Ashram spiritual experience
Written on March 9, 2024.
NOTE: I went to the ashram because of a coincidence that took place concerning Sai Baba when I was traveling with my Indian friend Maya in the summer of 2023, several hundred miles away from the ashram, and because some Russians I met in Vietnam told me it was a very peaceful place.
Frankly, I did not expect to have a spiritual experience here at the ashram. Until yesterday, I thought the reason I was here was the 8-day panchakarma cleanse I was guided to by my Polish roommate. Because my foot injury from the Vietnam motorbike accident had limited my walking during my first week here, I had not attended any of the spiritual activities, and couldn’t tell you the difference between a Darshan and a Bhajan. But last night I left the Ayurvedic clinic guest room where I’ve been staying for the last 4 days, and went to the Shivaratri celebration at the ashram. As I entered, I was engulfed by a feeling of deep peace far surpassing anything I’d ever felt before. In fact, to call it a mere feeling does not do it justice. It was like I was walking along the floor of the ocean, and the ocean was ultimate peace. I looked to see if anyone else might be feeling it, but they all just looked normal. It lasted somewhere between 30 to 45 minutes, and then faded. Dr. Tejo of the clinic says people have been doing Vedic chants here for over 60 years, and his wife Dr. Haritha says such things can happen to those who are open. I still have no opinion on whether Sai Baba was a saint or not, but I have had a profound spiritual experience at the ashram he founded here in Puttaparthi, India.
(I’ll write more in-depth about this experience when I start writing on Medium later this year.)
