had been successful.
I initiated more than three million spiritual aspirants into meditation, established more than 50 ashrams in India and Sri Lanka and traveled at a relentless pace to fulfill my guru's mission.
I attained the final samadhi on Monday, March 28, 1994.
During the chanting of Holy Bhajans many of my devotees enter an ecstatic state whereby
higher spirits or astral entities enter their physical bodies and place them in a trance. The depth of the trance varies, but it is quite common to lose all body consciousness. People in trance may dance ecstatically or move around seemingly erratically-it depends upon the spirit in them. What is common to all in bhava samadhi is the feeling of spiritual bliss.
Know the truth through meditation. Then you yourself will know who you are, your religion, your purpose, and your nature. Do not believe what others say and become a slave to religious prejudices.
