Swami Vishnu-devananda sleeping

This photo reminds me of a story. Swamiji was fond of resting in hammocks. He had a lovely hammock positioned in an out of the way spot overlooking the bay in the rear of his house on the Yoga Retreat on Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas. One day while he was lying on the hammock in a reclusive meditative mood, Swami Satchidananda, the well known founder of the Integral Yoga Institute and a fellow disciple of Swami Sivananda, came to visit Swamiji. Swamiji did not see or hear Swami Satchidananda approach as he continued his quiet reverie. Satchidanandaji suddenly began shaking Swamiji's hammock. Swamiji, not used to the aggressive treatment, spun his head around ready to blast the insensitive perpetrator only to find Swami Satchidananda laughing like a child. Swamiji, seeing it was his gurubhai's joke, instantly converted his indignation and began to laugh as well. It was a genuine spontaneity that still brings a smile to my mind.

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Comments

chandra cohen February 15, 2009 at 9:33am

This photo reminds me of a story. Swamiji was fond of resting in hammocks. He had a lovely hammock positioned in an out of the way spot overlooking the bay in the rear of his house on the Yoga Retreat on Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas. One day while he was lying on the hammock in a reclusive meditative mood, Swami Satchidananda, the well known founder of the Integral Yoga Institute and a fellow disciple of Swami Sivananda, came to visit Swamiji. Swamiji did not see or hear Swami Satchidananda approach as he continued his quiet reverie. Satchidanandaji suddenly began shaking Swamiji's hammock. Swamiji, not used to the aggressive treatment, spun his head around ready to blast the insensitive perpetrator only to find Swami Satchidananda laughing like a child. Swamiji, seeing it was his gurubhai's joke, instantly converted his indignation and began to laugh as well. It was a genuine spontaneity that still brings a smile to my mind.

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