Om Swami: As We Know Him

A MUST Read. This book is an epitome of devotion with striking contrasts, a city girl, nowhere close to being spiritual or religious and a young boy who left on his spiritual quest in his early teens. How they happen to meet Swamiji and then how their lives transform under Swamiji’s umbrella of love. But have no confusion, this book is not about them. It is about Swamiji and only Him. Our Humble and Divine lord, rarely talks about Himself. How is He like in person, how does He talk to people close to Him, how has He healed various lives?, what's His day like at the Ashram?, What does He eat?, How sensitive He is? How Swamiji can read our thoughts or more so plant one in our brains, A glimpse into His infinite and mystical powers. You will be teary eyed if not drenched in tears to know of a Saint from close quarters who is no less than God and lives among us in flesh and bones. The day to day events at the Ashram, how it got constructed from a mud cottage to a few rooms and the temple that is there now are beautifully narrated, woven with threads of devotion and mysticism. I will always come back to reading the description of the consecration of Shri Hariji and how Swamiji infuses life into Shri Hariji sculpted in black stone (Prana Pratishtha). Although I was present in the temple during the consecration ceremony back in 2014, I came to know so many things only after reading this book. Vidya Swamiji shares his experience of how he meets MAA and how he comes to know who Swamiji is. Mesmerizing. Not everyone is lucky or I should say blessed enough to know and be in Swamiji's presence and have all the experiences that Ismita and Vidya Swamiji had. But what we all have is This BOOK, which makes us relive those experiences that the authors had with Swamiji. As you read through you will feel that you are them and Swamiji is with you and you are not just reading a book, but living it, breathing it. It is not a regular feat to uncover yourself to the whole world, your deep dark secrets and share with everyone your heart out in the most innocent way, share the one thing that you swear by in your life - Swamiji. Yes, Swamiji is the center of the lives of both Ismita and VidyaSwamiji and perhaps many others. But how many could share it out with the world honestly and with truthfulness. I can't. But they have. The impeccable narration of the glories of Swamiji will make you eager to walk on a spiritual quest yourself. It is as if the devotion in their words is infectious, it made me cry out for the lord. I can't stress enough to please pick up this book and give it a read. So many myths shrouding devotees, their behaviours towards our Lord- Swamiji, towards each other and in general will be erased. And a subtle calmness will reign your being, a sense of satisfaction. You will be at peace. Above all, I am deeply in gratitude for Ismita and VidyaSwamiji to pen down the many facets of our Swamiji in plain literature which is a simple yet intriguing read from start to finish. If anything reading this book will be a gesture of gratitude towards both the exceptionally beautiful souls, who have made their humble attempt of expressing the glories of Swamiji and in turn helping us purify ourselves and our devotional sentiments not just towards Swamiji but towards other devotees as well.

This book is an experience. I would suggest someone to read it only after taking time to learn from Om Swami by reading his blog, listening to his videos and reading his books. All that might otherwise seem difficult to believe in this book will be easy to grasp, once you have experienced some transformation already from internalizing his words and wisdom. Om Swami is the guru I was seeking and this book offered even more dimensions to revere and love, after all that his existence has brought. Blessed are the two authors who have had a chance to experience what they have narrated.

No one can be better evaluate a teacher than the student. Those of you who are familiar with BalKand in Ramyana, where Tulsidas describes lord Rama's activities...here you have two students describing swami ji's day to day life, his interactions with his devotees, and how he comes to their rescue. What a treat this book is! Many of us will never be Surdas or Meera but by reciting their Bhajan we may feel or experience at least a drop of devotion from the ocean that they lived in. Similarly, many of us who live in USA may not be as fortunate as some other disciples(the authors of this book) who are so privileged to see, talk and are recipient of swami ji's grace every day. BUT this book is great substitute. You may not be as fortunate as the authors to experience the downpour, but you can still feel as if you are right next to swami Ji. You experience the drops of love and grace wetting your soul and washing away your bed karma. I hope both of these authors will find time to write more, so many like I how are quite far, can be quite near. This is beautifully written book. I felt as if Meera and Surdas came together and wrote about Krishna! What can I say ...I am at loss of words, other than to utter: "Baso mere naynan main Nandlal".

I would say to read this book before Om Swami’s book! My God! I read HIS memoir and I was spellbound but what this book does is give you immense faith that Guru exists and God exists and they are witness of each and every thought sufferings and desires of human beings! This book has instilled so much faith in me that nothing else could evoke! I wish this was available in Hindi for my my family. Thank you

This book highlights important aspects of Surrender, Saadhana and most IMPORTANTLY: What a Realized Guru Can do to you - How He/She Transforms your life, every moment, with compassion, Knowledge and love. My personal opinion: I have read many scriptures so far .. all describe saadhanas, mantras etc with great, utmost details but at the end they publish a disclaimer: "Please do not do this saadhana without initiation from or without guidance of a Guru" I would often say to myself that what is the point of writing the book if you are giving this disclaimer man! Then again, If you have a True Guru, you don't really need the scriptures. Guru is the living, breathing Scripture!! WHAT AN IRONY Isn't it ? PS1: BOHAHAHAHA!!! I loved the part where Om Swami Taught a lesson to the Story Tellers!! WICKED!! <evil_grin> PS2: This book is just overflowing with love and compassion, I am glad at least that I picked up this book to read from so many other books and got a taste of what it is to be in the presence of a realized master.

Emotions flow as you turn page after page, and live visualization starts with unbelievable clarity as you go over both writers' interactions with the Swami. Be it their first audience with Swami, a relaxed evening around the small campfire at the Ashram, or one of the many enlightened spiritual experiences showered on them. I would be lying if I say I didn't feel a little (very little) envied :) Specifically for the experiences like being able to serve a saint on daily basis, or seeing yourself as a baby, rocked by a saint, or witnessing the holiest rituals of Sri Hari Pran-pratishtha by a saint. Many thanks to both writers for sharing a world full of love, surrender, and spirituality!!

If you like the blogs of Swami Ji, and have developed a level of respect, then this book will cause a paradigm shift. This book will be no value to those who have an aversion to respecting Swami Ji. I have never met Swami ji and have never corresponded but this book has indeed changed my relationship with him for the better. I pray to the divine that my physical body is able to witness the presence of Swami. I consciously am refraining to seek his blessing as I think he blesses all of us anyway. Maybe my ego is speaking !!! But read the book.

I have not yet finished reading the entire book but I feel I should immediately post my thoughts of this wonderful swami ji and his disciples. If you wish to know how the presence of an enlightened being changes the lives of people around him and how the enlightened being contributes to the society in ways and manners not understood by ordinary beings like us, you MUST read this book. I also wish that the readers of this book would go on to Swami ji's website ([...]/) and contribute to one of his missions on a regular basis. I have been doing the contributions for the past 6 months and I am very grateful for this opportunity to serve.