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An American Odyssey
Nandini Dasgupta
The Weekend Observer
November 27, 1999
Title: An American Odyssey
Author: Nandini Dasgupta
Publication: The Weekend
Observer
Date: November 27, 1999
Justin O'Brien is a well-known
writer, theologian, philosopher and a long time explorer in 'wellness'
and human consciousness. A former Catholic monk, he is also an ordained
Pandit in the Himalayan tradition. He lived with Swami Rama - the master
of yoga, spirituality, meditation and ayurveda - for over 20 years.
His latest book Walking
With The Himalayan Master offers an exciting, powerful and delightful story
of the 'extraordinary yogi' and the author's candid revelations of his
own spiritual odyssey. The book, to be published in India by Full Circle
early next year, has been well-received in the US and has been described
as the 'real relationship of a sincere disciple to a great guru' by Swami
Sachianand.
In a free-wheeling discussion
with Nandini Dasgupta Justin O'Brien talks about his book and his association
with Swami Rama.
Q. What As your latest
book Walking with the Himalayan Mater all about?
A. It is a biography
of how an American scholar reluctantly meets a saint, is inspired by his
philosophy of life and a how new vista emerges for this century. It is
an insight into two decade of my close association with Swami Rama. The
book talks in detail about Swamiji's reasons for coming to the West and
how he enlivened others scientifically, emotionally and spiritually. I
describe the Swami as he was perceived by his disciples.
Q. How did you come In
contact with Swami Rama?
A. It was in 1973, when
I was 30 years old and a college professor at Chicago University, that
I first came in contact with Swami Rama. For several days before I met
Swamiji, I was dreaming about a gathering where a saint or a guru is sitting
and talking to his disciples. And that I am sitting there as one of disciples.
The dream kept on haunting me for several days and one day as I was walking
through the streets of Chicago, I came across a poster which was advertising
on some 'Healing Seminar.' I attended the seminar and to my surprise the
saint (Swami Rama), the room, the tree and even the discourse that was
going on were similar to the incidents that I had been dreaming about.
The entire episode left a strong impact in my mind and I knew that I had
met my true guru.
Q. What are the reasons
that Inspired you to write this book?
A. It was Swami Rama's
philosophy of life that inspired me the most. Swamiji emphasised on the
goodness of people and that one must ignore negative qualities. He stressed
that one is not born with positive or negative attributes and that all
the treasures are within one's self. Men have to study themselves and our
job is to awaken them and channelise their energies in the right direction.
One should focus in a particular direction which would determine your way
of life. Very few people are aware of this philosophy and this book is
an attempt to reach out to them.
Q. What Is the most Interesting
feature of this book?
A. In this book I have
mentioned how Swami Rama chose to shake up the West with his experiments
which shattered the myth that science and spirituality are poles apart
and that the two cannot be mixed. Swamiji provided a scientific approach
to spirituality and human wisdom.
I have described how
Yoga or meditation which has so far been regarded as 'spiritual' exercises
have scientific connotations. The science of Yoga helps one to compare
results of the past and aim for a better future.
Yoga is an experience
of life and it is a path which offers dignity and sacredness.
Q. How have you described
Swami Rama as a person?
A. I have described
Swami Rama as the kind of person he was. He was just like any one of us.
He liked to play cards with us at night, loved to eat Pizzas and loved
to take care of dogs. He insisted on truth in life.
He was careful not to
cultivate a cult around him and create any sensation by being in the limelight.
Most people will term his experiments as miracles but he used to stress
that it is all possible by harnessing the natural power that is present
within one's self. Miracles are done for the benefit of others.
Q. How is Walking With
the Himalayan Mater different from your earlier works?
A. My earlier book Wellness
Tree is a six-step programme for rejuvenating health and creating optimum
wellness. It challenges to transform ordinary health and ensuing decline
into powerful possibilities for rejuvenation and awakened consciousness.
Meeting of the Mystic Paths is about the principles of Yoga and how these
can help Christianity discover new energy, retrieve lost wisdom and reexamine
the mystical levels of life.
Walking With The Himalayan
Master deals basically with human nature and how it was perceived by Swami
Rama. By citing suitable instances from Swamiji's life, I have stressed
that the body is within the domain of the mind. I have also challenged
the myth that the body and mind work separately.
The guiding principle
of this book is that -by following the right path human nature can be redefined.
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