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Soorya Photo by Gisele

Biography Soorya began searching for Self knowledge early in her life, and attempted to find it in philosophy, metaphysics and art history. After reading Swamiji's teachings and being inspired by her Shyam friends in Montreal, Soorya knew that Swami Shyam spoke the truth that she had been searching for. Both Soorya and her husband Niranjan have lived full time in Kullu for some time, living and teaching the Oneness as they have witnessed, through the perfection emanating from Swami Shyam's actions and teachings. Soorya is a writer and has coauthored a book with Indrajaali called, "The Vision of Oneness; talks and discourses of Swami Shyam." Soorya also teaches the scripture, Patanjaali Yog Darshan, and has published a series of audio tapes of the four chapters with Sat Shakti. With her generosity and gentleness, Soorya certainly radiates the warmth of the pure light of knowledge, which is her true nature and namesake. Written by Gisele Beaupre

Interview

Gisele: Soorya, how did you connect with Swami Shyam and come to Kullu?

Soorya: I heard about Swamiji's thoughts and teachings through some friends. They were able to convey to me something about the knowledge of Oneness, through their actions and the atmosphere that they created in the ashram in Montreal. Fortunately, I was able to read some of Swamiji's writings, whose style was so direct, and immediate. What he said made so much sense to me that I felt as if I was having a dialogue with my best friend. Anything that I had picked up, with regards to metaphysics, psychology and philosophy, I had decided to leave behind at this point. Now, I wanted to walk through that doorway and come and meet my best friend on the other side, who was Swami Shyam.

Swamiji's writings made me realize that my first duty is to myself, to know who this thinking being is inside me. This made me very definite about wanting to meet Swamiji, and talk to him, speak about life, question, and continue with my project of self-realization.

Swamiji has the ability to open a door to truth. On one occasion in the first four months of my first visit to Kullu; when I knew that I wanted to live here, that this was my home, Swamiji said, "Who are you? I want you to check. Look at this window. Who sees the window?"

In a very linear, literal fashion I said, "My eyes are seeing the window."

Swamiji said, "But who is seeing through the eyes?"

I said, "It is my mind, and my personality that is seeing the window." Then Swamiji said, "Who is behind your personality, and seeing through your personality?"

I was stumped. I couldn't go any anywhere.

Swamiji said, "I am going to let you know today, and you are going to have to keep repeating it. It is "I"! It is the eye of consciousness that is seeing through your personality. "

This began a real work for me to really grasp the difference between the "I" that is embedded in my personality, and "I" who is totally independent from my personality. There is inherent in us the "I" of knowledge, which is universal, and not defined by the cloak of our personality. To look within is to look only one step back, to the source of your behavior and action in this world. Who is knowing the mind, if not the Knower? Who is knowing the Knower? The Knower itself is knowing the Knower. We hear the words, "I" of consciousness, but we are not used to accepting it as the basis of reality.

Swamiji has the ability to open a door to truth. On one occasion in the first four months of my first visit to Kullu; when I knew that I wanted to live here, that this was my home, Swamiji said, "Who are you? I want you to check. Look at this window. Who sees the window?"

In a very linear, literal fashion I said, "My eyes are seeing the window."

Swamiji said, "But who is seeing through the eyes?"

I said, "It is my mind, and my personality that is seeing the window." Then Swamiji said, "Who is behind your personality, and seeing through your personality?"

I was stumped. I couldn't go any anywhere.

Swamiji said, "I am going to let you know today, and you are going to have to keep repeating it. It is "I"! It is the eye of consciousness that is seeing through your personality. "

This began a real work for me to really grasp the difference between the "I" that is embedded in my personality, and "I" who is totally independent from my personality. There is inherent in us the "I" of knowledge, which is universal, and not defined by the cloak of our personality. To look within is to look only one step back, to the source of your behavior and action in this world. Who is knowing the mind, if not the Knower? Who is knowing the Knower? The Knower itself is knowing the Knower. We hear the words, "I" of consciousness, but we are not used to accepting it as the basis of reality.

Transcribed by Gisele Beaupre

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