Icon Show: Interviews

Niranjan Photo by Gisele

Biography Niranjan, was a person who was very involved in the world, who wanted to be very successful, and wanted all those things that the world had to offer. He realized the key was his perception, his mind. Thing don't have a particular quality, they depend upon what you bring to it. He began as a High School teacher then worked on his MBA. Later Niranjan enjoyed success as a real estate agent and created his own small business. He was a bit more skeptical than his wife Soorya, who wanted to jump in right away to Swami Shyam's teachings. Later, when he met Swamiji, he said that he just fell in love with him, and was so impressed by how practical he was. Niranjan is a great and delightful being, who shares his love of life with many, through informal speech classes, various social interactions, and witty and one-pointed satsang speeches. Written by Gisele Beaupre

Interview

Gisele:  Niranjan, what was your philosophy of life before meeting Swamiji?

Niranjan: I never liked any kind of blind acceptance. I wanted to understand, but understand on my own terms. I wasn't willing to let go of any of my possessions, of Rae my wife, or money or job, mind or body. Soorya was ready to let go of everything, maybe especially me! But I wasn't. I was holding on for dear life, thinking, "No way this is mine!"

Gisele:  What changed your mind?.

Niranjan: It was the early people that helped me. Veena always reminded me that Shyam says, "Just add knowledge." Have the means but work on why you are going for the money. That I liked because I wasn't going to give up anything!

Gisele:  Why did you visit Kullu?.

Niranjan: I wanted to find out about this Swami, and see if he was genuine, or if it was just like all the other things I'd been involved in, which were not the genuine thing. I came in January, 1979.

I'll never forget it. It was late at night when we drove in, and I went straight to the meditation room. It was pitch black, except for candles on the floor. I was pretty nervous. When Soorya and I had parted, and it was not on good terms. I was more nervous about seeing her than I was about meeting Swamiji. I could see shapes, then the candles led to a little Indian man with a big beard sitting on the floor. I said, "Oh you exist! I'd only seen you in pictures and in a movie." He started laughing and grabbed me and gave me a big bear hug. He has this big booming laugh! I didn't know what to do he started squeezing me so I squeezed back. We were almost wrestling. Basically I have never been the same after that first meeting....It was an instant love affair, and he just swept me off my feet. I just completely fell in love with him. I was nuts about him. He's so clever!

Some of my professors may say, "What are you doing here, you were such a hot shot, ready to go for it." For me, I'm just continuing my MBA. This is the Big League! This is where all that training is meant to take you!

Transcribed by Gisele Beaupre

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